Geopolitics

Public Policy Lecture Series, April 16, 2014

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.run/post/58376

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said India, now the most populous country, "needs to regain its rightful place", in a strong push for permanent membership of the country in the UN Security Council.

"The issue is not just of credibility, but something much larger. How can the UN Security Council claim to speak for the world when its most populous country and its largest democracy is not a permanent member?" PM Modi said in an interview with French publication Les Echos.

The UN Security Council epitomised the dissonance of an institution not in step with a changed world order, he said.

"Its skewed membership leads to opaque decision making processes, which adds to its helplessness in addressing the challenges of today. I think most countries are clear on what changes they would like to see in the UN Security Council, including on the role India should play." He added that French President Emmanuel Macron shared the view.

PM Modi spoke to the French media at his official residence in Delhi, before flying today to France, where he will be the guest of honour at the Bastille Day celebrations on Friday.

"As the world's largest democracy, with unparalleled social and economic diversity, our success will demonstrate that democracy delivers. That it is possible for harmony to exist amidst diversity. At the same time, there is a natural expectation of adjustments in the international system and institutions to give the rightful place to the world's largest democracy," he said.

The Prime Minister also emphasised on India's role as a bridge between the Global South and the west.

"The rights of the Global South have been long denied. As a result, there is a feeling of anguish among the members of Global South, that they are forced into undertaking action but when it comes to decision making they don't find a place or voice for themselves. The true spirit of democracy has not been respected vis-a-vis the Global South," he said.

PM Modi also elaborated on his oft-quoted comment to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Ukraine war, that today is not an era of war.

The conflict must ned, he said, expressing deep concern about its impact on the world, especially the Global South.

"India's stand has been clear, transparent and consistent. I have said that it is not an era of war. We have urged both sides to resolve issues through dialogue and diplomacy. I told them that India is ready to support all genuine efforts that can help bring this conflict to an end. We believe that all countries have an obligation to respect the respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries, to abide by international law and adhere to the UN Charter," he said.

On India's soft power, PM Modi said: "Our exports have never been war and subjugation, but yoga, ayurveda, spirituality, science, mathematics, and Astronomy. We have always been a contributor to global peace and progress."

He also said the world makes progress only when it learns to let go of anachronistic and outdated notions, responding to a question on whether he considered "western values" to be universal or whether other countries should find their own path.

French President Emmanuel Macron will show PM Modi the Louvre Museum and the two may get photographed with its most famous resident—Mona Lisa.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be feted by French President Emmanuel Macron when he lands in Paris on July 13 afternoon to take the India-France ties to a new height. File Photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron at Elysee Palace. File Photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron at Elysee Palace.

According to inputs from Paris and New Delhi, PM Modi will address a diaspora event at La Seine Musicale, a performing arts centre located on IIe Seguin island in scenic Seine River, in the western suburbs of Paris on the first day. Inaugurated in 2017, La Seine Musicale had hosted American folk-rock singer Bob Dylan in the 6000-seat Grand Seine theatre, where PM Modi will address the Indian diaspora on July 13. The La Siene Musicale is currently hosting the Festival of India called "Namaste France, organized by the Indian Embassy in France and the Ministry of Culture.

This will be followed by PM Modi being hosted by President Macron for a private dinner at his official residence at Elysee Palace. It is during this private dinner that both the leaders will discuss crucial global and bilateral issues and formal delegation level talks will follow after the Bastille Day parade on Champs Elysees in front of the French President on July 14.

A 269 men strong contingent of Indian Army from the Punjab Regiment and Rajputana Rifles will participate in the parade on the ground while one single Indian Air Force Rafale fighter will be the show with three others following in a formation. INS Chennai, an indigenous guided missile destroyer of the Indian Navy, will be stationed at the strategic port of Brest, where the nuclear ballistic missile firing submarines (SSBNs) of the French Navy are stationed. But the grand show will follow after the delegation-level talks in Paris.

President Macron will host PM Modi at Cour Marly courtyard at the world-famous Louvre Museum for a ceremonial dinner expected to be attended by over 250 dignitaries. Filled with natural light and a ficus trees forest, the Cour Marly has an army of statues made by the finest sculptors of the world since the 19th century. It is after the French lay a sumptuous vegetarian spread for PM Modi at the Cour Marly that President Macron will take the Indian leader for a guided tour of the Louvre. Perhaps the two of them may get photographed with Louvre’s most famous and most expensive painting, Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, a masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance.

