Must Read News

BAPS Children Set Guinness Record for Hindu Recital

During the grand celebration of Mahant Swami Maharaj’s birthday on February 2, 2026, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha achieved a remarkable feat by setting a Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous Hindu text recital by children. The event, held in Vadodara, attracted over 200,000 devotees from across the globe. The record was established when 12,723 children recited the Satsang Diksha, a sacred Sanskrit scripture composed by Mahant Swami Maharaj. This achievement, verified by Guinness World Records officials from England, represents t ..... Read More

Justice Sanjay Tailor 1st Asian on Illinois Supreme Ct.

Justice Sanjay T. Tailor, a seasoned jurist with more than 20 years on trial and appellate courts, was sworn in to the Illinois Supreme Court on January 30, becoming the first Asian American to serve on the state’s highest judicial body. The ceremony, held in Chicago, was conducted by Chief Justice P. Scott Neville and attended by Justice Tailor’s wife, three children, and dignitaries including Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. Local television channels broadcasted the event live. In his remarks, Justice Tailor expressed gratitude for the ..... Read More

Willow, YouTube stream USA T20 free World Cup live!

Willow by Cricbuzz announced on February 6 that it will stream Team USA matches in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup free of charge on YouTube, marking a first for viewers in the United States and Canada. The tournament runs from February 7 to March 8, with coverage kicking off at 8:30 a.m. ET on February 7 for the USA vs. India match. In addition to YouTube, the matches will also be accessible at no cost on Willow and Cricbuzz platforms. To enhance the viewing experience, Willow has partnered with Jomboy Media to produce an alternate, creator-l ..... Read More

PM Modi to Strengthen India-Malaysia Strategic Ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Malaysia from February 7-8, responding to an invitation from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the Ministry of External Affairs announced. This will mark PM Modi’s third official visit to Malaysia and his first since India and Malaysia upgraded their relationship to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” in August 2024. During the visit, PM Modi will engage in bilateral talks with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and interact with members of the Indian community, as well as leading indust ..... Read More

UPI Transactions Soar to Record US$ 2.56 Trillion

India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has achieved a record milestone, reaching Rs. 230 lakh crore (US$ 2.56 trillion) in transactions between April 2025 and December 2025, according to a government briefing in the Rajya Sabha. This marks a sharp rise from the previous year’s Rs. 139 lakh crore (US$ 1.54 trillion) in FY24-25, highlighting the accelerating adoption of digital payments across the country. The surge in UPI usage is attributed to increased digital literacy among consumers, wider acceptance by merchants, and seamless inter ..... Read More

Sergio Gor plays crucial role in India-US ties: Ex-US Marine

Former US Marine intelligence officer Grant Newsham has highlighted the significant role played by Sergio Gor, the newly appointed US Ambassador to India, in bolstering bilateral relations. Speaking a day after India and the US finalised a trade agreement, Newsham emphasised that Gor’s influence with former President Trump and his choice to serve in India underscores the strategic importance Washington places on the partnership. Newsham noted that very few ambassadors have the ability to directly communicate with the US President, and Gor� ..... Read More

India Stands Firm As Trump Chicks Out Again

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 a ..... Read More

India Rises on TACO Scale Amid US Trade Tensions

Political risk expert Ian Bremmer has highlighted that India’s economic strength gives it rare strategic freedom in international affairs, particularly in dealings with the United States. Speaking to NDTV, Bremmer placed India on what he calls the “TACO” spectrum—Trump Always Chickens Out— a category for nations capable of pushing back against Washington without facing severe consequences. In contrast, countries on the “FAFO” (Fool Around And Find Out) side, such as Venezuela and Ukraine, are vulnera ..... Read More

PM Modi to Host Nationwide Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host his annual “Pariksha Pe Charcha” (PPC) on February 6, 2026, connecting with students to discuss exam-related stress, motivation, and mental wellbeing. Announcing the event via his official social media account ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), PM Modi highlighted that this year’s edition has expanded its reach beyond the national capital to include locations such as Coimbatore, Raipur, Devmogra, and Guwahati, making the event more inclusive for students across India. Pre-events were also conducted in these ..... Read More

Veerabhadran Ramanathan Wins 2026 Crafoord Prize

Veerabhadran Ramanathan, distinguished professor emeritus at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Crafoord Prize in Geosciences for his groundbreaking research on atmospheric aerosols and climate pollutants. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences praised his work for establishing a fundamental understanding of how minute particles and gases in the atmosphere drive climate change, significantly advancing knowledge of Earth’s energy balance and global warming. Ramanathan expressed that ..... Read More

Trump speaks with PM Modi, says US ambassador

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 “Newsm ..... Read More

India-US trade deal to benefit people: Sitharaman, Vaishnaw

India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman publicly welcomed the newly concluded trade agreement between India and the United States, describing it as a major positive development for citizens of both nations. In a statement posted on social media, she highlighted that Indian-made goods would now benefit from a significantly reduced tariff rate of 18 per cent when entering the US market. Sitharaman credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump for their leadership in finalising the deal, stressing that the partnership b ..... Read More

US–India Trade Pact Reshapes Growth, Stability Outlook

A recently proposed trade arrangement between the United States and India is expected to gradually narrow India’s current account shortfall, lend stability to its currency, and reduce its exposure to global economic shocks, according to a report released on Tuesday. Under the agreement, Washington has agreed to lower reciprocal tariffs on Indian products to 18 per cent from the previous 50 per cent, a move analysts describe as structurally beneficial for India’s economic trajectory. Axis Securities highlighted that the pact is likely to str ..... Read More

