Current Events :
Lieutenant General Harjeet Singh Sahi.
Lieutenant General Harjeet Singh Sahi has been appointed the Chief of Staff (CoS), Headquarters, Western Command, at Chandimandir.
Later, he commanded 3 Corps in the east, the largest Corps of the Indian Army with area of responsibility along the Indo-Myanmar border and the hinterland of six states of north-east. He was instrumental in ensuring infrastructure upgrade and stability in the area of responsibility, including the state of Manipur that witnessed an outbreak of ethnic conflict in May 2023.
Prior to moving to Western Command as CoS, he was the Commandant, Army War College, Mhow, where he spearheaded several initiatives aimed at aligning professional military education with emerging operational dynamics and technological advancements.
His key staff appointments include Brigadier General Staff of an operational Corps, Additional Director General Military Operations and Director General Information Warfare at the Army Headquarters.
An alumnus of the National Defence College, New Delhi, Lt Gen Sahi holds two MPhil degrees and a Master’s Degree in Defence and Strategic Studies.
He has been decorated with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Yudh Seva Medal and Sena Medal for distinguished service.
Lt Gen JL Malhotra (retd), former Chief of Staff of the Northern Command, passed away in Panchkula on Sunday at the age of 90. As the Brigadier General Staff (BGS) of 15 Corps, he was closely associated with the planning and execution of Operation Meghdoot —India’s pre-emptive move to secure the Siachen Glacier in 1984.
Commissioned into the Sikh Regiment in 1957, Lt Gen Malhotra saw extensive action in early counter-insurgency operations in Nagaland with 5 Sikh, and later commanded the 1st Battalion of the Sikh Regiment (1 Sikh). Notably, 1 Sikh was the historic battalion that first landed in Srinagar in October 1947 to save the Kashmir Valley from Pakistani raiders — an event now commemorated annually as Infantry Day.
During the 1971 Indo-Pak War, he served in the Chhamb sector, which witnessed several decisive battles. Upon his promotion to Major General, he commanded the 7 Infantry Division in Punjab, overseeing its induction into counter-terrorism operations.
After retiring in 1994, Lt Gen Malhotra dedicated his life to philanthropy and the welfare of the underprivileged. He was deeply committed to supporting the disabled and funding the education of children from weaker sections of society.
A video from Monday’s rescue operation in J&K’s Gondola in Gulmarg is going viral online, showing an Indian soldier hanging from the rope of a cable car while attempting to reach stranded tourists. Equipped with protective gear, the soldier can be seen risking his life mid-air as part of the high-stakes rescue mission
The clip, shared by an army veteran, has sparked widespread praise for the courage and dedication of the armed forces.
One user commented, “Brave soldiers are always ready to serve the people of their country in every situation, standing strong with unwavering duty, discipline, and dedication.”
While another commented, “And people who sit at home and judge our defense forces should hang their heads in shame . Kudos to our defense forces. Proud of them . May god bless them.”
Another user wrote, “India is not a safe place for doing such adventures.. there are no regulations to protect the tourists … trekking hiking karo .. jameen per pair rakho …”
DURING his recent tour of Europe, PM Narendra Modi upgraded bilateral relations to strategic partnerships with the Netherlands as the Dutch produce a critical component of chips; with Norway as Oslo is a source of green oil and gas; and with Italy for its innovation and high-tech. India is an observer state of the Arctic Council since 2013. Earlier this month, Modi said India would not bow to anyone, recalling the nuclear tests in defiance of US sanctions in 1998, signifying the birth of India’s strategic autonomy. A galaxy of diplomats gathered this month in New Delhi to celebrate what many describe as India’s crown jewel: strategic autonomy, whose fragility the Trump 2.0 era has exposed.
‘Strategic’ is the most overused adjective in diplomatic lexicon. It is attached to restraint, patience, sovereignty and national interest. The word ‘partnership’ is variable, dynamic and transactional. But strategic autonomy – hedging or balancing relationships by making sovereign choices — has prospered. The concept originates in India’s policy of non-alignment, adopted after Independence when New Delhi punched above its weight. As adversarial relations with US increased, India was pulled towards the Soviet Union. Even as it confronted triple threats from Pakistan, China and US in 1971, it was forced to sign the first formal Treaty of Peace and Friendship with USSR. The then PM, Indira Gandhi, insisted that “India is a non-aligned country’ be inserted in the treaty, which was de facto an alliance. It enabled India to build conditions for the creation of Bangladesh from East Pakistan.
India has graduated from non-alignment to multi-alignment and multi-engagement to multi-polarity, culminating in strategic autonomy, whose utility has been diminishing in a disrupted world order. Since national security policy and strategy documents have not been produced, strategic autonomy is an immaculate conception, though six draft policy documents have been gathering dust.
With India’s oldest ally Russia, the partnership is special, privileged and strategic. The partnership with the US has transformed from ‘estranged democracy’ to ‘comprehensive, global and strategic’. Relations with China have fluctuated from ‘developmental’ and ‘civilisational’ to ‘strategic and cooperative’, and from ‘peace and prosperity’ to ‘stable, but abnormal’ after Doklam and Galwan. India and France are ‘strategic and reliable’ partners, both coveting their autonomy. The EU is a recent entrant to the strategic club, though it is more in the category of trade and commerce. A China adversary, Vietnam was elevated to ‘enhanced comprehensive strategic partnership’ during the visit of its President To Lam to India earlier this month.
