NEW DELHI DAILY - 26 MARCH 2026
Air India London Flight Returns After Seven Hours; Indian Oil Purchases Iranian LPG; Government Denies Fuel Shortage Amid Panic Buying
Indian Oil purchases Iranian LPG for first time since 2018 amid severe cooking fuel shortage
Indian Oil bought LPG from Iran for first time in nearly eight years as India faces severe shortage of cooking fuel spurred by Middle East war.
Pakistan emerges as backchannel mediator between US and Iran, potentially sidelining India's diplomatic role
Pakistan positioned as potential mediator between Washington and Tehran after conveying US proposal to Iran. India appears sidelined despite growing partnerships with US and Israel.
EAM Jaishankar defends India's diplomatic stance, rebuffs criticism over Iran mediation role
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated India cannot be a dalal broker nation like Pakistan regarding Iran mediation. Pakistan politicians and journalists blasted remarks as crude.
NIA probes transnational conspiracy in Red Fort blast, flags radical material and pan-India links
NIA investigation into Red Fort car blast reveals pan-India and transnational conspiracy links to AGuH, WhatsApp radicalisation. Arabic expert roped in, 11 arrests made including Umar Un Nabi role.
DRIVING THE DAY
SUMMARY: Air India's London-bound A350 aircraft returned to Delhi on 26 March after nearly seven hours airborne due to a technical issue, per The Hindu, marking the second incident involving the same aircraft in 11 days. Indian Oil Corporation purchased Iranian LPG for the first time since 2018 amid acute fuel shortages triggered by the West Asia war, Business Standard reported, as the Petroleum Ministry on 26 March denied supply shortages but acknowledged panic buying fueled by social media misinformation. Jammu and Kashmir security agencies on 26 March uncovered a major Iran donation scheme mirroring earlier funding rackets, with an estimated Rs 17.91 crore illegally collected across the valley, according to India Today. The London High Court on 26 March rejected diamond merchant Nirav Modi's petition to reopen his extradition case, LiveMint reported, clearing the final legal obstacle to his transfer to India.
