Women’s Reservation Bill fails in Lok Sabha after Centre falls short of two-thirds majority, securing 298 votes in favour and 230 against during extended debate. The Centre on Friday failed to secure the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha to pass the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, dealing with women’s reservation. The proposed legislation, which sought to reserve 33 per cent seats for women in Parliament and state assemblies, received 298 votes in favour and 230 against, falling short of the numbers needed for passage. Following the setback, two related bills, including one on delimitation and increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats, were not put to vote. The government said these proposals were intrinsically linked to the women’s reservation legislation. The debate in the Lower House stretched past midnight on Thursday and continued into Friday, with the Centre strongly advocating for the implementation of the 33 per cent quota for women in legislative bodies. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
17 April,2026 10:17 PM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesMost parts of Maharashtra on Friday continued to witness intense hot weather conditions, with interior regions recording scorching temperatures, while coastal belts remained relatively cooler but humid. According to the weather data, Wardha emerged as the hottest location in the state at 44.4 degrees Celsius, closely followed by Akola (44.1 degrees Celsius) and Nagpur (44.0 degrees Celsius). In contrast, Nashik recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 17.2 degrees Celsius, highlighting a sharp contrast of over 27 degrees. Interior regions sizzle, coast stays moderate Vidarbha remained the worst-affected region, with several cities crossing the 43 degrees Celsius mark, including Chandrapur (43.6 degrees Celsius) and Bramhapuri (43.0 degrees Celsius). In Madhya Maharashtra, cities like Jalgaon (42.3 degrees Celsius), Solapur (42.2 degrees Celsius), and Lohgaon (41.5 degrees Celsius) also reported high temperatures. Pune recorded a maximum of 40.3 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, the Konkan region, including Mumbai (33.0 degrees Celsius) and Alibag (32.9 degrees Celsius), remained relatively cooler due to coastal influence, though humidity levels stayed high. Dry weather persists across state No rainfall was recorded anywhere in Maharashtra over the past 24 hours, with clear skies prevailing across regions. Pune to stay hot For Pune, the forecast for Saturday indicates mainly clear skies, with temperatures expected to hover around 39 degrees Celsius (maximum) and 19 degrees Celsius (minimum). Humidity levels dropped significantly through the day on Friday, from 50 per cent in the morning to 19 per cent by evening. Despite the ongoing heat, Pune has recorded excess seasonal rainfall so far this year, with 92 millimetres against a normal of 7.1 millimetres. Vidarbha hotter than Marathwada Vidarbha remained significantly hotter than Marathwada on Friday, recording extreme maximum temperatures across districts. Wardha touched 44.4 degrees Celsius, followed by Nagpur at 44.0 degrees Celsius, Akola at 44.1 degrees Celsius, Chandrapur at 43.6 degrees Celsius, and Bramhapuri at 43.0 degrees Celsius. Marathwada was also hot but comparatively milder. Beed recorded 41.9 degrees Celsius, Parbhani 41.8 degrees Celsius, and Dharashiv 41.0 degrees Celsius, with no station crossing the 42 degrees Celsius mark. The data shows Vidarbha was consistently 2 to 3 degrees Celsius hotter than Marathwada across most locations, making it the worst-affected region in Maharashtra’s ongoing early heatwave.
