India and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to significantly expand their economic and strategic relationship, announcing a long-term liquefied natural gas supply deal alongside a pledge to double bilateral trade to $200bn by 2032. The agreements were finalised during a brief visit to New Delhi by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, where he held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. State-owned energy companies from both countries signed a 10-year contract under which Abu Dhabi National Oil Company will supply liquefied natural gas worth up to $3bn to India’s Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, beginning in 2028. Indian officials said the deal would make India the UAE’s largest LNG customer within the next decade, accounting for roughly a fifth of Abu Dhabi’s LNG exports by 2029. The agreement is part of a broader effort by New Delhi to secure long-term energy supplies while reducing exposure to volatility in global markets. Trade between the two countries has ...
Christmas celebrations in parts of India were disrupted this year following a series of incidents involving vandalism, arson and clashes, largely affecting Christian institutions and public festivities, according to police reports and civil society groups. The incidents were reported across several states between 20 and 25 December, with churches, schools, prayer meetings and Christmas decorations among those targeted. In many cases, groups involved claimed they were acting to prevent alleged religious conversions, allegations denied by Christian organisations. Rights groups say the events come amid a broader rise in attacks on Christians in recent years. The United Christian Forum (UCF), which documents incidents against the community, recorded more than 700 cases nationwide in 2025 up to November, with Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh reporting the highest numbers. Incidents Before Christmas In central India’s Chhattisgarh state, violence was reported in Kanker district days before...