Must Read News

India’s Forex Reserves Jump $14.17bn, Cross $700bn

India’s foreign exchange reserves saw a substantial rise of $14.167 billion in the week ended January 16, pushing the total above the $700-billion mark to $701.36 billion, according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday. The rise in reserves follows a smaller increase of $392 million in the previous week. The largest component of the reserves, Foreign Currency Assets (FCA), expanded by $9.65 billion, reaching $560.51 billion. FCA includes major global currencies such as the U.S. dollar, euro, yen and pound, valu ..... Read More

India, Japan Bolster Strategic and Economic Ties

India and Japan have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening strategic and economic cooperation, highlighting the strength of their Special Strategic and Global Partnership amid evolving global challenges. During high-level talks in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Japanese counterpart reviewed progress under the Japan-India Joint Vision for the Next Decade. The dialogue underscored shared priorities in maintaining a Free and Open Indo-Pacific and enhancing regional stability. Both sides agreed to strengthen economi ..... Read More

Indian envoy addresses India-US drug policy framework meet

India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, delivered the opening address at the India-US Drug Policy Framework Executive Group meeting, reinforcing the importance of sustained collaboration between the two nations in countering drug trafficking. The high-level engagement focused on reviewing ongoing initiatives aimed at tackling narcotics smuggling and the illegal movement of precursor chemicals. The meeting brought together senior officials from both countries, including Sara Carter, Director of the US Office of National ..... Read More

PM Modi, President Lula Discuss AI Summit, UN Reform

On January 23, 2026, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva held a 45-minute telephone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss preparations for Lula’s upcoming State Visit to India from February 19-21. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening India-Brazil strategic and economic relations while also addressing global issues and multilateral cooperation. During the call, President Lula confirmed his participation in the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, scheduled from February 16-20. The summit a ..... Read More

Seattle University launches Indian-American civic issues podcast

Seattle University’s Roundglass India Center has introduced a new video podcast series that examines political, social, and civic topics within the Indian-American community. Titled The Hyphen: Indian-American Dialogues, the series builds on the Center’s previous podcast, Desi Roots & Routes, while focusing on contemporary debates surrounding diaspora politics, U.S.-India relations, and transnational civic life. The inaugural episode, Should Indian Americans Lobby the U.S. Government on Behalf of India?, delves into a discussion spar ..... Read More

Indibar and Nadu Semifinalists for James Beard Award

Indian-inspired restaurants across the United States are gaining national acclaim, with Indibar and Nadu named semifinalists for the prestigious 2026 James Beard Awards. The announcement, made on January 21 by the James Beard Foundation in New York, underscores the growing influence and innovation of Indian cuisine in America. Indibar, located in Arizona, has been recognized in the Best New Restaurant category for its inventive take on Indian street food. Led by Chef Partner Nigel J. Lobo, who brings experience from Michelin-starred European ..... Read More

NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams Retires After 27 Years

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has officially retired after an illustrious 27-year career marked by multiple records and groundbreaking missions in human spaceflight. Her retirement took effect on December 27, 2025, capping a career that included three missions aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and contributions that paved the way for future lunar and Martian exploration. Williams, 60, recently visited India, where she shared her experiences during an interactive session at the American Center titled “Eyes on the Stars, Feet on ..... Read More

PM Modi to Launch Major Development Projects Kerala

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on January 23 to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for a series of major development initiatives. During his visit, the Prime Minister will also address a public gathering, highlighting the government’s commitment to inclusive growth, technological progress, and improved citizen services. A key focus of the visit is enhancing rail connectivity in the region. PM Modi will flag off four new train services, including three Amrit Bharat Express trains connecting ..... Read More

Dhurandhar Crosses $10 Million, Netflix Release Set

Aditya Dhar’s action-thriller Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh, continues to dominate the box office, grossing over $10 million in India. Released on December 5, 2023, the film has maintained strong performance despite weekly competition from new releases. Its star-studded ensemble—including Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and R. Madhavan—has helped make it one of the top-grossing Hindi films of the year. Following a successful theatrical run, attention has shifted to the film’s digital premiere. According to OTTplay, Dh ..... Read More

