Current Affairs 12 March 2026

India Remains a Top Arms Importer as Focus Shifts to Western Defense Suppliers.

India remains the world’s second-largest arms importer, accounting for 8.3% of global imports (2021–2025), according to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Ukraine is the largest importer (9.7% share); Pakistan ranks fifth (4.2% share).
India’s arms imports fell by 4% compared to 2016–2020, due to growth in domestic defense manufacturing.
Foreign reliance continues for combat aircraft (France) and submarines (Germany).
Procurement is driven by security concerns and tensions with China and Pakistan.
Russia’s share of Indian arms imports dropped from 70% (2011–2015) to 40% (2021–2025), as India diversified to France, Israel, and the USA.

Suman Bery, Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog, met Tata Electronics leadership to boost India’s electronics production and global supply chain presence.
Meeting included MD & CEO Randhir Thakur to discuss expanding manufacturing capacity.
Focus on scaling up production and increasing India’s role in global value chains.
Initiative aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat to strengthen domestic capabilities in semiconductors and electronics.
Tata Electronics is a key player in semiconductor testing and mobile component manufacturing.

ABB, Switzerland-based automation machinery manufacturer, announced a $75 million investment in 2026 to expand its manufacturing and R&D footprint in India under its local-for-local strategy.
The investment follows $35 million in 2025, bringing total decade-long investment to over $230 million.
Around 85% of ABB’s products sold in India are manufactured locally.
Expansion will create 300 skilled jobs in engineering and research.

Government of India issued the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026, adding the fertilizer sector to the priority list.
Fertilizer plants classified under Priority Sector-2, ensuring domestic production remains unaffected.
Plants will receive at least 70% of average natural gas consumption based on the last six months.
Measure aims to shield agriculture from global LNG supply disruptions, particularly due to Middle East conflicts.
High-level coordination involved the Department of Fertilizers, fertilizer companies, and the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas.
Goal: Protect Kharif sowing season from potential supply disruptions.

Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of Textiles, released the report Mapping of Textile Waste Value Chain in India.
India generates ~70.73 lakh tonnes of textile waste annually.
Waste sources: 42% from pre-consumer (manufacturing), 58% from post-consumer disposal.
Recovery rate: Over 70% of textile waste is recycled, upcycled, or reused.
Spinning sector: Nearly 100% of spinning waste reintegrated into production.
Informal sector: Supports 40–45 lakh livelihoods, mainly women from marginalized communities in collection and sorting.