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What you need to know
- Assam, Kerala and Puducherry are observing a mandatory ‘silent period’ ahead of Thursday’s Assembly elections
- All campaign-related activities are now banned
- Indian stock markets rally after the announcement of the US-Iran ceasefire
This blog is now closed. Here are the developments from India on Wednesday, April 8:
India’s digital census prompts fear of hidden agendas
India, the most populous country, has launched a fully digital census which involves millions of enumerators and also allows people to report their own data. But many fear it will be used for political manipulation.
Read full report here.
India considers deploying reptiles along India-Bangladesh border: reports
Some unusual recruits could be about to reinforce India’s border personnel: slithering snakes and predatory crocodiles could be deployed to deter unauthorized crossings along the country’s frontier with Bangladesh.
India is mulling releasing snakes and crocodiles along the over 4,000 kilometres (2,485 miles) with its eastern neighbor, reports said this week.
On Wednesday, a senior officer of India’s Border Security Force (BSF) told the AFP news agency that “the use of reptiles” was discussed at a meeting in February with the Indian Home Ministry.
The Hindu had first reported on Monday that field units ofthe paramilitary force had been directed to explore the dispatching of such reptiles, citing an internal memo, dated March 26.
“We have been asked to explore the feasibility of deploying reptiles such as snakes or crocodiles in vulnerable riverine gaps,” AFP quoted Manoj Barnwal, a deputy inspector general of the BSF, as saying.
“The plan revolves around leveraging natural deterrents like crocodiles and snakes in flood-prone zones, along the unfenced area where traditional fencings are either ineffective or not possible.”
TheIndia-Bangladesh border is a complex and porous frontier which cuts through the world’s largest mangrove forest, the Sunderbans, and has large unfenced areas in the delta regions.
In remarks to AFP, Barnawl called the move innovative but added that there were challenges, including safety concerns.
“How do we procure the reptiles? What impact might it have on the people in the villages sitting along the riverine border?” he told AFP.
“We have asked our field units to study the feasibility of the approach and send the report as soon as possible,” the officer added.
Ties between New Delhi and Dhaka soured following the ouster of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024, who fled to India.
Last year, India propped up fences, stretching hundreds of kilometres (miles) along the border, inviting “deep concern” Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman was in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Rahman is the most senior Dhaka official to visit India in two years. His trip to India comes as the two nations attempt to thaw their relations.
India: Stock markets rise after Iran truce, central bank keeps Repo rate unchanged
India’s benchmark indices jumped over 3% as stock markets opened on Wednesday, following the ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran.
The Nifty 50 rose 3.58% at 23,953.80 and the Sensex surged 3.74% to 77,408.32 at the opening bell.
Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) — the country’s central bank — announced that it was leaving the benchmark repurchase rate, or Repo rate, unchanged at 5.25% in tune with market expectations. The Repo rate is the level at which the RBI lends to commercial banks.
A six-member RBI Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), led by Governor Sanjay Malhotra, voted unanimously to halt the rates.
The RBI also flagged concerns over global trade disruptions from the Middle East war and their impact on India’s economic growth, exports and inflation.
The bank projected GDP growth of 6.9%.
In a televised address, the RBI governor said the panel also acknowledged risks to the country’s inflation outlook, adding that the Indian economy’s fundamentals gave it “greater resilience to withstand shocks now than in the past”.
“It felt, therefore, prudent to wait and watch the changing circumstances and the evolving growth-inflation outlook,” Malhotra said.
India to receive first Iranian oil cargo in seven years: report
India will this week get its first oil from Iran in seven years, following the temporary US removal of sanctions on Iranian oil and refined products, news agency Reuters reported.
A vessel carrying Iranian oil is heading to India’s east coast, the report said, citing ship tracking data from LSEG and Kpler.
The cargo on the Curacao-flagged crude carrier, the Jaya, was purchased by state-run Indian Oil, the report said.
The vessel initially went to the waters in South East Asia for discharge in China and was then rerouted to India, Reuters said, citing LSEG ship tracking.
The monitor shows another carrier, the Jordan, indicating India as its discharge point, Reuters added.
