IndianRepublic.in

In a symbolic assertion of India’s maritime rise and military self-reliance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali this year aboard the Indian Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant , off the western seaboard near Goa and Karwar.  Addressing sailors on the indigenous vessel, Modi described the experience as a deeply personal one, framing the Navy not only as a strategic arm of national defence but also as an embodiment of modern Indian resolve. Prime Minister Narendra Modi aboard INS Vikrant with Indian Navy personnel during Diwali.  Image: PM NaMo “This is my family,” Modi said, referring to the personnel onboard, “and I have come home for Diwali.” His remarks blended patriotic fervour with policy clarity, anchoring India’s naval capability to its larger strategic shift -- from regional balancing to active global maritime engagement. Witnessed an awe-inspiring Air Power Demo on INS Vikrant, showcasing precision and prowess. The take-off and landing of MiG-29 f...

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...

✍️ Written by Saket Suman Saudi Arabia and Pakistan on September 17 formally inked a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement , committing that any aggression against one will be treated as aggression against both.  The accord, signed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Riyadh, pledges joint deterrence, enhanced military cooperation, and cemented defense ties. Mohammed bin Salman receives Shehbaz Sharif For India, the deal registers as more than a diplomatic development--it alters the security calculus along its western front. India has long accused Pakistan of supporting terrorist networks whose actions sow violence across India's Kashmir and elsewhere.  Earlier this year, India launched Operation Sindoor , targeting nine terror infrastructure sites across Pakistan and illegally Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including camps of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, following the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians . HRH the Crown Prince and th...

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a formal Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement , pledging to treat any attack on either nation as an attack on both.  The pact, signed in Riyadh by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, represents the most significant military commitment between the two countries to date. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan Sign Mutual Defense. Via: Official Diplomatic Channels According to a statement from the Pakistani Prime Minister’s Office, the agreement underscores “a shared commitment to enhance security and achieve peace in the region and the world.”  The accord aims to bolster defense cooperation, joint deterrence capabilities, and military coordination between the two longtime allies. The deal follows a bilateral meeting in Jeddah , during which both leaders emphasized their commitment to expanding cooperation across trade, investment, energy, and regional security.  In a post on social media, Sharif praised the Kingdom’s “...

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 and France have agreed to intensify counter-terror cooperation with a sharper focus on cross-border terrorism, radicalisation, and emerging threats from terror-linked technology misuse.  The decision was taken at the 17th meeting of the India–France Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism , held in Paris on 11 September. 17th India–France Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism via @serecharlet The Indian delegation was led by K.D. Dewal, Joint Secretary (Counter-Terrorism), Ministry of External Affairs. France was represented by its Counter-Terrorism Ambassador, Olivier Caron.  The meeting came less than five months after the 22 April attack in Pahalgam , Jammu and Kashmir, which both sides unequivocally condemned . In a detailed threat assessment, both countries discussed state-sponsored terrorism, with India flagging persistent cross-border risks.  There was also a shared concern over regional and global threats, including militant activity in the Middle East ...

India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held talks in New Delhi with the Political and Security Committee (PSC) of the Council of the European Union. This marked the PSC’s first visit to Asia.  The 30-member delegation, led by Committee Chair Delphine Pronk, included ambassadors of EU member states and senior officials from the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS). Misri was joined by Deputy National Security Adviser Pavan Kapoor, Secretary (West) Sibi George, and other senior Indian officials. Trade Deal between India and EU likely by year end. Via MEAIndia The two sides discussed security cooperation across multiple sectors including defence, cyber governance, maritime security, and counter-terrorism. They welcomed the pace of recent high-level engagement and ongoing sectoral dialogue.  Both parties committed to concluding the India-EU Security and Defence Partnership and the Security of Information Agreement at the earliest. The India-EU Free T...

India and the European Union held the 15th Counter-Terrorism Dialogue in Brussels and stated their shared resolve that terrorism in all its forms requires sustained global action. The meeting was co-chaired by Maciej Stadejek, Director for Security and Defence Policy in the European External Action Service, and K.D. Dewal, Joint Secretary (Counter-Terrorism) in India’s Ministry of External Affairs. India - European Union Strategic Dialogue File Photo via EAM Jaishankar According to an official statement , both sides strongly condemned the 22 April 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam , with the EU reiterating its condolences to India for the killing of civilians.  They stressed that “terrorism is a global phenomenon and needs concerted action in a sustained and comprehensive manner,” highlighting the need to coordinate in multilateral fora including the United Nations , the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) , and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) . The dialogue also covered...

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a forceful message on terrorism at the 25th SCO Summit in Tianjin on Monday, warning against what he called unacceptable global double standards in dealing with terror.  Citing India’s long-standing exposure to cross-border violence and referring directly to the recent attack in Pahalgam, the Prime Minister said terrorism was no longer a local threat, but a shared crisis of conscience for the international community. Image Source: PM NaMo video screengrab Modi expressed gratitude to friendly nations for their solidarity following the Pahalgam attack, calling it an assault not just on India’s sovereignty but on the principles of humanity itself. While not naming Pakistan directly, the Prime Minister challenged the permissiveness with which some states continue to support terrorist networks, asking whether such conduct can ever be accepted in a rules-based international order. He stated that no society or citizen can consider themselves ...

