Monthly Archives: August 2018

According to an Indian embassy official, two Indian navy ships, the INS Kolkata guided missile destroyer and INS Sahyadri frigate, have docked in Papua New Guinea’s capital, Port Moresby, for a two-day visit.
The embassy stated that this visit aims to enhance maritime cooperation and security in the region. India, holding the rotating presidency of the G20, will participate in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) naval exercises in Australia alongside Japan and the United States.
The presence of these ships highlights the strategic importance of Papua New Guinea to global superpowers like the United States and China and their allies. The Quad countries are seeking to prevent Pacific Island nations from forming security ties with China, which has raised concerns amid tension over Taiwan and China’s security pact with the Solomon Islands. In May, Papua New Guinea struck a defense agreement with the United States.
Pacific Island leaders have stated that rising sea levels due to climate change are their top security priority, given that their territories cover 40 million square kilometers of ocean. The recent naval port call follows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Papua New Guinea in May, where he attended a summit meeting of Pacific nations. Several other world leaders, including those from France and Indonesia, along with senior U.S. and British officials, have also visited PNG recently.
Michael Green, CEO of the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, noted that the Pacific Islands have historically gained attention during major transitions in international relations, citing their significance during the 1921-22 Washington Naval Treaties after World War One.
After World War II, the U.S. was “determined to keep the former Japanese islands out of the Communist bloc because they were critical to protecting the southern flank below Japan and above Australia,” he said. With China’s rise, Pacific Islands airfields and undersea cables have again come into play, he added.
China is PNG’s largest trading partner. Director of the Pacific Islands Program at the Lowy Institute think-tank, Meg Keen, said the recent push by China into security has “raised concern among Western countries with strong national interests in the region”.
“The U.S. is trying to secure a bilateral security agreement with PNG and show it is in the region to stay and will make a positive difference. To date its engagements have been modest,” she said.
Pacific Island nations have welcomed the additional interest from the West but will continue to engage with China, she said.
“The Pacific will want more than Pacific frequent flyers, they want genuine partnerships that deliver results,” she added.

Hyderabad: Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) achieved a major milestone by handing over the first Radio Frequency (RF) Seeker of Akash – Next Generation Weapon System to the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
https://03cfcfb00664b13623781c13965f573e.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.htmlThe RF Seeker, a critical and technology-intensive subsystem used in Surface-to-Air Missiles and Air-to-Air Missiles for target tracking in the terminal phase, was produced at BDL’s newly commissioned state-of-the-art Seeker Facility Centre (SFC).
The RF Seeker was designed by DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat and manufactured by BDL at its advanced Seeker Facility Centre located in BDL’s Kanchanbagh Unit.
In a special ceremony held at BDL’s Kanchanbagh Unit on Wednesday, Commodore A Madhavarao (Retd.), Chairman and Managing Director of BDL, handed over the first RF Seeker manufactured by the company at this facility to Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence Research & Development, and Chairman DRDO.
Dr Samir V Kamat, during the event, praised the establishment of the Seeker Facility Center at BDL, which has enabled India to achieve self-reliance in the production of RF seekers, contributing significantly to the goal of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India).
Commodore A. Madhavarao expressed pride in this accomplishment, stating that with the production of the RF Seeker, BDL has now joined an elite group of companies worldwide having complete capability for RF Seeker production.
The ceremony was attended by several high-ranking officials from DRDO and BDL.
This achievement marks a significant step forward in India’s defence capabilities and reinforces the nation’s commitment to becoming “Atmanirbhar” in crucial Defence Technologies, according to a statement from BDL.

NCC cadets of St Soldier all smiles with medals in Jalandhar.

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar: Sixteen NCC girl cadets of St Soldier Law College were honoured by Anil Chopra, chairman, St Soldier Group of Institutions. These cadets had completed their two-week training in CATC-21 cum PDLS camp. The process of different activities won medals by getting top positions in such competitions. These activities included drill, map reading, weapon training and cultural activities. Silver medals were won in group song. Cadet Pooja won gold medal in painting, Dimyanshi and Jaspreet Kaur won gold medals in media coverage. CO of 2 Pb girls NCC, Col MS Sachdev and AO Major Amanpreet Kaur appreciated the zeal of cadets from St Soldier Law College.

Tribune News Service

Satya Prakash

New Delhi, August 2

Terming Article 370 — which gave a special status to the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir — as a basic feature of the Constitution, senior counsel Kapil Sibal on Wednesday asserted that Parliament couldn’t undo it without the consent of the state’s Constituent Assembly.

Who can recommend abrogation, asks SC

Who can recommend the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir when no Constituent Assembly exists there? Supreme Court put this question to the petitioners who have challenged the abrogation of Article 370

Opening his arguments on behalf of the petitioners who have challenged the constitutional validity of the nullification of Article 370 and bifurcation of the state into two UTs, Sibal said according to proviso to Article 370(3), the recommendation of the Constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir was necessary to abrogate Article 370.

“Article 370 was called a temporary provision only because when the Constitution of India came into force, the Constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir did not exist. However, once the Constituent Assembly (of J&K) came into being, created the Constitution for the state, and then ceased to exist after its tenure from 1951 to 1957, the Article became a permanent feature of the Constitution,” Sibal told a five-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud.

“Today, the Indian Parliament cannot say by a resolution that we are the Constituent Assembly (of J&K). As a matter of law, they cannot because they’re now confined by the provisions of the Constitution. They must adhere to the basic features of the Constitution…. No Parliament can convert itself into a Constituent Assembly,” Sibal contended. The Bench posed several questions regarding the temporary nature of Article 370 to Sibal, who will resume his arguments on Thursday.

As Sibal argued that Article 370 became a permanent feature of the Constitution after the expiry of the tenure of the Constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir, CJI Chandrachud pointed out that clause (3) of the provision contained a non-obstante clause that appeared to override the entire Article 370, including its special provisions.

The CJI said, “Acceptance of sovereignty of the dominion of India was complete. They (J&K) accepted sovereignty for all intents and purposes. That acceptance was complete but they reserved some rights over certain legislative subjects. So, the accession was complete. Consistent with that, they said that in clause (3), the President would have the right to abrogate 370.”

PTI

Arjun Sharma

Jammu, August 2

An overground worker (OGW) was detained under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) in Rajouri on Wednesday. He has been identified as Mohammad Altaf, a resident of Gadyog in Khawas.

5 detained in 2 months

• According to Rajouri SSP Amritpal Singh, this has been the fifth such detention in the past two months.
• With Independence Day around the corner, overground workers and hybrid terrorists are under scanner.
• Sources say two terrorists based in Pak-occupied Kashmir have been recruiting OGWs in the region to provide logistical support to the infiltrators.

Rajouri SSP Amritpal Singh said this had been the fifth such detention in the past two months. He said the preventive detentions were made to keep a check on their unlawful acts of working for terror outfits, thereby posing a grave threat to society.

With Independence Day around the corner, overground workers (OGWs) and hybrid terrorists have been under scanner. These terrorists and their helpers are guided by terror organisations operating from Pakistan-occupied J&K (PoJK).

Intelligence meeting organised in Rajouri

• The Army organised a joint intelligence and security coordination meeting in Rajouri to formulate strategies for peaceful conduct of upcoming Independence Day celebrations.
• A defence spokesman said the stakeholders of Rajouri and Poonch, including local police and intelligence agencies, attended the meeting at the Army’s Palma Garrison.

During a short span of time, the Rajouri police have arrested five hardcore OGWs from different areas of the district. These overground workers were recruited by terrorists who fled to the PoJK years ago.

Sources in the Military Intelligence said two PoJK-based terrorists — Reyaz Ahmad, alias Qasim, of Mahore tehsil in Reasi and Rafiq Nai of Mendhar in Poonch — in coordination with the Jaish-e-Mohammad and the Lashkar-e-Toiba had been recruiting OGWs in the region to provide logistical support to the infiltrators.

OGWs had played a major role in an ambush of a military truck on April 20 this year in Poonch in which five soldiers were killed. Six OGWs were arrested after the attack, who had provided shelter and weapons to the terrorists behind the attack.

In Kashmir’s Baramulla, security forces arrested two hybrid terrorists of Lashkar-e-Toiba from Azadgunj. Faisal Majeed Ganie and Nurul Kamran Ganie tried to after noticing a checkpoint, a police official said. “A pistol, a pistol magazine, four pistol rounds and a grenade have been seized. Preliminary investigations have revealed that they are affiliated with the banned terrorist organisation LeT. They had collected the arms and ammunition for carrying out terrorist activities in Baramulla town ahead of the Independence Day,” the official said. Hybrid terrorists are those who carry out attacks and then slip back into their routine lives.

The Indian Army has introduced a uniform regulation for senior officers with Brigadier and above ranks, aimed at promoting a common identity and character within the Army. The new step will see headgear, shoulder rank badges, gorget patches, belt, and shoes standardised. By ensuring a common identity through a uniform, officers will be better able to approach service matters beyond the boundaries of regiments.
The Indian Army has implemented a new common uniform regulation for senior officers with Brigadier and above ranks irrespective of the parent cadre and initial appointment, Army officials said.
They said the move will reinforce common identity and Indian Army’s character as a fair and equitable organisation. The decision was taken after detailed deliberations during the recently-concluded Army Commanders Conference and extensive consultations with all stakeholders.
Officials said that headgear, shoulder rank badges, gorget patches, belt and shoes of senior officers of flag rank (Brigadier and above) will now be common and standardised. The flag-rank officers will now not wear any lanyard.
The step has been taken to promote and strengthen common identity and approach in service matters amongst senior leadership beyond the boundaries of regiments, officials said.
Brigadier and above officers are those who have already commanded units and battalions and are mostly posted at headquarters or establishments where officers from all arms and services work and function together.
A standard uniform will ensure a common identity for all senior-rank officers and reflect the true ethos of the Indian Army, officials said. There is no change in the uniform worn by Colonels and officers below that rank, Army officials said.

