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Evening news wrap: AAP defends Raghav Chadha’s ouster from Rajya Sabha role; India-bound Iran oil tanker diverted to China & more | India News
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Evening news wrap: AAP defends Raghav Chadha’s ouster from Rajya Sabha role; India-bound Iran oil tanker diverted to China & more | India News


Evening news wrap: AAP defends Raghav Chadha’s ouster from Rajya Sabha role; India-bound Iran oil tanker diverted to China & more

Quick catch-up for today

  • Bhagwant Mann defended Raghav Chadha’s removal as a routine party decision and accused him of going against AAP’s line.
  • An Iranian crude tanker bound for India rerouted to China amid payment and sanction-related challenges.
  • A French ship crossed Hormuz after signalling nationality, hinting at a possible shift in Iran-France dynamics.
  • BJP announced candidates for TN Assembly elections, but interestingly excluded K Annamalai from it.
  • Yuvraj Singh distanced himself from his father Yograj Singh’s remarks and apologised to Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni.

Here are top five stories of the evening

Bhagwant Mann backs Raghav Chadha’s removal from Rajya Sabha post

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann defended Raghav Chadha’s removal as AAP’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, calling it part of the party’s routine internal functioning. He also alleged that Chadha had become “compromised” and had acted against the party whip. His remarks came a day after Chadha said he had been “silenced, not defeated” following his removal.Read full story

What led an India-bound Iranian crude tanker to reroute to China

A US-sanctioned tanker carrying Iranian crude, originally destined for India, diverted to China due to tightened payment terms, reflecting persistent hurdles in Iranian oil trade despite temporary US waivers.Read full story

France no longer hostile nation? After Macron snubs Trump, Iran allows ship to pass Hormuz

A French-owned container ship, Kribi, successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz, with its destination altered to signal French ownership—potentially reflecting a shift in Iran’s stance towards France after President Emmanuel Macron criticised US policy and ruled out military intervention in favour of negotiations.Read full story

Tamil Nadu polls: BJP releases candidate list, drops K Annamalai amid seat row

The BJP released its candidate list for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, omitting former state chief K Annamalai, while fielding key leaders such as Tamilisai Soundararajan and Vanathi Srinivasan in crucial constituencies, reflecting a calculated electoral strategy.Read full story

Yuvraj Singh apologises to Kapil Dev, MS Dhoni over father Yograj’s remarks

Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh publicly apologised to Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni, distancing himself from controversial remarks made by his father, Yograj Singh. Speaking on a podcast, Yuvraj made it clear that he does not agree with the comments. “I would like to apologise to Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni for these comments,” he saud. Yuvraj also said he had spoken to his father about the issue, saying he felt uneasy listening to Yograj’s interviews.Read full story



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Tamil Nadu elections: Why Annamalai missed BJP candidate list – alliance over leader? | India News
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Tamil Nadu elections: Why Annamalai missed BJP candidate list – alliance over leader? | India News


Tamil Nadu elections: Why Annamalai missed BJP candidate list - alliance over leader?

NEW DELHI: Former Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai was not included in the party’s list of 27 candidates released on Friday for the upcoming assembly elections.When asked about the move, state president Nainar Nagendra said the “decision was taken by the party high command.”

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Tamil Nadu Elections 2026: M.K. Stalin vs AIADMK — Will Vijay Be the X-Factor?

The development comes days after differences between Annamalai and the party surfaced, following his absence at Coimbatore airport during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit.However, just hours after the names of the candidates were announced, Annamalai said that he will stand shoulder to shoulder for all the candidates with aim of the NDA winning 210 seats in the upcoming assembly elections.“Hearty congratulations to all the BJP winning candidates announced for the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections. They carry the support of every brother & sister of TN who is tired of corruption, complacency, and the DMK’s betrayal,” Annamalai said.“I as a Karyakarta will stand shoulder to shoulder & campaign for all our winning BJP & other NDA candidates, with the aim of the NDA winning 210 seats in the upcoming assembly elections,” he added.Why Anamalai was pushed to the marginAlmost a year before the assembly elections, BJP had removed Annamalai as state president, a decision widely viewed as aimed at reviving ties with the AIADMK led by Edappadi K Palaniswami.Reportedly, Palaniswami had made a pre-condition ahead of the alliance talks — the ouster of Annamalai, given his ruthless attack on the AIADMK.

