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In 2019, the Chinese Embassy in India issued a press release claiming Sowa-Rigpa - a 2,000-year-old healing tradition born in India, preached according to its foundational text by Lord Buddha at Bodh Gaya - as Chinese heritage. The claim, says the man who has spent thirty years fighting for this tradition, was "completely wrong."&nbsp;India responded by filing its own UNESCO nomination for Sowa-Rigpa as Intangible Cultural Heritage. The man who prepared and submitted that dossier was Padma Shri Dr Padma Gurmet, Director of the National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa in Leh - the same man who had already spent a decade getting the Indian state to recognise its own ancient medical tradition, and who was not about to let another country claim it on the world stage."India has the right to claim it as its heritage," he told WION in an exclusive interview. “I think in the coming days India will pursue this again.” That pursuit - cultural, commercial, and scientific - is the story of where Sowa-Rigpa stands today, and where Dr Gurmet intends to take it.<h2>The Battle for Ownership</h2>The historical and textual case India has assembled is, Dr Gurmet argues, unambiguous. Sowa-Rigpa's foundational text - the Chatush Tantra - records that the system was first preached by Lord Buddha at Bodh Gaya, in India. Its earliest scholars were Indian: Jivaka, Nagarjuna, Vagbhata, Chandrananda. In the 8th century, Indian scholars carried the foundational texts across the Himalayas into Tibet, where the system was adapted to a different environment and pharmacopoeia - incorporating Tibetan folk tradition and some Chinese elements - before returning to the Indian Himalayan belt in its evolved form.&nbsp;"The history of how it was first taken to Tibet is documented in the Tibetan language itself," Dr Gurmet told WION. "Chandrananda and another scholar studied the fundamental text and took it to Tibet. After that, they kept the Indian fundamentals, while also incorporating some Tibetan folk tradition and a little Chinese medicine."&nbsp;China had moved first. In 2019, Beijing listed the Lum medicinal bathing tradition&nbsp;of Tibetan medicine on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Chinese Embassy's simultaneous press release asserting a broader claim over Sowa-Rigpa as a whole was the provocation that forced India's hand.&nbsp;"India had to take this stand because there was a press release from the Chinese Embassy in India claiming the entire system for China's UNESCO heritage, which was completely wrong," Dr Gurmet said. India's nomination was filed the same year. Dr Gurmet led the dossier preparation personally. The nomination requires amendments before resubmission - those amendments are being prepared. Bhutan, significantly, has already aligned with India's position. "Their delegation came to India, and we had good discussions with them. They also consider that the system originated with Buddha in India."&nbsp;Nepal and Mongolia have joined recent workshops and conferences. A Himalayan consensus around Sowa-Rigpa's Indian origins is quietly forming.The living continuity of the tradition on Indian soil further strengthens the claim. Even before formal government recognition, roughly 50 percent of Ladakh's population&nbsp;depended on Sowa-Rigpa practitioners - not as a supplement to modern healthcare, but as its primary form. No country can claim a living tradition more convincingly than one where half its practitioners' patients never stopped using it.&nbsp;<h2>India's $11 Million Problem</h2>The UNESCO battle is inseparable from an economic one - and the numbers make the stakes clear. India's Sowa-Rigpa industry is currently valued at approximately 11 million US dollars. China's Tibetan medicine industry - built on the same tradition, drawing from the same foundational texts - generates billions of dollars annually&nbsp;from the Tibetan Autonomous Region alone. China accounts for roughly 98 percent&nbsp;of the global commercial value of this shared heritage. India, which holds the tradition's historical roots and some of the world's finest high-altitude medicinal plant resources, holds the rest.&nbsp;The primary obstacle, until very recently, was regulatory. Sowa-Rigpa formulations were not incorporated under India's Drugs and Cosmetics Act&nbsp;- making licensed commercial production effectively impossible for decades. "Just six months back, it was formally incorporated under the Act," Dr Gurmet told WION. "Even now, this process will take time. All the states need to circulate the Drugs and Cosmetics laws, and there should be a mechanism to get licenses for production units."&nbsp;Until now, the only institution operating at meaningful scale was Men-Tsee-Khang&nbsp;- the Tibetan medicine institution under the government-in-exile in Dharamshala - running approximately 60 clinics across India&nbsp;and producing medicines, wellness products, herbal teas, creams, and nutraceuticals under its own framework. That model, Dr Gurmet says, shows what is possible when structure meets tradition.&nbsp;The global market conditions have never been more favourable for India to close the gap. "Internationally, people are getting back to nature, particularly after COVID. Everyone now knows that wellness is the key to life. Herbal products are the key. You can see how much the herbal industry is growing, whether nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, or cosmeceuticals. Organic is now the trend of the century."&nbsp;The benchmark he holds up is Padma 28&nbsp;- a standardised Sowa-Rigpa polyherbal compound taken from traditional formulation to clinical validation to regulatory approval in Switzerland by a Swiss physicist Dr Gurmet describes as a personal friend. It is now formally recognised as medicine in Switzerland, with multiple peer-reviewed trials behind it. "It was a big challenge to recognise this system of medicine in Switzerland, but now it is formally recognised there as medicine."&nbsp;If one physicist operating outside India could do that with a single Sowa-Rigpa formulation, the argument for what India can achieve with its full institutional weight, its Himalayan botanical resources, and its 2,000-year tradition requires no elaboration. MOUs with CSIR&nbsp;and leading universities are already in place. Product development is the stated next phase.<h2>The Garden That Will Feed the Industry</h2>Behind every future product, however, is a plant. And the plants that Sowa-Rigpa depends on are under pressure. Fifteen years ago, Dr Gurmet took on a challenge that had no precedent. Traditional practitioners across the Himalayan belt sourced their medicinal herbs through wild collection - climbing to high-altitude pastures, harvesting what the mountain offered. But wild collection at scale is unsustainable. Species are disappearing. Climate change is pushing natural habitats higher. And if even one species is lost, formulations refined over centuries go with it. "Most traditional medical practitioners rely on wild collection, which is not right. We have seen many plants becoming extinct or degraded," he told WION. "That is why I took the challenge, almost 15 years back, to set up a dedicated Trans-Himalayan herbal garden."&nbsp;Today the Trans-Himalayan Herbal Garden&nbsp;at 11,000 feet in Leh holds more than 100 medicinal plant species&nbsp;- brought down from natural habitats at 15,000 to 18,000 feet through years of patient trial. The results have surprised even the researchers. Plants that once flowered in August at 17,000 feet now bloom in April at 11,000 feet. And some have not merely survived the transition - they have improved. "For some plants, potency increases. For some plants, if you bring them to lower altitude, you get better quantities of the substances you are looking for."&nbsp;The garden has become a destination for botanists studying Himalayan medicinal flora. Farmer training programmes run there regularly - teaching Ladakhi cultivators how to grow these species at commercial scale, building the supply chain that licensed production will eventually require. A second garden at higher altitude, conceived as a valley of flowers, is already in planning with Ladakh's chief secretary. "If you want to scale up traditional medicine or the herbal industry, you have to grow these plants, or you have to develop a mechanism for sustainable harvesting from the wild," Dr Gurmet said. “That is the only way to sustain it.”<h2>The Institutional Future</h2>With the UNESCO case advancing, commercial pathways opening, and conservation infrastructure building, the institutional future Dr Gurmet is constructing for Sowa-Rigpa is coming into sharp focus. At NISR-Leh - established in 2019 after Dr Gurmet wrote a personal letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and received a commitment within three days - the immediate priority is deemed university status. It would give the institute the autonomy to design its own curriculum, drive its own research agenda, and issue degrees calibrated to the actual frontiers of the field. "Our ambition is to make the National Institute at least a deemed university so that we can design the course curriculum ourselves. The second focus must be research. It is an ambitious project."&nbsp;Formal collaboration discussions are underway with the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar. Just fifteen days before this interview, Dr Gurmet was in direct talks with the Centre. At the second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine - organised with India's Ministry of AYUSH as a partner - Sowa-Rigpa was showcased in documentary form before an international gathering. "They are very interested in working with us and taking this forward through WHO schemes," Dr Gurmet said. The network extending outward from Leh now reaches Bhutan, Nepal, Mongolia, Geneva, and in Gujrat’s Jamnagar. A tradition that once had no legal standing in its own country is building an international institutional presence - one collaboration, one conference, one garden at a time.<h2>What lies ahead?&nbsp;</h2>China's claim on Sowa-Rigpa's roots has been made. India's counter-claim is being assembled - in parliamentary records, in UNESCO dossiers, in research MOUs, and in a herbal garden at 11,000 feet where ancient plants are being brought back to cultivable land for the first time. Dr Gurmet has spent thirty years refusing to accept that this tradition belongs to anyone other than the civilisation that created it. The Drugs and Cosmetics Act inclusion, the WHO partnership talks, the Himalayan network of Bhutan, Nepal, and Mongolia - all of it is moving in one direction. "The future of Sowa-Rigpa lies in scientific research and scientific validation," he told WION. “The potential is tremendous.” From Bodh Gaya to Leh to Geneva, that future is being claimed - one step at a time.

India is pushing to reclaim Sowa-Rigpa as its heritage amid competing claims. Led by Dr Padma Gurmet, efforts span UNESCO recognition, research, and herbal cultivation to boost its global standing and industry potential.

In 2019, the Chinese Embassy in India issued a press release claiming Sowa-Rigpa - a 2,000-year-old healing tradition born in India, preached according to its foundational text by Lord Buddha at Bodh Gaya - as Chinese heritage. The claim, says the man who has spent thirty years fighting for this tradition, was "completely wrong." India responded by filing its own UNESCO nomination for Sowa-Rigpa as Intangible Cultural Heritage. The man who prepared and submitted that dossier was Padma Shri Dr Padma Gurmet, Director of the National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa in Leh - the same man who had already spent a decade getting the Indian state to recognise its own ancient medical tradition, and who was not about to let another country claim it on the world stage. "India has the right to claim it as its heritage," he told WION in an exclusive interview. “I think in the coming days India will pursue this again.” That pursuit - cultural, commercial, and scientific - is the story of where Sowa-Rigpa stands today, and where Dr Gurmet intends to take it. The Battle for Ownership The historical and textual case India has assembled is, Dr Gurmet argues, unambiguous. Sowa-Rigpa's foundational text - the Chatush Tantra - records that the system was first preached by Lord Buddha at Bodh Gaya, in India. Its earliest scholars were Indian: Jivaka, Nagarjuna, Vagbhata, Chandrananda. In the 8th century, Indian scholars carried the foundational texts across the Himalayas into Tibet, where the system was adapted to a different environment and pharmacopoeia - incorporating Tibetan folk tradition and some Chinese elements - before returning to the Indian Himalayan belt in its evolved form. "The history of how it was first taken to Tibet is documented in the Tibetan language itself," Dr Gurmet told WION. "Chandrananda and another scholar studied the fundamental text and took it to Tibet. After that, they kept the Indian fundamentals, while also incorporating some Tibetan folk tradition and a little Chinese medicine." China had moved first. In 2019, Beijing listed the Lum medicinal bathing tradition of Tibetan medicine on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Chinese Embassy's simultaneous press release asserting a broader claim over Sowa-Rigpa as a whole was the provocation that forced India's hand. "India had to take this stand because there was a press release from the Chinese Embassy in India claiming the entire system for China's UNESCO heritage, which was completely wrong," Dr Gurmet said. India's nomination was filed the same year. Dr Gurmet led the dossier preparation personally. The nomination requires amendments before resubmission - those amendments are being prepared. Bhutan, significantly, has already aligned with India's position. "Their delegation came to India, and we had good discussions with them. They also consider that the system originated with Buddha in India." Nepal and Mongolia have joined recent workshops and conferences. A Himalayan consensus around Sowa-Rigpa's Indian origins is quietly forming. The living continuity of the tradition on Indian soil further strengthens the claim. Even before formal government recognition, roughly 50 percent of Ladakh's population depended on Sowa-Rigpa practitioners - not as a supplement to modern healthcare, but as its primary form. No country can claim a living tradition more convincingly than one where half its practitioners' patients never stopped using it. India's $11 Million Problem The UNESCO battle is inseparable from an economic one - and the numbers make the stakes clear. India's Sowa-Rigpa industry is currently valued at approximately 11 million US dollars. China's Tibetan medicine industry - built on the same tradition, drawing from the same foundational texts - generates billions of dollars annually from the Tibetan Autonomous Region alone. China accounts for roughly 98 percent of the global commercial value of this shared heritage. India, which holds the tradition's historical roots and some of the world's finest high-altitude medicinal plant resources, holds the rest. The primary obstacle, until very recently, was regulatory. Sowa-Rigpa formulations were not incorporated under India's Drugs and Cosmetics Act - making licensed commercial production effectively impossible for decades. "Just six months back, it was formally incorporated under the Act," Dr Gurmet told WION. "Even now, this process will take time. All the states need to circulate the Drugs and Cosmetics laws, and there should be a mechanism to get licenses for production units." Until now, the only institution operating at meaningful scale was Men-Tsee-Khang - the Tibetan medicine institution under the government-in-exile in Dharamshala - running approximately 60 clinics across India and producing medicines, wellness products, herbal teas, creams, and nutraceuticals under its own framework. That model, Dr Gurmet says, shows what is possible when structure meets tradition. The global market conditions have never been more favourable for India to close the gap. "Internationally, people are getting back to nature, particularly after COVID. Everyone now knows that wellness is the key to life. Herbal products are the key. You can see how much the herbal industry is growing, whether nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, or cosmeceuticals. Organic is now the trend of the century." The benchmark he holds up is Padma 28 - a standardised Sowa-Rigpa polyherbal compound taken from traditional formulation to clinical validation to regulatory approval in Switzerland by a Swiss physicist Dr Gurmet describes as a personal friend. It is now formally recognised as medicine in Switzerland, with multiple peer-reviewed trials behind it. "It was a big challenge to recognise this system of medicine in Switzerland, but now it is formally recognised there as medicine." If one physicist operating outside India could do that with a single Sowa-Rigpa formulation, the argument for what India can achieve with its full institutional weight, its Himalayan botanical resources, and its 2,000-year tradition requires no elaboration. MOUs with CSIR and leading universities are already in place. Product development is the stated next phase. The Garden That Will Feed the Industry Behind every future product, however, is a plant. And the plants that Sowa-Rigpa depends on are under pressure. Fifteen years ago, Dr Gurmet took on a challenge that had no precedent. Traditional practitioners across the Himalayan belt sourced their medicinal herbs through wild collection - climbing to high-altitude pastures, harvesting what the mountain offered. But wild collection at scale is unsustainable. Species are disappearing. Climate change is pushing natural habitats higher. And if even one species is lost, formulations refined over centuries go with it. "Most traditional medical practitioners rely on wild collection, which is not right. We have seen many plants becoming extinct or degraded," he told WION. "That is why I took the challenge, almost 15 years back, to set up a dedicated Trans-Himalayan herbal garden." Today the Trans-Himalayan Herbal Garden at 11,000 feet in Leh holds more than 100 medicinal plant species - brought down from natural habitats at 15,000 to 18,000 feet through years of patient trial. The results have surprised even the researchers. Plants that once flowered in August at 17,000 feet now bloom in April at 11,000 feet. And some have not merely survived the transition - they have improved. "For some plants, potency increases. For some plants, if you bring them to lower altitude, you get better quantities of the substances you are looking for." The garden has become a destination for botanists studying Himalayan medicinal flora. Farmer training programmes run there regularly - teaching Ladakhi cultivators how to grow these species at commercial scale, building the supply chain that licensed production will eventually require. A second garden at higher altitude, conceived as a valley of flowers, is already in planning with Ladakh's chief secretary. "If you want to scale up traditional medicine or the herbal industry, you have to grow these plants, or you have to develop a mechanism for sustainable harvesting from the wild," Dr Gurmet said. “That is the only way to sustain it.” The Institutional Future With the UNESCO case advancing, commercial pathways opening, and conservation infrastructure building, the institutional future Dr Gurmet is constructing for Sowa-Rigpa is coming into sharp focus. At NISR-Leh - established in 2019 after Dr Gurmet wrote a personal letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and received a commitment within three days - the immediate priority is deemed university status. It would give the institute the autonomy to design its own curriculum, drive its own research agenda, and issue degrees calibrated to the actual frontiers of the field. "Our ambition is to make the National Institute at least a deemed university so that we can design the course curriculum ourselves. The second focus must be research. It is an ambitious project." Formal collaboration discussions are underway with the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar. Just fifteen days before this interview, Dr Gurmet was in direct talks with the Centre. At the second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine - organised with India's Ministry of AYUSH as a partner - Sowa-Rigpa was showcased in documentary form before an international gathering. "They are very interested in working with us and taking this forward through WHO schemes," Dr Gurmet said. The network extending outward from Leh now reaches Bhutan, Nepal, Mongolia, Geneva, and in Gujrat’s Jamnagar. A tradition that once had no legal standing in its own country is building an international institutional presence - one collaboration, one conference, one garden at a time. What lies ahead? China's claim on Sowa-Rigpa's roots has been made. India's counter-claim is being assembled - in parliamentary records, in UNESCO dossiers, in research MOUs, and in a herbal garden at 11,000 feet where ancient plants are being brought back to cultivable land for the first time. Dr Gurmet has spent thirty years refusing to accept that this tradition belongs to anyone other than the civilisation that created it. The Drugs and Cosmetics Act inclusion, the WHO partnership talks, the Himalayan network of Bhutan, Nepal, and Mongolia - all of it is moving in one direction. "The future of Sowa-Rigpa lies in scientific research and scientific validation," he told WION. “The potential is tremendous.” From Bodh Gaya to Leh to Geneva, that future is being claimed - one step at a time.

