Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

India is increasingly being viewed as a viable third pole in a fragmented global economy, as geopolitical tensions among major powers reshape global alliances and economic strategies. According to an analysis published in an international affairs journal, Europe and Canada are recalibrating their global partnerships amid growing uncertainty in relations with the United States and China. As Western nations seek to de-risk from China while navigating volatility in American foreign policy, India is emerging as a strategic alternative. India offers economic scale and market depth without the geopolitical complexities often associated with China. While it does not replace the US…

India and the United States convened a high-level roundtable in Silicon Valley last week to strengthen collaboration on technology and artificial intelligence, emphasizing the shift from strategic planning to actionable implementation. The closed-door event, organised by the Consulate General of India in San Francisco in partnership with NASSCOM, brought together senior executives, venture capitalists, and academic experts from both nations under the theme “India-US Technology Partnership: From Strategic Intent to Execution.” The discussions highlighted the transformative role of AI in global trade, labor markets, and the growing Indo-US technology corridor. Speakers noted that artificial intelligence represents a fundamental structural change…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed students, teachers, and parents in the second episode of Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC) 2026, which was streamed live on his official YouTube channel. The interactive session saw massive participation, with around 45 million people registered for the program this year. The discussion focused on exam preparation, mental well-being, time management, healthy habits, technology use, and career planning, making it highly relevant as students prepare for board examinations. During the session, Modi responded to questions from students across the country, offering practical and relatable advice rather than purely academic guidance. He emphasized the importance of maintaining…

Entrepreneur and Ohio gubernatorial hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy, along with his wife Apoorva, announced the arrival of their daughter, Savithri. The couple shared the joyful news on social media on February 4, posting a family photograph from the hospital to celebrate the occasion. Savithri is the Ramaswamys’ third child. In their social media post, the couple confirmed that both mother and baby were in good health and expressed heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support they have received from friends, family, and the wider community. “Apoorva and I are delighted to announce the birth of our daughter, Savithri. Mom and baby are…

Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya of Thailand arrived in Jaipur on Friday, marking the start of her four-day visit to Rajasthan, which will continue until February 10. The royal itinerary includes visits to Jaipur and Jodhpur, offering the princess an immersive experience of the region’s rich heritage and culture. Upon arrival at Jaipur International Airport via a special flight, Princess Sirivannavari was welcomed under strict security measures coordinated by the police and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Following diplomatic protocols, photography and videography by the public were restricted. She then traveled in an official convoy to Rambagh Palace, where she…

Preparations are in full swing across Malaysia as the Indian diaspora eagerly gears up to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his official visit, reflecting the deep cultural bonds and growing partnership between the two nations. Members of the Indian community have expressed excitement over the visit, viewing it as a significant opportunity to further strengthen India–Malaysia relations across trade, finance, security and cultural cooperation. Community leaders said the visit holds special meaning, as Malaysia is home to one of the largest Indian diasporas in the world. Representatives of the business community highlighted the steady growth in bilateral trade and…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the growing partnership between India and the European Union (EU) as he addressed the inaugural India-EU Forum on Friday. Speaking on the historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA), he described it as a transformative milestone for bilateral relations, emphasizing the potential for expanded cooperation in security, defence, climate, technology, and talent flows. Jaishankar expressed hope that the forum would facilitate deeper discussions and foster greater convergence between India and EU nations. The FTA negotiations were successfully concluded on January 27, 2026, during the 16th India-EU Summit co-chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, European Council President…

The University of Vermont (UVM) has announced the appointment of Indian American Vikas Anand as the new Dean of the Grossman School of Business, highlighting his extensive background in business school administration, strategic program development, accreditation, and global engagement. Anand currently serves as Associate Dean for Academic Programs at North Carolina State University’s Poole College of Management, where he manages undergraduate and graduate programs, executive education, global initiatives, career services, and marketing. Under his leadership, Poole College has seen notable enrollment growth, curriculum innovations, and improved student outcomes, earning strong national rankings and successful employment results. Expressing enthusiasm for his…

India and the United States have signaled a renewed push to strengthen their strategic and economic ties, following a series of high-level discussions in Washington led by India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. His engagements with senior American officials highlighted the deepening partnership between the two nations across multiple domains, including security, trade, technology, and energy. During his visit, Jaishankar held separate meetings with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, reflecting the wide-ranging nature of India–US cooperation. His conversation with Rubio was described as comprehensive, covering key areas that shape the bilateral relationship. Both sides…

In a striking episode of global trade diplomacy, U.S. President Donald Trump has reduced tariffs on Indian goods from a proposed 50% down to 18%. This adjustment comes after weeks of tense negotiations and strategic developments that have reshaped relations between the two largest democracies. Political analyst Ian Bremmer describes such moments as TACO—“Trump Always Chickens Out”—highlighting the president’s pattern of aggressive threats followed by retreat when faced with determined resistance. While Trump bluffs many countries and some succumb, India is not one of them. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stood steadfast, refusing to yield under pressure, a key reason…