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Following this development, Union home minister Amit Shah had said that “Annamalai’s orgainsational skills will be leveraged within party’s national framework.”The alliance was finalised for the upcoming Assembly polls. AIADMK will contest 178 seats, BJP 27, and the faction of PMK led by Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss will contest 18 seats.Amma Makkal Munnetra Katchi, led by TTV Dhinakaran, will contest 11 seats in the elections. This distribution reflects the seat-sharing agreement among the NDA allies in Tamil Nadu.Meanwhile, another setback for his followers came on February 3, 2026, when a peeved Annamalai stepped down as election in-charge for six assembly constituencies — Karaikudi, Singanallur, Srivaikuntam, Virugambakkam, Madurai (South), and Padmanabhapuram — citing his father’s ill health.The leader was, reportedly, upset over being restricted with only six out of the 234 assembly seats.Additionally, Annamalai’s name was also missing when the Tamil Nadu BJP on February 11 constituted a Legislative Assembly election management committee under its state chief Nainar Nagenthran.While Nagenthran was named as head of the committee, former Union minister and the party’s national executive member Pon Radhakrishnan was named as the coordinator.How caste played its roleCaste dynamics also seem to have played a role in the sidelining of Annamalai. Both him and EPS belong to Gounder community.Annamalai’s emergence as a potential chief minister was perceived by AIADMK as a direct challenge to EPS’s dominance within the alliance.Gounders fall under the Backward Classes category and account for roughly 5% to 7% of Tamil Nadu’s population. They are largely concentrated in western Tamil Nadu, or the Kongu Nadu region, which includes districts such as Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, Namakkal, Karur and Salem.After J Jayalalithaa’s death, Edappadi K Palaniswami, a Gounder, assumed control of the AIADMK, sidelining the Sasikala family and O Panneerselvam, and assigning key cabinet portfolios to leaders from the community.Annamalai’s stint as BJP chiefAnnamalai emerged as a crowd-puller for the BJP in Tamil Nadu, keeping both himself and the party consistently in the spotlight during his tenure as state president while working to expand its base across the state.In December 2024, he publicly flogged himself six times to protest against the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam following the rape of a student at Anna University. In February 2025, he stirred controversy by threatening to bring down the DMK headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, “brick by brick.” Annamalai also built support among a section of voters through sharp attacks on Dravidian parties and their icons. He criticised EV Ramasamy and CN Annadurai, and at one point described J Jayalalithaa as a “Hindutva” leader. He further targeted the ruling DMK with corruption allegations, releasing what he called the “DMK Files.” The first part, published in April 2023, included charges against chief minister MK Stalin, his son and minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, and other party leaders. The second part, released in July 2023, alleged corruption involving nine DMK ministers.Ahead of the 2024 general elections, Annamalai undertook the ‘En Mann, En Makkal’ (My Soil, My People) yatra, covering all 234 assembly constituencies to energise party workers. While the BJP did not win any of the 23 seats it contested, the party claimed its vote share rose to 11 per cent from 3.7 per cent in 2019.



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What led an India-bound Iranian crude tanker to reroute to China | India News
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What led an India-bound Iranian crude tanker to reroute to China | India News


What led an India-bound Iranian crude tanker to reroute to China

NEW DELHI: A US-sanctioned tanker carrying Iranian crude oil rerouted mid-voyage from India to China, with payment-related issues appearing to be the main reason behind the change in declared destination.The Aframax tanker Ping Shun, built in 2002 and sanctioned by the US in 2025, had earlier indicated Vadinar in Gujarat as its destination. If the cargo had reached India, it would have marked the country’s first Iranian crude purchase in nearly seven years.

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Russian Oil Tanker Bound for China Makes U-Turn to India as Delhi Steps Up Imports Amid Iran War

