Monthly Archives: August 2018

Seeks urgent UNSC reforms, greater role for India, Brazil

Ubeer Naqushbandi

This is exactly what happened at the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting on July 2 — that it condemned the Pahalgam massacre but did not name Pakistan.

At the June 26 meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), an organisation that is led by China, there was neither any mention of Pahalgam nor of Pakistan. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had refused to sign the SCO draft statement after the document omitted Pahalgam attack reference.

Clearly, BRICS also avoided mentioning Pakistan’s name because Pakistan’s ally and mentor China is a key member of the organisation.

A joint declaration by the BRICS member nations called for ensuring zero tolerance towards terrorism and rejected “double-standards” in countering extremism.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. We reaffirm our commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, financing and safe havens,” the declaration stated. It also called for concerted actions against all UN-designated terrorists and terror entities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday morning to attend the two-day BRICS Summit. Lauding Brazilian President Lula for hosting the event, the PM said, “BRICS remains a powerful force for economic cooperation and global good.”

The issues discussed at the event included Israel’s attack on Iran, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and trade tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. The bloc raised “serious concerns” about the rise of “unilateral tariff” and “non-tariff” measures, which “distorted trade and were inconsistent with WTO rules”.

The summit adopted the strongest-ever language on the need for UNSC reforms. “We reiterate our support for comprehensive reforms of the UNSC to make it more democratic, representative, effective and efficient, and to increase the representation of developing countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America,” it said.

The declaration also stressed that the UNSC reforms would lead to the amplified voice of the global south. “We reiterate support to the aspirations of Brazil and India to play a greater role in the United Nations, including its security council,” the declaration stated.

The BRICS grouping held its first summit in 2009 and initially comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The bloc later added Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The member nations represent almost half of the world’s population, 36 per cent of global land area and a quarter of the global economic output. The grouping sees itself as a forum for cooperation between countries of the global south and a counterweight to the Group of Seven (G7), comprising leading Western economic powers.

The Indian Army has begun a third evaluation of Agniveers recruited in 2023, including those who served in Operation Sindoor, to shortlist candidates for permanent induction.

• 3,000 Agniveers from Operation Sindoor also assessed for permanent induction
• Evaluations cover drills, weapons handling; unit does not test its own Agniveers
• Final selections by October 2026; 25% batch to get permanent post service

The Indian Army is conducting the third evaluation of its first batch of Agniveers, recruited under the Agnipath scheme in January 2023 for their potential permanent induction into the armed forces.

Approximately 3,000 Agniveers who participated in Operation Sindoor are also undergoing evaluation in this phase. Their performance during the operation where they played key roles in India’s military response to cross-border missile and drone attacks will be factored into their assessment.

The evaluation, now underway, marks the third of four critical assessments that every Agniveer must face during their service. According to Army sources, the process is being carried out with complete transparency to ensure only the most capable and deserving candidates secure permanent positions.

Under the Agnipath scheme, Agniveers are assessed at four distinct stages at 31 weeks, 18 months, 30 months, and 42 months of service. The third stage, currently ongoing, evaluates soldiers on multiple parameters including drills, physical fitness, and weapons handling. Notably, to maintain impartiality, the unit where an Agniveer is posted does not conduct his evaluation.

Each Agniveer is given three chances during the first test, with the highest score being counted. In the subsequent assessments, they receive two chances per test.

Agniveers also have access to their mark sheets, reinforcing the transparency of the process. Those deployed in remote and high-altitude areas like Siachen and Ladakh are attached to nearby Corps Battle Schools or rear units to facilitate the testing process.

During Operation Sindoor, Agniveers proved their mettle in frontline air defence roles. These young soldiers operated advanced systems like Pechora, Schilka, OSA-AK, Strela, and Tunguska, alongside medium-range surface-to-air missile systems.

Many served as gunners, fire control operators, and communication specialists, and also drove heavy-duty, missile-mounted vehicles. The Akashteer air defence network, pivotal in the operation, was successfully manned and operated by these Agniveers.

The Indian Army has built provisions to recognise acts of bravery and sporting excellence under the scheme. Agniveers awarded the Sena Medal or higher gallantry honours like the Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, or Shaurya Chakra are guaranteed permanent recruitment. A ‘mention in dispatch’ adds 25 bonus marks to their evaluation.

