FOREIGN POLICY: New, Strong and Clear Outreach

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India, Japan to step up defence cooperation

Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...ofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

 

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India's effort to counter China's OBOR could soon get a big Russian helping hand

Aiming to put in place a key maritime route connecting India with Northeast Asia and Western Pacific region Delhi is contemplating to put in place a major connectivity initiative — direct shipping link between Chennai and Vladivostok amid China’s ambitious Maritime Silk Route (MSR) connecting Asia with Africa.

With India making concrete moves to expand its presence in Far East Russia to harness natural resources as evident through Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj’s visit to Vladivostok last week plans are in making for a maritime link connecting Chennai with the key Russian port on the Pacific. This shipping link would enable to transfer cargo between Chennai and Vladivostok in 24 days in comparison to over 40 days currently taken to transport goods from India to Far East Russia via Europe, according to experts on the subject.

This proposed maritime route which could be transformed into a corridor could juxtapose with Indo-Japan Pacific to Indian Ocean Corridor amid Beijing’s OBOR of which MSR is a part – virtually connecting entire SE Asia through road, shipping and rail links.

Swaraj met top Russian Ministers from Putin’s cabinet – Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Industry Minister Denis Manturov, Natural resources Minister Sergei Donskoi and Deputy PM & President’s envoy for Far East Yury Trutnev besides governors of provinces in the region to further India’s role amid Moscow’s aim to diversify options besides China. South Korean President and Japanese PM were present at the Far East Forum that saw senior level representation (Swaraj) from India for the first time. Few months back Russia announced visa-free entry for Indians in its Far East.

On the occasion Swaraj also launched Russia Desk for facilitating Russian investments into India as assured by PM Narendra Modi during the annual summit in St Petersburg in June. This is the 3rd such Desk in India after Japan and Korea. Russia Desk would provide complete support service for any kind of Russian investment/ Businessmen/ from legislative to taxation; from personnel to finding right partner, according to informed officials.

The Far Eastern Federal District (twice the size of India) is the largest but the least populated of the eight federal districts of Russia, with a population of roughly 6.3 million. Russian affairs experts who did not wish to be identified indicated to ET that Moscow is sensitive to growing Chinese presence in Russia's Far-eastern region particularly increasing population from China which are settling there. "This pattern could change demographics of Far-east Russia and growing presence of other countries including India will help to bring balance," pointed out an expert.

India was the first country to establish a resident Consulate in Vladivostok in 1992. Current engagement of India with the region is limited to isolated pockets such as the Irkut Corporation in Irkutsk where the Mig and Sukhoi aircraft are built and over USD 6 billion worth of investments by ONGC Visesh Limited in the Sakhalin 1 project, according to persons familiar with the issue.

The region has a wealth of natural resources such as land, timber, mineral and other resources like tin, gold, diamonds and oil and natural gas. The Russian government has announced several initiatives to attract investments in the region, including an agricultural SEZ, the Vladivostok Free Port Project and also invites participation in the timber industry , mining of the huge mineral resources (coal & diamonds) and precious metal deposits (gold, platinum, tin and tungsten).

Opportunities for collaboration for Indian companies include in such sectors as agriculture, mining, port development and infrastructure, diamond processing, agro-processing.


ET VIEW: A Strategtic Link
The move to open up alternate sea routes makes economic and strategic sense. The connectivity creates another opportunity for long time partners to come together on a venture that can potentially open up new trade opportunities. It is also about securing access to natural resources that are crucial for a growing economy like India. Strategically, it adds another strand to India’s effort to counter China’s global ambitions of dominance.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...to-make-it-near-east/articleshow/60486508.cms

 

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Indian Army to have back-to-back training exercises with US, Russia

Indian Army is set to have back-to-back training exercises with the USA and Russia, demonstrating its acceptability as a strategic partner to the world's top military powers.

Nearly 200 men from a Gorkha Rifle regiment on Tuesday would leave for a US joint base at Lewis McChord in Washington to participate in the 2017 edition of the exercise Yudh Abhyas, to be held on September 14-27, between the two armies.

This will be the 13th edition of the joint exercise hosted alternately between the two nations that are increasingly coming closer to security and military cooperation.

Next month another contingent of Army troops will head towards Russia for the first ever India-Russia tri-service exercise.

