Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

The eighth edition of Exercise Shakti, the flagship joint military training between India and France, came to a close this Thursday at Camp Larzac in La Cavalerie, France. The Indian Army, in an official statement, confirmed the successful completion of this bilateral engagement, aimed at enhancing tactical coordination, mutual trust, and interoperability between the two forces. The Indian contingent, composed of 90 soldiers primarily from the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, trained alongside the French Army’s 13th Half-Brigade of the Foreign Legion (13e DBLE). Over the course of the drill, the troops engaged in a variety of intense mission-specific scenarios, tailored…

Intense Talks Continue to Reach Interim India-US Trade Deal Ahead of Deadline As the July 9 deadline for the pause on new US tariffs draws closer, Indian and American trade negotiators are engaged in intense last-minute discussions in Washington, DC, to finalise a long-pending interim trade agreement. Officials from both sides confirmed that efforts are underway to resolve the remaining differences, with the focus on reciprocal tariff cuts and improved market access in key sectors. India is seeking better access for labour-intensive exports such as garments, footwear, leather goods, spices, and seafood — sectors that generate significant employment. In return,…

Awami League Lays Out Statistics of ‘Brutality’ Gripping Yunus-led Bangladesh The Awami League has released a damning report on the state of human rights and law enforcement in Bangladesh, accusing the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of allowing “brutal anarchy” to take hold in the country. The party said that under this regime, safety, justice, and leadership have completely collapsed. According to the statistics compiled by the party, June alone saw 63 reported rapes, including 17 gang rapes. Among the survivors were seven women or girls with disabilities, 19 children, and 23 teenage girls. There were also 39 reported cases of…

In an impassioned speech at the United Nations, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar strongly reaffirmed the country’s uncompromising position against terrorism, declaring, “Terrorism anywhere threatens peace everywhere.” His remarks came during the opening of “The Human Cost of Terrorism,” an exhibition hosted by India’s Permanent Mission to the UN. Describing the display as both a “gallery of human courage” and a tribute to those silenced by acts of terror, Jaishankar said the event was meant to restore voices to victims whose lives were stolen. He emphasized, “This is a remembrance for the countless lives devastated by terrorism — a…

India has laid out an ambitious plan to achieve $1 billion in turmeric exports by 2030, as announced by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah. The declaration came on June 29 during the inauguration of the newly established National Headquarters of the Turmeric Board in Nizamabad, Telangana. This major step is expected to transform India’s turmeric economy through enhanced global market integration and farmer empowerment. Amit Shah emphasized that the Turmeric Board will be instrumental in improving the entire value chain—from packaging and branding to international marketing and export facilitation. The board is designed to ensure farmers…

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his heartfelt wishes to the nation on the auspicious occasion of Jagannath Rath Yatra. Using his official handle on the social media platform X, he expressed hope for widespread happiness, prosperity, and good health. “Warm wishes to all fellow citizens on the sacred occasion of Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra. May this revered festival of faith and devotion bring joy, prosperity, good fortune, and excellent health to everyone. Jai Jagannath!” the Prime Minister posted. In addition to the Rath Yatra, PM Modi also acknowledged Ashadhi Bij, the Kutch New Year, celebrated on the second…

Speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ summit in Qingdao, China, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made it clear that India will continue to adopt a zero-tolerance approach toward terrorism. In a strong statement, Singh said that India’s counter-terror policies are no longer just words but are being implemented in action. “India has proven that terrorist epicenters can no longer feel safe. We have taken bold steps to defend our people and will continue doing so when necessary,” Singh emphasized. He called for unified efforts to counter the growing problem of radicalization, particularly among young people. Commending the…

India is confidently progressing toward becoming a $5 trillion economy by 2027, despite the turbulence of global economic conditions. This assurance was delivered by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal during a recent virtual address hosted by the Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Goyal credited the country’s decade-long reform agenda, guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for laying the groundwork for this transformation. Far from being mere incremental changes, he described these reforms as bold and foundational for what he called “Viksit Bharat” — a fully developed India by 2047. The Minister highlighted that India, once grouped among…

In a major leap towards strengthening indigenous defense capabilities, the Indian Army has signed a deal with Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) for the acquisition of approximately 450 Nagastra-1R loitering munitions, the company confirmed in an official statement. Valued at an estimated $54 million, the deal marks a substantial investment in locally developed precision-strike unmanned systems. The Nagastra-1R is engineered as a cost-efficient and combat-effective solution, featuring full launcher system reusability. Equipped with a 360-degree gimbal camera, the drone also offers the integration of thermal imaging for enhanced night-time operations. It is supported by secure, proprietary encryption protocols for…

In a landmark development for India’s space industry, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has officially transferred its Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) technology to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) in a deal worth approximately $59 million. The announcement, made on June 23, 2025, marks the first time ISRO has handed over a full-fledged launch vehicle technology to a private-sector-led consortium. The Rs. 511 crore ($59.7 million) contract was awarded through a competitive bidding process, where HAL was chosen from among three bidding consortia after passing a stringent technical evaluation. This agreement will allow HAL to independently manufacture, manage, and commercially…