Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman's adviser, Zahed ur Rahman, departed Delhi after a dispute with immigration over past controversial statements about India. Dhaka summoned the Indian charge d'affaires to express displeasure.
India is negotiating ethanol exports to Nepal and other SAARC nations to support farmers and strengthen the rural economy. Nepal plans to start 10% ethanol blending and lacks sufficient domestic feedstock infrastructure. The government currently prohibits 1G ethanol exports but may reconsider as neighboring countries show interest. Higher ethanol blending (E20) saves Rs 40,000 crore annually in foreign exchange, with potential savings reaching Rs 1 lakh crore at higher blends like E85 and E100.
India has approved a ₹3,000-crore currency swap for the Maldives under the SAARC framework (2024-2027) to support the island nation's stressed economy. The facility allows the Maldives to access foreign exchange during liquidity stress without relying solely on commercial borrowings, helping manage balance-of-payment pressures and maintain macroeconomic stability. This support comes as the Maldives faces economic downturn with reduced tourist flows and increased energy costs following US-Israeli strikes on Iran that began in late February 2026. The approval underscores the enduring partnership between India and the Maldives, with New Delhi providing over $1 billion in financial assistance since 2024.
India has approved a Rs 30 billion currency swap for the Maldives under the SAARC Currency Swap Framework, reaffirming New Delhi's role as a key financial partner. The drawdown coincides with the Maldives settling a $400 million swap facility from October 2024. The facility will support economic stability amid regional challenges, with India extending aggregate swap support worth $1.1 billion to the Maldives since 2012.
