India

Times of India | English | News | Aug. 8, 2025 | UndeterminedPolitics and Elections

In an unprecedented event, both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha passed two bills from the Ministry of Shipping on the same day amid opposition protests. The bills passed were the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025, and the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025. The Merchant Shipping Bill, passed by the Lok Sabha, aims to modernize maritime governance, expand vessel ownership eligibility, and improve investigation procedures for marine casualties.

Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha passed the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, which replaces a century-old colonial law with updated legislation to enhance ease of doing business in the shipping sector. This bill adopts the globally accepted Hague-Visby Rules and is designed to simplify maritime trade laws, reduce litigation risks, and improve transparency and commercial efficiency in sea cargo movement.

The passage of both bills was brief and occurred despite opposition protests demanding discussion on Bihar's electoral rolls. Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted that the Merchant Shipping Bill aligns with international maritime conventions, prioritizes seafarer welfare, ship safety, environmental protection, and promotes Indian tonnage. Minister of State for Shipping Shantanu Thakur noted that the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill improves commercial efficiency and aligns India’s shipping laws with global standards.

The Economic Times | English | News | Aug. 8, 2025 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

India, which sources over a third of its oil imports from Russia, may turn to the Middle East, Africa, and other regions if forced to reduce Russian oil purchases due to potential U.S. sanctions. India began buying discounted Russian oil after Western sanctions were imposed on Moscow following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Russian oil now accounts for about 35% of India's total supplies, a significant increase from less than 2% before the war.

India imports over 85% of its oil needs and is the world's third-largest oil importer and consumer. In the first half of 2025, India received approximately 1.75 million barrels per day of Russian oil, slightly up from the previous year. While some Indian refiners purchase Russian oil through traders, major private refiners like Nayara Energy and Reliance Industries have long-term supply agreements with Russia’s Rosneft.

The U.S. has threatened to impose higher tariffs on Indian goods, citing its continued purchase of Russian oil, with calls for India to reduce these imports unless Russia reaches a peace deal with Ukraine. India has resisted these pressures, citing historical ties with Russia and its energy needs, though state refiners have paused Russian oil purchases recently.

If India cannot continue importing Russian oil, it could increase supplies from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Middle Eastern countries. Indian refiners have also sought crude from the United States, West Africa, Azerbaijan, and are expanding imports from new sources such as Guyana, Brazil, and Canada. Overall, India has diversified its oil supply to around 40 countries, according to Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

Vivekananda International Foundation | English | AcademicThink | Aug. 8, 2025 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

In February 2025, during European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's visit to India, both sides committed to exploring a security and defence partnership aligned with the EU’s 2025 Defence White Paper on European Defence – Readiness 2030. The EU aims to mobilize additional defence spending up to 1.5 percent of GDP, driven by geopolitical tensions, with expected defence investments reaching $800 billion over four years. The EU’s strategic defence evolution emphasizes joint procurement, increased defence spending, and European autonomy, while seeking external partnerships, notably with India.

India is identified as a key prospective collaborator, with Indian defence firms like HAL, BEL, L&T, and Adani already supplying components to global players. Opportunities include joint ventures, technology transfers, collaborative manufacturing, and exports such as ammunition, advanced artillery, and air defence systems, especially as India’s defence exports surged to $2.76 billion in FY 24-25. The EU defence framework’s focus on critical dual-use technologies—AI, quantum, hypersonics, biotechnologies—aligns with India's ambitions for advanced technology collaboration and enhanced defence industrial capacity.

The EU invites India to participate in initiatives like the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), Security of Information Agreement negotiations, and the European Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS), despite geographic and regulatory challenges. Indian firms also have prospects in infrastructure contracts related to EU multimodal corridors. However, India must navigate shifting EU defence procurement and export regulations due to the Rearm Europe Plan, which prioritizes EU national needs.

India plans substantial reforms to boost defence R&D spending and develop a robust industrial base aligned with evolving global defence tech trends. The Defence Acquisition Policy 2020 is under review as India pursues a multi-dimensional strategy integrating security, industrial, and technology components. Collaborative projects exemplify this approach, including Airbus-Tata’s C-295 aircraft manufacturing, Bharat Forge’s partnership with General Atomics, and efforts with French and German firms on fighter engines and precision munitions.

India aims to deepen its maritime capabilities and strengthen its role as a reliable EU partner in the Indo-Pacific, supporting smaller Indian Ocean nations. The recent MoU between Indian and Italian defence industry bodies signals closer ties. A formal security and defence agreement with the EU, similar to those with Japan and South Korea, is suggested to enhance technology transfer, joint R&D, certification systems, and strategic autonomy. This would help reduce India's dependence on limited suppliers and expand its defence technology base.