Page 16 - Rajnath Singh

US relationship with India remains one of great importance: Pentagon

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is set to host his Indian counterpart, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, at the Pentagon on August 23. The relationship with India remains one of great importance. It's one of great importance to the Indo-Pacific as well. There's a visit coming up and when we have more to share on that, we certainly will, Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters at a news conference here on Thursday. During the meet, the two leaders are expected to discuss a wide range of bilateral and regional issues, as well as ways to strengthen ties between the world's two largest democracies. Sabrina Singh did not share details of the meeting, saying I'm not going to get ahead of the secretary or any meetings that he's doing. As always, we will have a readout of his meeting. I just don't have more to provide on the front end, but we will on the back end, as we always do, she added. The Pentagon official underscored that India and the US share a very strong .

Rahul Gandhi misleading nation on Agnipath, security: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajanth Singh on Monday said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was misleading the nation on the sensitive issue of national security and the Agnipath initiative and added that he was ready to make a statement in this regard in Parliament. Speaking in the Lok Sabha shortly after Gandhi's remarks on the Union budget, the defence minister said the opposition leader had tried to spread a lot of misconceptions about the budget and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman would provide clarification when she replied to the debate. Singh said Gandhi was trying to mislead the nation about the sensitive issue of national security and the Agnipath initiative. "Our jawans protect the country's borders, it is such a sensitive issue of our national security. There are attempts to mislead the nation on the Agniveer issue, I am ready to make a statement whenever you permit," Singh said. Gandhi said the defence minister had told the House that the family of an Agniveer martyr was paid

Rajnath Singh vs Rahul Gandhi over Agniveer row

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh accused the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, of spreading misinformation about the Agnipath scheme during the debate on the Union Budget for 2024-25.

PM Modi holds deliberations with BJP CMs, DyCMs over governance issues

The chief ministers of BJP-ruled states made presentations on various development schemes going on in their states as the party's top brass, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, held deliberations with them over governance issues for a second consecutive day on Sunday. Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah and J P Nadda, who is also the national president of the party, were part of the meeting. The two-day 'mukhyamantri parishad' began on Saturday. In his remarks, Modi has emphasised the need to ensure saturation coverage of welfare schemes going on in the BJP-ruled states, saying they should be seen as an example of good governance. He, sources said, noted the efforts of the BJP-run governments to help different sections of society, especially the poor. He said on X on Saturday, "Our Party is working tirelessly to further good governance and fulfil the aspirations of the people." The "mukhyamantri parishad" organised by the BJP at regular intervals is aimed at reviewing ke

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Rajnath Singh's positive response to defence corridor in Assam: CM Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has responded positively to the proposal of setting up the country's third defence corridor in the state. Sarma met Singh during his recent visit to New Delhi and discussed the issue of setting up of a defence corridor in the state after Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. 'After the setting up of a semiconductor unit in the state, we are keen that it becomes a defence production hub and Singh has responded positively to the proposal', Sarma said at a press conference here. Sarma asserted that the proposal is under "advanced consideration" but it may take some time due to its sensitivity. The Chief Minister pointed out that several factors need to be evaluated before a final decision is made, but establishing a defence corridor would significantly impact the state's economic landscape. Sarma also noted that, for the first time, the Union Budget acknowledged that Assam's floods are exacerbated by water

Def min Rajnath pays tributes to soldiers who ensured victory in Kargil war

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday paid rich tributes to the armed forces personnel who fought valiantly in extremely harsh conditions to defend the nation's territory during the Kargil war 25 years ago. On July 26, 1999, the Indian Army announced the successful culmination of "Operation Vijay", declaring victory after a nearly three-month-long battle on the icy heights of Kargil in Ladakh. The day is observed as 'Kargil Vijay Diwas' to commemorate India's victory over Pakistan in the war. "Today, on the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, we remember the indomitable spirit and courage of the brave soldiers who fought valiantly in the 1999 war," Singh said in a post on X. "Their unwavering commitment, valour and patriotism ensured that our country remained safe and secure. Their service and sacrifice will continue to inspire every Indian and our coming generations," he said. Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan and all ranks of the armed forces also recalled the supre

Rajnath Singh has been discharged from hospital, says Aiims official

Singh was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Thursday morning after he complained of back pain. Singh turned 73 on Wednesday

Death of 5 Army personnel in J-K's Kathua will not go unavenged: Govt

The killing of five Army personnel in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district will not go unavenged and India will defeat the evil forces behind it, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane said on Tuesday. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed deep anguish over the killing of the soldiers and asserted that the armed forces are determined to usher in peace in the region. Five Army personnel were killed and as many injured on Monday when a group of heavily-armed terrorists ambushed a patrolling party in Badnota area in Kathua. A massive search operation has already been launched to hunt down terrorists responsible for the attack. "I am deeply anguished at the loss of five of our brave Indian Army Soldiers in a terrorist attack in Badnota, Kathua (J&K)," the defence minister said on X. "My deepest condolences to the bereaved families, the Nation stands firm with them in this difficult time. The Counter Terrorist operations are underway, and our soldiers are determined to

