Indian Army: News and Discussion

[12arya]

http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Future-prospects-of-the-India-Israel-defense-cooperation-522586
http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Future-prospects-of-the-India-Israel-defense-cooperation-522586

Future prospects of the India-Israel defense cooperation

By Devsena Mishra
January 1, 2018 21:37

Israeli defense players are actively participating in the 'Make in India' initiative and they have formed a number of joint ventures (JVs) with Indian partners.

Representatives Israel, France, Greece, United States, Italy, India, Germany and Poland stand in front of an Israeli F16. (photo credit: ANNA AHRONHEIM)


Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to India is encouraging for the future of the India-Israel partnership. The level of maturity we are witnessing in India-Israel relations is unique in many ways. The potential of this partnership looks brighter than ever before. During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to Israel, we saw that the approach of both leaders is fresh and full of energy. Modi and Netanyahu both are setting the new rules of this partnership.

Both governments have taken a number of steps to maximize the common meeting points, i.e. the India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F), the India-Israel CEO forum, the India-Israel Innovation Bridge, an online platform to encourage and facilitate collaboration between Israeli and Indian startups; the Indo-Israeli Agriculture Project; MoUs (memorandums of understanding) between the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Israel Space Agency (ISA); and MoUs on India-Israel water cooperation.

The Indian and Israeli diplomatic teams are working hard but at the same time, they need to understand that the Modi-Netanyahu era is special. The kind of encouragement for launching new ideas and initiatives which they are getting from their leadership is unmatched in the world. They should leverage this opportunity.

The defense and security cooperation is the most crucial strategic asset for both nations. To identify collaborative ways to deal with the mutual threats requires military and counter-terrorism experts to conduct in-depth deliberations.

Israeli defense players are actively participating in the “Make in India” initiative and they have formed a number of joint ventures (JVs) with Indian partners. Israel’s Elbit group has formed a number of joint ventures with Indian companies, such as Adani-Elbit Advanced Systems India Ltd, a JV to manufacture UAVs in India.

Elbit Systems’ ISTAR Division has formed a joint venture with Adani Group’s unit Aero Defence Systems & Technologies and Alpha Design Technologies to manufacture UAVs in India. Since 2004, Elbit Security Systems and Alpha Design Technologies are engaged in another joint venture – Alpha-Elsec Defence and Aerospace Systems. This year, in July, both sides renewed the agreement to enhance the scope of operation of this JV.

In early 2017, IAI inked an MoU with Kalyani Strategic Systems to develop, build and market selected air defense systems and lightweight special purpose munitions. IAI has also entered into a cooperation agreement with Dynamatic Technologies and Elcom Systems for the production/assembly and maintenance work of mini-UAVs in India. At Aero India 2017, IAI’s Golan Industries Division signed an MoU with Taneja Aerospace & Aviation Ltd. (TAAL) to cooperate in the development, production, marketing and sale of civil and military aircraft seats. In the month of January 2016, IAI signed an MoU with Premier Explosives Ltd. In July this year, IAI and Wipro Infrastructure Engineering (WIN) announced a strategic alliance to manufacture composite aerostructure parts and assemblies.

Last month, India’s Tata Power Strategic Engineering Division (Tata Power SED) partnered with DSIT Solutions of Israel to supply portable diver detection sonar (PDDS) to the Indian Navy. Tata Advanced Systems and ELTA Systems of Israel have formed a JV called HELA Systems.

India’s Mahindra group has also formed JVs with Israeli defense partners. Mahindra Aero Structures signed an MoU with Cyclone, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, to collaborate on the production of aerostructures parts and assemblies. Mahindra group’s Mahindra Telephonics has signed an MoU with Shachaf Engineering of Israel. Both will jointly develop strategic electronics subassemblies and systems for aerospace, marine and automotive applications.

In 2017, India’s Dynamatic Technologies Ltd and Magal Security Systems of Israel partnered for India’s smart border management initiative. Both companies have rich experience in developing advanced technological solutions crucial for the protection of critical infrastructure and border management.

IN 2015, Kalyani Strategic Systems, a defense arm of Kalyani group, entered into a JV with Israeli government- owned Rafael Advanced Defence Systems. The Kalyani Rafael Advanced Systems Pvt Ltd has invested in the high-end technology and advanced manufacturing techniques to develop missile technology, command and control systems, guidance systems, electro-optics, remote weapon systems, precision guided munitions and more. Rafael has also signed an agreement with Hyderabad-based Astra Microwave Products Ltd to build tactical radio communication systems, electronic warfare systems and signal intelligence systems. India’s Punj Lloyd and Israel’s IWI (Israel Weapon Industries Ltd.) have set up the first private sector small arms manufacturing plant in Madhya Pradesh, to produce equipment for both local and export use.

The Barak 8 (LR-SAM or MR-SAM) is the product of the joint efforts of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), India’s Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO), MAFAT (a joint administrative body of the Israeli Defense Ministry and IDF), Rafael, and Bharat Dynamics Ltd.

