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US Senate unanimously votes Kenneth Juster as US envoy to India

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US Senate unanimously votes Kenneth Juster as US envoy to India

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Juster was serving as deputy assistant for international economic affairs to President Trump; played a key role in the Indo-US civil nuclear agreement talks too

The United States Senate, on Thursday (US Time) confirmed by a voice vote the nomination of 62-year-old Kenneth Juster as the country’s next Ambassador to India.

Juster’s appointment would fill the nine month long vacancy that was created after Richard Verma, an appointee of the Obama administration, resigned as the US envoy to India on January 20 following the swearing-in of Donald Trump as President of the United States.

A seasoned diplomat who enjoys wide-ranging support from American leaders of all political hues – as was evident from the Senate unanimously endorsing his nomination – Juster was serving as deputy assistant to the president for International Economic Affairs and deputy director of the National Economic Council in the White House before his appointment as the US envoy to India.

While the date of Juster formally taking over his new role in India has not been announced yet, he is expected to participate in the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) scheduled to be held in Hyderabad between November 28 and 30. The GES, which will also be attended by President Trump’s daughter and presidential adviser Ivanka, is being co-hosted by India and the United States and will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Juster is an old India hand and as deputy secretary of commerce in President George W Bush’s administration he had launched the US-India High Technology Cooperation Group to promote trade in sensitive dual-use goods and technology. Besides being one of the key architects of the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership initiative between the United States and India, it is widely believed that Juster also played a crucial role in laying the foundation for the Indo-US civil nuclear agreement that was signed between then Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, on October 10, 2008.

Juster was nominated to be the Ambassador to India on September 5. He has over 35 years of experience as a senior business executive, senior law partner, and senior government official, including serving as the US Under Secretary of Commerce from 2001 to 2005. He was also acting counselor of the US State Department from 1992 to 1993, and deputy and senior adviser to the deputy secretary of State from 1989 to 1992.

The bipartisan support that Juster enjoys in the US can be gauged from the fact that despite him being a Republican, some of the strongest endorsements for his nomination as Ambassador to India came from the Democrats.

Democratic Senator Mark Warner was quoted by news agency PTI as saying: “I was proud to support Ken’s nomination to be our country’s representative in India, one of our most important defence partners in the region. As Ambassador, I trust his decades of work on critical issues like trade, cybersecurity and defence will help advance the US-India relationship in a positive direction.”

Juster is also known to be a key confidante of President Donald Trump. He was hired to serve the White House by the president’s chief economic advisor Gary Cohn and has reportedly worked closely with includes Trump’s daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner. Together with Cohn, Ivanka and Kushner, Juster pushed for America’s continued engagement with the world, a stream of thought that was interrupted occasionally by President Trump’s former chief strategist Steve Bannon who pushed for an ‘America First’ thrust on all US policies.

Juster holds a law degree from the Harvard Law School, a masters degree in Public Policy from the John F Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, and a bachelors degree in Government from Harvard College. He has also served as Chairman of Harvard University’s Weatherhead Center for International Affairs and as Vice Chairman of The Asia Foundation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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