Languishing since 1987, the Trinco Energy Hub will be connected with multi-purpose pipelines and power grids between Sri Lanka and India.

Maj Gen Ashok K Mehta (retd)

The Gulf War has at least had one positive effect — the creation of larger strategic oil reserves. One of the most significant measures is the Trincomalee (Trinco) Oil Tank Farms project in Sri Lanka. Languishing since 1987, the development of the Trinco Energy Hub is now on the anvil, to be connected with multi-purpose pipelines and power grids between the two countries. In a smart diplomatic move, New Delhi sent Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan, who also happens to be Tamilian, to Sri Lanka recently, in what was the first bilateral visit by any Vice President to Sri Lanka, raising the protocol from the customary contact of Foreign Minister Jaishankar who last visited Colombo in December 2025.

The Radhakrishnan call was significant for three reasons: it focused on transforming Trinco as an energy hub; it helped revive the “Tamil question”; and it embedded India’s strategic stature as first responder in India’s neighbourhood. Like the landslide political victory of the Rashtriya Swatantra Party in Nepal, Sri Lanka’s left-wing National People’s Power party stormed into power in 2024 decimating traditional parties, including the once-strong Tamil bloc.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake a former Marxist from the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) party, which in the 1980s had opposed the 1987 India-Sri Lanka Accord, has recognised Delhi’s preeminence in the region and highlighted its Neighbourhood First policy by recounting India’s crucial interventions: the economic crisis in 2022; the financial lifeline that followed the crisis of debt; and relief during cyclone Ditwah. Radhakrishnan said India will stand with Sri Lanka’s “ successes and struggles like an affectionate elder brother”, a term that rebounded in Nepal. In its election manifesto NPP had said : Trinco oil tank farms will be renovated with support of a friendly foreign country.

Last month, with Radhakrishnan and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri flanking him, Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath called the Trinco project a permanent solution to the developing energy crisis in the Indian subcontinent, whilst referring to the ongoing war in the Persian Gulf. Misri, earlier Deputy High Commissioner in Colombo, briefed the media in Colombo on several bilateral matters, including the Trinco Energy Hub.

It will be instructive to recall the strategic importance of Trinco Harbour and Port as penned by former Sri Lankan Admiral Ravi Wijegunaratne, who noted that the Dutch, French and British colonial powers contested Trincomalee because it was the gateway to the Bay of Bengal. British admiral Lord Nelson described Trinco as “the finest and deepest harbour in the world”. In 1935, the British built 100 oil tanks with impregnable Manchester steel, with the capacity to hold 1 mn tonnes of petroleum, long enough for six months of strategic petroleum reserve.

For Sri Lanka, Trincomalee is a ‘national asset’. In the past, several trade unions and political parties have protested energy cooperation with India, seeing it as a ceding of sovereignty. That’s why, despite several agreements and MoUs, none could fructify. The three decade-long Tamil Eelam war didnt help.

In 2003, Indian Oil Corporation signed a 35-year lease to develop 15 oil tanks, with an annual payment of $ 100,000. Sri Lanka Oil Corporation utilises 16 tanks for fuel storage, offshore bunkering and has rented three to Prima Flour Mill Singapore for water storage. Radhakrishnan discussed the renovation of oil tanks and laying of a multi purpose oil transfer pipeline between Karaikal/Chennai to Trincomalee. A solar power project is also under construction in Sampore in Trinco. The iron is hot for the Trinco Energy hub to be finally executed.

The Tamil question over the years has been relegated to ‘Tamil aspirations’; this is true even for those in the political doldrums especially after the political mauling of the fractured Tamil parties in the Northern Province, considered a Tamil stronghold for decades. NPP won three of nine seats in Jaffna districts, topping the vote share for the first time; remarkably, a non-Tamil national alliance had won seats in Jaffna. The Tamil National Alliance, which at one time had 16 seats, is today reduced to 12 seats. (Back In 1977, Tamil United Liberation Front was the main opposition party with 18 seats.) Provincial elections have not been held for seven years but there is no indication they will be held anytime soon. While Dissanayake has been telling Tamils that the new Constitution will address the “Tamil question”, Radhakrishnan informed Tamil leaders that he had discussed the issue with his Sri Lankan interlocutors.