17 April,2026 08:04 PM IST | MumbaiThe first edition of the biannual Naval Commanders’ Conference 2026 concluded on Friday in New Delhi, bringing together top leadership of the Indian Navy for a comprehensive review of operational readiness and future strategy, an official statement issued by the Defence PRO said. The four-day conference, held from 14 to 17 April, focused on key areas including operational preparedness, infrastructure, logistics, and human resources, along with an assessment of the current global security environment. Focus on changing maritime security landscape The conference began with an address by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), who highlighted the growing complexity of maritime security. He pointed to ongoing conflicts, particularly in West Asia, the weakening of global rules-based systems, and increasing threats from non-state actors as major challenges shaping the Navy’s operational environment. The CNS stressed the importance of maintaining high combat readiness and adopting emerging technologies to build a future-ready naval force. He also underlined the Navy’s responsibilities in the Indian Ocean Region and called for stronger cooperation with friendly foreign countries through joint exercises and strategic partnerships, the statement said. Key interactions with senior officials During the conference, the Chief of Defence Staff interacted with naval commanders and highlighted the rapidly evolving nature of warfare, including its technological and economic aspects, it said. The Union Home Ministry also emphasised the need for close coordination between the Navy and paramilitary forces to strengthen coastal security and tackle cross-border illegal activities. Maritime security strategy A major highlight of the conference was the release of the Indian Navy Maritime Security Strategy (INMSS 2026) by the CNS. The strategy outlines the Navy’s approach to safeguarding national interests in the maritime domain over the coming decade. It builds on broader national visions such as Defence Forces Vision 2047 and Indian Navy Vision 2047. On the sidelines of the conference, the CNS hosted “Sagar Manthan”, a forum that brought together naval leaders and experts to discuss defence research and development. The discussions focused on improving capability development through greater participation from the private sector and industry. Officials said the conference plays a crucial role in shaping the Navy’s long-term strategy and ensuring preparedness in an increasingly complex global security environment.
17 April,2026 07:50 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentCriticising the North-South divide narrative, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday challenged the Congress to assure passage of the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' if the government brings an official amendment, within one hour, to guarantee “50 per cent increase in Lok Sabha seats” in all states. Speaking during the debate on the women’s reservation bill in Lok Sabha, HM Shah said he will not fall into the trap of the Opposition’s demand to delink the women’s reservation from delimitation, which will pave the way for 50 per cent increase in Lok Sabha seats. “We will not allow the Opposition's attempt to delay the women’s reservation beyond 2029,” he said, warning that the women are watching the Opposition parties oppose the reservation for the fifth time. HM Shah also condemned the Opposition’s attempt to create a North versus South divide. “The North versus South divide narrative will not be allowed to be used to divide the nation into parts.” He said the southern states have as much right over the House as northern states. “Forget about north-south debate, even a small UT like Lakshadweep has as much right over the House as Uttar Pradesh,” he said. Assuring that the southern states will not lose share in the Lok Sabha after delimitation, as being claimed by the Opposition, HM Shah said, at present, the five southern states – Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala – account for 129 seats out of 543 seats or 23.76 per cent of the total strength. He said that when the number of seats in the Lok Sabha will be raised to 815 after delimitation, the number of seats in the five southern states will increase to 195 seats, with a total representation in the House rising to 23.87 per cent. HM Shah warned that the government would not let the Opposition “fuel a tukde tukde divide on the basis of North-South narrative”. He also warned the Opposition parties that if they decide not to support the women’s reservation on one or the other flimsy ground, the women will punish them for failing them once again. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