During the past three years, the Indian government has launched wide-ranging plans for military modernization, police force modernization and border management and these initiatives offer great opportunities for defense and security startups/SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) collaboration.

In Israel’s defense industry the contribution of the SME sector is significant. Despite being relatively low in numbers, these SMEs provide added value to the larger firms and are crucial for boosting Israel’s defense exports. In 2014, the SME department of SIBAT (the Defense Ministry’s International Defense Cooperation Directorate) launched a dedicated forum to provide guidance and consultancy about exports to the representatives of Israeli defense SMEs and to promote the country’s defense SMEs in international markets.

In India, a number of MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) used to serve as the suppliers to DPSUs (Defense Public Sector Undertakings) and they are the key players behind the success of some major defense manufacturing projects. According to the Dhirendra Singh Committee’s report (a committee set up by India’s Defense Ministry in 2015), nearly 6,000 MSMEs across the country are supplying the components and sub-assemblies to the DPSUs, ordnance factories, DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organizations) and private industries. During his visit to Israel Prime Minister Modi, along with Prime Minister Netanyahu, launched the India-Israel Global Innovation Challenge and called on Israeli and Indian startups to develop solutions in the areas of agriculture, water and digital health. A number of startups, entrepreneurs and research teams of both sides have actively participated. There is a need to promote such a culture of co-production among the defense and security SMEs of both sides too.

The “Digital Army” concept is not limited to the use of digital technologies; it is also about having a seamless coordination mechanism which provides actionable and real-time information. Israel was among the first nations to launch the Digital Army initiative. In the year 2004, Elbit Systems signed an agreement with the Defense Ministry for the Digital Army Program (DAP) for a period of 10 years (2004- 2014). Rafael Armament Development Authority Ltd. and Tadiran Systems Ltd partnered with Elbit Systems for DAP. In 2014, the IDF concluded the deployment of the Tzayad (Digital Land Army) system in all of its field formations and now they are working to build the next generation of the Israeli army’s digital C4I network. In 2015, India launched it’s Digital Army program. Israeli experience in building and running a robust DAP can give the right push to India’s Digital Army initiative.

Last year, India surpassed the United States in the total number of people online, second only to China. The increasing use of mobile telephones and social media is contributing to an explosive increase in cyber threats. To deal with the challenges in cyberspace, India will have to change its approach from reactive to proactive.

With more than 300 cybersecurity startups and approximately $6.5 billion of cyber product exports, Israel has become a cybersecurity powerhouse. In a joint statement issued during Prime Minister Modi’s Israel visit, both sides asserted their desire to institutionalize cooperation on cyber issues through a joint framework. And as Isaac Ben-Israel, chairman of the ISA and National R&D Council and head of Cyber Research Center at Tel Aviv University has said: “We have developed a lot of technology but there is just not enough of a market. India has a huge market and there is a lot of potential for cooperation between the two countries.”

In the mid-term review of FTP launched in the month of December, the Indian government has announced fresh incentives worth Rs 8,450 crore ($1.3 billion) to boost exports and to support the MSME and labor-intensive industries. There is also an emphasis on “Ease of Trading” across the borders, new products and new markets.

During 2015-16, approximately $317 million of Make-in-India defense platforms, equipment and spares were exported to over 28 countries in the world. A few days back India joined the Wassenaar Arrangement, a multilateral export control bloc. In June 2016, India was admitted to MTCR (Missile Technology Control Regime) too. India has joined two out of four major multilateral export control regimes. Israeli defense manufactures are now considering India as an export hub too. The Indian government’s “Make in India” and “Make with India” initiatives offer such opportunities.

This partnership is crucial for future security and prosperity of both nations and maximizing the military and commercial engagements should be the next goal of the India-Israel partnership.

 

[12arya]

https://thediplomat.com/2018/01/amid-chinese-protests-over-arunachal-pradesh-india-stands-firm/


Amid Chinese Protests Over Arunachal Pradesh, India Stands Firm
Modi plans to visit Arunachal Pradesh soon to send a signal to China to stop testing India over the northeastern state.

By Aman Thakker
January 23, 2018


On January 3, news reports emerged in India that China had crossed 200 meters into Indian territory in Arunachal Pradesh — an Indian state that China claims in its entirety — with road construction material. National security analysts and the media alike were concerned that the two nations may have been headed towards another tense standoff such as the one just months earlier in the Doklam plateau, where China had similarly entered disputed territory with road construction equipment.

Although Indian and Chinese officials confirmed that no standoff had taken place, this incident highlighted how India has remained resolute amidst growing Chinese incursions along the border. These challenges to Indian border security have occurred as China has become more forceful in its protests when Indian officials visit the border state of Arunachal Pradesh. As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi plans a visit to Arunachal Pradesh in early 2018, India is sending a clear signal that it will stand firm despite China’s attempts to test it over Arunachal Pradesh.

China’s Continuing Tests and Protests

Border incursions over the Sino-Indian border occur regularly as part of what India’s Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat has called China’s “salami tactics.” These tactics encompass “small, stealth military operations against neighboring countries which accumulate over time in a large territorial gain.” In Arunachal Pradesh, these military incursions, while small enough to avoid risking a war or capturing international attention, challenge India’s tolerance threshold on the border and aim to steadily, but cumulatively, alter the status quo on the ground and expand China’s claims to territorial jurisdiction in the region.

Border incursions, including the one on December 26, are “designed to embarrass India’s leadership… and to show the Indian public and the world that China can operate at the border with impunity while underscoring Modi’s inability to secure India’s sovereign borders,” according to Jeff M. Smith, a South Asia Research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation.

Indeed, the timing of the December incursion, which came days after Yang Jiechi, Member of Politburo of Communist Party of China’s Central Committee and China’s Special Representative on the India-China Boundary Question, delivered messages of friendship “for generations,” is part of a pattern of “repeated border intrusions… frequently interspersed with diplomatic sweet talk.”

However, China’s aim to expand its territorial gains in Arunachal Pradesh through salami-slicing are often also combined with road-building and other infrastructure projects. Such projects bolster the effectiveness of its tactics as well as China’s claims of jurisdiction over the territory, and exploit India’s strategic disadvantage resulting from its poor infrastructure along the border. Indeed, India has constructed barely 963 km of roads along the Line of Actual Control, and has not begun construction on any of the 28 strategic railway lines planned along the border areas. China, on the other hand, has systematically built an infrastructure network of roads, highways, railways, and military assets in the Tibet Autonomous Region, which can support over 15,000 soldiers.

Beyond salami-slicing, China has also tested India’s resolve by consistently lodging protests with the government when any Indian official has visited Arunachal Pradesh. As Chinese ambitions in the region have grown in recent years, so, too, have such protests, the latest of which came when India’s Defence Minister and President visited the northeastern state in November and December of 2017 respectively. However, despite such tests and protests, India has remained firm.

India’s Firm and Uncompromising Stance

In the face of such forceful criticisms and tests, India adopted a position of “physical denial” rather than simply expressing its disapproval of Chinese incursions or lodging diplomatic protests with the threat of punishment. This strategy was extremely effective in Doklam, and was replicated on December 26 when Indian troops pushed back Chinese troops who had crossed the border into Arunachal Pradesh and were attempting to construct a road. In repelling Chinese troops and seizing the road construction equipment, India prevented China’s bid to change the status quo.

Such a strategy has been historically successful. As Indian strategic affairs analyst Nitin A. Gokhale has noted in this publication, India has successfully pushed back Chinese troops in two earlier standoffs. In September 2014, when 1,000 Chinese troops crossed into a remote border outpost near Ladakh, India displayed a “new approach of not succumbing to Chinese bullying… New Delhi rapidly built up a 9,000-strong force in two days, forcing the PLA to back off.” When China tried again at Yangtse in Arunachal Pradesh in 2015, the faceoff concluded with the same result, “further demonstrat[ing] India’s resolve.”

India is reaffirming its commitment to stand strong against China with Prime Minister Modi’s planned visit to Arunachal Pradesh in early 2018. Reports of the intended visit underscore how India remains undeterred by Chinese protests of earlier visits by Indian officials. Prime Minister Modi’s trip also seeks reinforce that India will not compromise at all on Arunachal Pradesh, despite Chinese demands to transfer, at least, the Tawang tract of the state, and that “Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India.”

As China continues to implement its salami-slicing tactics of challenges India’s tolerance on the border and trying to embarrass India’s leadership, India has stood firm, physically and rhetorically denying China the opportunity to enact de facto changes to the status quo along the border. While such a strategy of denial has been effective, India must acknowledge its limitations and make urgent progress on matching China’s infrastructure and military build-up along the border. This progress, however, must not come at the expense of India’s broader strategy against China, which depends on greater assertiveness against Chinese encroachment, not just along the border, but in the wider Indian Ocean region as well

 

[Vinod DX9]

British 25 Pounders may be fired for the last time this year

 

[12arya]

http://www.business-standard.com/ar...-chakra-9-shaurya-chakras-118012501771_1.html

Republic Day 2018: Indian Army to receive 1 Kirti Chakra, 9 Shaurya Chakras
Major Vijayan Bist of the 4th Battalion, Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, will be conferred with the Kirti Chakra, the second highest peacetime decoration of India
ANI | New Delhi

The Indian Army will receive one Kirti Chakra and nine Shaurya Chakras on the 69th Republic Day celebrations on Friday.

Major Vijayan Bist of the 4th Battalion, Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, will be conferred with the Kirti Chakra, the second highest peacetime decoration of India.

