According to the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), on Sunday, India is taking quick and well-considered steps to mitigate the economic effects of the current conflict in the Middle East, with collaboration between the government and business sector to protect energy security, supply chains, and overall economic stability.

India entered this difficult time from a position of strength, according to CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee.

He pointed out that the nation’s capacity to withstand external shocks has increased due to years of economic changes and the government’s emphasis on self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat program.

“The reaction from both the industry and the government has been prompt, measured, and consistent,” Banerjee stated.

“The government has taken numerous decisive steps to lessen the effects of the crisis, such as diversifying crude oil sources, maximizing LPG output, promoting exports, and maintaining currency stability,” Banerjeestated.

He further emphasized that India needs to hasten its shift to environmentally friendly and independent energy infrastructure.

Banerjee said, “Investments in renewable energy, green hydrogen, biofuels, and energy efficiency are not only climate goals but also crucial strategies to lessen reliance on unpredictable world energy markets. ”

Simultaneously, Indian business is aggressively responding to the situation by diversifying energy sources, boosting supply chain efficiency, and implementing measures to safeguard employment.

Additionally, CII highlighted the timely nature of government support initiatives designed to alleviate operational strain on enterprises.

The government’s proactive outreach to Indian citizens in the Gulf region and ongoing consular assistance were also praised by the industry organization as evidence of India’s readiness in a changing regional environment.

CII said it is collaborating closely with the government and other industries to track supply chain hazards, address shortages, and offer real-time feedback.

Despite the fact that the situation is still difficult, Banerjee said he is optimistic that India will be able to overcome the crisis and sustain its economic pace with a coordinated approach between the government and industry.

He came to the conclusion that, despite the enormity of the obstacles, India is capable of reacting successfully and defending its economic interests.

In the midst of worldwide disruptions caused by the Middle East war, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas announced in an update on Sunday that the supply of domestic LPG cylinders remains uninterrupted, panic bookings have decreased, and the government has raised the amount of commercial LPG that is allocated to states.

About half of the entire commercial LPG allocation is going to hospitals and educational institutions, which have been given priority.

Additionally, priority will be given to allocating 20% more commercial LPG to industries such as restaurants, dhabas, hotels, industrial canteens, food processing, dairy, and food canteens operated by state governments or local organizations.

To encourage new PNG connections for both residential and business consumers, states have been instructed to take action. In addition, raids are still conducted in states and UTs to combat the black market and stockpiling of LPG.

Steps have been taken to ensure a steady supply of petroleum products and LPG nationwide in light of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

With sufficient crude stocks, all refineries are now operating at full capacity. Additionally, the nation has enough gasoline and diesel supplies. The ministry update stated that the national manufacture of LPG from refineries has been increased.

According to the oil marketing firms (OMCs), there have been no instances of fuel dry-outs at any of the retail locations. The government reaffirmed its recommendation to the public not to engage in panic purchases since there are sufficient supplies of gasoline and diesel and supplies are being replenished frequently.

The administration is still closely monitoring developments in West Asia and actively taking measures to maintain preparedness and response throughout important industries, according to the statement.

Priority sectors on the natural gas front have been safeguarded with 100% supply to domestic PNG for household cooking and CNG for cars. According to the statement, the supply to industrial and commercial consumers connected to the grid is 80% of their average consumption.

The government has also instructed compressed gas distribution (CGD) organizations to give PNG connections priority in all their areas for business establishments like restaurants, hotels, and canteens in order to alleviate worries about the availability of commercial LPG.

Businesses in the CGD sector, such as BPCL, GAIL Gas, MGL, and IGL, have provided incentives for consumers to get PNG connections for their homes and businesses. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has also instructed CGD organizations to reduce the time interval between submitting applications and beginning to provide gas to consumer homes.

Additionally, the Center has urged states and union territories to expedite the clearance process for applications necessary for the CGD network’s growth.

The conflict in the Middle East has entered a dangerous phase, with attacks reportedly hitting the Natanz Enrichment Complex in Iran and the Israeli city of Dimona, home to a nuclear plant, according to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), on Sunday.

Incidents that occurred in southeastern Iran and in the Israeli city of Dimona are being investigated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

There have been no reports of elevated or unusual amounts of radiation offsite. The risk to the environment and public health increases with attacks against nuclear facilities, according to Ghebreyesus’ post on X.

In order to assist its own staff and UN employees in 13 nations in responding effectively to public health risks in the event of a nuclear incident, WHO has offered crucial training since the start of the conflict.

“I beg all parties to use extreme military restraint and refrain from doing anything that might cause nuclear events. The top priority for leaders should be to de-escalate conflicts and safeguard civilians. According to the head of the WHO, “peace is the best remedy.”

In addition, he argued that war does not lead to peace.

“All it does is give the next generation new reasons to hate,” he continued.

