SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has taken delivery of the first of six upgraded Dornier Do-228 aircraft, exclusively manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This procurement is part of a deal inked by the Ministry of Defence in March, with a budget of Rs 667 crore, to acquire these aircraft for the IAF.

The upgraded Dornier Do-228 aircraft boasts several enhancements, including new engines, composite propellers, advanced avionics, and a modern glass cockpit. Originally used by the IAF for route transport and communication tasks, these aircraft have also played a crucial role in training transport pilots.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Navy is set to showcase a range of indigenous technologies at the upcoming innovation and indigenisation seminar, Swavlamban 2023. This event will highlight the progress made in various critical areas over the past year, with a focus on advancing self-reliance in the defense manufacturing sector. The navy will present 75 new technologies, including underwater swarm drones, autonomous weaponised boat swarms, blue-green lasers for underwater applications, multiple firefighting systems, and small drones with ultra-high endurance for maritime missions.

These technologies have been identified and developed by local start-ups and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), aligning with the navy’s goal of bolstering self-reliance in defense manufacturing. The Swavlamban 2023 seminar, the second of its kind organized by the navy, will take place at Bharat Mandapam on October 4-5. The first edition in July 2022 saw the navy commit to developing 75 technologies as part of the celebrations for India’s 75th year of Independence.

SOURCE: ANI

Research analyst and Kashmiri activist told the United Nations that people from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir are forced to migrate to other countries due to the repressive politics of Islamabad.

In his intervention during the 54th Session of UN Human Rights in Geneva, Junaid Qureshi said, “In the worst migrant boat disaster in the Mediterranean Sea, a boat carrying 750 people capsized in June this year. At least 300 people from Pakistan, including 135 from Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir died”.

SOURCE: PTI

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is scheduled to meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken here on Thursday, amid the diplomatic rumpus between India and Canada stirred over the killing of a Khalistani separatist.

Although officials from both sides are tightlipped about the agenda of the meeting, the latest diplomatic crisis between two of America’s friends, its traditional ally Canada and India, is expected to come up prominently during the talks.

SOURCE: PTI

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said it is “very reasonable” for India to “actually prepare” for a far greater Chinese presence than seen before in the Indian Ocean, asserting that the concerns in the strategically important region will be better addressed if the Quad countries work together.

“Pearls look benign unless you ask the oysters. They may have a slightly different perspective,” Mr Jaishankar said at the Council on Foreign Relations on Tuesday.

SOURCE: PTI

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said there is a “very compelling need” for India and the US to work together, asserting that it’s useful for Washington to have partners who think well of America and speak well of it.

Jaishankar made the comments while responding to a question in a conversation at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York on Tuesday after addressing the UN General Assembly session.

SOURCE: ANI

At the 54th Session of the Human Rights Council, India came down hard on Pakistan for using the forum for their baseless allegations against New Delhi and also highlighted the prevailing atrocities against the minorities in the neighbouring country.

PR Thulasidhass, Under Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Permanent Mission of India at the United Nations Human Rights Council, speaking on behalf of India, mentioned the recent attack on the Christian community in Pakistan and accused Pakistan of failing in providing basic human rights to them.

SOURCE: PTI

India on Wednesday spelled out plans to generate 22 GW power through nuclear energy to achieve Net Zero emissions for addressing the challenges posed by climate change.

At the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Ajit Kumar Mohanty shared India’s ambitious plans to step up nuclear power generation during a meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.

SOURCE: ANI

A female activist from Kashmir valley has shown the mirror to Pakistan and busted its malicious propaganda at the 54th Session of the UN Human Rights Council Session in Geneva on Wednesday Tasleema Akhtar, a socio-political activist, said in her intervention that being a native, she would like to bring forth the stark developmental differences of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir that is JK UT and Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK).

“While JK UT is bringing transformational changes for the betterment of the region, people of PoJK are living at the mercy of the Pakistan government having utter disregard for people over there and their basic human rights and amenities”, she told the Council.

SOURCE: ANI

A prominent Indian-American businessman in New York, Sant Singh Chatwal said that more than 99 per cent of the Sikhs love India, and there is a very small number who support Khalistan, adding that those extremist elements who are talking about the issue have never ever been to Punjab. Speaking to ANI, Chatwal said, “There’s hardly anybody who’s supporting Khalistan…There’s some sort of big miscommunication going on…We all Sikhs, everybody, more than 99 per cent, we love India.

India is our country…Nobody’s interested in Khalistan.” “I am very clear that there are very, very less people over here (supporting Khalistan). I don’t know who’s funding them, they have never been to Punjab. I am proud to be a Sikh. I am in this country for more than 50 years,” he added.

SOURCE: ANI

Chief of Staff of the Republic of Korean (South Korea) Army General Park Jeong-Hwan was presented with a Guard of Honour at the majestic South Block Lawns in New Delhi on Wednesday. Prior to the event, the Korean Army General laid a wreath at the National War Memorial. The South Korean Chief of Staff is in India to take part in the biennial Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference set for a three-day run in New Delhi, and discuss military and arms cooperation with his counterparts.

The armies of India and the US hosted the 13th biannual IPACC, the 47th annual Indo-Pacific Army Management Seminar (IPAMS), and the 9th Senior Enlisted Forum in the national capital from September 25-27. The gathering was notably the largest conference for land forces (army, marines, etc.) in the region.

SOURCE: PTI

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act or AFSPA was extended by another six months in Manipur on Wednesday, barring 19 police stations falling under the Imphal valley and an area that shares its boundary with neighbouring Assam.

An official notification said the state government is of the opinion after analysing the prevailing law-and-order situation that it is not expedient to have detailed assessment on the ground as security agencies are preoccupied in maintenance of law and order.