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होर्मुज तनाव के बीच भारतीय जहाजों को मिला ‘वॉर रिस्क’ इंश्योरेंस, सरकार ने बनाया करोड़ों का फंड

होर्मुज तनाव के बीच भारतीय जहाजों को मिला ‘वॉर रिस्क’ इंश्योरेंस, सरकार ने बनाया करोड़ों का फंड

by | Apr 18, 2026 | Business


ईरान- यूएस में बढ़ते तनाव के बीच केंद्र सरकार ने भारतीय समुद्री व्यापार की सुरक्षा को लेकर बड़ा कदम उठाया है. केंद्रीय कैबिनेट ने 12,980 करोड़ रुपये के भारत मैरीटाइम इंश्योरेंस पूल को मंजूरी दे दी है. ये फैसला ऐसे समय पर लिया गया है, जब आज ही होर्मुज स्ट्रेट के पास ईरान द्वारा भारतीय जहाजों पर फायरिंग की खबर सामने आई हैं, जिससे समुद्री रास्तों की सुरक्षा को लेकर चिंता बढ़ गई है.

सोशल मीडिया पर दी जानकारी
भारतीय वित्त मंत्रालय ने अपने ऑफिशियल x (ट्विटर) हैंडल से एक ट्वूट कर इस बारे में जानकारी दी है. इस पोस्ट में लिखा गया है, ‘कैबिनेट ने ‘भारत मैरीटाइम इंश्योरेंस पूल’ (BMIP) बनाने के प्रस्ताव को मंजूरी दे दी है. इसके लिए सरकार लगभग 12,980 करोड़ रुपये की गारंटी देगी, ताकि जहाजों को लगातार बीमा सुरक्षा मिलती रहे.’ आगे लिखा गया, ‘ये घरेलू इंश्योरेंस पूल दुनिया में बढ़ती अनिश्चितता और देशों के बीच तनाव जैसी स्थितियों से निपटने में मदद करता है और भारतीय जहाजों को विदेशी बीमा कंपनियों पर निर्भर रहने की जरूरत को कम करता है.’

इस पोस्ट में आगे लिखा गया है, ‘ये इंश्योरेंस पूल समुद्र से जुड़े सभी तरह के जोखिमों को कवर करता है, जैसे जहाज (हुल और मशीनरी), माल (कार्गो), जहाज मालिक की जिम्मेदारी (P&I) और युद्ध से जुड़े खतरे. यह उन जहाजों को भी सुरक्षा देता है जो दुनिया के किसी भी देश से सामान लेकर भारत आ रहे होते हैं, चाहे उन्हें रास्ते में किसी संवेदनशील या जोखिम भरे समुद्री इलाके से ही क्यों न गुजरना पड़े.’

जरूरी था ये फैसला
इस योजना के तहत भारतीय जहाजों को कम प्रीमियम पर बीमा कवर मिलेगा. अगर किसी जहाज को युद्ध या संघर्ष के कारण नुकसान होता है, तो इस फंड से मुआवजा दिया जाएगा. इससे शिपिंग कंपनियों का जोखिम कम होगा और अंतरराष्ट्रीय व्यापार बिना रुकावट जारी रह सकेगा. होर्मुज जैसे संवेदनशील क्षेत्रों में बढ़ते तनाव को देखते हुए ये फैसला बेहद अहम माना जा रहा है. भारतीय अर्थव्यवस्था का बड़ा हिस्सा समुद्री व्यापार पर निर्भर है, और ऐसे में जहाजों की सुरक्षा का ख्याल रखना सबसे महत्वपूर्ण कदम है.





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YES Bank logs robust 45 per cent jump in Q4FY26 standalone net profit at ₹1,068 crore

YES Bank logs robust 45 per cent jump in Q4FY26 standalone net profit at ₹1,068 crore

by | Apr 18, 2026 | Business


Net interest margin (NIM) improved to 2.70 per cent from 2.50 per cent in Q4FY25
| Photo Credit:
th-online Administrator

YES Bank reported a 45 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) jump in fourth quarter (Q4FY26) standalone net profit at ₹1,068 crore against ₹738 crore on the back of healthy growth in net interest income and decline in loan loss provisions even as it showed further improvement in asset quality.

Net interest income (difference between interest earned and interest expended) rose 16 per cent y-o-y to ₹2,638 crore ( ₹2,276 crore in Q4FY25).

