India
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Fuel shock in the fast lane: how Asia’s drivers are paying the price of war
The war involving the United States, Israel and Iran has sent a delayed shockwave through global energy markets and nowhere is the impact more acute than at petrol pumps across Asia.
LONG READ: Coal is back.
Coal is back. Having become a fuel for most of the last two decades, countries are scrambling to secure supplies of coal in the face of “ The largest supply disruption in the history,” according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Democracy fading as autocractic rulers gain ground – Statista
Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements
Asia turns to Russian fuel in record volumes
China is also increasing its purchases from Russia, with imports estimated at 1.2mn to 1.5mn tonnes – primarily for use as a substitute feedstock in refineries.
Indian basmati rice exports likely to remain steady despite Middle East tensions
India is the world’s largest producer as well as exporter of basmati rice. The South Asian country contributes approximately 85% of the global basmati rice volume. In India, Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh are the main basmati producing states.
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US intel report sees direct homeland threat from Pakistani missiles
In its March 2026 Annual Threat Assessment of The US Intelligence Community report, the US Office of Director of National Intelligence has highlighted Pakistan as on the path to developing missile technology that can threaten the US itself.
India denies media reports of Iran tanker swap deal
New Delhi is navigating a delicate balance between its energy dependence on Gulf suppliers.