Jindal Stainless Supplies Special Alloy Steel Sheets In DRDO’s SMART System For Navy

Jindal Stainless, India’s leading stainless steel manufacturer, announced it has developed and supplied 3 mm special alloy steel sheets for structural application in the Supersonic Missile-Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART) system, aimed at enhancing the Navy's anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

The specialized grade sheets used for flying applications in the next-generation missile-based light-weight torpedo delivery system were supplied to the country’s military research arm Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which designed and successfully flight-tested it off the coast of Odisha last week.

The specialized sheets can withstand both high pressure and high temperature during the flight, and were indigenously developed by Jindal Stainless’ strategic vertical, Jindal Defence and Aerospace, at the company’s Hisar facility in record turnaround time.

Commenting on the landmark development, the Managing Director, of Jindal Stainless, Mr. Abhyuday Jindal, said, “The successful flight-testing of the Navy’s SMART system is a significant milestone in India's strategic defence capabilities beyond the conventional range of light-weight torpedo. Jindal Stainless is a proud contributor to bolstering the Indian Navy through the canister-based missile system that demands materials of the highest quality to ensure optimal performance and reliability. Jindal Stainless' special alloy steel sheets have been rigorously tested to meet and exceed the stringent requirements for such critical applications.”

SMART carries an advanced lightweight torpedo as payload along with a parachute-based release system and can be launched from coasts as well as warships. Several state-of-the-art mechanisms such as symmetric separation, ejection and velocity control have been validated in this test, according to the defence ministry.

Jindal Stainless has supplied material for key projects under the DRDO as well as the Indian Space and Research Organisation (ISRO) in the past, including India’s ambitious lunar mission Chandrayaan, PSLV, GSLV MK-3, Nuclear Submarine missile system, missile canister for almost all missile programs and exhaust unit application in rockets. The company is also working dedicatedly towards meeting the material requirements of the upcoming missile programs.

This report is auto-generated from a syndicated feed

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Maldives' Moosa Zameer Set To Confront Diplomatic Test During India Visit Amid Mohamed Muizzu's Pro-China Stance

Anticipating the challenges he is likely to encounter, Maldivian foreign minister Moosa Zameer has been trying to build a conducive groundwork ahead of his visit to India

For Moosa Zameer, Maldives’ new foreign minister, the likely visit to India around 10 May will certainly be one of his toughest assignments. He needs to instill confidence in the Indian leadership that the archipelago is still a trustworthy partner of India, especially after its president, Mohamed Muizzu, openly made pro-China overtures in the last few months, denting Male’s longstanding ties with New Delhi.

While his upcoming visit to India was reported by Times of India, Zameer has been trying to build a conducive groundwork ahead of his visit. On 27 April, 2024, he thanked India for its decision to increase the export of essential supplies to the island nation for the fiscal year 2024-25, amid diplomatic tensions between both countries. The Maldivian foreign minister took to X to express gratitude to India and also referred to his country’s ties with New Delhi as a ’longstanding friendship'.

I sincerely thank EAM @DrSJaishankar and the Government of #India for the renewal of the quota to enable #Maldives to import essential commodities from India during the years 2024 and 2025.

This is truly a gesture which signifies the longstanding friendship, and the strong…

— Moosa Zameer (@MoosaZameer) April 5, 2024

India Lifts Export Curbs On Essential Commodities To Maldives

Recently, India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade announced in a notification that exports to Maldives have been authorised under the bilateral trade agreement for the year 2024-25. This decision holds particular significance as it comes amid a diplomatic standoff between the two nations, which was initiated by the Maldives following President Mohamed Muizzu’s tilt towards China after assuming office last November.

This agreement entails the export of essential commodities from India to Maldives including eggs, potatoes, onions, rice, wheat flour, sugar and lentils. Additionally, India will supply Maldives with stone aggregate and river sand. Previously, the export of these commodities was either restricted or prohibited.

Strained Ties With India

Maldivian President Muizzu’s open pro-China stance and anti-India approach have posed significant challenges for New Delhi in maintaining friendly relations with Male. From his “India Out” campaign before the elections to permitting Chinese spy vessels to dock in his country, and even his ministers publicly insulting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and mocking Indians on social media, it’s been a consistent stream of hostility towards India emanating from the archipelago right under the nose of the highest office in the country.

Previously, Muizzu’s predecessor Ibrahim Mohamed Solih urged him to adopt a more open approach and engage in dialogue with neighbouring countries to address the financial difficulties facing the Maldives. Solih pointed out that while Maldives owes a substantial debt of MVR 18 billion to China, the amount owed to India is comparatively lower at MVR 8 billion, emphasizing that Indian loans are not the root cause of the financial challenges.

