News for 'Standing Committee on Defence'

Opposition parties hail 'Operation Sindoor'

Opposition parties hail 'Operation Sindoor'

Rediff.com7 May 2025

Opposition parties in India, including the Congress, Left parties, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Trinamool Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP), have unanimously hailed the armed forces' "Operation Sindoor", a retaliatory strike against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation, which involved missile and drone strikes, was conducted in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Despite political differences, all parties expressed support for the government and the armed forces, stressing the importance of national unity and integrity in the face of terrorism. While emphasizing the need for diplomatic avenues to prevent further escalation, some parties also called for caution in attributing political credit for the strikes.

Ambassador Akbaruddin Shepherds African Outreach

Ambassador Akbaruddin Shepherds African Outreach

Rediff.com29 May 2025

Led by Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar MP Supriya Sule, Group 7 will engage with key countries in Africa -- Egypt, South Africa, Ethiopia -- and Qatar to present India's position on Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

Amid controversy, Churchill Brothers get I-League trophy from AIFF

Amid controversy, Churchill Brothers get I-League trophy from AIFF

Rediff.com28 Apr 2025

Now AIFF's move to hand the trophy to Churchill Brother, just hours after the CAS order staying the federation's decision to declare the club as champions, could provoke international scrutiny, including from FIFA.

We will not be sitting quietly if...: Tharoor on Pahalgam attack

We will not be sitting quietly if...: Tharoor on Pahalgam attack

Rediff.com25 May 2025

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday (local time) highlighted how India responded in a measured and calibrated manner towards terror bases and headquarters in Pakistan, following the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed.

Navy sails into history with 5th century stitched Ship INSV Kaundinya

Navy sails into history with 5th century stitched Ship INSV Kaundinya

Rediff.com21 May 2025

The Indian Navy has inducted a traditionally-built stitched ship, named INSV Kaundinya, at the Karwar naval base in Karnataka. The ship is a recreation of a fifth-century vessel and is named after Kaundinya, a legendary Indian mariner who sailed across the Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia. The ship is a tangible symbol of India's long-standing maritime traditions and its induction marks a culmination of a project celebrating India's rich shipbuilding heritage. The INSV Kaundinya will embark on a trans-oceanic voyage along the ancient trade route from Gujarat to Oman later this year.

Operation Sindoor Outreach What Did Panda & Co Achieve In West Asia?

Operation Sindoor Outreach What Did Panda & Co Achieve In West Asia?

Rediff.com5 Jun 2025

'It is high time that the 'war on terror' is removed from our diplomatic toolbox.' 'Certainly, our parliamentarians have no role in it,' asserts Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

After foreign minister, China sacks missing defence minister

After foreign minister, China sacks missing defence minister

Rediff.com24 Oct 2023

China also removed Finance Minister Liu Kun and appointed Lan Fo'an in his place. Liu is the third senior Cabinet minister to be replaced without any explanation.

Sonia, Rahul conspired to usurp Rs 2,000-cr AJL assets: ED

Sonia, Rahul conspired to usurp Rs 2,000-cr AJL assets: ED

Rediff.com16 Apr 2025

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet in the National Herald case, accusing Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi of a "criminal conspiracy" to "usurp" properties worth Rs 2,000 crore of its public company AJL by transferring 99 per cent shares for just Rs 50 lakh to their private company Young Indian. The ED has named Sonia Gandhi as accused no 1 and Rahul Gandhi as accused no 2 in the chargesheet, which was filed under various sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Sudhir Ghosh: The MP Who Foresaw Quad

Sudhir Ghosh: The MP Who Foresaw Quad

Rediff.com17 Mar 2025

After the 1962 War with China, there was a demand to forge greater defence cooperation between India and the West. One such voice was that of Sudhir Ghosh, a distinguished MP, to tie up strategic cooperation with the USA immediately after the Chinese attack on India, recalls Rup Narayan Das.

Solid order book, indigenisation to keep defence stocks in demand: Analysts

Solid order book, indigenisation to keep defence stocks in demand: Analysts

Rediff.com3 Jun 2023

India's total value of defence production breached Rs 1 trillion-mark in the fiscal year 2022-23 (FY23), up 12 per cent year-on-year (YoY). At the bourses, this has been well reflected in related-stocks from the sector as they gained considerable ground during this period. Shares of Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, MTAR Technologies, Bharat Electronics (BEL), and Bharat Dynamics (BDL) have skyrocketed up to 160 per cent in a year, as against a 14 per cent jump in the S&P BSE Sensex.

'Time ripe for replacing collegium with NJAC or a better system'

'Time ripe for replacing collegium with NJAC or a better system'

Rediff.com6 Apr 2025

Former Union Law Minister Ashwani Kumar has argued for replacing the existing collegium system for judicial appointments, asserting that public sentiment leans toward an alternative mechanism, potentially resembling the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC). He believes that the government has the authority to propose a revised constitutional amendment for judicial appointments that would withstand judicial scrutiny. Kumar also urged the Supreme Court to establish a robust internal process to address concerns within the judiciary, including allegations against judges.

