The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) has postponed its much-anticipated “India Weekend” in New York, originally scheduled for September 12–14 at the Lincoln Center. The decision was attributed to “unforeseen circumstances,” according to a statement on the NMACC website. Organizers stressed this was not a cancellation but a temporary pause, promising the event would take place at a later date.
What Was Planned
Nita Ambani, wife of billionaire Mukesh Ambani, was set to host the three-day showcase. Highlights included a culinary presentation by Michelin-starred chef Vikas Khanna and a fashion show by designer Manish Malhotra. The festival was designed as a theatrical celebration of Indian culture for an international audience.
The Geopolitical Backdrop
The postponement comes at a time when relations between Washington and New Delhi are strained. US President Donald Trump has escalated criticism of India’s decision to buy discounted Russian oil, arguing that it undermines Western efforts to pressure Moscow over the war in Ukraine. Reliance Industries Ltd., Mukesh Ambani’s company and operator of the world’s largest oil refining complex, has been indirectly pulled into this dispute.
US Tariffs and Accusations
Washington recently slapped 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods, among the steepest in the world, as retaliation for India’s energy purchases from Russia. US officials such as Peter Navarro and Scott Bessent have openly accused India’s “politically connected energy titans” of profiteering from the conflict. Although Ambani has not been named directly, the remarks have placed his conglomerate under uncomfortable scrutiny.
Modi’s Defiance and Russia Ties
Despite the pressure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has signaled no retreat. He met Russian President Vladimir Putin during a visit to China—his first trip there in seven years—demonstrating India’s willingness to deepen strategic and energy ties with Moscow.
Ambani’s Response
In his annual address to Reliance shareholders, Mukesh Ambani acknowledged the turbulence created by global conflicts, warning that “conflict produces no winners.” He emphasized that international cooperation fuels trade, investment, and mutual prosperity.
