The Elders' delegation to visit a Delhi mohalla clinic
New Delhi, June 15: A team from The Elders -- an international NGO former by South African statesman Nelson Mandela comprising noted public figures -- has sought to meet Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and also proposed to visit a mohalla clinic here.
In a letter dated June 13, the Chair of The Elders Kofi Annan, who was also a former UN Secretary-General and a Nobel Peace Laureate, informed Kejriwal that "an Elders delegation will visit India from September 5-8".
"They would be honoured to meet with you during their visit and would also propose to visit a mohalla clinic," he said.
Annan also wrote to Kejriwal last year regarding Universal Health Coverage (UHC), a health Sustainable Development Goal, and the health reforms Kejriwal's administration has implemented, commending the provision of free primary healthcare services through the mohalla clinic.
The delegation will be led by Gro Harlem Brundtland, Deputy Chair of The Elders and three-time Prime Minister of Norway, and have former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
The Elders, which comprises elder statesmen, peace activists, and human rights advocates, were brought together by Mandela in 2007.
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Middle East crisis: Oil prices cross $83 per barrel as Strait of Hormuz disruption hits supply
New Delhi: Global crude oil prices rose sharply on Thursday, crossing $83 per barrel, following Iran’s move to shut down the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Oil prices have increased by more than 2 per cent due to concerns over supply disruptions in the region, which is a key route for global energy shipments.
A sustained rise in crude prices could significantly affect India’s import bill. Government estimates indicate that an increase of $1 per barrel in crude oil prices for a full year could raise India’s import bill by around Rs 16,000 crore.
However, government sources said India remains in a relatively comfortable position in the short term. The country currently has crude oil reserves sufficient for about 25 days, along with an additional 25 days’ supply of petroleum products, including shipments already in transit to Indian ports.
India imports nearly 85 per cent of its crude oil requirements from the Middle East, with much of the supply traditionally passing through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes.
Officials said India has strengthened its energy security in recent years by diversifying its sources of crude oil imports. Supplies have increasingly been sourced from countries such as Russia, African nations and the United States, reducing dependence on Gulf routes.
As a result, a portion of India’s oil imports now bypasses the Strait of Hormuz.
India spent about $137 billion on crude oil imports in the financial year ending March 31, 2025. In the current financial year, from April 2025 to January 2026, the country spent approximately $100.4 billion to import 206.3 million tonnes of crude oil.
