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India appoints Vikram Doraiswami as envoy to China

India has appointed senior Indian Foreign Service officer Vikram K. Doraiswami as its next Ambassador to China, a significant diplomatic decision as New Delhi continues to navigate its sensitive and strategic ties with Beijing. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the appointment, noting that he will assume the role in the near future.

Doraiswami is currently serving as India’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and belongs to the 1992 batch of the IFS. Over the course of his three-decade-long career, he has held several key diplomatic assignments, including serving as Ambassador to Bangladesh and Uzbekistan, as well as postings in South Korea and other important missions. His extensive experience makes him one of India’s most seasoned diplomats.

Importantly, Doraiswami is regarded as a China expert. He has prior experience working in Beijing during the early years of his career and has also received training in the Chinese language. This background is expected to prove valuable as he steps into one of India’s most challenging diplomatic roles.

He will replace Pradeep Kumar Rawat, who served as India’s Ambassador to China during a period marked by both tensions and sustained diplomatic engagement. Rawat played a key role in maintaining communication between the two countries amid ongoing border issues and efforts to stabilize relations.

Doraiswami’s appointment comes at a time when India-China relations remain delicate. Tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh have persisted in recent years, even as both countries continue military and diplomatic discussions to ease the situation. At the same time, economic and regional considerations make continued engagement between the two nations essential.

By appointing a diplomat with deep regional expertise and prior China experience, India appears to be signaling its intent to maintain steady and informed engagement with Beijing. Doraiswami is expected to focus on strengthening dialogue mechanisms, managing differences, and identifying areas of cooperation where possible.

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US grants India 30-day Russian crude oil import

The United States has granted India a 30-day waiver to continue importing Russian crude oil that is currently stranded at sea, providing crucial short-term relief for Indian refiners. The waiver, effective until early April 2026, allows India to legally receive shipments already loaded onto vessels, helping to maintain uninterrupted fuel supplies amid rising global uncertainty.

The move comes against the backdrop of tensions in the Middle East, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for international oil shipments. Disruptions in this region have created anxiety in global energy markets, with the potential to affect oil availability and pricing worldwide. By temporarily permitting these imports, the waiver gives Indian refiners time to adjust supply chains and manage domestic fuel demand.

US officials emphasized that the waiver is strictly short-term and limited to oil already in transit. It does not signal a broader relaxation of sanctions on Russian energy exports. At the same time, the waiver shows India’s role as a significant partner in global energy trade and highlights the delicate balance between meeting immediate domestic needs and navigating international regulations.

The decision also reflects India’s careful approach to energy security, ensuring that nearly 40% of its crude imports, which typically pass through the Hormuz route, are not disrupted. By securing a short-term supply while exploring alternative options, India is able to maintain stability in its domestic energy markets even amid geopolitical volatility.

Indian refiners have reportedly already begun arranging delivery of millions of barrels of Russian crude that had been awaiting clearance, ensuring that domestic fuel production remains unaffected. Analysts say the waiver provides logistical relief but does not change India’s longer-term energy strategy, which continues to focus on diversification of oil sources, including increasing imports from the United States.

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Qatar LNG halt raises gas supply concerns

India may face short-term concerns over natural gas supplies after Qatar temporarily halted production at one of its major liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities. Experts say the move, linked to regional tensions in West Asia, has raised worries about possible disruptions in global energy markets.

Qatar is one of the world’s largest LNG exporters and a key supplier of natural gas to India. A large share of India’s LNG imports comes from the Gulf nation under long-term contracts, making any disruption closely watched by Indian energy companies.

Following the production halt, shares of several LNG-related firms declined between 5 and 10 percent amid fears that supply could tighten and prices could rise in the international market. Analysts said the situation could increase volatility in energy markets if the disruption continues for an extended period.

However, experts also noted that India’s long-term LNG agreements with Qatar may help cushion the immediate impact. They said the country may not face a severe shortage right away, but the situation highlights the risks associated with global geopolitical tensions and energy dependence.

Officials and market watchers are closely monitoring developments in the region. If the production halt is prolonged or escalates into a larger supply disruption, it could push up global gas prices and affect importing countries like India.

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India’s GDP growth at 7.8% in Oct–Dec quarter

India’s economy grew 7.8% in the October–December 2025–26 quarter, according to revised GDP data using 2022–23 as the base year. The update incorporates broader data sources and improved methodology, giving a clearer picture of economic activity.

The National Statistics Office also raised the full-year growth forecast to 7.6%, reflecting resilience in consumption, manufacturing, and services despite global uncertainties. Analysts say the figures highlight continued domestic demand and industrial output strength.

