Shift to digital e-OCI cards gains traction as physical booklets phased out
Swiss Schengen visas for Indians show 7-day turnaround, hinting at capacity boost
India steps up protection for seafarers as global flash-points widen
Latest News
13 Indian crew stranded on MV AMIR1 as Black Sea strikes intensify
The cargo ship MV AMIR1, carrying 13 Indian sailors, is trapped at Ukraine’s Chornomorsk port amid drone and missile attacks. India’s embassy is working on safe-passage options but mined waters and a Russian blockade complicate evacuation. The incident raises new alarms for crew welfare and could further disrupt India–Ukraine grain logistics.
UK’s New Diplomatic Visa Arrangement for Indian Passport-Holders Takes Effect Today
The UK Home Office’s changes to the Immigration Rules come into force today, creating a fee-free, fingerprint-free “Diplomatic Visa Arrangement” for Indian diplomatic passport-holders. The streamlined process delivers multi-entry, two-year visas for stays of up to six months, cutting red tape for official Indian delegations and easing last-minute travel. Businesses with government stakeholders gain from quicker scheduling, while the policy signals goodwill ahead of UK–India trade talks.
Report shows Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb traffic holding steady despite security fears
Fresh S&P Global numbers show vessel flows through the Bab el-Mandeb and Strait of Hormuz remain near normal levels, easing fears of an immediate supply-chain crunch for India’s energy and export cargoes. However, a build-up of Iranian crude in floating storage and a rise in ‘dark’ transits keep insurance costs elevated.