India's Karnataka Seeks $4 Billion Private Funds to Expand Grid
The funds, needed over five years, would be part of a total 600 billion rupees needed for the intra-state grid, Pankaj Kumar Pandey, managing director of Karnataka Power Transmission Corp., said in an interview on Thursday.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Forbes
Indian Single Malt Is Underrated. This Affordable Whisky Shows Why
Whisky fans are almost always looking for the next big thing—or rather, for those under-the-radar pours that are set to become the next big thing. In an era of staying ahead of the curve, drinkers may want to start looking to one of the world's most underrated countries of origin for single malt whiskies: India. I've covered Indian single malt before for Forbes, and based on traffic alone, it's clear the category garners interest (and page views). But that's not just a flash in the pan, nor is it because of superlative drams from a single distiller. Indeed, while there are many up-and-coming producers in the globe's most populous nation, a number have been churning out delicious—and even budget friendly—expressions for some time. One such producer is Indri, a name derived from the Sanskrit word Indriya, indicating the five senses. (The distillery is actually named for its town of Indri, located in the state of Haryana state.) Their bottlings have quietly been racking up numerous accolades, from the New York International Spirits Competition to the World Whisky Awards. Today, we're looking at Indri Trini—or 'The Three Wood'—a consumer-minded bottling that retails for between $55 and $60 in the United States. It's distilled from 6-row Indian barley and aged across three different types of casks: ex-bourbon, ex-French wine, and ex-sherry. The expression is the entry-level in Indri's line and is bottled at 46% ABV. After a taste test, I think it's an accessible (and dare I say refreshing) single malt more folks should pay attention to, flavorful enough to hold its own internationally while still expressive of its region and grain pedigree. The nose hits early with a bright fruit cocktail, and while I admit it's not the most high falutin tasting note, the early scents remind me of a syrup-sweetened mix of diced peaches, pears, and cherries. Sherry builds to a moderately pronounced degree and intermixes with the fruit scents, which gradually get more tropical with time. Dried pineapple and ripe persimmon come to mind, along with spiced white tea and blackcurrant jam. At first sip, the whisky is lightly sweetened—in this case very much not a knock against—in the realm of passionfruit custard. Hints of Chinese five spice, fermented white grape, and the tiniest bit of seasoned wood develop along the midpalate. The mouth feel, while not especially viscous, does just enough to allow flavors to linger across multiple quadrants of the tongue. Like the midpalate, the finish is light to moderate in intensity, but not lacking in complexity; more fruity custard sticks around, along with syrup-sweetened cherries and orchard fruit. Indri's 'Three Wood' whisky isn't marketing itself as an ultra-premium pour. But it's got enough flavor and depth to hang with similarly priced global single malts (and may very well eclipse the majority in a blind). And it's memorable enough to once again pique my interest in Indian single malt whiskies—a category drinks around the world should probably pay more attention to.
