SOURCE: AFI

In recent years, the global arms trade landscape has witnessed a significant shift, particularly concerning Russian arms exports. The statistics reveal a stark reality: Russian arms exports fell by 53 percent between the periods of 2014–18 and 2019–23. This rapid decline has raised concerns and sparked discussions among analysts and policymakers worldwide.

The decline in Russian arms exports over the past five years has been pronounced, with notable implications for both Russia’s defense industry and its geopolitical influence. In 2019, Russia exported major arms to 31 states; however, by 2023, this number dwindled to only 12 states. Such a substantial reduction in the number of recipient states underscores the challenges facing Russia’s arms export market.

SOURCE: ANI

The Agni-5 missiles with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-Entry Vehicle ( MIRV) technology would be able to hit at least three different targets spread over a large area. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed technology that would make the missile system difficult to intercept as the payloads or warheads would be moving towards their intended targets along with the mother vehicles and multiple decoys with them, defence sources told ANI.

The number of warheads in the missile system can also be increased based on the requirements, they said. The Defence Ministry said today that it has demonstrated the capability to conduct the first successful flight test of an indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-Entry Vehicle ( MIRV) technology.

SOURCE: ANI

Former spokesperson of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ravi Gupta, on Monday hailed the first flight test of the Agni-5 missile and called it a ‘moment of pride’ that India launched ‘Mission Divyastra’. He further said that the system, which has indigenous sensors and avionics, is proof of ‘India’s technological ability’. “It is a moment of pride that India has launched Mission Divyastra today.

This will ensure that a single missile can deploy multiple warheads and with this test, India has joined the select group of countries,” he said. “The system that has indigenous sensors and avionics is proof of India’s technological ability.

SOURCE: ANI

After the Agni-5 MIRV missile, developed by defence research centre DRDO for over a decade, took its first flight on Monday, former Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Shirish Baban Deo (Retd) said that the launch is very ‘significant’ as the country joins the elite list of nations with test of Agni-V MIRV technology.

Speaking to ANI, he further said that the launch of the missile sends a clear message that the country is now prepared for everything. “… We are in a few handful countries who have this technology like the USA, France, Russia and maybe the UK. From this perspective, the launch is very significant. But the most significant message that we want to send is that we are prepared for everything,” Air Marshal Shirish Baban Deo (Retd.) said.

SOURCE: PTI

Pakistani Hindu refugees residing in Delhi expressed hope and happiness on the implementation of the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act on Monday, saying they are elated that “we will be called Indian citizens finally”.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha election, the Centre announced the implementation of the contentious CAA 2019 for granting citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014.

SOURCE: PTI

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Monday and updated him on the recent developments in the fighting in the Gaza Strip. The two leaders “also discussed the effort to release the hostages and the issue of humanitarian assistance”, the official handle of the Prime Minister of Israel posted on X.

Prime Minister Netanyahu met with “Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and updated him on recent developments in the fighting in the Gaza Strip”, it said, sharing a photograph of the meeting.

SOURCE: ANI

The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), a US-based advocacy group, welcomed the formal notification of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in India and said that the decision is a ‘big win’ for the persecuted religious minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.

“A big win for HumanRights for the persecuted religious #minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. India finally notifies the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) which was passed by the Indian Parliament in 2019!,” the CoHNA said in a post on X.

SOURCE: PTI

The Centre on Monday implemented the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, notifying the rules four years after the contentious law was passed by Parliament to fast-track citizenship for undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014.

With the unveiling of the rules that came days ahead of the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections, the Modi government will now start granting Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants — Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians — from the three countries. The rules come into force with immediate effect, according to a Gazette notification.

SOURCE: ANI

Building bridges of friendship whilst training young minds, the ships of the First Training Squadron (1TS) comprising INS Tir and CGS Sarathi arrived in Port Louis, Mauritius on Monday. The visit also coincides with the 57th Mauritius National Day celebrations on Mar 12. As a gesture of solidarity and friendship, one helicopter and a contingent of the Indian Navy will participate in the Mauritius National Day city parade. President Droupadi Murmu is the Chief Guest for the National Day celebrations.

Earlier, the ship undertook joint EEZ surveillance with Mauritius Dornier aircraft. During the visit to Port Louis, various training activities and cross-deck visits are planned. The presence of 1TS is a testament to the shared commitment to regional security and underlines the rich cultural and diplomatic ties between the two nations.

SOURCE: AFI

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has apprehended an employee of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) on suspicion of divulging classified information concerning restricted areas to a Pakistani intelligence operative. The individual in question, Kalpesh Baikar (31), a resident of Alibaug in Raigarh district, had undergone training as a fitter at an ITI college in Alibaug before joining Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai in May 2014.

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders is renowned for its expertise in constructing warships, submarines, and offshore platforms for the Indian Navy. The ATS alleges that Baikar, in possession of access to restricted zones within the shipbuilding facility, engaged in extensive social media conversations with a woman over several months. As their dialogue progressed, Baikar purportedly shared sensitive data with the woman in return for financial remuneration.

SOURCE: AFI

According to reports from Maldivian media on Monday, Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives and responsible for operating a helicopter have departed from the island nation. They have handed over the helicopter’s operations to an Indian civilian crew, as confirmed by a media official from the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) to the Adhadhu news portal.

The Indian soldiers, who were stationed in Addu city, have returned to India after transferring the responsibility of helicopter operations to the civilian crew. However, there has been no immediate confirmation from India’s defense ministry regarding the withdrawal of the first batch of Indian military personnel from the Maldives, as reported by the media in the Maldives.

SOURCE: AFI

March 9th, 2024 marks the second anniversary of a tense incident between India and Pakistan. On that day in 2022, a BrahMos missile – a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia – inadvertently landed in Pakistani territory near Mian Channu.

Pakistan has used the anniversary to reiterate its call for a comprehensive report from India on the incident. While India has expressed regret and reportedly held some officials accountable, a detailed investigation report remains undisclosed.

SOURCE: AFI

A Chinese research vessel, the Xiang Yang Hong 01, has been spotted entering the Bay of Bengal region, according to maritime data. This comes just days before India’s planned missile tests off its eastern coast.

This is the second such vessel to enter waters near India in recent weeks, raising eyebrows. India is reportedly scheduled to test two nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, the K4 submarine-launched and Agni-V land-based variants, between March 11th and 16th. The exact date may vary depending on various factors.