India’s focus has largely been on strengthening its ties in the east, particularly under the Act East policy. While the global attention often centers on the Middle East and Europe, India has quietly turned its focus to the Korean Peninsula, particularly North Korea. This effort has been marked by caution, with diplomatic relations being conducted discreetly and behind the scenes. In July 2021, India temporarily closed its embassy in Pyongyang due to COVID-19, and the entire staff was r

Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently made significant remarks regarding India’s Constitution, highlighting the democratic process of its adoption and emphasizing its deep connection with India's traditions. Shah stated that the Constitution was adopted after extensive feedback from the people, marking a democratic milestone in India’s history. Some of his key quotes touched upon the ongoing debates in Parliament about the Constitution, noting that they have served

As of 6:50 a.m. today, gold prices stood at Rs 77,170 per 10 grams, according to the India Bullion Association. This represents a slight dip from the highs seen on Monday when prices had briefly climbed after falling from Rs 79,100 on Friday. The price of gold had reached its highest level for the month on December 11 before experiencing a drop of over Rs 1,000 on Monday. Compared to November's peak of Rs 78,060 on Nov. 23, the current price of gold reflects the ongoing volatility in the

Indian tourists may soon enjoy visa-free travel to Russia, with the new arrangement expected by spring 2025. Since August 2023, Indian travelers have already been eligible for e-visas, which are processed within four days. The upcoming visa-free travel agreement will further strengthen tourism ties between India and Russia. In 2023, Russia granted 9,500 e-visas to Indian visitors, placing India among the top five countries for easy travel access to Russia. Consultations between Mosc

Switzerland has decided to suspend the Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) status granted to India, which could result in higher taxes for Indian companies operating in the country. Starting January 1, 2025, Indian companies will face increased withholding tax rates on income such as dividends and royalties generated in Switzerland. The new tax rules will impose a 10% tax on dividends earned by Indian entities. This move follows a ruling by the Indian Supreme Court in October 2023, which sta

BEML Ltd. is working on an ambitious timeline to roll out India’s first indigenous bullet train by December 2026, as revealed by Chairman and Managing Director Shantanu Roy. The company has been tasked with designing and manufacturing the bullet trains for the highly anticipated Mumbai-Ahmedabad route. This project marks a significant milestone in India's railway history, with BEML focusing on building two prototypes. Roy emphasized the importance of intellectual property

India has achieved a major milestone by surpassing $1 trillion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) since the turn of the century. Latest data from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) reveals that from April 2000 to September 2024, India attracted a total of $1,033.40 billion in FDI. This surge underscores India’s growing appeal as a global investment hub. Significant contributions have come from countries like Mauritius (25%), Singapore (24%), an

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is currently in turmoil due to the ongoing standoff between India and Pakistan. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has firmly stated that it will not send its team to Pakistan, citing security concerns and political issues. In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has threatened to boycott future ICC events if India does not agree to the proposed hybrid model, where India’s matches are played in Dubai, while the rest of the tournament tak

In a landmark energy agreement, Russia’s state oil company Rosneft has committed to supply 500,000 barrels of crude oil per day to India’s Reliance for the next 10 years, worth approximately $13 billion annually. This deal represents about 0.5% of global oil supply and strengthens energy relations between India and Russia, especially as Russia faces intense Western sanctions due to its invasion of Ukraine. The deal is set to begin in January and will involve monthly deli

India's inflation rate, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), moderated to 5.48% in November, down from 6.21% in October, according to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. This easing, however, is still above the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) target of 4%, with food prices continuing to drive inflationary pressure. The food inflation rate surged by 9.04%, continuing its trend of high costs. Economists had forecast a median inflation estimate of 5.5% fo

 In light of US President-elect Donald Trump's proposed tariff measures on China, Canada, and Mexico, India is poised to capitalize on potential shifts in global manufacturing. With Trump’s plan to impose tariffs of 25% on Canada and Mexico and 10% on China, manufacturers may seek alternative locations to bypass the 60% levy on Chinese goods. India, with its low-cost labor, skilled workforce, and growing tech sector, is an attractive destination for this shift. Invest

The batting form of India’s stalwarts, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, has been a major topic of discussion in recent months. Both have struggled with consistency, often getting out cheaply. Kohli scored a century in the first Test against Australia at Perth, but both he and Rohit failed to contribute in the second Test at Adelaide, where India suffered a heavy defeat. In the second Test, Kohli and Rohit combined for just 27 runs across four innings. Kohli was dismissed for 7 an

During Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's ongoing visit to Russia, talks are progressing on a major defence agreement worth $4 billion that could significantly enhance India’s air defence infrastructure. The deal revolves around the acquisition of the Voronezh radar system, manufactured by Russia's Almaz-Antey Corporation, which specializes in anti-aircraft missile systems and radars. The Voronezh radar, with a range of over 8,000 km, is designed to detect threats such as ballisti

In December 2024, two significant initial public offerings (IPOs) are set to hit the market, aiming to raise a combined ₹6,722.92 crore. The first, from International Gemmological Institute (IGI) India, a Blackstone-promoted company specializing in grading and accreditation for diamonds, gemstones, and jewelry, will launch its ₹4,225 crore IPO on December 13 and close on December 17. The IPO consists of a fresh issue of ₹1,475 crore and an offer for sale of ₹2,750 crore by Blackstone&

Legendary Australian wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist has praised the team’s captain, Pat Cummins, for leading Australia to a dominant 10-wicket win in the second Test, which leveled the five-match series 1-1 after their heavy loss in Perth. Gilchrist believes Australia was "stung" by criticism following their 295-run defeat in the opening match and noted that Cummins' controlled aggression was key to their return to form. Gilchrist highlighted Cummins' emo

As calls to bring back Mohammed Shami to the Indian team grow louder, concerns over the fitness of pacers Mohammed Siraj and Harshit Rana, who have failed to back Jasprit Bumrah strongly, have intensified. Shami, who has been performing well at the domestic level, is being urged by fans and experts to join the team for the upcoming Australia series. However, Indian captain Rohit Sharma remains uncertain about Shami’s inclusion. During a post-match press conference, Rohit revea

Rohit Sharma, the Indian cricket team captain, has struggled with his form in the ongoing series against Australia. After missing the first Test in Perth due to family commitments, Rohit returned to the squad for the day-night match in Adelaide but failed to make an impact. In the second match, his poor form continued, as he was dismissed cheaply in both innings. Rohit's dismissals were concerning due to his lack of foot movement, as he was trapped in front of the stumps in both innings.

India's Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, made a day-long visit to Dhaka on Monday for crucial talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Mohammad Jashim Uddin. The visit comes amid deteriorating relations between India and Bangladesh, following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August due to a massive uprising. Mr. Misri arrived in Dhaka on an Indian Air Force jet, marking the first high-level visit from New Delhi since the political upheaval in Bangladesh. He was receiv

India's foreign exchange reserves saw an increase to $658.1 billion for the week ending November 29, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This rise followed an eight-week decline, with a $1.5 billion increase from the previous week. In comparison, the reserves had dropped by $1.31 billion in the prior week, reaching $656.58 billion. Foreign investors have invested Rs 1.75 lakh crore into India's debt and equity markets in 2024. However, the month of November witness

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, while receiving the 'India First' award at NDTV’s Indian of the Year ceremony, celebrated the crucial role of India's democracy in shaping the country's growth. He emphasized how democracy has brought forward voices from every part of the nation, not just metropolitan cities, giving equal representation to all sections of society. This inclusiveness, he argued, has been pivotal in driving India’s development. He also noted t