New Delhi Mar 21 PTI India and Seychelles will kick-start a 10-day military exercise on Tuesday as part of efforts to further boost overall security cooperation in the Indian Ocean amid Chinas growing assertiveness in the regionExercise LAMITIYE will take place at the Seychelles Defence Academy SDA from March 22 to 31 and it will feature a range of complex military drills demonstrations and discussions officials saidThe objective of the joint training exercise is to build and promote bilateral military relations in addition to exchanging skills experiences and good practices between both the armies the defence ministry saidIt said both sides will jointly train plan and execute a series of well-developed tactical drills for neutralisation of likely threats that may be encountered in a semi-urban environmentThe exercise will also witness showcasing of new-generation equipment and technology for conducting joint operationsDue emphasis will be laid on enhancing tactical skills in combating hostile forces in the semi-urban environment and on increasing interoperability between forces the ministry said in a statementAn infantry platoon strength each from both the Indian Army and the Seychelles Defence Forces SDF along with company headquarters will be participating in this exercise it saidThe Indian Army contingent comprising troops from the Gorkha Rifles arrived in Seychelles on MondayThe joint military exercise will enhance the level of defence co-operation between Indian Army and Seychelles Defence Forces SDF and will further manifest in enhancing the bilateral relations between the two countries the ministry saidThe officials said exercise LAMITIYE is crucial and significant in terms of security challenges faced by both nations in the backdrop of the current global situation and growing security concerns in the Indian Ocean regionWe look forward to sharing practical aspects to comprehend and put in practice the validated drills procedures as well as amalgamation of new technology in sub-conventional operations through numerous situation-based discussions and tactical exercises said Major Abhishek Nepal Singh company commander of the Indian Army contingent PTI MPB IJT

New Delhi Feb 28 PTI Indian economy grew by 54 per cent in the October-December quarter of 2021-22 official data released on Monday showed The gross domestic product GDP had expanded by 07 per cent in the corresponding period of 2020-21 according to the data released by the National Statistical Office NSO In its second advance estimates of national accounts the NSO has projected 89 per cent growth in 2021-22 In its first advance estimates released in January it had projected 92 per cent growth for 2021-22 as against a contraction of 66 per cent in 2020-21 The economy had grown by 203 per cent in the first quarter of this fiscal due to lower base effect In the second quarter the GDP grew by 85 per cent Chinas economy grew by 4 per cent in October-December 2021 PTI KKS MR MR

New Delhi Feb 24 PTI Chinas latest demonstration of physically moving its disabled satellite to another orbit poses a new threat in the race to weaponise the space domain Indian Air Force Chief V R Chaudhari said on ThursdayMoreover he said no single service -- air force army or navy -- can win wars on its own and this holds good even for the futureLast month Chinas Shijian-21 satellite physically moved a disabled Chinese satellite altering its geostationary orbit This capability of physically altering the orbits of a satellite has earlier been demonstrated by the US onlyChinas latest demonstration of physically moving one of its disabled satellites into the graveyard orbit is bringing in newer threats in the race to weaponise the space domain a domain hitherto considered relatively safe Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari saidThe spectrum that we are looking at stretches from kinetic to non-kinetic lethal to non-lethal and from small drones to hypersonic ballistic missiles This vast and ever-changing continuum will pose significant challenges for the armed forces of the future he addedHe said the IAFs training philosophy needs to be modern flexible and adaptive with a heavy dose of jointness A well-trained air warrior -- who is technologically sound yet able to adapt to disruptions -- would serve as a force multiplier the IAF chief mentioned The next step would be to use our doctrines and well-trained manpower to evolve employment philosophies and CONOPS Concept of Operations he noted This would require joint planning and joint execution of plans Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari stressed No single service can win wars on its own and this holds good even for the future This brings me to the next challenge of command and control he saidThe primacy of who will do what cannot be determined by a pro-rata system of who has a larger mass of forces or equipment the IAF chief mentioned The thought process must change and it would be important to appreciate the capabilities of each service to make two plus two equal to five He stressed the need to develop joint command and control structures for integrated and synergised application of combat power The fundamental strengths of individual services must be brought together to deter potential enemies or decisively win the nations wars There is a need to wage tomorrows wars with pragmatism and not necessarily idealism Chaudhari noted PTI DSP NSD NSD

New Delhi Jan 20 PTI Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the reported abduction of a teenager from Arunachal Pradesh by China and said his silence shows he does not careGandhi said he is with the family of the missing boy Miram Taron and will not lose hopeA few days before Republic Day an Indian has been kidnapped by China We are with the family of Miram Taron and will not lose hope will not give upPMs cowardly silence is his statement - he does not care he said in a tweet in Hindi Arunachal MP Tapir Gao said on Wednesday that the Chinas Peoples Liberation Army PLA has abducted a 17-year-old boy from inside Indian territory in Upper Siang district The Congress also hit out at the BJP government saying Chinas audacity is increasing and so is BJP governments shamelessnessCongress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala questioned the prime minister as to how the Chinese dared to transgress in Indian territory and abduct its citizenDear PM How dare Chinese Army transgress into our territory again How can GOI permit abduction of our citizens he asked on TwitterHow can GOI remain mum Why is Govt not listening to the earnest appeal of its own MP he also askedPlease dont say again - No one has come and no one has been abducted he said using the hashtag China The latest incident came at a time when the Indian army continues to be engaged in a stand-off with the PLA in eastern Ladakh since April 2020 India shares a 3400 km-long Line of Actual Control LAC with China from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh PTI SKC DV DV

New Delhi Dec 19 PTI Over 30 student organisations teachers bodies and intellectuals participated in a Rojgaar Sansad at Jantar Mantar here on Sunday and deliberated on a draft National Employment Policy aimed at solving the problem of unemployment in the countryPrepared by think-tank Desh Ki Baat Foundation the draft policy will be submitted to the Prime Ministers Office PMO on Monday Copies of the draft will also be given to Members of Parliament of all parties by January 26 the organisers of the event saidAccording to an official statement Delhi Environment Minister and founder of Desh Ki Baat Foundation Gopal Rai also participated in the Rojgaar Sansad Addressing the gathering Rai said today the country is facing the dreadful crisis of unemployment and lakhs of vacant government posts across the country are not being filledFar from creating new employment opportunities recruitment is not being done for lakhs of government vacancies across the country Wherever it is done it is done on contract basis due to which it is difficult for people to live a dignified life despite working the statement quoted Rai as sayingRai said employment not only ensures that a persons needs like food clothing and shelter are met but also instils a sense of self-satisfaction and self-esteemHe claimed successive governments after independence did not formulate a policy to resolve the issue of unemploymentThis is the reason that even after more than seven decades of independence a National Employment Policy has not been formulated in our country he saidDesh Ki Baat Foundation has taken the initiative to formulate a National Employment Policy to solve the problem of unemployment Desh Ki Baat Foundation constituted a research team of economic professors research scholars and experts to draft the National Employment Policy he addedThe draft National Employment Policy stated that politicians argue that Indias problem of unemployment cant be solved due to its huge populationWith appropriate economic policies the population can be a boon rather than a bane For example Chinas population is around 143 crore but its economy is five times bigger than ours it saidThe statement said it was decided at the Rojgaar Sansad that if the Centre does not accept the policy draft then a National Employment Conference will be organised from March 23 to 25 to decide the outline of the movementKrishna Yadav central coordinator of Desh Ki Baat Foundation said a memorandum signed by more than 30 prominent students and youth organisations teachers bodies trade and farmers unions and NGOs among others will be submitted to the PMO on December 20 by a delegationAn appeal will be made to the prime minister to draft and implement the National Employment Policy he saidOrganisations that participated in the Rojgaar Sansad include All India Student Association All India Students Federation Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti Centre of Indian Trade Unions Hind Majdoor Sabha and Delhi Teachers Association among others PTI AKM DIV DIV

Mumbai Nov 21 PTI Taking a dig at China Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said some irresponsible nations for the sake of their narrow partisan interests and hegemonic tendencies are coming up with inappropriate interpretations of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea UNCLOS It is a matter of concern that UNCLOS is being repeatedly weakened by arbitrary interpretation of its definition by some nations Singh said after commissioning of Indian Navys destroyer Visakhapatnam here As a responsible maritime stakeholder India supports consensus-based principles and a peaceful open rule-based stable maritime order Singh said India envisions a rule-based Indo-Pacific with freedom of navigation free trade and universal values in which the interests of all the participating countries are protected he added Singh underscored the importance of a rule-based freedom of navigation and security of sea lanes in the present era of globalisation to ensure stability economic progress and development of the world The UNCLOS 1982 specifies about any countrys territorial waters exclusive economic zone and good order at sea he said The arbitrary interpretations create obstacles in the path of a rule-based maritime order he said There are some nations - I would like to say irresponsible nations who for the sake of their narrow partisan interests keep on giving new and inappropriate interpretations to these international laws from hegemonic tendencies Singh said without naming China China has been militarizing islands in South China a move that has attracted global criticism The area has overlapping claims of several East and Southeast Asian nations In 2016 an international tribunal rejected Chinas argument that it enjoys historic rights over most of the South China Sea -- a region known to be rich in hydrocarbons and also hosting an important Sea Lane of Communication Following the order China said the award is null and void and has no binding force and it neither accepts nor recognises it Noting that the Indo-Pacific is important for the whole world Singh said the region sees passage of two-third oil shipments of the world one-third of the bulk cargo and more than half of container traffic Singh said as an important country in the region the Indian Navys role assumes a more crucial role for the regions security It becomes the primary objective of the Indian Navy to keep the Indo-Pacific open safe and secure he said Singh asserted that Indias interests are directly linked with the Indian Ocean and the region is crucial for the world economy Challenges such as piracy terrorism illegal smuggling of arms and narcotics human trafficking illegal fishing and damage to the environment are equally responsible for affecting the maritime domain Therefore the role of the Indian Navy becomes very important in the entire Indo-Pacific region he added Countries world over are working towards making their military power strong and modern due to global security reasons border disputes and importance to maintain maritime dominance he said There is a rising demand for military equipment Reports suggest that world over the cost for security is expected to reach USD 21 trillion In 5-10 years this is expected to rise manifold Singh noted We have an opportunity to use all our capacity take advantage of the policies and make the country a hub in indigenous ship building Singh said With the changing power dynamics in the Indian Ocean region INS Visakhapatnam will augment the Indian Navys mobility reach and flexibility towards accomplishment of its tasks and goals Singh said The indigenously-built stealth guided missile destroyer packed with an array of missiles and anti-submarine rockets was commissioned in presence of top naval commanders Visakhapatnam is equipped with lethal weapons and sensors including supersonic surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles medium and short-range guns anti-submarine rockets and advanced electronic warfare and communication suits officials said INS Visakhapatnam measures 163 metres in length and 17 metres in breadth with a displacement of 7400 tonnes The ship is propelled by four powerful gas turbines in a Combined Gas and Gas COGAG configuration capable of achieving speeds in excess of 30 knots The ship is also packed with sophisticated state-of-the-art weapons and sensors such as surface-to-surface missile and surface-to-air missiles It is fitted with a modern surveillance radar which provides target data to the gunnery weapon systems of the ship The anti-submarine warfare capabilities are provided by the indigenously developed rocket launchers torpedo launchers and Anti-Submarine Warfare ASW helicopters The ship is equipped to fight under Nuclear Biological and Chemical NBC warfare conditions officials said Some of the major indigenised equipmentsystem onboard INS Visakhapatnam include Combat Management System Rocket Launcher Torpedo Tube Launcher Integrated Platform Management System Automated Power Management System Foldable Hangar Doors Helo Traversing system Close-in Weapon System and the Bow mounted SONAR an official said Singh termed INS Visakhapatnam as a symbol of the growing maritime prowess of the country Listing out the steps taken by the government to give indigenisation a boost Singh also urged to Make in India Make for the World Admiral Karambir Singh Chief of the Naval Staff said the ship is a shining example of self-reliance The Navy chief said 39 of the 41 ship and submarine orders have been given to Indian shipyards which is a testament to their commitment for achieving self-reliance The defence minister described the development of Indigenous Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant as an important milestone in the path of Aatmanirbhar Bharat The carrier will increase our reach from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean Its commissioning will be a golden moment in the history of Indian defence It will be the best occasion to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Indias independence and the 50th anniversary of Indias victory in 1971 war the minister said PTI PR VT VT VT

New Delhi Nov 18 PTI Asserting that India was no longer a weak nation Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said India will give a befitting reply to anyone threatening its sovereignty and territorial integrity in a veiled message to China on the 59th anniversary of the epic battle of Rezang La in eastern LadakhNobody can show an eye to India and get away as the country is fully determined to protect every inch of its land the defence minister said after paying glowing tributes to the Indian soldiers who inflicted heavy casualties on the Chinese military in the battle of Rezang La on November 18 1962The defence minister also dedicated a revamped war memorial in the high-altitude region and said it is a tribute to the bravehearts and a symbol of Indias preparedness to protect its integrityThe renovation of the memorial is not only a tribute to our valiant armed forces but also a symbol of the fact that we are fully prepared to protect the integrity of the nation Singh saidThis monument symbolises the governments stand of giving a befitting reply to anyone who threatens our sovereignty and integrity India is no longer a weak nation It has become a powerful country he said in a brief address in presence of Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and several other top military officialsHis comments came on a day India and China held another round of diplomatic talks on border affairs that focused on resolving the nearly 18-month-long border row along the Line of ActualSingh also said he will continue to visit Rezang La to pay homage to the fallen soldiers till he remains the defence ministerThe battle of Rezang La is largely considered as the finest moment for the Indian Army during the 1962 war with China as over 100 Indian soldiers pushed back a large number of Chinese troops displaying raw courage and indomitable spiritThe defence minister said India has never intended to occupy the land of any other country but it has given a befitting reply to anyone eyeing the countrys territory and that Indian soldiers are capable of protecting every inch of the nationSingh described the memorial as an example of the determination and indomitable courage displayed by the Indian Army that he said is not only immortal in the pages of history but also beats in our heartsThe defence minister said the battle of Rezang La is considered one of the 10 greatest and most challenging military conflicts in the worldThe historic battle of Rezang La fought at an altitude of 18000 feet is difficult to imagine even today Major Shaitan Singh and his fellow soldiers fought till last bullet and last breath and wrote a new chapter of bravery and sacrifice he saidI am saluting the 114 Indian soldiers who made supreme sacrifices in the 1962 war after reaching Rezang La located amidst the inaccessible hills of Ladakh Singh saidThe memorial was constructed in 1963 in the Chushul plains right at the India-China border to honour the troops of Charlie Company of 13 Kumaon Regiment who were involved in the battleThe decision to renovate the memorial was taken by Singh when he had visited Leh in JuneThe renovated complex includes a double-storied museum a mini-theatre to screen a special documentary on the battle a large helipad and various other tourist amenities The Rezang La Memorial located very close to the Pangong Lake in Ladakh is set to become a major tourist attraction in the coming years the defence ministry saidThe battle of Rezang La began at around 4 am on November 18 1962 and lasted till around 10 pm during which the C company of 13th battalion of the Kumaon Regiment led by Major Shaitan Singh not only stood their ground but inflicted heavy casualties on the Chinese despite being outnumbered by the adversaryMajor Singh was later posthumously conferred with Param Vir Chakra Indias highest military decorationIt was a saga of unparalleled bravery as Major Shaitan Singh and 113 soldiers had made the supreme sacrifice fighting one of the worlds rarest last man last bullet battles the defence ministry saidDefence Minister Singh also met Brig retd R B Jatar who was part of the battle of Rezang LaI am overwhelmed by the feeling of respect for him and I salute his courage Singh saidThe revamped war memorial has been thrown open at a time India and China have been locked in a bitter border row in eastern Ladakh for nearly one and half yearsThe Indian Army had occupied a number of mountain peaks in the Rezang La region in August last year following Chinas aggressive posturing and failed attempt to intimidate Indian troopsThe eastern Ladakh border standoff between the Indian and Chinese militaries erupted on May 5 last year following a violent clash in the Pangong lake areas and both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponryThe tension escalated following a deadly clash in Galwan Valley on June 15 last yearAs a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks the two sides completed the disengagement process in the north and south banks of the Pangong lake in February and in the Gogra area in AugustEach side currently has around 50000 to 60000 troops along the Line of Actual Control LAC in the sensitive sector PTI MPB PYK PYK

New Delhi Oct 27 PTI As globalisation advances and becomes more diversified there will only be a greater appreciation of the inter-dependence and broader footprints that the Indo-Pacific expresses External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on WednesdayGiven this direction denying the Indo-Pacific is tantamount to denying globalisation he said at a conferenceThe external affairs ministers said that the Indo-Pacific is a fact of life and the question of convergence is therefore more of perception than of realityEven those who ostensibly have reservations behave and operate in a manner that validates the Indo-Pacific And that validation as you all know is in its very seamlessness and inter-penetration he saidIn truth everybody is aware that there is a fusion of theatres that were unnaturally separated earlier The politics of the day apparently creates some reluctance in admitting to that Jaishankar saidHe was speaking at the third Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue IPRD organised by the National Maritime FoundationIn his remarks he also mentioned divergences of views on the Indo-PacificThe answer is probably in the mindset possibly even in their insecurities If one is steeped in the ethos of the Cold War and even leveraged it to advantage it is not easy to accept that others can approach the world very differently he saidEspecially if the objective is to create a wider more collaborative and more democratic approach to achieve the common good he addedJaishankar also talked about de-risking the world from concentrated production and fragile supply chainsWhat then are the expectations of the Indo-Pacific Most of all the likelihood that policies of states which overcome psychological limitations create more opportunities for cooperation he saidNot just that also the possibility that such endeavours that would involve greater participants would be based more on respect for laws rules and norms he said This is all the more important when in the post-COVID era we all seek to de-risk the world from concentrated production and fragile supply chains he addedAmid Chinas muscle-flexing in the region several countries around the world have come out with vision documents and strategies to ensure a free and inclusive Indo-PacificIn the domain of international relations it is natural that new concepts take time to be digested To facilitate that process it is also important to show an openness of mind and acceptance that there can be many pathways to approach the Indo-Pacific Jaishankar said PTI MPB RT RT

New Delhi Oct 27 PTI India on Wednesday hit out at China for its unilateral decision to bring about a new land border law and said it is a matter of concern as the legislation can have implications on the existing bilateral pacts on border management and on the overall boundary question External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India expects that China will avoid undertaking action under the pretext of the law that could unilaterally alter the situation in the India-China border areas He said such a unilateral move will have no bearing on the arrangements that both sides have already reached earlier -- be it on the boundary question or for maintaining peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control LAC Last week Chinas national legislature adopted the new law on the protection and exploitation of the land border areas which could have bearing on Beijings border dispute with India Chinas unilateral decision to bring about a legislation which can have implication on our existing bilateral arrangements on border management as well as on the boundary question is of concern to us Bagchi said He was replying to a media query on the matter Such unilateral move will have no bearing on the arrangements that both sides have already reached earlier whether it is on the boundary question or for maintaining peace and tranquillity along the LAC in India-China border areas he said Xinhua news agency reported last week that the law which becomes operational from January 1 next year stipulates that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Peoples Republic of China are sacred and inviolable We have noted that China has passed a new Land Boundary Law on October 23 The law states among other things that China abides by treaties concluded with or jointly acceded to by foreign countries on land boundary affairs Bagchi said He said the legislation also has provisions to carry out reorganisation of districts in the border areas The MEA spokesperson noted that India and China have still not resolved the boundary question and that both sides have agreed to seek a fair reasonable and mutually acceptable resolution to it through consultations on an equal footing He said both sides have also concluded several bilateral agreements protocols and arrangements to maintain peace and tranquillity along the LAC in India-China border areas in the interim The spokesperson said India expects that China will avoid undertaking action under the pretext of this law Furthermore the passage of this new law does not in our view confer any legitimacy to the so-called China Pakistan Boundary Agreement of 1963 which government of India has consistently maintained is an illegal and invalid agreement he said PTI MPB ZMN ZMN

New Delhi Sep 18 PTI France on Saturday said French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar agreed to work on a common programme of concrete actions to jointly defend a truly multilateral international orderAfter a phone conversation between Le Drian and Jaishankar the French foreign ministry said the two ministers also decided to deepen their strategic partnership based on a relationship of political trust between the two great sovereign nations of the Indo-PacificDiscussed recent developments in the Indo-Pacific and Afghanistan with my friend FM JYLeDria Looking forward to our New York meeting Jaishankar tweetedThe conversation between the two foreign ministers came a day after France recalled its ambassadors to the United States and Australia in protest against a trilateral security alliance among theUS and the UK and AustraliaThe alliance resulted in France effectively losing a multi-billion dollar deal to build 12 conventional submarines for Australia France is also upset over its exclusion from the allianceIndia is yet to react to the formation of the trilateral security partnershipThe two ministers decided to deepen their strategic partnership based on a relationship of political trust between two great sovereign nations of the Indo-Pacific the French foreign ministry said in a statementIt said they also discussed the situation in Afghanistan which is deterioratingThe two ministers agreed to meet again in New York next week on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly to work on a common program of concrete actions to jointly defend a truly multilateral international order the ministry saidThe AUKUS Australia the UK and the US partnership was unveiled by US President Joe Biden Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and British PM Boris Johnson on ThursdayAustralias High Commissioner to India Barry OFarrell on Friday said Chinas massive military modernisation programme challenging strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific and intensification of great power competition in the region prompted Canberra to become part of the ambitious AUKUS partnershipIn a statement Le Drian on Fridays said he was recalling French ambassadors to the US and Australia for consultations following a request by President Emmanuel MacronThis exceptional decision is justified by the exceptional gravity of the announcements made on 15th September by Australia and the United States the French foreign ministers saidThe cancellation of the attack class submarine program binding Australia and France since 2016 and the announcement of a new partnership with the United States meant to launch studies on a possible future cooperation on nuclear-powered submarines constitute unacceptable behaviour between allies and partners he said PTI MPB TIR TIR