Babus, mantris & buzz: India to posture affirmatively for FTA talks with the US; cuts to Russian oil imports expected
India to posture affirmatively for FTA talks with the US; cuts to Russian oil imports expected
The United States has announced sweeping sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Russia’s top oil producers, marking one of Washington’s strongest economic offensives since the Ukraine conflict began. The sanctions freeze assets linked to the two firms and prohibit global companies from engaging with them, with a November 21 deadline for contracts to be wound down. The move aims to choke off key funding channels sustaining the Kremlin’s war effort and puts pressure on major Asian buyers, particularly India and China, which have been leading purchasers of discounted Russian crude since 2022. Top Indian refiners are now preparing to cut Russian oil imports sharply, with private and state-run companies reviewing contracts to ensure compliance. India had been sourcing nearly a third of its crude from Russia, but the new restrictions are expected to drive those volumes down significantly, possibly to near zero in the coming months. The decision is viewed as a strategic recalibration aligning New Delhi more closely with U.S. policy at a crucial stage in bilateral economic talks. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal recently confirmed that negotiations for a free trade agreement with the U.S. are “progressing in a cordial atmosphere,” signaling optimism that removing Russian oil as a sticking point could help seal the long-awaited trade pact by the end of 2025.
BUREAUCRACY
Mission Kargil: IPS Shree Raam Ragvan Takes Policing to the Next Level
IPS Shree Raam Ragvan is a 2019 Batch Officer of AGMUT cadre and is currently posted as SSP Kargil, Ladakh. Operating in one of India’s most challenging environments, maintaining law and order demands both strategy and resilience. His mission for the district focuses on strengthening core policing by enhancing crime detection, tackling drug trafficking and ensuring speedy justice. One of his most significant achievements has been improving the crime disposal rate from 60% to an impressive 82% ensuring timely justice. “Our aim has been to clear backlogs and ensure that NDPS cases are resolved quickly by going straight to the source” he shared. Focusing on detection and recognising the growing drug menace arising from cross-border heroin inflows and local trafficking routes, Shree Raam has adopted a community-driven approach. He has been collaborating closely with religious organisations and local communities to strengthen preventive and enforcement efforts. “This collaboration has been working well, recently, we even identified a gangster who was supplying drugs to Kargil, targeting the main dealers there” he shared.
Another major area of concern has been theft cases, particularly those affecting monasteries and local communities where such incidents can quickly escalate into sensitive law and order issues. Acknowledging the result, he said “This year, we’ve solved almost all of them,”
Equally significant is his focus on POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) cases. In a conservative society where victims and families are often hesitant to come forward, he has initiated awareness drives to encourage anonymous reporting and community sensitisation.
SSP Shree Raam Ragvan is redefining policing in Kargil by using law enforcement not only as a tool that protects but also by empowering people it serves.
Are Young IFS officers considering a career in Media?
The growing appetite for international affairs and strategic discourse among Indian audiences is reshaping both diplomacy and media. With nearly every leading broadcaster launching dedicated “World” networks, the media landscape has become a lucrative platform for expertise-driven commentary. As this trend gathers pace, a new generation of Indian Foreign Service officers—especially those in their 30s—are beginning to explore alternative careers in the media industry. Traditionally, many retired diplomats transitioned into think tanks or commentary roles post-retirement. But today’s younger officers, equipped with diplomatic experience and global exposure, see television and digital platforms as outlets for impactful engagement that bypass bureaucratic hierarchies and constraints.
This shift reflects a deeper transformation in India’s diplomatic ecosystem. As media narratives increasingly shape global perceptions of India’s strategic posture, diplomacy is no longer confined to embassies or official communiqués. The lines between statecraft and storytelling are blurring, and the voices guiding India’s foreign policy narrative may soon emerge not just from South Block—but from the studios of New Delhi and beyond.
IAS officer takes VRS in Telengana
Telengana cadre 1999 batch IAS officer Syed Ali Murtaza Rizvi has sought voluntary retirement from October 31.
Navy appointments next week likely
Navy appointments will be officially announced imminently, reflecting strategic choices by the Indian Navy that will influence its operational effectiveness in critical maritime regions. The leadership change comes at a time of increasing Indo-Pacific maritime importance, underscoring the significance of these two commands in India’s defence posture.
This leadership transition is not just a routine succession but a key moment highlighting the evolving strategic priorities and leadership emphasis within the Indian Navy. The focus on proven, experienced officers like Vice Admirals Saxena, Vatsayan, Kochhar, and Swaminathan illustrates the Navy’s commitment to maintaining robust command structures amid complex security challenges.
Karan Yadav is CDA Afganistan
Karan Yadav will be new CDA in Indian Embassay Kabul. He is 2014 batch IFS officer.
Tarun Kumar Pithode joins as full-time Member Secretary, CAQM
Tarun Kumar Pithode, an Officer of the 2009 batch of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Madhya Pradesh Cadre, has taken charge as the new full-time Member Secretary of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM).
Dinesh Singh returns to parent cadre
Dinesh Singh, Development Commissioner, Kandla Special Economic Zone, Kandla, has been given premature repatriation to his parent cadre in order to avail the benefit of promotion in the cadre. He is a 1989 batch IOFS officer.
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