External Affairs Defence Security News

Defence Ministry enhances armed forces' spending powers, boosts efficiency

The revised delegation of financial powers is expected to facilitate procurements worth over ₹1.25 trillion and improve operational efficiency across the armed forces

India eyes $2 billion military drone order in biggest procurement yet

The plans are in advanced stages with deliveries expected over 18 to 24 months, for a jump in value from recent government orders worth 30 billion rupees ($313 million) for tactical-class drones

PM Modi, Myanmar Prez hold bilateral talks on trade, security, connectivity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held wide-ranging talks with Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing focusing on boosting bilateral cooperation in trade, connectivity, border security and defence. Aung Hlaing is currently on a five-day trip to India. The visit comes less than two months after he became the president following Myanmar's parliament elections. The elections were held in December and January after years of protests against the ruling military-junta that seized power in a coup on February 1, 2021 overthrowing the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. "Deepening the bonds of friendship and cooperation. PM @narendramodi greets President U Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar upon his arrival at the Hyderabad House for bilateral talks," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on social media. Myanmar is one of India's strategic neighbours and it shares a 1,640-km-long border with a number of northeastern states including militancy-hit Nagaland

Myanmar Prez Aung Hlaing begins India visit; defence, trade ties in focus

Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing on Saturday began a five-day visit to India that will be focused on ramping up bilateral cooperation in trade, connectivity, border security and defence. Aung Hlaing kicked off his trip by landing in Gaya to visit the Mahabodhi temple, ahead of his arrival in Delhi this evening. "A warm welcome to President U Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar on his arrival in Bodh Gaya," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on social media. "His visit reflects the strong spiritual, historical and people-to-people ties that bind our two countries and the depth of our ongoing cooperation," he added. The Myanmar president was received at the airport by Bihar Governor Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd). Aung Hlaing's visit to India comes less than two months after he became the president following Myanmar's parliamentary elections. The elections were held in December and January after years of protests against the ruling military junta that seized powe

No power can stop India from becoming top arms exporter in 30 yrs: Rajnath

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said no power can stop India, once considered an importer of weapons, from being the biggest exporter in 25-30 years. After inaugurating an ammunition manufacturing unit at Shirdi, Singh said the target is to take the private sector role in defence production to 50 per cent. "The private sector is not just a supplier of nuts and bolts in defence, but also a producer of state-of-the-art weapons systems," he added. Singh said that when the government's vision and the private sector's innovation align, then the country reaches new heights. "All have to work together to make India the hub of munitions and automation," he added.

DRDO completes final trials of UAV-launched precision guided missile

In a major boost to India's defence capabilities, the DRDO has successfully completed the final development trials of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 in both air-to-ground and air-to-air modes, officials said on Tuesday. The trials were conducted at a DRDO test range near Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh using an integrated ground control system (GCS) to command and control the ULPGM weapon system, the defence ministry said. The GCS features state-of-the-art technologies to automate readiness and launch operations, it said. "The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully completed the final deliverable configuration development trials of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 in air-to-ground and air-to-air modes," the ministry said. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO, PSUs, defence-cum-production partners and industry stakeholders for the successful development trials of ...

PM Modi meets Norway's King Harald V, reaffirms strong bilateral ties: MEA

PM Modi was also conferred the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, Norway's highest honour under the order by King Harald V

Rajnath Singh begins Vietnam, South Korea visit to boost defence ties

Defence Minister said his discussions during the visit would focus on expanding defence ties and enhancing regional cooperation

PM Modi arrives in Norway after Sweden visit; to hold talks on trade, tech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has landed in Oslo, where he will hold talks with his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store on trade, technology and other key sectors. Modi, who is on a four-nation European tour, arrived here from Sweden on Monday. He was received at the airport by PM Store and other top leaders of the Scandinavian country. This will be the first visit of PM Modi to Norway. It will also mark the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Norway in 43 years. During his two-day visit, Modi will call on King Harald V and Queen Sonja and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Store. He will also review the progress made in India-Norway relations and explore avenues to further strengthen them, with a focus on trade and investment, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

