Author: Deepika chandrasekar

In a major development aimed at improving bilateral connectivity, Air China has announced the resumption of its direct flight service between Beijing and Delhi starting April 21, 2026. The move marks the restoration of a key air route that had remained suspended for more than four years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent diplomatic tensions following the Galwan Valley clash. The reopening of this air corridor is being viewed as an important step toward rebuilding travel, trade, and communication links between India and China. The route was originally halted in 2020, when global travel restrictions and geopolitical friction significantly…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed Parliament that India remains well-prepared to manage global energy uncertainties, assuring that adequate crude oil reserves and efficient systems are in place to maintain uninterrupted supply. His statement comes at a time when tensions in West Asia are affecting global energy markets and raising concerns over supply chains. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Modi emphasized that the government has consistently taken steps over the past decade to strengthen the country’s energy security. He highlighted that long-term planning and strategic decisions have helped reduce India’s vulnerability to international disruptions. A major achievement, according to the Prime…

India has once again reached a major milestone by producing over 1 billion tonnes of coal, reinforcing its standing among the world’s leading coal producers. This achievement plays a crucial role in strengthening the country’s energy security, ensuring a stable and reliable supply of fuel for essential sectors. The increased production has significantly reduced the need for imports, allowing India to rely more on its domestic resources to meet rising energy demands. This progress is largely driven by consistent government efforts aimed at expanding coal output across the country. By introducing policy reforms and encouraging commercial mining, authorities have created…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday confirmed that he held a detailed discussion with his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul, regarding the ongoing tensions in West Asia, which have now extended into their fourth week. Both leaders agreed to remain in regular contact as the situation continues to evolve and impact global stability. The conversation reflects growing coordination between nations as concerns over the crisis deepen. Sharing insights from the discussion, Jaishankar described the exchange as productive and emphasized the importance of maintaining communication during such uncertain times. The interaction is part of a broader pattern of diplomatic engagement between…

India will require an estimated investment of around $2.2 trillion over the next two decades to strengthen its power sector and meet rising energy demand, according to Pankaj Agrawal. The announcement was made at the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026, where policymakers and industry leaders discussed the future of India’s energy ecosystem and the need for a financially robust and sustainable power sector. The projected investment reflects the massive scale of transformation required across power generation, transmission, distribution, and energy storage infrastructure. As India continues to grow economically, electricity demand is expected to rise significantly, driven by rapid urbanisation, industrial expansion,…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Anutin Charnvirakul on his election as the Prime Minister of Thailand, expressing his eagerness to work closely with the newly elected leader. In his message, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of strengthening the multifaceted strategic partnership between India and Thailand. He emphasised that the relationship between the two countries is rooted in shared civilisational heritage, strong cultural ties, and vibrant people-to-people connections. Reaffirming India’s commitment to deeper cooperation, he noted that both nations share common aspirations for peace, progress, and prosperity. The message underlined the intent to further enhance bilateral collaboration across various sectors…

The Government of India has appointed senior Indian Foreign Service officer Vikram K Doraiswami as the country’s next Ambassador to China. The announcement was made by the Ministry of External Affairs, confirming that the experienced diplomat will take up the assignment shortly. At present, Doraiswami is serving as India’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. His new posting comes at a sensitive time, as India and China continue efforts to stabilize and improve bilateral relations following tensions that escalated after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash in eastern Ladakh. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Doraiswami, a 1992-batch IFS officer,…

India’s thermal power plants currently hold sufficient coal reserves to sustain operations for nearly three weeks, reflecting a proactive approach by public sector companies to ensure uninterrupted energy supply. The availability of coal has been strengthened further by increased production and stockpiling at mining sites, even as global uncertainties impact oil and gas supplies. According to official data, coal stocks at power plants stand at over 53 million tonnes, adequate for around 23 days at the current consumption rate. In addition, significant reserves are being maintained at the pitheads of mining companies, providing a buffer against any potential supply disruptions.…

India continues to hold its position as the world’s largest producer of coconuts, accounting for over 30% of global output, according to a recent parliamentary briefing. The coconut sector is a cornerstone of rural economies, supporting millions of farmers and their families across major producing states including Keralam, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Beyond farming, the industry underpins allied sectors such as coir, coconut oil, and other value-added products, which together form a significant component of India’s agro-based industrial ecosystem. Despite its scale, the sector faces pressing challenges. Ageing plantations, declining productivity, and pest infestations have reduced output in…

India has reinforced its defence cooperation with Seychelles by donating ship spares to the Seychelles Defence Forces, underlining its commitment to strengthening maritime partnerships in the Indian Ocean region. The ship spares were handed over by Captain Sachin Kulkarni, Commanding Officer of INS Trikand, which is currently visiting Port Victoria. The visit coincides with India’s participation in the 11th edition of the joint military exercise ‘Lamitye 2026’. During the visit, Captain Kulkarni also met Seychelles’ Chief of Defence Forces, Major General Michael Rosette, where discussions focused on ongoing cooperation and the role of INS Trikand in the joint exercise. Exercise…