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Biden admin approves 4 billion dollars arms package sale to India

editor February 2, 2024

WASHINGTON: The US Congress was informed today by the Biden Administration of its intention to sell weapons valued at around $4 billion, primarily Hellfire missile-equipped MQ 9 B drones. In a press release on Thursday, the US Department of Defence agency Defence Security Cooperation Agency stated that the sale contributes to the strategic relationship between the US and India being strengthened. "An important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region," it continued, is New Delhi. "The US State Department has decided to approve a potential $3.99 billion foreign military sale of MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft and associated equipment to the Government of India.In a statement, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency stated that it had "delivered the necessary certification informing Congress of this potential sale today." 31 MQ-9B Sky Guardian aircraft, 161 Embedded Global Positioning and Inertial Navigation Systems (EGIs), 35 L3 Rio Grande Communications Intelligence Sensor Suites, 170 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles, 16 M36E9 Hellfire Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM), 310 GBU-39B/B Laser Small Diameter Bombs (LSDB), and eight GBU-39B/B LSDB Guided Test Vehicles (GTVs) with live fuzes are among the items that the Indian government has requested to purchase. By bolstering the strategic relationship between the US and India and enhancing the security of a "major defence partner," which is still a "important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region," the proposed sale will support US foreign policy and national security objectives, according to the release. Additionally, it stated that India has shown a commitment to modernising its military and will have no trouble integrating these goods and services into its armed forces. This will increase India's ability to meet "current and future threats" by enabling unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance patrols in sea lanes of operation. "The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region," it stated. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Poway, CA, will serve as the lead contractor, according to the statement. Any offset arrangement will be negotiated between the contractor and the buyer. There won't be a need to send any more contractor or US government agents to India in order to carry out this proposed sale. "There will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale," the press release stated. [caption id="attachment_10089" align="alignnone" width="300"] Biden admin approves 4 billion dollars arms package sale to India[/caption]

Army Going Through Transformational Change To Further Strengthen Operational Preparedness: Gen Pande

editor February 1, 2024Leave a comment

Pune, Feb 1: Chief of Army Staff Gen Manoj Pande on Thursday said the Indian Army is going through a transformational change and has laid out a broad outline of the road map for it…

India Ranks 93 Out Of 180 Countries In Corruption Perceptions Index 2023

editor January 31, 2024Leave a comment

NEW DELHI, Jan 31: India ranked 93 out of 180 countries on the corruption perceptions index for 2023 as its overall score remained largely unchanged, according to a Transparency International report. The index, which ranks…

India slashes import duty on key parts needed for mobile manufacturing

editor January 31, 2024Leave a comment

NEW DELHI: The central government has slashed import duty on several key components used in the production of mobile phones in a bid to boost the country's electronics exports, the Union Ministry of Finance announced.…

Former Pak PM Imran Khan And Wife Sentenced To 14 Years In Jail In Toshakhana Corruption Case

editor January 31, 2024Leave a comment

ISLAMABAD, Jan 31: In the Toshakhana corruption case, former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi were given a 14-year prison sentence on Wednesday. This came about just one day after Khan, 71, suffered yet another setback to his hopes of winning back power in the general elections scheduled for February 8th, when a special court sentenced him to 10 years in prison for disclosing confidential state information on Tuesday. The hearing in the Toshakhana corruption case was presided over by Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Bashir in Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail, where the former premier is being held. Each also received a fine of Rs 787 million and a 10-year ban from holding any public office. Today, Bushra Bibi did not show up in court. Khan is charged in this case with withholding information about presents given to Toshakhana and the money made from the "illegal" selling of some of the gifts. [caption id="attachment_9972" align="alignnone" width="300"] Former Pak PM Imran Khan And Wife Sentenced To 14 Years In Jail In Toshakhana Corruption Case[/caption]

Indian navy warship rescues 19 Pakistani nationals, fishing vessel hijacked by Somali pirates

