Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Princess Astrid of Belgium and Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken on Monday to discuss potential defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Following the meeting, the Defence Minister shared on social media platform X, stating, “We…

Tribune News Service

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Princess Astrid of Belgium and Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken on Monday to discuss potential defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

Following the meeting, the Defence Minister shared on social media platform X, stating, “We discussed issues related to regional security and the possibility of defence engagements in the Indo-Pacific.” He also highlighted deliberations on strengthening defence industrial cooperation between India and Belgium.

The Belgian delegation also held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, focusing on semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), clean energy and research and innovation. Jaishankar emphasised the opportunities for Belgian businesses under India’s initiatives, stating, “This visit allows Belgium to assess developments in India and take advantage of Make in India, Design in India, Research in India and Innovate in India. We are confident that this economic mission will lead to greater cooperation.”

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Princess Astrid and her delegation will also visit Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Delhi during their stay in India from March 2 to 8. Princess Astrid is the sister of Belgium’s King Philippe and is leading an economic delegation aimed at enhancing bilateral ties.

European leaders propose peace plan, seek US support

US President Donald Trump has paused military aid to Ukraine following his clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week, said a White House official, deepening the fissure that has opened between the two one-time allies.

“President Trump has been clear that he is focused on peace. We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well. We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution,” said the official on Monday, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

The White House had no immediate comment on the scope and amount of aid affected or how long the pause would last. The Pentagon could not provide further details.

Zelenskyy’s office did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment nor did the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington.

The move comes after Trump upended US policy on Ukraine and Russia upon taking office in January, adopting a more conciliatory stance towards Moscow – and after an explosive confrontation with Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday in which Trump criticized him for being insufficiently grateful for Washington’s backing in the war with Russia..

On Monday, Trump again said Zelenskyy should be more appreciative of American support after earlier responding angrily to an Associated Press report quoting Zelenskiy as saying the end of the war is “very, very far away.”

“This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer!” Trump wrote on Truth Social, using an alternative spelling of the Ukrainian leader’s name.

Letter no. 652 dated 27-02-2025 of SBI Click to open

‘Remembrance Garden’, an international campaign to commemorate victims who sacrificed their lives in World War-II, was held under the leadership of Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla at the Chandigarh War Memorial in Bougainvillea Garden, Sector 3, today. The event was organised…

Remembrance Garden’, an international campaign to commemorate victims who sacrificed their lives in World War-II, was held under the leadership of Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla at the Chandigarh War Memorial in Bougainvillea Garden, Sector 3, today.

The event was organised by “Volunteers of Victory”, an all-Russian public movement, NGOs Atlas and Prayas Youth Welfare Society, and councillor Maheshinder Singh Sidhu.

As many as 80 bougainvillea saplings were planted in the memory of soldiers who laid their lives during the World War-II and other wars. The campaign, which began in 2020 in Russia, has expanded to over 50 countries and aims to promote remembrance and honour the fallen heroes.

Earlier Chinese Song-class of submarines were surveilled loitering the Indian Ocean Region

India is closely monitoring China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean, according to Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. The Navy keeps a watchful eye on the activities of the Chinese PLA Navy, including their warships and research vessels, to ensure that Indian interests in the region are not compromised.

This heightened vigilance is part of India’s broader strategy to address potential threats from neighbouring countries, including the surprising growth of the Pakistan Navy, which is receiving significant support from China.

China’s increasing naval presence in the Indian Ocean is seen as part of its broader ambition to become a global maritime power. The PLA Navy’s activities are not limited to military operations; they also involve research vessels that survey ocean parameters, which could aid in future submarine operations.

Admiral Tripathi’s highlighted the extensive maritime collaboration between China and Pakistan, which has been ongoing for over two decades. This partnership has significantly bolstered Pakistan’s naval capabilities, particularly since 2009. Key aspects of this collaboration include:

China has provided Pakistan with substantial maritime equipment, including, 3 F-22 frigates, these are part of China’s efforts to enhance Pakistan’s naval capabilities. 4 Type 054 warships, these are multi-role warships that offer advanced operational capabilities.

A satellite tracking vessel, this enhances Pakistan’s surveillance and communication capabilities at sea.

This collaboration is part of a broader strategic partnership aimed at countering India’s influence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). China’s support helps Pakistan strengthen its naval presence, which is crucial for both countries’ interests in the region. The partnership contributes to the geopolitical dynamics in the IOR, with India closely monitoring these developments to ensure its maritime security and dominance in the region.

Additionally, China’s strategic investments in ports across the Indian Ocean, such as Gwadar in Pakistan, are viewed with concern by India, as these could potentially be used to enhance China’s naval capabilities in the region.

Despite these challenges, Admiral Tripathi emphasised that India has an effective structure in place to monitor and respond to maritime activities. The Indian Navy remains alert and prepared to protect the country’s coastline and interests in the Indian Ocean.

The Navy Chief also noted that while the oceans are open to all, any operations must not compromise India’s security.

India’s approach reflects a proactive stance towards maintaining maritime security and stability in the face of China’s expanding naval presence.

Exercise Desert Hunt 2025, conducted by the Indian Air Force from February 24 to 28, 2025, at Air Force Station Jodhpur, was a landmark integrated Tri-Service Special Forces exercise.

This high-intensity drill brought together elite units from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, including the Para (Special Forces) of the Army, the Marine Commandos (MARCOS) of the Navy, and the Garud Special Forces of the Air Force. The exercise aimed to enhance interoperability, coordination, and synergy among these units to ensure a swift and effective response to emerging security challenges.

Designed to enhance interoperability, coordination, and synergy among the three Special Forces units, the exercise tested their ability to respond swiftly and effectively to evolving security threats. Key training components included airborne insertion, precision strikes, hostage rescue, counter-terrorism operations, combat free falls, and urban warfare scenarios—all conducted under realistic battlefield conditions.

The exercise included a range of complex scenarios such as airborne insertion, precision strikes, hostage rescue operations, counter-terrorism drills, combat free falls, and urban warfare simulations. These were conducted under realistic conditions to test the combat readiness, endurance, and adaptability of the forces.

Senior military officials supervised the exercise to validate joint doctrines and assess the effectiveness of integrated operations. The exercise served as a critical platform to foster inter-service cooperation, reinforcing the Indian Armed Forces’ commitment to strengthening national security through seamless collaboration.

Exercise Desert Hunt 2025 demonstrated the Indian Armed Forces’ capability to operate as a unified and cohesive unit, ready to tackle multifaceted security challenges. It highlighted the importance of jointmanship in modern warfare and marked a significant milestone in enhancing India’s defence preparedness.

The successful execution of the exercise showcased the elite capabilities of India’s Special Forces and their dedication to protecting the nation, underscoring the importance of such exercises in an increasingly complex global security landscape.

India’s ambitious deep-sea exploration project, Matsya-6000, has successfully completed its wet testing, marking a significant milestone in the country’s underwater exploration capabilities. Developed under the Samudrayaan Project, a component of the Deep Ocean Mission, Matsya-6000 is a fourth-generation deep-ocean submersible designed to accommodate three humans within its spherical hull.

The wet testing, conducted at L&T Shipbuilding in Kattupalli Port from January 27 to February 12, 2025, involved both manned and unmanned dives to assess the submersible’s power and control systems, floatation stability, and life-support systems.

Matsya-6000, India’s first deep-sea human submersible, is designed to dive to a depth of 6,000 meters and features several key technologies and systems:

Hull And Design: It has a compact 2.1-meter diameter spherical hull made from a strong titanium alloy, capable of housing three humans. The hull is designed to withstand extreme underwater pressure.

Subsystems

 Main Ballast System: For diving and surfacing.

 Thrusters: Allow movement in all directions.

 Battery Bank: Provides power.

 Syntactic Foam: Used for buoyancy.

Communication Systems

 Acoustic Modem: For underwater communication.

 Underwater Telephone: Enables voice communication.

 VHF And GPS: For precise location tracking.

Life Support And Sensors

 Advanced Life Support Systems: Ensure a safe atmosphere for the crew.

 Navigation Joysticks: For precise control.

 Oceanographic Sensors: For data collection.

 Underwater Lighting And Cameras: For observation and documentation.

Additional Features

 Robotic Arms: For sample collection.

 High-Resolution Imaging Systems: For detailed observations.

 Propellers: Allow movement in six directions.

 Emergency Endurance: Up to 96 hours.

Key Features of Matsya-6000

Material: Made from an 80mm-thick titanium alloy, which is strong and fracture-resistant, ideal for withstanding extreme underwater pressures.

Endurance: Offers 12 hours of normal operation and up to 96 hours in emergency situations.

Design: Compact 2.1-meter diameter spherical hull, accommodating three humans.

Technology: Equipped with advanced life support systems, navigation devices, and communication systems.

Matsya-6000, India’s first deep-sea human submersible, is designed to dive to a depth of 6,000 meters, placing it among the elite group of submersibles capable of such extreme depths. Here’s how it compares to other notable deep-sea submersibles:

Comparison With Other Submersibles

Titan Submersible: Unlike the Titan, which was made of carbon fibre and suffered a tragic implosion, Matsya-6000 uses titanium for enhanced safety. The Titan was lighter and more affordable but lacked the robustness needed for extreme depths.

Other Deep-Sea Submersibles: Only a few countries like France, the US, China, Russia, and Japan have developed submersibles capable of similar depths. Matsya-6000 is lighter and more cost-efficient compared to some of these, thanks to the use of “off-the-shelf” components.

Operational Depth: Matsya-6000 is designed to reach 6,000 meters, comparable to the deepest-diving submersibles globally. This capability positions India among the leaders in deep-sea exploration.

Advantages of Matsya-6000

Indigenous Development: It is an indigenous project under the Samudrayaan mission, showcasing India’s technological capabilities in underwater engineering.

Advanced Safety Features: The use of titanium and redundant systems ensures enhanced safety for its crew.

Scientific Capabilities: Equipped with advanced sensors and instruments for deep-sea mineral exploration and scientific research.

Manned And Unmanned Tests

The tests included eight dives, with five being unmanned and three manned, to evaluate the submersible’s performance in real oceanic conditions.

The emergency endurance of Matsya-6000 is up to 96 hours. This means that in case of an emergency, the submersible is equipped to support its crew for an additional 96 hours beyond its normal operational endurance of 12 hours, extending the total potential endurance to 108 hours.

Despite some limitations in underwater communication due to the restricted harbour depth, the tests confirmed that Matsya-6000 is on track for future demonstrations in deeper waters.

The next milestone for the submersible includes demonstration dives to depths of up to 500 meters by the end of 2025, paving the way for further explorations towards its maximum depth of 6,000 meters.

Matsya-6000 is equipped with advanced technologies, including a main ballast system, thrusters, a battery bank, syntactic foam for buoyancy, and sophisticated control systems, navigation devices, and communication systems.

The submersible is part of India’s broader Deep Ocean Mission, which aims to develop technologies for harnessing living and non-living resources from the deep oceans, aligning with the country’s vision of becoming self-reliant in underwater exploration.

The successful completion of the wet tests has bolstered confidence in India’s ability to conduct deep-sea missions with human crew, positioning the country among the few nations capable of such feats.

IDN

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) experienced a bittersweet moment at Aero India 2025 with the unveiling of its upgraded Hindustan Jet Trainer-36 (HJT-36), now renamed ‘Yashas’. This significant development marked a positive note for HAL, as the Yashas trainer has undergone extensive modifications to enhance its capabilities.

The aircraft features state-of-the-art avionics and an ultra-modern cockpit, which will improve training effectiveness and operational efficiency. Additionally, the Yashas is equipped with a FADEC-controlled AL55I Jet engine, providing a superior thrust-to-weight ratio and reliability.

