Latest news with #Rabi
India.com
3 days ago
- Business
- India.com
Two friends of India come forward to stop China from troubling India by..., the countries are...
New Delhi: India has fought a different kind of war with China over the shortage of fertilizers and now it seems that India has pulled itself out of this difficulty with a big diplomatic move. China's decision to stop fertilizer exports to India can be considered one of the most drastic ways of weaponising the supply chain by Beijing. By doing this at the beginning of the Kharif season, it has caused a huge shortage of DAP (Diammonium Phosphate) for India. Which two countries are helping India? In such a situation, along with dealing with terrorism, trade and Trump, India also had to make a big diplomatic effort for fertilizers in the last few months. Because it was necessary to ensure adequate stock before DAP distribution for the Rabi season. The Rabi season usually starts in late July. During this time, countries like Saudi Arabia and Morocco came forward to help India. What is the volume of total import? Before the Rabi season, DAP imports to India reached a little more than 22 lakh metric tonnes from China. India has got help from Saudi Arabia, which is another big supplier. After talks, an agreement was reached between the two countries, under which more than 31 lakh metric tonnes of DAP will be available. Similarly, India also signed an agreement with Morocco, which will give 5 lakh metric tonnes of DAP. Still, the shortage of 7 lakh metric tonnes will be tried to be met from domestic stock. Talks are underway to increase exports from Russia since there is no sanction on fertilizer. Which other countries is India talking to? The government estimates that it will have adequate supply before the Rabi season. India is talking to several countries to improve this supply chain, including Egypt, Nigeria, Togo, Mauritania and Tunisia. China has been gradually working on new contracts with India for fertilizer since 2023, therefore, there has been a steady increase in supplies from Saudi Arabia, as Indian companies started feeling the pressure. However, China was better in terms of cost. What is the connection with Operation Sindoor? In May-June this year, China suddenly became strict in the matter of fertilizer. Indian agencies came to know that suppliers were informally told that goods going to India would not be allowed to go. This was a clear signal, which rang alarm bells in New Delhi, that too in the midst of 'Operation Sindoor'. India had to ensure that this crisis lasted only for one season and no major problem arose at the domestic level. On the other hand, on the war front, China was actively helping the enemy.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Dragon fire extinguished! How India has successfully countered China's fertilizer export blocks; seen as ‘supply chain weaponisation…'
China's export restrictions on fertilisers to India represents one of the most severe instances of supply chain manipulation by Beijing. (AI image) India seems to have found an effective solution to China's move of blocking fertilizer exports to India. In May-June, China abruptly escalated tensions regarding fertiliser exports by stopping inspections of shipments destined for India. India believes that Chinese suppliers received unofficial instructions to halt India-bound deliveries, according to an ET report. This development triggered serious concerns in New Delhi, prompting swift action to contain the situation to a single season and prevent domestic disruptions. How Did China Look to Choke India's Fertilizer Supply? China's export restrictions on fertilisers to India represents one of the most severe instances of supply chain manipulation and weaponzation by Beijing, according to an ET analysis. The timing of China's action was particularly challenging as it coincided with the Kharif season, causing significant DAP (Diammonium Phosphate) shortages across Indian states. The situation became more complex as it emerged during India's "Operation Sindoor" against Pakistan, especially noteworthy given India's military authorities' concerns about China's support to Pakistan. The incident highlights the critical necessity to assess India's supply chain dependencies on China across various industries. Also Read | China plays hardball! After choking rare earth magnets supply, China blocks important agriculture-related shipments to India; continues exports to others How Has India Countered China's Fertilizer Move? India has successfully navigated through a challenging fertiliser crisis with China through significant diplomatic endeavours. As preparations for the Rabi season distribution commence by month-end, it's worth noting that India's previous DAP imports from China were around 22 lakh metric tonnes. Whilst managing issues related to terrorism, trade and Trump, India has engaged in extensive diplomatic initiatives over several months to secure adequate DAP supplies before the Rabi season distribution, typically beginning in July-end. Saudi Arabia and Morocco have emerged as crucial partners in helping India counter China's supply chain pressures. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your 2 & 3 BHK dream home in the heart of city Pune Kohinoor Riverdale Read More Undo Following diplomatic negotiations, India secured agreements with Saudi Arabia for supplying 10 lakh metric tonnes of DAP through a long-term arrangement totalling 31 lakh metric tonnes. Additionally, Morocco agreed to provide 5 lakh metric tonnes, leaving a deficit of 7 lakh metric tonnes. The shortfall may be partially addressed through domestic reserves, whilst discussions continue with Russia to enhance exports, considering fertiliser remains outside sanctions. Also Read | Russia oil squeeze: Trump's 100% tariff threat - should India panic? Government projections indicate sufficient stocks for the upcoming Rabi season. India continues to pursue additional arrangements, approaching various nations including Egypt, Nigeria, Togo, Mauritania and Tunisia to establish a more diverse supply network. Since 2023, Beijing has reduced its pace in renewing and establishing new fertiliser agreements with India. This led to increased procurement from Saudi Arabia as Indian firms anticipated supply constraints, despite Chinese rates being more economical. India's immediate response appears successful, having secured alternative sources through Saudi Arabia, Morocco and potentially Russia for Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), which ranks as India's second most utilised fertiliser after urea. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
ET Analysis: India counters China's fertilizer export freeze with diplomatic push
Fertilizer shortage has been a war of a different kind with China in which India seems to have finally worked itself out of a hole through a major diplomatic effort. China's decision to stop fertilizer exports to India will go down as among the harshest forms of supply chain weaponisation by Beijing. It was a provocative move not only because it was timed with the onset of the Kharif season, resulting in major shortage of DAP (Diammonium Phosphate) across states, but also because it forced a crisis on India just when it had launched Operation Sindoor on Pakistan. It's a red flag because India's military leadership has called out China's operational support to Pakistan. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Public Policy Operations Management CXO Data Science Healthcare Product Management MCA Finance Data Science MBA Cybersecurity Digital Marketing Technology Others Artificial Intelligence PGDM Management Design Thinking Leadership Data Analytics healthcare Degree Project Management others Skills you'll gain: Economics for Public Policy Making Quantitative Techniques Public & Project Finance Law, Health & Urban Development Policy Duration: 12 Months IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate Programme in Public Policy Management Starts on Mar 3, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Months IIM Calcutta Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management Starts on undefined Get Details With terror, trade and Trump to deal with on one end, India had to undertake a massive but quiet diplomatic effort over the past few months to ensure sufficient stocks ahead of DAP distribution for the Rabi season that usually starts in July-end. Two countries stood out as unlikely stars in this round of India's fight against China's supply chain pressures - Saudi Arabia and Morocco. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Knee Pain? Start Eating These Foods, and Feel Your Pain Go Away Undo So, here's the status ahead of the Rabi season, for which distribution is set to begin by month-end. India's DAP imports from China were a little over 22 lakh metric tonnes. India had to knock the doors of Saudi Arabia, the other big supplier for India. After some hectic diplomacy, both sides reached a deal. Saudi Arabia will bridge at least 10 lakh metric tonnes DAP based on a newly formalised long-term contract for over 31 lakh metric tonnes. Similarly, India could work out a deal with Morocco, which would cover 5 lakh metric tonnes, leaving about 7 lakh metric tonnes shortfall. While some of it is likely to be replenished from available domestic stocks, diplomatic efforts are on with Russia to increase its exports. Fertilizer is not under sanctions and, hence, may work for both countries. Live Events In the short term, government estimates suggest that it will have adequate supply in hand ahead of the Rabi season. More deals are in play as India is looking to diversify this supply chain to the extent possible, reaching out to Egypt, Nigeria, Togo, Mauritania and Tunisia. Back to the China problem. Beijing has been going slow on renewing or signing new fertilizer contracts with India since 2023. As a result, there was a steady increase in supply from Saudi Arabia because Indian companies had started to sense pressure. Costs, however, seemed to favour China. In May-June, Beijing unexpectedly and suddenly upped the ante on the fertilizer front. What it started doing was just stopped inspecting consignments headed for India. Indian agencies figured out that suppliers had been informally told that India-bound consignments will not be allowed to go. The signal was clear, raising alarm bells in New Delhi which had to get its act together, amid Operation Sindoor, to ensure this remains a one-season crisis and does not roll over, sparking off a domestic storm in its wake. For now, it appears, India may have managed - between Saudi Arabia, Morocco and, potentially, Russia - the immediate crisis, given that DAP is second most preferred/used fertilizer in India after urea. UNRELIABLE CHINA However, the crisis has underlined an urgent need to carefully map India's supply chain vulnerabilities with China across sectors. Because it's clear that China will continuously use its supply chain advantage as a political weapon to pressurize and bend India - worryingly, even in aid of Pakistan.
