May 30, 2026

Kautilya

Heritage Temples and Places

Thakazhi Sree Dharmasastha Temple: The Sacred Sastha Shrine Near Ambalappuzha

The temple stands in Thakazhi, a name that immediately evokes two different worlds of Kerala memory. One is the sacred world of Sastha worship, temple lamps, oil offerings, festival drums and ritual floor drawings. The other is the literary world of Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, the great Malayalam novelist who gave Kuttanad’s farmers, labourers, fishermen and ordinary families a permanent place in modern Indian literature.

By Kautilya / May 22, 2026
Economy

BHIM App Records Over 300% Growth in FY26, Signalling India’s Deepening Digital Payments Revolution

According to NPCI BHIM Services Limited, monthly transaction volumes on the BHIM app rose from 5.93 crore in April 2025 to 21.6 crore in March 2026. The momentum continued into the new financial year as well, with the app recording 22.49 crore transactions worth ₹26,040 crore in April 2026. This shows that the growth was not just a temporary spike, but part of a larger behavioural shift towards digital payments.

By Kautilya / May 22, 2026
Economy

India’s Digital Economy May Contribute 20% to GDP by 2030, But Cybersecurity Will Decide the Strength of the Growth Story

India’s digital transformation has already become visible in everyday life. The spread of UPI, Aadhaar-linked services, paperless governance, digital public infrastructure, optical fibre expansion and online service delivery has changed how citizens, businesses and government institutions interact. The shift from a cash-heavy and paperwork-heavy system towards a more digital economy has improved speed, transparency and accessibility in many areas of public and commercial life.

By Kautilya / May 22, 2026
Diplomacy

India and Egypt Deepen Counter-Terrorism Cooperation, Reaffirm Zero Tolerance Towards Terror Networks

A key message from the dialogue was accountability. India and Egypt strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in April 2025, as well as the terror incident near Red Fort in New Delhi in November 2025. Both countries stressed that those involved in terrorist acts, including their supporters, financiers and backers, must be identified, prosecuted and brought to justice.

By Kautilya / May 21, 2026
Defense Diplomacy

India and South Korea Deepen Defence Ties with Cyber, Training and Innovation Agreements

The talks covered the full range of India–Republic of Korea defence cooperation, including defence industry, production, maritime security, emerging technologies, military exchanges, logistics and regional security. This broad agenda shows that the relationship is moving beyond routine military diplomacy and entering a more structured phase of strategic, technological and industrial partnership.

By Kautilya / May 21, 2026
Diplomacy Economy

India’s Toffee Exports Rise 166% Since FY14, Showing the Growing Global Taste for Made-in-India Confectionery

The development gained wider public attention after Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted Melody toffees to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during his visit to Rome. The gesture became a light diplomatic moment, but it also highlighted something larger: Indian consumer brands are no longer confined to the domestic market. They are slowly gaining recognition abroad as part of India’s expanding soft-power and food-export profile.

By Kautilya / May 21, 2026
Defense

Indian Navy Launches Sanghmitra, Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel Built at GRSE Kolkata

The launch of Sanghmitra is part of the Indian Navy’s larger plan to strengthen its offshore patrol and maritime security capabilities. A total of 11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels are being constructed simultaneously at two Indian shipyards — Goa Shipyard Limited in Goa and GRSE in Kolkata. These vessels are being indigenously designed and built, adding another layer to India’s growing self-reliance in warship construction.

By Kautilya / May 21, 2026
Defense

PRAGATI 2026 Begins in Meghalaya, Bringing 12 Regional Armies Together for Joint Training

PRAGATI stands for Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region. The exercise has been designed as a platform where participating armies can train together, exchange professional experience and build stronger military-to-military understanding. Its guiding spirit is equality, friendship and mutual respect, making it more than just a military drill; it is also a regional confidence-building effort.

By Kautilya / May 21, 2026
Diplomacy

India and Italy Elevate Ties to Special Strategic Partnership, Set €20 Billion Trade Target by 2029

The joint declaration reflects a broad expansion of India-Italy cooperation across politics, trade, defence, technology, connectivity, migration, culture, education and multilateral affairs. Both leaders agreed to hold annual leader-level meetings, including on the sidelines of major international events, along with regular ministerial and institutional-level consultations. A Foreign Ministers-led mechanism will also be established to review the India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029 and provide strategic direction to the newly elevated partnership.

By Kautilya / May 21, 2026