From Gulf Wars to Ethanol: How Will It Shape India's Future | THE INDIA REPORT | Ep 1

By Asad Ashraf

June 23, 2026

Three stories this week reveal the same question at the heart of India's future. The first begins with the deaths of three Indian workers in a US missile strike. While diplomats exchanged statements and strategic calculations dominated the discussion, many were left asking a simpler question: what does a nation owe its citizens when they lose their lives abroad?

The second story is the Gulf ceasefire. What seemed like a distant conflict directly affected Indian households through rising fuel, transport and food costs, exposing India's dependence on global energy routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.

The third is the government's move towards 100% ethanol fuel. Presented as a technical policy change, it is also an attempt to reduce India's vulnerability to international energy shocks and strengthen long-term energy security. Together, these stories are connected by one idea: how dependent should India remain on decisions made elsewhere, and how can it better protect both its citizens and its economy?

Every week, Newsreel Asia's new show, The India Report by Asad Ashraf, delves into three major stories in depth, moving beyond the headlines to uncover their broader significance. Using a social science lens, the show explains not only what happened but also why it happened, what it reveals about society, and the broader patterns shaping contemporary India.