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

Elon Musk’s Tesla has become one of the top employers of H-1B workers, with over 1,700 H-1B visas approved for Tesla employees in 2020. This marks a significant reliance on skilled foreign workers as Tesla continues to grow. Musk’s early career began with illegal work on a student visa in the U.S., but now Tesla’s future is intertwined with the availability of H-1B workers, a visa program that is crucial for attracting talent to the tech industry. The Trump adminis

The US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has released the Visa Bulletin for January 2025, providing crucial updates for green card applicants, with a notable focus on Indian applicants. This bulletin offers insights into the availability of immigrant visa numbers, which are vital for individuals waiting in the green card queue. The limits for employment-based preference immigrants have been set at 140,000, while family-sponsored category immigrants have a cap of

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 UK government has announced an extension of the grace period for accepting expired physical travel documents until March 31, 2025, as part of its transition to a fully digital eVisa system. This move is intended to ease the burden on visa holders facing challenges in the ongoing switch to eVisas.   Who Is Affected? The initiative, led by the UK H

In a major boost to Rajasthan's economic prospects, the Adani Group has pledged to invest Rs 7.5 lakh crore in the state over the next five years. This massive investment will fund key infrastructure projects, including the creation of four new cement plants and the establishment of a world-leading green energy ecosystem. Karan Adani, CEO of Adani Ports, shared these details at the 'Rising Rajasthan' Investor Summit 2024, where he highlighted the ambitious plans to build the world

Bangladesh summoned India's High Commissioner to Dhaka after the closure of its visa and consular services in Tripura, India, due to a security incident involving a protest in Agartala. The protest, which occurred against the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, led to about 50 people entering the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission's premises. The Bangladeshi government expressed concerns over the lack of local police action to contain the situation, which left mission staff fe

The National Pension Scheme (NPS) Vatsalya, launched on September 18, 2023, has seen a positive response from Indian parents looking to invest in their children's future. As of November 17, 2023, the scheme has attracted 66,495 subscribers, with Maharashtra leading the pack with 9,219 accounts. Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka follow closely with over 6,500 subscribers each. In total, 18 states have seen over 1,000 accounts opened, demonstrating the scheme’s growing appeal. Th

The State of Sustainability Readiness Report 2024 by IBM reveals a strong trend among Indian business leaders to significantly increase investments in IT for sustainability over the next 12 months. With 98% of respondents planning to expand their IT budgets, Indian executives view sustainability as essential for driving environmental responsibility, long-term business resilience, and improving brand reputation. The report highlights AI's transformative potential in helping busine

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the registration certificates of two non-banking financial companies (NBFCs)—Ulhas Securities Pvt. and Sikar Investment Co.. The registration of Ulhas Securities, based in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, was granted in December 2003, while Sikar Investment, based in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, had been registered in March 1998. The cancellation was carried out under Section 45-IA (6) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, which allows the RBI to

The Rs 450-crore Rushikonda Palace in Vizag has sparked controversy after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu described it as a "criminal waste" of money. The opulent building is equipped with expensive amenities, including Rs 36 lakh bathtubs and Rs 16 lakh commodes with autowash features, raising questions about its necessity. Amid the debate, suggestions have emerged to repurpose the palace as a US Visa Application Centre, as many students from Telugu-speaking stat

The 1990 Immigration Act brought significant changes to the H-1B visa program and employment-based green cards, imposing caps of 65,000 and 140,000 annually, respectively. These restrictions were implemented without considering the growing demand for skilled labor fueled by technological advancements. The arbitrary cap on H-1B visas quickly became insufficient as more than 70% of graduate students in tech fields at US universities were international students. In response to the escalat

US President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed H-1B visa restrictions could have significant implications for India's economy. A report by the State Bank of India (SBI) suggests that while stricter visa rules might increase costs for Indian IT firms operating in the US, they could also encourage India to focus more on domestic manufacturing and economic independence. This potential shift aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative,

With Donald Trump set to become the US president, Indian exporters may face challenges due to potential changes in trade policies. Experts suggest that the 'America First' agenda could lead to higher customs duties on goods like automobiles, textiles, and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, stricter H-1B visa rules may impact Indian IT firms, as a significant portion of their revenue comes from the US market. The US is India's largest trading partner, accounting for a substantia

That Andhra Pradesh state IT and education minister Nara Lokesh is gradually emerging as the heir apparent of his father and chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu is being established gradually in the TDP and also the government. The way the TDP ranks have been calling Lokesh the future chief minister of Andhra Pradesh on social media and the state government carrying his picture on the front page advertisements of the official programmes along with his father clearly indicated that Lokesh is em

As part of its commitment to the NDA coalition's promises made prior to the elections, the central government is actively working to halt the disinvestment process of the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), commonly known as the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, there are ongoing efforts to ensure the plant remains operational amid concerns over financial viability and raw material shortages. Recent reports indicate that the B

Nara Lokesh, the scion of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), is currently on an extended trip to the USA, where he is actively engaging with global tech giants to attract investments to Andhra Pradesh. One of the highlights of his visit occurred in Atlanta, where he unveiled a statue of the legendary Sr NTR, commissioned by the NRI TDP workers. The unveiling ceremony was a grand affair, marked by a unique spectacle of flower petals showered from a helicopter, adding a festive atmosphere

In a significant update for the food and hospitality sector, the office of the Commissioner of Police in Visakhapatnam City has issued new instructions allowing restaurants and eateries to stay open until midnight. This decision follows guidelines set by the Government of Andhra Pradesh under Sections 7(2) and 15(2) of the Andhra Pradesh Shops and Establishments Act 1988, which specifically excludes bars and restaurants. Previously, hotels and eateries were restricted to operating u

Following former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai's criticisms of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh has extended an invitation to multinational companies (MNCs) to consider investing in the state. Lokesh emphasized that under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's leadership, Andhra Pradesh is implementing business-friendly policies that could make it a prime destination for investments as Bengaluru faces growing challenges i

The mutual fund industry in India reported net outflows of ₹71,114.08 crore for September 2024, as per the latest data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI). This decline follows a staggering 42.8% drop in August, where cumulative inflows into mutual funds were recorded at ₹1.08 lakh crore. Equity mutual funds saw a decline in inflows by 9.9% in September, totaling ₹34,419.26 crore, down from ₹38,239.16 crore in August. The net assets under management (AUM) of