Since assuming office, Muizzu’s criticisms of India during and after the presidential election campaign have strained relations between the two nations. He went as far as demanding the complete withdrawal of 88 Indian military personnel stationed at three aviation platforms used for humanitarian and medical evacuations in the Maldives by 10 May.

Despite four months passing since the new government took office, President Muizzu has yet to visit India. Traditionally, the first overseas trip by Maldivian presidents has been to India, but Muizzu broke with tradition by visiting China in January for his inaugural state visit.

(With Agency Inputs)

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Who Was Terrorist Basit Dar? Top LeT Commander, Carrying ₹10 Lakh Bounty, Killed In Encounter In Kashmir

Basit Dar, a notorious terrorist sought by security forces, died in a encounter with security forces in Khudwani, Kashmir, as disclosed by a senior police official. The clash, marked by intense gunfire, resulted in Dar's death, a significant triumph for the forces given his role in orchestrating numerous militant assaults, particularly in Srinagar.

Identified as a commander of The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, Dar had been implicated in 18 instances of terrorism dating back to 2021. Originating from Redwani’s Kulgam, he had absconded from his residence three years ago, subsequently aligning with the TRF, according to reports. Notably, the National Investigation Agency had previously offered a reward of ₹10 lakh for any information leading to Dar's whereabouts.

Described as the architect behind various terrorist operations, including attacks resulting in civilian casualties, Dar's demise represents a significant blow to militant activities in the region, according to the official. Though the operation has concluded, search operations are still going on, the official said.

(With Agency Inputs)

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2 Terrorists Killed In Encounter With Security Forces In J&K's Kulgam

Kulgam: Two terrorists were killed in an anti-terror operation conducted by security forces in the Redwani Payeen area in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam on Tuesday, officials said.

The bodies of the terrorists have been recovered, as confirmed by the Kashmir Zone Police. Their identities are yet to be ascertained by the authorities.

"Bodies of 02 #terrorists killed in the anti-terrorist operation recovered so far. Identity & affiliation being ascertained. #Operation in progress. Further details shall follow," the Kashmir Zone Police said in a post on X.

Bodies of 02 #terrorists killed in the anti-terrorist operation recovered so far. Identity & affiliation being ascertained. #Operation in progress. Further details shall follow.@JmuKmrPolice https://t.co/qgOUVcI3gk

— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) May 7, 2024

Earlier in the day, a fierce exchange of fire broke out between terrorists and security forces in the Redwani Payeen area of south Kashmir's Kulgam.

However, there was no official word if the terrorists engaging in a firefight with the forces were the ones behind the Poonch attack.

An Indian Air Force officer was killed and four others injured after suspected terrorists from across the border targeted a convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on May 4. The area where the attack took place lies between Surankote's Sanai Top and Mendhar's Gursai area in the border district.

"An Indian Air Force vehicle convoy was attacked by terrorists in the Poonch district," an official said earlier. The injured personnel were evacuated to Udhampur for treatment on IAF choppers, where one of them succumbed.

The forces, meanwhile, intensified search operations from the Surankote to the Jarran Wali Gali areas, in light of the May 4 Poonch attack. Heavy security deployment was seen throughout the Union Territory following the attack on the Air Force convoy.

(With Agency Inputs)

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Indian Navy Flexes Muscle, Sends 3 Ships For Deployment In Disputed South China Sea

New Delhi: The Indian Navy has started operational deployment of its fleet in the disputed waters of the South China Sea (SCS), with three of its warships — INS Delhi, INS Shakti and INS Kiltan — arriving in Singapore yesterday.

Guarding Troubled Waters

INS Delhi, INS Shakti & INS Kiltan reach Singapore as part of ‘operational deployment’ of Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet in South China Sea, says MoD

China illegally claims vast portions of the SCS, but these are contested by the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia & Taiwan

Chinese & Philippine ships are currently at loggerheads over claims by both nations over Second Thomas Shoal in the SCS

While the MoD has not specified whether the three ships will join patrols of any country, reports say these will head to Malaysia and then Philippines

“The visit is part of the ‘operational deployment’ of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet to the South China sea,” the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said today.

The MoD did not specify which all countries the ships would visit, or if the Indian Navy would join patrols of countries such as the US or Japan in the SCS. A PTI report, however, stated these would leave for Malaysia on Thursday and then visit the Philippines.

China illegally claims vast portions of the SCS as its own. The same is contested by five other countries — the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan — that are in a maritime territorial dispute with Beijing.

