News for 'Defence Ministry'

Antony evaluates state of defence preparedness

Antony evaluates state of defence preparedness

Rediff.com18 Dec 2008

In order to review the security situation and the state of preparedness of the armed forces, Defence Minister A K Antony on Thursday held a meeting with the three service chiefs and senior defence ministry officials. "The minister held a meeting with the chiefs of the three services and the defence secretary to review the overall security situation and to take stock of the state of preparedness of the armed forces," a defence ministry official said.

Pahalgam attack aimed to vitiate atmosphere: Govt to leaders

Pahalgam attack aimed to vitiate atmosphere: Govt to leaders

Rediff.com25 Apr 2025

The government on Thursday told an all-party meeting that the Pahalgam attack was carried out to vitiate the atmosphere at a time when the economy of Jammu and Kashmir was on the upswing and tourism was booming. Briefing reporters after the meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union minister Kiren Rijiju said all parties said they were with the government and against terror. The party leaders were briefed by Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Union Home Ministry officials on the steps being taken to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, Rijiju said. Home Minister Amit Shah, present in the meeting, interjected wherever required as officials briefed MPs, according to sources. At least 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed and scores injured when terrorists shot them in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.

Trump Is Closer Than Ever To Win The Nobel

Trump Is Closer Than Ever To Win The Nobel

Rediff.com3 Jul 2025

Trump couldn't care less anymore about the Israeli demand for Iran's 'de-nuclearisation' and 'de-militarisation.' Trump pins hopes on a grand bargain with Iran as a partner in America First, argues Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

New CEC who played key role in Art 370 abrogation, Ram temple trust

New CEC who played key role in Art 370 abrogation, Ram temple trust

Rediff.com18 Feb 2025

Kumar, who played a key role in implementing decisions following the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution in Jammu and Kashmir during his stint in the Union home ministry, took charge as an election commissioner on March 15, 2024.

India tests Agni-5 missile capable of deploying multiple warheads

India tests Agni-5 missile capable of deploying multiple warheads

Rediff.com11 Mar 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists over the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile, capable of deploying multiple warheads.

Pak increases range of mobile towers, alert in Rajasthan

Pak increases range of mobile towers, alert in Rajasthan

Rediff.com14 May 2025

Amid concerns of espionage, the Rajasthan administration has intensified security measures along the India-Pakistan border, with authorities in Jaisalmer and Sri Ganganagar banning the use of Pakistani SIM cards.

Diplomatic front against terror: Russia, Japan, UAE pledge support to India

Diplomatic front against terror: Russia, Japan, UAE pledge support to India

Rediff.com24 May 2025

India has secured international support in its fight against terrorism, with Russia, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates expressing solidarity and a commitment to working together to combat the threat. This follows a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India, which claimed 26 lives. Multi-party parliamentary delegations from India briefed the leaderships of these countries on Operation Sindoor, India's response to the attack, and discussed ways to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism and combating radicalism. These developments highlight the growing global consensus against terrorism and the importance of international collaboration to address this shared challenge.

With eyes on China, India, Japan agree to bolster defence ties

With eyes on China, India, Japan agree to bolster defence ties

Rediff.com8 Sep 2022

India and Japan on Thursday agreed to enhance military exercises and defence cooperation as the two countries emphasised that the bilateral special strategic and global partnership plays a crucial role in ensuring a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific, amidst China's aggressive behaviour in the region.

No more talks, just PoK: India's firm global stance on Pakistan

No more talks, just PoK: India's firm global stance on Pakistan

Rediff.com1 Jun 2025

Interacting with the Indian diaspora in Kuala Lumpur, Banerjee said, "We have been in talks with them (Pakistan) for decades, despite changes in various paradigms and governments. But one thing remains constant, the conflict with Pakistan."

Can Sitharaman get the defence dinosaur moving?

Can Sitharaman get the defence dinosaur moving?

Rediff.com13 Sep 2017

The defence minister has 20 months to learn the military's ethos, culture and to publicly bat for an organisation that feels increasingly marginalised and underappreciated.

HISTORIC: Shuks heads to ISS, 1st Indian in space in 41 years

HISTORIC: Shuks heads to ISS, 1st Indian in space in 41 years

Rediff.com26 Jun 2025

The Lucknow-born Shukla, former NASA astronaut Mission Commander Peggy Whitson, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary are part of the Axiom-4 mission that marks the return to space for the three nations.

Defence min examining Jaya's demand on Lankan personnel

Defence min examining Jaya's demand on Lankan personnel

Rediff.com25 Aug 2012

The defence ministry is considering the demand made by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha to send back two Sri Lankan officers training in the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington in the state.

How IAF plans to strengthen 'depleted' squadron

How IAF plans to strengthen 'depleted' squadron

Rediff.com18 Dec 2024

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has seen a reduction in fighter squadrons due to the phasing out of ageing MiG-21, MiG-23 and MiG-27 aircraft. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence acknowledged the "shortage" and highlighted the multi-pronged approach being taken to address it. This includes the induction of indigenous Tejas fighters and the procurement of additional LCA Mk-1A aircraft. The report also addresses concerns over "incidences of spying" within the IAF and details the action taken against those involved.

Dialogue, not battlefields, key to global peace: Modi in Croatia

Dialogue, not battlefields, key to global peace: Modi in Croatia

Rediff.com19 Jun 2025

In his media statement following talks with his Croatian counterpart Andrej Plenkovic, Modi said both leaders agree that "terrorism is an enemy of humanity" and is inimical to forces that believe in democracy.

SEE: Modi meets 'great friend of India' Mike Waltz

SEE: Modi meets 'great friend of India' Mike Waltz

Rediff.com14 Feb 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had a 'fruitful meeting' with United States National Security Advisor Michael Waltz and they discussed defence, technology and security areas, which are important aspects of the India-US ties.

Debris of IAF plane found in Bay of Bengal 7.5 years after crash

Debris of IAF plane found in Bay of Bengal 7.5 years after crash

Rediff.com13 Jan 2024

The wreckage of a transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been located at the depth of around 3.4 km in the Bay of Bengal, nearly seven-and-a-half years after the plane with 29 personnel on board went missing.

Cricket Diplomacy: Aus Deputy PM to attend WC final

Cricket Diplomacy: Aus Deputy PM to attend WC final

Rediff.com18 Nov 2023

Australian Deputy PM Marles to watch India-Australia World Cup cricket final in Ahmedabad

Gyanesh Kumar appointed as next CEC

Gyanesh Kumar appointed as next CEC

Rediff.com18 Feb 2025

Gyanesh Kumar, a 1988-batch Kerala Cadre IAS officer, has been appointed as the next Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India. Kumar, who was previously an Election Commissioner, will serve until January 26, 2029. His appointment comes amidst controversy as the Congress party demanded the government defer its decision until the Supreme Court concludes its hearing on a petition challenging the composition of the selection panel. Kumar's tenure will see him oversee several state assembly elections, including Bihar, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.

Can Doval change defence planning in India?

Can Doval change defence planning in India?

Rediff.com22 Apr 2018

'Defence does not new 'planning commissions'; it needs an implementation commission.'

'Need to stop somewhere': Pawar's big retirement hint

'Need to stop somewhere': Pawar's big retirement hint

Rediff.com5 Nov 2024

In an apparent dig at Ajit, Pawar senior said if someone keeps saying he will take everything, people may not say anything but will disapprove of it.

MoD Spends Rs 2.09 Trillion On Arms Deals!

MoD Spends Rs 2.09 Trillion On Arms Deals!

Rediff.com29 Mar 2025

The value of contracts awarded by the MoD in 2024-2025 is the highest ever and double the previous record set in 2023-2024.

Tejas Gets More Sophisticated

Tejas Gets More Sophisticated

Rediff.com1 Mar 2024

The Mark-1A will be more sophisticated and capable than the Tejas Mark-1.

Pinaka Missile Is Ready For The Enemy!

Pinaka Missile Is Ready For The Enemy!

Rediff.com16 Nov 2024

The Enhanced Pinaka has demonstrated a range of 75 km and an ability to strike within 10 metres of where it is aimed. This allows a Pinaka battery to destroy a terrorist camp, or an enemy post, logistics dump or headquarters, without sending soldiers across the border.

How India enhanced its military might in 2023

How India enhanced its military might in 2023

Rediff.com31 Dec 2023

India also went on an overdrive in expanding its military engagement with like-minded countries in its neighbourhood and beyond in the face of China's relentless attempts to become a regional hegemon and establish its primacy in South Asia.

Understand actions in self-defence: MEA on Iranian strike on Pak

Understand actions in self-defence: MEA on Iranian strike on Pak

Rediff.com18 Jan 2024

At the same time, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said it is a matter between Iran and Pakistan.

An Agenda for the Defence Minister

An Agenda for the Defence Minister

Rediff.com4 Jun 2019

The new minister must commit himself to supporting long-term defence plans or else defence modernisation will continue to lag and the growing military capabilities gap with China will assume ominous proportions, warns Brigadier Gurmeet Kanwal (retd).

Israel rescues Indian workers held hostage in West Bank

Israel rescues Indian workers held hostage in West Bank

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

Ten Indian construction workers were rescued from a West Bank village where they had been held for over a month after being stripped of their passports. Palestinians lured the workers to the village with the promise of work and then took their passports and tried to use them to cross into Israel. The workers were rescued in an overnight operation led by the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority, the IDF, and the Justice Ministry. They have been transferred to a safe location until their employment status is determined.