Sports achievements will be equally acknowledged. Representing India at the international level will ensure direct permanent recruitment, while participation in national or service-level competitions grants 10 and 6 bonus marks, respectively.

All evaluation scores will be finalised by October 2026. The first Agniveer batch will complete their tenure in January 2027. After their final medical test, 25 per cent of the batch based on merit will be selected for permanent induction.

Selected candidates will be notified within seven days of discharge and must report to their regimental centre within 30 days. Failure to report will result in disqualification, and the vacancy will be filled by the next eligible candidate on the merit list.

Unlike the pre-Agnipath recruitment system, which ensured 15 years of service and post-retirement pension, Agniveers do not receive pensions unless selected permanently. The 25 per cent inducted for long-term service will serve a minimum of 15 years. Permanent recruitment will be based on individual arm, service, and trade, with merit lists drawn separately for each category

Pune – In an unforgettable morning of grit, gratitude and glory, more than 4,500 runners converged at the historic Bombay Sappers Parade Ground for the Panchshil Soldierathon Bombay Sappers – a powerful tribute to heroism ,courage & sacrifice of Indian Armed Forces and a monumental leap forward in the Fit Bharat Movement.

Military memorabilia

Organized by Fitistan – Ek Fit Bharat, India’s largest community-led fitness initiative, in collaboration with Panchshil Realty, the event brought together soldiers, veterans, civilians, students, and fitness enthusiasts, all united by a shared mission: to run with pride, purpose and patriotism.

दिल्ली सरकार ने बीते 1 जुलाई से राज्य में अपनी नई नो फ्यूल फॉर ओल्ड व्हीकल पॉलिसी के तहत कार्रवाई शुरू कर दी है. नए नियम के अनुसार दिल्ली में किसी भी पेट्रोल पंप पर एंड-ऑफ-लाइफ (EOL) व्हीकल यानी 10 साल से पुराने डीजल और 15 साल से पुराने पेट्रोल वाहनों को फ्यूल नहीं दिया जा रहा है. जिसके बाद इस नियम के खिलाफ लोग सोशल मीडिया पर आवाज उठा रहे हैं. ऐसे ही इंडियन एयरफोर्स के एक भूतपूर्व पायलट ने भी सरकार के इस पहल

A comprehensive plan has been developed to adopt all these technologies by 2030, with a planned investment of Rs 390 crore

Vijay Mohan

With recent conflicts having established that technology will play a decisive role in the outcome of all future conflicts, 15 major Army training establishments are evolving as ‘Centres of Expertise’ for adopting 33 niche technologies.

A comprehensive plan has been developed to adopt all these technologies by 2030, with a planned investment of Rs 390 crore in resarch and development, infrastructure development and training over the next five years, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Army Training Command (ARTRAC), Lt Gen Devindra Sharma, said at an investiture ceremony on Thursday.

Highlighting recent initiatives by ARTRAC and the lines of effort towards the Army’s roadmap for ‘Decade of Transformation’ and ‘Year of Technology Absorption’, he said that ARTRAC has undertaken 57 initiatives in the domains of jointness and integration, force re-structuring, technology absorption and modernisation, systems, processes and functions and human resources management.

This, he said, would require ‘whole of nation’ approach, wherein niche technology available with the industry and premium academic institutions of the country will be absorbed by the Indian Army through collaboration.

Therefore, the vision of ARTRAC is to adopt, develop and imbibe niche technology in training curriculum to facilitate learning and exploit technology for exponential results during operations.

Impetus on technology absorption has resulted in ARTRAC training approximately 18,000 personnel on 22 niche technologies in the year 2024-25 with a plan of training another 12,000 personnel on 21 niche technologies in the 2025-26, he said.

Lt Gen Sharma also presented the GOC-in-C Army Training Command Unit Citation to three Category-A establishments – Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE), Mhow; Combat Army Aviation Training School (CAATS), Nasik; and Army Airborne Training School (AATS), Agra — and to two affiliated units – 4 Mahar and Territorial Army’s 118 Infantry Battalion (Grenadiers) — for their outstanding performance.

Financial excellence awards were also conferred upon the Military College of Material Management (MCMM), Jabalpur, Counter Insurgency Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS), Variengate and Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME), Secunderabad, for setting high standards in financial management.

Additionally, two training establishments, Armoured Corps Centre and School (ACC&S), Ahilyanagar and MCMM, Jabalpur, were awarded the e-office excellence awards for promoting e-office software usage which reduces the usage of paper.  Twelve personnel were also felicitated for their performance.

Seeks debate on excesses on the Constitution; sidesteps ‘secular, socialist’ terms in BJP’s constitution

Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service

he Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Thursday renewed calls to review the presence of words “secular and socialist” in the Preamble of the Constitution.

Backing the recent statement made by Sangh’s second-in-command Dattatreya Hosabale, RSS all-India communications chief Sunil Ambekar said a comprehensive debate must be held on the issue. “Speaking on the occasion of 50 years of Emergency, Hosabale mentioned events that unfolded at the time – including people who were being jailed and brutalised, political developments at the time and the way the Constitution was mauled,” said Ambekar, who arrived in Delhi on Thursday for a three-day meeting of 233 communication chiefs of RSS’ 11 regions and 47 organisational units.

Ambekar said Hosabale remembered the whole range of excesses committed as part of the imposition of Emergency and sought a discussion on all of those.

“At the completion of 50 years of Emergency, we talk about the excesses people suffered in jails. We also need to debate on the excesses the Constitution suffered through Amendments during the Emergency, Amendments that were enacted without parliamentary approval. We must discuss what should be done about these excesses,” he added.

Ambekar, however, side-stepped queries on whether the Sangh would ask the BJP to review the party’s constitution, which also mentions the words “secular and socialist”.

“The party shall bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established and to the principles of socialism, secularism and democracy and would uphold the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India,” says the BJP Constitution. Opposition leaders have also flagged this matter.

When asked about the relevance of the debate around the words “secular and socialist”, RSS insiders said the question was simple — “Whether we want to live with the Constitution of Babasaheb Ambedkar, which did not come with the words, socialist, secular; or the Constitution of Indira Gandhi, who introduced these words unilaterally without parliamentary approval?” A senior Sangh leader added that uncomfortable issues would have to be tackled head on.

The RSS mentioned a November-2024 judgment of the Supreme Court, wherein it rejected a bunch of petitions challenging the 1976 Amendment that introduced the words “socialist, secular” in the Preamble, the SC had observed that the Parliament’s amending power extended to the Preamble too. CJI Sanjiv Khanna dismissed the plea, saying, “We do not find any legitimate cause for challenging this Amendment after 44 years…Article 368 of the Constitution permits amendment to the Constitution and the power to amend unquestionably rests with the Parliament. This amending power extends to the Preamble.”

RSS leaders argue that the 1976 insertions, which late PM Indira Gandhi brought during the Emergency, did not have any parliamentary approval.

Plans for the centenary celebrations

Plans for the centenary celebrations of the Sangh, which will complete 100 years on Vijayadashami this year, will be finalised in the RSS’ three-day meeting. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s dialogue with civil society in Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Mumbai will be the highlight of the events.

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, Updated At : 04:45 AM Jul 04, 2025 IST

A JCB machine demolishes an illegal structure in Delhi Cantonment.

In a significant anti-encroachment operation, the Defence Estates Office, Delhi Circle, today reclaimed approximately 5 acres of prime defence land at Brar Square, Delhi Cantonment, from unauthorised occupation.

The site had been encroached upon by illegal dairies, temporary shanties and other unauthorised structures. With this move, nearly 24-acre defence land is left under encroachment.

A statement from the Defence Estates Office said the operation was initiated following a tip-off from a military unit co-located with the encroached site and executed by the Office of the Defence Estates Officer, Delhi Circle, under Rakesh, Sub-Divisional Officer, with the support of the police authorities, local military authorities and the Cantonment Board Delhi.

The reclaimed land, valued at approximately Rs 165 crore, has now been secured and is available for strategic defence use.

This operation was part of an ongoing drive by the Defence Estates Officer (DEO), Delhi Circle, to remove unauthorised occupations from defence land in the National Capital.

In a recent initiative, 3 acres of prime defence land adjoining Terminal 1D of the IGI Airport were also reclaimed. Further actions targeting unauthorised settlements within the Delhi Cantonment area are planned in the near future.

