Global green methanol supply deal seals with Mitsubishi Gas Chemical
India signed its first binding global green methanol supply deal on 3 July 2026. ACME Green Molecules, part of the ACME Group, entered a long-term agreement with Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company for the supply of 100,000 tonnes per annum of green methanol, valued at about USD 1 billion. The green methanol will be produced at ACME’s Paradip facility in Odisha, marking the group’s third major investment in the state. The deal aligns with EU rules on renewable fuels, and supports decarbonisation goals across industrial markets where India seeks to expand exports and energy security.
Binding green methanol deal signed on 3 July 2026
100,000 tonnes per annum; ~USD 1 billion
Production at Paradip, Odisha
ACME Green Molecules and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical partner
Supports EU compliance and India’s export aims
NPCI-HSBC tie enables real-time FX for cross-border UPI
NPCI announced a strategic partnership with HSBC India to enable real-time foreign exchange settlement for cross-border UPI payments. The UPI network is already live in nine countries, including Singapore, UAE, Nepal, Bhutan, Mauritius, France, Sri Lanka, Qatar and Cambodia. The collaboration will deliver real-time FX pricing via direct API integration, allowing users to see exact INR costs at the point of transaction when shopping abroad. This further expands the international footprint of UPI, providing greater transparency and smoother cross-border shopping for Indian travellers and workers.
HSBC India partners with NPCI for FX settlement
Real-time FX pricing via API
UPI live in 9 countries worldwide
Enhances cross-border shopping with transparency
Supports expansion of India's digital payments footprint
I-2SEA submarine cable to link India, Malaysia and Singapore
On 2 July 2026, a consortium led by Lightstorm announced the I-2SEA submarine cable system, connecting India, Malaysia and Singapore. The 3,600-kilometre route runs from Singapore to Machilipatnam, India, with dual landings at Machilipatnam and South Chennai. NEC Corporation is the system supplier and ASEAN Cableship is the marine installer; capacity commitments are open. The Indian landing sites will link to Hyderabad and Chennai data-centre clusters, enabling unified network management via Lightstorm’s AI Fabric and Polarin. Targeted readiness is in Q4 2029, designed to meet surging AI and cloud workloads across the India–Southeast Asia corridor.
Nagaland-based para-athlete Hokato Hotozhe Sema has risen to World No. 1 in the men’s Shot Put F57 category as of 2 July 2026. A Subedar in the 9 Assam Regiment of the Indian Army, Sema began shot put at the age of 32 after losing his left leg in a 2002 landmine explosion during a military operation. He previously won a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics with a personal best of 14.65 metres at Stade de France. Sema’s achievement underscores India’s growing strength in para-sports and the support provided to differently-abled athletes. He has been honoured with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Arjuna Award for his sporting achievements and service.
World No. 1 in Shot Put F57 as of 2 July 2026
Paralympic bronze at Paris 2024 with 14.65 m PB
Subedar in the 9 Assam Regiment, Indian Army
Began shot put after 2002 landmine injury
Recipient of AVSM and Arjuna Award
Ben Stokes retires from international cricket and England captaincy
Ben Stokes has announced his retirement from international cricket and from the role of England Test captain. The decision will take effect after the Third Rothesay Test at Trent Bridge. Stokes began his international career in 2011 with the white ball sides and debuted in Test cricket in December 2013 in Adelaide during the Ashes. As captain since April 2022, he led England through memorable moments, including the 2019 World Cup victory and Ashes exploits. His retirement marks the end of an era for England cricket, with a career defined by leadership, grit and dramatic comebacks.
Stokes retires from international cricket and England Test captaincy
To conclude after Third Rothesay Test at Trent Bridge
Test debut in December 2013 (Adelaide)
England captain since April 2022
Key moments include 2019 World Cup final and Ashes wins
India and Japan jointly announced a defence co‑development project for the Naval Radio Antenna UNICORN, a Unified Complex Radio Antenna / NORA‑50 integration mast. The initiative aims to reduce radar cross section by consolidating antennas into a single radome, while housing TACAN, communications and IFF systems and ESM sensors. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the collaboration as a new chapter in defence technology partnership, intended to strengthen regional peace, maritime security and the rules-based order. The UNICORN mast seeks to enhance ship stealth and information sharing across the Indian and Japanese navies.
UNICORN stands for Unified Complex Radio Antenna
NORA‑50 integration mast for naval use
consolidates radar antennas into a single radome
Joint project between India and Japan
Aims to strengthen regional maritime security
Air Marshal Jasvir Mann becomes AOC-in-C, Southern Air Command
Air Marshal Jasvir Singh Mann assumed command as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Air Command. The ceremony included a Guard of Honour at the headquarters. Commissioned into the fighter stream on 16 December 1989, Mann is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, the Higher Air Command Course and the Royal College of Defence Studies in London. A qualified Pilot Attack Instructor, he has logged over 3,000 flying hours on aircraft including the Apache, MiG‑21, Jaguar, MiG‑29, Su‑30 and Rafale. He has commanded a fighter squadron and held senior staff roles; AVSM and VM laurels mark his career.
Appointed AOC-in-C, Southern Air Command
Commissioned 16 December 1989
Over 3,000 flying hours on multiple aircraft
Former fighter squadron commander and senior staff roles
Sunil Bharti Mittal honoured with USISPF Leadership Award 2026
Sunil Bharti Mittal, founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises, received the 2026 Leadership Award at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit in Washington, DC. The award recognises his role in strengthening economic ties between India and North America. Mittal accepted the honour via a video message and joined other laureates including Christopher Calio and V Prem Watsa. USISPF highlighted Mittal’s influence in transforming India’s telecommunications landscape through Bharti Enterprises. The summit brought government officials and industry leaders together ahead of the United States' 250th Independence Day celebrations.
Mittal receives 2026 USISPF Leadership Award
Event held in Washington, DC
Recognises impact on India-North America economic ties
ASSOCHAM Electric Mobility Conference highlights policy roadmap
New Delhi hosted the National Conference on Electric Mobility on 2 July 2026, titled Electric Mobility: Building India an Electric Mobility Hub for Viksit Bharat. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav attended as Chief Guest. Discussions covered policy continuity, charging infrastructure, and localisation of manufacturing within India’s EV ecosystem. The Delhi EV Policy 2.0 was cited as a model for other states, along with the national vision Viksit Bharat 2047. Emphasis was placed on a circular economy and support for MSMEs. ASSOCHAM outlined a plan to work with ministries through 20 sector councils under its ASSOCHAM 2.0 initiative.
Conference held on 2 July 2026 in New Delhi
Delhi EV Policy 2.0 cited as model
Focus on charging infra, local manufacturing, MSMEs
Viksit Bharat 2047 and circular economy themes
ASSOCHAM to coordinate via 20 sector councils
Odisha cabinet clears deep sea fishing mission worth over Rs 2,000 crore
The Odisha government approved a deep sea fishing mission with an outlay exceeding Rs 2,000 crore, aiming to transform the state into a leading marine export hub. The flagship project from the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department seeks to unlock offshore fisheries potential, modernise infrastructure, boost seafood exports and improve livelihoods for fishing communities. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi chaired the cabinet meeting, with Chief Secretary Anu Garg outlining the plan. The mission aligns with blue economy goals and positions Odisha as a key player in India’s maritime economy.
Cabinet approves deep sea fishing mission > Rs 2,000 crore