The U.S. has agreed to build six nuclear power plants in India, according to a joint statement from the two countries issued March 13 in Washington, D.C.

The general contract has been signed for the construction of two further Russian-supplied reactors at the Tianwan nuclear power plant in China's Jiangsu province. In addition, a technical design contract was signed for a second pair of reactors at the Xudabao site in Liaoning province.

India is seeking investment from Saudi Arabia to build emergency crude reserves that will act as a buffer against volatility in oil prices and supply disruptions for the third-largest oil consumer.

India wants to keep buying Iranian oil at its current level of about 300,000 barrels per day (bpd), as it negotiates with Washington about extending a sanctions waiver past early May, two sources with knowledge of the matter said. New Delhi is asking to be allowed to still buy Iranian oil at current levels of around 1.25 million tonnes per month, or about 300,000 barrels per day, the sources said.

Malaysia’s economy continues to perform well despite external headwinds. Growth has averaged above 5 percent over the past 5 years, leading to higher per capita income and reducing already-low poverty. Economic growth is now moderating, and is estimated at 4.7 percent in 2018, underpinned by robust domestic and external demand.

PETRONAS’ Profit after Tax (PAT) rose by 22 per cent in 2018, to RM55.3 billion, compared to RM45.5 billion in 2017, on the back of higher revenue and supported by net write-back of impairment on assets. These were partially offset by higher net product and production costs, depreciation and amortisation as well as tax expenses.

Mr Amano said the IAEA continued to closely follow international developments on the North Korea nuclear issue. “We hope that these processes will lead to an agreement and to implementation of concrete denuclearization measures,” he said. “The IAEA stands ready to undertake verification and monitoring activities in the DPRK if a political agreement is reached among countries concerned.”

The leaders of South Korea and the United Arab Emirates have said the two countries will seek opportunities to cooperate in the field of nuclear energy beyond their current collaboration on the Barakah nuclear power plant project. This will include opportunities in third countries.

PLATTS - China's crude imports from Venezuela surged 50.7% month on month to 411,000 b/d or 1.74 million mt in January, posting the fifth month in a row of increase after hitting a four-year low last September, data released by the General Administration of Customs showed

PLATTS - The US is set to impose "even stronger sanctions" on Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro's financial networks, likely further hindering crude oil production and exports as US sanctions on state-owned oil company PDVSA entered their fifth week, US Vice President Mike Pence said Monday.

REUTERS - China’s liquefied natural gas imports in January rose to a record as an increase in residential heating demand during the winter after the country’s shift to gas heating spurred higher shipments, customs data showed on Saturday.

NAR - India is seeking to diversify its oil import sources amid tough U.S. sanctions on Iran and Venezuela, two key members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries that provides the bulk of its crude needs.

OGJ - Saudi Aramco has signed a $10-billion agreement to form a joint venture with China North Industries Group Corp. (Norinco) and Panjin Sincen to develop a fully integrated, grassroots refining and petrochemical complex in Panjin, in China’s Liaoning province.

WNN - India and Argentina have agreed to boost cooperation in the nuclear energy sector with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on 18 February by India’s Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership and Argentina's National Atomic Energy Commission during Argentine President Mauricio Macri's state visit to Delhi this week.

THE KOREA BIZWIRE - Seven out of 10 South Koreans voted in favor of using atomic power, a survey showed Wednesday, amid the Moon Jae-in government’s nuclear phase-out policy.