Rising tensions in West Asia have triggered concern among Indian residents and travellers in Gulf countries after a series of Iranian missile and drone strikes targeted locations in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain over the weekend. The attacks, which hit areas long considered safe for business and tourism, have led to a sudden increase in people trying to leave the region, including Indian professionals, workers, and visitors. Travel operators and security agencies repo

The Cultural Divide: Traditional Values vs. Modern Lifestyles One of the main challenges NRI parents face in arranging marriages for their children is reconciling the cultural expectations of marriage with the increasingly liberal, Westernized lifestyles of their children. Many NRI children, especially those born or raised abroad, prioritize love and personal choice over the traditional approach of arranged marriages. Parents, who a

When buying property from a Non-Resident Indian (NRI), one of the key aspects that differentiates it from typical real estate transactions is the Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) under Section 195 of the Income Tax Act. While Indian residents are subject to a 1% TDS on property transactions above ₹50 lakh, the TDS rate increases significantly for property sales involving an NRI seller. The buyer must deduct TDS at rates starting from 20% and deposit it with the Indian income tax authorities. A

For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), purchasing health and term insurance in India presents an attractive option due to affordable premiums and extensive coverage. Indian insurance companies offer plans that are often more economical than those available in foreign countries, making them an ideal choice for NRIs who want to protect their families back home without overburdening their finances. These policies are customized to suit the needs of Indian families, offering high coverage at a fraction

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently imposed stricter regulations on offshore gifting, particularly for affluent Indian families sending substantial financial gifts to their children living abroad. These gifts are often used to support various needs, such as education, property purchases, or immigration investments, such as the U.S. EB-5 visa program. While the practice of offshore gifting has grown in popularity, the RBI has increased scrutiny, especially when these transactions invo

Mumbai's financial landscape has seen significant changes as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) takes action on JPY-linked special deposits. Once a popular tool for attracting NRI funds, these deposits were marketed as premium rupee plans (PRPs), offering high returns by leveraging the forward premium on the Japanese yen. Banks, like IndusInd Bank and Yes Bank, had been using these products to attract NRI deposits by offering high yields based on the yen's forward premium in the foreign exchange

Bank of India recently hosted an NRI Meet, “Pravasi Sampark,” in Mumbai’s North Zone, designed to enhance its engagement with the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) community. This initiative is part of the bank’s ongoing strategy to provide customer-centric financial services, catering to the evolving needs of NRIs, including banking, investment, and remittance solutions. The event highlighted the bank’s commitment to strengthening long-term relationships with global Indians by leveraging a

Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has opened up about the physical toll that playing against India during the peak of their fierce rivalry took on him. In a candid admission, Akhtar shared how he and fellow cricketer Saqlain Mushtaq had to rely on pills and injections to manage the intense knee pain and continue playing during the 1998-99 series between India and Pakistan. The Struggles on the Field:

As major US technology companies accelerate their investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure, they are increasingly turning to the H-1B visa program to recruit skilled foreign professionals. New data reveals that a significant portion of visa petitions filed by leading tech firms is directly tied to AI-related roles, underscoring the growing reliance on global talent to fuel innovation and maintain a competitive edge in the digital economy. An analysis of

The city of Seattle has reached a $29 million settlement with the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old graduate student from India, who tragically lost her life in 2023 after being struck by a speeding police officer. Kandula, a master's student at Northeastern University’s Seattle campus, was hit by Officer Kevin Dave, who was driving at 74 mph (119 km/h) in a 25-mph (40 km/h) zone while responding to a drug overdose call. Although Da

As India steps into 2026, its real estate market is poised for growth, driven by a combination of improving affordability, sustainable living trends, and the rise of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. After a strong post-pandemic recovery, the country’s housing sector is on track to offer homebuyers more attractive opportunities than in recent years. One of the primary factors behind this optimistic outlook is improved access to housing finance. With easier home loans, flexible repayment s

A 37-year-old Indian-origin information technology professional from Karnataka was shot dead in a suspected targeted attack at a shopping centre parking lot in Toronto, Canadian police said. The victim, identified as Chandan Kumar, was a native of Bengaluru Rural district and had been living and working in Canada for the past six years. According to investigators, the shooting took place on Saturday, February 7, when unidentified assailants opened fire on the vehicle Kumar was trave