A former US official is not pleased with the prospect of Pakistan becoming a negotiator in mediating peace between Iran and the US amid the ongoing war. Questioning Pakistan’s credibility former US Army combatant, Colonel Douglas Macgregor (retd) said that Israel wouldn’t view the country as neutral in the negotiations and would “laugh off” the prospect of Islamabad as the venue for talks.. US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands during a joint press conference at the White House in Washington, DC, US, on February 13, 2025. (Reuters). Instead, the official proposed that India should step in and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should give US President Donald Trump a call.. “If the Israelis heard that they were supposed to show up in Islamabad for a meeting, I think they’d laugh it off. This is ridiculous. Why should we trust anything those people say? That’s not true for India. India is in a very good position that way,” he was quoted as saying in a report by news agency ANI.. ‘More comfortable with India’. Macgregor, who served as the advisor to the US Secretary of Defence in the first Donald Trump Administration, finds India much more well-positioned to offer assistance because PM Modi commands global respect and maintains working relationships with multiple international leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and leaders in Tehran. He also cited PM Modi’s recent official visit to Israel and said: “The Israelis are comfortable with him. We are more comfortable with India.”. Also Read: ‘PM Modi and I, two people that get things done’: Trump’s surprise praise. Pakistan, on the other hand, has its own economic concerns to tend to, the US official said. “For the Pakistanis to offer help is sort of like a man who is in a burning building offering you a spare room in the building. Pakistan’s not going to be viewed in any way, shape or form as neutral by the Israelis,” Macgregor said.. “They’re going to view Pakistan as part of the problem. Why would you go to Pakistan to Islamabad to try and close a deal, if you will, on ending the war? That’s an impossibility. It strikes me as just ludicrous nonsense,” he added.. ‘Pakistan not civilisational, India is’. The geopolitical risk advisor also said that Pakistan cannot be considered a civilisational state, but that is not the case for India. “Pakistan is not what I would call a civilisational state. It’s part of a civilisational complex. But India itself is one of these core civilisational states, which is desperately needed, you know, in the world today,” Macgregor said.. He said that PM Modi should speak to his advisors and call President Trump amid the ongoing West Asia conflict. “I think we would be better off if India exerted a great deal more influence in a place like the Indian Ocean and its surroundings,” Col Macgregor said.. He said that he cannot foresee direct negotiations between Iran and US-Israel and said that if there’s anyone Trum 

 Malabar Gold & Diamonds announced on Wednesday (March 25) that it will allocate ₹200 crore to its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes in the financial year 2026-27. One of the largest retail jewellery groups in the world, Malabar made the announcement at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi, with Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal present at the event.. At the programme, Union minister Piyush Goyal launched the distribution of educational scholarships for 33,000 girl students across the country.. The event was also attended by Malabar Group chairman MP Ahammad, managing director – India operations O Asher, executive directors Nishad AK and Abdulla Ibrahim, Kerala House resident commissioner Puneet Kumar, IAS, Pratham CEO Rukmini Banerji, and Thanal chairman Idris, among others.. At the programme, the minister launched the distribution of educational scholarships for 33,000 girl students across the country. The company plans to carry out its CSR initiatives in more than 3,000 locations across 19 states, covering 15 major projects and aiming to benefit over 2 lakh people.. Speaking at the event, Goyal said India’s progress depends on empowering its people, especially women and girls. He praised the company’s efforts in promoting change through education and said such initiatives set an example for other organisations.. Addressing students at the event, the minister urged them to aim high, move beyond limitations and make the most of the opportunities available in India. He also said the choice of venue was appropriate, as BR Ambedkar believed that “communities only prosper when women of the country prosper”.. Referring to global challenges linked to the West Asia crisis, Goyal said the country has come together to “rally as one”. He added that in recent years, India has signed 9 free trade agreements with 38 developed nations.. Speaking on the occasion, Malabar Group chairman Ahammad said, “Nurturing talent through quality education is essential, and the scholarship programme enables students to achieve academic success and contribute to the country’s development.”. A major share of the funds will go towards education, with ₹114 crore earmarked for initiatives such as micro-learning centres for street children and scholarship programmes for girls.. The company has set aside ₹30 crore for food distribution under the Hunger Free World project and ₹14.2 crore for healthcare programmes.. Housing initiatives, including the ‘Grandma Home’ project for destitute mothers, will receive ₹25 crore. In addition, ₹6.8 crore will be used for other humanitarian efforts and ₹10 crore for environmental protection, according to the jewellery group.. These activities are carried out through the Malabar Charitable Trust, which allocates 5% of the company’s net trading profit to CSR work.. Notably, the group has set up 1,543 micro-learning centres across 17 states in partnership with the Prat 

 Rumours of a lockdown in India are completely false, said Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday, “clearly stating” that the government was considering no such proposal. Amid an ongoing global crisis, the government urged people to remain calm and said that spreading rumours at a time like this was “irresponsible and harmful”.. The global situation remains in flux, and we are closely monitoring developments across energy, supply chains, and essential commodities on a real-time basis, Puri said. (Pramod Thakur/File Hindustan Times photo). Puri’s clarification to widespread speculation of lockdown came shortly after the government announced a cut in excise duties on petrol and diesel amid global energy supply disruptions due to the ongoing Iran-US war.. He said in a post on X that global situation remains in flux, and “we are closely monitoring developments across energy, supply chains, and essential commodities on a real-time basis.” Under the leadership of PM Modi, all necessary steps are being taken to ensure uninterrupted availability of fuel, energy, and other critical supplies for our citizens, Puri said.. We are fully prepared to handle emerging challenges, he added. “India has consistently demonstrated resilience in the face of global uncertainties, and we will continue to act in a timely, proactive, and coordinated manner,” he said.. Lockdown rumours after PM Modi’s speech. India saw a country-wide lockdown in 2020 after the Covid-19 pandemic was declared. Speculation of a similar lockdown emerged yet again after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent speech in Parliament in which he addressed the ongoing crisis in West Asia due to the ongoing Iran-US war.. Several posts claimed that PM Modi was hinting at the possibility of a lockdown and the buzz triggered searches like “Is lockdown coming back to India” and “India lockdown news”.. However, while the Prime Minister did refer to the Covid-19 pandemic during his speech, it was only to point out to how India tackled a global crisis. He did urge people to remain “prepared and united, just as it had stood together during the COVID-19 pandemic,” but never even mentioned the term “lockdown” during his address.. The confusion seems to have spread due to the ongoing LPG supply concerns and fuel-saving measures in some countries.. On March 24, the day the government’s lockdown announcement completed six years, buzz of another such situation gained steam in India, even though the country faces no major threat from the coronavirus anymore.. Excise duty cut on petrol and diesel. In a big reprieve for Indians amid concerns of a spike in fuel prices, the government on Friday announced that the central excise duty on petrol and diesel for domestic consumption has been reduced by ₹10 per litre each.. Furthermore, export duties of ₹21.5 per litre on diesel and ₹29.5 per litre on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) have been imposed to ensure their adequate availability, 

