Page 7 - Defence Minister

India today stands as political, economic, cultural power: Rajnath Singh

India today stands before the world as an economic, cultural and political power, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday, calling for collaborative efforts of all to achieve Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream of making it a developed nation by 2047. Addressing a gathering at an event organised by All India Malayalee Association (AIMA) here, he also praised the contribution of Kerala in India's growth story. "India today stands before the world as an economic, cultural and political power, and Kerala has played a big role in achieving this feat," Singh was quoted as saying in an official statement issued by his office. He asserted that due to the efforts of the government led by Prime Minister Modi, India is now among the "top five economies" of the world in terms of GDP. Citing reports by experts and institutions that India will be among the top three world economies by 2027, Singh exuded confidence that when the country celebrates its 100th year of independence in 2047, "

India changed mindset of world including US on terrorism issue: Rajnath

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) had been removed from large parts of the northeast and he was waiting for "permanent peace" in Jammu and Kashmir so it could be removed from the union territory too. Speaking at a National Security Conclave here, the Union minister also asserted that India has changed the mindset of the whole world, including the US, on the issue of terrorism. Today, AFSPA has been removed from large parts of the northeast. I am waiting for the day when permanent peace will come in Jammu and Kashmir and AFSPA will be removed from here too, Singh said. Jammu and Kashmir, he said, has suffered the brunt of terrorism for a long time and people here know how the poison of terrorism hollows out the society. Noting that the entire network of terrorism was operating in Jammu and Kashmir for decades, he said, Today strict action has been taken against that network by weakening it to a great extent. We have stopped the

World now listening to India with more attention: Defence Minister Rajnath

India's prestige and stature have increased on the world stage under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday. Addressing a National Security Conclave at the University of Jammu, he said the world is now listening intently when India speaks, which was not the case earlier. Under the Modi-led government, the prestige of India has gone up on the international stage and so has its stature. Earlier, when India used to say something at international forums, it was not taken so seriously, the defence minister said. He said the situation has changed after Modi took over in 2014. When India speaks at any international forum today, the world listens intently, he said. His remarks come in the backdrop of the prime minister's just concluded six-day visit to the US and Egypt during which several landmark agreements were signed. Referring to Prime Minister Modi's outreach in foreign countries over the years, he noted that the prime minister of one country ..

Russian minister Shoigu makes 1st public appearance since mercenary revolt

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu made his first public appearance since a mercenary uprising demanded his ouster, inspecting troops in Ukraine Monday in a video released by his ministry. He's the first of three powerful Russian leaders whose diverging interests led to the Wagner Group occupying a Russian city and marching on the capital to be seen since the revolt ended Saturday. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin have made no public statements since then. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin announced an end to the counter-terrorism regime imposed on the capital Saturday, during which troops with machine guns patrolled the streets and tore up roads leading into the city. The Defence Ministry released a video showing Shoigu flying in a helicopter and then attending a meeting with military officers at a military headquarters in Ukraine, showing the minister for the first time since Prigozhin declared a march of justice to oust the defence minister

Self-reliance in not an option, but a necessity, says Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday emphasised the need for self-reliance for the country, saying it was not an option but a necessity in the fast-changing global scenario. "During the 1971 war, when we needed equipment the most we were refused. We had to look for alternatives. I don't want to take the names of the countries that refused our request," he said addressing an event on "Atmanirbhar Bharat". The defence minister said the Kargil War of 1999 saw a similar story. "During the Kargil war, when our armed forces felt a strong need for equipment, those countries were imparting us lessons of peace. Those who traditionally used to supply us weapons, they too refused," Singh said. "Hence, we do not have any option than strengthening ourselves," he said. Singh said the country is moving ahead with the pledge of self-reliance. "From the ground to the sky and from the agriculture machines to the cryogenic engine, India is moving fast to become self-reliant in every sector," h

India depends on Russian weapons, not in our interest: German defence min

India remaining dependent on Russian weapons is not in Germany's interest, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Monday as he begins a four-day visit to the country. Pistorius is scheduled to hold wide-ranging talks with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday and the focus of the discussions is likely to be on expanding bilateral defence industrial cooperation. It is expected that India's plan to procure six stealth conventional submarines at a cost of around Rs 43,000 crore will figure in the talks as one of the contenders of the contract is Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). "It is not up to Germany to change that on our own," Pistorius told German state-owned broadcaster DW during an interview while replying to a question on India's dependence on Russian weaponry. "This is an issue we have to solve jointly with other partners. But of course, we can't have an interest in the long run that India is so dependent on Russia's delivery of weapons or other ...

Imran Khan likely to be tried in military court: Pak's defence minister

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said the chances were that former prime minister Imran Khan could be tried in a military court for his alleged involvement in the May 9 incidents in which military and state installations were attacked by his party workers, according to a media report on Sunday. Khan, 70, could stand trial in a military court if evidence of his involvement in the May 9 violence surfaced in the coming days, Asif was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune newspaper. He also confirmed that no case had been registered against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief so far in connection with the May 9 attacks. Definitelythere are chances that Imran Khan can be tried in a military court, the minister said while responding to a question if the deposed premier could be prosecuted under the Army Act. His remarks came days after Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that Khan will be tried in a military court as the former prime minister was the "architect" of the May