Certainly, the Tamils have genuine reasons to be upset with Sinhala majority rulers, whether they belong to the Left or the Right. The Tamils point out that the spirit of the India Sri Lanka accord, which was a treaty between two countries — which guaranteed under a proposed 13th Amendment equality between Tamil and Sinhala, opening the door to a federal model of power sharing and devolution within a ‘united, undivided and indivisible Sri Lanka”– has not been implemented.

The late Tamil leader, R Sambanthan, had said: “India has special duty in ensuring the resolution of the Tamil question”. But no longer do Indian leaders even mention the implementation of the 13th Amendment or talk about reconciliation that followed military excesses during the Eelam war. Admittedly, Colombo has built a memorial to uphold the sacrifices of 1257 Indian Peace Keeping Force soldiers who facilitated the ultimate defeat of LTTE, back in 1990.

Traditionally, Sri Lankan leaders used to say: “We look to India for our security and China for economic growth”. After the 2022 economic meltdown and debt crisis, the tables have been turned, especially after India provided the $4 billion financial lifeline.

Still, the Trinco Energy Hub is breaking news. Colombo’s Daily Mirror , a premier newspaper, described it as follows on April 22: “It is no longer a matter of strategic vision but how urgently it can be executed”.

What a long way the Trinco story has travelled.

As chief of the Army Staff, Gen Upendra Dwivedi, walked down the memory lane at his alma mater, Sainik School in  Rewa on Tuesday, it cast a throwback on several chiefs of the Armed Forces, besides other distinguished civilian alumni, who began their illustrious march from Sainik Schools, which are now on the cusp of transformation to meet contemporary educational and societal demands.

“In a moment of pride and deep nostalgia, #GeneralUpendraDwivedi, #COAS, visited his alma mater – Sainik School Rewa, where his journey of discipline, courage and leadership first began. The #COAS laid a wreath at the school memorial, reviewed a Guard of Honour by the cadets and commended the faculty and cadets for upholding the finest traditions of the institution,” the Indian Army posted on its X handle.

Walking once again through the corridors that shaped his character, the Chief shared his memories and inspired young cadets to lead with integrity, serve with dedication and uphold an unwavering commitment to the nation. The visit stood as a tribute to mentorship, gratitude, and the enduring legacy of Sainik Schools as the cradle of India’s future leaders, the post added.

Distinguished Alumni

Besides General Dwivedi, an Infantry officer who was commissioned into the Army in December 1984 and was appointed as the 29th Army Chief on June 30, 2024, the Current Chief of Navy Staff, Admiral Dinesh Tripathi is also from the same batch of the same class that passed out from the school in 1981.

Admiral Tripathi was commissioned into the Indian Navy in July 1985 and assumed office as the 26th Navy Chief on April 30, 2024. He is the only Navy Chief to be publicly listed as a Sainik School alumnus.

Former Army Chief’s Gen Dalbit Singh Suhag and Gen Deepak Kapoor are alumni of the Sainik School Chittorgarh in Rajasthan and Sainik School Kunjpura in Haryana, respectively. An Infantry officer, Gen Suhag was the Chief from August 2014 to December 2016, while Gen Kappor, a Gunner, headed the Army from October 2007 to March 2010.

The 22nd and 24th Chiefs of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and Air Chief Marshal PV Naik have studied in Sainik School Purulia in West Bengal and Sainik School Satara in Maharashtra, respectively.

Other notable alumni in the defence fraternity include Dr G. Satheesh Reddy, former Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, a MiG-21 pilot who had shot down a Pakistani F-16 in the aftermath of the IAF’s airstrike on terror camps in Balakot in 2019, and Major Sudhir Walia, a Special Forces officer to be decorated with the Kirti Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra. In addition, a large number of flag officers in the three services have studied in Sainik Schools.

Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar, chief minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio,  former chief minister of Haryana, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, former chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Jarbom Gamlin, ex-governor of Reserve Bank of India, Duvvuri Subbarao, ex-Home Secretary, Anil Goswami ex-Director General border Security Force, Rakesh Asthana and former Director, AIIMS New Delhi, Dr Randeep Guleria are among civilian Sainik School alumni.

Future Course

Sainik Schools started coming up in 1961 as feeder institutes for the National Defence Academy and the Naval Academy, and for ensuring the removal of regional imbalances in the officer cadre of the Armed Forces.

At present, there are 33 Sainik Schools in the country, which are being run as joint ventures of the Central and state governments. Besides, the government has launched a scheme to set up 100 new Sainik Schools in partnership with NGOs, private schools and state governments, out of which 86 such new schools have been approved.

In addition, the Rashtriya Indian Military College, set up in 1922 by the British, and five other Rashtriya Military Schools, the first of which came up in 1925, have a similar mandate, but they are run solely by the Central Government. All three institutions come under the purview of the Ministry of Defence.

In March, Parliament’s Departmentally Related Standing Committee on Defence recommended that Sainik School students should not just be nurtured for entry into the Armed Forces, but also be encouraged to pursue alternative career pathways aligned with their interests and aptitudes directly or indirectly related to defence research, innovation, design and medicine.

“Accordingly, the Committee recommends that the Ministry of Defence, through these schools and colleges, adopt a multi-pronged approach to build awareness and instill a sense of purpose aligned with students’ interests from an early stage. Such an approach would ensure holistic development and enable students to emerge as responsible citizens and future leaders of the nation,” the Committee had said.

The Committee also suggested that the curriculum related to modern technology and warfare such as the concepts associated with artificial intelligence, cyber and space warfare, autonomous systems like drone warfare, defence related directed energy and quantum technology, geopolitics of energy, etc. should be included so that students are in sync with the latest information and development in these fields.

Delegates from foreign armies participating in exercise Pragati – I at the Foreign Training Node in Meghalaya. Pic: Eastern Command

PRAGATI symbolises a shared commitment to collective security, regional stability and collaborative growth

The Indian Army is set to host military delegations from 11 friendly foreign countries for the inaugural edition of a multilateral military exercise, christened PRAGATI at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya, from May 18–31.

PRAGATI, an acronym for Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region, reinforces defence cooperation, enhances interoperability and strengthens mutual trust, the Indian Army said on Tuesday. PRAGATI symbolises a shared commitment to collective security, regional stability and collaborative growth.

The Indian Army had extended an invitation for the exercise to 15 countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

Earlier, the Army’s Eastern Command had said that the Foreign Training Node hosted delegates from extended neighbourhood countries for the final planning conference of the maiden multinational Exercise PRAGATI – I.

Besides military drills and wargames, a key component of the event is a two-day industry exposition, highlighting the Army’s capabilities and fostering industrial partnerships with ASEAN nations. During exercises with foreign countries, military contingents are able to effectively highlight capabilities of Indigenously manufactured hardware and equipment and provide a realistic hand-on experience.

According to information shared by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), which is involved in showing Indian defence equipment at the exercise, unmanned aerial systems and countermeasures, autonomous surveillance and intelligence gathering systems and robotics, including unmanned ground vehicles, robotic mules for logistics and reconnaissance and remotely operated martitime systems, AI-based capability enhancement, precision ammunition, electronic and laser warfare and cyber defence are among the major domains to be showcased.

Human survivability and solutions like equipment sustenance, parachutes and multispectral camouflage nets, land-based, naval and aerial surveillance, spatial intelligence, smart surveillance and perimeter security, secure communication and satellite systems, medical equipment and personal protection gears are other products.

Besides the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy, representatives from the border guarding forces and the state police forces would also participate in the event.

India has a structured programme for conducting bilateral and multilateral training exercises with many foreign countries to boost interoperability, enhance combat skills, and strengthen defence cooperation. Several such events are held in India and overseas every year involving all three services.

