Chinese embassy has reportedly sought an urgent meeting with senior Sri Lankan authorities. The move comes after Colombo reportedly saw deferment of the planned docking of high-tech Chinese research vessel Yuan Wang 5.

China seeks urgent meeting over ship docking, Sri Lanka opposes vessel

The satellites launched by the Indian space research organization have been deemed unusable. Despite the successful launch, the mission did not reach its intended destination.

ISRO’s SSLV Mission fails despite successful launch

A US&nbsp;Navy ship named 'Charles Drew' made history on Sunday when it landed in India for repairs and ancillary services at Larsen &amp; Toubro's (L&amp;T) Shipyard in Kattupalli, Chennai. This move added a new facet to the rapidly growing Indo-U.S. strategic cooperation.

“This is the first ever repair of a US&nbsp;Navy ship in India. The U.S. Navy had awarded a contract to L&amp;T’s Shipyard at Kattupalli for undertaking maintenance of the ship. The event signifies the capabilities of Indian shipyards in the global ship repairing market,” a Defence Ministry statement said.&nbsp;

As reported by The Hindu, the USNS Charles Drew will spend 11 days at the Kattupalli shipyard getting various repairs done.

At the India-US&nbsp;2+2 in April, both countries decided to look at the possibility of using Indian shipyards for the upkeep and repair of ships owned by the US Maritime Sealift Command in order to assist with mid-voyage repairs of US&nbsp;naval ships.

J.D. Patil, a member of the executive council and advisor to the CEO of L&amp;T for defence and smart technologies, stated that the Marine Sealift Command of the U.S. Navy had conducted a thorough evaluation of a few Indian shipyards before approving L&amp;T to handle repairs on their vessels. He called this "a recognition for the modern infrastructure at the shipyard built to global standards."

The arrival of the USNS Charles Drew for repairs, according to Defence Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar, is a symbol of a developing Indian shipbuilding industry. He called the occasion a "red-letter day" for the Indian shipbuilding industry and the Indo-US defence cooperation.

India currently has six significant shipyards with a combined annual revenue of around $2 billion. We build ships for purposes other than our own needs. We have a design studio on staff that can create a variety of cutting-edge ships. "A brilliant example of the expansion of the Indian shipbuilding sector is the nation's first indigenous aircraft carrier, Vikrant," he remarked.

Dr. Kumar further argued that India and the US&nbsp;have been developing their relationship on the basis of shared ideals and perspectives about "an open, inclusive, and rule-based order in the Indo-Pacific and rest of the global common systems."

According to Dr. Kumar, India will design and develop its first large-scale marine diesel engine over the next two to three years.

He said that a decision had been made to expand the capabilities of naval shipyards and that marine diesel engines of six megawatts and more will be designed and manufactured in India, marking a significant stride toward shipbuilding activities.

The Indian Navy will issue a request for proposals in this respect. The decision to create the diesel marine engine under the "make-one" approach, in which the government contributes 70% of the project cost for the design and development of the engine, has been made, he continued.

From August 7 to August 17, the USNS Charles Drew ship will be in the port for repairs.

According to Judith Ravin, the US Consul General in Chennai, "US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin restated their commitment to explore using Indian shipyards for repairs on US Navy vessels at the US-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in April.

The L&amp;T Kattupalli shipyard's first repair of a United States Navy ship, the Charles Drew, is a significant accomplishment that should be recognised as a testament to our deepened collaboration between the two countries.

The Voyage Repair Availability (VRS) of USNS Charles Drew at L&amp;T Kattupalli, according to Vice Chief of Naval Staff S.N. Ghormade, "shows the kind of mutual trust and also consolidates our role as a significant defence partner." This significant step between India and the US would improve maritime cooperation as well.

According to Dr. Kumar, the Indo-US Defense partnership has made considerable strides in the recent few years. "We have seen a huge amount of traction in the defence industry cooperation. India's defence exports have increased significantly since the&nbsp;&nbsp;last four to five years.&nbsp;

Exports have increased dramatically from 2015–2016 to the present. The US is a major market for Indian goods. This shipbuilding project opens a new section of defence exports. This is a further indication of the shipbuilding industry's maturation, he continued.

(With inputs from The Hindu)

A US Navy ship named 'Charles Drew' made history on Sunday when it landed in India for repairs and ancillary services at Larsen & Toubro's (L&T) Shipyard in Kattupalli, Chennai.