While the Indra series of exercise between the two traditional allies were being held for a long time, Indra-2017 would be the first tri-service exercise with specific Army, Air Force and Navy components in the drill.

Over the years, the nature of complexities has increased in the Indo-US exercise too. In Yudh Abhyas 2017, the planning would be done at the Brigade level while the field exercise would be held at the battalion level. The first few days (Sept 16-20) will be spent on planning the exercise.

The final task of the exercise would be simulating a joint operation by the two armies under the UN mandate. The firing of anti-tank missile Javelin, which the Army wants to buy, will be a part of the mock drill at the US base.

The subsequent drill with the Russians will be held at three separate locations. While the Army leg of Indra-2017 is likely to take place in Vladivostok, two of the Indian Navy ships INS Satpura and INS Kadmat from the Eastern Naval command left the Indian shore last week for the sea-leg of the tri-service exercise.

Indian Army will end the year with two more war games with the UK and Kazakhstan on the Indian soil. While the first one (Ex Ajeya) will take place in Mahajan range in December, the exercise with the Central Asian nation will happen in Bakloh in Himachal Pradesh in November.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/632834/army-have-back-back-training.html

 

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No ransom paid for release of Kerala priest Tom Uzhunnalil: Govt

Highlights

• Father Tom Uzhunnalil was abducted by ISIS in war-ravaged Yemen on March 6, 2016.
• The Kerala priest was released yesterday.
• Union minister VK Singh said no ransom was paid for the release of Father Tom Uzhunnali

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Centre on Wednesday said no ransom amount was paid to abductors for the release of Father Tom Uzhunnalil and underlined that the ministry of external affairs "works quietly without noise, but ultimately gets the work done".

The Keralite priest was abducted by Islamic State terrorists during a deadly attack on a care home in the port city of Aden in war-ravaged Yemen on March 6, 2016. At least 15 people at the old-age home were killed in the attack.

" Release of Father Uzhunnalil yesterday+ underlines one thing that the ministry of external affairs works quietly and without noise, but ultimately gets the work done," Union minister of state for external affairs VK Singh told a press conference here.

The Union minister said "no" when asked whether any ransom was paid for the release of the priest.

"We know the type of criticism that had come couple of times when Father Uzhunnalil disappeared in Yeman. We are very happy that he has come back safely and I'm sure people will appreciate that we were able to get him out safe and sound," Singh added.

On the role played by Oman, Singh said various methods were adopted to tackle a problem.

"If a direct method failed to yield results, indirect methods are adopted and the aim is to get the problem solved," he said.

Asked whether Uzhunnanlil contacted any Indian officials to thank the government following his release, Singh said, "I'm quite sure that he will do it after he gets back from the Vatican."

It was for the priest to decide when he would come to India, Singh said responding to a question.


Fr Tom has spoken to me from Vatican. He profusely thanked the Government of India especially the Prime Minister for efforts to rescue him.

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) 1505297679000
He also conveyed his thanks to the Governments and people who helped in his rescue mission. /2

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) 1505297783000
He has also conveyed his thanks to the people of India for their concern and prayers for his release. /3

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) 1505297811000
India thanks Oman. India thanks Yemen.

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) 1505297855000
A video of Uzhunnalil had surfaced in December last year in which he appealed to the government to free him.

 

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Sushma Swaraj Packs Super Diplomacy Schedule For UN General Assembly Session

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will arrive here on Sunday to represent India at the annual UN General Assembly (UNGA) session with a packed schedule of super diplomacy among an array of world leaders.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose hectic international diplomacy has focused on bilateral meetings and visits, will miss the UNGA session again this year, leaving Sushma Swaraj as the standard-bearer.

Outlining India's goals that the minister will pursue at the session, New Delhi's Permanent Representative Syed Akbaruddin on Saturday said: "Our agenda is broad, forward-looking, expansive, has objectives which are global in nature, and goals which we have been pursuing for some time."

The formal meetings will begin on Monday with a summit convened by US President Donald Trump to discuss reforming the UN, where she will participate on behalf of India.

The formal round of addresses by the leaders of the 193 member nations will take place on Tuesday. Ms Sushma Swaraj is scheduled to speak on Saturday.

The UN calendar lists more than 100 events for the week on topics ranging from ending sexual abuse to health coverage, and from digital ID's potential to famine response.

She is expected to hold about 20 bilateral and trilateral meetings with leaders attending the session, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar has confirmed.

In addition, Ms Sushma Swaraj will also participate at several meetings of regional and specialised groups like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the Non-aligned Movement, G4 made up of India, Brazil, Germany and Japan to lobby for Security Council expansion, BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and G77 group of developing nations, Kumar said.

She is also slated to be one of the speakers at a high-level roundtable on climate change on Tuesday.

Mr Akbaruddin said that the External Affairs Minister was expected to focus on solar energy programmes, which are Modi's priorities for fighting climate change.

Previewing India's participation in the Assembly session, Mr Akbaruddin said it was built around five pillars: UN reform, counter-terrorism, migration, climate change and peacekeeping.

However, Ms Sushma Swaraj will not participate in the ceremony for signing the treaty to ban nuclear weapons, which was approved by more than 120 countries.

India and all the other countries have opposed the treaty, but citing different reasons.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is also attending the session.

The ministry spokesman said that while no formal meetings have been set between him or other Pakistani officials and Ms SushmaSwaraj, they will be at the SAARC and G77 meetings.

China will be represented only at the Foreign Minister's level.

 

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How India and Japan rattled China with Act northeast policy

Any summit India has with a major power these days necessarily has China-related strategic components. The annual India-Japan summit goes a step further as most decisions are triggered by the China factor. Various agreements inked by the two sides — wholly bilateral and unrelated with China — are aimed at taking their relationship to a higher trajectory in order to send a message to the Dragon.

At the recently-concluded 12th edition of the India-Japan summit in Gujarat's Gandhinagar, the two allies' prime ministers, Narendra Modi and Shinzo Abe, took several decisions to further consolidate their strategic partnership — to stand up to China together.

The very title of the joint statement released following the Modi-Abe talks — "Towards a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific” — itself, in many ways, hints at the China-related agenda and the broad thrust of the discussions that the two prime ministers had. For a change, there was no specific mention of South China Sea, but the usage of the larger geopolitical location “Indo-Pacific” in the joint statement subsumes South China Sea and sets the new template of India-Japan, indicating their thrust area will be much larger.

The two prime ministers participating in the ground-breaking ceremony of India’s first ever bullet train (Japan's first bullet train became operational 53 years ago) was the biggest takeaway from Abe's India visit in terms of optics. The $16 billion project, set to see the 508km Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train running from 2022, is largely funded by a soft loan from Japan at an unbelievably low interest rate of 0.1 percent, repayable in 50 years.

This has enormous political significance for PM Modi. The very fact that Abe stayed in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar alone during his two-day visit and that the Indian PM ensured the foreign dignitary's itinerary didn’t even include New Delhi — an unrecedented event — showed how Modi milked this visit politically by keeping Abe in poll-bound Gujarat.

The bullet train project will be useful optics for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat, which is due for Assembly elections in two months.

Modi and his brigade will also extract maximum political mileage from the bullet train project in the general elections, due by May 2019 but set to be advanced by around six months if the BJP wins Gujarat.

But apart from the optics, the Abe visit will be best-remembered for a China-specific strategic agenda: the two sides agreed to intensify their defence ties and the joint statement specifically mentioned the progress made on Japan selling the US-2 amphibian aircraft to India, the next big milestone between Asia's number two and number three economies after they signed the landmark civil nuclear deal in 2016.

This will irk China no end as the Japanese are not known to export defence equipment and once the US-2 deal is inked, it will inevitably open up the floodgates for more state-of-the-art defence exports from Tokyo to New Delhi.

However, the biggest red rag for the Chinese is India's bold decision to rope in the Japanese in the northeast's infrastructure development, which found mention for the first time in their joint statement following the summit.


Foreign secretary S Jaishankar succinctly underlined the Indo-Japanese convergence thus: “We are trying to align each other’s approach towards the world in our case and towards the region. In Japan’s case i.e. the free and open Indo-Pacific Strategy, in our case it is the Act East Policy (read Indian northeast).”

