Page 88 - India

India's draft resolution on biofuels at MEPC referred to Working Group

India's draft resolution on biofuels at the 80th session of the MEPC of International Maritime Organisation was on Tuesday referred to the Working Group for its consideration and finalisation. The draft Maritime Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) resolution put forward a biofuel certified by the International Certification Scheme to confirm the sustainability aspects in the Life Cycle Assessment guidelines are being assigned a CO2 emission conversion factor as zero. The resolution is aimed at facilitating the uptake of biofuels and reducing GHG emissions and was taken up for discussion in the plenary on Tuesday. India welcomed the decision of the Chair to refer the draft resolution to the Working Group for its consideration and finalisation. "We believe India would be able to reason out our position on the need of this Resolution to encourage uptake of Biofuels," said Ajithkumar Sukumaran, Chief Surveyor-cum-Additional Directorate General, Ministry of Shipping, representing In

Project lender Ethos aims to deploy $1 bn for lending in India over 5 yrs

US-headquartered project lender Ethos Asset Management has readied plans for lending in India, and aims to deploy more than USD 1 billion in the country over the next five years, a top official has said. The company typically writes long-term loans which are repaid in about 12 years by the borrowers, and has already deployed over USD 9 billion across many economies in the world including the US, South America and Europe since starting the business in 2012. Its founder and chief executive Carlos Santos told PTI that India's economic growth potential and young demographics are a draw for the firm to look at India. He added that of the ten sectors propelling India growth, six sectors, including infrastructure, energy, agribusiness, manufacturing and information technology, are a key focus for his firm. "We will deploy USD 100 million in the second half of 2023 and deploy USD 200 million in 2024. In 2027, we plan to take it up to USD 350 million," he said, adding that in the next five

India donates 10,000 metric tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan amid crisis

The 10,000 metric tonnes of wheat reached the Herat city of Afghanistan on Tuesday, United Nations World for Food Programme (UNWFP) said in a tweet

India leading in spirituality, technology and economy, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India was marching ahead in various fields, including technology and economy even as spiritual centres are reviving in the country. In his virtual address during the inauguration of Sai Hira Global Convention Centre at Prasanthi Nilayam in Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh, Modi said 40 per cent of the total real-time online transactions are taking place in India. He further said that India has the third largest startup ecosystem in the world and was competing with big countries in areas such as digital technology and 5G technology. On one hand spiritual centres are reviving in the country and simultaneously India is leading in economy and technology Today India is among the world's top five economies. India has the world's third largest startup ecosystem in the world, he said. For thousands of years Indian saints have nourished the spirit of 'Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat', Modi reminded. I have come to Puttaparthi many times, but this time I

'Amrit Kaal has been named as Kartavya Kaal': PM Modi in inaugural address

The Prime Minister was addressing a gathering through video conferencing after inaugurating the Sai Hira Global Convention Centre in Puttaparthi of Andhra Pradesh

US, India withdraw 6 trade disputes: Will this bonhomie sustain over time?

India and the US, despite their robust diplomatic ties, have quibbled on trade issues over the years and across administrations

Want to see expansion of UNSC permanent seats to include India, Brazil: UK

The UK has called for the expansion of the UN Security Council's permanent seats to include India, Brazil, Germany and Japan as well as African representation, underlining that it is high time the powerful UN body entered the 2020s. Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations and President of the Security Council for the month of July Ambassador Barbara Woodward's comments came as she briefed UN correspondents on the programme of work of the Security Council for the month. On reform of the UN Security Council, we want to see the expansion of the Council's permanent seats to include India, Brazil, Germany and Japan and African representation. It's high time the Council entered the 2020s, Woodward told reporters here on Monday. Woodward referred to remarks by British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly last week in which he announced the UK's ambition to drive forward reform of the multilateral system. Woodward said the UK's presidency of the Security Council in

US blocks Indian draft resolution on biofuels at MEPC, demands discussions

The US on Monday became the only country to halt the adoption of a draft MEPC resolution on biofuel put forward by India on Monday at the MEPC session here, demanding further discussions on the matter prior to recommending it to a working group on air pollution and energy efficiency to finalise the resolution/circular. Sources told PTI that the US came up with the suggestion on Monday morning at the 80th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) without raising it in earlier deliberations when the vast majority of the group considered it an immediate requirement and to be considered further by the Intersessional Working Group on Air Pollution and Energy Efficiency Sources said the opposition raised by the US could be due to the fact that promoting bio-fuel as a drop in fuel could negatively impact the promotion of other green fuels such as Ammonia and Hydrogen, the fuels that the US is putting money on. India's draft MEPC resolution put forward a biofuel that is

UN deputy secretary-general visits India to discuss various global issues

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J Mohammed on Monday began a three-day visit to India with an aim to discuss various global issues. It is her first visit to India since her reappointment to the post for a second five-year term in January last year. The UN deputy secretary-general (DSG) will hold separate meetings with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant. "The DSG's visit to India will be an opportunity to exchange views on India's ongoing G20 presidency and its achievements in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ahead of the SDG summit in September this year, and issues related to climate action in context of developmental priorities," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. It said the visit is a reflection of India's abiding commitment to multilateralism, including through its contribution to the UN and its ongoing G20 presidency, in addressing glo

