SOURCE: AFI

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) have joined forces in a significant partnership to supply cutting-edge Communication and Electronic Warfare (EW) sensors and systems to the Indian Navy. The contract, valued at Rs 847.70 crore, underscores the commitment of both companies to bolster India’s defense capabilities through indigenous manufacturing and technological innovation.

Under the terms of the contract, BEL will provide 14 state-of-the-art Communication and EW sensors and systems, all of which will be domestically manufactured. These advanced systems will be installed on three Cadet Training Ships, enhancing the Indian Navy’s communication and electronic warfare capabilities.

SOURCE: PTI

Pakistan on Thursday urged India to comply with the timeline stipulated in the pre-notification of flight testing of ballistic missiles as it took note of the first flight test of India’s indigenously developed Agni-5 missile.

Responding to a question about India testing a missile capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Islamabad had taken note of the Indian missile test on March 11 as New Delhi shared its advance notification to Islamabad.

SOURCE: IANS

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur on Thursday unveiled a 3D-printed prototype for a hybrid unmanned aerial-underwater vehicle (UAV) that can operate on land, air and in water.

The 3D-printed prototype, which was built inspired by a species of bird Anhingas that are both capable of moving on land and underwater, may be useful in rescue efforts as well as in tasks like mapping oil spills on beaches, rivers, or underwater erosion and pollution dispersion.

SOURCE: ANI

India and Brazil held their first-ever 2+2 Political and Military Dialogue in New Delhi on Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

The dialogue was led by Additional Secretary (LAC) GV Srinivas, MEA & Joint Secretary (IC) Vishwesh Negi, MoD from the Indian side. In a post on social media platform X, the official spokesperson of MEA, Randhir Jaiswal wrote, “Energising – Strategic Partnership!”

SOURCE: PTI

India-US security cooperation will become even more important in the years ahead and the work of the two countries on emerging technologies will take on even more promise, a top American diplomat said on Thursday, reiterating the remarks of President Joe Biden that this is the defining partnership of the 21st century.

“As both President Biden and Prime Minister Modi have said, our impact on each other is important, but what we can do for the world is even more important. Whether it’s addressing food insecurity or battling the next pandemic or connecting millions to the digital economy, there is so much we can do together,” Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Richard Verma, wrote in a blog post in his recent return from India.

SOURCE: PTI

The United States on Thursday said it is concerned about the notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in India and is closely monitoring its implementation. “We are concerned about the notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act on March 11,” State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at his daily briefing.

“We are closely monitoring how this act will be implemented. Respect for religious freedom and equal treatment under the law for all communities are fundamental democratic principles,” Miller said in response to a question.

SOURCE: IANS

While politics is peaking over the grant of citizenship to persecuted minorities under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), a reality check of the ground situation shows that a ‘life of dignity’ for migrants from the neighbourhood may still be far-fetched in the national capital, but the Rohingyas are getting access to all basic amenities including water, food, medication and education.

Notably, Rohingya refugees, rather infiltrators, are numbered in millions and live in various slums across the country, mostly in Assam and West Bengal.

SOURCE: IANS

 India is behind an effort at the United Nations (UN) to ensure that artificial intelligence (AI) systems are “secure and trustworthy” and to keep them open and accessible to the Global South.

India is cosponsoring with the US a General Assembly resolution that calls for promoting “safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems” and “bridging the artificial intelligence and other digital divides between and within countries”.

SOURCE: IANS

An intelligence team of the Rajasthan Police on Thursday arrested a person named Anand Raj Singh for allegedly collecting defence information of strategic importance and sharing it with three female handlers in the Pakistan intelligence setup via social media.

The accused civilian ran a uniform store outside the Suratgarh Army Cantt, officials said. Additional Director General of Police Intelligence Sanjay Agarwal said that the espionage activities carried out by Pakistani intelligence agencies are being continuously monitored by Rajasthan Intelligence. From the reliable intelligence collected, it was found that a young man named Anand Raj, who runs a uniform store outside Suratgarh Army Cantt, was in constant touch with three female handlers of the Pakistani intelligence setup through social media.

SOURCE: IANS

The Indian Navy got its third 25T Bollard Pull (BP) Tug ‘Bajrang’ on Thursday under the ‘Make in India’ initiative of the Union government.

According to the Navy, the availability of Tugs will provide a fillip to its operational commitments by facilitating naval ships and submarines during berthing and un-berthing, turning and manoeuvring in confined waters.

SOURCE: AFI

A recent assessment by US intelligence agencies has raised concerns about the possibility of armed conflict between India and China, as well as between India and Pakistan. The annual threat assessment, released by the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), highlights the volatile nature of the border disputes and the potential for miscalculation and escalation.

According to the report, the disputed border between India and China continues to strain their bilateral relationship. While significant cross-border clashes have not occurred since 2020, both sides maintain large troop deployments, and sporadic encounters between opposing forces increase the risk of armed conflict. The report underscores the importance of avoiding miscalculation and de-escalating tensions to prevent a dangerous confrontation.

SOURCE: AFI

The recent threat issued by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun towards New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters highlights the persistent challenge posed by extremist elements promoting separatism and violence. Pannun, known for his pro-Khalistan activities, has targeted Peters after the latter questioned claims linking India to the killing of separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

In a concerning development, Pannun issued a threat through a poster advocating violent attacks against India’s top diplomat in Canada. This provocative act underscores the aggressive tactics employed by individuals associated with groups like ‘Sikhs for Justice,’ which have long advocated for the secession of Punjab from India.