No wonder then that China is rattled. Of all the joint moves of India and Japan, the only point Beijing picked on was New Delhi's decision to involve Japan in infrastructure projects in the northeast. Consider the following statement from China's foreign office spokesperson Hua Chunying: “China and India are working on seeking a fair and reasonable settlement which can be accepted by both sides through negotiations. Under such circumstances, we believe that any third party should respect the efforts made by China and India to settle the disputes through negotiations and any third party should not meddle in the disputes between China and India over territorial sovereignty in any form.”

Clearly, the Chinese find themselves in a soup as they don’t know how to deal with Japan's increasing influence in India — which is now set to spread to the northeast. Needless to say, Beijing is getting a taste of its own medicine. This is precisely what India has been telling China for years, highlighting its reservations about Chinese troops' presence in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the guise of construction workers and more recently of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that passes through PoK.

China has never listened to India on either concern. And there is no reason why India should heed to China's concerns of a “third party meddling” in the northeast.

India should tell the Chinese bluntly whenever Beijing raises the issue diplomatically, which it surely would, that New Delhi won’t involve the Japanese in its northeastern region if and only if Beijing itself withdraws its “construction workers” from PoK and scraps the CPEC.

http://www.dailyo.in/politics/india-japan-modi-abe-northeast-china-bullet-train/story/1/19560.html

 

[aliyah]

it seems like some ISI media work these days......indian media has turned way too much anti china in past 3yrs and same happening in China too these days small media outlets turning very much anti india which haven't seen in past......it looks like someone deliberately wants war between india n china
China said they are opposed to 3rd party investment in arunachal but in media its presented as they are against all investment in all northeast.
something really fishy.
(now dont blame me i m leftist n anti india. just telling wat we getting)

 

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India collaborating with Russia to build a nuclear plant in Bangladesh

India is collaborating with Russia on its first ever abroad atomic venture. The mission is to build the Rooppur nuclear power plant in Bangladesh. It will be the debut initiative under an India-Russia nuclear deal. The deal is to undertake atomic energy projects in third countries.

About the project ::
- The Rooppur Nuclear project will be Bangladesh's first atomic energy project
- Two reactors of 1200 MWs each will be built with Russia's help near Dhaka
- Bangladesh will become third South Asian country after India and Pakistan to harness atomic energy for energy purpose after the completion of the project.

More on India's collaborations ::
- India and Russia had signed 'Strategic Vision for Strengthening Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy' back in December 2014
- The main motive was to explore opportunities for sourcing materials, equipment and services from the Indian industry for construction of Russian-designed nuclear power plants in third countries
- India signed a civil nuclear cooperation deal with Bangladesh in April 2017. The deal stated that two sides can supply and manufacture equipment, material for atomic power plant
- The nuclear deal with Bangladesh allows Indian nuclear establishment to grow, internationally as for years it was not been able to grow due to sanctions imposed on New Delhi after the 1974 Pokhran tests.

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/india-russia-bangladesh-nuclear/1/1054259.html

 

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India-Oman continue to build bridges, complete Air-Force exercise at Jamnagar AFB

The Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) has completed the latest in a reciprocal series of joint exercises with the Indian Air Force (IAF). Jon Lake reports.

For Exercise Eastern Bridge IV, the RAFO deployed five Block 50 F-16C/D Air Defence Fighters from No 18 Squadron at Thumrait to Air Force Station Jamnagar in Gujarat, India.

The Omani F-16s exercised with IAF Sukhoi Su-30MKI and MiG-29 fighters, MiG-27 fighter-bombers and SEPECAT Jaguar maritime strike aircraft.

The Eastern Bridge series of exercises began in October 2009, when India and Oman were the last operators of the SEPECAT Jaguar, and when six Indian Jaguars, crewed by pilots from ‘Flaming Arrows’ and ‘Cobras’, at Gorakhpur, deployed to Thumrait.

For Eastern Bridge II, six RAFO Jaguars deployed to Jamnagar in October 2011, where they worked with IAF Jaguars and MiG-29s.

Eastern Bridge III, in October 2013, saw a return to Oman, and six IAF Jaguars from No 6 Squadron deployed to Masirah, where they exercised with RAFO Jaguar, Hawk and F-16 aircraft.

Eastern Bridge survived the retirement of the Middle East Jaguars in August 2014, with the RAFO F-16 force picking up the mantle.