At a recent seminar, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar outlined the neighbourhood first policy, with India positioning itself as the ‘go-to option’ for regional infrastructure support of neighbouring countries. He added that the purpose of India’s policy (strategic autonomy) “is not to solve problems but manage relationships to national advantage”, including neighbours “respecting India’s red lines.” The ground reality in the neighbourhood, though, is different despite India calling itself “the first responder and net security provider” as the recent sinking of an Iranian ship returning from Indian Fleet Review 2026 by a US submarine in the IOR proved. The lawless acts and events of the Trump 2.0 era have become a testbed of strategic autonomy. These have baffled the international community, especially the UN and affiliated organisations. India’s less-than-successful record in protecting its international image results from a lack of strategic leverage and independent capacities; due to excessive external dependencies.
The special and privileged strategic partnership with Russia, civilisational relationship with Iran and membership of BRICS have all been targeted by the US. India’s lead role in the Quad, three-decade old multi-layered defence ties with the US and pivotal position in countering China have been undermined by the US’ dramatic policy shifts towards China — with whom it seeks respectful relations — “as reflected in Trump’s recent visit to China. The astonishingly blunt statement of US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau at the Raisina Dialogue: “US will not make the same mistake as it made with China and Japan, with India” was merely a warning.
India is one of the most US-sanctioned countries: on Russian and Iranian oil, having been pressured to switch to Venezuelan oil; on Chabahar Port and Russian military platforms, though waivers were provided. In addition, the US has imposed penal tariffs on transactions with Russia. India has yielded mainly to US sanctions, except the S400 AD system whose fourth battery arrived this month. Had India not complied with sanctions on Chabahar port, it would have been able to construct infrastructure, leading to the development of the International North South Transport Corridor through Iran’s Bandar Abbas Port and reduced dependencies through the double-blockaded Strait of Hormuz. Further, it would have enhanced its image among the Global South and credibility of strategic autonomy.
Where token appeasement and diplomatic finesse would have helped is in recognising Trump’s claim in facilitating the ceasefire during Operation Sindoor, which is a reality. This would not have undermined strategic autonomy, but New Delhi’s persistent contradiction of Trump’s claims led to avoidable diplomatic friction. Pakistan played its cards well, transforming its image from a state sponsor of terrorism to a responsible mediator in conflict resolution and as the go-between during the negotiations between the US and Iran, in which Israel is conspicuously missing. Pakistan’s international profile has risen and instead of re-hyphenation with India, it is now in a different class. At the Delhi seminar, Ambassador Jawed Ashraf said: “Silence is not strategic autonomy”, hinting at India’s maun vrat (strategic silence) over illegitimate actions of the US and Israel against Iran and others. Elsewhere, former NSA Shivshankar Menon, former FS Nirupama Rao have said India has lost its voice, maintaining strategic silence; also its credibility among Global South and neighbourhood. The disrupted world order requires pro-active strategic autonomy.
During the civic body elections in Faridkot on Tuesday morning, a heated confrontation broke out between ruling party workers and a BJP leader.
In a dramatic turn of events, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Faridkot Gurdit Singh Sekhon cornered local BJP leader Sunny Brar, accusing him of violating the model code of conduct.
Sekhon criticised Brar, alleging that he was misusing Army machinery to gain an unfair advantage in the elections. According to AAP leaders, an Army school bus was being operated under the influence of the BJP leader to illegally ferry voters directly to the polling booths.
A video captures a tense face-to-face altercation in the middle of the road, right next to the stationary bus. AAP supporters can be heard raising slogans and demanding accountability, while BJP leader Sunny Brar argues back as a crowd gathers. The political standoff briefly brought local traffic to a standstill.
MLA Sekhon and other opposition leaders demanded immediate intervention of election observers to impound any unauthorised vehicle being used to influence voters and to ensure a transparent, fair voting process in the municipal council elections.
Sunny Brar refuted the allegations, saying he was just standing near the bus and it had nothing to do with ferrying voters to polling booth.
Shaheed Bhagat Singh International (SBSI) Airport, Chandigarh, will have enhanced connectivity with Pune and Bengaluru as two more direct flights will be added to the summer schedule from June 1.
Air India Express is set to start a daily flight between Chandigarh and Pune which will depart from the SBSI Airport at 12.45 am and reach Pune around 3.10 am. It will depart from Pune at 3:45 am and arrive at Chandigarh at 6.05 am daily.
It will be the first flight to operate post midnight at the Chandigarh airport under the summer schedule.
The connectivity between Chandigarh and Bengaluru has also been enhanced further with the new flight departing from SBSI Airport at 6:40 am and reaching Kempegowda Airport Terminal 2, Bengaluru, at 9:55 am. It will depart from Bengaluru at 9.15 pm and arrive in Chandigarh at 12:15 am.
Bookings for the new flights have already started, officials said.
After the commencement of this flight from June 1, there will be five non-stop flights between Chandigarh and Bengaluru to cater to the passenger load.
At present, the lone flight between Chandigarh-Pune (10.50 pm-1:10 am) and Pune-Chandigarh (3 am to 5.20 am) is operated by Indigo Airlines.