India is pushing to reclaim Sowa-Rigpa as its heritage amid competing claims. Led by Dr Padma Gurmet, efforts span UNESCO recognition, research, and herbal cultivation to boost its global standing and industry potential.

'China claimed it, India will own it': The battle for Sowa-Rigpa's UNESCO status

After successfully demonstrating India's first space docking experiment, SPADEX, in 2025, the country's Space agency, ISRO, is now carrying out studies for its successor missions, SPADEX-2 and SPADEX-3. Space docking is the intricate process of bringing two satellites close to one another and mechanically attaching them into one unit, all while they are travelling at velocities over 28,000 kilometres per hour. Docking is a crucial enabling technology that facilitates the transfer of astronauts, cargo, or fuel from one spacecraft to another. India's ambitions of returning samples from the moon (Chandrayaan-4) and building the country's own space station require mastery over docking technology.As per details revealed by the Indian Government in Parliament, ISRO is studying two orbital docking experiments: SPADEX-2 for replicating the Chandrayaan-4 (Lunar Sample Return), and SPADEX-3 as a precursor mission for docking in Bharatiya Space Station.<h2>Why is docking tech mandatory for Chandrayaan-4 ?</h2>India has envisioned its fourth lunar mission, Chandrayaan-4, as a sample return mission. Chandrayaan-4 will not stop with a soft landing on the moon. After landing, it will collect lunar samples, vertically liftoff from the moon, and carry the samples to our home planet.For this ambitious venture, ISRO is working towards building two crafts, each weighing around 4,750kg. Instead of launching one massive craft, ISRO would launch two of these crafts into space using two LVM3 rockets. Thereafter, these crafts would have to perform docking and undocking in space as part of the mission. During the SPADEX-1 mission, ISRO carried out docking while the satellites were orbiting the Earth in a circular orbit.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-no-dry-out-of-lpg-government-to-allocate-5-kg-ftl-cylinders-to-migrant-workers-1774265412266">'No dry out of LPG': Govt to allocate 5 kg FTL cylinders to migrant workers</a>For Chandrayaan-4, docking would have to be carried out while the satellites are in a highly elliptical (egg-shaped) orbit. The Indian Government has revealed that SPADEX-2 would involve the docking and undocking of two spacecraft in a highly elliptical orbit, and a sample would be transferred between the two crafts. Therefore, SPADEX-2 is intended to simulate the conditions that Chandrayaan-4 would have to operate under.<h2>Why is docking tech mandatory for operating a space station?</h2>To build a space station, which is a massive orbiting lab, multiple modules(parts) need to be launched from Earth in a phased manner. Gradually, these modules have to be assembled in space to create a fully functional space station. India has ambitions to build its own space station that would eventually house astronauts. As part of SPADEX-3, ISRO envisions docking and undocking between two pressurised modules using Bharatiya Docking System (BDS), which is a homegrown docking mechanism.Pressurised docking is a specialised form of space docking designed to create an airtight, structurally robust tunnel to move astronauts and cargo between two spacecraft. When astronauts live aboard a space station, they would need to move from one module of the station to another, just like how one would need to go from one room to another at home. Therefore, the connections between all modules need to be maintained at equal pressure, to provide breathable air, temperature control, and ideal habitable conditions.<h2>What makes space docking so complicated?</h2>When a one spacecraft is approaching the other spacecraft, the relative velocity between the two (the difference in velocity between the two) must be controlled very carefully. If the relative velocity is too high, the docking attempt can fail, causing damage or collisions. If it is too low, it may take too long to complete the approach, which could lead to fuel inefficiencies or mission delays.When the spacecraft docks, their relative velocity must be near zero. This means that the two spacecraft must be moving at the same velocity and in the same direction at the time of docking to ensure a smooth connection without any impact forces. This requires careful coordination and manoeuvring, all done fully autonomously.&nbsp;

For Chandrayaan-4, docking would have to be carried out while the satellites are in a highly elliptical (egg-shaped) orbit. The Indian Government has revealed that SPADEX-2 would involve the docking and undocking of two spacecraft in a highly elliptical orbit. 

After successfully demonstrating India's first space docking experiment, SPADEX, in 2025, the country's Space agency, ISRO, is now carrying out studies for its successor missions, SPADEX-2 and SPADEX-3. Space docking is the intricate process of bringing two satellites close to one another and mechanically attaching them into one unit, all while they are travelling at velocities over 28,000 kilometres per hour. Docking is a crucial enabling technology that facilitates the transfer of astronauts, cargo, or fuel from one spacecraft to another. India's ambitions of returning samples from the moon (Chandrayaan-4) and building the country's own space station require mastery over docking technology. As per details revealed by the Indian Government in Parliament, ISRO is studying two orbital docking experiments: SPADEX-2 for replicating the Chandrayaan-4 (Lunar Sample Return), and SPADEX-3 as a precursor mission for docking in Bharatiya Space Station. Why is docking tech mandatory for Chandrayaan-4 ? India has envisioned its fourth lunar mission, Chandrayaan-4, as a sample return mission. Chandrayaan-4 will not stop with a soft landing on the moon. After landing, it will collect lunar samples, vertically liftoff from the moon, and carry the samples to our home planet. For this ambitious venture, ISRO is working towards building two crafts, each weighing around 4,750kg. Instead of launching one massive craft, ISRO would launch two of these crafts into space using two LVM3 rockets. Thereafter, these crafts would have to perform docking and undocking in space as part of the mission. During the SPADEX-1 mission, ISRO carried out docking while the satellites were orbiting the Earth in a circular orbit. Also read: 'No dry out of LPG': Govt to allocate 5 kg FTL cylinders to migrant workers For Chandrayaan-4, docking would have to be carried out while the satellites are in a highly elliptical (egg-shaped) orbit. The Indian Government has revealed that SPADEX-2 would involve the docking and undocking of two spacecraft in a highly elliptical orbit, and a sample would be transferred between the two crafts. Therefore, SPADEX-2 is intended to simulate the conditions that Chandrayaan-4 would have to operate under. Why is docking tech mandatory for operating a space station? To build a space station, which is a massive orbiting lab, multiple modules(parts) need to be launched from Earth in a phased manner. Gradually, these modules have to be assembled in space to create a fully functional space station. India has ambitions to build its own space station that would eventually house astronauts. As part of SPADEX-3, ISRO envisions docking and undocking between two pressurised modules using Bharatiya Docking System (BDS), which is a homegrown docking mechanism. Pressurised docking is a specialised form of space docking designed to create an airtight, structurally robust tunnel to move astronauts and cargo between two spacecraft. When astronauts live aboard a space station, they would need to move from one module of the station to another, just like how one would need to go from one room to another at home. Therefore, the connections between all modules need to be maintained at equal pressure, to provide breathable air, temperature control, and ideal habitable conditions. What makes space docking so complicated? When a one spacecraft is approaching the other spacecraft, the relative velocity between the two (the difference in velocity between the two) must be controlled very carefully. If the relative velocity is too high, the docking attempt can fail, causing damage or collisions. If it is too low, it may take too long to complete the approach, which could lead to fuel inefficiencies or mission delays. When the spacecraft docks, their relative velocity must be near zero. This means that the two spacecraft must be moving at the same velocity and in the same direction at the time of docking to ensure a smooth connection without any impact forces. This requires careful coordination and manoeuvring, all done fully autonomously.

For Chandrayaan-4, docking would have to be carried out while the satellites are in a highly elliptical (egg-shaped) orbit. The Indian Government has revealed that SPADEX-2 would involve the docking and undocking of two spacecraft in a highly elliptical orbit.&nbsp;

Explainer: ISRO plans SPADEX-2 and 3 space docking experiments

As the West Asia war chokes the Strait of Hormuz, the Indian kitchen is feeling the heat. With India's cooking gas supply under strain, a proposal now under consideration could change how LPG cylinders are delivered to your household, at least temporarily. On Monday (Mar 23), reports emerged that Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) are considering a radical proposal to supply underweight LPG cylinders to stretch dwindling stocks. While the Ministry of Petroleum has dismissed claims of selling 10kg gas in standard 14.2kg bottles as "highly speculative," state-run refiners confirm the plan is "under consideration" to prevent a total stockout. Here's all you need to know.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/435-000-barrels-of-oil-at-risk-as-iran-war-drives-up-oil-prices-fire-rages-at-one-of-us-largest-refineries-after-massive-port-arthur-blast-watch-1774325959958">Massive blast rocks Valero’s Port Arthur refinery amid Iran blockade of Strait of Hormuz—is the US energy hub under attack?</a><h2>Gas companies to supply 10kg in 14.2kg LPG cylinders?</h2>Reports suggest that oil marketing companies are weighing the option of supplying underweight cylinders as the LPG shortages persist. The idea, still pending government approval, is to distribute less gas per cylinder so that available stock can be stretched across more consumers.<h2>Government of India says no such plan exists</h2>Reports suggesting that companies may begin selling 10 kg of LPG in standard 14.2 kg domestic cylinders have been denied by the petroleum ministry. Officials described such claims as "highly speculative" and urged the public not to draw conclusions at this stage."There cannot be any comment or explanation to any speculation… please don’t believe in rumours. This is highly speculative," said Sujata Sharma, joint secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. She insisted that bookings for refilling domestic cylinders had eased to nearly 50 lakh, with supply continuing as normal.Even so, refiners confirmed that a proposal along similar lines has been submitted. "This is indeed being considered, but the decision has to be taken by the govt," said an official from a state-run oil marketing company, as quoted by Times of India.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-jong-un-issues-merciless-nuclear-warning-amid-iran-war-are-the-north-korean-leader-fomo-memes-about-to-turn-real-1774312445888">Kim Jong Un issues 'merciless' nuclear warning amid Iran war — are the North Korean leader FOMO memes about to turn real?</a><h2>India's LPG Supply pressure builds</h2>The discussion comes as LPG availability tightens amid ongoing disruptions linked to the conflict in West Asia. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for energy imports, has slowed, affecting the movement of both crude oil and gas.India depends on imports for about 60 per cent of its LPG needs. Recent data suggest incoming shipments have dropped sharply. On Monday evening, two Indian-flagged LPG tankers, carrying around 92,600 tonnes of cooking gas, crossed the war-hit Strait of Hormuz. The ships - Jag Vasant and Pine Gas - are likely to reach ports between Thursday and Saturday, the shipping ministry said.&nbsp;

Could your LPG cylinder soon carry less gas? As the West Asia war squeezes supplies, a quiet proposal under review could change how cooking gas reaches your home in India. A 14.2kg cylinder may soon only contain 10kg of gas. Scroll down to know more.

As the West Asia war chokes the Strait of Hormuz, the Indian kitchen is feeling the heat. With India's cooking gas supply under strain, a proposal now under consideration could change how LPG cylinders are delivered to your household, at least temporarily. On Monday (Mar 23), reports emerged that Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) are considering a radical proposal to supply underweight LPG cylinders to stretch dwindling stocks. While the Ministry of Petroleum has dismissed claims of selling 10kg gas in standard 14.2kg bottles as "highly speculative," state-run refiners confirm the plan is "under consideration" to prevent a total stockout. Here's all you need to know. Also read | Massive blast rocks Valero’s Port Arthur refinery amid Iran blockade of Strait of Hormuz—is the US energy hub under attack? Gas companies to supply 10kg in 14.2kg LPG cylinders? Reports suggest that oil marketing companies are weighing the option of supplying underweight cylinders as the LPG shortages persist. The idea, still pending government approval, is to distribute less gas per cylinder so that available stock can be stretched across more consumers. Government of India says no such plan exists Reports suggesting that companies may begin selling 10 kg of LPG in standard 14.2 kg domestic cylinders have been denied by the petroleum ministry. Officials described such claims as "highly speculative" and urged the public not to draw conclusions at this stage. "There cannot be any comment or explanation to any speculation… please don’t believe in rumours. This is highly speculative," said Sujata Sharma, joint secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. She insisted that bookings for refilling domestic cylinders had eased to nearly 50 lakh, with supply continuing as normal. Even so, refiners confirmed that a proposal along similar lines has been submitted. "This is indeed being considered, but the decision has to be taken by the govt," said an official from a state-run oil marketing company, as quoted by Times of India. Also read | Kim Jong Un issues 'merciless' nuclear warning amid Iran war — are the North Korean leader FOMO memes about to turn real? India's LPG Supply pressure builds The discussion comes as LPG availability tightens amid ongoing disruptions linked to the conflict in West Asia. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for energy imports, has slowed, affecting the movement of both crude oil and gas. India depends on imports for about 60 per cent of its LPG needs. Recent data suggest incoming shipments have dropped sharply. On Monday evening, two Indian-flagged LPG tankers, carrying around 92,600 tonnes of cooking gas, crossed the war-hit Strait of Hormuz. The ships - Jag Vasant and Pine Gas - are likely to reach ports between Thursday and Saturday, the shipping ministry said.

Could your LPG cylinder soon carry less gas? As the West Asia war squeezes supplies, a quiet proposal under review could change how cooking gas reaches your home in India. A 14.2kg cylinder may soon only contain 10kg of gas. Scroll down to know more.

Only 10kg in 14.2kg cylinder: Less gas, same cylinder? Shocking LPG plan under review as Hormuz crisis bites India

The Delhi assembly received a bomb threat on Tuesday, with the warning of blowing up the building and a Delhi metro station. The threat was sent by email to the office of Delhi assembly speaker Vijender Gupta, officials said. The first threat was received on the Assembly’s official email at 7:28 am, followed by another email sent to the Speaker at 7:49 am, just 21 minutes later. The messages came only hours before Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was set to present the Delhi budget 2026, according to a report in TOI.&nbsp;Both messages mentioned that a bomb would explode at the Delhi assembly at 1.11 pm, and another would explode at a Delhi Metro station at 9.11 pm. The threat emails also referenced the Khalistan Referendum. Following the email warning, a sniffer dog squad was later deployed in the vicinity of the Delhi Assembly as part of intensified security checks.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/10kg-lpg-in-14-2kg-cylinder-amid-shortage-fears-will-you-get-less-gas-in-same-cylinder-what-we-know-india-news-1774335047600">10kg in 14.2kg cylinder: Amid LPG shortage fears, will you get less gas in the same cylinder? What we know</a><h3>No explosives were found</h3>Official sources verified that the threatening emails originated from a Gmail account, prompting security forces to carry out extensive sweeps of the site. Fortunately, no explosives were discovered during the search.&nbsp;The communication specifically mentioned several prominent figures, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Additionally, the list included Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, and Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu.&nbsp;"AS check of Vidhansabha has been conducted by BDTs of Security and North District. Nothing suspicious found so far. Necessary Police arrangements are in place", said DCP (north) Raja Banthia.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/435-000-barrels-of-oil-at-risk-as-iran-war-drives-up-oil-prices-fire-rages-at-one-of-us-largest-refineries-after-massive-port-arthur-blast-watch-1774325959958">Massive blast rocks Valero’s Port Arthur refinery amid Iran blockade of Strait of Hormuz—is the US energy hub under attack?</a>&nbsp;(This is a developing story. More details are awaited.)

The bomb threat was sent by email to the office of Delhi assembly speaker Vijender Gupta, officials said. The first threat was received on the Assembly’s official email at 7:28 am, followed by another email sent to the Speaker at 7:49 am, just 21 minutes later.

The Delhi assembly received a bomb threat on Tuesday, with the warning of blowing up the building and a Delhi metro station. The threat was sent by email to the office of Delhi assembly speaker Vijender Gupta, officials said. The first threat was received on the Assembly’s official email at 7:28 am, followed by another email sent to the Speaker at 7:49 am, just 21 minutes later. The messages came only hours before Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was set to present the Delhi budget 2026, according to a report in TOI. Both messages mentioned that a bomb would explode at the Delhi assembly at 1.11 pm, and another would explode at a Delhi Metro station at 9.11 pm. The threat emails also referenced the Khalistan Referendum. Following the email warning, a sniffer dog squad was later deployed in the vicinity of the Delhi Assembly as part of intensified security checks. Also read: 10kg in 14.2kg cylinder: Amid LPG shortage fears, will you get less gas in the same cylinder? What we know No explosives were found Official sources verified that the threatening emails originated from a Gmail account, prompting security forces to carry out extensive sweeps of the site. Fortunately, no explosives were discovered during the search. The communication specifically mentioned several prominent figures, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Additionally, the list included Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, and Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu. "AS check of Vidhansabha has been conducted by BDTs of Security and North District. Nothing suspicious found so far. Necessary Police arrangements are in place", said DCP (north) Raja Banthia. Also read: Massive blast rocks Valero’s Port Arthur refinery amid Iran blockade of Strait of Hormuz—is the US energy hub under attack? (This is a developing story. More details are awaited.)

