Business

New Delhi, July 9 (IANS) India has the resilience to deal with the economic impact of rising crude oil prices and ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and there is no need for panic despite the prevailing global uncertainty, Vijay Kalantri, World Trade Center Chairman said on Thursday.

Speaking to IANS, Kalantri said the escalation in tensions following fresh US military action against Iran has led to volatility in global markets, with crude oil prices rising above $78 per barrel and the Indian rupee coming under pressure.

He noted that the uncertainty has also affected investor sentiment, resulting in weakness in stock markets.

"Higher crude oil prices could increase India's import bill and exert upward pressure on inflation, as the country imports a significant portion of its energy requirements," he mentioned.

However, he stressed that the current situation does not warrant panic.

"India has successfully managed periods of much higher crude oil prices in the past, including when oil traded above $100 per barrel. The economy has demonstrated resilience during previous global crises and is capable of handling the present situation as well," Kalantri pointed.

He added that while the geopolitical situation remains uncertain and its future course will depend on developments involving the US, Iran and other global stakeholders, India should remain focused on maintaining economic stability rather than reacting with alarm.

"The situation is evolving, and we need to closely monitor developments over the coming days. But India has handled similar challenges before, and I believe the country is in a strong position to deal with the current uncertainty," Kalantri said.

"We should not panic. There is uncertainty at the moment, but India has handled higher oil prices in the past. We need to closely watch how the situation develops over the coming days," Kalantri mentioned.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 9 (IANS) Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has rejected criticism of ethanol-blended fuel, asserting that E20 petrol is scientifically tested, safe for vehicles and central to India's push for energy self-reliance, while alleging that a misinformation campaign had intensified after the rollout of E85-compatible vehicles.

In a post on X, the minister said India has been using E15 fuel since April 2023, E19 since April 2024 and E20 since April 2025, with no major issues reported despite widespread adoption.

"More than 20 crore two-wheelers and over 20 lakh four-wheelers have been running successfully on E20 fuel for years, yet suddenly a campaign against ethanol blending has gathered pace," Puri said.

He claimed the criticism intensified after India launched E85 fuel for flex-fuel vehicles on June 5, describing it as a major step towards reducing the country's dependence on imported crude oil.

"Look closely at the timeline and the pattern becomes difficult to ignore," the minister said, alleging that fearmongering around ethanol-blended fuels began soon after the launch of E85-compatible vehicles.

Puri said India imports more than 85 per cent of its crude oil and accounts for around 30 per cent of global oil demand growth, making the expansion of domestic alternative fuels critical for the country's energy security.

"Every litre of ethanol blended into petrol helps reduce crude oil imports, strengthens India's energy security, reduces air pollution, supports domestic farmers and saves valuable foreign exchange," he said.

Describing E20 as a widely tested, verified, scientific, internationally proven and completely safe fuel, the minister said the ethanol blending programme had transformed the country's 'Annadatas' (food providers) into 'Urjadatas' (energy provider) by creating an additional source of income for farmers.

Moreover, he noted that the ethanol blending programme was initiated during the previous Congress-led government, adding that opposition to its accelerated implementation now appeared to be politically motivated.

According to the minister, the programme not only reduces India's dependence on imported crude oil but also makes the country less vulnerable to geopolitical disruptions and global oil price volatility.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 9 (IANS) India's economy is projected to grow 6.6 per cent in FY27, with the country expected to remain among the world's fastest-growing major economies despite global headwinds, supported by policy measures and strong services exports, a report has said.

The report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said its revised FY27 growth projection remains higher than the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) latest FY27 growth estimate of 6.4 per cent.

"Growth will be supported by policy interventions to attract more foreign capital, as well as fuel tax cuts, targeted credit support, strong services exports, and public capital expenditure," the ADB said.

The lender also retained its FY28 growth forecast for India at 7.3 per cent, unchanged from its April outlook.

It said the medium-term outlook is supported by improving global conditions and export competitiveness gained through trade agreements with various partners.

According to the report, elevated energy prices prompted the downward revision in the FY27 growth forecast as they erode real incomes and dampen consumer spending.

It cautioned that risks to the outlook remain tilted to the downside due to heightened geopolitical tensions and weather-related weakness in agriculture.

The ADB also revised India's inflation forecast for FY27 to 5.2 per cent, while retaining its FY28 inflation forecast at 4 per cent.

For the broader region, the ADB lowered its growth forecast for South Asia to 6.0 per cent in 2026 from 6.3 per cent projected earlier, citing higher oil prices, rising freight costs and uncertainty over remittance flows.

Across developing Asia and the Pacific, the lender trimmed its 2026 growth forecast to 4.9 per cent from 5.1 per cent, saying the prolonged conflict in West Asia has disrupted energy supplies and supply chains, raising production costs and slowing economic activity.

