India’s strategy starting to unsettle largest manufacturing power

SpiceJet has launched special festive flights to Bihar ahead of Chhath Puja and Diwali, adding new routes to Patna from Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, and extra frequencies from Delhi and Mumbai. Connectivity to Darbhanga has also been boosted with additional flights from Delhi and Mumbai.

GHCL is set to significantly expand its soda ash production. A new Rs 6,500-crore plant in Gujarat will boost capacity to 2.3 million tonne per annum by 2030. This expansion aims to meet growing domestic demand, particularly for solar glass manufacturing. The company is also diversifying into bromine and vacuum salt.

Switzerland and India are collaborating to modernise India’s railway sector, Swiss official Martin Saladin said, following his delegation’s meeting with the Railway Board. Switzerland aims to share expertise in rail security, signalling, crossings, and global railway projects, while also exploring investments in India through its private sector.

India's Mangalore Refineries and Petrochemicals is actively seeking discounted oil from new sources. The company aims to maintain its purchases of Russian oil, a key import. This strategy aligns with India's policy of prioritizing the lowest cost energy options. Refiners have benefited from discounted Russian crude following sanctions.

The father of an Air India pilot killed in a June crash has petitioned India's Supreme Court for an independent investigation, arguing the current probe unfairly focuses on pilot error. He seeks a new panel of aviation experts to examine technical and procedural causes, challenging the government's handling of the disaster.

Global Capability Centres are set to lease 50-55 million sq ft of office space by FY2027. This will boost India's top property markets significantly. The number of GCCs is expected to grow to over 2,500 by 2030. These centres are evolving into innovation hubs, driving demand for tech-enabled and green spaces. India's cost competitiveness and talent pool attract global firms.

Russia’s envoy to India, Denis Alipov, said energy cooperation with India aligns with New Delhi’s national interests, highlighting an upswing in bilateral trade. His remarks came after President Trump claimed Prime Minister Modi assured him India would stop buying Russian crude.