The Indian Air Force plans to move forward with its Project Cheetah under the Make in India route since all major import deals have either been put on hold or scrapped by the Narendra Modi government. Indian defence manufacturers will equip Israeli Heron drones with strike capability through the project. Project Cheetah aims to upgrade the Indian Air Force's fleet of Israeli-origin Heron unmanned aerial vehicles with improved communication capabilities and missiles that can target enemy positions from a distance. In accordance with plans, Israeli weapon manufacturers were to complete the p
Iran has signed a memorandum of understanding to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO. The decision was announced by Iran’s Foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a tweet on Wednesday. He is accompanying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to the city of Samarkand for the SCO Summit. Iran and the SCO initiated a formal process for Tehran’s addition to the bloc in March. The Iranian administration later approved Iran's membership. Iran will attend the SCO as a permanent member of the Summit to be hosted by India next year. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is
India will host the G20 Leaders’ Summit on September 9-10, next year, and its presidency of the strategic multilateral platform — in which developed and emerging economies come together- beginning December 1 this year will witness the government hosting 200 meetings in different parts of the country. India will take on the presidency for one year — from December 1, 2022, to November 30, 2023, the government officially announced on Tuesday. The inter-governmental organization of the world’s major developed and developing economies consists of 19 countries and the European Union.
On Wednesday, India and France agreed to establish an Indo-Pacific trilateral framework to advance development projects, expanded strategic cooperation and vowed to work closely on pressing global challenges, like the food crisis caused by the Ukraine war. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said Russia is waging a destructive war of aggression on the territory of a sovereign state after wide-ranging talks with her Indian counterpart S Jaishankar. She emphasized that France is determined to work with India to tackle the war's "terrible consequences." She said many challenges have
On September 11, the Indian Navy hosted the sixth edition of Japan-India Maritime Exercise 2022 (JIMEX 22). As part of its anti-submarine warfare capability, the Indian Navy is represented by three indigenously designed and built warships: Sahyadri, a multi-purpose stealth frigate, and Kadmatt and Kavaratti, interceptor corvettes. The Indian Navy announced that guided missile destroyer Ranvijay, fleet tanker Jyoti, offshore patrol vessel Sukanya, submarines, fighter aircraft MIG 29K, Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft, as well as ship-borne helicopters, are also participating in the exerc
King Charles III on September 12 gave his first speech in Parliament as Britain’s monarch during which he pledged to follow in the footsteps of his 'darling late mother' and carry on the legacy of selfless duty of Queen Elizabeth II in upholding “the precious principles of constitutional governance”. The House of Commons and Lords offered condolences to the new King at Westminster Hall in London. Queen Elizabeth passed away, aged 96 in Scotland, on September 8. "While very young, her late Majesty pledged herself to serve her country and her people and to maintain the preciou
There are also long-term visions shared by leaders on both sides that contributed to the spurt in ties. The emergence of India as the fifth-largest economy and the fastest-growing economy will certainly result in further quantum leaps in strategic relations. Rajnath Singh and S Jaishankar met their Japanese counterparts Hamada Yasukazu and Hayashi Yoshimasa at the second India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Tokyo on September 8 to discuss all critical challenges to a rules-based global order, which is increasingly tying together the two countries and providing renewed energy to their un
In Uzbekistan, Narendra Modi will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit scheduled for September 15 and 16. According to Indian Express (IE), this will be the first in-person summit since Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, in 2019. PM Modi is expected to arrive in Samarkand on September 14 and return on September 16. The SCO presidency will be handed over to India for the next year until September 2023 after the 2022 summit. SCO's next summit will most likely be held in New Delhi. Ebrahim Raisi, Shahbaz Sharif, and Xi Jinping are among the leaders who have confirmed attendance. Sou
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday met with the Crown Prince Saudi of Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud in Jeddah and notified him of the bilateral ties between the two countries. Jaishankar arrived on Saturday on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, his first trip to the Kingdom as India's External Affairs Minister. Jaishankar tweeted, "Honoured to call on HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah this evening. Conveyed the warm greetings of PM @narendramodi. Apprised him of the progress in our bilateral relations. Thank him for sharing his vision of our ties." Before t
Indian aircraft carrier Rafale jets will be equipped with French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation. But American fighter plane manufacturer Boeing is pitching for the new ship, offering F-18s. A 43,000-ton ship, INS Vikrant, was commissioned by India this week. There are 30 aeroplanes and helicopters that can be accommodated on the giant vessel, less than half the number of Nimitz class carriers in the US Navy. INS Vikramaditya is equipped with Russian-made MiG-29s. In the beginning, INS Vikrant will be fitted with Russian-made MiG-29s. When the deal has been approved by the governme