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India’s oil & gas sector offers investment opportunities worth 500 billion dollars: PM Modi

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New Delhi, Jan 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that India’s energy sector offers investment opportunities worth 500 billion dollars as he urged global oil and gas majors to “Make in India, Innovate in India, Scale with India, Invest in India.”

Addressing the India Energy Week 2026, via video conferencing, being attended by representatives from nearly 125 countries in Goa, PM Modi said that the country’s energy sector has vast investment opportunities across different areas of the energy value chain.

He highlighted that India has significantly opened up its exploration sector and referred to the deep-sea exploration initiative known as the Samudra Manthan Mission. By the end of this decade, India aims to raise investments in the oil and gas sector to 100 billion dollars, with a target of expanding the scope of exploration to one million square km. More than 170 exploration blocks have already been awarded, and the Andaman and Nicobar basin “is emerging as the next hydrocarbon hope,” PM Modi said.

Underlining that several reforms have been undertaken in the exploration sector, including reducing the no-go areas, the Prime Minister added that suggestions received during previous editions of India Energy Week have been incorporated into changes in Acts and Rules. He affirmed that companies investing in the exploration sector are certain to see increased profitability.

PM Modi further stated that India possesses a very large refining capacity and currently ranks second in the world, and is poised to become the number one country globally in refining capacity. The country’s present refining capacity stands at around 260 million metric tonnes (MMT) per annum, and continuous efforts are underway to raise it beyond 300 MMT per annum, he added.

Highlighting that LNG demand in India is continuously rising, and the country has set a target to meet 15 per cent of its total energy demand through LNG, the Prime Minister emphasised the need to work across the entire LNG value chain and noted that India is undertaking large-scale efforts in transportation. India is working to build the vessels required for LNG transportation domestically, supported by a recently launched ship-building program worth Rs 70,000 crore. Numerous investment opportunities have also been created in constructing LNG terminals at Indian ports, as well as in regasification projects, he added.

The Prime Minister stressed that India requires a vast pipeline network for LNG transportation, where significant investments have already been made, but large-scale opportunities still remain. He pointed out that city gas distribution networks have already reached many Indian cities and are rapidly expanding to others, making this sector highly attractive for investment.

PM Modi observed that with India’s large population and steadily growing economy, the demand for petrochemical products will continue to rise, necessitating extensive energy infrastructure. He affirmed that investment in this area will yield substantial growth and added that there are also abundant opportunities in downstream activities for investors.

“Today’s India is riding on the Reforms Express and undertaking rapid reforms across every sector”, PM Modi remarked.

He emphasised that reforms are being carried out to strengthen domestic hydrocarbons while creating a transparent and investor-friendly environment for global collaborations. India is developing an energy sector ecosystem capable of meeting local demand and, through affordable refining and transportation solutions, making exports highly competitive for the world, he added.

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MCX gold may test Rs 1.39 lakh support, silver outlook remains weak amid global uncertainty: Analysts

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Mumbai, July 18: MCX Gold and Silver are expected to remain volatile in the near term as investors assess geopolitical developments in the Middle East, movements in crude oil prices, and the US Federal Reserve’s policy outlook, according to market analysts.

Analysts said MCX Gold ended the week on a negative note but managed to stabilise around the key psychological support level of Rs 1,40,000.

They believe a decisive break below this level could accelerate selling pressure and drag prices towards the Rs 1,39,300-Rs 1,38,700 support zone.

“MCX Gold ended the week on a negative note but managed to find support near Rs 1,40,000 and is attempting to stabilise above this key level. A decisive break below Rs 1,40,000 could extend the decline toward the Rs 1,39,300–Rs 1,38,700 support zone,” as per the market expert.

“On the upside, immediate resistance is placed at Rs 1,40,700–Rs 1,41,000, followed by Rs 1,42,000–Rs 1,42,700. A sustained move above these resistance zones could strengthen recovery momentum,” an analyst stated.

MCX Silver also ended the week with a cautious negative bias, continuing to trade below key resistance levels.