On June 6, 2017, Major Bist eliminated two terrorists and saved the life of one comrade amid heavy firing during an encounter with terrorists in Uri district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile, the third highest peacetime decoration of India, the Shaurya Chakra, will be awarded to nine Army personnel -- Major Akhil Raj RV, Captain Rohit Shukla, Captain Abhinav Shukla, Captain Pradeep Shoury Arya, Havildar Mubarak Ali, Havildar Rabindra Thapa, Naik Narendra Singh, Lance Naik Badher Hussain and Paratrooper Manchu -- for their gallantry and valour in combating terrorists.

 

[12arya]

http://www.business-standard.com/ar...nces-for-gallantry-awards-117120601358_1.html

Centre doubles allowances for gallantry awards
The enhanced allowance which is for the recipients of post-independence and pre-independence gallantry awards will be paid with retrospective effect from August 1
Press Trust of India | New Delhi

The government has doubled the honorarium for armed forces personnel who have recieved gallantry awards.The enhanced allowance which is for the recipients of post-independence and pre-independence gallantry awards will be paid with retrospective effect from August 1.

As per a notification issued by the defence ministry, the winners of Param Vir Chakra, the highest war-time gallantry award, will get a monthly honorarium of Rs 20,000 instead of current Rs 10,000.In case of Ashoka Chakra award winners, the monthly allowance has been enhanced to Rs 12,000 from Rs 6,000.The Maha Vir Chakra award winners will get a monthly allowance of Rs 10,000 as against current Rs 5,000 while the honorarium for Kirti Chakra awardees has been enhanced to Rs 9,000 from Rs 4,500.Similarly, Vir Chakra awardees will get a monthly honorarium of Rs 6,000 instead of current Rs 3,000.The 'Sena', 'Nao Sena' and 'Vayu Sena' medal winners will get an allowance of Rs 2,000 instead of current Rs 1,000 per month.

The honorarium for various other categories including winners of distinguished service order, military cross, distinguished flying medal has also been doubled, the government said."

The enhancement is for the recipients of post- independence gallantry awards, pre-independence gallantry award and the monetary allowance attached to 'Jangi Inam' (a pre-independence gallantry award)," said the defence ministry.

 

[12arya]

https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...swift-troop-movement/articleshow/62667877.cms

Along LAC, army seeks swift troop movement

 

[Chinmoy]

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[12arya]

http://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/indian-army-jammu-and-kashmir-shopian-district-civilians-killed-firing-mehbooba-mufti-jk-police/193599


J&K: Outrage as Army men booked for 'murder' for firing in self-defence
Updated: Jan 29, 2018 | 20:35 IST | Times Now Digital

An Army convoy in Jammu and Kashmir | Photo Credit: BCCL

Jammu: The registration of an FIR against an Army unit in connection with Saturday's incident in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district has triggered outrage. Army personnel had opened fire on coming under attack from a stone-pelting mob in Shopian on Saturday. Two civilians were killed in the firing.

While state Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has ordered an inquiry into the incident, the J&K Police have registered an FIR under Sections 302 (murder) and 307 (attempt to murder) of the Jammu and Kashmir State Ranbir Penal Code.

Two civilians killed in Shopian; National Conference leader wants Army men arrested

The personnel who had come under attack belonged to the 10, Garhwal unit of the Army. A Major, who led the Army personnel at the time of the incident, has also been mentioned in the FIR.

The question that is being asked is: how can firing in 'self-defence' be termed as murder? Is there a witch-hunt against the Army in J&K?

Meanwhile, state police chief S P Vaid today said registration of FIR in the Shopian incident is just the beginning of the investigation and the Army's version would be taken into account as well.

CM Mufti today said it was her government's duty to take the investigation in the Shopian incident to a logical conclusion.

She defended her government's move to file an FIR against the Army personnel, saying she did not believe the action would have a demoralising effect on the force.

The time has not come for any revision of AFSPA: Army Chief Gen Rawat

She, however, termed the incident a "setback" to the political process. She has already spoken about the incident to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Mufti made the remarks in the state Assembly which saw repeated interruptions by the opposition, which moved an adjournment motion over the killing of two civilians.

Mufti said if somebody commits a mistake, he should be punished as such a course only brings laurels to the institution. "If some Army officer has committed a mistake, an FIR has been lodged and it is the duty of the government to take it to a logical conclusion," Mufti said.

Mufti said two militants and a civilian were killed in an encounter on January 24. "The police had asked the Army to not pass through the village as one of the militants killed in the encounter was its resident. The Army, because of some compulsion, took the route but their vehicles came under stone pelting resulting in the killing of two civilians in the firing," she told the Assembly.

"We are asking the Army and other security forces to maintain utmost restraint but it is also a fact that unlike in the past when villages used to get deserted if there was an encounter, or even a fake encounter, now hundreds indulge in stone pelting on security forces when an encounter breaks out," she added.

