Latest news with #SuchitraMukherjee
India Gazette
18-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
"There will be stability in prices": Union Minister Puri on shortage fear over India's energy supplies amid Israel-Iran conflict
By Suchitra Mukherjee New Delhi [India], June 18 (ANI): Amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday assured that India has sufficient petrol and diesel reserves and that country has nothing to worry about, as it also has enough energy supplies for the coming months. When asked about potential oil and gas shortages due to the conflict, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, speaking exclusively to ANI, emphasised that India's energy strategy focuses on availability, affordability, and sustainability. 'I assure you that there will be no shortage of crude oil. In the last three years, prices have not increased, but have decreased. India is a country that does not increase the price of petrol and diesel. There were three such occasions in November 2021, May 2022 and March 2024. We reduced the prices, so now it would be better if it remains like this. I would not anticipate any disruption in this, I think there will be stability in prices,' he stated. Earlier on June 16 this year, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri revealed positive news about India's potential oil and gas reserves in the Andaman Sea. He stated that the region might hold massive reserves comparable to Guyana's significant oil discoveries. Puri was optimistic about the ongoing exploration efforts, suggesting the Andaman area could be home to multiple large oil and gas reserves. This potential discovery could be a game-changer for India, reducing its reliance on imported energy, boosting the economy, and improving energy security amidst global tensions like the Israel-Iran conflict. (ANI)
India Gazette
16-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Multi-party MPs delegation to present India's viewpoint on India-Pak conflict to world leaders
By Suchitra Mukherjee New Delhi [India], May 16 (ANI): India is likely to embark on a diplomatic mission to present its's viewpoint on India-Pak conflict to world leaders particularly regarding Kashmir and cross-border terrorism. A delegation of MPs from various parties, including NDA, BJD, Congress, and others, will visit prominent nations such as: US, UK, Japan, South Africa, Qatar and UAE, commencing after May 22. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju is leading the coordination efforts for this international tour, marking a significant step in India's diplomatic outreach. The key objectives of the tour is to enlighten global leaders about the recent tensions between India and Pakistan, while also showcasing India's strategic viewpoint and garner support from the international community, said sources on Friday. MPs have been asked to assemble in Delhi with necessary documents, and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) will provide detailed briefings on the tour's plan and agenda. Sources reveal that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) will soon provide detailed briefings to the MPs regarding the tour's plan and agenda. This international outreach aims to bolster India's global stance and foster international cooperation. With diverse political representation, the delegation is poised to effectively convey India's perspective on the recent conflict and its strategic priorities. MPs have received invitations, and each delegation will comprise 5-6 members, their key task is to effectively communicate India's stance and garner support from the international community, the sources added. As per sources, the delegations will comprise prominent leaders and Parliamentarians from across the political lines. The groups will likely to leave for different destinations across the world on May 22- 23. This will be the first time that the Centre will depute MPs from multiple parties to present India's stance on Kashmir and cross-border terrorism originating from Pakistan. Each delegation will comprise 5-6 MPs from various political parties, including NDA, BJD, Congress, and others, along with an official from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and a government representative. MPs have been advised to keep their passports and other travel-related documents ready. The delegations are likely to depart India for various countries on May 22 -23 and return in the first week of June. India launched Operation Sindoor in the intervening night of May 6-7, in response to the April 22, Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 tourists were killed, including a Nepal citizen. (ANI)
India Gazette
06-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
India-Saudi Arabia energy partnership expands with growing cooperation
By Suchitra Mukherjee New Delhi [India], May 6 (ANI): The energy partnership between India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is undergoing a remarkable phase of expansion and consolidation, powered by shared ambition, strategic vision, and the enduring personal chemistry between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia stands as one of India's most significant and reliable hydrocarbon trade partners, playing a crucial role in meeting the country's energy demands. Notably, Saudi Arabia supplies over 14 per cent of India's crude oil requirements, solidifying its position as a key crude oil provider. Additionally, the Kingdom fulfils more than 18 per cent of India's LPG needs, underscoring its importance in ensuring India's energy security and stability in the energy sector. This strong partnership underscores the deepening energy ties between the two nations. Saudi Aramco is in advanced discussions to invest in two major refinery projects in India. Such synergy would provide a win-win situation for both our countries, allowing Saudi Aramco to derisk investment for expanding production capacity while providing India with affordable and stable pricing for its crude imports. These discussions are advancing constructively, with BPCL and ONGC engaging proactively with their Saudi counterparts to ensure mutual benefit and long-term viability. A highly placed source in the government told ANI that recognising the strategic nature of this partnership, efforts are being made to offer a facilitative environment for Saudi investments. This mutual recognition of shared strategic interest forms the bedrock of this growing alliance, going far beyond Energy, and spanning across sectors like space exploration, telecommunication and IT, healthcare, governance, logistics and trade. Importantly, this collaboration between India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reflects a new era of geopolitical alignment and economic interdependence and enjoys the full-fledged support and patronage from the top leadership of both nations. (ANI)
India Gazette
06-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
BJP appeals to citizens, party workers to volunteer for May 7 mock drills
