Must Read News

Trump’s shooting from the hip — and hitting his own credibility, not India.

In early August 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump stirred controversy by calling India a “dead economy” in a Truth Social post. This remark came alongside his claim that “we do very little business with India” and the announcement of steep tariffs—first 25%, then raised to 50%—targeting Indian imports in retaliation for New Delhi’s ongoing trade in Russian oil and defense equipment. These comments, however, do not align with reality. U.S.-India trade hit record highs in recent years, with two-way goods and services trade exceeding $200 billi ..... Read More

Reshma Kewalramani Joins Fortune’s Power 100 List

Reshma Kewalramani, born in Mumbai and now leading Vertex Pharmaceuticals, has been honored by Fortune magazine as one of the 100 Most Powerful People in Business. Making her debut on the prestigious list, she secured the 62nd position, standing among a select group of global leaders shaping the future of industries. Kewalramani holds the distinction of being the first woman to head a major biotechnology company in the United States. Trained as a physician, she transitioned from her role as Chief Medical Officer, which she held from 2017, to ..... Read More

India, Oman Conclude Comprehensive Trade Agreement Talks

India and Oman have successfully concluded negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), a major step forward in enhancing bilateral trade and economic cooperation. Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada confirmed the conclusion of talks in a written response to the Rajya Sabha, following a question from Congress member Hebi Mather Hisham regarding India’s trade agreements. However, the minister did not specify a date for the signing ceremony. India and Oman share centuries-old ties rooted in mutu ..... Read More

India-Origin AI Startups Draw Big Global Funding

A new wave of India-origin AI startups has attracted substantial early-stage capital, drawing in prominent global investors and commanding premium valuations. These ventures, built with a global-first mindset, are already demonstrating monetization potential, highlighting their scalability and relevance in international markets. Among the key deals, Y Combinator-backed GigaML, which enables secure on-premise deployment of large language models for enterprises, raised $40 million from US-based Redpoint Ventures at a $350 million valuation whi ..... Read More

India’s US envoy meets Senator Graham amid tariff row

India’s ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, recently held talks with influential Republican Senator Lindsey Graham as trade negotiations between New Delhi and Washington remain stalled. The meeting came in the wake of President Donald Trump’s decision to impose punitive tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil. Kwatra, in a statement on X, noted that he discussed India’s approach to energy security and highlighted the growing energy trade between the two nations. His outreach followed Graham’s remarks urging India to help ..... Read More

Rajasthani-Americans Honoured as NYC Marks Aug 6 ‘RANA Day’

New York City has officially recognized the contributions of the Rajasthani-American community by proclaiming August 6, 2025, as “Rajasthan Association of North America (RANA) Day.” The historic announcement came during RANA’s Silver Jubilee celebrations at New York City Hall, where Mayor Eric Adams personally joined the ceremony to honor 25 years of cultural service, charitable work, and diaspora unity. Deputy Commissioner Dilip Chauhan, who facilitated the proclamation, praised RANA’s role in strengthening ties between New York and the ..... Read More

India’s Retail Sector Among Fastest Growing Globally: RIL

Reliance Industries has declared India’s retail sector among the fastest-expanding consumer markets in the world, citing strong growth fundamentals and a promising decade ahead. In its FY25 annual report, the conglomerate credited favorable government policies, rising disposable incomes, surging rural demand, and technological innovation for fueling this momentum. The company’s retail arm—which spans consumer electronics, grocery, fashion, lifestyle, and private labels—generated gross revenue of $37.84 billion in FY25, marking a 7.9% year-on ..... Read More

Ajit Doval Meets Russian Security Chief in Moscow

India’s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, held high-level talks in Moscow with Russia’s Secretary of the Security Council, Sergei Shoigu, aimed at reinforcing the long-standing “special and privileged” strategic partnership between the two nations. The discussions, which took place on August 7, revolved around deepening bilateral cooperation, enhancing collaboration in multilateral forums, and addressing pressing international security challenges. Both sides emphasized the importance of joint initiatives in the lead-up to the annual Ind ..... Read More

