India and China have reached an agreement to disengage troops from north and south of the Pangong lake in eastern Ladakh region, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
The Defence Minister said, “The sustained talks with China have led to the agreement on the disengagement on the north and south banks of Pangong Lake. After the agreement, India-China will remove forward deployments in a phased and coordinated manner.”
“China will keep its troops to the east of the Finger 8 in the north of Pangong Lake. India will keep its troops at its permanent base near Finger 3,” said Rajnath Singh.
“China has built up a heavy force with arms and ammunition on their side at several spots near the LAC in eastern Ladakh. Our forces have also adequate and effectively done counter deployment,” said the Defense Minister.
“We are committed to maintaining a peaceful situation at the Line of Actual Control. India has always emphasised on maintaining bilateral ties,” said Rajnath Singh
He said that forces will return to the command post and added: “Not an inch of land will be given and nothing has been lost since the faceoff”.
The Defence Minister said the security forces have proved that they are ready to face any challenge to protect the sovereignty of the country and the nation will always remember the supreme sacrifice of the soldiers.
He said, “The country stands united when it comes to the national security whichever party you belong.”
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Saturday that Indian and Chinese military commanders have held up to nine rounds of negotiations on the disengagement of troops in Ladakh.
Jaishankar, who was Vijayawada where he met some BJP leaders, among other engagements, said that negotiations will continue.
However, he said that there is no visible manifestation of talks on the ground, highlighting that the issue is a complicated one as it involves troops.
He noted that geography as well as other important things such as position are involved, so the military commanders are negotiating.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6P9B0FnUEI
Besides giving the update on Ladakh, Jaishankar also paid a visit to Lakshmi, the widow of BJP leader D. Srinivas Rao.
He was received in Vijayawada by senior BJP leaders Sunil Deodhar, G.V.L. Narasimha Rao and others. The minister also addressed a meeting about the leadership, vision and plan of ‘Aatmanirbhar Budget’.
“Addressed issues pertaining to budget, economic recovery and Covid challenge at a press conference. Underlined efforts of MEA to make travel easier and more secure abroad,” he tweeted.
Addressed issues pertaining to Budget, economic recovery and COVID challenge at a press conference. Underlined efforts of MEA to make travel easier and more secure abroad.https://t.co/Pe9lafWQ1P
US President Joe Biden said that he was freezing troop withdrawal from Germany and ending the country’s support for offensive operations in the Yemen conflict.
In his first major foreign policy speech since taking office on January 20, Biden on Thursday outlined his foreign policy vision focused on diplomacy, alliance, multi-lateralism, and values, standing in contrast with his predecessor Donald Trump’s “America First” approach, reports Xinhua news agency.
Biden in the speech also unveiled several policy changes regarding the Yemen conflict, US forces posture in Germany, and refugee issues.
He said that Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin would initiate a global forces posture review to ensure that US military footprint is appropriately aligned with foreign policy and national security priorities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8hX2I27gbI
“And while this review is taking place, we’ll be stopping any planned troop withdrawal from Germany,” he said.
The former Trump administration announced a repositioning plan for nearly 12,000 US troops stationed in Germany last summer, a controversial move that drew criticism from home and abroad.
Biden also reversed the previous administration’s position on the Yemen conflict.
“We are ending all American support for offensive operations in the war in Yemen, including relevant arms sales,” he said.
He noted that the US would step up diplomacy and support UN-led initiative to end the war, which he called a “humanitarian and strategic catastrophe”.
Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers previously introduced several measures to curtail US support for the Saudi Arabia-led coalition’s war in Yemen, but those attempts were thwarted by Trump.
Earlier in the day, Secretary of State Antony Blinken had appointed Timothy Lenderking, a veteran diplomat with long experience in regional affairs, as the US special envoy to Yemen.
The President in his remarks also said he would restore the US refugee admission program to accept 125,000 refugees during the first full fiscal year of his administration, a significant increase compared to the number in the Trump era.
India plans to spend 130 billion dollars on military modernisation in the next 7-8 years to strengthen its security apparatus, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday.
Speaking at the ‘Aero India’ show here, the Minister said: “We have taken many steps to strengthen our security apparatus recently. Domestic manufacturing of bigger and complex defence platforms has now become the focus of our policy under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. We plan to spend 130 billion dollars on military modernisation.”
To achieve the twin goals of self-reliance and exports, he said, a target has been set to achieve a turnover of Rs 1,75,000 crore, including exports worth Rs 35,000 crore in aerospace and defence goods and services by 2024.
He pointed out that India holds the potential to become a reliable supplier of defence equipment to many friendly nations. “We have a strong and diversified Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises sector, having more than 5,000 active units,” the Minister said.
