The Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Sachet’ embarked on a significant humanitarian mission by departing for Sudan on Friday, carrying a substantial cargo of over two tons of life-saving medicines.

This shipment includes crucial anti-cancer drugs, underscoring the importance of the mission in providing essential medical aid to Sudan.

Nearly two years have passed since the outbreak of conflict in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023.

Over 25 million people across Sudan, South Sudan, and Chad are trapped in a spiral of deteriorating food security. including at least 17 million in Sudan. The war risks creating the world’s largest hunger crisis, as per the World Food Program.

The Indian Coast Guard’s initiative highlights the country’s commitment to supporting global health needs, particularly in regions facing medical challenges.

The delivery of these medicines is expected to have a positive impact on the healthcare system in Sudan, addressing critical medical requirements and enhancing the well-being of its population.

Last month, India dispatched humanitarian assistance of 26 tons to Honduras in the wake of the recent Tropical storm SARA. The consignment comprised medical supplies and disaster relief material including surgical supplies, glucometers, oximeters, gloves, syringes and IV fluids, blankets, sleeping mats and hygiene kits.

This mission demonstrates India’s role in international humanitarian efforts, showcasing its capacity to respond to global health crises effectively.

ANI

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasised the importance of addressing critical technological challenges to ensure India’s strength and security. Speaking at the inauguration of ‘Vigyan Vaibhav-2025’ in Hyderabad, part of the National Science Day celebrations, Singh highlighted the shift in warfare from hardware to software, underscoring the need for India to lead in transformative technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, machine learning, and clean tech.

He urged the youth to inculcate a scientific temper and make the best use of the internationally competitive infrastructure being established in the country.

Singh also reiterated the government’s commitment to harnessing modern technology for national security and praised the potential of India’s youth in achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047.

During his visit, Singh felicitated the team behind the successful flight trials of the Long-Range Hypersonic Anti-Ship Missile, which positioned India among a select group of nations with hypersonic missile capabilities.

He commended the scientists for their contributions to India’s defence capabilities and encouraged them to continue integrating evolving technological advancements into their projects.

The event, themed ‘Empowering Indian Youth for Global Leadership in Science and Innovation for Viksit Bharat,’ saw over 30,000 students participate and featured more than 200 exhibition stalls showcasing cutting-edge defence and aerospace technologies developed by DRDO and leading Indian industries.

Singh also touched upon the New Education Policy 2020, which aims to transform science education by promoting creativity and critical thinking, despite resistance from some states.

He emphasised the importance of education in preparing the new generation to face global challenges and contribute to India’s technological advancements.

Solar Industries India Limited, part of the Solar Group, has secured a significant export order valued at ₹2,150 Crores for the supply of defence products.

This order, awarded by an international entity, is set to be executed over a period of six years, marking a substantial milestone in the company’s expansion into the global defence sector. The announcement was made in a filing before the stock exchanges on Friday.

In addition to this major defence contract, Solar Industries also issued commercial papers worth ₹75 Crores last week. These papers are scheduled to mature in March 2025, as per the filings with the exchange. The company’s recent financial performance has been robust, with a 55% increase in net profit to ₹314.87 Crores for the December quarter, driven by a 38% rise in revenue to ₹1,973.08 Crores compared to the same period last year.

Despite the positive developments, Solar Industries’ shares experienced a slight decline following the announcement, reflecting broader market dynamics. The company’s market capitalization remains substantial, standing at approximately ₹78,000 Crores.

Solar Industries continues to strengthen its position in both domestic and international markets, with a focus on defence and other sectors such as mining and construction.

A violent clash at the Indo-Bangladesh border in Tripura’s Sepahijala district resulted in injuries to a Border Security Force (BSF) Jawan and a Bangladeshi intruder.

The incident occurred when a group of 20-25 Bangladeshi nationals, allegedly involved in smuggling activities with Indian accomplices, crossed into Indian territory near Border Pillar 2050/7-S. Despite being cautioned by a BSF patrolling team, the intruders launched a violent attack on the security personnel.

The situation escalated further as the intruders attempted to snatch weapons from the BSF personnel, prompting a Jawan to fire a non-lethal round from a Pump Action Gun (PAG) in self-defence, which injured one of the Bangladeshi nationals.

