Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his six-day, five-nation tour with a high-stakes visit to the UAE as tensions continue to rise across West Asia. In a dramatic gesture, UAE F-16 fighter jets escorted Air India One into Abu Dhabi airspace before PM Modi held crucial talks with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. With the Strait of Hormuz crisis disrupting global oil and gas supplies, India and the UAE signed major agreements on LPG supplies, strategic petroleum reserves and defence cooperation. The UAE also announced a massive $5 billion investment push into India covering infrastructure, banking and housing sectors.

The United States takes a historic leap in energy production as President Donald Trump announces the first new oil refinery in 50 years, powered by a landmark $300 billion investment from India’s Reliance Industries. This groundbreaking project in Brownsville, Texas, is set to create thousands of jobs, inject billions into the U.S. economy, and strengthen America’s energy independence. Trump praises Reliance’s backing as a pivotal moment for the U.S. energy sector, emphasizing the strategic importance of the refinery in stabilizing oil and gas markets amid rising global tensions. With streamlined permits, tax incentives, and an “America First” approach, the Brownsville refinery aims to fuel domestic markets, boost exports, and enhance national security.