Despite the near-term challenges, the ADB said India's growth outlook remains among the strongest globally, supported by ongoing reforms, public investment and resilient services exports.

--IANS

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Mumbai, July 9 (IANS) Indian equity benchmarks advanced in early trade on Thursday despite renewed geopolitical tensions and a rebound in crude oil prices to the $80-a-barrel mark.

Sensex surged as much as 0.32 per cent or about 250 points to hit an intraday high of 76,752 in morning trade, while Nifty climbed 0.20 per cent or 46.90 points to 23,928.95.

Sectorally, Nifty Consumer Durables led the gains, rising 1.39 per cent, followed by Nifty Mid-Small Financial Services (0.95 per cent), Nifty Cement (0.69 per cent), Nifty Private Bank (0.66 per cent), Nifty PSU Bank (0.64 per cent) and Nifty Auto (0.62 per cent).

In contrast, Nifty IT emerged as the top sectoral loser, declining more than 1 per cent.

Among Nifty constituents, Infosys, HCLTech, Tech Mahindra, TCS, Dr Reddy's Laboratories and Hindalco Industries fell between 1 and 2 per cent.

According to market experts, geopolitical tensions have once again weighed on investor sentiment, with US President Donald Trump's remarks on Iran triggering selling pressure in the market.

However, they noted that Brent crude at around $80 a barrel was not yet a major concern for India, adding that continued foreign institutional investor (FII) buying and stable oil prices could help large-cap stocks, especially financials and automobiles, remain resilient.

Moreover, the American President Trump has said that the US had carried out fresh strikes against Iran overnight in response to what he described as Iranian attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

He said, "To me, I think it's over. I don't want to deal with them anymore. They're scum...They are sick people. They're led by sick people. They are vicious, violent people and if they had a nuclear weapon, they would use it. As far as I am concerned, it's over. I'll speak to our negotiators. They want to negotiate. As far as I'm concerned, it's just a waste of time dealing with them. They're liars. We make a deal...Everyone's agreed. No nuclear weapon. We make a deal. They go outside and talk to the press. They say we never even talked about it. There's something wrong with them. They're cuckoo. As far as I'm concerned, it's over."

International benchmark Brent crude rose 1.49 per cent to around $80 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained more than 2 per cent to $75 a barrel.

Asian markets were mixed. Japan's Nikkei rose nearly 2 per cent, while South Korea's Kospi edged higher. Hong Kong's Hang Seng, however, declined about 1 per cent.

--IANS

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Mumbai, July 8 (IANS) In a major move to modernise the state's post-mortem process, Maharashtra is set to introduce high-tech advancements, including 'non-invasive post-mortem' (virtual autopsy) technology, in Mumbai, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis informed the Legislative Council during Question Hour.

He said the government has launched comprehensive measures to ensure post-mortem reports are delivered on time, successfully slashing the backlog of pending reports over the last two to three years. The issue was raised by member Chitra Wagh, with follow-up questions from members Satej Patil, Ambadas Danve, Pragnya Satav, and Neelam Gorhe.

Highlighting the benefits of non-invasive technology, Fadnavis explained that it enables body examinations without traditional dissection. This approach saves time, requires less manpower, minimises human error, and ensures highly accurate detection of microscopic changes.

The tendering and procurement process for the required machinery at Mumbai's J J and KEM hospitals has already been completed.

Currently, 533 post-mortem centres are operational across Maharashtra, having completed 10,905 autopsies up to May this year. Acknowledging the heavy workload on these centres, the chief minister promised a time-bound review to address shortages in staff, infrastructure, and other resources.

Fadnavis stated that previously, it took anywhere from six months to a year to get a post-mortem report. However, by speeding up operations at forensic science laboratories over the last two to three years, they have brought the number of pending reports down from nearly 300,000 to 75,000.

He added that the government aims to bring this backlog down to normal levels within the next three to four months, giving top priority to medico-legal cases and those involving preserved viscera. While some rural centres receive bodies less frequently, those in accident-prone areas face immense pressure.

The chief minister assured that cold storage facilities are available where needed and a comprehensive audit will be conducted to upgrade facilities across all centres. Fadnavis also issued a stern warning regarding privacy, emphasising that maintaining confidentiality during the post-mortem process is legally binding.

He cautioned that leaking any information before the official report is submitted to the police is illegal and that strict action will be taken against anyone who violates these rules.

Meanwhile, Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif informed the Legislative Assembly that action has been taken against erring staff members of the Social Work Department at Sir J J Group of Hospitals. He stated that all concerned hospital authorities have been strictly instructed to treat patients and their relatives with empathy and courtesy.

Responding to a question raised by MLA Vilas Bhumre during Question Hour, Mushrif confirmed that a committee was set up to investigate complaints against superintendents in J J Hospital's Social Work Department.

