Author: News Desk

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to visit India from January 12 to 13, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Monday, January 5, 2026. The visit will begin in Ahmedabad, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will welcome Chancellor Merz on January 12. During the visit, the two leaders will review progress in the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, which marked its 25th anniversary last year. Discussions are expected to focus on trade and investment, technology exchange, education, skills development, and worker mobility. This marks Chancellor Merz’s first trip to India. Bilateral talks will also address defence and security issues, providing an…

India has launched a new e-Production Investment Business Visa, called the e-B-4 Visa, specifically for Chinese nationals. Introduced on January 1, 2026, the visa allows Chinese businesspeople to travel to India for activities such as installation and commissioning of equipment, quality checks, essential maintenance, production, IT and ERP ramp-up, training, supply chain development, plant design, and senior management tasks. The e-B-4 Visa can be applied for entirely online, without visiting the embassy or agents. It is typically issued within 45 to 50 days and allows a stay in India of up to six months. Indian companies inviting Chinese nationals under…

India is expected to involve France as a key partner before making a final decision on local production of the Sukhoi SJ-100-95B Superjet, with the aircraft’s engine emerging as the most critical factor for Indian commercial operators. The issue centers on the PowerJet SaM146 turbofan, jointly developed by France’s Safran (via Snecma) and Russia’s NPO Saturn, and uncertainties around its long-term support, efficiency, and suitability for India’s civil aviation market. Following geopolitical developments, PowerJet stopped providing technical support, spare parts, and maintenance for the SaM146 in March 2022. Since then, the engine has become largely irrelevant outside Russia and is…

India aims to develop a spacecraft by 2027 capable of safely landing humans on the Moon and returning them to Earth, said ISRO chairman V. Narayanan at Gujarat University’s 74th convocation. The Gaganyaan mission is already underway, and preparations for the Mars mission are expected to progress by 2028. Since 1962, India has successfully launched 133 satellites for domestic purposes, with the latest satellite launched on the LVM-3 “Bahubali” weighing 164 kg—the heaviest so far. Approval has been granted for the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), which will be used to launch heavy-lift satellites from a new Rs 4,000 crore…

Reliance Industries has clarified that it does not expect any Russian crude oil deliveries in January and has not received any shipments over the past three weeks. The private refiner, once India’s largest buyer of Russian oil, denied a Bloomberg report citing Kpler data that claimed three vessels carrying Russian crude were headed to its Jamnagar refinery. Since the Ukraine war began in 2022, India became the biggest buyer of discounted Russian seaborne crude, drawing criticism from Western nations that argue such purchases fund Moscow’s war effort. With Reliance halting its Russian crude imports, India’s overall purchases from Russia are…

Royal Enfield has launched the 2025 Meteor 350 motorcycle, bringing meaningful updates to its popular mid-sized cruiser aimed at riders seeking refined performance and enhanced comfort. The refreshed Meteor 350 retains its classic cruiser stance while introducing improvements that elevate the overall riding experience. At the heart of the 2025 model is a refined 349 cc air-oil-cooled single-cylinder engine, tuned for smoother performance, better throttle response and more consistent power delivery, all while maintaining the character that Meteor riders love. The engine’s refinement helps reduce vibration and enhance long-distance touring comfort. The bike gets a host of updated features, including a refreshed instrument cluster…

As 2026 begins, India is set to make a major step in eco-friendly transportation with its first hydrogen-powered train, which will operate on the Jind–Sonipat route. Final loading and testing are scheduled this week at Jind Railway Station, according to Zee News. The trial run is planned for January 26, 2026, covering a 90-km route between Jind and Sonipat. The train will be configured with two Driver Power Cars (DPC) and eight passenger coaches. After the trial, Indian Railways, the Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO), and Spanish partner Green H Company will jointly submit a report to the government.…

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has announced tougher Saudisation targets to strengthen national employment in key private-sector professions. Under new rules effective late 2025, companies must now ensure at least 30 % Saudi nationals in engineering roles and 70 % in procurement professions, with a six-month grace period for compliance. The engineering Saudisation requirement applies to firms with five or more employees in 46 designated engineering jobs, from architects to industrial and power generation engineers — and includes a minimum salary floor of SR8,000 for Saudi engineers in private and non-profit sectors. Meanwhile, procurement roles such as purchasing managers, contracts managers, warehouse supervisors and logistics specialists must now be staffed predominantly…

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched a special Republic Day-themed tour package to Dubai this month. The four-night, five-day trip is priced at ₹94,730 per person and is available to travellers from Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Kochi. The program is designed to bring participants from different regions together, promoting national unity and showcasing India’s cultural diversity abroad. The package includes return flights, three-star hotel accommodations, visa fees, meals, sightseeing in air-conditioned buses, a desert safari, and travel insurance. Key attractions on the itinerary include Palm Jumeirah, Miracle Garden, Burj Al Arab, the Gold and…

Venezuela’s Supreme Court has ordered Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to serve as interim President following the U.S. removal of President Nicolas Maduro from office. The Court ruled that Rodriguez should “assume and exercise, in an acting capacity, all the attributes, duties and powers inherent to the office of President… to guarantee administrative continuity and the comprehensive defense of the nation.” The decision does not declare Maduro permanently absent, a step that would require elections within 30 days. Delcy Rodriguez is a lawyer who graduated from the Central University of Venezuela in 1993 and has also served as a professor there.…