It is designed for Stage II pilot training, counter insurgency operations, and armament training, among other roles.

However, the event was also tinged with disappointment, particularly concerning the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) TEJAS. Despite being a flagship indigenous project, the TEJAS has faced challenges in meeting certain expectations. The TEJAS has been a symbol of India’s indigenous aerospace capabilities, having been inducted into the Indian Air Force. Nonetheless, HAL’s efforts to upgrade and innovate, as seen with the Yashas, highlight the company’s commitment to advancing India’s aerospace sector.

Aero India 2025 provided a platform for HAL to showcase its capabilities and innovations, aligning with India’s broader vision of becoming self-reliant in the aerospace and defence sectors.

The event underscored the importance of indigenous manufacturing and technological advancements, reflecting the government’s push for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ or self-reliant India.

IT News

A day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah called for fencing of Manipur’s international border from both sides and also directed dismantling of drug network, Meitei militia outfit Arambai Tenggol appreciated the Centre’s efforts to restore peace in the strife-torn…

A day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah called for fencing of Manipur’s international border from both sides and also directed dismantling of drug network, Meitei militia outfit Arambai Tenggol appreciated the Centre’s efforts to restore peace in the strife-torn state.

The militia, which has been blamed for attacking the tribal Kuki community and destroying their homes ever since ethnic violence had erupted in Manipur in May 2023, in a statement on Sunday expressed, “heartfelt applause” to Shah for his “unwavering commitment to fostering peace and stability in Manipur,” noting that “his leadership has been pivotal during these challenging times”.

42 more arms surrendered

Imphal: Forty-two more firearms and cartridges have been surrendered by the public in five districts of ethnic strife-torn Manipur, the police said on Sunday. The firearms were surrendered in Imphal West and East, Churachandpur, Bishnupur and Tamenglong districts. Security forces also dismantled two illegal bunkers at Mark Hill under Thingsat hill range in Kangpokpi district. Another three illegal bunkers were dismantled at Wakan hill range in the adjoining area in Kangpokpi and Imphal East districts. PTI

The statement also thanked Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, whose “prompt actions and assurances during the recent meeting with the Arambai Tenggol have instilled a renewed sense of hope among the citizens

Security measures along Manipur’s border with Myanmar were also commended, with the group noting the “swift progress in completing the fencing work” which they described as “crucial in safeguarding our territory and enhancing security.”

The statement reinforced Arambai Tenggol’s support for anti-drug trafficking initiatives, stating they “wholeheartedly support the Governor’s strong stance against drug trafficking and his vision to make Manipur a drug-free state”.

The Arambai Tenggol is fully committed to supporting all initiatives that promote normalcy in Manipur. We believe that through collaborative efforts, we can work towards a peaceful and developed Manipur that reflects the aspirations of all its residents,” the militia said in the statement.

The king has come under criticism in Canada for being silent about Trump’s threats to annex Canada

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will meet King Charles III, the country’s head of state, on Monday where he will discuss US President Donald Trump’s threats to make Canada the 51st state.

The king has come under criticism in Canada for being silent about Trump’s threats to annex Canada.

Trudeau said in London on Sunday he will discuss matters of importance to Canadians with Charles and said “nothing seems more important to Canadians right now than standing up for our sovereignty and our independence as a nation”.Charles is the head of state in Canada, which is a member of the British Commonwealth of former colonies.

Overall, the anti-royal movement in Canada is small, but the silence of the monarch on Trump’s threats has spurred talk in recent days.

Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney said “for Canadians disappointed that King Charles has not commented” on Trump’s threats he can only act on the advice of Canada’s prime minister.

“The Government of Canada should ask the Head of State to underscore Canadian sovereignty,” Kenney posted on X.

The king, who met on Sunday Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has invited Trump to come to Scotland for a state visit.

“Great news that the Prime Minister will be having an audience with the King of Canada tomorrow. Hopefully this result in the King making a statement regarding his Canadian Realm,” constitutional lawyer Lyle Skinner posed on X.