editor January 30, 2024Leave a comment

NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy announced in an official statement that on Monday, the warship INS Sumitra of the Indian Navy successfully rescued 19 Pakistani nationals after foiling a plot to steal the Iranian-flagged fishing vessel Al Naeemi, which was cruising off the East Coast of Somalia. Following the rescue of another Iranian-flagged fishing vessel, FV Iman, from Somali pirates on Monday during anti-piracy operations along the east coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, an official statement said that this is the Indian Navy's second rescue operation in as many days. FV Iman had 17 crew members on board. The Indian Navy said that the cruiser INS Sumitra saved the hostages of 19 Pakistani nationals on board the fishing vessel after it was intercepted by pirates and action was taken to locate the stricken vessel. The warship achieved the successful release of all 19 crew members and the boat by acting in accordance with the set SOPs to persuade the pirates for the crew's safe release. The ship then carried out confirmatory boarding in order to clean up and ensure the crew members who were being taken captive by the Somali pirates were safe. "INS Sumitra, over the course of less than 36 hours, through swift, persistent and relentless efforts has rescued two hijacked Fishing Vessels along with 36 Crew (17 Iranian and 19 Pakistani) in Southern Arabian Sea approximately 850 nm West of Kochi, and prevented misuse of these Fishing Vessels as Mother Ships for further acts of Piracy on Merchant Vessels," the Navy said in a statement. [caption id="attachment_9909" align="alignnone" width="300"] Indian navy warship rescues 19 Pakistani nationals, fishing vessel hijacked by Somali pirates[/caption]

9 Pakistani Labourers Shot Dead In Iran; Pakistan Seeks Comprehensive Investigation

editor January 28, 2024Leave a comment

Islamabad, Jan 28: Pakistan has requested a thorough probe into the savage attack in Iran that claimed the lives of nine of its citizens, which happened days after tensions between the two countries erupted over a tit-for-tat cross-border shooting. Unknown assailants opened indiscriminate fire on nine Pakistani labourers on Saturday in Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan province, close to the Pakistani border. Three more workers were wounded. In the province of Sistan-Baluchestan, "witnesses reported unknown armed men killed nine non-Iranians in a house in the Sirkan neighbourhood of Saravan city," according to Iran's Mehr news agency. At first, no organisation or person took ownership of the attack.The Foreign Office of Pakistan has called for a thorough inquiry into the attack and the prompt prosecution of those who carried it out. FO spokesman Mumtaz Zahra Baloch denounced the "horrifying and despicable" attack and stated, "We are in touch with Iranian authorities and have underscored the need to immediately investigate the incident and hold to account those involved in this heinous crime." Because of the great distance and security concerns, she claimed, Pakistan's consul in Zahedan was anticipated to arrive in a few hours in order to help the injured.Additionally, the Pakistani ambassador was supposed to meet with the local authorities to insist on taking firm measures against the offenders. As word of their deaths spread, the victims' relatives staged a demonstration in front of the Alipur assistant commissioner's office and pleaded with the Pakistani government to see to it that their loved ones' remains were returned to Muzaffargarh. According to Baloch, steps were being taken to enable the swift return of the victims' remains to their families. She continued, "Pakistan's resolve to combat terrorism is not diminished by this cowardly attack." Muddasir Tipu, Pakistan's ambassador to Iran, conveyed his outrage at the killings and promised the grieving families his entire support.Tipu wrote on X, "We have called upon Iran for full cooperation in this matter." The event occurs the day before the Iranian foreign minister is scheduled to visit Islamabad, when talks on border security and the problem of militant sanctuaries along the shared border are anticipated to be discussed. This incident is expected to increase tensions between Iran and Pakistan because it happened just one week after those two countries' tit-for-tat strikes in each other's territories. After Pakistan carried out "precision military strikes" on January 18 against what it claimed "terrorist hideouts" in Iran's Sistan-Baluchistan province, which resulted in nine deaths, tensions between Islamabad and Tehran increased.The incident was perceived as a form of reprisal for Iranian drone and missile strikes on two bases of the Sunni militant organisation Jaish al-Adl in Pakistan's restive province of Balochistan last Tuesday. Pakistan withdrew its ambassador from Tehran amid hostilities and prevented Iran's envoy from coming back to Islamabad. Regarding Pakistan's strikes, Tehran has called for the charge d'affaires of Islamabad. On the other hand, the two nations declared last Monday that they had made the decision to defuse the situation and resume diplomatic missions, with both ambassadors going back to their positions. The same area was used for Saturday's deaths as Pakistan's recent retaliatory strikes against Baloch rebel sanctuaries. [caption id="attachment_9806" align="alignnone" width="300"] 9 Pakistani Labourers Shot Dead In Iran; Pakistan Seeks Comprehensive Investigation[/caption]…

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan Criticised For Assaulting ‘Protege’ In Viral Video, Issues Clarification

editor January 28, 2024January 28, 2024Leave a comment

New Delhi, Jan 28: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan found himself at the centre of a controversy after a video of him allegedly slapping a person went viral on social media on Saturday, following which the…

