News for 'Future Wars and Future Force'

An energy superpower? Not India!

An energy superpower? Not India!

Rediff.com8 Aug 2017

Arunabha Ghosh on why India will increasingly become an energy great power, but not an energy hegemon.

Review: Deadpool 2, bigger and better

Review: Deadpool 2, bigger and better

Rediff.com18 May 2018

'Chaotic prison breaks, mission misadventure gone horribly wrong, eye-popping surprises, zingers and zany action keeps viewers joyously glued to their chairs,' says Sukanya Verma.

Our inward looking policy has cost us dearly

Our inward looking policy has cost us dearly

Rediff.com4 Jan 2016

What India has failed to acknowledge is that sub-conventional war is the name of the game and irregular forces have emerged with greater strategic value over conventional and even nuclear forces, and reliance purely on conventional force and diplomacy is grossly inadequate, says Lt Gen Prakash Katoch (retired).

Abrogation of Article 370 damaged India-China relationship

Abrogation of Article 370 damaged India-China relationship

Rediff.com4 Jul 2020

When China protested strongly over the August decision on J&K -- not once but twice -- we ignored it. And to compound matters, we simply turned our back and walked over to the 'Quad' alliance with the US, upgrading it to ministerial level, and thereafter began following the American footfalls on Taiwan and COVID-19 to taunt and humiliate Beijing, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Anti-Naxal probe: Letter containing 'Digvijaya's number' added to chargesheet

Anti-Naxal probe: Letter containing 'Digvijaya's number' added to chargesheet

Rediff.com19 Nov 2018

The letter was seized during nationwide raids conducted by the Pune police in connection with the case following which these activists were arrested, he said.

Power Games in the Indian Ocean

Power Games in the Indian Ocean

Rediff.com17 Feb 2021

India cannot choose its geography and devise regional strategies to dovetail into the Western Indian Ocean hypothesis conceived in the Pentagon, argues Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

22-yr-old activist arrested for sharing 'toolkit' with Greta Thunberg

22-yr-old activist arrested for sharing 'toolkit' with Greta Thunberg

Rediff.com14 Feb 2021

The Delhi Police claimed that Disha Ravi, who was arrested by a Cyber Cell team of the force on Saturday, was an editor of the 'toolkit Google doc' and 'key conspirator' in the document's formulation and dissemination.

Corporatising OFBs: An idea whose time has come

Corporatising OFBs: An idea whose time has come

Rediff.com25 Aug 2020

'The much-awaited decision could be a welcome change at a time when the Indian armed forces are crying for self-reliance and the defence industry is looking forward to more indigenisation,' notes Nitin A Gokhale.

Solo review: A One-time Watch

Solo review: A One-time Watch

Rediff.com25 May 2018

'It's funny how often Solo gloats in its own nostalgia.' 'It's like Chewbacca's groaning presence, John Williams classic tune and other familiar props and paraphernalia, everything is just doing its bit to compensate for Harrison Ford's sorely missed devilry,' says Sukanya Verma.

Targeting Taliban: Does US Want India's Help?

Targeting Taliban: Does US Want India's Help?

Rediff.com16 Sep 2021

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was asked by US Congressmen if the US had explore the possibility of northwest India for counter terrorism capabilities in Afghanistan. Blinken's remarks on India assume great importance, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar

PM celebrates Diwali with soldiers near India-China border

PM celebrates Diwali with soldiers near India-China border

Rediff.com7 Nov 2018

Greeting the jawans on the occasion, the prime minister said their devotion to duty in the remote icy heights, is enabling the strength of the nation, and securing the future and the dreams of 125 crore Indians,

Will India resume bilateral cricketing ties with Pakistan?

Will India resume bilateral cricketing ties with Pakistan?

Rediff.com26 Sep 2016

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq hopes bilateral cricketing ties with India will resume despite the chief of the neighbouring board ruling out the possibility in the near future after the recent attack on an army camp in Kashmir.

Top Army commanders to discuss Ladakh standoff

Top Army commanders to discuss Ladakh standoff

Rediff.com26 May 2020

The commanders will also deliberate on the overall situation in Jammu and Kashmir besides delving into issues having national security implications, they said. However, the main focus will be on the situation in eastern Ladakh where Indian and Chinese troops are locked in an eyeball-to-eyeball face-off in Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley, Demchok and Daulat Beg Oldie, the sources said.

