Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

US President Donald Trump recently held a conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, at a time when trade frictions continue to shape relations between Washington and New Delhi. Gor confirmed the discussion through a brief post on social media, urging observers to “stay tuned,” signalling that further developments could follow. His statement came shortly after Trump shared a visual on his Truth Social account featuring Modi alongside himself on the cover of India Today’s “Newsmakers of the Year 2025” edition. The image, which carried the headline “The Mover & The Shaker,”…

Parliament has commenced discussions on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address following the unveiling of the Union Budget 2026–27. The debate, part of the ongoing Budget Session, began in the Lok Sabha on Monday, with Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal moving the motion on behalf of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and MP Tejasvi Surya seconding it. In the Rajya Sabha, BJP MPs C Sadanandan Master and Medha Vishram Kulkarni will manage the proceedings. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to deliver his response on February 4, while Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who presented her ninth consecutive budget,…

India remained a significant trading partner of the United States in November 2025, as US trade data revealed a sharp increase in the nation’s overall trade deficit. According to figures released on January 29 by the U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis, the US goods and services trade deficit surged to $56.8 billion in November, nearly doubling October’s revised deficit of $29.2 billion. A trade deficit arises when imports exceed exports. In November, the US recorded a goods trade deficit of $4.4 billion with India, marking it as one of the key countries with which Washington faced a…

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Comoros Foreign Minister Mbae Mohamed to review and advance bilateral cooperation across key development-focused sectors. The discussions reflected India’s continued engagement with island nations of the Indian Ocean region and its emphasis on people-centric partnerships. Both sides explored opportunities to deepen collaboration in health, sports, infrastructure development, and capacity building. The talks highlighted the shared intent to translate diplomatic goodwill into tangible outcomes that support institutional strengthening and human resource development in Comoros. The leaders also underlined the importance of maintaining regular high-level engagements to sustain momentum in bilateral relations. India and Comoros share…

India is set to gain the most from its recently concluded free trade agreement with the European Union, according to United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who described the deal as strongly tilted in India’s favor. Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Greer said the agreement offers India broader access to European markets while strengthening its position in global trade at a time of major realignments. Greer placed the agreement within the wider context of changing global trade policies, particularly the United States’ renewed focus on domestic manufacturing. He noted that with Washington prioritizing internal production and placing higher…

On January 27, millions of fans across generations were taken by surprise when Arijit Singh announced his retirement from playback singing. While he did not provide a detailed explanation, the singer cited boredom as a primary reason and hinted at a growing interest in film direction. Over recent years, Singh has already experimented with filmmaking, suggesting that his career pivot may be motivated by a desire to explore storytelling behind the camera. Arijit Singh has directed two films to date. In 2015, he helmed the Bengali feature Bhalobashar Roznamcha (Diary of Love in Hindi), which combined seven short films into…

The United States recently hosted the first-ever meeting of the US India Drug Policy Executive Working Group in Washington, marking a significant step forward in bilateral cooperation against the global drug problem. The meeting reflected the shared resolve of both nations to tackle drug trafficking, prevent the misuse of precursor chemicals, and promote safer communities. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the discussions highlighted the long-term commitment of both governments to address drug-related threats that increasingly cross international borders. The two-day meeting, held from January 20 to January 21, was formally opened by Sara Carter, Director of the Office…

 India made a remarkable impact at Gulfood 2026, the world’s largest annual food and beverage trade event, taking the spotlight as the Country Partner with the most extensive global representation. With over 600 Indian exhibitors and the largest exhibition space of any country, India highlighted its leadership in the agri-food and processed food sector. Key offerings included Basmati rice, more than a dozen GI-tagged rice varieties, millets, tea, spices, turmeric, processed foods, organic products, and fresh produce, reflecting the diversity and quality of Indian agriculture. The Indian Pavilion at Dubai Expo City was inaugurated by senior officials, underscoring the country’s…

India’s economy is expected to maintain steady momentum over the next two years, with GDP growth projected at 6.5 per cent in 2026 and 6.4 per cent in 2027, keeping the country among the world’s fastest-growing major economies, according to a report released on Tuesday. The report by DBS Bank said inflation is likely to follow a gradual normalisation path, with consumer price inflation projected to rise from 2.2 per cent in 2025 to 3.5 per cent in 2026 and 4.5 per cent in 2027. Against this backdrop, the Reserve Bank of India is expected to maintain a stable monetary…

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has positioned India as a cornerstone of Europe’s trade strategy, emphasizing the need to finalize the decades-long India-EU free trade agreement (FTA). Her visit to New Delhi, coinciding with her role as Chief Guest for India’s Republic Day, is aimed at energizing bilateral ties and closing remaining gaps in what she describes as “the mother of all deals.” The agreement promises to significantly enhance economic relations between India and Europe, reflecting India’s growing strategic confidence on the global stage. The deal could reshape global trade patterns, offering European nations an opportunity to strengthen…