SOURCE: ANI

The United States recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and “strongly opposes” any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by China across the Line of actual Control, State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said. The Biden administration official’s statement came a few days after the Chinese military repeated its claim over the northeast state after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a visit to the state and launched development projects.

Earlier this week, the Chinese defence ministry reiterated its claim over Arunachal Pradesh, terming the Indian State as as “Zangan- an inherent part of China’s territory,” saying, Beijing “never acknowledges and firmly opposes” the “so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India”. “Zangnan is China’s inherent territory, and China never recognises and firmly opposes India’s illegal establishment of the so-called ‘Arunachal Pradesh’,” said spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defence Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang on March 15.

SOURCE: PTI

China on Thursday said it firmly opposes the US recognition of Arunachal Pradesh as part of Indian territory and affirmed that Washington has nothing to do with the India-China border dispute. It also accused the US of “instigating and using other countries’ disputes” for selfish geopolitical interests.

China’s strong reaction came hours after US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel’s remarks that the United States “recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory.” Patel also said, “We (the US) strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions or encroachments, military or civilian, across the Line of Actual Control.” “China strongly deplores and firmly opposes this,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a media briefing while replying to a question posed by the official Chinese media.

SOURCE: UNI

The launch of Chennai-based Space Start-up Agnikul Cosmos’ first rocket Agnibaan Sub Orbital Technology Demonstrator (SOrTeD) from the SHAR Range, Sriharikota, scheduled for Friday morning, was postponed due to a technical issue. Agnikul Cosmos on Thursday evening announced that the launch was put on hold and fresh dates would be announced later.

It said “Holding our launch out of an abundance of caution based on certain minor observations from the full countdown rehearsals last night.” “Will keep you all posted on the new date and time. Thanks a lot for all the support that has been pouring in”, it said.

SOURCE: PTI

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT-KGP) and the Indian Navy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote technology development, innovative solutions and undertaking joint research and development, according to a statement issued on Thursday.

The studies include propulsion systems, instrumentation and sensors, industrial engineering and operational research, nanotechnology and hydrodynamic study of fluids, computer-aided design, study of mechanical design of systems and equipment, study of acoustics, quantum computing and quantum mechanics and robotics, it said.

SOURCE: PTI

One Helicopter Unit has been inducted at Air Force Station Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, a move that will ensure availability of sufficient resources with the Southern Air Command’s headquarters to enhance operational capabilities as well as meet peacetime tasks, officials said on Wednesday. The unit was inducted at a ceremony held on March 19.

The Southern Air Command (SAC) is based in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. SAC was established in July 1984 “in response to certain geopolitical developments to ensure effective command and control of IAF assets and facilitate quick deployment of combat forces in the event of threats developing in the Indian Ocean Region,” the defence ministry said.

SOURCE: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s State visit to Bhutan has been postponed due to inclement weather conditions there and the new dates are being worked out by the two sides, the ministry of external affairs said on Wednesday.

Modi was scheduled to visit Bhutan on March 21-22 as part of the Indian government’s emphasis on its ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’.

SOURCE: AFI

India’s acquisition of the S-400 long-range air defense missile system from Russia has been hit by a further delay. While three squadrons have already been delivered, the remaining two squadrons won’t arrive until August 2026, according to information conveyed by Russia to India.

This delay is attributed to the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine. The original agreement stipulated delivery of all five squadrons by 2024. However, Russia’s focus on its own military needs in the conflict has necessitated a revised schedule.

SOURCE: AFI

The much-anticipated launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite is experiencing a delay. Initially planned for an early 2024 launch, the mission will now likely lift off no earlier than late May.

This shift comes despite the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) confirming that the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) intended for the NISAR mission is on schedule for completion by March-April. However, final testing and integration of the sophisticated radar instrument on the satellite itself are taking longer than anticipated.

SOURCE: Bloomberg

India’s investigation into US claims of an attempted murder of a Sikh leader in New York found that rogue operatives not authorised by the government had been involved in the plot, according to senior officials familiar with the matter.

At least one person directly involved in the alleged attempted assassination is no longer working for India’s main spy agency, the Research and Analysis Wing, the officials said, asking not to be identified because the details of the investigation haven’t been made public.

SOURCE: ANI

In a veiled attack on Pakistan over support to cross-border terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asserted that the new India does not tolerate the pain of terrorism but teaches a lesson to those resorting to such violence and that the condition of those who gave India terror attacks is being seen by people all over the world.

Addressing the News 18 Rising Bharat Summit 2024, PM Modi referred to the Balakot airstrikes carried out by the Indian Air Force on a terror camp in Pakistan on February 26, 2019, in response to the Pulwama terror attack, and said he had addressed Network-18 Rising India Summit on the evening before the air strikes. “Whether it is those who protect terrorism or countries who want progress and peace, all of them have experienced Rising Bharat.

SOURCE: ANI

Top US diplomat, Donald Lu, has termed the case of the alleged assassination attempt against Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun a “serious issue” between the two countries and said that Washington is working with New Delhi to hold accountable those responsible behind it.

The US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, was asked about the issue during a US Congressional hearing on the Pakistan election on Wednesday (local time).

SOURCE: ANI

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday expressed gratitude for India’s support for Kyiv’s sovereignty and territorial integrity amid its war against Russia, adding that India’s participation at the peace formula meetings is very important for Ukraine.

President Zelenskyy’s statement came after he held a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. “I spoke with Prime Minister @NarendraModi to express gratitude for India’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, humanitarian aid, and active participation in Peace Formula meetings. It will be important for us to see India attend the inaugural Peace summit, which is currently being prepared in Switzerland,” Ukrainian President Zelenskyy posted on X.

SOURCE: PTI

India has criticised a model for the UN Security Council presented by the Uniting for Consensus group that includes Pakistan, saying it stands against the idea supported by a majority of member states to expand permanent and non-permanent seats and underscored that the world of the 21st century “desperately needs a UN 2.0”.

The Uniting for Consensus or UfC comprises Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Italy, Malta, Mexico, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea, San Marino, Spain, and Turkiye. China, a permanent member, and Indonesia are participating in the group as Observers.

SOURCE: REUTERS

India will bring in and prosecute 35 Somali pirates its navy captured on a hijacked ship off Somalia, a navy official said, in a departure from its recent practice of rescuing vessels and crew but leaving the disarmed pirates at sea.

The captured pirates are due to arrive in India on Saturday and will be handed over to the law enforcement agencies, the official said. He declined to be identified as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

SOURCE: PM MODI

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation today with the President of Ukraine, H.E. Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen India-Ukraine partnership in various spheres. While discussing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, PM reiterated India’s people-centric approach and called for dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward.