SOURCE: ANI

The border discussions between Bhutan and China are “matters between those two countries,” Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said in a press briefing on Friday.

Asked whether China-Bhutan border dispute was discussed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders of Bhutan, Kwatra said, “In so far as the boundary discussions between Bhutan and China are concerned, they are matters between those two countries.”

SOURCE: ANI

Political activists from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit-Baltistan held a protest outside the United Nations in Geneva on Friday, demanding Pakistan vacate its forces from the occupied territories in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolution.

The protest was organized under the auspices of the National Equality Party JKGBL during the 55th Session of the UN Human Rights Council. Prof. Sajjad Raja, a political activist from PoK and Chairman of the National Equality Party JKGBL, stated, “We are here today to raise our voice against the violation of basic human rights in PoJK and Gilgit Baltistan. We are living like animals in GB and PoJK. We want Pakistan out of PoJK and Gilgit Baltistan as advised by the United Nations. It marks the 77th consecutive year of oppression, lacking basic human rights, and fundamental freedom in PoJK and Gilgit Baltistan.”

SOURCE: ANI

The Russian Embassy in India flew the Russian flag at half mast on Saturday following the tragic terrorist attack in Moscow, which claimed the lives of 60 people and left another 100 wounded.

“As a sign of mourning and grief for the victims of the terrorist attack in Moscow, the Russian Embassy in India flies the national flag at half-mast. We express our sincere condolences to the families of those deceased and wish a speedy recovery to all those injured,” said the Embassy in a post on social media platform X.

SOURCE: ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his two-day visit to Bhutan and emplaned for New Delhi on Saturday morning. In a special gesture, King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Bhutanese PM Dasho Tshering Tobgay both came to see off PM Modi at the airport.

PM Modi had arrived on a two-day state visit to Bhutan on Friday.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Army is set to acquire a new weapon system designed to significantly enhance the operational capabilities of its mechanized infantry and armored units. The program focuses on procuring Canister-Launched Anti-Armour Loiter Munition (CALM) systems, offering several key advantages.

According to a recent procurement notice, the Indian Army aims to integrate CALM systems onto various platforms including T-72 and T-90 tanks, BMP-2 armored vehicles, mortar carriers, and reconnaissance vehicles. This integration will provide a vital remote-controlled attack capability, allowing troops to engage targets beyond their visual range.

SOURCE: AFI

Garuda Aerospace, India’s leading drone manufacturer, has taken a significant leap forward with the launch of their flagship border patrol surveillance drone – Trishul. This innovative offering promises to empower security forces with unparalleled monitoring and analysis capabilities.

Equipped with a comprehensive suite of sensors, Trishul goes beyond basic visual monitoring. High-definition cameras, infrared for low-light conditions, LiDAR for 3D mapping, and radar provide a wealth of data for improved decision-making:

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Navy has heightened its surveillance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) following the entry of a new Chinese satellite and missile tracking ship. This latest addition brings the total number of such Chinese vessels in the IOR to four, raising concerns for Indian security officials.

The Indian Navy utilizes a multi-pronged approach to monitor these Chinese “research” vessels, even when they attempt to evade detection by turning off their transponders. This includes deploying P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and warships.

SOURCE: PTI

IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari visited the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Tamil Nadu’s Wellington on Friday and told a group of officers about the IAF’s vision to transition into a “contemporary and future ready aerospace force”.

The IAF chief also highlighted the significant air power lessons derived from existing conflicts such as Russia-Ukraine war and Israel-Hamas conflict, the defence ministry said in a statement. In his address to them, he also covered the challenges confronting the IAF, its capability development plan and jointmanship, it said.

SOURCE: PTI

India and Bhutan today exchanged several strategic MoUs and signed agreements in the fields of energy, trade, digital connectivity, space and agriculture, and finalised the MoU on the establishment of rail links between the two nations.

The MoUs were exchanged in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay during the ongoing two-day State visit of PM Modi. Prime Minister Modi met his Bhutanese counterpart in Thimphu “over a working lunch hosted in his honour”.

SOURCE: PTI

After his anti-India rhetoric, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has struck a reconciliatory tone, saying India will continue to remain his country’s closest ally and urged New Delhi to provide debt relief to the archipelago nation.

The Maldives owed approximately USD 400.9 million to India by the end of last year. Ever since he took oath as the president in November last year, the pro-China Maldivian leader has pursued a hardline stand towards India and within hours had demanded that Indian military personnel operating three aviation platforms be repatriated from his country by May 10.

SOURCE: ANI

From a private dinner given by the King to being conferred with the country’s highest civilian honour, Bhutan’s three special gestures have become a key highlight during the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Himalayan nation.

In one of the gestures, it is for the first time that an Indian Prime Minister is hosted at K5 Residence Lingkana Palace. Moreover, no Indian PM has been given a private dinner by Bhutan’s King before, however, PM Modi is being given this privilege.

SOURCE: ANI

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two more key operatives in the over 102 kg Attari drug seizure case in Punjab’s Amritsar district last year, the agency said on Friday. The case involved the recovery and seizure of a total of over 102 kg of heroin, valued at approximately ? 700 crore, in April 2022. The drug was smuggled into the country concealed in a consignment of licorice roots (mulethi).

The two accused, identified as Deepak Khurana alias Deepu of Ferozepur (Punjab) and Avtar Singh alias Sunny of Jamia Nagar in South Delhi, were arrested on Thursday.

SOURCE: PTI

The Centre on Friday authorised all states and Union Territories to take action against three banned Jammu and Kashmir-based groups under the UAPA.

The three groups are the Muslim Conference Jammu and Kashmir (Sumji faction), Muslim Conference Jammu and Kashmir (Bhat faction) and Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir. In three identical notifications, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs said the Centre directs that all powers exercisable by it under Section 7 and Section 8 of the anti-terror Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, shall be exercised by state governments and Union Territory administrations in relation to the three unlawful associations.

SOURCE: AFI

The arrival of Yuan Wang 03, a Chinese government-linked satellite and missile tracking vessel, in the Indian Ocean has sparked concerns in India. This development coincides with India’s planned missile test, raising questions about China’s intentions.

While Yuan Wang 03 has garnered significant attention, it’s important to note that it’s not the only Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean. Visual data reveals that at least four other Chinese “research” vessels are currently operating in the region.

SOURCE: AFI

Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has shed light on a critical moment in recent geopolitical history, highlighting the perilous tensions between India and Pakistan following a series of escalatory events in the wake of a terrorist attack in Kashmir. In his recollection, Pompeo underscores the gravity of the situation and the pivotal role played by diplomatic intervention in preventing a potentially catastrophic outcome.

Pompeo recalls a period of heightened distrust and animosity between the two South Asian neighbors, particularly in the aftermath of an Islamist terrorist attack in Kashmir that claimed the lives of forty Indian citizens. The attack, which occurred on February 14, served as a catalyst for a sequence of events that brought India and Pakistan to the brink of a full-scale conflict.