NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi stressed in his phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian late on Thursday India is Iran’s friend and that his government will do all it can to advance diplomacy as escalation is not in anyone’s interest. This is the closest India has come to expressing solidarity with Tehran, which said Friday it would allow Indian ships safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, after the war broke out with US-Israel attacks and Iranian reprisals.

The Iranian president also appreciated India’s “balanced and constructive positions” on international issues and its efforts to reduce tensions. Amidst the looming energy crisis, India had intensified engagement with Iran in the past few days to stress the need for unimpeded transit of goods and energy. Iranian ambassador Mohammad Fathali answered in the affirmative when asked if Tehran would let India-flagged ships cross the Strait.

“Yes, because India is our friend. You will see it withing 2 or 3 hours. We believe India and Iran share common interests in the region,” said Fathali on Friday evening. Twenty-eight Indian ships had remained stranded in the Persian Gulf because of the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. There were reports late on Friday that Iran had already allowed 2 of these ships carrying gas to cross the Strait.

India working with BRICS for consensus on conflict

According to an Iranian readout, Pezeshkian said Iran remained committed to expanding cooperation with New Delhi within frameworks such as BRICS, which is currently chaired by India, and called upon the group of major emerging economies to play an active role in safeguarding peace and security in the region.

The Modi-Pezeshkian talks were followed by external affairs minister S Jaishankar’s 4th conversation in the past 2 weeks with his counterpart Seyed Araghchi, during which BRICS related issues were again discussed. India currently holds the BRICS presidency and Araghchi, as Iran said in a readout, sought condemnation of US-Israel “military aggression” by regional and global organisations. “Referring to the importance of BRICS as a platform for expanding multilateral cooperation, he (Araghchi) said the grouping should play a constructive role at the present juncture in supporting regional and global stability and security,” said an Iranian readout of the foreign ministers’ talks. However, with both Iran and the UAE members of the group, it has been difficult for India as the chair to forge a consensus that could lead to a joint statement on the ongoing conflict. “As Chair of BRICS, India has been facilitating discussions among members through the Sherpa channel. Last virtual BRICS Sherpa meeting was held on 12 March. In addition, Indian leadership has been engaging with leaders of BRICS members in the region. India will continue to engage,” said a government source, speaking on the condition of anonymity.According to Iran, Jaishankar expressed India’s readiness to expand bilateral and multilateral cooperation in regional and international forums. He also emphasised the importance of finding ways to strengthen sustainable stability and security in the region as a “collective necessity”. Jaishankar said in his own post on X that BRICS issues were discussed.Iran joined the BRICS in 2024 and is hoping for support from India in its efforts to ensure that the group condemns the US-Israel attacks. Unlike Russia and China, India has so far not condemned the attacks on Iran but Modi, in his talks with the Iranian president, did express deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure. Without naming Iran, the PM has strongly condemned Iran’s attacks in the Gulf where India has deep energy and diaspora interests. According to Iran, in his talks with Modi, Pezeshkian raised the killing of supreme leader Ali Khamenei and the attack on a girls’ school in which, the president said, 168 students died. “Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed deep concern over the tensions in the Middle East and emphasized that India is a friend of Iran. New Delhi, he said, will make its maximum effort to play a role in advancing diplomacy, noting that escalation of conflict is not in the interest of any party,” said the Iranian statement on the talks. Pezeshkian told Modi, according to Tehran, that despite the recent crimes targeting infrastructure, Iran remained committed to expanding cooperation with India and other friendly countries within frameworks such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and stressed the need for BRICS to play an active role in safeguarding peace, stability, and security in the region.