17 April,2026 07:40 PM IST | New Delhi [India] | IANSAmid the controversy over Nashik Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) case, members of the Bajrang Dal on Friday held a protest in the Maharashtra district, demanding strict action against those involved in the case. Members of the Hindutva outfit gathered outside the district collector’s office and raised slogans condemning the incident, PTI reported. SIT formed to probe allegations Earlier this week, police formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe complaints lodged by eight female employees of the multinational company, who alleged that senior colleagues had mentally and sexually harassed them, while the human resources department ignored their complaints. Eight arrested, one absconding Police have arrested eight TCS employees, including seven men and a female operations manager. Another female employee is absconding, according to investigators. Demand for strict punishment Protesting Bajrang Dal activists demanded strict punishment for those allegedly involved in the forced conversion and harassment racket at the company, according to PTI. TCS reiterates zero-tolerance policy TCS has asserted that it has long maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion of any kind. The employees allegedly involved in sexual harassment at the Nashik office have been suspended. Chairman calls incident ‘gravely concerning’ Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran termed the incident “gravely concerning and anguishing” and announced that a thorough investigation is underway under the company’s Chief Operating Officer, Arathi Subramanian, to establish the facts and identify those responsible. Motorcycle rally held in protest Hindutva organisations also held a motorcycle rally on Thursday, which saw the participation of hundreds of women, girls, and boys. BJP MLA Devyani Pharande and other local leaders took part in the agitation. FIR does not mention any instance of forced religious conversion, says Nida Khan's lawyer Advocate Baba Sayyad, representing Nida Khan, one of the accused in the Nashik TCS case, has questioned the allegations against her, stating, "... If you look at the FIR, there are no mentions of forced religious conversion... I don't know why she's being portrayed as the mastermind when her involvement is only mentioned in one CR...", when he spoke to ANI. He argued that Khan is being unfairly portrayed as the mastermind despite her name appearing in only one complaint. According to him, the sole allegation against her pertains to hurting religious sentiments. Sayyad also clarified that Khan was not employed as an HR professional, but as a process associate, as mentioned in her suspension letter. He added that she risks immediate arrest if she comes forward, raising concerns about the narrative being built around her involvement. #WATCH | Nashik, Maharashtra | Advocate Baba Sayyad representing Nida Khan, one of the accused in the Nashik TCS case, says, "... If you look at the FIR, there are no mentions of forced religious conversion... I don't know why she's being portrayed as the mastermind when her… pic.twitter.com/ceLWv6pkNT — ANI (@ANI) April 17, 2026 (With PTI inputs)
17 April,2026 07:01 PM IST | Nashik | mid-day online correspondentJailed self-styled godman Ashok Kharat’s wife and a close associate were killed while his son was injured after their car rammed into a stationary container truck on the Samruddhi Expressway in Maharashtra’s Ahilyanagar district on Friday, police officials said. According to PTI, the deceased were identified as Jitendra Shelke (55) and his wife Anuradha (50), an official said, adding that their son sustained serious injuries in the accident. Link to godman Shelke was a close associate of Nashik-based godman Kharat, who has been arrested on charges of rape and fraud, among others. Shelke was Kharat’s business partner and also the vice-president of the Shivanika Trust set up by the ‘godman’, the official added. Accident near Dhotre village The accident took place at around 12 pm near Dhotre village under the jurisdiction of the Kopargaon Police Station in the western Maharashtra district, around 250 km from Mumbai, he said. Shelke, who was driving the car, was travelling with his wife and son from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to Thane via the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway. As the car reached Dhotre, he allegedly lost control of the vehicle and rammed into a container truck parked on the roadside, the official said. Declared dead on arrival All three suffered grievous injuries in the crash and were rushed to a local hospital, where Shelke and his wife were declared dead on arrival, he added. The couple’s son is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. Case registered, probe underway A case of accidental death has been registered at the Kopargaon Police Station. With the help of authorities such as the RTO and automobile experts, police will conduct a crash analysis to determine the cause of the fatal accident, said Somnath Gharge, Superintendent of Police, Ahilyanagar. ED conducts fresh raids in Maharashtra's Nashik Earlier today, Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out fresh searches in Nashik district as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation involving controversial self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, reported the PTI. Officials stated that a property linked to Kharat in Sharanpur town was raided, where documents and electronic devices are currently under scrutiny. This marks the second phase of action after initial searches on April 13 across residential and commercial premises tied to Kharat, his chartered accountant Prakash Pophale, family members, and several cooperative credit societies. During those operations, authorities seized Rs 42 lakh in cash and froze assets worth Rs 2.4 crore. The ownership of these assets remains unclear, according to the PTI. The ED registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on April 6, based on a Nashik police FIR. The charges include extortion, religious exploitation, and alleged drug-facilitated sexual assault involving multiple women, the news agency reported. (With PTI inputs)