The three warships have diverse roles at sea. While INS Delhi is a guided missile destroyer equipped with BrahMos missile among other weapon systems, 3,500-ton INS Kiltan is a specialist anti-submarine warfare corvette that carries four heavyweight torpedo launchers and boasts of a highly advanced combat management system. INS Shakti is a fleet support ship that can carry fuel, water and supplies for mid-sea transfer to another ship.

The warships were accorded a warm welcome by personnel of the Republic of Singapore Navy and the High Commissioner of India upon their arrival in the country.

A delegation led by Rear Admiral Rajesh Dhankhar today visited the Information Fusion Centre there. “They held deliberations on current maritime security landscape in the region and ways to mitigate emergent threats,” the Navy posted on X.

The Navy said the visit was poised to further strengthen the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the two maritime nations through a series of engagements and activities.

During the ships’ stay in harbour, various activities planned to be undertaken include interactions with the High Commission of India, professional interactions with the Republic of Singapore Navy as also academia and community outreach amongst other activities, reflecting the shared values of both navies.

The Indian Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy have had robust relations spanning three decades of cooperation, coordination and collaboration with regular visits, exchange of best practices, and reciprocal training arrangements.

(With Agency Inputs)

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Canadian Foreign Minister Stands By Allegations Against India On Terrorist Nijjar Killing Despite Lack of Proof

Ottawa: Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly has said that Ottawa continues to stand by the allegations that Indian agents were involved in the killing of India-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar despite no proof that shows New Delhi's involvement, according to Canada-based media channel, Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC).

Speaking to reporters, Joly said that the investigation into the killing of Nijjar is being conducted by Royal Canadian Mounted Police. She stated that Canada will continue to protect its citizens, CPAC reported.

"Canada's position has always been clear. Our job is to protect Canadians and we stand by the allegations that a Canadian was killed on Canadian soil by Indian agents. Now, the investigation by the RCMP is being done," Joly said.

"I won't further comment and no other official from our government will further comment but I am telling do on the question of relationship with India is I think that is always better when diplomacy remains in private and Canada will continue to stand by first protecting Canadians, making sure that we also protect our sovereignty and in the end also we need to protect our rule of law," she added, according to CPAC.

Her statement comes after Canadian Police on Friday announced the arrest of three accused in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. However, Canadian Police personnel have also not given any evidence of any link to India as was being speculated in Canadian media.

Members of the Sikh Community from British Columbia crowded a Surrey courtroom on Tuesday as three Indian nationals accused of Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing made their first court appearance by video, according to Globe and Mail, a Canada-based news website.

As the trio, dressed in orange jumpsuits, appeared before court, pro-Khalistani protesters chanted slogans and held placards, outside the Surrey provincial court, blaming India's government for the killing.

Judge Delaram Jahani questioned the three suspects, Karan Brar, Karanpreet Singh, and Kamalpreet Singh, in brief. Through their attorneys, Brar and Karanpreet Singh decided to appear again on May 21. The court, however, is yet to decide on a new date for Kamalpreet Singh who has sought legal counsel, the Globe and Mail reported.

The three men were taken into custody in Edmonton last week on Friday and are accused of first-degree murder and murderous conspiracy in connection with the June 2023 shooting of Nijjar, which severely damaged Canada's relations with India.

Notably, ties between India and Canada have been strained after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused agents of the Indian government of killing Nijjar. However, India has dismissed the accusations as "absurd" and "motivated."

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was designated a terrorist by India's National Investigation Agency in 2020, was shot and killed as he came out of a Gurdwara in Surrey in June last year. The video of his killing that reportedly surfaced in March this year showed Nijjar being shot by armed men in what has been described as a "contract killing."

Last week, Canadian police released photographs of all three persons arrested in the killing of India-designated terrorist, Nijjar last year amid an ongoing probe into alleged connections of the Indian government.

Along with photographs of the three accused, the Canadian police also released the photographs of the car believed to have been used by the suspects in the time leading up to the homicide, in and around the Surrey area.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) of Surrey, RCMP had said that on the morning of May 3, IHIT investigators, with the assistance of members from the British Columbia and Alberta RCMP and the Edmonton Police Service, arrested the three men for the June 2023 killing of Nijjar.

This report is auto-generated from a syndicated feed

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'My Concern Is National Security, Threats Emanating From Land of Canada': Indian Ambassador To Canada Sanjay Verma

Montreal: The High Commissioner of India to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma has described the relationship between the two countries as having "decade-old issues" that have resurfaced, with unfortunate crimes, and threats emanating from the land of Canada.

