International Relations
Bilateral ties, multilateral forums, treaties and India's foreign policy
India is opposing a China-led WTO investment deal, even at the risk of isolation. Here’s why
India has continued to block the China-led Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement from being incorporated into the WTO's binding rulebook, e...
After fuel, water: With Iran’s threats to desalination plants, understanding the Gulf countries’ dependency
As the US-Iran military conflict (ongoing since February 28, 2026) intensified, Iran threatened to target "all desalination infrastructure belonging to the U...
Mines Ministry to launch seventh tranche of critical, strategic mineral auctions on March 23
The Ministry of Mines announced the launch of the seventh tranche of auction of critical and strategic mineral blocks, comprising 19 blocks spread across mul...
India to focus on core priorities amid WTO reform push at MC14 this week
The 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) is scheduled for March 26-29, 2026, bringing together trade ministers from all 166 WTO member states. India is ent...
Centre to launch 7th tranche of critical mineral block auctions on Monday
The Ministry of Mines announced the launch of the 7th tranche of critical and strategic mineral block auctions on March 23, 2026, offering 19 blocks across s...
Iran Threatens to Hit Key Infrastructure After Trump’s Ultimatum
US President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran on or around March 21-22, 2026, threatening to "obliterate" Iran's power plants unless Iran full...
Over half of countries have banned phones in schools: UNESCO
A new UNESCO analysis (part of the 2026 Global Education Monitoring Report) finds that 114 education systems — representing 58% of countries worldwide — now ...
India to auction 19 critical mineral blocks amid supply concerns
India's Ministry of Mines launched the 7th tranche of critical and strategic mineral block auctions on March 23, 2026, offering 19 mineral blocks across mult...
Evening news wrap: PM Modi reviews energy preparedness amid crisis; IDF flags Europe in Iranian missile range & more
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting on March 22, 2026 to review India's energy preparedness amid the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran, whi...
US House resolution seeks ‘genocide’ tag for Pakistan’s 1971 atrocities on Bengali Hindus
US Congressman Greg Landsman (Democrat, Ohio) introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives seeking to formally recognise the atrocities committed ...
PM Modi to chair high-level meeting to review energy preparedness amid Middle East tensions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a high-level inter-ministerial meeting on March 22, 2026, to review India's energy preparedness as the West Asia confli...
In call with Iran president, PM Modi slams infra attacks, says ship lanes must stay open
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, condemning attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure. Modi s...
Iran ready to cooperate for Gulf maritime safety, IMO representative says
An International Maritime Organization (IMO) representative stated that Iran has expressed readiness to cooperate for Gulf maritime safety. Iran's stated pos...
Iran-Israel war LIVE: Iran says Hormuz open to all but ‘enemy-linked’ ships amid U.S. threat
Blasts and air raid sirens were reported in Jerusalem on March 22, 2026, after the Israeli military warned of incoming missile fire launched from Iran. Iran ...
Cuba announces second nationwide blackout in less than a week
Cuba suffered its second complete disconnection from the National Electrical System (SEN) in less than a week, plunging all 11 million citizens into darkness...
Conflict in Iran generated more emissions in two weeks than Iceland does in a year: New analysis
A new analysis by the Climate and Community Institute (CCI) found that the US and Israel's initial 14 days of military operations in Iran generated over 5 mi...
LNG disruption halves India’s urea output as West Asia tensions deepen
LNG supply disruptions linked to the ongoing Iran-Israel war have caused urea output at affected fertilizer plants to drop by approximately 50%. Energy consu...
As Iran war disrupts the Gulf, India's growth story faces new risks
The prolonged Iran-Israel war has introduced compound macroeconomic risks for India spanning energy prices, remittances, and trade logistics. Rising energy c...
Strait of Hormuz disruption could hit India's LPG supplies, refined product markets more vulnerable than crude oil markets: Report
Reports indicate that India's LPG supplies face serious disruption risk from conflict near the Strait of Hormuz, with the sector more vulnerable than crude o...
South Pars | Same field, two fates
Israel struck Iranian facilities linked to the South Pars gas field — the first time Israel has targeted Iranian natural gas infrastructure — in a strike coo...