China’s military expenditure, in particular, grew for the 26th consecutive year, with its uninterrupted increase being the largest by far among the top 15 countries over the 2011-2020 decade…reports Asian Lite News.
India is the third biggest military spender in the world, behind United States and China, according to latest data released by global think-tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
The total global military expenditure rose to $1,981 billion in 2020, an increase of 2.6% in real terms from 2019 despite the global gross domestic product contracting by 4.4% mainly due to the Covid pandemic’s economic impact, the Times of India reported citing the data.
“We can say with some certainty that the pandemic did not have a significant impact on global military spending in 2020. It remains to be seen whether countries will maintain this level of military spending through a second year of the pandemic,” Dr Diego Lopes da Silva of SIPRI was quoted as saying.
The 10 biggest military spenders were the US ($778 billion), China ($252 billion), India ($72.9 billion), Russia ($61.7 billion), UK ($59.2 billion), Saudi Arabia ($57.5 billion), Germany ($52.8 billion), France ($52.7 billion), Japan ($49.1 billion) and South Korea ($45.7 billion).
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with the troops who participated in the para dropping and other military exercises at Stankna near Leh. (Photo IANS)
The top five together accounted for 62% of the global military expenditure. China’s military expenditure, in particular, grew for the 26th consecutive year, with its uninterrupted increase being the largest by far among the top 15 countries over the 2011-2020 decade.
Meanwhile, Pakistan ($10.3 billion), was ranked 23rdin the list.
India has to maintain an over 15-lakh strong armed forces because of the two active and unresolved borders with China and Pakistan.
Consequently, the revenue expenditure for the day-to-day running costs and salary bill in the defence budget by far outstrips the capital outlay for military modernization, leaving critical operational shortages on different fronts, ranging from fighters to submarines, according to the TOI report.
Austin was received with military honours before meeting his counterpart Benny Gantz…reports Asian Lite News
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin ON Sunday began talks with Israeli leaders, in the first visit by a member of new US President Joe Biden’s Cabinet.
Austin was received with military honours before meeting his counterpart Benny Gantz, DPA news agency reported.
The Israeli minister is expected to raise the recent negotiations between world powers and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear programme, saying Israel hoped for a better deal to be agreed in the future.
Israel had been vehemently opposed to the original 2015 deal and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu considers Iran to be Israel’s most dangerous enemy.
Austin is also due to meet Netanyahu during his two-day visit. Netanyahu is in an uncertain political position as he tries to pull together enough seats to form a coalition government after recent elections.
Austin is not expected to visit the Palestinian Territories, although Biden has signalled that he wants to rebuild ties with the Palestinians.
The previous administration of Donald Trump made several major diplomatic moves which were welcomed by Israel but denigrated by the Palestinians, including moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, and weakening support for a two-state solution.
Austin is expected in Germany on Tuesday, and in Brussels after that.
The tensions between the two sides came down as they agreed to disengage from the Pangong Tso lake area…reports Asian Lite News.
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Manoj Mukund Naravane has emphasised that the nation is facing renewed challenges along the borders.
Delivering a lecture on “Developments along the Western and Northern Borders and their Impact on the Future Road Map of the Indian Army” at the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington, General Naravane exhorted the students on the need to remain abreast of all developments.
His statement assumes significance as the Chinese showed aggression and transgressed into many areas inside the Indian territory on some locations last year.
For over a year, India has been engaged in a military standoff with China in the eastern Ladakh sector and has seen fierce clashes between troops in the Galwan valley and other areas.
The tensions between the two sides came down as they agreed to disengage from the Pangong Tso lake area.
However, the situation has not yet been fully resolved as the troops continue to be deployed near the frontline as the two sides have not yet fully de-escalated.
General MM Naravane #COAS visited #DefenceServicesStaffCollege#Wellington and addressed the Faculty & Student Officers attending 76th Staff Course on ‘Developments along the Northern & Western Borders and their Impact on the Future Road Map of the Indian Army’. pic.twitter.com/UreDqYlqOO
The situation at the friction points in the Gogra, Hot Springs and Depsang plains continues to exist and the two sides have to talk to resolve the situation there.
The Army chief visited Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington on Monday and Tuesday.
