In a dynamic world where information is abundant, understanding India’s global representation is essential. This edition of “India in Global Media,” spanning to May 12 – May18, offers an in-depth exploration of India’s portrayal through the lenses of international news outlets. Delve into this weekly compilation as we navigate the narratives that frame India’s image on the world stage.
BBC – S Jaishankar: India backs port deal with Iran after US caution
- India signed a 10-year deal with Iran to develop the strategically important Chabahar port.
- The US said any country considering business deals with Iran “needs to be aware of the potential risks”. But Delhi has backed the move and said the agreement would benefit the region.
- “I think it’s a question of communicating, convincing and getting people to understand that this is actually for everyone’s benefit. I don’t think people should take a narrow view of it,” Foreign Minister S Jaishankar told reporters on Tuesday. He was responding to a question about Washington’s remarks on the deal.
- “And the port operation, we believe, will benefit the entire region,” he said.
For detailed report click on : https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-69013435
Reuters – Space data fuels India’s farming innovation drive
- Lokeswara Reddy, an Indian farmer with two decades of experience, has seen his crops flourish after lean years, thanks to earth-observation satellites.
- Satellite data, gathered and crunched by Indian startup Cropin and provided to him by Syngenta, now gives him optimal sowing times, weather warnings, and better use of irrigation and pesticides, he said. Reddy said that over the last decade he has increased his net profit to 20,000 rupees ($240) per acre on corn at his farm in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, up from 5,000 – 10,000 rupees.
- “We are on a surer footing when it comes to agricultural practices; (using satellite data) safeguards us from climate change, pest and disease, problems with irrigation scheduling,” he said.
- The Indian government, which just relaxed foreign investment rules for the space sector, is leaning heavily into the use of satellite data to solve problems on the ground, with agriculture a key focus.
- Reuters spoke to 11 experts and farmers, six startups in the industry and three NGOs who said space technology and big data were primed to help Indian agriculture reach new heights.
- “India’s path to leadership in the new space race lies in utilizing the power of data, and applications within the agricultural sector offer immense potential,” said Pawan Goenka, chairman of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre, the country’s space regulatory body.
For detailed report click on : https://www.reuters.com/world/india/space-data-fuels-indias-farming-innovation-drive-2024-05-17/
Gulf news – India Prime Minister Narendra Modi files candidacy for India election in Varanasi
- India Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday formally submitted his candidacy to recontest the parliamentary seat for the Hindu holy city of Varanasi in a general election he is widely expected to win.
- The marathon six-week poll concludes next month, and the 73-year-old premier used the election formality as a campaign event that paid deference to the country’s majority faith.
For detailed report click on : https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/india-prime-minister-narendra-modi-files-candidacy-for-india-election-in-varanasi-1.1715671123103
Reuters – India’s PVR Inox posts wider-than-expected Q4 loss on weak demand
- India’s largest multiplex operator PVR Inox (PVRL.NS), opens new tab reported a bigger-than-expected fourth-quarter loss on Tuesday, hurt by a lack of interest in Bollywood releases.
- The company reported a consolidated net loss of 1.3 billion rupees ($15.6 million) for the March quarter, missing analysts’ estimate of a loss of 835.9 million rupees, as per LSEG data.
- The company was formed by a merger of PVR and Inox in February 2023, and the results are not comparable year-over-year.
For detailed report click on : https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indias-pvr-inox-posts-wider-than-expected-q4-loss-weak-demand-2024-05-14/
BBC – MDH and Everest: Indian spices face heat over global safety concerns
- “For Indians, spices are like paints in a paint box”, says Indian actor-turned-food writer Madhur Jaffrey. “We get different shades from the same spice by doing something to the spice.”
- In other words, you can roast the spices or grind them into powders. The diversity of their flavours is mind-boggling. Indian spices enhance pickles and season meat. They flavour savouries and street food. Zesty spices energise local fruit drinks and add a tangy twist to fruits and salads.
- Unsurprisingly, India has emerged as a global spice powerhouse. It exports more than 200 spices and value-added products to some 180 countries, worth $4bn (£3.1bn), according to the Spices Board of India. The domestic market alone is worth a staggering $10bn, making it the world’s largest consumer of spices.
- But now, concerns are emerging regarding the safety of these renowned spices. Last month, Singapore and Hong Kong halted sales of some spices produced by Indian companies MDH and Everest over suspected elevated levels of ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing pesticide.
- That’s not all. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is also investigating products from the two popular brands for potentially containing the pesticide, an FDA spokesperson told Reuters.
- The European Union (EU) has raised concerns of its own, discovering the same cancer-causing substance in samples of chilli peppers and peppercorns from India. Reports say that the Maldives, Bangladesh and Australian food regulators have also launched investigations.
For detailed report click on : https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-68989964
Gulf news – Kashmir sees highest turnout since 1996 in India vote: Election commission
- The biggest city in Indian-administered Kashmir saw its highest voter turnout for a national election in nearly three decades on Monday, election commission figures from the Himalayan region showed, reversing the trend of abysmally low vote counts in the first polls since Prime Minister Narendra Modi removed the region’s semi-autonomy in 2019..
- Nearly 36 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot in the constituency of Srinagar compared to 14.1 percent during the last national election in 2019 and 41 per cent in 1996, according to commission data.
- The turnout in past elections was impacted by boycott calls and threats of militant attacks.
For detailed report click on : https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/kashmir-sees-highest-turnout-since-1996-in-india-vote-election-commission-1.102607128
Reuters – Indian wheat stocks at 16-year low after record state sale
- Wheat stocks in India’s government warehouses on May 1 were down 10.3% year on year to their lowest since 2008 after two years of low crops prompted the sale of record volumes to boost domestic supplies and lower local prices.
- At the start of the month wheat reserves in state stores totalled 26 million metric tons, down from 29 million metric tons in May 2023, according to the state-run Food Corporation of India.
For detailed report click on : https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/indian-wheat-stocks-16-year-low-after-record-state-sale-2024-05-13/
Khaleej Times – India: Family mourns loss of Indian army veteran killed in Gaza
- A deathly silence descended on the Thane residence of Waibhav Anil Kale after his family members received word of the killing of the former Indian Army officer, who worked for the United Nations in Gaza. Kale (46) died while travelling in a vehicle to a hospital in the Khan Younis area from Rafah.
- The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, on Tuesday, extended its condolences to his family.
- “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Col Vaibhav Kale, working for the UN Department of Safety and Security in Gaza. Our deepest condolences are with the family during this difficult time,” read a post on the official X handle of India’s Permanent Mission to the UN.
- The UN, too, consoled his death with Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman for the Secretary-General, conveying condolences on the latter’s behalf over the death of the Indian staffer in an official statement. According to the statement from the world body, Waibhav joined the United Nations as the security service coordinator and was posted a month ago in Gaza.
- The Secretary-General also came out in condemnation of all such attacks on the UN personnel, calling for a full investigation.
- “The Secretary-General condemns all attacks on UN personnel and calls for a full investigation. He sends his condolences to the family of the fallen staff member,” the statement read.
- Kale belonged to the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Regiment of the Indian Army and had taken retirement two years ago to join the UN.
For detailed report click on : https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/india-family-mourns-loss-of-indian-army-veteran-killed-in-gaza
(The Report is curated by Dr Vinay Nalwa)
