Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

Vietnam and India continue to solidify their strategic partnership with renewed efforts in trade, investment, and global cooperation. Vietnam’s Ambassador to India, Nguyen Thanh Hai, emphasized the growing economic ties between the two nations, setting an ambitious bilateral trade target of $15 billion. Speaking with ANI, the ambassador acknowledged that the ongoing success in trade and investment stems from a foundation of robust political ties and a long-standing friendship between the two countries. Hai pointed out that this comprehensive strategic partnership has flourished in recent years, fueling optimism on both sides. He noted that ongoing dialogue with Indian government bodies…

In a major expansion move, the BRICS nations have formally welcomed Indonesia as a full member of the group. This announcement came during the 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Alongside Indonesia, ten additional countries — Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Malaysia, Thailand, Cuba, Vietnam, Uganda, andUzbekistan — were inducted as BRICS partner countries. The joint declaration from the summit highlighted the evolving nature of BRICS and emphasized the collective intention of its members to foster equitable global partnerships. The leaders endorsed several significant documents, including the BRICS Leaders’ Framework Declaration on Climate Finance, the Statement on the…

Varanasi, July 5 (IANS) – As the sacred month of Sawan approaches, the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi is preparing to welcome a record-breaking 1.5 crore devotees, expected to visit beginning July 11 to seek blessings from Baba Vishwanath. Last year, the temple witnessed over one crore pilgrims performing Jalabhishek, and this year, the number is projected to rise significantly. To manage the spiritual influx, the temple administration and district authorities have initiated a host of measures for crowd management, safety, and comfort. Barricading & Facilities:To ensure smooth darshan, zig-zag barricades, carpeted walkways to protect feet from the heat,…

Sub-Lieutenant Astha Poonia has officially become the first woman in Indian Navy history to enter the fighter pilot stream, marking a groundbreaking step for gender representation in the armed forces. She was awarded the distinguished ‘Wings of Gold’ by Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Air), during the graduation ceremony of the Second Basic Hawk Conversion Course held at INS Dega, Visakhapatnam. Astha’s accomplishment not only breaks barriers but also paves the way for more women in military aviation. Alongside her, Lieutenant Atul Kumar Dhull also received the honor, both now fully qualified to serve in advanced…

During his official visit to Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a series of transformative initiatives aimed at reinforcing India’s connection with the global Girmitiya community. Speaking to Indian-origin citizens in Port of Spain, PM Modi emphasized India’s commitment to preserving the legacy of indentured laborers, pledging to develop a comprehensive Girmitiya database. This will trace the ancestral villages of those who migrated and map where their descendants have settled worldwide. The Prime Minister also revealed that descendants of Indian origin in Trinidad and Tobago—up to the sixth generation—would now be eligible to receive Overseas Citizen of India…

India’s tyre industry has shown remarkable resilience in FY25, recording a 9% year-on-year rise in exports, reaching a value of $2.93 billion. This growth comes despite the backdrop of global trade uncertainties and disruptions in international supply chains, according to data released by the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA). With a total industry turnover estimated at $11.67 billion, the tyre sector remains one of India’s strongest manufacturing segments, boasting a significant export-to-revenue ratio. The majority of outbound shipments—around 60%—came from farm and off-the-road (OTR) tyres, which continue to dominate export volumes due to strong demand from agricultural and industrial sectors…

NASA Assigns Astronaut Anil Menon to First Space Station Mission NASA astronaut Anil Menon is set to embark on his first mission to the International Space Station (ISS) as a flight engineer and crew member of Expedition 75, scheduled for launch in June 2026. Menon will travel aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft alongside Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina. The mission will launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, with the crew expected to remain on the ISS for approximately eight months. While aboard the orbiting laboratory, Menon will support a wide range of scientific investigations and technology…

Trump, Rubio Discuss Implementing Multifaceted Cooperation Under US-India COMPACT The US-India COMPACT, a major strategic initiative to deepen bilateral cooperation, was at the heart of discussions between Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during Jaishankar’s visit to Washington. US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that the talks focused on operationalizing the US-India COMPACT, a multi-sectoral programme covering trade, defence, energy, counter-narcotics, countering illegal immigration, and more. In a post on X, Jaishankar stated that both sides discussed the expanding bilateral partnership, including collaboration in security, critical technologies, energy, mobility, and connectivity, while…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) stands as a major diplomatic step in strengthening India’s engagement with the Global South. As part of his five-nation tour, this visit follows his stop in Ghana (July 2–3) and precedes visits to Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia. This marks Modi’s first official trip to T&T as Prime Minister, and the first bilateral Prime Ministerial visit to the Caribbean nation since 1999. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the visit serves not only as a reaffirmation of India’s outreach to developing nations but also honors 180 years since…

Rural India is undergoing a significant economic shift, moving rapidly from an agriculture-centric economy to one increasingly dominated by the services sector. According to a report released on Monday by HDFC Securities, 112 rural districts, representing a population of 291 million, have already crossed the per capita income threshold of $2,000. This emerging pool of higher-income individuals in rural regions is expected to generate sustained demand for discretionary goods and services, the report titled “Rural India – Shifting Economic Foundations” highlighted. Over recent quarters, rural India has played a key role in driving national consumption growth, especially while urban consumption…