India’s 4.5+ light fighter jet TEJAS is competing for the Argentinian defence acquisition pie
Washington’s desire to sell fighter jets to Argentina is a setback for China and India, as they have also submitted their proposals to provide fighter jets to the South American country. Reportedly, Russia has extended an offer to sell its MiG-35 fighter aircraft to Buenos Aires.
https://0faf3860f201fc9866831100c197e4c8.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.htmlIn 2021, Argentina’s defence ministry decided to buy 12 new fighter jets for around $664 million. The United States is in a hurry to finalize a fighter-jet agreement with Argentina. They are offering the South American country used F-16 fighter jets in order to beat China and India’s bids. As per a report from Argentinian media, the White House is pressuring the United States Congress to authorize the sale of 24 F-16 A/B Fighting Falcon fighter jets currently being used by the Royal Danish Air Force. The proposed deal from the US is estimated at a value of $700 million.
Washington’s desire to sell fighter jets to Argentina is a setback for China and India, as they have also submitted their proposals to provide fighter jets to the South American country. Reportedly, Russia has extended an offer to sell its MiG-35 fighter aircraft to Buenos Aires.
New Delhi has proposed its 4.5 generation Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) TEJAS, and Beijing has presented an offer of 15 JF-17 ‘Thunder Block’ jets, which are a joint development with Pakistan.
During a recent four-day visit to India, Argentinian Defence Minister Jorge Enrique Taiana mentioned to Indian media outlets that Argentina is seeking fighter jets without any British components. This request comes as a result of the UK’s limitations on defence exports to Argentina due to the ongoing dispute over the Malvinas Islands.
Taiana informed that the TEJAS includes 16 British components. However, it is not yet clear whether India has proposed to replace these parts in their offer.
Following the visit of the Defence minister, La Nación, an Argentine newspaper, reported that the Argentine Defense Forum (FAD) has been actively evaluating proposals for the F-16 A/B Fighting Falcon and the Chinese Chengdu JF-17 Thunder Block fighter jets.
According to the report, the F-16 has been deemed a ‘more powerful aircraft’, but if Argentina chooses to acquire the American-origin fighter jet, it will necessitate investments in upgrading airport infrastructure.
According to a former IAF pilot, the US military-industrial complex holds an advantage. Air Marshal M Matheswaran, a veteran of the Indian Air Force (IAF), told news agencies that the ‘ruthless’ American military-industrial complex has a competitive advantage over other contenders due to its extensive presence and influence in the global arms market.
SIPRI reported that the United States holds the title of the largest global weapons exporter, generating sales exceeding $204 billion in 2022. On the other hand, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh revealed that India’s weapons sales reached a record high of $1.93 billion in 2022-23.
Matheswaran, currently serving as the President of Chennai-based think tank The Peninsula Foundation (TPF), commented that the US military-industrial complex is relentless. While bidding for the Argentine contract, the US might have considered its Global Strategic Partnership with India, but it won’t compromise on promoting its defence exports to other nations.
The former IAF pilot emphasized that the F-16 fighter jets were not of the same size as either the TEJAS or the Chinese JF-17. Matheswaran stated that the TEJAS and JF-17 are of similar size, but the F-16 is larger and more costly.
A Challenging Decision Ahead For Argentina
According to Matheswaran, Argentina is now confronted with a “difficult” decision to select either the Chinese or the American fighter jets. As Argentina aims to enhance relations with other developing countries, it has been forming closer connections with China and India. The country is among those aspiring for BRICS membership,” remarked the think-tanker.
As per the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), China has surpassed the US in recent years to become South America’s primary trading partner. Argentina, along with other Latin American countries, has procured millions of dollars’ worth of military equipment from Beijing, according to the CFR.
The 2016 ‘China Policy Paper on Latin America and the Caribbean’ indicated that Beijing would strengthen collaboration in military trade and military technology with the region.
India’s relations with the region are flourishing, and it currently holds the position of Argentina’s fourth-largest trading partner. The two nations upgraded their relations to a ‘Strategic Partnership’ in 2019 and also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation during the same year.
Both India and China have extended their support to Argentina at the UN Special Committee on Decolonization (C-24). This committee has called for the resumption of negotiations on the sovereignty of the Malvinas Islands, a call that the UK has opposed until now. Currently, Argentina, facing financial challenges, is in negotiations for a much-needed bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

