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SOURCE: AFI

Recent report from The Times of India shed light on the alleged involvement of Indian-American lawmaker Ami Bera in attempts to stall the sale of 31 MQ-9A Sea Guardian and Sky Guardian drones to India. Bera, representing California’s 6th Congressional district, which houses a significant Sikh community around Sacramento, finds himself entangled in a complex web of diplomatic and political intrigue.

The controversy erupted when “The Wire,” an anti-Modi news portal, raised allegations suggesting that the sale of these advanced drones to India was contingent upon New Delhi conducting a “meaningful investigation” into an alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. This sensational claim not only sparked widespread debate but also raised questions about the underlying motives driving such assertions.

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SOURCE: AFI

The Czech Republic has temporarily put on hold the extradition proceedings of Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national accused of involvement in a plot to assassinate Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, according to Czech Justice Ministry spokesperson Vladimir Repka.

Gupta, indicted by the US, faces charges related to the alleged assassination attempt that was thwarted in 2023. However, his extradition has hit a roadblock after he appealed to the country’s Constitutional Court to prevent his transfer to the US.

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SOURCE: PTI

The sale of General Atomics MQ-9B armed drones would provide India with an enhanced maritime security and domain awareness capability, the United States has said. Last week, the State Department informed the State Department of its decision to authorise the sale of 31 MQ-9B armed drones at an estimated cost of USD 3.99 billion.

The projected mega drone agreement was revealed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic state visit here in June 2023.

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SOURCE: ANI

The Committee on External Affairs highlighted on Monday that terrorism in India is sponsored from across the border, adding that terrorist outfits are provided safe havens by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The Committee on External Affairs, headed by PP Chaudhary, presented their 28th report on ‘Countering Global Terrorism at Regional and International Levels’ on Monday. According to their observations, the report emphasised that an action plan and mechanism to root out terrorist networks and safe havens in the neighbouring countries are recommended.

“The Committee has noted that the problem of terrorism in India is largely sponsored from across the border. Terrorist outfits are provided safe havens, material support, finance, and other logistics by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to carry out terrorist activities in India,” the report stated. It further stressed that, according to the committee, the terror attacks in India can only be controlled by dismantling all terrorist networks and safe havens.

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SOURCE: AFI

In a swift and decisive operation, the Indian Navy successfully thwarted a pirate attack on a cargo vessel in the Arabian Sea in January, thanks in part to the real-time intelligence provided by an MQ9B SeaGuardian Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) manufactured by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.

The incident unfolded when pirates attempted to hijack the cargo vessel, raising immediate concerns for the crew’s safety and the security of the critical shipping lane. However, the Indian Navy was well-prepared, with an MQ9B SeaGuardian patrolling the area. This highly sophisticated UAV, known for its long-endurance and advanced surveillance capabilities, proved invaluable in the operation.

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SOURCE: AFI

India is set to make a significant mark at the upcoming Saudi defense show as three distinguished women officers from the country’s armed forces prepare to participate. These officers, each representing a different service branch, exemplify India’s commitment to gender diversity and military excellence.

The trio includes Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth from the Indian Air Force, Colonel Ponung Doming from the Indian Army, and Lieutenant Commander Annu Prakash from the Indian Navy. Their participation underscores the growing role of women in India’s defense sector and their proficiency across various military domains.

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SOURCE: AFI

In his latest address to the parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered scathing remarks targeting the Gandhis and India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.

During his final speech in parliament before the upcoming elections, PM Modi took direct aim at Rahul Gandhi and his great grandfather, criticizing Rahul’s “Mohabbat ka Dukaan” campaign and accusing Nehru of lacking faith in the potential of the Indian people.

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SOURCE: PTI

The government wants friendly relations with all countries but it will not compromise with India’s border security and the safety of its people, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday. Mr Shah also said that the Modi government has successfully tackled the three internal security hotspots — ‘Jammu and Kashmir, the Northeast and the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas’ — in its 10 years of rule.

“Our external and internal policy is clear. We want friendly relations with other countries. But there will be no compromise on the country’s border security and the security of its people,” he said while participating in a discussion on the subject ‘Security Beyond Tomorrow: Forging India’s Resilient Future’ here.

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SOURCE: ANI

 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met his visiting Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis and held discussions for further strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.

Both the leaders also exchanged perspectives on regional and international issues, including the conflict in Ukraine. The meeting, following the 75th-year celebrations of the India-Switzerland friendship treaty last year, delved into various aspects of cooperation and collaboration, EAM Jaishankar said in a post on X, following his meeting with Cassis.

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SOURCE: ANI

Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi has been appointed as the new Army Vice Chief as of February 15. He would be replacing Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar, who would be his successor at the Northern Army Command in Udhampur.

The Army postings for new transfers were issued today and the two officers will take over their new assignments on February 15, Army officials said.

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SOURCE: ANI

Border Security Force (BSF) troops arrested a Pakistani national near the border fence in an area adjacent to Pallopati village in Tarn Taran district on Monday. The arrested person is identified as a 16-year-old Pakistani national from Kasur. BSF, local Police and other agencies carried out the initial questioning, which infers that the apprehended person is coherent in their reply and well aware of the surrounding area.

One mobile phone and one Pak currency note of PKR ? 100 were recovered from the intruder.

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SOURCE: AFI

The Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently achieved a significant milestone with the successful completion of four flight trials of the High-Speed Expendable Aerial Target-ABHYAS. Conducted between January 30th and February 2nd, 2024, at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, these trials mark a notable advancement in India’s defense capabilities.

ABHYAS, meticulously designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment of DRDO, represents a cutting-edge innovation in aerial target systems. The project showcases India’s prowess in indigenous defense technology, aligning with the nation’s strategic objectives of self-reliance and technological advancement.

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SOURCE: AFI

Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has revealed a strategic shift in the country’s defense procurement, highlighting India and France as key partners. This move signifies a diversification away from traditional reliance and marks a significant development in Armenian national security strategy.

Minister Papikyan emphasized the ongoing process of expanding Armenia’s defense equipment sources. He noted the development of partnerships with “many superpowers,” but specifically identified India and France as the “main partners”.

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SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Army’s Army Educational Corps (AEC) is undergoing a significant transformation, rebranding itself as the “Army Knowledge & Enablers Corps”. This shift reflects a strategic move to bolster the force’s capabilities in critical areas like cyber warfare, information technology, perception management, and linguistics.

Approved by the Ministry of Defense, this evolution is part of an ongoing modernization drive within the 12-lakh strong Indian Army. Senior officers emphasize that the restructuring aims to provide the military with specialized personnel in these crucial domains, enabling them to effectively address emerging operational needs and overcome evolving challenges.

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SOURCE: AFI

Air Marshal Robert Chipman, Chief of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), is set to visit India later this month, furthering the series of high-level interactions between the two nations. This visit underscores the growing strategic partnership between India and Australia in the Indo-Pacific region.

Scheduled to arrive on February 21st, Air Marshal Chipman will meet with all Indian service chiefs, senior defense ministry officials, and participate in “closed-door” discussions on critical bilateral issues. Notably, he will represent all Australian defense forces, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the engagement.

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