Farmers in India’s Punjab state are expressing deep concern over a looming fertilizer shortage that could threaten crop yields. The disruption stems from the Iran–US conflict that began after a joint American–Israeli strike on Iran on February 28, leading Tehran to close the Strait of Hormuz. The closure has disrupted global energy supplies, creating a gas shortage that has forced India to cut gas supply to fertilizer plants by 30 percent.

Agriculture experts warn that the conflict is already straining India’s fertilizer supply chain, particularly for urea, a nitrogen-based fertilizer central to the country’s farming. Although most urea is domestically produced, its production depends on imported natural gas. Farmers in Punjab, Haryana, and other key grain-producing states fear that shortages during the upcoming kharif season could reduce yields of rice and cotton. The government insists that fertilizer plants are operating normally and that buffer stocks are higher than last year.

Despite official assurances, anxiety persists among small farmers already burdened by debt and losses. Observers note that prolonged supply disruptions could mirror Sri Lanka’s past fertilizer crisis, which severely affected its agriculture sector.

India has confirmed that crude oil supplies from Iran remain uninterrupted despite escalating instability in the Middle East. The country's Ministry of Petroleum stated that domestic refineries continue to meet their crude oil requirements without disruption, including imports from Iran. The ministry also clarified that there are no payment difficulties related to Iranian oil transactions, dismissing circulating rumors as baseless.

The statement, released on social media platform X, emphasized that Indian refineries have ensured a steady supply of crude oil to maintain national energy stability. This assurance comes amid growing regional tensions that have raised concerns about potential disruptions in global energy flows.

According to the ministry, maintaining stable energy supplies is part of India’s broader strategy to safeguard its fuel security amid geopolitical uncertainties in the Middle East.

Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Arun Dhumal has admitted a mistake and expressed regret over the exclusion of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders in the ongoing IPL season. Mustafizur was initially signed for 92 million rupees in the mini auction but was dropped from the squad before the tournament began following a directive from the Indian cricket board citing security concerns.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Dhumal described the situation as unfortunate and said he had limited knowledge of the details. He added that government interference in cricket operations was unnecessary, though sometimes external circumstances influenced decisions. Dhumal expressed hope that reason and fairness would prevail in the future to prevent similar incidents.

Following the decision, the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the government expressed concern over player safety, leading Bangladesh to withdraw from the subsequent World Cup. Mustafizur is currently playing in the Pakistan Super League for Lahore Qalandars under a direct contract worth 64.4 million rupees.

India is facing a worsening currency crisis as the rupee continues to weaken amid the ongoing Iran war and surging oil prices. The rupee, which fell 5 percent in 2025, has already lost another 5.5 percent since January 2026, making it Asia’s worst-performing currency. Analysts warn that if the conflict persists, the rupee could fall to between 95 and 100 per US dollar. The Reserve Bank of India has been selling large amounts of dollars to stabilize the currency, but results remain limited.

High oil prices, now above 100 dollars per barrel, have increased India’s monthly import bill by about 5 billion dollars. Economists say the pressure on the rupee could become a major political challenge for the Modi government. The situation has also affected banking stocks, with State Bank of India shares dropping 4 percent. Officials maintain that foreign reserves are sufficient for 11 months of imports, but analysts caution that sustainability depends on global energy and geopolitical conditions.

Experts note that structural weaknesses, including a persistent trade deficit and limited manufacturing growth, have amplified the impact of the crisis, highlighting the gap between government rhetoric and economic reality.

Several members of Mir Jafar’s family in Murshidabad district, West Bengal, have reportedly been removed from India’s voter list. The issue emerged during the special summary revision process ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections, sparking widespread attention across the state. According to reports, the names of more than a hundred members of the Nawab family were deleted, raising uncertainty over their right to vote.

Family members said they received hearing notices from the Election Commission and submitted the required documents. However, they claimed that most names were permanently excluded even after the hearings. The affected individuals live in the Killa Nizamat area of Murshidabad, where Mir Jafar’s descendants have resided for generations.

The incident has drawn attention because of the family’s historical significance. Mir Jafar became the Nawab of Bengal after the Battle of Plassey in 1757 with British support, and his 15th-generation descendant, Reza Ali Mirza, currently lives in the same area.

