The objective should be clear: Energy security without abandoning environmental responsibility; water security without ignoring local concerns; and strategic resilience without sacrificing public confidence, notes Varun Arya.
The advisory, issued on Wednesday, urges Indian nationals to avoid large gatherings and crowded places where protests are occurring and to follow local authorities' instructions.
J&K Bank MD and CEO Amitava Chatterjee defended the surcharge on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000, stating it is necessary for the system's long-term sustainability. He also discussed the shift of household savings to mutual funds, the bank's profit growth, and India's consumption-based economy.
Pakistan and the Maldives have signed 20 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering defence, maritime security, artificial intelligence, trade, and other sectors during Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's three-day visit to Islamabad. The agreements aim to significantly boost bilateral cooperation and trade, with Pakistan also offering technical expertise and educational opportunities.
Union Minister Rajnath Singh has accused the Congress and its allies of attempting to instigate a 'Bangladesh-like regime change' in India, leveraging youth energy for political confrontation and anarchy, rather than constructive nation-building.
The Indian government has approved the sale of a 60.72 per cent stake in IDBI Bank Ltd to Canadian billionaire Prem Watsa's Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd for approximately 52,878 crore, a move that reflects improving India-Canada ties and marks a significant turning point for the bank.
IndiGo and Air India Group will progressively shift flights from Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to the newly built Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) starting from December. This phased transition, expected to complete by the 2027 summer aviation season, aims to ease capacity constraints at CSMIA, facilitate its Terminal 1 redevelopment, and establish a dual-airport system for Mumbai, enhancing connectivity and future growth.
NITI Aayog has recommended treating data centres as strategic infrastructure rather than mere investment projects, releasing a report titled 'Data Centre Evaluation Framework to Help States Plan for Sustainable Growth'. The report advocates for common standards, central government guidance, and a structured approach for states to manage data centre growth, considering resource requirements and economic benefits.
Former US President Donald Trump has once again claimed he prevented a war between India and Pakistan by threatening them with steep tariffs, expressing disappointment that his efforts have not earned him a Nobel Peace Prize. India, however, maintains that any de-escalation was a direct agreement between the two nations.
The Brics proposal for a Grain Exchange, aimed at challenging the dominance of Western trading firms, faces significant operational and implementation hurdles, including settlement currency, regulatory frameworks, and limited participation from key members like India, according to experts.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is actively pursuing a strategy to expand cricket in China, leveraging the sport's recent inclusion in the Olympics. Plans include establishing a Centre of Excellence, supporting a Tier 2 event, and promoting women's cricket, with significant investment and collaboration with the Chinese Cricket Association to embed the sport deeper into the country's sporting system.
Apple's highly anticipated and most expensive foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, has completely sold out its first week's stock in India through pre-bookings, ahead of its official sale date of October 23. This strong demand, particularly at Apple Stores in Mumbai and New Delhi, signals a significant entry into the premium foldable market.
China has announced new export controls on key machinery, including tunnel boring machines, walking excavators, and dredger components, citing national security. These restrictions, effective November 18, could significantly impact India's infrastructure projects, such as metro systems and high-speed rail lines, as China has previously limited such exports to India.
Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Ajit Kumar Mohanty announced that India's private sector is projected to invest Rs 7.5 lakh crore and contribute 30 GW towards the nation's goal of achieving 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047. This marks a significant policy shift, facilitated by the SHANTI Act, encouraging private participation in nuclear energy beyond the traditional public sector model. The country is also exploring Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for industrial needs and advancing its three-stage nuclear power programme, leveraging its substantial thorium reserves.
A foreign brokerage predicts that private investments in Indian AI startups are rapidly growing, with potential listings adding up to USD 100 billion to India's market capitalisation over the next two to five years. Goldman Sachs reported a tripling of PE investment in Indian AI startups in 2025 and highlighted India's rising global rank in AI funding and new AI companies.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced a new skating track in Dhuri, Sangrur, aiming to develop the district into a skating hub. He highlighted the government's commitment to sports with a Rs 1,790 crore allocation and ongoing initiatives like 'Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan' to nurture young talent and promote a healthy lifestyle.
Sikkim has hosted the inaugural leg of the 2026 Zabarvan Extreme Legends Series, an international downhill mountain biking competition. The event, featuring riders from eight countries, aims to bolster the state's adventure tourism profile. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang flagged off the competition and highlighted plans for infrastructure development to support tourism in the region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation from the Red Fort on Independence Day, declared that India is undergoing a rapid transformation across various sectors and is firmly on track to become a developed nation by 2047.
American singer Mary Millben has ignited a political debate by calling on 'young patriots' in India to protest the Cockroach Janata Party..
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza has confirmed his decision to retire after the 2027 ODI World Cup, stating that his country's potential entry into the World Test Championship (WTC) for the 2027-30 cycle will not alter his plans. He believes WTC entry will significantly boost Zimbabwe's cricketing growth and also discussed the challenges of home advantage for the 2027 World Cup and highlighted promising young talents.