(With PTI inputs)

 

[12arya]

INDEED

http://zeenews.india.com/india/shop...-fir-subramanian-swamy-to-centre-2077139.html
Shopian firing: Topple Mehbooba Mufti govt if it refuses to withdraw FIR: Subramanian Swamy to Centre
Subramanian Swamy has urged the Centre to topple the J&K government if it refuses to withdraw FIR in the Shopian firing case.

By Zee Media Bureau | Updated: Jan 30, 2018, 13:46 PM IST

Jammu: BJP Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Subramanian Swamy on Tuesday came down heavily on the Mehbooba Mufti government in Jammu and Kashmir for pursuing a criminal case against some Army personnel in connection with the death of two civilians in Shopian firing recently.

Slamming the PDP government in J&K, Swamy said, ''What's this nonsense? Dismiss that govt. Tell Mehbooba (Mufti) to withdraw the FIR else her government would be toppled.''

Giving a piece of advice to the Narendra Modi government at the Centre, the Rajya Sabha lawmaker said, ''Why are we even running that govt? I haven't understood that till date.''

The strong reactions from Swamy came in view of an announcement by J&K Chief Minister that the case against those (Army personnel) involved in firing on protesters in Shopian that left two civilians dead will be taken to a "logical conclusion".

Swamy's party BJP had also earlier demanded that the murder case be withdrawn.

Mufti made the assertion while defending the police action amid an uproar in the state Assembly over the firing incident and a demand by BJP MLA RS Pathania for an immediate withdrawal of the FIR.

Pathania, however, said his party supports the magisterial probe to allow the law to take its own course.

The FIR was registered against the personnel of 10, Garhwal unit, of the Army under sections 302 (murder) and 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code.

A Major, who led the Army personnel at the time of the incident on Saturday, was also mentioned in the FIR, officials said yesterday.

Two civilians were killed when Army personnel fired at a stone-pelting mob in Ganovpora village in Shopian, prompting Mufti to order an inquiry into the incident.

J&K Police chief SP Vaid said the registration of FIR in the Shopian incident is just the beginning of the investigation and the Army's version would be taken into account as well.

Mufti, however, said that she did not believe the police action would have a demoralising effect on the army.

Terming the incident a "setback" to the political process, Mufti said she had spoken about it to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman who asked her to take the required action in case there was "carelessness".

According to the police, the crowd hurled stones on a security force convoy passing through Ganovpora village in Shopian district following which the Army men fired a few rounds. A defence spokesperson, however, had said the troops opened fire when a mob tried to lynch a junior commissioned officer and snatch his service weapon.

(With Agency inputs)

 

[12arya]

http://www.atimes.com/article/belt-road-u-turn-china-rethinks-several-pakistani-projects/

Pakistani soldiers stop traffic near Gwadar port in troubled Baluchistan province. Photo: AFP / Christine-Felice Röhrs / dpa
South AsiaPakstan
Belt and Road U-turn: China rethinks several Pakistani projects
A number of road, mass-transit and industrial zone projects have been taken off the table. Security, geopolitics, corruption and political chaos may all be factors.
By F.M. Shakil December 12, 2017 4:42 PM (UTC+8)


Blame it on political chaos, corruption or a deteriorating law and order situation in Pakistan. Whatever the cause, Chinese enthusiasm for the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is waning and Beijing has taken several road, mass-transit and industrial zone projects off the table, either temporarily or permanently.

Two road projects that have been put on hold are in troubled Baluchistan province: a 210-km Dera Ismail Khan-Zhob artery and a 110-km Khuzdar-Basima route. The unfinished 136km Karakorum Highway (KKH) from Raikot to Thakot has similarly been abandoned, with people in Gilgit-Baltistan taking to the streets in protest.

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It was revealed on the GEO News TV channel last week that China has also delayed funding for the Karachi Circular Railway and some industrial zones projects, and has suggested Pakistan take commercial loans from Chinese investment banks if it wants to see early completion of the projects.

Pakistani press reports have quoted a “senior government official” as stating Islamabad had hoped to get projects worth one trillion rupees (US$9.46 billion) finalized during a Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting with the Chinese on November 20 but that Chinese officials had, at that session, tabled “new guidelines” with regard to new funding mechanisms to be used beyond the earliest CPEC projects. They had, according to the Pakistani official, also suggested a reevaluation of CPEC, with only the highest-priority projects being pursued and those less likely to generate economic activity sidelined to avoid “overstretching” the CEPC portfolio.

Pakistan’s authorities have shrugged these reports off as a “fragment of imagination.” However, Asia Times has been able to verify that projects are being abandoned. On a visit to a free industrial zone project at Hattar, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Haripur district, for example, we learned that China had backed out of an earlier commitment to developing it under the CPEC umbrella.

“The Pakistani decision to let almost all the plots in the free zone surrounding Gwadar port to Saudi and Qatari investors without taking China into confidence created mistrust”

Muhammad Ishaq, a leading industrialist and former director on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment & Trade (KPBOIT) said the government had in fact tricked investors and sold them plots of land by alluding to CPEC funding for power facilities on the site.