The RAFO views Eastern Bridge as an important tool in maintaining its operational effectiveness and readiness.
Eastern Bridge IV marked the second exercise in India, and the RAFO F-16 contingent arrived in Jamnagar on January 14 prior to the start of the exercise two days later. This was the first time that RAFO F-16s had participated in an exercise outside the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

The Omani contingent was led by RAFO commander, Air Vice Marshall Mattar Bin Ali Al Ubaidani, a former Jaguar pilot, who met his opposite number, Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, Chief of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, who was himself a former frontline Jaguar pilot.

Though Oman was the first Gulf Cooperation Council country to establish a regular series of bilateral exercises with the Indian Air Force, the success of Eastern Bridge has led to a similar series of exercises between the Indian Air Force and the United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defence.


http://www.arabianaerospace.aero/oman-continues-to-build-bridges-with-india.html

 

[Screambowl]

chalo..... time to sing Padharo marey des

 

[sorcerer]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit India in January next year

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be paying a reciprocal visit to India in January next year. Earlier in 2002, then PM Ariel Sharon had visited New Delhi.

Israeli PM Netanyahu visit comes in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's three-day trip to the Jewish state earlier in July.

Modi became the first Prime Minister from India to visit Israel in the last 70 years. During his three-day stay here, several agreements were signed between the two countries on areas including space, tech and agriculture.

Before 2003, Israeli President Ezer Weizmann had visited India in 1997. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin had paid a visit to India last November.

Speaking at an event to mark ‘25 Years of India-Israel Relations’ organised at the Vivekananda International Foundation here earlier, Amar Sinha, secretary, economic affairs (now retired), had said that Netanyahu will pay a visit to India by year end.

India and Israel enjoy an extensive economic, military, and strategic relationship. India is the largest buyer of Israeli military equipment and Israel is the second-largest defence supplier to India after Russia.

Relationship between the two nations expanded after Narendra Modi took over as the Prime Minister of India in May 2014 with New Delhi refraining from voting against Jerusalem in the United Nations in several resolutions.

http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/ind...hu-to-visit-india-in-january-next-year-408026

 

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India, Japan begin Anti-Submarine Warfare exercise with focus on China

The Indian and Japanese navies on Sunday started an intensive air anti-submarine warfare exercise in the Indian Ocean, a defence official said.

The exercise in the Arabian Sea will conclude on October 31, Indian Navy Spokesperson Captain D.K. Sharma said in a tweet.

A P-8 I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Anti Submarine Warfare aircraft of Indian Navy and two P-3 Orion Anti Submarine Warfare aircraft of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMDSF) will participate in the exercise.

The P-3 Orion aircraft reached the Naval Air Station INS Hansa in Goa on Sunday for the exercise, which comes when presence of Chinese ships and submarines in the Indian Ocean has increased and Beijing has been posturing aggressively in the South China Sea.

Maritime security and freedom of navigation has also figured prominently in India's recent bilateral and multi-lateral defence dialogues.

India and Japan, along with US had also focused on anti-submarine warfare in the trilateral exercise Malabar in July this year. China had said at that time that it hoped the exercise is not aimed at other countries.

Maritime security was a key subject during interactions between Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and French Defence Minister Florence Parly, as well as with US Defence Secretary James Mattis during their recent visits. When then Defence Minister Arun Jaitley went to Japan for a bilateral defence dialogue in September, maritime security was again in focus.'''


https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/how...akistans-main-anti-submarine-aircraft-1768555

 

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IAF chief to begin Vietnam visit on Monday


Indian Air Force chief B.S. Dhanoa will on Monday reach Vietnam on a five-day visit, during which he will hold meetings with top brass of the Vietnamese Air Force, an official statement said.

During his visit, which will go on till November 3, Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa will hold bilateral meeting with top officers of the Vietnam People's Air Force and Air Defence (VPAF) on security challenges in the current geopolitical scenario and explore ways to deepen defence cooperation.

"The main focus of the visit would be on improving bilateral relations, promoting defence ties and evolving steps to further strengthen defence cooperation between the two Air Forces," the statement said.

He would also visit the VPAF's headquarters and a few operational air bases as well.

India and Vietnam share historical and strategic ties. Officers from the Vietnamese Army and Air Force undergo training at various Indian defence training institutes including the National Defence Academy, the Defence Services Staff College and the National Defence College. Both's armed forces also carry out exchanges of subject matter experts and pursue a structured cooperation mechanism through the medium of staff talks of their respective Services.

