No immediate impact of Iran-Israel clashes on India's crude supply

Officials say India's crude and LNG imports remain steady but warn that any hostilities affecting the Strait of Hormuz could threaten oil flows from Gulf partners
Subhayan Chakraborty New Delhi
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The latest flashpoint in West Asia is not expected to affect India's overall crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply, which remains 'healthy', nor its imports from the Gulf, officials said.
'Inbound volumes are not expected to be impacted. We also have a good stock in line with our medium-term demand estimates. We are monitoring the situation,' a Petroleum Ministry official said. The crisis also does not threaten India's imports directly, as it does not procure crude oil from Iran, given the difficulties in making payments to the heavily sanctioned Islamic regime in Tehran, he pointed out.

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First Post

2 hours ago

• First Post

How Turkey's interests in the Indian Ocean go beyond just Islamism

Like many other European nations, the US or China, Turkey has also seemingly concluded that the Indian Ocean is where the action is, and outsider nations should have a presence here if they have to be counted in, even as a wannabe global power read more In the post-Operation Sindoor domestic discourse, the strategic community in India, as well as sections of the nation's polity, have been targeting Turkey, along with China, for supporting Pakistan in what essentially was a cross-border terror attack in Pahalgam. In a simplistic way, many Indians have concluded that Turkey's support for Pakistan flowed from religious commonality. At times, it has been interpreted as Ankara's desire to recreate the Ottoman Empire spirit from a bygone era, where peripheral Muslim states in South Asia may be more malleable to inducements than nations from the Islamic heartland in West Asia and, by extension, Africa. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Such constructs are only partially and Pakistan have been friends and partners for over four decades, even as Ankara and New Delhi remained friends and trading partners. Turkey's backing for Pakistan, starting with the 'Kashmir issue' for some years now, is in fact a part of Ankara's two-decade-long plans for expanding beyond its immediate neighbourhood into the Indian Ocean. In a way, Turkey's ambitions in the matter are possibly older than those of China, which is also a non-territorial entity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) but wants to have at least a piece of the cake. In comparison to both, the US, with its Diego Garcia military base, wants to be seen as an IOR entity. After the UK recently conceded Mauritius sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, of which Diego Garcia is a part, the US has got a new 99-year lease, over and above the original 50 years plus an additional 20, the latter since 2016. France, with the Reunion Island not far away from Diego Garcia, can claim greater legitimacy in the IOR. Extending the argument, it can be said China's interest in acquiring a 99-year lease of Hambantota 'territory' in Sri Lanka has a legitimacy angle to it as much as the trade, transhipment and bunkering business that it entails. No other non-regional player can claim such legitimacy and access – though in the case of China in Hambantota, the lease agreement does not entail any military presence. Hence also the Indian reservations about China sending out 'spy ships' in the name of oceanic research in recent years. In context, Turkey does not have any base or 'territory' of the Hambantota kind in these parts. That, however, has not stopped Ankara from making friends and influencing nations in the IOR neighbourhood, especially because India anyway would not have partnered with Turkey in creating a shared strategic interest in these parts. Certainly, it would not have helped India in any way. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Thus, street calls in India for a boycott of Turkey, as happened in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, on the lines of the successful social media boycott call of Maldives two years back, over time can only be counterproductive, especially if Indians are going to act on them in a big way. Such street acts on the government are forced to fall in line when New Delhi has been handling issues in a mature way. Unique Animal In geopolitical terms, Turkey is a unique animal. It has had historic links both with Asia and Europe, which is only a geographical reality. In terms of its Asian connections, rather than the religious roots, the country is a member of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC). In geo-economic terms, Turkey is not a member of the EU. But in geopolitical and geostrategic terms, the nation signed up with the US-led NATO because it feared the erstwhile Soviet Union. For the same reasons, Ankara was also a member of the US-created Central Treaty Organisation (CENTO). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Because India did not yield to American persuasions and instead created the non-alignment movement along with like-minded erstwhile European colonies in the Cold War era, Pakistan signed up, precisely for the same reason. The CENTO did not have as much relevance or importance as NATO, but it was one more venue where Turkey and Pakistan interacted. In historic terms, the Ottoman Empire had its origins in Islam that was native to Asia at the founding stage. With a 99-per cent Muslim population, Turkey is also only one of the two member nations in NATO, other than Albania (60 per cent Muslim), that has strong Islamic roots and presence. As is otherwise acknowledged, NATO is incidentally a grouping of nations that cherish 'Christian values'. Incidentally, the new name, 'Türkiye', is of very recent origins. Ankara notified the new name, or spelling, from the original Turkey to the UN in 2021 and officially adopted it only in 2023. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Turkey had a 'Vision 2023 Project' for the centenary year of the post-Ottoman Republic. It also has a 'Türkiye 2053 Project', coinciding with the 600th anniversary of the 'Conquest of Istanbul', an important milestone in Islamic political history. Since 2005, Ankara has been following a 'Three Vision' foreign policy, with a focus on Europe, West Asia and Africa, with the aim to recreate the 'Ottoman spirit'. In fact, the country even sought EU membership, and the aim is to try to leverage it to sub-serve the nation's geo-economic, geopolitical and geo-strategic ambitions. Yet, Ankara also has a clearer vision than is acknowledged, especially in 'distant' nations like India. It wants to make its mark in technology, and that includes technology for military purposes. Friendly Nations Turkey's drones played a significant role in Ukraine's continuing war with Russia, making the rest of the world look up. It has also emerged as a dependable defence supplier for 'friendly nations', of which Pakistan is only one, even in these parts. It wooed incumbent Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu from his past as Male mayor, and Turkey was the first country he visited after assuming office in November 2023. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Turkey has since delivered three drones to the Maldives to replace India-gifted aircraft to survey the vast seas around the archipelago against international drug smuggling and possible terrorist activities. More recently, Turkey also donated a 40-plus-year-old missile-capable naval vessel to Maldives, which is said to be a 'gas-guzzler' – but Ankara's message stood conveyed. In between, Turkey's 'TCG Kinaliada', a naval vessel, paid a goodwill visit to Maldives last year. During President Muizzu's maiden overseas visit to Turkey, his 'friend' Erdogan also seemingly promised to deliver the Maldives' full year's rations of essentials, including rice, sugar and wheat flour. The aim, whether of Muizzu, Erdogan or both, was to cut off Maldives' near-exclusive dependence on India in this department. Blame it on the Houthis' attack on shipping in the Red Sea or whatever; that did not happen. Maldives had to then go back to India quietly for continuing the supplies, for which Muizzu had bravely declared he 'will not depend on only one source'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Multi-polar World Plain and simple, Turkey's Indian Ocean outreach goes beyond Islam. Rather, the nation has regional and global ambitions like many others, especially in the post-Cold War era, when a multipolar world has caught the imagination of many nations. Turkey visualises itself as a 'middle power' of some kind and hopes to exploit its location advantage in political, economic and geo-strategic terms, using Islam as one more chip, or trump card, where it works. It suits the incumbent government of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He and his ruling party have made 'Islamic nationalism' a steady staple in domestic politics. Erdoğan is facing re-election next year and street protests at present. The protests in March followed the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a possible challenger in next year's presidential poll. The issue of democracy may play a key role in the polls, but it does not necessarily mean that Turkey will overnight give up national ambitions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Wannabe Power From an Indian perspective, this is important. Turkey's support for Pakistan on the 'Kashmir issue' flows from 'Islamic nationalist' and 'expansionist' tendencies. Under Erdoğan, it has vocalised and become louder – and also as frequent as Islamabad has wanted. But Turkey's national ambitions and a global role, centred also on the 'distant' Indian Ocean, remain. Like many other European nations, the US or China, Turkey has also seemingly concluded that the Indian Ocean is where the action is, and outsider nations should have a presence here if they have to be counted in, even as a wannabe global power. The writer is a Chennai-based Policy Analyst & Political Commentator. Email: sathiyam54@ Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.