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday said it was vital for China and India, described as the “dragon and the elephant,” to come together at a time when the world is undergoing profound transformation.  Meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, Xi said the two countries, as the world’s most populous and most civilizational nations, were key members of the Global South and must act as friends and good neighbours. Image Source: PM NaMo “This year marks the 75th anniversary of China–India diplomatic relations. Both nations need to handle the relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective,” Xi said in his televised remarks.  He added that Beijing and New Delhi “must step up to our historic responsibilities to uphold multilateralism, a multipolar world, and more democracy in international institutions, and work together for peace and prosperity in Asia and around the world.” Prime Minister Naren...

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, his first bilateral engagement with the Chinese leader since their meeting in Kazan last year.  Modi expressed appreciation for Xi’s warm welcome and congratulated him on the successful hosting of the SCO Summit. Image Source: PM NaMo During the discussions, Modi recalled their previous exchange in Kazan, which he described as “very fruitful” and having given positive momentum to India–China relations.  Stressing the importance of peace and stability along the shared frontier after disengagement, he said effective border management by the special representatives is essential for the overall relationship and that the two sides are in agreement.  He noted that the two sides had advanced their cooperation with a border management agreement, the reopening of the Kailash Mansarovar route, and the resumption of direct ...

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...

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday issued a sharp rebuttal to inflammatory remarks reportedly made by Pakistan’s de facto military ruler, General Asim Munir, during his ongoing visit to the United States. The statement, released on August 11, called nuclear sabre-rattling “Pakistan’s stock-in-trade” and said the comments reinforced “well-held doubts about the integrity of nuclear command and control in a state where the military is hand-in-glove with terrorist groups.” Image Source: MEA/FM on X The MEA said:  “It is also regrettable that these remarks should have been made from the soil of a friendly third country. India has already made it clear that it will not give in to nuclear blackmail. We will continue to take all steps necessary to safeguard our national security.” Munir’s Threats in Florida As reported by The Times of India ’s Washington correspondent Chidanand Rajghatta, Munir, speaking at an event in Tampa, Florida, warned:  “We will wait for I...

According to The Times of India ’s Washington correspondent Chidanand Rajghatta , Pakistan’s de facto military ruler General Asim Munir has issued fresh threats against India from US soil, declaring he would destroy any dam that New Delhi might construct on the Indus River and warning of nuclear retaliation in the event of an existential crisis. Image Source: Faytuks Network on X Speaking at an event in Tampa, Florida, Munir reportedly said:  “We will wait for India to build a dam, and when it does so, we will destroy it with ten missiles.  "The Indus river is not the Indians’ family property… We have no shortage of missiles, Alhumdulillah.” As per Rajghatta’s report, Munir also issued a broader nuclear threat aimed at the international community:  “We are a nuclear nation. If we think we are going down, we’ll take half the world down with us.” These remarks, widely circulated in Pakistani media but not independently verified, come during Munir’s second US visit in two ...

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...

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday used his first visit to Karnataka since Operation Sindoor to deliver a message of military resolve, economic ambition, and technological self-reliance, while inaugurating major urban infrastructure projects in Bengaluru. Image Source: PM NaMo on X Speaking after launching the 19-km Yellow Line of the city’s metro network and laying the foundation stone for Phase-3’s Orange Line , the Prime Minister hailed Bengaluru as “a symbol of New India’s rise” -- a city whose traditions are rooted in history yet whose achievements have propelled it onto the global IT map. ‘World Saw a New Face of India’ in Operation Sindoor Mr. Modi opened his remarks with a pointed reference to Operation Sindoor, the cross-border strike that India says dismantled terrorist bases deep in hostile territory.  He credited the rapid success to indigenous defence technology and “Make in India” innovations, singling out the contributions of Karnataka’s youth. “Within ...

India’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday in a high-level diplomatic engagement with far-reaching implications. The meeting took place just a day after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a second round of tariffs on Indian exports and raised the total burden to 50%.  The Kremlin released official footage of the meeting, which showed NSA Doval and President Putin shaking hands, but did not provide public details of their discussions. Image Source: Kremlin The meeting marks a significant moment in India-Russia ties, and comes at a time when Washington is escalating pressure on countries engaging with Moscow through what it calls "indirect support" for the Russian war effort in Ukraine.  U.S. President Trump’s latest Executive Order, issued under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), accused India of continuing to import Russian crude oil, thereby "undermining U.S. national security and ...

India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval arrived in Moscow on Tuesday for a scheduled high-level visit focused on strengthening India-Russia strategic cooperation, defense partnerships, and energy trade, an Indian official was cited as confirming to Russian news agency TASS . According to sources cited, Doval's meetings in Moscow are expected to cover a wide range of issues, including ongoing defense cooperation, security collaboration, and the continued supply of Russian crude oil to India .  File Image Source: India In Russia Discussions will also touch upon the current global geopolitical environment, which has seen a marked deterioration following recent U.S. and Russian military postures . Doval’s trip comes just a day after U.S. President Donald Trump doubled down on his threat to hike tariffs on Indian imports, citing India’s Russian oil purchases as a key concern.  In an interview with CNBC, Trump criticized India as “not a good trading partner” and warned t...