Zuppa Geo Navigation Technologies, a Chennai-based drone and navigation solutions provider, on Monday said it had delivered more 500 “cyber-secure” drones to the Army.

The deployment follows the successful completion of rigorous certification processes aligned with the Army’s cybersecurity framework for unmanned systems. These drones have undergone comprehensive testing by the Standardization Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) Directorate, meeting stringent benchmarks for cybersecurity, reliability and operational resilience.

Coordinating with Ministry of External Affairs, putting in our efforts to bring back our ships: Minister

The Centre on Monday said at least 15 Indian-flagged vessels were stranded in the Strait of Hormuz and efforts were underway to bring them back.

Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia here, Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said, “We are coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs and putting in our efforts to bring back our vessels. Arrangements are being made so that as soon as conditions are suitable, the ships can sail back to Indian ports.”

He said the Indian-flagged LPG vessel “Jag Vikram” crossed the Strait of Hormuz on April 11. It was carrying around 20,400 metric tonnes of LPG and had 24 seafarers on board. It was expected to reach Kandla on April 14.

The official said the ministry was actively monitoring the evolving situation in the Persian Gulf, adding that “at present, all Indian seafarers in the region are safe. No incident involving Indian-flagged vessels has been reported in the past 24 hours.” He said the Directorate General of Shipping had facilitated the safe repatriation of over 2,177 Indian seafarers so far, including 93 in the past 24 hours from various locations across the Gulf region.

Meanwhile, India has also taken a significant step towards strengthening its electric mobility ecosystem. In a move aimed at accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and supporting domestic manufacturing, the government has announced extensions and relaxations under key policy frameworks, responding to both market needs and global supply chain disruptions.

Hanif Qureshi, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Heavy Industries, highlighted that subsidies under the PM e-DRIVE scheme for electric three-wheeler rickshaws had been extended by two years, shifting the deadline from March 2026 to March 2028.

Recognising the widespread use of electric two-wheelers across the country, the government has also extended subsidy support for this segment. The revised deadline now stands at July 31, 2026, offering additional time for consumers and manufacturers to benefit from the incentives and further drive adoption in one of the fastest-growing EV segments.

Qureshi also emphasised the role of the Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) in determining subsidy structures across different EV categories. The programme is designed to promote indigenous production and reduce dependency on imports, aligning with the broader vision of building a self-reliant automotive ecosystem in India.

In light of ongoing supply chain challenges stemming from the West Asia crisis, the government has introduced a six-month relaxation in PMP guidelines specifically for electric trucks and buses.

In a first-ever military technology transfer between India and the US, a technical agreement has been reached on co-producing a jet engine in India.

Almost 80 per cent of the manufacturing technology and intellectual property rights for making the engine of F-414 jet, owned by US-based General Electric, will be transferred to India.

For India, this will be the first such technology sharing by the US. In the Cold War period (1945-1991), the Soviet Union, and later Russia, had allowed India to make engines from the MiG-series and Sukhoi-30MKI jets.

US major General Electric and Indian public sector aviation company Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) had reached an agreement on ‘technical matters’ on the engine production, sources confirmed on Monday. This is likely to be followed by the signing of a final contract later this year, they said.

The HAL-GE agreement is for the F-414 aero engine that will power the next-generation Tejas Mark-2, a heavier and potent upgrade over the existing Tejas Mark-1A jet production line. A lowered powered engine the F-404, also manufactured by General Electric, is used for the Tejas Mark-1A.

The US, in June 2023, had agreed on a technology transfer and a joint venture to produce the F-414 aero-engine in collaboration with India. The upcoming Tejas Mark-2 fighter jet has been planned and designed around the specifications of the F-414 engine.

Once production starts, it can stabilise the engine programme for jets needed by the Indian Air Force that is now operating at its lowest fighter squadron strength in decades.

India and the US had inked the Industrial Security Agreement in 2019, followed by a 2021 protocol for the exchange of classified information between the defence industries of both the nations. Last week, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had an interaction with the US Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Mike Duffey in Washington DC.

GE to set up repair facility

US firm General Electric announced that it had signed a contract with the IAF to establish an in-country depot facility for maintenance of F404-IN20 engines that power Tejas

The engine is used in the fleet of 35 Tejas jets in the IAF inventory. It is also a part of upcoming 180 jets of the Tejas Mark-1A

Will eliminate any ship coming near blockade: Prez | Oil prices again surge above $100/barreL

Backed by one of the largest naval deployments at sea in two decades, the US tonight imposed a blockade for maritime traffic entering or exiting ports in Iran in an effort to force Tehran to open the crucial Strait of Hormuz and accept a peace deal.

Iran responded with threats on all ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, taking aim at US-allied countries. It said any foreign military presence near the strait would be “met with a harsh and decisive” response, raising fears of direct confrontation in one of the world’s most sensitive maritime corridors. The fresh hostilities follow the collapse of the US-Iran negotiations in Islamabad last weekend. Oil prices again surged above $100 per barrel, while stock markets fell worldwide.