Speaking at an event in Montreal on Tuesday, the Indian envoy said that "Indians will decide what will happen to India" and not the foreigners.

"A lot of discussions at the government level, both sides, is happening and through the diplomatic channels. These channels are not open to the public and they are trying to find solutions and resolutions to the issues of concern on both sides. And the way in which it is moving, I think it will come to both sides to see the virtue of resolving the issues, satisfying the concerns of both sides. My concern is national security, and threats emanating from the land of Canada, these threats are largely emanating from the Canadian citizens...we are ready to sit down on the table any day, and we are doing that. And, we are trying to resolve this issue," Verma told the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations.

Verma, as he further went on to speak on the current state of ties between Ottawa and New Delhi, asserted "If those people who are Indians living abroad want to decide the fate of India, better to go back and participate in the election process. Every five years, India goes through an election process at the national level, almost every five years. Similarly, states, which are provinces, as we call them here, in India also go through similar exercises."

He said, "When we call two countries in bilateral relations as partners, strategic partners, friends, we expect both the countries to understand each other's perspectives, each other's concerns respect the cultural diversity of each other. Unfortunately, there have been issues, and this is nothing new, decades-old issues have resurfaced, re-emerged and there have been unfortunate crimes wherein those who are currently Canadian citizens, largely have their origin in India."

The envoy noted that "India does not have dual nationality," which is why someone is given Canadian citizenship, for India, the person is technically a foreigner.

"So therefore, if someone becomes a Canadian citizen or citizen of any other country, he or she is no longer an Indian citizen. So for us, technically the person is a foreigner. So the foreigners having, if I can call it, an evil eye on the territorial integrity of India, that is a big red line for us."

These are Verma's first remarks since the RCMP's arrest of three Indian nationals in connection with Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing.

Amid escalating tensions between India and Canada, the Ministry of External Affairs, too expressed a strong condemnation regarding the float used in the Nagar Kirtan parade in Ontario and said the "celebration and glorification of violence" shouldn't be accepted in a civilised society.

The MEA on Tuesday, also raised concerns about the security of India's diplomatic representatives in Canada, further expecting the Justin Trudeau government to ensure "they carry out their responsibilities without fear."

This comes after some Khalistani supporters chanted "anti-India slogans" during the Nagar Kirtan Parade organised by the Ontario Gurudwara Committee (OGC) in Canada.

The MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, called upon the Canadian government to stop providing criminals a safe haven.

"We continue to remain concerned about the security of our diplomatic representatives in Canada and expect the Government of Canada to ensure that they are able to carry out their responsibilities without fear," he said.

Notably, multiple incidents of Khalistan extremism have been reported in Canada over the past few years. Even when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in India for G20 Summit, a so-called Referendum was held by Khalistani secessionists in Surrey British Columbia.

In June last year, a tableau parade was organised in Canada celebrating the assassination of former PM Indira Gandhi, which drew severe criticism from New Delhi. In March this year, Khalistan supporters held a protest outside the Indian Embassy in Canada.

They raised pro-Khalistan slogans and allegedly assaulted Indian-origin journalists present on the spot.

Multiple temples have also been vandalised in Canada by pro-Khalistani protestors, with anti-India graffiti.

This report is auto-generated from a syndicated feed

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India, EU Hold Dialogue On Defence, Security Cooperation, Including In The Indo-Pacific Region

New Delhi: The delegation of the European Union organised a 'Road to Schuman' seminar in the national capital, where security experts discussed the security landscape in the region and threats dynamics and identified avenues for cooperation, ahead of the Schuman Forum in Brussels later this month.

In an official post on X, EU Ambassador to India, Herve Delphin, said, "Growing security inter-connectedness between European Union and Indo-Pacific region means more cooperation with Asian partners, including India."

"Ahead of the next Schuman Forum which will be held in Brussels end of May, this seminar held in Delhi brought together European and Indian security experts to exchange on the security landscape in the region and on the perspectives for EU and India to increase cooperation in defence matters and in non-traditional security domains," Delphin said in the seminar on Monday.

The EU and India have made significant steps in the past years to deepen their security and defence cooperation including counter-terrorism, cyber and maritime security. The Indo-Pacific at large and the Indian Ocean in particular are key areas where this cooperation can be further enhanced, Delegation of the European Union said in a press release.

"On May 6, the Delegation of the European Union to India organised a Road to Schuman event titled 'The security environment in the Indo-Pacific region and the EU's role as a security actor in partnership/cooperation with India', gathering prominent security and defence experts and practitioners, think tanks, academia, diplomats, Indian government officials and EU member state representatives," the release added.