Cracks in the CPEC vision started to appear last month when Pakistani authorities announced the exclusion from the CPEC framework of the US$14-billion Diamer-Basha Dam in Kashmir. Speaking to the press, the chairman of Pakistan’s Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Muzammil Hussain, said that “Chinese conditions for financing the Diamer-Bhasha Dam were not doable and against our interests.”

According to Ishaq, the growing wedge between the countries may be partly geo-political. “[An issue] which created mistrust… was the Pakistani decision to let almost all the plots in the free zone surrounding Gwadar port to Saudi and Qatari investors without taking China into confidence,” he said, adding that the government had canceled lets made to local entrepreneurs in order to accommodate Arab interest.

The security issue in volatile Baluchistan is likely a more pressing concern for Chinese officials, however. Separatist forces and religious zealots have made Baluchistan a valley of death. In only the last two months, 64 people – including senior police officers and laborers working on CPEC projects – have been mercilessly killed in various incidents which the authorities acknowledge were carried out by parties bent on sabotaging CPEC.

 

[patriots]

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[patriots]

 

[Trololo]

Would love to hear from the members about what they think about the issue being discussed in this thread: http://defenceforumindia.com/forum/...jor-equivalent-post-in-the-indian-army.80717/

 

[12arya]

http://www.sify.com/news/never-forg...ive-brave-men-news-columns-qgnpTJhcheihf.html

Never forget Lt. Saurabh Kalia & his five brave men

Source : SIFY By : Sumit Walia Last Updated: Thu, Aug 04, 2016 13:21 hrs

Saurabh Kalia

This is the story of a young officer, all of 23 years and his five brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for us. They did not get martyrdom by being slain while fighting the enemy. Instead, they were tortured slowly for 22-23 days and were finally shot dead.

I wrote about these six valiant soldiers in 2009 on 10th anniversary of Kargil war and again I am feeling compelled to remind the nation of the story of supreme sacrifice of Lt. Saurabh Kalia & his five men. 17 years ago, during this time of the year, we were at war with Pakistan.

Pakistan guerrillas along with regular Pakistan army had crossed over the LOC & occupied number of strategically located peaks in Kargil, Dras, Mushkoh, Turtuk sectors, all along the NH 1A. The entire nation and the Indian Army were surprised and were trying to gauge the extent of intrusion.

In first week of May 1999, two shepherds – Tashi Namgyal and Tresing Morup - reported seeing a few strangers on the ridgeline in Batalik Sector. A patrol from 3 rd Punjab was sent to verify the report. Lt Saurabh Kalia of 4 Jat was to lead a patrol in Kaksar area but they had to return because of heavy snow.

Saurabh was born to Dr. N.K. Kalia, a senior scientist at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, and Vijay Kalia in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh on June 29 th 1976. He was brilliant academically and wanted to become a doctor but destiny had a place reserved in history for him.

After graduation in 1997, he appeared for CDS (Combined Defence Services) exam when all his friends skipped the exam for a movie. He was rejected twice by Army’s medical panel – once for heart murmur and then for tonsils. But his persistence paid off.

He joined IMA Dehradun and got commissioned in 4 Jat on 12 th Dec 1998. On 14 th May 1999, 4 Jat decided to send another patrol to Bajrang post. A JCO (Junior Commissioned Officer) was to lead the patrol but in true spirit and tradition of Indian Army, Lt. Kalia volunteered and led the patrol.
Other members of patrol were:
Sepoy Arjun Ram
Sepoy Bhanwar Lal Bagaria
Sepoy Bhikha Ram
Sepoy Moola Ram
Sepoy Naresh Singh

Again due to bad weather, they had to postpone their patrol by 24 hours. They started the next day and were just short of their objective at 3:30 PM, when they were fired upon by the enemy positioned at the peak. Lt. Kalia’s party fired back, reported the incident to battalion headquarters and asked for reinforcement. Soon they ran out of ammunition.

Before Indian enforcements could arrive, Lt. Kalia’s patrol was captured alive by the enemy. What they went through for next 22-23 days is best described as hell in all religious books. They were tortured slowly every day for the entire duration. Their eyeballs were removed; ear drums were punctured; nose and lips were smashed; private parts were chopped; index finger, which is used to fire, was cut; cigarette burns were all over their bodies; right arm and shoulder were broken; back of the head was smashed with rifle butt so badly that part of the brain was visible and finally they were shot dead. Imagine their resolve that all this brutality could not break their morale and spirit, enemy had to shoot them in frustration.

While all this was happening, his family was totally unaware of it. His father did not even know that Lt. Kalia’s patrol was captured on 15 th May. On 31 st May, The Tribune reported "The intrusion in the area was detected by Lt. V.K. Kalia & his patrol party. His party is missing since then but Skardu Radio in Pakistan has announced that they have captured the men alive".