The sanctions were issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control under multiple executive orders aimed at curbing the proliferation of narcotics and dismantling terror-linked financial networks

The United States has imposed sweeping sanctions on a transnational drug supply network with links to India, targeting entities and individuals accused of supplying precursor chemicals used by the notorious Sinaloa Cartel to manufacture synthetic opioids.

Announcing action against 23 individuals and entities, the US Department of the Treasury said the network spans India, Latin America and Mexico, and operates across the entire illicit opioid supply chain—from chemical sourcing to trafficking. The sanctions were issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) under multiple executive orders aimed at curbing the proliferation of narcotics and dismantling terror-linked financial networks.

The US Embassy in India acknowledged cooperation from Indian authorities, stating that “partnership with Indian law enforcement was instrumental in disrupting key elements” of the network distributing precursor chemicals to cartels.

Among those designated are India-based supplier Satishkumar Hareshbhai Sutaria and associate Yuktakumari Ashishkumar Modi, along with their firms SR Chemicals and Agrat Chemicals. According to US authorities, they allegedly facilitated shipments of fentanyl precursors such as N-Boc-4-Piperidone to Mexico and Guatemala, often mislabelled as “safe chemicals”.

Both were arrested by Indian agencies in March 2025.

US officials said that Mexican cartels increasingly rely on global chemical supply chains, particularly from Asia, to produce synthetic drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine. A kilogram of certain precursors can yield hundreds of thousands of lethal doses, underscoring the scale of the threat.

The sanctions freeze US-linked assets of designated entities and prohibit financial transactions with them, with potential secondary sanctions for foreign institutions facilitating such dealings.

Making it clear that communication with Pakistani nationals or dissemination of sensitive information was not prima facie established, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has granted regular bail to a YouTube vlogger accused under the Official Secrets Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

.Justice Bhardwaj also took note of 10 months of actual custody period already undergone and his clean antecedents. The order came on the regular bail plea filed against the State of Punjab and other respondents in an FIR registered on June 3, 2025, at State Special Operations Cell police station in Mohali.

The FIR was registered on allegations that Jasbir Singh of Ropar district, stated to be a YouTube vlogger and running a channel “Jaan Mahal”, had visited Pakistan on multiple occasions and was allegedly in contact with the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI.

It was further stated that Jasbir, in connivance with certain unknown accomplices at the behest of ISI agents, was engaged in passing sensitive information relating to activities within India, including movements of the Indian Army. It was also alleged that he maintained contact with several Pakistani nationals and was carrying out such activities under the guise of operating his YouTube channel.

Petitioner’s stand

Appearing before Justice Bhardwaj’s Bench on the petitioner’s behalf, senior advocate P S Ahluwalia and counsel Deepinder Singh Virk contended that he was arrested on June 3, 2025, and had undergone actual custody exceeding 10 months. It was argued that he was a vlogger regularly uploading content on his YouTube channel and Instagram page, and the initiation of proceedings arose out of content posted on his YouTube channel “Jaan Mahal”.

Court’s findings

Justice Bhardwaj asserted the State could not dispute that the petitioner had been operating a YouTube channel with a substantial number of travel and vlog-related videos uploaded over time. “From the retrieval of the petitioner’s mobile data, no chats, messages or communication have been recovered, at this stage, as would reflect that he was in contact with any Pakistani national,” the court observed.

Justice Bhardwaj added that the State also did not dispute that the uploaded content did not pertain to any classified or restricted material. The court observed that “prima facie, the videos in question appeared to be of locations and subjects that are accessible to the general public and no material has been placed on record to demonstrate that the petitioner had access to, or disseminated any sensitive or confidential information.”

Bail granted

The petitioner was ordered to be released on regular bail, subject to furnishing bonds to the satisfaction of the trial court. The court, however, imposed a condition that the petitioner “shall not extend any threat and shall not influence any prosecution witness in any manner directly or indirectly,” and clarified that the observations would not affect the merits of the trial.

he Trump administration seemed unlikely Tuesday to accept Iran’s offer to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz if the US lifts its blockade on the country.