This initiative is part of the Road to Schuman events that will feed into the second edition of the Schuman Security and Defence Forum, which will take place in Brussels on 28-29 May.

The seminar provided a platform for dialogue, exchange of views on specific regional security challenges, maritime security environment, and policy developments covering the EU strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and India's Indo-Pacific Oceans' Initiative, EU-India maritime cooperation, and regional initiatives to address international maritime security issues.

According to the release, the seminar also enabled an assessment of the current and emerging challenges in the Indo-Pacific region while identifying future avenues for cooperation between the European (EU) and India.

The first-panel session focused on the "Overall security environment in the Indo-Pacific region: dynamics and likely evolution". The panellists Vice Admiral Pradeep Chauhan, Director General, National Maritime Foundation, Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Distinguished Fellow, Observer Research Foundation; and Brigadier Rahul Bhonsle, Director, Security Risks Asia discussed the origins and evolution of the Indo-Pacific concept, as well as its current geopolitical dimension and the different actors operating in it.

In the second panel session, speakers discussed the "EU-India security partnerships and cooperation, opportunities/constraints and how India considers EU as a security actor".

The three panellists Indrani Bagchi, CEO, Ananta Aspen Centre, Professors Srikanth Kondapalli, Jawaharlal Nehru University; and Swasti Rao, Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses exchanged on the existing and potential areas of convergence between the EU and India in the security and defence field, in a bilateral and multilateral context.

During her address, Joanneke Balfoort, Director of security and Defence policy, at European External Action Service, said, "In this interconnected world, mutually beneficial peace, security and defence partnerships are more needed than ever. We see India, a country with considerable strategic weight on the global security balance, as a key partner for the EU in the Indo-Pacific."

On the occasion, Herve Delphin, EU Ambassador to India said, "The global environment has turned more volatile and unstable with war and security threats on the rise. The EU is adapting to this new reality by enhancing its own security and defence but also by working together with international partners to address common security challenges to promote peace and stability. The growing inter-connectedness between dynamics in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region means that cooperation with Asian partners and most notably with India has become more important than ever".

He added, "Ahead of the next Schuman Forum which will be held in Brussels end of May, this seminar held in Delhi brought together European and Indian security experts to exchange on the security landscape in the region and on the perspectives for EU and India to increase cooperation in defence matters and in non-traditional security domains."

He further said, "EUNAVFOR Operation ASPIDES, recently launched in the Red Sea, together with EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, is a concrete example of the EU commitment to regional maritime security in the Indian Ocean region. While we have already stepped up our cooperation with India in the areas of Maritime Security, Counter-terrorism, Cyber-security, Non-proliferation and Disarmament, other areas like Space, Hybrid and Cyber threats and security dimensions of Artificial Intelligence are possible areas of growth for EU-India cooperation."

The second edition of the Schuman Security and Defence Forum (Schuman Forum) will take place in Brussels on 28-29 May 2024. It will bring together high-level representatives of the European Union (EU), EU Member states and partner countries, international and regional organisations, as well as leading think tanks and academia.

The Forum aims at looking for avenues of cooperation on how ongoing and potential peace, security and defence partnerships can respond to the most pressing common security threats and challenges and contribute to global peace and security as well as uphold the international rules-based order and multilateralism. India is one of the key partners invited to the Forum.

On the morning of May 6, the EU and India also held their second Security and Defence Consultations, co-chaired by Director Balfoort on the EU side and Vishvesh Negi, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), Ministry of Defence on the Indian side.

During the consultations, the two sides agreed to deepen their cooperation in security and defence. They both reiterated their commitment to a free, open, inclusive and rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific region, underpinned by respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, democracy, rule of law, freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded lawful commerce, and peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, notably the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Both the European Union and Indo-Pacific countries have a stake in each other's prosperity and security. With its Indo-Pacific Strategy and the Global Gateway, the EU aims to contribute to stability, security, prosperity and sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific, fostering the principles of democracy, rule of law, human rights and international law acting as an "intelligent facilitator" for peace and security in non-traditional security domains, in full partnerships with the other actors in the region mainly India.

This report is auto-generated from a syndicated feed

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DRDO Hands Over Nine Defence Tech Projects To IIT-Bhubaneswar

The collaboration of IIT-Bhubaneswar and DRDO will contribute to the emerging research and development need of defence applications, creating platform for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’

BHUBANESWAR: Nine projects sanctioned from the electronics and communication systems (ECS) cluster of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) were handed over to IIT-Bhubaneswar at a collaboration meeting here on Tuesday.

