Economy
West Asia crisis triggers severe LNG, LPG supply shock for Indian firms
LNG tenders fail, tankers stranded, storage at 30%; naphtha back in the mix
 "West Asia crisis triggers severe LNG, LPG supply shock for Indian firms")
Rice exporters seek urgent relief as Iran crisis disrupts exports, shipping
International freight rates have risen by an estimated 15-20 per cent, while war-risk surcharges and insurance premiums for Gulf-bound shipments have increased significantly
 "Rice exporters seek urgent relief as Iran crisis disrupts exports, shipping")
Iran war set to hit output in sectors dependent on oil and gas: Crisil
CRISIL cautions that continued West Asia tensions could disrupt LNG and crude supplies, pressuring fertilisers, refineries, chemicals and other energy-intensive sectors in India
 "Iran war set to hit output in sectors dependent on oil and gas: Crisil")
Centre reviewing Rodtep scheme to assess and justify its continuation
Reassessment is a part of exercise to rationalise central-sector schemes to enhance efficiency
 "Centre reviewing Rodtep scheme to assess and justify its continuation")
'Excited' about India trade deal: US dy secy of state Christopher Landau
Says US not to make same mistakes with India as it did with China
 "'Excited' about India trade deal: US dy secy of state Christopher Landau")
India seeks to retain tariff edge over Asian peers in US trade deal
Goyal said India is closely watching the evolving situation following the US SC's verdict, and will continue to engage with Washington for best possible opportunities in the interim trade deal
 "India seeks to retain tariff edge over Asian peers in US trade deal")
Maharashtra's economy likely to grow 7.9% in 2025-26: Economic Survey
Maharashtra's economy is projected to grow 7.9% in 2025-26 with per capita income rising to ₹3.47 lakh, driven largely by strong services sector growth
 "Maharashtra's economy likely to grow 7.9% in 2025-26: Economic Survey")
Indian gas firms may cut industrial supply if Qatar halt persists
QatarEnergy has halted production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) amid attacks on its facilities as tensions rise in West Asia
 "Indian gas firms may cut industrial supply if Qatar halt persists")
Rupee posts best day in a month; RBI dollar sales boost recovery
After breaching 92 per dollar, the rupee rebounded sharply on RBI's heavy dollar sales, becoming the best-performing Asian currency even as geopolitical risks kept markets cautious
 "Rupee posts best day in a month; RBI dollar sales boost recovery")
HPCL resumes Russian crude oil purchases after three-month gap: Report
State-run HPCL resumes Russian oil purchases after a three-month gap, booking two discounted cargoes as Moscow's share in India's crude imports shows signs of rising again
 "HPCL resumes Russian crude oil purchases after three-month gap: Report")
No issue can be resolved by military conflict, says PM Narendra Modi
Key pacts signed with Finland; India condoles Khamenei death
 "No issue can be resolved by military conflict, says PM Narendra Modi")
Rice exporters seek urgent relief as Iran crisis disrupts exports, shipping
The disruptions have also weighed on domestic prices, with basmati rice prices falling about 7-10 per cent in the past 72 hours, intensifying working-capital pressures for exporters
 "Rice exporters seek urgent relief as Iran crisis disrupts exports, shipping")
West Asia crisis may hit trade, LNG supply if disruption persists: Crisil
The rating agency said sectors dependent on imported Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), such as ceramics and fertilisers, may also face near-term production disruptions
 "West Asia crisis may hit trade, LNG supply if disruption persists: Crisil")
West Asia conflict poses short-term risks to Indian economy: RBI MPC member
In the present scenario, a hike in oil prices, exports disruptions and impact on remittances have been identified as the immediate challenges on the growth front, Nagesh Kumar said
India moves to shield economy as Iran tensions expose oil, currency risks
Reserve Bank of India stepped up surveillance of the currency market, and traders said Wednesday the central bank intervened to curb volatility after the rupee plunged to a record low
 "India moves to shield economy as Iran tensions expose oil, currency risks")
Russian oil cargoes swing back to India as West Asia conflict hits supply
Indian refiners, wary of complicating trade talks with Washington, had pared back their purchases of Russian oil in recent weeks, which had forced Moscow to seek buyers in China
 "Russian oil cargoes swing back to India as West Asia conflict hits supply")
February PMI services comes in at 58.1; new order growth at 13-month low
While greater client enquiries and marketing efforts supported sales at some units, a few companies suggested that an increasingly competitive environment dampened growth
 "February PMI services comes in at 58.1; new order growth at 13-month low")
MRPL declares force majeure on gasoline exports cargoes amid Gulf crisis
The state-run refiner, which operates a 500,000-barrel-per-day refinery in the southern state of Karnataka, exports about 40 per cent of its refined fuel output
 "MRPL declares force majeure on gasoline exports cargoes amid Gulf crisis")
Diversification key to India's solar panel exports after US levy
With the US imposing a 126% tariff, India's solar panel exporters face rising overcapacity and heavy dependence on a single market
 "Diversification key to India's solar panel exports after US levy")
India grapples with grid curtailment, biggest test yet on energy transition
Rising renewable energy capacity is straining India's grid, forcing curtailments and raising concerns over stability
 "India grapples with grid curtailment, biggest test yet on energy transition")