Rajnath Singh's 'Strong Response' Warning On Border Row With China

NEW DELHI, Mar 7: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday underlined India's readiness for war in the face of multiple challenges along the country's border.

Speaking at NDTV's first Defence Summit, Singh said, "We have to be ready for war at all times... even in peacetime. We have to be ready."

"Whether from land, air, or sea... if anyone attacks India, our forces will respond strongly. We have never attacked any country nor have we occupied even an inch of anyone's land. But, if anyone attacks us, we are in position to give a befitting reply," he said at the event.

Singh's comments have been seen as a not-so-veiled reference to continuing tension with China in Kashmir and Ladakh, as well as the northeast. Indian and Chinese troops have been locked in military stand-off for nearly four years - following confrontations at friction points in eastern Ladakh.

The 20th round of Corps Commander-level talks between Delhi and Beijing was held in October, at Chushul as part of ongoing efforts for disengagement and de-escalation to resolve the stand-off.

Tensions, however, continue to remain.

Last week External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, speaking at a think-tank event in Delhi, called on Beijing to adhere to border management pacts to ensure peace between the nations.

Rajnath Singh's assertive comments to NDTV echoed those made in January, when he said the world had witnessed India's rise as a "key global economic and strategic power". Mr Singh acknowledged the India-China relationship "is currently under strain", but insisted Delhi wants good ties with all.

Then the Defence Minister referred to "the courage shown by our soldiers during the stand-off with Chinese troops in Galwan (in eastern Ladakh)", and said, "We are no more a weak country."

"Ab aisa nhi hai ki Bharat ko ankh dikha ke jo chahe so nikal jaye (No longer can anyone show us a red eye and get away with it)," Rajnath Singh had said.

'Women cannot be left out': Supreme Court Warns Centre In Coast Guard Case

NEW DELHI, Feb 26: Giving an ultimatum to the Centre on the issue of granting permanent commission to women Coast Guard officers, the Supreme Court today said "women cannot be left out" and "if you do not do it, we will do it".

"All these functionality etc argument does not hold water in 2024. Women cannot be left out. If you do not do it, we will do it. So take a look at that," Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud told the Centre's counsel, Attorney General R Venkataramani. The Centre's counsel said he will ask the Coast Guard to file an affidavit.

The court set March 1 as the date for the next hearing. The petition in the matter has been filed by a woman officer of the Coast Guard. It seeks permanent commission for eligible women officers joining the force under short service commission. The Attorney General has argued that the Coast Guard is different from the Navy and Army.

The Centre was pulled up during the previous hearing in the matter on February 19. The Chief Justice had then asked why there was an "indifference" with regard to the Coast Guard. "Why don't you want women in the Coast Guard? If women can guard the borders, they can also guard the beaches. You talk about Nari Shakti, show it here," he had said.

The court had questioned the "patriarchal" mindset opposing induction of women into the force. "You have women in the Navy, so what's special about the Coast Guard. We will open up the whole canvas. Gone are the days when we said that women cannot be a part of the Coast Guard," the Chief Justice had said.

The petitioner, Priyanka Tyagi, had earlier approached the Delhi High Court, but did not get relief. In her petition, she has pointed to the Supreme Court judgments on permanent commission for women in the Army and Navy.

India Hosts Mega Naval Exercise In Visakhapatnam, 50 Nations Participating

NEW DELHI, Feb 19: India on Monday kick-started a nine-day mega naval exercise in Visakhapatnam with the participation of around 50 navies that came amid the fractious geopolitical environment including growing global concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the Red Sea.

Navies from the US, Japan, Australia, France, Bangladesh, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia, among others, are participating in the 12th edition of the 'Milan' exercise that aims to bolster maritime cooperation among like-minded nations.

The exercise commenced with the arrival of 15 warships and one maritime patrol aircraft from friendly foreign countries.

From the Indian Navy, nearly 20 ships including aircraft carriers Vikrant and Vikramaditya and nearly 50 aircraft including MiG 29K, Light Combat Aircraft Tejas and P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft are participating in the exercise.

Milan is a biennial multinational naval exercise which started in 1995 with the participation of Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand in consonance with India's 'Look East' policy. The exercise flourished under the aegis of Andaman and Nicobar Command till its 10th edition.

The harbour phase of the exercise is from February 19 to 23. The sea phase featuring various complex drills and manoeuvres will be from February 24 to 27.

The formal opening ceremony will take place on Wednesday, Navy officials said.

The harbour phase includes the opening ceremony, international city parade, international maritime seminar, Milan Tech Expo and table top exercise, among others.

During the sea phase, the participating navies will conduct advanced air defence, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare drills, the officials said.

Gunnery shoots on aerial and surface targets, manoeuvres and underway replenishment would also be conducted.

The naval exercise will involve large-force manoeuvres, advanced air defence operations, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface operations, the officials said.

"Milan 2024 aims to strengthen regional cooperation and maritime security, foster interoperability and understanding between participating navies and provide a platform for sharing best practices and expertise," Indian Navy spokesperson Vivek Madhwal said.

India's growing strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific region has further elevated the significance of the Milan exercise, he said, adding it has become an attractive platform for nations to build partnerships, exchange ideas, and enhance maritime security.

The previous edition of the exercise took place in 2022 in Visakhapatnam.