Orange alert as rain leaves Gurugram waterlogged; disrupts traffic The Sector 52A market was among the most affected areas, with visuals showing commuters wading through knee-deep water Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 14:14:38 IST By Sampurna Panigrahi, Mihika Shah
‘Buy buy buy!’: Foreign tourist reacts to duty-free shopping after Delhi immigration A foreign tourist has posted a video of his Delhi airport experience, questioning the shopping pitches he encountered just after immigration. Published on: Aug 24, 2026
India security chief visits China for border talks India security chief visits China for border talks Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 14:06:38 IST AFP Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link India's top security official arrived in Beijing on Monday for talks on the countries' disputed Himalayan border
‘Jo bhi hai, tera ghar hai’: American compares Indian and US hospitality An American Hindi speaker’s take on Indian hospitality has viewers discussing the differences between socialising in India and the US. Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 13:31:09 IST By Vaishali Kapila Prefer HTon Google Share
Manipur: 1 CRPF personnel injured, 2 houses burnt by unknown armed individuals The gunfight broke out after two houses belonging to separate communities were set ablaze by an unidentified group of people Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 13:49:38 IST By Thomas Ngangom
Preparing for oil, food shocks
Preparing for oil, food shocks
Preparing for oil, food shocks
As war roils West Asia, India must explore alternative sources of energy to maintain crucial supply lines, including for fertilisers
Published on: Mar 06, 2026 8:19 PM IST By HT Editorial Share via Copy link Almost six years ago, in April 2020, at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic’s global onset, crude oil prices in the US turned negative because buyers were unwilling to lift stock from existing inventories. A widespread global lockdown had killed large parts of energy demand worldwide. Two years later, when the war between Russia and Ukraine broke out, and many European countries imposed sanctions on Russian energy supplies, crude oil jumped above the psychological threshold of $100/barrel. This was a typical supply shock to energy markets. Europe is still reeling from the aftermath of the war inflation that erupted back then. With the Strait of Hormuz witnessing an almost complete cessation of oil shipments due to attacks on ships and a huge spike in insurance premiums, the world’s biggest oil-gas producing region is on course to decouple from the global economy. (Reuters) India was relatively cushioned from these energy market disruptions. The exchequer made a windfall when oil prices were depressed during the pandemic by refusing to lower retail prices concurrently. The strategy had merit because revenue sources had dried up, and government spending needed to increase to aid welfare. In 2022, India managed to pivot from West Asian energy markets to Russia, which was willing to offer petroleum at a discounted rate. The latest, and perhaps still brewing, energy shock resulting from the ongoing war in West Asia might not be so easy for India to navigate. With the Strait of Hormuz witnessing an almost complete cessation of oil shipments due to attacks on ships and a huge spike in insurance premiums, the world’s biggest oil-gas producing region is on course to decouple from the global economy. India, like most of its Asian peers, is more dependent on West Asian energy supplies. Even at the peak of India’s Russian oil purchases — which have fallen significantly, partly due to a lower price premium and partly to secure a trade deal with the US — West Asian energy purchases were significant. While Russia has assured India of higher supplies, and the US announced that India can resume its Russian energy purchases for 30 days (ruling out any countervailing trade measures), there is good reason to believe that the third oil shock in the past six years will be the most difficult for India to navigate. The biggest reason is that this time it’s not about the price being higher. It will be very difficult to fill the void left by the supply shock from West Asian oil markets. At stake, therefore, are not just the usual questions of fiscal numbers and inflation, but also maintaining crucial supply lines such as those for fertilisers, which critically depend on gas supplies. So, what is to be done? The philosophical answer to this question is hope for the best (that the war and supply chain disruptions resolve quickly), but prepare for the worst (that things could be bad for months). The contingency plan — one hopes it is actively being discussed and shaped — should accord maximum priority to ensuring that there is no dearth of fertiliser supplies for the coming sowing season, which will start in about three or four months. A food shock will be the worst thing for the country: It will hurt the poor. Given India’s population, food shortages can potentially trigger a massive wage-price spiral. The other important things is securing — if need be, in advance and at a premium — alternative energy supplies from various sources, including Russia. There should also be no hesitation to substitute petroleum with domestically available sources, such as coal-fired power (even if it’s dirty) and other renewables. Transparency, both inside and outside the government, will be key to achieving these objectives. Energy Demand Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! -Login Now! News / Editorials / Preparing For Oil, Food Shocks See LessAlmost six years ago, in April 2020, at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic’s global onset, crude oil prices in the US turned negative because buyers were unwilling to lift stock from existing inventories. A widespread global lockdown had killed large parts of energy demand worldwide. Two years later, when the war between Russia and Ukraine broke out, and many European countries imposed sanctions on Russian energy supplies, crude oil jumped above the psychological threshold of $100/barrel. This was a typical supply shock to energy markets. Europe is still reeling from the aftermath of the war inflation that erupted back then.
