SOURCE: PTI

Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane on Friday held talks with Spanish Secretary of State for Defence Maria-Amparo Valcarce Garcia during which both sides reviewed ongoing projects and discussed future joint plans in maritime and air domains, officials said.

A number of bilateral defence cooperation issues were discussed, with a focus on industrial collaboration, the defence ministry said in a statement issued in the national capital.

SOURCE: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday dedicated to the nation the Sela Tunnel built at an altitude of 13,000 feet in Arunachal Pradesh that will provide all-weather connectivity to strategically located Tawang and is expected to ensure better movement of troops along the frontier region.

The Rs 825 crore tunnel, constructed on the road connecting Assam’s Tezpur to West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh, is being billed as the longest bi-lane road tunnel in the world at such an altitude. The Sela Tunnel will provide for better movement of troops and weaponry to various forward locations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, according to military officials.

SOURCE: ANI

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), the premier anti-terror probe agency in the country, on Saturday released two videos and pictures of the suspect in Rameshwaram cafe blast case, seeking the cooperation of citizens to identify him.

In a 49-second video released by the NIA, the suspect is seen boarding a BMTC bus. He is shown further to be getting up from the middle seat he sat on, moving towards the rear end of the vehicle and settling into another seat.

SOURCE: ANI

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti engaged in discussions on US-India Defense strategy and foreign policy formulation with India’s military leaders and educators at the Army War College, Mhow. https://twitter.com/USAmbIndia/status/1766030062233751932/photo/1

In an official post on X, US Ambassador Eric Garcetti @USAmbIndia says, “I had a great discussion on #USIndiaDefense strategy and foreign policy formulation with some of India’s military leaders & educators at the Army War College, Mhow. Our joint commitment to a secure, free, and open #IndoPacific is stronger than ever. #USIndiaFWD.” During the dialogue, both sides reaffirmed their joint commitment to fostering a secure, free, and open Indo-Pacific region.

SOURCE: IANS

Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Saturday recovered rusted grenades, bullets and explosives in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district.

Police said that rusted grenades, bullets and explosives were found in Darhal Chokian area of Rajouri, as per the inputs received. Police said following the input a party from police station Darhal and CRPF rushed to the spot and recovered the cache of rusted grenades, bullets and explosives.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) announced the successful amendment of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) contract with the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday. This revision reflects an increase in the contract value from Rs 2,700.87 crore to Rs 5,077.95 crore.

The original LCA IOC contract, signed in March 2006, has already been fulfilled. HAL delivered 20 LCA Tejas aircraft to the IAF under this agreement.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant shift, the Indian government has announced a new policy for foreign investment (FDI) in the space sector. This policy balances the need to attract much-needed investment with national security concerns.

Under the new guidelines, announced on March 5th, foreign companies can now invest:

SOURCE: AFI

The recent mega turnout at the rally of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in held Kashmir has reignited debates and discussions over the region’s political landscape. Modi’s visit marked his first since the controversial revocation of Article 370 of India’s constitution, which granted special autonomous status to the region. This move, deemed by Pakistan as an attempt to fabricate normalcy in the disputed territory, has failed to spark tensions or draw any international attention to the Kashmir conflict.

In the aftermath of the revocation in 2019, Pakistan has consistently dismissed India’s efforts to portray a semblance of normalcy in Kashmir. Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Office, reiterated this stance in a recent press briefing, emphasizing that such endeavors are merely superficial in nature. Baloch highlighted concerns regarding the alleged intimidation of local residents and the denial of their rights and freedoms.

SOURCE: AFI

India has taken a firm stance on the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) loan to Pakistan. While abstaining from the initial vote, India is now advocating for “stringent monitoring” of the $3 billion emergency fund.

This monitoring, according to India, should ensure the funds are used for their intended purpose and not diverted towards Pakistan’s military spending or repaying debts to other countries. India’s position was conveyed by its representative, Krishnamurthy Subramanian, during a recent review of the loan program.

SOURCE: ANI

Chief of Naval Staff, R Hari Kumar, highlighted the significance of the recently commissioned INS Jatayu at Minocoy Island , stating that it reinforces the nation’s commitment to safeguarding its maritime interests in the strategic Lakshadweep region.

The commissioning ceremony marked a pivotal milestone in India’s naval capabilities, with INS Jatayu poised to play a crucial role in enhancing maritime domain awareness and bolstering the Indian Navy’s sustenance and surveillance capabilities in the region.

SOURCE: REUTERS

India on Friday began deporting the first group of Myanmar refugees who sought shelter there after a military coup in 2021 and plans to send back more in the coming days, weeks after saying it would end a visa-free border policy with Myanmar.

Thousands of civilians and hundreds of troops from Myanmar have fled to Indian states, where communities between the two countries share ethnic and familial ties, which has worried New Delhi because of the risk of communal tensions spreading to India.

SOURCE: ANI

Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed has voiced significant concerns regarding the ramifications of India’s boycott call on the Maldives, particularly in the context of tourism. Nasheed, currently in India, conveyed apologies on behalf of the Maldivian people and emphasised their wish for Indian tourists to continue visiting the country. Nasheed highlighted the impact of the boycott on the Maldives, stating, “It has impacted the Maldives a lot, and I am actually here in India. I’m very worried about this.

I want to say the people of the Maldives are sorry, we are sorry that this has happened. We want Indian people to come on their holidays to the Maldives, and there will not be any change in our hospitality.” He further praised the quick action taken by the current President in removing those responsible for the boycott. “I think these matters must be ironed out, and we must revert back to change course and go back to our usual relationship,” he told ANI.