The bomb threat was sent by email to the office of Delhi assembly speaker Vijender Gupta, officials said. The first threat was received on the Assembly’s official email at 7:28 am, followed by another email sent to the Speaker at 7:49 am, just 21 minutes later.

Delhi Assembly gets bomb threat ahead of budget session: More details inside

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday held a detailed telephonic conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, focusing on the ongoing West Asia conflict and its implications for global energy security. In a post on X, Jaishankar said that both leaders also discussed the global economic implications due to the conflict. "Had a detailed telecon this evening with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Our discussions focused on the West Asia conflict and its impact on the international economy. We particularly spoke about energy security concerns. Agreed to remain in touch," the post read.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Had a detailed telecon this evening with US <a href="https://twitter.com/SecRubio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecRubio</a>. Our discussions focused on the West Asia conflict and its impact on the international economy. We particularly spoke about energy security concerns. Agreed to remain in touch.&mdash; Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2036130508833431784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The discussions came after US President Donald Trump, earlier today, announced that he had instructed the US Department of War to delay any military action against Iranian power plants and energy sites for five days, citing ongoing diplomatic engagements with Tehran amid escalating tensions in West Asia. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the United States and Iran had held "very good and productive conversations" over the past two days aimed at resolving hostilities in the region. He added that the decision to pause strikes was based on the "tenor and tone" of the discussions, which he described as "in-depth, detailed, and constructive". Trump further stated that the conversations will continue through the week. "I am please to report that the United States of America, and the country of Iran, have had, over the last two days, very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East," the post read."Based on the tenor and tone of these in depth, detailed, and constructive conversations, witch will continue throughout the week, I have instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy Infrastructure for a five-day period, subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" it added. The announcement came as the war between Israel, the US, and Iran had entered its fourth week. However, Iran has categorically denied the claim of talks made by Trump. Speaker of Iran's Parliament, MB Ghalibaf, rejected Trump's claims regarding ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington, asserting that no such talks have taken place. In a series of posts on X, Ghalibaf rejected the US President's claims, stating that the remarks were made to "manipulate the financial and oil markets", which have seen much disruption amid the conflict. He further stated that the remark was made to get the US and Israel out of the "quagmire", referring to the war against the Islamic Republic. "No negotiations have been held with the US, and fakenews is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped," the speaker stated in his post. "Iranian people demand complete and remorseful punishment of the aggressors. All Iranian officials stand firmly behind their supreme leader and people until this goal is achieved," he added.

India, US discuss Iran war impact as Trump pauses strikes. S Jaishankar and Marco Rubio spoke on energy risks and global economy. In a post on X, Jaishankar said that both leaders also discussed the global economic implications due to the conflict.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday held a detailed telephonic conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, focusing on the ongoing West Asia conflict and its implications for global energy security. In a post on X, Jaishankar said that both leaders also discussed the global economic implications due to the conflict. "Had a detailed telecon this evening with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Our discussions focused on the West Asia conflict and its impact on the international economy. We particularly spoke about energy security concerns. Agreed to remain in touch," the post read.

India, US discuss Iran war impact as Trump pauses strikes. S Jaishankar and Marco Rubio spoke on energy risks and global economy. In a post on X, Jaishankar said that both leaders also discussed the global economic implications due to the conflict.

Jaishankar, Rubio discuss energy risks amid Iran war

Preparations for Minhaz’s wedding had been completed down to the last detail. His ceremonial turban was ready, invitations had been sent out, and arrangements for transport, accommodation, and catering were all in place. The Qazi had also confirmed his presence for the nikah scheduled on March 30. Despite the festive atmosphere at home, one crucial person was missing, the groom himself.&nbsp;As the ceremony approached, guests gathered with excitement. However, just before the event, the family received disappointing news: Minhaz would not be able to travel from Kuwait. “I have apologised to the bride's family and the villagers and requested them to fix another date after the Gulf situation eases,” his father, Rafi Khan, said. In Khandail village, located in the Sherghati block of Gaya district, this is not an isolated case. Several weddings have been scheduled, but many grooms working in Gulf countries are unable to return. The ongoing tensions involving the US, Israel, and Iran have worsened conditions across the Gulf, leading to flight cancellations and skyrocketing ticket prices.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/missiles-outside-memes-inside-here-s-how-iran-embassies-are-roasting-us-online-and-winning-the-internet-war-1774290539361">Missiles outside, memes inside: Here's how Iran embassies are roasting US online and winning the internet war</a>&nbsp;Over the years, income from Gulf countries has significantly improved life in Khandail. The village now has facilities like a bank, ATM, and health sub-centre, along with modern houses. Yet, the same overseas dependence has now become a cause of distress. More than 400 young men from Khandail and nearby villages, including Imlithan, Jaipur, Ratanpur, and Pandaul, are employed in Gulf nations. Traditionally, they return home during Eid and Bakrid, but this year, the conflict has disrupted those plans.&nbsp;With multiple weddings planned for March, families are left uncertain about whether ceremonies will proceed or be postponed. Jalil Shah is facing a similar dilemma. His son’s wedding is scheduled for March 30 in Erki village of Jehanabad district, but the groom remains stuck in Qatar. His flight, originally booked for March 26, has already been cancelled twice. “We have completed all our preparations. If my son arrives, the wedding procession will proceed as planned. Nevertheless, we are still hopeful,” Shah said.&nbsp;In addition to travel issues, the family is also dealing with a shortage of LPG cylinders. As a backup, the cook has been asked to prepare meals on a traditional wood-fired stove. “If necessary, we are even prepared to forgo the hotel venue,” he added. According to Javed Khan, the mukhiya pati, several families are now considering alternative arrangements. If grooms cannot return, weddings may be conducted virtually.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-trump-speaks-on-iran-talks-says-this-time-iran-means-business-1774288788024/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-trump-speaks-on-iran-talks-says-this-time-iran-means-business-1774288788024/embed</a>&nbsp;“There are two weddings in my own family. One groom is in Bahrain and the other is in Qatar. Neither has been able to arrive yet,” he said. Villagers understand that the situation is beyond local control, given its international nature. Still, they are hopeful that assistance may come from Indian embassies abroad.&nbsp;Conditions appear especially severe in Kuwait and Qatar, even more so than in Saudi Arabia. Nasir Khan, who recently returned home after spending ₹60,000 on airfare, described the situation as tense, with residents enduring sleepless nights due to missile attacks and seeking safety in bunkers or on the streets.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

Grooms are missing their weddings in Bihar. Here’s why

Preparations for Minhaz’s wedding had been completed down to the last detail. His ceremonial turban was ready, invitations had been sent out, and arrangements for transport, accommodation, and catering were all in place. The Qazi had also confirmed his presence for the nikah scheduled on March 30. Despite the festive atmosphere at home, one crucial person was missing, the groom himself. As the ceremony approached, guests gathered with excitement. However, just before the event, the family received disappointing news: Minhaz would not be able to travel from Kuwait. “I have apologised to the bride's family and the villagers and requested them to fix another date after the Gulf situation eases,” his father, Rafi Khan, said. In Khandail village, located in the Sherghati block of Gaya district, this is not an isolated case. Several weddings have been scheduled, but many grooms working in Gulf countries are unable to return. The ongoing tensions involving the US, Israel, and Iran have worsened conditions across the Gulf, leading to flight cancellations and skyrocketing ticket prices. Also Read: Missiles outside, memes inside: Here's how Iran embassies are roasting US online and winning the internet war Over the years, income from Gulf countries has significantly improved life in Khandail. The village now has facilities like a bank, ATM, and health sub-centre, along with modern houses. Yet, the same overseas dependence has now become a cause of distress. More than 400 young men from Khandail and nearby villages, including Imlithan, Jaipur, Ratanpur, and Pandaul, are employed in Gulf nations. Traditionally, they return home during Eid and Bakrid, but this year, the conflict has disrupted those plans. With multiple weddings planned for March, families are left uncertain about whether ceremonies will proceed or be postponed. Jalil Shah is facing a similar dilemma. His son’s wedding is scheduled for March 30 in Erki village of Jehanabad district, but the groom remains stuck in Qatar. His flight, originally booked for March 26, has already been cancelled twice. “We have completed all our preparations. If my son arrives, the wedding procession will proceed as planned. Nevertheless, we are still hopeful,” Shah said. In addition to travel issues, the family is also dealing with a shortage of LPG cylinders. As a backup, the cook has been asked to prepare meals on a traditional wood-fired stove. “If necessary, we are even prepared to forgo the hotel venue,” he added. According to Javed Khan, the mukhiya pati, several families are now considering alternative arrangements. If grooms cannot return, weddings may be conducted virtually. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-trump-speaks-on-iran-talks-says-this-time-iran-means-business-1774288788024/embed “There are two weddings in my own family. One groom is in Bahrain and the other is in Qatar. Neither has been able to arrive yet,” he said. Villagers understand that the situation is beyond local control, given its international nature. Still, they are hopeful that assistance may come from Indian embassies abroad. Conditions appear especially severe in Kuwait and Qatar, even more so than in Saudi Arabia. Nasir Khan, who recently returned home after spending ₹60,000 on airfare, described the situation as tense, with residents enduring sleepless nights due to missile attacks and seeking safety in bunkers or on the streets. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

Gulf conflict disrupts Bihar weddings as stranded grooms face flight cancellations, forcing families to delay ceremonies or consider online nikah options

Written by &nbsp;Dr Shristi Pukhrem&nbsp;The question of whether the rules-based order is still alive is both timely and consequential, particularly in the context of the Indo-Pacific. The answer is neither a straightforward affirmation nor a definitive negation. Rather, the rules-based order today is under strain, contested, and evolving. Despite these challenges, it remains relevant and continues to be actively upheld by key regional actors, most notably India, Japan, and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).<h2>The Indo-Pacific: A region in flux</h2>The Indo-Pacific has emerged as the epicenter of global economic dynamism, maritime connectivity, and geopolitical competition. At the same time, it is a region where fundamental principles such as sovereignty, freedom of navigation, peaceful dispute resolution, and adherence to international law are increasingly being tested. The contemporary rules-based order, largely shaped in the aftermath of World War II, was designed to ensure predictability and stability through institutions and norms. However, rising unilateral actions, maritime disputes, and intensifying strategic rivalries have raised concerns about the durability of these rules in guiding state behaviour.<h2>India and Japan: Pillars of a free and open Indo-Pacific</h2>Despite mounting pressures, the persistence of the rules-based order is evident in the continued commitment of regional powers. India and Japan have become key advocates for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. Japan’s vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), first articulated under Shinzo Abe, emphasizes maritime security, rule of law, and economic connectivity. Central to this vision is respect for international legal frameworks such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982), which serves as the cornerstone of global maritime governance.&nbsp;India complements this approach through its doctrine of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 and in March 2025 as Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR). Coupled with the Act East Policy (upgraded from the Look East Policy in 2014), India’s Indo-Pacific vision underscores openness, inclusivity, and the centrality of ASEAN. India’s official Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), launched in 2019, further operationalizes this vision through pillars such as maritime security, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable use of marine resources.<h2>ASEAN centrality and regional architecture</h2>At the heart of the Indo-Pacific’s institutional architecture lies the ASEAN, established in 1967 through the Bangkok Declaration. ASEAN centrality remains a foundational principle for maintaining regional stability and dialogue. ASEAN-led mechanisms including the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) provide critical platforms for confidence-building, multilateral engagement, and diplomatic dialogue. These institutions play a vital role in fostering norms of peaceful dispute resolution and cooperative security.&nbsp;&nbsp;The ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), adopted in 2019, reinforces principles that closely align with those advocated by India and Japan: openness, transparency, inclusivity, respect for international law, and development-oriented cooperation. The AOIP notably avoids securitized frameworks and instead emphasizes dialogue and cooperation, thereby offering a bridging mechanism between competing strategic visions.<h2>Trilateral cooperation: Opportunities and pathways</h2>The evolving Indo-Pacific landscape presents significant opportunities for enhanced cooperation among India, Japan, and ASEAN.<ul><li>Maritime Security and Capacity Building: Southeast Asian nations face growing challenges in maritime domain awareness, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and maritime law enforcement. India has engaged in capacity-building through initiatives such as training programs under the Indian Coast Guard and information-sharing through the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR). Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has supported coast guard modernization and maritime infrastructure development across Southeast Asia.</li><li>Connectivity and Infrastructure Development: Transparent and sustainable infrastructure remains essential for maintaining a stable regional order. Japan’s Partnership for Quality Infrastructure (2015) emphasizes economic efficiency, environmental sustainability, and debt transparency. India’s connectivity projects such as the India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway (IMT) and the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) aim to physically link South Asia with Southeast Asia. Collaborative initiatives involving ASEAN can reinforce rules-based development norms and offer viable alternatives to opaque financing models.</li><li>Supply Chain Resilience and Economic Cooperation: The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent geopolitical disruptions have exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains. The Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI), launched in 2020 by India, Japan, and Australia, seeks to diversify supply networks and reduce over-dependence on single sources. Expanding this framework to include ASEAN economies could significantly enhance regional economic resilience.</li><li>Norm-Building in Emerging Domains: The future of the rules-based order will increasingly be shaped in emerging domains such as digital governance, cybersecurity, climate change, and critical technologies. Frameworks such as the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025 and India’s Digital Public Infrastructure initiatives provide opportunities for collaborative norm-setting. Similarly, Japan’s leadership in green technologies and climate finance can complement ASEAN’s sustainability goals under the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.</li></ul><h2>Flexibility and inclusivity: Strengths of regional order</h2>Maintaining a rules-based order does not necessitate rigid or uniform structures. The Indo-Pacific is characterized by diversity in governance systems, economic priorities, and threat perceptions. Its resilience lies in its flexibility and inclusiveness. In this context, the complementary strengths of India, Japan, and ASEAN become particularly significant. India offers geographic and strategic connectivity between the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia; Japan contributes technological expertise and financial resources; and ASEAN provides institutional legitimacy and convening power that sustains regional multilateralism.<h2>Conclusion</h2>The rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific is undoubtedly under pressure, but it is far from obsolete. Its endurance depends on the continued commitment and cooperation of regional actors. India, Japan, and ASEAN, through shared principles and pragmatic engagement, possess both the responsibility and the capacity to sustain and revitalize this order. The critical question, therefore, is not whether the rules-based order is alive, but who will shape and uphold it in the years to come. In the Indo-Pacific Region, these three actors are uniquely positioned to lead that effort.&nbsp;The author, Dr Shristi Pukhrem is a Director, Act East Centre &amp; Visiting Fellow, India Foundation. India Foundation is an independent research centre focused on the issues, challenges and opportunities of the Indian polity.

