NEW DELHI DAILY - 8 MARCH 2026
Jaishankar defends Iran ship docking, fuel market turmoil, Nepal elections
India asserts strategic autonomy rejecting need for US permission on Russian oil purchases
Senior Indian official stated India never depended on permission from any country for oil purchases after US Treasury Secretary's remarks on Russian oil waiver. This pushback signals India's resistance to perceived infringement on energy security decisions.
EAM Jaishankar defends Iran warship docking at Kochi citing humanitarian grounds
External Affairs Minister justified allowing Iranian naval vessel IRIS Lavan with 183 sailors to dock at Kochi on humanitarian grounds despite ongoing Middle East conflict. Jaishankar emphasized India's approach from point of humanity while explaining Indian Ocean realities.
Government invokes Essential Commodities Act as LPG prices surge Rs 60 per cylinder
Centre hiked domestic LPG prices by Rs 60 following global energy price increases from West Asia conflict while invoking Essential Commodities Act for supply management. Opposition criticized the hike questioning government's adequate stock claims amid regional crisis.
DRIVING THE DAY
SUMMARY: External Affairs Minister JAISHANKAR defended India's decision to permit Iranian naval vessels to dock in Kochi on humanitarian grounds, rejecting social media criticism while emphasizing India's strategic autonomy in energy procurement following U.S. waiver statements. Commerce Minister GOYAL declared India secured the best U.S. trade deal among competing nations, though opposition parties challenged government silence on Washington's characterization of Russian oil permissions. Domestic energy prices surged amid West Asia conflict spillover, while Nepal's elections produced preliminary landslide results for rapper-turned-politician Balen SHAH's Rastriya Swatantra Party. Prime Minister MODI congratulated Nepal on peaceful polling and committed to working with the incoming government.
