Saudi-Indian MoU on Electrical Interconnection, Green Clean Hydrogen, Supply Chains

Saudi Energy Minister and Indian Minister of Electricity, New and Renewable Energy during the signing of an MoU between the two countries. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Energy Minister and Indian Minister of Electricity, New and Renewable Energy during the signing of an MoU between the two countries. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi-Indian MoU on Electrical Interconnection, Green Clean Hydrogen, Supply Chains

Saudi Energy Minister and Indian Minister of Electricity, New and Renewable Energy during the signing of an MoU between the two countries. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Energy Minister and Indian Minister of Electricity, New and Renewable Energy during the signing of an MoU between the two countries. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and Raj Kumar Singh, India’s minister of electricity, new and renewable energy, signed an MoU between the two parties in the areas of electrical interconnection, green clean hydrogen, and supply chains.

The MoU was inked on the sidelines of the Middle East and North Africa Climate Week organized by the Kingdom in the city of Riyadh in cooperation with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

It aims to establish a general framework for collaboration between the two parties in the areas of electrical interconnection, exchange of currents during peak times and emergencies, development, and joint production of clean hydrogen and renewable energy projects in both countries.

The MoU included collaboration in conducting the necessary studies and coordinating with relevant authorities and companies.

Moreover, the agreement seeks to establish safe, reliable, and flexible supply chains for materials used in green hydrogen and the renewable energy sector in accordance with the two countries’ capabilities and the regulations and laws enforced in India and the Kingdom.



Gold Drops Nearly 2% on Profit-booking, Trump's Treasury Secretary Pick

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
TT

Gold Drops Nearly 2% on Profit-booking, Trump's Treasury Secretary Pick

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

Gold dropped nearly 2% on Monday, weighed down by profit-taking after a five-session rally, with further pressure from the announcement of fund manager Scott Bessent as the next US Treasury secretary.
Spot gold was down 1.8% at $2,664.53 per ounce, as of 0619 GMT, after declining more than 2% earlier in the session. Bullion had hit its highest since Nov. 6 earlier in the day.
US gold futures shed 1.7% to $2,666.40.
Gold's five-session rally has paused due to some profit-taking and Donald Trump's pick of Bessent as the next US Treasury secretary, hinting at tempered use of tariffs and easing US-China trade uncertainty, said IG market strategist Yeap Jun Rong.
President-elect Trump has floated the idea of a 60% tariff on Chinese goods and at least a 10% levy on all other imports.
Gold is considered a safe investment during times of economic and political uncertainty.
Investors are also awaiting minutes of the Federal Reserve's November meeting, GDP data (first revision), and core PCE figures, all due this week.
Traders currently see a 56% chance of another 25-basis-point rate cut in December, compared to 62% last week, according to the CME Fedwatch tool.
Recent less dovish signals from US policymakers suggest any unexpected rise in inflation could strengthen expectations of a rate hold in December, Rong said.
Higher interest rates tend to make gold less appealing, as they yield no interest.
Some Fed policymakers last week expressed concerns that inflation progress may have stalled, advocating for caution, while others emphasized the need for continued rate cuts.
On the geopolitical front, Hezbollah fired heavy rockets at Israel on Sunday, following an Israeli airstrike that killed at least 29 in Beirut. There were reports of damage near Tel Aviv.
Spot silver fell 2.2% to $30.63 per ounce, platinum was down 1.2% to $952.00 and palladium slipped 1% to $998.88.