Mumbai’s Mohammed Ali Road-Bhendi Bazaar area becomes a Mecca for food lovers during the holy month of Ramzan. While a group of devotees offer Tarawih, special prayers in the sacred month, at the iconic Minara Masjid and other mosques in the densely populated locality, hundreds fill the restaurants and crowd at roadside eateries, eating smoky kebabs, piping hot payas, simmering nalli nihari, spicy chicken changezi. Those with sweet teeth sample sugary, mouthwatering malpuas, crunchy jalebis and succulent firni.Not all these delightful delicacies, though, have been prepared by the local khansamas, bhatiyaras or cooks and chefs. Some of them have been cooked by chefs and cooks from outside Mumbai. Not just from predictable places such as Hyderabad, Delhi and Lucknow, but also from small towns and kasbas such as Moradabad, Sambhal, Amroha, Indore and Surat.Since Mumbai is home to several large restaurants and catering houses, many of the cooks get hired by the proprietors for a month.Take Mohammed Chand from Hyderabad. Famous for preparing haleem, pather gosht (baked on hot stone platforms), Hyderabadi haleem, biryani and nihari, Chand has been visiting Mumbai during Ramzan since 1991. Son of Mohammed Ahmed, a cook employed in the royal kitchen of the Nizams, Chand says he carries a rich legacy created in the culinary craft.“It was the late Jaffer Bhai Mansuri of the Jafferbhai’s Delhi Darbar who would invite my father annually in Ramzan. I have offers from different places but prefer to work with Jafferbhai’s son Hassan as we have developed a bond,” says Chand.“Chand Bhai is like family. We hire him mandatorily during Ramzan,” says Hassan Jaffer Mansuri of Jaffer Bhai’s Delhi Darbar Catering Division. “He accepts whatever we give him as remuneration,” adds Hassan.At the tiny Mughlai Paratha-Galouti Kebab joint at a corner of Khadak near Minara Masjid, Saad Qureshi and Islam Qureshi from Lucknow are busy rolling and baking parathas while the galouti kebabs get pan-cooked. Proprietors Parvez Koradia and Saad Pattanwala are busy selling them.“These boys are very efficient. We pay them Rs 1,000 daily each plus free lodging and food,” says Koradia. “Ek mahine mein 30,000 bahut hai (Rs 30,000 in one month is enough),” smiles Saad.“Look at these hot parathas and the galouti kebabs. The parathas are not oily and the kebabs are so tender they melt in the mouth,” gushes Amin Parekh, a local resident.A few shops away is Ali Hashmat’s famous ‘Ali’s Biryani’ and ‘Barah Handi’ joints. Popular as Ali Bhai, Hashmat says he established his business in 2001 soon after Covid. “We are originally from Murdabad but honed our skills at a family-owned restaurant in Kaliya Sharief near Roorkee. I did not have to attend any cooking class to learn it as we learnt while we worked, experimented and innovated,” explains Ali Bhai. “We are three brothers and six bhanjas (nephews) engaged in cooking and selling food,” adds Nazir Ali, Ali Bhai’s younger brother.The ‘mamus-bhanjas’ run Barah Handi restaurant is an iconic 1897 establishment which Ali Bhai bought a couple of years ago after it remained shut for some time. Though it sells different dishes including chicken changezi, seekh kebabs, malai tikka and kaju keema, its Moradabadi biryani outshines all in taste and reputation. Local MLA Amin Patel hosts many close friends over Ramzan dinner at a friend’s office at Mohammed Ali Road. Among a dozen dishes that the guests comprising bureaucrats, journalists and politicians, in batches, enjoy at Patel’s dawat, Moradabadi biryani from Ali Bhai’s kitchen earns huge applause. “He uses authentic masala and the right proportion of meat and rice in the biryani. This has become a Ramzan specialty,” says Patel whose Ramzan treat is eagerly awaited by friends.

The Pakistan Cricket Board is reportedly considering legal action against Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani after he chose to play in the Indian Premier League with Kolkata Knight Riders instead of fulfilling his contract in the Pakistan Super League.

KKR sign Muzarabani as replacement for Mustafizur

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) roped in Blessing Muzarabani as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman who was earlier released from the squad following instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Muzarabani, known for his height and bounce, was quickly signed by the defending champions to strengthen their pace attack for the upcoming season.

PCB alleges breach of PSL contract

However, the move has angered the PCB as Muzarabani had already been signed by Islamabad United for PKR 11 Million in this PSL season.

According to a report by Geo Super , the Zimbabwean pacer pulled out of the PSL contract after receiving the IPL offer, which the PCB believes could constitute a breach of agreement. The board is now considering taking legal steps to protect the integrity of PSL contracts and prevent similar situations in the future, where players leave the league for other tournaments.

Not the first IPL vs PSL conflict

This is not the first instance of a clash between the IPL and PSL over player availability. In previous seasons, Last season, South Africa pacer Corbin Bosch did the same after being picked as a Diamond Pick by Peshawar Zalmi. He later joined the Mumbai Indians as an injury replacement.

Why Players Choose IPL Over PSL

The Indian Premier League is widely recognized for its global popularity and lucrative rewards, attracting top international players from around the world. Many cricketers often prefer competing in the IPL over the Pakistan Super League due to its significantly higher financial opportunities, larger broadcasting reach, and greater global exposure.

Mumbai: The Maharashtra govt has begun sector-wise rationing of commercial LPG cylinders following a directive from the Centre asking district collectors to prioritise essential services while allocating gas across cities, towns and villages. The state govt has laid down supply percentages for various sectors.In letters issued on March 13 and 14 by the state food, civil supplies and consumer protection department, collectors have been told to strictly follow a priority list while distributing commercial LPG within their districts.

Hospitals, educational institutions and key public services will receive 100% LPG supply, ensuring uninterrupted cooking and operational needs in critical sectors.The order specifies govt and private hospitals, as well as schools, colleges, hostels and other educational institutions, must be supplied LPG cylinders at their full requirement levels. The state govt has also separately instructed collectors to ensure educational institutions—including pre-primary schools, secondary schools and aided institutions —get 100% LPG allocation.Other essential public services such as sanitation facilities, milk collection centres and community kitchens (annachatra) have also been placed in the top priority category with full supply entitlement.For the hospitality sector, including restaurants, hotels, roadside dhabas, tourism establishments and religious or public places, LPG allocation is capped at 90% of demand.The order also provides limited allocation for transport services, with the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) eligible for 50% LPG supply.Industrial units, seed processing units and fisheries have been assigned 40% supply. Authorities said the priority-based distribution will be implemented immediately and district administrations will coordinate with distributors to ensure compliance.Meanwhile, LPG shortage has crept into the city’s public hospitals, with food availability for doctors and staff affected. Food preparation for patients was not affected so far, said officials of the state govt-run J J Hospital in Byculla and central govt-run Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre’s Kharghar unit, which were affected.