Seven more projects are in the process of being sanctioned from ECS with a funding of ₹18 crore. The IIT-Bhubaneswar will work on these sanctioned projects, which would be beneficial in electronics warfare, AI-driven surveillance, power systems and radar systems.

Informing about the projects, head of Electrical Science school of IIT-Bhubaneswar SR Samantaray said the collaboration of IIT-Bhubaneswar and DRDO will contribute to the emerging research and development need of defence applications, creating platform for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.

This form of collaboration will enhance the sustainability of defence research programmes and will be part of the ecosystem for nation building. “The collaboration between the ECS Cluster of DRDO and IIT-Bhubaneswar is intended towards working for a common cause to fulfil the future needs of the country in the field of defence technology,” he said. Speaking on the occasion, director general of ECS Binay K Das said DRDO is going through a transformation from being technology chasers to becoming technology enablers and trendsetters. “The goal is now to move beyond attaining self-reliance to setting standards for the Indian Armed Forces, for others across the globe to emulate. In this context, this collaboration, and the further opportunity to set up a Centre of Excellence at IIT-Bhubaneswar would prove crucial,” he added.

He further advised the researchers and faculty members associated with various DRDO sanctioned projects to work systematically with proper review and risk management systems to complete the projects in time and come up with unique solutions.

On the collaboration with DRDO, director of IIT-Bhubaneswar Shreepad Karmalkar said the IITs across the country have moved beyond knowledge generation and dissemination to knowledge application, wealth generation through start-ups, entrepreneurship and producing quality teachers. In such a scenario, collaborations with DRDO for research in the field of defence mechanism and technology will pave a new path towards excellence, he said. Karmalkar emphasised on the role of research scholars in coming up with innovative ideas.

DRDO officials informed that they are looking forward to having collaborations with the academia for research and industry for taking the projects forward to the application level.

These collaborations with academic institutions aim at developing cutting-edge and next generation technologies to make India at par with the international standards in terms of defence technology.

(With Agency Inputs)

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Anti-Terror Agency Chargesheets 3 Maoists For Conspiring To Spy, Attack On Security Forces

In its first supplementary charge sheet filed before the NIA special court in Telangana's Nampally, the anti-terror agency has charged arrested accused Kamala and absconding Communist Party of India (Maoist) members Hidma and Bade Chokka Rao alias "Damodar" in the matter, it said

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency on Tuesday charge-sheeted three members of the CPI (Maoist) for allegedly supplying explosives and other items to the banned outfit for attacking and spying on security forces, according to an official statement.

In its first supplementary charge sheet filed before the NIA special court in Telangana's Nampally, the anti-terror agency has charged arrested accused Kamala and absconding Communist Party of India (Maoist) members Hidma and Bade Chokka Rao alias "Damodar" in the matter, it said.

They have been charged under the Indian Penal Code, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Explosive Substances Act, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said in a statement.

Kamala and the other accused -- Hidma and Rao -- were arrested while attempting to deliver explosives and other items to Maoists, who had financed the purchase of a drilling machine and a lathe machine in order to make firearms, drones for keeping surveillance on security forces and explosives for attacking security personnel, it said.

"The NIA on Tuesday field a supplementary charge sheet against the three accused, including two absconders, in a case relating to the seizure of drones, explosive materials and a lathe machine from cadres of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) in Cherla in Telangana," the statement said.

In August last year, the agency had charge-sheeted eight accused in the case relating to funding by CPI (Maoist) for the purchase of the various arms and equipment to spy on and attack security forces, it said.

The case, initially registered at the Cherla police station on June 5 last year, was taken over by the NIA on August 3. The agency, which had filed its original charge sheet on December 1 last year, is continuing with its investigations in the case, the statement added.

(With Agency Inputs)

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Manipur Terrorist With Alleged Links To Khalistanis Holds US Event, Takes Swipes At India

New Delhi: Nearly two weeks after India trashed a report by the US State Department alleging human rights abuse in ethnic violence-hit Manipur, a group of people from the Kuki tribes settled in the US held a "congressional briefing", and took swipes at India.

In the event organised by the North American Manipur Tribal Association (NAMTA), which allegedly maintains ties with Canada-based Khalistani separatists, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) commissioner David Curry alleged that violations of religious freedom in India has been growing unchecked.

Mr Curry, who is also the chief of the religious advocacy group Global Christian Relief, connected the alleged "atrocities on the Kuki minority Christians to the broader issues prevalent nationwide."

"Unfortunately, these instances in Manipur mark a broader, widespread pattern of deteriorating religious freedom conditions throughout India," Mr Curry alleged.