Reassessing rules-based order: India, Japan, and ASEAN in changing Indo-Pacific

Written by Dr Shristi Pukhrem The question of whether the rules-based order is still alive is both timely and consequential, particularly in the context of the Indo-Pacific. The answer is neither a straightforward affirmation nor a definitive negation. Rather, the rules-based order today is under strain, contested, and evolving. Despite these challenges, it remains relevant and continues to be actively upheld by key regional actors, most notably India, Japan, and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). The Indo-Pacific: A region in flux The Indo-Pacific has emerged as the epicenter of global economic dynamism, maritime connectivity, and geopolitical competition. At the same time, it is a region where fundamental principles such as sovereignty, freedom of navigation, peaceful dispute resolution, and adherence to international law are increasingly being tested. The contemporary rules-based order, largely shaped in the aftermath of World War II, was designed to ensure predictability and stability through institutions and norms. However, rising unilateral actions, maritime disputes, and intensifying strategic rivalries have raised concerns about the durability of these rules in guiding state behaviour. India and Japan: Pillars of a free and open Indo-Pacific Despite mounting pressures, the persistence of the rules-based order is evident in the continued commitment of regional powers. India and Japan have become key advocates for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. Japan’s vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), first articulated under Shinzo Abe, emphasizes maritime security, rule of law, and economic connectivity. Central to this vision is respect for international legal frameworks such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982), which serves as the cornerstone of global maritime governance. India complements this approach through its doctrine of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 and in March 2025 as Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR). Coupled with the Act East Policy (upgraded from the Look East Policy in 2014), India’s Indo-Pacific vision underscores openness, inclusivity, and the centrality of ASEAN. India’s official Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), launched in 2019, further operationalizes this vision through pillars such as maritime security, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable use of marine resources. ASEAN centrality and regional architecture At the heart of the Indo-Pacific’s institutional architecture lies the ASEAN, established in 1967 through the Bangkok Declaration. ASEAN centrality remains a foundational principle for maintaining regional stability and dialogue. ASEAN-led mechanisms including the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) provide critical platforms for confidence-building, multilateral engagement, and diplomatic dialogue. These institutions play a vital role in fostering norms of peaceful dispute resolution and cooperative security. The ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), adopted in 2019, reinforces principles that closely align with those advocated by India and Japan: openness, transparency, inclusivity, respect for international law, and development-oriented cooperation. The AOIP notably avoids securitized frameworks and instead emphasizes dialogue and cooperation, thereby offering a bridging mechanism between competing strategic visions. Trilateral cooperation: Opportunities and pathways The evolving Indo-Pacific landscape presents significant opportunities for enhanced cooperation among India, Japan, and ASEAN. Maritime Security and Capacity Building: Southeast Asian nations face growing challenges in maritime domain awareness, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and maritime law enforcement. India has engaged in capacity-building through initiatives such as training programs under the Indian Coast Guard and information-sharing through the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR). Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has supported coast guard modernization and maritime infrastructure development across Southeast Asia. Connectivity and Infrastructure Development: Transparent and sustainable infrastructure remains essential for maintaining a stable regional order. Japan’s Partnership for Quality Infrastructure (2015) emphasizes economic efficiency, environmental sustainability, and debt transparency. India’s connectivity projects such as the India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway (IMT) and the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) aim to physically link South Asia with Southeast Asia. Collaborative initiatives involving ASEAN can reinforce rules-based development norms and offer viable alternatives to opaque financing models. Supply Chain Resilience and Economic Cooperation: The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent geopolitical disruptions have exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains. The Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI), launched in 2020 by India, Japan, and Australia, seeks to diversify supply networks and reduce over-dependence on single sources. Expanding this framework to include ASEAN economies could significantly enhance regional economic resilience. Norm-Building in Emerging Domains: The future of the rules-based order will increasingly be shaped in emerging domains such as digital governance, cybersecurity, climate change, and critical technologies. Frameworks such as the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025 and India’s Digital Public Infrastructure initiatives provide opportunities for collaborative norm-setting. Similarly, Japan’s leadership in green technologies and climate finance can complement ASEAN’s sustainability goals under the ASEAN Community Vision 2025. Flexibility and inclusivity: Strengths of regional order Maintaining a rules-based order does not necessitate rigid or uniform structures. The Indo-Pacific is characterized by diversity in governance systems, economic priorities, and threat perceptions. Its resilience lies in its flexibility and inclusiveness. In this context, the complementary strengths of India, Japan, and ASEAN become particularly significant. India offers geographic and strategic connectivity between the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia; Japan contributes technological expertise and financial resources; and ASEAN provides institutional legitimacy and convening power that sustains regional multilateralism. Conclusion The rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific is undoubtedly under pressure, but it is far from obsolete. Its endurance depends on the continued commitment and cooperation of regional actors. India, Japan, and ASEAN, through shared principles and pragmatic engagement, possess both the responsibility and the capacity to sustain and revitalize this order. The critical question, therefore, is not whether the rules-based order is alive, but who will shape and uphold it in the years to come. In the Indo-Pacific Region, these three actors are uniquely positioned to lead that effort. The author, Dr Shristi Pukhrem is a Director, Act East Centre & Visiting Fellow, India Foundation. India Foundation is an independent research centre focused on the issues, challenges and opportunities of the Indian polity.

The Indo-Pacific has emerged as the epicenter of global economic dynamism, maritime connectivity, and geopolitical competition. At the same time, it is a region where fundamental principles and adherence to international law are increasingly being tested

With exactly a month to go for the polling day(April 23rd) in the Southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, seat-sharing between the major National Democratic Alliance partners in the state has been announced. The NDA in Tamil Nadu is led by the state's Principal opposition party, AIADMK. The BJP, AMMK, PMK, and many small parties are part of this alliance. As for major allies, the BJP is being allocated 27 seats, PMK is being allocated 18 seats, and AMMK is being allocated 11 seats. Tamil Nadu has a total of 234 assembly constituencies.&nbsp;This announcement was made during BJP leader and Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal's Chennai visit. Following a brief meeting with NDA leaders at a private venue in the city, Goyal visited the AIADMK Headquarters, where AIADMK Chief Edappadi Palaniswami revealed the number of seats being allocated. Goyal, who is BJP's Election in-charge for Tamil Nadu, is visiting the state following the weekend meetings that AIADMK and AMMK chiefs held in New Delhi with Union Home Minister and BJP's Chief election strategist Amit Shah.&nbsp;"Tamil Nadu today is ready for an NDA Government. A strong NDA under the guidance and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi, who yesterday surpassed the record and became the longest-serving head of government in the history of India. Having served for nearly 25 years as Chief Minister and Prime Minister, he has shown how good governance can transform the destiny of the people of India," Goyal said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/war-drums-in-west-green-energy-in-bharat-india-powers-global-south-at-bharat-electricity-summit-2026-1774267093285">War drums in West, green energy in Bharat! India powers Global South at Bharat Electricity Summit 2026</a>&nbsp;He added that the people of Tamil Nadu want a government led by the future Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami. "A government that will bring development for farmers, fishermen, MSMEs, industry, provide jobs to youth, give opportunity to startups, provide quality healthcare and education, will give houses for the poor, ensure that everybody gets opportunity to prosper in life," Goyal said, describing the NDA's vision for Tamil Nadu.&nbsp;A developed Tamil Nadu will lead to a developed India. We will ensure that Tamil pride, culture, language, and the people of the state, have a very bright future, he added.&nbsp; While the national ruling party BJP, has been allocated 27 seats in the AIADMK-led Opposition front, Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK has allocated 28 seats to their longstanding ally Congress, which is the principal opposition party at the national level.&nbsp;In the 2021 Assembly poll, BJP was allocated 20 seats as part of the AIADMK-led front, of which the BJP ended up winning four seats. The AIADMK's 10-year streak in power came to an end in 2021, as the DMK led by MK Stalin won the elections.

The NDA in Tamil Nadu is led by the state's Principal opposition party, AIADMK. The BJP, AMMK, PMK, and many small parties are part of this alliance. As for major allies, the BJP is being allocated 27 seats, PMK is being allocated 18 seats, and AMMK is being allocated 11 seats.

With exactly a month to go for the polling day(April 23rd) in the Southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, seat-sharing between the major National Democratic Alliance partners in the state has been announced. The NDA in Tamil Nadu is led by the state's Principal opposition party, AIADMK. The BJP, AMMK, PMK, and many small parties are part of this alliance. As for major allies, the BJP is being allocated 27 seats, PMK is being allocated 18 seats, and AMMK is being allocated 11 seats. Tamil Nadu has a total of 234 assembly constituencies. This announcement was made during BJP leader and Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal's Chennai visit. Following a brief meeting with NDA leaders at a private venue in the city, Goyal visited the AIADMK Headquarters, where AIADMK Chief Edappadi Palaniswami revealed the number of seats being allocated. Goyal, who is BJP's Election in-charge for Tamil Nadu, is visiting the state following the weekend meetings that AIADMK and AMMK chiefs held in New Delhi with Union Home Minister and BJP's Chief election strategist Amit Shah. "Tamil Nadu today is ready for an NDA Government. A strong NDA under the guidance and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi, who yesterday surpassed the record and became the longest-serving head of government in the history of India. Having served for nearly 25 years as Chief Minister and Prime Minister, he has shown how good governance can transform the destiny of the people of India," Goyal said. Also Read: War drums in West, green energy in Bharat! India powers Global South at Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 He added that the people of Tamil Nadu want a government led by the future Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami. "A government that will bring development for farmers, fishermen, MSMEs, industry, provide jobs to youth, give opportunity to startups, provide quality healthcare and education, will give houses for the poor, ensure that everybody gets opportunity to prosper in life," Goyal said, describing the NDA's vision for Tamil Nadu. A developed Tamil Nadu will lead to a developed India. We will ensure that Tamil pride, culture, language, and the people of the state, have a very bright future, he added. While the national ruling party BJP, has been allocated 27 seats in the AIADMK-led Opposition front, Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK has allocated 28 seats to their longstanding ally Congress, which is the principal opposition party at the national level. In the 2021 Assembly poll, BJP was allocated 20 seats as part of the AIADMK-led front, of which the BJP ended up winning four seats. The AIADMK's 10-year streak in power came to an end in 2021, as the DMK led by MK Stalin won the elections.

The NDA in Tamil Nadu is led by the state's Principal opposition party, AIADMK. The BJP, AMMK, PMK, and many small parties are part of this alliance. As for major allies, the BJP is being allocated 27 seats, PMK is being allocated 18 seats, and AMMK is being allocated 11 seats.

Tamil Nadu NDA seat-sharing deal: BJP to contest in 27 seats

As the United States and the Israel-Iran conflict moved into a critical phase, with US President Donald Trump warning of possible strikes on electricity grids, a different story was unfolding about 1,758 miles away. In Yashobhumi, the national capital of India, the four-day Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 brought together energy leaders from across the world. The event featured deep and thoughtful discussions, important business meetings, a huge crowd of investors and innovators, and valuable talks between countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;The first-ever Bharat Electricity Summit, organised under the guidance of the Union Ministry of Power, proved highly successful. It showed India’s firm promise to cooperate with other nations on energy matters and strongly supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s forward-looking vision of One Sun, One World, One Grid.&nbsp;&nbsp;This idea connects solar energy across borders so that clean power can be shared by all countries. While India marches towards its Viksit Bharat Mission to become a fully developed nation by 2047, it is making impressive progress on its energy goals. The country aims to build 500 gigawatts of power capacity from non-fossil sources such as solar and wind by 2030. More than 250 gigawatts have already been achieved, which means India has reached its COP26 climate promises well ahead of schedule.&nbsp;&nbsp;At the same time, the nation remains fully committed to net zero emissions by 2070, a target that will help fight climate change for future generations. Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar explained it simply and clearly: electricity is a common resource that every part of the economy depends on, and this understanding is giving fresh momentum to India’s journey of self-reliance and overall development.<h2>Energy security for Global South</h2>The Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 opened many doors for global cooperation and practical deals that will benefit people far beyond India’s borders. High-level bilateral meetings took place with representatives from several countries, including Malawi, Tajikistan, Mauritius, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. Industry groups such as Africa50 and other international delegations also joined these conversations.&nbsp;&nbsp;The talks centred on four key areas that matter most for energy security today: sharing electricity across national borders, working together on renewable energy projects, building stronger transmission networks, and helping each other through training and the transfer of new technology. One special highlight was the India-Africa Strategic Meet, which focused on expanding renewable energy sources, modernising old power grids, and making sure electricity reaches every last village and home across the African continent. These partnerships are not just about signing papers; they are about creating real solutions that can light up homes, run schools, and power small businesses in developing regions.&nbsp;According to a report from the Press Information Bureau, the business side of the summit was equally impressive. More than 1,200 buyer-seller meetings took place, and the total business enquiries crossed Rs 517 crore. This shows strong interest from companies ready to invest and trade. More than 500 global exhibitors displayed the latest innovations covering every part of the electricity chain, from producing power to storing it and using it smartly.&nbsp;&nbsp;The event clearly reinforced India’s growing role in supporting the energy needs of South Asia and the wider Global South through both technology and investment. As noted by KPMG, the Bharat Electricity Summit worked like a bridge where India’s own strengths in manufacturing and innovation met the larger dreams of the world. The goal was to create real and lasting results that improve energy security for entire regions. For ordinary people, this means more reliable power supply, lower costs over time, and new job opportunities in green industries. By bringing everyone together—governments, companies, and experts—the summit proved that teamwork across borders is the best way to solve the big energy challenges of our time. India is not only meeting its own needs but also stepping up as a trusted partner for many nations that are still building their power systems.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-pauses-all-military-strikes-against-iranian-energy-sites-for-five-days-1774264303064">Trump pauses all military strikes against Iranian energy sites for five days</a><h2>Energy for every corner</h2>The Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 gave a big push to the idea of Make in India for the World, showing how Indian manufacturing can supply clean energy equipment and solutions to every corner of the globe. Detailed discussions made it clear that India’s long journey towards complete energy transition will need huge investments—more than 22 trillion US dollars by 2070. These funds will go into building new power plants, stronger transmission lines, advanced storage systems, and modern digital controls. To give one concrete example, the country must add over 1.37 lakh circuit kilometres of new transmission lines by 2030, and this alone will require around 9 lakh crore rupees.&nbsp;&nbsp;Such massive expansion is needed to carry clean electricity from sunny deserts and windy coasts to cities and villages where people need it most. Energy storage is becoming equally important because the sun does not shine at night and the wind does not always blow. India has a huge potential of more than 200 gigawatts in pumped storage projects, which work like giant natural batteries by lifting water uphill during the day and releasing it to generate power later. Battery Energy Storage Systems, or BESS, are also gaining popularity as an easy way to handle peak demand hours when everyone switches on lights and fans at the same time.<h2>Bharat builds, world buys</h2>On the financial side, renewable energy tariffs and market rules are getting better, which helps investors feel more confident about long-term returns. A major step forward was the launch of the Indian Carbon Market Portal. Trading on this platform is expected to start soon, and it will open new ways to finance climate-friendly projects. Technology is changing the power sector in exciting ways too. Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and digital twins—virtual copies of real power systems—are being used to predict problems before they happen and run grids more intelligently. Inspired by the success of India’s digital public infrastructure like UPI and Aadhaar, the concept of an “India Energy Stack” is now taking shape.&nbsp;&nbsp;This will create one smooth and connected system for the entire energy world, making it easier for producers, distributors, and users to work together. At the consumer level, smart meters and rooftop solar panels are turning ordinary households into “prosumers”—people who both produce and consume electricity. When a family’s solar panels generate extra power, they can sell it back to the grid and earn money. This simple change is empowering millions of Indians to become active players in the energy story rather than just passive users. All these developments together are creating a strong domestic industry that can export world-class clean energy technology while also meeting India’s own growing demand. The summit proved that Make in India is not just a slogan; it is a practical plan that will create jobs, reduce dependence on imports, and help the country lead the global supply chain for green power.&nbsp;The Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 has set a clear direction for India’s power sector: anchored in resilience, energy transition, and global leadership. The summit reaffirmed India’s commitment to building a future-ready, technology-driven, and investment-friendly energy ecosystem, while supporting the energy needs of both the nation and the Global South.&nbsp;&nbsp;The outcomes of the summit will contribute significantly to shaping policy, strengthening partnerships, and accelerating the transition towards a reliable, affordable, and clean energy future. In the end, events like this remind us that when nations work together on something as basic as electricity, they are actually building a brighter and more secure world for everyone. India’s success at the Bharat Electricity Summit shows that a developing country can lead the way in solving one of humanity’s biggest challenges—providing clean power to all without harming the planet. As ordinary families switch on lights, run fans, and charge phones each day, they can now feel confident that India is quietly working behind the scenes to make sure this power is affordable, uninterrupted, and green for generations to come. The road ahead is long, but the summit has given a strong and hopeful start.

While India marches towards its Viksit Bharat Mission to become a fully developed nation by 2047, it is making impressive progress on its energy goals. The country aims to build 500 gigawatts of power capacity from non-fossil sources such as solar and wind by 2030.

