West Asia And The Gulf

Iranian Navy guided Indian LPG tanker through Strait of Hormuz: Report

During the crossing, the officer's ship was in contact with the Iranian navy by radio, he said

Safety of Indians in UAE is 'priority' amid West Asia crisis: Envoy

The UAE has assured India that the safety of Indians living in the Gulf country is its "priority", stressing that they are protected and treated like family, especially amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia which has seen the emirate facing attacks from Iran. UAE Ambassador to India Abdulnasser Alshaali also hailed India's move to co-sponsor a UN resolution that condemned Iran's attacks against Gulf countries, saying it was a statement of principle from a country that the UAE considers a strategic partner and friend, at a moment when it mattered most. The UAE will remember that India was among those "who stood with us first", he said. "The safety of Indian nationals in the UAE is a priority. They are protected and are treated as family, including the 200 nationalities living in the country in peace and harmony," Alshaali told PTI Videos. He said that UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited five injured civilians in the hospital: two Emiratis, one Indian, one Sudane

West Asia crisis must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy: Rajnath

The ongoing war in West Asia is a matter of concern not only for India, but for the entire world and it must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday. India has clearly stated its position, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that war will not bring a solution, he said while speaking at an event in Uttarakhand's Haldwani. "The constant attacks in West Asia are a matter of concern not only for India but for the entire world," he said, adding: "If a solution is to be found, it will come through dialogue and diplomacy." "When the world is facing conflict, no country can remain unaffected. India may also be affected, but to date, our prime minister, through his ability and wisdom has kept India from falling into a difficult situation," Singh said in Hindi. The defence minister's remarks came against the backdrop of increasing global concerns over fresh attacks on West Asian gas hubs. An Israeli attack on Iran's strategic South P

Govt raises commercial LPG allocation to 50% as gas crisis hits sectors

The total LPG allocation increases to 50 per cent for commercial users with the latest additional 20 per cent allocation

Twenty-two countries urge Iran to halt attacks, reopen Strait of Hormuz

Twenty-two countries on Saturday urged Iran to cease attacks and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Countries including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, the UK, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea and Australia have condemned Iran's attacks on commercial vessels as well as oil and gas facilities in the region. "The effects of Iran's actions will be felt by people in all parts of the world, especially the most vulnerable," they said in a joint statement Saturday.

West Asia crisis hits rice exports from MP's Raisen, Balaghat districts

Export of basmati and boiled non-basmati rice from Madhya Pradesh to several countries has been severely impacted by the West Asia crisis, stakeholders in the sector said on Saturday. Basmati rice from Raisen and boiled non-basmati rice from Balaghat have a distinct identity and are exported to many foreign countries, including the Gulf, they pointed out. "Basmati rice destined for export from Raisen district is stuck in ports, factories and warehouses. Freight rates have increased by 30 per cent, and there is a shortage of containers. Exporters are also facing backlog of goods at ports. All this has made it difficult to fulfil orders on time," Ajay Bhalotia, All India Rice Exporters Association general secretary, told PTI. More than two dozen rice factories operate in Mandideep, Satlapur, Obedullaganj, Raisen, Bareilly, Udaypura, and Umraoganj areas of Raisen district, with high-quality basmati rice making its way to markets in Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Dubai, etc, he ...

PM reaches out to West Asian leaders on Eid amid energy security concerns

Prime Minister speaks to GCC leaders, flags need for safe passage through Strait of Hormuz and highlights risks to global food, fuel and fertiliser security

IEA suggests work from home, avoid air travel amid rising energy costs

Agency outlines measures such as remote work, reduced travel and public transport use to ease demand as oil prices surge amid West Asia conflict

West Asia war: India reaches out to Russia, Jordan for fertiliser sourcing

India condemns attacks on energy infrastructure in West Asia, flags risks to LNG and fertiliser supplies, and moves to diversify sourcing to ensure energy security

Trump says US will not deploy troops to West Asia amid Iran conflict

Trump spoke at the White House during an Oval Office meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi

Iranian missile hits Israeli oil refinery in Haifa, minor damages reported

Energy Minister Eli Cohen said power was briefly disrupted, with electricity restored to most of those who were affected

US, global central banks hold rates, warn of war-led inflation risks

Earlier this week the Reserve Bank of Australia hiked rates to a 10-month high and warned of a "material" risk to inflation from the oil price spike

Strike on Iran South Pars gas field coordinated with US: Israeli officials

Trump said in a social media post that Washington "knew nothing about this particular attack" and that Israel would not attack the gas field further unless Iran again attacked Qatar

