New Delhi/Agartala, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Tripura Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath has sought greater central support to strengthen the state's agriculture sector and improve the condition of farmers, placing a series of proposals before Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

The Tripura Minister submitted the proposals during the National Conference on Agriculture for Kharif Campaign 2026 held in New Delhi and organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.

Addressing the conference, Nath said that paddy remains the principal crop in Tripura, accounting for nearly 49 per cent of the state’s total gross cropped area. He informed that around 50,000 hectares would be brought under hybrid paddy cultivation during 2025‑26 and that the state budget has already allocated Rs 10 crore for the initiative.

“This year, we want to further increase the area under hybrid paddy cultivation. Therefore, I request the Union Agriculture Minister to consider the issue of food security and make provisions under the PM‑RKVY scheme to support the expansion of hybrid paddy cultivation,” Nath said.

Highlighting the success of organic farming initiatives in Tripura, the Minister said the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCD‑NER) scheme has been implemented successfully in the state.

“Organic farming has already been introduced in 26,600 areas in the state, and around 26,800 more farmers have adopted organic cultivation practices. Since 96 per cent of Tripura’s farmers are small and marginal farmers, we demand that this scheme be extended across all northeastern states and cover the entire state,” he said.

The Minister also urged Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited (BVFCL) to ensure an uninterrupted supply of urea to the state. “Our state has a large area under oil palm cultivation, which requires substantial chemical inputs. Therefore, I request the Fertilizer Ministry to provide additional financial support for chemical inputs,” he said.

Nath further said that more than 15 lakh farmers in Tripura have been brought under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) during the past eight years.

However, he pointed out that paddy farmers in low‑lying areas continue to suffer major losses due to flooding caused by heavy rainfall, but are not adequately covered under the existing insurance framework.

“In order to compensate farmers for extensive crop damage, I request that flooding be included under the category of ‘local natural calamity’ in the PMFBY guidelines,” the Minister said.

He also demanded an enhancement of assistance for bio‑fencing in oil palm cultivation from the existing Rs 4,000 to Rs 8,000.

Referring to innovations in potato cultivation, Nath said the Apical Rooted Cuttings (ARC) method has been adopted in Tripura over the past few years, resulting in a nearly threefold increase in potato production.

“It is extremely important to continue the consultation support as per the MoU signed with the International Potato Centre (CIP), Lima, Peru. However, the RKVY‑DPR scheme has been withdrawn this year,” he said, and requested that the consultation fee component be restored.

The conference was attended by Agriculture Ministers from 19 states, Agriculture Secretary to the Government of India, Atish Chandra, and several senior officials of the Central government.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana (BHAVYA) scheme aims to create investment-ready industrial parks that can rapidly attract industries, generate employment and strengthen India’s manufacturing ecosystem, DPIIT Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia said on Friday.

Addressing the gathering during a workshop organised by the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) here, Bhatia said the success of the BHAVYA scheme would not be measured merely by infrastructure creation, but by how effectively industrial parks attract investors and emerge as operational manufacturing hubs.

He urged States and Union Territories to prepare investor-centric proposals highlighting ease of doing business, competitive advantages and strong supporting ecosystems to ensure industries can begin operations within a reasonable timeframe.

He further said project evaluation under the scheme would focus on long-term industrial viability and investment potential.

“The scheme seeks to create industrial parks where infrastructure readiness translates into rapid investment grounding, manufacturing activity, employment generation and export competitiveness,” Bhatia stated.

The workshop, organised under the aegis of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), focused on the BHAVYA Scheme framework and testing facilities offered by the National Test House (NTH) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

More than 100 representatives from 31 States and Union Territories participated in the discussions held at Vanijya Bhawan.

NICDC Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Rajat Kumar Saini, in his welcome address, highlighted the importance of developing investment-ready industrial ecosystems backed by robust infrastructure, testing facilities and institutional support.

The workshop was organised in two sessions. The first session focused on quality infrastructure and testing facilities.

National Test House Director General Dr. Alok Srivastav presented the organisation’s expanding testing and certification ecosystem, including capabilities in drone certification, EV battery testing, aerospace components, solar equipment and organic food testing.

NTH also highlighted its collaboration with NICDC to establish testing facilities and sample collection centres within industrial corridor projects so industries can access quality certification services closer to manufacturing hubs.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Friday that 9.76 crore farmer IDs have already been created under an accelerated campaign to provide benefits of government schemes to farmers in a simpler, smoother and more targeted manner.

Addressing a press conference here, the minister said this would reduce the need for farmers to repeatedly submit different documents and would ensure greater transparency in the distribution of fertilisers, assistance and other facilities while ensuring that benefits reach the correct beneficiaries.

He said that keeping in mind the uncertainties associated with weather conditions, the Centre has also prepared a national seed reserve of 1.74 lakh quintals. Advance preparations have been made to ensure that farmers do not face any difficulty in getting seeds if there is delayed rainfall, prolonged dry spells or a need for re-sowing in any region.

On the issue of agricultural credit, the Minister said the average size of farm loans in the country is around Rs 1.32 lakh, though there are major variations across states and regions. He pointed out that the average is considerably lower in eastern India.

The Minister said meetings would be held with banks in states where agricultural credit flow remains low, so that adequate loans can be made available to farmers in time, and they are able to make timely investments in agriculture.

Chouhan said the Centre and state governments were jointly working to ensure that the Kharif season becomes a season of preparedness, coordination and farmer-centric policymaking.

He said the first and most important condition for the success of any crop is the availability of quality seeds and asserted that the availability of seeds for Kharif 2026 was fully satisfactory.

The Minister informed that approximately 173 lakh quintals of seeds are required for the Kharif season across the country, while 192 lakh quintals of seeds are available. In other words, around 11% more seeds than the requirement have been arranged.

He said seed allocation according to the needs of different states has already been completed, and special emphasis has been laid on ensuring that states lift the seeds in time so that they reach farmers before Kharif sowing begins.

Chouhan also said that natural farming and balanced use of fertilisers were also discussed extensively during the conference. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh said 20 lakh farmers have registered for natural farming, covering nearly 8 lakh hectares of land.

He added that many farmers are already following natural farming methods through traditional practices. The Minister described integrated farming as particularly important for small and marginal farmers and said it could become a practical and sustainable way of increasing farm incomes.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday said it has filed its first charge sheet against 16 persons in one of the Reliance ADA Group cases.

The CBI registered the case on the basis of a complaint received from the "State Bank of India against Reliance Communications Limited and Anil Ambani for allegedly causing a loss of Rs. 2,929.05 crore to the bank".

The charge sheet, filed before the Special Judge for CBI Cases, Mumbai, include persons from Reliance Communications Limited, five senior executives of the company, and 10 bank officials of the State Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, and the erstwhile Syndicate Bank, for "offences of criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal misappropriation under the IPC, and criminal misconduct under the Prevention of Corruption Act".

According to the probe agency, the charge sheet covers the investigation pertaining to the alleged misuse of the Rs 1,200 crore Term Loan sanctioned by the State Bank of India, the Rs 500 crore Letter of Credit facilities sanctioned by Bank of Maharashtra, and the Rs 350 crore Letter of Credit facilities sanctioned by the erstwhile Syndicate Bank.

"Further investigation in the case has been kept open to probe other loans sanctioned by the consortium banks and to ascertain the role of other conspirators involved in the alleged diversion and misappropriation of public funds. Supplementary chargesheets are expected to be filed soon in the case," a CBI statement said.

The Rupee Term Loans were sanctioned to Reliance Communications Limited by a consortium of 11 banks led by the State Bank of India.

As per the FIR, the total exposure amounted to Rs 19,694.33 crore involving 17 public sector banks.

The CBI has also registered six FIRs against Rcom, RHFL, RCFL, and RTL, which are under investigation.

The investigation into the seven RCs registered by the CBI to investigate the alleged fraud committed by Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group companies is being monitored by the Supreme Court, according to the statement.

Source: IANS

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Kathmandu, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Nepal's Finance Minister, Swarnim Wagle, on Friday announced major tax relief measures targeting the middle class, mirroring steps taken by the Indian government in February 2025.

Presenting a budget of NPR 2.124 trillion for the fiscal year 2026-27 at a joint session of Parliament, Minister Wagle said the government has raised the income tax exemption threshold for individuals to NPR 1 million. Currently, individuals earning more than NPR 500,000 annually are required to pay income tax. Nepal’s new fiscal year begins in mid-July.

The government has also reduced the maximum personal income tax rate by 10 percentage points, from 39 per cent to 29 per cent, to ease the tax burden on citizens.

“To support domestic industries, customs duties on 273 types of industrial raw materials have been reduced, ensuring that tariffs on raw materials remain at least one level lower than those on finished goods,” the minister said. “The existing 11-tier customs structure has also been streamlined into seven tiers.”

Minister Wagle said he had undertaken a broad review of tax rates to provide relief to enterprises and businesses, expand the middle class, and make the overall economy more dynamic.

On the investment front, the Nepali government plans to amend the Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act to remove the minimum investment threshold for foreign investors. “Foreign investment procedures will be fully digitised, and the One Stop Service Centre will be strengthened to improve the investment climate,” the finance minister said.

Recognising information technology as a key pillar of economic growth, the government plans to develop Nepal into an IT hub by establishing IT parks in major cities, expanding high-speed internet infrastructure, and offering tax incentives for digital service exports.

Minister Wagle also announced measures to allow outward investment for the expansion of the information technology service sector. He said the government would introduce clear legal provisions to enable individuals to work remotely from Nepal for foreign employers and to attract remote work opportunities.

He further announced that the government would establish a fintech marketplace under the supervision of the Nepal Rastra Bank, the central bank.

As artificial intelligence emerges as a major global economic sector, the Nepali government also unveiled an ambitious roadmap to position Nepal for the AI era. The plan includes establishing the country’s first 'Sovereign AI Compute Centre' in Kathmandu and increasing investment in AI infrastructure and digital innovation.

Wagle said the government aims to utilise Nepal’s clean hydropower resources to develop high-value AI computing services, arguing that the country’s vast energy potential could become the foundation for AI-driven economic growth.

The budget also introduced measures to promote Nepal’s startup ecosystem. "We will establish the Nepal Enterprise Facility as a platform to integrate startups, small enterprises and medium-sized enterprises into the national enterprise ecosystem,” Wagle said. “The platform will advance, in an integrated manner, policy arrangements related to entrepreneurship, identification of and access to innovative financial instruments, support networks including incubation services, and campaigns promoting domestic enterprises."

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Delhi High Court on Friday rejected French liquor giant Pernod Ricard’s plea seeking permission to resume the sale of its products in the national capital, dealing a setback to the company in one of its key markets in India.

The company had approached the High Court after Delhi excise authorities dismissed its application for a licence to sell liquor in the city.

Pernod Ricard has been locked in a dispute with Delhi authorities for the past three years over the renewal and grant of licences for its brands, including Absolut vodka and Chivas Regal whisky.

Dismissing the plea, a bench of Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav upheld the stand taken by Delhi authorities, which argued that the ongoing investigations against the company made it ineligible for a licence under the city’s excise rules.

The court observed that the ongoing probe gave Pernod Ricard a “criminal background” under the applicable regulations, making the company ineligible for the grant of a licence in Delhi.

The dispute is linked to the alleged liquor policy irregularities case being investigated by Central agencies.

Authorities have accused Pernod Ricard of colluding with certain Delhi retailers to increase its market share, allegations that the company has consistently denied.

Pernod Ricard had argued before the court that it had not been convicted in any case and therefore should not be denied a licence to operate in Delhi.

India is Pernod Ricard’s largest market globally by volume, where the company recorded sales of around $2.9 billion last year.

Delhi typically contributes nearly 5 per cent of the company’s India sales, making it a strategically important market in the country’s estimated $65 billion alcohol industry.

The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the verdict.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Over Rs 6,800 crore hitherto stuck in unclaimed bank deposits has been restituted to nearly 29 lakh claimants across the country during the past six months as part of the stepped-up drive to help citizens recover their money, the Finance Ministry announced on Friday.

Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), M. Nagaraju, chaired a review meeting of public sector banks (PSBs) to assess their performance and progress across key operational, financial and strategic priorities during FY 2025–26, a ministry statement said

During the meeting, a coffee table book, "Your Money, Your Right", was unveiled. It captures the nationwide campaign undertaken to empower citizens to identify and reclaim unclaimed financial assets and highlights collaborative efforts by banks, financial institutions, regulators, and other stakeholders towards facilitating tracing, claim settlement and restitution of unclaimed financial assets to their rightful owners.

The revamped website of the Department of Financial Services was also launched during the meeting. Designed with a citizen-centric approach, the portal offers enhanced accessibility, seamless navigation and improved dissemination of information. The website is available in 23 regional languages and incorporates accessibility features for persons with visual impairments, reinforcing the government’s commitment to inclusive, accessible and citizen-centric digital service delivery.

The meeting was attended by the Special Secretary, Department of Financial Services, senior officials, the State Bank of India's Chairman, and the Managing Directors & Chief Executive Officers and Executive Directors of PSBs.

The performance of PSBs across key areas, including business growth, profitability, asset quality, implementation of government schemes, financial inclusion, digital ecosystem, MSME credit flow, cyber resilience and operational risk management, was comprehensively assessed.

It was highlighted that the PSBs demonstrated strong financial and operational performance during FY 2025–26. Aggregate business of PSBs reached approximately ₹283.3 lakh crore as on 31 March 2026, while aggregate net profit increased to around ₹1.98 lakh crore, recording the highest-ever annual net profit in the history of Public Sector Banks.

Asset quality also remained robust, with Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) reaching a historic low of 1.93% and Net Non-Performing Assets (NNPA) declining to 0.39%, reflecting continued strengthening of balance sheets and prudent risk management practices.

Progress under major financial inclusion initiatives including Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, social security schemes, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, PM Vishwakarma and digital lending initiatives was also reviewed. Public Sector Banks continue to play a pivotal role in expanding financial access and strengthening last-mile delivery of banking services across the country.

Status of implementation of end-to-end digital lending journeys for small-value loans and welfare-linked schemes was also reviewed during the meeting. Public Sector Banks highlighted measures such as paperless processing through e-KYC and digital documentation, straight through processing (STP) and integration with Government platforms to improve accessibility and customer experience.

Deliberations also covered strengthening of digital banking ecosystems, enhancement of cyber security frameworks and initiatives for improving access to credit for MSMEs and other productive sectors of the economy.

Banks were advised to provide proactive and need-based support to eligible borrowers under ECLGS 5.0, strengthen grievance redressal mechanisms with adequate oversight, improve operational efficiency and explore new business opportunities to sustain profitability and long-term growth.

Banks were also advised to maintain preparedness and adaptability to the recent crisis in the Middle East and evolving global situation.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Nissos Keros, a Marshall Islands‑flagged crude oil tanker carrying approximately 270,000 MT of crude oil cargo for India, safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz and is expected to arrive at Visakhapatnam on June 3, according to the official update issued on Friday.

All oil refineries in the country are operating at high capacity with adequate crude inventories, while sufficient stocks of petrol and diesel are being maintained. Domestic LPG production from refineries has been increased to about 52 TMT/day to support domestic consumption, the statement said.

Meanwhile, during the last four days, about 1.80 crore LPG cylinders were delivered against bookings of around 1.78 crore cylinders.

Online LPG cylinder bookings increased to about 99 per cent on Thursday, while Delivery Authentication Code (DAC) deliveries based on registered mobile numbers of consumers have increased to about 96 per cent to prevent diversion.

Citizens are advised to avoid panic purchase of petrol, diesel and LPG as the Government is making all efforts to ensure availability. People are urged to beware of rumours and rely on official sources for correct information.

LPG consumers are requested to use digital booking platforms and avoid visiting distributors. Citizens are encouraged to use alternative fuels such as PNG and electric or induction cooktops.

All petrol pumps are operating normally across the country. Unusually high sales and heavy crowding have been observed at retail outlets in certain areas. However, it is informed that there are adequate stocks of petrol and diesel available at all petrol pumps in the country, the statement said.

Bulk and industrial consumers are requested to procure diesel from authorised procurement channels. All citizens are requested to make necessary efforts to conserve energy in their daily use during the current situation.

The Centre has also asked the States to monitor and review district‑wise diesel and petrol offtake patterns, intensify inspections and enforcement activities in vulnerable areas and along major transportation/industrial corridors to prevent unauthorised procurement of diesel through retail outlets by industrial and commercial consumers, and initiate prompt penal action against violators, the statement added.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Capital markets regulator SEBI on Friday imposed penalties exceeding Rs 29 crore on Suzlon Energy Limited and several of its former key officials in connection with alleged irregularities linked to the transfer of the company’s operation and maintenance services (OMS) business, financial statement misstatements and related party transactions.

In its order, SEBI levied a penalty of Rs 15.95 crore on Suzlon Energy Limited. The regulator also imposed penalties on former executive vice-chairman Vinod R. Tanti, Girish R. Tanti, former chief financial officer Kirti J. Vagadia and Amit Agarwal.

Vinod R. Tanti was fined Rs 5.75 crore, Girish R. Tanti Rs 5.45 crore, Kirti J. Vagadia Rs 1.5 crore and Amit Agarwal Rs 30 lakh.

The case stems from an anonymous complaint received on December 12, 2019, which was referred to the National Stock Exchange for a preliminary examination.

The review flagged concerns related to investments, loans, impairment, related party disclosures and possible violations of the SEBI (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices) Regulations, 2003, and the Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR) Regulations, 2015.

SEBI subsequently launched a detailed investigation covering the period from FY2014–15 to FY2019–20 and the first three quarters of FY2020–21.

The investigation was supported by a forensic audit conducted by Sarath & Associates.

