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An Indian Air Force Su-30MKI fighter aircraft has been reported overdue after taking off from Jorhat in Assam , with its last communication recorded at 7:42 pm , according to an official statement posted by the force. File Photo: IAF The aircraft lost contact shortly after departure and further details about its status and crew are still being verified. A Search and Rescue (SAR) operation has been launched to locate the jet, the IAF said.  The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a twin-engine multirole fighter that forms a key part of India’s combat fleet and is produced under licence in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.  Authorities said additional information will be released once more details about the aircraft’s last known position and the ongoing search operation are confirmed. UPDATE (1) at  1:15 am;  Friday, 6 March 2026: The Indian Air Force said that t he Su-30MKI which was on a training mission, crashed in the area of Karbi Anglong , Assam, approx 60 km from Jorhat...

✍️ Written by Saket Suman India on Tuesday intensified its diplomatic outreach and economic preparedness measures as the West Asia conflict widened, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking to leaders of Oman, Kuwait and Qatar, the External Affairs Minister engaging European counterparts, and key ministries reviewing trade, defence and energy contingencies. File Photo: PM NaMo The outreach followed the Ministry of External Affairs statement earlier in the day reiterating India’s concern over the deteriorating situation across Iran and the Gulf, the safety of nearly one crore Indian nationals in the region, and the need for dialogue and diplomacy to restore stability. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he spoke with Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman and condemned what he described as the violation of Oman’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He said both sides agreed that sustained diplomatic engagement was essential for the earliest restorat...

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repeated disruptions on Monday after Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi attempted to quote from the unpublished memoir of former Army chief Manoj Mukund Naravane during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address.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...

An Indian Army vehicle carrying troops for an operational deployment skidded off a treacherous stretch of road and plunged into a 200-foot-deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district on Thursday, killing 10 soldiers and injuring 11 others.  The incident occurred around noon at Khanni Top, situated at an altitude of 9,000 feet along the Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate route, when the bulletproof Casspir vehicle veered off the snow-laden path and crashed into the gorge below. Image Source: Ghulam Ahmed Mir Initial reports confirmed four fatalities at the scene. A joint rescue operation by the Army and local police managed to evacuate the injured, 10 of whom were airlifted to the Udhampur Command Hospital for advanced treatment, while one remains under observation at the Bhaderwah sub-district hospital. Six more soldiers succumbed to their injuries later, bringing the death toll to 10. Officials stated that the troops were en route to a high-altitude operational post when the accident...

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 ...

India and the United States have signed a 10-year framework agreement to expand and deepen their defence cooperation, signalling a new phase in their strategic partnership. The deal was formalised during a bilateral meeting between Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Kuala Lumpur. The agreement lays out a unified vision for advancing military collaboration across all domains, including interoperability, joint technology development, intelligence sharing, and coordination with regional allies.  Both leaders held cordial & constructive discussions on strengthening the India-US defence partnership. Via:Pete Hegseth It is expected to provide long-term policy direction across the entire spectrum of defence ties between the world’s largest democracy and its most powerful military. “It is a signal of our growing strategic convergence and will herald a new dec...

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...

In a direct address to India’s top military leadership, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the urgent need to prepare for wars that are increasingly unpredictable in nature, duration, and domain.  Speaking at the Combined Commanders’ Conference 2025 in Kolkata on September 16, he stated, “Wars of today are so sudden and unpredictable… It can be two months, a year, or even five years. We need to ensure that our surge capacity remains sufficient.” Combined Commanders’ Conference 2025 in Kolkata The Defence Minister called on the Armed Forces to move beyond traditional concepts of warfare and prepare for invisible threats--ranging from information and ideological attacks to ecological and biological warfare.  He asserted that a “technology-friendly” and “self-reliant” defence architecture is essential for India’s long-term strategic autonomy. Rajnath Singh underlined the strategic priority of self-reliance in defence, calling it “a necessity, not a slogan.” He credited in...

India has launched a historic first: ten women officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force set sail on the indigenously-built Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni for a nine-month circumnavigation covering 26,000 nautical miles .  The expedition, christened Samudra Pradakshina , was virtually flagged off by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh from South Block as the team departed from the Gateway of India in Mumbai. Image Source: PIB “This voyage is a glowing symbol of Nari Shakti , the jointness of our Armed Forces, Aatmanirbhar Bharat and India’s global vision,” Singh said, calling it a “spiritual sadhana” of discipline and willpower. Over the next nine months, the crew will sail eastward, cross the Equator twice, round the Capes of Leeuwin, Horn and Good Hope, and navigate the world’s most dangerous waters — the Southern Ocean and Drake Passage.  They will halt at four international ports: Fremantle (Australia), Lyttelton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Canada) and Cape Tow...

India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reaffirmed New Delhi’s vision for a harmonious global order rooted in care, equity, and collective progress during an address at the World Leaders Forum in New Delhi on August 22, 2025.  Citing India’s civilisational ethos, Singh said the country’s rise is guided not by the ambition to dominate, but by the commitment to the global good. “In our tradition, the measure of strength is not in the ability to command, but in the capacity to care,” he said. Image Source: Defence Minister Framing India as a key architect of an evolving and inclusive global order, Singh contrasted India’s developmental trajectory with that of its western neighbour.  Responding to a recent remark by Pakistan’s Army Chief, who likened India’s economy to a sports car and Pakistan’s to a dump truck, Singh said the comparison was “not a joke, but a confession.”  He added, “If two nations gained independence at the same time, and one flourished while the other fell...

India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in his annual Sandesh to Soldiers on the eve of India’s 79th Independence Day, described Operation Sindoor as a balanced and precise military response to global asymmetric warfare; hailed it as a demonstration of a new vision for modern warfare, built on cutting-edge technology, accurate intelligence, and indigenous capability; stressed that India remains tolerant but will unite and act decisively when its safety and dignity are challenged; and vowed that no matter how deep terrorism’s roots, its complete destruction will be ensured. Image Source: HQ IDS INDIA Singh said the operation, executed under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, integrated drone warfare, layered air defence, electronic warfare, and network-centric operations to strike nine terror training camps -- including the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed -- within minutes, avoiding civilian and Pakistani military targets, without crossing the Line of C...

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday laid the foundation stone for BEML’s Greenfield Rail Manufacturing facility -- BRAHMA -- at Umaria in Madhya Pradesh, describing it as both a leap in infrastructure and a statement of intent on India’s security posture.  Image Source: Marketing Maverick on X Citing the recent Operation Sindoor as proof of India’s ability to strike deep and neutralise terrorist threats, Singh warned, “We do not provoke anyone, but those who provoke us will not be spared.” Singh said the success of Operation Sindoor was built on indigenous equipment, crediting India’s decade-long drive towards Aatmanirbharta in the defence sector.  “We have moved from being dependent buyers to supplying our own forces and even friendly nations,” he noted, pointing to record defence production in FY 2024–25 at ₹1.51 lakh crore and exports at ₹23,622 crore. BRAHMA: Scale, Scope, and Sustainability Planned over 148 acres, BRAHMA will produce advanced rolling stock...

India commemorated the 26th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas on July 26 with solemn national tributes, large-scale outreach to the families of martyrs, and a strong emphasis on modernisation and military readiness.  The Indian Army led the commemorations at the Kargil War Memorial in Dras, Ladakh , paying homage to the 545 soldiers who laid down their lives during the 1999 Kargil War.  Image Source: Defence Minister The central events were attended by top political and military leadership including Dr Mansukh Mandaviya , MoS Defence Sanjay Seth , Ladakh Lt. Governor Kavinder Gupta , and Chief of the Army Staff Gen Upendra Dwivedi . Over two days, the armed forces honoured the fallen through a series of symbolic and technological tributes.  These included the lighting of 545 lamps—each representing a fallen hero—religious prayers by leaders of multiple faiths, and emotional interactions with the Next of Kin of martyrs.  In a rare gesture, the Army reached out to al...

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the first Governing Council Meeting of the National Cadet Corps Alumni Association (NCCAA) on July 11, 2025, at South Block in New Delhi, underscoring the role of former cadets as key contributors to national development. Image Source: RMOIndia on X The NCCAA, a newly established flagship body, aims to bring together former and current NCC cadets under a common platform to continue supporting India’s largest uniformed youth organisation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the association’s first registered member; Rajnath Singh is the second. Addressing the gathering, the Defence Minister described the NCC as a unique institution shaping India’s youth through discipline and patriotism. He said the alumni, now leaders across various sectors, are not just passive participants in the country’s growth but active architects of change. Singh called for their inclusion in driving developmental goals and enhancing national unity. He urged the Associ...

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh received a flood of birthday greetings from across the political spectrum as he marked another year in public life. Tributes poured in from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers, chief ministers, and leaders from various parties. They lauded his decades-long contribution to Indian politics, national security, and public service. Image Source: BorgoHainSBG on X Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his wishes and praised Singh for his “hardworking nature and wisdom.” He commended the Defence Minister’s “commendable efforts” in strengthening India’s armed forces and advancing self-reliance in the defence sector, adding, “Praying for his long and healthy life.” Responding to the Prime Minister’s message, Rajnath Singh expressed gratitude and praised Modi’s leadership, stating, “Under your able leadership, India is growing fast and getting stronger. Your recent 5-nation official visit is a testimony to India’s rising clout and stature.” Union H...

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, addressing the 2025 Controllers’ Conference of the Defence Accounts Department in New Delhi, underscored the critical importance of agility, financial precision, and indigenous capability in India’s defence planning.  Citing the global recognition of Indian systems post-Operation Sindoor, he stated that the valour displayed and successful deployment of domestic equipment have significantly raised international interest in Indian defence products. Image Source: RajnathSingh on X He called for a shift in the department’s role—from controller to facilitator—especially as private sector participation expands.  Emphasizing the volatility of today’s geopolitical climate, he warned that "peace time is an illusion," and urged the system to prepare for sudden shifts in financial and operational demands. Framing defence expenditure as an economic investment with multiplier impact, Singh urged integration of Defence Economics into budgeting, highl...

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said the Indian Armed Forces responded to the recent Pahalgam terror attack with precision and restraint, dismantling terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under Operation Sindoor .  He emphasised that while terrorists targeted civilians based on their religious identity, the Indian response was guided by national duty and discipline. Image Source: HQ IDS on X Speaking at an event in Hyderabad marking the 128th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju, the Defence Minister asserted that the Armed Forces, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are fully empowered to take decisive action against terrorism whenever required. Rajnath Singh said Operation Sindoor was conducted with utmost caution to avoid civilian casualties, highlighting the Armed Forces’ professional approach in neutralising terror infrastructure. He described the operation as an example of "karma rooted in d...

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged China to preserve the positive momentum in bilateral relations and refrain from introducing fresh tensions. Speaking after his talks with Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers’ meeting, Singh called the dialogue "constructive and forward-looking." Image Source: RM Rajnath Singh on X Singh emphasised the need for mutual restraint and sustained diplomacy, stating, “It is incumbent on both sides to avoid adding new complexities to the bilateral relationship.” This marks the latest engagement between India and China as ties gradually stabilise after years of border tension.  Notably, 2024 saw the final phases of disengagement between Indian and Chinese troops in the Depsang and Demchok sectors of eastern Ladakh—an area long fraught with friction since the deadly Galwan clash of 2020. The meeting also coincided with India’s decision to resume the Kail...