India is renewing its strategic partnership with Russia as the Iran war disrupts global energy and diplomatic alignments. On March 27, the Modi government approved a $25 billion purchase of Russian defense equipment, including fighter jets, S-400 air defense systems, drones, and anti-tank munitions. This move follows India’s earlier $40 billion arms deal with France and comes as energy security becomes a central concern due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

The conflict in Iran has severely affected global energy flows, raising prices and exposing India’s vulnerability as much of its oil and gas imports pass through the Gulf. India’s earlier decision to reduce discounted Russian oil purchases under U.S. pressure has intensified domestic inflation and energy costs. Analysts see India’s renewed engagement with Moscow as a pragmatic shift prioritizing energy stability over alliance politics.

While the move risks straining relations with Washington and potential sanctions, it underscores India’s long-standing strategy of maintaining autonomy between major powers. For Russia, deepening ties with India offers an economic lifeline as Asian markets replace Europe in its energy exports.

Two LPG tankers carrying about 94,000 metric tons of liquefied petroleum gas have successfully crossed the Hormuz Strait and are now heading toward India, according to the country's petroleum ministry as reported by Al Jazeera. The vessels, flying the Indian flag, are expected to arrive at Mumbai port later this week, marking them among the latest ships to navigate the narrow maritime passage.

Ship tracking data from LSEG indicated that as of Friday, a total of four LPG tankers had already passed through the strait, while three more were positioned in its western section. Official figures also show that 18 Indian-flagged vessels and 485 Indian sailors remain stranded in the western Gulf region.

India, the world’s second-largest LPG importer, consumed 33.15 million tons of LPG last year. Around 60 percent of its total demand is met through imports, with nearly 90 percent of that supply originating from the Middle East.

A severe energy shortage triggered by the Middle East war has forced the shutdown of India’s $6.5 billion ceramic production hub in Morbi, Gujarat. The once-bustling factories now stand idle, with only a few workers loading the last shipment produced three weeks ago. The disruption stems from the Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has halted gas supplies critical to ceramic manufacturing.

According to the local producers’ association, most factories in Morbi, which accounts for about 80 percent of India’s ceramic output, have been closed for nearly a month due to the gas crisis. The industry, valued at around $8.1 billion, employs roughly 400,000 workers who are now affected. Factory owners report that both propane and natural gas supplies have dwindled, forcing them to suspend operations.

Advisers to the Morbi Ceramic Manufacturers Association said about 550 factories have stopped production, with only a few operating where gas is still available. The shutdown is expected to continue until April 15, raising concerns of domestic shortages as inventories decline from April onward.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been accused of promoting several women to ministerial positions in exchange for sexual favors, according to BJP leader Subramanian Swamy. The allegation surfaced during a recent podcast where Swamy referenced the case of Jeffrey Epstein and suggested that India should investigate powerful figures within the country. He called for a thorough inquiry into the matter.

Following Swamy’s remarks, Hindutva writer Madhu Purnima Kishwar echoed similar claims in a social media post. She alleged that some women MPs were appointed ministers based on personal relationships with the Prime Minister and mentioned ministers Hardeep Singh Puri, S. Jaishankar, and former education minister Smriti Irani in suggestive comments. Kishwar also claimed to have heard controversial stories about Modi’s personal life during a 2014 foreign trip.

Kishwar, once known as a supporter of Modi and the Hindutva ideology, has drawn attention for her sudden change in stance. However, neither Swamy nor Kishwar has provided evidence to support their claims, and the Prime Minister’s Office has not issued any official response.

Seven people were killed and five others injured in a series of avalanches that struck the Srinagar-Leh National Highway in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. The incidents occurred between Zero Point and Minimarg, where several vehicles were buried under snow and debris. The casualties were reported as rescue efforts continued in the affected area.

India’s federal minister and Jammu and Kashmir BJP leader Jitendra Singh confirmed the deaths and injuries in a post on social media platform X. He also expressed condolences to the families of the victims. The avalanches disrupted traffic and caused significant damage along the highway, a key route connecting Srinagar with Leh.

Authorities are monitoring the situation as weather conditions remain unstable in the region, raising concerns about further avalanches and travel disruptions.