Rajnath Singh condoles deaths of 5 soldiers in Kathua terror attack

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families of five army soldiers who were killed in an ambush by terrorists in the Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir on July 8.In a message on social media platform X, Rajnath Singh said, "I am deeply anguished at the loss of five of our brave Indian Army Soldiers in a terrorist attack in Badnota, Kathua (J & K). My deepest condolences to the bereaved families, the Nation stands firm with them in this difficult time".Rajnath Singh said, "The Counter Terrorist operations are underway, and our soldiers are determined to usher in peace and order in the region"."I pray for a speedy recovery to those who sustained injuries in this dastardly terror attack," he further said.Meanwhile, security has been tightened along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway after five army soldiers were killed in an ambush by terrorists in Kathua district on June 8.An encounter is still underway between troops and ...

Andhra CM Naidu meets Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi today

The meeting comes ahead of the much-awaited full budget of the central government for 2024-25

India logs all-time high defence production value at over Rs 1.26 trillion

According to an official press release by the defence ministry, 79.2 per cent of the production was undertaken by the DPSUs and the other PSUs while 20.8 per cent by the private players

Agniveer controversy explained: From Rahul Gandhi's claim to Army response

What is the Agniveer scheme and how has Ajay Kumar's death sparked fresh debate on the controversial army recruitment scheme

Rajnath lied about compensation to families of martyred Agniveers: Rahul

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday alleged that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh "lied" in Parliament about the issue of compensation to families of martyred Agniveers and demanded an apology for it. The Congress leader also shared a video on X purportedly of the father of a deceased Agniveer who stated that Rajnath Singh had claimed that Rs 1 crore compensation had been given to the next of kin of martyred Agniveers but no such assistance was received by his family. Sharing the video message posted by her brother, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also accused the BJP of "insulting the sacrifice of the families" who gave up their sons for the country In his video, Rahul Gandhi said that he had stated in his speech in Parliament that the protection of truth is the basis of every religion. "In reply, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, before Lord Shiva's photo, lied to the country, its armed forces and Agniveers about compensation," Gandhi said in the video.

Agniveer scheme brought after lot of thought: Rajnath's reply to Rahul

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh rebutted Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's claims in the Lok Sabha on the Agnipath military recruitment scheme on Monday, saying it was rolled out after taking suggestions from 158 organisations. Singh, who intervened when Gandhi was speaking on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address, also said that an Agniveer who lays down his life in the line of duty gets a compensation of Rs 1 crore. The Union minister asked Gandhi not to mislead Parliament and also requested Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to expunge the former Congress president's claims on the Agnipath scheme. Referring to the military recruitment scheme, Gandhi claimed that the government regards the Agniveers as "use-and-throw labourers" and does not even give them the status of a "shaheed (martyr)". Intervening, the defence minister said, "I would like to humbly request the leader of the opposition not to try to mislead Parliament. Regarding the Agniveer scheme, direct communication wa

'Aap Hindu ho hi nahi': Rahul Gandhi attacks Modi govt in Lok Sabha

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi criticises Modi government's Hindu stance, Agniveer scheme, and misuse of agencies such as the ED in Lok Sabha

Budget 2024: How can India achieve Rs 3 trillion defence production goal?

Centre has set annual defence production target of Rs 3 trillion by FY29, which would be an over three-fold jump from current levels

Reforms in armed forces necessary to maintain supremacy during wars: Murmu

Nearly 70 per cent of the total procurement of defence forces was sourced from domestic firms last year, President Droupadi Murmu said on Thursday, outlining the government's focus to boost production of critical military hardware within India. In an address to a joint sitting of Parliament, Murmu said modernisation of the armed forces is essential for a strong India and that reforms in the military should be a continuous process to ensure that it maintains "supremacy" during wars. Listing steps to boost domestic defence production, she said the reforms undertaken in the sector have resulted in India now manufacturing defence equipment worth more than Rs one lakh crore. The president said the BrahMos missile deal with the Philippines has strengthened India's standing in the defence export sector. "Modernisation of our armed forces is essential for a strong India. Reforms in our armed forces should be a continuous process so that our forces maintain their supremacy during wars," sh

Om Birla vs K Suresh in LS Speaker election as INDIA puts forth nominee

Opposition candidate K Suresh will be contesting against NDA's Om Birla, in the third election for the Speaker post since independence

Rajnath Singh meets top ministers to discuss Parliament House strategy

A meeting of the top BJP leaders is expected to be held at Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's residence here on Tuesday evening to discuss the names of the candidate for the Lok Sabha Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Some of the NDA constituents are also expected to participate in the meeting, sources said. The election for the Lok Sabha speaker's post will be held on June 26, two days after the first session of the Parliament begins. Meanwhile, a separate meeting of the Maharashtra BJP core group will be held at the party headquarters this evening to discuss the party's strategy for the assembly polls due to be held in the state later this year, sources said. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, party state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Ashish Shelar, MP Ashok Chauhan, Minister Girish Mahajan and other leaders are expected to attend the meeting to be presided over by BJP chief J P Nadda. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP general secretary (organization) BL Sant