Russia's Vladimir Putin fires his Transport Minister amid Ukraine war
Starovoit's predecessor as Transport Minister, Vitaly Savelyev, became a Deputy Prime Minister. According to the Vedomosti daily newspaper, Starovoit's replacement could be his deputy minister Andrei Nikitin, who was formerly governor of the Novgorod Region.Prior to serving as a regional governor, Starovoit had worked in the transport sector, leading Russia's federal roads agency Rosavtodor for six years.- EndsTune In
IN THIS STORY#Russia#Ukraine
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Hindustan Times
37 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
India's maritime Amrit Kaal and the pursuit of energy autonomy
In an era when the tides of geopolitics shift with the winds of energy demand, India is charting a course that is both audacious and anchored in its civilisational wisdom. The sea, long a witness to India's trade, invasions, and pilgrimages, is now being reimagined—not as a passive frontier, but as a fulcrum of strategic power. Indian maritime(HT_PRINT) In 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled India's Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, a landmark declaration that seeks to transform India into a global maritime power by the time it completes a century of independence. The vision is not a policy—it's a paradigm shift. It speaks of modernising ports, building shipyards, fostering maritime clusters, enhancing coastal infrastructure, and most crucially, expanding India's blue economy as a key pillar of national growth. What was once a forgotten shoreline is now a stage for national ambition. The phrase 'blue economy' is no longer a catchword—it has become India's compass for prosperity. With over 7,500 kilometres of coastline, more than 200 ports, and a young shipping sector waiting to be unshackled, the Maritime Amrit Kaal signals that India's true potential may lie not in its landlocked silos, but in its open seas. And nowhere is this more pressing than in the domain of energy security. India's continued import of Russian crude oil—approximately 1.9 million barrels per day in 2025—is not a political alignment but an economic imperative. With 85% of its oil demand met by imports, India has consistently chosen pragmatism over posturing. Russian oil, post-Ukraine war, has been available at heavily discounted prices. For a developing nation balancing inflation, welfare, and defence, the math is clear—even if the optics displease the West. Today, India imports oil from over 30 countries including Iraq, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, the United States, and Brazil. Its procurement framework includes both long-term sovereign agreements and nimble spot-market purchases. The flexibility is intentional—sovereignty must come not just from having oil, but from choosing where, how, and in what currency to buy it. With Donald Trump's return to the White House, the global sanctions regime has been reinvigorated. His administration has hinted at punitive measures for nations transacting with sanctioned entities, including Russia. While India has so far managed to navigate the diplomatic labyrinth skillfully, secondary sanctions on banking systems and shipping logistics remain an ever-present threat. Yet, India's posture is unapologetically sovereign. As Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri recently stated, India will always prioritise the needs of its citizens over external pressures. The principle is simple: energy security is national security. India's fortunes may be turning below its own waves. The Andaman Sea—a region more known for coral reefs than crude—has emerged as a potential game-changer. Early surveys suggest multiple 'Guyana-scale' discoveries, with over 10 billion barrels of crude possibly recoverable. If validated, this would not only slash India's import dependency, but also catapult it into the league of net exporters, thereby reshaping the regional energy architecture. Imagine India, by 2047, exporting refined crude through its own shipping lines, processed in floating refineries stationed off Port Blair, and traded in a multi-currency format bypassing the petrodollar cartel. That is not a dream. That is a plan. PM Modi's Maritime Amrit Kaal is not just a slogan—it's a strategy. It recognises that a maritime superpower is not defined by naval strength alone, but by shipping lanes, port security, export logistics, fisheries, offshore energy, underwater cables, and eco-marine resilience. The blueprint aims to double the contribution of the blue economy to India's GDP by 2047. That includes unlocking wealth beneath the sea, on the surface, and through global trade. The Chennai–Vladivostok Maritime Corridor is already operational, cutting delivery timelines by 40%. But more corridors are required—not just shipping lanes, but energy arteries. Here are some solutions for India's energy future:- Blue rupee - A non-dollar oil basket: Create a sovereign energy settlement platform using a mix of rupee, ruble, yuan, and dirham. India must institutionalise this to neutralise dollar volatility and sanction vulnerability. Sovereign oil tanker fleet: India must commission its own deep-sea oil tanker fleet under the tricolour, operated and insured by Indian entities. This shields oil logistics from foreign pressure. Floating oil refineries and storage units (forus): Deploy deep-sea refineries and oil depots off the Andaman coast to reduce dependency on inland pipelines, refine closer to source, and create floating strategic reserves. Tech-for-oil barter diplomacy: India can offer pharma, IT, satellite tech, and agri-solutions to oil-rich nations in exchange for long-term energy deals—building a modern barter system. Distributed SPR clusters: Move beyond underground reserves. Build regional, even mobile petroleum reserves along India's coastline and offshore points. This enhances resilience during crises. Indo-pacific energy diplomacy forum: Host an annual summit in Port Blair inviting Indo-Pacific nations to discuss oil corridors, maritime safety, and regional energy cooperation. Let India lead the discourse. A future anchored in the sea: India's path to energy sovereignty must now run through the sea. Whether it is tapping black gold under the Andaman seabed, building a fleet of sovereign tankers, or settling oil payments in the 'Blue Rupee', the ocean is India's new battlefield—not for war, but for wealth, security, and strategy. The Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 has laid the keel. Now it is for our institutions, innovators, and industrialists to hoist the sail. Because in a century marked by climate volatility, shifting alliances, and digital trade, India's future will not only be built on land—but forged upon water. 