By Suchitra Mukherjee New Delhi [India], May 6 (ANI): Ahead of the nationwide mock drill scheduled for May 7 in 244 districts of the country spread across several states, the BJP Parliamentary Party office has directed all BJP MPS to participate in the drill as ordinary citizens and cooperate with the local administration. Each MP will participate in their respective constituency. State presidents have also been asked to coordinate with senior office-bearers and district presidents to ensure the smooth execution of the drill, sources told ANI. Taking to X and Facebook, the BJP urged all citizens, party workers (Karyakartas), leaders, and students to come forward and volunteer for the mock drill. The party emphasised that every participant's involvement would make a significant difference in the success of the exercise. Amid heightened tensions with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 Indian tourists, the Government of India has announced a nationwide civil defence mock drill on Wednesday. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked states and union territories to conduct the exercise for effective civil defence. The exercise will include blackout simulations, air raid sirens, evacuation drills, and public training sessions to prepare for war-like emergencies. Meanwhile, the civil defence held a meeting with all its employees on the ways to protect citizens in case of an air attack in the city. Along with this, everyone was also given guidelines on protecting the public. The civil defence individuals were also made aware of activities to be undertaken by citizens during a sudden attack, and what precautions they should take to ensure minimum damage. Information on how to manage the crowd during a disaster was also provided. While the army is preparing on the border for a possible war with Pakistan, the civil defence volunteers have also become active in protecting the citizens in the city from attacks. Measures to be undertaken, according to sources, include operationalization of Air Raid Warning Sirens and training of civilians, students, etc on the civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack. The sources said measures also include the provision of crash blackout measures, provision for early camouflaging of vital installations and updation of the evacuation plan and its rehearsal. Tensions have risen between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed. The government has said that perpetrators of the terror attack will face severe punishment. (ANI)
India Gazette
25-04-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Amit Shah and Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil to hold crucial meeting; to discuss Indus Water Treaty suspension
By Suchitra Mukherjee New Delhi [India], April 25 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah will hold a meeting regarding the Indus Water Treaty at his residence in the national capital on Friday (today) evening. Besides the Home Minister and the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, CR Patil, other senior government officials, will attend this meeting. Sources told ANI, 'India has formally notified Pakistan in writing about the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty.' Secretary of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Devashree Mukherjee, has informed the Secretary of Pakistan's Ministry of Water Resources, Syed Ali Murtaza, about this decision of the Indian government through a letter. India has issued a notice for changes in the treaty. The letter states that the Indian government has given notice to the Pakistani government for amendments to the treaty. The notice mentioned that several fundamental aspects of the treaty have changed and require reconsideration. Changes in population, the development of clean energy, and various factors related to water distribution according to the treaty have occurred. Any treaty should be implemented in good faith, but Pakistan is promoting cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. The letter said India has sent notices to Pakistan government seeking modification of the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 (the Treaty) under Article XII (3) of the Treaty. 'These communications cited fundamental changes in the circumstances that have taken place since the Treaty was executed that require a re-assessment of obligations under the various Articles of the Treaty read with its Annexures,' the letter said. 'These changes include significantly altered population demographics, the need to accelerate the development of clean energy and other changes in the assumptions underlying the sharing of waters under the Treaty,' it added. The letter said that obligation to honour a treaty in good faith is fundamental to a treaty. 'However, what we have seen instead is sustained cross border terrorism by Pakistan targeting the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The resulting security uncertainties have directly impeded India's full utilization of its rights under the Treaty,' it said. 'Furthermore, apart from other breaches committed by it, Pakistan has refused to respond to India's request to enter into negotiations as envisaged under the Treaty and is thus in breach of the Treaty. The Government of India has hereby decided that the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect,' it added. The Government of India has hereby decided that the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect. Following the Centre's announcement to suspend the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil chaired a series of meetings yesterday to expedite the implementation of the decision, as directed by the Prime Minister. The Indian government has taken a significant step following the cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The government has temporarily suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan. This decision was made at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) held on April 23, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. This comes after terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960, following nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan, with the assistance of the World Bank, which is also a signatory. The negotiations were initiated by former World Bank President Eugene Black. Recognised as one of the most successful international treaties, it has endured frequent tensions, including conflict, and has provided a framework for irrigation and hydropower development for over half a century. The Indus Waters Treaty governs the use and distribution of the waters of the six rivers of the Indus basin - Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej - between India and Pakistan. Under this treaty, the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) are allocated to Pakistan, while the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) are allocated to India. (ANI)