Netanyahu Meets Indian Envoy to Boost Strategic Partnership

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed India’s Ambassador to Israel, J.P. Singh, for a high-level meeting aimed at enhancing the ever-growing India-Israel Strategic Partnership. The discussions centered on expanding cooperation in key sectors such as security and economics, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to advancing shared goals based on mutual values and interests. Netanyahu shared details of the meeting on X, stating that they had explored opportunities to deepen collaboration, particularly in defense and trade ..... Read More

India Eyes Strategic Shift Amid US Tariff Pressure

India’s foreign policy could be entering a period of recalibration as multiple developments point toward a shift in its global strategic posture. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is preparing for his first visit to China in six years, while National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is engaging with Russian leaders to finalize key defense agreements. These moves, analysts suggest, could signal a deliberate effort by New Delhi to rebalance its international relations in the wake of rising friction with Washington. A recent report by M Financial I ..... Read More

How ISRO Is Powering Rescue Ops in Flood-Hit Uttarakhand

Just days after a catastrophic flash flood tore through Uttarakhand’s Dharali and Harsil villages, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released striking high-resolution satellite images that lay bare the scale of the disaster. Triggered by intense rainfall and a sudden cloudburst on Tuesday afternoon, the deluge swept away homes, hotels, bridges, and roads in Uttarkashi district, claiming at least five lives while more than 100 remain missing. Captured by the Cartosat-2S satellite, the images—shared on ISRO’s official X account ..... Read More

India’s Russian Oil Purchases Helped Global Economy: NYT

A report in The New York Times has spotlighted how Washington’s tone toward India’s Russian oil imports has shifted dramatically under President Donald Trump. Once seen as a strategic benefit for both nations—and the global economy—these purchases are now at the center of a trade standoff. Following the start of the Ukraine war in 2022, India sharply increased imports of discounted Russian crude after European nations halted energy trade with Moscow. The NYT noted that this arrangement quietly benefited all parties: the Biden administration ..... Read More

Amarnath Pilgrimage Halted Amid Urgent Route Repairs

The revered Amarnath Yatra, an annual pilgrimage to the sacred Himalayan cave shrine in South Kashmir, has been temporarily halted due to essential repairs caused by recent torrential rainfall. Authorities have taken this step to ensure the safety of the thousands of pilgrims traveling to the shrine each year. According to V. K. Bhiduri, Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir, the pilgrimage—originally set to conclude on August 9—has been paused on both the Sonamarg-Baltal and Pahalgam-Chandanwari routes. Maintenance teams are already deployed a ..... Read More

Explained: Trump’s 50% Tariff Blow to Indian Economy

  In a move sending shockwaves through trade corridors, former US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order slapping an additional 25% tariff on Indian exports, bringing the total import duty to a stiff 50%. The rationale? India’s ongoing purchase of crude oil from Russia, which Trump claims undermines US efforts to isolate Moscow. This executive order, titled "Addressing Threats to the US by the Government of the Russian Federation," targets Indian goods specifically, although it notably spares China — the world’s largest ..... Read More

Indian-Origin Scientists Shaping America's Scientific Future

Indian-origin scientists have emerged as influential leaders in the fields of American science, technology, and policy. Many of these brilliant minds began their academic paths in India before pursuing advanced education and research at prestigious U.S. institutions. Their journeys highlight how education and cross-cultural experiences can pave the way for groundbreaking global contributions. Venkatraman “Venki” Ramakrishnan, recipient of the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, uncovered the structure of ribosomes—an essential cellular compon ..... Read More

Pak-Origin Woman Sends Modi Rakhi for 30 Years

For nearly three decades, a woman of Pakistani descent has been sending handcrafted rakhis to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Her name is Qamar Mohsin Shaikh, and though she was born in Karachi, Pakistan, she has been living in Ahmedabad, India, after marrying Mohsin Shaikh. What makes this tradition special is that Qamar personally creates the rakhis each year. She crafts several but always chooses the best one to send to PM Modi. This year, she selected a rakhi adorned with the sacred ‘OM’ symbol, reflecting both devotion and cultural herita ..... Read More

Trump Uses India Tariffs to Warn China of Trade Action

In what appears to be a geopolitical warning to both China and Russia, former US President Donald Trump has justified his recent imposition of secondary tariffs on India. At a White House event on Wednesday, Trump clarified that India wasn’t being deliberately targeted, but rather used as a demonstration of the United States’ resolve in curbing energy ties with Moscow. The secondary sanctions, announced just eight hours prior to Trump’s remarks, include punitive tariffs on Indian imports, officially taking effect on August 27. These new tari ..... Read More