'He who commands the sea,' wrote Alfred Thayer Mahan, 'has command of the world.' In 2047, it may well be India holding the helm. This article is authored by Monica B. Sood, chairperson, National Unity & Security Council.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Ukraines Zelenskyy says defences are holding firm against Russias summer push
Kyiv, Jul 25 (AP) Ukrainian forces are holding back Russia's concerted summer push to break through defences along parts of the front line, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says. 'They are not advancing. It's very tough for our guys out there. And it's tough everywhere," Zelenskyy told reporters on Thursday, in comments embargoed till Friday. 'It's also very hard for the Russians – and that's good for us." With the war now in its fourth year after Russia's February 2022 invasion of its neighbour, the effort is draining resources on both sides, although Russia has more resources and people to sustain its fight. Ukraine is seeking further support from Western partners. Russia has claimed the capture of some villages and hamlets in recent weeks, but no defensively stronger urban areas have fallen to its troops. Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups have repeatedly attempted to stage minor incursions near Pokrovsk in the eastern Donetsk region to film symbolic footage, such as raising a Russian flag, but Ukrainian forces have repelled those efforts, Zelenskyy said. 'It happened five to seven times recently, sometimes with only two or six people. Once they tried to hold a position with 12 people – and all of them were eliminated by our defenders," Zelenskyy said. Zelenskyy described the situation in the northeastern Sumy border region as 'much better" than in recent months, noting progress by Ukrainian forces over the past six weeks. Ukraine wants 10 Patriot missile systems Russia has also intensified its bombardment of Ukrainian cities, with the second-largest city Kharkiv struck with a powerful glide bomb for a second straight day Friday. Seven people were injured, officials said. On Thursday, 42 were injured. Zelenskyy said Ukraine is working with international partners to secure 10 US-made Patriot air defence systems, which can shoot down missiles, with three already confirmed from Germany and Norway. The Trump administration will sell the systems, he said, but Ukraine's task is to find funding for all 10. Each system costs more than USD 1 billion. Ukraine is also seeking to obtain a license to manufacture the Patriot systems itself. Kremlin says no summit meeting in sight The Ukrainian leader expressed little hope for progress in direct talks between delegations from Russia and Ukraine, though he said the Kremlin envoys have begun discussing the possibility of a leaders' summit with Ukraine. 'We need an end to the war, which probably begins with a meeting of leaders. It won't work any other way with (the Russians)," Zelenskyy said. The Kremlin, however, remained set against top-level talks before a potential comprehensive peace agreement is fleshed out. 'A high-level meeting can and must put a final point in the settlement and seal the modalities and agreements that are yet to be worked out by experts," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday. 'It's impossible to act otherwise." Zelenskyy says anti-graft street protests were 'legitimate' In domestic politics, Zelenskyy said public protests against changes earlier this week to Ukraine's anti-corruption law were 'legitimate." The changes threatened the independence of anti-graft watchdogs and also drew rebukes from European Union officials and international rights groups, prompting Zelenskyy to propose new legislation to restore the independence of the anti-graft agencies. 'It's very important that society speaks. I respect the opinion of society," Zelenskyy said. 'People asked for changes. We responded." Demonstrators gathered for the third day on Thursday evening, but drew a smaller crowd. He said those agencies must be 'truly independent," adding that 'the most important thing in this war is the unity of our state. It is critical not to lose unity." However, the risk now remains that the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, will fail to approve the new bill, which could bring even larger crowds to the streets. Zelenskyy expressed confidence that it would pass in a vote scheduled for July 31. 'The most important thing right now is that the bill exists. It has been registered. I believe it will receive enough votes. I want that to happen," he said. (AP) SKS NPK NPK view comments First Published: July 25, 2025, 18:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Deccan Herald
an hour ago
- Deccan Herald
Musk ordered shutdown of Starlink satellite service as Ukraine retook territory from Russia: Report
FILE PHOTO: Local residents use a Starlink terminal after Russia's retreat from Kherson, in central Kherson, Ukraine November 12, 2022 Credit: Reuters Photo Ukrainian servicemen prepare a mortar to fire toward Russian troops at a position in a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at an undisclosed location in Donetsk region, Ukraine October 8, 2023.