Non-Interest Income, including fee-based income, treasury income and recovery in written-off accounts, declined a shade to ₹1,730 crore from ₹1,739 crore in the year ago quarter.

Loan loss provisions declined about 41 per cent y-o-y to ₹188 crore ( ₹318 crore).

In his first media interaction after taking over as MD & CEO on April 6, 2026, Vinay Tonse observed that the bank operates on a stronger base with resilient asset quality, a more granular franchise, a strengthened deposit engine, and renewed stakeholder confidence supported by strong shareholders such as Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), continuing support from State Bank of India and Advent International.

“Our ongoing collaboration with SMBC provides helpful strategic support, particularly in corporate and cross-border banking,” he said.

Net interest margin (NIM) improved to 2.70 per cent from 2.50 per cent in Q4FY25.

Tonse said the improvement in NIM was driven by front-loaded repricing of deposits, which benefited the Bank through the year, continued traction in CASA (current account, savings account) deposits, and also reduction in high-cost borrowings and RIDF (Rural Infrastructure Development Fund)-related mandated deposits.

Asset quality continued to strengthen, with gross NPAs (non-performing assets) and net NPAs declining to 1.3 per cent (from 1.5 per cent as on December-end 2025) and 0.2 per cent (0.3 per cent), respectively. Provision CoveragevRatio was at 81.9 per cent.

“These (asset quality ratios) are the best levels in the last 24 quarters, supported by disciplined underwriting, improved collections, and lower slippages across product segments,” Tonse said.

Recoveries and upgrades for FY26 were ₹4,795 crore, including ₹1,547 crore on security receipts (SRs). The Bank remains on track to deliver the SR recoveries of ₹800 to 1,000 crore in FY27.

YES Bank’s new chief said total advances grew 11.1 per cent year-on-year to ₹2.73 lakh crore, supported by strong momentum in retail disbursements, which grew 41 per cent year-on-year in Q4.

Further, total deposits crossed the ₹3 lakh crore milestone, with CASA balances crossing the milestone of ₹1 lakh crore. CASA grew 14.9 per cent year-on-year, and the CASA ratio improved to 35.1 per cent, (34.3 per cent in Q4FY25)

Published on April 18, 2026



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PM Modi accuses DMK of ‘family rule’, says leaders competing on ‘who will loot more’’

PM Modi accuses DMK of ‘family rule’, says leaders competing on ‘who will loot more’’

by | Apr 18, 2026 | Business


Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a strong attack on the ruling DMK during a rally in Coimbatore, accusing it of promoting dynasty politics and increasing both family wealth and state debt.
| Photo Credit:
PERIASAMY M/THE HINDU

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a blistering attack against the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, alleging that the state has witnessed record increases in both the party’s family wealth and public debt over the past five years. Addressing a rally in Coimbatore ahead of the upcoming elections, PM Modi accused the top DMK leadership of fostering a “By the family, of the family and for the family” culture, claiming this has led to massive economic strain on the people of Tamil Nadu.

“Over the past five years, two things have increased to record levels in Tamil Nadu. The first is one family’s wealth, and the second is Tamil Nadu’s debt. The DMK’s top family is becoming richer and richer while the debt on each person of Tamil Nadu is increasing more and more,” he said.

PM Modi targets DMK leadership, alleges dynasty politics and control over sectors

Intensifying his campaign against the DMK-Congress alliance, the Prime Minister explicitly claimed that key sectors, including media and cinema, are controlled by one family, asserting that senior party politicians are often humiliated by the family’s junior members. “Whenever I meet people from Tamil Nadu, they tell me there is a big competition in the family here. The competition is between the son and the son-in-law. They are competing on who will loot more,” he said, taking a jibe at Chief Minister’s son Udhayanidhi Stalin and his son-in-law V Sabareesan.

Comparing the political culture between the NDA and DMK, PM Modi highlighted the BJP’s ideology, citing leaders like CP Radhakrishnan, who rose in Coimbatore without a “political dynasty”, eventually serving as the Vice President through hard work.

Women’s reservation bill row and Opposition attack

Targeting DMK over its opposition to the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Modi said that they made a ‘U-turn for the Women’s reservation after having supported the passage of the bill in 2023, accusing the ruling Tamil Nadu party of prioritising politics over women’s welfare.

