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India, Cyprus Strengthen Ties with 2025-29 Action Plan
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos in New Delhi on Thursday, marking a key step in reinforcing India-Cyprus relations. The leaders reviewed the India-Cyprus Joint Action Plan 2025–2029, which outlines the roadmap for collaboration in defense, trade, innovation, and technology. The framework was first agreed upon during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Cyprus in June 2025.
During the meeting, Jaishankar shared that discussions extended beyond bilateral cooperation to include global g .....
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India, South Africa Deepen Cultural Ties at G20 Meet
Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat met with South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie on Thursday on the sidelines of the 4th G20 Culture Working Group Meeting in Zimbali, near Durban. The discussion focused on expanding cultural collaboration between India and South Africa through a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at deepening bilateral cultural cooperation.
Shekhawat highlighted on social media that both nations share historic ties rooted in Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and .....
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PM Modi Pushes UNESCO Tag for Chhath Festival
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing his first public rally after Chhath Puja in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, announced that the central government is actively pursuing UNESCO recognition for Chhath Mahaparva under the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. Speaking to a large crowd, PM Modi emphasized that Chhath is not only a celebration of devotion but also a festival symbolizing equality and social unity.
The prime minister said, “This is my first visit to Bihar after Chhath Puja, a festival that has now gained international recogniti .....
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US Grants 6-Month Sanctions Waiver for India’s Chabahar Port
The United States has approved a six-month exemption for India, allowing it to carry out operations at Iran’s Chabahar Port without facing sanctions. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the decision, noting that the waiver will enable India to maintain its strategic presence along the Gulf of Oman while fostering regional connectivity. India has played a central role in developing the Chabahar Port, situated in Iran’s Sistan-Balochistan province, and currently manages the Shahid Beheshti terminal. The port is a key compone .....
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India-US Trade Deal Set to Boost Six Sectors
The upcoming trade agreement between India and the United States is set to open a new chapter in bilateral commerce, with several Indian industries poised to benefit from reduced tariffs. The annual trade volume between the two nations currently stands at about $125 billion, with India exporting roughly $80–85 billion worth of goods while importing around $40 billion. This imbalance, which results in a trade deficit for the US, had earlier prompted Washington to impose heavy tariffs on Indian products.
US President Donald Trump has now confi .....
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India Becomes Fourth-Largest Global Renewable Energy Power
India has officially risen to become the fourth-largest producer of renewable energy in the world, achieving an installed capacity of 257 gigawatts (GW) — a remarkable threefold increase from 81 GW in 2014, according to Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi. Speaking at the eighth International Solar Alliance Assembly, the minister highlighted India’s unprecedented progress in the clean energy sector, particularly in solar power generation and manufacturing.
Joshi noted that the nation’s solar capacity skyrocketed from 2. .....
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Indian-Americans Celebrate Chhath Mahaparv in New Jersey
The Indian-American community in New Jersey came together in a vibrant display of devotion and culture to celebrate Chhath Mahaparv, a revered Hindu festival honoring the Sun God (Surya Dev) and Chhathi Maiya. Organized by the Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America (BJANA), the grand event was held at Papaianni Park in Edison, transforming the venue into a scene reminiscent of the sacred ghats of Bihar and Jharkhand.
The celebration saw around 40 devotees (Vratis) observing a strict fast and performing the Sandhya Arghya, the evening r .....
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Indian American Summit Marks Rise in US-India Giving
More than 170 influential leaders from both India and the United States gathered in Washington, D.C., for the Indian American Philanthropy Summit hosted by Indiaspora and the India Philanthropy Alliance (IPA). The event marked a milestone moment in diaspora giving, celebrating a sharp rise in Indian American donations and charting the course for deeper, more sustainable social impact.
A new Dalberg report, commissioned by Indiaspora and IPA, revealed that Indian American giving has surged nearly threefold in just six years, now reaching betw .....
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India, China Reaffirm Calm Ties in Border Talks
India and China held the 23rd Corps Commander Level Meeting at the Chushul-Moldo border point, reaffirming that peace and stability have largely prevailed along the Indo-China frontier. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that the discussions were conducted in a cordial and constructive manner, reflecting both nations’ commitment to maintaining calm in the border regions.