Israel claims Iran's Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib has been killed

Israel said Wednesday it killed another top Iranian official, the third in two days, while Iran lashed out with attacks on its Persian Gulf neighbours and Israel, using some of its latest missiles to evade air defences and killing two people near Tel Aviv as the war in the Middle East showed no signs of slowing. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib had been killed in an overnight strike and promised that "significant surprises are expected throughout this day on all fronts," without elaborating. Iran did not immediately confirm Khatib's death. Israel killed top Iranian security official Ali Larijani and the head of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard's Basij force on Tuesday. In Lebanon, Israel kept up its intense pressure with strikes it said targeted Iran-backed Hezbollah militants, hitting multiple apartment buildings in Beirut and killing at least a dozen people. In Iran, the Bushehr nuclear power plant complex was hit by a ...

Alternative West Asia shipping routes provide relief for aluminium prices

Aluminium prices ease as Emirates Global Aluminium secures alternative export routes, easing supply fears linked to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz

Iran attacks Israel, Gulf nations after Israeli strike kills Ali Larijani

Iran launched strikes toward Israel and neighbouring Gulf countries early Wednesday, with explosions heard in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar and interceptions reported in Saudi Arabia. The attacks came hours after Iranian state media confirmed Israel's military killed top Iranian security official Ali Larijani in an overnight strike, as well as Gen. Gholam Reza Soleimani, the head of the Revolutionary Guard's Basij force, known for its role in suppressing protests. An Israeli airstrike struck an apartment building in Bachoura, central Beirut, completely flattening it as day broke. Two earlier strikes on residential apartments in other central Beirut neighbourhoods early Wednesday killed at least six people and wounded 24 others, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Israeli strikes targeting central Beirut have become increasingly frequent in recent days, with or without prior warning. The attacks have hit far from the city's southern suburbs, for which the army issued ...

UAE air defences responding to incoming missile, drone threats from Iran

According to the Ministry of Defence, UAE's air defences are 'currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran'

Ensure airlines assess risk before flying in conflict-hit areas: ALPA

Pilots' body ALPA India on Tuesday asked its members to ensure that airline operators carry out "appropriate operational risk assessments" before planning flights in or near conflict-affected areas. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) India, in an advisory to all pilots under an Indian licence, said that the pilots must remain aware that the risk environment in conflict-affected areas can change rapidly and without adequate warning. The advisory has come amid the escalating war in West Asia, involving the US, Israel and Iran, which has led to cancellations of a number of flights due to airspace closures since February 28. The pilots' body said that members are advised to take note of the potential implications related to aviation insurance coverage, particularly with respect to war-risk clauses. Under certain circumstances, insurance providers may withdraw or limit coverage for operations conducted in designated conflict zones or high-risk airspaces, it said. ALPA India is an .

Biz chamber seeks RBI relief for exporters hit by West Asia crisis

The Bharat Chamber of Commerce (BCC) wrote to RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, urging supportive banking measures for exporters reeling under disruptions in global logistics and shipping routes caused by ongoing tensions in West Asia. In a letter on Monday, it said West Asia serves not only as a key destination for Indian exports but also as a critical transhipment hub for shipments bound for Europe and Africa. "The ongoing situation has led to diversion of shipping routes, port congestion, higher freight and insurance costs, and extended transit periods, straining working capital cycles and liquidity positions of exporters," it said. The BCC urged RBI to encourage banks to adopt a supportive credit approach by enhancing working capital limits, providing ad-hoc credit facilities, and extending the tenure of pre-shipment and post-shipment export credit. Greater flexibility in rollover of packing credit and extension of due dates for export bills was also sought. It also requested ...

Gulf investors likely to keep funding Africa renewables despite Iran war

Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds and state-backed companies are unlikely to scale back renewable energy investments in Africa despite disruptions from the Iran war, analysts say, given the strong long-term economic and strategic reasons driving such funding. Investors made wealthy by the Gulf region's abundant oil and gas increasingly are turning to Africa's clean energy sector, attracted by rising electricity demand, rapid urbanization and the continent's growing role in global supply chains tied to critical minerals and manufacturing. A report released last month by the Clean Air Task Force found that more than $101.9 billion had flowed into Africa's renewable energy sector from Gulf countries by end of 2024, led by the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain. Much of the investment has been concentrated in North Africa, Southern Africa and parts of East Africa, while West Africa has attracted relatively limited funding. "Africa remains one of the few ..