A US Navy ship named 'Charles Drew' made history on Sunday when it landed in India for repairs and ancillary services at Larsen & Toubro's (L&T) Shipyard in Kattupalli, Chennai. This move added a new facet to the rapidly growing Indo-U.S. strategic cooperation. “This is the first ever repair of a US Navy ship in India. The U.S. Navy had awarded a contract to L&T’s Shipyard at Kattupalli for undertaking maintenance of the ship. The event signifies the capabilities of Indian shipyards in the global ship repairing market,” a Defence Ministry statement said. As reported by The Hindu, the USNS Charles Drew will spend 11 days at the Kattupalli shipyard getting various repairs done. At the India-US 2+2 in April, both countries decided to look at the possibility of using Indian shipyards for the upkeep and repair of ships owned by the US Maritime Sealift Command in order to assist with mid-voyage repairs of US naval ships. J.D. Patil, a member of the executive council and advisor to the CEO of L&T for defence and smart technologies, stated that the Marine Sealift Command of the U.S. Navy had conducted a thorough evaluation of a few Indian shipyards before approving L&T to handle repairs on their vessels. He called this "a recognition for the modern infrastructure at the shipyard built to global standards." The arrival of the USNS Charles Drew for repairs, according to Defence Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar, is a symbol of a developing Indian shipbuilding industry. He called the occasion a "red-letter day" for the Indian shipbuilding industry and the Indo-US defence cooperation. India currently has six significant shipyards with a combined annual revenue of around $2 billion. We build ships for purposes other than our own needs. We have a design studio on staff that can create a variety of cutting-edge ships. "A brilliant example of the expansion of the Indian shipbuilding sector is the nation's first indigenous aircraft carrier, Vikrant," he remarked. Dr. Kumar further argued that India and the US have been developing their relationship on the basis of shared ideals and perspectives about "an open, inclusive, and rule-based order in the Indo-Pacific and rest of the global common systems." According to Dr. Kumar, India will design and develop its first large-scale marine diesel engine over the next two to three years. He said that a decision had been made to expand the capabilities of naval shipyards and that marine diesel engines of six megawatts and more will be designed and manufactured in India, marking a significant stride toward shipbuilding activities. The Indian Navy will issue a request for proposals in this respect. The decision to create the diesel marine engine under the "make-one" approach, in which the government contributes 70% of the project cost for the design and development of the engine, has been made, he continued. From August 7 to August 17, the USNS Charles Drew ship will be in the port for repairs. According to Judith Ravin, the US Consul General in Chennai, "US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin restated their commitment to explore using Indian shipyards for repairs on US Navy vessels at the US-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in April. The L&T Kattupalli shipyard's first repair of a United States Navy ship, the Charles Drew, is a significant accomplishment that should be recognised as a testament to our deepened collaboration between the two countries. The Voyage Repair Availability (VRS) of USNS Charles Drew at L&T Kattupalli, according to Vice Chief of Naval Staff S.N. Ghormade, "shows the kind of mutual trust and also consolidates our role as a significant defence partner." This significant step between India and the US would improve maritime cooperation as well. According to Dr. Kumar, the Indo-US Defense partnership has made considerable strides in the recent few years. "We have seen a huge amount of traction in the defence industry cooperation. India's defence exports have increased significantly since the last four to five years. Exports have increased dramatically from 2015–2016 to the present. The US is a major market for Indian goods. This shipbuilding project opens a new section of defence exports. This is a further indication of the shipbuilding industry's maturation, he continued. (With inputs from The Hindu)

In a first, US navy ship docks in India for repairs

Sri Lanka has asked China to defer the planned visit of a Chinese survey ship to the island country after an objection from India, a government source stated on Sunday.

Sri Lanka objects Chinese vessel arrival after India raises concern

India has successfully launched its small satellite launch vehicle (SSLV). Mission marks 75 years of India's independence. With the launch, India has entered the small satellite launch market.

ISRO successfully launches SSLV as India enters the small satellite launch market

Jagdeep Dhankar has been elected as the 14th Vice President of the country. Dhankar, a former governor of West Bengal and the National Democratic Alliances or the NDA's pick defeated opposition nominee Margaret Alva.

Former West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar becomes India's 14th Vice President

India has launched its small satellite launch vehicle. Mission marks 75 years of India's independence. Watch this special report.

India enters the small satellite launch market with the successful launch of ISRO's SSLV

India enters small satellite launch market as ISRO launches its small satellite launch vehicle

Let us take a look at stories generating interest across WION's social media channels.

