SOURCE: AFI

Russia’s Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, has expressed unwavering confidence in the strength of the India-Russia partnership. In an interview with Rossiya-24, he asserted that attempts to disrupt their cooperation, presumably referencing Western sanctions, will be futile.

“No matter who” tries to hinder their ties, Ambassador Alipov declared that India and Russia consistently find methods to navigate around sanctions and maintain their collaboration. He emphasized, “it’s impossible to prevent” this continued partnership.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Navy, in a display of swift and coordinated action, played a key role in the successful rescue of multiple hijacked vessels and their crews across two separate operations.

In a collaborative effort, the Indian Navy joined forces with the Seychelles Defence Forces and the Sri Lanka Navy to intercept a hijacked vessel. Their combined efforts led to the apprehension of all three pirates by the Seychelles Coast Guard. Most importantly, the six crew members on board were rescued and confirmed safe.

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.