India is negotiating with the World Bank and ADB for approximately $2.5 billion in loans to fund urban infrastructure and job creation. This comes amid a wider budget gap due to increased subsidies for oil prices affected by Middle East conflict.
Multi-state assembly elections on May 4 will be determined by key constituencies where margins are tight and local dynamics intense. In West Bengal, Bhowanipore and Nandigram are prestige battles for CM Mamata Banerjee against BJP's Suvendu Adhikari. Assam's Jalukbari tests CM Himanta Sarma's urban strength, while Nazira has a razor-thin 683-vote margin. Tamil Nadu's Kolathur tests CM MK Stalin's DMK base, with new entrant Vijay's party challenging in Tiruchirappalli East and Perambur. Kerala's Nemom is a three-way competitive seat, and Puducherry's Thattanchavady sees CM N. Rangasamy defending against a former CM. Turnout has been exceptional, with West Bengal over 92% and Tamil Nadu in mid-80s.
Kirill Logvinov cited the Sakhalin Region as an example