Trending On WION: Indian ace boxer Amit Panghal clinches an elusive gold medal at CWG 2022

India is all set to launch its small satellite launch vehicle. Mission will mark 75 years of India's independence. Watch this special report.

A new feather in ISRO's hat as India is all set to launch its small satellite launch vehicle

ISRO is all set to launch SSLV today. Mission will mark 75 years of India's independence. For more details on the mission, ISRO Chairman speaks to WION.

ISRO is all set to launch SSLV: Mission marks 75 years of India's independence

The satellites launched by the Indian space research organization have been deemed unusable. The maiden small satellite launch vehicle that was carrying the satellites lifted off smoothly from the launch pad but the mission did not reach its intended destination.

India's newly launched satellites deviated from circular orbit

India and the US are all set to hold the 18th edition of War games which is a series of military exercises that includes participation of troops from both the countries. The military drills will be held in mid-October.

India, US to carry out mega military exercise; Joint drills to take part near LAC

The world's top exporter of rice India has been hit by patchy rains. A fall in rice production is expected to raise food prices. Watch this report.

The world's top exporter of rice India hit by patchy rains; Fall in production to raise food prices

India's RBI hiked key lending rates by 50 basis points to tame the rising inflation. Will it be enough to control the spiraling cost-of-living crisis? How does India's economic situation compare with the world? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: India's RBI hikes key interest rates

The relations between Afghanistan and India have been frozen since the Taliban took control in Kabul last year. However, there seems to be some progress in the relations between the two nations, with Afghanistan and India resuming flights.

Flight between Afghanistan and India resume

About 3 years ago, on the 5th of August, 2019, the government of India scrapped Article 370 which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Years later, the situation of the people of the valley has transformed greatly, witnessing an all-round development.

J&K valley witnesses all-round development

In order to break the dominance and reduce dependence on China in mining and processing rare earth minerals, the United States recently announced the formation of a global alliance called the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP).&nbsp;

Apart from the US, the other countries to have joined this partnership are: Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Sweden, the UK, and the European Commission.

The partnership was announced at the world’s largest mining event, held in Toronto in June.&nbsp;

“Demand for critical minerals, which are essential for clean energy and other technologies, is projected to expand significantly in the coming decades. The MSP will help catalyse investment from governments and the private sector for strategic opportunities — across the full value chain — that adhere to the highest environmental, social, and governance standards,” the US State Department said in a statement issued on June 14.

However, as per reports, there have been growing concerns in India over being left out of the US-led partnership that seeks to end dependency on China. And New Delhi’s apprehension is quite justified given that the country has been pushing for EV and electronics, for which rare earth minerals are needed.

What is MSP?

Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) is an ambitious new alliance formed by the US to secure supply chains of critical minerals. It comes in the backdrop of recorded demand for critical minerals, which are essential for&nbsp;clean energy&nbsp;and other technologies.

The goal of the alliance is to ensure that critical minerals are produced, processed, and recycled&nbsp;in a manner that supports the ability of countries to realise the full economic development benefit of their geological endowments.

The focus would be on the supply chains of minerals such as&nbsp;Cobalt, Nickel, Lithium&nbsp;and also the 17 “rare earth” minerals.

What is a critical mineral?

There is no global definition of critical minerals, but essentially, they are mineral deposits with high economic vulnerability and high global supply chain risk.

Rare earth (RE) comprises seventeen elements and are classified as light RE elements (LREE) and heavy RE elements (HREE).

There is an immense range of these of course and many countries already have their own specific lists of what they currently consider critical minerals – depending on their industrial production requirements.

But globally, there is a gap between projected supply and projected demand for many critical minerals by the end of this decade, especially in cobalt and lithium.

What are major critical minerals?

The major critical minerals are Graphite, Lithium and Cobalt. They are used for making EV batteries and are also critical for making semiconductors and high-end electronics manufacturing.

These minerals are also used in manufacturing fighter jets,&nbsp;drones,&nbsp;radio sets&nbsp;and other critical equipment, hence it is critical for aerospace, communications and defence industries.

Who are the top producers of critical minerals?

According to a report released by the International Energy Agency in 2021 and subsequently updated in March 2022, the major producers of critical minerals globally are Chile, Indonesia, Congo, China, Australia and South Africa.

In terms of processing, China rules the roost. While others include Indonesia, Chile and Japan.

Notably, none of these countries, except Japan and Australia, are represented in the MSP.