 Petrol and diesel prices in India remained unchanged on Friday, March 27, despite the excise duty cut decision by the government. The central government, in an order Thursday, cut the special additional excise duties on diesel and petrol to ₹3 per litre and zero, respectively.. People queue to fill petrol at a petrol pump at Vashi, in Navi Mumbai, India, on Thursday (HT Photo). Amid concerns of an oil price surge, residents flocked to fuel stations across India. In Uttar Pradesh, police were deployed at several outlets to maintain order and prevent untoward incidents, HT reported.. Petrol prices in the major cities remained largely unchanged. The highest petrol price was recorded in Hyderabad at ₹107.46. Yesterday, the petrol price in Hyderabad stood at the same price.. Over the past 10 days, fluctuations have been observed, with prices ranging between ₹103.50 and ₹90 across cities.. Also read: Govt cuts special additional excise duties on petrol and diesel amid US-Iran war. Here are city-wise petrol prices:. City. Price per litre (Rs). Hyderabad107.46. Kolkata103.54. Mumbai103.54. Bangalore102.96. Bhubaneswar100.94. Chennai101.23. Gurgaoon95.36. Noida94.74. New Delhi94.77. Chandigarh94.30. Here are city-wise diesel prices:. In terms of diesel prices, Hyderabad recorded ₹ 95.70 per litre, which is the same as yesterday.. City. Price per litre (Rs). Hyderabad95.70. Bhubaneswar92.69. Chennai92.39. Kolkata92.02. Bangalore90.99. Mumbai90.03. Noida87.81. Gurgaon87.83. New Delhi87.67. Chandigarh82.45. The notification by central government to slash excise duty comes amid a supply disruption due to the ongoing US-Iran war, which has pushed the global crude oil prices above $100. Disruptions at major supply routes like the Strait of Hormuz have worsened the situation.. Also read: Govt cuts special additional excise duties on petrol and diesel amid US-Iran war. A day earlier, Nayara Energy, India’s largest private fuel retailer, increased petrol prices by ₹5.30 per litre and diesel by ₹3 per litre. According to news agency PTI, Nayara Energy, which operates 6,967 of India’s 102,075 petrol pumps, has decided to pass on part of the increase in input costs to consumers. 

 Live. By. PM Modi’s meet with CMs LIVE updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reportedly chair a meeting with chief ministers of all states, except those heading poll-bound regions, to review their preparedness and plans in light of the West Asia conflict.. 44 Mins agoWhat happened at the all-party meet on West Asia conflict?. 1 Hr 10 Mins agoPM Modi to review fuel, supply readiness amid West Asia conflict. 1 Hr 35 Mins agoPoll-bound CMs to skip PM Modi meet. 1 Hr 37 Mins agoFirst meet with chief ministers on West Asia conflict. This will be the first time the prime minister convenes a meeting with chief ministers on the West Asia conflict, which began on February 28 following an attack by the US and Israel on Iran.. PM Modi’s meet with CMs LIVE updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reportedly hold a meeting on Friday with the chief ministers of all states, except those heading poll-bound regions, to review their preparedness and plans in light of the West Asia conflict. The interaction, which comes days after the PM urged the state governments to work together as ‘Team India’, will be held virtually just as it used to be done during the Covid pandemic, HT earlier reported.. This will be the first time the prime minister convenes a meeting with chief ministers on the West Asia conflict, which began on February 28 following an attack by the US and Israel on Iran. The Persian nation has since retaliated by targeting its Gulf neighbours and Israel.. Key points. The prime minister will interact with the CMs on Friday evening through video conferencing on the West Asia conflict to review preparedness and plans of states. The meeting will focus on ensuring synergy of efforts in the spirit of Team India.. The interaction will review the preparedness of the states to meet the challenge of supply chain issues and constraints in the availability of cooking gas and fuel and will be in line with the PM’s efforts to build a collaborative effort to overcome the challenge, people aware of the matter, cited in the earlier HT report, said.. Chief ministers of states going to the polls will not participate in the meeting due to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). Cabinet Secretariat will separately hold a meeting with the chief secretaries of poll-bound Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry.. The CMs’ meeting follows an all-party meeting convened by the government on Wednesday around 5 pm to discuss the ongoing West Asia conflict, which erupted after US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.. Defence minister Rajnath Singh chaired the meeting, with external affairs minister S Jaishankar and petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri in attendance. The meeting was held inside the Parliament building around 5 pm.. …Read More. Follow all the updates here:. Mar 27, 2026 9:18:25 AM IST. PM Modi’s meet with CMs LIVE updates: Why is PM Modi holding a meet with CMs on West Asia conflict?. PM Modi’s meet with CMs LIVE upd