Page 193 - External Affairs & Defence Security

Elevated ties with India, started iCET, launched Quad: WH on Biden's tenure

The fact sheet noted that during these four years, Biden reinvigorated America's network of alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific

Union Budget 2025: Unchanged defence allocation, focus on reforms likely

India's defence budget as a share of GDP and the national budget has declined steadily year after year, reaching its lowest point since the 1960s, even as strategic challenges persist

Govt probe urges action against 'unnamed' person in plot to kill Pannun

Indian national Nikhil Gupta was held in Prague in 2023 on charges of working with Vikash Yadav, an ex-R&AW official in a foiled plot to assassinate Pannun, a Sikh separatist leader

Indian refiners rush to pay for Russian oil ahead of sanctions cutoff

Pressure to stay clear of sweeping US sanctions means the refiners are now aiming to settle payments for the discounted barrels in just two days instead of the previous five

Whatever was done in Galwan shouldn't get repeated, says Army chief

The eastern Ladakh military standoff between India and China began in May 2020 and a deadly clash at the Galwan Valley in June that year resulted in a severe strain in ties between the two neighbours

India, Oman looking at finalising comprehensive trade, investment deal soon

The negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) gained new momentum after Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tarik travelled to India over a year back

WazirX's $235 mn hack linked to North Korea; US, Japan, S Korea to counter

The US, Japan, and South Korean governments have pledged to counter North Korea by imposing sanctions and strengthening cybersecurity in the Indo-Pacific region

PM Modi commissions INS Surat, Nilgiri, Vaghsheer in big boost for Navy

The induction of these vessels underscores India's strides in defence manufacturing and maritime security, aligning with its vision to become a global leader in this domain

Pakistan, Bangladesh armies meet, say outsiders can't harm 'brotherly' ties

In a rare high-level meeting in Rawalpindi, Pakistan and Bangladesh's militaries stressed that their 'enduring partnership' must 'remain resilient against external influences'

India-Bangladesh border talks to begin Feb 16; infiltration top agenda

Obstruction to the work of fence construction on this border was underlined last week after India followed by Bangladesh summoned the High Commissioners of the either country in their national capital

CRPF's Parliament unit disbanded, merged with VIP security for dignitaries

The change follows a directive earlier this month that involved transferring the CRPF's battalion based in Jharkhand's Chatra district, to the VIP security division

Mizo group urges govt to reinstate FMR, revoke pass on Indo-Myanmar border

Zo Re-unification Organisation, which represents ethnic Zo or Mizo tribes of India, Myanmar and Bangladesh, also demanded the revocation of order mandating a border pass for people living within 10 km

J&K saw 'downfall' in violence, peaceful polls certify it, says Army chief

Indian Army Chief General Dwivedi also honoured the family members of soldiers who were awarded the Sena Medal (gallantry) (posthumously) for their bravery in counter-terrorism operations

Chinese auto giants set to return to India's motor show after 5-year hiatus

Auto expo 2025: China remains a key supplier of auto parts to India, accounting for approximately 30 per cent of India's component imports, valued at around $6 billion in FY24

Will collaborate with depts to reassess India-US ties: Pete Hegseth

Hegseth highlighted the importance of joint military exercises, defence sales, and strategic talks which have bolstered India-US ties significantly

Jaishankar meets King Felipe VI of Spain, reaffirms bilateral partnership

A day earlier, Jaishankar met with Spanish President Pedro Sanchez in Madrid, reaffirming the strong partnership between India and Spain

Committed to ensuring spiritually-fulfilling Hajj for Indian pilgrims: Min

Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, on a visit to Saudi Arabia from June 11 to 14, had important engagements pertaining to the preparations for the forthcoming Hajj pilgrimage

Singapore President T Shanmugaratnam arrives on 5-day India visit

Shanmugaratnam, accompanied by a high-level delegation, was received at the airport by Union Minister Jitin Prasada

Indian refiners hopeful of Moscow finding path around latest US oil curbs

Processors are hopeful that the new US government may help to blunt the impact of the far-reaching curbs announced last week

Sheikh Hasina's niece Tulip Siddiq resigns as UK Treasury minister

In her resignation letter released by 10 Downing Street, Siddiq pointed out that the watchdog had not found her in breach of the Ministerial Code and noted that she had not acted improperly