India’s concerns

Some of the rare earth elements available India are: Lanthanum, Cerium, Neodymium, Praseodymium and Samarium. While others classified as heavy RE elements such as Dysprosium, Terbium, Europium are not available in extractable quantity.

India relies heavily on China for HREE, which is one of the leading producers with an estimated 70 per cent of the global production.

Hence, there is a lot at stake for India. Which is why Union Finance Ministry, according to The Indian Express, have reportedly communicated with the Ministry of External Affairs to explore the possibility of how New Delhi can join the 11-member group.

(With inputs from agencies)

In order to break the dominance and reduce dependence on China in mining and processing rare earth minerals, the United States recently announced the formation of a global alliance called the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP).

In order to break the dominance and reduce dependence on China in mining and processing rare earth minerals, the United States recently announced the formation of a global alliance called the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP). Apart from the US, the other countries to have joined this partnership are: Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Sweden, the UK, and the European Commission. The partnership was announced at the world’s largest mining event, held in Toronto in June. “Demand for critical minerals, which are essential for clean energy and other technologies, is projected to expand significantly in the coming decades. The MSP will help catalyse investment from governments and the private sector for strategic opportunities — across the full value chain — that adhere to the highest environmental, social, and governance standards,” the US State Department said in a statement issued on June 14. However, as per reports, there have been growing concerns in India over being left out of the US-led partnership that seeks to end dependency on China. And New Delhi’s apprehension is quite justified given that the country has been pushing for EV and electronics, for which rare earth minerals are needed. What is MSP? Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) is an ambitious new alliance formed by the US to secure supply chains of critical minerals. It comes in the backdrop of recorded demand for critical minerals, which are essential for clean energy and other technologies. The goal of the alliance is to ensure that critical minerals are produced, processed, and recycled in a manner that supports the ability of countries to realise the full economic development benefit of their geological endowments. The focus would be on the supply chains of minerals such as Cobalt, Nickel, Lithium and also the 17 “rare earth” minerals. What is a critical mineral? There is no global definition of critical minerals, but essentially, they are mineral deposits with high economic vulnerability and high global supply chain risk. Rare earth (RE) comprises seventeen elements and are classified as light RE elements (LREE) and heavy RE elements (HREE). There is an immense range of these of course and many countries already have their own specific lists of what they currently consider critical minerals – depending on their industrial production requirements. But globally, there is a gap between projected supply and projected demand for many critical minerals by the end of this decade, especially in cobalt and lithium. What are major critical minerals? The major critical minerals are Graphite, Lithium and Cobalt. They are used for making EV batteries and are also critical for making semiconductors and high-end electronics manufacturing. These minerals are also used in manufacturing fighter jets, drones, radio sets and other critical equipment, hence it is critical for aerospace, communications and defence industries. Who are the top producers of critical minerals? According to a report released by the International Energy Agency in 2021 and subsequently updated in March 2022, the major producers of critical minerals globally are Chile, Indonesia, Congo, China, Australia and South Africa. In terms of processing, China rules the roost. While others include Indonesia, Chile and Japan. Notably, none of these countries, except Japan and Australia, are represented in the MSP. India’s concerns Some of the rare earth elements available India are: Lanthanum, Cerium, Neodymium, Praseodymium and Samarium. While others classified as heavy RE elements such as Dysprosium, Terbium, Europium are not available in extractable quantity. India relies heavily on China for HREE, which is one of the leading producers with an estimated 70 per cent of the global production. Hence, there is a lot at stake for India. Which is why Union Finance Ministry, according to The Indian Express, have reportedly communicated with the Ministry of External Affairs to explore the possibility of how New Delhi can join the 11-member group. (With inputs from agencies)

What is Minerals Security Partnership that seeks to end China's dominance and why is India keen to join it?

How will the escalation in the Taiwan Straits impact China's border standoff with India? Palki Sharma brings you an assessment.

Gravitas: China's Taiwan drills: The message for India

While the world powers are reacting strongly against China's aggressive stance in the Taiwan strait post US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the region, India has maintained a studied silence on the situation. What is India's stand on the Taiwan crisis? Does it still follow the One China Policy?

What is India's stand on the Taiwan crisis?

Sixty-five-year-old Om Prakash — also known as Pasha – was having a normal day. He was at his house preparing for a role in an upcoming regional Hindi film when suddenly, the police from northern Haryana state came knocking on his doors for a murder he allegedly committed around 30 years ago.