There was no immediate comment from Indian Oil, the state-owned refiner.
India has not received oil from Iran since 2019, amid US sanctions on entities trading with Iran.
Last week, India’s oil ministry announced that refiners have bought Iranian oil amid supply disruptions from the Middle East war.
India is the world’s third-biggest oil importer ans consumer.
India welcomes Iran war ceasefire
India on Wednesday afternoon welcomed the two-week ceasefire agreed by the US, Israel and Iran, saying that it hoped the development would lead to a lasting peace in the Middle East.
“We welcome the ceasefire reached and hope that it will lead to a lasting peace in West Asia. As we have continuously advocated earlier, deescalation, dialogue and diplomacy are essential to bring an early end to the ongoing conflict,” the foreign ministry in New Delhi said in a statement hours after the ceasefire was announced.
India called for a swift navigation and flow of trade through the Strait of Hormuz.
“The conflict has already caused immense suffering to people and disrupted global energy supply and trade networks. We expect that unimpeded freedom of navigation and global flow of commerce would prevail through the Strait of Hormuz,” the statement said.
Indian embassy in Iran urges nationals to exit country
The Indian Embassy in Iran on Wednesday issued a fresh advisory for its nationals to “expeditiously exit” Iran, just hours after US, Israel and Tehran agreed to a ceasefire.
“Indian nationals still in Iran are strongly advised to expeditiously exit Iran, in coordination with the Embassy and using the routes suggested by the Embassy,” the advisory said.
A day earlier, India had advised its citizens in Iran to avoid movement and shelter in place.
Opposition questions Modi’s foreign policy after Pakistan-brokered ceasefire
After the announcemnet of the two-week Iran war ceasefire brokered by Pakistan — New Delhi’s primary arch-rival — the opposition party Congress was quick to take a swipe at India’s foreign policy under Modi.
The party described Pakistan’s involvement in hosting talks between Iran and the US as a “severe setback” for Modi and his government’s diplomacy.
“The role played by Pakistan in bringing about the ceasefire is a severe setback to both the substance and style of Mr. Modi’s highly personalized diplomacy,” Congress General Secretary and Member of Parliament Jairam Ramesh said on X.
He went on to call out Modi’s visit to Israel two days before the war broke out on February 28, and the prime minister’s silence on US President Donald Trump’s expletive-laden threats to Iran.
Poll preparations underway in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry
After witnessing a fiery election campaign, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry have entered a 48-hour silent period which prohibits public meetings, rallies, processions, opinion polls and any voter outreach.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) imposed the silence period on Tuesday evening.
The measure also bans the dissemination of poll-related content on electronic media, social media, bulk SMS, or calls. Display of opinion polls and survey results on TV is also barred.
A single-phase election will be held on Thursday in a total of 126 constituencies in Assam, 140 in Kerala and 30 in Puducherry.
Polling officers on Wednesday began preparing for the democratic exercise.
Election materials, including EVMs, were handed over to polling personnel in the regions.
In Assam, some 250 million voters will cast their ballots for 722 candidates.
The state’s Chief Electoral Officer, Anurag Goel, urged all candidates, political parties and media organizations to strictly adhere to the ECI guidelines, cautioning that any violation would lead to penal action.
India’s Central Armed Police Forces, including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), have been deployed to ensure security at the polling booths.
Meanwhile, in Kerala, six people were injured on Tuesday in a clash between workers of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kannur as campaigning came to a close.
The southern state has 27 million eligible voters and 890 candidates in the fray.
In the union territory of Puducherry, 950,000 voters will exercise their franchise, with 294 candidates putting their hat in the ring.
Welcome to our coverage
Good morning! This is Dharvi Vaid Dhulia from DW’s studio in New Delhi, bringing you your daily wrap of news from India.
A spell of rain lashed the National Capital Region last night, offering some respite from the rising heat.
But the power corridors in New Delhi are sure to be sweltering as the two key states of Assam and Kerala and the union territory of Puducherry head to polls tomorrow.
A high-octane election campaign has come to an end.
The last few weeks have seen India’s two top politicians, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, canvassing for the candidates of their respective parties in the poll-bound regions. The rallies were marked with massive roadshows and a lot of political mudslinging.