BSF, Punjab Police Seize Pakistani Drone With Heroin From Amritsar

editor January 27, 2024Leave a comment

Amritsar, Jan 27: In a coordinated operation, the Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police retrieved a Pakistani drone from an agricultural field in Mode village near Amritsar, Punjab, along with one packet of heroin weighing 519 grammes. During an operation on January 26, the BSF and Punjab police completed the retrieval. "In response to intelligence input, BSF Punjab Frontier troops and Amritsar Rural Police (Punjab Police India) conducted a joint search operation on January 26, during the afternoon, and recovered 519 grammes of heroin and a Pakistani drone quadcopter model, DJI Mavic 3 Pro, made in China," the BSF said in an official statement.A metal ring was fastened to the packet and yellow adhesive tape was used to wrap the drugs. It also stated that this recovery happened in the agricultural area in the Amritsar District next to Mode village. The BSF added in the statement, "Once again, the watchful BSF troops thwarted the illicit intentions of smugglers." In a related incident, the Border Security Force (BSF) in Punjab's Amritsar on Friday retrieved a drone manufactured in China from a farming field in the hamlet of Roranwala Khurd. The official statement claims that the drone was recovered while the BSF troops were on patrol.The official statement stated, "On January 26, 2024, during the morning hours, BSF troops observed a suspicious item at about 09:00 hrs while carrying out area domination patrolling ahead of the border fence." When the odd object got closer, it turned out to be a tiny drone. It was successfully recaptured by BSF soldiers, it continued. The official announcement states that the recovered drone is a Chinese-made quadcopter. [caption id="attachment_9749" align="alignnone" width="300"] BSF, Punjab Police Seize Pakistani Drone With Heroin From Amritsar[/caption]

Indian Naval Hydrographic Department celebrate Republic Day in Antarctica

editor January 27, 2024Leave a comment

NEW DELHI: At the Antarctic's Bharati Research Station, a team from the Indian Naval Hydrographic Department (INHD) commemorated the 75th anniversary of Republic Day. As part of the 43rd Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (ISEA), a hydrographic survey team from the INHD arrived at the Indian Antarctic station Bharati on January 17 to conduct a hydrographic survey off Larsemann Hills. The Indian Navy said that the INHD team's hosting of the Indian Flag and Indian Naval Ensign in Antarctica demonstrated the Indian Navy's operational reach for carrying out non-combative operations."Celebrating #RepublicDay2024 in Antarctica, showcasing operational prowess in distant waters #IndianNavy's Hydrographic survey team from the Indian Naval Hydrographic Department, comprising Lt Cdr Rishabh Rawat & Manjeet PO(HY) at Bharati Research Station hoisted the tricolour," the Indian Navy wrote in a post that included photos from the event and its official X handle. As part of the Republic Day procession, The Indian Navy's band passed the Kartavya Path while playing their catchy hit, "Hum Taiyyar Hai." Leading the glittering Indian Navy band on Friday was M. Anthony Raj, MCPO (Musician) II Class, announcing to the world the strength and combat readiness of the Navy.To the tune of the marching band, 144 young sailors, both male and female, comprised the Naval Contingent. Lt Prajwal M, Lt Mudita Goyal, Lt Sharvani Supreiya, and Lt Devika H were the contingent commanders. The Naval Band and the Naval Marching Contingent were followed by the Indian Navy's tableau, which represented two important and contemporary subjects. The first was "Nari Shakti," which came after the Indian Navy declared that women are welcome in all positions and at all levels. The second was a mirror of Atma Nirbharta's "Sea Power across the Oceans through Indigenization".The Naval Contingent, including 144 young sailors, both male and female, was marching to the melody. The commanders of the contingent were Lt Prajwal M, Lt Mudita Goyal, Lt Sharvani Supreiya, and Lt Devika H. The Indian Navy's tableau, representing two significant and modern themes, came after the Naval Band and the Naval Marching Contingent. 'Nari Shakti' was the first, following the announcement that women are welcome in all roles and at all ranks in the Indian Navy. Atma Nirbharta's "Sea Power across the Oceans through Indigenization" was mirrored in the second.The entire carrier battle group, which includes the extremely capable escort ships Delhi, Kolkata, and Shivalik, the Light Combat Aircraft and Advanced Light Helicopter, the Kalavari Class Submarine, and the GSAT-7, Rukmani Satellite, was depicted in the tableau in addition to the formidable aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, which is built in India. The tableau showcases India's increasing expertise in shipbuilding, aerospace, missile and rocket technology, with each element created and manufactured in the country. Lt Cdr Bhope Juee Milind and Lt Cdr Nitheesh KS were the tableau commanders. [caption id="attachment_9722" align="alignnone" width="300"] Indian Naval Hydrographic Department celebrate Republic Day in Antarctica[/caption]

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