India has taken a measured step to support its refining industry and maintain energy stability by reducing export duties on key petroleum products. On April 30, 2026, the government announced cuts to export duties on diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF), effective from May 1. This adjustment comes as global oil markets continue to experience fluctuations influenced by developments in West Asia and evolving international supply patterns. India softens export taxes on diesel,

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has reaffirmed the government’s strong resolve to achieve $2 trillion in total exports by FY 2030-31, with merchandise and services exports each contributing $1 trillion. This ambitious target was the centrepiece of a high-level review meeting chaired by Goyal, where senior officials discussed the detailed Plan of Action and progress under the Export Promotion Mission. India’s export sector has demonstrated notable resilience. In FY

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi reached out to India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday evening for a detailed discussion on the evolving situation in West Asia. This conversation reflects the continued diplomatic engagement between India and Iran as the region navigates a fragile ceasefire and persistent challenges to stability. Jaishankar confirmed the call on social media, stating, “Received a phone call from Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Ar

India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh engaged in important bilateral discussions with his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The meeting focused on maintaining peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and exchanging perspectives on regional and global security matters, including the situation in West Asia. Singh described the interaction

Nepal Airlines, the national carrier of Nepal, has swiftly apologised following strong public backlash in India after a promotional network map shared on its social media platforms incorrectly showed the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh as part of Pakistan. Nepal Airlines shared a route map in which J&K was shown as part of Pakistan | India Today The Onset of Controversy The incident unfolded on April 29 when the airline posted a graphic highlighting its flig

External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar hosted Ecuador’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, Gabriela Sommerfeld Rosero, in New Delhi today, marking a significant step forward in deepening ties between the two nations. This high-level meeting, part of Sommerfeld’s three-day official visit to India from April 29 to May 1, 2026, reflects the growing momentum in India-Ecuador relations. The discussions focused on expanding collaboration across diverse sectors, inc

The United Arab Emirates has announced its decision to withdraw from OPEC and the OPEC+ alliance, with the move set to take effect from May 1, 2026. This development, disclosed on April 28, represents a notable shift in the global oil landscape. As one of the cartel’s major producers with an output of approximately 4 million barrels per day and significant spare capacity, the UAE’s departure is expected to introduce greater flexibility in global crude supply. For India, the w

India has finalised a major long-term uranium supply agreement with Kazakhstan valued at over US$4 billion, marking one of the most significant nuclear fuel partnerships in Asia in recent years. The deal with Kazatomprom, the world’s largest uranium producer, will provide a reliable supply of natural uranium concentrates to support India’s ambitious expansion of its nuclear power programme. Kazatomprom’s shareholders overwhelmingly approved the transaction at an Extraordinary

India is poised to significantly enhance its air defence capabilities with the arrival of the fourth regiment of the advanced Russian S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system, expected by mid to late May 2026. This delivery, which has already begun shipping from Russia, coincides with the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, the brief but intense four-day conflict with Pakistan in May 2025. The system earned high praise for its performance during that operation, where it

India and New Zealand have taken a significant step forward in strengthening their economic relationship with the signing of a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on April 27, 2026. The pact, described by leaders on both sides as “historic” and a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity, marks a new chapter in bilateral ties between the two nations. Signed by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand’s Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay at Bharat

In a major success for Indian law enforcement and intelligence agencies, Salim Dola (59), a key associate of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and a prominent figure in the international narcotics trade, was deported from Turkey and brought to India early on Tuesday morning. He landed at Delhi’s technical airport aboard a special aircraft and was immediately taken into custody for interrogation. Dola was detained in Istanbul’s Beylikduzu district over the weekend through a coo

In a noteworthy development for India’s international energy portfolio, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Oil India Limited (OIL) have announced a fresh oil and gas discovery in Libya. This success, achieved through a collaborative consortium, highlights the potential of sustained overseas exploration efforts at a time when global energy markets continue to experience fluctuations. Indian Oil, Oil India strike new oil and gas discovery in Libya amid global energy crisis. File

India has formally submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), outlining bolder climate targets for the period 2031–2035. This third NDC reflects the country’s continued commitment to balancing economic growth, poverty alleviation, and environmental stewardship while advancing its long-term vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. The submission, approved b

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Kyrgyzstan’s capital on Monday to lead India’s delegation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting, scheduled for April 28. His visit underscores India’s active engagement in regional multilateral forums and its dedication to fostering stability across Eurasia. Image from News On Air Arrival and Warm Welcome Upon landing at Manas International Airport, Singh received a traditional welcome, including th

Global defence budgets continued their steady climb in 2025, reaching a historic high of $2.887 trillion, according to the latest report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). This marked the 11th consecutive year of growth in world military expenditure, with a real-terms increase of 2.9 percent from the previous year. While the pace of growth moderated compared to the sharp 9.7 percent rise in 2024, the overall trend reflects persistent geopolitic

India and New Zealand formally signed a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) today at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand’s Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay exchanged the documents in a ceremony that symbolises the deepening economic bonds between the two nations. Negotiations for this agreement, which resumed in March 2025, were completed in a record nine months by December 2025. Both countries view the

India and the United Kingdom have taken another significant step to strengthen their bilateral ties, with National Security Advisers Ajit Doval and Jonathan Powell holding comprehensive discussions in the national capital. The annual India-UK Strategic Dialogue, held on April 23, focused on deepening cooperation across technology, defence, security, and counter-terrorism, while advancing the shared goals outlined in the India-UK Vision 2035 roadmap. The talks underscored the

India and Egypt have reaffirmed and further strengthened their defence cooperation, agreeing on a comprehensive bilateral defence cooperation plan for 2026-27. This milestone emerged from the productive 11th meeting of the India-Egypt Joint Defence Committee (JDC), held in Cairo from April 20 to 22, 2026. Defence ties continue to serve as a vital pillar of the broader Strategic Partnership between the two nations. Both sides highlighted defence ties as a key pillar of their s

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung have ushered in a transformative phase in bilateral relations by announcing a comprehensive set of outcomes during the South Korean President’s state visit to India from April 19 to 21, 2026. The two leaders elevated the existing Special Strategic Partnership to a vibrant “futuristic partnership,” underpinned by an ambitious five-year roadmap covering 2026 to 2030. This development reflects the growing conv

In a significant development for regional diplomacy and international travel, India has resumed issuing tourist visas to China nationals after a five-year suspension. The decision marks a gradual shift toward restoring normalcy in bilateral relations that had remained strained since 2020. India moves to restore tourist visas for Chinese nationals after a five-year pause following the Galwan clash, marking a cautious step toward rebuilding bilateral ties. | News18 Background: