SOURCE: PTI

Space agency Indian Space Research Organisation successfully conducted a rocket launching test in Kushinagar, marking the first time a payload was launched via a rocket from the soil of Uttar Pradesh, officials said.

The test conducted on Saturday in collaboration with Thrust Tech India Limited saw the rocket ascend 1.1 km at 5:14:33 PM, a complete success. Indian Space Research Organisation scientist Abhishek Singh said, “The rocket was launched at 5:14 PM and 33 seconds, which went up to a height of 1.1 km. After this, a small satellite (payload) came out. As soon as it fell down to 5 metres, its parachute activated and the satellite landed within 400 metres on the ground.”

SOURCE: PTI

With the Israel-Iran conflict intensifying, the government must urgently review energy risk scenarios, diversify crude sourcing, and ensure strategic reserves are sufficient, think tank GTRI said on Sunday. Due to the war, India is increasingly at risk of collateral economic fallout, with energy security, trade routes, and key commercial interests facing growing uncertainty, the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said.

“The escalating hostilities and rising regional tensions are posing direct threats to India’s strategic and economic links with West Asia,” GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava said, adding India has significant trade exposure to both warring nations.

SOURCE: IANS

With the escalating tensions in the Middle East following the recent conflict between Iran and Israel, the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement on Monday said that India is closely monitoring the security situation to ensure the safety and welfare of its nationals in both countries.

In a statement released on social media platform X, the MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that the Indian Embassy in Tehran is “continuously monitoring the security situation and engaging Indian students in Iran to ensure their safety.”

SOURCE: PTI

The Representative office of India in Ramallah on Saturday advised Indian nationals in Palestine to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary movement in the wake of the tension in the region. Providing an emergency number, the office asked those seeking assistance to contact at +970592916418 or cons.ramallah@mea.gov.in.

“In view of the current situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Palestine are requested to remain vigilant and observe locally advised safety and emergency procedures. Please exercise caution and avoid unnecessary movement,” India in Palestine posted on X.

SOURCE: PTI

As a British F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing at Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram International Airport last night, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Sunday said it is “fully aware” of it and facilitated the aircraft for flight safety reasons.

The jet, which is believed to have taken off from an aircraft carrier, made the emergency landing after running low on fuel, sources said on Sunday. The jet landed safely at around 9.30 pm, they said. An IAF spokesperson in a brief statement said, “A normal occurrence of diversion by F-35.

SOURCE: IANS

Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier has dismissed as “factually incorrect” Pakistan’s claims about having shot down three Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force during Operation Sindoor.

In an interview to French magazine Challenges, Trappier said: “What Pakistan is claiming about downing three Rafales is simply not true.” He made it clear that Dassault, the French company that manufactures the Rafale, has received no official communication from the Indian Air Force indicating any such losses. “What we already know is that what the Pakistanis are saying about destroying three Rafale planes is inaccurate,” Trappier said.

SOURCE: PTI

Drone manufacturer Garuda Aerospace has established an Agri-Drone Indigenisation facility near the city to design and manufacture advanced Unmanned Aerial Systems among many others, a top official said on Friday.

The facility, a first-of-its-kind initiative, augments Garuda Aerospace’s existing manufacturing unit located near Chennai and a major leap in advancing drone manufacturing. The products that would be produced at the facility include 7 subsystems (of Unmanned Aerial Systems), 33 parts among others. The production would be covered under the Centre’s ambitious ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ campaign.

SOURCE: IANS

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the overnight Iranian missile strikes that left at least ten people dead and more than 200 injured across various cities in Israel.

In a statement on social media platform X, Herzog called it “a very sad and difficult morning.” “Our sisters and brothers were murdered and injured last night by criminal Iranian attacks against the civilian population in Bat Yam, Tamra and other communities. Jews and Arabs, veteran citizens and new immigrants, including children and the elderly, women and men,” he wrote.

SOURCE: IANS

 In a blow to purveyors of fake news trying to create a diplomatic rift between the US and India, the White House has denied that Pakistan’s military chief, Asim Munir, was invited to the Washington Military Parade on Saturday.

“This is false. No foreign military leaders were invited,” a White House official said of the reports about the invitation to Munir. Critics of India and the opposition parties in India seized on the fake reports to criticise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and tried to sow discord between India and the US.

SOURCE: IANS

Alert troops of the Army foiled an infiltration attempt along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district on Sunday, while searches are underway after suspicious movement was detected on the LoC in Poonch district.

Officials said that alert troops noticed some suspicious movement on the LoC in the Baratgala area of the Keri sector in Rajouri district.

SOURCE: PTI

Helicopter services on the Chardham yatra route were suspended for two days on Sunday in the wake of the crash of a chopper returning from Kedarnath.

Seven people, including the pilot, were killed in the helicopter crash on Sunday morning.Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who held an emergency meeting with senior officials to discuss the situation, said heli services will remain suspended for two days as the weather is bad and the safety of passengers is the state government’s top priority.

SOURCE: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that the upcoming G7 Summit in Canada will provide space for exchanging views on pressing global issues and the priorities of the Global South, as he left for a three-nation tour.

In his departure statement ahead of his three-nation tour, PM Modi said he looks forward to engaging with leaders from partner countries during the summit at Kananaskis, which he is attending at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

SOURCE: PTI

Sri Lanka Army Commander Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo on Saturday reviewed the passing out parade of the IMA’s spring term and said true leadership is tested not in peace but in the chaos of conflict.

Addressing 451 gentlemen cadets who were commissioned into the armies of their respective countries, Lt Gen Rodrigo who is himself an alumnus of the institution said being commissioned is only the beginning.

SOURCE: PTI

India on Saturday asserted that its position on the Israel-Iran situation remains as stated earlier and urged the international community to utilise channels of dialogue and diplomacy towards de-escalation, after the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) issued a statement critical of Israel’s military strikes.

India had on Friday said it was “deeply concerned” at the recent developments between Iran and Israel and “closely monitoring” the evolving situation, even as New Delhi had urged both countries to avoid any escalatory steps.

SOURCE: IANS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will commence the first leg of his three-nation tour from Cyprus on Sunday before participating in the G7 Summit in Canada followed by visiting Croatia on his way back. This will be the Prime Minister’s first foreign visit after Operation Sindoor.

Before participating in the G7 Summit on Monday, PM Modi will visit Cyprus, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in more than two decades, and will also travel to Croatia, marking the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister.