Arun Kumar The move’s adverse impact on the unorganised sector is likely to overwhelm its positive impact on the organised sector. The GST rate reduction on a large number of items seems appropriate. The GST Council unanimously agreed to this major rationalisation…
India and Qatar share a deep energy partnership, with Qatar being a key supplier of liquified natural gas (LNG) to meet India’s growing demand. As energy trade relies heavily on secure maritime routes, rising geopolitical tensions in the Gulf and threats to sea lanes have made security a shared priority. To address these challenges, the India-Qatar Maritime Energy Security Dialogue has been launched to strengthen cooperation in safeguarding energy flows, enhancing naval cooperation, and building resilient supply chains. This policy update briefly examines the partnership’s significance and outlines ways to deepen collaboration for regional stability and energy security.
In the 21st century, the extensive popularity of Bollywood movies in Turkey, and the ever-growing appeal of Turkish dramas in India are emblematic of the sustained soft power diplomacy of the two sovereign nations. The roots of such connections, however, can be traced back over centuries, which included a continuous give and take between Indians and the Turks. This international cultural network between the south and west of Asia was established through consistent cultural exchanges initiated by the Sufis, who might be credited as some of the most prominent pioneers of cultural diplomacy between India and Turkey.
India’s strong endorsement of Yoga as a ‘ubiquitous cultural export’ did not emerge overnight. Rather, it stems from the country’s century-long association with this revered practice. The foundations of Yoga can be traced back to Vedic and pre-Vedic era, with its mention in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, which classify the elements of Yoga into eight limbs.
The Union Budget for 2025–2026 introduced the Nuclear Energy Mission under the Viksit Bharat program. This marks a crucial step toward diversifying India’s energy portfolio and strengthening its long-term energy resilience. At its core, the mission aims to significantly scale up the role of nuclear energy in the country’s energy mix, both to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and to provide a stable foundation for future growth.
India's policy framework initiatives like the National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM), Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, and strategic auctions for mineral blocks, emphasize its determination to secure a steady supply of raw materials for its booming manufacturing and renewable energy sectors. At the same time, Australia's robust mining sector and forward-thinking policy landscape make it a natural supplier capable of filling the supply gaps for key trade partners like India.
The International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a multi-modal transportation network that integrates ship, rail, and road routes for moving freight between India, Russia, Iran, Europe, and Central Asia. The corridor's primary objective is to enhance regional connectivity, promoting trade and economic cooperation among participating nations and regions.