Meanwhile, Indian markets have surged 3% as they opened to the news of a ceasefire between the US and Iran.
We are also keeping an eye on reactions from India on the ceasefire, as the country struggles with an LPG crisis triggered by the Middle East war.
Stay tuned for more.
- Assam, Kerala and Puducherry are observing a mandatory ‘silent period’ ahead of Thursday’s Assembly elections
- All campaign-related activities are now banned
- Indian stock markets rally after the announcement of the US-Iran ceasefire
This blog is now closed. Here are the developments from India on Wednesday, April 8:
This blog is now closed. Here are the developments from India on Wednesday, April 8:
India, the most populous country, has launched a fully digital census which involves millions of enumerators and also allows people to report their own data. But many fear it will be used for political manipulation.
Read full report here.
India, the most populous country, has launched a fully digital census which involves millions of enumerators and also allows people to report their own data. But many fear it will be used for political manipulation.
Read full report here.
Some unusual recruits could be about to reinforce India’s border personnel: slithering snakes and predatory crocodiles could be deployed to deter unauthorized crossings along the country’s frontier with Bangladesh.
India is mulling releasing snakes and crocodiles along the over 4,000 kilometres (2,485 miles) with its eastern neighbor, reports said this week.
On Wednesday, a senior officer of India’s Border Security Force (BSF) told the AFP news agency that “the use of reptiles” was discussed at a meeting in February with the Indian Home Ministry.
The Hindu had first reported on Monday that field units ofthe paramilitary force had been directed to explore the dispatching of such reptiles, citing an internal memo, dated March 26.
“We have been asked to explore the feasibility of deploying reptiles such as snakes or crocodiles in vulnerable riverine gaps,” AFP quoted Manoj Barnwal, a deputy inspector general of the BSF, as saying.
“The plan revolves around leveraging natural deterrents like crocodiles and snakes in flood-prone zones, along the unfenced area where traditional fencings are either ineffective or not possible.”
TheIndia-Bangladesh border is a complex and porous frontier which cuts through the world’s largest mangrove forest, the Sunderbans, and has large unfenced areas in the delta regions.
In remarks to AFP, Barnawl called the move innovative but added that there were challenges, including safety concerns.
“How do we procure the reptiles? What impact might it have on the people in the villages sitting along the riverine border?” he told AFP.
“We have asked our field units to study the feasibility of the approach and send the report as soon as possible,” the officer added.
Ties between New Delhi and Dhaka soured following the ouster of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024, who fled to India.
Last year, India propped up fences, stretching hundreds of kilometres (miles) along the border, inviting “deep concern” Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman was in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Rahman is the most senior Dhaka official to visit India in two years. His trip to India comes as the two nations attempt to thaw their relations.
Some unusual recruits could be about to reinforce India’s border personnel: slithering snakes and predatory crocodiles could be deployed to deter unauthorized crossings along the country’s frontier with Bangladesh.
India is mulling releasing snakes and crocodiles along the over 4,000 kilometres (2,485 miles) with its eastern neighbor, reports said this week.
On Wednesday, a senior officer of India’s Border Security Force (BSF) told the AFP news agency that “the use of reptiles” was discussed at a meeting in February with the Indian Home Ministry.
The Hindu had first reported on Monday that field units ofthe paramilitary force had been directed to explore the dispatching of such reptiles, citing an internal memo, dated March 26.
“We have been asked to explore the feasibility of deploying reptiles such as snakes or crocodiles in vulnerable riverine gaps,” AFP quoted Manoj Barnwal, a deputy inspector general of the BSF, as saying.
“The plan revolves around leveraging natural deterrents like crocodiles and snakes in flood-prone zones, along the unfenced area where traditional fencings are either ineffective or not possible.”
TheIndia-Bangladesh border is a complex and porous frontier which cuts through the world’s largest mangrove forest, the Sunderbans, and has large unfenced areas in the delta regions.
In remarks to AFP, Barnawl called the move innovative but added that there were challenges, including safety concerns.
“How do we procure the reptiles? What impact might it have on the people in the villages sitting along the riverine border?” he told AFP.