As the United States and the Israel-Iran conflict moved into a critical phase, with US President Donald Trump warning of possible strikes on electricity grids, a different story was unfolding about 1,758 miles away. In Yashobhumi, the national capital of India, the four-day Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 brought together energy leaders from across the world. The event featured deep and thoughtful discussions, important business meetings, a huge crowd of investors and innovators, and valuable talks between countries. The first-ever Bharat Electricity Summit, organised under the guidance of the Union Ministry of Power, proved highly successful. It showed India’s firm promise to cooperate with other nations on energy matters and strongly supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s forward-looking vision of One Sun, One World, One Grid. This idea connects solar energy across borders so that clean power can be shared by all countries. While India marches towards its Viksit Bharat Mission to become a fully developed nation by 2047, it is making impressive progress on its energy goals. The country aims to build 500 gigawatts of power capacity from non-fossil sources such as solar and wind by 2030. More than 250 gigawatts have already been achieved, which means India has reached its COP26 climate promises well ahead of schedule. At the same time, the nation remains fully committed to net zero emissions by 2070, a target that will help fight climate change for future generations. Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar explained it simply and clearly: electricity is a common resource that every part of the economy depends on, and this understanding is giving fresh momentum to India’s journey of self-reliance and overall development. Energy security for Global South The Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 opened many doors for global cooperation and practical deals that will benefit people far beyond India’s borders. High-level bilateral meetings took place with representatives from several countries, including Malawi, Tajikistan, Mauritius, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. Industry groups such as Africa50 and other international delegations also joined these conversations. The talks centred on four key areas that matter most for energy security today: sharing electricity across national borders, working together on renewable energy projects, building stronger transmission networks, and helping each other through training and the transfer of new technology. One special highlight was the India-Africa Strategic Meet, which focused on expanding renewable energy sources, modernising old power grids, and making sure electricity reaches every last village and home across the African continent. These partnerships are not just about signing papers; they are about creating real solutions that can light up homes, run schools, and power small businesses in developing regions. According to a report from the Press Information Bureau, the business side of the summit was equally impressive. More than 1,200 buyer-seller meetings took place, and the total business enquiries crossed Rs 517 crore. This shows strong interest from companies ready to invest and trade. More than 500 global exhibitors displayed the latest innovations covering every part of the electricity chain, from producing power to storing it and using it smartly. The event clearly reinforced India’s growing role in supporting the energy needs of South Asia and the wider Global South through both technology and investment. As noted by KPMG, the Bharat Electricity Summit worked like a bridge where India’s own strengths in manufacturing and innovation met the larger dreams of the world. The goal was to create real and lasting results that improve energy security for entire regions. For ordinary people, this means more reliable power supply, lower costs over time, and new job opportunities in green industries. By bringing everyone together—governments, companies, and experts—the summit proved that teamwork across borders is the best way to solve the big energy challenges of our time. India is not only meeting its own needs but also stepping up as a trusted partner for many nations that are still building their power systems. Also Read: Trump pauses all military strikes against Iranian energy sites for five days Energy for every corner The Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 gave a big push to the idea of Make in India for the World, showing how Indian manufacturing can supply clean energy equipment and solutions to every corner of the globe. Detailed discussions made it clear that India’s long journey towards complete energy transition will need huge investments—more than 22 trillion US dollars by 2070. These funds will go into building new power plants, stronger transmission lines, advanced storage systems, and modern digital controls. To give one concrete example, the country must add over 1.37 lakh circuit kilometres of new transmission lines by 2030, and this alone will require around 9 lakh crore rupees. Such massive expansion is needed to carry clean electricity from sunny deserts and windy coasts to cities and villages where people need it most. Energy storage is becoming equally important because the sun does not shine at night and the wind does not always blow. India has a huge potential of more than 200 gigawatts in pumped storage projects, which work like giant natural batteries by lifting water uphill during the day and releasing it to generate power later. Battery Energy Storage Systems, or BESS, are also gaining popularity as an easy way to handle peak demand hours when everyone switches on lights and fans at the same time. Bharat builds, world buys On the financial side, renewable energy tariffs and market rules are getting better, which helps investors feel more confident about long-term returns. A major step forward was the launch of the Indian Carbon Market Portal. Trading on this platform is expected to start soon, and it will open new ways to finance climate-friendly projects. Technology is changing the power sector in exciting ways too. Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and digital twins—virtual copies of real power systems—are being used to predict problems before they happen and run grids more intelligently. Inspired by the success of India’s digital public infrastructure like UPI and Aadhaar, the concept of an “India Energy Stack” is now taking shape. This will create one smooth and connected system for the entire energy world, making it easier for producers, distributors, and users to work together. At the consumer level, smart meters and rooftop solar panels are turning ordinary households into “prosumers”—people who both produce and consume electricity. When a family’s solar panels generate extra power, they can sell it back to the grid and earn money. This simple change is empowering millions of Indians to become active players in the energy story rather than just passive users. All these developments together are creating a strong domestic industry that can export world-class clean energy technology while also meeting India’s own growing demand. The summit proved that Make in India is not just a slogan; it is a practical plan that will create jobs, reduce dependence on imports, and help the country lead the global supply chain for green power. The Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 has set a clear direction for India’s power sector: anchored in resilience, energy transition, and global leadership. The summit reaffirmed India’s commitment to building a future-ready, technology-driven, and investment-friendly energy ecosystem, while supporting the energy needs of both the nation and the Global South. The outcomes of the summit will contribute significantly to shaping policy, strengthening partnerships, and accelerating the transition towards a reliable, affordable, and clean energy future. In the end, events like this remind us that when nations work together on something as basic as electricity, they are actually building a brighter and more secure world for everyone. India’s success at the Bharat Electricity Summit shows that a developing country can lead the way in solving one of humanity’s biggest challenges—providing clean power to all without harming the planet. As ordinary families switch on lights, run fans, and charge phones each day, they can now feel confident that India is quietly working behind the scenes to make sure this power is affordable, uninterrupted, and green for generations to come. The road ahead is long, but the summit has given a strong and hopeful start.

While India marches towards its Viksit Bharat Mission to become a fully developed nation by 2047, it is making impressive progress on its energy goals. The country aims to build 500 gigawatts of power capacity from non-fossil sources such as solar and wind by 2030.

War drums in West, green energy in Bharat! India powers Global South at Bharat Electricity Summit 2026

In the latest inter-ministerial briefing, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum &amp; Natural Gas, says that 10% additional LPG supply will be given to state governments on compliance with PNG transfers of LPG consumers. Also highlighting that “about 50% of the volume of commercial LPG will be at the disposal of the state governments and the union territories.”&nbsp;Panic buying has reduced further, informing that about 3.5 lakh domestic and commercial PNG connections have been given or activated in the last three weeks. Sharma noted that the “supply of LPG still remains a matter of concern, but there is no dry out at the LPG distributorships.”&nbsp;The Government of India has requested the states to allocate five kg FTL cylinders for migrant labourers. States have urged restaurants, dhabas, hotels, industrial canteens, food processing, dairy units, subsidised canteens or outlets run by state government or local bodies for food and community kitchens for assistance.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Amid the 2026 energy crisis and Strait of Hormuz blockade, the Indian government moves to secure fuel for migrants by allocating 5kg Free Trade LPG cylinders.

In the latest inter-ministerial briefing, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, says that 10% additional LPG supply will be given to state governments on compliance with PNG transfers of LPG consumers. Also highlighting that “about 50% of the volume of commercial LPG will be at the disposal of the state governments and the union territories.” Panic buying has reduced further, informing that about 3.5 lakh domestic and commercial PNG connections have been given or activated in the last three weeks. Sharma noted that the “supply of LPG still remains a matter of concern, but there is no dry out at the LPG distributorships.” The Government of India has requested the states to allocate five kg FTL cylinders for migrant labourers. States have urged restaurants, dhabas, hotels, industrial canteens, food processing, dairy units, subsidised canteens or outlets run by state government or local bodies for food and community kitchens for assistance.

Amid the 2026 energy crisis and Strait of Hormuz blockade, the Indian government moves to secure fuel for migrants by allocating 5kg Free Trade LPG cylinders.

'No dry out of LPG': Government to allocate 5 kg FTL cylinders to migrant workers

In a significant step aimed at rehabilitating families affected by terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday handed over appointment letters to the Next of Kin (NoKs) of terror victims at the Convention Centre in Jammu.&nbsp;A total of 37 NoKs of terrorism victims received government job letters, while 29 NoKs of government employees who lost their lives in service were also provided appointments. Additional beneficiaries' underage relaxation provisions were included under the Jammu &amp; Kashmir Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme-2022 and SRO-43.&nbsp;Paying tribute to the victims, the Lieutenant Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring justice and dignity for affected families. “I pledge to the families of terror victims that we will work with full commitment to secure their dignified and honourable lives. We will not rest until justice reaches every family,” he said.&nbsp;Emphasising that justice extends beyond punishment, Sinha highlighted the importance of healing and restoring dignity. He noted that justice also lies in acknowledging the pain of grieving families and ensuring their stories are remembered. “The stories of terror-victim families, once forgotten, are now being rewritten with renewed memory and honour,” he said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nia-raids-multiple-locations-across-kashmir-valley-1774262187159">NIA raids multiple locations across Kashmir Valley</a>&nbsp;Calling the present moment a “decisive turning point” for Jammu and Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor said that the youth and victim families aspire for a better future, and it is the collective responsibility of society and government to create opportunities for them.&nbsp;In a stern warning to terror networks, Sinha declared that there is no longer any safe haven for terrorists or their supporters in the Union Territory. “Those who shielded terror elements must know that their protection is crumbling. The era of terror is over,” he asserted.&nbsp;He further stated that individuals who were part of the terror ecosystem and had infiltrated government institutions would face strict legal action. According to him, those directly linked to terrorism are being removed from service, while long-neglected victim families are now being supported through government employment.&nbsp;Describing the initiative as more than a policy shift, Sinha called it a “moral declaration” for a new Jammu and Kashmir, one that prioritises justice in action. “This is a clear message that a new order has arrived, one that punishes those tied to terrorism and restores dignity to victims,” he said.&nbsp;The Lieutenant Governor also acknowledged past systemic failures, stating that many victim families had been ignored for decades.&nbsp;

A total of 37 NoKs of terrorism victims received government job letters, while 29 NoKs of government employees who lost their lives in service were also provided appointments.

In a significant step aimed at rehabilitating families affected by terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday handed over appointment letters to the Next of Kin (NoKs) of terror victims at the Convention Centre in Jammu. A total of 37 NoKs of terrorism victims received government job letters, while 29 NoKs of government employees who lost their lives in service were also provided appointments. Additional beneficiaries' underage relaxation provisions were included under the Jammu & Kashmir Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme-2022 and SRO-43. Paying tribute to the victims, the Lieutenant Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring justice and dignity for affected families. “I pledge to the families of terror victims that we will work with full commitment to secure their dignified and honourable lives. We will not rest until justice reaches every family,” he said. Emphasising that justice extends beyond punishment, Sinha highlighted the importance of healing and restoring dignity. He noted that justice also lies in acknowledging the pain of grieving families and ensuring their stories are remembered. “The stories of terror-victim families, once forgotten, are now being rewritten with renewed memory and honour,” he said. Also Read: NIA raids multiple locations across Kashmir Valley Calling the present moment a “decisive turning point” for Jammu and Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor said that the youth and victim families aspire for a better future, and it is the collective responsibility of society and government to create opportunities for them. In a stern warning to terror networks, Sinha declared that there is no longer any safe haven for terrorists or their supporters in the Union Territory. “Those who shielded terror elements must know that their protection is crumbling. The era of terror is over,” he asserted. He further stated that individuals who were part of the terror ecosystem and had infiltrated government institutions would face strict legal action. According to him, those directly linked to terrorism are being removed from service, while long-neglected victim families are now being supported through government employment. Describing the initiative as more than a policy shift, Sinha called it a “moral declaration” for a new Jammu and Kashmir, one that prioritises justice in action. “This is a clear message that a new order has arrived, one that punishes those tied to terrorism and restores dignity to victims,” he said. The Lieutenant Governor also acknowledged past systemic failures, stating that many victim families had been ignored for decades.

A total of 37 NoKs of terrorism victims received government job letters, while 29 NoKs of government employees who lost their lives in service were also provided appointments.

LG Manoj Sinha hands over jobs to terror victims’ families, vows justice in Jammu and Kashmir

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday conducted multiple raids across various districts of the Kashmir division as part of an ongoing investigation. The searches were carried out in North Kashmir’s Kupwara and Handwara areas, as well as in the Nowgam locality of Srinagar district.Initial reports suggest that the raids, conducted with the support of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and paramilitary forces, are linked to the Delhi Red Fort blast case. Officials have been searching for premises and examining documents and electronic devices, with operations still underway at several locations.Accompanied by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and Jammu and Kashmir Police, NIA teams also carried out early morning searches in Shurat village of Kulgam district and the Guloora area of Handwara in Kupwara.In Kulgam, investigators searched the residence of a local individual, scrutinising documents and electronic devices as part of the ongoing Delhi blast probe. Meanwhile, in Guloora, Handwara, a separate raid was conducted at the residence of an unidentified businessman, reportedly linked to what officials described as the Delhi Red Fort blast case, suggesting possible overlaps in investigations into explosive incidents in the national capital.Sources indicated that documents and electronic gadgets were seized for further examination, though no arrests had been reported at the time of filing this report. The operations highlight the NIA’s expanding presence in the Kashmir Valley amid heightened security concerns and suspected terror linkages to blast cases.

Accompanied by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and Jammu and Kashmir Police, NIA teams also carried out early morning searches in Shurat village of Kulgam district and the Guloora area of Handwara in Kupwara.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday conducted multiple raids across various districts of the Kashmir division as part of an ongoing investigation. The searches were carried out in North Kashmir’s Kupwara and Handwara areas, as well as in the Nowgam locality of Srinagar district. Initial reports suggest that the raids, conducted with the support of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and paramilitary forces, are linked to the Delhi Red Fort blast case. Officials have been searching for premises and examining documents and electronic devices, with operations still underway at several locations. Accompanied by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and Jammu and Kashmir Police, NIA teams also carried out early morning searches in Shurat village of Kulgam district and the Guloora area of Handwara in Kupwara. In Kulgam, investigators searched the residence of a local individual, scrutinising documents and electronic devices as part of the ongoing Delhi blast probe. Meanwhile, in Guloora, Handwara, a separate raid was conducted at the residence of an unidentified businessman, reportedly linked to what officials described as the Delhi Red Fort blast case, suggesting possible overlaps in investigations into explosive incidents in the national capital. Sources indicated that documents and electronic gadgets were seized for further examination, though no arrests had been reported at the time of filing this report. The operations highlight the NIA’s expanding presence in the Kashmir Valley amid heightened security concerns and suspected terror linkages to blast cases.

Accompanied by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and Jammu and Kashmir Police, NIA teams also carried out early morning searches in Shurat village of Kulgam district and the Guloora area of Handwara in Kupwara.&nbsp;

NIA raids multiple locations across Kashmir Valley

Amid the escalated Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, unverified reports circulated on the internet claiming that India paid in Chinese Yuan as a fee to pass an oil tanker through the Strait. The Indian government strictly rejected the claims and warned against fake news circulation amid the sensitive time. This came after multiple accounts on the social media platform claimed that the Indian oil tanker crossed the Strait after payment and that the countries that are paying in the Chinese currency are only getting the permit to pass the Strait.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oil-tanker-with-indian-captain-went-dark-to-cross-high-risk-strait-of-hormuz-reach-mumbai-1773315721972">Oil tanker, with Indian captain, went ‘dark’ to cross high-risk Strait of Hormuz, reach Mumbai</a>&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Fake News Alert! Please stay alert against such false and baseless claims and posts on social media! <a href="https://t.co/3PwAaWp9Bu">pic.twitter.com/3PwAaWp9Bu</a>&mdash; MEA FactCheck (@MEAFactCheck) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAFactCheck/status/2034604040697581677?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The fact-check account of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs shared a few such posts on the fake news and denounced them. The ministry wrote on X, "Fake News Alert! Please stay alert against such false and baseless claims and posts on social media!"&nbsp;Among the shared posts, one was by the Russian TV which wrote, "Reports claim that an Indian oil tanker was reportedly allowed to cross after paying in Chinese Yuan, marking a notable shift in regional trade pr payment practices."<h2>Two Indian tankers pass through Strait</h2>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-s-crude-vessel-reaches-mumbai-port-after-iran-s-nod-two-more-allowed-to-pass-strait-of-hormuz-1773292223873">India's crude vessel reaches Mumbai port after Iran's nod, MEA says 'shipping safety was discussed' in call with Iran FM, Jaishankar</a>&nbsp;Under the watchful eye of the Indian Navy, two Indian-flagged LPG tankers, Jag Vasant and Pine Gas, were reported navigating the high-stakes waters of the Strait of Hormuz on Monday (March 23). Given the escalating regional tensions fueled by the ongoing conflict in West Asia, the Indian Navy has coordinated its movement through this critical maritime chokepoint. Once the vessels exit into the Gulf of Oman, they are scheduled to receive a direct naval escort to ensure their safe arrival.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos. &nbsp;

India's Ministry of External Affairs debunked "fake news" claiming Indian tankers paid Chinese Yuan to transit the Strait of Hormuz, confirming the Navy is safely coordinating vessel movements amid regional tensions.

Amid the escalated Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, unverified reports circulated on the internet claiming that India paid in Chinese Yuan as a fee to pass an oil tanker through the Strait. The Indian government strictly rejected the claims and warned against fake news circulation amid the sensitive time. This came after multiple accounts on the social media platform claimed that the Indian oil tanker crossed the Strait after payment and that the countries that are paying in the Chinese currency are only getting the permit to pass the Strait. Also read: Oil tanker, with Indian captain, went ‘dark’ to cross high-risk Strait of Hormuz, reach Mumbai

India's Ministry of External Affairs debunked "fake news" claiming Indian tankers paid Chinese Yuan to transit the Strait of Hormuz, confirming the Navy is safely coordinating vessel movements amid regional tensions.