According to the regulator, the adjudication proceedings centred around the March 29, 2014 slump sale of Suzlon Energy’s OMS business to its wholly-owned subsidiary, Suzlon Global Services Limited (SGSL), for Rs 2,000 crore, despite the stated value of the business being Rs 77.08 crore.

The company booked a gain of Rs 1,922.92 crore under exceptional items in FY2013–14 following the transaction.

SEBI observed that Rs 1,300 crore of the sale consideration was not received within the stipulated 90-day period and was allegedly routed through circular transactions between March 21 and March 23, 2017, involving repeated movement of funds through the bank accounts of Suzlon Energy Ltd and Suzlon Global Services Ltd.

The regulator further noted that SGSL’s asset base expanded sharply after the OMS transfer, even though its earlier financial statements reflected minimal operations.

It also highlighted that a subsequent stake sale of SGSL to Suzlon Structures Ltd in FY2015–16 for Rs 927.83 crore generated another gain of Rs 829.78 crore.

Source: IANS

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Jaipur, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Restoration work on the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) at the HPCL Rajasthan Refinery at Pachpadra in Rajasthan's Balotra district is progressing rapidly, with commissioning activities scheduled to begin from June 1, senior officials told during a high-level review meeting held on Friday.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) India delivered an impressive performance at the Taipei Capital Cup 2026, with Team India securing two Silver Medals and three Merit Awards at the prestigious international skilling competition held in Taipei, Taiwan, from May 26 to 28, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship said on Friday.

Competing against participants from 15 countries across Europe, Asia, the Americas and Oceania, the Indian contingent showcased strong technical expertise across multiple emerging skill categories.

The achievement has further strengthened India’s position as a growing global skills powerhouse and highlighted the country’s focus on developing industry-ready talent through its expanding skilling ecosystem, the ministry stated.

Representing India in five highly competitive categories, the participants demonstrated excellence in domains ranging from mobile application development and software applications to digital construction and automobile technology.

Muskan won a Silver Medal in Painting and Decorating, while Arjun Sumathi Vijayabashkar secured a Silver Medal in Mobile Applications Development.

India also earned three Merit Awards, with Mohamed Mafaz Poonaikannan Rabi Ahamed being recognised in Software Applications Development, Suresh Kumar Ganesan Meena in Digital Construction, and Md Seraj in Automobile Technology.

The Silver Medal winners received cash prizes of 8,000 Taiwan Dollars each, while the Merit Award recipients were awarded 5,000 Taiwan Dollars each.

Congratulating the winners, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, said Team India’s performance reflected the confidence, determination and capability of India’s youth.

He said the competition provided valuable exposure to international standards and would help prepare the competitors for larger global events, including WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.

“Every such achievement strengthens our resolve to build a globally competitive, future-ready workforce and advances our vision of Viksit Bharat powered by skilled and empowered youth,” he said.

Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Debashree Mukherjee, also congratulated the competitors, experts and mentors, saying the success reflected the growing strength of India’s skilling ecosystem and the world-class potential of Indian youth.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) India and Vietnam have taken a major step towards strengthening cooperation in digital payments and financial innovation, with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the Ministry of Finance said on Friday.

The agreement, signed with the approval of the Union Cabinet, aims to deepen collaboration in areas such as financial innovation, regulatory coordination, information sharing, and digital payment systems.

A key focus of the MoU is the development of payment system connectivity to enable cross-border QR code-based merchant payments between the two countries.

The MoU is being seen as a forward-looking initiative that could enhance bilateral financial ties while positioning India as a major fintech hub in the region.

It is expected to improve the efficiency of cross-border transactions by making payments more transparent, real-time, convenient, and cost-effective for users and businesses in both countries.

According to the details of the agreement, the RBI and the SBV will cooperate on sharing information related to emerging market trends, innovative technologies, standards and best practices in digital payments, and regulatory frameworks governing financial innovation.

The arrangement will also support the development and oversight of digital payment systems in financial services.

The agreement provides a broad framework for collaboration and implementation support, in line with the laws and regulations applicable in both countries.

It also opens the door for potential joint innovation programmes and projects in the future.

Officials said the payment connectivity initiative is expected to facilitate trade and tourism between India and Vietnam, while creating greater export opportunities for Indian businesses.

The framework will also help maintain smooth cross-border financial activities through cooperation in fast payment systems, messaging systems, and card switches.

The MoU was signed by the Deputy Governors of the RBI and the SBV.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Padma Shri professor Juzer Vasi has advocated for a strong focus on building hubs of semiconductors while scaling up solar energy production, for powering the nation’s growth in the next few decades.

“Both these sectors hold immense potential for growth in the near future, and I feel proud and honoured to have been recognised for my work in these areas,” he said, sharing his reaction on receiving the Padma honour.

“It was very unexpected, but I am honoured to receive it,” the delighted professor added.

Juzer Vasi, Professor Emeritus at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, was recently conferred with the Padma Shri award, in the field of Science and Engineering, for his four decades of contribution to microelectronics and photovoltaics.

He extended an unequivocal support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s thrust on making India a hub of chip-making nation and said that this is something that the country should have worked towards and achieved years ago.

“I have been involved in this area since the late 1970s. But I'm very happy that now there is a lot of emphasis on semiconductors, and that's happening in a very good way. Semiconductors are very important in this war situation and for the defence sector as well,” he said, speaking to IANS.

He further said that semiconductors are important because almost all the defence electronics need semiconductors, and some of these things are not easy to buy in the open markets. He also emphasised the need to pursue one's own research and build one's own line of production in the chip-making business.

About solar energy, he told IANS that this is one area where any nation could build its own energy security; however, this would call for developing technology to tap the solar resources.

“For that, we need solar modules and semiconductor solar cells to tap the energy, and that is what we are doing. I'm glad to say that India is now emerging as one of the most important solar energy countries in the world, not only in terms of the deployment, but also in terms of the manufacturing of solar cells and solar modules,” he said.

On the fast growth of deep-tech and India’s role in it, he said that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the world around us, and we must not miss the buzz.

“In almost all areas, the AI will have an impact. As a country, we should speed up our involvement in AI, as we have the required talent to do it. We need to have a very good plan on how to emerge as one of the world leaders in AI,” he remarked.

Source: IANS

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Bhubaneswar, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Odisha government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Intel and 3D Glass Solutions (3DGS) of the US for the establishment of an Advanced Packaging Substrate Manufacturing Facility in the state -- a first-of-its-kind project in India, government officials said on Friday.

As per an official statement issued, the facility will leverage advanced glass-based substrate technologies and high-density interconnect packaging, essential for sectors such as AI, high-performance computing, telecommunications, and next-generation electronics.

Intel will serve as a technology partner, providing process expertise, technology licensing, quality systems, and workforce capability building.

Intel will serve as the technology partner for the project and will provide process expertise, technology licensing, quality systems, and workforce capability-building support.

The project, which will be implemented in phases, is expected to bring in an foreign direct investment (FDI) of nearly $3.3 billion, thereby significantly strengthening Odisha's industrial base.

The proposed project, to be established in Bhubaneswar in Khordha district, will house world-class cleanrooms, fabrication units, testing infrastructure, and research and development (R&D) facilities.

This initiative positions Odisha at the forefront of the global semiconductor value chain, particularly in the field of advanced packaging, which is considered one of the most strategic and fast-evolving segments of the semiconductor industry.

By catalysing high-value industrial growth, innovation, and global integration, the project will directly contribute towards achieving Odisha's ambitious target of becoming a $500 billion economy by 2036 and a $1.5 trillion economy by 2047.

The project will also facilitate the development of a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem in the state, including advanced materials, specialty chemicals, glass substrates, capital equipment manufacturing in the upstream sector, electronics manufacturing, system integration, and export-oriented industries in downstream sectors.

It is further expected to drive cluster-based industrialisation by attracting global players and accelerating Odisha's transformation into a semiconductor manufacturing hub.

The ambitious initiative will position Odisha as a centre for niche semiconductor technologies, including advanced packaging and materials engineering.

he project will also strengthen academia-industry partnerships and boost research and development, innovation, and skill development ecosystems in the state.

This, in turn, is expected to create a future-ready talent pipeline aligned with global semiconductor industry demands and Odisha's long-term growth vision.

Nearly 1,800 direct high-skilled jobs, along with a significant number of indirect employment opportunities, are expected to be generated through the project.

The initiative will also promote a transition towards high-quality, knowledge-based employment generation, which has been identified as a key pillar under Odisha's 'Vision 2036' roadmap.

The project is also expected to enhance GST collections and increase state revenues through manufacturing activities, ancillary industries, and supply chain development.

It will further strengthen Odisha's long-term tax base and export earnings, thereby contributing to sustainable fiscal growth.

With the establishment of the facility, Odisha is expected to emerge as a leading destination for semiconductor and advanced electronics manufacturing in India.

The project will also integrate the state into global semiconductor supply chains, reinforcing Odisha's strategic importance in the global economy.

