Page 98 - India

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 ...

Cheetah project progressing well: Namibia's Cheetah Conservation Fund

India's cheetah project is progressing well beyond the initial projections made before the animals were translocated, said Namibia-based Cheetah Conservation Fund which is helping the Indian government reintroduce the animals in the country. It has, however, cautioned the Indian authorities of more challenges as the remaining cheetahs are released into unfenced areas of the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. The Cheetah Conservation Fund's (CCF) update on the cheetah project comes amid concerns over the health and well-being of the translocated cheetahs, the carrying capacity of the Kuno National Park, and the availability of secondary sites for the spotted felines in the country. "It's too early to label Project Cheetah a success. But, so far, the cheetahs have shown every ability to survive in India. There's a long road ahead and there will be more setbacks, but from the perspective of the longest-running cheetah conservation project in Africa, the CCF considers things in India

India, US finalise roadmap for fast-tracking defence technology transfer

India and the US on Monday concluded an ambitious roadmap for defence industrial cooperation to fast-track technology tie-ups and co-production of military platforms such as air combat and land systems, a move that comes in the wake of China's increasingly aggressive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region. The new framework for cooperation was finalised during talks between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his visiting American counterpart Lloyd Austin, two weeks ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Washington. Singh and Austin also decided to initiate negotiations on a framework for the security of supply arrangement and a reciprocal defence procurement agreement, which will promote long-term supply chain stability. The US defence secretary said the US-India cooperation matters "because we all face a rapidly changing world. We see bullying and coercion from the People's Republic of China and Russian aggression against Ukraine that seeks to redraw borders and ...

India's 5G smartphone sales hit 50% market for first time: Report

In terms of the regional markets, India surpassed North America, reclaiming its position as the top region with a 27 per cent share of global smartwatch shipments

India not a security threat, unlikely to catch up in defence sector: China

According to a PLA delegation at Shangri-La Dialogues, Beijing believed that India would not be a 'loyal partner' of the American Indo-Pacific Strategy because of its independent diplomatic policy

India, US firm up ambitious roadmap for defence industrial cooperation

India and the US on Monday firmed up an ambitious roadmap for defence industrial cooperation to accord high priority to various projects for the co-development of military platforms and hardware, a move that comes against the backdrop of the Ukraine conflict and China's increasing muscle-flexing in the Indo-Pacific region. The roadmap was finalised during talks between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his American counterpart Lloyd Austin, two weeks ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Washington. At a media briefing, Austin said the US-India partnership is a "cornerstone" for a free and open Indo-Pacific and the deepening ties showed how technological innovation and growing military cooperation between the two "great powers" can be a force for global good. The US defence secretary said the US-India cooperation matters "because we all face a rapidly changing world. We see bullying and coercion from the People's Republic of China and Russian aggression against ..

Rise of India is unstoppable, says Jaishankar citing strong economic growth

The rise of India is unstoppable and the country is taking its place in the world, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar has said, citing India's strong economic growth, its strong relationships abroad and the support of the diaspora worldwide. Jaishankar arrived here on Sunday, the first visit by an Indian external affairs minister to the African nation. Addressing the Indian community here, Jaishankar said in many ways India is now a much more capable country, a much more confident country, and that way more recognised around the world." He said that India is moving in the right direction and is conscious that there are a lot of challenges ahead. With strong relationships and with good, proud Indians contributing abroad, and with growth at home we are very clear, the rise of India is unstoppable," the minister said. "Today we are the most populous country, we are the fifth largest economy and we will hopefully become third very, very soon...Today, India is taking its place in th

Thiruvananthapuram Int'l Airport sees 26% increase in passenger growth

The number of passengers travelling through the International Airport here has witnessed a record increase of 26 per cent in the month of May, 2023 as compared to last year, the airport authority said on Monday. The airport, which is managed by the Adani Group, said 3.68 lakh people travelled through Thiruvananthapuram airport in May which is the highest figure since the Covid crisis. "This is a 26 per cent increase compared to May 2022. Average number of daily passengers has increased to 11,879. A total of 12,939 people travelled on May 25. This is also the highest figure in recent times. The number of daily services averaged around 80," the airport authority said in a release. A total of 2,337 air traffic movements (take-offs and landings) took place in May, the authority said, adding that at least 1.93 lakh domestic tourists and 1.75 lakh foreign tourists travelled through Thiruvananthapuram. "The number of weekly services to foreign countries has increased to 117 and the number

255-members to represent India at Special Olympics World Summer Games

India will be represented by a strong 255-member contingent at the Special Olympics World Summer Games to be held in Berlin, Germany from June 17 to 25. The contingent includes 198 athletes, who will participate in 16 disciplines, and unified partners and 57 coaches. The Special Olympics World Games are the world's largest inclusive sporting event for people with intellectual disabilities. A total of 700 athletes and unified partners across 190 countries will compete in 26 disciplines in Berlin. Before their departure for Berlin on June 12, the Indian athletes will participate in a preparatory camp at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium from June 7 to 11. Special Olympics Bharat will also organise a special send-off ceremony for the contingent at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Thursday, which will be attended by Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani, Indian Olympic Association chief PT Usha, cricketer Yuvraj Singh and singe

India's clear aligners market on the rise, likely to reach $500 million

The clear aligners market in India is experiencing an upward trajectory and is expected to reach a staggering $500 million or Rs 4,000 crore by 2023

India home prices set to stay above consumer inflation: Property analysts

Home prices in India are set to hold above consumer inflation, even though interest rates are expected to stay higher for longer than previously thought, a Reuters poll of property analysts found

