India rekindles old friendship to fill energy shortage
To fill the massive energy void from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Delhi has turned once again to an old friend: Moscow. Soon after the Iran war began, the US temporarily allowed India to buy more Russian crude, after spending the preceding six months urging them to stop. The two Soviet-era pals are now set to go further: the South Asian behemoth is reportedly preparing to buy Russian liquefied natural gas for the first time since the Kremlin began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. What’s more, India will reportedly double its imports of Russian crude.
US-China competition in the DRC heats up
China and the Democratic Republic of the Congo expanded their mining ties on Thursday, signing a deal that includes cooperation on geological data sharing and allows an iron ore project to receive priority support from China. The agreement comes as Washington and Beijing vie for influence in the mineral-rich central African country – it is the leading producer of cobalt, which is critical for electric vehicle production. The US signed a strategic partnership with the DRC regarding critical minerals last December, one that is reportedly binding and broader than the China pact. Under the terms, Washington helps Kinshasa with security amid its conflict with the M23 rebel group, in return for mining access. However, Kinshasa apparently doesn’t want to pick sides between the US and China, preferring instead to hedge its bets.
Speaking of the fighting between Congolese forces and the M23 rebels, a UN envoy warned on Thursday that the conflict is escalating and expanding. The envoy said more civilians are under threat, too, amid increased use of heavy weapons and drones.