For nearly three decades, Om Prakash — an ex-Indian Army soldier who is charged with alleged robbery and murder—had been living right under the nose of the police. Having settled in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh state, he married a local woman and had three kids. For 15 years, he has been working in regional films. Ironically, he has also played the role of a police constable in one of the films.

But then his luck ran out after police finally got hold of the frail 65-year-old from his home in a slum in Ghaziabad city, Uttar Pradesh.

Om Prakash took the life of crime in the mid-and late-80s when he used to steal cars and two-wheelers. After being jailed and subsequently released, he joined the Indian Army. But in 1988, he was dismissed for being absent from duty after 12 years of service.

On January 15, 1992, Omprakash and his aide allegedly stabbed a motorcyclist to death during a robbery bid in Haryana’s Bhiwani. After the murder, he went off the radar and started a “new life”, surviving on odd jobs, including acting gigs in regional films. According to police, he has so far acted in 28 films.

With no sight of him, the case was considered good to be shut, until a Special Task Force in Haryana began probing wanted criminals in Haryana who had disappeared. And among the names that cropped up was Om Prakash.

The police also put him on their "most wanted" criminals list and put a bounty of 25,000 rupees ($315) for information on his whereabouts.

Police say that Om Prakash made one fatal error that led to his undoing—all of his new documents had his and his father's real names.

Around two months ago, the cops caught a whiff of him when Om Prakash made a WhatsApp call to his brother in Panipat. Once the force traced his number, they were able to track his location.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Sixty-five-year-old Om Prakash — also known as Pasha – was having a normal day. He was at his house preparing for a role in an upcoming regional Hindi film when suddenly, the police from northern Haryana state came knocking on his doors for a murder he allegedly committed around 30 years ago.

Sixty-five-year-old Om Prakash — also known as Pasha – was having a normal day. He was at his house preparing for a role in an upcoming regional Hindi film when suddenly, the police from northern Haryana state came knocking on his doors for a murder he allegedly committed around 30 years ago. For nearly three decades, Om Prakash — an ex-Indian Army soldier who is charged with alleged robbery and murder—had been living right under the nose of the police. Having settled in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh state, he married a local woman and had three kids. For 15 years, he has been working in regional films. Ironically, he has also played the role of a police constable in one of the films. But then his luck ran out after police finally got hold of the frail 65-year-old from his home in a slum in Ghaziabad city, Uttar Pradesh. Om Prakash took the life of crime in the mid-and late-80s when he used to steal cars and two-wheelers. After being jailed and subsequently released, he joined the Indian Army. But in 1988, he was dismissed for being absent from duty after 12 years of service. On January 15, 1992, Omprakash and his aide allegedly stabbed a motorcyclist to death during a robbery bid in Haryana’s Bhiwani. After the murder, he went off the radar and started a “new life”, surviving on odd jobs, including acting gigs in regional films. According to police, he has so far acted in 28 films. With no sight of him, the case was considered good to be shut, until a Special Task Force in Haryana began probing wanted criminals in Haryana who had disappeared. And among the names that cropped up was Om Prakash. The police also put him on their "most wanted" criminals list and put a bounty of 25,000 rupees ($315) for information on his whereabouts. Police say that Om Prakash made one fatal error that led to his undoing—all of his new documents had his and his father's real names. Around two months ago, the cops caught a whiff of him when Om Prakash made a WhatsApp call to his brother in Panipat. Once the force traced his number, they were able to track his location. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Once murderer, now actor: How India’s ‘most wanted’ criminal was arrested after 30 years

On Wednesday, the Indian&nbsp;government turned two of the noteworthy&nbsp;pledges made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the climate change conference in Glasgow last year into formal targets that will now be a part of India's international climate commitments for 2030.

These two pledges, which are both improvements of current goals, have been added to India's NDC, or nationally determined commitments, and will be presented to the UN climate committee. According to the 2015 Paris Agreement, each nation must set its own climate goals, which must be gradually modified every few years with increasingly challenging ones. In 2015, just before the Paris Agreement was finalised, India submitted its first NDC.

The original India NDC had three primary goals for 2030:

- A minimum of 40% of all energy generation must come from non-fossil renewable sources, down from 2005 levels.

- A reduction of 33% to 35% in emissions intensity (or emissions per unit of GDP).

- Increasing the amount of forest cover would add 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent to the global carbon sink.