India was relatively cushioned from these energy market disruptions. The exchequer made a windfall when oil prices were depressed during the pandemic by refusing to lower retail prices concurrently. The strategy had merit because revenue sources had dried up, and government spending needed to increase to aid welfare. In 2022, India managed to pivot from West Asian energy markets to Russia, which was willing to offer petroleum at a discounted rate.
The latest, and perhaps still brewing, energy shock resulting from the ongoing war in West Asia might not be so easy for India to navigate. With the Strait of Hormuz witnessing an almost complete cessation of oil shipments due to attacks on ships and a huge spike in insurance premiums, the world’s biggest oil-gas producing region is on course to decouple from the global economy. India, like most of its Asian peers, is more dependent on West Asian energy supplies.
Even at the peak of India’s Russian oil purchases — which have fallen significantly, partly due to a lower price premium and partly to secure a trade deal with the US — West Asian energy purchases were significant. While Russia has assured India of higher supplies, and the US announced that India can resume its Russian energy purchases for 30 days (ruling out any countervailing trade measures), there is good reason to believe that the third oil shock in the past six years will be the most difficult for India to navigate.
The biggest reason is that this time it’s not about the price being higher. It will be very difficult to fill the void left by the supply shock from West Asian oil markets. At stake, therefore, are not just the usual questions of fiscal numbers and inflation, but also maintaining crucial supply lines such as those for fertilisers, which critically depend on gas supplies.
So, what is to be done?
The philosophical answer to this question is hope for the best (that the war and supply chain disruptions resolve quickly), but prepare for the worst (that things could be bad for months). The contingency plan — one hopes it is actively being discussed and shaped — should accord maximum priority to ensuring that there is no dearth of fertiliser supplies for the coming sowing season, which will start in about three or four months. A food shock will be the worst thing for the country: It will hurt the poor. Given India’s population, food shortages can potentially trigger a massive wage-price spiral. The other important things is securing — if need be, in advance and at a premium — alternative energy supplies from various sources, including Russia. There should also be no hesitation to substitute petroleum with domestically available sources, such as coal-fired power (even if it’s dirty) and other renewables.
Transparency, both inside and outside the government, will be key to achieving these objectives.
Source: HindustanTimes
Related Posts: Oil food shocks,India energy security,India oil trade,India Russia oil trade,India Russia relations,India and energy market disruptions
No need to panic over H1N1 surge in K'taka: Minister Khader No need to panic over H1N1 surge in K'taka: Minister Khader Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 13:51:09 IST PTI Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Bengaluru, Karnataka Health Minister U T Khader on Monday assured the public that there was no
8 hours ago
‘You endorse misogyny, cut the crap’: Shehzad Poonawalla joins BJP attack on Rahul Gandhi's ‘smash patriarchy’ call Shehzad Poonawalla and BJP were responding to Rahul Gandhi's call to "smash the patriarchy" during his party's 'Chhatro ki Goonj' programme in Pune. Updated on: Aug 24, 2026
11 hours ago
For Delhi-NCR residents, Guleria struck a reassuring note while explaining why this year’s wave has felt worse, but citizens need not panic The H1N1 virus driving Delhi-NCR’s current flu surge appears to be changing its structure — a process that is making it spread faster and slip past the
11 hours ago
A job applicant’s unusual rejection from a software engineering internship has left the internet divided after the candidate was reportedly turned down over the name of their resume file. The incident was highlighted in a now-viral post on X by user @adnaannasir_
11 hours ago
Elderly woman killed, husband injured in SUV hit-and-run at Delhi's posh GK-1 The woman, identified as Shashi, was declared brought dead at the hospital, while her husband Kulbhushan (65), was left injured. Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 11:00:26 IST By HT News Desk Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy
11 hours ago
Woman reflects on high-rise living in big cities: ‘Even the slice of the sky is fixed for us’ A woman shared her thoughts on high-rise life, saying big-city living can feel confined despite better work opportunities. Published on: Aug 24, 2026
11 hours ago
Governor Abdullah Sarhadi gives money to treat a boy's broken arm and hands out funds for a local mosque - then, in his office in northern Afghanistan, an astonishing exchange unfolds. A young woman tells the grey-bearded former Taliban commander that she wants to divorce her husband
11 hours ago
Andy Burnham is marking his first foreign visit as prime minister with a trip to Kyiv - and will hand over blueprints so Ukraine can build its own long-range missiles. The prime minister will chair his first meeting of the "coalition of the willing"
11 hours ago
