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Friday, March 20, 2026
TopicMEA

Topic: MEA

Free gas to waivers, govt-owned gas firms roll out incentives to push households from LPG to PNG

IGL, MGL & other city gas distributors announce benefits to encourage LPG users to shift to piped natural gas as Centre flags concerns over LPG supply in the wake of Iran conflict.

Eight of 16 Indian sailors detained by Iran to return soon, consular access received, confirms MEA

The sailors on board the Valiant Roar have been detained since 8 December. Another 8 Indian sailors on board will remain in Iran.

‘Each time there’s violence…’: India slams Pakistan’s ‘frivolous claim’ of role in Balochistan unrest

MEA spokesperson says Islamabad should address domestic grievances, instead of blaming New Delhi.

India halves aid to Bangladesh, boosts support for Afghanistan and Sri Lanka in Union Budget 2026

In the immediate neighbourhood, Bhutan sees the highest allocation of roughly Rs 2,288 crore, up from Rs 2,150 crore in 2025.

No Budget allocation for Chabahar Port as India withdraws from Iran amid US ‘maximum pressure’

Port is seen as a strategic outlet to Central Asia bypassing Pakistan. Last month reports indicated India transferred $120 mn to Tehran, as it withdraws exposure to US sanctions.

Sikh separatist Pannun raises ‘Khalistan’ flag at Indian embassy in Croatia, MEA condemns vandalism

Matter taken up strongly with Croatian authorities in New Delhi & Zagreb, says India as the separatist also threatened an attack on Republic Day.

As India protests infra buildup, China reasserts claim over Shaksgam Valley. ‘It’s fully Chinese’

New Delhi has never recognised the so-called China-Pakistan ‘Boundary Agreement’ signed in 1963, through which Islamabad ceded territorial control of the valley to Beijing.

Shaksgam Valley our territory, says India on China’s construction activities. ‘We don’t recognise CPEC’

Chinese construction activities in the Valley located in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir have gathered steam following the standoff in Bhutan's Doklam in 2017.

‘Modi, Trump spoke 8 times in 2025’: India says Lutnick’s claims on stalled US trade deal inaccurate

Two sides have held multiple rounds of negotiation to arrive at a balanced & mutually beneficial trade agreement & a deal was close on several occasions, asserts MEA.

US Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor to arrive in India next week

The formal takeover comes at a time when bilateral ties between the two countries have hit a rough patch over tariffs and other matters.

On Camera

Why the US shouldn’t try to outsmart the oil market

Selling oil futures would be a desperate ploy, born of panic about rising US gasoline and diesel retail prices ahead of the midterm elections.

Israel’s tolerance for persistent threats on its borders has eroded: US intel on Iran war

When conflict with Iran ends, says the report, area’s key players are likely to reexamine longstanding assumptions & alliances as they determine how best to advance their interests.

Peaceful power transfers followed uprisings in India’s neighbourhood. It’s a sign of mature democracies

Rating democracies is a tricky business. I am only using the simple metric of who in the Indian subcontinent has had the most peaceful, stable, normal political transitions and continuity.