SOURCE: IANS

The Indian Navy has launched a probe into reports of large fishing vessels bearing Chinese flags allegedly sneaking into the Indian territorial waters in the Arabian Sea near the Karnataka coastal region, sources stated on Friday.

Sources told IANS that the incident was reported three days ago and the Indian Navy is looking into the matter. The intrusions by the Chinese fishing boats came to light after two videos went viral on social media in coastal districts raising concerns.

SOURCE: ANI

Praising the leadership of Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Pravind Jugnauth, the Foreign Minister of Mauritius, Maneesh Gobin, said that the relationship is super special and more strategic than ever before. While speaking to ANI, Gobin said that the ties between the two countries have taken to another level in recent years. On India-Mauritius relations, he said, “I think the relationship is super special.

And in recent years, I think the relationship has taken another level.” “I think it more strategic than ever before and especially under the leadership of our two Prime Ministers, the relationship has become, I think the strategic level is the expression to be used,” the foreign minister added. India has close, longstanding relations with Mauritius, an island nation in the Western Indian Ocean, owing to historical, demographic, and cultural reasons.

SOURCE: ANI

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will pay bilateral visits to the Republic of Korea and Japan from March 5-8 and will co-chair the 10th India-Republic of Korea Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) with his Korean counterpart Cho-Tae Yul, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

The EAM will first visit South Korea’s Seoul from March 5-6 to co-chair the JCM meeting, and the two sides will also exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, the MEA said in a statement.

SOURCE: PTI

Two men were killed by Naxalites in a village in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Friday, police said. The victims, identified as Sodhi Hunga and Madvi Nanda, were residents of Kaher Dulhed village under Chintagufa police station limits, an official said.

After being alerted about the murders, a police team was sent to the spot and further details are awaited. The exact reason behind the crime was yet to be ascertained, he said. “Frustrated over losing their ground in their strongholds, Naxalites have been targeting innocent civilians. They don’t want the benefits of development and welfare schemes to reach the common man,” the official said.

SOURCE: AFI

A recent incident along the Assam-Bangladesh border has brought attention to the ongoing challenges of cattle smuggling in the region, as a suspected smuggler, Shahinur Islam (26), was shot dead by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in Mankachar. The incident highlights the complexities and risks associated with illegal cattle trade along the international boundary.

The encounter occurred as BSF personnel intercepted a group of Indian smugglers, including Shahinur Islam, who were attempting to swiftly transport cows across the border into Bangladesh. Mankachar, located in Assam, has been a hotspot for illegal cattle smuggling due to its proximity to Bangladesh and porous border conditions.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to receive a major upgrade in its air defense capabilities with a ?13,000 crore ($1.6 billion) project approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). This investment focuses on acquiring new high-power radars from Larsen & Toubro (L&T), an Indian defense manufacturer.

A project worth Rs 6,000 crore will see the IAF replace and augment its existing radar chain along the borders with China and Pakistan. These new radars will significantly enhance its ability to monitor air activity in these crucial sectors.

SOURCE: AFI

In a major boost to India’s air defense and self-reliance, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved a Rs 7,000 crore deal for the procurement of close-in weapon systems from Indian defense giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T). This includes the ambitious “Made in India” Close-in Weapon System (CIWS) project, based on the company’s advanced Sudarshan SHORAD system.

The Sudarshan SHORAD is a state-of-the-art Short-Range Air Defence System (SHORAD) designed and developed by L&T Defence. It boasts:

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Navy successfully employed its Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) to locate the wrecks of two sunken submarines during a recent training program. This exercise demonstrates the growing capabilities of the Indian Navy in deep-sea operations and underwater rescue missions.

The discovered submarines include:

SOURCE: AFI

As tensions escalate in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the recent imposition of sanctions by the European Union (EU) against Chinese and Indian firms has sparked significant debate and speculation regarding its efficacy and potential implications. In a report by the CCP mouthpiece Global Times, Chinese analysts assert that these sanctions, aimed at curtailing trade with Russia, may not contribute to Ukraine’s efforts in the war. Rather, they underscore the broader geopolitical maneuvers at play and the complexities surrounding international relations.

The EU sanctions, which target companies from China, India, and several other countries including Sri Lanka, Turkey, Thailand, Serbia, and Kazakhstan, signify a strategic move by Western powers to exert pressure on Russia amidst its military advances in Ukraine. However, the effectiveness of such measures remains uncertain, particularly in light of past experiences with sanctions against Russia.

SOURCE: ANI

As part of his current tour in the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Surat on Thursday and dedicated to the nation two Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) in the district.

Built by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), at a cost of more than Rs 22,500 crore, the KAPS-3 and KAPS-4 projects have a cumulative capacity of 1400 megawatts and are the largest indigenous PHWRs, said an official release.

SOURCE: PTI

Underlining that the current multilateral governance architecture is “outdated”, India at a G20 ministerial meeting here on Thursday called for comprehensive UN reforms, including the UN Security Council.

Brazil assumed the G20 Presidency from India on December 1, 2023, and the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) here is the first ministerial meeting under the Brazilian Presidency that was inaugurated here on Wednesday.