Nation

India’s engagement with Europe is entering a decisive phase, signalling a major shift in global geopolitics and trade diplomacy. As uncertainty continues to cloud India–US trade negotiations under former US President Donald Trump’s unpredictable “Make America Great Again” approach, New Delhi is steadily strengthening its strategic and economic ties with Europe—emerging as a credible alternative to Washington. This month, India and the European Union (EU) are set to hold a high-level summit, where a long-pending India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is expected to gain fresh momentum. In the run-up to this summit, India has moved swiftly to deepen bilateral engagement with three of Europe’s most influential powers—Germany, France and Poland—effectively shaping what analysts are calling a n...

Alcohol consumption in India has risen sharply over the past two decades, bringing with it serious public health consequences. Between 2000 and 2018, per capita alcohol consumption in the country more than doubled—from 2.3 litres to 5.5 litres. Today, India is the world’s third-largest market for alcoholic beverages, valued at nearly $35 billion. But behind these numbers lies a disturbing reality. According to government data, alcohol-related causes claimed 3.4 lakh lives in India in 2019 alone. This growing crisis raises a critical question: Why does alcohol become addictive, and why is it so hard to quit once dependence sets in? Renowned physician and author Dr. Charles Knowles explores these questions in his book “Why We Drink Too Much: The Impact of Alcohol on Our Bodies and Cult...

India narrowly missed creating a new chapter in its space and strategic history on January 12, when the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) failed to complete the PSLV-C62 mission as planned. Although the launch vehicle lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota—marking ISRO’s first orbital launch attempt of 2026—the rocket deviated from its intended trajectory, preventing the successful deployment of the highly strategic EOS-N1 satellite, code-named “Anvesha.” The aborted mission triggered ripples far beyond India’s borders. According to strategic analysts, the very prospect of Anvesha entering orbit had set off “alarm bells” across the China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh frontiers, given the satellite’s advanced surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. What ...

New Delhi: Sergio Gor, the newly appointed United States Ambassador to India, has arrived in Delhi and expressed his excitement about returning to the country. Speaking shortly after his arrival, Gor highlighted the opportunities for strengthening the ties between India and the United States. He posted on social media, “Feels great to be back in India! Exciting opportunities lie ahead for both our countries.” Background and Experience The 38-year-old diplomat previously served as Personal Director at the White House and is considered a close associate of former US President Donald Trump. In August, he was appointed as the next US Ambassador to India, and his confirmation was approved by the US Senate in October, with his swearing-in taking place in mid-November. Gor has now formal...

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday strongly defended large-scale social and community events, stating that such gatherings strengthen the nation rather than divide it. Addressing the Maheshwari Global Convention & Expo in Jodhpur, Shah emphasized that a self-reliant society paves the way for a self-reliant India. Highlighting the role of strong social and community structures, Shah said, “If each community takes responsibility for the welfare and protection of its most vulnerable members, the nation as a whole will be better positioned.” Responding to Critics Shah remarked, “Whenever social or community events are organized, some so-called progressive voices criticize the participants. I have personally faced such criticism many times. I firmly believe that t...

New Delhi: In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, launched by India following terrorist attacks in Pahalgam, Pakistan faced significant setbacks, forcing it to implement both military and constitutional amendments, according to India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan. Speaking at the Pune Public Policy Festival 2026, organized by the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE), Gen. Chauhan stated that the operation compelled Islamabad to restructure its higher defence organizations and make rapid constitutional changes—a clear sign that the operation did not go in Pakistan’s favour. Key Changes in Pakistan’s Military Structure Gen. Chauhan explained that Pakistan abolished the post of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and created the position of ...

New Delhi: India will host the 28th Commonwealth Presiding Officers’ Conference (CSPOC) next week, from January 14 to 16 at the Parliament House. However, Pakistan and Bangladesh are unlikely to participate, sources say, citing regional diplomatic reasons rather than any violation of conference rules. The conference will bring together Speakers and Presiding Officers from Commonwealth nations, including Australia, Canada, Maldives, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and the UK. Discussions will focus on strengthening democratic institutions, legislative processes, and parliamentary cooperation. Why Pakistan and Bangladesh May Skip Bangladesh’s absence is linked to the suspension of its parliament, which limits its participation in such multilateral forums. Pakistan, on the other hand, is likely...

New Delhi: The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) has witnessed 17.82 lakh new registrations in just six months, thanks to the introduction of a facial recognition-based verification process. This system, launched on May 21, 2025, for all new enrolments, has streamlined beneficiary identification, according to the Ministry of Women and Child Development. In addition, under the Take-Home Ration scheme at Anganwadis, 4.51 crore beneficiaries out of 4.73 crore have completed their eKYC and face-matching process by December 31, 2025. Launch of “Pankhudi” Portal: A Single-Window Platform The Ministry of Women and Child Development also launched a digital portal named “Pankhudi”, aimed at creating a single-window platform for corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives an...