'DRDO has been directed to license missile technologies to the private sector.'
US Vice President JD Vance on Sunday generated significant online traction after making a light-hearted reference to two "very, very important" Indian and Pakistani people in his life - his wife Usha Vance and Pakistani Army chief Asim Munir, on the sidelines of the US-Iran diplomatic deliberations in Switzerland.
As tensions in the Middle East approach a critical juncture, reports have surfaced regarding a draft memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran aimed at de-escalating the ongoing conflict, Iranian state media reported on Wednesday.
A US-Iran memorandum of understanding is set to be signed, outlining sanctions relief, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a 60-day negotiation window for Iran's uranium enrichment, but US President Donald Trump has underscored the deal's conditional nature, warning of military action if Tehran fails to comply.
The US Department of Defence has restored the name of the US Indo-Pacific Command to the US Pacific Command, reversing an eight-year-old decision. This change honours the command's deep historical roots, established in 1947, while its vast area of responsibility, extending to India's western border, and its mission remain unchanged.
Much will depend on how the protagonists use the current interlude to work proactively for the beginning of a durable settlement or, on the contrary, prepare for a new round of escalation, points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closed lower, snapping a two-day rally, as a spike in crude oil prices, triggered by reports of fresh US military operations in southern Iran, dampened investor sentiment and reignited fears of renewed energy supply disruptions.
The signing of the US-Iran deal to end the conflict in West Asia has been delayed by a few hours due to Israel's strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut, US President Donald Trump told local media in Washington, DC.
Security forces in northwest Pakistan successfully used a drone strike to destroy an explosive-laden vehicle in the North Waziristan district, preventing a potential suicide attack. The region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is known for ongoing militant violence and cross-border insurgencies.
Manipur's police chief, Mukesh Singh, has issued a stern warning against individuals taking the law into their own hands or firing at security forces, stating they will be dealt with strictly. He also highlighted efforts to recover looted weapons and combat social media misinformation.
Exploring memorable scenes that celebrate football in the movies.
A Pakistan Army Mi-17 helicopter crashed near Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir due to a technical fault, killing all personnel on board. An inquiry has been ordered into the incident, which follows other recent helicopter crashes in the region.
India and China held constructive talks on the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, emphasising that maintaining border peace and tranquillity enabled progress in normalising overall relations.
Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi stated that the armed forces are fully prepared for 'Operation Sindoor 2.0' if the need arises, emphasising enhanced synergy across all three services for modern multi-domain warfare.
India's dual pursuit of a robust strategic partnership with Washington and a pragmatic, tension-management policy with Beijing represents the essence of modern multi-alignment. By embracing economic pragmatism, learning to compartmentalize political differences, and engaging in continuous dialogue, India can secure its borders, grow its economy, and contribute to a stable, multipolar Asian century, points out Ambassador Rajasekhar.
Following the signing of a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iran, US President Donald Trump reiterated the terms for a 60-day negotiation period, vowing that Tehran will receive "not ten cents" in financial relief.
The boundary mess between India and Nepal needs a solution in a manner as mentioned by Nepal's Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal: 'On evidence not emotions', counsels Lieutenant General Shakti Gurung (retd).
'The US was well aware of the nationality of the seafarers on board the vessels. It was not hidden. The nationality of those aboard a merchant ship is known to all the ports.' 'So, why did US shoot a missile that resulted in the deaths of the Indian mariners?'
India has strongly protested to the United States after three merchant ships with Indian crew members were attacked by the American military off the coast of Oman, resulting in the deaths of three Indian nationals.
The IRGC is the most powerful branch of Iran's armed forces and operates independently of the country's regular military, answering directly to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
US President Donald Trump announced he halted planned military strikes on Iran following requests from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, citing ongoing discussions that could lead to a deal.
'General Subramani's appointment as military adviser in the NSCS has given him insight into decision-making at the apex level prior to formally taking over as CDS.'
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty traded lower amid volatile trends, influenced by escalating geopolitical uncertainties in West Asia and fresh outflows from Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs).
Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi issued a stern warning to Pakistan, stating that if it continues to harbour terrorists and operate against India, it risks becoming 'history'. The remarks were made during an interactive session, days after the anniversary of Operation Sindoor, which involved precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK.
The US military carried out 'self-defence strikes' targeting Iranian missile launch sites and boats near the Strait of Hormuz, even as President Trump announced progress in ceasefire negotiations, stating Iran's enriched uranium will be 'turned over' or destroyed.
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a tense phone call over the future course of the war on Iran, with Washington favouring a deal instead of resuming strikes, according to US media reports.
The government has appointed Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani (Retd) as the next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), who shall also function as the secretary to the government of India, department of military affairs, with effect from the date of assumption of charge and until further orders.
Top leaders from the US, Iran, and Pakistan, along with other nations, have gathered in Switzerland for high-level talks aimed at restoring peace in West Asia. These negotiations follow a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the US and Iran, initiating a 60-day window for a deal. Discussions focus on Iran's nuclear programme and the fragile interim peace deal, amidst renewed tensions and the fluctuating status of the Strait of Hormuz.
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz declared that the Israeli military will not withdraw from its security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, directly opposing the newly announced American-led diplomatic framework with Tehran. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir further asserted Israel's sovereignty, stating, "Trump's agreement does not bind us. Israel is not subject to the United States, and we are an independent and sovereign nation!"
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that a US-Iran peace deal is on the verge of finalisation, potentially within the next 24 hours, marking a significant diplomatic breakthrough after months of intense negotiations.
Five Pakistani soldiers, including a major, have been killed during an operation against terrorists in Balochistan's Barkhan district. At least seven terrorists were also killed in the operation.
'A film that puts a Malayali collector, a Malayali general, and a Malayali gangster all in the same national plot does not feel pan-Indian. It feels like a school play where only one family showed up,' notes Binu Alex after watching the Mohanlal-Mammootty starrer Patriot.
Pakistani security forces conducted an operation in the Khyber district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing two terrorists. The region has a history of militant violence, with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) frequently accused of attacks following the end of their ceasefire.
Indian bowlers spun a web around Pakistani batters to kick-off their Women's T20 World Cup campaign with a winning start in Birmingham on Sunday.
Indian benchmark equity indices, the BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty, experienced a significant drop in early trade due to elevated oil prices, weak global market trends, and renewed fears of military operations in the Middle East following US President Donald Trump's statements regarding Iran. Track Sensex, Nifty on May 20.
An Mi-17 helicopter of the Pakistan Army Aviation crashed near Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, killing all personnel on board. The military attributed the accident to a technical fault during take-off, and a board of inquiry has been ordered. Top Pakistani leaders expressed condolences.
Motorola Edge 70 Pro+ handset combines a striking quad-curved AMOLED display, a trio of 50 MP cameras, a 6,500 mAh battery, all wrapped in a stylish design aimed at power users and photography enthusiasts alike.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for the resolution of the West Asia crisis and the Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, asserting that military action alone cannot achieve lasting peace. He made the remarks after talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow would not interfere in the "delicate" bilateral relations between India and China, expressing confidence in their ability to resolve border disputes amicably. He also discussed Russia's independent partnerships with both nations, touched upon India-Pakistan ties, and highlighted ongoing and proposed defence cooperation with India, including the BrahMos missile and a potential Su-57 fighter jet project.
'The share of the private sector is at its all-time high of around Rs 42,000 crore in FY26, reflecting its expanding role in the defence ecosystem.'