According to ship-tracking firm Kpler, the vessel is now signalling Dongying in China instead of Vadinar.There is no confirmation that the destination shown on the ship’s Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder is final, and it may still change during transit.“An Iranian crude vessel ‘Ping Shun’ that had been en route to Vadinar, India, over the past three days has dropped India as its declared destination near arrival and is now signalling China,” said Sumit Ritolia, Lead Research Analyst, Refining and Modelling at commodity market analytic firm Kpler.According to Ritolia, the rerouting appears to be linked to tightening payment terms.“The shift in destination of Ping Shun appears to be payment-related, with sellers tightening terms, moving away from the earlier 30-60 day credit window toward upfront or near-term settlement.”It was not clear who the actual seller and buyer of the crude were.The development comes at a time when Indian refiners have been exploring opportunities to buy a few cargoes of Iranian oil at sea after the US last month waived sanctions on such purchases for 30 days.That waiver window expires on April 19.While the waiver allowed countries to buy Iranian oil already at sea, the key challenge remains payments.Iran continues to remain outside SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication), the global banking messaging system used by financial institutions to securely send and receive transaction information.Earlier purchases from Iran were made in Euro through a Turkish bank, but that option no longer exists.Iran was cut off from the SWIFT system in March 2012 following European Union sanctions over its nuclear programme. Further disruptions came in 2018 after the US reimposed sanctions, sharply restricting Tehran’s ability to receive oil payments, conduct international trade and access foreign currency reserves.The Ping Shun is estimated to be carrying around 600,000 barrels of crude that was loaded from Kharg Island around March 4. Its declared ETA to Vadinar was April 4, according to Kpler.Vadinar is home to the 20 million tonnes a year refinery of Rosneft-backed Nayara Energy.If delivered, the cargo would have been the first Iranian crude shipment to India since 2019.India was once a major buyer of Iranian oil, importing significant volumes of Iran light and Iran heavy grades because of strong refinery compatibility and favourable commercial terms.But after sanctions tightened in 2018, imports stopped from May 2019, with those volumes replaced by crude from the Middle East, the US and other sources.At its peak, Iranian crude accounted for 11.5 per cent of India’s total oil imports.India imported around 518,000 barrels per day of Iranian oil in 2018. That fell to 268,000 barrels per day between January and May 2019, when the US had granted waivers to a few buyers. There have been no imports since then.India’s oil ministry has so far maintained that any decision on resuming Iranian crude purchases would depend on techno-commercial feasibility.According to estimates, around 95 million barrels of Iranian oil are currently on vessels at sea. Of this, about 51 million barrels could be sold to India, while the rest is considered more suitable for buyers in China and Southeast Asia.Ritolia said the latest rerouting shows how financial terms are becoming central to the movement of Iranian crude.“While such mid-voyage destination changes are not unprecedented with Iranian crudes, they highlight the increasing sensitivity of trade flows to financial terms and counterparty risk,” he said.“If the payment issues are resolved, the cargo could still make its way to an Indian refinery. However, the episode underscores how commercial terms are becoming as critical as logistics in determining Iranian crude flows to other countries apart from China.”



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33 possible air pollution solutions progress to trial phase under challenge set by Delhi govt | India News
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33 possible air pollution solutions progress to trial phase under challenge set by Delhi govt | India News


33 possible air pollution solutions progress to trial phase under challenge set by Delhi govt

NEW DELHI: About 33 prototypes shortlisted under the Delhi government’s ‘innovation challenge’ to find solutions for the air pollution issue are set to enter the second phase for trials, according to officials familiar with the matter.These include solar-powered pole-mounted dust traps, filterless smoke and dust carbon-capturing devices, electrostatic mist sprayers, models for smart dust-suppression and monitoring systems, and retrofitting vehicle-mounted air purifiers to improve emission quality of cars.

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These innovations —shortlisted from a vast pool of applications— had been showcased at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi in January this year, as a part of an exhibition. The challenge, launched by the Delhi government, aims to find practical solutions to tackle the city’s air pollution.An official said, “The innovation challenge is now ready to enter the second phase, where trials will begin, and the government will be providing all necessary infrastructure required for the trials.” The official added that the trials are expected to begin by first week of May and are likely to be wrapped up within the next three months.An eight-member expert committee, headed by IIT Professor Sagnik Dey, will be reviewing the proposals to identify the most practical and cost-effective solutions for air pollution. Following the same, the finalised innovations will be adopted by the Delhi government for operationalisation.Another official told PTI that a meeting will be held on Monday to finalise the outline for the trial process and the kind of arrangements that would be required for the same.“The plan so far is to move ahead with the trial of all 33 innovations. As we move forward, we shall start shortlisting the most efficient technologies,” the official said.The winning projects will also be eligible for incentives from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, including Rs 5 lakh after successful expert committee evaluation and up to Rs 50 lakh for solutions verified by National Physical Laboratory-equivalent labs and recommended for government adoption, as per the guidelines.



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Watch: Rahul Gandhi enjoys ‘appam and omelette’ with UDF leaders ahead of Kerala Assembly polls | India News
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Watch: Rahul Gandhi enjoys ‘appam and omelette’ with UDF leaders ahead of Kerala Assembly polls | India News


Watch: Rahul Gandhi enjoys 'appam and omelette' with UDF leaders ahead of Kerala Assembly polls

NEW DELHI: Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Friday shared a video on social media showing him having snacks with United Democratic Front (UDF) leaders in Kerala ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.In the video, Gandhi is seen enjoying local delicacies like Appam, Puttu and omelette while engaging with UDF leaders on the ground realities of the upcoming polls.In a post on X, he wrote: “In between bites of Appam, Puttu and omelette the UDF leaders and I had a very interesting conversation on the ground realities of the Keralam election. It’s evident that Keralam deserves change – an overhaul of the education system, real opportunities for youth and a government that supports its people in sickness and old age. UDF is renewed hope for the people of Keralam – our team is strong, united and ready to lead.“The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is expected to face a stiff challenge from the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) led by the Indian National Congress. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is also trying to expand its footprint in the state, aiming to turn the contest into a three-way fight.The 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 9, as announced by the Election Commission of India on March 15. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, while the tenure of the current assembly is set to end on May 23.