"By attracting significant FDI, enabling semiconductor ecosystem development, creating high-quality jobs, and strengthening fiscal revenues, the project directly contributes to the state's ambition of becoming a $500 billion economy by 2036 and $1.5 trillion by 2047," an official statement said.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) India is diversifying its sources of oil and gas imports to make up for the shortfall in supplies caused by the choking of the Strait of Hormuz amid the West Asia crisis, a senior official said on Friday.

"Energy security is very important for us. We are trying to diversify our sources from across the world, and that is our policy at present. We welcome whatever support we can receive from various markets around the world," said Randhir Jaiswal, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesman.

He also said that 11 Indian-flagged vessels are still stuck in the Persian Gulf region.

"As many as 14 ships that were also in the Persian Gulf have already returned; they were able to cross the Strait of Hormuz and have reached India," Jaiswal added.

Meanwhile Indian oil companies have been buying more oil from Russia and African countries such as Nigeria and Angola.

India's crude sourcing decisions were driven primarily by commercial considerations and adequate supply availability, a Petroleum Ministry official said.

There was no shortage of crude supplies and enough volumes had been tied up through long-term arrangements.

India, the world's third-largest importer of oil, sharply increased purchases of Russian oil to take advantage of lower prices, helping domestic refiners manage elevated global energy costs.

In recent months, US sanctioned certain Russian entities, including its largest crude oil suppliers -- Rosneft and Lukoil as well as ships and financial channels. This led to a brief moderation in purchases last year but the waivers led to Indian refiners stepping up purchases again.

Russian oil imports into India are expected to average close to near record levels at 1.9 million barrels per day in May, according to data from Kpler.

The purchase of Russian crude is taking place at a time when the prices of benchmark Brent crude have shot past $100 per barrel.

India's purchase of Russian oil has helped to cool down runaway prices in the global market by easing the pressure on overall demand for oil.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) The United States imports nearly 40 per cent of its generic medicines from India because of the trust it has in the country’s pharmaceutical capabilities, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on Friday.

Speaking at the Advancing Partnership in Research and Innovation event at Indian Institute of Technology here, Gor said India-US ties have expanded significantly across sectors including trade, defence, technology, health and space cooperation.

“On pharmaceuticals, we import close to 40 per cent of our generics from India. There is a reason the United States does that: it is because we trust India. These are critical life-saving ingredients that are needed in the United States,” Gor said.

The US Ambassador described the India-US relationship as one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century and said bilateral trade between the two countries has increased sharply over the past two decades.

“In just over two decades, bilateral trade has grown from 20 billion dollars to over 220 billion dollars in goods and services. That’s not just volume; it reflects deeper, broader engagement and stronger economic integration,” he said.

Gor also expressed optimism about the proposed interim trade agreement between India and the United States, saying negotiations were in their final stages.

“Our current interim trade agreement is on the table for us to finalise that will unlock prosperity for both of our countries. We fully expect that the trade deal will be signed over the next few weeks and months,” he said.

Highlighting growing American investments in India, Gor said major US technology companies are significantly expanding their presence in the country.

According to him, Amazon plans to invest 35 billion dollars in India by 2030 to support AI-driven digitisation, exports and job creation.

He added that Microsoft has announced an investment of 17.5 billion dollars in India, including the expansion of hyperscale cloud infrastructure, while Google recently began work on a subsea cable landing terminal project valued at around 15 billion dollars.

“These are incredible things that we have seen just from a handful of companies,” Gor said, adding that many investors visiting the US Embassy regularly ask whether India is a safe destination for investment and partnership. “Our answer to them is yes,” he said.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh on Friday inaugurated India’s first "SkyCast System" at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, to improve aviation weather monitoring and reduce fog‑related disruptions.

Only 18 such advanced systems have been deployed worldwide so far and India became home to the 19th one, Jitendra Singh said.

A second such facility will be deployed at Jewar Airport, followed by further rollouts at other airports, the statement from the Ministry of Earth Sciences said.

Dr. Jitendra Singh credited Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision behind "Mission Mausam" for making such futuristic weather infrastructure possible.

He said SkyCast will bring a major transformation in aviation safety by providing real-time information to pilots and aviation operators during critical weather situations.

Flight disruptions caused by fog and turbulence drop significantly and the system will provide advance alerts to aircrew and pilots even within short time windows of around three hours.

Hence, they can decide the safest time for landing and avoiding unnecessary diversions, cancellations and delays.

SkyCast combines multiple atmospheric observation technologies for fog monitoring, turbulence detection and high-impact weather forecasting. The system integrates state-of-the-art atmospheric remote sensing technologies, including Radar Wind Profiler, SODAR, Microwave Radiometer, Ground-based Fog Aerosol Spectrometer (GFAS) and CL61 Lidar-based Ceilometer.

He said the facility will strengthen monitoring and warning capabilities across runways, making take-offs and landings safer.

The system combines Radar Wind Profiler, SODAR, Microwave Radiometer, Ground‑based Fog Aerosol Spectrometer (GFAS) and a CL61 Lidar‑based Ceilometer to deliver real‑time measurements of fog, aerosols, turbulence, moisture and visibility for pilots, airlines and air traffic managers.

At the centre of the system is an advanced boundary layer Radar Wind Profiler, which continuously measures wind speed, wind direction, turbulence, vertical velocity and boundary-layer dynamics up to nearly 3 kilometres above the airport.

These parameters are crucial during aircraft descent and landing operations, where precise atmospheric information helps improve safety.

The system also integrates the CL61 Lidar-based Ceilometer, which continuously monitors the vertical structure of fog, enabling better understanding of fog formation, visibility reduction and atmospheric conditions affecting aviation operations.

Beyond aviation, SkyCast observations will support advanced forecasting models, artificial intelligence-enabled decision support systems, urban weather forecasting, pollution management, transport advisories and disaster preparedness initiatives.

—IANS

aar/pk

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached properties worth Rs 634.12 crore linked to the Unitech Golf & Country Club (UGCC) project in Noida under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), an official statement said on Friday.

The attachment order was issued on Wednesday, May 27, by the ED’s Headquarters Investigation Unit (HIU), and it pertains to the UGCC project spread across Sectors 96, 97 and 98 in Noida.

According to ED, the assets were identified as “proceeds of crime” allegedly generated through the diversion of funds collected from homebuyers and financial institutions.

The attached assets include leasehold rights over around 347.83 acres of land as well as equity shareholdings held through consortium and Special Purpose Company (SPC) structures involving M/s Sungrace Products (India) Pvt Ltd of the Uflex Group and M/s CIG Infrastructure Pvt Ltd.

The ED said the current fair market value of the attached assets linked to the UGCC project is estimated at around Rs 8,115 crore.

The money laundering probe is based on 76 FIRs registered by Delhi Police and the CBI against Unitech Limited, its promoters, directors and others under various sections of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act on charges including cheating, criminal conspiracy and diversion of homebuyers’ funds.

According to ED, the investigation revealed that Unitech had received Rs 16,075.89 crore from homebuyers, investors and financial institutions, of which nearly Rs 7,794.35 crore was allegedly diverted for non-mandated purposes.

The agency further alleged that M/s Sungrace Products (India) Pvt Ltd and M/s CIG Infrastructure Pvt Ltd derived and continued to retain substantial economic interests in the UGCC project without making corresponding financial contributions towards the acquisition or development of the project.

So far, the ED has attached 1,296 movable and immovable properties worth Rs 2,281.07 crore in the broader Unitech case.

The agency said one main charge sheet (prosecution complaint) and two supplementary charge sheets have already been filed before the Special PMLA Court in Delhi, while further investigation is underway.

The ED said it remains committed to securing and restituting proceeds of crime to innocent victims and lawful claimants in a transparent and expeditious manner.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Union government has notified two new Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Puducherry as part of the continued push towards strengthening the country's industrial base, expanding exports, and deepening self-reliance in strategic sectors, according to an official statement issued on Friday.

The proposals were approved by the Board of Approval for SEZs under the Department of Commerce at a meeting held on Thursday.

These approvals constitute a major milestone for Puducherry's industrial and export-led growth strategy and are expected to expand opportunities for investment, manufacturing, and high-quality employment, the statement said.

Out of these two SEZs, one IT/ITES SEZ will be developed by M/s Oulgaret Municipality at Thattanchavady village in Oulgaret Taluk.

This will be the first SEZ in India to be developed by an Urban Local Body such as a municipality.

The SEZ will come across an area of 8.623 hectare with a proposed investment of RS 725 crore. It is expected to create as many as 3,500 direct and indirect jobs.

The other, a Multi-Sector SEZ, will be developed by M/s Pondicherry Industrial Promotion Development and Investment Corporation (PIPDIC) at Karasur village in Villianur Taluk.

"The SEZ with a proposed investment of Rs 1,250 crore will be built on an area of 86.2457 hectare. It is expected to create employment for 5,000 people both in the direct and indirect categories," the statement noted.