PM Modi highlighted that he appealed to all the political parties during the special sitting of Parliament to support the legislative process, that they can “take the credit” as he only “wanted sisters from ordinary families to come to the Parliament and Assemblies in greater numbers.”

This comes as the Constitution Amendment Bill for the implementation of Women’s Reservation from the 2029 general elections failed to garner two third majority in the Lok Sabha on Friday, with the opposition parties, including DMK and Congress, voting against it. In the division following the debate, 298 members supported the bill while 230 voted against it.

PM accuses DMK of anti-women ideology, expresses confidence in NDA

The Prime Minister accused the DMK of harbouring an “anti-women” ideology and enabling violence, stating that their actions would meet a fitting response from voters. “DMK harms women in Tamil Nadu by enabling violence and crime. They do not stand with women in Parliament either, but now their anti-women ideology will definitely get a befitting reply,” he said. “Tamil Nadu people are giving a clear message that NDA is in, DMK is out,” he declared, expressing confidence ahead of the upcoming April 23 election.

The counting of votes is scheduled on May 4. The main contest is expected between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, which includes the Indian National Congress, DMDK and VCK, and the National Democratic Alliance led by AIADMK with BJP and PMK as allies.

Published on April 18, 2026



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One Indian vessel crosses Hormuz, four others turn back as IRGC opens fire

One Indian vessel crosses Hormuz, four others turn back as IRGC opens fire

by | Apr 18, 2026 | Business


Ships and tankers in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Musandam, Oman, April 18, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
STRINGER

One Indian-flagged oil tanker crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, while at least four others trying to transit the choke point turned back after Iran signalled the strategic waterway was closed again.

Oil tanker Desh Garima appeared to have successfully crossed the Strait on Saturday, ship tracking data showed. The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) tanker is the 10th India-flagged vessel to have crossed the Strait since early March.

As of Saturday evening, it was sailing in the Gulf of Oman, according to ship tracking data from maritime data and intelligence platform MarineTraffic.

MarineTraffic data showed oil tankers Sanmar Herald, Desh Vaibhav and Desh Vibhor, along with bulk carrier Jag Arnav, reversing course near the chokepoint, taking the number of India-flagged ships in the Persian Gulf to 14.

State-run SCI owns Desh Vaibhav and Desh Vibhor, while Sanmar Herald is operated by Sanmar Shipping and Jag Arnav by Great Eastern Shipping Company.

According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, a tanker reported being approached by two Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps gunboats and fired upon about 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman.

This may have prompted the Indian vessels to turn back.

In New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs summoned the Iranian envoy to lodge a protest over the reported targeting of Indian vessels.

According to shipping monitor TankerTrackers.com, two India-flagged ships, including a supertanker carrying Iraqi crude, were forced to turn back after coming under fire.

The disruptions come as scores of commercial vessels and thousands of seafarers remain stranded in the Persian Gulf since the outbreak of the West Asia war on February 28, which has sharply curtailed movement through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz handles about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows, making it one of the world’s most critical energy arteries. Iran’s ability to disrupt traffic through the narrow passage has emerged as a key lever in the conflict.

The halt in transit has driven up energy prices, triggered supply shortages in parts of the world and forced some countries to ration fuel, underscoring the global impact of the standoff.

Published on April 18, 2026



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HDFC Bank Q4 profit rises 9% to ₹19,221 crore; asset quality improves

HDFC Bank Q4 profit rises 9% to ₹19,221 crore; asset quality improves

by | Apr 18, 2026 | Business


The HDFFC Bank also announced a final dividend of ₹13 per share. Management highlighted stable deposit flows and ongoing governance developments.
| Photo Credit:
Dado Ruvic

HDFC Bank reported a 9 per cent year-on-year (yoy) increase in standalone net profit at ₹19,221 crore in the fourth quarter (Q4FY26) against ₹17,616 crore in the year-ago period on the back of a decent growth in other income and a decline in loan loss provisions amid improvement in asset quality.

For the full year, net profit of India’s largest private sector bank rose 10.9 per cent yoy to ₹74,670 crore in FY26 against ₹67,347 crore in FY25. The profitability in the current quarter is within the 6-11 per cent growth range estimated by broking firms.

The Bank’s Board of Directors recommended a final dividend of ₹13 per equity share of ₹1. With this, the total dividend for the year ended March 31, 2026, would be ₹15.50.