The proposal would postpone discussions on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program, something that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared to rule out in a Fox News interview Monday.

“We have to ensure that any deal that is made, any agreement that is made, is one that definitively prevents them from sprinting towards a nuclear weapon at any point,” he said of the proposal, which was delivered to the US by Pakistan.

The White House said US President Donald Trump’s national security team discussed the offer and Trump would address it later.

Pleased to engage with Russian leadership: Iran foreign minister

April 28, 2026 1:44 pm

Moscow: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that he was pleased to engage with the Russian leadership “as the region is in major flux”, amid uncertainty over the second round of peace talks aimed at resolving the war in West Asia. This comes a day after Araghchi arrived at St. Petersburg in Russia and met President Vladimir Putin, who hailed the Iranian people for fighting bravely and heroically for their sovereignty. Reuters

Trump not happy with latest Iran proposal to lift Hormuz blockade

April 28, 2026 1:44 pm

US President Donald Trump is unhappy with the latest Iranian proposal on resolving the two-month war, a US official said, dampening hopes for a resolution to the conflict that has disrupted energy supplies, fuelled inflation, and killed thousands. Iran’s latest proposal would set aside discussion of Iran’s nuclear program until the war is ended and disputes over shipping from the Gulf are resolved. That is unlikely to satisfy the US, which says nuclear issues must be dealt with from the outset, and Trump was unhappy with Iran’s proposal for that reason, a US official briefed on the president’s Monday meeting with his advisers said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

China prioritises energy security, tech edge as Iran war fallout spreads

April 28, 2026 1:40 pm

Beijing: China’s top leadership on Tuesday pledged to strengthen the country’s energy security while pursuing rapid technological development and greater self-sufficiency, as the economy is beginning to be affected by the US-Israeli war on Iran. The world’s second-largest economy grew 5.0 per cent in the first quarter, at the top of its full-year target range of 4.5 per cent to 5.0 per cent, showing higher resilience than many other countries to the conflict, thanks in part to ample oil reserves and a diversified energy mix. Reuters

Iran willing to share defensive capabilities with Asian partners, says deputy defence minister

April 28, 2026 1:33 pm

Dubai: Iran is ready to share its defensive weapons capabilities with “independent countries, especially members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)”, Deputy Defence Minister Reza Talaei-Nik said on Tuesday, according to Iranian state media. Reuters

Rubio says preventing Iranian nuclear weapon remains ‘core issue’

April 28, 2026 12:20 pm

Washington: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was asked in a Fox News interview about Iran’s latest proposal, which would postpone discussions on its nuclear programme but end its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz if the US lifts its blockade and ends the war. “There’s no doubt in my mind that at some point in the future, if this radical clerical regime remains in charge in Iran, they will decide they want a nuclear weapon,” Rubio said. “That fundamental issue still has to be confronted,” he said. “That still remains the core issue here.” AP

Iran war is latest blow to Somalia’s malnourished children

April 28, 2026 12:15 pm

Nairobi/Geneva: For Somalia’s malnourished children, already suffering the twin catastrophes of looming famine and radical cuts in foreign aid, the US-Israeli war on Iran means more than soaring petrol pump prices; it is a matter of life and death. Shortages of lifesaving therapeutic foods exacerbated by shipping disruptions are forcing clinics to turn away severely malnourished children and ration supplies, Reuters reporting shows. Almost half a million children under 5 suffer from “severe acute malnutrition” or “wasting”, the most life-threatening form of hunger, and the delays are worsening the effect of the aid reductions. Reuters

Latest Iranian plan would set aside nuclear issue until after war ends

April 28, 2026 8:09 am

Dubai/Washington: Senior Iranian officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters the proposal carried by Araqchi to Islamabad over the weekend envisioned talks in stages, with the nuclear issue to be set aside at the start. A first step would require ending the US-Israeli war on Iran and providing guarantees that the US cannot start it up again. Then negotiators would resolve the US Navy’s blockade of Iran’s trade by sea and the fate of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran aims to reopen under its control. Reuters

The ministry, in its RFI, said the three helicopters are needed on lease to meet IAF’s operational requirements

The Ministry of Defence is looking to lease three specialised ultra heavy-lift helicopters for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

A request for information (RFI) — the initial step to seek bids from vendors and start the tender process — was issued today.