Swedish CEOs lauded 'transformation' in India during PM Modi's visit: MEA

Prime Minister Modi and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also exchanged special gifts celebrating the shared cultural legacy of Rabindranath Tagore

India, Sweden agree to elevate bilateral ties to 'strategic partnership'

India and Sweden on Sunday agreed to elevate the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson, focusing on trade, technology, defence, and other key sectors. Modi, who arrived earlier today for a two-day visit, was also awarded the 'Royal Order of the Polar Star, Degree Commander Grand Cross' in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the India-Sweden relationship and his visionary leadership. During the delegation-level talks, the two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of India-Sweden relations and agreed to elevate the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership, marking a major milestone in the relationship, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X. The leaders discussed ways to deepen cooperation in trade & investment, technology and innovation, green transition, space, emerging technologies, defence & security, SMEs, research and .

Tejas Mk1A deliveries may slip beyond June; IAF open to concessions: Source

IAF willing to accept deliveries if jet is combat-capable and remaining gaps are assured to be bridged in a timely manner

PM Modi reaches Abu Dhabi, marks the beginning of five-nation visit

PM Modi is expected to hold talks with the president, with discussions set to focus on the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the rapidly evolving situation in West Asia

MEA rejects report claiming India-UAE evacuation pact via Fujairah port

The clarification came after a media report claimed that India and the UAE were preparing an agreement that will help in the evacuation of lakhs of Indian workers through the port of Fujairah

Jaishankar meets Guyanese health minister, reviews bilateral ties progress

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday met Guyanese health minister and discussed the progress of India-Guyana health ties. Jaishankar, who is on a three-nation visit to the Caribbean, met Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on a stopover in Georgetown, Guyana. "Delighted to meet Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony of Guyana during my stopover in Georgetown. Glad to learn of the progress in our bilateral health cooperation," Jaishankar said in a post on X. Jaishankar was in Jamaica on the first leg of his tour, then went to Suriname, and will be in Trinidad and Tobago for the final leg of his visit.

India sees Suriname as family, not distant partner: EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said India sees Suriname "not as a distant partner" but as "family", as the two countries mark 50 years of diplomatic relations. Writing in the Times of Suriname newspaper ahead of his visit to the country on Wednesday, Jaishankar said ties had expanded into a "robust, multifaceted engagement" covering infrastructure, trade, training and cultural links. He said India and Suriname had strengthened cooperation through high-level exchanges, including a visit by former Surinamese President Chandrikapersad Santokhi to India in 2023 for a gathering of the Indian diaspora, followed by a visit to Suriname by Indian President Droupadi Murmu later that year. Jaishankar said several projects in Suriname were completed through Indian Lines of Credit, including a 161 KV electrical transmission line from the industrial port city of Paranam to capital city Paramaribo, water pumping stations, construction machinery, power infrastructure upgrades and the ..

Foreign Secy meets Japanese Minister, both sides agree to deepen ties

Both sides affirmed the importance of the India Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership and agreed to deepen public private partnerships in economic security, the MEA said

India-Sudan discuss trade, reaffirm anti-terror stand at 9th FOC meeting

Both sides also exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual interest, reaffirming their shared commitment to deepening South-South cooperation

India key contributor to global growth during uncertain times: Jaishankar

India is a very significant contributor to overall global economic growth during "very uncertain, unpredictable" times,External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said as he voiced concerns over the ongoing conflicts across the world. "We are seeing a degree of turbulence, of volatility, of unpredictability which probably most of us have not experienced in our lives," Jaishankar said while speaking at the University of the West Indies in Kingston on Monday. He said that India is "actually today a very significant contributor to overall global economic growth" amid "very, very uncertain, unpredictable economic time, economic circumstances." "The IMF estimates that in this current year, if you look at total economic growth in the world, India would contribute 17 per cent to that, which would, I think, make us the second biggest contributor," he said. He said that the "reality of politics" is "very sensitive to the movement of people", hence the Global Capability Centres (GCC) are ...