Analysts expect resistance in the Rs 2,17,000-Rs 2,18,000 range, followed by Rs 2,20,000-Rs 2,21,000.

“On the downside, Rs 2,15,000–Rs 2,14,000 remains the immediate support zone, while a break below this area could drag prices toward Rs 2,11,000–Rs 2,10,000,” a market expert mentioned.

“Overall, the broader trend remains weak, with sustained strength above key resistance levels needed to signal a meaningful recovery,” the analyst stated.

Globally, COMEX Gold also finished the week with a negative bias while attempting to hold above the important $4,000 support level.

Analysts said a break below this mark could trigger fresh selling towards the $3,920-$3,900 zone, whereas a recovery above $4,050-$4,070 could lift prices towards $4,120-$4,150.

COMEX Silver remained under pressure as well, with prices trying to sustain above the $55-$54.50 support area.

Analysts noted that a decisive break below this range could lead to further weakness towards $53, while a move above $56.50-$57 could improve sentiment and potentially drive prices towards $59.

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RBI slaps fines on 2 Muthoot Group firms for breach of rules

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Mumbai, July 17: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed monetary penalties on Muthoot Finance Limited as well as Muthoot Vehicle and Asset Finance Limited for non-compliance with the central bank’s Know Your Customer (KYC) directions.

The RBI has imposed a penalty of Rs 5.80 lakh on Muthoot Finance Limited and Rs 2.70 lakh on Muthoot Vehicle and Asset Finance Limited for the breach of its regulations, according to a statement issued on Friday.

The RBI said that it carried out statutory inspection of Muthoot Finance Limited with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2025.

Based on the supervisory findings of noncompliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the company advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for failure to comply with the said directions.

After considering the company’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made during the personal hearing, RBI concluded that the company failed to put in place a system of periodic review of risk categorisation of accounts; and it also failed to put in place a robust software for effective identification and reporting of suspicious transactions.

In the case of Muthoot Vehicle and Asset Finance Limited also, the RBI conducted a statutory inspection of the company.

Based on the supervisory findings of non-compliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the company advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for failure to comply with the said directions.

After considering the company’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made during the personal hearing, RBI found, inter alia, that the company failed to put in place a system of periodic review of risk categorisation of accounts, with such periodicity being at least once in six months.

According to the RBI, the action in both cases is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the companies with their customers.

The imposition of this monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the companies, the RBI said.

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Bomb threat note found on IndiGo Ahmedabad-bound flight; police launch probe

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Bengaluru, July 17: A hoax bomb threat found inside the lavatory of an IndiGo flight bound for Ahmedabad triggered a security scare at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, leading police to register an FIR and launch an investigation into the incident.

The threat was discovered on Thursday evening aboard IndiGo flight 6E-6423, which was scheduled to depart for Ahmedabad at 8 p.m.

According to police, a handwritten note bearing the message, “Don’t go. Bomb Hai! Please,” was found tucked inside the aircraft’s forward lavatory around 25 minutes before take-off.

The discovery prompted airport authorities and security personnel to immediately activate standard safety protocols.

The aircraft was subjected to a thorough security check, but no suspicious object or explosive material was found during the search.

Following the incident, IndiGo lodged a formal complaint with the airport police, stating that the hoax threat had caused operational disruption and raised serious safety concerns for passengers and crew.

Based on the airline’s complaint, police registered a First Information Report (FIR) and initiated an investigation to identify the person responsible for leaving the note and ascertain the motive behind the false bomb threat.

Meanwhile, last month, another IndiGo flight carrying around 180 passengers from Lucknow to Delhi was grounded after a bomb threat was discovered written on a tissue paper inside one of the aircraft’s lavatories, triggering a comprehensive security response at the airport.

The flight, scheduled to depart from Lucknow at 10:45 a.m. on June 12, was preparing for take-off when crew members were alerted to a possible security threat on board.

The aircraft was immediately halted at the apron and prevented from departing as security agencies initiated standard emergency procedures.

The scare began after a tissue paper bearing the word “bomb” was found inside one of the aircraft’s toilets.

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