International Relations
Bilateral ties, multilateral forums, treaties and India's foreign policy
India remains 2nd largest arms buyer, Russia’s share in imports drops, France & Israel gain—SIPRI
SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) released its annual arms transfer data on March 9, 2026, covering the 2021–2025 period India ranked ...
A hush-hush visit last week lays groundwork for thaw in Delhi-Dhaka ties
A previously undisclosed high-level diplomatic visit between Indian and Bangladeshi officials took place in the week preceding March 9, 2026, laying the grou...
Russian crude never left India’s import mix. It made up 1/3rd of oil imports from 2024 to 2026
Russian crude oil accounted for approximately one-third of India's total crude oil imports in February 2026, demonstrating the durability of the India-Russia...
Lebanon postpones parliamentary elections by two years
Lebanon's parliament voted 76–41 (with 4 abstentions) on March 9, 2026, to postpone legislative elections by two years; polls were originally scheduled for M...
Iran war’s effects already a reality in Europe: EU chief
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that the spillover effects of the Iran-US conflict were "already a reality" for Europe, describing ...
Free trade pacts opened two-thirds of global trade to India, created new markets for healthcare: Goyal
India now enjoys preferential trade access covering approximately two-thirds of global trade, following a dramatic expansion of its Free Trade Agreement (FTA...
As West Asia conflict intensifies, India prioritises LPG for households
India's government invoked emergency measures to prioritise household cooking gas (LPG) supply following the outbreak of the West Asia conflict and the effec...
Oil and Iran-U.S. war: Key takeaways in graphics
A data-driven analysis of the economic fallout from the Iran-US war highlighted the interconnected impacts on oil prices, supply chains, equity markets, and ...
Congress President Kharge demands discussion on India's energy security
Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge submitted a formal notice to seek a discussion on India's energy security in Parliament, supported by sen...
FTAs to provide huge export opportunities for pharma, healthcare sectors: Piyush Goyal
India's recently concluded Free Trade Agreements — most significantly with the European Union — are expected to substantially expand export opportunities for...
India may face $7–8 billion higher monthly import bill as crude surges
With Brent crude surging past $100 per barrel and reaching intraday highs above $119 in March 2026, India faces an estimated additional $7–8 billion in month...
Oil, rupee, markets: All alarms are blaring for India's economy
Brent crude oil surged past $100 per barrel in March 2026, reaching intraday highs above $116, driven by escalating US-Israel-Iran conflict and fears of disr...
Rupee falls 39 paise to close at all-time low of 92.21 against US dollar
The Indian rupee fell 39 paise in a single session to close at an all-time low of 92.21 against the US dollar on March 9, 2026 — a record depreciation driven...
$100 oil shock set to strain Asia’s cash-strapped governments
Oil prices crossing $100 per barrel in March 2026, driven by the US-Israel-Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz disruptions, are placing severe strain on gover...
PM Modi speaks to Nepal leaders Rabi Lamichhane, Balendra Shah
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on March 9, 2026, held telephonic conversations with Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane and senior RSP lea...
Iran conflict could increase challenges for emerging market sovereigns: Fitch
Rating agencies (Moody's, Fitch, S&P) have warned that a prolonged West Asia conflict — with crude oil sustained above $100/barrel — could strain the fiscal ...
Iran war hits tea export; Assam releases ₹94.7 crore support
The West Asia conflict (US-Israel war with Iran, 2026) has severely disrupted Indian tea exports to Iran, a major destination market, by blocking established...
'We cannot assist once you exit Iran': Indians asked not to approach land borders without embassy coordination
The Embassy of India in Tehran issued an advisory on March 9, 2026, asking Indian nationals in Iran not to approach or attempt to cross any of Iran's land bo...
PM Modi speaks with Nepal's newly elected youth leader Balendra Shah, Rabi Lamichhane
Prime Minister Narendra Modi telephoned Balendra Shah to congratulate him following the Rastriya Swatantra Party's landslide victory in the 2026 Nepalese gen...
'It was right thing to do': Jaishankar briefs Parliament on India permitting docking of Iranian ships
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar briefed Parliament that India granted docking permission to the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Lavan at the Kochi port on hum...