A small window has opened. Ships are crossing the Strait of Hormuz again. For India, which has spent three weeks urgently working to secure its energy supplies, the relief is limited — but it is welcome. The year 2026 began well. Private sector activity was rising. Business confidence was high. Then the war broke out, and the data has been deteriorating ever since. India’s composite PMI fell to 56.5 in March from 58.9 in February — the lowest since October 2022. Factory output is at its weakest since August 2021. The services sector is expanding at its slowest pace since January 2025. Companies point to three causes: the conflict, unstable markets, and rising costs. Prime Minister Modi addressed Parliament for a second consecutive day, warning of serious consequences if the crisis persists. India is sourcing energy from 41 countries. And today, Modi raised the Strait of Hormuz directly with Trump, in a call the Americans initiated. The message from New Delhi was unambiguous: keep it open, keep it secure, keep it accessible.
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Donald Trump | PM Modi | Energy Supply Shortage | Firstpost | World News | News Live | Vantage | Palki Sharma | News
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