Page 2 - External Affairs Defence Security News

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to visit US, review bilateral ties

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will undertake a three-day visit to Washington DC beginning Wednesday to review the full spectrum of India-US ties. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Misri's April 8-10 trip will provide an opportunity to advance ongoing bilateral cooperation across key areas. "The visit will provide an opportunity to review the full spectrum of India-US bilateral relations and advance ongoing cooperation across key areas," it said in a statement. The MEA said the foreign secretary will hold discussions with senior officials of the US administration on a wide range of issues, including trade, defence, science and technology, as well as regional and global developments of mutual interest. "The visit follows the External Affairs Minister's visit to Washington DC in February and is in keeping with the regular high-level exchanges between the two sides," it added.

SAIL steel powers INS Taragiri, strengthening defence indigenisation

SAIL supplies 4,000 tonnes of specialised steel for INS Taragiri, strengthening India's naval shipbuilding capabilities and advancing defence indigenisation under Project 17A

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri attends UK-led meet on reopening Hormuz

No talks with Iran on payments for Indian ships to transit via Hormuz: MEA

IAF to receive two mountain radars in ₹1,950 crore BEL deal govt

The defence ministry on Tuesday inked a Rs 1,950 crore contract with state-run Bharat Electronics Limited for the procurement of two mountain radars and related infrastructure for the Indian Air Force. The installation and commissioning of these radars will boost the country's air defence and strengthen national security, the ministry said, adding the procurement will also reduce the dependency on foreign equipment. "The Ministry of Defence has inked a major capital acquisition contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the procurement of two mountain radars, including associated equipment and required infrastructure for the Indian Air Force, at a cost of around Rs 1,950 crore," an official statement said. This mountain radar is indigenously designed and developed by Electronics and Radar Development Establishment of DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and will be manufactured by BEL.

PM Modi condoles death of ex-Suriname president Chandrikapersad Santokhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday condoled the death of former Suriname president Chandrikapersad Santokhi, saying his demise was not only an irreparable loss to his own country but also to the global Indian diaspora. Modi said Santokhi had a special fondness for Indian culture and won several hearts when he took oath in Sanskrit. "Deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden demise of my friend and the former President of Suriname, Mr. Chandrikapersad Santokhi Ji. This is not only an irreparable loss to Suriname but also to the global Indian diaspora," he said in a message. The prime minister also fondly recalled his many meetings with Santokhi and said the Suriname leader's tireless service for his country and his efforts in strengthening India-Suriname relations were clearly reflected in their interactions. "I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Suriname in this hour of grief. Om Shanti," he said. Santokhi, 67, who was the president of Suriname fr

Armed forces plan to set up new drone, data, geospatial, info war units

The plans come just months after Operation Sindoor, which saw extensive information warfare, disinformation campaigns and the first instance of large-scale drone warfare in the subcontinent

India sends humanitarian aid to Madagascar after cyclonic devastation

The delivery of relief materials comes after Madagascar faced extensive damage due to the tropical cyclones that struck the country earlier this year, destroying homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods

India's private sector working on building Shahed-like kamikaze drones

These systems can play an important role in India's future operations along the borders, where long-range precision strike capabilities and persistent surveillance are critical

All Indian ships in West Asia safe, says government amid rising tensions

Government says all 35 Indian-flagged vessels in the Persian Gulf region remain safe as enhanced monitoring continues; port operations stable despite cargo pile-up concerns

Indian Navy's first AIP-equipped submarine to be ready by year-end

Second of six operational Kalvari submarines to become first in class to be fitted with endurance- and stealth-enhancing technology

Navy aids Sri Lanka's ongoing search for crew of Iran warship sunk by US

A torpedo from a US Navy submarine sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena off Sri Lanka's coast on Wednesday

Finnish Prez arrives in India; to be Chief Guest at Raisina Dialogue 2026

President Stubb received a Guard of Honour and was welcomed at the airport by Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh

IOR maritime mechanism to be consensus-based: Navy Chief Dinesh Tripathi

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Tripathi on Saturday said that any proposed joint maritime mechanism in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) would be based on consensus among participating nations, assuring India's support for partner countries in capacity-building efforts. Addressing a press conference on the sidelines of the Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC) 2026, Admiral Tripathi said the first session of the conclave involved discussions regarding enhanced cooperation among IOR nations, including the possibility of a joint task force-type arrangement. "The GMC is based on consensus. There has to be a consensus among all nations. All of us have different capabilities, so what everyone brings to the table has to be taken into consideration," he said. The Navy chief noted that the idea of closer operational cooperation was well accepted and said modalities of a joint task force would have to be worked out collectively. He highlighted a previous initiative, referring to Indian Ocean Ship (I

Rajnath Singh calls for stronger global naval cooperation at MILAN 2026

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has urged the international community to work collectively to address the increasingly complex and interconnected challenges in the maritime domain, guided by mutual respect and a spirit of cooperation. Addressing Navy Chiefs and Heads of Delegations from 74 countries during the inaugural ceremony of Exercise MILAN here on Thursday Singh asserted that traditional threats now coexist with emerging challenges such as piracy, maritime terrorism, illegal fishing, trafficking, cyber vulnerabilities, and disruptions to critical supply chains. He added that climate change is intensifying natural disasters, making humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations more frequent and demanding. "The role of navies in international peacemaking has only increased over time. There has been an exponential economic growth during the last few decades leading to massive increase in international trade and transport. There has also been a rise in contests for ...

India-UK ties built on trust, collaboration, and shared ambition: UK envoy

The UK and India share a dynamic and forward-looking partnership built on trust, collaboration, and shared ambition, UK's Trade Commissioner for South Asia Harjinder Kang has said. Speaking during the annual King's Birthday Party celebrations here, Kang said this year's celebration follows a milestone year in UKIndia relations, marked by the signing of a Free Trade Agreement, a shared India-UK Vision 2035, and reciprocal visits by Prime Ministers Keir Starmer and Narendra Modi to each other's countries. The past year reflects a partnership that is deeper, broader, and more forward-looking than ever before, he said. "The UK and India share a dynamic and forward-looking partnership built on trust, collaboration, and shared ambition," Kang, who is also the Deputy High Commissioner, said on Friday. Kang hosted the King's Birthday Party on Friday, bringing together distinguished guests to celebrate the birthday of King Charles III. The evening brought together senior representatives fr

IAF to train RAF pilots: All British academies now host Indian instructors

The IAF instructors to be deployed to RAF Valley will instruct on the trainer aircraft BAE Hawk T2 or Texan T1

Armed forces likely to see big-ticket approvals at DAC meet on Thursday

The DAC may consider a ₹2.7 trillion Rafale deal, Scalp missiles and other key Army, Navy and Air Force acquisitions at today's meeting

India, Malaysia sign 11 agreements, boost semicon and defence ties

During PM Narendra Modi's Kuala Lumpur visit, India and Malaysia signed 11 agreements spanning semiconductors, payments and disaster management, while pledging to expand trade and investment ties

Critical mineral cooperation with US advancing rapidly: Jaishankar

EAM S Jaishankar said the India-US trade deal is close to completion, marking a new phase in bilateral ties, as his Washington visit advanced cooperation on trade, energy and critical minerals