Daily News - Monday, 29 December 2025

India Hits 50% Non-Fossil Power Capacity, 5 Years Ahead of Target. India Saves $46 Billion Through Clean Energy Transition (The New Indian Express)

India achieved 50% non‑fossil installed electricity capacity in 2025, five years ahead of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target of 2030. Solar power surged from 2.8 GW in 2014 to 133 GW in 2025, while wind energy rose from 21 GW to 54 GW, and biopower expanded from 8.1 GW to 12 GW. Domestic solar module manufacturing capacity grew from 2 GW to 123 GW, and solar cell manufacturing reached 27 GW, making India the third‑largest solar generator globally. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), led by Pralhad Joshi, credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for guiding India’s green transformation. India’s clean energy transition saved nearly ₹4 lakh crore (~$46 billion) in fossil fuel and pollution costs, including $14.9 billion from fossil fuel savings alone. Policy support for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and pumped storage projects in 2025 marked a new phase in renewable energy growth, strengthening supply chains and reducing import dependence.

Rolls‑Royce Big Investment Plan in India: AMCA Jet Engine Development With India’s Defence Ministry (Business Today)

Rolls‑Royce plc, led in India by Sashi Mukundan (Executive VP), announced plans to make India its third home market after the UK, US, and Germany. The company is preparing a big investment to co‑develop a next‑generation aero engine for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a flagship fifth‑generation fighter jet programme. Rolls‑Royce has offered technology transfer and joint intellectual property (IP) ownership, ensuring India gains strategic control over engine design. The initiative will also support naval propulsion systems, with modern electric and hybrid warship engines derived from aero‑engine cores, strengthening India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) priorities. Two MoUs with Indian defence PSUs are planned: one for Arjun main battle tank engines and another for future combat vehicle engines, expanding into land systems. Rolls‑Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilgic told Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2025 that India is “very critical” for the company’s future, aligning with India’s Make in India and indigenous defence capability push.

Delhi Airport Sees 9% Growth in Passenger Capacity and Joins World’s Top 10 Busiest Airports, Giving Boost to India’s Aviation Economy (NDTV)

As South Asia’s largest hub, Delhi is becoming a gateway for global airlines, boosting tourism, trade, and economic integration. Global air travel ended 2025 on a high note, with major hubs reporting strong seat capacity, and Dubai International Airport retaining its position as the busiest in the world with 5.50 million scheduled seats. Atlanta Hartsfield‑Jackson followed closely with 5.21 million seats, while Tokyo Haneda secured third place at 4.67 million, reflecting the dominance of long‑established gateways. India’s Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi climbed to seventh place globally, recording 4.31 million seats and marking a 9% increase compared to December 2024. This growth highlights the surge in India’s domestic travel demand, coupled with expanding international connections that are positioning Delhi as South Asia’s leading aviation hub. The rankings, based on scheduled seat capacity rather than flight movements, underscore how Delhi is now competing with global giants like London Heathrow, Shanghai Pudong, and Chicago O’Hare. India’s presence in the top 10 busiest airports signals its rising importance in global aviation, reflecting both economic momentum and the country’s growing role in international connectivity.

India’s External Debt Climbs to $736.3 Billion, Debt‑to‑GDP at 19.1% RBI and Finance Ministry Report 10% Rise in Overseas Borrowings in FY25 (ZEE NEWS)

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reported that India’s external debt reached US$736.3 billion at end‑March 2025, compared to US$668.8 billion in March 2024, raising the debt‑to‑GDP ratio to 19.1% from 18.5%. The Ministry of Finance’s Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) noted that long‑term debt accounts for over 80% of the total, while short‑term debt dipped slightly, though its ratio to foreign exchange reserves rose to 20.1%. Major lenders include multilateral institutions such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, alongside foreign banks, institutional investors, and commercial markets. Non‑Resident Indian (NRI) deposits remain a critical source, providing India with a stable funding base, while commercial borrowing supports infrastructure, industrial growth, and employment. Despite being a borrower, India also extends economic assistance to 65+ countries through lines of credit, grants, and technical cooperation, strengthening its soft power. Economists argue the debt is manageable, backed by strong foreign exchange reserves (~US$650 billion) and a growing economy, but caution that effective use of borrowed funds is essential to sustain development and job creation.