“We have asked our field units to study the feasibility of the approach and send the report as soon as possible,” the officer added.
Ties between New Delhi and Dhaka soured following the ouster of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024, who fled to India.
Last year, India propped up fences, stretching hundreds of kilometres (miles) along the border, inviting “deep concern” Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman was in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Rahman is the most senior Dhaka official to visit India in two years. His trip to India comes as the two nations attempt to thaw their relations.
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India’s benchmark indices jumped over 3% as stock markets opened on Wednesday, following the ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran.
The Nifty 50 rose 3.58% at 23,953.80 and the Sensex surged 3.74% to 77,408.32 at the opening bell.
Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) — the country’s central bank — announced that it was leaving the benchmark repurchase rate, or Repo rate, unchanged at 5.25% in tune with market expectations. The Repo rate is the level at which the RBI lends to commercial banks.
A six-member RBI Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), led by Governor Sanjay Malhotra, voted unanimously to halt the rates.
The RBI also flagged concerns over global trade disruptions from the Middle East war and their impact on India’s economic growth, exports and inflation.
The bank projected GDP growth of 6.9%.
In a televised address, the RBI governor said the panel also acknowledged risks to the country’s inflation outlook, adding that the Indian economy’s fundamentals gave it “greater resilience to withstand shocks now than in the past”.
“It felt, therefore, prudent to wait and watch the changing circumstances and the evolving growth-inflation outlook,” Malhotra said.
India’s benchmark indices jumped over 3% as stock markets opened on Wednesday, following the ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran.
The Nifty 50 rose 3.58% at 23,953.80 and the Sensex surged 3.74% to 77,408.32 at the opening bell.
Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) — the country’s central bank — announced that it was leaving the benchmark repurchase rate, or Repo rate, unchanged at 5.25% in tune with market expectations. The Repo rate is the level at which the RBI lends to commercial banks.
A six-member RBI Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), led by Governor Sanjay Malhotra, voted unanimously to halt the rates.
The RBI also flagged concerns over global trade disruptions from the Middle East war and their impact on India’s economic growth, exports and inflation.
The bank projected GDP growth of 6.9%.
In a televised address, the RBI governor said the panel also acknowledged risks to the country’s inflation outlook, adding that the Indian economy’s fundamentals gave it “greater resilience to withstand shocks now than in the past”.
“It felt, therefore, prudent to wait and watch the changing circumstances and the evolving growth-inflation outlook,” Malhotra said.
India will this week get its first oil from Iran in seven years, following the temporary US removal of sanctions on Iranian oil and refined products, news agency Reuters reported.
A vessel carrying Iranian oil is heading to India’s east coast, the report said, citing ship tracking data from LSEG and Kpler.
The cargo on the Curacao-flagged crude carrier, the Jaya, was purchased by state-run Indian Oil, the report said.
The vessel initially went to the waters in South East Asia for discharge in China and was then rerouted to India, Reuters said, citing LSEG ship tracking.
The monitor shows another carrier, the Jordan, indicating India as its discharge point, Reuters added.
There was no immediate comment from Indian Oil, the state-owned refiner.
India has not received oil from Iran since 2019, amid US sanctions on entities trading with Iran.
Last week, India’s oil ministry announced that refiners have bought Iranian oil amid supply disruptions from the Middle East war.
India is the world’s third-biggest oil importer ans consumer.
India will this week get its first oil from Iran in seven years, following the temporary US removal of sanctions on Iranian oil and refined products, news agency Reuters reported.
A vessel carrying Iranian oil is heading to India’s east coast, the report said, citing ship tracking data from LSEG and Kpler.
The cargo on the Curacao-flagged crude carrier, the Jaya, was purchased by state-run Indian Oil, the report said.
The vessel initially went to the waters in South East Asia for discharge in China and was then rerouted to India, Reuters said, citing LSEG ship tracking.
The monitor shows another carrier, the Jordan, indicating India as its discharge point, Reuters added.
There was no immediate comment from Indian Oil, the state-owned refiner.
India has not received oil from Iran since 2019, amid US sanctions on entities trading with Iran.