India remains one of the fastest-growing major economies, with the new data expected to improve the reliability of future economic reporting.

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Summit marks India’s big play in AI

India sharpened its pitch to global technology companies and investors on the second day of the India AI Impact Summit, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi projecting the country as a trusted and scalable destination for artificial intelligence development, deployment and manufacturing.

Addressing delegates at Bharat Mandapam, Modi said India’s digital public infrastructure, expanding talent base and vast data ecosystem provide a ready foundation for building affordable AI solutions for both domestic use and export to emerging markets. The messaging was aimed at positioning India not just as a consumer market but as a full-stack AI economy spanning compute, models, applications and governance.

A key highlight of Day 2 was the emphasis on sovereign AI capabilities, with domestic large language models and multilingual platforms showcased as strategic assets for government deployment and regulated sectors. This aligns with policy efforts to build local compute capacity and reduce reliance on overseas ecosystems while continuing to invite global partnerships.

The summit also functioned as a deal-making and collaboration platform, drawing participation from more than 100 countries, global CEOs and ministerial delegations. Several countries signalled interest in joint research, talent development and market access partnerships, underlining the role of the event in India’s technology diplomacy.

India’s scale as an AI deployment market emerged as a central theme in the discussions, with its rapidly growing user base expected to drive demand for data centres, cloud infrastructure and enterprise AI solutions. Sectoral case studies in healthcare, agriculture, education and energy pointed to immediate commercial applications, particularly in public service delivery and productivity gains.

Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reiterated plans to expand the domestic AI talent pool and support product development through the proposed “Create in India” mission, a move seen as critical for attracting long-term investments.

The 70,000-sq-m expo, featuring hundreds of startups, country pavilions and global technology firms, provided a live marketplace for customer acquisition, government-enterprise engagement and capital flows.

 India is leveraging its data scale, digital infrastructure and policy push to move up the global AI value chain, positioning itself as both a high-growth market and a strategic innovation base for companies looking to build for the world.

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India powers ahead with 50 GW growth in FY26

India has added more than 50,000 MW (50 GW) of power generation capacity during the current financial year, marking the highest-ever annual increase in the country’s history. The rapid expansion reflects rising electricity demand and a strong push towards cleaner energy sources.

A major share of the new capacity has come from renewable energy, with solar power contributing the largest portion, nearly 35 GW. Wind energy additions have also gathered pace, while thermal, large hydro and nuclear projects accounted for the remaining capacity. The strong renewable growth means non-fossil fuel sources now form a larger share of India’s total installed power capacity.

With the latest addition, India’s overall installed power capacity has crossed 520 GW, strengthening the country’s ability to meet peak demand from industry, infrastructure, urbanisation and the fast-growing digital economy. The capacity addition represents a significant year-on-year increase and highlights the speed at which new projects are being commissioned.

The record build-out has been supported by policy measures, faster project execution, improved transmission networks and rising investments in clean energy. Government schemes promoting solar parks, rooftop solar and manufacturing of renewable equipment have played a key role in accelerating installations.

The expansion is also crucial for India’s long-term energy transition goals. The country has set ambitious targets to increase the share of non-fossil fuel capacity in its energy mix, reduce carbon emissions and ensure reliable power supply for sustained economic growth.

At the same time, the addition of thermal and hydro capacity is helping maintain grid stability and meet base-load requirements, ensuring that the shift to renewable energy remains balanced.

Also Read: India AI Impact Summit greets skills, tech, leaders

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India passport jumps 10 ranks

India’s passport has climbed 10 places to rank 75th in the 2026 edition of the Henley & Partners Passport Index, marking a notable improvement in global mobility for Indian citizens.

The index ranks passports based on how many destinations holders can enter without securing a visa in advance. It counts visa-free access, visa-on-arrival, and certain electronic travel authorisations.

In 2026, Indian passport holders can travel to 56 destinations without prior visa approval. While this reflects improved global standing compared to last year’s 85th rank, the total number of visa-free destinations has slightly reduced from 57 in 2025.

The dip follows changes in entry rules by two countries.

Iran ended its visa-free entry for ordinary Indian passport holders in late 2025. Travellers must now obtain a visa before departure, removing Iran from India’s visa-free list under the index criteria.

Similarly, Bolivia replaced its visa-on-arrival facility for Indians with a pre-approved e-visa system. Since travellers must apply before flying, Bolivia no longer qualifies as visa-free access in the ranking methodology.

Experts point out that passport rankings are relative. India’s rise reflects not only its own travel access but also changes in other countries’ standings.