The projects underscore the growing momentum across the industrial ecosystem of the Tamil Nadu, Andaman and Puducherry (TAP) Region, where diversified sectors and large-scale projects are increasingly contributing to employment generation and regional economic development.

"These SEZ notifications reflect a broader strategy aimed at strengthening India's industrial, technology, manufacturing, and services ecosystem through diversified SEZ-led growth, thereby enhancing resilience and scale to boost the economy, attract investment, and generate employment," the statement said.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday urged states to remove unnecessary procedural complexities and focus on farmer‑centric governance as he highlighted record food‑grain production.

As per advance estimates India’s total food‑grain production has reached approximately 376.563 million tonnes, the highest ever, Chouhan said, according to the statement from Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

He urged states to share suggestions openly and reiterated that the impact of governance should be visible "not merely in files, but in people’s lives."

The minister spoke on the second day of the National Agriculture Conference -- Kharif Campaign 2026 here.

He further noted that India has emerged as the world leader in rice production, while substantial progress has also been achieved in wheat, maize, pulses and oilseeds production.

Chouhan said that rules and procedures exist for the convenience of farmers, farmers do not exist for rules.

The Union Minister held comprehensive discussions with state agriculture ministers, senior officials, scientists and progressive farmers on the holistic development of Indian agriculture.

He urged time-bound, result-oriented and farmer-centric action driven by policy, innovation as well as commitment and asked ministers to personally lead initiatives for faster, tangible results.

The strong participation of state agriculture ministers transformed the conference into a powerful 'Team India' platform for agricultural advancement.

India must further strengthen food security, increase farmers’ income, make agriculture more profitable and accord equal importance to nutritional security, the minister noted.

The Union Minister urged states to personally review the implementation of the Pulses Mission, Oilseeds Mission, Cotton Mission and other major agricultural campaigns.

He also called upon scientists to undertake faster, practical and demand-driven research aligned with farmers’ needs.

Special emphasis was laid on developing short-duration and more suitable crop varieties, particularly for tur, soybean and oilseed crops.

Chouhan said Soil Health Cards should not remain mere documents, but must be actively utilised at the field level to help farmers understand nutrient deficiencies and appropriate fertiliser application.

—IANS

aar/pk

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Cumulative investments of nearly $360 billion in infrastructure development over the last decade have translated into estimated annual savings of $123–133 billion for the Indian economy, a joint report said on Friday.

The joint report from CII and Knight Frank India said the India’s logistics cost have been slashed to about 10–10.7 per cent of GDP in FY 2026, from 13–14 per cent of GDP a decade ago due to infrastructure investments.

The firm said that the country's position in the global logistics performance index improved from 54th in 2014 to 38th in 2023, reflecting enhanced connectivity, trade facilitation, and supply chain performance.

Despite these improvements, India’s logistics supply chain is yet to achieve optimal efficiency, the report said, noting that Multimodal Logistics Parks (MMLPs) are central to improving India’s logistics efficiency.

“India will require 216 MMLPs, each with an average capacity of 16–17 MMT per annum, to achieve its 2047 freight modal shift targets,” the firm said.

Continued overdependence on road transport for freight movement, delays in the development of integrated Multimodal Logistics Parks (MMLPs), and inadequate first- and last-mile connectivity continue to limit the shift of cargo movement towards rail and other efficient modes of transport.

“The core challenge is no longer an infrastructure deficit, but a lack of connective nodes… By aggregating fragmented, sub-threshold cargo, MMLP-grade interchange unlocks a monumental 43 per cent total cost advantage over road freight on DFC corridors,” said Ashwani Gupta, Chairman, CII National Committee on Ports and Shipping and Whole Time Director & CEO, Adani Ports and SEZ.

To achieve the National Rail Plan’s target of a 45 per cent freight modal share by 2047, India must aggressively scale its intermodal network, he added.

Germany, the Netherlands, and Singapore have demonstrated that integrated logistics parks significantly improve supply chain integration, operational efficiency, and modal balance.

The report urged accelerating private sector participation in MMLPs through fast-tracking project implementation, creating anchor demand through industrial clustering and freight aggregation, and addressing critical first- and last-mile connectivity gaps.

—IANS

aar/pk

Source: IANS

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Hyderabad, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Telangana tops among all the states in India in paddy procurement during Rabi season, Minister for Irrigation and Civil Supplies, N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, said on Friday. The minister said Telangana has already procured 60 lakh tonnes of paddy, compared to about 24 lakh tonnes in Andhra Pradesh, 11-12 lakh tonnes in Tamil Nadu, 3 lakh tonnes in Maharashtra, and nearly 2 lakh tonnes in Kerala.

He told a press conference that Telangana is conducting what is arguably the most successful paddy procurement operation in the country, with procurement crossing 60 lakh tonnes till date and the State emerging as the undisputed national leader in Yasangi (Rabi) paddy procurement.

Uttam Kumar Reddy claimed that Telangana has become the backbone of India's food grain procurement system.

"Today, nearly 60 per cent of all paddy procured in India during the ongoing Yasangi season has come from Telangana alone. By the time procurement operations conclude, Telangana is expected to account for nearly 75 per cent of the country's total Yasangi paddy procurement," he said.

"Telangana is far ahead of every other state in paddy procurement. We are also the Number One State in supplying rice to the Food Corporation of India under the Central Pool mechanism," he added.

Uttam Kumar Reddy described the ongoing procurement programme as a historic achievement unmatched anywhere in India. "The scale of procurement, transportation, payments and logistical mobilisation undertaken by Telangana is unprecedented. No state government in Independent India has carried out procurement operations of this magnitude while ensuring such extensive support to farmers," he said.

Uttam Kumar Reddy pointed out that while the Central Government had agreed to procure only up to 52 lakh tonnes from Telangana, the State had already crossed the 60 lakh tonnes mark.

"The scale of procurement undertaken by Telangana has exceeded the Centre's prescribed limit by 115 per cent. This reflects both the extraordinary production levels achieved by our farmers and the Congress Government's unwavering commitment to protecting farmer interests," he said.

The minister said paddy cultivation during Yasangi 2025-26 covered 64.36 lakh acres, resulting in an estimated production of 141 lakh metric tonnes.

He said procurement operations were being intensified further and would preferably be completed before the onset of the southwest monsoon, forecast during the first week of June.

Expressing concern over the Centre's procurement policy, Uttam Kumar Reddy said Telangana's paddy production has been increasing steadily year after year since the Congress Government assumed office.

"Every year and every crop season, rice production in Telangana is growing. Yet, despite this increase in production, the quantity of rice being accepted by the Centre through FCI is being reduced. The Chief Minister and I have repeatedly raised this issue with the Union Government," he said.

The Minister noted that Telangana has become one of India's largest producers and procurers of paddy and deserves procurement allocations commensurate with its production levels.

To ensure smooth procurement, the State Government established 8,575 procurement centres, deployed nearly 13,000 transport vehicles, and mobilised over two lakh personnel for procurement, transportation and logistics operations.

MSP payments amounting to Rs. 11,050 crore have already been credited directly into farmers' bank accounts.

The minister said that under the ongoing KMS 2025-26, covering both Kharif and Yasangi procurement cycles, procurement-related operations and farmer payments have reached unprecedented levels, involving nearly Rs. 39,300 crore.

Referring to recent unseasonal rains, Uttam Kumar Reddy said the government had acted swiftly to protect farmers from losses.

Special arrangements enabled the transportation of 10,214 tonnes of rain-soaked paddy to boiled rice mills, ensuring that affected farmers received MSP payments without hardship.

"Not a single farmer should suffer losses because of adverse weather conditions. We have ensured that farmers receive MSP and that procurement continues uninterrupted," he said.

Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao and Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar strongly criticised BJP and BRS leaders for what they described as their "politically motivated campaign" over paddy procurement, asserting that the ongoing procurement drive was unparalleled in Telangana's history both in scale and execution.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said that Maharashtra, which is strongly positioned to lead the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution, will spearhead development in this sector not only in India but globally in the near future.

This is due to Mumbai’s financial prowess, technological expertise, robust start-up ecosystem, and readiness to adopt emerging technologies.

The Chief Minister made these remarks during an interview at the inauguration of ‘Mumbai Tech Week 2026’.

Highlighting the state government's ambitious targets, CM Fadnavis revealed that Maharashtra has set a goal to secure Rs 10,000 crore in AI investments, generate 1.5 lakh jobs, establish six ‘Centres of Excellence’, and set up dedicated ‘AI Innovation Zones’.

To accelerate research and innovation in the AI sector, the state government is building a ‘Compute-as-a-Service’ infrastructure facility. Under this initiative, 2,000 GPUs will be made available to start-ups and researchers.

“Innovation stalls when high-capacity computing infrastructure is unaffordable. Therefore, the Government of Maharashtra is directly providing the necessary infrastructure,” the Chief Minister explained.

He further emphasised that while governments can only formulate policy frameworks, the real start-up ecosystem is forged by founders and entrepreneurs.