Defence ministry report ignores Ladakh stand-off

Defence ministry report ignores Ladakh stand-off

Rediff.com14 Jan 2022

The ministry's year-end review is silent on the continued occupation by Chinese troops of territory that India has always claimed and patrolled.

18 killed, more than a dozen hurt in stampede at Delhi rly station

18 killed, more than a dozen hurt in stampede at Delhi rly station

Rediff.com16 Feb 2025

The death toll in the overnight stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station climbed to 18 on Sunday, with a senior railway official saying the incident occurred after some passengers slipped and fell on others while coming down from a footover bridge.

Trump orders 30,000-person migrant facility at Guantanamo Bay

Trump orders 30,000-person migrant facility at Guantanamo Bay

Rediff.com30 Jan 2025

The Guantanamo Bay facility, which has so far been used to hold terrorists, will now also house illegal immigrants with criminal records.

House committee can't study Lokpal Bill in 10 days

House committee can't study Lokpal Bill in 10 days

Rediff.com22 Aug 2011

The Lok Pal Bill has been referred to the standing committee of Parliament on personnel, public grievances, law and hustice. In this FAQ, MR Madhavan explains the process of these committees.

9 top PLA generals dismissed from China's Parliament

9 top PLA generals dismissed from China's Parliament

Rediff.com30 Dec 2023

Over a million officials are said to have been punished in Xi's anti-corruption campaign according to the official media accounts. The intensity of the campaign also attracted criticism that Xi made effective use of it to silence his critics and rivals within the party.

Winter Session: Opposition presses for debate on Adani

Winter Session: Opposition presses for debate on Adani

Rediff.com24 Nov 2024

The opposition on Sunday asked the Centre to allow discussions in the Parliament on the United States prosecutors' bribery charges against the Adani Group even as Union minister Kiren Rijiju made it clear that the matters to be taken up in the two Houses will be decided by their authorised committees with the consent of the respective Chair.

Race To Modernisation: Air Force, Navy Beats Army

Race To Modernisation: Air Force, Navy Beats Army

Rediff.com19 Feb 2024

The Army has now fallen behind the other two services for four years in a row.

Trump names Indian-American close aide Kash Patel as FBI chief

Trump names Indian-American close aide Kash Patel as FBI chief

Rediff.com1 Dec 2024

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Kash Patel, a close confidante, as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This appointment would make Patel the highest-ranking Indian American in Trump's incoming administration. Patel has previously served in various roles in the Trump administration, including Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council. Trump praised Patel's work in uncovering the "Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax" and his commitment to "bringing back Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity to the FBI." Patel, who has extensive experience in law enforcement and national security, is known for his work on the Russia investigation and his criticism of the "deep state."

Parliament passes bill to ban strikes by essential defence services

Parliament passes bill to ban strikes by essential defence services

Rediff.com5 Aug 2021

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and some other members sought that the bill be referred to a standing committee for scrutiny.

Medical insanity no ground for acquittal: Parl panel

Medical insanity no ground for acquittal: Parl panel

Rediff.com11 Nov 2023

A parliamentary panel has observed that mere medical insanity cannot be a ground for the acquittal of an accused and legal insanity is required to be proved for claiming a valid defence.

Varun Gandhi named on parlimentary committee

Varun Gandhi named on parlimentary committee

Rediff.com29 Sep 2009

Young Bharatiya Janata Party leader Varun Gandhi has been nominated as a member of the key Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence in order to groom him as a future leader of the party and give valuable parliamentary experience.

AAP-BJP members clash, councillor faints... Delhi's election to forget

AAP-BJP members clash, councillor faints... Delhi's election to forget

Rediff.com24 Feb 2023

A fight broke out in the MCD House as Bharatiya Janata Party and Aam Aadmi Party members kicked, punched and pushed one another amid shouting after mayor Shelly Oberoi declared one vote invalid in the election to a key six-member municipal committee on Friday.

To become developed nation by 2047, India needs stronger army: Rajnath

To become developed nation by 2047, India needs stronger army: Rajnath

Rediff.com1 Oct 2023

Describing the DAD as the "guardian of defence finance", he emphasised the need to bolster the internal vigilance mechanism so that any suspicious activity can be detected and reviewed immediately.

Forces facing officers' crunch: house committee

Forces facing officers' crunch: house committee

Rediff.com25 Feb 2009

A "perturbed" parliamentary committee has asked the defence ministry to immediately work out a plan to correct the "unprecedented" shortage of officers in the armed forces which has reached 23.8, 16.7 and 12.1 per cent in the army, the navy and the air force respectively.

No pension hike for retired Army captains under OROP, Centre tells SC

No pension hike for retired Army captains under OROP, Centre tells SC

Rediff.com6 Dec 2024

The Indian government has refused to accept recommendations for a 10% pension increase for retired regular Army captains under the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme. The Supreme Court heard an appeal by the government challenging an Armed Forces Tribunal order that mandated a decision on pension for retired captains. The government's decision not to accept the recommendations has led to a delay in resolving pension anomalies for these officers. The case will be heard again on December 12, 2023.

Adhir, other suspended MPs can't attend Parl panel meetings

Adhir, other suspended MPs can't attend Parl panel meetings

Rediff.com12 Aug 2023

Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and some other MPs suspended from Parliament will not be able to attend the meetings of parliamentary committees of which they are a member or chairperson till their suspension is revoked.

BJP knocks off Congress and others, corners 6 parliamentary panels

BJP knocks off Congress and others, corners 6 parliamentary panels

Rediff.com4 Oct 2022

Opposition parties have not been given the chairmanship of any of the four key parliamentary panels including the committee on home affairs and information technology, which were with the Congress, in the latest rejig announced on Tuesday.

Parliamentary panel to review defence preparedness

Parliamentary panel to review defence preparedness

Rediff.com22 Apr 2012

Against the backdrop of Army Chief Gen V K Singh raising the issue of shortage of equipment, a Parliamentary panel has decided to carry out a "comprehensive" review on the issue of defence preparedness and bring out a report.

Parl committee to quiz armed forces chiefs on preparedness

Parl committee to quiz armed forces chiefs on preparedness

Rediff.com9 Apr 2012

In an extraordinary step, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence on Monday decided to call the three service chiefs to give an account of the state of preparedness of the forces against the backdrop of Army Chief Gen V K Singh speaking of shortages and deficiencies.

India should make NATO-compatible arms: Committee

India should make NATO-compatible arms: Committee

Rediff.com18 Dec 2005

The committee noted that Indian export market was at present confined to neighbouring nations like Nepal, Myanmar\nand Maldives, besides catering to the replenishment market.

Govt convenes all party meet on Saturday

Govt convenes all party meet on Saturday

Rediff.com30 Nov 2023

Ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament, the government has convened a meeting of floor leaders of political parties in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Saturday.

Trump 47: Disruptor Or Savvy Dealmaker?

Trump 47: Disruptor Or Savvy Dealmaker?

Rediff.com21 Jan 2025

Donald Trump's exaggerated opinion of his dealmaking capacity can get him into trouble, observes R Sriram.

Defence ministry warns House panel of 'asymmetric threats'

Defence ministry warns House panel of 'asymmetric threats'

Rediff.com2 May 2012

According to the latest report of the standing committee tabled in Parliament on Monday, the defence ministry says it is alive to the threats and is taking whatever steps that are required to secure the nation

East Bengal approach Delhi HC over Anwar's suspension

East Bengal approach Delhi HC over Anwar's suspension

Rediff.com13 Sep 2024

Anwar Ali, his current side East Bengal, and parent club Delhi FC on Thursday moved the Delhi High Court and sought a stay on the suspension imposed on the player.

Defence secy, army vice-chief grilled on troop movement

Defence secy, army vice-chief grilled on troop movement

Rediff.com4 Apr 2012

Members of Parliament on Wednesday quizzed Defence Secretary Shashi Kant Sharma and Army Vice Chief S K Singh on a media report of suspicious movement of troops near national capital New Delhi in January, but they dismissed it as baseless.

Disengagement in Ladakh in final phase: Top defence officials to Par panel

Disengagement in Ladakh in final phase: Top defence officials to Par panel

Rediff.com18 Feb 2021

The disengagement process between India and China in eastern Ladakh is in final stages and on the brink of completion, top officials of the country's defence establishment on Thursday told a parliamentary panel during a meeting, which sources said turned 'stormy' amid several questions asked by opposition members including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Defence ministry has no land to share with others

Defence ministry has no land to share with others

Rediff.com22 Jul 2012

With several government agencies, including Railways, seeking its land for their use, the Defence ministry has made it clear that it has no surplus land to share with others and needs additional land to keep up with the demands of the armed forces.

Movement of army units routine drill: Defence secretary

Movement of army units routine drill: Defence secretary

Rediff.com9 Apr 2012

Terming the movement of two army units towards Delhi in mid-January as a routine drill, Defence Secretary Shashi Kant Sharma on Monday said no permission was required for the same from the government.

Parl panel on defence to visit Galwan valley, Pangong Tso

Parl panel on defence to visit Galwan valley, Pangong Tso

Rediff.com13 Feb 2021

The 30-member committee, chaired by senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Union minister Jual Oram and of which Rahul Gandhi is also a member,wishes to visit the eastern Ladakh region in the last week of May or in June.