Hans India

a day ago

• Hans India

Trump decides to halt; oil prices come down

Crude oil prices eased in the global market on Friday, with the benchmark Brent crude futures trading 2 per cent lower at $77.24 a barrel, amid reports that President Donald Trump would take another two weeks to decide on whether the US will intervene in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. The uncertainties in the Middle East region have impacted global crude oil markets, with Brent hovering in the range of $73-76 per barrel (bbl) over the past one week — up from an average of $65 per bbl during April-May 2025. If crude oil prices continue to be elevated over longer periods, it could impact India Inc's profits, the report points out. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt cited President Trump as saying: 'Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.' The oil market has reacted to Trump mentioning that negotiations could be held to ease tensions in the Middle East, according to analysts. Iran has warned against US intervention in the present situation. Any such intervention would lead to further escalation of tensions in West Asia, the largest crude oil exporting region. A wider Middle East conflict with impact on Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait and UAE oil supplies can lead to a sharp spike in oil prices. Israel's strikes have targeted Iran's nuclear sites and missile bases, but the Islamic country's oil facilities have not been to a report by Emkay Global, Iran produces around 3.3 million barrels per day (mbpd) of crude oil (3 per cent of global) and exports around 1.5 mbpd, with China being the main importer (80 per cent), followed by Turkey.

