Author: News Desk

KKR has agreed to invest up to $310 million in a strategic partnership with electric bus manufacturer PMI Electro Mobility Solutions Private Limited and its operating platform, Allfleet India Private Limited, the companies announced on March 18, 2026, in Mumbai. Under the deal, KKR-managed funds will acquire a majority stake in Allfleet and a minority stake in PMI Electro. The transaction is expected to close by mid-2026, subject to customary regulatory approvals. This investment marks the first deployment of KKR’s Global Climate Transition strategy in India and the eighth globally, following recent projects in Australia. The capital will be used…

Adani Group has announced a Rs 600 billion social investment plan to build 300 schools and 30 hospitals across India, aiming to strengthen educational and healthcare infrastructure nationwide. The initiative represents a long-term commitment to improving access to quality education and primary healthcare, with investment covering both physical facilities and operational services to ensure schools and hospitals are functional from the outset. The programme will focus on resilient, sustainable facilities that meet regulatory standards and cater to local needs. Projects will be distributed across states, prioritizing areas with notable gaps in public provision. Design standards will incorporate energy efficiency, water…

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has emphasized that health insurance is a key priority for the government, with plans to achieve universal coverage by 2033. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha during question hours, she outlined a major rural outreach initiative that aims to extend health insurance to 25,000 gram panchayats across India. The minister highlighted that multiple policy measures are being implemented to expand access, particularly in rural areas. In 2024, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) issued rules designating the gram panchayat as the basic unit for assessing insurance coverage and rural obligations. Pointing to India’s…

Swiss pharmaceutical and biotech company Lonza is expanding its centralized services model, which currently covers finance, human resources, IT, and purchasing, to include additional functions such as quality control, supply chain, and marketing, the company confirmed to Keystone-ATS on Wednesday. The move is part of a broader restructuring initiative, with certain activities and roles gradually being transferred to lower-cost centers, including some positions currently based in Visp. Lonza did not provide exact figures, but both the Unia trade union and canton Valais indicated that around 40 employees are expected to relocate. Employees affected by the restructuring are on individual contracts…

Israel-based AI robotics and software company XTEND, which also has a major production facility in Florida, has announced an $11 million agreement with India’s defence technology firm Rayonix Tech to manufacture and distribute unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in India. The deal aims to expand XTEND’s AI-enabled autonomy platform, XOS, into the Indian market. Under the agreement, Rayonix will develop local manufacturing, testing, and distribution capabilities for UAV systems powered by XTEND’s XOS operating system. The collaboration includes technology transfer and operational support programs. Notably, XTEND supplied 5,000 assault drones to the Israeli army last year. XTEND’s XOS will act as…

India is steadily moving toward becoming a global exporter of fully built warships, though senior naval officials emphasize that domestic needs will remain the top priority. Vice Admiral B Sivakumar told Republic World that while India has the capability and flexibility to supply warships abroad, such initiatives will take time as the Navy focuses on expanding its own fleet. The Indian Navy is pursuing an ambitious modernization plan aimed at achieving a 200-ship force structure, considered crucial for securing India’s maritime interests across the Indian Ocean Region. This expansion responds to shifting regional security dynamics, including heightened naval activity by…

The Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHRA) has announced a statewide closure on March 23 in response to a severe shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, which is disrupting regular operations across the hospitality sector. In addition to the shutdown, KHRA members plan to hold a protest march to the oil companies’ bottling units in Kochi on Thursday. The association has urged the state government to designate the hospitality industry as an essential service. Such a classification would require authorities to ensure a steady supply of LPG cylinders, shielding hotels and restaurants from sudden market shortages and supply chain disruptions. “The…

Amid ongoing tensions in West Asia and a global energy crunch, Saudi Arabia is turning to an Indian space start-up for satellite imagery. Bengaluru-based, Google-backed Pixxel, which operates the Firefly constellation of 18 hyperspectral satellites, will supply specialized satellite data to Saudi Arabia’s national platform, UP42. Instead of purchasing data individually, Saudi agencies can now access Pixxel’s imagery directly through the platform. A press release from Pixxel noted that “integrating hyperspectral capabilities into NSG UP42 strengthens Saudi Arabia’s geospatial infrastructure by providing government entities, regulators, and enterprises with deeper environmental and surface intelligence through a unified, sovereign platform.” Unlike conventional…

Hong Kong-based satellite operator AsiaSat has issued notices to the Indian government and its local customers, including broadcasters like JioStar and Zee, alleging breaches of existing contracts, according to sources familiar with the matter. The action comes after India’s space regulator, IN‑SPACe, decided not to allow AsiaSat and other Chinese-owned satellite operators to continue providing services in the country beyond March 31, citing national security concerns. One source, who requested anonymity, said AsiaSat sent a “trigger notice” under a bilateral investment treaty to the government, including the Department of Space, citing contract violations. A trigger notice is an official warning…

A strong first-year performance at the Port of Colombo highlights the growing global presence of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), while also pointing to the rising importance of the Indian Ocean Region in global trade and the blue economy. The Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT), which began operations in April 2025, has crossed one million TEUs within its first year. This marks the fastest ramp-up ever recorded at the Port of Colombo and places CWIT among a limited group of global terminals to achieve this scale so quickly. CWIT is a joint venture between APSEZ, John Keells…