“Defence land is a critical and strategic national asset, and its protection is a top priority,” said Varun Kalia, Defence Estates Officer, Delhi Circle.

“We are committed to ensuring that all such defence land is freed from encroachments and put to appropriate use in the national interest. More such operations are planned, and strong enforcement will continue in coordination with all stakeholder agencies. The proactive leadership and continuous support of the Director General Defence Estates (DGDE) have been instrumental in empowering field offices to act decisively against encroachments and protect these vital national assets,” he said.

The Defence Estates Organisation, headed by the Director General of Defence Estates (DGDE) under the Ministry of Defence, plays a pivotal role in the management and safeguarding of nearly 18 lakh acres of Defence land across India.

The US Constitution splits the prerogative to initiate armed hostilities between Congress and the President.

Manish Tewari

LAST WEEK, the US Senate — by a 53-47 vote — decided not to bar the Trump administration from initiating further military action against Iran, turning down a war powers resolution introduced by Senator Tim Kaine.

The US Constitution splits the prerogative to initiate armed hostilities, colloquially referred to as war, between Congress and the President due to a twilight expanse of overlapping authority.

Article 1 of the US Constitution singularly vests in its Congress the power to initialise kinetic action, recruit, train and mobilise armed combatants and superintend their deployment. Oxymoronically, Article 2 of the Constitution titles the President as the commander-in-chief of the US armed forces.

The War Powers Resolution or the War Powers Act was enacted in 1973. The Vietnam War raging at that time. The relentless bombing of Cambodia and Laos was intensifying. Concurrently, domestic disenchantment was exacerbating against the Richard Nixon administration’s prosecution of the war.

Under such circumstances, the US House Foreign Affairs Committee observed that the dichotomy between the war-making functions of Congress and the President was a grey area of contemporaneous power, lacking precision on when the President can act independently vis-à-vis when congressional sanction becomes sacrosanct.

The War Powers Resolution was therefore approved with the resolve to reaffirm Congress’ role in deploying US armed forces for conflicts overseas. The resolution provided the President with just enough leverage to act with dispatch whenever imperative. It was done disregarding the veto of President Nixon. It laid down presidential reporting imperatives and Congressional processes predicated upon reaffirming the statutory responsibility of Congress in necessitating the deployment of US forces in armed conflict abroad.

Moving the said resolution in the context of President Donald Trump’s decision to bomb three nuclear sites in Iran, Tim Kaine said on the Senate floor, “Only Congress declares war.”

He pointed out that the founding fathers of the US Constitution, way back in 1787, were so circumspect of bestowing the control of opening hostilities on any individual that they deliberately chose not to even delegate this function to George Washington, the first commander-in-chief. The imprimaturs of the Constitution, therefore, ordained that the United States of America would not go to war without a Congressional vote.

Had the measure passed muster, it would have compelled the Trump administration to obtain Congress approval before launching further bombing and other forms of armed combat against Iran.

This raises an obvious question in India — from a constitutional standpoint, who has the power to declare war? Is it the President as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces on the Cabinet’s advice provided in writing or Parliament or none of these entities?

The answer seems to be “none”, for the Indian Constitution does not really contemplate resolving disputes through the force of arms. The question, therefore, remains: did we fight wars in 1947, 1965, 1971 and 1999 without a formal declaration of war? This seems to be the case.

On December 5, 1971, in a letter to US President Richard Nixon in the wake of a Pakistani air attack, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi wrote: “We are left with no other option but to put our country on a war footing. We have, therefore, declared an emergency for the defence of India…” She did not say India had declared war on Pakistan.

This anomalous situation perhaps has something to do with the peculiar context in which the Indian Constitution was conceptualised. India had just emerged from a unique non-violent and pacifist struggle, thanks to which it gained independence. Moreover, the world was still recovering from the ravages of World War II that had left 81 million people dead. The UN Charter had also just been adopted. Article 2(4) of the charter proscribed the “use of force” as a means of surmounting transnational disagreements. Under the UN framework, armed force may only be used in “self-defence” or when authorised by the Security Council under Chapter VII of the Charter. India’s Constitution, to a substantial extent, imbibed the spirit of this provision.