17 April,2026 05:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentLeader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday criticised the proposed constitutional amendment bills, claiming they have little to do with women’s empowerment and are instead aimed at altering India’s electoral landscape. Speaking during a debate in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi argued that the bill does not genuinely focus on women’s reservation. He alleged that it is being presented under the guise of women’s empowerment while pursuing a different political objective, reported the PTI. Rahul Gandhi claimed the government is attempting to redraw the country’s electoral map by reducing representation from southern, northeastern, and smaller states. He described the move as unfair and warned that it could significantly impact political balance across regions. VIDEO | Parliament Session: Speaking in Lok Sabha during debate on Women's Reservation Bill, LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi), says “So, I want to assure my friends, brothers, and sisters across the country, especially those in the southern states, smaller states,… pic.twitter.com/rmetcM7Tb2 — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 17, 2026 Call to implement Women's Reservation Act 2023 He urged the government to implement the Women's Reservation Act 2023 instead, stating that the opposition would support its immediate passage if brought forward in its original form, according to the PTI. The Congress leader accused the government of avoiding proper representation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs). He also alleged that efforts were being made to disconnect caste census data from political representation for the foreseeable future, the news agency reported. Rahul Gandhi said the proposed changes were driven by concerns over losing political ground. He accused the government of attempting to reshape India’s political map to maintain power, calling the move “nothing short of an anti-national act”, as per the PTI. Assurance to states According to the news agency, he assured southern, northeastern, and smaller states that the opposition would resist any attempt to reduce their representation in Parliament. During the debate, Gandhi also responded to objections from treasury benches regarding his remarks about past government decisions. He asserted that political parties should not equate themselves with the nation or the armed forces. Bills introduced in Parliament The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha following a division of votes. Additionally, two other bills — the Delimitation Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill — were tabled to facilitate implementation of the revised women’s quota provisions in Union Territories such as Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu and Kashmir, the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)
17 April,2026 04:53 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Gujarat High Court (HC) on Friday dismissed an appeal filed by the Asaram Ashram Trust in a long-running land dispute in the Motera area in Ahmedabad. The court upheld its previous orders to resume the land and clear the way for the state government to take possession of more than 45,000 square metres of prime land, news agency IANS reported. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice DN Ray affirmed an earlier judgment delivered by a single judge, which had upheld the Ahmedabad Collector’s order to take back the land on grounds of breach of allotment conditions and encroachment. The bench found that the Ashram had “repeatedly breached” government conditions and that “no question of regularisation of illegal occupation arises”, IANS reported. Ashram extended by 16,000 square metres, alleges state govt The land was originally allotted decades ago for limited religious purposes, measuring around 33,980 square metres. However, the Ashram expanded its actual possession to nearly 50,000 square metres, the state claimed. Government submissions relied on GPS-based and satellite mapping to demonstrate that the occupation extended onto adjoining government land as well as land forming part of the Sabarmati riverbed. In its observations, the court stated that the petitioner had engaged in persistent violations and held that “no equity lies in favour of the petitioner in the facts of the case”. The HC further made clear that river land “cannot be regularised under any circumstances". Appearing for the state, government advocate GH Virk submitted that the action to reclaim the land followed a detailed process involving notices, inspections and more than 20 hearings. Virk further told the court that applications filed by the Ashram seeking regularisation of unauthorised constructions amounted to an admission of such violations. Furthermore, he also informed the bench that fresh action would be initiated under Section 202 of the Land Revenue Code, with a new notice to be issued for taking back possession, IANS reported. The Ashram had sought a four-week stay on the operation of the order to enable it to approach the Supreme Court. The bench indicated that any interim relief would be conditional upon the filing of an undertaking to vacate the land. No stay was granted after the state assured the court of further statutory action to recover possession. The court’s decision follows a legal challenge mounted by the Ashram against the Collector’s order, which had earlier been upheld by the single judge in February. The matter had also been examined in proceedings before revenue authorities and the Gujarat Revenue Tribunal. (With inputs from IANS)