Amid an energy crisis caused by the ongoing Iran war, speculation spread on social media that India might impose a new lockdown. However, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government dismissed these rumors on Friday. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri stated that no lockdown proposal is under consideration and urged the public not to spread misinformation during this sensitive global period.

The speculation intensified after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent parliamentary speech, where he mentioned preparations due to disruptions in energy supply and international markets. Officials clarified that Modi did not refer to any lockdown or movement restrictions. Government representatives described the panic as irresponsible and warned that false claims could cause unnecessary fear and disrupt daily life.

Puri added that the government is closely monitoring energy and power supply conditions, prioritizing stability and continuity over restrictions. Rising tensions near the Strait of Hormuz have strained global crude oil and energy markets, leading to confusion linking the current situation with India’s 2020 COVID-19 lockdown experience.

Public protests have intensified across West Bengal over the ongoing voter list revision process, with many citizens alleging wrongful exclusion of their names. The final list, published on February 28, 2026, marked around six million names as 'under consideration' under judicial supervision. The Election Commission has since released an additional list on Monday and plans to publish a second supplementary list on Friday.

In Kolkata’s Dharmatala area, several civic and human rights groups organized a public meeting on Friday to protest the exclusions. Among those affected is Afroza Khatun, a college professor whose name remains under review, raising concerns about her right to vote. Human rights activist Ranjit Shur warned that those whose names are omitted could face broader loss of citizenship rights.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed anger over the process, alleging that names are being selectively removed despite the adjudication continuing for an extended period.

The Central Board of Film Certification in India has blocked the screening of the Tunisian film 'The Voyage of Hind Rajab', which was nominated for Best International Feature at this year’s Oscars. The Guardian reported that the board cited 'political sensitivity' as the reason for withholding clearance. The film’s Indian distributor, Manoj Nandwana of Joy Bhiratra Entertainment, said he submitted the film for certification in February, planning a March 6 release before the Oscars. A board member reportedly warned that the film could strain India-Israel relations, a claim Nandwana rejected.

The film, directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, is based on the real-life story of five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, who died during an Israeli attack in Gaza in 2024. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival, receiving a 20-minute standing ovation and winning the Silver Lion award. The film has already been released in several Western countries with close ties to Israel.

The decision has sparked strong reactions in India. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticized the move on social media, calling it 'shameful' and an attack on freedom of expression. Analysts suggested the decision may reflect India’s growing diplomatic alignment with Israel under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The censor board has not issued an official statement.

India faces severe economic and humanitarian risks from the ongoing Iran war and the prolonged blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, despite not being directly involved in the conflict. The strait handles about one-third of global seaborne oil exports, and India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, relies on it for around 2.5 million barrels of crude oil daily. The disruption has already raised global fertilizer prices and threatens India’s agricultural production and food supply.

Nearly 90 percent of India’s crude oil demand is imported, and about half of its annual 9 million tons of urea comes from the Middle East, mainly Oman and Saudi Arabia. The closure of Hormuz has also disrupted liquefied natural gas shipments from Qatar, affecting domestic fertilizer production. Rising fertilizer costs have pushed government subsidies to record levels, while reduced fertilizer use could lower crop yields and increase food prices, potentially driving millions into poverty.

If the conflict continues, India’s GDP growth could fall from 7 to 6 percent, with inflation and current account deficits worsening. Analysts say the crisis exposes India’s dependence on fragile supply chains and underscores the need for long-term food security reforms.

The Indian government has urged citizens not to engage in panic buying of fuel, asserting that the country has sufficient reserves of crude oil, petrol, and diesel. The appeal came as long queues formed at fuel stations across India despite official assurances. The government’s statement followed a sharp rise in global oil prices triggered by Iran’s restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Sujata Sharma, a senior official at India’s Petroleum Ministry, stated that there is no shortage of fuel and asked the public not to believe rumors. However, reports from various parts of the country indicated that many people continued to crowd fuel pumps, fearing potential shortages. One commuter told AFP that he had to wait nearly an hour to refuel.

The government’s reassurance aims to stabilize public sentiment and prevent unnecessary strain on fuel distribution networks as global energy markets remain volatile due to geopolitical tensions involving Iran.