NAL, Bangalore is developing a 90-seater aircraft; engines for airplanes may become a reality as scientists are working on it, says Dr. Tessy Thomas at the 61st Foundation Day of Regional Institute of Education in Mysore
Dr. Tessy Thomas, former Director General (Aeronautics), DRDO and project director of Agni-IV Missile and Agni V Mission, Government of India on Tuesday, August 1, said that India will be in a position to manufacture engines for commercial airliners in the next two decades with scientists working on developing civilian aircraft engines. The National Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore is in the process of developing SARAS, a 90-seater civilian aircraft in the light transport aircraft category, she stated.
Responding to questions from students after her talk at the 61st Foundation Day at the Regional Institute of Education (RIE), she said the alloys used in designing the structure of the aircraft are not available in the country. Nevertheless, the efforts are on to manufacture engines for commercial airplanes, she said, while replying to questions on why India has not been able to make large aircraft when it has made rapid strides in aerospace engineering.
On the occasion, Dr. Thomas delivered the Sardar Panikkar Memorial Lecture, where she shared her journey in the DRDO and the making of Agni missiles.
After the lecture, Dr. Thomas interacted with the students and spoke about missile technology, while advising them to be determined and hard working for achieving success in their lives. She replied to questions on missiles, their range of travel and so on.
In response to a question from a student, the eminent scientist said the National Education Policy-2020 can transform the education standards of the country with the next generation of students set to be benefitted from the new policy with practical knowledge getting the attention.
Unlike the time when we were in school and college, there has been a sea change in the education system with plenty of opportunities for the students, who have to explore those opportunities to achieve success, she advised.
Describing former president and the ‘missile man of India’ late Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam as her ‘guru’, she said patience and hardwork brings achievements while citing her example and how she came up in life. “If you cannot achieve in the first attempt, there is always a second attempt. One has to overcome the gaps and stay ahead.”
RIE Principal Y. Sreekanth delivered the presidential address. Film and television actor Malavika Avinash was the guest of honour.
RIE (erstwhile Regional College of Education) was established in 1963 with the objective of qualitative improvement of school education through innovative pre-service and in-service teaching training programs and to undertake research, development and extension activities in the southern region.
The Sardar Panikkar Memorial lecture series was introduced in 1964 in memory of the valuable services rendered by the late Sardar Panikkar for the development of education in India. As the vice-chancellor of the University of Mysore, he evinced a deep interest in the development of the RIE, Mysuru, a note said.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: After the recent bomb explosion that shook a rally in Pakistan, the lethal consequences of nurturing terrorism have come under the spotlight again.
These horrifying incidents of violence, including the recent suicide bombing in Peshawar market, which claimed the lives of more than 50 people, have shown Pakistan the chaotic result of being a terrorism well-wisher, according to a report in Khalsa Vox.
The Islamic State Khorasan (ISKP), a banned terrorist organisation, was swift to claim responsibility for the atrocity. It was like tasting its own dish for Pakistan, as the country has long been a hospitable environment for terrorists, observed the Khalsa Vox report.
As per the publication, despite the limited resistance from the Pakistani Government, these terrorist organisations continue to succeed in their heinous crimes with chilling ease.
Accusations of Pakistan’s intelligence agencies covertly supporting such groups have added to the public’s dismay. The government’s reluctance to deal with these malevolent entities has given rise to a breeding ground of terror that has only harmed the nation.
In the words of Hillary Clinton, “If you have snakes in your backyard, they won’t just bite your neighbours.” Terrorism, too, follows the same chilling principle. Should Pakistan continue to be a sanctuary for terrorists, they will eventually turn their fangs on their host. The recent bombings are but the latest cruel reminder of this imminent danger.
The ripple effects of nurturing terror are not just security threats; they have started claiming the social and economic development of the country, whose economy despite a bailout by the International Monetary Fund continues to remain in shambles.
It is now a must for Pakistan to cut off all its support and backing for terrorism and dedicate itself to bringing the culprits of these heinous crimes to justice, the Khalsa Vox report.
Likewise, rampant terrorism threatens to dismantle Pakistan’s political stability. When a government fails to shield its citizens from violence, it creates a fertile ground for extremist groups to grow and seize power, claimed Khalsa Vox.
The recent blast in Pakistan has sounded a blaring siren that the nation cannot afford to ignore any longer, sums up the Khalsa Vox report.
It’s now no longer about other countries, it’s about the security of the Pakistani people and their future and now, it’s urgent for the Pakistani government to curb the flourishing terror and work for stability and peace.