Daily News - Friday, 6 March 2026
WHO Applauds India’s Free HPV Vaccination Drive for 12 Million Girls (New India Express)
India has launched the world’s largest free HPV vaccination campaign, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the programme in Ajmer, Rajasthan on February 28, 2026, targeting 12 million girls aged 14 years annually across all states and Union Territories. The World Health Organization (WHO), led by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, praised the initiative, noting its importance in combating cervical cancer, which causes 80,000 deaths and 42,000 new cases each year in India. The campaign will administer a single dose of Gardasil-4, proven 93-100% effective against HPV strains, over a 90-day period in government facilities. Union Health Minister JP Nadda highlighted India’s alignment with WHO’s 90-70-90 global targets for 2030, aiming to vaccinate 90% of girls, screen 70% of women, and treat 90% of cervical disease cases. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reported that 86 million women have already been screened under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) using Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA). Digital platforms such as U-WIN for vaccination tracking and eVIN for cold-chain logistics are supporting the rollout, with frontline health workers ensuring implementation under the vision of “Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar” (Healthy Women, Empowered Families).
US Grants India Waiver to Import Russian Oil Amid Iran War Until April 4 (Bloomberg)
The United States has granted India a temporary waiver to import Russian oil, reversing months of pressure as the escalating Iran war disrupts global energy flows. The license, issued late on March 5, 2026, allows Indian firms to purchase Russian crude and petroleum products loaded before that date, provided deliveries are completed by April 4, 12:01 a.m. Washington time. India, the world’s third-largest crude importer, has been hit hard by the Persian Gulf conflict, which has rerouted energy supplies and raised risks for its stock market and economy. The waiver is designed to stabilize India’s energy security, even as the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas seeks clarity on insurance coverage for shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Bloomberg reports that Russian oil cargoes are swinging back to India, while India has also scrapped soy oil cargoes due to widening premiums compared to rivals. Analysts warn that the oil shock from the Iran war could fuel global inflation, with India’s economy particularly vulnerable if the Middle East conflict persists.
India, Finland Sign MoU to Double Trade to USD $2.6 Billion by 2030 (Financial Express)
India and Finland have elevated their ties to a Strategic Partnership in Digitalisation and Sustainability during Finnish President Alexander Stubb’s state visit to India. Both nations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Migration and Mobility Partnership, which will enhance access for Indian students through internships and post-study employment opportunities, and facilitate the movement of professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, and academics. The two countries agreed to double bilateral trade to USD $2.6 billion by 2030, leveraging opportunities from the India-EU Free Trade Agreement. A joint working group on digitisation has been set up to advance cooperation in 5G, 6G, quantum communications, high-performance computing, and artificial intelligence, with a joint task force on 6G created to expand collaboration further. The visit also renewed the MoU on Environmental Cooperation, covering sustainability, circular technology, waste-to-energy, green hydrogen, wind, solar, and small hydro power, with India and Finland set to co-host the World Circular Economy Forum later this year. Additionally, cooperation frameworks were highlighted between the Bharat 6G Alliance and the University of Oulu, and new agreements were signed in statistics exchange, while startup collaboration was strengthened through initiatives like the Indo-Finland Startup Corridor and participation in Slush Helsinki and Startup Mahakumbh New Delhi.
Iran War Threatens India’s Energy Security and USD $135 Billion Remittances (BBC)
The ongoing Iran conflict is severely impacting India’s economy. India imports 90% of its oil, with 2.5-2.7 million barrels per day and most of its LPG (80-85%) and LNG (25 million tonnes annually) passing through the Strait of Hormuz, now disrupted. Analysts warn that every USD $10 (≈ INR ₹830) rise in oil prices could push inflation up by 0.2-0.25 percentage points, while tax cuts to offset costs would widen the fiscal deficit. India holds about 100 million barrels of crude reserves (30-35 days of cover), but has no strategic LPG reserves, leaving households vulnerable. Beyond energy, the Gulf hosts 10 million Indian workers, generating USD $135 billion (≈ INR ₹11.2 trillion) in remittances in 2024-25, nearly half of India’s trade deficit financing, with states like Kerala deeply dependent. The crisis also threatens India’s investment in Iran’s Chabahar port, where a conditional US waiver expires on April 26, 2026, complicating connectivity plans. Experts caution that prolonged disruptions could spread from oil and gas to fertilizers, petrochemicals, construction materials, and diamond exports, amplifying the economic shock.
India’s 8.5 Million Tonne LNG Imports from Qatar at Risk (Wion)
Qatar has declared force majeure on its LNG exports after halting gas liquefaction due to technical disruptions, a move that directly impacts India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, which are among its largest Asian customers. India imports nearly 8.5 million tonnes of LNG annually from Qatar, accounting for about 40% of its total LNG imports, with contracts handled by Petronet LNG Ltd under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The suspension threatens India’s power generation, fertilizer production, and industrial sectors, as LNG is a critical feedstock. Spot LNG prices have already surged by 15-20%, raising concerns about inflationary pressures and widening the fiscal deficit if the disruption persists. Pakistan and Bangladesh, which rely on Qatari LNG for over 60% of their gas needs, are also facing severe risks of blackouts and industrial shutdowns. For India, the crisis underscores the vulnerability of its energy security, with policymakers now exploring emergency supplies from the US, Australia, and Mozambique to stabilize demand.
