Page 38 - Israel Iran Conflict

In an interconnected world, war's costs spiral far beyond just borders

Interestingly, while the ongoing conflict has serious implications for the smaller oil-importing Asean economies, China may stand to benefit for several reasons

Parliamentary Panel seeks relief for shippers hit by West Asia disruption

Parliamentary panel recommends insurance support, working capital relief and a long-term maritime resilience framework amid rising costs and supply disruptions

West Asia crisis: 426,000 passengers have returned to India, says MEA

Amid the West Asia conflict, a total of 1,043 Indian nationals, including 717 students, have crossed out of Iran with the assistance of the mission in Tehran, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Wednesday. At an inter-ministerial briefing here on the West Asia situation, Aseem R Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf), MEA, also said the overall flight situation continues to improve, and that around 4.26 lakh passengers have returned from the region to India since February 28. "During this period, a total of 2,149 flights, including scheduled and non-scheduled flights of Indian as well as foreign carriers, have operated from the region to India," he said. The MEA said it continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the Gulf and the West Asia region. "We are according the highest priority to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of the large Indian community in the region," Mahajan said. The ministry's dedicated Control Room remains operational to address queries

Iran rejects Trump's 15-point ceasefire plan, presents its own 5 demands

Tehran termed the US proposal excessive, and said it would continue operations; it also outlined five conditions including security guarantees and control over the Strait of Hormuz

Iran conflict shows limits of BRICS as India faces pressure to pick sides

New Delhi has strong economic ties with the UAE and other Gulf nations, where almost 10 million Indians work

'West Asia war part of pattern of aggression against sovereign nations'

The Jan Hastakshep, a civil rights organisation, has slammed the NDA government for its "deafening silence" amidst the US-Israel and Iran conflict and termed the attack on the Persian nation as "unprovoked". In a statement, issued after a seminar held on Tuesday, the Hastakshep said the current conflict, along with similar wars in the past, constitutes part of a persistent pattern of the US military aggression directed against sovereign nations. The seminar was inaugurated by former union minister Mani Shankar Aiyar and attended by journalists Praveen Sahni, Saeed Naqvi, and President of the JNU Teachers' Association Saeed Akhtar Hussain among others. "Amidst the US-Israel-Iran conflict, the Narendra Modi government has steered India's foreign policy to a juncture where it is currently crawling on its knees," the statement said. The speakers slammed the NDA government for its "deafening silence" amidst the US-Israel and Iran. The seminar was held under the theme: "The Attack on Ir

West Asia war spillover may push rupee past 98/$, hit stocks: Bernstein

If the conflict lasts much of 2026, the repercussions could be 'catastrophic', Bernstein analysts said, citing supply risks, double-digit inflation and economic growth in the 2%-3% range

India falls short on strategic oil reserves funding amid West Asia crisis

India's strategic oil reserve spending in FY26 is set to reach only 18% of the Budget estimate, even as West Asia tensions disrupt supply and highlight vulnerabilities in the country's energy security

Closure of US bases, sanctions relief: What is Iran demanding from Trump?

Iran has responded to Trump proposed 15-point ceasefire plan with sweeping demands including US bases closure in the Gulf and sanctions relief

Shehbaz Sharif briefs Saudi Prince as Pak pushes to mediate US-Iran talks

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday briefed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman about Islamabad's diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the tenuous West Asia situation. The prime minister said in a statement on X that he spoke with the crown prince and discussed the regional situation in addition to exchanging traditional Eid greetings. The call comes a day after Sharif offered to host talks between the US and Iran for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict. Sharif said that during the call, he appreciated the Kingdom's restraint and, "I stressed the urgent need for de-escalation, an end to hostilities, and unity in the ranks of the Ummah". "I also briefed His Royal Highness on Pakistan's diplomatic outreach efforts for regional peace and stability. We agreed to remain in close coordination," he said. Sharif also reiterated Pakistan's strong condemnation of the recent attacks on the Kingdom and reaffirmed Islamabad's unwavering solidarity and unequivocal

