Clean tech revolution: Key role of critical minerals in Atmanirbhar Bharat
In 2010, a quiet but strategic event took place which would later alter the world’s relationship with critical minerals. Following a maritime dispute with Japan, China implemented a temporary ban on rare earth element exports to Japan. The ban sent ripple effects down supply chains across the world - especially the automotive sector in Japan. Prices skyrocketed overnight. The world experienced perhaps for the first time in a meaningful way, that critical minerals like lithium and cobalt were not simply technical inputs; they were the new oil. They were a geopolitical asset that could wreck entire industries - clean energy, consumer electronics, defense, automotive, etc.

India’s Russian oil imports hit 11 month high in June
India’s crude oil imports from Russia climbed to their highest in nearly a year in June, as refiners stocked up amid tensions in West Asia, particularly the Israel-Iran conflict, reported PTI.

Ludhiana Municipal Corporation to launch 100 electric vehicle charging stations for sustainable urban transport
In a major step towards sustainable urban transport, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) plans to establish 100 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the city. With over 60,000 EVs already on the roads, the move aims at addressing the growing demand for accessible charging infrastructure.

Oil to replace coal as main driver of India’s primary energy demand by 2050
In a first, an expanding and aspirational Indian middle class coupled with a growing industrial and commercial base is likely to alter the world’s third largest energy consumer’s primary energy demand mix in the next two and a half decades with coal losing its dominant tag to oil.

MOIL’s global play: India’s miner targets critical assets amid China’s restraint
MOIL is in early negotiations for international assets including copper and nickel from Finland’s Zawar Group, and vanadium from Australia’s Australian Vanadium Ltd and South Africa’s Vanadium Resource Ltd. It has also approached Indonesia’s Merdeka Battery Materials for potential tie-ups, aiming to diversify into critical battery minerals. Global consultancies E&Y and Deloitte have been roped in to scout potential deals, sources said.

Energy majors make haste as civil nuclear laws set to let corporate play
Just as the country is set to make the policy and legislative framework conducive for private play in civil nuclear energy, many Indian companies – state-run and private– have set their eyes on the sector. State-run NTPC, an early mover, is already in talks with three American companies– NuScale Power, Westinghouse Electric Company and Holtec International – and Russia’a Rosatom for indigenous development of pressurised water reactors (PWR).

INOXGFL consolidates wind business, plans Rs 40,000 cr RE push
With the merger of Inox Wind Energy Ltd. (IWEL) and Inox Wind Ltd. (IWL), the Group aims to streamline operations, strengthen its balance sheet, and position itself as a key player in India’s clean energy transition. The consolidation eliminates Rs 2,050 crore in intra-group debt through its merger and is planning a subsequent listing of the company in the coming week. T