New York Post
10 hours ago
- New York Post
Why geopolitical alliance between the US and India is on ice
President Trump's announcement of sweeping new tariffs on India, totaling 50%, should dispel illusions that the US–India relationship is a warm alliance of like-minded democracies. The move marks a sharp escalation in what is now openly a trade war. Trump cited India's ongoing imports of discounted Russian oil, accusing New Delhi of helping fund Moscow's war machine and selling refined Russian crude on the open market for profit. India responded sharply, hinting at retaliation. Yet Trump pressed on: The first 25% tariff takes effect this week, with another 25% kicking in later this month. This is one of the harshest tariff regimes the US has ever imposed on a major trading partner — and it's aimed at a country Washington claims to view as a key ally. 5 President Trump's announcement of sweeping new tariffs on India, totaling 50%, should dispel illusions that the US–India relationship is a warm alliance of like-minded democracies. Trump is seen here with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. REUTERS On paper, India looks like the perfect partner. It's the world's most populous democracy, largely English-speaking, and deeply embedded in the US economy. Bilateral trade in goods and services hit $212 billion in 2024, with the US trade deficit at about $46 billion. India serves as a key manufacturing hub for pharmaceuticals, apparel and tech. The US sees India as a counterweight to China in the Indo-Pacific. But India doesn't see the relationship through sentimental eyes. Since the Cold War, New Delhi has pursued a doctrine of non-alignment, which has evolved into strategic autonomy. It joins US-led forums like the Quad — in which, alongside Japan and Australia, they aim to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific without demanding formal allegiance. But India is also a member of the BRICS group of developing nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. It buys weapons from the US and France, but also Russia, maintaining friendly ties with Iran and boycotting no one. 5 Russia is a long-time defense partner and energy supplier. India now imports more than a third of its oil from Russia, totaling over $50 billion annually — which is a huge spike since 2021. Modi is seen here with Russia's President Vladimir Putin. AP That instinct is rooted in deep historical memory. Colonized by Britain and sidelined by US Cold War support for Pakistan, India emerged with a fierce desire to avoid foreign dependency. Especially under the nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it sees itself not as a junior partner in a Western-led order but as a civilizational power asserting its own sovereignty. This helps explain India's refusal to isolate Russia over the Ukraine war. Russia is a long-time defense partner and energy supplier. India now imports more than a third of its oil from Russia, totaling over $50 billion annually — which is a huge spike since 2021, meaning India has taken advantage of Russia's discounts, and which makes it the largest importer of Russian crude ahead of China and Iran. Some of that oil is refined and re-exported to Western markets through a sanctions loophole. It's a lucrative arrangement India has no intention of abandoning — and it keeps Vladimir Putin in business. That's the connection driving events these past few weeks: As Trump has lost faith in Putin's willingness to engage on ending the Ukraine war, so has his impatience with Modi gone through the roof. 5 The US wants India's help in containing China and securing global supply chains. Modi is seen here with China's President Xi Jinping. Getty Images But Trump's response — tariffs as geopolitical punishment — is unusual. Tariffs are typically used to protect domestic industry. Using them to enforce foreign policy aims introduces a different logic. Is it madness? Not entirely. Tariffs are one of the few levers a president can pull unilaterally. But the India case exposes the risks of this approach. India is unlikely to cave. With 1.4 billion people (the most in the world), a $4.2 trillion economy (tied with Japan for fourth in the world) and decent economic growth, it doesn't take kindly to coercion. Worse, this tactic invites charges of hypocrisy. Other countries still trade with Russia in fertilizer, chemicals and refined products. There's also blowback. Tariffs generally raise prices for US consumers, particularly in sectors like generic drugs and clothing. They also threaten to undermine supply chain shifts away from China. Companies like Apple have moved production to India — only to find their new base hit with punitive tariffs. Meanwhile, India may retaliate against US exports in energy and aerospace. 5 The US sees India as a counterweight to China in the Indo-Pacific. But India doesn't see the relationship through sentimental eyes. Carlo – American policymakers of the pre-Trump era spoke of a shared democratic identity and mutual values. But the real relationship is transactional. The US wants India's help in containing China and securing global supply chains. India wants American technology, markets and investment. That's why cooperative efforts like the iCET tech partnership and semiconductor joint ventures may succeed where talk of 'friendship' falls flat. The signs of this can be subtle. For example, Trump has been bragging in recent weeks about having averted war between India and Pakistan earlier this year. Putting aside the likely exaggeration, it did not escape notice in New Delhi that he was placing India — an imperfect but pluralistic democracy — on equal footing with its less-than-democratic rival. For a country deeply conscious of its global standing, this surely reinforced the perception that the Trump administration views India not as a partner of principle, but as just another actor to be cajoled as the situation demands. So it is no surprise that trade negotiations have repeatedly stalled over tariffs and market access. India maintains high barriers on agricultural imports and resists regulatory alignment. The US complains of protectionism; India sees imperialism. Neither is entirely wrong. India's foreign policy is rational, pragmatic, occasionally aggressive and ruthlessly self-interested. Trump's tariffs may sting, but they won't alter that fact. 5 In 1949, President Herbert Hoover met with Indian activist Mahatma Gandhi in New Delhi. Bettmann Archive The discomfort lies in letting go of the fantasy that India is a democratic soulmate. If both sides accept that the relationship is not built on shared values but overlapping interests, then real partnership is still possible. For the likes of Trump and Modi, that's about the best that you can hope for. Dan Perry led Associated Press coverage in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and served as AP's special international editor. He publishes Ask Questions Later on Substack.
