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Underlining that the current multilateral governance architecture is “outdated”, India at a G20 ministerial meeting here on Thursday called for comprehensive UN reforms, including the UN Security Council.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

SOURCE: ANI

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan on Thursday held a meeting with French Navy Chief Admiral Nicolas Vaujour and discussed issues of mutual strategic interest, security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region and furthering maritime collaboration. The two sides affirmed the significant progress in bilateral defence cooperation between two nations.

In a post on X, Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff stated, “Admiral Nicolas Vaujour, French Chief of Naval Staff called on General Anil Chauhan, #CDS_India. Discussions held on issues of mutual #strategicinterest, #securitychallenges in the #IOR and furthering maritime collaboration, duly affirming the significant progress in bilateral #DefenceCooperation between both nations.” India and France have traditionally close and friendly relations, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

SOURCE: PTI

A Maoist camp on the Bijapur-Dantewada border in Chhattisgarh was busted by security forces following two encounters with the ultras, officials said on Thursday.

The operation was part of an anti-Naxal operation launched by a joint team of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) of Bijapur and Dantewada, Special Task Force (STF) and 202nd battalion of CRPF’s elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) on Tuesday, an official said.

SOURCE: ANI

Amid a stand-off with the farmers, who are protesting with their demands, Haryana Police in Ambala District has said that any loss to the government and private property during the protest will be compensated by attaching the property and seizure of bank accounts of the protestors.

According to a release from the Ambala police, from February 13, 2024, continuous efforts are being made by the farmer organizations to break the barricade imposed on Shambhu Border by the farmers regarding their march to Delhi and daily attempts are being made to spoil the law and order by pelting stones at the police administration and creating ruckus. During this period, a lot of damage has been caused to government and private property by encroachment.

SOURCE: PTI

A 37-year-old Afghanistan national was arrested for allegedly staying illegally in India for the past 17 years, a Mumbai Crime Branch official said on Thursday.

He was using a fictitious name and was involved in making fraudulent documents, the official said. “The man was held from Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Nagar in Wadala on a tip off by a team of Unit V of the Crime Branch on Wednesday. During interrogation, he identified himself as Zahir Ali Khan and produced his PAN card and driving licence. With the help of technical analysis, it was ascertained he was an Afghanistan national,” the official said.

SOURCE: ANI

The Border Security Force in Punjab intercepted the movement of a drone during the night hours on Wednesday, said BSF officials.

The troops, on high alert, immediately sprang into action, tracking the drone’s movement along the border in the Ferozepur district. Following standard operating procedures, the BSF troops cordoned off the likely dropping zone and conducted an extensive search. At approximately 09:37 pm, they recovered a small drone in a farming field of Changa Rai Hithar village in Ferozepur district.

SOURCE: AFI WITH IDRW.ORG

In a move to significantly enhance its naval capabilities, the Indian Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved the acquisition of over 200 BrahMos extended-range supersonic cruise missiles. This deal, valued at approximately Rs 19,000 crore, marks a major investment in bolstering the Indian Navy’s anti-ship and attack operations.

The BrahMos extended-range (ER) variant, speculated to have a range of around 800 kilometers, represents an upgrade over the baseline configuration. While maintaining the same size and overall design, the ER missile reportedly incorporates an active radar seeker for improved target acquisition. This advanced seeker technology allows the missile to independently locate and engage its target, enhancing its effectiveness in diverse operational scenarios.

SOURCE: AFI

Swedish aerospace giant Saab is actively promoting its Gripen-E fighter jet for India’s upcoming Medium Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program, offering a “Make in India” deal with complete technology transfer. However, any concrete developments on the program will have to wait until after the national elections scheduled for late spring.

Saab hopes that the Indian government will soon issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the 114-jet MRFA program, a crucial initiative to modernize the Indian Air Force (IAF). The company is confident that the Gripen-E, with its advanced capabilities and potential for local production, aligns well with India’s strategic objectives.

SOURCE: AFI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Greek counterpart, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the bilateral relationship during a recent meeting. Their discussions focused on three key areas: co-production of military hardware, enhanced mobility and migration cooperation, and collaboration on counter-terrorism measures.

Both leaders agreed to explore co-production of military equipment, potentially marking a significant step forward. This initiative could involve joint ventures, technology transfer, and knowledge sharing, boosting India’s defense manufacturing capabilities and fostering closer ties between the two nations.

SOURCE: PTI

India is standing against a “bully” in a very “determined fashion”, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane said on Wednesday, referring to the situation arising out of China’s military assertiveness along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh.

His remarks came while replying to a question during an interactive session at the INDUS-X Summit. India and the US can play a pivotal role in shaping the geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific, promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, Mr Aramane said.

SOURCE: IANS

India’s decision to revise its Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) norms for the space sector is expected to bring in fresh foreign investments up to $25 billion over the next decade and result in a wave of collaborations between Indian and foreign companies, said a senior official of the Space Industry Association-India (SIA-India).

Indian rocket and satellite makers and their lobby bodies have welcomed the amended FDI norms while expecting further liberalisation after some years.

SOURCE: REUTERS

 A Chinese research ship is set to arrive in the Maldives on Thursday, global ship-tracking data showed, just three months after a similar vessel visited the Indian Ocean and sparked New Delhi’s security concerns.

The visit follows January comments by a U.S. think tank that China’s navy could “leverage the insights gained from these missions” for deployment of naval forces, a claim Beijing calls part of a concocted image-smearing “China threat” narrative.