Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the Pongal festival in New Delhi by joining a vibrant celebration hosted at the residence of Union Minister L Murugan. The gathering brought together members of the Tamil community, senior government officials, and well-known personalities from the cultural and film fraternity. During the event, the prime minister described Pongal as more than a regional harvest festival, calling it a global celebration that reflects the values of one of the world’s oldest living civilizations. In his address, Modi underlined that Pongal is deeply connected to agriculture and honours the dedication of farmers whose labour sustains society.…

India’s economic and diplomatic ties with Iran are under renewed scrutiny following a U.S. announcement that countries maintaining trade with Iran could face a 25% tariff if they seek business relations with the United States. Government officials have indicated that India is planning to reduce its trade with Iran further in the current fiscal year due to external economic pressures, even as it prepares to host Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian during the upcoming BRICS summit. The summit marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Iran. Despite the U.S. tariff threat, sources suggest the impact on India will…

India formally launched the logo, theme, and official website for its BRICS 2026 chairship during an event in New Delhi, marking the country’s fourth time leading the influential economic grouping. The launch was led by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and signaled the start of India’s preparations to steer BRICS at a time of global uncertainty and shifting geopolitical dynamics. India assumed the BRICS presidency on January 1, taking over from Brazil. The upcoming chairship holds added significance as BRICS approaches two decades since its formation. Over the years, the bloc has emerged as a key platform for emerging…

New York City Hall has announced the appointment of Lekha Sunder as the city’s new Deputy Communications Director, a role that places her at the center of shaping official messaging and coordinating communication efforts across municipal departments. The appointment reflects Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s focus on strengthening how City Hall engages with residents, media organizations, and stakeholders. Sunder became closely associated with Mayor Mamdani’s political journey earlier this year when she joined his primary campaign. During the campaign, she played a significant role in expanding its media presence and ensuring consistent messaging across multiple platforms. Her efforts helped integrate traditional outreach…

India and Germany on Monday signed several key Memorandums of Understanding, marking a significant step forward in their strategic partnership, as bilateral trade between the two countries crossed the USD 50 billion milestone for the first time. The agreements were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, following high-level talks aimed at expanding cooperation across multiple sectors. Addressing a joint press conference, Prime Minister Modi said the growing trade volume reflects the strength and maturity of economic ties between the two nations. He noted that more than 2,000 German companies have a long-standing…

The United States has reiterated that India remains at the center of its global diplomatic and strategic priorities, with newly appointed US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor emphasizing the strength of ties between Washington and New Delhi. Speaking shortly after assuming charge in the Indian capital, Gor highlighted President Donald Trump’s close personal relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing it as genuine and enduring. According to Gor, President Trump has expressed a strong desire to visit India within the next one to two years, reinforcing the importance he places on the bilateral relationship. The ambassador noted that no international…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday conveyed his greetings on the occasion of Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, underscoring the vital role played by Indians living abroad in strengthening India’s global standing while remaining deeply connected to their cultural roots. Through a message shared on X, the Prime Minister described the Indian diaspora as a living link between India and the wider world. He noted that overseas Indians have contributed meaningfully to the societies they live in while continuing to uphold Indian traditions, values, and identity. Referring to members of the diaspora as “rashtradoots,” or national ambassadors, Modi acknowledged their role in…

French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed that he will travel to India next month, coinciding with New Delhi’s preparations to host the India AI Impact Summit 2026. Macron made the announcement while addressing members of the Diplomatic Corps, where he reflected on the achievements and direction of French diplomacy over the past year. His remarks underscored France’s growing engagement with India on global technology and strategic issues. The India AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled for February 19 and 20 in New Delhi, was formally announced earlier by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the France AI Action Summit. The event is…

India has achieved a major milestone by becoming the first country to commercially produce bio-bitumen, an eco-friendly alternative to conventional asphalt used in road construction. Developed from agricultural and organic waste materials that would otherwise be discarded, bio-bitumen is designed to support sustainable infrastructure while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The bio-bitumen has successfully passed performance and durability tests, confirming its suitability for use in roadway projects. Experts anticipate that this innovation will make road construction more cost-effective, environmentally sustainable, and efficient. Additionally, it allows for the value addition of agricultural waste, turning previously unused resources into a productive material…

The United Nations (UN) has projected India’s GDP growth at a robust 6.6 per cent in 2026, even as global economic growth is expected to slow to 2.7 per cent amid rising geopolitical risks and policy uncertainty, according to a new UN report released on Wednesday. The projection is part of the UN’s World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026 report, which notes that strong demand in major markets could partially offset the impact of higher US tariffs on India’s economy. Although the UN has lowered India’s growth estimate from its earlier projection of 7.4 per cent, the outlook aligns with…