17 April,2026 04:43 PM IST | Gujarat | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of attempting to include names of alleged infiltrators in electoral rolls, sparking a fresh political row, reported the PTI. Speaking at a press conference in Kolkata, CM Fadnavis questioned why the TMC was opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. He claimed that individuals whose names were removed for “valid reasons” had not raised objections. Fadnavis stated that the Special Intensive Revision exercise includes constitutional safeguards, allowing individuals to seek corrections or appeal if they believe they have been wrongly excluded. He also referred to observations made by the Supreme Court of India, noting that while the court commented on the process, it did not halt it. He added that such revisions should ideally be conducted every ten years to remove names of deceased, relocated, or ineligible voters. Allegations against TMC The Chief Minister alleged that the TMC’s opposition to the revision exercise was politically motivated, claiming the party aimed to gain an advantage in upcoming assembly elections through “fraudulent means”, according to the PTI. Addressing TMC’s claims of attacks on Bengali-speaking migrants in BJP-ruled states, including Maharashtra, Fadnavis denied the allegations. However, he said it was important to examine why many people from West Bengal were moving to other states in search of employment. CM Fadnavis remarked that it reflected poorly on the state government if people had to leave for all types of jobs, not just high-skilled roles. He suggested that the issue pointed to shortcomings in employment opportunities. Bengali communities in Maharashtra He also highlighted the presence of large Bengali communities in cities such as Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur. According to him, these communities celebrate festivals like Durga Puja and Kali Puja on a grand scale, with arrangements comparable to those in Kolkata. Over 2,900 candidates in fray for WB polls The Election Commission of India (ECI) earlier this week announced that a total of 2,926 candidates will contest the upcoming West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026. Voting will take place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with results scheduled to be declared on May 4. According to the official statement, the ECI said that in the Phase 1, 1,478 candidates across 152 constituencies are in fray whereas in Phase 2, 1,448 candidates across 142 constituencies were contesting, the news agency reported. The deadline for filing nominations for Phase 2 was April 9 and the scrutiny was completed on April 10. The candidates were allowed to withdraw until April 13, officials said. High-stakes political contest The elections are expected to see an intense contest between the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The TMC, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is seeking a fourth consecutive term. Meanwhile, the BJP is aiming to form the government after improving its performance in the previous election. (with PTI inputs)
17 April,2026 04:30 PM IST | Kolkata | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said the state government is confident of dismantling the alleged organised network involved in a case of sexual harassment and forced religious conversion at a unit of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Nashik, reported the PTI. Speaking at a press conference in Kolkata, CM Fadnavis stated that the multinational company had taken the matter seriously and initiated necessary steps to support the investigation. He added that the authorities are receiving cooperation from the firm as the probe progresses. According to the ANI, Fadnavis said, "The incident which has occurred in Nashik TCS is a very serious matter. I would like to thank TCS for taking cognisance of the matter." #WATCH | Kolkata | On the Nashik TCS case, Maharashtra CM & BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis says, "The incident which has occurred in Nashik TCS is a very serious matter. I would like to thank TCS for taking cognisance of the matter. The TCS chief has condemned it, and they are… pic.twitter.com/tNGFz23UTL — ANI (@ANI) April 17, 2026 Case under probe The Chief Minister described the case as a “serious issue” involving a coordinated group. He said the government, along with central agencies, is working to uncover and dismantle the entire network behind the alleged acts, according to the PTI. CM Fadnavis made it clear that no individual involved in the case would be shielded, stressing that strict action would be taken against all those found responsible. Multiple arrests made According to earlier reports citing police sources, the investigation suggests that seven