Initials in this report were incorrect, so Dr Kalia thought that some other unfortunate officer got captured. There was another reason for Dr. Kalia’s assumption. He had received a letter from his son dated 10 th May & the news had quoted 6th May as the incident date. On 7th June, Indian Express reported same incident with correct name but with incorrect date - "On the morning on May 6th , 1999 Lt. Saurabh Kalia led a patrol of five men in Kaksar area and has been missing since then. Army sources say he is missing but officers & Jawans of his unit say they saw him being hit by enemy fire". Dr Kalia was grief stricken but Saurabh’s letter of 10th May kept his fading hopes alive. On 8th June, Dr. Kalia could not resist calling Army HQ.

That phone call killed his last ray of hope. Army HQ confirmed that Saurabh’s patrol had been missing since 15th May, 1999. 9th June was the fateful day when mutilated bodies of Lt. Kalia & his men were handed over by Pakistan Army. At 2PM, Doordarshan confirmed the arrival of bodies.

Army HQ called Dr Kalia to inform the same. Vaibhav Kalia, younger brother of Lt. Kalia, went to identify the body and in his own words, "Saurabh' face was the size of my finger, eyebrow was the only visible feature, there were no eyes, no jaw, nothing. There were cigarette burns all over his face. My parents could not have seen him". The entire nation came out to share grief of the families of all six soldiers. 8000 people were present in Palampur to receive Saurabh’s tricoloured wrapped body.

On being commissioned in 4 Jat, Saurabh said to his mother, "Today I am proud that I have joined 4 Jat & one day Jat regiment would be proud that Saurabh Kalia joined this regiment." Keeping his word, he made 4 Jat, Indian Army and the entire nation proud. Ironically, his first salary was credited after his dead body came home.

His father has preserved everything related to Lt. Kalia - his uniform, personal belongings, letters, childhood toys, shoes, alarm clock, bottle of Chelpark ink, a poster of Aishwarya Rai that he had in his room in IMA, and over 100000 letters that Dr Kalia received from people all over the world.

If you ever go to Palampur, please visit Dr Kalia to re-assure them that nation has not forgotten the sacrifice their son made in the line of duty.

 

[rishivashista13]

List of projects approved for make -2 (made in India) procedure.

Sent from my Redmi 4A using Tapatalk

 

[tharun]

Here is the timeline for that projects and don't know how many will see the light........

 

[patriots]

bad news guys..


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[12arya]

https://www.kashmirmonitor.in/Detai...lined-force-time-not-ripe-for-afspa-repeal-cm

Army ‘most disciplined force’, time not ripe for AFSPA repeal: CM
By Monitor News Bureau -
Published at: Feb 03, 2018


Days after she said that Army could have black sheep in its ranks, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti during her speech in Assembly on Friday gave out an olive branch to the force after she said that Army was the “most disciplined force in the world”.
The CM also said that time was not ripe to repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), the special provision that provides armed forces added power and immunity while serving in conflict zones.
Referring to the Shopian incident and the claims of a counter FIR filed by the Army, Mehbooba said that it was actually the Army’s statement that they submitted to the police on the second day of the incident and is now part of the FIR registered against army on the first day.
She added “we have to listen to both the sides before taking any action”.
“We want to reduce footprints of police and security forces in the Valley, but can it happen in a situation when people in hundreds come out to attack security forces during encounters with militants,” she asked while winding up discussion on grants to Home Department in the Legislative Assembly. The footprints and powers of the police and security forces are increasing with the increase in bloodshed and violence in the state, she added.
Mehbooba described Indian army as the “most disciplined force in the world”, saying that “It made sacrifices creating a situation that we all have reached the assembly”.
She also called upon the mainstream political parties to reach out to the people for restoration of peace.
Touching upon the issue of the current crisis in Kashmir, Mehbooba said "all are concerned about the current crisis in Kashmir but a decision taken under the leadership of late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah on the states accession with the union of India is final and irrevocable”.
“We have to work for strengthening the decision taken by the popular leader like Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. The separatist leaders have taken a different position and I don't say that they have no role. Separatists have a role but we have to explain the fruitfulness of the accession with India to the people in state"
Saying that self-rule does not seek resolution of Kashmir issue outside the Indian constitution but within the Indian constitution. "I tell you with authority that the Indian constitution is flexible enough to accommodate and adjust the wishes and aspirations of the people of all the three regions of the state. As for as the relations with Pakistan vis-à-vis Kashmir are concerned history is witness to the fact that even after waging three wars and the Kargil conflict India and Pakistan were forced to come to the negotiating table. The Shimla agreement, the Lahore declaration and the Agra summit are testimony to the fact that wars take India Pakistan nowhere but dialogue brings them closer to peace and normalcy".
Claiming that the only solution for Kashmir resolution with Pakistan is the opening of cross LoC travel and trade routes between the divided parts of Jammu and Kashmir, the chief minister said it is for Pakistan and the central government in Delhi to decide whether they won't to settle the issue within or outside the constitution but we in the Jammu and Kashmir government stress the central government to persuade Pakistan for opening up of trade and travel routes between all the divided parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Hitting out at separatists, chief minister questioned the growing tendency of separatists to use mosques for political purposes, Mehbooba asked what they are going to achieve by calling for "Udhar Chalo Edhar Chalo". She said they (Separatists) are pushing youth to violence that leads to their deaths. Sometime, somehow, somewhere they (Separatists) have to explain that how long they can continue to drive youth to violent paths and in the end dialogue is the only option".
Three civilians were killed when Army personnel fired at civilians in Shopian last Saturday. Subsequently, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had ordered an inquiry into the incident. Police had on Sunday filed an FIR under Indian Penal Code sections 302 (murder) and 307 (attempt to murder) against the personnel of 10-Garhwal unit of the Army. The FIR also names an officer Major, who according to the complaint, led the Army unit which engaged in the incident.
The Army then filed in their response which was appended with the FIR lodged by the J&K Police in connection with three civilian deaths in firing by army personnel.
On Monday, Mehbooba had said that FIR against army will not decrease its moral and there could be some black sheep in the force as well.
Facing angry BJP lawmakers, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti then said her government had taken action against the army only after consulting Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
"After the killings I immediately spoke to the defence minister and she was very positive. She told me that I should take action if any carelessness or anything wrong has happened. It's after that we registered an FIR and ordered a magisterial inquiry," Mehbooba then said in the assembly.
The chief minister also stressed that action against the guilty would not hurt the morale of the Army and pledged to take the case to a “logical end”