This session marked the first high-level interaction in the western sector since the 24th round of Special Representatives’ talks held in August 2025. Official .....
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Indian Envoy Thanks US for Support on Counter-Terrorism
India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, met US Senator Jacky Rosen, expressing gratitude for her consistent support toward advancing India-US counter-terrorism cooperation. Their discussion focused on tackling regional security challenges, including cross-border terrorism, while strengthening diplomatic and economic collaboration between the two nations.
During the meeting, Kwatra briefed Senator Rosen, the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, Central, South Asia, and Counter-terroris .....
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PM Modi, Japan’s Takaichi Vow Strong Indo-Pacific Ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a cordial conversation with Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, on Wednesday, congratulating her on assuming office and reaffirming India’s commitment to strengthening the long-standing partnership between the two nations.
In a post shared on X, Modi said he had a “warm conversation” with Takaichi and congratulated her on becoming Japan’s first woman Prime Minister. The two leaders discussed advancing the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, focusing on economic security, d .....
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Trump Calls Modi ‘Tough-as-Hell’ Amid India-US Trade Talks
During his Asia tour, US President Donald Trump announced that Washington and New Delhi are close to signing a long-awaited trade agreement. Speaking before Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) business leaders in South Korea, Trump said discussions between the two nations had advanced significantly, signaling renewed momentum in strengthening bilateral trade relations. Expressing admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump described him as “the nicest-looking guy” and “tough as hell,” praising their strong .....
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‘Doing a Trade Deal With India,’ Says Trump in South Korea
During his visit to South Korea, Donald Trump announced that the United States and India are on the verge of finalizing a long-delayed trade agreement. Speaking on the last leg of his Asia tour, Trump suggested that the deal between two of the world’s largest economies is nearly complete after months of negotiation.
Talks had been slowed by differences over India’s purchase of discounted Russian oil, Washington’s tariffs on Indian goods, and India’s reluctance to open its agriculture and dairy sectors to US imports. However, Trump said he ha .....
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Kiran Desai Returns With Booker-Shortlisted Novel
Acclaimed Indian author Kiran Desai has made a triumphant return to the literary world after nearly two decades with her new novel, The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny, which has been shortlisted for the 2025 Booker Prize.
Desai, who won the 2006 Man Booker Prize for The Inheritance of Loss, re-emerges with a deeply layered love story exploring identity, belonging, and the Indian diaspora’s emotional complexities.
Her latest novel follows Sonia and Sunny, two Indian-Americans navigating love, alienation, and heritage across .....
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Indian American Turns $6 Job Into Million-Dollar Empire
When Money Singh, an Indian American entrepreneur, moved from Punjab to San Francisco at 19, he faced isolation and uncertainty. Far from home, he battled depression and financial hardship, unaware that his determination would later turn him into a self-made millionaire in the United States.
Singh’s first few years were challenging — he dropped out of college after discovering his credits from India wouldn’t transfer and took up small jobs to survive. Eventually, he joined his uncle’s cab business, starting out as a dispatcher earning $6 per .....
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India’s Green Building Market to Hit $85 Billion
When Money Singh, an Indian American entrepreneur, moved from Punjab to San Francisco at 19, he faced isolation and uncertainty. Far from home, he battled depression and financial hardship, unaware that his determination would later turn him into a self-made millionaire in the United States.
Singh’s first few years were challenging — he dropped out of college after discovering his credits from India wouldn’t transfer and took up small jobs to survive. Eventually, he joined his uncle’s cab business, starting out as a dispatcher earning $6 per .....
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October OTT Premieres Promise Thrills and Mystery
The final week of October 2025 is lighting up the OTT world with a wave of thrilling premieres. Horror lovers can rejoice as the chilling sequel M3GAN 2.0 hits JioHotstar on October 27, bringing back the deadly AI doll. Directed by Gerard Johnstone, the film sees Allison Williams and Violet McGraw reprise their roles in a sequel that’s expected to push the franchise beyond the $200 million global milestone.