On the other hand, even as US President Donald Trump declared that Washington was on the verge of achieving its military goals in the conflict, he warned that if Iran did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz, he would “hit and obliterate” the country’s power plants in 48 hours.

Trump delivered a direct ultimatum regarding the strategic waterway in a succession of postings, stating, “The United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST! if Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS.”

Even as Trump hinted that US military actions may soon cease, the warning signals a major escalation in the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global energy.

The US had also taken steps to weaken Iran’s military capabilities, such as “eliminating their Navy and Air Force, including Anti-Aircraft Weaponry,” he said.

While recognizing the work that people and communities are doing to conserve water, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated on Sunday the necessity of conserving every drop of water and encouraged people to practice responsible use.

In celebration of World Water Day, which is observed annually on March 22, the Prime Minister emphasized the need for sustainable water management in the face of rising global issues.

“Water sustains us and molds the future of our world,” Prime Minister Modi stated on X. Let’s reaffirm our dedication on World Water Day to use water wisely and conserve every drop. Today is also a day to recognize those who use sustainable practices, raise awareness, and cultivate a culture of conservation.

Additionally, he delivered a video message emphasizing the necessity of cooperation.

“International Water Day is being observed today across the globe to promote the value of water. He urged efforts like water recycling, rainwater collection, and greater community involvement in order to “do anything you can to save every drop of water.”

The Prime Minister emphasized the part played by the younger generation and stated that children have the power to bring about change in water conservation initiatives.

“I have a great deal of optimism about the role that youngsters play in water conservation. Children’s ability to turn cleanliness into a movement is the same way they can help save water by becoming water warriors,” he continued.

The United Nations-recognized World Water Day highlights the worldwide water problem and advocates for the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 6, which seeks to provide water and sanitation for everyone. The focus of this year’s theme is on gender equality and the leadership position of women in water resource management.

The theme for 2026, “Water and Gender: Where water flows, equality grows,” highlights the disproportionate load that women and girls bear in managing and collecting water, particularly in water-scarce areas.

World Water Day is a forum for raising awareness, promoting water conservation initiatives, and drawing attention to the increasing effects of climate change on water resources.

The publication of the yearly UN World Water Development Report, as well as workshops and public awareness programs, is used to monitor it worldwide.

According to a report, OpenAI, the company that created ChatGPT, intends to expand its workforce by almost twofold to around 8,000 employees by the end of the year in an effort to accelerate its foray into the business sector and win back market share from competitor Anthropic.

The Financial Times estimates that the AI firm now employs about 4,500 people and is increasing recruitment in specialized positions as well as in product development, engineering, research, and sales to assist companies in using its AI solutions more efficiently.

With intentions to hire about a dozen new employees every day this year, OpenAI has leased more office space in San Francisco as part of its expansion, bringing its footprint in the city to over one million square feet, it said.

Additionally, the report mentioned that the recruitment campaign occurs at a time of increasing competition in the artificial intelligence industry, especially in the corporate sector, where Anthropic has recently made inroads.

According to the report, payment business Ramp’s data shows that new commercial clients are selecting Anthropic’s products at a far higher rate than OpenAI’s, which represents a change from the trend from the previous year.

As a result, OpenAI is making a calculated shift in its strategy to improve its main products.

While enhancing its coding model Codex, OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman has urged teams to concentrate on key products, notably its ChatGPT chatbot.

In addition, the business is working to combine Codex and ChatGPT into a single platform that targets both business and consumer users, with the goal of increasing adoption and usability.

In a further indication of a deeper push into business applications, OpenAI is also looking at forming alliances with private equity companies in order to implement its AI solutions across portfolio businesses.

The report also emphasized that, despite their quick expansion, both OpenAI and Anthropic are still losing money since they are investing a lot in training sophisticated AI models.

With possible public listings being considered in the near future, the firms are now under pressure to boost income and get closer to profitability.

PM Narendra Modi has made history in Indian politics by becoming the longest-serving leader of an elected administration in the nation.

In this way, Prime Minister Modi has surpassed Pawan Kumar Chamling, who served as Sikkim’s chief minister for 8,930 days. Combining his time as Prime Minister and Chief Minister of Gujarat, he has now served as head of government for 8,931 days, entering his 25th year in a leadership position.

The milestone is seen as an uncommon and noteworthy accomplishment that demonstrates decades of unbroken public service and political leadership at the highest level.

Modi has accomplished many noteworthy milestones throughout his career, including becoming the Prime Minister with the most prior experience as a Chief Minister and the longest tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat.

He is the first Prime Minister of India who was born after independence, and he has won three consecutive Lok Sabha elections in 2014, 2019, and 2024, demonstrating political stability and a persistent public mandate.

Narendra Modi served as Chief Minister of Gujarat from October 7, 2001, until May 21, 2014, when he entered national politics after more than 13 years in that position.