Warships from Indian Navy have been regularly visiting ports at Vietnam, and Vietnamese Navy ship Dinh Tien Hoang, a Gepoard Class Frigate, also visited Visakhapatnam in February 2016, for participation in the International Fleet Review.

The two countries are also in a dialogue for possible export of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, developed jointly by India and Russia, to Vietnam.

Media reports in Vietnam August suggested that the cruise missile has been sold to Vietnam but was denied by both governments.

http://www.business-standard.com/ar...n-vietnam-visit-on-monday-117102900628_1.html

 

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Will drive away anti-India elements, says Myanmar Army official


A top Myanmar military official has said no organisation that poses a threat to India's security or interests will be allowed to stay in Myanmarese territory.

Addressing the three-day India-Myanmar regional border committee meeting, Major General Phone Myat, commander of the North West Command of Myanmar Army, said the military will fight off such outfits under the commander-in-chief.

The 11th edition of the meet, held at the headquarters of the Inspector General of Assam Rifles here, concluded on Friday. An 18-member delegation from Myanmar attended the meet, held under the aegis of the Indian Army's Spear Corps. The Indian delegation was headed by Lt General Anil Chauhan, GOC, Spear Corps.

Several militant outfits - National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang), National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit), United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent), Kamatapur Liberation Organization, among others - are thought to have set up base in Myanmar. In the past few years, there have been several incidents of militants launching attacks on Indian security forces from their hideouts in Myanmar. Indian special forces have, in turn, launched surgical strikes on the militants along the India-Myanmar border.

In this context, the statement comes as a reassurance to the Centre, which is concerned about militant activity in the region. The senior Myanmar military officer said he hopes the two armies of the neighbouring countries continue to maintain friendly relations and can successfully arrive at a peaceful resolution to the border issues.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...yanmar-army-official/articleshow/61314860.cms

 

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IAF to participate in multilateral Air Force exercise in Israel


The Indian Air Force (IAF) will participate in a two-week-long multilateral air exercise in Israel beginning Thursday.

It is for the first time the IAF will operate with Israeli air force in a multilateral exercise setting.

A 45-member contingent of IAF left for Israel today to take part in 'Blue Flag-17', the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

Blue Flag is a bi-annual multilateral exercise which aims to strengthen military cooperation among participating nations.

Indian Air Force is participating with the C-130J special operations aircraft along with Garud commandos.

"The exercise would provide a platform for sharing of knowledge, combat experience and in improving operational capability of the participating nations," the ministry said.

The exercise is being conducted at Uvda Air Force Base in Israel from Nov 2-16.'''''

https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...r-exercise-in-israel/articleshow/61374325.cms

 

[sorcerer]

Bhutan king’s India visit reaffirms ties, sends signal to China

The well-timed visit of Bhutan king—within two months of the Doklam standoff resolution—is significant for India’s geopolitics.

The visit is expected to strengthen strategic nature of the partnership with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck scheduled to meet the top Indian leadership, including President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice president M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will host a dinner for the royal couple on Wednesday.

This aspect of the ties was underlined when Indian troops stepped in June to not only challenge the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) efforts to alter status quo at the trijunction in Doklam but also boost Bhutan army’s efforts to resist aggressive approach by common neighbour China.

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and finance minister Arun Jaitley will also hold separate meetings with the visiting dignitary in a show of courtesy that is extended only to close partners.

The government emphasised the special nature of India-Bhutan ties when Swaraj was at the airport to receive the royal couple.

While Bhutan needs to reaffirm special security ties with India, Delhi on its part needs to strengthen establishment in Thimphu amid China’s attempt to expand its sphere of influence.

The Indo-Bhutan special security partnership was underlined on Wednesday by President Ram Nath Kovind when he met the visiting King as he conveyed deep appreciation for the King of Bhutan’s personal involvement and guidance and the support provided by Bhutan in addressing the recent situation in the Dokalam area.''


https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...ends-signal-to-china/articleshow/61427976.cms

 

[sthf]

Bhutan stood it's ground against the behemoth and deserves utmost respect from India. @aditya10r If you were to ever meet him again, please convey these feelings of a common Indian.