Talking about ‘Aero India’, he said that India today offers a unique opportunity in defence and aerospace manufacturing. “This opportunity comes as a ‘sangam’ or confluence of rising demand, greater innovation, conducive policies and maturing ecosystem in defence and aerospace manufacturing sector,” he said.
The Minister said that in aviation sector, the air show and aviation exhibition is one of the brightest galaxies which offers a wide variety of options, solutions, partnerships and, most importantly, opportunities.
Singh expressed gratitude to the Defence Ministers of Maldives, Ukraine, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Comoros and Madagascar, who were present on the occasion, and others who joined in virtually.
About 540 exhibitors, including 80 foreign companies, defence ministers and delegates, services chiefs and officials from more than 55 nations are participating in the event. “It reflects the growing optimism of the global community,” he said.
In order to maximise the reach and participation, the event was planned in a hybrid format with a concurrent virtual exhibition that will integrate seminars, B2B interactions and others.
He said that 2020 was a challenging year for the entire world and saw adverse impact on the lives and livelihood of the people as well as industrial growth and economy of many countries.
The Minister said that despite the constraints caused by the global coronavirus pandemic, large participation was witnessed in this year’s air show.
Singh also pointed that the existing supply chains, developed by aerospace and engineering firms, an investor-friendly government, with simplified procedures and fast-track business approvals through single-window mechanism combine to make Karnataka a very attractive destination for the industry.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said Aero India will give a boost to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s clarion call of Aatmanirbhar Bharat scheme by signing as more than 200 agreements during an event- Bandhan (the bond) – on the last day of the biennial show on February 5.
The 13th edition of the country’s premier air show – Aero India 21 is being held in the backdrop of Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) bagging a Rs 48,000 crore order for fighter jets – Tejas Mark 1A and India’s engagement with Indian Ocean Region (IOR) countries.
Heaping praise on Prime Minister, Narendra Modi for his vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat at the curtain raiser event of Aero India 2021 here, Singh said that India will soon be the most powerful defence economy in the world.
“This is the beginning of a new journey. The association of Bengaluru has proved to be most appropriate. Aero India 2021 will lead to India’s defence manufacturing revolution. India is getting great response globally and is being trusted for defence investments,” he explained
He further said that Aero India would spark a renewed sense of pride in India’s defence manufacturing and take defence cooperation to the next level.
“It would also bring together the defence ministers of various countries, service chiefs, policymakers, foreign OEMs, industry, entrepreneurs and academia to showcase, connect and collaborate as well as highlight policy reforms driving India’s new defence manufacturing revolution,” he said.
He added that the Aero India 2021 starting February 3 will also show the gateways to defence and economic engagement in the country.
Singh said the relentless efforts of our soldiers at borders helped us to be strong and safeguard the sovereignty of our country despite challenges.
“I have no hesitation in saying that our robust stance, immediate and calibrated response and the unrelenting spirit of the soldiers on the borders led to stabilisation of the situation and we showed our resolve to defend the sovereignty and integrity of our country,” he added.
Singh claimed that since 2014, the government has brought in policy reforms to push indigenous defence manufacturing with an enthusiastic response from the global business community.
He further said that the world has now started to recognize India as a trusted defence investment destination.
The Union Defence Minister added that hosting the Aero India in Bengaluru, will consolidate not only the Karnataka’s position as a favoured investment destination, but also establish the state as the gateway for defence and economic engagement.
Singh said that Aero India 2021, three-day mega event to showcase the prowess of Aviation Industry will begin from Wednesday at Bengaluru. “This is the 25th year of Aero India and the 13th edition of the event. The President of India will attend the valedictory function for Aero India 2021 on 5th February,” he said.
The Defence Minister also thanked Karnataka CM B. S. Yediyurappa for his presence which he said is significant in many ways adding that it shows his personal involvement with the event.
Aero India 2021 will witness IOR Defence Ministers’ Conclave and Chief of Airstaffs’ conclave for the first time. Before the curtain-raiser event, Rajnath Singh inaugurated the second line for production of LCA Tejas at HAL.
It will be the First Hybrid show that means it can also be attended virtually as well due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The event will be open for the business domain while others can witness it virtually.
Only 3,000 persons per show will be allowed and booking will be online. Covid-19 protocols are strictly being followed at the Aero India 21 as it happens to be the first post-pandemic international event. The total number of exhibitors has increased to 600 from 403 in 2019.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, this time Aero India has 78 foreign exhibitors as compared to 165 foreign exhibitors in 2019.
Defence Minister will inaugurate the Aero India 21 on February 3 and the order ceremony for LCA Tejas will take place right after the inauguration. There will be a number of events and displays during the three days of Aero India 21.
On February 4 the first-ever Defence Ministers’ Conclave will take place with the participation of 27 Defence Ministers, physically and virtually.