Israel envoy to UN denies knowledge of US led peace overtures to Iran

Addressing a media stakeout at the United Nations, the envoy said the goal was to ensure that Iran did not gain nuclear capability

ONGC plans $20 billion deepwater push amid energy security concerns

ONGC plans to spend $18-20 billion to hire deepwater rigs in its largest exploration push, seeking drillships and semi-submersibles for up to five years to boost production

'Negotiating with yourselves?': Iranian military mocks Trump's claim

An Iranian military spokesperson mocked US attempts at a ceasefire deal Wednesday, insisting that the Americans were only negotiating with themselves. Lt. Col. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a spokesperson for the Iranian military's Khatam Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, made the statement in a prerecorded video aired on state television. "The strategic power you used to talk about has turned into a strategic failure," he said. "The one claiming to be a global superpower would have already gotten out of this mess if it could. Don't dress up your defeat as an agreement. Your era of empty promises has come to an end." He added: "Have your internal conflicts reached the point where you are negotiating with yourselves?" Zolfaghari's statement came shortly after the Trump administration sent a 15-point ceasefire plan to Iran through Pakistan. "Our first and last word has been the same from day one, and it will stay that way: Someone like us will never come to terms with someone like you," Zolfagh

Gold, silver ETFs rise up to 6% on early signs of easing West Asia crisis

Gold April futures on the MCX traded higher by 3.78 per cent at ₹1,44,370 per 10 gm, while silver May futures gained 5.54 per cent to ₹2,36,338 per kg

Where should you park money amid volatility? Experts suggest safer options

In volatile times, safety over returns: Why investors should rethink portfolios

Shivraj Chouhan to convene meeting on fertiliser supply amid West Asia war

The meeting will focus on assessing key issues impacting agriculture, especially in light of emerging global uncertainties and their potential effects on the agricultural sector

Non-hostile ships can cross Hormuz Strait on its terms, says Iran

The nation made the comments in a letter circulated to members of the International Maritime Organistion on Tuesday, adding that countries could benefit from safe passage

West Asia war: Trump says Iran won't build nukes; US offers 15-point plan

US President Donald Trump said Iran has agreed not to build nuclear weapons, as Washington plans to send 1,000 more troops to the region. Here are the top updates as of 9 am:

Oil falls over 5%, Asian shares gain over Trump's talk of Iran negotiations

Oil prices fell more than 5 per cent and Asian shares gained on Wednesday over possibilities of a de-escalation of the Iran war and negotiations between the United States and Iran. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 was up 2.8 per cent to 53,721.30 in early trading. South Korea's Kospi gained 3.1 per cent to 5,728.22. Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 1.2 per cent to 25,374.95, while the Shanghai Composite index was 0.9 per cent higher at 3,914.09. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 climbed 2.2 per cent. Taiwan's Taiex was up 3 per cent. The administration of US President Donald Trump is said to have offered a 15-point ceasefire plan to Iran. Trump's claims of progress being made from talks with Iran this week and his postponement on Monday of a deadline to "obliterate" Iran's power plants over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz have also fuelled optimism that an end to the Iran war could come soon. With the Strait of Hormuz being a key waterway for crude oil and liquefied natural gas transport, oil and gas ..

Trump's Iran war goals remain unfulfilled as he looks to wind-down conflict

President Donald Trump has listed five objectives that the US wants to achieve before ending its war with Iran. Now, as he suggests the US may soon be "winding down" the operation after three and a half weeks, some of his key aims remain undefined or unfulfilled. Trump most recently outlined five goals for the massive air campaign. That's up from four laid out by his staff and since the war's start February 28 (and up from the three generally enumerated by the Pentagon and Secretary of State Marco Rubio). Though the Trump administration has said its objectives are clear and unchanging, the list of priorities has expanded and shifted as the war has taken a toll on the global economy, tested alliances and raised unanswered questions about the planning for the conflict, its justification and its aftermath. By most accounts, the strikes by the US and Israel have significantly degraded Iran's military capabilities and killed scores of senior leaders. But those tactical successes don't .