The two leaders after the tour of the Louvre will attend the dazzling fireworks display over Eiffel Tower from the terrace at Louvre. While the bilateral ties between the two middle-level powers will reach the next stage after PM Modi’s visit, the red-carpet treatment given to the Indian leader will surpass any bilateral visit by an Indian PM in the past by miles.

The deal will take the total number of F-35s to 75 in the Israeli air force and will be financed by aid from the United States Grant to Israeli defence services

Israel will buy a third squadron of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 stealth fighter jets from the United States, Image: lockheedmartin.com

Israel will buy a third squadron of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 stealth fighter jets from the United States. The deal, that was announced by the Israel Defence Ministry on Feburary 7, 2023, is worth 3 billion USD.

While Israel is already operating these high stealth aircraft, this deal will take the total number of F-35s to 75 in the Israeli air force. This deal will be financed by aid from the United States Grant to Israeli defence services and will enhance the firepower of the Israeli air force to counter enemy threats.

About Israel’s F35 Lightning II Stealth fighter jets

Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II is a single-seat, single-engine, all-weather stealth multi-role combat aircraft. It is the most lethal, survivable and connected fighter jet in the world. The F35 gives pilots a critical advantage against any adversary, enabling them to execute their missions and come home safely.

Additionally, it can conduct electronic warfare and conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. With Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems as main partners, Lockheed Martin is the primary F-35 contractor. There are three primary versions of the fighter jet: the F-35A for conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL), the F-35B for short takeoff and landing (STOVL), and the F-35C for carrier-based (CV/CATOBAR) operations.

The F-35 is a family of single-engine, supersonic, stealth-role multi-fighters. To achieve a high level of situational awareness and long-range lethality, it places a strong emphasis on low observables, sophisticated avionics, and sensor fusion. The United States Air Force (USAF) considers this aircraft as the primary strike fighter for conducting suppression of enemy air defence (SEAD) missions, owing to its advanced sensors and mission systems.

It is the most advanced node in a 21st-century security network-centric architecture. In the highly contested battlespace versus peer adversaries, dominance will be determined by the ability to securely connect high-tech platforms to share information across all the domains- i.e. land, sea, air, space and cyber. It is more than just a fighter jet, it is a powerful force multiplier with advanced sensors and communications suites operating close to the battlefield and from an elevated position significantly enhancing the capabilities of networked airborne, maritime, space, surface and ground-based platforms.

The F-35 Lightning II's Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) is a lightweight, high-performance, and versatile system that offers accurate air-to-air and air-to-surface targeting. Integrating the JASSM, LRSAM and new technologies into the F-35 suite continues to increase the multirole mission capabilities helping to continue to make the F-35 the most lethal, stealthy and survivable aircraft in the world.

It plays an integral role in 21st-century security. It gathers, analyses, and effortlessly shares crucial information across platforms and services using its cutting-edge sensors and connectivity. Israel is the first country after the US to acquire the F-35 fighters. The 3 billion dollar deal will strengthen the Israeli air force to counter any major threats to its lands.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.run/post/19256

The bridge collapsed overnight near Columbus, Montana causing several train cars to be immersed in the Yellowstone River.

Portions of a freight train plunged into the Yellowstone River due to bridge collapse. (Image: AP)

A bridge that crosses the Yellowstone River in Montana collapsed early Saturday, plunging portions of a freight train carrying hazardous materials into the rushing water below.

The train cars were carrying hot asphalt and molten sulfur, Stillwater County Disaster and Emergency Services said. Officials shut down drinking water intakes downstream while they evaluated the danger after the 6 a.m. accident. An Associated Press reporter witnessed a yellow substance coming out of some of the tank cars.

David Stamey, the county’s chief of emergency services, said there was no immediate danger for the crews working at the site, and the hazardous material was being diluted by the swollen river. There were three asphalt cars and four sulfur cars in the river.

The train crew was safe and no injuries were reported, Montana Rail Link spokesman Andy Garland said in a statement. The asphalt and sulfur both solidify quickly when exposed to cooler temperatures, he said.