Chief of Air Staff’s conclave will also be held on February 4. Startup Manthan will be held on February 5 to facilitate all startups and MSMEs in the aerospace and defence sector.
A number of seminars will also be held related to the defence sector. President will be virtually present for the valedictory function of Aero India 21 on February 5.
Lieutenant General Chandi Prasad Mohanty took charge of Vice Chief of Indian Army on Monday. He took over the appointment of the Vice Chief of the Army Staff from Lt Gen S.K. Saini who superannuated on January 31, 2021 after completing four decades of illustrious career in the Army.
An alumnus of Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehradun, National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Lt Gen Mohanty was commissioned into the Rajput Regiment on June 12, 1982.
In a career spanning four decades, he served across a wide spectrum of conflicts and terrain profiles and tenanted a host of Command, Staff and Instructional appointments.
He commanded a battalion on the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and later in the North East.
He has the unique distinction of commanding two brigades: first on the Line of Actual Control and later on, the multinational UN Brigade in Democratic Republic of Congo.
He later commanded the Rangiya based Division in a counter insurgency environment and the Sikkim-based Trishakti Corps immediately after the Doklam incident.
The officer also has a unique distinction of commanding two Administrative formations as well: the Jodhpur Sub Area as a Major General and Uttar Bharat Area as a Lieutenant General.
An alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College Wellington, Higher Defence Management Course Secunderabad and the National Defence College New Delhi, the officer’s staff and instructional assignments include an instructional tenure at NDA, Brigade Major of an Armoured Brigade, Military Advisor in Seychelles, Colonel Military Secretary (Selection) in the MS Branch, Brigadier General Staff (Operations) of a Corps in the Eastern Theatre and Director General, Operational Logistics and Strategic Movement.
India's External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar
In a clear warning to China, India on Thursday said that Chinese hegemony in Asia is unacceptable.
Addressing scholars at the 13th All India Conference of China Studies, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said, “The India-China relationship is today truly at a crossroads. Choices that are made will have profound repercussions, not just for the two nations but for the entire world.”
The minister said India-China relations were dependent on three ‘mutuals’ and eight principles. One of the principles, he said was that while both nations are committed to a multi-polar world, “there should be a recognition that a multi-polar Asia is one of its essential constituents.”
Among other principles, he said the agreements already reached must be adhered to in their entirety, both in letter and spirit. Where the handling of the border areas are concerned, the LAC must be strictly observed and respected, any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo is completely unacceptable, he said.
Also, peace and tranquillity in the border areas is the basis for development of relations in other domains. “If they are disturbed, so inevitably will the rest of the relationship. This is quite apart from the issue of progress in the boundary negotiations,” he said.
The fifth principle he said that is obviously that each state will have its own interests, concerns and priorities, but sensitivity to them cannot be one-sided. At the end of the day, relationships between major states are reciprocal in nature.
Sixth, as rising powers, each will have their own set of aspirations and their pursuit too cannot be ignored. Seventh, there will always be divergences and differences but their management is essential to the ties. And eighth, civilisational states like India and China must always take the long view.
Whether it is India’s immediate concerns or more distant prospects, the fact is that the development of our ties can only be based on the three ‘mutuals’ – mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interests, Jaishankar said.
“Any expectation that they can be brushed aside, and that life can carry on undisturbed despite the situation at the border, that is simply not realistic. There are discussions underway through various mechanisms on disengagement at the border areas. But if ties are to be steady and progress, policies must take into account the learnings of the last three decades,” he added.
India, China military-level talks end on positive trajectory.
Recalling the factors that led to the deterioration in bilateral relations, Jaishankar said, “For all the differences and disagreements that we may have had on the boundary, the central fact was that border areas still remained fundamentally peaceful. The last loss of life before 2020 was, in fact, as far back as 1975.”
“That is why the events in eastern Ladakh last year have profoundly disturbed the relationship because they not only signalled a disregard for commitments about minimising troop levels, but also showed a willingness to breach peace and tranquillity.”
Arguing that the ability of India and China to work together will determine the Asian century, Jaishankar said, “At this time, it is equally important to recognise that their difficulties in doing so may well undermine it.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping
Given the “gravity” of India’s situation with China, he did not have a definitive answer to offer at this point in time.
“Significantly, to date, we have yet to receive a credible explanation for the change in China’s stance or reasons for massing of troops in the border areas. It is a different matter that our own forces have responded appropriately and held their own in very challenging circumstances. The issue before us is what the Chinese posture signals, how it evolves, and what implications it may have for the future of our ties,” he said.
As India celebrated its 72nd Republic Day on Tuesday, President Ram Nath Kovind unfurled the national flag and received the customary 21-gun salute at Rajpath.
The 21-gun salute was presented by the Ceremonial Battery of 223 Field Regiment that was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Jitender Singh Mehta.