The ministry wants a helicopter that can lift 20 tonnes and operate at high altitude in the Himalayas. This effectively narrows the field to the Russian Mi-26, the only helicopter in the world capable of lifting such loads across mountains.

IAF had a fleet of four Mi-26 helicopters procured in the late 1980s. One of the helicopters crashed in 2010 near Jammu, and the remaining three were progressively grounded by 2017.However, in October 2024, a deal was signed with Russia to overhaul these machines.

The bidding process for leasing three more such ultra heavy-lift helicopters is separate from the overhaul of the older Mi-26s.

The ministry, in its RFI, said the three helicopters are needed on lease to meet IAF’s operational requirements. The lease will be for an initial period of two years, with an option to purchase the assets thereafter.

IAF wants the helicopter to operate at 5,000 metres (18,000 ft) above sea level, with the ability to drop supplies or personnel at several high mountain peaks in the Himalayas.

The helicopter must carry at least 45 fully equipped troops and be capable of modification to an ambulance version with at least 20 stretchers. It should also operate in temperatures ranging from minus 40 to 60 degrees Celsius.

For effective operations, the IAF is seeking the latest equipment, including a weather radar and a digital moving map display.

For protection, the helicopter must have an electronic warfare suite, including a radar warning receiver (RWR) and a missile approach warning system to detect and display threats, along with a countermeasure dispensing system

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pays floral tribute at Victory Square during his visit to Bishkek to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Kyrgyzstan. PTI

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pays floral tribute at Victory Square during his visit to Bishkek to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Kyrgyzstan. PTI

Referring to the last year’s skirmish with Pakistan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said Operation Sindoor was India’s resolve to demonstrate that “epicentres” of terrorism are no longer immune to “justifiable punishment”.

Addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, he underlined the need to forge a unified front to tackle the “evils” of terrorism, separatism and extremism by eliminating havens and rejecting any political exceptions.

He asserted that the sight of state-sponsored cross-border terrorism which attacked the sovereignty of a nation must not be lost as there was no place for double standards. The minister, in an obivious reference to Pakistan’s abetment to terrorism, said: “SCO should not hesitate in seeking appropriate action against those who abet, shelter and provide safe havens to terrorists”. Pakistan is a member of the SCO.

Rajnath went onto add that by tackling terrorism, separatism and extremism without exception, regional security was transformed from a challenge into a cornerstone for peace and prosperity.

Describing counter-terrorism as a foundational principle of SCO, he said the organisation had condemned such acts and ideologies in a common fight against the menace.

He recalled last year’s Tianjin Declaration which brought out India’s firm and collective stance against terrorism, terming it as a testimony to the country’s zero-tolerance outlook towards terrorism and its perpetrators. “The real test of collective credibility remains in consistency. We must not forget that terrorism has no nationality and no theology. Nations must take a firm & collective stance against terrorism,” he added.

He highlighted the significant role being played by the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of SCO, stating that the joint statement of the Heads of State on ‘Countering Radicalisation leading to Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism’ issued during India’s Chairmanship symbolises shared commitment in this regard. He further said, in view of the present global uncertainties, SCO held a pivotal role as today’s world view appears fractured and countries are becoming increasingly inward-looking.

The Defence Minister added that it was the responsibility of SCO to ensure regional as well as global peace and stability.

Strategic move aims to boost flexibility in oil production amid global energy market volatility

The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday announced its exit from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the broader OPEC+ grouping from May 1, marking a significant shift in its long-term energy strategy.

In an official statement, the UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure said the decision followed a comprehensive review of its production policy, current and future capacity, and was aligned with national economic priorities.