Based on the inquiry report, the Dean of Sir J J Group of Hospitals has issued strict warnings to the accused staff members to ensure there is no future dereliction of duty.

Furthermore, employees absent without official permission have faced salary cuts ('no work, no pay'). Following an order on June 26, 2026, by the Directorate of Medical Education, two guilty social work superintendents have been transferred to other locations, said the minister.

He added that biometric attendance has been made mandatory for all staff, and the Secretary and the Commissioner have been directed to strictly monitor the system's functioning and the performance of its officers.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 8 (IANS) The Ministry of Coal has invited applications under the Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects, approved by the government in May this year with a total financial outlay of Rs 37,500 crore, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday.

The scheme is a major initiative aimed at promoting surface coal and lignite gasification projects, thereby enhancing value addition, reducing import dependence, and supporting India's vision of achieving greater self-reliance in the energy and chemical sectors.

After the approval of the scheme, the guidelines were issued on June 25, followed by the publication of the Request for Proposal (RFP) on July 7, inviting eligible applicants to submit proposals.

To facilitate stakeholder participation and provide clarity on the Scheme provisions and the application process, the Ministry will hold a pre-application conference on July 20. Prospective applicants and other stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the conference and submit their queries for clarification, the statement said.

The last date for submission of applications is September 7.

The Scheme Guidelines, Request for Proposal (RFP), and the detailed application timeline are available on the Ministry of Coal website. Interested entities are encouraged to review the documents.

Coal gasification is a transformative technology that converts coal into synthesis gas (syngas), which can be further utilised for the production of value-added products such as methanol, ammonium nitrate, synthetic natural gas, and a range of industrial chemicals. Recognising its strategic importance, the government has undertaken several policy initiatives and incentive measures to promote coal gasification as a means to enhance energy security, reduce import dependence, and diversify the utilisation of domestic coal resources.

The government conducted roadshows on coal gasification in June in Delhi and Hyderabad, during which discussions were held with stakeholders on policy support, technological innovations, investment opportunities, and project implementation strategies. The platform brought together policymakers, industry leaders, technology providers, and investors to explore collaborative pathways for accelerating the development of coal and lignite gasification projects across the country.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 8 (IANS) Apple has significantly expanded its partnership with Broadcom through a new multi-year agreement worth more than $30 billion, marking the company's largest manufacturing commitment in the United States and reinforcing its broader strategy to strengthen domestic semiconductor production.

The agreement, which extends through 2031, is expected to support the production of more than 15 billion chips in the US.

As part of the deal, Broadcom will invest $1.5 billion to expand its manufacturing facility in Fort Collins, Colorado, although neither company disclosed when the additional production capacity would become operational.

The expanded partnership builds on Broadcom's long-standing role as a supplier of wireless connectivity components for Apple.

Under the new agreement, Broadcom will manufacture custom silicon in the United States, including wireless connectivity components that power Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity across multiple generations of Apple devices.

Earlier this week, Broadcom disclosed in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission that it had signed new long-term agreements with Apple to develop and supply custom application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) silicon products through 2031.

These custom chips will support future generations of Apple products and are expected to play an increasingly important role as ASICs become more widely used for artificial intelligence workloads.

Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook described the agreement as the company's largest commitment under its American Manufacturing Program (AMP), highlighting its significance in expanding domestic manufacturing capabilities.

The announcement also represents the largest component of Apple's $600 billion, four-year US investment plan unveiled in 2025, which aims to strengthen the country's end-to-end silicon supply chain.

In a statement, Apple said it has been working with the US administration and businesses across the country to help build a comprehensive domestic silicon ecosystem, adding that the latest agreement advances those efforts.

Cook also praised President Donald Trump and his administration for supporting American manufacturing initiatives, saying the components to be produced at Broadcom's Fort Collins facility are essential to delivering the performance and connectivity that Apple customers expect across its devices.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 8 (IANS) The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), the technical arm of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL) to jointly undertake studies, technical contributions and standardisation activities in convergence and broadcasting technologies.

The collaboration is aimed at strengthening India's capabilities in developing standards and driving innovation in converged and broadcasting technologies, while supporting the government's flagship initiatives such as Digital India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Under the agreement, TEC and BECIL will work together on developing India-specific standards and testing frameworks, studying international standards, contributing to global standardisation bodies and exploring emerging technologies in the broadcasting and convergence ecosystem.

The MoU was signed in New Delhi by Devendra Singh, Deputy Director General, TEC, and Ramit Lala, Deputy General Manager (Projects), BECIL, in the presence of Syed Tausif Abbas, Senior Deputy Director General and Head of TEC.

The partnership establishes a formal framework for collaboration between the two organisations on research, technical studies and standards development in advanced broadcasting and convergence technologies.

