SOURCE: AFI

Despite disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) has successfully revived Project 11356, which involves the construction of guided missile frigates. GSL’s chairman and managing director, Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay, announced this development after the shipyard’s annual general meeting. Under the umbrella of the defense ministry, GSL has reported impressive financial growth, including a 52% increase in profit before tax for the fiscal year 2022-23.

GSL’s financial performance for the fiscal year 2022-23 has been remarkable. The shipyard recorded a profit before tax of Rs 205 crore, a significant increase from Rs 135 crore in the previous financial year. The shipyard’s net worth has also continued to grow and now stands at Rs 1,246 crore. Upadhyay highlighted that GSL is currently managing the concurrent execution of 20 platforms, a noteworthy achievement given global supply chain disruptions.

SOURCE: AFI

In a bid to enhance India’s military engagement with African nations, Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande is embarking on a significant four-day visit to Tanzania. This visit aims to bolster bilateral defense ties and collaborations with Tanzania, a country where China has been strategically active. General Pande is scheduled to engage in discussions with the Tanzanian defense minister, chief of defense forces, and other key officials during his visit from October 2 to 5. This visit also includes interactions with military institutions and participation in the India-Tanzania mini defense expo.

General Pande’s visit to Tanzania underscores India’s commitment to strengthening its defense relationships with African nations. Discussions during the visit will focus on measures to enhance bilateral defense cooperation and engagement. By fostering closer ties with Tanzania, India aims to expand its military outreach across the African continent.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant development, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has rectified an oversight from the corporatization of the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Boards (OFBs) into seven defense companies in 2021. This corrective step has opened doors for Troops Comfort Limited (TCL) to secure contracts worth ?500 crore. These contracts encompass a range of supplies, including general stores items, special clothing, and ballistic protection gear for the Indian Army.

The MoD issued directives to the Indian Army on May 15, following the approval of Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh, to engage TCL through a single-tender basis for a duration of five years, spanning from FY2023-24 to FY2027-28. This directive underscores the government’s commitment to support domestic defense manufacturing and procurement.

SOURCE: AFI

The prestigious Cambrian Patrol, often hailed as the ‘Olympics of military patrolling,’ is all set to commence from October 6 to October 15, 2023. This challenging military exercise, hosted by Headquarters 160th (Welsh) Brigade, will feature participation from over 60 teams worldwide. Among these elite teams, the Indian Army will be represented by Chetak Corp’s Gandiv division.

Chetak Corp will be pitting its skills against 60-70 teams hailing from various corners of the globe, as announced by the Southwestern Command (SWC) of the Indian Army on May 24. The SWC lauded the victorious “Team ThreeFive,” which emerged triumphant in the demanding Cambrian Patrol competition in 2023, showcasing their unwavering spirit and remarkable endurance.

SOURCE: ANI

Union Minister and former Army chief General VK Singh on Sunday said that the day is not far when Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) will be merged with India again. The Union Minister was speaking during the Tiranga Rally For PoK, organised by the Muslim National Forum, a nationalist Muslim organization, here in the national capital.

Speaking on the occasion, Singh said, “It is important that we understand that PoK was our land, will remain ours and no one else will be able to occupy it.” He said that if the British had not conspired, there was no way that the land would have been captured by Pakistan. “(The) day is not far, (when) this desire and awareness will automatically arise among the people there, and…will again leave them and join us,” he added.

SOURCE: IANS

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Sunday said that the current crisis in Manipur is not a clash between ethnic groups, and also not a law-and-order issue of the state, but “purely a war against the Indian Union by Myanmar and Bangladesh based Kuki militants in collaboration with militant groups operating in Manipur”.

The Chief Minister said the unrest was instigated by a group of people who want to disintegrate the state, but the crisis has been “made to look like” an ethnic or communal clash, or religion based, or between the “majority and minority groups”.

SOURCE: ANI

Expressing his concerns over the recent rise in the incidents of Khalistan extremism, Colin Bloom, former adviser to the UK government said that the situation has escalated because the ‘Western governments’ have “not done enough” to tackle the sinister and aggressive behaviour of extremists.

Mr Bloom stressed that both the British and Canadian governments should take more proactive measures to address this issue. He warned that the situation could spiral “out of control” if the issue is not addressed.

SOURCE: ANI

Terming the India-US ties one of the most defining partnerships, several top Biden administration officials praised External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar’s commitment to this bond, calling him the “architect” of modern US-India relations.

These accolades came during a special reception hosted by India’s Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, in honour of EAM S Jaishankar. 

SOURCE: IANS

The current tensions between Canada and India has cast their shadow on this year’s biggest Indo-Canadian awards night when Sudha Murty, wife of Infosys founder N. R. Narayana Murty, was given the $50,000 Global Indian Award by the Canada India Foundation.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford and many Canadian leaders failed to show up at the event even as prominent Indo-Canadian MP Chandra Arya, some Ontario legislators and local mayors were in attendance.

SOURCE: AFI

Multiple law enforcement agencies launched coordinated raids in the national capital, Delhi, on Saturday, in pursuit of three alleged operatives affiliated with the banned terrorist organization, the Islamic State (IS). These individuals are wanted in connection with the Pune IS module case, which has witnessed several arrests over recent months. The joint efforts of various security agencies have intensified as authorities seek to apprehend these suspects, following the release of their pictures by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) earlier this month.

The Pune IS module case has been a focal point of counter-terrorism efforts, leading to numerous arrests and investigations. The NIA had recently released pictures of four terror suspects, with a reward of Rs 3 lakh offered for information that could lead to their capture. Among these suspects are Talha Liyakat Khan from Pune, Md. Shahnawaz Safiuzzama Alam alias Abdullah from Jharkhand, and Abdulla Faiyaz Shaikh alias Daiperwala and Rizwan Abdul Haji Ali from Delhi.

SOURCE: PTI

Maj Gen Alok Kacker on Sunday concluded his “successful and productive” visit to Nepal during which he held talks with the Nepal Army’s top leadership and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral military ties. During his six-day visit, Maj Gen Kacker called on Nepal Army chief Gen Prabhu Ram Sharma, who is also Hony General of the Indian Army, and discussed furtherance in military bilateral relation of India – Nepal and strengthening Army to Army connect, the Indian Embassy said in a statement here.

Maj Gen Alok Kacker, AVSM, General officer commanding Madhya Uttar Pradesh Sub Area and Colonel of the Regiment 9 Gorkha Rifles, virtually inaugurated Type ‘E’ ECHS Polyclinic Bhojpur, furthering the reach of ECHS Nepal.