As the blockade came into force at 7.30 pm, US President Donald Trump threatened to “eliminate any Iranian ship coming close to the blockade”. “If any of these ships come close to our blockade, they will be immediately eliminated, using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at sea,” said Trump.

The US Central Command, which operates in West Asia, announced the blockade on Monday, saying it would be in the Gulf of Oman and the approaches to the Strait of Hormuz. It also said the action would not impact ships entering or exiting ports of other countries in the Persian Gulf. “Our forces will begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13 at 10 am ET,” the command posted on X. Analysts see the US blockade as parallel to the one set up by Iran at the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Navy Commander Shahram Irani dismissed the US move as “ridiculous and laughable”, insisting that Iranian forces were closely tracking all American naval activity in the region. “The Iranian Navy is monitoring every movement of the aggressor US military,” Irani was quoted as saying by Iranian Fars news agency.

Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun cited his country’s energy sources from Tehran and said, “We expect others not to interfere in our affairs. The Strait of Hormuz is open to us.”

The US Central Command said the blockade would be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. “CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports,” the statement said. This means the US will be facilitating maritime trade at ports of other countries such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait and Iraq.

The US military has asked mariners to contact through ‘Channel 16’, which is the open communication mode at sea between ships for transit.

The US has pumped in its naval might at sea, with three carrier strike groups now converging in the region. The USS Abraham Lincoln is positioned in the Arabian Sea, the USS Gerald R Ford is in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, while USS George HW Bush has entered the Mediterranean Sea from the Strait of Gibraltar. Two US amphibious ready groups–the USS Boxer and the USS Tripoli–are also in the region. Multiple US Air Force planes like KC-135, KC-46 refuellers and C-17 Globemaster are at staging areas in Jordan, Qatar and Israel. Analysts see this as the largest American naval and air concentration in the Persian Gulf since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

The US military has warned that ships entering or exiting a maritime blockade in the Gulf of Oman “without permission” will be “subject to interception, diversion, and capture”.

The US Central Command, tasked for operations in West Asia, has enforced a blockade in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea east of the Strait of Hormuz from 7:30 pm IST on Monday.

The note to mariners issued on Monday night said: “Any vessel entering or departing the blockaded area ⁠without authorisation is subject to interception, diversion, and capture.”

These access restrictions apply without distinction to vessels of any flag engaging with Iranian ports, oil terminals, or coastal facilities, it said.

However, the US clarified that the blockade “will not ⁠impede neutral transit passage through the Strait ⁠of Hormuz to or from non-Iranian destinations in the Persian Gulf.”

Iran has also threatened that their fast missile boats, named the ‘Red bees of the Persian Gulf’, are warming up. “Now they’re (US) about to find out how a swarm can pin you down real quick,” an Iranian statement said. – Ajay Banerjee

Vance says Iranians made some progress’ in talks on nuclear issues

April 14, 2026 8:37 am

Vice President JD Vance said in an interview with FOX News Channel’s “Special Report” that negotiations “did make some progress” in the Islamabad talks on the US insistence on the removal of nuclear material from Iran as well as a mechanism to ensure uranium cannot be enriched in the future. “They moved in our direction,” Vance said in the interview. He said he thought Iranian negotiators were “unable to cut a deal” and needed to get approval from others in Tehran. Vance also said that US negotiators made clear that Trump “would be very happy if Iran was treated like a normal country, if it had a normal economy,” but he did not go into details about what he meant. “There really is, I think, a grand deal to be had here. But, it’s up to the Iranians, I think, to take the next step,” Vance said.

PRIORITY FOR ECHS MEMBERS/DEPENDENTS ABOVE 75 YRS

Iran-Israel War LIVE updates: US military says it will blockade Iranian ports after ceasefire talks end

Iran-Israel War LIVE updates: US military says it will blockade all Iranian ports after ceasefire talks fail

Operation Trident: Warrior who set Karachi harbour ablaze in 1971

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Following the collapse of US-Iran negotiations, the US Military announced on Monday that it will block all maritime traffic entering or exiting ports in Iran, in way imposing an economic blockade by preventing the operation of crude and gas laden tankers, which are Iran’s major revenue source.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM), in a post on social media platform X, said, “Forces will begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13 at 10 am ET, in accordance with the President’s proclamation.”

In the Indian context, the blockade comes into force around 7:30 pm on Monday.

CENTCOM said the blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all ports on the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. However, it clarified that CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.

It means the US will be facilitating maritime trade at other countries like Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait and Iraq. – Ajay Banerjee

Trump says he doesn’t care when Iran returns to negotiating table

April 13, 2026 8:34 am

Speaking to reporters outside Washington after flying back from Florida, Trump was asked how long it might be before Iranian officials returned to the negotiating table amid a fragile ceasefire. “I don’t care if they come back or not,” he replied. “If they don’t come back, I’m fine.”