What Savarkar Thought of Independence

What Savarkar Thought of Independence

Rediff.com20 Dec 2021

Savarkar believed Swarajya is more than the mere geographical independence of a stretch of earth called India. There was no point in fighting and sacrificing one's life for a Swarajya (mere territorial independence) at the cost of our Svatva (self-existence) or Hindutva itself! A revealing excerpt from Uday Mahurkar and Chirayu Pandit's Veer Savarkar: The Man Who Could Have Prevented Partition.

Shivaji: Founder of the Indian secular State

Shivaji: Founder of the Indian secular State

Rediff.com19 Feb 2021

Shivaji made sure that his soldiers respected the sanctity of mosques and the Quran Sharif to ensure that his fight against the Mughals did not become fight against Islam, explains Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Indian Army ready to recruit women in combat roles: Gen Bipin Rawat

Indian Army ready to recruit women in combat roles: Gen Bipin Rawat

Rediff.com4 Jun 2017

Currently women are allowed in a number of select areas including in medical, legal, educational, signals and engineering wings of the army.

China warms up to Biden, asks him to bring ties back on track

China warms up to Biden, asks him to bring ties back on track

Rediff.com21 Jan 2021

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying, known for fiery retorts against the US, welcomed Biden's first moves to join the Paris Climate Accord and the World Health Organisation (WHO) which was trashed by Trump as a puppet of China over its conduct to deal with the COVID-19.

Limited but important gains from NRC

Limited but important gains from NRC

Rediff.com29 Aug 2018

The publishing of the NRC will not rid India from illegal immigrants who are already here. But even if it manages to withhold their political and voting rights, it will be a significant achievement, says Anand Kumar.

Upset, helpless and angry: How doctors on Covid duty feel

Upset, helpless and angry: How doctors on Covid duty feel

Rediff.com7 May 2021

'This experience is horrifying. Doctors need psychiatrists to handle the trauma they are going through in the face of this pandemic'

Modi, Ghani inaugurate landmark Afghan-India Friendship Dam

Modi, Ghani inaugurate landmark Afghan-India Friendship Dam

Rediff.com4 Jun 2016

The Afghan-India Friendship Dam, earlier known as Salma Dam, on river Chist-e-Sharif in western Herat neighbouring Iran, will irrigate 75,000 hectares of land and generate 42 MW of power.

Saluting General Raina's Vision and Courage

Saluting General Raina's Vision and Courage

Rediff.com19 Apr 2021

General T N Raina was an iconic Indian military leader whose contributions to the nation should be more widely known, notes Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (retd).

How Mi-8 helped India's Operation Cactus

How Mi-8 helped India's Operation Cactus

Rediff.com3 Nov 2020

We salute the Mi-8 today on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of Operation Cactus. Through its glorious service career, the Mi-8 left an indelible mark on the future by providing the IAF with a lineage of professional helicopter aircrew, says Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd).

'UAE's role is to encourage India and Pakistan to meet'

'UAE's role is to encourage India and Pakistan to meet'

Rediff.com16 Apr 2021

'The Indian side has realised that not talking to Pakistan has not served any useful purpose.'

Afghan cricket: Swapping Kalashnikovs for cricket bats

Afghan cricket: Swapping Kalashnikovs for cricket bats

Rediff.com3 Apr 2019

Unlike football, which offends the sensibilities of some very conservative Muslims because it is normally played in shorts, cricket is played in long sleeves and trousers, in line with traditional dress codes. It also bears some resemblance to traditional Afghan children's games involving throwing and using sticks to hit smaller sticks or balls.

Bengal outcome will have national repercussions

Bengal outcome will have national repercussions

Rediff.com4 Mar 2021

Never before in the history of the Republic has an election in the state mattered so much as it does now, observes Virendra Kapoor.

Mugabe, wife 'in custody'; not a coup, says Zimbabwean army

Mugabe, wife 'in custody'; not a coup, says Zimbabwean army

Rediff.com15 Nov 2017

The army said it was targeting 'criminals around Mugabe' who have sent the nation spinning into economic despair.

'India becoming 3rd largest economy is not far away'

'India becoming 3rd largest economy is not far away'

Rediff.com4 Dec 2019

'The Indian State needs to focus on healthcare, education, infrastructure and law and order, and get out of all these regulatory cholesterols.' 'Then, India will fly.'