Railroad crews were at the scene in Stillwater County, near the town of Columbus, about 40 miles (about 64 kilometers) west of Billings. The area is in a sparsely populated section of the Yellowstone River Valley, surrounded by ranch and farmland. The river there flows away from Yellowstone National Park, which is about 110 miles (177 kilometers) southwest.

“We are committed to addressing any potential impacts to the area as a result of this incident and working to understand the reasons behind the accident,” Garland said.

The bridge collapse also took out a fiber-optic cable providing internet service to many customers in the state, the high-speed provider Global Net said. “This is the major fiber route ... through Montana,” a recording on the company’s phone line said Saturday. “This is affecting all Global Net customers. Connectivity will either be down or extremely slow.”

In neighboring Yellowstone County, officials said they instituted emergency measures at water treatment plants due to the “potential hazmat spill” and asked residents to conserve water.

The cause of the collapse is under investigation. The river was swollen with recent heavy rains, but it’s unclear whether that was a factor. The Yellowstone saw record flooding in 2022 that caused extensive damage to Yellowstone National Park and adjacent towns in Montana. Robert Bea, a retired engineering professor at the University of California Berkeley who has analyzed the causes of hundreds of major disasters, said repeated years of heavy river flows provided a clue to the possible cause.

“The high water flow translates to high forces acting directly on the pier and, importantly, on the river bottom,” Bea said. “You can have erosion or scour that removes support from the foundation. High forces translate to a high likelihood of a structural or foundation failure that could act as a trigger to initiate the accident.”

An old highway bridge that paralleled the railroad bridge — together, they were called the Twin Bridges — was removed in 2021 after the Montana Department of Transportation determined it was in imminent danger of falling. It wasn’t immediately clear when the railroad bridge was constructed or when it was last inspected. Bea said investigators would also want to look at whether there was wear or rust in bridge components as well as a record of maintenance, repair and inspections.

Federal Railroad Administration officials were at the scene working with local authorities. “As part of our investigation, we have requested and will thoroughly review a copy of recent bridge inspection reports from the owner for compliance with federal Bridge Safety Standards,” the agency said in a statement Saturday, noting that responsibility for inspections lies with bridge owners.

Kelly Hitchcock of the Columbus Water Users shut off the flow of river water into an irrigation ditch downstream from the collapsed bridge to prevent contents from the tank cars from reaching nearby farmland. The Stillwater County Sheriff’s Office called the group Saturday morning to warn it about the collapse, Hitchcock said.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that sulfur is a common element used as a fertilizer as well as an insecticide, fungicide and rodenticide.

Author: Astha Singh

Biden reiterated that the friendship between America and India is among the most consequential among partnerships and has now turned out to be stronger.

President Biden asserted that US-India friendship among most consequential in the world | Image: AP/PTI

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi's US visit, President Joe Biden on Sunday reiterated that the friendship between America and India is among the most consequential partnerships globally and has now turned out to be stronger and more dynamic than ever. Responding to the US President, Prime Minister Modi affirmed the power of friendship between the two nations. In PM Modi's historic three-day State visit, India and America signed several major deals to boost cooperation in key areas such as defence, space, and trade with an aim to further elevate their partnership.

Biden says 'US-India friendship most consequential'

President Biden took to Twitter and shared a video showcasing glimpses of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's State visit. "The friendship between the United States and India is among the most consequential in the world. And it's stronger, closer, and more dynamic than ever," he wrote.

In the video, the US President stated that he has long believed that ties between India and US will be one of the defining relationships as both nations' Constitutions are bound with the same phrase: "We the people". He added that both nations share democratic values and want people everywhere to have the opportunity to live in dignity. "This is a cornerstone of this essential partnership between India and the US. And that is why I know the friendship between our nations is only going to grow as we face the future together," he said.

In response to Biden's tweet, PM Modi asserted that the friendship between India and the US is a force for global good and will make the planet better as well as more sustainable. "I fully agree with you, POTUS, Joe Biden. The friendship between our countries is a force for global good. It will make the planet better and more sustainable. The ground covered in my recent visit will strengthen our bond even more," tweeted PM Modi.