PM Modi pledged to make India's climate pledges stronger at the Glasgow gathering last year. He made five promises and referred to it as the "Panchamrit," the Indian nectar produced from five different ingredients. Two of these included an upward revision of current targets, the ones that were included in the revised NDC on Wednesday and were given formal status.

Accordingly,

- Instead of just 33 to 35%, India will now lower its emission intensity from 2005 levels by at least 45% by 2030.

- By 2030, it would also guarantee that at least 50%, not merely 40%, of the electricity it generates will originate from renewable sources.

- The forestry goal remains unattained.

In addition to this, Modi had stated that by 2030, India's installed electricity generation capacity would be based on non-fossil fuel sources to the extent of at least 500 GW. Additionally, he had pledged that between now and 2030, the nation will guarantee that at least one billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent would not be emitted.

These two commitments have not been formalised as goals. However, they are interconnected with other objectives, so any advancements made toward official targets would also have an impact on these objectives.

Furthermore, Modi set a net zero objective for India for the year 2070. In a situation known as "net zero," all of a nation's greenhouse gas emissions are physically removed from the atmosphere using cutting-edge technologies, or they are absorbed naturally through processes such as photosynthesis in plants.

Net zero, however, is a long-term goal and is not acceptable for the NDC, which asks nations to submit climate targets for the next five to ten years.

India's development

The two climate targets, which deal with reducing emissions intensity and increasing the share of non-fossil fuels in energy generation, have been revised upward. India will accomplish its current goals years before the deadline of 2030.

India's emissions intensity was 24% lower in 2016 than it was in 2005, the most recent year for which data is officially available. The 33 to 35 percent reduction goal has either already been attained or is very close to being so. Even though these reductions get harder to achieve, a further decrease of 10–12% from here to fulfil the new target does not seem too difficult.

The other objective, which called for at least 40% of electricity to come from non-fossil fuels, has now been accomplished. The power ministry's most recent statistics show that non-fossil fuels now account for 41.5% of India's 403 GW installed electricity capacity. Hydropower makes up over 11% of this capacity, while renewable energy sources including wind, solar, and others make up over 28%.

A 10% increase in the percentage of non-fossil fuels used to generate electricity is not an impossible goal given that the majority of new capacity additions are occurring in the renewable energy sector.

PM Modi's promises at Glasgow - A slippery slope

Modi made two pledges in Glasgow that haven't been turned into official goals. India's non-fossil fuel electricity generation capacity would reach 500 GW in 2030, according to the prime minister. Additionally, he had stated that between now and 2030, India would reduce its net projected emissions by at least one billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

These two pledges were both tough. It is challenging to reach the 2030 non-fossil fuel electricity capacity objective of 500 GW. Over 236 GW, or 58.5 percent, of the current installed capacity of 403 GW comes from fossil fuel sources, while non-fossil fuels, which comprise not just renewable energy sources like solar and wind but also hydropower, nuclear power, and other sources, make up only 167 GW.

To accomplish the 500 GW goal, non-fossil capacity additions would need to treble in the following ten years.

The total installed electrical capacity has increased significantly over the past ten years (from 199 GW in 2012 to 403 GW now), but this is due to a variety of factors. While installed capacity from fossil fuels has doubled during this time, renewable energy has witnessed a remarkable development.

Even more troublesome was the pledge to cut at least one billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent from total estimated emissions through 2030. It was also the least clear target. It was the first time India had set a climate goal based on an absolute decrease in emissions.

But it appears that little planning went into its announcement. India's emissions for 2030 are not officially projected. The trajectory of emissions from now to 2030 is likewise unclear. The aim would have had no purpose without a baseline.

India's annual forecasts are anticipated to increase from over 3.3 billion tonnes in 2018 to approximately 4 billion tonnes by 2030, according to certain estimates. Thus, by the year 2030, India may have produced anywhere from 35 to 40 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. One billion tonnes less from this would be a reduction of 2.5 to 3%. Some government representatives contend that if India meets its stated goals, the benefits in terms of emissions saved could be far greater than one billion tonnes.

The revised NDC also clarifies some of the ambiguity that had resulted from the Prime Minister's remarks in Glasgow. The words "energy" and "renewables" were interchanged in the written speech for "electricity" and "non-fossil energy sources," respectively.

(With inputs from the Indian Express)

On Wednesday, the Indian government turned two of the noteworthy pledges made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the climate change conference in Glasgow last year into formal targets that will now be a part of India's international climate commitments for 2030.