Apple’s next iPhone launch is getting closer, and the company’s usual September schedule is beginning to take shape. According to a recent Forbes report, Apple could hold its special event on Wednesday, September 9, where it is expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
11 hours ago
Fugitive gangster Goldy Brar has, in an audio clip, purportedly claimed responsibility for the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, The Indian Express reported. The newspaper said it could not independently verify the authenticity of the audio clip
11 hours ago
Dad crashes daughter’s late-night work meeting over parcels: ‘Ek paise ki saving nahi karti’ A father’s surprise appearance during his daughter’s work call turns into a lecture on spending and saving. Updated on: Aug 24, 2026, 10:56:44 IST By Vaishali Kapila Prefer HTon Google Share via
11 hours ago
A Zimbabwean content creator’s tongue-in-cheek take on life in India has caught the attention of social media users after he shared 10 everyday conveniences that have completely changed his standard of living. From paying for almost everything with just a phone to having food
11 hours ago
Starting September 1, passengers traveling internationally will be required to use an e-boarding pass on their smartphones for immigration clearance, as announced by immigration authorities. This significant change comes as the Bureau of Immigration (BOI)
14 hours ago
The September 2026 US Visa Bulletin brings a mixed picture for Indian green card applicants. While some family-sponsored categories have moved forward, several employment-based categories remain severely constrained, with two India-specific categories listed as unavailable and the State Department
14 hours ago
The Maharashtra Transport Department has issued notices to 777 drivers for lacking practical knowledge of Marathi, The Hindu quoted unidentified officials as saying on Saturday. A total of 5,211 drivers were tested during a statewide inspection campaign that began on August 20, including 3
14 hours ago
19-year-old killed, friend injured after truck hits motorcycle on Delhi's Indraprastha flyover A police team reached the spot and found a motorcycle lying in a damaged condition and two people seriously injured. One of them died in the hospital. Updated on: Aug 24, 2026
14 hours ago
Indian woman reveals why her family returned to India after 13 years in US: ‘You don’t really belong here’ A woman shared five reasons her family decided to leave the US and return to India after 13 years. Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 07:43:56 IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Prefer HTon Google
14 hours ago
New UK PM Andy Burnham to make visit to Kyiv on Monday: office New UK PM Andy Burnham to make visit to Kyiv on Monday: office Updated on: Aug 24, 2026, 07:41:28 IST AFP Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link British Prime Minister Andy Burnham will visit Kyiv on Monday on his first international
14 hours ago
Bengaluru vs Gurgaon? Man who lived in both cities explains why the comparison is ‘completely pointless’ A man said the Bengaluru versus Gurgaon debate was pointless and urged people to live in both cities before deciding. Published on: Aug 24, 2026
14 hours ago
Circle Wealth CIO and Managing Partner Chadha said the market was rewarding companies with strong earnings and improving outlooks, even as large-cap stocks remained under pressure. Diwali season is expected to bring a fresh boost for Indian equities following strong corporate earnings
14 hours ago
The restriction was imposed under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, which governs the import, manufacture, distribution, and sale of drugs and cosmetics. The central government on Saturday restricted the manufacturing, sale and distribution of all fixed-dose combinations (FDCs)
14 hours ago
Ukraine backers gather as war escalates, air defence runs low Ukraine backers gather as war escalates, air defence runs low Updated on: Aug 24, 2026, 07:41:29 IST AFP Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Ukraine on Monday hosts a meeting of its key European backers to press for critical
14 hours ago
'Trouble proving citizenship after representing India in 3 countries': Ex-envoy to ECI over Punjab SIR Suri served as India’s ambassador to the UAE and Egypt and high commissioner to Australia. Updated on: Aug 24, 2026, 07:34:33 IST By HT Correspondent Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link
14 hours ago
2 killed after illegal building in Hyderabad's Gachibowli caves in Officials alleged that the building was built over or adjacent to a drain without the required permissions. Published on: Aug 23, 2026, 14:41:02 IST By Srinivasa Rao Apparasu Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link At least two
1 days ago
J'khand: Compensation of ₹31 lakh each given to families of 3 engineers burnt alive at steel plant J'khand: Compensation of ₹31 lakh each given to families of 3 engineers burnt alive at steel plant Published on: Aug 23, 2026, 14:43:04 IST PTI Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Ramgarh
1 days ago
Jaiñtia Hills to the G7: Can Meghalaya turn ‘Lakadong’ into a global brand? The high-curcumin turmeric has gone from an obscure hill crop to a GI-tagged premium product showcased before world leaders. Updated on: Aug 23, 2026, 14:48:20 IST By David Laitphlang
1 days ago
Ex-NRI shares why she takes auto for 1 km ride to gym after moving to India: 'Life here is a compromise' The woman shared that she has to walk through an area where "everybody stares", while the pathway is "ubad-khabad", dirty and encroached. Updated on: Aug 23, 2026
1 days ago