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‘He should resign first’: Mamata targets PM Modi over voter list row in Bengal polls | India News
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‘He should resign first’: Mamata targets PM Modi over voter list row in Bengal polls | India News


'He should resign first': Mamata targets PM Modi over voter list row in Bengal polls

NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he should resign first if voter lists contained names of infiltrators.Speaking at a rally in Dakshin Dinajpur, she said: “If voter list contained names of infiltrators, Modi also won with their votes earlier, so he should resign first.”

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After SC Rap On Malda Hostage Row, Mamata Banerjee Claims BJP Wants President’s Rule In Bengal

She questioned the allegations around electoral rolls and asked why the same voter lists used in the 2024 general elections are now being challenged ahead of the assembly polls.The chief minister also addressed the recent incident in Malda district, where judicial officers were gheraoed for several hours. She blamed the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and the Indian Secular Front (ISF) for the incident, while accusing the Congress and the BJP of instigation.Providing details, Banerjee said the main accused in the case had been arrested.“The BJP loaned him (the accused) from the AIMIM and brought him here,” she alleged while addressing the rally at Harirampur.She further added: “ISF is with them; Congress and BJP have also provided instigation.”Banerjee said the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested the main accused, advocate Mofakkarul Islam from Bagdogra airport while he was trying to flee.“It is they who engineered the violence in Malda’s Mothabari,” she said.Banerjee also raised concerns over the conduct of the elections, alleging that officials were transferred to facilitate the movement of outsiders into the state.She further claimed irregularities involving security forces.“Money is being brought in using CRPF vehicles. I have a record of these movements and will expose them at the appropriate time,” she alleged.The Trinamool Congress chief also targeted home minister Amit Shah, who has announced plans to stay in West Bengal during the election period.Banerjee claimed that his presence would not benefit the BJP electorally. She said that Shah’s extended stay in the state during the polls would instead lead to a reduction in the party’s vote share.



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85% candidates finalised, 15% pending: Congress to seal Tamil Nadu list at CEC meet today | India News
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85% candidates finalised, 15% pending: Congress to seal Tamil Nadu list at CEC meet today | India News


85% candidates finalised, 15% pending: Congress to seal Tamil Nadu list at CEC meet today

NEW DELHI: The Indian National Congress is set to finalise its candidates for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections at a Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting in Delhi, with 85 per cent of names already decided, according to state unit chief K Selvaperunthagai.Selvaperunthagai said discussions involving senior leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, have largely concluded, with only a small portion of seats left to be finalised.“All India Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and senior leaders discussed the candidates. 85% have been decided, 15% are pending. Today we are going to decide,” he said.The Congress will contest 28 constituencies as part of the alliance led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, which heads the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA).The DMK has retained the lion’s share, deciding to contest 164 of the 234 seats, while allocating the remaining 70 seats to its partners. Apart from Congress, key allies include the Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) with five seats each, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) with eight seats, and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) with four seats.Other alliance partners include the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) with 10 seats and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) with two seats, along with smaller regional players.Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK president M K Stalin has already unveiled candidates for several key constituencies.Stalin will contest from Kolathur, while Deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has been fielded from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni.Other prominent candidates include Mahesh from Kanyakumari, Appavu from Radhapuram, Vahab from Palayamkottai, Kalaikathiravan from Tenkasi, and KKSSR Ramachandran from Aruppukottai. Additional names include Velu from Mylapore and Ma Subramanian from Saidapet.The main contest in the state is expected between the DMK-led SPA and the NDA led by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, which includes the BJP and PMK.A recent survey by polling agency Lok Poll projected a strong performance for the DMK alliance, estimating 181 to 189 seats with a vote share of 40.1 per cent. The AIADMK-led alliance was projected to secure 38 to 42 seats.Tamil Nadu will go to polls in a single phase on April 23, with counting scheduled for May 4.The last date for filing nominations is April 6, scrutiny will take place on April 7, and candidates can withdraw nominations until April 9.With candidate lists nearing completion and alliances finalised, political parties are entering the final phase of preparations for what is expected to be a closely watched electoral contest in the state.