He became the first non-Congress leader to win a complete majority in the Lok Sabha when he was sworn in as India’s 14th Prime Minister on May 26, 2014. He eventually completed two whole terms in office—the first time a non-Congress Prime Minister had done so—before coming back for a third straight term.

Aside from this achievement, Modi has made a number of other notable accomplishments this year, especially in the digital sphere.

He reached 30 million subscribers on his YouTube channel earlier this month, solidifying his status as one of the most popular global leaders on the network.

In terms of subscriber base, he is currently the leader among all former and current heads of state, surpassing other well-known figures in international politics.

In February, PM Modi also reached 100 million Instagram followers and 106. 4 million followers on X, making him the first politician and head of state to accomplish this feat on the platform.

Since he joined Instagram in 2014, his profile has gradually become one of the most popular and well-liked among world leaders, demonstrating a consistent outreach approach geared toward interacting with audiences both in India and abroad.

Dhurandhar 2 was released to the global public on Thursday, March 19. The movie also had the biggest paid trailers in Indian cinema history on Wednesday.

With an ensemble cast that includes Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, and Sara Arjun, Aditya Dhar‘s spy action thriller Dhurandhar 2 is an exciting journey.

The first chapter of the film debuted in theaters on December 5 of last year.

It is claimed that ‘Dhurandhar’ is based on actual events, with an emphasis on geopolitical conflicts and India’s RAW’s covert operations. Operation Lyari, in which the Pakistani government attacked criminal networks and gangs in Karachi’s Lyari neighborhood, is given special attention.

The most recent movie starring Ranveer Singh is now one of the top five films in India with the highest opening day gross.

Dhurandhar The Revenge, which has been highly anticipated, has finally arrived in theaters, with expectations for a Rs 100 crore debut day.

Trade tracker Sacnilk reported that the Aditya Dhar-directed film made Rs 75 crore worldwide, the most for any Indian film to date. Its preview screenings took place on Wednesday, March 18, prior to its widespread release on Thursday, March 19.

The numbers, however, may change as a result of the possibility that theaters may have to refund customers due to the cancellation and delay of many early preview screenings in India.

The film has already received acclaim from several well-known figures in the Indian film business, including Allu Arjun, Shilpa Shetty, Preity Zinta, and Madhur Bhandarkar.

Since the first installment was released in December, director Ram Gopal Varma has been promoting the film and has described it as “Sholay X 100”.

Even though Pakistan and the Middle East may have outlawed the showing of Dhurandhar 2, this hasn’t deterred viewers. Similar to the first half, pirated copies of the Aditya Dhar movie are being seen in Pakistan, with reports indicating that the piracy started on the day of the film’s release.

Allu Arjun wrote, “Just Watched #Dhurandhar2. Patriotism with swag! A film that will make every patriot proud. Many clap-trapping moments. BLAST! Congratulations to the entire team. Fine performances by @ActorMadhavan garu & all actors. Technical brilliance. So proud to have a brilliant and a versatile actor like my brother @RanveerOfficial in our country. RVS on fire. @AdityaDharFilms garu hit the ball out of the park. So happy to have brilliant filmmakers like him in our country. Show Rocker. An Indian story… International swag ! Jai Hind.”

Mahesh Babu expressed his views and stated on X, “DhurandharTheRevenge is an explosion executed with perfect precision!!!! The finest version of Ranveer unleashed and how… The way Aditya Dhar has conceived and delivered this standing ovation worthy experience is remarkable. Special mention to Maddy’s performance and Shashwat Sachdev’s music.. This is a film meant to be experienced and celebrated…. Congratulations to the entire team….”

In addition to Ranveer Singh, Dhurandhar 2 also features the return of R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi. The spy thriller, which was helmed by Aditya Dhar, was released on March 19.

Three months after its December debut, the first Dhurandhar is still playing in theaters and has made over INR 1300 crore worldwide. The sequel is predicted to be even better.

It was always anticipated that Dhurandhar The Revenge would shatter all Bollywood records, but the extent of its triumph has taken the industry by surprise.

To assist Indian exporters in overcoming disruptions caused by the continuing crisis in West Asia, the government established a new program on Thursday dubbed Resilience and Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation (RELIEF), with the goals of maintaining uninterrupted trade and safeguarding the nation’s market share.

The RELIEF plan, according to Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, is a component of the government’s overall Export Promotion Mission.

He called it a well-thought-out assistance plan to keep export flows stable during the present crisis.

“The plan will offer targeted assistance to exporters, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, who are experiencing operational difficulties as a result of disruptions in shipping and logistics,” Agrawal stated.

He said that the emphasis would be on the 17–18 locations that had been especially hard hit by the events in West Asia and the Gulf region.

He continued, saying that the initiative’s primary objective is to make sure that exports continue as seamlessly as possible in spite of the difficulties.