Following the collapse of US-Iran negotiations, the US Military announced on Monday that it will block all maritime traffic entering or exiting ports in Iran, in way imposing an economic blockade by preventing the operation of crude and gas laden tankers, which are Iran’s major revenue source.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM), in a post on social media platform X, said, “Forces will begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13 at 10 am ET, in accordance with the President’s proclamation.”

In the Indian context, the blockade comes into force around 7:30 pm on Monday.

CENTCOM said the blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all ports on the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. However, it clarified that CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.

It means the US will be facilitating maritime trade at other countries like Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait and Iraq. – Ajay Banerjee

Trump says he doesn’t care when Iran returns to negotiating table

April 13, 2026 8:34 am

Speaking to reporters outside Washington after flying back from Florida, Trump was asked how long it might be before Iranian officials returned to the negotiating table amid a fragile ceasefire. “I don’t care if they come back or not,” he replied. “If they don’t come back, I’m fine.”

Fearless Tales: Chief Artificer Megh Nath Sangal fired two styx missiles, which sunk cruise destroyer PNS Khyber with 222 sailors on board

During the 1971 India-Pakistan War on the western front, Megh Nath Sangal, Master Chief Electrical Artificer (Power) II, was deployed on INS Nirghat. His operational responsibility entailed preparation and operation of the missile control systems.

INS Nirghat was the first missile boat of the task force that sank Pakistan Navy’s cruise destroyer PNS Khyber north-west of Karachi Harbour with 222 sailors on board by firing two styx missiles. All three missile boats that destroyed targets with precision were launched and controlled by Sangal. While INS Nirghat sank PNS Khyber, INS Nipat targeted PNS Shah Jahan and INS Veer sank PNS minesweeper Muhafiz with 33 sailors on board.

After setting Karachi harbour ablaze and destroying some formidable warships of the adversary, the Indian Navy flotilla returned to the Indian shores before first light on December 5, 1971.

A number of naval warriors were honoured with gallantry awards. One of the gallantry award winner was Sangal, who hailed from Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh. For performing his task fearlessly and with great devotion to duty, Sangal was awarded the “Vir Chakra”.

The battle account on his bravery, reads: “During the 1971 India-Pakistan War on the western front, the Indian Navy formulated a plan for attack and destruction of Pakistan’s Karachi harbour and the flotilla guarding it. The operation codenamed ‘Trident’, involved execution of the plan by Indian Navy’s 25th Killer Squadron composed of INS Veer, INS Nipat and INS Nirghat. Master Chief Electrical Artificer (MCEA) Megh Nath Sangal was onboard INS Nirghat for the operation.”

“The operation was launched on the night of December 4. The task of Sangal was to prepare the missiles and fire at the designated sea targets. Despite tremendous pressure due to the speed of operations and threat of enemy sub-marine attacks, Sangal kept his cool and performed his best, which resulted in accurate launching of the missiles. After putting Karachi harbour on fire and sinking two enemy destroyers, the Killer Squadron was back to the naval base before first light of December 5.”

It further states: “For the successful marine assault, the contribution of Sangal was very vital and crucial. For his tenacity of purpose and utmost devotion to duty under trying conditions, Sangal has been awarded the Vir Chakra.”

Megh Nath Sangal was born on October 24, 1943, at Jhareri village in Hamirpur district of then undivided Punjab. After passing matriculation from Government Higher Secondary School, Kangoo, and first year at the DAV College, Hoshiarpur, he joined the Indian Navy on February 8, 1960, as an Artificer Apprentice.

After undergoing training for a year at INS Shivaji, Lonavala, and three years of advance training at INS Varuna, Jamnagar, Sangal joined INS Talwar, the lead ship of the Talwar-Class Frigate of the Indian Navy.

After putting in almost four decades of active service, Sangal retired from Navy on October 23, 1999, as Lieutenant Commander. Post retirement Lt Cdr Sangal, VrC, served as Deputy Director Rajya Sainik Board.

Battling cancer, Sangal breathed his last on February 4, 2024. He is survived by his wife Shakuntala Devi to whom he got married on October 19, 1970. A man of strong values, dedication and an untiring spirit, he led by example and instilled the same principles in his family. His three sons have carried forward his legacy of hard work and perseverance, each achieving success in their respective fields.

The eldest son is employed with a reputed company in Dubai. The middle son is a successful businessman, heading a 1,400 million-dollar enterprise with 29 offices across the globe. The youngest son serves as a captain in the Merchant Navy and is based in Mumbai.

Remembering their father, his sons often speak of his deep love for nature. His farmhouse in Panvel stands as a reflection of his ideals and his connection with the nature.