Hindustan Times

2 days ago

• Hindustan Times

Waqf law rules drafted, may be approved in 15-20 days: Officials

New Delhi The Union minority affairs ministry has drafted rules to operationalise the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 and sent it to the Union law ministry, officials told HT on Thursday, adding that the rules could be approved within 15-20 days, paving the way for their presentation in the upcoming monsoon session from July 21. The contentious amendments to the central waqf law, which aims to make sweeping changes in the regulation and management of Islamic charitable endowments, was cleared by Parliament in April. The Supreme Court has reserved its judgment on a raft of petitions asking for a stay on some of the law's controversial provisions. A senior minority affairs ministry official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the rules were drafted in 'record time' following the law's passage on April 4. 'We have recently sent it to the law ministry and solicitor general Tushar Mehta for final approval and finishing touches,' the official said. 'Once approved there, it goes to the Centre for final sign-off, then notification in the public gazette.' Former secretary general PDT Achary told HT that there is 'absolutely no rule and requirement for the government to first notify the parliament about the rules and then notify.' 'As soon as the rules are approved, they can be uploaded and publicly notified through the gazette and come into effect. The government has to table it in the Parliament but there is no rule about the rules being notified to the parliament first,' he said. Union Minister for minority affairs Kiren Rijiju separately confirmed that the rules are with the law ministry for finishing touches. A waqf is a Muslim religious endowment, usually in the form of landed property, made for purposes of charity and community welfare. The draft bill, introduced by the government last year and amended after recommendations by a joint parliamentary committee, proposed major changes in the regulation and governance of India's waqf boards. The law accords more power to the government and allows for the appointment of non-Muslims and women to waqf boards, but the Opposition alleged it is unconstitutional. The rules are crucial because they will not only operationalise the changes but also clarify key procedures in registration of waqf properties, working of the central portal, and norms guiding the picking of members in the council. The law scraps the waqf by user provision – where a property is acknowledged as waqf because it has been used for religious activities for some time, despite there being no official declaration or registration as waqf – with prospective effect, permits women, Shia sects and government officials to be members of waqf bodies, and gives overriding power to senior officials to determine if a government property belongs to a waqf. The law also allows only a person 'showing or demonstrating that he is practising Islam for at least five years' to donate properties to waqf and stipulates that women and other rightful heirs can't be denied their inheritance due to the creation of a waqf. The official cited above expressed confidence that the government will be able to push through the rules before the next session of Parliament. 'The process should take a few days. We hope the rules will be published within 15-20 days, in time for tabling in the monsoon session,' the official cited above said. 'It is a huge achievement... we did not think the process would be this seamless. We had good support from the states and completed the final rules drafting in record time.' Approximately 15-20 stakeholder consultations with states, other ministries, and groups occurred during the drafting process, the official said. 'Every single updated draft, no matter how minor the changes, was shared with the states for their views. Each state participated without exceptions,' the official added, requesting anonymity. In India, rules under a newly enacted law are notified by the relevant ministry through publication in the official gazette, exercising authority granted by specific provisions within the parent Act itself. The Waqf act also states it. While this core notification process isn't detailed in the Constitution, the crucial requirement for subsequent parliamentary scrutiny flows from it. Mandated by the Rules of Procedure of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha – framed under Articles 118(1) and 208(1) of the Constitution respectively, and reinforced by the Delegated Legislation Provisions (Amendment) Act, 1983 – these notified rules must be laid before both Houses of Parliament within 30 days, where they can be modified or annulled. The act states, 'Every rule made by the Central Government under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.' Activists, opposition parties and bodies such as the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) have already challenged key provisions of the new law. On May 22, the top court reserved judgment on petitions challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, after hearing arguments on an interim stay. The official quoted above clarified that the rules will provide 'finer operational details', particularly concerning the newly launched UMEED (Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development) portal. The portal aims to create a centralised digital inventory with geo-tagging of all Waqf properties, establish an online grievance redressal system, enable transparent leasing and usage tracking, integrate with GIS mapping, and provide public access to verified records. Rules governing this portal will form a significant part of the final notified rules, the official said. This official said that incorporating the recommendations of the joint parliamentary committee, which examined an earlier iteration of the bill, received special attention during the drafting of rules. 'We want an all inclusive approach to it,' the official said. 'Even if the Supreme Court says something, we will just make the changes in the rules but since the act has been passed and received the President's assent, we will notify rules,' the official stated. Groundwork for implementing the new law has already commenced. The minority affairs ministry wrote to all chief secretaries last week, directing them to train district-level officers. These officers will subsequently train mutawallis (waqf property managers) and other officials involved. 'The biggest task for implementing the rules is capacity building so we have already started with the same,' the official explained. 'As a Union ministry, we can train state level officers but the states will in turn have to train district level officers... so they can be in a good position to implement the rules once notified.' Once the central rules are notified, the ministry's next task involves formulating model rules for states. A 4-5 member committee comprising retired law ministry officers and other experts has been tasked with creating these model rules, which states can then adapt according to their specific contexts.