'Fake News Alert!': India DID NOT pay in Chinese Yuan for oil tankers to cross Strait of Hormuz

A remarkable wave of public solidarity is sweeping across the Kashmir Valley, where thousands of residents have come forward to donate cash and valuables for the people of Iran in the aftermath of recent conflict in the region.Donation centres have been set up across all districts of the Kashmir division, with many collection points organized in Shia Imam Barah’s. From urban hubs to remote villages, contributions have been pouring in from every nook and corner of the Kashmir Division.Residents including men and women alike have donated generously, offering not only cash and bank cheques but also gold and silver jewellery, copper utensils, and even children’s piggy banks.“People have gathered here in large numbers, and it’s not just the Shia community, the Sunni community is also showing strong support for Iran. This is not about politics; it is purely a humanitarian effort. Many feel that other countries have not done enough, so this is our way of contributing. We may not be able to help in other ways, but through these donations, we want to show that the people of Kashmir stand with the people of Iran.” Said Aiman Zehra, A Local.Many Kashmiris, particularly from the Shia community, cite cultural and religious ties with Iran as a motivating factor. Additionally, the presence of Kashmiri students studying in Iranian institutions has further strengthened these bonds.“We are witnessing an overwhelming response from every corner of the Kashmir Valley. Iran has suffered significant destruction due to the ongoing war, and on humanitarian grounds, we are doing whatever we can from here. Donations are coming in the form of cash, copper items, gold jewellery, and more. Even small children are contributing with their piggy banks. So far, contributions worth around 500 crore Indian rupees have been collected, and the drive is continuing.” Said Kifayat Hussain Khan, A local.Community groups, including members of the Sunni community, have also extended significant support to the initiative. While there are no official figures, organisers estimate that donations could have already reached around 500 crore Indian rupees, with contributions continuing to rise.“Anyone who values humanity will stand with the people of Iran. This is not about divisions between Shia and Sunni communities; we are all coming together for this cause. At this moment, unity matters more than anything else. It is inspiring to see young children bringing their piggy banks to donate. This effort goes beyond any one community; it reflects a collective will to help.”said&nbsp; Irfan Ahmad Gojri, a local.The donation campaign follows a period of unrest in the Valley after the killing of the Supreme Leader of Iran which had triggered widespread protests. Authorities had imposed restrictions in several areas at the time. However, as tensions eased, the focus of public expression appears to have shifted from protests to humanitarian assistance.Organisers say the primary goal of the campaign is to assist civilians affected by the recent conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.The administration issued a document titled "Regulation, Monitoring and Vigilance over the Collection of Donations during the Holy Month of Ramadan-2026." This requires all groups including mosque committees and NGOs to obtain prior permission and provide proper documentation for fund-raising to ensure transparency. &nbsp;

Residents including men and women alike have donated generously, offering not only cash and bank cheques but also gold and silver jewellery, copper utensils, and even children’s piggy banks.

A remarkable wave of public solidarity is sweeping across the Kashmir Valley, where thousands of residents have come forward to donate cash and valuables for the people of Iran in the aftermath of recent conflict in the region. Donation centres have been set up across all districts of the Kashmir division, with many collection points organized in Shia Imam Barah’s. From urban hubs to remote villages, contributions have been pouring in from every nook and corner of the Kashmir Division. Residents including men and women alike have donated generously, offering not only cash and bank cheques but also gold and silver jewellery, copper utensils, and even children’s piggy banks. “People have gathered here in large numbers, and it’s not just the Shia community, the Sunni community is also showing strong support for Iran. This is not about politics; it is purely a humanitarian effort. Many feel that other countries have not done enough, so this is our way of contributing. We may not be able to help in other ways, but through these donations, we want to show that the people of Kashmir stand with the people of Iran.” Said Aiman Zehra, A Local. Many Kashmiris, particularly from the Shia community, cite cultural and religious ties with Iran as a motivating factor. Additionally, the presence of Kashmiri students studying in Iranian institutions has further strengthened these bonds. “We are witnessing an overwhelming response from every corner of the Kashmir Valley. Iran has suffered significant destruction due to the ongoing war, and on humanitarian grounds, we are doing whatever we can from here. Donations are coming in the form of cash, copper items, gold jewellery, and more. Even small children are contributing with their piggy banks. So far, contributions worth around 500 crore Indian rupees have been collected, and the drive is continuing.” Said Kifayat Hussain Khan, A local. Community groups, including members of the Sunni community, have also extended significant support to the initiative. While there are no official figures, organisers estimate that donations could have already reached around 500 crore Indian rupees, with contributions continuing to rise. “Anyone who values humanity will stand with the people of Iran. This is not about divisions between Shia and Sunni communities; we are all coming together for this cause. At this moment, unity matters more than anything else. It is inspiring to see young children bringing their piggy banks to donate. This effort goes beyond any one community; it reflects a collective will to help.”said Irfan Ahmad Gojri, a local. The donation campaign follows a period of unrest in the Valley after the killing of the Supreme Leader of Iran which had triggered widespread protests. Authorities had imposed restrictions in several areas at the time. However, as tensions eased, the focus of public expression appears to have shifted from protests to humanitarian assistance. Organisers say the primary goal of the campaign is to assist civilians affected by the recent conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. The administration issued a document titled "Regulation, Monitoring and Vigilance over the Collection of Donations during the Holy Month of Ramadan-2026." This requires all groups including mosque committees and NGOs to obtain prior permission and provide proper documentation for fund-raising to ensure transparency.

Residents including men and women alike have donated generously, offering not only cash and bank cheques but also gold and silver jewellery, copper utensils, and even children’s piggy banks.

Kashmir valley sees massive public donation drive for Iran amid ongoing conflict

Two Indian-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers, Jag Vasant and Pine Gas, are currently transiting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, with their movements coordinated and guided by the Indian Navy. Upon exiting the Strait into the Gulf of Oman, the vessels are expected to receive direct naval escort to ensure their safe passage, amid heightened regional tensions stemming from the ongoing war in West Asia.The tankers, Jag Vasant and Pine Gas, are carrying substantial cargoes essential for India's domestic LPG supply. Their transit follows a period of disrupted shipping through the strait, where traffic has slowed dramatically due to security risks, with many vessels anchored or delayed in the Persian Gulf.This follows successful passages by other Indian vessels. In mid-March, the LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi crossed the strait, delivering nearly 93,000 metric tonnes of LPG to Indian ports, while the crude oil tanker Jag Laadki also made a safe transit under similar arrangements.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-bahrain-probably-lied-about-iran-drone-attack-it-was-not-the-only-false-flag-diego-garcia-turkey-missile-strikes-could-be-1774248091298">'False flag': Bahrain, Diego Garcia, Turkey attacks were not by Iran?</a>India's efforts reflect intensive high-level diplomacy. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has held multiple phone conversations with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, the fourth such call over the weekend, discussing safe passage for vessels, bilateral ties, and BRICS.Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, conveying greetings on Eid and Nowruz while emphasising the need for freedom of navigation, condemning attacks on critical infrastructure, and urging the establishment of secure shipping lanes through the Gulf.The Strait of Hormuz handles a significant portion of global oil and gas flows, with disruptions contributing to elevated energy prices globally. The free movement has been impacted since the start of the war on 28th February, when the US and Israel attacked Iran, followed by retaliation by the Iranian side.

The Indian Navy is guiding LPG tankers Jag Vasant and Pine Gas as they transit strait of Hormuz. The Navy will later escort them when they are in the Arabian Sea.

Two Indian-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers, Jag Vasant and Pine Gas, are currently transiting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, with their movements coordinated and guided by the Indian Navy. Upon exiting the Strait into the Gulf of Oman, the vessels are expected to receive direct naval escort to ensure their safe passage, amid heightened regional tensions stemming from the ongoing war in West Asia. The tankers, Jag Vasant and Pine Gas, are carrying substantial cargoes essential for India's domestic LPG supply. Their transit follows a period of disrupted shipping through the strait, where traffic has slowed dramatically due to security risks, with many vessels anchored or delayed in the Persian Gulf. This follows successful passages by other Indian vessels. In mid-March, the LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi crossed the strait, delivering nearly 93,000 metric tonnes of LPG to Indian ports, while the crude oil tanker Jag Laadki also made a safe transit under similar arrangements. Also read: 'False flag': Bahrain, Diego Garcia, Turkey attacks were not by Iran? India's efforts reflect intensive high-level diplomacy. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has held multiple phone conversations with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, the fourth such call over the weekend, discussing safe passage for vessels, bilateral ties, and BRICS. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, conveying greetings on Eid and Nowruz while emphasising the need for freedom of navigation, condemning attacks on critical infrastructure, and urging the establishment of secure shipping lanes through the Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz handles a significant portion of global oil and gas flows, with disruptions contributing to elevated energy prices globally. The free movement has been impacted since the start of the war on 28th February, when the US and Israel attacked Iran, followed by retaliation by the Iranian side.

The Indian Navy is guiding LPG tankers Jag Vasant and Pine Gas as they transit strait of Hormuz. The Navy will later escort them, when they are in the Arabian Sea.

Indian Navy guides India-flagged vessels through Strait of Hormuz

The West Asia war has posed unexpected challenges for the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged in his address in the Lok Sabha on Monday (Mar 23). He highlighted the issues surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, stating that it is concerning as it affects India’s trade with other countries. He reiterated that the region fulfils the need for LPG and fuel requirements. He noted, “It is important that a unified voice and consensus reach the world regarding this crisis from parliament.”&nbsp;PM Modi added, “India has extensive trade relations with countries at war and affected by the conflict. The region where the conflict is taking place is also an important route for our trade with other countries around the world, particularly for a large portion of our crude oil and gas needs. This region is also important for us for another reason. Nearly 1 crore Indians live and work in the Gulf countries." He also noted that the commercial ships operate in the region have a huge number of Indian crew members, and "due to these various reasons, India's concerns are naturally greater.”&nbsp;And ever since the war began, over 375,000 Indian nationals have returned home safely. “From Iran, nearly 1,000 Indians have returned safely so far, of which over 700 are medical students,” PM Modi mentioned in his address.&nbsp;The prime minister assured that the “government is making fuel and gas available from all possible sources.”&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/50-of-menu-slashed-90-year-old-ambala-restaurant-retreats-to-bhattis-amid-lpg-crisis-1773405763735">50% of menu slashed: 89-year-old Ambala restaurant retreats to 'bhattis' amid LPG cylinder shortage</a>&nbsp;<h2>PM Modi said…</h2>&nbsp;<h3>On crisis due to Strait of Hormuz</h3>&nbsp;<ul><li>A large quantity of crude oil, gas, fertilisers and many essential items comes to India through the Strait of Hormuz route.</li><li>&nbsp;Since the war began, the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz has become very challenging.&nbsp;</li><li>Government has made efforts to ensure that the supply of petrol, diesel, and gas is not severely impacted.&nbsp;</li></ul>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/strait-of-hormuz-blockade-why-india-s-hospitality-sector-is-facing-a-severe-lpg-shortage-1773196974264">Strait of Hormuz Blockade: Why India’s hospitality sector is facing a severe LPG shortage</a><h3>On LPG</h3><ul><li>India imports 60% of its LPG requirement.&nbsp;</li><li>Due to uncertainty in supply, the government has prioritised domestic LPG consumers.&nbsp;</li><li>Domestic production of LPG is also being increased.&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;The country's mission is to engage with countries and ensure Indian nationals are brought home safely. Necessary advisories are being issued, and 24/7 outreach rooms and emergency helplines have been established.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

PM Modi addresses India's energy security amid the Strait of Hormuz crisis. He assured that the government has activated "all sources" for fuel and gas supply as the trade route blockade continues.

The West Asia war has posed unexpected challenges for the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged in his address in the Lok Sabha on Monday (Mar 23). He highlighted the issues surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, stating that it is concerning as it affects India’s trade with other countries. He reiterated that the region fulfils the need for LPG and fuel requirements. He noted, “It is important that a unified voice and consensus reach the world regarding this crisis from parliament.” PM Modi added, “India has extensive trade relations with countries at war and affected by the conflict. The region where the conflict is taking place is also an important route for our trade with other countries around the world, particularly for a large portion of our crude oil and gas needs. This region is also important for us for another reason. Nearly 1 crore Indians live and work in the Gulf countries." He also noted that the commercial ships operate in the region have a huge number of Indian crew members, and "due to these various reasons, India's concerns are naturally greater.” And ever since the war began, over 375,000 Indian nationals have returned home safely. “From Iran, nearly 1,000 Indians have returned safely so far, of which over 700 are medical students,” PM Modi mentioned in his address. The prime minister assured that the “government is making fuel and gas available from all possible sources.” Also read: 50% of menu slashed: 89-year-old Ambala restaurant retreats to 'bhattis' amid LPG cylinder shortage PM Modi said… On crisis due to Strait of Hormuz A large quantity of crude oil, gas, fertilisers and many essential items comes to India through the Strait of Hormuz route. Since the war began, the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz has become very challenging. Government has made efforts to ensure that the supply of petrol, diesel, and gas is not severely impacted. Also read: Strait of Hormuz Blockade: Why India’s hospitality sector is facing a severe LPG shortage On LPG India imports 60% of its LPG requirement. Due to uncertainty in supply, the government has prioritised domestic LPG consumers. Domestic production of LPG is also being increased. The country's mission is to engage with countries and ensure Indian nationals are brought home safely. Necessary advisories are being issued, and 24/7 outreach rooms and emergency helplines have been established.

PM Modi addresses India's energy security amid the Strait of Hormuz crisis. He assured that the government has activated "all sources" for fuel and gas supply as the trade route blockade continues.

‘Making fuel and gas available from all sources’: PM Modi reviews energy security, trade impact of Hormuz blockade

Domestic air travel is set to become more expensive across India starting March 23, after the government lifted fare caps, allowing airlines to price tickets freely in line with market conditions and rising costs. The move by the&nbsp;Ministry of Civil Aviation&nbsp;marks a return to full deregulation, ending temporary price bands that were introduced to stabilise fares during operational disruptions. With these limits gone, airlines are now expected to gradually increase ticket prices, particularly on high-demand routes.&nbsp;Industry estimates suggest that passengers could see fare hikes ranging from ₹200 to ₹1,500 per ticket, depending on the airline, route and booking window. Sources from IndiGo airline say that it is expected to lead the trend, with fares likely rising between ₹300 and ₹1,200. The airline has already introduced fuel surcharges, and prices on busy metro routes like Delhi–Mumbai and Mumbai–Bengaluru could see sharper increases of up to ₹1,500, especially during peak hours.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-s-free-seat-selection-plan-may-backfire-airlines-warn-passengers-may-still-end-up-paying-more-here-s-how-1774074627634">India's free seat selection plan can backfire! Airlines warn passengers may end up paying more</a>&nbsp;Full-service carrier&nbsp;Air India&nbsp;is also expected to raise fares in the ₹400 to ₹1,500 range. While economy class tickets may see moderate increases, last-minute bookings and business travel segments could witness steeper spikes due to higher demand and premium positioning. Among low-cost carriers,&nbsp;Air India Express&nbsp;is likely to keep hikes relatively modest, in the range of ₹300 to ₹900, at least initially. Similarly,&nbsp;SpiceJet&nbsp;may limit fare increases to ₹200–₹800.&nbsp;Newer entrant&nbsp;Akasa Air&nbsp;is expected to follow a balanced approach, with estimated fare hikes between ₹300 and ₹1,000, aligning with broader market trends while maintaining its growth strategy. Route-wise, short-haul flights under an hour may see smaller increases of ₹200 to ₹500, while metro routes of one to two hours could witness hikes between ₹500 and ₹1,200. However, the biggest impact is likely on last-minute bookings, where fares could surge by ₹1,000 to ₹2,500, particularly during weekends and holiday travel periods.&nbsp;The fare hikes are largely driven by rising aviation turbine fuel (ATF) costs, which account for a significant portion of airline expenses, along with ongoing geopolitical tensions impacting global oil prices. While the government has cautioned airlines against excessive pricing, fares are now expected to fluctuate more sharply based on demand, marking a shift towards a fully market-driven pricing regime for domestic air travel.

India lifts domestic airfare caps today, March 23, 2026. Airlines regain pricing freedom as West Asia war costs push ticket prices up by an estimated Rs1,500.

Domestic air travel is set to become more expensive across India starting March 23, after the government lifted fare caps, allowing airlines to price tickets freely in line with market conditions and rising costs. The move by the Ministry of Civil Aviation marks a return to full deregulation, ending temporary price bands that were introduced to stabilise fares during operational disruptions. With these limits gone, airlines are now expected to gradually increase ticket prices, particularly on high-demand routes. Industry estimates suggest that passengers could see fare hikes ranging from ₹200 to ₹1,500 per ticket, depending on the airline, route and booking window. Sources from IndiGo airline say that it is expected to lead the trend, with fares likely rising between ₹300 and ₹1,200. The airline has already introduced fuel surcharges, and prices on busy metro routes like Delhi–Mumbai and Mumbai–Bengaluru could see sharper increases of up to ₹1,500, especially during peak hours. Also read: India's free seat selection plan can backfire! Airlines warn passengers may end up paying more Full-service carrier Air India is also expected to raise fares in the ₹400 to ₹1,500 range. While economy class tickets may see moderate increases, last-minute bookings and business travel segments could witness steeper spikes due to higher demand and premium positioning. Among low-cost carriers, Air India Express is likely to keep hikes relatively modest, in the range of ₹300 to ₹900, at least initially. Similarly, SpiceJet may limit fare increases to ₹200–₹800. Newer entrant Akasa Air is expected to follow a balanced approach, with estimated fare hikes between ₹300 and ₹1,000, aligning with broader market trends while maintaining its growth strategy. Route-wise, short-haul flights under an hour may see smaller increases of ₹200 to ₹500, while metro routes of one to two hours could witness hikes between ₹500 and ₹1,200. However, the biggest impact is likely on last-minute bookings, where fares could surge by ₹1,000 to ₹2,500, particularly during weekends and holiday travel periods. The fare hikes are largely driven by rising aviation turbine fuel (ATF) costs, which account for a significant portion of airline expenses, along with ongoing geopolitical tensions impacting global oil prices. While the government has cautioned airlines against excessive pricing, fares are now expected to fluctuate more sharply based on demand, marking a shift towards a fully market-driven pricing regime for domestic air travel.

