Author: News Desk

To improve connectivity to the Lakshadweep islands, Cochin International Airport Limited is set to begin trial seaplane operations from Kochi starting Wednesday, depending on weather conditions. The trial flights are aimed at testing the feasibility of regular seaplane services between Kochi and multiple islands in Lakshadweep. If successful, the service is expected to significantly improve tourism access, emergency travel options, and overall regional connectivity. A 20-seater Twin Otter seaplane operated by M/S Skyhope Aviation Limited will be used for the trials. The planned routes include Kochi–Agatti–Kalpeni–Kavaratti and Kochi–Kadmat–Kiltan–Agatti. Over three days, around 12 trial flights are scheduled across different island…

Tata Power is in discussions with three Indian states to develop small modular nuclear reactor projects as the company expands its clean energy ambitions. According to reports, Tata Power is currently preparing feasibility studies and detailed project reports for two proposed small modular reactor projects with a planned capacity of 220 megawatts each. The company is reportedly in talks with Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Odisha while also engaging with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited on technical and regulatory aspects of the projects. India has recently opened the nuclear power sector to greater private participation as part of its…

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Tuesday to discuss the company’s long-term investment plans and its role in India’s growing digital mobility sector. During the meeting, Khosrowshahi said Uber views India as a key long-term market and a central part of its growth strategy aligned with the country’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. He highlighted that since his last meeting with the Finance Minister in 2022, the number of earners on Uber’s platform in India has significantly increased, reflecting strong expansion of its driver and partner ecosystem. Discussions focused on Uber’s future…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines is exploring major expansion opportunities in India through investments in shipbuilding, port terminals, and logistics infrastructure. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, widely known as MOL, is currently regarded as the world’s second-largest ship owner by fleet size. The company is now evaluating long-term partnerships and infrastructure investments as India rapidly expands its maritime and industrial capabilities. According to reports, the Japanese shipping giant is particularly interested in India’s shipbuilding sector, terminal operations, logistics infrastructure, and supply-chain connectivity projects. The company believes India’s strategic location and economic growth make it an important future maritime hub. India has been heavily investing…

In a crucial confidence vote held in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, the TVK government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay secured victory with the support of 144 members. The government received backing from Congress, VCK, CPI(M), and IUML, along with support from a rebel faction of the AIADMK, helping it clear its first major test in the Assembly. Ahead of the vote, DMK members walked out of the House. Opposition leader Udhayanidhi Stalin criticised the government, saying that real governance cannot be replaced by social media presence like Instagram reels. In his reply, Chief Minister Vijay said his…

U.S. President Donald Trump is heading to China for a high-level summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking the first visit by a U.S. leader to the country in a decade. The meeting, originally planned for March, was pushed to May following the US-Israel conflict with Iran. Trump is expected to arrive in Beijing on May 13 (morning U.S. time), with two days of bilateral talks scheduled before he departs on May 15. His itinerary includes formal meetings, a state banquet, and a working lunch with Xi. Key issues on the agenda The summit comes at a tense global moment,…

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone is pushing deeper into Europe’s offshore and subsea services market through a new partnership between its marine platform Astro Offshore and US-based engineering firm Oceaneering International. The collaboration marks a strategic step for Adani Ports as it expands beyond traditional port operations into high-value underwater and offshore infrastructure services. The focus is on building a large global marine ecosystem covering offshore logistics, subsea engineering and deepwater project support. As part of this expansion, Astro Offshore has acquired a 97-metre DP2 multipurpose support vessel, Energy Savannah, which will be renamed Astro Atlas. The vessel is…

Indian entrepreneurs have emerged as the largest group on Forbes Middle East’s latest list of the richest residents in the United Arab Emirates. The 2026 ranking features nine Indians, with their combined wealth estimated at $49.9 billion. The report highlights 17 billionaires from five countries, together holding a total net worth of $212.6 billion. It also points to the UAE’s growing status as a global hub for wealthy investors and business leaders. Among the top Indian names, M. A. Yusuff Ali ranks sixth with a net worth of $5.8 billion. He leads LuLu Group International, which operates 267 hypermarkets across…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a six-day, five-nation diplomatic tour from May 15 to 20, visiting the United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy. The visit is aimed at strengthening India’s trade, investment, technology and strategic partnerships with Europe and the Gulf region amid a rapidly evolving global geopolitical landscape. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the tour is expected to deepen India’s engagement with Europe across a wide range of sectors, with particular emphasis on trade and investment following the recently concluded India–European Union Free Trade Agreement. UAE: Energy Cooperation, Trade and Diaspora Welfare The Prime…

The Central government is preparing to roll out a ‘Made in India’ branding scheme aimed at strengthening the global identity of Indian products, following a successful pilot project in the steel sector, according to Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary at the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Speaking at a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) summit, Bhatia said the scheme has been under discussion for a long time and is now ready for launch. The pilot in the steel industry has shown encouraging results, and the government will now engage with industry stakeholders to decide which sectors to…