Author: News Desk

Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, currently in Washington, met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss formalising bilateral cooperation in exploring, mining, and processing critical minerals. The talks also covered broader aspects of the India-US strategic partnership, including trade, energy, nuclear, defence, technology, and critical minerals. In a post on X, Jaishankar noted that both leaders agreed to hold early meetings of various mechanisms to advance their shared priorities. A statement from Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said that Rubio and Jaishankar welcomed the India-US trade deal reached between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The statement added…

Qatar is set to introduce a 10-year residency programme for entrepreneurs and senior executives, Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani announced, according to Reuters. The initiative aims to attract skilled professionals and investors as the country seeks to boost business growth and diversify its economy. The move aligns Qatar with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, both of which have recently launched long-term residency options to draw international talent and investment. In addition to the residency plan, the Qatar Investment Authority will expand its venture capital programme by $2 billion. This builds on the existing $1 billion…

The largest Western aerospace manufacturers producing complete military aircraft include Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Airbus, and Northrop Grumman, with France’s Dassault and the UK’s BAE Systems also being significant players. As of early 2026, Boeing leads in market value at $197 billion, followed by Airbus at $193 billion, Lockheed Martin at $134 billion, and Northrop Grumman at $96 billion. Lockheed vs Airbus: Military Focus While Airbus delivers more military helicopters, Lockheed dominates in fighter jets. Comparing tankers and transport aircraft is more complex, but overall, Lockheed is considered the larger military aircraft producer. Airbus remains primarily a commercial aerospace company, with its defense segment—Airbus Defence and Space—making up roughly 17% of total business. Including defense-related helicopter operations, Airbus defense revenue is around 26–29%…

India is taking a major step to boost its trade infrastructure by focusing on building containers rather than just ships and ports. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s 2026 budget includes a ₹10,000 crore ($1.2 billion), five-year scheme to develop a domestic container manufacturing ecosystem. Bridging the Production Gap Currently, India produces about 30,000 containers annually, while China’s capacity exceeds 5 million units. Officials aim for domestic production to meet the needs of the Bharat Container Shipping Line and, eventually, create containers that can be exported. Competing with Regional Players Countries like Vietnam and Bangladesh are already trying to capture market share from China by offering lower costs and proximity to major…

The Infopark Phase III project is set to become a major hub for information technology, IT-enabled services, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies, strengthening Kochi’s position as a technology and innovation centre. Investments in Kochi Metro and Innovation Zones The state budget has allocated ₹79 crore for the second phase of Kochi Metro, which is currently under construction. Additionally, ₹20 crore has been earmarked for establishing a Technology Innovation Zone in Kochi. These investments aim to enhance urban infrastructure, improve mobility, and promote technological innovation in the region. Concerns Over Budget Allocation Not all stakeholders are satisfied with the budget.…

Cochin Shipyard has converted the two battery-electric green tugs it began building independently into firm contracts with Polestar Maritime. The deal follows Polestar winning a 15-year charter agreement from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) to deploy the tugs at India’s largest state-owned container port. Construction and Contract Details The value of the order for the two 60-tonne bollard pull electric tugs has not been disclosed. Cochin Shipyard started construction last year after board approval, aiming to reduce delivery time once a formal contract was signed. Polestar Maritime secured the JNPA contract by quoting the lowest daily rate of ₹5,89,500 per tug. Advanced Tug Design The tugs…

Adani Group and Italian aerospace company Leonardo have announced a strategic partnership to develop an integrated helicopter manufacturing ecosystem in India. The initiative is expected to strengthen the ‘Make in India’ mission and enhance the country’s self-reliance in aviation. The collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in New Delhi, will focus on meeting the Indian Armed Forces’ needs, particularly for Leonardo’s AW169M and AW109 TrekkerM helicopters. The partnership will enable phased indigenization, robust maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, as well as comprehensive pilot training. India currently has a low helicopter density, with fewer than 250 helicopters for…

In a significant move towards greener rail transport, Indian Railways has commissioned the nation’s first LNG-Diesel dual-fuel DEMU train at Sabarmati in Ahmedabad. The 1,400 HP train’s driving power cars have been modified to use Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) alongside diesel, reducing diesel consumption by roughly 40%. Successful Trials and Passenger Service According to Ved Prakash, Divisional Railway Manager of Ahmedabad, the dual-fuel power cars have completed over 2,000 km of field trials and are now in regular passenger operation without any technical issues. Environmental and Economic Benefits The dual-fuel system is expected to deliver major environmental and economic advantages, including significant cuts in carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions, and improved air…

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) announced on Tuesday that its wholly owned subsidiary, Reliance Strategic Business Ventures Limited (RSBVL), has acquired a 50.1% equity stake in Sikhya Entertainment Private Limited for ₹150 crore. The transaction, completed on February 2, 2026, involved both primary and secondary share transfers. The acquisition is aimed at strengthening Jio Studios’ position in India’s rapidly expanding media and entertainment sector. Partnership to Bolster Content and Global Reach The deal will enable Jio Studios, RIL’s media and content arm, to consolidate its presence by joining forces with one of India’s most acclaimed production houses. Sikhya Entertainment is notable for being…

US President Donald Trump has described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “great friend,” a sentiment reflected in the recent India-US trade agreement. After nearly a year of negotiations, the deal has been finalized, lowering US tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 18%. This positions India ahead of key regional competitors like China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Vietnam in terms of access to the US market. China’s tariffs remain at 34%, Indonesia faces 19%, and both Bangladesh and Vietnam are at 20%. Even Pakistan’s rate is higher at 19%, despite recent diplomatic gestures and engagement with Washington. The lower US…