I fully agree with you, @POTUS @JoeBiden! Friendship between our countries is a force of global good. It will make a planet better and more sustainable. The ground covered in my recent visit will strengthen our bond even more. 🇮🇳 🇺🇸 https://t.co/iEEhBIYG17 - Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2023

PM Modi embarked on his visit to the US on June 20 and in New York, he led a historic event at the UN Headquarters to commemorate the ninth International Day of Yoga on June 21. A day later, he received a red-carpet welcome at the White House by President Biden in Washington DC. The two leaders held a historic summit on Thursday, followed by Modi's address to the US Congress and a State dinner hosted at the White House by the Bidens in his honour.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.run/post/16304

Despite his active war-mongering and mass killing of civilians in the name of drone attacks against terror groups, Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009.

On Thursday (June 22), former US President Barack Obama courted controversy by virtue-signalling India about its ‘human rights’ record.

Obama, who has a notorious record as a potential war criminal, suggested that the Indian Prime Minister must be told by the Biden administration about protecting the ‘Muslim minority in a majority Hindu India.’ He also hinted at another ‘partition’ if India, under the Modi government, did not mend its ways.

The former US President made the contentious remarks during an interview with CNN news host Christiane Amanpour, just hours before PM Modi made his historic address at the joint session of the US Congress.

He said, “If President (Joe Biden) meets with Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi, the protection of Muslim minority in a majority Hindu India is something worth mentioning.”

Barack Obama also claimed, “If I had a conversation with Prime Minister Modi, then, part of the conversation would be that if you do not protect the rights of minorities, then there is a strong possibility that India at some point starts pulling apart…That would be contrary to the interests of India”

The former US President, who is now mouthing platitudes about protecting the interests of Muslims in India, has been single-handedly responsible for the death of 100s of innocent people in Muslim-majority countries.

Human rights record of ‘war monger’ Barack Obama

Barack Obama scripted history in 2008 by being the first African-American man to become the President of the United States. In 2016, he also created another record of being the only President to take the country to war during the entirety of his 8-year term.

As per a report by the ‘Bureau of Investigative Journalism’, Obama oversaw more drone strikes (54) in his first year than George W Bush did in his entire term. Prior to his Presidency, he would talk about ending ‘dumb wars’ but did the opposite when he came to power.

Barack Obama, who holds the distinction of being a Nobel Peace Prize Winner, reportedly launched airstrikes in at least seven Muslim-majority countries of Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, Iraq, Syria, Libya and Pakistan.

He sanctioned the use of a whopping 563 drone strikes and killed 3797 people in this process. In one instance, a CIA drone strike targeted a funeral in Pakistan, which led to the death of 41 civilians in Pakistan.

More than 89 civilians in the same country were killed by the Obama administration over the course of 128 targeted drone strikes. The US President was aware that the drone strikes were far from accurate and were increasingly leading to the death of civilians.

But this did not stop him from continuing with such attacks in Somalia (2010) and Yemen (2011). Reportedly, 21 children and 12 women (five of them being pregnant)were killed by the Obama administration’s first strike in Yemen, with the aim of targeting Al-Qaeda.

It also came to light that in 2016 alone, the US government under Obama carried out at least 26,171 bombings, which translates to 72 bombings every day on civilians in other countries.

Mass civilian casualties were also reported in Afghanistan. An average of 582 people were killed annually in Afghanistan by the US, its allies and the Afghan government in Kabul between 2007 to 2016.

The Obama administration has also been accused of conducting ‘double-tap drone strikes’, which means that the site of a drone strike is attacked again. This is despite knowing the fact that such follow-up strikes lead to the death of first responders, which is against the guidelines laid down by the 1948 Geneva Conventions.

Obama administration warmed up to Muslim brotherhood, oversaw the rise of ISIS

During the tenure of Barack Obama, the US government warmed up to the radical Islamist outfit ‘Muslim Brotherhood’ in Egypt during the Arab Spring. It was a complete departure from the approach undertaken by previous US administrations.

According to author Hany Ghoraba, Barack Obama believed that he could separate the terror outfit ‘Al-Qaeda’ and Muslim Brotherhood. “Empowering the Muslim Brotherhood would, according to Obama, weaken Al-Qaeda in a decision that can be considered as one of the severest cases of political naiveté in modern times,” he noted.

“The core fault of the Obama administration was its adoption of a false rhetoric, presented for years by Islamist activists and later liberal Western politicians and pundits, that there is a distinction between the Muslim Brotherhood and Al-Qaeda,” Ghoraba pointed out.

The Arab Spring led to significant political changes in several countries, including the ousting of long-standing autocratic leaders. In Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood’s political arm, namely, the Freedom and Justice Party, emerged as a major political force.

In 2011, the Obama administration thought it was a great idea to engage with the Muslim brotherhood-led- government, mistaking it to be a ‘new democratic force’ and looking past its radical Islamism, dangerous ideology and its mistreatment of religious minorities.

Later when protests erupted against the government in Eqypt, the Obama administration quickly took a U-turn and called for the removal of the Muslim Brotherhood-backed-Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi. Documents now reveal that the US government funded anti-Morsi activities.

The Presidential tenure of Barack Obama was also marked by the rise of the dreaded terrorist organisation, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria aka ISIS.

One of the major contributing factors was the withdrawal of the US troops, failed negotiations with the Iraqi government and lack of residual US military presence in the country. The security vacuum left in Iraq gave opportunities for radical Islamist groups to expand.

Conclusion

Barack Obama has been at the helm of building secret drone bases in the Middle East and Africa and increasing the deployment of warships and troops in the Western Pacific and Eastern Europe.

He has been accused by his first three Defense Secretaries at the Pentagon of micro-manging the military from the White House. Through the killing of dictator Muammar Gaddafi, Barack Obama ensured that Libya plunged into complete chaos.

Later, the oil-rich nation became a magnet for terrorist groups. Despite his active war-mongering and mass killing of civilians in the name of drone attacks against terror groups, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009. With the left media acting as his PR agent, Obama has been able to keep up with the false image of being a ‘great ex-President.’

At the time of PM Modi’s visit to the US on the invite of the incumbent President Joe Biden, Barack Obama is pontificating the Modi administration about human rights and peddling the distorted narrative of ‘Muslims being in danger in India.’

Author: Swapnanil Chatterjee

"Being a small nation like Maldives, I sincerely value the support of the Indian NCC," said Brigadier General Wais Waheed, Commandant of Maldives Marine Corps.

Brigadier General Wais Waheed, Commandant of Maldives the Marine Corps, seeks Indian help to enchance Maldives defence capabilities (Image:PIB, MNDF)

Maldives has sought India’s help in training its cadets and for acquiring equipment for its forces. Maldives Marine Corps Commandant Brigadier General Wais Waheed on Thursday (June 22, 2023) requested assistance for the same from India’s Director General of the NCC, Lieutenant General Gurbirpal Singh.

"As a small country like the Maldives, I would greatly appreciate any assistance that the Indian NCC can provide us in terms of training, resources, and structural reforms," stated Brigadier General Waheed.

India to enhance Maldives defence and disaster response capabilities

• Maldives will send a proposal to India, requesting assistance in training and acquiring equipment. If India deems it acceptable, then it will sanction the necessary aid for Maldives.
• The Commandant of the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) spoke about the potential for future collaboration between the two countries.
• Given that the Maldives is prone to natural disasters, Brig Gen Waheed expressed his desire to jointly train Maldivian cadets with India's support, particularly for natural disaster response and relief efforts, considering it as a force multiplier.

Military Cooperation between Maldives and India

According to the Maldivian Commandant, the training module implemented by the Indian Army is also employed by the defence forces of Maldives. The ongoing 12th edition of their annual joint exercise, Ekuverin, between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defense Force is taking place at Chaubatia, Uttarakhand. This exercise focuses on counter-insurgency/terrorism operations, as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations conducted under the UN mandate, spanning from June 11 to 24.

Personnel of the Maldives National Defence Force, along with the Indian Army, holding the DRDO Corner Shot Weapon System.(Credit: Press Information Bureau)

Another ongoing exercise is Operation Ekatha, an annual bilateral exercise between the navies of both countries. The sixth edition of this exercise is being held in the Maldives from June 4 to July 3. The naval exercise will see the participation of Maldivian Coast Guard and Indian divers from the Navy and Marine Commandos (MARCOS). The training regimen includes underwater demolition, close-quarter battle, diving operations, and VBSS (visit, board, search, and seizure) operations.

Indian Navy personnel, along with the MNDF Coast Guard, are participating in Operation Ekatha (Credit:ANI)

How do India and Maldives benefit

Both exercises aim to enhance interoperability between the armed forces of both countries, focusing on sharing best practices, improving coordination, and fostering cooperation at the tactical level. A Ministry of Defence statement emphasised, "The defence cooperation between the two countries extends beyond joint exercises to assisting Maldives with defence training and equipment requirements." The statement from MoD implies that the interaction between the armed forces of both nations will not only strengthen friendly relations but also deepen economic, cultural, and military cooperation.

