The Core Report

Ajay Srivastava, founder of GTRI and trade-data expert, and Amit Tandon, founder of IIAS and corporate governance specialist. They discuss market turmoil from Middle East tensions and oil shocks. They cover crashing commodities, risks to fertilizer and LNG supplies, HDFC Bank’s chair resignation and governance dilemmas, and shifts in India’s goods versus services export trends.

Narendra Taneja, chairman of the Independent Energy Policy Institute, explains India’s LPG, LNG and gas distribution headaches. Anindya Banerjee, Kotak Securities' head of commodity research, breaks down how oil and energy shocks move markets and the rupee. They discuss market rebounds, oil arrivals, RBI interventions, and why prolonged conflicts could strain Indian fuel supplies.

Sourav Mitra, Partner–Oil & Gas at Grant Thornton Bharat, explains India’s LPG, crude and gas supply posture. Ambareesh Baliga, market expert, breaks down how institutional flows are steadying markets and when valuations look tempting. They probe geopolitical risks around the Strait of Hormuz, supply rerouting, FX moves and what keeps India’s energy and capital markets resilient.

Amit Kumar Sharma, Head – Americas at VFS Global, outlines travel disruptions, alternate routes and visa responses amid Middle East tensions. Dr. Ashish Lele, Director at CSIR‑NCL, discusses scaling DME as a possible LPG substitute and its methanol feedstock economics. They also cover market reactions to geopolitical shocks and how travel and energy sectors are adapting.

Shankkar Aiyar, economic journalist and author, explains how West Asia shocks ripple into India. He discusses the butterfly effect on global supply chains and why energy resilience matters. He also talks about market moves, oil price impacts and trade shifts. The conversation touches on alternatives to LPG and broader policy lessons.

Boyan Slat, founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup, turned a teenage dive shock into a global cleanup mission. He discusses large ocean systems and river interceptors, recycling and disposal strategies, tech like AI for deployment, challenges in places like Mumbai and Jakarta, and ambitious targets to drastically cut plastic entering the seas.

Indrani Bagchi, foreign affairs commentator and CEO focusing on India-Iran ties and regional shipping risks. Ankita Pathak, chief macro strategist specializing in asset allocation and commodities. They discuss rising oil prices despite pledged supplies. They examine safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, rupee weakness, market reactions, and sector plays like metals and chemicals.

Ajay Rotti, founder and CEO of Tax Compaas, tax and FDI specialist. Manas Majumdar, PwC India partner and Oil & Gas sector lead. They discuss market turmoil from war risks and Strait of Hormuz attacks. They explore oil supply responses, LNG and LPG sourcing challenges, refinery trade-offs, and how relaxed China investment rules change approval timelines.

Nikhil Dubey, a Kpler refining and modelling analyst who tracks crude flows, and Kamal Kishore Chatiwal, MD of Indraprastha Gas Limited leading piped gas expansion. They discuss markets rebounding as gas prices fall. They explore India’s crude sourcing, rerouting costs and refinery flexibility. They also cover scaling piped natural gas into homes and rural network economics.

Ashima Tyagi, S&P Global metals specialist on Indian steel dynamics. Amit Pabari, MD at CR Forex and rupee/FX watcher. They discuss India markets’ sharp fall and quick rebound as oil stabilises. They talk rupee volatility drivers and near-term outlook. They unpack steel price swings, coking coal import risks and trade actions.