As the US-Iran-Israel conflict extends into its second month with no end in sight, India’s economic impact goes beyond oil price spikes and market volatility. The financial system is quietly absorbing the shock, with risks building beneath the surface. The real threat is delayed, cumulative stress that could emerge in coming quarters as liquidity tightens and cash-flow pressures affect asset quality.
An EY India analysis highlights that rising freight costs, insurance premiums, trade finance disruptions, and strained supply chains are reshaping cost structures and stretching liquidity across sectors. War risk premiums in shipping, aviation, and trade credit have surged 40-50%, while crude price swings and a weakening rupee are pushing up input costs.
Sectors directly exposed—oil, aviation, logistics, petrochemicals, and import-heavy trade—are already facing margin compression and liquidity strain. This stress is beginning to spread to MSME manufacturing, auto parts, cement, and consumer durables, where higher costs coincide with weaker demand. Much of the strain is hidden beneath the surface. Banks see early signs in cash-flow behavior rather than defaults, challenging traditional risk models. Export-oriented MSMEs, particularly apparel firms, face margin compression and longer cash cycles, which often escape standard risk detection.
Over time, stress spreads further: supplier payments get delayed, anchor firms stretch payouts, and local employment is disrupted. Household incomes, especially among urban lower-middle-class segments, are also under pressure from inflation and technology-driven job changes, causing irregular salary credits and shrinking balances—early indicators of rising delinquencies. Unsecured and small-ticket retail loans may experience delayed but sharper asset-quality deterioration.
Trade finance is an additional constraint, as shipping disruptions and stricter sanctions slow cross-border payments, tying up working capital. With 35-40% of India’s $138 billion remittances coming from the Gulf, any slowdown there could amplify risks. Insurance premiums for marine, aviation, and trade credit are already rising in response. While the financial system seems stable for now, EY warns that underlying liquidity, cash-flow, and income stresses could manifest later as deterioration in asset quality, making anticipatory risk management crucial.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Bloomberg.
Actor Salman Khan came out in support of Rajpal Yadav on Tuesday after a remark at a recent awards show—perceived by many as mocking Yadav’s ongoing cheque bounce case—sparked a wave of online reactions. The incident took place at the Screen Awards 2026 in Mumbai on Sunday. In a clip that went viral, one of the hosts joked about Yadav’s cheque bounce case, for which the 55-year-old actor had been briefly jailed in February. The host said, “Rajpal bhai, dollar kitna bhi upar-neeche ho jaye, aapko utne hi paise lautane padenge, jitne udhar hai,” prompting laughter from the audience and Yadav himself.
Caught off guard, Rajpal Yadav paused before responding, “Masla toh sun lo ek baar. Main toh masla hi sunana chahta hoon,” asking to explain the matter. Videos of the exchange circulated widely, with some calling the comment insensitive while others debated the tone of the interaction. Amid the discussion, Salman Khan expressed his support for Rajpal Yadav. He wrote, “Rajpal bhai, aap 30 saal se kaam kar rahe ho aur hum sabne aapko baar-baar repeat kiya hai kyunki aap apna kaam jaante ho aur ek value laate ho,” praising his dedication and craft.
Salman further reassured Yadav that work would continue to come his way regardless of circumstances: “Kaam toh aapko bohot milega dollar upar ho ya neeche kya farak padta hai, dena toh India mein hi hai,” encouraging him to stay focused and keep working from the heart. Fans appreciated Salman’s supportive post. Shortly after, Rajpal Yadav shared a video on social media, tagging the show hosts and clarifying that the joke was all in good spirits, calling the hosts like his younger brothers.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from India Today.
The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has granted over 2,800 visas to Indian pilgrims for the Baisakhi celebrations in Pakistan, scheduled from April 10 to 19, 2026. Pilgrims will visit prominent Sikh religious sites such as Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, and Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, according to an official statement.
Extending his greetings, Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires to India, Saad Ahmad Warraich, wished the pilgrims a spiritually fulfilling visit and highlighted the broader significance of their journey. He stated that the visit reflects Pakistan’s commitment to fostering interreligious and intercultural harmony. Warraich also noted Pakistan’s role as a custodian of numerous places of worship, emphasizing its dedication to tolerance, goodwill, and mutual respect.
