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India under US pressure to cut oil imports from Iran, Govt says exploring all options

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Two days after US said it would not waive sanctions to India or any country if they do not stop oil imports from Iran by November 4, and a day after it called off the ‘2+2’ dialogue slated for July 6, reports suggested India was preparing to stop buying oil from Iran.

India’s oil ministry has asked refiners to prepare for a “drastic reduction or zero” imports of Iranian oil from November, said a report by news agency Reuters quoting two persons from the industry.

The Indian government said it is evaluating ‘all options’ to ensure the country’s energy security, reported LiveMint. “We feel that Iran is a traditional partner. We have historical civilisational linkages with Iran,” said Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson for India’s ministry of external affairs on Thursday.

“It should be noted that the statement was not India specific and it applies to all countries across the world. As far as we are concerned, we will take all necessary steps including engagement with relevant stakeholders to ensure our energy security,” Kumar added.

This comes in the backdrop of US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday to stop oil imports from Iran. She was on a visit to India.

At the same time, the inaugural India-US “2+2” dialogue between the foreign and defence ministers of the two countries that was to be held in Washington on 6 July was postponed for a second time. “This scheduling change was prompted by reasons entirely unrelated to the bilateral relationship,” the US embassy in New Delhi said in a statement on Thursday. Iran’s oil import was expected to have been a major topic of discussion at the 2+2 dialogue.

Also, on Wednesday, June 27, a PTI report said US has told all countries, including India and China, to stop their oil imports from Iran by November 4 or face sanctions for carrying out any transaction with Tehran as there would be “zero” waivers to any country.

India views Iran as a gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia besides a key source of energy. In a recent press conference, Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj said that India would only adhere to UN sanctions and not unilateral strictures placed by countries.

According to news wire agency Press Trust of India, petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday in Mumbai said that the government “will go by the national interest.”

Reuters report quoting industry people said India, the biggest buyer of Iranian oil after China, will be forced to take action to protect its exposure to the US financial system. India’s oil ministry held a meeting with refiners on Thursday, urging them to scout for alternatives to Iranian oil, the people said.

“(India) has asked refiners to be prepared for any eventuality, since the situation is still evolving. There could be drastic reduction or there could be no import at all,” said one of the sources, who has knowledge of the matter.

During the previous round of sanctions, India was one of the few countries that continued to buy Iranian oil, although it had to reduce imports as shipping, insurance and banking channels were choked due to the European and US sanctions.

One of the persons quoted above said this time the situation is different, reported Reuters. “You have India, China and Europe on one side, and US on the other… At this moment we really don’t know what to do, but at the same time we have to prepare ourselves to face any eventuality,” said this person.

The US push to curb countries’ imports of Iranian oil comes after President Donald Trump withdrew from a 2015 deal between Iran and six world powers and ordered a reimposition of sanctions on Tehran.

Some sanctions take effect after a 90-day “wind-down” period ending on 6 August, and the rest, notably in the petroleum sector, following a 180-day “wind-down period” ending on 4 November.

Companies halt imports

Under pressure from the US sanctions, Reliance Industries Ltd, the operator of the world’s biggest refining complex, has decided to halt imports.

Nayara Energy, an Indian company promoted by Russian oil major Rosneft, is also preparing to halt Iranian oil imports from November after a communication from the government, a second source said. The company has already started cutting its oil imports from this month.

Indian Oil Corp. Ltd, Mangalore Refineries and Petrochemicals Ltd and Nayara Energy, the top three Indian buyers of Iranian oil, and the oil ministry did not respond to Reuters’s request for comments.

Removing Iranian oil from the global market by November as called for by the US is impossible, an Iranian oil official told the semi-official Tasnim news agency on Wednesday.

The options to find replacements to Iranian oil have widened after Opec agreed with Russia and other oil-producing allies last week to raise output from July by about 1 million bpd, with Saudi Arabia pledging a “measurable” supply boost but giving no specific numbers.

Saudi Arabia’s plans to pump up to 11 million barrels of oil per day (bpd) in July would mark a new record, an industry source familiar with Saudi oil production plans told Reuters on Tuesday.

The second source said there were plenty of options available in the market to replace Iranian oil. “There are companies and traders that are willing to give you a 60 day credit, crude is available in the market,” the source said.

To boost its sales to India, Iran recently offered virtually free shipping and an extended credit period of 60 days.

“We can buy Basra Heavy, Saudi or Kuwait oil to replace Iran. Finding replacement barrels is not a problem, but it has to give the best economic value,” a third source in New Delhi said.

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Jio partners with SpaceX to bring Starlink broadband to India

Reliance Jio and SpaceX have partnered to bring Starlink broadband services to India, enhancing digital connectivity in remote areas.

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Elon Musk

Reliance Jio has announced a strategic partnership with SpaceX to introduce Starlink broadband services in India, a move aimed at improving internet accessibility, especially in remote and rural regions. The deal will enable Jio to leverage SpaceX’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, enhancing its existing broadband services like JioAirFiber and JioFiber.

Under this collaboration, Starlink equipment will be available at Reliance Jio stores across the country, subject to regulatory approvals. Customers will also have access to installation, activation, and support services provided by Jio.

Boosting India’s digital connectivity

The partnership aligns with Jio’s goal of ensuring high-speed internet access for enterprises, small and medium businesses (SMBs), and communities across the country. By utilizing Starlink’s extensive satellite network, the initiative is expected to bridge connectivity gaps in difficult-to-reach locations.