NAMTA in a statement on Monday said its Canada chapter head Lien Gangte criticised the "Indian government for failing to fulfil its constitutional obligations."

Mr Gangte was seen in August 2023 giving a speech at the same gurdwara in Canada's Surrey, whose chief and Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot dead in June that year. In his address then, he had condemned what he called "attacks on minorities in India" and asked Canada for "all possible help".

North American Manipur Tribal Association (NAMTA) Canada chief Lien Gangte in Surrey in August 2023

North American Manipur Tribal Association (NAMTA) Canada chief Lien Gangte in Surrey in August 2023

Sources on Tuesday said NAMTA's handles of its US, Canada, and India chapters on the microblogging website X were blocked in India last year after intelligence agencies started monitoring NAMTA's activities and the group's alleged links with Khalistanis.

The development in August 2023 had alarmed intelligence agencies.

"The NAMTA members have been repeatedly defaming India and maligning the country's image on the world stage. They have become more aggressive, coincidentally, when the Lok Sabha elections are going on," a senior official in India said, requesting anonymity. "We have been monitoring them. Their activities are getting closer to groups that work to sabotage India's standing in the world," the official said.

India on April 25 had termed the US State Department report alleging "significant human rights abuses" in Manipur as "deeply biased" and reflecting "a poor understanding of the country".

"This report is deeply biased and reflects a very poor understanding of India. We attach no value to it and urge you also to do the same," the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said.

The ethnic clashes between the Meiteis and the Kuki-Zo tribes began over cataclysmic disagreements on sharing land, resources, affirmative action policies, and political representation, mainly with the 'general' category Meiteis seeking to be included under the Scheduled Tribes category. A top factor the state government says led to the crisis was its 'war on drugs' campaign.

"The slow but steady decline in opium cultivation due to the 'war on drugs' campaign would have been a kick in the gut of powerful drug cartels. The Kuki insurgents, too, have been demanding a separate land for a long time. It was a dangerous combination," a senior officer in the Narcotics and Affairs of Border (NAB) had told NDTV on April 30, requesting anonymity.

"The idea of a separate administration did not just fall from a tree after May 2023. The idea was always there," the officer added.

(With Agency Inputs)

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CBI Arrests Four, Including Russian Defence Ministry Employee, For Pushing Indians Into Ukraine War

The CBI arrested two recruiters from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala on Tuesday, while two other accused were arrested on April 24

India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested four people including a contractual translator in the Russian Defence Ministry for allegedly trafficking Indians into the Russia-Ukraine war zone, officials said late on Tuesday (May 7).

The top probe agency arrested two recruiters, Arun and Yesudas Junior alias Priyan, from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala on Tuesday, while two other accused, Nijil Jobi Bensam, a contractual employee in Russian Defence Ministry, and Anthony Michael Elangovan, a resident of Mumbai, were arrested on April 24.

Bensam and Elangovan are in judicial custody, the CBI said in a late night statement.

"Accused Nijil Jobi Bensam was working in the Russian defence Ministry on contract basis as Translator and was one of the key member of the network operating in Russia for facilitating recruitment of Indian nationals in Russian Army," an official in the know of development was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India.

More arrests could also be made in the case, PTI reported.

Earlier, the CBI had busted a major racket of travel agents that was luring Indian youngsters with purported opportunities in Russia. Instead they were pushed into war zone between Russia and Ukraine after confiscating their passports.

The CBI's FIR has listed 17 visa consultancy companies with their owners and agents spread across India for the way many Indians were pushed into the war zone. The top probe agency has booked them under the Indian Penal Code sections related to criminal conspiracy, cheating, and human trafficking.

The CBI has alleged that the accused through their agents trafficked Indian nationals to Russia on the pretext of getting them jobs related to the Russian army, security guards and helpers, and instead a huge amount was charged from them.

The agents are also accused of duping students by facilitating their admissions in dubious private universities in Russia, instead of government or public universities, by offering discounted fees, and visa extensions.

The students were ultimately left "at the mercy" of local agents, it said.

The CBI has found 35 instances where youngsters were taken to Russia after being lured with false promises.

"The trafficked Indian Nationals were trained in combat roles and deployed at front bases in Russia - Ukraine War Zone against their wishes, thus, putting their lives in grave danger. It has been ascertained that some of the victims also got grievously injured in the war zone," a spokesperson said, according to Press Trust of India.