Shrinivas Kulkarni Wins Prestigious RAS Gold Medal

Before becoming one of the world’s leading astronomers, Shrinivas Kulkarni grew up in a close-knit and highly accomplished family in Karnataka, India. The youngest of four siblings and son of a government doctor, Kulkarni was surrounded by excellence from an early age, with his sisters excelling in medicine, education, philanthropy, and global technology. Today, Kulkarni, the George Ellery Hale Professor of Astronomy and Planetary Science at Caltech, has been awarded the prestigious Gold Medal by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), the h ..... Read More

US Backs Submarine Cable Linking India, Southeast Asia

On January 20, the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) announced its support for a proposed submarine cable project designed to connect India with Singapore and key data hubs across Southeast Asia. The SCNX3 submarine cable aims to strengthen regional digital infrastructure and meet rising demands for reliable, secure connectivity. The planned cable route will link Chennai with Singapore, with potential additional landing points under consideration in India, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. As part of the initiative, USTDA signed an ag ..... Read More

Trump shares update on India-US trade talks, praises Modi

US President Donald Trump has voiced optimism about a substantial trade agreement with India during his visit to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. Speaking to Moneycontrol on the sidelines of the forum, Trump commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing him as a “fantastic man” and a personal friend, while expressing confidence that a favorable trade deal between the two nations is forthcoming. Earlier, Trump delivered an extensive speech at WEF, emphasizing global economic cooperation. The remarks come ..... Read More

India Condemns Vandalism at Embassy in Croatia’s Zagreb

India has strongly condemned the incident of trespassing and vandalism at its Embassy in Zagreb, asserting that the matter has been taken up firmly with Croatian authorities and that those responsible must be held accountable for their illegal actions. In an official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs underscored that diplomatic premises are inviolable under the Vienna Convention and must be protected by host governments. India has raised the issue with Croatian authorities both in New Delhi and in Zagreb, seeking swift action against ..... Read More

FDI Inflows to India Surge 73% in 2025: UNCTAD

Foreign direct investment inflows into India surged sharply in 2025, rising by 73 per cent to reach $47 billion, according to a latest assessment by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The strong growth places India among the world’s top-performing destinations for foreign investment during the year. UNCTAD attributed the rise primarily to large-scale investments in the services sector, particularly finance, information technology, and research and development, along with renewed momentum in manufacturing. Policy ..... Read More

India Sends 7.5 Tonnes of Cancer Drugs to Afghanistan

India has delivered 7.5 tonnes of life-saving cancer medicines to Kabul, reinforcing its continued humanitarian support for the people of Afghanistan and addressing the urgent medical needs of cancer patients in the country. The medical consignment forms part of India’s broader commitment to providing essential healthcare assistance to Afghanistan, particularly in critical areas such as cancer treatment. Indian authorities reiterated that the support reflects New Delhi’s enduring solidarity with the Afghan people and its focus on humanitar ..... Read More

India to Remain World’s Fastest-Growing Major Economy: RBI

India is expected to remain the world’s fastest-growing major economy despite persistent global uncertainties, according to the Reserve Bank of India’s latest economic assessment. The central bank said current economic conditions provide strong grounds for optimism, with growth projections for 2025–26 reflecting sustained resilience driven primarily by domestic factors. The RBI noted that India has taken significant steps to diversify and strengthen its export base in order to mitigate external sector risks. Ongoing trade negotiations wi ..... Read More

India secures Southern Anchor via NZ FTA

India has secured a strategic “Southern Anchor” through its newly concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with New Zealand, sending a message of pragmatism and long-term partnership amid ongoing global trade uncertainty, according to a report. The report noted that the deal lays the groundwork for a comprehensive bilateral economic partnership that aligns with India’s Act East and Indo-Pacific trade strategies, and strengthens cooperation between the world’s fastest-growing major economy and New Zealand. The new FTA, concluded last month ..... Read More