Recalling that the concept of an association of tech entrepreneurs was first proposed in December 2022, he noted that the energy and vision of its members at the time gave him full confidence that the initiative would grow into something monumental.

“Today, an increasing number of founders, investors, and global corporations are aligning with Maharashtra each year. Consequently, Maharashtra has consistently ranked as the leading state in the country for investments and start-up volume for three consecutive years,” he said.

Extending an open invitation to start-ups and tech companies from across India and abroad participating in Mumbai Tech Week, the Chief Minister urged them to invest in the state.

He remarked that this is the best era for those working in technology and AI, and Maharashtra is the ideal battleground. A highly capable ecosystem is already in place here. He urged innovators to work for Maharashtra, work for India, and innovate for the entire world.

Assuring full institutional support, CM Fadnavis stated that the state government’s role is not confined to incubation and acceleration alone.

Through its ‘Fund of Funds’, the government is actively providing investment assistance. The administration stands ready to support entrepreneurs as a committed partner.

Detailing the increasing integration of AI across various state government departments, the Chief Minister highlighted the ‘Maha-Vistar’ farmers' app.

Describing it as a ‘one-stop solution’ for farmers, he noted that the Central Government recognised it as the country’s best agricultural technology solution at the India AI Summit.

Following its success, an ‘India-Vistar’ framework is now being developed at the national level.

Furthermore, the implementation of AI-based systems in building permission clearance processes will enhance transparency and efficiency.

Referring to the ‘Crime OS’ platform developed for criminal investigation and judicial processes, Chief Minister Fadnavis noted that this system will drastically expedite investigations, charge-sheet filings, and court proceedings.

“Compiling a 15,000-page charge-sheet previously took three to four months; with AI, it can now be completed in 10 to 12 days,” he said.

AI is also being effectively utilised in detecting fraud in medical insurance schemes, improving human resource management within the government via the HR Stack, managing traffic control, handling disaster response, and strengthening surveillance networks.

The state government has set a target to develop 50 specialised AI engines for various departments, he stated.

Addressing concerns surrounding data security, trust, and the rapid rise of deepfakes, CM Fadnavis asserted that “Ethical AI” remains the core philosophy of the state's policy.

He emphasised that AI must be democratised and accessible to all rather than remaining a privilege of large corporations.

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) must also benefit from it, ensuring that human intervention and core human values remain central to AI development.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Delhi High Court on Friday upheld the validity of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) regulations capping television advertisements at 12 minutes per clock hour.

A division bench of Justices Anil Kshetarpal and Amit Mahajan dismissed a batch of petitions filed by general entertainment, news, and regional broadcasters challenging Rule 7(11) of the Cable Television Network Rules, 1994, and Regulation 3 of the Standards of Quality of Service (Duration of Advertisements in Television Channels) Regulations, 2012.

The broadcasters had contended that the cap of 10 minutes for commercial advertisements and two minutes for self-promotional content per hour violated their rights under Articles 14 and 19 of the Constitution.

In its order, the Delhi High Court held that the TRAI had acted within its statutory powers in prescribing the limit, and observed that the regulation was aimed at protecting viewers from excessive commercial interruptions while maintaining the quality of service.

"TRAI’s statutory power to regulate the prescribed time for advertisements can be deduced from Section 11(1)(b)(v) of the Act of 1997," the Justice Kshetarpal-led Bench said, adding that the TRAI’s mandate includes enhancing the quality of viewers’ experience and balancing the interests of broadcasters and consumers.

Observing that television viewers cannot skip or fast-forward advertisements in the same manner as users of digital platforms, the Delhi High Court said excessive or uneven advertising directly impairs consumers’ right to a fair viewing experience.

"The measure taken by TRAI to limit the advertisements to 12 minutes per clock hour, is in pursuance of the recognised QoS objective of TRAI, aimed at reducing excessive commercial breaks and preventing the artificial clustering of advertisements," the judgment said.

The bench rejected the argument that the restriction infringed broadcasters’ freedom of speech and expression, holding that the grievance essentially related to loss of advertising revenue and therefore fell within the ambit of the freedom to carry on business under Article 19(1)(g), which is subject to reasonable restrictions in the public interest.

"Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution does not guarantee profitability, and certainly not a right to monetise public property beyond reasonable structural limits imposed in the common good," it observed.

The judgment added that airwaves and spectrum are scarce public resources held by the government in trust for the people and cannot be subjected to unfettered commercial exploitation.

"The broadcasters cannot claim an unfettered right to exploit spectrum for commercial purposes. Their use of such resources is subject to licensing conditions, statutory frameworks, and regulatory oversight," the Delhi High Court said.

Referring to Supreme Court precedents treating spectrum as a finite public resource, the judgment held that regulation of advertisement time was linked to the constitutional mandate under Articles 39(b) and 39(c) to ensure that material resources of the community are utilised for the common good.

According to the Delhi High Court, the framework represents a "constitutionally sound exercise" of regulatory authority and advances consumer interest while ensuring equitable utilisation of broadcast spectrum. Highlighting the consumer-centric objective of the regulation, it added that the impugned regulations were introduced following widespread complaints about excessive and disruptive advertisements affecting viewing experience.

Concluding that the 12-minute ceiling is a neutral, time-based restriction that regulates the quantity of advertisements rather than their content, the bench held that the framework neither violates Articles 14 and 19 nor suffers from arbitrariness.

"Rule 7(11) of the Rules of 1994 and Regulation 3 of the Regulation of 2012, as amended in 2013, constitute a constitutionally valid exercise of regulatory power, striking a proportionate balance between broadcaster rights and the public interest in efficient and fair use of broadcast spectrum," the Delhi High Court said while dismissing all 17 petitions.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday urged states to remove unnecessary procedural complexities and focus on farmer‑centric governance as he highlighted record food‑grain production.

As per advance estimates, India’s total food grain production has reached approximately 376.563 million tonnes, the highest ever, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, according to the statement from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

He urged states to share suggestions openly and reiterated that the impact of governance should be visible "not merely in files, but in people’s lives."

The minister spoke on the second day of the National Agriculture Conference — Kharif Campaign 2026 here.

He further noted that India has emerged as the world leader in rice production, while substantial progress has also been achieved in wheat, maize, pulses and oilseeds production.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that rules and procedures exist for the convenience of farmers, farmers do not exist for rules.

The minister held comprehensive discussions with state agriculture ministers, senior officials, scientists and progressive farmers on the holistic development of Indian agriculture.

He urged time-bound, result-orientated and farmer-centric action driven by policy, innovation as well as commitment and asked ministers to personally lead initiatives for faster, tangible results.

The strong participation of state agriculture ministers transformed the conference into a powerful 'Team India' platform for agricultural advancement.

India must further strengthen food security, increase farmers’ income, make agriculture more profitable and accord equal importance to nutritional security, the minister noted.

The minister urged states to personally review the implementation of the Pulses Mission, Oilseeds Mission, Cotton Mission and other major agricultural campaigns.

In addition, he called upon scientists to undertake faster, practical and demand-driven research aligned with farmers’ needs.

Special emphasis was laid on developing short-duration and more suitable crop varieties, particularly for tur, soybean and oilseed crops.

Chouhan said Soil Health Cards should not remain mere documents but must be actively utilised at the field level to help farmers understand nutrient deficiencies and appropriate fertiliser application.

—IANS

aar/ag

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Factory closures and job losses have hit China’s toy industry amid weakening global demand, rising production costs and ongoing supply chain disruptions, a report has said.

According to an analysis of PML Daily, the industry -- which was once a key pillar of China’s export manufacturing base -- reportedly facing one of its most severe downturns in decades, with orders falling sharply across multiple production hubs.

Manufacturers are increasingly under pressure from higher raw material prices, elevated logistics costs and declining overseas demand, the report said.

It further stated that several factories in key industrial clusters have either suspended operations or shut down in recent months, reflecting broader stress in export-oriented manufacturing sectors.

In one instance cited, multiple toy production units in Yulin, Guangxi were shut down on the same day, leading to sudden job losses for thousands of workers.

The closures reportedly triggered worker protests over unpaid wages and pending dues, highlighting growing labour-related tensions in affected industrial zones. Local authorities were deployed in some areas to manage the situation.

In addition, the industry has been impacted by rising transportation costs, with shipping expenses on major trade routes reportedly increasing significantly over the past year due to global geopolitical tensions and disruptions in key maritime corridors.

Higher crude oil prices have further pushed up the cost of plastics and other input materials, squeezing margins for manufacturers.

According to the report, container freight rates on some routes have more than doubled compared to previous levels, adding further strain on exporters already dealing with weak demand from key markets.

As a result, several firms have scaled back production or shut down operations entirely, it added.

It pointed out that China’s toy industry, which is heavily dependent on export markets, remains vulnerable to global demand cycles and external shocks.

The report said the sector’s challenges reflect broader pressures on China’s export-led manufacturing model, particularly in labour-intensive industries where margins are thin and global competition is intense.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) InterGlobe Aviation, the parent company of IndiGo, on Friday reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 2,537 crore for the March quarter (Q4) of FY26, compared with a net profit of Rs 3,067.5 crore in the corresponding period last financial year.