The Hill
2 days ago
- The Hill
Putin flexes India, China ties ahead of planned Trump meeting
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday flexed his country's ties with India and China ahead of President Trump's announcement of a planned meeting with Putin in Alaska on Aug. 17. Putin held phone calls with both Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday, which Trump had set as the deadline for Russia to agree to a peace deal or face 'secondary tariffs' on its key trading partners. The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that Putin is demanding major territorial concessions by Ukraine in exchange for a halt to fighting. Modi's call with Putin came as India is facing an additional 25 percent in U.S. tariffs over its continued purchase of Russian oil, set to kick in at the end of this month, on top of 25 percent 'reciprocal' tariffs that took effect this week. Modi after the call said he had a 'very good and detailed conversation' with the Russian leader, who briefed him on the latest developments on the Russia-Ukraine war. 'We also reviewed the progress in our bilateral agenda, and reaffirmed our commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership,' Modi said. 'I look forward to hosting President Putin in India later this year.' The call with Modi came a day after Putin met with India's national security adviser Ajit Doval in Moscow. India has pushed back on Trump's tariff threats, saying buying Russian oil is necessary to stabilize domestic energy costs. Putin also spoke with Xi on Friday, briefing the Chinese president on his Wednesday huddle with Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff. The Kremlin said that Xi showed support for the 'settlement of the Ukrainian crisis on a long-term basis.' The Chinese president told Putin that Beijing, which provided crucial support to Russia's war, would continue 'promoting peace and dialogue.' The calls come amid a flurry of diplomacy on all sides after the Wednesday meeting between Putin and Witkoff, which Trump said was 'highly productive' and made 'great progress.' The president warned last month that Russia could stare down 'severe' tariffs if Moscow did not agree to a ceasefire within the next two months, a timeline he shortened to Friday of this week. He has said nations doing business with Russia would face a 100 percent 'secondary' tariffs, in a bid to further isolate Moscow economically. When asked Friday at the White House, while hosting the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan for a peace summit, if the Friday deadline would still entail punishment for Russia if it did not agree to a ceasefire, Trump demurred. 'We're going to see what he has to say,' the president told reporters. 'It's gonna be up to him. Very disappointed.' Late on Friday, Trump announced on social media that he and Putin will meet next Friday in Alaska. At the White House, Trump indicated that swapping territories between Russia and Ukraine is part of potential peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv. 'You're looking at territory that's been fought over for three and a half years. A lot of Russians have died, a lot of Ukrainians. So we're looking at that, but we're actually to get some back and some swapping. It's complicated,' Trump said on Friday. 'It's actually — nothing easy. It's very complicated. But we're going to get some back. And we're going to get some switched,' the president added. 'They'll be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both, but we'll be talking about that either later or tomorrow or whatever.' The Journal reported that Putin's proposal entails Ukraine withdrawing its military from the eastern Donetsk region, essentially letting Moscow oversee Luhansk and Donetsk, along with Crimea – comprising most of the country's east. A second phase would entail Putin and Trump agreeing on the final peace agreement that would later be discussed with Zelensky. Witkoff's spokesperson declined to comment. Witkoff spoke with senior European officials from Germany, France, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Italy and Finland on Thursday, two sources familiar with the call told The Hill on Thursday. The special envoy held another call with European national security officials on Friday, according to a NATO official and another source briefed on the matter. After the huddle, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's top adviser, Andriy Yermak, said the officials 'focused on coordinating positions to bring a sustainable and just peace for Ukraine as soon as possible.' 'We are ready to work as productively as possible to save lives and stop the fighting,' he wrote on social media. The president said at the White House on Friday that Zelensky 'has to get all of his, everything he needs, because he's going to have to get ready to sign something and I think he's working hard to get that done.'