Both the injured BSF Jawan and the Bangladeshi intruder were immediately evacuated for medical treatment and are currently undergoing care at nearby hospitals. Their condition is reported to be stable. However, there are conflicting reports regarding the outcome for the Bangladeshi nationals involved. Some sources indicate that one Bangladeshi national was injured and hospitalized, while others report that a Bangladeshi smuggler was killed in the incident.

The clash highlights ongoing challenges related to smuggling and border security along the Indo-Bangladesh border. Authorities have initiated investigations to identify and take action against those involved in the border intrusion.

In a separate incident, Mumbai Police apprehended 16 Bangladeshi nationals for illegal entry during a large-scale operation across several areas in Maharashtra.

The Delhi Government on Saturday announced a series of measures to curb air pollution, including denial of petrol or diesel to vehicles older than 15 years at fuel stations across the national capital. BJP leader Manjinder Sirsa, who recently took…

The Delhi Government on Saturday announced a series of measures to curb air pollution, including denial of petrol or diesel to vehicles older than 15 years at fuel stations across the national capital.

BJP leader Manjinder Sirsa, who recently took charge as the Environment Minister, said the directives would come into effect after March 31. Minister Sirsa, after holding a meeting with officials, said the BJP government would take stringent steps to curb vehicular emissions in the city.

“We are installing gadgets at petrol stations to identify vehicles older than 15 years. No fuel will be provided to them after March 31,” Sirsa said. Teams would be formed to identify vehicles older than 15 years and prevent these from entering the city. “We will rope in Delhi University students for a plantation drive. This will give nearly 30,000 students a chance to participate and get certificates,” Sirsa said.

A senior official of the Delhi Government, however, clarified that diesel-run vehicles older than 10 years would be denied fuel after March 31.

The minister said the government would make it mandatory for big hotels, office complexes, construction sites as well as Delhi airport to install anti-smog guns on the premises. “We are going to make it mandatory for all high-rise buildings and hotels in Delhi to install anti-smog guns. Commercial complexes will also have to install these,” Sirsa said.

The government would transform barren land in the city into jungles, he said. “We have decided on several new initiatives. We will take requisite permission for cloud seeding to create artificial rain when the city is in the grips of severe pollution,” Sirsa added.

In a breakthrough in the tunnel collapse rescue operation in Telangana that has been going on for a week, the whereabouts of four of the eight persons trapped have been traced, state Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao said on Saturday….

In a breakthrough in the tunnel collapse rescue operation in Telangana that has been going on for a week, the whereabouts of four of the eight persons trapped have been traced, state Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao said on Saturday.

Rao, who attended a meeting with officials involved in the rescue operation along with Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, said there was a lot of progress during the past couple of days.

“In my view, the whereabouts of four persons have been traced through a radar,” he told reporters at the tunnel. He expressed the hope that they would be extricated by Sunday evening.

The other four appear to have been stuck beneath the tunnel boring machine (TBM), he said.

Asked about the condition of the four whose whereabouts had been traced, the minister recalled he had said on the first day itself that the chances of survival were remote.

The 450 foot-tall TBM was being cut, he said. Personnel of 11 agencies were involved in the operation.

Referring to criticism by opposition parties that the operation was getting delayed, Rao said those involved in the endeavour were experts but the rescue work was complex in view of the conditions, including slush, inside the tunnel.

Eight persons — engineers and labourers — have been trapped under the collapsed roof of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal tunnel since February 22. The rescue operations are on in full swing to pull them out to safety.

BRO camp buried | 32 workers pulled out | Snowfall hits rescue op

As many as 32 labourers were rescued late Friday night after 57 got trapped as a massive avalanche struck a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp near Mana, nearly 6 km north of Badrinath shrine in Uttarakhand, along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

The snowslide, which buried the BRO camp between Mana and Badrinath, rolled down early on Friday morning. The avalanche was preceded by two mild snowslides. Multiple teams battled through tough terrain, heavy snow and icy temperatures through the day to reach the men.

Visuals from Mana showed rescuers trudging through high piles of snow in a grim landscape bathed in white. They initially pulled out 10 workers and then the others, sources said. Four of those rescued are reported to be in a critical condition, the Army said.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, in a post on X on Friday evening, confirmed that 32 labourers had been rescued and that efforts were underway on a “war footing” to save the remaining 25.

Brig Mandeep Singh, Commander of the Joshimath-based Ibex Brigade of the Army, reported that the road between Joshimath and Mana had been blocked due to the avalanche. “A 200-member Army team has been deployed for rescue operation. Despite harsh weather conditions and continuous snowfall, the rescue is underway. Efforts are also on to clear the road to extricate the injured and deploy additional rescue teams,” he said.

Brigadier Singh added that Army doctors at the site had performed critical life-saving surgeries on the severely injured. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Dhami and assured that local Army units were providing all possible assistance to those affected. Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to CM Dhami and assured that the government’s priority was to safely evacuate those trapped.

“Two teams of the NDRF are also reaching the spot soon,” he said. Villagers in Mana said the site of the accident was considered vulnerable to avalanches in winter and the BRO camp was usually closed. “This time the camp was not closed due to lack of snowfall due to which they became victims of the avalanche,” Mana village headman Pitambar Singh said. Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman said the situation was critical with the containers buried under six to seven feet of snow. The bad weather continued. (With PTI inputs)

General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), recently addressed the French Joint Staff College, providing a comprehensive overview of India’s strategic landscape.

This engagement was part of his four-day official visit to France, aimed at bolstering military collaboration and exploring new avenues of cooperation between the two nations. During his address, General Dwivedi highlighted India’s evolving security environment and the imperative for enhanced global cooperation to ensure collective security.

His visit underscored India’s commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships with France, focusing on areas such as joint military exercises, modernization of armed forces, and technological advancements in defence.

General Dwivedi’s itinerary in France included meetings with senior French military officials, visits to prestigious military institutions, and participation in live firing demonstrations by the French Scorpion Division.

He also laid a wreath at the Neuve-Chapelle Indian War Memorial to honour Indian soldiers who fought in World War I. The visit reinforced India’s expanding military partnerships and strategic collaboration with France, aligning with India’s broader goal of enhancing its defence capabilities and global security role.

“General Upendra Dwivedi, COAS visited the Airbus Facility at Marseille where he was briefed on cutting edge aviation technology, defence systems and aerospace engineering that Airbus has pioneered. This visit underscores the Indian Army’s commitment to leveraging global aerospace innovations to enhance operational capabilities and strengthen defence preparedness, especially in the rotary wing aviation,” Additional Directorate General of Public Information posted on X.

Taking to X, Additional Directorate General of Public Information wrote, “General Upendra Dwivedi, COAS during his ongoing official visit to France, today was shown a live firing demonstration by the Scorpion Division at Carpiagne near Marseille. The firing showcased an integrated firing by the newly inducted Jaguar, Griffon and Serval vehicles followed by equipment display.”

The discussions during his visit emphasised the importance of interoperability and coordination in tactical operations, as exemplified by the annual joint military drill, Exercise SHAKTI, conducted by the armies of both nations.

ANI

India’s strategic role in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) is pivotal, driven by a convergence of interests with littoral nations. This region is crucial for India due to its geography, energy resources, trade routes, and natural resources, which underscore its importance in India’s maritime strategy.

India’s main objective in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is to secure the Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs), which are vital for trade and energy security but face threats such as piracy.

The Indian Navy plays a multifaceted role, acting as a “first responder” and “preferred security partner” in the region, enhancing regional stability through anti-piracy operations and maritime patrols.

India has significantly enhanced its role as a preferred security partner in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), particularly through its proactive engagement in maritime security and cooperation with neighbouring countries. Lieutenant Colonel Dhiraj Kumar noted that India’s positive gestures have reaffirmed its suitability as a crisis-mitigator and promoter of regional cooperation.

This shift reflects India’s transition from an inward-looking to an outward-looking strategy, focusing on three key objectives: supporting neighbouring countries, providing humanitarian aid and maritime capacity-building, and preventing hegemonic dominance, especially in response to China’s growing presence in the region.

In recent years, India’s approach to its primary interest area in the IOR has evolved, leading to a broader maritime outlook. The 2015 Indian Naval strategic document played a crucial role in setting this stage by expanding India’s primary interest region. This strategic shift is driven by the need to secure vital sea lanes of communication (SLOCs), counterbalance China’s influence, and foster cooperation with regional partners to uphold a rules-based international order.

India’s role as a net security provider in the IOR involves patrolling vast maritime territories, managing regional crises, conducting anti-piracy operations, and ensuring the safety of key shipping routes. The Indian Navy has been instrumental in these efforts, earning recognition for its successful anti-piracy missions and its position as a first responder in regional crises.

This proactive engagement has positioned India as a valuable security partner not only in the IOR but also in the broader Indo-Pacific, where it participates in alliances like the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD).

India’s engagement in the WIO is also influenced by its strategic rivalry with China. India seeks to counter China’s growing presence by strengthening partnerships with small island nations like Mauritius and Seychelles. These partnerships not only serve India’s strategic interests but also contribute to regional stability and security.

The Indian Navy has expanded its presence beyond traditional boundaries, establishing a security presence in the Southwest Indian Ocean through military training, defence equipment, and security advisers.

This proactive approach has positioned India as a significant maritime security provider, leveraging historic ties with littoral nations to enhance its influence in the region.

Furthermore, India’s maritime diplomacy in the Southwest Indian Ocean involves developing strategic relationships with key island nations. These relationships are crucial for projecting India’s naval capabilities and securing strategic advantages such as longer maritime deployments and potential military infrastructure.

The region’s importance is highlighted by its role as a gateway between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, with the Mozambique Channel being a critical maritime choke-point.

India’s efforts to build a robust naval presence and foster cooperation with other nations like the United States are aimed at maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, which aligns with its broader strategic ambitions.

In recent years, India has shifted from a non-aligned stance to a more strategic engagement in the Indian Ocean, emphasising anti-piracy operations and expanding its naval presence.

This shift is part of India’s broader vision for the region, encapsulated in initiatives like the Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) policy, which underscores cooperation and regional stability.

The convergence of interests between India and littoral nations in the WIO is critical for addressing shared challenges such as piracy and China’s growing influence, while promoting economic stability and security in the region.

Agencies

Production of TEJAS fighter jet under progress in Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) plant

The Indian government is considering involving the private sector in the production of the TEJAS fighter jet to address ongoing delays. A high-level committee, led by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, has been formed to explore ways to accelerate production and meet the urgent needs of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The committee’s primary objectives include identifying bottlenecks in the TEJAS program and recommending measures to enhance production efficiency.

One potential solution being considered is outsourcing certain Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facilities, such as the Nashik plant, to private companies. This move aims to bolster production capacity, reduce reliance on imports, and enhance India’s defence independence under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

The IAF is facing a significant shortage of fighter jets, with only 31 squadrons currently operational against a required strength of 42. The TEJAS MK-1A, an advanced variant of the indigenous TEJAS, is crucial for modernising the IAF’s fleet.

However, HAL is struggling to meet the production targets for the 83 contracted TEJAS MK-1A jets, and an additional order for 97 jets is pending. The delays have been exacerbated by limitations in engine supply from General Electric, which can only provide a maximum of 12 engines annually.

Involving the private sector could alleviate pressure on HAL and potentially expedite deliveries. Companies already involved in discussions for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program are seen as strong contenders for participating in TEJAS MK-1A production.

Wise Option

This strategic decision would not only impact India’s fighter aircraft industry but also have implications for regional security dynamics with neighbouring countries like China and Pakistan. The committee has been given a deadline of one month to submit its report, which is expected to outline a clear path forward for enhancing private sector participation in fighter jet manufacturing.

Air Force Chief’s Views

Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has underscored the urgent need for India to produce 35-40 fighter jets annually to address the existing gaps and replace ageing fleets. This requirement is driven by the impending retirement of aircraft like the Mirage-2000, MiG-29, and Jaguar, which are set to be phased out in the coming years. Speaking at an event in Delhi, Air Chief Marshal Singh emphasised that adding two squadrons per year necessitates the production of 35-40 planes annually, a capacity that cannot be developed overnight.

Dependence On HAL

Currently, the IAF relies heavily on Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the production of indigenous TEJAS MK-1A jets. While HAL has committed to producing 24 jets next year, Air Chief Marshal Singh highlighted the importance of private sector participation to meet the required numbers. He cited the successful collaboration between TATA and Airbus on the C-295 transport aircraft as an example, suggesting that private industry could contribute an additional 12-18 jets per year.

The slow production of TEJAS MK-1A has been a significant concern, with HAL facing delays in delivering the contracted 83 aircraft. This has prompted the Ministry of Defence to form a high-powered committee to explore solutions, including increased private sector involvement, to accelerate fighter jet production.

Future Outlook

Looking ahead to 2047, Air Chief Marshal Singh envisions a technologically advanced and automated Air Force. The IAF currently operates 31 fighter squadrons, short of the required 42 needed to counter threats from China and Pakistan. With the retirement of approximately 250 aircraft from the Jaguar, MiG-29, and Mirage-2000 fleets imminent, boosting fighter jet production remains a critical priority for India’s air defence preparedness.

Agencies