The airline’s revenue from operations, however, rose marginally by 1 per cent year-on-year to Rs 22,438 crore during the quarter, up from Rs 22,152 crore in the same period a year ago (Q4 FY25), according to its stock exchange filing.

IndiGo said its profitability during the quarter was also impacted by a one-time charge of Rs 250 crore.

The airline’s EBITDA stood at Rs 6,396 crore during the quarter, compared with Rs 5,953 crore in the year-ago period.

EBITDA margin, however, declined sharply to 3.6 per cent from 27.5 per cent a year earlier, as per its filing.

Meanwhile, EBITDAR margin improved to 28.5 per cent from 26.9 per cent in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year.

Operationally, the airline reported a 3.4 per cent increase in capacity to 43.6 billion available seat kilometres (ASKs) despite disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Passenger traffic, however, slipped 1.1 per cent year-on-year to 31.6 million during the quarter.

The company attributed the weak performance to an exceptionally challenging operating environment during FY26.

Commenting on the results, Rahul Bhatia said the year was marked by severe operational challenges that materially impacted profitability, although the airline’s core business performance remained resilient.

“FY26 was marked by an exceptionally challenging operating environment, which materially impacted our profitability,” Bhatia said.

“Despite these conditions, the underlying performance of the business remained resilient. During the year, our capacity grew by 9.5 per cent and total income increased by over 6 per cent,” he added.

Shares of InterGlobe Aviation ended 3.27 per cent lower at Rs 4,418.40 on the BSE on Friday.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Among a slew of measures to improve energy security in the country and decarbonise the road and highways sector, India is likely to bring a mandate on blending isobutanol with diesel as early as this year, Roads Transport and Highways Secretary V. Umashankar said on Friday.

In his remarks at the CII Multimodal Transportation and Logistics Summit here, Umashankar said: "Blending of diesel has been looked into with great seriousness. Bharat Petroleum is already undertaking strategic research for iso-butanol blending with diesel. And the results are very encouraging. It is quite likely that the blending mandate will start coming in somewhere later this year. And diesel consumption is almost two times that of petrol consumption. So, the impact on blending in terms of diesel is concerned will have a far greater impact on our energy security than even petrol blending."

He also said that the Ministry is looking at bringing a draft notification on truck-trailer soon, for building an ecosystem that needs battery swapping and battery charging for electric heavy-duty commercial vehicles.

He pointed out that for battery swapping, several points with this kind of infrastructure will have to be provided.

"If you look at battery charging, then it is going to take a good amount of time for the charging to happen. So, does the truck lie idle at that point in time? So, what we are looking at is what we call a tractor-trailer interchangeability. Where you don't need to swap the battery, you swap the entire front part of the truck. So, we have detachable containers, so the trailer is detachable," he said.

On the government’s experiments with hydrogen logistics, the Secretary said: "The results are very good. The key cost is comparable with respect to other forms of logistics travel. It's not high. The only high-cost element is the hydrogen refuelling stations. And presently in the pilot projects, government support is being provided."

He added that recently, in Delhi, hydrogen buses at the public transport level have also been introduced between Delhi and Faridabad and Delhi and Noida. "Because the hydrogen refuelling station has already been supported and set up under this scheme. On fuelling, it travels 450 km before it needs a refuel. So if you take Delhi-Mumbai as a corridor, then maybe three refuelling stations along the highway at the new expressway," Umashankar said.

Additionally, he also revealed that Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF), the barrier-less tolling system that eliminates the need for vehicles to stop or slow down at toll plazas, is likely to be introduced in the "forthcoming year".

"This (MLFF) has already been introduced in two toll plazas, and it's working very successfully. And the third one is likely to go live in the next 8-10 days. We plan to expand this to all the toll plazas, four-lane plus toll plazas across the country within the forthcoming year. Along with that is an advanced traffic management system that we are going to put in place. We have got the first proposal for the Delhi NCR approved. And the issuance of the bids and the implementation of the project will start very shortly," he added.

To increase the average speed of vehicles that move on the roads and highways, the Ministry plans to focus on expressways and access-controlled highways so that slow-moving and fast-moving traffic can be segregated, he added.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) India has climbed to fifth place in global digital economy rankings and ranked fourth on the CHIPS‑AI index, marking accelerating digital momentum in an increasingly competitive environment, a report said on Friday.

The report from the ICRIER‑Prosus Centre for Internet and Digital Economy (IPCIDE) said that the study among 71 countries, covering 96 per cent of global GDP, revealed that "India outpaced major developed economies, including Germany, France, Japan and Canada, in digital performance."

India generated $328 billion in digitally delivered trade AND hosts the world’s second‑largest AI talent pool, it said.

In addition, the country represents roughly 50 per cent of BRICS digitally delivered services. The country ranked behind only the United States, China and Singapore in AI performance.

Among the world's top five digital economies, three -- China, Singapore and India -- are now from the Indo-Pacific region, signalling the emergence of a tripolar digital order alongside the traditional North Atlantic pole.

The report documented a fundamental shift in the global digital landscape, with 72 per cent of AI users now in developing countries. India and China together accounted for nearly two-fifths of worldwide AI adoption.

“India has built strong foundations through connectivity, entrepreneurship and digital public infrastructure. The next phase of growth depends on how effectively we leverage AI, deepen innovation capabilities and strengthen digital trust,” said Pramod Bhasin, Chairperson, ICRIER.

India commands 26 per cent of global AI users but just 1 per cent of global private AI investment, reflecting a crucial gap.

Moreover, the nation ranks second globally in AI talent after the United States but lacks comparable levels of long-term venture capital and computing infrastructure, reflecting both challenge and opportunity.

India's long-term competitiveness depends on mobilising risk capital, expanding compute access, strengthening university-startup linkages and building AI commercialisation pathways, the report noted.

While AI adoption spreads rapidly, advanced chips, compute infrastructure and large language models remain concentrated among a small group of countries and firms.

—IANS

aar/ag

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) India has made faster-than-expected progress in building its semiconductor ecosystem but technological sovereignty will be crucial for achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri said on Friday.

On India’s semiconductor roadmap, Lahiri said one of the biggest strategic risks facing the country is its growing dependence on imported black-box technologies.

“India has already covered important ground. The India Semiconductor Mission, early investments in design, manufacturing and packaging and deepening partnerships with the US, Japan and Europe have created strong momentum,” he said.

“The progress has been faster than many expected. The next decade will be critical in converting this momentum into a durable national capability,” he added.

He stressed that India’s technological sovereignty must begin at the infrastructure layer, with semiconductors forming the backbone of critical sectors such as artificial intelligence, defence, manufacturing, mobility, energy systems, communications and citizen services.

He highlighted that the NITI Frontier Tech Hub roadmap lays out a clear and practical vision for India’s semiconductor future.

According to him, the roadmap recognises that India cannot simultaneously compete across every segment of the semiconductor value chain and therefore must focus deeply on selected strategic areas.

"It recognises that India cannot do everything at once and therefore must choose a few strategic priorities and go deep -- whether in design, advanced packaging, compound semiconductors or other emerging opportunities where India can leapfrog parts of the global value chain," he stated.

Lahiri said the focus at NITI Aayog is to translate strategy into action. He noted that the roadmap has been designed with a strong implementation-oriented approach and identifies key priorities for the next ten years, the enabling conditions needed to support growth and the sectors where India can emerge as a global leader rather than remain a downstream participant.

“India has the conviction, capability and urgency to make this happen,” he mentioned.

Source: IANS

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Bhuj, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) In a bid to transform 11 industrial training institutes (ITIs) across Kutch through industry-linked skilling and employment-focused training, Adani Skills & Education (ASE) on Friday formalised two MoUs with the Gujarat government.

ASE, the Adani Group’s capability-building platform which is focused on creating scalable talent ecosystems aligned to industry and enterprise demand, said the initiative aims to create local employment opportunities, reduce talent migration and build industry-ready talent pipelines for renewable energy, logistics and infrastructure sectors.

Cabinet Minister of Labour, Skill Development and Employment and Rural Development, Kunvarjibhai Bavaliya; Minister of State for Labour, Skill Development & Employment Kantilal Amrutiya, senior leaders and officials attended the event, along with senior leadership from the Adani Group, faculty members and students from all 11 government ITIs of Kutch, according to a statement.

Bavaliya emphasised the importance of industry-aligned skilling in building a self-reliant workforce. “Our key objective is to provide global-level technical training to the youth and ensure every young person becomes self-reliant under the Skill India mission. Skilled youth are the foundation of a prosperous nation,” he said.

Amrutiya encouraged students to leverage technical education opportunities to build meaningful careers. “Skilled youth are the true strength of our nation and can contribute significantly to India’s economic growth, national progress and nation building,” he said.

The initiative aims to reduce talent migration and strengthen the region’s skilled workforce, ensuring that Kutch’s growth is increasingly powered by local talent.