Gwynne Shotwell, President and COO of SpaceX, welcomed the partnership, stating, “We are looking forward to working with Jio and receiving authorization from the Government of India to provide more people, organizations, and businesses with access to Starlink’s high-speed internet services.”

Regulatory approvals and future collaborations

While the partnership is a significant step, Starlink’s services in India still require clearance from regulatory authorities. Once approved, Starlink broadband services will be available for purchase and activation through Jio’s distribution network.

Additionally, Jio and SpaceX plan to explore other complementary areas of cooperation, utilizing their infrastructure to further strengthen India’s digital ecosystem.

This development follows SpaceX’s recent agreement with Bharti Airtel, which also intends to sell Starlink equipment and provide connectivity solutions to business customers, schools, health centers, and remote communities.

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Ashok Hinduja reassures shareholders amid IndusInd Bank’s market turbulence

IndusInd Bank’s promoter, Ashok Hinduja, has assured investors of the bank’s stability, despite a sharp decline in its stock. He confirmed readiness to inject capital if required while emphasizing the strength of the bank’s financial position.

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IndusInd Bank promoter Ashok Hinduja addressing financial concerns

IndusInd Bank’s promoter, Ashok Hinduja, has assured investors that the bank remains financially strong despite recent turbulence in its stock performance. He confirmed that the promoters are prepared to inject capital if needed, reiterating confidence in the institution’s ability to handle its ongoing challenges.

The reassurance follows a sharp decline in IndusInd Bank’s stock, which plummeted 26% on March 11, wiping out nearly Rs 18,000 crore from its market capitalization. The drop was triggered by concerns over discrepancies in the bank’s derivatives portfolio, which is expected to have a 2.35% impact on its net worth.

“Shareholders need not panic”

Speaking to the media, Hinduja emphasized that the bank remains in a strong financial position.

“Shareholders need not panic. These are routine issues. I understand the concern regarding the delay in communication, but banking is built on trust and integrity,” he stated.

Hinduja also reaffirmed confidence in the bank’s leadership, noting that IndusInd Bank has successfully navigated various challenges over its 30-year history.

“We’ve seen IndusInd Bank through various challenges, and they have been handled effectively. This issue, too, will be resolved,” he added.

Capital adequacy remains strong

Despite the market reaction, Hinduja reiterated that the bank remains well-capitalized. He clarified that while the promoters are willing to inject fresh capital if necessary, the bank’s capital adequacy ratio stands above 15%, and there is currently no immediate concern.

“If there’s a need for capital raise, the promoter is ready to inject funds. We are awaiting approval from the regulator. However, as of now, the bank’s capital adequacy ratio is above 15%, and there are no concerns.”

Market reaction and leadership concerns

The decline in stock value was further exacerbated by brokerages downgrading IndusInd Bank following the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) decision to approve a one-year extension for MD & CEO Sumant Kathpalia—shorter than expected.

On March 10, IndusInd Bank disclosed that an internal review had revealed discrepancies in its derivatives portfolio, which could impact its net worth by approximately Rs 1,500 crore. However, the final impact is still subject to an external review.

Hinduja assured that the bank’s board and management are fully equipped to manage the situation, adding that similar challenges have been faced by banks worldwide.

“The board and management are capable of resolving these issues,” he stated.

As IndusInd Bank navigates the current volatility, investors are closely monitoring further developments regarding its derivatives portfolio review and capital injection plans.

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Market crash wipes out Rs 7.46 lakh crore investor wealth as Sensex plunges over 1,000 points

The Indian stock market tumbled sharply as Sensex lost 1,032 points, wiping out Rs 7.46 lakh crore in investor wealth amid fresh U.S. tariff threats.

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Sensex crashes over 1,000 points amid Trump tariff fears

The Indian stock market witnessed a sharp downturn on Friday as the benchmark BSE Sensex tumbled 1,032.99 points or 1.38% to 73,579.44 in morning trade. The heavy selloff led to a staggering erosion of Rs 7.46 lakh crore in investor wealth, following a similar downtrend in global equities.

The primary trigger for this massive slump was renewed tariff threats from former U.S. President Donald Trump, raising fears of a fresh global trade war. Persistent foreign fund outflows further dented investor sentiment.

Market bloodbath: Tech Mahindra, IndusInd Bank among biggest losers

Several heavyweight stocks bore the brunt of the market meltdown. Tech Mahindra, IndusInd Bank, Maruti, HCL Tech, Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Titan were the top losers on the Sensex.

However, a few stocks managed to withstand the storm, with Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, Reliance Industries, and Adani Ports emerging as the only gainers.

Global turmoil adds to the pressure

Asian markets mirrored the downtrend, with Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong all trading deep in the red. Meanwhile, the U.S. market slumped to a five-month low as Treasury yields surged in response to Trump’s tariff announcement.

Vikas Jain, Head of Research at Reliance Securities, noted that “the U.S. market fell sharply, with a significant rise in Treasury yields, following Trump’s fresh tariff threats.”

Uncertainty rattles investors as FIIs pull out Rs 556 crore

Market analysts pointed out that investors have been wary of uncertainty, which has only intensified with Trump’s return to power. V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, highlighted that Trump’s strategy has often involved threatening tariffs early in his presidency before negotiating favorable trade deals for the U.S.

Adding to the concerns, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) pulled out Rs 556.56 crore from Indian equities on Thursday, as per exchange data.

Crude oil prices slide as global concerns mount

The impact of global economic jitters extended to the commodity market, with Brent crude slipping 0.51% to $73.66 per barrel.

As markets brace for further volatility, investors will be closely monitoring China’s response to the latest round of U.S. tariffs, which could determine the trajectory of the ongoing global selloff.

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