 

[sorcerer]

To counter China, India offers to share real-time maritime intelligence with 10 countries

For the first time ever, India has offered to share real-time intelligence of maritime movements in the Indian Ocean with 10 countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri-Lanka and Mauritius.

The move is aimed to counter the threats related to human trafficking, smuggling and territorial disputes in the South-China Sea.

It comes at a time when China is becoming increasingly aggressive in the South China Sea region. China had recently set-up its first off-shore base in the Horn of Africa country of Djibouti. To counter China, India is now looking at a cooperative approach instead of going alone.

Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba said that the offer has been very positively received. The Navy chief gave the statement at the Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC) where the Indian Navy for the first time is hosting Navy and Maritime Chiefs of 10 countries of Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

He told India Today that they have identified common security threats across all countries. "We need greater degree of coordination and info sharing to take things forward to provide maritime security and safety of the global commons of the Indian Ocean."

India has also reportedly offered the countries in the IOR to share their real-time data on movement in the Indian Ocean. The information essentially aims at dealing with non-traditional threats arising at sea and not the conventional military purposes.

The offer was welcomed at the Conclave where a Navy Chief reportedly said that all countries should equally contribute to the process and modalities for the exchanging the infirmation should be discussed.

China's naval base in the Horn of Africa country is the country's first overseas military base. However, Beijing has officially described it as a logistics facility. It will be used to resupply navy ships taking part in peacekeeping and humanitarian missions off the coasts of Yemen and Somalia, in particular.

Djibouti's position on the northwestern edge of the Indian Ocean has fuelled worry in India that it would become another of China's "string of pearls" military alliances and assets ringing India, including Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.


http://zeenews.india.com/india/to-c...e-intelligence-with-10-countries-2054209.html

 

[sorcerer]

India to help Afghanistan get 6 Soviet-era choppers back into combat

Two years after announcing its decision to gift Afghanistan four attack helicopters, India has decided to step up its military assistance to the war-torn country and help get six of its Soviet-era combat helicopters back into service.

An Indian Air Force team, it is learnt, recently visited Afghanistan to assess old helicopters in the Afghan Air Force inventory. On return, it concluded that some basic work on the choppers could be done in India, but the complete overhaul would have to be done in Russia.

Government sources told ThePrint that based on this assessment, New Delhi decided to hold talks with Moscow to reach an arrangement through which India could foot the bill for the repairs in Russia.

In 2015, India decided to gift Afghanistan four Mi-25 helicopters, a gesture that was made public when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kabul in December that year.

The Afghan Air Force has deployed the four choppers, all of which were delivered last year, in active combat operations. The feedback from Afghanistan, sources said, has been positive with top Afghan officials conveying that the helicopters give them a definite edge on ground operations.

The success got Afghanistan to push India for more assistance on this front, particular to bring its old Mi-series choppers back into service. In fact, this was initially part of a larger proposal to develop an assistance plan to help Afghanistan repair and overhaul Soviet-era equipment, including armoured vehicles, tanks and artillery guns.

Russia, on the other hand, is also in talks with Afghanistan on ways it can help strengthen its defence capabilities.

Pakistan, however, has been watching the space keenly, and has even opened a different track with Russia on expanding strategic cooperation. This effort is also helped by China, which is currently allied with Pakistan on checking Indian influence in Afghanistan.

In his August articulation of America’s South Asia strategy, US President Donald Trump underlined an increased role for India in Afghanistan. This was further amplified and elaborated by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, including in strengthening Afghan fighting capabilities.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who was in New Delhi last month, also indicated that his government would welcome more helicopters for combat support.

India is currently assessing the costs involved in the repair and overhaul work.

Separately, New Delhi is in bilateral discussions with Moscow to open a repair and overhaul facility here for old Russian-manufactured defence equipment that may not be in production in Russia now.


https://theprint.in/2017/11/06/india-afghanistan-soviet-era-choppers/

 

[aditya10r]

Bhutan stood it's ground against the behemoth and deserves utmost respect from India. @aditya10r If you were to ever meet him again, please convey these feelings of a common Indian.

No Bhutan trip planned bro.

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He is just so damn common among his people like just you and me in the crowd,there is very small security.

If I remember right he had 4 guards around him.