Govt, society have to work together to make India developed nation: Rajnath

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Monday said the government, every section of society and social organisations will have to work together to make India a developed nation by 2047. Singh was in Punjab's Jalandhar where he attended 'Guru Purnima Mahotsav' organised by 'Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan' (DJJS). On this occasion, the Union minister lauded the sansthan which is located at Nurmahal in Jalandhar for its work, saying he was happy that the DJJS is working in every field by considering service of humans as its uppermost philanthropy. Shri Ashutosh Maharaj united people with the aim of 'Sarvochch Parmarth'. 'Parmarth' means an act of serving others without seeking any benefit, which only a great personality can do. Swami ji inspired the people with his works, said Singh. He said that the DJJS was continuously working towards spreading Swami ji' life values and objectives to the masses. The way Swami ji selflessly worked for the welfare of the nation and society is an inspiration f

Steps initiated for delivering of citizen-centric services: Jitendra Singh

Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Monday said the government has initiated steps for ease of governance to facilitate delivery of citizen-centric services for the common man's welfare. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has launched Mission Karmayogi and mid-career training programmes that are aimed at training officers for the priorities of Amrit Kaal and equipping them to contribute to the making of an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' with the optimum use of new technology, he said. Addressing the inaugural session of the 49th Advanced Professional Programme in Public Administration (APPPA) at the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) here, Singh said the government has initiated steps for the ease of doing business and ease of governance to facilitate delivery of citizen-centric services for the welfare of the common man. The minister of state for personnel, public grievances and pensions said the government amended the Prevention of Corruption Act i

UK international trade minister to unveil new initiatives in Kolkata

UK Minister for international trade, Nigel Huddleston arrived in the city on Monday on a two-day visit to the metropolis to unveil new initiatives in electric mobility and green construction in West Bengal. The UK minister will launch a center to enhance opportunities in the electric vehicle segment by partnering Indian businesses with academic institutions and industries of that country, a statement by the British Deputy High Commission here said. He will also visit a waste processing company in Kolkata using green technology to recycle construction waste into high quality reusable sand, it said. The UK is aiming to negotiate a trade deal with India with the target to double it by 2030, the statement said. India is its 12th largest trading partner accounting 2.1 per cent of its total trade. UK's bilateral trade with India surged to GBP (British pound sterling) 36 billion in 2022, up 11.2 billion GBP or 45 per cent from 24.8 GBP in 2021. The bilateral trade supports half a millio

India starts safeguard probe against sudden, sharp jump in met coke imports

India has started a safeguard probe into sudden and sharp increase in the imports of metallurgical coke, used as fuel in steel and chemicals plants, following a complaint by domestic industries that the inbound shipments are impacting them. In an application to the commerce ministry's arm Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), BLA Pvt Ltd, Jindal Coke Ltd, Saurashtra Fuels, Vedanta Malco Energy and Visa Coke Ltd have alleged that there has been sudden, sharp, significant and recent increase in the imports of low ash metallurgical coke in India, which is adversely impacting the industry. To guard the industry from these imports, the applicants have requested imposition of safeguard measures in the form of quantitative restrictions on the imports. "On the basis of the duly substantiated application filed by the petitioners...the authority considers that there is sufficient evidence to justify initiation of safeguard investigation," the DGTR has said in a notification. In the .

Indian refiners start yuan payments for Russian oil imports: Report

China has also shifted to the yuan for most of its energy imports from Russia, which overtook Saudi Arabia to become China's top crude supplier in the first quarter this year

Cement industry production to grow 7-8%: Icra gives 'stable' outlook

The domestic cement industry is expected to have a volumetric growth of 7-8 per cent in FY24, helped by a rise in demand from the housing and infrastructure sector, a report by ICRA said on Monday, giving a 'stable' outlook for the sector. Besides, the softening of input costs would help the cement industry to improve its operating profits before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation by 14-18 per cent Year-on-Year (YoY) to Rs 900-950 per MT in FY24, it added. Moreover, supported by healthy demand prospects, the capacity addition in the cement industry is estimated at 63-69 million metric tonnes (MT) between FY24 and FY25. In this, a capacity worth around 33-36 million MT will be added in FY24 and around 30-33 million MT in FY25. "The cement capacity is expected to rise by 6 per cent in FY2024, the highest addition in the last five years," it said. ICRA has given a "stable" outlook for the cement sector. Steady demand from the housing and infrastructure sectors along with a

India key to expansion, focus on localisation here: US-based First Solar

PLI scheme winner says working with local players to develop supply chain of parts in India

The PLI scheme is beginning to make India a manufacturing powerhouse

However, the industry must remember that the PLI scheme is for five years only, and it must use these five years to make Indian manufacturing globally competitive

India state fuel retailers' gasoil, gasoline sales flat in June: Report

Monsoon rains also reduce demand from the agriculture sector as less irrigation-related requirements decrease

Pakistan to send security delegation to India for inspecting ODI WC venues

Pakistan is set to send a security delegation to India for inspecting the venues before giving clearance for the national team's travel to the neighbouring country for this year's ICC ODI World Cup. An official source in the Inter-Provincial Coordination (Sports) Ministry said that the government, including the foreign and interior ministry would decide when to send the security delegation to India once the new chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board was elected after the Eid holidays. "The security delegation will go with representation from the PCB to inspect the venues where Pakistan will play and also the security and other arrangements made for them in the World Cup," he said. He said the delegation would visit Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Ahmedabad, the venue for the marque India-Pakistan match on October 15. "Before any tour to India it is standard practice for the cricket board to seek permission from the government which normally sends a delegation to India,"

If world has to progress, then Indian way is the way forward: MoS Lekhi

The exhibition inaugurated by Lekhi on Friday, showcases banknotes of G-20 Member Nations depicting UNESCO-listed World Heritage Sites