The move comes at a time when the UAE has been trying to leverage its own foreign policy in West Asia, diverging from some positions of OPEC’s de facto leader Saudi Arabia, as the world grapples with an energy shock caused by the ongoing US-Iran war.

The statement said the decision reflected the country’s evolving energy profile and increased focus on expanding domestic production while maintaining a “responsible, reliable and forward-looking” role in global energy markets.

The UAE emphasised that its exit did not signal a retreat from global energy cooperation. Instead, it aimed to enhance flexibility in responding to market dynamics while continuing to contribute to stability. “Our policies will be guided by responsibility and market stability, taking into account global supply and demand,” the statement said.

Acknowledging more than five decades of association, the UAE said it valued its longstanding cooperation within OPEC, which it joined in 1967 through Abu Dhabi and continued after its formation in 1971. It expressed appreciation for the role of both OPEC and OPEC+ in maintaining market balance.

The statement highlighted that global energy demand was expected to grow steadily despite short-term volatility, including disruptions in the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, and underscored the need for a flexible, reliable and affordable supply system.

After the exit, the UAE said it would continue investing across the energy value chain — including oil, gas, and renewables, and low-carbon solutions — and bring additional production to markets in a gradual and measured manner aligned with demand conditions.

Reaffirming its commitment to global market stability, the UAE said it would remain actively engaged with international partners while pursuing economic diversification and long-term energy transition goals.

Numberdars warn protest may extend to Assembly, Lok Sabha elections if 64-km road linking Attargu Mud to Kinnaur remains unbuilt after 25 years

Fourteen villages in the Pin valley of Lahaul & Spiti have decided to boycott the Panchayati Raj elections scheduled for end-May, because the district authorities have failed to build a 64 km-long road that connects Attargu Mud in Pin to Bhaba Nagar in Kinnaur district for several years.

Fed up with the delay, the numberdars of the 14 villages held a meeting under the leadership of the Kothi Numberdar, SP Bodh, a few days ago, to pass this resolution.

“We have decided to deny entry to political parties to even campaign in the area. We have been seeking a road for so many years. We have been patient, but nobody listened to us. We believe that such strong measures are necessary to draw attention to our plight and compel authorities to act,” Bodh told The Tribune.

Kunzang Gatuk, another resident, asserted that the road was not merely a development project but a lifeline for local residents who continue to face severe hardships due to the lack of connectivity.

“We have submitted a memorandum to the state government through Additional Deputy Commissioner Kaza for urgent consideration,” Gatuk told this reporter, adding, “A collective decision had been made after consulting villagers across their respective panchayat areas to boycott the upcoming Panchayat Raj elections if no immediate action was taken with regard to the construction of the road.

“The people have warned that the protest could extend to future Assembly and Lok Sabha elections if the government continued to ignore our demands,” he remarked.

Besides SP Bodh and Kunzang Gatuk, Numberdars Sonam Paldan, Chhewang Gatuk and Lobzang Dorje have also urged the administration to treat the matter with urgency and initiate immediate steps toward the construction of the proposed road.

According to official sources in the Public Works Department, forest clearance is awaited for the construction of this road project, which is why it is delayed. A detailed project report of Rs 99 crore has already been prepared for the purpose.

Lahaul and Spiti MLA Anuradha Rana told The Tribune that the road project was hanging fire for the last 25 years. She said that she had raised this issue twice in the Vidhan Sabha, and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had assured her that he would provide the budget for the construction work.

“A part of this project falls under Kinnaur district, where forest clearance is awaited. The state government is trying to get forest clearance but hasn’t succeeded yet,” she said.

Rana said the project was strategically important and plans were afoot to transfer the project to Border Roads Organisation. “The completion of this project will reduce over 100 km distance between Pin valley and Shimla. It will definitely improve transportation service to the region, which will give impetus to the tourism industry here,” the MLA said.

Shikha Simtia, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kaza, confirmed that she had received a memorandum from the area residents regarding their demand. “I am scheduled to meet these people on April 30 to find a solution to their problem. Every possible effort will be made to persuade them to ensure their participation in the PRI elections,” she told The Tribune.