The 10-point agenda envisioned by ASE for transforming ITIs is now being referred to as a “Gujarat Model” in other states across the country.

Robin Bhowmik, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), ASE, said Kutch remains central to ASE’s long-term skilling vision.

“Kutch is our karma bhoomi and we remain deeply invested in its future. Through our partnership with the Government of Gujarat and ITIs across the region, we aim to build a continuously skilled, industry-ready workforce capable of contributing across sectors and supporting long-term regional transformation,” he said.

Through its ‘Skill2Employ’ approach, ASE combines classroom learning with real-world operating exposure. Leveraging simulations, Centres of Excellence (CoEs), TTT programmes and globally benchmarked curricula, it aims to create a first-day, first-hour productive workforce.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) A United States trade team is expected to visit India next week to take forward ongoing negotiations between the two countries, with both sides maintaining positive and constructive engagement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India and the US had earlier held discussions in April when an Indian trade team visited the United States, adding that the next round of talks will continue during the upcoming visit.

“We had a trade team that visited the United States in the month of April, if I am not mistaken. We are now expecting a team from the United States to visit India next week, where the negotiations will be taken forward,” Jaiswal said.

He added that so far the engagement between the two sides has been “positive and constructive" and said more details would be shared later.

The MEA, however, did not provide further details on the agenda of the upcoming discussions but indicated that trade negotiations between the two sides are progressing in a constructive manner.

Responding to a query on a viral video allegedly showing racism against Indians in the United States, Jaiswal said he had not seen the specific post but reiterated India’s position on such issues.

“I have not seen the post. However, racism of any kind, anywhere, is unacceptable,” he said.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, speaking at an event in New Delhi, said no partnership is better placed than India and the US to leverage new opportunities, including in the technology domain, adding that the India-US relationship is a defining partnership of the 21st century.

Earlier in May, the government had said that the US trade team, led by the chief negotiator, will visit India from June 1–4 to finalise details of an interim agreement and take forward negotiations under the broader bilateral trade agreement covering areas such as market access, non-tariff measures, customs and trade facilitation, investment promotion and economic security alignment.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Indian equity benchmark indices ended sharply lower on Friday after a volatile trading session, as uncertainty surrounding a possible US-Iran understanding triggered heavy selling in the final hour of trade.

The Sensex closed at 74,775.74, down 1,092.06 points or 1.44 per cent, while the Nifty settled at 23,547.75, declining 359.40 points or 1.50 per cent.

The Nifty witnessed sharp swings during the session, touching an intra-day high of 24,002.80 before falling to a low of 23,484.75.

Similarly, the Sensex climbed to 76,220.02 during the day but later plunged to an intra-day low of 74,589.11 as late-hour selling intensified.

Commenting on Nifty technical outlook, experts said that a sustained breakdown below the 23,500 zone could weaken the near-term structure and could extend downside pressure toward the 23,300–23,200 region in the short term if selling persists.

“On the upside, the 23,750–23,800 zone is now expected to act as an immediate resistance band, followed by stronger resistance near the 24,000 level,” an analyst stated.

In the broader markets, the Nifty MidCap 100 index fell 1.33 per cent and the Nifty SmallCap index slipped 0.85 per cent.

Heavyweight stocks further dragged indices lower. Shares of Reliance Industries declined more than 2.18 per cent, while ITC fell 1.71 per cent, offsetting gains in the technology sector.

IT stocks, however, remained resilient during the session, with the Nifty IT index gaining more than 0.60 per cent.

Market participants continued to favour technology counters amid the overnight rally in US tech stocks and weakness in the Indian rupee, which is expected to improve margins for export-oriented IT companies.

Analysts said the session highlighted the fragile nature of market sentiment near higher resistance levels.

“The market witnessed broad-based selling pressure following the IMDs monsoon forecasts to 90 per cent of the long period average (LPA), raising concerns among investors,” as per the analyst.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Shares of gaming companies came under heavy selling pressure on Friday after the Supreme Court upheld the government's retrospective imposition of 28 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) on online gaming platforms.

Delta Corp -- that operates licensed casinos and luxury hotels -- shares declined as much as 17.76 per cent to hit an intraday low of Rs 66.60 on the BSE from the previous close.

Meanwhile, Nazara Technologies -- a diversified gaming and sports media platform -- shares traded 5.07 per cent lower at Rs 274.80, hitting an intraday low on the exchange.

The verdict is expected to have significant financial implications for online gaming companies, which have been engaged in a prolonged legal battle over the tax treatment of online gaming activities.

The Supreme Court ruled that online gaming platforms cannot be treated merely as intermediaries and held that such activities create actionable claims under GST law. The apex court further observed that legislative amendments validating the tax levy were clarificatory in nature and therefore applicable retrospectively.

Following the ruling, shares of gaming-related companies witnessed sharp declines as investors assessed the potential impact of higher tax liabilities and regulatory uncertainty on the sector.

The dispute dates back to September 2023, when the Supreme Court stayed a Karnataka High Court order that had quashed a Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) notice seeking nearly Rs 21,000 crore in GST from Gameskraft.

The tax notice alleged that the company promoted online betting activities through platforms including Rummy Culture, Gamezy and Rummy Time.

Gaming companies had argued that online gaming operators merely function as intermediaries facilitating contests and do not supply actionable claims to players, making retrospective GST demands unsustainable.

However, tax authorities maintained that online gaming platforms effectively operate within betting and gambling frameworks, making player stakes taxable under the highest GST slab.

According to court submissions, cumulative tax demands raised through show-cause notices against online gaming companies amount to nearly Rs 91,684.81 crore. Including casinos, the total tax demand rises to around Rs 1.08 lakh crore.

The government had amended GST laws in August 2023 and made it mandatory for overseas online gaming companies to register in India from October 1, 2023.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) India’s growing civilian nuclear energy programme offers an opportunity for establishing a strategic link between India and Central Asia for long-term cooperation in the supply of uranium, strengthening energy security, economic ties and geopolitical diversification, according to an article in Geopolitical Monitor.

The 2026 contract, signed between Kazatomprom and India’s Department of Atomic Energy for the supply of uranium valued at over $4 billion, shows that the India-Central Asia cooperation in this domain is shifting from commodity trade toward a strategic axis.

The article highlights that as India seeks to scale up civilian nuclear energy generation and diversify fuel supplies, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are becoming important partners within a broader Eurasian resource architecture. For Astana and Tashkent, India represents not a transactional buyer, but a long-term partnership anchored in multi-year contracts and shared interest in continental connectivity.

India has set a target of 100 GW of civilian nuclear capacity by 2047, with an interim goal of 22,480 MW by 2031-32. Small modular reactors are receiving separate attention. The 2025/26 budget has reserved more than $2 billion for this direction, and a Rs 200 billion Nuclear Energy Mission targets at least five indigenously designed small modular reactors by 2033.

Against this backdrop, Kazakhstan looks like a near-ideal partner for India. The republic holds approximately 14 per cent of global uranium reserves and remains the world’s largest uranium producer. In 2025, Kazakhstan’s total uranium production reached 25,800 tonnes, including 13,500 tonnes attributable to Kazatomprom, supplying approximately 20 per cent of global primary uranium output.

For India, which plans to scale up civilian nuclear energy generation rapidly, such a partner carries strategic significance, said the report.

The Kazakh-Indian uranium partnership already has considerable institutional depth. Kazakhstan had previously been one of India’s important uranium suppliers alongside Canada. The 2026 agreement moves this relationship from a category of regular commodity cooperation into a longer-term strategic connection.

For New Delhi, Kazakhstani uranium strengthens the fuel base and reduces dependence on a single supplier at a moment when the country plans to scale up civilian nuclear energy generation rapidly. For Astana, the Indian market expands room for maneuver against the backdrop of a strong Chinese presence in Central Asian extraction, logistics, and raw material processing.

Chinese companies are already strengthening their positions in large Kazakhstani uranium projects, acquiring assets from Russia’s Rosatom. In this situation, India becomes another stable partner in the uranium market. For Kazakhstan, this format is particularly valuable. It allows the substance of multi-vector policy to be filled with concrete long-term contracts. In this sense, the uranium deal with India fits within Astana’s foreign policy doctrine of combining the protection of national interests with openness toward different centers of power, said the report.

However, the main constraint remains geography. Without reliable routes through the Caspian, Iran, or Afghanistan, uranium diplomacy will face the same connectivity problems that have limited India’s presence in the region for decades. The core question is whether nuclear fuel can become the domain, through which India establishes a durable foothold in Central Asia, the article observes.

Transport risks do not cancel the prospect of India-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan cooperation. They make it more political. The issue extends beyond the sale of raw materials into the creation of reliable routes, supply insurance, and long-term arrangements. These constraints align the foreign policy interests of the parties. New Delhi needs reliable access to resources and continental corridors, while Central Asian states need additional outlets to southern markets and ocean ports, the article states.

Source: IANS

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