Lt Gen MJS Kahlon, Commandant DSSC, gave an update to the COAS on the ongoing training activities and incorporation of new initiatives with specific reference to Professional Military Training on Jointmanship amongst the three services.
The COAS was briefed on the changes being undertaken in training curriculum and infrastructural development as a step towards enhancing the role of DSSC as a Centre of Excellence for Professional Military Education, according to a release.
He complimented the College for maintaining a very high state of training despite COVID-19 pandemic constraints. (ANI)
US Defence Secretary Lloyd J Austin with India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi
With Austin’s visit to India and plan to enhance defence cooperation with India, US is sending a strong signal to China against its growing military activities in South China Sea region, reports Asian Lite News
The bilateral meeting between Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Defence Secretary Lloyd James Austin on Saturday focussed on defence cooperation, expanding military-to-military engagement across services, information sharing, cooperation in emerging sectors of defence, and mutual logistics support.
“We had a comprehensive and fruitful discussion with Secretary Austin and his delegation. We are keen to work together to realise the full potential of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership,” Singh said after the meeting.
Austin is on a three-day visit to India starting Friday. Upon arrival, he had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
Singh said that they reviewed the wide gamut of bilateral and multilateral exercises and agreed to pursue enhanced cooperation with the US Indo-Pacific Command, Central Command and Africa Command.
“Acknowledging that we have in place the foundational agreements, LEMOA, COMCASA and BECA, we discussed steps to be taken to realise their full potential for mutual benefit,” he said.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd J Austin to Guard of Honour at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Saturday 20 March,2021. (Photo:IAN/Qamar Sibtain)
The minister pointed out that the recent Leaders’ Summit of India, the US, Japan and Australia under the Quad framework emphasised on the resolve to maintain a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
“We discussed the need for enhanced capacity building to address some of the non-traditional challenges such as oil spills and environmental disasters, drug trafficking, illegal, unreported, unregulated (IUU) fishing and others,” Singh said.
India is committed to further consolidate robust defence partnership with the US, the minister said.
After the meeting, Austin first expressed condolences for the tragic accident that killed an Indian Air Force pilot earlier this week.
“Our hearts go out to his family and friends. His death reminds us of the risks our brave service men and women take each day to defend our democracies, our people, and our way of life,” Austin said.
The US Defence Secretary said that he had a productive discussion on a number of security issues which are important to both the countries.
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in a meeting with US Defence Secretary Lloyd J Austin in New Delhi
“And at the top of my agenda, I wanted to convey the Biden-Harris administration’s message of our strong commitment to our allies and partners,” he said.
India, in particular, is an increasingly important partner amid today’s rapidly shifting international dynamics, he said.
“I reaffirmed our commitment to a comprehensive and forward-looking defense partnership with India as a central pillar of our approach to the region. As the world faces a global pandemic and growing challenges to an open and stable international system, the US-India relationship is a stronghold of a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” Austin said.
He added that Prime Minister Narendra has stated that India stands for “freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded lawful commerce, and adherence to international law”.
“This is a resounding affirmation of our shared vision for regional security in the Indo-Pacific,” he said.
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin meets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday (Photo: @narendramodi)
“Our work today is grounded in our shared values and converging strategic interests. We discussed the opportunities to elevate the US-India Major Defence Partnership, which is a priority of the Biden-Harris administrationa, through regional security cooperation, military-to-military interactions, and defence trade,” Austin said.
He also pointed out that both the countries are continuing to advance new areas of collaboration, including information sharing, logistics cooperation, Artificial Intelligence, and cooperation in new domains such as space and cyber.
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin meets India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval in New Delhi on Friday (Photo: @SecDef/Twitter)
“We also discussed engagement with like-minded partners through multilateral groupings such as the Quad and ASEAN. As the Indo-Pacific region faces acute transnational challenges, such as climate change, and challenges to a free and open regional order, cooperation among like-minded countries is imperative to secure our shared vision for the future.
“Despite today’s challenging security environment, the partnership between the US and India — the world’s two largest democracies — remains resilient and strong,” he said.
Later in the day during a presser at the US Embassy in the national capital, Austin said that they never thought India and China were at the threshold of a war due to the tensions in Ladakh.
