Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the BJP-RSS, labelling them a "bunch of jokers" with no understanding of India, and criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy as merely "hugging leaders." He also claimed the RSS has become an instrument of large capital, serving Adani and Ambani, and vowed that the Congress would keep pressure on the government until Modi and Shah resign. The BJP hit back, calling Gandhi immature and out of depth.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy and his remarks referencing the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to the West Asia situation.
There has never been a moment in India's history when it has been so adrift in the world, so confused about what it stands for and against and so humiliated, asserts Aakar Patel.
'Once this entire AI and tech driven euphoria in the Western markets sees a correction there will be a re-evaluation of the Indian equity market and inflows will resume.'
This might help explain why our global outreach has received such a tepid response. We have chosen to be transactional with the world, as our UN votes reveal, points out Aakar Patel.
The era where nations thrived through rigid alignments is giving way to an age where the connective State defines power. For India, that era has arrived, points out Dr Nishakant Ojha.
We should reassess what India's role in the world is and whether we are doing the right thing for ourselves, notes Aakar Patel.
Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, closed largely unchanged after a volatile trading session, influenced by persistently high crude oil prices, selling pressure in major bank stocks, and investor caution ahead of the US Federal Reserve's policy decision.
Indian stock markets witnessed a significant rally, with the Sensex soaring 905 points and the Nifty topping 22,900, primarily driven by strong buying in banking and FMCG shares, coupled with easing crude oil prices and a US Fed rate pause.
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) turned net sellers in the first week of September, withdrawing Rs 7,443 crore from Indian equities, driven by rising crude oil prices, increasing US bond yields, and a strong dollar.
Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have withdrawn Rs 48,056 crore from Indian equities in October, driven by elevated crude oil prices, Middle East tensions, inflation concerns, and weak corporate earnings, though selling pressure moderated towards the end of the month.
Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has publicly welcomed competition from Elon Musk's Starlink in the satellite communications sector, asserting that all players, including Jio, must abide by Indian laws and policies.
India's government is set to release its draft National Steel Policy for public consultation, aiming for over 600 million tonnes of steelmaking capacity and 500 million tonnes of consumption by 2047. The policy will also introduce a ~5,000-crore scheme to incentivise small steel producers for carbon emission reduction and address challenges like raw material availability and technological dependence.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty experienced declines in early trade, influenced by the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) recent repo rate hike and its signal for continued monetary tightening, coupled with rising crude oil prices and foreign fund outflows. Track Sensex, Nifty on October 8.
Foreign institutional investors have withdrawn nearly $40 billion from Indian equities in the last two years and, according to Bernstein analysts, have 'little reason' to invest for the long-term, though they may 'return to trade'. The brokerage highlights challenges such as struggling large-caps, disruption from new technologies, and difficulties accessing small- and mid-caps (SMIDs) at an institutional scale.
The Supreme Court has asked the CBSE to consider deferring the implementation of its three-language policy for Class 6 students, which mandates two native Indian languages, until the academic session starting 2027. The CBSE stated it would consider the suggestion. The policy, aligned with NEP-2020, makes two native Indian languages compulsory for Class 6 and Class 9, with provisions for foreign languages as additional options and no board exams for the third language in Class 10.
Foreign policy is always a work in progress and ups and downs are built into foreign policy process. What is permanent is national interest. Hopefully, this year, which will also witness general elections in the country, will also clear clouds in the foreign policy horizon, observes Rup Narayan Das.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar of "collapsing" India's foreign policy and questioned the government's handling of the recent tensions with Pakistan, particularly the US President Donald Trump's role as a mediator. Gandhi's remarks come amidst a war of words between the Congress and the ruling BJP over their leaders' statements on the Indo-Pak conflict.
Indian benchmark equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, experienced a decline in early trade due to elevated crude oil prices, ongoing geopolitical uncertainties, and investor caution ahead of the US Federal Reserve's policy decision later this week. Track Sensex, Nifty on October 26.
Indian educational institutions are adopting physical modifications like "anti-suicide" fans and barriers to prevent student suicides, drawing parallels with measures taken by foreign universities such as Houston, Cornell, Harvard, and NYU. While these measures are seen as "bandaid solutions" by some, experts suggest restricting access to lethal means is a valid part of a comprehensive suicide prevention strategy, alongside crucial mental health support.
