'We not only have to secure our national interests but also prepare for new national security challenges like cyber warfare and terrorism.'
President Droupadi Murmu on Friday approved 78 gallantry awards, including 13 posthumously, to the personnel of the defence forces and central armed police forces on the eve of 80th Independence Day.
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, secretary general of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and a close ally of former premier Khaleda Zia, has been elected as Bangladesh's new President in the first contested poll for the post in 35 years.
Veteran politician Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been sworn in as Bangladesh's 23rd President, following a contested parliamentary election that saw him defeat Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed. Alamgir, a longtime secretary general of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), will serve a five-year term.
Pakistan is considering creating a new position of 'Commander of Defence Forces' (CDF) to improve coordination and unified command among its military services, according to media reports. The move is part of broader defence reforms and is reportedly influenced by recent conflicts and the evolving nature of modern warfare.
On February 27, President Droupadi Murmu undertook a sortie in the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter PRACHAND at Air Force Station Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
US President Donald Trump has claimed that Washington has the capability to liquidate the surviving Iranian leadership with "one shot" if it desired, pointing to the congregation of top Iranian officials attending the week-long state funeral for the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who lost his life in joint US-Israeli air strikes on February 28.
His post got a lot of heart emojis and one follower thanked him for taking a stand on the matter of unity.
The Union government has informed the Bombay High Court that Agniveers are not "similarly situated" as regular soldiers and hence, cannot claim parity in pensionary benefits for their next of kin in the event of death in action.
The BJP has strongly criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her remarks about President Droupadi Murmu, accusing her of disrespect and questioning her commitment to the Constitution.
President Droupadi Murmu will fly in the indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) 'Prachand' at the Jaisalmer Air Force Station. She will also attend the IAF's mega firepower demonstration 'Vayu Shakti' at the Pokhran Field Firing Range.
President Droupadi Murmu will take a sortie in a Rafale fighter jet in Ambala, Haryana.
President Droupadi Murmu undertook a sortie onboard the Indian Navy's INS Vaghsheer, highlighting the nation's naval capabilities and commitment to maritime security.
'As the PLA higher command is almost dismantled and instability spreads, India needs to be prepared for any eventuality,' cautions China expert Srikanth Kondapalli.
The Supreme Court has revoked the wrongful termination of a former Indian Air Force official, restoring his honour after more than three decades, in a case involving alleged criminal force against a junior colleague.
The 'slow pace' of acquisition of weapon systems is a matter of concern and the new government will work towards 'expediting' the procurement process to meet the requirements of the armed forces, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said on Tuesday.
A senior Iranian official has stated that Iran has not yet elected a successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei, following his assassination. The process to elect a new leader is underway, with several candidates being considered.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday led the nation in paying tributes to military personnel who fought valiantly in harsh conditions to hand Pakistan a crushing defeat in the 1999 Kargil conflict.
The US Navy seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman, escalating tensions as ceasefire talks face uncertainty. The incident raises concerns about the fragile ceasefire and the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
President Droupadi Murmu undertook a sortie in a Rafale fighter jet from the Air Force Station in Ambala. This follows a previous sortie in a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft in April 2023.
India recognised acts of gallantry by armed forces personnel and senior military officers involved in Operation Sindoor, along with other distinguished service awards, on the eve of the 79th Independence Day.
The arrest of an Indian Army Major for allegedly killing a fellow officer's wife he was "obsessed" with is not the first incident of alleged inappropriate conduct in the history of the country's armed forces. In the past, a number of such cases have hogged the limelight at different points in time. Here are some of such cases.
India's handling of the Iran crisis reflects a growing strain between strategic autonomy and geopolitical alignment, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
Three young officers, grandsons of war veterans, will lead contingents at the 76th Republic Day parade in New Delhi, continuing a family tradition of military service. Lt Ahaan Kumar will lead the 61 Cavalry, Lt Cdr Saahil Ahluwalia will lead the naval contingent, and Capt Ritika Khareta will lead a contingent of the Corps of Signals. The parade will also feature new stunts, including a "Bullet wheelie" by Capt Ashish Rana and a salute by Capt Dimple Singh Bhati on a 12-ft ladder mounted on a moving motorcycle.
Three Thursdays after Nepalese President Ram Chand Poudel conferred the rank of honorary general of the Nepalese army on General Upendra Dwivedi in Kathmandu, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the honorary rank of general of the Indian Army on General Ashok Raj Sigdel, Nepal's army chief, at a special investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
In the changed geo-political situation that India finds in the 21st century, defence issues and the armed forces both need careful nursing and due attention. One hopes we get a President who is competent to handle the duties as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, says Colonel (retd) Anil Athale.
'To suddenly give the impression of taking a position that is hostile to Iran, or, at least, not friendly to Iran, is not a good thing.'
Taking Kharg would give the US control over virtually all of Iran's oil exports and thus provide significant leverage, notes Prem Panicker in his must read daily blog on the Gulf War. It would also put American troops within range of Iran's remaining missiles, drones, and artillery on a piece of real estate that is just eight square miles in size, and just 15 miles from the Iranian mainland.
The Supreme Court has directed the Indian Air Force not to release Wing Commander Nikita Pandey from service. Pandey, who participated in Operation Balakot and Operation Sindoor, was denied a permanent commission despite being an expert fighter controller. The court raised concerns about the uncertainty faced by Short Service Commission (SSC) officers who are denied permanent commissions after years of service. The court emphasized the need for a system to accommodate all suitable SSC officers in permanent commissions, highlighting the excellent performance of women officers. The court has ordered the IAF to consider Pandey's case in a second selection board and has postponed the hearing to August 6.
When everyone has footage and no one can verify it, the loudest voice wins, notes Prem Panicker who begins a daily blog on the War in the Middle East.
Kabir, the son of Col Manpreet Singh, who was killed fighting terrorists in Kashmir, believes his father will return home after receiving the Kirti Chakra. The 10-year-old boy, who lit his father's pyre 19 months ago, clings to the hope that his father is alive and well, despite the reality of his death.
The veterans said they chose to write to the President as he is the custodian of the Constitution as well as the supreme commander of the armed forces.
'The next two to three weeks will not be decided in Washington.' 'They will be decided in Tehran, in whatever calculation Iran makes about the costs of continued resistance against the costs of appearing to have yielded.'
General Manoj Chandrashekhar Pande on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, visited the Siachen base camp and forward posts in Ladakh to review operational preparedness.
On Saturday, April 8, 2023, President Droupadi Murmu, supreme commander of the India's armed forces, took a sortie on the Indian Air Force's Sukhoi 30 fighter aircraft at the IAF's Tezpur Air Force Station.
The controversy followed after another Madhya Pradesh minister, Vijay Shah, came under fire for remarks about Col Sofiya Qureshi who conducted media briefings on Operation Sindoor along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.
The defence minister also said India is moving quickly from being the world's largest importer of defence equipment to an exporter.
The first generation IAF officer from Haryana will assist President Droupadi Murmu as the supreme commander of India's armed forces unfurls the Tiranga on Republic Day.
'The government has belied the hope that many harboured of change, efficiency and dismantling old practices as the defence ministry continues to pursue the same well trodden and wasteful path.'
The Madhya Pradesh high court on Thursday expressed dissatisfaction with the first information report (FIR) registered by police on its orders against minister Vijay Shah regarding his objectionable remarks about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, and said it must be comprehensive.
