A Public Snub on a Diplomatic Stage Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif found himself in an uncomfortable spotlight on Friday after being kept waiting for nearly 40 minutes to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin at an international forum in Turkmenistan. The episode, captured on video and rapidly circulated online, left Sharif visibly exposed to questions of…
India Allows 100% FDI in Insurance India has taken a decisive step in reshaping its insurance landscape by allowing 100 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) in insurance companies. Cleared by the Union Cabinet on December 12, this move marks the most significant liberalisation since private participation was first permitted in 2000. Yet, the reform is…
A Major Boost for Pakistan’s Airpower The United States has approved a $686‑million package to modernize Pakistan’s existing F‑16 fleet, marking the most significant upgrade to the aircraft in years. Unlike a fresh procurement, this initiative focuses on enhancing networked capabilities, situational awareness, and survivability of the jets, extending their operational life into the 2040s. The…
A Sudden Alert After a Violent Night Japan was jolted into heightened vigilance this week after the government issued an unusually rare “megaquake advisory”—a step taken only when seismic activity hints at the possibility of a far larger event. The trigger was a magnitude-7.5 offshore earthquake near Aomori that injured dozens and rattled northern Honshu…
Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) are increasingly shaping how nations integrate into global commerce. Ideally, these frameworks reduce barriers, streamline rules, and unlock new avenues for exports and investment. Yet their economic payoff depends not on signatures but on smart design, high utilization, and robust domestic capabilities. India’s accelerating push into new FTAs…
Democratic lawmakers are sounding alarms that Donald Trump’s tariff barrage against India is on a collision course with one of Washington’s most consequential strategic priorities: maintaining a durable partnership with New Delhi at a moment of intensifying rivalry with China and persistent uncertainty around Russia. What was long viewed as a “low-cost, high-benefit” relationship is, they…
A New Financial Orbit for Musk’s Space Empire Elon Musk’s SpaceX is reportedly preparing a public listing of unprecedented scale, targeting more than $30 billion in fresh capital at a colossal $1.5 trillion valuation sometime in 2026–27. If executed, it could eclipse Saudi Aramco’s 2019 debut and instantly become the largest IPO in market history. What…
A Global Recognition for India’s Festival of Lights Diwali’s recent inscription on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity marks a defining moment for one of India’s most widely celebrated traditions. The announcement came during UNESCO’s 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee on Intangible Heritage—hosted in Delhi’s historic Red Fort complex—turning the city…
A New Inflection Point in India’s Digital Growth Story Amazon’s latest commitment—over $35 billion in fresh investment by 2030—marks one of the largest long-term bets by any global tech company on India’s digital economy. More than a routine expansion, the announcement frames India as a dual engine for Amazon’s future: a critical AI development hub and…
Trump Media & Technology Group’s decision to anchor an investment of USD 5 billion (roughly ₹1 lakh crore) in Telangana’s planned Bharat Future City has instantly transformed the initiative from a regional urban experiment into an international talking point. Announced at the Telangana Rising Global Summit 2025, the commitment marks a significant escalation of foreign interest…
