Nischita Muppavarapu appointed as Honorary Consul of Costa Rica
She is the first Honorary Consul of Costa Rica appointed in Tamil Nadu. Speaking at the event Nishita said, 'Our objective is to elevate Indo-Costa Rican relations by establishing a forward looking comprehensive cutting edge framework for sustained partnership.' She is a trained medical professional and entrepreneur and also serves on the board of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD).
Stating that Tamil Nadu is the gateway of India, Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu N. Muruganandam said, 'It is because in terms of foreign direct investing it attracts like a magnet particularly in the last five years. Tamil Nadu has become a very attractive destination for foreign investments.'
Ambassador of Costa Rica to India Néstor Gabriel Baltodano Vargas said, 'It's so nice to be in a country where we share the values spiritually culturally and family.' Minister Counselor and Consul General Embassy of Costa Rica in India Sofia Salas and other officials from State government were also present at the event.
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Time of India
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IIT-Kgp aims to boost global outreach in 75th yr
Kolkata: As IIT Kharagpur, first and largest IIT in the country, on Monday unveiled a series of transformative initiatives in innovation, knowledge, global outreach and community-building on its 75th foundation day. Adani Group chairman Goutam Adani delivered the plenary address. Union education minister Dhramendra Pradhan was the chief guest, MoS for education Sukanta Majumdar the guest of honour and US consul-general Kathy Giles-Diaz was among distinguished dignitaries. An alumnus, Ashok Dey Sarkar, his wife Ruma, son Shion and elder brother Samir gifted a personal property, worth nearly $ 10 million in Houston to IIT Kharagpur. "This will serve as the foundation of IIT-Kgp's Outreach Centre in the US, enabling global engagement, alumni collaboration and Indo-US partnerships at a new scale," said director Suman Chakraborty. The director announced Centres of Excellence on Digital Twins with a flagship focus on a globally unique Med-Tech Convergence Unit. "This hub will house path-breaking initiatives, including the world's first ultra-low magnetic field MRI research unit, designed to bring life-saving diagnostic tech within the reaches of the poorest," he said, adding Manekshaw Centre for Defence and Security Research was also opened, with a focus on hardware security and healthcare tech. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Gold Rates Today in Kolkata | Silver Rates Today in Kolkata Platinum Jubilee Endowment Fund was launched to provide strategic high-value scholarships and introduce Chief of Staff models to inspire students "to become trendsetters instead of job-seekers, leading innovation". The campus introduced a Visiting Fellowship model to bring in the finest postdoc scholars, faculty, and scientific leaders from across the globe. Pradhan said "It is about looking forward to shaping our future in clean energy, AI, healthcare and innovation." Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
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First Post
7 hours ago
- First Post
Asia Cup 2025: The financial reason why BCCI may struggle to boycott Pakistan clash
The upcoming showdown between arch-rivals India and Pakistan at the Asia Cup, which returns to the T20 format and takes place in the UAE, has had a major impact on advertising rates, which will be difficult for the BCCI to ignore. The BCCI is yet to announce a boycott of India's upcoming Asia Cup showdown against Pakistan, which will take place in Dubai on 14 September. AFP/Reuters The decision to club India and Pakistan together in the same group in next month's Asia Cup has been met with outrage, but is hardly surprising given how financially rewarding a match between the two South Asian arch-rivals is. The BCCI was widely expected to boycott all upcoming fixtures against Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack in April and the subsequent four-day military standoff between the two nuclear powers. However, the fact that the board has not objected to the , in which India and Pakistan could potentially face each other thrice, has led to an outpouring of criticism on social media. The BCCI, for that matter, hasn't objected to the ICC putting the two rivals in the same group in next year's Women's T20 World Cup in England either. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD And there's a good reason why following the public sentiment on matches against Pakistan is easier said than done. Skyrocketing ad-rates a reminder of Indo-Pak rivalry's importance in cricket The broadcasters, after all, have set steep advertising rates for the upcoming Asia Cup, with the Indo-Pak rivalry being a key reason for the same. Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), which holds the rights for the event till 2031, has priced TV ads between Rs 14 to 16 lakh per 10 seconds, or Rs 4.48 crore for all India and non-India matches, according to a report on The Economic Times. Additionally, the television ad packages are set at Rs 18 crore for 'Co-presenting sponsorship' and Rs 13 crore for 'Associate sponsorship'. All matches will be streamed live on SonyLIV, where being a 'Co-presenting and highlights partner' will cost Rs 30 crore, with Rs 18 crore having to be shelled out for the 'Co-powered-by package'. India-Pakistan matches are set to have special advertising rates in certain segments. For example, pre-roll ads have been set at Rs 275 per 10 seconds, which increases to Rs 500 for India games and Rs 750 for Indo-Pak contests. The same value for mid-roll ads and connected TV ads have been set at Rs 225 (Rs 400 for India games; Rs 600 for India-Pakistan) and Rs 450 (Rs 800 for India matches; Rs 1,200 for India-Pakistan) respectively. And the fact that the organisers have stuck to the format that boosts chances of India and Pakistan meeting each other thrice shows that they certainly intend to milk this rivalry despite the recent diplomatic crisis involving the two nations. The BCCI could have perhaps pulled out of the tournament, which in all likelihood would have led to is cancellation. But that was a decision they could have made at the ACC meeting in Dhaka that vice-president Rajeev Shukla had attended virtually. The fact that the board decided to go ahead with India's participation in the continental event meant an Indo-Pak clash was likely on the cards, regardless of the opposition to the same on social media. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
In crisis, defence builds bridges for India-US tariff tussle
Manish Kumar Jha is a defence editor and security expert. He is the Sr. Visiting Fellow & Editorial Adviser at the United Services Institution of India. He is a fellow of Oxford University/KPF. He writes on national security, military technology, strategic affairs & policies. LESS ... MORE Indo-US bilateral relations have seen a decade of sustained progress, growth, and strategic partnership. For all strategic elements that exist between India and the US, security remains at the core, the fundamental reason for the rapidly growing relations over the past decade. In fact, the military cooperation and high-value defence procurements have surpassed a staggering value of $20 billion, with many other potential military equipment on the horizon. The security relationship has a deep structural framework that won't vanish overnight despite the trade tariff. However, the current crisis leaves an uncanny feeling. The present crisis involves factors which were building up as per Trump's obsessions with trade tariffs, which he thinks is the panacea for industrial deficit. The hyper and open market economy that thrives in the US has its base in the technological superiority that feeds on the service industry by and large, making the US the strongest economic powerhouse. So, in Trump's policy for retribution is based on trade imbalances, tariffs, and oil imports from Russia in the case of India. If the US-Russia deal begins to work, oil import issues will be secondary as Russia puts it on its top agenda for its sanctions-hit economy. So far, Trump's offensive has been to extract a quick deal, which he managed to garner from the EU and Japan. With the EU, he focused on energy. Trump said the EU will purchase $750billion in US energy, in addition to increasing overall investment in the US by $600billion. However, the EU did manage to secure 'strategic products' as it will not attract any tariffs, including aircraft and their parts, chemicals, and some agricultural products, among others. And, Japan negotiated an immensely favourable deal on automobiles, against agri-concessions. Tokyo pledged investment of $550 billion in the US economy, in a mix of various financial instruments — equity, loans and guarantees, in exchange for lower tariffs on its exports to the US Ultimately, Japan avoided the prospect of a 25% tariff rate set to take effect on 1 August, and a 15% tariff, including automobiles, is just about 5% above the current applicable tariff. These are the ways, some sort of template to work on. However, the set of compulsions in an emerging economy like India is not easy, especially the agri sector, which is a heady mix of economic and political conditions; a direct impact on the livelihood of millions in some ways or other. So, the policymakers can navigate through despite the inherent challenges. Defence itself makes a compelling case here. Besides defence, there are already promising deals in the pipeline between Tata and Air India, including an order for about 230 planes from Boeing, which would be worth about $30 billion as per the reported estimated value. Strategic frameworks supporting defence ties Since 2016, the US has designated India as a major defence partner, enabling privileged access to advanced technologies. India also holds a Strategic Trade Authorisation Tier-1 status since 2018, easing defence trade protocols. Since then, the multiple foundational agreements signed are a testament to structural frameworks. The bilateral framework was strengthened through Logistics (LEMOA, 2016), Secure Communications (COMCASA, 2018), and Geospatial Data Sharing (BECA, 2020) agreements. Additionally, the Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) was inked in 2024. It strengthens mutual access to critical defence goods and ensures supply continuity under urgent operational scenarios. India became the first non-Nato country after Singapore to sign such a pact. Defence trade: The defence trade between the two countries has exceeded $ 20.25 billion in nearly 15 years, topping Russia as the major defence partner. Major acquisitions include C-130J and C-17 transports, P-8I patrol aircraft, Apache and Chinook helicopters, MH-60R, Harpoon missiles, M-777 howitzers, and GE engines for the Tejas and AMCA programmes. The US is now one of India's largest arms suppliers, with key deals including: AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopters: India has procured 22 Apache helicopters for the Indian Air Force (IAF), delivered by 2020, and an additional 6 for the Indian Army, enhancing India's precision strike capability. CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters: 15 Chinooks have been inducted into the IAF for heavy transport roles, including troop movement and equipment transport in high-altitude areas. P-8I Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft: India operates 12 P-8I aircraft (a variant of the US Navy's P-8A) for anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, and reconnaissance, primarily in the Indian Ocean. MQ-9B SeaGuardian Drones (Predator B): In 2024, a deal valued at ~$4 billion was announced for the procurement of 31 MQ-9B UAVs (15 for Navy, 8 each for Army and Air Force) to enhance long-range ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) and strike capabilities. SIG Sauer SIG716 Rifles: India acquired over 72,000 SIG716 assault rifles for frontline infantry, replacing older INSAS rifles under emergency procurement. Stryker armoured vehicles: Negotiations and co-development discussions are ongoing for the Stryker infantry combat vehicle, aimed at enhancing India's mechanised infantry. Strategic initiatives: Core elements India-US defence relations, highlighting key initiatives such as INDUS-X, DTTI, and iCET, and charting the future of co-development, co-production, and collaboration in critical and emerging defence technologies. Established in 2012, the Defence Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI) marks a shift from buyer-seller dynamics toward joint technology development and co-production. Notable opportunities under DTTI include the co-production of GE F-414 jet engines in India with 80 % tech transfer to power the Tejas Mk II and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). It has another key development of drone variants, including armed UAVs, under DTTI – India may soon be the first non-Nato nation to field Predator-type systems. Building on that most significant Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) was unveiled in May 2022 during the Quad Summit and formally launched in early 2023. iCET aims to accelerate defence-focused innovation in AI, quantum, semiconductors, telecom, clean energy, and biotech. It created the Defence Innovation Bridge, linking startups and research institutions across both countries. Additionally, a joint programme was launched in 2023 –INDUS-X — by India's iDEX and the US Department of Defence's DIU to promote early-stage co-innovation as part of the defence acceleration ecosystem. INDUS-X Gurukul (education series) extended to investor strategy sessions, and academic-industry workshops to facilitate tech transfer and capital access. It took shape as space imaging company KaleidEO, rocket makers EtherealX and AI-driven company Shyam VNL will participate in a programme for defence and dual-use technology and explore opportunities to work with the US Defence Innovation Unit, the Department of Defence. It brought partnerships with front-line US defence entities like Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, RTX, etc. Moreover, the defence cooperation broadened on key co-production & co-development projects under the Joint Impact Challenges across undersea, space-ISR, and dual-use technology. The US and India agreed to co-produce sonobuoys for undersea domain awareness. These units will be interoperable with US, Indian, and Quad naval systems (P-8, MH-60R, MQ-9B). Broader context & emerging trajectory In recent years, India has been reducing its reliance on Russian defence systems in favour of US and Western suppliers, aligning procurement and interoperable defence standards with American platforms. While it is the outcome of the US-Russia deal, which might indicate a direction, defence will bring back the elements of convergence. It certainly opens doors in times of crisis. India–US defence relations have evolved into a robust strategic partnership—rooted in trust, trade agreements, co-development frameworks, and defence innovation ecosystems. The future is set toward deeper co-production, co-innovation, and joint leadership in critical and emerging technologies, positioning the partnership as a central pillar of Indo-Pacific security architecture and global defence innovation. So much work is already underway in strategic areas of security and military cooperation, which mutually favours both India and the US in the overall security architecture. PM Modi has had much success in balancing geostrategic equations. Trump has three more years in the White House. Both democracies are nearly in sync on many crucial issues. It would be highly disappointing if the tariff deal gets into a rough patch. Washington hawks know where the real trouble is coming from. That is already a fact for the US with or without tariffs. Let's not divert. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
