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The Budget Session of India’s Parliament descended into repeated disruptions on Monday after Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi attempted to quote from the unpublished memoir of former Army chief Manoj Mukund Naravane during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address. This triggered sharp objections from the treasury benches and forced multiple adjournments before the House was suspended for the day. Rahul Gandhi ups the ante on national security; via: Shaandelhite The confrontation unfolded when Rahul Gandhi rose to respond to remarks made earlier by BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, who had criticised the Congress party’s record on nationalism .  Rahul Gandhi said he wished to counter those allegations by referring to passages concerning India’s military standoff with China , which he attributed to Naravane’s memoir, titled Four Stars of Destiny , and to a magazine article that had cited the unpublished book.  Highlights of Speech 02 Feb, 2026 S...

The Indian Army has reported a year of measured stability and strategic recalibration across the country’s sensitive frontiers in 2025, with progress in disengagement talks along the northern borders with China, improved security across the Northeast, and continuing counter-infiltration operations along the western boundary with Pakistan. According to the Ministry of Defence, the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the northern sector has remained “stable yet sensitive” following the 2024 disengagement agreements in Depsang and Demchok.  File Photo: Spokesperson MoD These breakthroughs contributed to a notable reduction in deployment levels by China’s People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 2025. However, the PLA continues to maintain a combined arms presence of 10 brigade-sized units in both tactical depth and traditional training areas, with no substantial changes observed in their border management posture compared to the previous year. The Indian Army’s deployment ...

In a move aimed at deepening strategic ties in North Africa, India has opened a dedicated Defence Wing in Rabat and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Morocco to formalize and expand military cooperation. Image Source: Defence Minister Singh The agreement, signed by India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Moroccan counterpart Abdeltif Loudiyi, lays the foundation for a broad-based security partnership covering counter-terrorism, defence industry collaboration, joint training, cyber defence, peacekeeping, and maritime security. Key Strategic Shift The decision to establish a permanent defence presence in Morocco signals a calibrated shift in India’s West Africa and Mediterranean outreach.  It is the first such defence wing India has opened in the Maghreb region, reflecting New Delhi’s intent to forge long-term military and industrial linkages with Rabat. Focus Areas Under the MoU: Joint military exercises and officer training Defence industry collaborati...

India and France continues to deepen their  defence cooperation. Now,  an Indian Army contingent has departed for the 8th edition of the biennial joint military exercise SHAKTI.  The two-week exercise will be conducted from June 18 to July 1, 2025, at Camp Larzac in La Cavalerie, France. Image Source: PIB India on X The Indian contingent, represented primarily by a battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles along with personnel from other arms and services, comprises 90 troops.  Their French counterparts, also numbering 90, will participate from the 13th Foreign Legion Half-Brigade (13th DBLE). Exercise SHAKTI is part of the ongoing effort to enhance operational coordination, interoperability, and military-to-military engagement between the two nations.  This edition focuses on joint operations in a sub-conventional environment, in line with Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, with drills to be conducted in semi-urban terrain. The exercise provides an op...

A Royal Navy F-35B stealth fighter remains grounded at Thiruvananthapuram airport more than 48 hours after it made an emergency landing on Sunday.  The aircraft, part of the UK's HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group currently deployed in the Indo-Pacific, was forced to divert after reportedly running low on fuel. Military experts have termed the incident unusual but not without precedent. Image Source: CISF on X The Indian Air Force, which is providing assistance, described the diversion as a “normal occurrence.” However, the fighter remains grounded as efforts continue to address suspected mechanical issues.  Media reports suggest that poor weather conditions may have prevented the aircraft from safely recovering onto the Prince of Wales aircraft carrier. Defining Security Beyond Borders CISF swiftly secured the Royal Navy F-35B fighter jet after its emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram Airport. Accredited for excellence in aviation security, CISF continues to uphold...

Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) will manufacture Rafale fighter aircraft fuselages in India, under a new production agreement with Dassault Aviation . The agreement, which involves four Production Transfer contracts, marks the first time Rafale fuselage components will be built outside France. Dassault called it a "decisive step" toward strengthening its global supply chain with India as a key node. Image Source: TataAdvanced on X As part of the collaboration, a state-of-the-art facility will be set up in Hyderabad to produce critical structural components of the Rafale, including the rear fuselage, lateral shells, central body, and forward section , according to an Economic Times report. Production is scheduled to begin in FY2028, with the facility targeting an output of two complete fuselage assemblies per month. “This is a decisive step in strengthening our supply chain in India,” said Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation. “Our partners like TASL ...

“They export terrorists. We export technologists. That’s the difference,” declared Indian MP Milind Deora during a hard-hitting session at the National Press Club. Image Source: HouseForeign on X As India ramps up its 33-nation campaign following the Pahalgam terror attack, a strategic contrast has emerged: India as a builder, Pakistan as a spoiler. “While they shelter killers, we send scientists to the space station,” Deora added, pointing to Indian Air Force pilot Group Captain Rakesh Sharma being named the co-pilot of the Axiom Space shuttle to the International Space Station. This was branding—deliberate, sharp, and global. The delegation laid out examples: Blackstone has invested $50 billion in Indian real estate Brookfield, BlackRock, and others manage $30 billion in Indian assets Over 300,000 Indian students in the U.S.—two-thirds in STEM Countries from Panama to Brazil are requesting IIT campuses “We bring value, not violence,” said Tejasvi Surya. “That’s w...

In a powerful show of bipartisan unity, U.S. lawmakers across party lines have stated their strong support for India’s stance against terrorism during a series of high-level meetings with the Indian all-party parliamentary delegation led by Dr. Shashi Tharoor in Washington, D.C. Meeting with the co-chairs of the India Caucus in the House of Representatives, Ro Khanna (Democrat) and Rich McCormick (Republican), along with vice co-chairs Andy Barr and Marc Veasey, the Indian delegation briefed lawmakers on the threat posed by cross-border terrorism and India’s response under Operation Sindoor. The U.S. Congressmen condemned the Pahalgam terror attack unequivocally and expressed bipartisan support for India’s right to respond to terrorism with zero tolerance. Image Source: MEA/FM on X The delegation also held a comprehensive exchange with the leadership of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC), including Chair Brian Mast, Ranking Member Gregory Meeks, and Subcommittee leaders on Sou...

India and Australia have deepened their defence partnership and affirmed a joint stance against terrorism during a high-level meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles in New Delhi. The dialogue came just weeks after the terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 Indian civilians and has since reshaped the tone of India's diplomatic and security outreach. Image Source: DefenceMinister on X Both sides unequivocally condemned the attack, with Marles extending condolences and reaffirming Canberra’s full support for India’s counter-terror response. Rajnath Singh underscored India's sovereign right to act in self-defence against cross-border terrorism, describing New Delhi’s retaliatory actions as “measured, non-escalatory, proportionate and responsible.” The two leaders committed to strengthening counter-terrorism collaboration, signalling growing strategic convergence between the two democracies amid risi...

As India continues its 33-nation diplomatic campaign in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam , Jammu & Kashmir, a multi-party delegation led by MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi brought the country’s message to Spain this week: terrorism must be met with moral resolve and global action. Image Source: MEA/FM on X Meeting with the Asociación de Víctimas del Terrorismo , which represents over 4,800 survivors and families of terror victims in Spain, the Indian delegation engaged in what the Indian Embassy called a “heartfelt exchange” rooted in shared grief and mutual resilience. The visit reaffirmed India’s stance of zero tolerance for terrorism , calling for global solidarity that transcends geography and politics. The delegation’s stop in Madrid is part of a much broader foreign policy reorientation by New Delhi. Following the Pakistan-linked attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians , India has moved swiftly to blend military action with strategic diplomacy . The strikes ...

In a historic first under the European Union's banner, two warships— ESPS Reina Sofia of the Spanish Navy and ITS Antonio Marceglia of the Italian Navy—docked in Mumbai from 26 May to 1 June 2025 for an operational turnaround. More than just a routine port call, this visit marks a significant milestone in India-EU strategic engagement, following high-level talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Image Source: PIB India Operating under the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) and commanded respectively by Cdr Salvador Moreno Regil and Cdr Alberto Bartolomeo, the ships’ presence in Indian waters reflects growing international alignment on maritime security. This deployment builds on commitments made during the 4th India-EU Maritime Security Dialogue held in New Delhi in March 2025 and represents the EU’s expanding operational outreach into the Indo-Pacific. Rear Admiral Davide Da Pozzo, Force Commander of Operati...

A high-level Indian parliamentary delegation is on an official visit to Brazil from 1 to 2 June 2025, aiming to strengthen bilateral cooperation in combating terrorism. The visit is part of India's broader international outreach following Operation Sindoor and the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on 22 April 2025. Image Source: Tejashvi Surya on X The delegation is led by Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs. It includes nine members of parliament from multiple political parties, reflecting the country's bipartisan approach. Other members of the delegation include Dr. Sarfaraz Ahmad, Mr. Ganti Harish Madhur, Mr. Shashank Mani Tripathi, Mr. Bhubaneswar Kalita, Mr. Tejasvi Surya, and Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu. During the visit, the delegation is scheduled to meet senior Brazilian officials, including Ambassador Celso Amorim, Chief Advisor of the Special Advisory Office o...

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has credited India’s indigenous defence strength under the Make-in-India initiative for enabling the Armed Forces to take effective action during Operation Sindoor , which targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Image Source: RS on X Speaking at the CII Annual Business Summit in New Delhi today, he declared, “Make-in-India is an essential component in our national security,” adding that “we destroyed terrorist hideouts and military bases” through indigenous systems. Singh unveiled the Execution Model for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme — a fifth-generation fighter jet project that, for the first time, includes significant private sector participation alongside public sector units. The model includes development of five prototypes followed by series production. Calling it a “bold and decisive step,” he said it would elevate India’s aerospace sector and deepen the role of the domestic industry...

The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced the organization of the 2nd Civil Defence Exercise “ Operation Shield ” across all districts in states and UTs adjoining India’s western border.  Image Source: IndianArmy on X Representational Only. The drill is scheduled for 29 May 2025 and aims to bolster national preparedness against hostile threats.  The exercise follows the first drill held on May 7, 2025 , which highlighted several critical gaps in regional readiness.  Accordingly, emergency powers were invoked and funding arrangements were made through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) . The upcoming exercise will simulate multiple contingencies including  Silent recall and mobilization of Civil Defence Wardens, Home Guards, Scouts, and NCC/NSS/NYKS volunteers; S imulated air raids involving aircraft, drones, and missile attacks;  Activation of hotlines between Air Force and CD control rooms, along with centrally operated air raid sirens;  Mock ...

The Ministry of Defence has notified the Rules under the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Act, 2023, through a Gazette Notification. These Rules have come into effect from May 27, 2025, marking a key milestone in strengthening the operational and administrative framework of Inter-Services Organisations (ISOs). Representational Image: Wiki The legislation, which was passed during the Monsoon Session of Parliament in 2023, received Presidential assent on August 15, 2023. It formally came into force on May 10, 2024, as per Gazette Notification dated May 8, 2024. The ISOs themselves were subsequently notified via Gazette Notification No. SRO 72 on December 27, 2024. The Act empowers Commanders-in-Chief and Officers-in-Command of ISOs to exercise effective command and control over personnel from all three branches of the Armed Forces serving within their organisations. The framework preserves the individual service conditions of each force while providing a un...

A multi-party Indian parliamentary delegation landed in Jakarta today, continuing India’s diplomatic outreach aimed at consolidating global support against cross-border terrorism in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. Image Source: MEA/FM on X The delegation is led by Sanjay Kumar Jha (MP, Rajya Sabha) and includes a diverse group of legislators and diplomats: Aparajita Sarangi (Lok Sabha); Abhishek Banerjee (Lok Sabha); Brij Lal (Rajya Sabha); John Brittas (Rajya Sabha); Pradan Baruah (Lok Sabha); Hemang Joshi (Lok Sabha); Salman Khurshid (Former External Affairs Minister); Mohan Kumar (Former Ambassador to France and Bahrain); Pooja Tillu (Deputy High Commissioner, Singapore). During its engagements in Jakarta, officials said, the Indian delegation led by MP Sanjay Kumar Jha met with Muhammad Husein Fadlulloh, Vice-Chairperson of the Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation, and Muhammad Rofiqi, Chairperson of the Indonesia-India Parliamen...

As part of a sustained and strategic global outreach following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, a high-level multi-party Indian parliamentary delegation led by Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi arrived in Greece for a three-day visit to convey India’s unified message of zero tolerance toward terrorism. Image Source: MEA/FM on X The visit comes amid a whirlwind of Indian diplomacy that has seen parallel engagements across Latin America , Washington DC , and European capitals . Earlier this week, senior parliamentarian Dr. Shashi Tharoor visited Guyana and Panama , anchoring India’s post-Operation Sindoor narrative at the highest levels, including symbolic stops such as the 9/11 Memorial in New York City. According to sources in Athens, the Indian delegation is scheduled to meet Members of the Greek Parliament, senior Foreign Ministry officials, and leading media and think-tank representatives. The focus is on counterterrorism cooperation, democratic resilience, and India’s...

In a warm beginning to the Indian Parliamentary delegation’s visit to Panama, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor led a significant diplomatic engagement today once again to convey India's unified stance on terrorism. The visit marks the latest leg of the Indian delegation's extensive global outreach in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam attack. Image Source: ST on X The delegation, welcomed by Indian Ambassador to Panama, Dr. Sumit Seth, received a detailed briefing on bilateral ties and regional developments at the Embassy of India in Panama City. According to embassy sources, the visit aims to deepen strategic understanding and mobilize global solidarity against terrorism. The delegation's highlight was a meeting with Dana Castañeda, President of the National Assembly of Panama. She was joined by senior lawmakers including Edwin Vergara and Julio de la Guardia, the latter a former Ambassador to India. During the exchange, Tharoor explained the nature and purpose of India’...