(With Inputs From Agencies)

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Ghana, Namibia Get India's UPI Push For Faster Money Transfers

The two countries have also delved into discussions regarding the possibilities of a Memorandum of Understanding on Digital Transformation Solutions; Local Currency Settlement System and the opportunities offered by African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

India and Ghana are working to link their payment systems - Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GHIPSS) respectively to permit users to make instant, low-cost fund transfers on a reciprocal basis.

The two countries have also delved into discussions regarding the possibilities of a Memorandum of Understanding on Digital Transformation Solutions; Local Currency Settlement System and the opportunities offered by African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

"They agreed to work expeditiously towards the operationalisation of NPCI's (National Payments Corporation of India) UPI on Ghana's GHIPSS within a period of 6 months," the Department of Commerce said on the social media platform X (formerly twitter). India's UPI has already reached countries including Singapore and the UAE.

Talks are also on with Nigeria for the same. These issues were discussed during the visit of a seven-member Indian delegation led by Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce Amardeep Singh Bhatia to Accra, Ghana on May 2-3.

NPCI International has recently announced its partnership with Bank of Namibia to support them in developing a UPI-like real-time payment system in the African nation. The bilateral trade between India and the West African nation Ghana has increased to $2.87 billion in 2022-23 from $2.6 billion in 2021-22.

The trade gap is in the favour of Ghana mainly due to imports of gold by India which accounts for nearly 80% of total imports from Ghana. Ghana exports gold, cocoa, cashew nuts and timber products, among others, to India.

It imports pharmaceuticals, agricultural machinery, transport vehicles, electrical equipment, plastics, iron and steel, ethyl alcohol, beverages and spirits, cereals, made-up textiles from India.

(With Agency Inputs)

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Union Minister Anurag Thakur Condemns Congress’ Disrespect Towards Indian Army

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Youth and Sports, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, has strongly criticized the Congress party for its perceived lack of respect towards the bravery of the Indian army

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Youth and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur, strongly rebuked the Congress party for its consistent disrespect towards the valour of the Indian army. Reacting to former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi’s dismissal of the terrorist attack in Poonch as a “political stunt”, Minister Thakur labelled the statement as shameful. He emphasised that Congress has repeatedly failed to stand by the Indian army, consistently undermining their courage and demanding unwarranted proof of their bravery.

Highlighting Congress’ historical pattern of disdain towards the armed forces, Minister Thakur pointed out instances of corruption in arms procurement, citing scandals such as the Jeep scam, Bofors scam, and AgustaWestland scam. He questioned the logic behind Congress’ call for the elimination of nuclear weapons from the country and criticised their tendency to ally with foreign powers, especially during election time.

In response to Farooq Abdullah’s remarks, Minister Thakur asserted the significant strides made by India in combating terrorism under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. He noted the successful removal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in peace, development, and a drastic reduction in civilian and army casualties. Minister Thakur attributed these positive changes to the effective policies of the Modi government, contrasting the current scenario with the previous administration’s negligence towards the region.

Concluding his statement, Minister Thakur underscored the surge in tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, signalling a tangible improvement in the region’s security and stability. He attributed the dissatisfaction of certain political figures, like Farooq Abdullah, to the cessation of their exploitative practices in the region, emphasising the positive impact of the Modi government’s initiatives.

This report is auto-generated from a syndicated feed

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Army, IAF Conduct Joint Exercise At Multiple Locations In Punjab

Chandigarh: Indian Army's Kharga Corps, under the aegis of Army's Western Command, successfully conducted a three-day joint exercise with the IAF at multiple locations in Punjab.

The exercise was conducted to refine processes and validate employment of attack helicopters in support of mechanised operations in developed terrain, an official statement issued on Tuesday said.

The Gagan Strike-II exercise, which incorporated Apache and ALH-WSI helicopters, Unarmed Aerial Vehicles and special forces of Indian Army, was aimed at validating various force multipliers in support of ground offensive by strike corps along with live firing by helicopters as demanded by mechanised forces during offensive manoeuvres, the statement said.

The recent exercise showcased high levels of synergy and jointmanship among the two services, it said.

The focus was to practise centralised and decentralised attack helicopter missions duly supported by other force multipliers in a dense air defence environment and engagement of planned and impromptu targets in the battlefield, it said.

Ground force commanders exercised employment of aerial assets, including drones for enhanced situational awareness and destruction of mobile and static targets.

The exercise enabled formations and units of Western Command to execute joint operations, with seamless integration of all ground and aerial assets to achieve laid down objectives.

Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar, general officer commanding-in-chief Western Command, and GOC Kharga Corps complimented all ranks of Kharga Corps, Indian Air Force and Army Aviation for their professional excellence and synergy of effort in conduct of integrated operations, the statement said.

(With Agency Inputs)

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