What then are the provisions of the Indian Constitution dealing with war? There seem to be none explicitly. Article 352 allows the proclamation of an emergency when a threat of war, external aggression or armed rebellion is imminent. It does not confer a power. It essentially lays down a procedure.

When there is an emergency because of “external aggression”, the President can make a proclamation, the condition precedent being a decision of the Council of Ministers communicated in writing. It also requires that Parliament ratify the proclamation within one month. The Constitution ordains that Parliament be summoned and requested to either ratify or reject it.

Then there is Entry 1& 2 of the Union List — Article 246, Seventh Schedule. Entry 1 delineates what the Union Government must do for the “defence of India” in times of war — from prosecution to demobilisation. “Defence of India” is the operative phrase here.

It, however, does not extend so far as to provide the legislative basis to the Union of India to declare war. Entry 2 only provides an exclusive field of legislation to the Union vis-a-vis the armed forces.

Article 51 in the Directive Principles of State Policy further mandates that the government undertake a peaceful approach to international relations.

In essence, the Union of India may initialise the full spectrum of options to counter a war, plan and train for a response to it, enact legislation to mobilise the materials and resources critical to its success, but constitutionally it is not authorised to initiate war as an exercise of sovereign will. It is a delicate but critical particularity. India, therefore, constitutionally is a defensive State not just in disposition, but in its very constitutional construction.

Given the rather ‘interesting’ times we live in, there must be a crisp and clear constitutional provision laying down precisely who has the power to declare war, why and under what circumstances? Is it the President on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers or Parliament? It could also be a hybrid like Article 352, whereby the proclamation is issued by the executive but ratified by Parliament within a month.

Manish Tewari is lok Sabha MP and former I&B Minister.

he Centre has cleared the decks for the Pakistan hockey team to participate in both the Asia Cup and the Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup to be held in India.

The Asia Cup, which is a qualifying tournament for the 2026 World Cup, is scheduled to be held in Rajgir, Bihar, in August, while the Men’s Junior World Cup is to be held in November.

The participation of the Pakistan team in these tournaments was hanging in the balance amid the border tensions between the two neighbours after the Pahalgam attack on tourists.

However, on Thursday, sources in the Sports Ministry said the Pakistan team could travel to India for both the tournaments.

A Sports Ministry official said the decision was taken as these hockey tournaments were multi-nation events and stopping any country might invoke sanctions from the International Olympic Committee as it might be construed as a violation of the Olympic Charter.

“We should not stop any team from competing in multi-nation tournaments. If we stop Pakistan from participating in these tournaments, it may be seen as a violation of the Olympic Charter,” a source said.

The official confirmed that both the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs were in agreement over the decision. “The Sports Ministry can only announce these decisions after getting an all clear from both the ministries,” he said.

Interestingly, Hockey India (HI) has said it has not been told by the Sports Ministry about the clearance. “We have only heard about the decision through mediapersons. We have not been officially informed about the Pakistan team’s participation in both the tournaments,” HI secretary general Bhola Nath Singh told The Tribune.

MoD approves acquisition proposals worth Rs 1.05 lakh crore

Ajay Banerjee Tribune News Service

Nearly two months after air defence missiles played a key role in thwarting threats from Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, the Ministry of Defence has approved the procurement of more such weapons along with 12 specialised warships that can lay mines undersea and even detect them.

In military parlance, these are called surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and are fired from the ground at airborne targets such as drones, planes and jets. The SAMs are mated with air defence radars that direct the missiles towards incoming targets.

During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan fired hundreds of drones and missiles at India, which were shot down by the layered air defence system that included the SAMs.

The SAMs are part of the acquisition proposals amounting to nearly Rs 1.05 lakh crore, a process to be undertaken through indigenous sourcing. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the apex decision-making body on procurements in the MoD, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, today accorded the acceptance of necessity (AoN) for the purchase of 10 separate equipment for the forces.

The MoD did not specify the count of SAMs to be procured, though sources said the stock used by the Air Force during the skirmishes with Pakistan would be replenished.

The DAC also approved the procurement of electronic warfare system, which is a specialised military technology used during combat to control the electromagnetic spectrum, including jamming, deceiving or spying, using radio waves and radar signals. An approval was also granted to buy a software called integrated common inventory management system, which will be used at joint logistics nodes created for the services. The 12 mine counter measure vessels were being demanded for long by the Navy.