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Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Celebrates Hanuman Jayanti: Inspiring Nation-Building Through His Ideals | India News
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Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Celebrates Hanuman Jayanti: Inspiring Nation-Building Through His Ideals | India News


Lord Hanuman's ideals continue to inspire nation-building: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta offers prayers on the occasion of Hanuman Janmotsav at Jhandewalan Hanuman Mandir, in New Delhi on Thursday. (ANI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday offered prayers at the Sankat Mochan Dham in Karolbagh that houses an 108-foot idol of Lord Hanuman on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti.Lord Hanuman, who symbolises service and courage, continues to inspire nation-building, Gupta said, as she prayed for the well-being, peace and prosperity of the people of Delhi, reciting Hanuman Chalisa along with the other devotees.“His ideals continue to inspire us to serve the society and the nation selflessly,” the chief minister said, adding that sacred occasions like Hanuman Jayanti foster positive energy, unity and spiritual awareness in society.



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Kerala assembly polls: Telangana CM Revanth Reddy unveils UDF manifesto, calls it the beginning of a ‘golden era’ | India News
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Kerala assembly polls: Telangana CM Revanth Reddy unveils UDF manifesto, calls it the beginning of a ‘golden era’ | India News


Kerala assembly polls: Telangana CM Revanth Reddy unveils UDF manifesto, calls it the beginning of a 'golden era'
Revanth Reddy (ANI image)

NEW DELHI: Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy on Thursday unveiled United Democratic Front (UDF) manifesto ahead of the Kerala assembly elections.He also launched a scathing attack on the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government and declared that the ‘dark era’ in the state was coming to an end and a ‘golden era’ was beginning.The remarks were made in Kochi during the release of the Congress-led UDF’s manifesto for the upcoming elections. Addressing party workers and supporters, Reddy expressed confidence that the electorate was ready for a political shift and would vote out the incumbent Left government.He said the upcoming polls would mark a decisive turning point for Kerala, with public sentiment increasingly turning against the ruling dispensation. According to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office, Reddy asserted that the people of the state were looking for change and would back the UDF.In a pointed political attack, Reddy also targeted both the Centre and the Kerala government, saying that India and Kerala were currently being ruled by the “Modi Brothers.”He further made an indirect reference to the Sabarimala gold controversy, alleging that even religious assets were not secure under the present administration. Referring to Kerala as “God’s Own Country,” he remarked that even “God’s own property” was not safe.Highlighting the UDF’s electoral promises, the manifesto outlines “Indira’s Five Guarantees,” which include free bus travel for women in KSRTC buses, a monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000 for female college students, an increase in welfare pensions to Rs 3,000 per month, health insurance coverage of Rs 25 lakh per family named after former chief minister Oommen Chandy and interest-free loans of up to Rs 5 lakh for youth pursuing self-employment.In addition, the manifesto proposes five “Dream Projects” focusing on maritime and aviation sectors, along with the establishment of a Tribal University in Wayanad.Polling for the 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections is scheduled to be held on April 9, while the counting of votes will take place on May 4. The tenure of the current assembly is set to end on May 23.



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Foreign secretary Vikram Misri represents India as 60+ nations discuss Hormuz crisis | India News
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Foreign secretary Vikram Misri represents India as 60+ nations discuss Hormuz crisis | India News


Foreign secretary Vikram Misri represents India as 60+ nations discuss Hormuz crisis

NEW DELHI: Foreign secretary Vikram Misri represented India in a meeting that was hosted by the UK on Thursday to discuss efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz. More than 60 countries participated in the meeting that discussed diplomatic and political, instead of military, measures to restore freedom of navigation through the key energy route.In the meeting, Misri underlined the importance of the principles of freedom of navigation and unimpeded transit through international waterways, according to an Indian readout. The government said he also emphasised the impact of the crisis on India’s energy security and the fact that India remains the only country to have lost mariners in attacks on merchant shipping in the Gulf.“He (Misri) also underlined that the way out of the crisis consisted of de-escalation and a return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue among all concerned parties,” said the Indian readout on the meeting.The UK meeting followed US President Trump’s assertion that the responsibility of keeping the strait open must be shouldered by Asian and European nations more reliant on oil and gas passing through that chokepoint than the US. Washington was reported to have skipped the virtual meeting that was chaired by British foreign minister Yvette Cooper.While India participated in the meeting, it has not yet endorsed a joint statement signed earlier by the UK and 35 other countries that expressed readiness in the document to contribute to “appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait”.India continues to back its direct talks with Tehran to resolve the issue that, as external affairs minister S Jaishankar said earlier, have yielded some results. Iran has so far allowed 6 India-flagged vessels to sail through the Strait of Hormuz.



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