India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held extensive discussions with foreign ministers from the 27 member states of the European Union during a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on Monday. The talks focused on key global developments, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, tensions in West Asia, evolving strategic dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region and the future trajectory of India-EU relations. Jaishankar attended the meeting at the invitation of

The ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran has triggered what the International Energy Agency (IEA) describes as the largest disruption in the history of the global oil market, as tensions intensify around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes. In a report released on Thursday, the agency said oil and petroleum product flows through the strategic waterway have plunged sharply, raising serious concerns about global energy security

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the government is taking comprehensive steps to safeguard India’s energy security as global fuel markets face uncertainty due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Addressing the NXT Summit 2026 in New Delhi on March 12, the prime minister said India has adopted a holistic strategy to strengthen its energy sector and reduce vulnerability to global disruptions. Modi said the country has significantly expanded its strategic petroleum reserve in r

In a significant move amid the ongoing Middle East crisis, Japan has become the first G7 nation to announce the release of its strategic oil reserves. This decision comes in response to the geopolitical tensions affecting the global oil market and concerns over potential disruptions in the supply of crude oil. Japan's action is aimed at maintaining energy security and stabilizing oil prices, which have been fluctuating due to the crisis in the Middle East. As one of the world's larg

Global oil prices fell sharply on Tuesday after the United States confirmed that a naval escort ensured the safe passage of an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane for the world’s energy markets. The announcement helped calm investors who had been reacting to escalating geopolitical tensions and fears of a major oil supply disruption linked to the ongoing Iran conflict. U.S. crude oil dropped around 15 percent to $79.96 per barrel, while Brent crude, t

The escalating tensions around the Strait of Hormuz are raising serious concerns for global energy markets, with analysts warning that the liquefied natural gas sector could be more severely affected than crude oil if the shipping route remains disrupted. While oil shipments have been partially redirected through alternative pipelines, LNG faces unique challenges due to its dependence on specialized tankers and highly centralized production, particularly in Qatar. Roughly 20 percent o

The conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran continues to intensify across West Asia, with fighting that began on February 28 now spreading to several countries in the region. The escalation began after coordinated attacks by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets, which triggered retaliatory strikes and military responses that have gradually widened the scope of the conflict. Over the past several days, multiple Gulf nations have reported attacks and security incidents, ra

 US stocks opened sharply lower on Monday, wiping out more than $900 billion in market value within minutes of the opening bell as investors reacted to a sudden spike in oil prices and mounting geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Crude oil briefly surged above $100 per barrel, intensifying concerns that escalating conflict in the region could disrupt supply and push global energy costs higher, potentially reigniting inflation pressures across major economies. The Dow Jones Industr

Global crude oil prices have surged past $110 per barrel as escalating tensions in the Gulf region shake energy markets worldwide. The sharp increase has triggered concerns about potential supply disruptions, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most critical oil transit routes globally. The sudden spike represents the biggest jump in crude prices since 2020 and has raised fears about its possible ripple effects on economies that depend heavily on imported oil. Desp

Global oil markets experienced unprecedented volatility this week as escalating tensions in the Middle East disrupted key energy supply routes and triggered the largest weekly surge in U.S. crude futures since trading began in 1983. The sharp rise in oil prices reflects growing concerns among investors and governments that prolonged conflict in the region could severely affect global fuel supply chains and economic stability. West Texas Intermediate crude futures climbed sharply on

For decades, a recurring argument during periods of American involvement in the Middle East has been that such conflicts are driven by access to oil. However, the United States’ position in the global energy landscape has shifted dramatically over the past decade. Once heavily dependent on foreign imports, the country has transformed into one of the world’s largest producers of oil and natural gas, reshaping both global energy markets and geopolitical calculations. Recent figures from th

Amid escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia and growing concerns over potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, government sources have reassured citizens that India’s oil reserves and fuel stocks remain sufficient, urging the public not to panic or hoard essential petroleum products. Officials said the country currently maintains around 25 days of crude oil and petroleum products, including petrol and diesel, ensuring stability in the event of short-term supply disruptions. Liq

The U.S.-Iran war entered its fourth day on Tuesday, widening beyond its initial flashpoints and sending shockwaves through global financial and energy markets. Investors reacted swiftly to the escalating Middle East conflict, with U.S. stocks opening sharply lower. European stocks and major Asian markets also declined, reflecting mounting concerns over geopolitical instability and the risk of a broader regional confrontation. Oil prices surged amid growing fears of an energy supply

The global shipping industry is grappling with mounting financial strain as escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran disrupts maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Within three days of hostilities and retaliatory strikes across the Gulf region, freight markets have recorded sharp increases in costs, with industry estimates pointing to potential losses amounting to tens of billions of dollars per day. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for m

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a high-profile visit to India as part of a broader Indo-Pacific tour, in what officials describe as a significant step toward revitalizing bilateral relations that have faced strain in recent years. The visit, scheduled from February 26 to March 7, 2026, will also include stops in Australia and Japan, reflecting Ottawa’s strategic focus on strengthening partnerships across the Indo-Pacific region. Carney’s itinerary begins in Mum

Oil prices climbed sharply on Wednesday, rising more than 4% as investors reacted to escalating tensions between the United States and Iran following the latest round of nuclear negotiations. Market sentiment shifted after U.S. Vice President JD Vance indicated that Tehran had failed to address key American demands and warned that military options remain under consideration. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude settled up $2.86, or 4.59%, at $65.19 per barrel, while global benchmark B

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday warned that Russia is expected to continue launching large-scale strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, citing fresh intelligence assessments. The warning comes amid ongoing hostilities in the Ukraine war, now approaching its fourth year, and underscores growing concerns in Kyiv about the resilience of the country’s power grid during continued missile and drone attacks. Speaking about the latest intelligence findings, Zelensky

Russia has said it has not received any official confirmation from India that the country plans to halt purchases of Russian oil, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed New Delhi agreed to scale back those imports as part of a new trade agreement with Washington. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow had yet to hear directly from Indian authorities regarding any change in energy flows. While acknowledging the evolving relationship between the United States a

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday welcomed a significant reduction in tariffs on Indian exports to the United States following an announcement by US President Donald Trump that the two countries had reached a bilateral trade agreement aimed at lowering reciprocal duties. Under the new arrangement, tariffs on Made in India products entering the US market will be reduced to 18%, marking a notable shift in trade relations between the two major economies. The agreement also provide

In a significant development affecting global trade and energy policy, United States President Donald Trump announced a bilateral trade agreement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi following a direct telephone conversation on Monday. According to an official post shared by the US Ambassador to India on social media, the leaders discussed a range of strategic and economic issues, culminating in an accord that reduces key economic barriers between the two countries. In his publi