The Finance Ministry has dismissed allegations of US pressure influencing the 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select UPI transactions. It clarified that NPCI guidelines prioritise RuPay credit cards on UPI and do not favour international cards. The ministry also asserted that the MDR, applicable to person-to-merchant transactions above Rs 2,000, is unlikely to increase cash transactions or cause inflation, with measures in place to prevent burdening consumers.
When S Jaishankar became India's external affairs minister in May 2019, he was largely considered a political lightweight despite his undisputed mastery over foreign policy.
India's foreign policy establishment is adjusting with alacrity in real time -- an extraordinary spectacle in itself, considering the manifest reluctance to indulge in public diplomacy critical of American moves, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
Faculty recruitment is conducted directly by universities using global hiring standards while complying with Indian regulations.
Indian stock markets are set to be influenced by a confluence of factors this week, including escalating geopolitical tensions, particularly concerns over US-Iran conflict, volatile crude oil prices, and the ongoing quarterly earnings season. Additionally, the US midterm elections, foreign investor activity, and key macroeconomic data releases will also be closely monitored by investors.
Indian benchmark stock indices, Sensex and Nifty, closed lower due to profit-taking, a spike in wholesale price-based inflation, and firm crude oil prices, despite some support from easing intraday crude oil prices and rupee appreciation.
'...but could demotivate employees seeking US residency.'
Indian stock markets are set to be influenced this week by a confluence of factors including quarterly corporate earnings, the US Federal Reserve's interest rate decision, fluctuations in crude oil prices, and ongoing geopolitical developments in West Asia.
Engagement with neighbours has gathered pace, particularly as the conflict in West Asia has exposed their vulnerability to energy supply disruptions.
Growth in India's currency in circulation (CiC) has reached a five-year high, primarily due to deposits under the Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank), or FCNR(B), scheme, leading to a robust increase in reserve money, according to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) 'State of the Economy' report.
The Supreme Court has urged the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to consider exempting Class 6 students from its three-language policy for the current academic year. The policy, which mandates the study of three languages including two native Indian languages, is challenged by petitioners who question CBSE's jurisdiction over classes 6-8. The court emphasized finding a solution that avoids student pressure and suggested a potential deferral for Class 6.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty experienced a significant drop in early trade, primarily due to a sell-off in IT stocks, a surge in crude oil prices, and investor caution ahead of the US Federal Reserve's policy decision.
Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, experienced declines in early trade due to persistently high crude oil prices and significant selling pressure in IT stocks, with global factors like US bond yields and upcoming Federal Reserve decisions also contributing to cautious investor sentiment. Track Sensex, Nifty on October 27.
The RBI can slow the rupee's fall, but lasting stability depends on tackling the root causes of depreciation and attracting foreign investment.
Police in Rajkot, Gujarat, booked 38 individuals, including 35 male guests and three hotel staffers, for suspected liquor consumption following a raid on a birthday party at a local hotel on Saturday night. The raid, conducted by the Local Crime Branch, led to the seizure of Indian Made Foreign Liquor bottles, highlighting Gujarat's strict prohibition laws.
The Finance Ministry has refuted allegations that US pressure influenced the decision to levy a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select UPI payments. It clarified that NPCI guidelines prioritise RuPay credit cards on UPI to foster a domestic payment ecosystem and that the MDR introduction aims to create a sustainable revenue model for smaller domestic companies, thereby protecting India's sovereignty in digital payments.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closed lower, primarily due to declines in Reliance Industries and IT sector stocks, coupled with rising crude oil prices and investor caution ahead of the US Federal Reserve's policy decision.
Indian benchmark stock indices, Sensex and Nifty, rebounded significantly after a four-day losing streak, driven by value buying and strong performance in metal, telecommunication, and healthcare sectors.
Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, experienced a significant downturn, with Sensex tanking 778 points and Nifty closing at a five-month low, driven by surging crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions, and fears of further interest rate hikes by major central banks.
India's frontier model company Sarvam secured a dominant 87% share of the total funding received by the country's startups building artificial intelligence (AI) for Indian languages in 2026, raising $345 million out of a total of $399 million, according to a Tracxn report.