India lifts domestic airfare caps today, March 23, 2026. Airlines regain pricing freedom as West Asia war costs push ticket prices up by an estimated Rs1,500.

Up to Rs1,500 flight ticket hike likely as airlines regain pricing freedom

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on March 22, chaired a meeting with the ministers to take stock of the matter of petroleum, crude oil, gas, power, and fertiliser sector amid the evolving situation in West Asia. The objective of the meeting is to ensure uninterrupted supply, stable logistics, and efficient distribution of essential resources across the country.&nbsp;The Prime Minister, along with other senior ministers maintain a continuous monitoring of the situation in West Asia and the vital maritime choke point Strait of Hormuz to protect consumer and industry interests. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, and other Ministers were also present. Prime Minister Modi, on March 12, described the situation as a &nbsp;“critical test of national character”, underlining the government's effort to manage supply chain disruptions.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/houston-meteor-boom-nasa-fireball-texas-1774175213323">'Black smoke and loud boom': Meteorite crashes through Texas home roof in 'fireball event'</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Indian PM Narendra Modi convened a high-level review meeting in Delhi to assess the impact of the evolving West Asia situation on key sectors, including petroleum, crude oil, natural gas, power, and fertilisers, focusing on preparedness and supply stability (Source: ANI) <a href="https://t.co/sGM3V0WrH9">pic.twitter.com/sGM3V0WrH9</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/2035687152256958949?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The war in West Asia has entered its 23rd day. The total number of casualties varies depending on both sides' reporting, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, and an end to the war seems improbable. Prime Minister Modi on Saturday, March 21, held a conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the occasion of the Persian New Year Nowruz and Eid al-Fitr and urged “freedom of navigation” in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian President, referring to India's current presidency in the BRICS, urged India to play an “independent” role in bringing the attacks by the US and Israel to a halt. The US and Israel have engaged in a war of choice against Iran, without any unified goal.&nbsp;Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also spoke to his Iranian counterpart &nbsp;Abbas Araghchi about the conflict and its “implications for the larger region”. Iran has laid out its demand for the end of the war, not just a ceasefire but guarantees against the recurrence of aggression in the future.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a high-level meeting on Sunday, reviewed India’s oil, gas, and fertiliser supply amid the West Asia war, focusing on Strait of Hormuz disruptions and energy security.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on March 22, chaired a meeting with the ministers to take stock of the matter of petroleum, crude oil, gas, power, and fertiliser sector amid the evolving situation in West Asia. The objective of the meeting is to ensure uninterrupted supply, stable logistics, and efficient distribution of essential resources across the country. The Prime Minister, along with other senior ministers maintain a continuous monitoring of the situation in West Asia and the vital maritime choke point Strait of Hormuz to protect consumer and industry interests. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, and other Ministers were also present. Prime Minister Modi, on March 12, described the situation as a “critical test of national character”, underlining the government's effort to manage supply chain disruptions. Also Read: 'Black smoke and loud boom': Meteorite crashes through Texas home roof in 'fireball event'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a high-level meeting on Sunday, reviewed India’s oil, gas, and fertiliser supply amid the West Asia war, focusing on Strait of Hormuz disruptions and energy security.

PM Narendra Modi holds key meeting to review oil and gas supply amid West Asia war

Four Assam Police commandos were injured after United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent) militants carried out an attack on a police camp in Tinsukia district on Sunday (March 22). The injured personnel were rushed to a hospital in Dibrugarh and are out of danger and in stable condition, AMCH superintendent Dhruvajyoti Bhuyan said.&nbsp;ULFA claimed responsibility for the assault in the Jagun area, saying 'Operation Bujoni' was carried out in retaliation against Assam Police's repeated action against the banned outfit, and alleged drone attacks by the Army on its camps last year.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-shipping-lanes-must-remain-open-pm-modi-speaks-to-iran-president-condemns-attacks-on-critical-infrastructure-1774094866006">‘Shipping lanes must remain open’: PM Modi speaks to Iran president, condemns attacks on critical infrastructure</a>&nbsp;The attack took place around 2 am, when militants allegedly fired multiple rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) shells at the camp, with five of the launched shells exploding. Security personnel stationed at the camp immediately retaliated, leading to a brief exchange of gunfire.&nbsp;In recent years, the group has shifted from large-scale territory control to "hit-and-run" tactics after the central forces' crackdown, including the use of grenades, IEDs, and sophisticated weapons like RPGs.&nbsp;The incident comes as the state is slated for assembly elections on April 9, along with Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry, which will also undergo single-phase polling on the same day.&nbsp;Security forces have intensified patrolling and launched a massive search operation in the surrounding forest areas to track down the attackers.

The incident comes as the state is slated for assembly elections on April 9.

Four Assam Police commandos were injured after United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent) militants carried out an attack on a police camp in Tinsukia district on Sunday (March 22). The injured personnel were rushed to a hospital in Dibrugarh and are out of danger and in stable condition, AMCH superintendent Dhruvajyoti Bhuyan said. ULFA claimed responsibility for the assault in the Jagun area, saying 'Operation Bujoni' was carried out in retaliation against Assam Police's repeated action against the banned outfit, and alleged drone attacks by the Army on its camps last year. Also Read: ‘Shipping lanes must remain open’: PM Modi speaks to Iran president, condemns attacks on critical infrastructure The attack took place around 2 am, when militants allegedly fired multiple rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) shells at the camp, with five of the launched shells exploding. Security personnel stationed at the camp immediately retaliated, leading to a brief exchange of gunfire. In recent years, the group has shifted from large-scale territory control to "hit-and-run" tactics after the central forces' crackdown, including the use of grenades, IEDs, and sophisticated weapons like RPGs. The incident comes as the state is slated for assembly elections on April 9, along with Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry, which will also undergo single-phase polling on the same day. Security forces have intensified patrolling and launched a massive search operation in the surrounding forest areas to track down the attackers.

The incident comes as the state is slated for assembly elections on April 9.

Four Assam police commandos injured in ULFA(I) attack in Tinsukia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday broke the record of longest-serving head of a government in India. He surpassed former Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling in achieving this feat.&nbsp;With 8,931 days in office as head of government covering his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister and as Prime Minister, PM Modi has overtaken Chamling's record of 8,930 days.&nbsp;Modi has also served as the longest-serving Chief Minister of Gujarat and is the Prime Minister with the longest prior experience as a Chief Minister.&nbsp;Born after Independence Modi has led his party to victory in three consecutive Lok Sabha elections in 2014, 2019, and 2024.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-if-you-cannot-keep-your-greenland-just-ask-us-iran-offers-help-amid-war-with-us-1774161369281">'If you cannot keep your Greenland, just ask us': Iran offers help amid war with US</a>&nbsp;In 2014 Modi had reached the milestone of crossing 100 million followers on Instagram. With this he became the first serving world leader to reach this milestone.&nbsp;Over the past years his account has become one of the most engaging digital spaces among global leaders with over 101 million followers on Instagram and more than 106 million followers on X.&nbsp;In October last year, PM Modi won the elections and entered the 25th year of his tenure as Prime Minister of India.&nbsp;Amit Malviya, in-charge of BJP'S National Information and Technology Dept congratulated PM Modi by saying, "This is a rare and remarkable feat, reflecting decades of continuous public service and leadership."&nbsp;(With inputs from ANI)&nbsp;&nbsp;

Modi has also served as the longest-serving Chief Minister of Gujarat and is the Prime Minister with the longest prior experience as a Chief Minister.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday broke the record of longest-serving head of a government in India. He surpassed former Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling in achieving this feat. With 8,931 days in office as head of government covering his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister and as Prime Minister, PM Modi has overtaken Chamling's record of 8,930 days. Modi has also served as the longest-serving Chief Minister of Gujarat and is the Prime Minister with the longest prior experience as a Chief Minister. Born after Independence Modi has led his party to victory in three consecutive Lok Sabha elections in 2014, 2019, and 2024. ALSO READ: 'If you cannot keep your Greenland, just ask us': Iran offers help amid war with US In 2014 Modi had reached the milestone of crossing 100 million followers on Instagram. With this he became the first serving world leader to reach this milestone. Over the past years his account has become one of the most engaging digital spaces among global leaders with over 101 million followers on Instagram and more than 106 million followers on X. In October last year, PM Modi won the elections and entered the 25th year of his tenure as Prime Minister of India. Amit Malviya, in-charge of BJP'S National Information and Technology Dept congratulated PM Modi by saying, "This is a rare and remarkable feat, reflecting decades of continuous public service and leadership." (With inputs from ANI)

Modi has also served as the longest-serving Chief Minister of Gujarat and is the Prime Minister with the longest prior experience as a Chief Minister.

PM Modi breaks record of becoming the longest-serving head of government

The Indian government has increased gas allocation to states and Union Territories to 50 per cent of pre-crisis levels, with an additional 20 per cent supply to be implemented from March 23, according to a communication from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. In a letter to all State and UT Chief Secretaries, Petroleum Secretary Dr Neeraj Mittal said that the enhanced allocation aims to support key sectors, particularly those linked to food supply and public welfare. Offering further respite to commercial establishments running short of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has decided to allocate States an additional 20 per cent &nbsp;of their average monthly requirement of commercial LPG. In simple terms, the government is releasing more cooking gas for businesses (like restaurants and hotels) because the supply shortage is easing up. With more gas available, eateries can operate normally without worrying as much about running out or relying on expensive alternatives. To get this extra gas, businesses are being told they eventually need to switch to piped gas (PNG) instead of relying only on cylinders.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-war-us-lpg-cargo-ship-arrives-in-mangaluru-16-714-tonnes-unloaded-1774149308361">Iran War: US LPG Cargo Ship Arrives In Mangaluru, 16,714 Tonnes Unloaded</a>&nbsp;In a notice on Saturday (March 22), Mittal said, “The supply of LPG continues to be a concern in view of prevailing geopolitical situation. Despite this war situation, Government has given highest priority to Domestic LPG and PNG, along with high priority to hospitals and educational institutions.” The war in West Asia has triggered fears of LPG shortage and disrupted global energy supply chains. “I wish to now inform you that w.e.f 23.3.26 till further notification, another 20% is being allotted to the State, which would take the overall allocation to 50% of the pre-crisis level. The additional allocation of 20% shall be given on priority to the following sectors: restaurants, dhabas, hotels, industrial canteens, food processing/dairy, subsidised canteens/outlets run by state governments or local bodies for food, community kitchens, 5kg FTL for migrant labourers, along with measures to ensure no diversion. The additional quantum is to be allocated on priority basis to restaurants, dhabas, hotels, industrial canteens, food processing units and dairies, subsidised canteens and outlets run privately or by State governments, and community kitchens, as well as 5 kg free trade LPG for migrant labourers,” the notice added. The Ministry also directed placing measures to ensure there are no diversions.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-lpg-situation-is-concerning-government-urges-commercial-consumers-to-switch-to-png-1773742826361">'LPG situation is concerning': Government urges commercial consumers to switch to PNG</a><h3>Push towards PNG to ease pressure</h3>The Union government has recently begun encouraging a transition to PNG, seeking to alleviate some pressure from LPG supplies mired in the Persian Gulf amidst escalating tensions in West Asia. India imports 60 per cent of its overall LPG requirements, of which 90 per cent is routed through the blockaded Strait of Hormuz. Earlier, on March 18, the government had pledged to allocate an extra 10 per cent of commercial LPG requirements to States and Union Territories provided they help with the transition to PNG. City gas distributors have also offered to incentivise the move by waiving security deposits and registration charges, or even promising ₹500-worth of free gas to consumers. According to government data from Friday, the domestic production of LPG by refineries has risen about 40 per cent compared to their production levels before the crisis, ever since supply maintenance orders mandated that refineries use propane, butene and other relevant streams to produce cooking gas, instead of petrochemicals.&nbsp;Meanwhile, a total of two Indian-flagged LPG ships have successfully entered India from the conflict zone since the start of the war. These vessels, owned by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), were part of a larger group of ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz after regional tensions escalated on February 28, 2026.&nbsp;

India has raised LPG allocation to 50% of pre-crisis levels, adding 20% supply from March 23 to ease shortages amid the West Asia war. The government is also pushing a shift to PNG as Strait of Hormuz disruptions impact imports.

The Indian government has increased gas allocation to states and Union Territories to 50 per cent of pre-crisis levels, with an additional 20 per cent supply to be implemented from March 23, according to a communication from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. In a letter to all State and UT Chief Secretaries, Petroleum Secretary Dr Neeraj Mittal said that the enhanced allocation aims to support key sectors, particularly those linked to food supply and public welfare. Offering further respite to commercial establishments running short of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has decided to allocate States an additional 20 per cent of their average monthly requirement of commercial LPG. In simple terms, the government is releasing more cooking gas for businesses (like restaurants and hotels) because the supply shortage is easing up. With more gas available, eateries can operate normally without worrying as much about running out or relying on expensive alternatives. To get this extra gas, businesses are being told they eventually need to switch to piped gas (PNG) instead of relying only on cylinders. Also Read: Iran War: US LPG Cargo Ship Arrives In Mangaluru, 16,714 Tonnes Unloaded In a notice on Saturday (March 22), Mittal said, “The supply of LPG continues to be a concern in view of prevailing geopolitical situation. Despite this war situation, Government has given highest priority to Domestic LPG and PNG, along with high priority to hospitals and educational institutions.” The war in West Asia has triggered fears of LPG shortage and disrupted global energy supply chains. “I wish to now inform you that w.e.f 23.3.26 till further notification, another 20% is being allotted to the State, which would take the overall allocation to 50% of the pre-crisis level. The additional allocation of 20% shall be given on priority to the following sectors: restaurants, dhabas, hotels, industrial canteens, food processing/dairy, subsidised canteens/outlets run by state governments or local bodies for food, community kitchens, 5kg FTL for migrant labourers, along with measures to ensure no diversion. The additional quantum is to be allocated on priority basis to restaurants, dhabas, hotels, industrial canteens, food processing units and dairies, subsidised canteens and outlets run privately or by State governments, and community kitchens, as well as 5 kg free trade LPG for migrant labourers,” the notice added. The Ministry also directed placing measures to ensure there are no diversions. Also Read: 'LPG situation is concerning': Government urges commercial consumers to switch to PNG Push towards PNG to ease pressure The Union government has recently begun encouraging a transition to PNG, seeking to alleviate some pressure from LPG supplies mired in the Persian Gulf amidst escalating tensions in West Asia. India imports 60 per cent of its overall LPG requirements, of which 90 per cent is routed through the blockaded Strait of Hormuz. Earlier, on March 18, the government had pledged to allocate an extra 10 per cent of commercial LPG requirements to States and Union Territories provided they help with the transition to PNG. City gas distributors have also offered to incentivise the move by waiving security deposits and registration charges, or even promising ₹500-worth of free gas to consumers. According to government data from Friday, the domestic production of LPG by refineries has risen about 40 per cent compared to their production levels before the crisis, ever since supply maintenance orders mandated that refineries use propane, butene and other relevant streams to produce cooking gas, instead of petrochemicals. Meanwhile, a total of two Indian-flagged LPG ships have successfully entered India from the conflict zone since the start of the war. These vessels, owned by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), were part of a larger group of ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz after regional tensions escalated on February 28, 2026.

India has raised LPG allocation to 50% of pre-crisis levels, adding 20% supply from March 23 to ease shortages amid the West Asia war. The government is also pushing a shift to PNG as Strait of Hormuz disruptions impact imports.