PV Sindhu, Tharoor Headline Harvard India Conference

The 23rd edition of Harvard’s India Conference, a premier student-led international forum examining India’s rise across business, policy, and culture, is set for February 14–15 at Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School. This year, Olympic champion P.V. Sindhu, parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor, and fashion designer Manish Malhotra will headline the event, joining more than 70 speakers over two days. PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist and the first Indian to claim gold at the Badminton World Championships, will participate ..... Read More

India, Spain Strengthen Trade, Defence, Technology Ties

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares on Wednesday to discuss enhancing bilateral ties across trade, investment, defence, technology, and education, along with strengthening people-to-people connections. Jaishankar expressed appreciation for Spain’s support in deepening India-EU relations and welcomed Spain’s participation in the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. In a statement on X, EAM Jaishankar highlighted that discussions covered “wide-ranging topics, including trade, investm ..... Read More

India-Canada AI Dialogue Strengthens Bilateral Collaboration

Highlighting India’s growing role in responsible and impact-focused artificial intelligence, the Consulate General of India in Canada hosted the “India-Canada AI Dialogue 2026” in Toronto. The event emphasized the importance of bilateral collaboration for mutual economic and societal benefits and was organized in partnership with the University of Waterloo, Canada India Tech Council, and Zoho Inc. The dialogue, attended by over 600 senior leaders including policymakers, C-suite executives, academics, and AI researchers, aimed to foster ..... Read More

US Senator Daines Advocates Montana Crops in India

US Senator Steve Daines visited India from January 17 to 19 to advocate for better market access for Montana’s pulse crops and reinforce the strategic partnership between Washington and New Delhi. A member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Daines met with senior Indian officials, parliamentarians, and business leaders to discuss trade, defense cooperation, and supply chain security. During the trip, Daines held meetings with External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. “I cam ..... Read More

Sunita Williams Highlights Space Innovation, Gratitude in Delhi

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, currently visiting New Delhi, highlighted the growing opportunities in space exploration as commercialisation expands beyond traditional government-led programs. She expressed gratitude to those who prayed for her safe return from her recent mission, acknowledging the support of the Indian public. Williams emphasized that the space industry now offers careers not only in spacecraft and rockets but also in satellite technology, 3D metal printing, and scientific experiments. “Commercialisation of space ope ..... Read More

Rakhi Israni Launches Campaign for California Congress

Indian American attorney, educator, and mother of four, Rakhi Israni, announced her candidacy for California’s 14th Congressional District on Tuesday, emphasizing the need for reform-minded leadership amid rising costs and political polarization. Her campaign launch featured a video on social media outlining her personal and professional background and her commitment to public service. “This moment calls on each of us to serve a purpose greater than ourselves and to stand firmly on the side of truth,” Israni said. She added that the va ..... Read More

Usha Vance Expecting Fourth Child With JD

Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance are expecting their fourth child, a boy, this July, marking a historic moment as the first known instance of a sitting vice president’s spouse giving birth. The couple announced the pregnancy on January 20, confirming that both mother and baby are doing well. The Vances, the nation’s first millennial second family, currently have three children: 8-year-old Ewan, 5-year-old Vivek, and 3-year-old Mirabel. The couple has generally kept their children out of the public spotlight, emphasizing ..... Read More

PM Modi calls ‘millennial’ Nitin Nabin his boss as BJP chief

 Nitin Nabin, a five-time legislator from Bihar, has been elected unopposed as the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), becoming the youngest leader to hold the party’s top post. His election comes at a critical juncture as the BJP gears up for major state elections and seeks to expand its influence across India. Born in 1980—the same year the BJP was established—Nabin steps into leadership at a symbolic moment, marking a generational shift within the party. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the swearing-in c ..... Read More