Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that, beginning October 1, 2025, all branded and patentedpharmaceutical products imported into the United States will face a 100% tariff. The policy exempts companies that are already constructing or planning US manufacturing plants, as clarified in Trump’s Truth Social post. The move is designed to incentivize domestic production of medicines and medical products. Alongside pharmaceuticals, the administration will impose steep tariffs on household goods. Kitchen cabinets will see a 50% tariff, while upholstered furniture will face a 30% levy, effective from the same date. These measures are expected to impact trade with major…

Texas Republican Senate candidate Alexander Duncan has come under fire for comments criticizing a 90-foot statue of Lord Hanuman, also called the ‘Statue of Union’, located at the Shri Ashtalakshmi Temple in Sugar Land, Texas. Declaring the United States a Christian nation, Duncan questioned the presence of the Hindu monument, referring to it as a “false statue of a false Hindu God” in posts on X. In another message, Duncan quoted the Bible, citing Exodus 20:3-4: “You must not have any other god but me. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar engaged in a series of high-level diplomatic meetings on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week. His discussions with several global counterparts reflected India’s growing role in shaping international cooperation and addressing shared concerns. During his meeting with Netherlands Foreign Minister David van Weel, Jaishankar noted the importance of aligning India’s approach with Europe’s evolving strategic priorities. Their conversation highlighted India’s rising engagement with European partners at a time when global security and economic realignments are under scrutiny. Bilateral relations with Sri Lanka also featured on his agenda…

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday emphasized that India represents a relationship of “critical importance” to Washington during discussions with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. The talks came amid growing strains in bilateral ties following new tariffs on Indian goods and a sharp increase in H-1B visa fees imposed by the Trump administration. According to a State Department readout, Rubio commended India’s active engagement across several sectors, including trade, defence, energy, pharmaceuticals, and critical minerals. Both leaders agreed to continue collaborating to maintain a free and open…

 External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to meet United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The meeting, scheduled for 11 AM US time (8:30 PM IST), comes at a sensitive moment as trade talks and the Trump administration’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee hike dominate discussions. This will be the third in-person meeting between Jaishankar and Rubio this year. Their last interaction took place on July 1 in Washington during the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting, while the first came in January shortly after Rubio assumed his role.…

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again called on citizens to reduce their dependence on foreign-made products and adopt locally manufactured goods. Addressing the nation on Sunday, Modi emphasized his “Swadeshi” campaign at a time when India’s trade relationship with the United States faces severe strain. The appeal follows Washington’s decision, under President Donald Trump, to impose a steep 50% tariff on imports from India. This move has triggered widespread discontent in New Delhi, leading Modi’s supporters to actively promote the boycott of American consumer giants. Global names like McDonald’s, Pepsi, and Apple—hugely popular among India’s 1.4 billion people—have…

India’s pharmaceutical industry is projected to register revenue growth of 7–9% in FY26, according to ICRA’s latest outlook, despite persisting headwinds in the United States market. The sector’s performance will be supported by robust domestic demand and steady expansion across European markets. The domestic market is expected to grow 8–10%, backed by sales force expansion, deeper penetration into rural areas, and a pipeline of new product launches. Branded generics continue to be a key growth engine, with chronic therapies, fresh introductions, and price revisions driving momentum. The industry reported a 10.3% year-on-year revenue increase in Q1 FY26, following an 11.6%…

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership during Operation Sindoor while interacting with veterans of the 1965 Indo-Pak war. Speaking at South Block, Singh reflected on India’s historical conflicts, noting that although the nation has faced challenges with its neighbors, it has consistently shaped its own destiny. “Since independence, India hasn’t always been fortunate with its neighbors, but we never accepted these challenges as fate. Operation Sindoor is a recent example where our morale remained unbroken despite difficult circumstances. Our Prime Minister took a pledge, and victory has become a habit we continue…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm birthday greeting from Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday during a phone conversation between the two leaders. Modi, who turned 75, thanked President Putin for his wishes and acknowledged the strength of their enduring friendship, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). In its statement, the MEA noted that both leaders reviewed several issues on the bilateral agenda ahead of the upcoming 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. Prime Minister Modi also conveyed that he looks forward to hosting President Putin in India later this year. Their discussions included mutual cooperation and Modi’s reaffirmation…

US President Donald Trump has publicly praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for backing initiatives aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war. In a heartfelt post on his social media platform, Trump described Modi as a “friend” who is doing a “tremendous job” on the global stage. Trump revealed that he spoke with the Indian leader over the phone to personally wish him on his 75th birthday. Sharing details of the conversation on Truth Social, he wrote, “Just had a wonderful phone call with my friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I wished him a very Happy Birthday! He is doing a tremendous…