US cabinet officials hail gains from India trade deal

Senior US Cabinet officials have welcomed the newly announced trade agreement with India, highlighting its potential to deliver tangible gains for farmers, energy producers and the broader American economy. The agreement is being positioned as a reset in bilateral trade relations following months of friction over tariffs and energy policy. The US Agriculture Secretary said the deal would significantly expand American farm exports to India’s vast and growing consumer market, improving prices for producers and supporting rural incomes. India ..... Read More

India, Tanzania discuss defence, maritime security ties

India and Tanzania have reviewed the expanding scope of their defence partnership, holding detailed discussions on cooperation in military training, maritime security and defence industry collaboration. The dialogue reflected growing strategic convergence between the two nations, particularly in safeguarding regional security and building long-term defence capabilities. Senior officials from both sides examined ways to deepen collaboration across traditional and emerging domains, including cyber security and artificial intelligence. The disc ..... Read More

Jaishankar welcomes India-US trade deal; to meet Rubio today

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has strongly endorsed the newly announced US–India trade agreement, describing it as a major economic and strategic win for both countries. Speaking after discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, Jaishankar said the pact would create millions of dollars in economic value, generate new employment, and accelerate innovation across key industries. He emphasised that the deal would further strengthen India’s “Make in India” initiative by encouraging gre ..... Read More

India-Norway Talks Deepen Green and Blue Tech Ties

A senior official from India’s Ministry of External Affairs held discussions with Norway’s trade ministry leadership in Oslo on Monday, focusing on expanding economic collaboration and encouraging investment in environmentally sustainable and ocean-based industries. Sibi George, Secretary (West) at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, met with Ragnhild Sjoner Syrstad, State Secretary at Norway’s Ministry of Trade and Industry. According to India’s MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the two sides explored ways to deepen economic eng ..... Read More

Indian envoy, Fiji Speaker discuss bilateral ties boost

India’s High Commissioner to Fiji, Suneet Mehta, held discussions with the Speaker of the Fiji Parliament, Filimone Jitoko, focusing on strengthening bilateral cooperation and deepening parliamentary engagement between the two countries. The meeting reaffirmed the importance of strong legislative ties as a pillar of the broader India–Fiji relationship. Both sides explored avenues to enhance cooperation across development initiatives, infrastructure support and capacity-building efforts, reflecting a shared commitment to long-term partnersh ..... Read More

Sacred Devnimori Buddha relics travel to Sri Lanka ties

India has taken a significant step in strengthening spiritual and cultural ties with Sri Lanka as the sacred Devnimori relics of Lord Buddha embark on their first-ever international exposition. The initiative reflects India’s growing emphasis on Buddhist diplomacy and its role as a custodian of shared civilisational heritage. The revered relics will be enshrined at Colombo’s Gangaramaya Temple, offering devotees, monks and international pilgrims a rare opportunity for public veneration. The exposition is expected to draw large numbers, hig ..... Read More

Budget 2026 debate begins; Modi to address on Feb 4

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 ..... Read More

EAM Jaishankar begins 3-day visit to US

External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar departed on Monday for a three‑day trip to the United States, where he will take part in a Washington‑hosted ministerial focused on critical minerals supply chains. The visit, spanning from February 2 to February 5, carries added diplomatic weight as it unfolds against a backdrop of frayed relations between India and the United States. Senior officials from the US administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are expected to meet with Jaishankar during his stay. According t ..... Read More

India-Russia Business Ties Strengthen Amid Sanctions

Indian and Russian business leaders, along with government officials, convened in Moscow last week to strengthen economic ties amid global geopolitical uncertainty and economic disruptions. This dialogue follows the December summit in Delhi between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which laid the groundwork for enhanced bilateral business cooperation. According to South Africa’s Independent Online, India has become a critical economic partner for Russia, particularly through crude oil purchases, providing a ..... Read More

US experts support India’s growth, urge manufacturing boost

US-based economists and business leaders have welcomed India’s latest Union Budget, describing it as a reinforcement of the country’s strong growth trajectory and a positive signal for global trade and investment. Observers also suggested that more ambitious measures could further boost India’s manufacturing competitiveness. Steve Hanke, applied economics professor at Johns Hopkins University, noted that India’s impressive economic performance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi was expected. He referenced International Monetary Fund ..... Read More

Thanedar Enters 2026 Race With $6.4 Million

US Congressman Shri Thanedar has kicked off the 2026 election cycle with a strong financial position, reporting $6.4 million in cash on hand at the close of 2025, according to his campaign’s year-end finance filing. The Detroit-area Democrat said this fundraising advantage would enable him to communicate his record to voters in Michigan’s 13th Congressional District and showcase his legislative priorities ahead of the upcoming election. “This ensures Congressman Thanedar can share with voters in the 13th District the work he has done a ..... Read More

US-India Groups Applaud Budget Boosting Investment

Leading US-India business organisations have welcomed India’s Union Budget 2026–27, stating it reinforces strong economic growth, fiscal responsibility, and India’s position as a key US economic partner amid global uncertainty. The US-India Business Council (USIBC) and the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) highlighted that the budget strengthens bilateral commercial and strategic ties while underlining India’s commitment to resilience and global competitiveness. The councils noted that continued growth, di ..... Read More