Agrawal stated, “The plan is anticipated to alleviate the load of expensive freight costs and increasing insurance rates, which have risen dramatically as a result of the conflict. ”

The RELIEF program will provide coverage for a month for both insured exporters and non-ECGC insured MSME exporters, as well as assistance for upcoming shipments for a period of up to three months.

The program’s expenses will be covered by the current funding for the Export Promotion Mission.

Additionally, the government is addressing the problems facing exporters via an inter-ministerial group.

Agrawal observed that disruptions in important routes are causing shipments to be delayed and, in certain instances, not to reach their intended destination.

Last month, the United States and Israel conducted a joint strike on Iran, which has affected vital maritime and aviation routes in the area, and this is the present situation.

This has raised oil prices and logistic expenses, which has had an impact on international commerce. During what it referred to as “extraordinary times,” the government hopes that the RELIEF program will assist exporters in overcoming these difficulties and keep commodities moving.

At the same time, Lav Agarwal, the Director General of Foreign Trade, revealed a budget of approximately Rs 500 crore for the RELIEF program, which would offer targeted and time-bound assistance. The implementing organization will be the Export Credit Guarantee Corp, which is owned by the government.

A report released on Thursday predicts that India’s credit growth would continue to be driven by strong credit demand from micro, small, and medium businesses (MSMEs), reaching around Rs 26 trillion in FY26, an increase of about 14. 3% year over year.

According to the combined research by ICRA Limited and ASSOCHAM, credit growth is anticipated to slow to 11. 3–12% in FY27, representing an additional increase of Rs 23. 5 to Rs 25 trillion.

The slowdown is seen as a normalization after a high base the year prior, not as a decrease in demand.

The MSME sector is still hampered by a significant structural gap in access to finance, the study said, and overall bank credit expansion is expected to remain modest, with retail and MSMEs driving incremental growth.

According to Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary General of ASSOCHAM, improving MSME access to finance continues to be essential for promoting inclusive growth and ensuring that the benefits of economic growth are shared equitably among sectors and regions.

Although the financial system is now structurally more robust and resilient than it was in the past, changing credit dynamics necessitate a change from conventional lending methods, according to ICRA Ltd Executive Director K. Ravichandran.

According to the report, demand for credit is expected to remain “buoyant,” bolstered by ongoing formalization, greater balance sheets across industries, and rising economic activity.

As supply chains get more established and smaller businesses get integrated into formal production systems, MSMEs have become crucial drivers, fostering economic growth in urban and semi-urban areas.

The report further highlighted that formalization programs, higher classification thresholds, and policy support have increased credit visibility, allowing lenders to better analyze borrower profiles and extend credit availability.

The report said that the formalization helped the share of MSMEs in incremental bank lending to gradually increase, with better data availability and transparency assisting credit underwriting and risk assessment.

The report stated that “a large structural credit gap persists due to heterogeneous risk profiles, limited collateral and information opacity,” which inhibits the timely and sufficient flow of credit, particularly for smaller businesses and those operating outside fully formalized structures.

As oil prices continue to rise in the face of the West Asia conflict, the Indian rupee fell to a fresh low against the US dollar on Thursday, dropping 30 paise to 92. 94.

Meanwhile, over the last 12 sessions, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) have sold over Rs 74,000 crore in the home stock market.

If the US and Israel attack its energy facilities once more, Iran has threatened to launch harsher retaliation attacks. Israel attacked Iran’s South Pars offshore natural gas field in the Gulf on Wednesday, which it shares with Qatar.

Following Iranian attacks, fires and significant damage at liquefied natural gas plants were later reported by Qatar.

Due to a stronger greenback and ongoing foreign capital outflows, the rupee fell to a new low of 92. 63 against the US dollar earlier on Wednesday.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee started the day at 92. 42 and traded within a limited band before falling to its record low during the session.

The currency was under intense dollar demand from importers, despite a backdrop of high risk appetite and lower crude prices. The rupee has declined by more than 1% as a result of the ongoing war in West Asia.

Analysts say that the rupee will continue to be under pressure due to the persistent high price of crude oil, which keeps the macro environment still negative.

As the White House takes steps to halt increasing prices in the wake of recent disruptions in the world supply chain, the US is contemplating a number of emergency energy measures, such as loosening restrictions on Iranian oil and releasing more crude from its strategic reserves.

In anticipation of possible bottlenecks in the world oil flow, especially in important marine routes, the administration has made contingency plans, according to Scott Bessent, the US Treasury Secretary.

The push comes at a time when the White House is under pressure to address soaring oil prices in the wake of attacks on energy infrastructure and interruptions to shipping routes. ​

The push comes as the White House faces pressure to respond to rising oil prices following attacks on energy infrastructure and disruptions to shipping routes.