PM Modi to Attend Key SCO Summit in China

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to travel to Tianjin, China, later this month to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, taking place from August 31 to September 1, 2025. This marks PM Modi’s first official visit to China since the deadly Galwan Valley incident in 2020, which significantly strained relations between the two countries. Modi's last trip to China occurred in 2019, and he briefly engaged with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia, in 2024. His upcoming ..... Read More

Trump’s Tariff Tranche Kicks In Today—India Faces Impact

In a major development in global trade policy, U.S. President Donald Trump has enforced a steep 50% tariff on Indian imports. The first tranche, initially set at 25%, was announced on July 30, followed by another 25% levy revealed on August 6. Trump also imposed a "penalty" on Indian imports tied to oil purchases from Russia, signaling heightened trade tensions between the two democracies. These tariffs are not paid by Indian exporters directly but by U.S. importers, making Indian goods substantially more expensive in American mark ..... Read More

Indian American Hosts Georgia’s First Neurodiverse Pageant

In a groundbreaking event held at Celebrations Banquet Hall in Cumming, Georgia, Indian American entrepreneur and community advocate Lakshmi Mandavilli made history by organizing the state’s first-ever neurodiverse pageant. Named LuckyWe2 Georgia USA 2025, the event was hosted by her company LuckyWe2, known for creating inclusive platforms that amplify underrepresented voices. With over three decades in the United States, Lakshmi is the founder of MedRoi Corp, a thriving medical billing firm. She is also a wife and mother who has long suppor ..... Read More

IACFNJ to Host Colorful Independence Day Celebration

The Indo-American Cultural Foundation of Central Jersey (IACFNJ) is set to host a festive celebration honoring India’s Independence Day on Saturday, August 16, 2025, starting at 11 a.m. The event will take place at Shree Swaminarayan Temple (Vadtal Dham), located at 1667 Amwell Road, Somerset, New Jersey. This community-wide celebration will bring together residents from Somerset, South Brunswick, North Brunswick, and nearby towns. The lively gathering will feature patriotic and cultural dance performances, live singing, a DJ, henna artists, ..... Read More

PM Modi Inaugurates Kartavya Bhavan Under Vista Plan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Kartavya Bhavan on Wednesday, marking the launch of the first of ten planned buildings under the Common Central Secretariat project. The building, designed to house multiple ministries, is part of the broader Central Vista redevelopment plan aimed at modernizing and consolidating India's administrative infrastructure. Located in the heart of Delhi, Kartavya Bhavan will serve as the new home for crucial government ministries including Home Affairs, External Affairs, Rural Development, Petroleum and Nat ..... Read More

Trump Says He Stopped India-Pak War, Blames Biden Now

Trump’s claim appears aimed at drawing a sharp contrast with President Joe Biden, whose previous administration, according to Trump, allowed global conflicts to escalate. Trump emphasized that he intends to “end Biden’s war,” without specifying which conflict he meant — though analysts suggest he was referencing the ongoing situations in Ukraine or the Middle East. This marks the first time Trump has directly claimed credit for de-escalating a near-war situation involving India and Pakistan. During his earlier p ..... Read More

Doval in Moscow, India Won’t Ditch Russia Over Tariffs

President Donald Trump’s renewed warnings of steep tariff hikes on India have done little to shake New Delhi’s strategic path. In fact, India has deepened its partnership with Russia, sending National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to Moscow for high-stakes talks centered on defense and energy. His visit, although scheduled earlier, has taken on added importance amid growing US-India tensions. Doval is meeting senior Russian officials in a closed-door setting to discuss strategic alignment and military collaboration. As reported by ..... Read More

RBI: US Tariff Hike Won’t Have Major Impact on India

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra expressed confidence that the recent tariff hikes imposed by the United States would not significantly disrupt India’s economic stability. Addressing the media following the RBI's latest monetary policy review, Malhotra emphasized that unless India introduces retaliatory tariffs, the effects of the US actions would be minimal. “We don’t anticipate any major economic fallout unless countermeasures come into play, which seems unlikely,” he noted. Malhotra added th ..... Read More