President Droupadi Murmu to hold meet with President Santokhi in Surinam

President Droupadi Murmu arrived at Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport in Paramaribo, Suriname on Sunday

India is an opportunity, looking to expand operations: Lufthansa CEO

Bullish on the Indian market, Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr on Sunday said the airline group is working closer with Air India as well as expanding its own operations into the country. "We have strengthened our position in the Indian market. We think we can do more... flying more, new partnership with Air India which is a different company than it was before to grow our market share," he said. The group has a two-fold strategy for India and one pillar is to expand the operations to the country, he said during a media briefing on the sidelines of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit here. "We have just announced reopening Frankfurt-Hyderabad (service) which we had to close a few years ago. We will also be for the first time serving Bangalore from Munich... "We are using our own aeroplanes, operations to expand into India," he said. The second pillar is working closer with Air India, he said, adding that no

India, Maldives able to develop close cooperation at all levels: MoS

India and the Maldives have been able to develop deep and close cooperation at all levels including political, administrative, entrepreneurial and people-to-people ties apart from their strong development partnership, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said on Sunday. Muraleedharan, who is in the Maldives on a two-day official visit, said his trip has been highly productive and he was reassured that the bilateral relationship will continue to grow. "I had very engaging and fruitful conversations today with Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid. We discussed topics ranging across the whole partnership spectrum. We were happy with the rapid all-round progress in our bilateral partnership and close coordination on regional and international issues, the minister said. He said the bilateral relationship has achieved huge progress in the last few years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. "India and the Maldives have been

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin arrives in India on two-day visit

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in India on Sunday on a two-day visit to explore ways to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation, especially in areas of transfer of critical technologies for co-development of military hardware. Secretary Austin's trip comes over two weeks ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Washington during which the two sides are expected to unveil initiatives to expand the India-US global strategic partnership. "I'm returning to India to meet with key leaders for discussions about strengthening our Major Defense Partnership. Together, we're advancing a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific," the US defence secretary tweeted shortly after landing in New Delhi. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Austin are set to discuss in their talks on Monday the General Electric's proposal to share technology with India for fighter jet engines and New Delhi's plan to procure 30 MQ-9B armed drones at a cost of over USD 3 billion fro

Kashmir's situation won't improve till India, Pak hold dialogue: Abdullah

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Sunday said holding the G20 event in Kashmir will not benefit tourism in the Valley till India and Pakistan resolve the "future" of the Union Territory through dialogue. He also said Jammu and Kashmir was suffering heavy losses because of the lack of an elected government. "The question is whether we will benefit in terms of tourism arrivals from these countries? That cannot happen till the situation here does not improve and the situation will not improve till the two big countries do not hold dialogue on how to shape the future of this state," Abdullah told reporters here. The NC president was responding to a question whether holding of the G20 meeting in Srinagar would benefit the union territory. "We did. The roads which were in bad shape for many years were repaired. The walls got a fresh coat of paint. The street lights started working. So we did benefit from it," he said. Over lack of an elected government in J and K, Abdulla

India must build institutes for tech of future: Indian-American Google exec

Asserting that the future belongs to those who lead in technology, an Indian-American Google executive has said that the Indian government should build institutions that would create technologies of the future and also set up a venture fund. Countries, which lead in technology, are leaders and they solve, generate wealth for the people and take people out of poverty, Navneet Mathur, director, People Operations at Google's Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning wing, said ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the US later this month. Modi will embark on his state visit to the US next month on an invitation by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. The US president and the First Lady will also host Modi at a state dinner on June 22. The future belongs to those who hold the power on technology. Look around, if the US is leading and China is leading and South Korea is leading, and Japan is leading, they're largely leading because the leadership in the mode

India records 237 fresh Covid-19 cases, active caseload declines to 3,502

India recorded a single-day rise of 237 fresh COVID-19 cases even as the number of active cases declined to 3,502, according to the Union health ministry. The death toll due to the viral disease has risen to 5,31,878 with four more fatalities, including two reconciled by Kerala, according to the ministry's data updated at 8 am on Saturday. The tally of Covid cases was recorded at more than 4.49 crore (4,49,91,380). The active cases now comprise 0.01 per cent of the total infections while the national recovery rate has been recorded at 98.81 per cent, according to the health ministry website. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has gone past 4.44 crore (4,44,56,000) while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent. According to the ministry's website, 220.66 crore Covid vaccine doses have been administered so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.

India raises global human resources by harnessing young population

Remarkably, over 1 billion individuals in India belong to the working-age population, showcasing the country's immense potential and human capital

Harmanpreet scores twice as India stun Belgium 5-1 in Pro League hockey

Captain Harmanpreet Singh struck a brace as India stunned Olympic champions Belgium 5-1 here on Friday after back-to-back defeats in their European leg of the the FIH Pro League. Midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad gave India the lead in the second minute of the game before Harmanpreet (20th and 30th min) scored twice from penalty corners. Amit Rohidas (29th) and Dilpreet Singh (60th) were the other Indian goal scorers. William Ghislain (46th) scored the lone goal for Belgium in the opening minute of the fourth quarter. India, who had come to Europe as Pro League table toppers, had lost the opening game of the European leg to Belgium 1-2 on May 26 before going down to Great Britain 2-4 the next day. With redemption on their mind, the Indians got off to a rollicking start with a well-executed field goal in only the second minute from start which set the momentum for the game. It was Gurjant Singh who set up the goal for Vivek with a fine assist from the left flank. India built on this e