 

[12arya]

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/avalanche-kills-indian-army-soldiers-kashmir-52801344

Avalanche kills 3 Indian army soldiers in Kashmir
SRINAGAR, India — Feb 2, 2018, 2:40 PM ET

The Indian army said Friday that three soldiers were killed when an avalanche struck their Himalayan post in the Indian portion of Kashmir.

The army said the soldiers died in the Machhil sector near the Line of Control that divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan.

Mehbooba Mufti, the top elected official of the Indian portion of Kashmir, expressed deep sorrow over the deaths. One injured Indian soldier has been hospitalized, according to the New Delhi Television news channel.

Avalanches and landslides are common in Himalayan Kashmir. Last month, 11 people were killed after their vehicle was hit by an avalanche in Kupwara district of the Indian portion of Kashmir.

Avalanches have caused some of the heaviest tolls for the Indian and Pakistani armies camping in the region.

In 2016, at least 14 Indian soldiers were killed in two avalanches in the region. In 2012, a massive avalanche in the Pakistan-controlled part of Kashmir killed 140 people, including 129 soldiers.

India and Pakistan have fought two wars over control of Kashmir since they won independence from British colonialists in 1947.

 

[12arya]

http://thehitavada.com/Encyc/2018/2...ndian-Army-in-UN-Peacekeeping-operations.aspx
http://thehitavada.com/Encyc/2018/2/3/Remarkable-role-of-Indian-Army-in-UN-Peacekeeping-operations.aspx

Remarkable role of Indian Army in UN Peacekeeping operations
Source: The Hitavada Date: 03 Feb 2018 10:42:31

By Ashish Rajput,Indian Army has an unmatchable experience of UN PKOs and playing key role in several sensitive peacekeeping operations to bring world peace

Materialising the Indian belief of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The world is one family) Indian Army emerged as major contributor in world peace under United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UN PKOs) around the globe. Indian peacekeepers spread the message of peace in around 50 of the 71 UN Peacekeeping Missions in the world.


Indian Army has trained its 2 lakhs soldiers for UN PKOs since last six decades and amongst top 10 Troops Contributor Countries (TCCs) that is 7.5 per cent of the overall troops in UN PKOs from 203 countries. India is also accredited around the globe for deployment of first ever women’s police unit for peacekeeping mission in Liberia one year back.


Another proud for the country in UN PKOs is that there are more than 50 cases of alleged sexual harassment and abuse have been registered against UN Peacekeepers in last one year but not a single case was registered against Indian peacekeepers. Two of the Indian soldiers named Rifleman Brijesh Thapa and Sepoy Ravi Kumar laid down their lives amongst 115 peacekeepers in last one year. Lieutenant General Sanjeev Kanal, AVSM, General Officer Commanding, Madhya Bharat Area, recently stated that India has largest contributor in UN PKOs since year 1945 and successfully completed several operations.

Along with providing contingents, Indian Army provided observers and staff officers as peacekeepers. Several Generals of Indian Army shouldered the responsibility as Commanders of UN Peacekeeping Force. Indian Army has an unmatchable experience of UN PKOs and playing key role in several sensitive peacekeeping operations to bring world peace.


Indian Army is training an average number of 400 officers every year for peacekeeping operations including officers from around 80 other countries. India is founder member of UN PKOs in year 1945 and started operations since 1950.