On Wednesday, the Indian government turned two of the noteworthy pledges made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the climate change conference in Glasgow last year into formal targets that will now be a part of India's international climate commitments for 2030. These two pledges, which are both improvements of current goals, have been added to India's NDC, or nationally determined commitments, and will be presented to the UN climate committee. According to the 2015 Paris Agreement, each nation must set its own climate goals, which must be gradually modified every few years with increasingly challenging ones. In 2015, just before the Paris Agreement was finalised, India submitted its first NDC. The original India NDC had three primary goals for 2030: - A minimum of 40% of all energy generation must come from non-fossil renewable sources, down from 2005 levels. - A reduction of 33% to 35% in emissions intensity (or emissions per unit of GDP). - Increasing the amount of forest cover would add 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent to the global carbon sink. PM Modi pledged to make India's climate pledges stronger at the Glasgow gathering last year. He made five promises and referred to it as the "Panchamrit," the Indian nectar produced from five different ingredients. Two of these included an upward revision of current targets, the ones that were included in the revised NDC on Wednesday and were given formal status. Accordingly, - Instead of just 33 to 35%, India will now lower its emission intensity from 2005 levels by at least 45% by 2030. - By 2030, it would also guarantee that at least 50%, not merely 40%, of the electricity it generates will originate from renewable sources. - The forestry goal remains unattained. In addition to this, Modi had stated that by 2030, India's installed electricity generation capacity would be based on non-fossil fuel sources to the extent of at least 500 GW. Additionally, he had pledged that between now and 2030, the nation will guarantee that at least one billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent would not be emitted. These two commitments have not been formalised as goals. However, they are interconnected with other objectives, so any advancements made toward official targets would also have an impact on these objectives. Furthermore, Modi set a net zero objective for India for the year 2070. In a situation known as "net zero," all of a nation's greenhouse gas emissions are physically removed from the atmosphere using cutting-edge technologies, or they are absorbed naturally through processes such as photosynthesis in plants. Net zero, however, is a long-term goal and is not acceptable for the NDC, which asks nations to submit climate targets for the next five to ten years. India's development The two climate targets, which deal with reducing emissions intensity and increasing the share of non-fossil fuels in energy generation, have been revised upward. India will accomplish its current goals years before the deadline of 2030. India's emissions intensity was 24% lower in 2016 than it was in 2005, the most recent year for which data is officially available. The 33 to 35 percent reduction goal has either already been attained or is very close to being so. Even though these reductions get harder to achieve, a further decrease of 10–12% from here to fulfil the new target does not seem too difficult. The other objective, which called for at least 40% of electricity to come from non-fossil fuels, has now been accomplished. The power ministry's most recent statistics show that non-fossil fuels now account for 41.5% of India's 403 GW installed electricity capacity. Hydropower makes up over 11% of this capacity, while renewable energy sources including wind, solar, and others make up over 28%. A 10% increase in the percentage of non-fossil fuels used to generate electricity is not an impossible goal given that the majority of new capacity additions are occurring in the renewable energy sector. PM Modi's promises at Glasgow - A slippery slope Modi made two pledges in Glasgow that haven't been turned into official goals. India's non-fossil fuel electricity generation capacity would reach 500 GW in 2030, according to the prime minister. Additionally, he had stated that between now and 2030, India would reduce its net projected emissions by at least one billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. These two pledges were both tough. It is challenging to reach the 2030 non-fossil fuel electricity capacity objective of 500 GW. Over 236 GW, or 58.5 percent, of the current installed capacity of 403 GW comes from fossil fuel sources, while non-fossil fuels, which comprise not just renewable energy sources like solar and wind but also hydropower, nuclear power, and other sources, make up only 167 GW. To accomplish the 500 GW goal, non-fossil capacity additions would need to treble in the following ten years. The total installed electrical capacity has increased significantly over the past ten years (from 199 GW in 2012 to 403 GW now), but this is due to a variety of factors. While installed capacity from fossil fuels has doubled during this time, renewable energy has witnessed a remarkable development. Even more troublesome was the pledge to cut at least one billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent from total estimated emissions through 2030. It was also the least clear target. It was the first time India had set a climate goal based on an absolute decrease in emissions. But it appears that little planning went into its announcement. India's emissions for 2030 are not officially projected. The trajectory of emissions from now to 2030 is likewise unclear. The aim would have had no purpose without a baseline. India's annual forecasts are anticipated to increase from over 3.3 billion tonnes in 2018 to approximately 4 billion tonnes by 2030, according to certain estimates. Thus, by the year 2030, India may have produced anywhere from 35 to 40 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. One billion tonnes less from this would be a reduction of 2.5 to 3%. Some government representatives contend that if India meets its stated goals, the benefits in terms of emissions saved could be far greater than one billion tonnes. The revised NDC also clarifies some of the ambiguity that had resulted from the Prime Minister's remarks in Glasgow. The words "energy" and "renewables" were interchanged in the written speech for "electricity" and "non-fossil energy sources," respectively. (With inputs from the Indian Express)

