SOURCE: AFI

A 2004 article from Flight International, a renowned aerospace magazine, has resurfaced online, sparking a wave of interest. Authored by Veena Singh, the piece titled (original title can be inserted here) details discussions between China and India regarding collaboration on the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas program.

The article reveals that in late July 2004, a high-level Chinese delegation, led by Aviation Industries of China vice-president Zhang Yang-Chong, visited India to explore joint development of the LCA. This news comes as a surprise, considering the current geopolitical realities between the two nations.

SOURCE: AFI

Chennai-based Agnikul Cosmos, a private space startup, is poised for a major milestone. This Friday, they plan to test-fire their indigenously developed rocket, Agnibaan SOrTeD (Suborbital Tech Demonstrator).

The 580-kilogram Agnibaan will take off from Sriharikota. This first test flight will focus on reaching a suborbital altitude of 20 kilometers before returning and splashing down in the Bay of Bengal. The rocket can potentially carry a payload of up to 7 kilograms.

SOURCE: AFI

In a recent column for Tribune.com.pk, Dr. Moonis Ahmar, a former Dean Faculty of Social Science at the University of Karachi, highlighted a critical issue that often remains overlooked amidst the complex geopolitics of South Asia: the persecution faced by Indian Muslims. Dr. Ahmar’s reflections resonate deeply, shedding light on the moral imperative for Pakistan and Bangladesh to stand in solidarity with their fellow Muslims across the border.

Principally, Dr. Ahmar argues, the creation of Pakistan was rooted in the aspiration to provide a homeland for Muslims in the Indian Subcontinent. Yet, despite this foundational principle, the influx of Indian Muslims into Pakistan ceased after 1951. This historical fact raises pertinent questions about the responsibility of Pakistan, and indeed Bangladesh, towards their brethren facing persecution in India.

SOURCE: ANI

US envoy to India, Eric Garcetti on Tuesday congratulated the India and US navies for the ‘stellar kick-off’ of the India-US joint exercise ‘Tiger Triumph 2024’ and said such exercises underscore the significant US-India Defence partnership.

“Congratulations to @USNavy and @IndianNavy for a stellar kick-off to #TIGERTRIUMPH 2024! Joint exercises like this underscore the vital #USIndiaDefense partnership, strengthening our bonds and securing our shared interests. Together, we’re paving the way for a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific that benefits all nations. #USIndiaFWD,” Envoy Garcetti posted on X.

SOURCE: ANI

The massive operation carried out by the Indian Navy to rescue a commercial ship from pirates off Somalia’s coast last weekend shows how New Delhi’s military has developed special forces capabilities on par with some of the world’s best, CNN reported, citing several analysts.

The navy rescued 17 crew members of the vessel MV Ruen during an anti-piracy operation lasting nearly two days, with no casualties reported. Around 35 pirates surrendered and were taken into custody, the Indian Navy said.

SOURCE: ANI

The South Korean Air Force’s Chief of Staff, General Lee Youngsu on Tuesday visited the Air Force Station and the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) in Gwalior.

The Korean Air Force chief was accompanied by the Director General of Air Force Operations, Air Marshal Surat Singh. He also visited the maintenance complex and interacted with the IAF Air Warriors. “General Lee Youngsu, Chief of Staff, Republic of Korea Air Force along with DG Air Ops Air Marshal Surat Singh visited Air Force Station Gwalior and the Tactics & Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) today,” Indian Air Force posted on X.

SOURCE: PIB

Indian Navy and Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today at Naval Headquarters, New Delhi, symbolising their commitment to promote technology development, innovative solutions and joint R&D. Rear Admiral K Srinivas, Asst. Chief of Materiel (Dockyard & Refit) at Naval Headquarters and Prof. (Ms) Rintu Banerjee, Dean (R&D) of IIT Kharagpur signed in presence of Prof. Virendra Kumar Tiwari, Director of IIT Kharagpur.

The strategic collaboration focuses on joint research and development initiatives involving teams from Indian Navy and IIT Kharagpur. The MoU will be co-ordinated by INS Shivaji, Lonavala.

SOURCE: UNI

The Indian Army has started training over 1000 freshly inducted J&K police officers at Corps Battle School (CBS) Bhalra Bhaderwah in Jammu region, officials said on Tuesday. The initiative is aligned to the long term vision of Indian Army for operation and intelligence synergy between J&K Police and Army in the conflict hit region.

Army said 1042 Police Sub Inspectors and 62 Deputy Superintendents of Police (Probationers) are being trained at Army’s White Knight Corps Battle School in Bhalra. “Towards bolstering synergy & interoperability with @JmuKmrPolice, #IndianArmy commenced training of freshly inducted 1042 Police Sub Inspectors and 62 Deputy Superintendents of Police (Probationers) at #WhiteKnightCorps Battle School in #Bhalra under the aegis of #DhruvaCommand.

SOURCE: ANI

US State Department Special Representative for Afghanistan, Thomas West, will travel to India and the UAE this week. His visit aims to meet US partner countries’ officials on collaboration in support of the Afghan people.

“I will travel to India and UAE this week to meet with partners on our collaboration in support of the Afghan people,” said West in a post on X. Notably, the announcement of his visit comes a day after Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Khost and Paktia provinces of Afghanistan, which claimed the lives of eight people, including children and women.

SOURCE: ANI

Police succeeded in killing two Naxals in the encounter between police and Maoists during the Naxal patrolling search operation on Tuesday and seized a large quantity of ammunition. According to DSP Krishna Kumar Chandrakar, two Naxalites were killed in an encounter at Dantewada’s Bijapur border area of Chhattisgarh today. During the search, the police seized two knuckle dusters, a large quantity of ammunitions.

The encounter took place in the forest of Purangel, Gampur, under the Kirandul police station area, he added. In the encounter, the bodies of a male Maoist and a female Maoist were recovered and their identification is being done, said DGP Krishna Kumar Chandrakar. He further said that there is a strong possibility of many Naxalites getting injured in the encounter.

SOURCE: PTI

A woman and her minor daughter, who had inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), were repatriated on Tuesday, officials said. The two had crossed the border along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district.

Shabnam Bi, 22, and her 1.5 years old daughter, Laiba Fatima, were handed over to the Indian Army by their Pakistani counterparts at a flag meeting at the Chakan Da Bagh crossing point this evening, officials said.

SOURCE: AFI

A report by Azerbaijani outlet Caliber.az has ignited controversy, casting doubt on the functionality of Indian-supplied weaponry to Armenia. The report cites comments by former Armenian Defense Minister Arshak Karapetyan, who served for three months in 2021, alleging unidentified Indian-origin weapons have exhibited performance issues for the past year.

The crux of the issue lies in Karapetyan’s reported remarks. However, credibility is a factor here. Karapetyan served as Armenia’s Defense Minister for only three months in 2021. Additionally, the specific weapon systems he critiqued are not mentioned.