India will be a developed nation by 2047, says Defence Minister Singh

India will be a developed nation by 2047, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday while laying emphasis on the advancement of technology amid a rise in cyberspace threats in the defence sector. The country is now becoming self-reliant and as per economic experts, India will achieve third rank in the world economy by 2027, Singh said while speaking at the convocation ceremony of the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) in Maharashtra's Pune district. "The world is changing with a rapid speed. The defence sector is also witnessing a change as we can see multiple technical changes in this sector. Many problems have arisen in the defence sector, especially the threats in cyberspace have increased," he said. "However, with the changing situation we have to move towards advancement in technology. If there is a challenge, there is a solution. Now, efforts should be put forward to advance the technology," the minister said. Stressing on self-reliance, Singh said it does no

Defence Minister opens first-of-its-kind IAF Heritage Centre in Chandigarh

The main attractions of the heritage centre are five vintage aircraft and SAM-III Pechora missiles safeguarding the Indian sky since decades

Rajnath approves posting of women officers of Territorial Army along LoC

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the posting of women officers of the Territorial Army (TA) with Engineer Regiments of the Territorial Army along the Line of Control

Rajnath Singh to inaugurate IAF Heritage Centre in Chandigarh Monday

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate the first-of-its-kind Indian Air Force Heritage Centre here on Monday, officials said. It was set up under a memorandum of understanding between the Union Territory of Chandigarh and the IAF, signed last year. Last month, Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari visited the Indian Air Force Heritage Centre to review its progress. Spread over 17,000 square feet, this is the first heritage centre of the IAF and depicts its role in various wars, including in 1965 and 1971 and the Kargil war, and the Balakot air strike through murals and memorabilia. Its exhibits will be a source of inspiration for future generations and will showcase the indomitable spirit of the Indian Air Force. Divided into various sections, the heritage centre has several attractions such as aircraft models, aero engines and weapons, including Gryazev-Shipunov twin barrelled guns. The centre also showcases augmented reality, hologram, virtual reality, and electro mechanical

US provoking countries into military confrontation with Russia: Minister

The Russia-Ukraine war started on February 24. The war has since taken numerous lives and continues to escalate between the two nations

Rajnath Singh to chair SCO defence ministers' meeting in Delhi on Friday

The fast evolving regional security situation, developments in Afghanistan and ways to boost cooperation in effectively combating terrorism and extremism are set to be the key focus of a conclave of the defence ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Delhi on Friday. Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu, Tajikistan's Colonel General Sherali Mirzo, Iran's Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Gharaei Ashtiyani and Kazakhstan's Colonel General Ruslan Zhaksylykov have already arrived in the national capital. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and his counterparts from Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are also attending the meeting to be chaired by Rajnath Singh. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif is set to attend the meeting through virtual mode. Officials involved in preparations for the meeting said the main focus of the deliberations will be on regional security situations including the developments in Afghanistan. They said enhancing coordination among the SCO memb

Congress used 'religion' to come to power: Rajnath Singh in Karnataka

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday came down heavily on the Congress alleging that it used mazhab' (meaning religion in Urdu) to come to power. Singh also slammed the party for having introduced four per cent reservation, in its earlier term, on religious lines in Karnataka, saying it had been done only to appease Muslims. If there is any political party in the history of India which took the support of dharma', or rather, 'mazhab' to come to power, then it is Congress, Singh said, addressing a public meeting at Kagwad in Belagavi district. Karnataka votes on May 10, with the results slated to be declared on May 13. The Congress does the "politics of Hindu, Muslim and Christians", Singh said. "Politics of this sort should never ever be done." Only to appease Muslims, the four per cent reservation was given on religious lines, he alleged. We will welcome if an economically-weaker Muslim or a Christian gets reservation benefits but the Constitution of India does not permit

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tests positive for Covid, under quarantine

Singh was scheduled to attend the Indian Air Force Commanders' conference in the national capital today but had to skip it after being tested positive for the virus, the statement said

Rajnath Singh's son to become president of Cycling Federation of India

BJP's Noida MLA Pankaj Singh is set to be declared as the president of the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) on Saturday after he emerged as the lone candidate for the top post. Not only Pankaj, all the other 24 members of the CFI executive council, will be elected unopposed during the election meeting to be held in Nainital, Uttarakhand, on Saturday. He will succeed former Punjab minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa, who has become ineligible to contest the elections under the Sports Code as he has served three terms (12 years since 2011) as head of CFI. Pankaj, son of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, served as president of Fencing Association of India for a brief period before resigning from the post in April last year, citing his "commitments as a legislator" in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. Incumbent Maninder Pal Singh will also be re-elected as Secretary General for his second consecutive term as he is the lone candidate for the post. Sudeesh Kumar of Kerala will be the ...

First lot of women officers to join Army's artillery regiments this month

The Centre has approved the Indian Army's decision to induct women officers in the artillery regiments, Minister of State for Defence, Ajay Bhatt informed the Lok Sabha on March 31

India invites Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif for SCO meeting

India has invited Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif to attend the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to be held in New Delhi in April, according to a media report on Wednesday. India currently holds the presidency of the SCO, which comprises China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. As President of the SCO, India is set to host a series of meetings. Diplomatic sources told The Express Tribune newspaper that the Indian government shared the formal invitation with the Pakistan Foreign Office on Tuesday. There was no immediate confirmation from New Delhi on the Pakistani media report. India earlier invited Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, as well as shared an invitation for the meeting of foreign ministers of SCO, the report said. The chief justice, however, skipped the meeting of the SCO chief justices and instead Justice Muneeb Akhtar attended the meeting through a video link recently, it said. The forei

China appoints US-sanctioned general Li Shangfu as new defence minister

The appointment of Li Shangfu as defence minister comes at a time of increasingly strained relations between Beijing and Washington

We want to cooperate, work together in maritime domain: Indian Navy Chief

Highlighting the ever-changing technology in the field of modern warfare, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar on Saturday underscored the importance of cooperation and working together