India’s big relief amid LPG crisis fears: Commercial LPG allocation raised to 50% — What it means

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called on the BRICS bloc of major emerging economies to play an “independent” role in halting the ongoing conflict and aggression against Iran. Pezeshkian said in a telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday that any resolution to the ongoing conflict would require the US and Israel to halt their military actions first, along with firm guarantees to prevent future military strikes against Iran, said a post from Iran’s embassy in India.&nbsp;Pezeshkian referred to India’s rotating presidency of BRICS and called for the group to play an independent role in halting aggressions against Iran and in safeguarding regional and international peace and stability.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Telephone Conversation between President Pezeshkian and the Prime Minister of India Dr. Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, held a telephone conversation on Saturday, 21 March 2026, with Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, during which they discussed… <a href="https://t.co/FFjzPnpe81">pic.twitter.com/FFjzPnpe81</a>&mdash; Iran in India (@Iran_in_India) <a href="https://twitter.com/Iran_in_India/status/2035348460673937418?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-if-america-attacks-pakistan-we-ll-target-delhi-and-mumbai-in-india-says-former-high-commissioner-abdul-basit-1774109240302">‘If America attacks Pakistan, we’ll target Delhi and Mumbai in India,’ says former high commissioner Abdul Basit</a>&nbsp;The Iranian president said an “immediate cessation of aggressions by the US and Israel, along with guarantees against their recurrence in the future,” are the prerequisites for ending the war and preventing a broader catastrophe.&nbsp;<h2>Pezeshkian reiterated willingness to engage in dialogue</h2>&nbsp;Pezeshkian reiterated his country’s willingness to engage in dialogue with global leaders, including on the sidelines of the United Nations, for verification and oversight of its nuclear programme.&nbsp;He also proposed the establishment of a regional security framework composed of countries of West Asia, aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the region through regional cooperation without foreign interference.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-condemns-iran-s-reckless-attacks-on-diego-garcia-terms-them-threat-to-british-interests-and-allies-1774096515620">UK condemns Iran’s ‘reckless attack’ on Diego Garcia, terms it ‘threat to British interests and allies’</a> Conveying Tehran’s position to PM Modi, Pezeshkian said that Iran “did not initiate the war”, alleging that the “aggressor, without any justification, logic, or legal basis, launched military attacks against Iran” even as nuclear negotiations were underway.&nbsp;Pezeshkian also rejected claims by the US that the military action was aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He said that in multiple meetings, “the late Leader of the Islamic Revolution had firmly opposed nuclear weapons and had issued both administrative and religious directives prohibiting any move toward their development.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-india-is-incredible-will-be-next-super-power-says-laura-loomer-in-dramatic-u-turn-after-9-day-visit-1774028096996">‘India is incredible, will be next super power,’ says Laura Loomer in dramatic U-turn after visit</a><h2>Dismisses allegations portraying Iran as source of regional instability</h2>&nbsp;He also dismissed allegations portraying Iran as a source of regional instability, and asserted that Israel has carried out attacks and assassinations “across countries including Lebanon, Gaza, Iran, Iraq and Qatar, under the pretext of maintaining security while fuelling unrest.”&nbsp;It was the second conversation between President Pezeshkian and PM Modi since the conflict started on February 28.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-gives-nod-to-us-use-of-its-bases-for-strikes-on-iranian-sites-targeting-strait-of-hormuz-1774031166591">UK approves US use of its bases for strikes on Iranian sites targeting Strait of Hormuz</a>&nbsp;In a statement, the Iranian embassy in India said, "President of the Islamic Republic of Iran held a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of India, during which they discussed and exchanged views on bilateral relations, as well as regional and international developments in light of the continued military aggressions by the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran.”&nbsp;<h2>‘War serves no one’s interest,’ reiterates PM Modi</h2>&nbsp;Expressing deep concern over the escalating tensions, "PM Modi strongly condemned attacks on energy infrastructure, warning that such actions pose serious risks to global food and energy security, as well as agricultural exports," the release stated. Referring to his ongoing consultations with world leaders, thePrime Minister Modi reiterated that “war serves no one’s interest, and therefore, all parties should move toward peace as soon as possible.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/iranian-man-arrested-while-trying-to-enter-uk-s-nuclear-naval-base-with-woman-1774016970617">Iranian man arrested while trying to enter UK’s nuclear naval base with woman</a>&nbsp;PM Modi also stressed the need to ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz and uphold freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf, given their critical role in global trade and energy supplies.&nbsp;India has stepped up diplomatic engagement with Iran, focusing on ensuring the uninterrupted flow of energy supplies and the safety of key shipping routes.

In the call, the Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said an “immediate cessation of aggressions by the US and Israel, along with guarantees against their recurrence in the future,” are the prerequisites for ending the war and preventing a broader catastrophe.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called on the BRICS bloc of major emerging economies to play an “independent” role in halting the ongoing conflict and aggression against Iran. Pezeshkian said in a telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday that any resolution to the ongoing conflict would require the US and Israel to halt their military actions first, along with firm guarantees to prevent future military strikes against Iran, said a post from Iran’s embassy in India. Pezeshkian referred to India’s rotating presidency of BRICS and called for the group to play an independent role in halting aggressions against Iran and in safeguarding regional and international peace and stability.

In the call, the Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said an “immediate cessation of aggressions by the US and Israel, along with guarantees against their recurrence in the future,” are the prerequisites for ending the war and preventing a broader catastrophe.

‘Halt military action first’: Iran’s president calls on India-chaired BRICS to play role in halting aggression

Pakistan’s former high commissioner to India, Abdul Basit, has raised fresh concerns about regional security even as there is no let-up in tensions amid the ongoing Iran War by stating that Pakistan could strike India if it faces an existential threat from the US. Basit, who served as Islamabad’s top diplomat in New Delhi from 2014 to 2017, made the controversial statement while discussing a hypothetical worst-case scenario.“Let’s say the situation in Iran worsens and Israel positions itself closer to us. Suppose a scenario develops where the United States also views our nuclear programme negatively or attempts to destroy our nuclear capability,” Basit said.“I am talking about a worst-case scenario, something that is among the impossibilities, because Pakistan has the capability to defend itself,” he said, while emphasising that such a scenario was highly unlikely.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-condemns-iran-s-reckless-attacks-on-diego-garcia-terms-them-threat-to-british-interests-and-allies-1774096515620">UK condemns Iran’s ‘reckless attack’ on Diego Garcia, terms it ‘threat to British interests and allies’</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">If America attacks Pakistan We should bomb Delhi, Mumbai 😳 <a href="https://t.co/QInRhjm4Ld">pic.twitter.com/QInRhjm4Ld</a>&mdash; Kreately.in (@KreatelyMedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/KreatelyMedia/status/2035296139705208956?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;Basit argued that if Pakistan were attacked by the United States and were unable to respond directly due to range or operational limitations, India would become the default target.“If the US attacks Pakistan and we cannot reach their bases in the Gulf or strike Israel, then what would be our only option? India,” he said.“We would have nothing else to do. Even if our range does not extend there, if someone casts a hostile eye on us, we would, without hesitation, attack India—Mumbai, New Delhi—we would not hold back.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-india-is-incredible-will-be-next-super-power-says-laura-loomer-in-dramatic-u-turn-after-9-day-visit-1774028096996">‘India is incredible, will be next super power,’ says Laura Loomer in dramatic U-turn after visit</a>&nbsp;“Whatever happens afterward would be dealt with later, and we should not hold back either,” he said, reiterating that such a situation remains unlikely but possible in theory.&nbsp;Basit’s remarks reflect a similar approach to Iran attacking Gulf countries since it cannot target the US due to distance. However, while the Gulf nations being targeted by Tehran have US bases, there is no such military facility of Washington in India, which makes Basit’s suggestion reckless, irresponsible, and provocative.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-gives-nod-to-us-use-of-its-bases-for-strikes-on-iranian-sites-targeting-strait-of-hormuz-1774031166591">UK approves US use of its bases for strikes on Iranian sites targeting Strait of Hormuz</a>&nbsp;Basit’s remarks come after US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said on Wednesday that Pakistan is among the countries that pose the most significant nuclear threats to the United States. “Russia, China, North Korea, and Pakistan pose the biggest nuclear threats to the US," Gabbard told a Senate panel. She also pointed out the growing concerns over missile capabilities being developed by several countries, including Iran.

Pakistan’s former high commissioner Abdul Basit’s remark reflects Iran’s approach of attacking Gulf countries since it cannot target the US due to distance. However, while the Gulf nations being targeted by Tehran have US bases, there is no such military facility of Washington in India.

Pakistan’s former high commissioner to India, Abdul Basit, has raised fresh concerns about regional security even as there is no let-up in tensions amid the ongoing Iran War by stating that Pakistan could strike India if it faces an existential threat from the US. Basit, who served as Islamabad’s top diplomat in New Delhi from 2014 to 2017, made the controversial statement while discussing a hypothetical worst-case scenario. “Let’s say the situation in Iran worsens and Israel positions itself closer to us. Suppose a scenario develops where the United States also views our nuclear programme negatively or attempts to destroy our nuclear capability,” Basit said. “I am talking about a worst-case scenario, something that is among the impossibilities, because Pakistan has the capability to defend itself,” he said, while emphasising that such a scenario was highly unlikely. Also Read: UK condemns Iran’s ‘reckless attack’ on Diego Garcia, terms it ‘threat to British interests and allies’

Pakistan’s former high commissioner Abdul Basit’s remark reflects Iran’s approach of attacking Gulf countries since it cannot target the US due to distance. However, while the Gulf nations being targeted by Tehran have US bases, there is no such military facility of Washington in India.

‘If America attacks Pakistan, we’ll target Delhi and Mumbai in India,’ says former high commissioner Abdul Basit

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ramped up her attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday and called him the “biggest infiltrator” while warning that those targeting her state would “go to hell”. Mamata alleged that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was part of a larger effort to influence next month's elections in Bengal.Addressing worshippers after Eid prayers at Kolkata’s Red Road, the CM described the upcoming assembly elections as a battle to protect democratic rights and Bengal’s plural social fabric.“We will not allow Modi ji and the BJP to take away your voting rights. We will fight till the end,” Banerjee said and told the gathering that she had approached courts from Kolkata to Delhi to challenge the process.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-condemns-iran-s-reckless-attacks-on-diego-garcia-terms-them-threat-to-british-interests-and-allies-1774096515620">UK condemns Iran’s ‘reckless attack’ on Diego Garcia, terms it ‘threat to British interests and allies’</a>&nbsp;“Those who target Bengal will go to hell. PM Modi and his government are the biggest infiltrators,” Mamata said.&nbsp;Illegal immigration has emerged as a hot issue ahead of the Bengal elections, with both PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah saying that large-scale infiltration has altered the demography of Bengal.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Kolkata, West Bengal: After people offered namaz at Red Road, on Eid ul-Fitr, CM Mamata Banerjee says, &quot;...People&#39;s names were deleted in SIR. I went from Kolkata to Delhi, from Calcutta High Court to the Supreme Court for this. I hope that people&#39;s rights are… <a href="https://t.co/y6Spq65OLp">pic.twitter.com/y6Spq65OLp</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2035208263177052604?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;Banerjee used the occasion to highlight her party’s campaign narrative that the BJP was trying to influence the electoral process.&nbsp;The BJP leaders accuse the TMC government of encouraging infiltration from neighbouring Bangladesh to consolidate its minority vote bank.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-india-is-incredible-will-be-next-super-power-says-laura-loomer-in-dramatic-u-turn-after-9-day-visit-1774028096996">‘India is incredible, will be next super power,’ says Laura Loomer in dramatic U-turn after visit</a><h2>‘Those targeting Bengal, trying to divide people should go to hell’</h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;“Those who are targeting Bengal and trying to divide people should go to hell,” she said, drawing loud cheers.&nbsp;“Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians -- everyone lives together in Bengal. We will not allow anyone to break this unity,” Banerjee said.&nbsp;The TMC is seeking a fourth consecutive term in power, while the BJP is attempting to expand its footprint in the state.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-gives-nod-to-us-use-of-its-bases-for-strikes-on-iranian-sites-targeting-strait-of-hormuz-1774031166591">UK approves US use of its bases for strikes on Iranian sites targeting Strait of Hormuz</a>&nbsp;The Muslim electorate, estimated to constitute nearly 30 per cent of Bengal's population, has historically played a crucial role in shaping electoral outcomes in several districts across the state.&nbsp;<h2>‘Lowering the dignity of constitutional offices,’ alleges BJP</h2>&nbsp;The BJP reacted sharply to Banerjee’s remarks, accusing her of lowering the dignity of constitutional offices.“Anyone who calls the prime minister of the country an infiltrator does not deserve to hold a constitutional post. I think she has lost her mind, she should visit Ranchi immediately,” said BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/iranian-man-arrested-while-trying-to-enter-uk-s-nuclear-naval-base-with-woman-1774016970617">Iranian man arrested while trying to enter UK’s nuclear naval base with woman</a>&nbsp;The party also rejected the allegations on voter roll revision and said the exercise was being conducted by the EC to remove duplicate and ineligible names.&nbsp;Bengal assembly elections will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, and the results will be declared on May 4.

Addressing worshippers after Eid prayers, CM Mamata Banerjee described the upcoming assembly elections as a battle to protect democratic rights and Bengal’s plural social fabric. She used the occasion to highlight the narrative that the BJP was trying to influence the electoral process.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ramped up her attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday and called him the “biggest infiltrator” while warning that those targeting her state would “go to hell”. Mamata alleged that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was part of a larger effort to influence next month's elections in Bengal. Addressing worshippers after Eid prayers at Kolkata’s Red Road, the CM described the upcoming assembly elections as a battle to protect democratic rights and Bengal’s plural social fabric. “We will not allow Modi ji and the BJP to take away your voting rights. We will fight till the end,” Banerjee said and told the gathering that she had approached courts from Kolkata to Delhi to challenge the process. Also Read: UK condemns Iran’s ‘reckless attack’ on Diego Garcia, terms it ‘threat to British interests and allies’ “Those who target Bengal will go to hell. PM Modi and his government are the biggest infiltrators,” Mamata said. Illegal immigration has emerged as a hot issue ahead of the Bengal elections, with both PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah saying that large-scale infiltration has altered the demography of Bengal.

Addressing worshippers after Eid prayers, CM Mamata Banerjee described the upcoming assembly elections as a battle to protect democratic rights and Bengal’s plural social fabric. She used the occasion to highlight the narrative that the BJP was trying to influence the electoral process.

‘Modi biggest infiltrator, those who target Bengal will go to hell,’ says Mamata at Eid event

From April 1, 2026, several banks in India will revise their ATM rules that include UPI cash withdrawals in free limits and introductions of a QR-based cash withdrawal system to boost digital access. Check which bank has come with what updates.

New ATM rules from April 1: Key changes every bank customer must know

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday (March 21) and conveyed Nowruz greetings, wishing for "peace, stability and prosperity to West Asia." The talk marks the second conversation between the two leaders since the start of the war on February 28. The Prime Minister also condemned attacks on critical infrastructure and hailed Tehran's support for the safety of Indian nationals in Iran.&nbsp;"Spoke with President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian and conveyed Eid and Nowruz greetings. We expressed hope that this festive season brings peace, stability and prosperity to West Asia," PM Modi posted on X.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-loyal-friend-reliable-partner-putin-reaffirms-russia-s-support-for-iran-in-nowruz-message-1774092465048">‘Loyal friend, reliable partner’: Putin reaffirms Russia’s support for Iran in Nowruz message</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Spoke with President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian and conveyed Eid and Nowruz greetings. We expressed hope that this festive season brings peace, stability and prosperity to West Asia. Condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, which threaten regional stability and…&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/2035304185122697464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He also highlighted the importance of maritime security, particularly commercial vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, reiterating India's stance on safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring that shipping routes remain open and secure amid the tensions.&nbsp;"Condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, which threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains. Reiterated the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring that shipping lanes remain open and secure," the PM wrote in his post.&nbsp;India has ramped up its diplomatic efforts since the start of the war triggered by US-Israeli strikes targeting Iran's top leadership and key nuclear and strategic facilities across the country, leading to the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the opening day of operations.&nbsp;In retaliation, Iran struck US bases across the Gulf region and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for the shipment of 20 per cent of the global oil supply and over 50 per cent of India's energy requirements.&nbsp;The disruption of key maritime routes has heightened concern in New Delhi, with over 20 Indian vessels currently stuck in the Persian Gulf as movement through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely affected.&nbsp;Amid these challenges, two Indian-flagged LPG carriers , Shivalik and Nanda Devi, managed a rare and successful passage through the strait last week, transporting 92,712 metric tonnes of LPG.&nbsp;Earlier this month, PM Modi held a conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, where he raised alarm over the deteriorating regional situation. He underlined concerns about rising tensions, civilian casualties, and damage to critical infrastructure.

The Prime Minister condemned attacks on critical infrastructure and hailed Tehran's support for the safety of Indian nationals in Iran.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday (March 21) and conveyed Nowruz greetings, wishing for "peace, stability and prosperity to West Asia." The talk marks the second conversation between the two leaders since the start of the war on February 28. The Prime Minister also condemned attacks on critical infrastructure and hailed Tehran's support for the safety of Indian nationals in Iran. "Spoke with President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian and conveyed Eid and Nowruz greetings. We expressed hope that this festive season brings peace, stability and prosperity to West Asia," PM Modi posted on X. Also Read: ‘Loyal friend, reliable partner’: Putin reaffirms Russia’s support for Iran in Nowruz message

The Prime Minister condemned attacks on critical infrastructure and hailed Tehran's support for the safety of Indian nationals in Iran.

‘Shipping lanes must remain open’: PM Modi speaks to Iran president, condemns attacks on critical infrastructure

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