Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

India successfully defended its Asia Cup title with a five-wicket victory over Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 28, 2025, but the celebrations took a politically charged turn when the team declined to accept the trophy from ACC President Mohsin Naqvi, who also chairs the Pakistan Cricket Board. The post-match ceremony was delayed by over an hour and ended abruptly without the trophy presentation. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the decision, stating that the team refused the trophy due to Naqvi’s position as a key figure in Pakistan. The Board intends to formally raise a protest at…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar actively engaged with global counterparts during the high-level session of the 2025 UN General Assembly, focusing on strengthening India’s bilateral and multilateral relations. He participated in meetings across three key platforms: BRICS, the ten-member bloc of emerging economies; IBSA, representing India, Brazil, and South Africa; and the joint conclave of India and CELAC, comprising the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States. A central theme across these discussions was the urgent need to reform multilateral institutions to better reflect the perspectives and interests of the Global South. Trade and economic cooperation were also high on…

NASA and ISRO have unveiled the first radar images from their joint Earth-observing mission, NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar), launched on July 30, 2025. The satellite, equipped with advanced L-band and S-band radar systems, is designed to deliver unprecedented insights into Earth’s surface. Initial images captured in August reveal detailed landscapes, from dense forests and wetlands to agricultural fields and urban areas, demonstrating the satellite’s potential for monitoring ecosystems, farming, and natural disasters. NISAR is the first satellite to carry dual-band radars, combining NASA’s L-band radar with ISRO’s S-band system. NASA’s L-band can penetrate dense forests, measure soil moisture, and…

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%…