Last week, India’s oil ministry announced that refiners have bought Iranian oil amid supply disruptions from the Middle East war.
India is the world’s third-biggest oil importer ans consumer.
India on Wednesday afternoon welcomed the two-week ceasefire agreed by the US, Israel and Iran, saying that it hoped the development would lead to a lasting peace in the Middle East.
“We welcome the ceasefire reached and hope that it will lead to a lasting peace in West Asia. As we have continuously advocated earlier, deescalation, dialogue and diplomacy are essential to bring an early end to the ongoing conflict,” the foreign ministry in New Delhi said in a statement hours after the ceasefire was announced.
India called for a swift navigation and flow of trade through the Strait of Hormuz.
“The conflict has already caused immense suffering to people and disrupted global energy supply and trade networks. We expect that unimpeded freedom of navigation and global flow of commerce would prevail through the Strait of Hormuz,” the statement said.
India on Wednesday afternoon welcomed the two-week ceasefire agreed by the US, Israel and Iran, saying that it hoped the development would lead to a lasting peace in the Middle East.
“We welcome the ceasefire reached and hope that it will lead to a lasting peace in West Asia. As we have continuously advocated earlier, deescalation, dialogue and diplomacy are essential to bring an early end to the ongoing conflict,” the foreign ministry in New Delhi said in a statement hours after the ceasefire was announced.
India called for a swift navigation and flow of trade through the Strait of Hormuz.
“The conflict has already caused immense suffering to people and disrupted global energy supply and trade networks. We expect that unimpeded freedom of navigation and global flow of commerce would prevail through the Strait of Hormuz,” the statement said.
The Indian Embassy in Iran on Wednesday issued a fresh advisory for its nationals to “expeditiously exit” Iran, just hours after US, Israel and Tehran agreed to a ceasefire.
“Indian nationals still in Iran are strongly advised to expeditiously exit Iran, in coordination with the Embassy and using the routes suggested by the Embassy,” the advisory said.
A day earlier, India had advised its citizens in Iran to avoid movement and shelter in place.
Opposition questions Modi’s foreign policy after Pakistan-brokered ceasefire
After the announcemnet of the two-week Iran war ceasefire brokered by Pakistan — New Delhi’s primary arch-rival — the opposition party Congress was quick to take a swipe at India’s foreign policy under Modi.
The party described Pakistan’s involvement in hosting talks between Iran and the US as a “severe setback” for Modi and his government’s diplomacy.
“The role played by Pakistan in bringing about the ceasefire is a severe setback to both the substance and style of Mr. Modi’s highly personalized diplomacy,” Congress General Secretary and Member of Parliament Jairam Ramesh said on X.
He went on to call out Modi’s visit to Israel two days before the war broke out on February 28, and the prime minister’s silence on US President Donald Trump’s expletive-laden threats to Iran.
The Indian Embassy in Iran on Wednesday issued a fresh advisory for its nationals to “expeditiously exit” Iran, just hours after US, Israel and Tehran agreed to a ceasefire.
“Indian nationals still in Iran are strongly advised to expeditiously exit Iran, in coordination with the Embassy and using the routes suggested by the Embassy,” the advisory said.
A day earlier, India had advised its citizens in Iran to avoid movement and shelter in place.
After the announcemnet of the two-week Iran war ceasefire brokered by Pakistan — New Delhi’s primary arch-rival — the opposition party Congress was quick to take a swipe at India’s foreign policy under Modi.
The party described Pakistan’s involvement in hosting talks between Iran and the US as a “severe setback” for Modi and his government’s diplomacy.
“The role played by Pakistan in bringing about the ceasefire is a severe setback to both the substance and style of Mr. Modi’s highly personalized diplomacy,” Congress General Secretary and Member of Parliament Jairam Ramesh said on X.
He went on to call out Modi’s visit to Israel two days before the war broke out on February 28, and the prime minister’s silence on US President Donald Trump’s expletive-laden threats to Iran.
After witnessing a fiery election campaign, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry have entered a 48-hour silent period which prohibits public meetings, rallies, processions, opinion polls and any voter outreach.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) imposed the silence period on Tuesday evening.
The measure also bans the dissemination of poll-related content on electronic media, social media, bulk SMS, or calls. Display of opinion polls and survey results on TV is also barred.
A single-phase election will be held on Thursday in a total of 126 constituencies in Assam, 140 in Kerala and 30 in Puducherry.
Polling officers on Wednesday began preparing for the democratic exercise.
Election materials, including EVMs, were handed over to polling personnel in the regions.
In Assam, some 250 million voters will cast their ballots for 722 candidates.
The state’s Chief Electoral Officer, Anurag Goel, urged all candidates, political parties and media organizations to strictly adhere to the ECI guidelines, cautioning that any violation would lead to penal action.
India’s Central Armed Police Forces, including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), have been deployed to ensure security at the polling booths.
Meanwhile, in Kerala, six people were injured on Tuesday in a clash between workers of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kannur as campaigning came to a close.
The southern state has 27 million eligible voters and 890 candidates in the fray.
In the union territory of Puducherry, 950,000 voters will exercise their franchise, with 294 candidates putting their hat in the ring.
After witnessing a fiery election campaign, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry have entered a 48-hour silent period which prohibits public meetings, rallies, processions, opinion polls and any voter outreach.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) imposed the silence period on Tuesday evening.
The measure also bans the dissemination of poll-related content on electronic media, social media, bulk SMS, or calls. Display of opinion polls and survey results on TV is also barred.
A single-phase election will be held on Thursday in a total of 126 constituencies in Assam, 140 in Kerala and 30 in Puducherry.
Polling officers on Wednesday began preparing for the democratic exercise.
Election materials, including EVMs, were handed over to polling personnel in the regions.
In Assam, some 250 million voters will cast their ballots for 722 candidates.
The state’s Chief Electoral Officer, Anurag Goel, urged all candidates, political parties and media organizations to strictly adhere to the ECI guidelines, cautioning that any violation would lead to penal action.
India’s Central Armed Police Forces, including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), have been deployed to ensure security at the polling booths.
Meanwhile, in Kerala, six people were injured on Tuesday in a clash between workers of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kannur as campaigning came to a close.
The southern state has 27 million eligible voters and 890 candidates in the fray.
In the union territory of Puducherry, 950,000 voters will exercise their franchise, with 294 candidates putting their hat in the ring.
Good morning! This is Dharvi Vaid Dhulia from DW’s studio in New Delhi, bringing you your daily wrap of news from India.
A spell of rain lashed the National Capital Region last night, offering some respite from the rising heat.
But the power corridors in New Delhi are sure to be sweltering as the two key states of Assam and Kerala and the union territory of Puducherry head to polls tomorrow.
A high-octane election campaign has come to an end.
The last few weeks have seen India’s two top politicians, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, canvassing for the candidates of their respective parties in the poll-bound regions. The rallies were marked with massive roadshows and a lot of political mudslinging.
Meanwhile, Indian markets have surged 3% as they opened to the news of a ceasefire between the US and Iran.
We are also keeping an eye on reactions from India on the ceasefire, as the country struggles with an LPG crisis triggered by the Middle East war.
Stay tuned for more.
Good morning! This is Dharvi Vaid Dhulia from DW’s studio in New Delhi, bringing you your daily wrap of news from India.
A spell of rain lashed the National Capital Region last night, offering some respite from the rising heat.
But the power corridors in New Delhi are sure to be sweltering as the two key states of Assam and Kerala and the union territory of Puducherry head to polls tomorrow.
A high-octane election campaign has come to an end.
The last few weeks have seen India’s two top politicians, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, canvassing for the candidates of their respective parties in the poll-bound regions. The rallies were marked with massive roadshows and a lot of political mudslinging.
Meanwhile, Indian markets have surged 3% as they opened to the news of a ceasefire between the US and Iran.
We are also keeping an eye on reactions from India on the ceasefire, as the country struggles with an LPG crisis triggered by the Middle East war.
Stay tuned for more.
[analyse_source url=”https://www.dw.com/en/india-news-assam-kerala-puducherry-gear-up-for-elections/live-76701889″]