The Ministry of External Affairs reported that 275 Indians remain missing following devastating flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border, while 166 others have been rescued. India has supplied 95 tonnes of relief material and deployed 54 personnel, including rescue and forensic experts, to assist Nepal. The death toll in Nepal has reached 1,295, with thousands still missing, and significant infrastructure damage reported. India has also highlighted the need for developed countries to lead in climate change action.
Godrej Properties reported a significant 62 per cent decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 154.15 crore for the September quarter, primarily due to higher expenses, while its sales bookings also fell by 6 per cent to Rs 8,008 crore.
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has officially approved the renaming of the Noida International Airport at Jewar to 'Narendra Modi International Airport, Noida-Jewar', a move Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described as a "major gift" to the state.
Jio Platforms (JPL) is preparing a capex-light strategy to commercially launch 6G services in the early 2030s through software upgrades, rather than fresh infrastructure investments, according to Akash Ambani, managing director of JPL.
Jio Platforms Limited (JPL) believes satellite broadband services are unlikely to achieve significant scale or compete effectively on price in India's highly connected and affordable market, despite developing its own satellite constellation solutions and flagging it as a potential disruptor.
Australian umpire Ben Treloar will officiate in two Ranji Trophy matches in India, while India's Parashar Joshi will travel to Australia to stand in two Sheffield Shield matches and one One Day Cup fixture as part of an exchange programme between Cricket Australia and the BCCI.
The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is undergoing a significant modernization drive, establishing drone platoons, developing a new 'Strike' course for Galwan-like situations, and constructing underground infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control. This strategic shift, announced by DG Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, aims to counter China, identified as India's 'biggest adversary,' by embracing modern warfare techniques learned from recent global conflicts.
CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five-day judicial custody on Wednesday for allegedly trespassing into Jantar Mantar and demanding the CEC's resignation.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Reliance Industries' Jamnagar refinery, a day after calling India a crude oil refining 'superpower', and met with top Indian business leaders Gautam Adani and N Chandrasekaran to advance bilateral ties in energy, trade, investment, and defence.
GE Aerospace is set to significantly increase its supply chain spending in India, targeting USD 400 million by 2030, up from USD 200 million in 2025. This expansion reflects the company's commitment to India's burgeoning aviation market, driven by substantial aircraft orders and the strategic importance of its manufacturing and technology centres in Pune and Bengaluru.
HDFC Bank has initiated an internal enquiry into the alleged leak of confidential information by two senior executives, with investigators examining whether the disclosed information was misused.
The Sports Ministry has revised its Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF), significantly increasing financial support for organising international events in India, with up to Rs 50 crore available. The new guidelines also maintain funding for National Championships, introduce assistance for National Games, and outline plans for Olympic Training Centres, aligning with India's 2036 Olympic bid and 2030 Commonwealth Games aspirations.
Air India has extended the cancellation of flights to Saudi Arabia until October 20, 2026, due to escalating tensions and Houthi attacks in the region. IndiGo and Akasa Air have also extended their flight suspensions to Saudi cities, with passengers offered full refunds.
Investors are set to monitor quarterly earnings, crude oil prices, the Jio Platforms initial public offering, and foreign investor activity in the upcoming holiday-shortened week, according to market analysts.
A new Rs 6,000 crore integrated phenol and acetone plant, India's largest, has been inaugurated in Haldia, West Bengal. Developed by Adperma Private Limited, a subsidiary of Haldia Petrochemicals Limited (HPL), the facility aims to reduce India's reliance on imported industrial chemicals and boost the domestic specialty chemicals sector. West Bengal's Chief Minister announced a new industrial policy following the inauguration.
HCLTech, India's third-largest IT services company, reported robust Q2 revenue growth of 2.3 per cent in constant currency, driven by services and ER&D segments, with strong new deal wins of $3.3 billion and significant traction in its AI business. Despite exceeding margin estimates and raising revenue guidance, some brokerages remain cautious due to the stock's premium valuation compared to peers.
US missions across West Asia have issued a security alert advising American nationals to "exercise heightened vigilance" due to Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia and the potential for Iran and its allies to target US interests. The advisory warns of potential travel disruptions and escalating hostilities, linking the Houthi actions to Iran's regional network and the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
India has rescued three more nationals, including a child, from Nepal's flood-hit Trishuli Bazaar, bringing the total evacuees to 169, while 275 Indians remain missing. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that 1,907 Indians safely crossed into Nepal from China and India continues to provide extensive relief materials and expert teams to assist Nepal in its recovery efforts following the devastating flash floods.
The Delhi Police have designated three new venues for protests - Burari Ground, CBD Ground, and Ramlila Ground - after denotifying Jantar Mantar. These sites vary in size and location, with concerns raised about the impact of protests on commercial and residential areas near CBD Ground, while Burari Ground is the largest. Ramlila Maidan has a rich political history.
The University of Melbourne and the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati have launched a new 2+2 Bachelor of Science Integrated (Honours) dual degree. This programme offers Indian students a globally connected, research-intensive science education, allowing them to study two years at IISER-Tirupati and two years in Melbourne, graduating with two honours degrees.