Saba Yemen
4 days ago
- Health
- Saba Yemen
Palestinian Prisoners' Commission: Palestinian Detainee Facing Deliberate Medical Neglect
Quds - Saba: The Palestinian Commission for Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs reported that Muhammad Osama Rabi' (21 years old) from Beit Anan, Quds, is suffering from deliberate medical neglect in Gilboa prison—part of a slow-killing policy similar to what many Palestinian prisoners face in the occupation's jails. In a statement issued Sunday following a visit by the Commission's lawyer, the Commission said that Rabi' underwent surgery prior to his arrest in 2021 to remove air cysts from his lungs. However, his condition deteriorated after he was beaten by prison suppression units. He now suffers from severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, constant headaches, and has been battling advanced-stage scabies for over a year—though he has recently begun to recover. The Commission noted that despite his severe suffering, Rabi' has submitted multiple requests to prison authorities for medical attention and to see a doctor, all of which have been repeatedly denied. Rabi' was arrested on March 7, 2024, and initially sentenced to nine months in prison. However, upon completing his sentence, he was shocked to learn that his case had been transferred to administrative detention. He is currently undergoing his second administrative extension. It is worth noting that since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, the occupation forces have arrested over 17,500 Palestinians in the West Bank, including 545 women and 1,400 children. Israel currently holds no fewer than 10,400 Palestinian detainees, among them 49 women, 440 children, and 3,562 administrative detainees, according to the Palestinian Prisoners' Club. This escalation comes in parallel with ongoing massacres in the Gaza Strip and increasing assaults by the Israeli army and settlers in the West Bank and occupied Quds, which have resulted in the martyrdom of at least 980 Palestinians and injuries to nearly 7,000 others. Whatsapp Telegram Email
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Farmers slam top cops comments on crime rise during agriculture lean period
Patna: Farmers in Bihar are angry over remarks of two senior police officials—DGP Vinay Kumar and ADG (headquarters) Kundan Krishnan—that criminal incidents register an increase during the agricultural lean period from April to June when the harvesting is over and the farmers have more idle time. Describing the remarks as "very shocking", farmers told TOI that it was very strange they are being described as a community for whom crime happens to be a "side business". They lamented that such remarks would break the morale of the farmers who toil hard throughout the year to feed the nation. They added that police officials were issuing such remarks to hide their own failures. "It is so pathetic. Farmers are being projected as criminals. Do we walk with guns in hand, shooting people when we have no work in the fields? This is a very strange remark," Pragatisheel Krishi Manch's convenor Kishore Jaiswal said on Friday, totally disagreeing with the top cops' remarks. Stating that such antics on the part of the police would only discourage farmers from taking agricultural work, Jaiswal asked the officials not to destroy the social fabric in this way. "They are indirectly saying that farmers have been hatching conspiracies for crime when they have no work. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo This is very dangerous. How can they say this? Their remarks mean they are alien to society and point towards the immaturity of the bureaucracy," Jaiswal said. He recalled how a former Bihar DGP had extensively travelled the Mokama Tal areas and formed peace committees, which was a unique model for police outreach among the rural areas. "Now they are pointing fingers at the farmers, although many officials might have come from the farming background," he said. Describing the remarks as very disgusting, Rajiv Kumar Singh, a farmer from Munger, said farmers don't have free time throughout the year and they always think about the country's growth. "They (police officials) have no idea about the period from April to June which they say is an agricultural lean time. They must know that after harvesting the Rabi crops, the farmers plough the land and ready the farm fields for the Kharif crops," Singh said. He said farmers cannot be involved in criminal incidents, although there could be some exceptions. "Kisan kabhi apradhi nahin ho sakta; wah to anndata hai (Farmers can never be criminals; they are grain growers)," said Binod Kumar Mandal, a farmer from Araria. Another farmer, Sadanand Singh, while rejecting such remarks, asked the police force not to tarnish the image of the farming class. "Kisan apradhi ho jayega toh ann kahan se aayega (If farmers become criminals, then from where will the grains come)," said Bhagwat Sahani, a farmer Araria.