This pilgrimage is being conducted under the Bilateral Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines, 1974, which governs cross-border religious visits between the two countries. The protocol ensures pilgrims access key historical and religious sites in a safe and organized manner. Baisakhi, celebrated widely by the Sikh community, marks the harvest festival in Punjab and commemorates the formation of the Khalsa in 1699. Every year, thousands of Indian devotees visit sacred Sikh shrines in Pakistan, reinforcing cultural and spiritual ties. This year’s visa issuance has been welcomed by Indian religious communities as an opportunity to deepen faith and strengthen cultural connections.
Pilgrimage organizers have coordinated with authorities in both countries to ensure smooth travel and compliance with protocols. Warraich emphasized that Pakistan remains committed to facilitating such visits, promoting interfaith dialogue, and providing a spiritually enriching experience. The High Commission confirmed that all arrangements, including travel, accommodation, and access to religious sites, have been made to ensure a safe and well-organized pilgrimage.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah has reorganized the hierarchy of his Council of Ministers, less than two weeks after forming the cabinet on March 27. The decision followed a Cabinet meeting and was officially announced by the Office of the President. According to the statement, the revision was made in line with Article 76(9) of the Constitution. While the ministers have retained their respective portfolios, their order of precedence has been reshuffled.
In the updated hierarchy, Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle now ranks just after the Prime Minister based on seniority. Home Minister Sudhan Gurung, who previously held the third position, has been moved down to fifth place, now ranking below Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal and Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha.
Among the 15 cabinet members, Labour Minister Deepak Kumar Sah is placed at the bottom of the list. Balendra Shah, also known as “Balen,” took oath as Nepal’s 47th Prime Minister earlier in March, with President Ramchandra Paudel administering the oath under Article 76(1). The ceremony was attended by top officials, including the Vice President, Chief Justice, senior leaders, security heads, and members of the diplomatic community.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Surat-based start-up InsideFPV has delivered hundreds of high-altitude FPV Kamikaze drones to the Indian Army under a ₹10 crore contract, completed within just two months. Procured through the Ministry of Defence’s Emergency Procurement Route, these drones are built to operate in extreme conditions, including temperatures as low as -35°C and GPS-denied environments. Tested at altitudes above 18,000 feet in Ladakh, they are set to enhance surveillance and precision strike capabilities along India’s high-altitude borders. To meet growing demand, InsideFPV is expanding to a 20,000 sq ft facility, marking a key milestone for the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative by strengthening indigenous defence manufacturing.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian Defence News.
A new AI system developed by NTU can forecast the rate at which food spoils, enabling supermarkets to reduce waste, enhance safety, and manage inventory more efficiently. The technology works by predicting bacterial growth in food. Could this signal the future of food retail? Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss with Natalie Ong, CNA journalist, and Professor William Chen, Executive Director of FRESH@NTU, to explore the possibilities.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
As thousands of U.S. troops and marines deploy to the Middle East, Iran accuses Washington of secretly planning a ground attack while publicly promoting ceasefire negotiations. Donald Trump has threatened to “destroy” Iran’s energy infrastructure, stated that he would “prefer to take the oil,” and suggested that U.S. forces could capture the country’s export hub on Kharg Island, all while claiming to be negotiating with a new “reasonable regime.” At the same time, Yemen’s Houthi forces have joined the conflict, raising the risk of further disruptions to the global economy.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
In 1998, tobacco companies in the United States were made responsible for the damage caused by the products they produced and sold through the Tobacco Settlement. Today, a similar question arises for Big Tech: it is not only about the content on their platforms but also whether these platforms were intentionally created to keep users addicted. Daniel Martin explores this issue with Rajesh Sreenivasan, Head of Technology, Media, and Telecommunications at Rajah and Tann Singapore.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
On “Destination Anywhere,” Melanie Oliveiro chats with Regina Lee, a travel and home influencer, about her journey through northern Xinjiang. From the shimmering turquoise waters of Sayram Lake to the lush rolling landscapes of Nalati Grasslands and the snow-capped peaks of the Tian Shan mountains, Regina recounts the region’s beauty and charm. She guides listeners through glacier valleys, picturesque villages, vibrant lakes, and lively bazaars, while also sharing practical tips on how to fully experience this remarkable frontier of China.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