As part of the collaboration, the organisations will jointly study and contribute to technologies such as Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) broadcasting and 5G Broadcast, which are expected to enhance the delivery of multimedia content directly to mobile devices. They will also work on Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems for IPTV and other content distribution platforms, Digital Sound Broadcasting (DSB), and Conditional Access Systems (CAS) along with Subscriber Management Systems (SMS) used by television service providers.

The MoU also covers research on future broadcast and network technologies, including Further evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (FeMBMS), application accessibility to promote digital inclusion, intelligent user interfaces for broadcasting services, and artificial intelligence-enabled capabilities over integrated broadband cable networks.

In addition, TEC and BECIL will hold need-based technical consultations on issues referred by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Department of Telecommunications and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), providing expert recommendations on emerging technologies and policy-related matters.

The collaboration is also expected to strengthen India's participation in international standardisation efforts through joint technical contributions to global organisations such as the International Telecommunication Union's Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T), Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) and the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 8 (IANS) Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven interventions and science-led agri-startups have the potential to significantly boost India's agricultural economy by improving farm productivity, increasing farmers' incomes and creating large-scale rural employment, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said on Wednesday.

He stressed that integrating technology, innovation and entrepreneurship into agriculture will be crucial for achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047.

Addressing a gathering, the Minister said India has witnessed an extraordinary expansion of its startup ecosystem over the past decade, growing from nearly 350 registered startups in 2015 to more than 2.3 lakh today, making the country the world's third-largest startup ecosystem.

However, he said the next phase of this startup revolution must be driven by agriculture, where innovation can directly improve farmers' incomes while creating employment opportunities for rural youth.

Dr. Singh said the perception that startups are limited to the information technology sector or metropolitan cities needs to change, as agriculture presents one of the country's biggest entrepreneurial opportunities.

He noted that practical knowledge, innovation and a willingness to learn are often more important than formal academic qualifications, adding that government support, scientific institutions and digital learning platforms have made advanced technologies increasingly accessible to rural communities.

Emphasising the growing role of AI in agriculture, the Minister said artificial intelligence is becoming an indispensable tool for predictive crop management, precision irrigation, weather-based advisories and efficient utilisation of agricultural resources. Citing estimates, he said AI-driven optimisation alone could help every farmer save nearly Rs 5,000 annually, resulting in an estimated Rs 70,000 crore value addition to the country's agricultural economy.

He said scientific advancements such as satellite technology, weather forecasting systems, drone-based surveys, resource mapping and real-time advisory services are enabling farmers to make better decisions on sowing, irrigation and crop management. Improved weather forecasting, he added, can help farmers prepare for changing monsoon patterns and choose suitable crops, reducing climate-related losses.

Describing climate change as one of the biggest challenges facing global agriculture, Dr. Singh said the Ministry of Science and Technology is supporting extensive research on climate-resilient crops, genomics, crop improvement, pest-resistant varieties, precision farming and resource optimisation to make Indian agriculture more resilient and productive.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 8 (IANS) Amid growing misinformation about ethanol-blended petrol, the Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) -- the apex industry body representing sugar and bio-energy producers -- on Wednesday urged that public discussions on E20 fuel be guided by scientific evidence, verified data and official clarifications rather than unverified claims circulating on social media.

The industry body said recent claims suggesting that E20 petrol causes vehicle damage, attracts insects, invalidates insurance policies or involves the direct mixing of sugarcane juice with petrol are misleading and factually incorrect.

Citing clarifications issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, ISMA said India's Ethanol Blending Programme has been scientifically validated, rigorously tested and continuously monitored in consultation with oil marketing companies, automobile manufacturers, fuel-testing agencies and other stakeholders.

According to the association, the government has stated that no incidents of engine failure or vehicle breakdown linked to E20 petrol have been reported since the fuel was introduced.

In addition, ISMA noted that fuel-grade ethanol is produced through industrial processes such as fermentation and distillation from feedstocks including sugarcane juice, molasses, broken rice and maize, and complies with stringent fuel-quality standards before being blended with petrol.

Addressing concerns over vehicle performance, the industry said automobile manufacturers, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI), oil marketing companies and the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) have maintained that apprehensions regarding E20 are based on misinformation and misunderstanding.

"India's ethanol programme is one of the country's most successful examples of aligning energy security, farmer welfare and cleaner mobility. It is therefore important that public debate is anchored in facts and not fear," said ISMA Director General Deepak Ballani.

The association highlighted that the ethanol blending programme has helped reduce India's dependence on imported crude oil, improve energy security and create additional income opportunities for farmers. It added that, according to official estimates, ethanol blending has enabled the country to save more than Rs 1.4 lakh crore in foreign exchange by reducing crude oil imports.

ISMA also pointed out that ethanol-blended fuel is widely used globally, including in countries such as the United States, Brazil and Japan, with Brazil adopting E27 as its standard petrol blend.

--IANS

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