Author: Swapnanil Chatterjee

The agreement involves the potential joint production of GE Aerospace's F414 engines in India, supporting the IAF's LCA Tejas MK2.

General Electric (GE) Aerospace has signed a memorrandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The agreement involves potential joint production of GE Aerospace's F414 engines in India, supporting the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk2 program.

This partnership strengthens defence collaboration between the US and India, aligning with President Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of closer coordination. This is a major milestone amid PM Modi's historic trip to the US. GE Aerospace has a long-standing presence in India and aims to create a family of products, including the F404 engine, and collaborate on the development of the AMCA program and other future programs. Over 1,600 F414 engines have been delivered globally.

Author: Eashaan Dhillon

Frank Kendall gave the opening address and said Indo-US ties are growing, & asserted there was enormous potential for startups of both nations to collaborate.

The India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem was launched at an event in Washington DC, US, on Wednesday, June 21. The INDUS-X event was co-organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), the Ministry of Defence and the US Department of Defence. It was hosted by the US-India Business Council.

A reception for Indian and US government representatives, defence startups, think tanks, incubators, investors, industries, and other stakeholders was organised on June 20. US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti gave the keynote address during the reception and said that due to their shared diplomatic ideals, similar political views, and strong inter-ethnic ties, India and the United States have a strong worldwide strategic alliance that spans practically all facets of human effort, and strong strategic, economic, and military links exist between the two nations. The US and India are collaborating to advance harmony and peace in the Indo-Pacific region.

At #INDUSX being hosted at @USChamber, USIBC hosted a substantive discussion on procurement, export controls, and industrial security with government, industry, and academia.

About the Indo-US INDUS X Event

US Secretary of Air Force Frank Kendall, who gave the opening keynote address, said that the India-US partnership is growing exponentially. He emphasised that there was enormous potential for startups of both nations to collaborate in deep tech innovations, especially in the Space and Artificial Intelligence domain (AI).

Anurag Bajpai, Joint Secretary (Defence Industries Promotion), MoD, who led the Indian delegation in the two-day INDUS-X event, in his welcome remarks on ''Investing in the future of India-US defence relations'', hailed the launch of iCET as a landmark event in Indo-US defence ties. As the leaders of the biggest and oldest democracies in the world gather in Washington, he asserted that this is an opportune moment. The idea for a defence innovation bridge is a part of the initiative on critical and emerging technologies unveiled by the national security advisors Ajit Doval and Jake Sullivan in January and the Pentagon said that through INDUS-X, the ties will be strengthened between defence industrial ecosystem to make them more innovative, accessible and resilient.

In addition, the Pentagon also said that both Department of Defence and the Ministry of Defence along with external stakeholders will explore joint challenges for India and US startups that leverage common dual use cases for both the countries. An unprecedented joint presentation of cutting-edge technologies from startups in the US and India was presented during the event. The event also saw a first-of-its-kind joint showcasing of innovative technologies by Indian and American startups. Fifteen Indian and 10 US startups from multiple domains such as maritime, AI, autonomous systems and space showcased their technologies to Indian and US stakeholders.

Senior American officials watched the exhibition, including Congressman RO Khanna, co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, and Radha Iyengar Plumb, deputy undersecretary of defence for acquisition and sustainment for the US Department of Defence. Khanna serves on the House Armed Services Committee. Two panel discussions and two roundtables were held, focussing on deepening collaborations across various domains including export control regulations. INDUS-X will also enhance connectivity between American and Indian defence startups to explore joint opportunities in high-tech defence innovation, research and development, and strengthen bilateral trade relationships and defence establishment linkages.

Also, a group of private stakeholders will engage investors to set up a joint innovation fund, while both governments will explore a public-private partnership model for funding deep tech defence startups. Both India and US also intend to explore standardising certification for technologies developed by defence innovation ecosystems of both countries, to accelerate their absorption. The statement by Pentagon says that the area of focus here will include Quality Assurance parameters, certification standards, and Program success memoranda.

“India Global Forum’s annual UK-India Week is a highly anticipated fixture in the bilateral calendar of our two great nations,” said UK PM Rishi Sunak.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday said he is confident that the India-UK partnership will be a "defining one for our times", as he extended support to the upcoming UK-India Week. Sunak, then UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, was a special guest at the UK-India Awards during last year’s summit when he first spoke about his own Indian heritage and commitment to British Indian values.

In a statement from Downing Street, the 43-year-old leader described the annual event as a catalyst for forging new trade ties and long-term collaborations. “India Global Forum’s annual UK-India Week is a highly anticipated fixture in the bilateral calendar of our two great nations,” said Sunak.

“It is a catalyst for forging new trade ties, lasting collaborations, and a better future for our peoples. I'm confident this partnership will be a defining one for our times,” he said.

UK-India Week 2023 kick-starts with a Young Leaders Forum at the Nehru Centre in London on Saturday and will cover a full spectrum of bilateral issues, from tech and innovation to infrastructure and sustainability at events in London and Windsor. This year marks the fifth edition of the summit and UK-India Awards, which comes just days after the UK government issued a joint outcome statement at the conclusion of the tenth round of free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with India.

“Technical discussions were held across 10 policy areas over 50 separate sessions. They included detailed draft treaty text discussions in these policy areas,” reads a statement from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) issued earlier this week.

India and the UK have been negotiating an FTA since January last year, with a goal towards a comprehensive pact that is expected to significantly enhance the bilateral trading relationship, worth an estimated GBP 34 billion in 2022. The 11th round is now scheduled to take place next month, soon after UK-India Week next week.

“Given the geopolitical upheaval and economic turbulence around the world, I believe it is more important now than ever before that the UK and India forge closer and deeper ties. I am, therefore, grateful to Prime Minister Sunak for recognising the role that IGF is playing in bringing our two great democracies closer to unlocking the true potential of the partnership,” said IGF Founder Professor Manoj Ladwa. The six-day series of events will open with an address by Opposition Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer and will also involve interventions by UK Education Secretary Gillian Keegan and India’s Minister of Power, New & Renewable Energy R.K. Singh.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.run/post/10106

Author: Swapnanil Chatterjee

India gifts missile warship INS Kirpan to Vietnam, bolstering maritime security & strategic partnership amid Chinese concerns.

India has gifted an indigenously-built missile warship, INS Kirpan, to its strategic partner Vietnam with the aim of strengthening its reach in the South China Sea. The announcement came after India's Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, held a meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart, General Phan Van Gang, in the national capital on June 9.

3 Things You Need to Know about Gifting the Kirpan

• The gift of INS Kirpan, an in-service missile corvette, will enhance the Vietnamese People's Navy.
• Vietnam is a vital partner in India's Act East policy, and the gift of Kirpan strengthens this alliance.
• During the visit, Ministers discussed defence cooperation, research, and joint production.

Enhanced maritime security with INS Kirpan

The missile corvette will become the second largest in Vietnam's arsenal and provide a cost-effective solution for Vietnam's coastal defence and patrol operations. With its smaller crew requirements and efficient operation in littoral waters, INS Kirpan offers an efficient and affordable option. It has been designed with multi-purpose capabilities, including anti-ship warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and patrol missions. This versatility allows the Vietnamese Navy to effectively address a wide range of maritime security challenges. Given Vietnam's significant coastal territory, these corvettes can conduct surveillance, enforce maritime law, and respond effectively to threats in nearshore areas. Additionally, acquiring corvettes with capable armament and sensors contributes to regional stability, enabling Vietnam to maintain a credible defence posture and engage in cooperative maritime security efforts with neighbouring countries, fostering stability and cooperation in the region.

Deepening mutual cooperation for further growth

This gesture also signifies the deepening alliance between Vietnam and India, which has been steadily growing over the past decade. The Ministry of Defense's official release stated, "Both Ministers identified means to enhance existing areas of collaboration, especially in the field of defence industry cooperation, maritime security, and multinational cooperation." The officials also discussed defence research and joint production during the Vietnamese defence minister's visit to the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) headquarters.”

Kirpan Strengthens India's 'Look East' Policy

During General Phan Van Gang's visit to India, a solemn wreath-laying ceremony was held at the National War Memorial, where he paid homage to the fallen heroes. In the future, the collaboration can extend beyond defence equipment and encompass joint exercises, information sharing, and capacity building.