Despite the improvement, India remains far below the world’s most powerful passports, such as Singapore, which offers visa-free entry to nearly 200 destinations.

The latest ranking signals gradual progress in India’s international travel access. However, further diplomatic efforts and bilateral agreements will be essential to expand visa-free opportunities for Indian travellers in the future.

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US edits India trade deal factsheet

The White House has revised its factsheet on the proposed India-US interim trade deal, making key changes to language on agricultural imports, investment commitments and digital taxation following concerns flagged by New Delhi.

In the earlier version of the document, the US had stated that India would cut or eliminate tariffs on a list of American agricultural products, including tree nuts, fruits, soybean oil, wine, spirits and “certain pulses.” The mention of pulses,  a politically sensitive crop in India,  drew attention because India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of lentils, chickpeas and other pulses, and domestic farmers depend heavily on tariff protection.

In the updated factsheet, the specific reference to “certain pulses” has been removed. Instead, the language now broadly mentions improved access for a “wide range of US agricultural products,” without naming individual commodities.

Another notable revision relates to India’s proposed purchases of American goods. The original text said India was “committed” to buying more than $500 billion worth of US products over the next five years, including energy, coal and technology equipment. The revised version softens this to say India “intends” to purchase such goods, signalling that the figure is indicative rather than a binding obligation. Mentions of agricultural goods within this purchase commitment have also been omitted.

Changes were also made to the section on digital trade. The earlier draft suggested India would remove or roll back its digital services tax. The revised document now says both countries will work toward negotiating digital trade rules, bringing the language in line with prior joint statements.

Sources indicated that the corrections were made to accurately reflect what had been mutually agreed upon.

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India pledges $175 mn economic support for Seychelles

In a significant move reflecting India’s commitment to regional development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a $175 million special economic package for Seychelles, aimed at supporting the island nation’s key development priorities. The announcement came during a joint press briefing with Seychelles President Patrick Herminie in New Delhi, marking a milestone in the two countries’ long-standing diplomatic and economic partnership.

The package is designed to finance projects that will have a tangible impact on the daily lives of Seychellois citizens. Social housing projects will be a major focus, addressing the pressing need for affordable homes, while investments in electric mobility and vocational training aim to create new employment opportunities, particularly for young professionals. Health infrastructure and maritime security initiatives are also included, reflecting India’s holistic approach to development support.

“This package is about more than funds; it’s about empowering communities and strengthening Seychelles’ capacity for sustainable growth,” Modi said. Analysts note that such initiatives often generate long-term economic benefits, as improved housing, transport, and training contribute to workforce productivity and regional stability.

President Herminie, on his first state visit to India, expressed appreciation for the package, highlighting the strong historical ties and strategic partnership between the nations. He noted that India’s support demonstrates trust and a shared vision for economic resilience and regional stability in the Indian Ocean.

For businesses, this package signals a growing scope for Indian companies to participate in development projects in Seychelles, particularly in infrastructure, technology, and renewable energy sectors.

The agreement also includes capacity-building programs, including training Seychellois civil servants in India, and enhanced digital and trade cooperation, facilitating smoother economic and technological integration. Both governments emphasized that the package aligns with priorities identified by Seychelles and will support projects that directly impact citizens’ livelihoods.

Also Read: India clarifies $500bn US import figure

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India clarifies $500bn US import figure

India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has clarified that the $500 billion figure for imports from the US over five years reflects India’s growing commercial needs, not a firm commitment under the new trade framework.

Goyal emphasized that India “intends to” source goods from the US where it makes sense, but there is no obligation to buy a fixed annual amount. Decisions will depend on price, quality, and demand.

The estimate comes from India’s rising import requirements, expected to reach $2 trillion over five years. Key sectors include energy (crude oil, LNG, LPG), aviation (aircraft, engines, spare parts), technology products, precious metals, and coking coal.

India already has aircraft orders with Boeing worth $50 billion, and future aviation needs could push imports to $80–100 billion. Similarly, growing tech infrastructure,  data centres, AI, and quantum computing,  will drive demand for high-end US products.

Goyal noted that India currently imports about $300 billion of goods that could come from the US. He described the $500 billion figure as conservative, reflecting intent to diversify supply chains rather than any enforced quota.

The interim trade framework also reduces tariffs and gives Indian exporters better access to the US market, benefiting sectors such as pharma, gems and jewellery, and labour-intensive industries.

The clarification addresses concerns that India might be forced into higher imports, reassuring that sensitive sectors like agriculture and dairy remain protected.

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