News Broadcasting
Network18 to hold ‘The India – China Dialogues’ in Beijing
MUMBAI: In the lead up to PM Narendra Modi’s visit to China, Network 18 has launched ‘The India – China Dialogues,’ which is an initiative that aims to mirror the emerging dynamism in bilateral policy making and reflect on the areas of mutual cooperation between India and China.
The full day conclave will be hosted on 12 May, 2015 at Park Hyatt, Beijing and broadcast across the leading Network18 channels including CNN-IBN and IBN7.
The second such initiative in a series of ‘Dialogues’ after the India-US Dialogues organised on the eve of President Barack Obama’s visit to India in January this year, the India – China Dialogues endeavours to build a critical mass – both intellectual and proper to propel this vital relationship to the next level.
With Modi’s maiden journey to Beijing, this year will see the recalibration and cementing of bilateral ties between Asia’s two leading economies – India and China. Modi’s trip is all set to be a potentially defining one, which could transform ties between the two Asian neighbours and create new opportunities for their people.
The India – China Dialogues will see distinguished dignitaries from both sides examining key areas that are pivotal in this partnership. Topics ranging from trade and investment, technology cooperation and the business prospects with Make in India, will be discussed. The expert panel will also explore the synergies for growth in the areas of tourism, healthcare and education, people to people relations.
IBN Network CEO Avinash Kaul said, “As Asia’s leading economies come together, we are looking forward to solution led discussions that will help the two nations to further cultivate their relations and script new pathways of progress for all. I’m sure that the India-China Dialogues will serve as a beneficial platform to examine key areas that will shape the relationship between the two countries and ideate out-of-the-box solutions for the two governments.”
Network 18 group president – news Umesh Upadhyay added, “We at Network18 take immense pride in announcing The India – China Dialogues after the huge success of The India-US Dialogues. Marking the prestigious occasion of our Prime Ministers visit to China, this conclave aims to give our viewers an in-depth analysis of the relationship between India and China and set the tone for PM Modi’s visit.”
News Broadcasting
Induction cooktop demand spikes 30× amid LPG supply concerns
Supply worries linked to West Asia tensions push households and restaurants to turn to electric cooking alternatives
MUMBAI: As geopolitical tensions in West Asia ripple through global energy supply chains, the familiar blue flame in Indian kitchens is facing an unexpected challenger: electricity.
What began as concerns over the availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has quickly evolved into a technology-driven shift in cooking habits. Households across India are increasingly turning to induction cooktops and other electric appliances, initially as a backup but now, for many, a necessity.
A sudden surge in demand
Recent data from quick-commerce and grocery platform BigBasket highlights the scale of the shift. According to Seshu Kumar Tirumala, the company’s chief buying and merchandising officer, demand for induction cooktops has risen dramatically.
“Induction cooktops have seen a significant surge in demand, recording a fivefold jump on 10 March and a thirtyfold spike on 11 March,” Tirumala said.
The increase stands out sharply when compared with broader kitchen appliance trends. Most appliance categories are growing within 10 per cent of their typical demand levels, while induction cooktops have witnessed explosive growth as households rush to secure an alternative cooking option.
Major e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart have reported rising searches and orders for induction stoves. Quick-commerce apps such as Blinkit and Zepto have also witnessed stock shortages in major metropolitan areas including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
What was once considered a convenient appliance for hostels, small kitchens or occasional use has suddenly become an essential addition in many homes.
A crisis thousands of miles away
The trigger for this shift lies far beyond India’s kitchens.
Escalating conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Nearly 85 to 90 per cent of India’s LPG imports pass through this narrow waterway, making the country particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions.
The ripple effects have been swift.
India currently meets roughly 60 per cent of its LPG demand through imports, and tightening global supply has already begun to affect domestic availability and prices.
Earlier this month, the price of domestic LPG cylinders increased by Rs 60, while commercial cylinders rose by more than Rs 114.
To discourage panic buying and hoarding, the government has also extended the mandatory waiting period between domestic refill bookings from 21 days to 25 days.
Restaurants feel the pressure
The strain is not limited to households. Restaurants, hotels and roadside eateries are also grappling with supply constraints as commercial LPG availability tightens under restrictions imposed through the Essential Commodities Act.
In cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai, restaurant associations report that commercial LPG availability has dropped by as much as 75 per cent, forcing many establishments to rethink their kitchen operations.
Some restaurants have reduced menu offerings, while others are rapidly installing high-efficiency induction systems, creating hybrid kitchens where electricity now shares the workload with gas.
For smaller eateries and roadside dhabas, the shift is less about sustainability and more about survival.
A potential structural shift
The government has maintained that there is no nationwide LPG crisis and has directed refineries to increase production to stabilise supply.
Nevertheless, the developments of March 2026 may already be triggering a longer-term behavioural shift.
For decades, LPG has been the backbone of cooking in Indian households. However, recent disruptions have highlighted the risks of relying on a single fuel source.
Increasingly, households appear to be hedging against uncertainty by adopting electric cooking options to guard against price volatility and delivery delays.
If the current trend continues, the induction cooktop, once viewed as a niche appliance, could emerge as a quiet symbol of India’s evolving kitchen economy.