HDFC Bank to pursue legal remedies against Mehta family of Lilavati Trust

HDFC Bank to pursue legal remedies against Mehta family of Lilavati Trust

Rediff.com9 Jun 2025

HDFC Bank on Sunday said that it will "pursue all lawful remedies" to recover public funds and address the retaliatory actions taken by the Mehta family of the Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical (LKMM) Trust, which has filed a complaint against the bank's managing director (MD) & chief executive officer (CEO) Sashidhar Jagdishan alleging financial fraud.

Bangladesh high court orders Hindu leader's release on bail

Bangladesh high court orders Hindu leader's release on bail

Rediff.com30 Apr 2025

A bench of the Bangladesh High Court ordered the release on bail of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was arrested in November on charges of defaming the country's national flag. The two-judge bench granted the bail after a final hearing on their previous rule asking authorities why he should not be granted bail. Das, a former ISKCON leader, was arrested at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on November 25.

Indian civilian team in Maldives to replace military personnel

Indian civilian team in Maldives to replace military personnel

Rediff.com28 Feb 2024

There are 88 military personnel manning the three Indian platforms that have been providing humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the people of the Maldives for the last few years using two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft.

Trump offers olive branch to China after counter tariffs

Trump offers olive branch to China after counter tariffs

Rediff.com5 Apr 2025

US President Donald Trump has proposed a deal to China that would see the sale of TikTok's US operations to an American buyer in exchange for a reduction in tariffs on Chinese exports to the US. The proposal comes amid a trade war between the two countries and follows China's retaliation of Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods. Trump has also said that tariffs are a powerful economic tool and that he is determined to ensure fair trade between the US and China.

'IAF's Job Is To Keep India Secure'

'IAF's Job Is To Keep India Secure'

Rediff.com24 Feb 2025

'Today's situation is unacceptable. It has the potential to affect the IAF's operational capability.'

Chinese Jets Trying To Scare Quad Leaders?

Chinese Jets Trying To Scare Quad Leaders?

Rediff.com25 May 2022

As Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi, United States President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met at the Kantei palace in Tokyo on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, to give the Quad a boost, Chinese and Russian warplanes on Tuesday conducted joint air patrols over the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea and the West Pacific Ocean.

China tones down 'ready for war with US' rhetoric

China tones down 'ready for war with US' rhetoric

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

China has toned down its rhetoric on fighting a trade or any other type of war with the US, saying that no such wars should be fought because they cannot be won. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian responded to US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth's remarks that his country doesn't seek a war with China, but will rebuild the military and prepare for war. However, on Tuesday, Lin had said that China is ready to fight till the end if the US wants a trade war or any other type of war. Hegseth said on Wednesday that the US is not actively seeking conflict with China, but is rebuilding its military and establishing deterrence.

Parrikar unveils Defence Procurement Procedure

Parrikar unveils Defence Procurement Procedure

Rediff.com28 Mar 2016

'With the new DPP, there will be greater transparency and faster clearances.'

China renames 30 more places in Arunachal Pradesh

China renames 30 more places in Arunachal Pradesh

Rediff.com1 Apr 2024

India has been rejecting China renaming places in Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the state is an integral part of the country and assigning "invented" names does not alter this reality.

2nd batch of Indian military personnel leaves Maldives

2nd batch of Indian military personnel leaves Maldives

Rediff.com14 Apr 2024

The second batch of Indian military personnel manning a helicopter gifted by India to the Maldives has left the island nation as demanded by him, President Mohamed Muizzu has said.

India Strikes At Pakistan Airbases

India Strikes At Pakistan Airbases

Rediff.com10 May 2025

Pakistan military spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry told a hurriedly called press conference in Islamabad at around 4 am that th Pakistan air force's Nur Khan (Chaklala, Rawalpindi), Murid (Chakwal) and Rafiqui (Shorkot in Jhang district) airbases were targeted.

Defence budget increased to over Rs 3 lakh crore in 2019-20

Defence budget increased to over Rs 3 lakh crore in 2019-20

Rediff.com1 Feb 2019

Presenting the Budget for 2019-20 in the Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Piyush Goyal also said Rs 35,000 crore has been given under the One Rank One Pension scheme in the last three years.

Pak gets $1 bn as second tranche from IMF; budget under scanner

Pak gets $1 bn as second tranche from IMF; budget under scanner

Rediff.com14 May 2025

The disbursement of the second tranche comes on a day when the International Monetary Fund is holding virtual discussions on Pakistan's upcoming budget, as the visit of its mission to Islamabad was delayed due to security concerns in the region.