EXPLAINER: India is stepping up its climate goals; A look at the results so far and what's new

India's biggest airline IndiGo said on Wednesday the wait for new planes was limiting its growth during a strong pick-up in demand for air travel as pandemic restrictions are lifted. SpcieJet is also exploring the possibility of stake sale.

SpiceJet explores possibility of stake sale

An official request letter has been sent to Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar, urging his intervention in repatriating eight Indian fishermen stranded in Oman. Hailing from Kanyakumari, the southernmost district of India, the group of fishermen had gone to Oman around four months ago on a work visa. However, they haven't been paid their salaries since their month of arrival and their visa sponsor is said to have been unresponsive.

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8 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/indian?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#indian</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fishermen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#fishermen</a> from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tamilnadu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#tamilnadu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kanyakumari?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kanyakumari</a> are stranded in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/oman?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#oman</a> , without wages for 4months. They are not in possession of passports, owner is said to demand Rs.1.1lakh for releasing the passport 
 
They plead for repatriation 
 
Now <a href="https://twitter.com/annamalai_k?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@annamalai_k</a> has penned <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrSJaishankar</a> <a href="https://t.co/LEOxg8TpoD">pic.twitter.com/LEOxg8TpoD</a>
— Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sdhrthmp/status/1555148672652156928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
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"We came to Oman from Kanyakumari, it's been four months since we came here and we worked for two months. On request the owner to pay us our salary, he didn't do it. We don't have food or groceries and the owner hasn't met us in two months. When we approached the (Indian) embassy, they asked for our passport, but our passport is held by the owner and he is demanding over $1400 (Rs 110,000) to release our passport" the fishermen are seen saying in a video appeal.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-youth-recreate-cinema-stunt-during-floods-share-video-slapped-with-case-503571">India: Youth recreate cinema stunt during floods &amp; share video; slapped with case</a>

The Tamil Nadu unit of India's ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party has appealed to Dr. Jaishankar to ensure the safe repatriation of the Indian nationals, at the earliest. "We also request our Indian embassy in Oman to escalate this matter to the Ministry of Labour in Oman to ensure that these eight fishermen are paid their salary dues" read the letter by K. Annamalai, State President, TN BJP.

(With inputs from agencies)

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An official request letter has been sent to Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar, urging his intervention in repatriating eight Indian fishermen stranded in Oman.

An official request letter has been sent to Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar, urging his intervention in repatriating eight Indian fishermen stranded in Oman. Hailing from Kanyakumari, the southernmost district of India, the group of fishermen had gone to Oman around four months ago on a work visa. However, they haven't been paid their salaries since their month of arrival and their visa sponsor is said to have been unresponsive. 8 #indian #fishermen from #tamilnadu #Kanyakumari are stranded in #oman , without wages for 4months. They are not in possession of passports, owner is said to demand Rs.1.1lakh for releasing the passport They plead for repatriation Now @annamalai_k has penned @DrSJaishankar pic.twitter.com/LEOxg8TpoD — Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) August 4, 2022 × "We came to Oman from Kanyakumari, it's been four months since we came here and we worked for two months. On request the owner to pay us our salary, he didn't do it. We don't have food or groceries and the owner hasn't met us in two months. When we approached the (Indian) embassy, they asked for our passport, but our passport is held by the owner and he is demanding over $1400 (Rs 110,000) to release our passport" the fishermen are seen saying in a video appeal. Also read | India: Youth recreate cinema stunt during floods & share video; slapped with case The Tamil Nadu unit of India's ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party has appealed to Dr. Jaishankar to ensure the safe repatriation of the Indian nationals, at the earliest. "We also request our Indian embassy in Oman to escalate this matter to the Ministry of Labour in Oman to ensure that these eight fishermen are paid their salary dues" read the letter by K. Annamalai, State President, TN BJP. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Indian external affairs ministry's help sought to save fishermen stranded in Oman

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