Kovind, escorted by 46 President’s Bodyguards raised in 1773 — on magnificent Bay and Dark Bay coloured mounts, was welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who wore a traditional ‘kurta-pajama’ and sported a special turban from Jamnagar in Gujarat.
Earlier, Modi paid solemn tributes to the martyrs by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial at the India Gate.
After unfurling the national flag, the first formation comprising of four Mi-17 V5 helicopters of the 155 Helicopter Unit flew and showered flowers at the Rajpath and guests. The helicopters flew in a Wineglass formation.
Thereafter, India’s military might, cultural diversity, social and economic progress was on display at the majestic Rajpath.
President, Vice President, Prime Minister and other dignitaries attended the parade at Rajpath. The Republic Day parade showcases India’s defence capabilities, the different culture and traditions.
This year there was no Chief Guest due to the global Covid-19 pandemic. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was invited as the Chief Guest for Republic Day celebrations but due to pandemic he could not come.
In his video message, Johnson said that he will visit in the coming months and wished India on the occasion citing it as the biggest sovereign democracy in the world. “I was hugely looking forward to joining you for this important occasion at the kind invitation of my friend Prime Minister Modi, alas our common struggle against Covid has kept me in London,” said Johnson.
India is celebrating its 72nd Republic Day on Tuesday, honouring the historic date when the country completed its transition towards becoming an independent republic after its constitution came into effect.
PM greets India
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLjLcjVV2nA
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended his greetings to the citizens of India as the country marked its 72nd Republic Day.
In a tweet both in English and Hindi, the Prime Minister said: “Wishing all the people of India a Happy Republic Day… Jai Hind.”
On this day in 1950, the Constitution of India came into force.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to visit the National War Memorial near the India Gate later in the day, from where he will lead the nation in paying solemn tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath.
Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries will head to the saluting dais at Rajpath to witness the 90-minute-long Republic Day parade ceremony.
Members of an Indian armed forces band perform during ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony rehearsals in New Delhi, India, 19 January 2021. ‘Beating the Retreat’ is conducted on 29 January in India, three days after the Republic Day, marking the adoption of the constitution of India and the transition of India from a British colony into a republic on 26 January 1950.(Credits: Pallav Paliwal/Asianlite)
The Teaming Agreement, signed at a virtual ceremony held on Wednesday, will facilitate manufacture of STARStreak Air Defence System in India, BDL said on Thursday…reports Asian Lite News
Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) and Thales have signed a Teaming Agreement to work in partnership on the STARStreak Air Defence System with the support of both the Indian and the UK governments.
The Teaming Agreement, signed at a virtual ceremony held on Wednesday, will facilitate manufacture of STARStreak Air Defence System in India, BDL said on Thursday.
BDL, a government company under the Ministry of Defence, will become a part of the STARStreak global supply chain, providing the opportunity for export of the system to existing and future STARStreak Air Defence customers, including the UK Armed Forces through this agreement.
The STARStreak Missile System is in service in the British Army and has been procured by defence forces worldwide. The fastest missile in its category, STARStreak is unique due to its three laser-guided darts, which cannot be jammed by any known countermeasure. It has the capability to defeat any air target – even armoured helicopters – as the last line of defence.
BDL’s Director (Technical) N.P. Diwakar, Thales CEO Alex Cresswell, and Thales Vice President and Country Director, India, Emmanuel de Roquefeuil, signed the agreement in the presence of BDL Chairman and Managing Director, Commodore Siddharth Mishra (retd),UK Minister for Defence Procurement Jeremy Quin, and UK Defence & Security Exports head Mark Goldsack.
BDL, in a statement, said that as a part of its global outreach, it is trying to forge alliance with foreign companies to take the ‘Make in India’ mission further.
Earlier, Thales and BDL had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to assess the opportunity for the transfer of technology for STARStreak.
“Today’s agreement will also provide opportunity for BDL to offer STARStreak missile system to the Indian Armed Forces with a minimum of 60 per cent indigenous content, as well as design and development of the system, qualifying it under the ‘Make in India’ programme,” it said.
Mishra said that the partnership between Thales and BDL in this project with transfer of technology for STARStreak will create a new business opportunity for BDL and its supply chain partners in India.
“BDL will be able to enhance its footprints in the export market in addition to domestic market with this new business opportunity. The Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ programme, the ‘ease of doing business’ and recent ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives have created a congenial ecosystem for the foreign OEMs to tie up with Indian Industries like BDL to establish the production facility in India,” he added.
Cresswell said that the BDL manufactured system will be exported to various countries including UK. He noted that this is good news for Thales business in Belfast in Northern Ireland, for the strong supply chain of UK SMEs with whom it works and for its teams in India.