The shocking state of Mumbai's firemen

The shocking state of Mumbai's firemen

Rediff.com20 May 2015

Do you know firemen who risk their lives every day earn salaries equivalent to clerks?Last week's tragedy where three Mumbai firemen died fighting a fire must wake up the city's rulers, says Neeta Kolhatkar.

Taliban attacks don't deter Afghan election

Taliban attacks don't deter Afghan election

Rediff.com22 Oct 2018

The election seem to have been conducted without any major security lapses. However, in the coming weeks, the military situation in Kandahar could tilt in the Taliban's favour, notes Aveek Sen.

Parrikar was 17th CM in country to die while in office

Parrikar was 17th CM in country to die while in office

Rediff.com18 Mar 2019

He was also the second in Goa who died while still in office.

Air India stake sale: SpiceJet's Ajay Singh has a risky flight plan

Air India stake sale: SpiceJet's Ajay Singh has a risky flight plan

Rediff.com28 Jul 2021

In March 2020, soon after the cessation of airline operations globally and domestic flights within India, many in the aviation sector had written Delhi-headquartered low-fare airline SpiceJet's obituary well before that of most of its rivals. Unlike IndiGo, GoAir (now rechristened Go First), Vistara and even AirAsia India, SpiceJet did not have founders or backers with deep pockets. Although it is the only other listed carrier in India besides IndiGo, it was considered the weakest and the least likely to survive the pandemic. But chairman and managing director Ajay Singh surprised everyone by not only surviving but taking the lead on many fronts. Within a few weeks of the scheduled flight stoppage, SpiceJet was doing as many charter flights as it could get hold of.

Manmohan shouldn't hold talks with Sharif in US: BJP

Manmohan shouldn't hold talks with Sharif in US: BJP

Rediff.com6 Aug 2013

In the wake of killing of five Indian jawans at the LoC on Tuesday, the Bharatiya Janata Party has suggested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should not hold bilateral talks with his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif during his forthcoming visit to the United States for United Nations General Assembly meeting.

Great Indian democracy provides freedom: Mehbooba

Great Indian democracy provides freedom: Mehbooba

Rediff.com30 Jun 2016

In a message to separatists, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday asserted that nothing would be achieved by terrorism and that the "great" Indian democracy provides freedom to make choices unlike countries where democracy ceased to exist.

Will pursue legal options to avail foreign aid: Kerala CM

Will pursue legal options to avail foreign aid: Kerala CM

Rediff.com30 Aug 2018

His statement assumes significance in the wake of a row over the Centre's refusal to accept the United Arab Emirates' reported offer of Rs 700 crore to the flood-hit state.

US soldiers killed in WWII plane crash located in Arunachal

US soldiers killed in WWII plane crash located in Arunachal

Rediff.com20 Dec 2016

The team visited several locations in Arunachal Pradesh to determine if the reported sites can be definitively correlated with known crash sites involving missing US servicemen.

'India can no longer afford to go soft on China'

'India can no longer afford to go soft on China'

Rediff.com16 Dec 2021

'India cannot allow Beijing's policy of stabilising and destabilising the border at will to perpetuate its own ends.' A riveting excerpt from Manish Tiwari's 10 Flashpoints; 20 Years National Security Situations That Impacted India.

Taliban: What are India's Options?

Taliban: What are India's Options?

Rediff.com24 Aug 2021

'It is a testing time for our foreign policy which may involve a certain element of taking risks, assessing costs, and expecting failures,' asserts Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).

'Mera Naam Tera Naam, Vietnam-Vietnam!'

'Mera Naam Tera Naam, Vietnam-Vietnam!'

Rediff.com23 Apr 2015

'America's withdrawal from Vietnam was an inspiring moment for all of us. We believed that it was a glorious victory of ideology and spirit and as historic as the defeat of the Nazis exactly 30 years ago,' remembers Kumar Ketkar 40 years after the end of the Vietnam War.

Rafale could've made Balakot results better: IAF chief

Rafale could've made Balakot results better: IAF chief

Rediff.com16 Apr 2019

'In the Balakot operation, we had technology on our side, and we could launch precision stand of weapons with great accuracy.'

China's PLA held live drills with 100 ballistic missiles: Report

China's PLA held live drills with 100 ballistic missiles: Report

Rediff.com11 Jan 2017

The 2.3 million strong People's Liberation Army, the world's largest, adopts a more aggressive posture with massive structural revamp.