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The US Ambassador shared a story about a hotel in Kerala, where he was asked to plant a coconut palm sapling at the end of his stay. | Photo: Bloomberg Addressing a gathering, the Ambassador praised India’s ambitious goals for renewable energy, foretelling that the country will become the global “shop floor” for the sector in the next three decades. “India is setting bold targets and implementing policies that position it as a leader in solar and wind energy capacity, not just for its own needs but also to manufacture cost-effective solutions for the world,” he asserted. “Mark my words, India will, in the next 30 years, be the epicenter of the renewable energy revolution,” he emphasized. The outgoing Ambassador’s remarks came at the South Asia Women in Energy Leadership Summit, hosted by the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF). Recounting his experience in Kerala, the Ambassador shared, “They asked me to plant a coconut palm sapling, and I inquired about how ...

Emphasizing mutual respect and trust, China and India are taking steps to improve their bilateral relations. During a press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian stated that China is ready to work with India to implement important common understandings, strengthen mutual trust, and properly settle differences. This positive development comes ahead of the 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives, which will be held between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing. The talks are expected to focus on border issues and finding a mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question. According to India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, the disengagement between the two countries in Eastern Ladakh has been fully achieved, and peace and tranquility in the border areas are crucial for the development of their relationship. In October 2023, India and China reached an agreement on patrolling arrangements along...

Addressing the News9 Global Summit, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the strong partnership between India and Germany, calling it a “responsible partnership” that is vital for sustainable growth. “The theme of this Summit, ‘India – Germany: A Roadmap for Sustainable Growth,’ symbolizes the joint commitment to fostering a sustainable and prosperous future for our nations,” Modi stated. He continued by highlighting the strategic importance of Europe to India, particularly in terms of geopolitical relations, trade, and investment. In this regard, Germany stands as one of India’s most valued partners. The year 2024 marked a significant milestone as it celebrated 25 years of the Indo-German strategic partnership. This anniversary was made even more special by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit to India in October. During his visit, the Asia-Pacific Conference of German Businesses was organized in Delhi, where Germany unveiled the ‘Focus on India’ document. Additionally, the S...

An enlightening event, held in collaboration with India’s Ministry of Culture, took center stage in the capital city of New Delhi. The occasion celebrated the ancient Pali language and sacred texts closely associated with Buddhist teachings. The ceremony commenced with a traditional lamp-lighting ritual and offering of flowers to Buddha, followed by a special film screening and chanting by monks, creating a serene atmosphere. Adhidhamma Divas, a significant day, commemorates Lord Buddha’s descent from the celestial realm after imparting the profound Adhidhamma teachings. The ancient Pali language, intricately tied to Buddhism, offers scholars and practitioners a deeper understanding of the religion’s insights. Abhijit Halder, Director General of the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), emphasized the declaration of Pali as a classical language during the event. He highlighted the importance of youth engagement in learning this ancient language and the organization’s...

At the India-Maldives Business Forum in Bengaluru, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Aishath Nahula, emphasized the importance of collaboration between India and the Maldives to achieve a digital and sustainable future for both nations. Nahula highlighted key areas of cooperation, including the integration of digital financial services and the recent launch of the RuPay card, which signifies a milestone in their journey towards a more interconnected economy. She also acknowledged the Maldives’ commitment to climate action and multilateralism, in line with India’s leadership in these areas. The Minister further elaborated on the Maldivian government’s initiatives to expand the digital economy, such as the Maldives Creative Economic Strategy, which aims to revitalize technology-driven industries, arts, and media. This strategy, she believes, will drive innovation and create new opportunities for both countries. “Bengaluru, the Garden City, is an apt setting for my vi...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a significant visit to Vientiane PM Modi’s visit to Vientiane, Laos, comes at the invitation of his Laotian counterpart, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. During his visit, Modi is scheduled to attend the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit, hosted by Laos, the current Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. “This year marks a decade of the Act East Policy. Our relationship with ASEAN holds a central pillar in this policy and our Indo-Pacific vision,” the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated. The ASEAN-India Summit will comprehensively review the progress of the India-ASEAN partnership and chart a future course to strengthen cooperation across various domains. The East Asia Summit, a prominent leaders’ forum, fosters strategic trust in the region. It offers an opportunity for leaders of the EAS Participating Countries, including India, to exchange insights and perspectives on pressing r...

India’s rise as a global power has reached a significant milestone as it surpasses Japan to secure the third position in the prestigious Asia Power Index, marking a pivotal moment in its ascent on the world stage. This development highlights a shift in the power dynamics within the Asia-Pacific region, reflecting India’s growing economic strength, diplomatic prowess, and strategic influence in the Indo-Pacific. The Rise of India: Losers and Gainers The Asia Power Index, an annual evaluation initiated by the Lowy Institute in 2018, has established itself as the benchmark for assessing power dynamics in the Asia-Pacific. The index analyzes 27 countries across eight thematic metrics, utilizing 131 distinct indicators. These indicators are categorized into two groups: resource-based determinants and influence-based determinants. Measuring National Power: The Multifaceted Approach Resource-Based Determinants: Economic Capability : Assesses core economic strength, including c...

India’s growing presence in the global equity market is undeniable, as evidenced by its recent surge in the MSCI AC World IMI, one of the most prominent stock market benchmarks worldwide. This shift underscores the country’s increasing appeal to investors, fueled by its robust economic growth and market resilience. The MSCI AC World IMI tracks nearly all investable stocks globally, and India’s rising share in this index is a testament to its growing importance in the international investment landscape. This change didn’t happen overnight; it’s the result of years of strong economic performance, increasing investor confidence, and improved market liquidity. India now holds a more significant percentage in the free-float “investable” version of the MSCI AC World IMI than China, solidifying its position as a key player. This achievement is even more remarkable considering that the index is predominantly dominated by US companies, and India’s rapid stock market expansion has ca...

Photo Credit: PIB Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to make a historic visit to Brunei Darussalam on September 3-4, 2024, at the invitation of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. This marks the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Brunei and coincides with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. According to a statement released by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, “Brunei is a key partner in India’s ‘Act East’ Policy and its Indo-Pacific vision.” The visit aims to strengthen cooperation across various sectors, including defense, trade, investment, energy, space technology, health, capacity building, culture, and people-to-people exchanges, while also exploring new avenues for collaboration. This trip will further enhance our partnership with Brunei, covering areas such as defense cooperation, trade and investment opportunities, energy initiatives, space technology advancements, health cooperation, capacity building pr...