October 29 is shaping up to be a binge-worthy day across platforms. Amazon Prime Video unveils Hedda, a modern retelling starring Tessa .....
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Mahant Swami Maharaj Honored at Faith Forum 2025
Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual head of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, has been awarded the prestigious Achievement in Building Better Communities honor at the Forum on Faith 2025 held in New York City. The global interfaith gathering recognized Mahant Swami Maharaj for his visionary leadership in mobilizing BAPS volunteers worldwide toward service initiatives that strengthen communities through health care, education, and disaster relief. The statement from BAPS emphasized that his teachings inspire compassion, unity, and commitme .....
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India Boosts US Oil Imports Amid Trump Trade Strains
In a move likely aimed at easing trade tensions with the Trump administration, India has significantly increased its crude oil imports from the United States. According to Kpler data, imports in October have surged to 540,000 barrels per day (bpd) as of October 27 — the highest since 2022.
A PTI report indicated that this increase reflects India’s strategy to diversify its energy sources beyond Russia while addressing recent trade challenges with Washington.
Energy analyst Sumit Ritolia of Kpler attributed the surge to favourable market c .....
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Piyush Goyal, EU Commissioner Discuss Key FTA Talks
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met with Maros Sefcovic, the European Union’s Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, in Brussels to discuss the ongoing India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. The discussions come at a decisive stage as both sides aim to finalize a comprehensive and mutually beneficial trade pact soon.
Sharing updates on X, Goyal mentioned that the talks centered on boosting momentum for the FTA, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to reaching a swift and balanced agreement that strengthe .....
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Indian Lawmakers Visit UN, Strengthening India-UN Partnership
India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, recently hosted a 13-member Indian parliamentary delegation led by BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari. The meeting highlighted the depth and diversity of India’s engagement with the UN across multiple areas, including peace, development, and international law.
Ambassador Harish shared insights into the multi-dimensional nature of India’s collaboration with the global body and praised the delegation for its leadership and vision. Posting on X, he wr .....
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India’s Gender Pay Gap Now Among Lowest Worldwide
India’s gender pay gap has narrowed sharply, now ranking among the lowest worldwide, according to a report from global payroll and compliance platform Deel.
The report stated that median salaries for men and women in India are nearly equal, ranging between $13,000 and $23,000, reflecting “growing pay equity and the adoption of data-driven compensation models.”
Deel analysed internal platform data from over one million contracts and 35,000+ customers across 150 countries to identify global pay trends.
Interestingly, the report also revealed a .....
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US Lawmakers Unite to Defend Ties with India
Republican and Democratic lawmakers in the US have joined hands to defend the India–US partnership, uniting through a series of letters and resolutions that push back against recent Trump administration policies seen as targeting Indian interests.
Over the past 10 days, at least six bipartisan communications have been sent to the administration, reaffirming the importance of the relationship and expressing concern over discriminatory rhetoric and restrictive policies.
Last week, a group of House members raised alarm over an event at Rutgers U .....
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India Aims to Become Global Solar Energy Hub by 2050
President Droupadi Murmu said on Tuesday that by 2050, India aims not only to meet its clean energy targets but also to become a global hub aggregating solar demand and fostering innovation, manufacturing, and knowledge exchange.
Addressing the 8th Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the President affirmed that India is on track to emerge as a global solar energy leader.
She highlighted the country’s rapid progress in achieving renewable energy milestones ahead of schedule and urged all member n .....
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DHS Proposes Major Cuts to EB-5 Investor Visa Fees
In an unexpected move, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a series of fee reductions for the EB-5 investor visa program, marking one of the few instances where immigration-related costs are being lowered instead of raised. The EB-5 program offers foreign investors a path to U.S. permanent residency by investing in American job-creating enterprises.
If the new rule is finalized, the primary EB-5 petition fee (Form I-526/I-526E) would decrease from $11,160 to $9,625 — a 14% reduction. Similarly, the fee for removing conditi .....
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