male accused operated as an organised gang targeting women employees. So far, seven employees — including six men and one woman HR manager — have been arrested, as per the PTI. Police have registered nine cases in connection with the allegations. One female accused remains absconding, and efforts are underway to trace her. Campaign visit to West Bengal Fadnavis is currently in West Bengal, where he is campaigning for BJP candidates. Fadnavis accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of attempting to include names of alleged infiltrators in electoral rolls, sparking a fresh political row, reported the PTI. Speaking at a press conference in Kolkata, CM Fadnavis questioned why the TMC was opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. He claimed that individuals whose names were removed for “valid reasons” had not raised objections. Fadnavis stated that the Special Intensive Revision exercise includes constitutional safeguards, allowing individuals to seek corrections or appeal if they believe they have been wrongly excluded. He also referred to observations made by the Supreme Court of India, noting that while the court commented on the process, it did not halt it. He added that such revisions should ideally be conducted every ten years to remove names of deceased, relocated, or ineligible voters. Allegations against TMC The Chief Minister alleged that the TMC’s opposition to the revision exercise was politically motivated, claiming the party aimed to gain an advantage in upcoming assembly elections through “fraudulent means”, according to the PTI. Addressing TMC’s claims of attacks on Bengali-speaking migrants in BJP-ruled states, including Maharashtra, Fadnavis denied the allegations. However, he said it was important to examine why many people from West Bengal were moving to other states in search of employment. CM Fadnavis remarked that it reflected poorly on the state government if people had to leave for all types of jobs, not just high-skilled roles. He suggested that the issue pointed to shortcomings in employment opportunities. (with PTI and ANI inputs)
17 April,2026 04:28 PM IST | Kolkata | mid-day online correspondentThe Vice President, CP Radhakrishnan, is set to embark on a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka beginning April 19, marking the first-ever bilateral visit by the Vice President to the island nation. According to an official statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday, CP Radhakrishnan will visit the island nation from April 19 to April 20. During the visit, the Vice President will call on Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and also hold discussions with Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, along with other senior dignitaries and representatives of the Indian diaspora, reported ANI. "During his visit, Hon'ble Vice President will call on the President of Sri Lanka, H.E. Anura Kumara Disanayaka. He will also meet Hon'ble Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, as well as other dignitaries and Indian diaspora leaders," the statement read. India reaffirms strong ties with Sri Lanka, highlights vision MAHASAGAR and neighbourhood first policy According to ANI, the Ministry of External Affairs highlighted that Sri Lanka remains a key partner in India's Vision MAHASAGAR and the Neighbourhood First policy and added that the visit comes in continuation of recent high-level engagements between the two countries and is expected to further strengthen longstanding civilisational ties. "The visit of the Hon'ble Vice President to Sri Lanka follows recent high-level engagements between the two nations and will further reinforce the millennia-old people-to-people ties that bind India and Sri Lanka," the statement noted. India and Sri Lanka share a civilisational relationship spanning more than 2,500 years, underpinned by deep historical, cultural and people-to-people linkages. According to the MEA, over the decades, bilateral ties have evolved into a mature and diversified partnership, covering areas such as trade, defence cooperation, development assistance, connectivity, education, culture, and energy security. The relationship is further strengthened by extensive interactions between the people of both countries, which continue to serve as the foundation for a multifaceted and resilient partnership, reported ANI. India reaffirms energy support to neighbours, supplies fuel to Sri Lanka In recent engagements, India has also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting neighbouring countries in meeting their developmental and energy needs. During an inter-ministerial briefing on developments in West Asia last week, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India continues to extend assistance to partner countries, including Sri Lanka, reported ANI. "Even as we work to strengthen our own energy security, we are also providing support to neighbouring countries, at their request, to meet their energy needs. We supplied 38 metric tonnes of petroleum products to Sri Lanka two weeks ago," he said. The statement highlights India's continued role as a reliable regional partner, particularly in ensuring energy stability and addressing supply requirements in the Indian Ocean neighbourhood, reported ANI. (Inputs from ANI)
17 April,2026 03:56 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
