Flag cash-flow risks to RBI, Centre amid West Asia war
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said no one, including the perpetrators of the Gulf conflict, can foresee its grave consequences for the world, comparable only to the Covid pandemic. Addressing the delegates of the congress of the powerful Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP), the Russian leader said the escalation of the conflict incited by the joint US-Israeli attack on Iran has jeopardised a wide range of industries, and there's no telling what further consequences may follow. "The armed conflict in the Middle East is increasingly impacting the current situation and causing significant disruption to international logistics, manufacturing, and supply chains," he said. Starting February 28, the US and Israel launched joint strikes against Iran, which in turn retaliated, spreading the war to the entire Gulf region. The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically important choke point for the world's energy supplies. The strait, a narrow shipping lane that connects
Trump made the comments at a Cabinet meeting in the White House, elaborating on what he had previously described as a "present" from Iran
Selective IT services companies with strong digital portfolios, diversified clients, and disciplined cost structures could indeed present a contrarian opportunity, he said.
West Asia conflict triggers sharp sell-off in Indian markets, with realty, banking and auto stocks leading losses amid energy shock fears
The cost of the Indian basket, however, has increased more sharply to over $156 per barrel due to disruptions in supplies from West Asia
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday travelled to France for the G7 foreign ministers' meeting, which will discuss the West Asia crisis with a focus on coordinating efforts to ensure that the Strait of Hormuz remains open for international shipping. While India is not a G7 member, it has been invited as a partner country by France, the current chair of the powerful bloc. Top diplomats from the US, Canada, Germany, Italy, France, Japan and the UK are attending the meeting. The external affairs minister will visit Abbaye des-Vaux-de-Cernay in France on March 26 and 27 to participate in the G7 foreign ministers' meeting with partner countries, according to an official statement. Jaishankar is also expected to hold bilateral discussions with his counterparts on the sidelines of the G7 meeting, it said. Besides India, France has invited Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Brazil. According to a French official, there will be a session dedicated to the crisis in West Asia. The
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact on Friday with the chief ministers of all states, barring those which are going to polls, to review their preparedness and plans in the wake of the West Asia conflict, sources said. This is the first time that the prime minister will hold a meeting with the chief ministers on the West Asia conflict which started on February 28 with the attack by the US-Israel on Iran. The Persian nation has also retaliated by firing on its Gulf neighbours and Israel. "The prime minister will interact with the CMs tomorrow evening through video conferencing on the West Asia conflict to review preparedness and plans of states. The meeting will focus on ensuring synergy of efforts in the spirit of Team India," the sources said. The chief ministers of election-bound states will not be part of this meeting due to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The Cabinet Secretariat will hold a separate meeting with the chief secretaries of poll-bound Tamil Nadu, West Bengal
Trump said that discussions between the two sides are ongoing, though Tehran has pushed back against claims that it is eager to strike a deal.
Freight cost surge, insurance pullback and port shutdowns disrupt supplies; aluminium scrap prices jump
According to the official, Tehran believes the framework does not meet the basic conditions needed for progress
The government has already prioritised use of gas for households over industries, which get only about 80 per cent of their average needs
The strikes targeted government buildings, military headquarters and command centres, disrupting Iran's leadership structure and decision-making network.
A day earlier, Iran said it had reviewed the ceasefire framework proposed by Trump but found the terms unacceptable
Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, Alireza Tangsiri was responsible for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz
The attack, just outside Turkish territorial waters, likely aimed to disable the engine room in the Sierra Leone-flagged vessel that was carrying Russian oil
Iran and the United States hardened their positions as diplomacy aimed at reaching a ceasefire in the war in the Middle East appeared to be faltering on Thursday. Tehran moved to formalise its control over the crucial Strait of Hormuz while Washington prepared for the arrival of US combat forces in the region that could be used on the ground in the Islamic Republic. Iran is instituting a "de facto toll booth' regime", industry experts say, with some ships paying in Chinese yuan to pass through the strait, where 20 per cent of all traded oil and natural gas is transported in peacetime. Meanwhile, a strike group anchored by the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli drew closer to the Mideast with some 2,500 Marines. Also, at least 1,000 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne have been ordered to the region. The troop movements don't guarantee US President Donald Trump will try to use force to compel Iran to open the strait and halt its attacks on Gulf Arab states. Trump previously deploy
The ongoing conflict in West Asia has severely disrupted India's premium basmati rice exports, causing significant losses to traders and threatening the livelihoods of farmers.According to a Bhopal-based businessman, consignments of Premium 1121 Basmati rice are currently stuck at ports, with payments worth Rs 2,000 crore to Rs 25,000 crore pending.A businessman from Bhopal speaking to ANI said, "...The Premium 1121 Basmati rice, which we used to export, is currently being held at the ports. If this situation continues, Indian traders will face significant losses. Our payments, ranging from Rs 2,000 crores to Rs 25,000 crores, are pending and have not been received, causing difficulties for the traders. The government is currently taking its own measures, and if the situation persists, farmers will also face problems in the future...."On Wednesday, an all-party meeting, convened by the government on the West Asia crisis, was held. The meeting was chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath ...
Nuclear power is getting a second look in Southeast Asia as countries prepare to meet surging energy demand as they vie for artificial intelligence-focused data centres. Several Southeast Asian nations are reviving mothballed nuclear plans and setting ambitious targets and nearly half of the region could, if they pursue those goals, have nuclear energy in the 2030s. Even countries without current plans have signaled their interest. Southeast Asia has never produced a single watt of nuclear energy, despite long-held atomic ambitions. But that may soon change as pressure mounts to reduce emissions that contribute to climate change, while meeting growing power needs. The Iran war is underscoring the vulnerability of Asia's energy supplies, raising the sense of urgency about finding alternatives to oil and gas in Southeast Asia, analysts say. The surge in crude oil prices caused by the escalating conflict has raised the motivation for countries to speed up their nuclear efforts, said .
The West Asia crisis has pushed freight costs for Europe-bound cargo up by 60-80 per cent, with exports falling by as much as 50 per cent for some exporters while hundreds of containers got stranded at Kolkata port, industry representatives said on Thursday. Calcutta Customs House Agents Association (CCHAA) president Mannu Choudhary told PTI that freight charges have risen by over 40 per cent due to rerouting through the African route, while war surcharges imposed by shipping lines have taken the total cost escalation to 70-80 per cent for shipments to Europe and the US. Exporters also complained of a shortage of containers. "Shipping lines are denying freight details to exporters, who are now waiting. No fresh containers are being accepted by shipping lines," he said. Choudhary said around 600 containers that had entered Kolkata port for loading were being returned to the city following last-minute cargo cancellations. Of these, around 400 have already been taken back, while the