Management addresses recent developments

Making a rare appearance (in the backdrop of the abrupt resignation of Part Time Chairman Atanu Chakraborty last month) in a media call to announce the Bank’s financial results, Sashidhar Jagdishan, MD & CEO, said: “In fact, all of you know that we witnessed a very unprecedented event in March. But its (the Bank’s) strength and resilience were seen with stable and strong deposit flows.”

He emphasised that the unequivocal statements issued by the Government of India, the Reserve Bank of India, and SEBI also helped the Bank.

Referring to the appointment of external law firms (two domestic — Trilegal and Wadia Ghandy & Co, and one international), to conduct a review regarding Chakraborty’s resignation letter, Sashidhar said the legal review is in progress and as and when a report is brought out, the Bank will come into the open, providing a summary of the same.

Leadership and governance updates

On the appointment of a new Part-Time Chairman, Jagdishan emphasised that both he and Kaizad Bharucha, Deputy Managing Director, are rooting for Keki Mistry, currently interim Chairman of HDFC Bank. But obviously, the nomination and remuneration committee (NRC) and the Board will take a collective decision. So, it could be Mistry or anyone else.

On the re-appointment of Sashidhar, whose term as MD & CEO ends on October 26, 2026, for a third term, Bharucha said the NRC and the Board are completely seized of the matter, and this will be taken up in due course.

Regulatory and legal matters

Referring to the alleged mis-selling of AT-I bonds to NRIs in Dubai and a complaint lodged with the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), Sashidhar noted that, as per the Commission’s observation, India is not the jurisdiction for the complaint, and it has to move to the overseas jurisdiction where the event happened.

The Bank’s chief pointed out that, as per a couple of points mentioned in the NCDRC order, the complainants were not retail or uninformed investors. They had a clear intent to pursue high-yield, high-risk investment products, he added.

Operational performance in Q4

In the reporting quarter, the Bank reported a 3 per cent yoy increase in net interest income at ₹33,082 crore (₹R32,066 crore in Q4FY25).

Other income rose about 10 per cent yoy to ₹13,199 crore (₹12,028 crore). Loan loss provisions were down 21 per cent yoy at ₹2,610 crore (₹3,193 crore).

Asset quality improved, with the gross non-performing assets (GNPAs) ratio improving to 1.15 per cent of gross advances as at March-end 2026, from 1.33 per cent as at March-end 2025. Net NPA position too improved to 0.38 per cent of net advances from 0.43 per cent.

Published on April 18, 2026



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Kiwi cofounder Mohit Bedi steps back from executive role, shifts focus to advisory and investing

Kiwi cofounder Mohit Bedi steps back from executive role, shifts focus to advisory and investing

by | Apr 18, 2026 | Business


Founded in 2022, Kiwi last raised $24 million in a funding round led by Vertex Ventures in August last year
| Photo Credit:
NanoStockk

Mohit Bedi, Cofounder of fintech start-up Kiwi, has stepped away from an active executive role after four years of helping build the company, as he looks to prioritise personal commitments.

In a LinkedIn post on Saturday, Bedi said he will now focus on “personal and family” priorities, while continuing to remain associated with the company as an advisor and long-term shareholder.

“Kiwi is in great shape, strong momentum, strong team, strong vision,” he wrote, adding that day-to-day operations will now be led by Cofounders Anup Agrawal and Siddharth Mehta.

Bedi said he will increasingly spend time on advisory roles, funding and angel investing, and has already backed a few early-stage startups.

Prior to cofounding Kiwi, Bedi spent over seven years at Axis Bank, where he rose to senior vice president and business head roles across consumer card products and merchant acquiring, managing both credit and debit portfolios.

He later joined PayU as senior vice president in 2022, working on strategic initiatives and the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) operations in India.

Founded in 2022, Kiwi last raised $24 million in a funding round led by Vertex Ventures in August last year. Existing investors Nexus Venture Partners, Omidyar Network and Stellaris Venture Partners also participated.

Kiwi issues RuPay credit cards in partnership with Yes Bank and AU Small Finance Bank, enabling payments via UPI.

It also offers UPI-based credit lines, allowing users to access pre-approved credit through linked bank accounts. Since launching in 2023, Kiwi has issued over 200,000 RuPay credit cards and processes more than 5 million merchant transactions each month across 600 cities.

Published on April 18, 2026



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