
Indian Army, Russian Land Forces bolster defence ties at IRIGC meet in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg [Russia], June 28 (ANI): Indian Army strengthens ties with Russian Land Forces at the 4th Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission (IRIGC) Sub Working Group (Land) meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia from June 25 to 27.
The interaction between the Two Armies focused on enhancing bilateral Defence Cooperation, including exchanges in niche technologies such as Drones, C-UAS, Electronic Warfare, and operational logistics equipment.
The event also included a visit to Mikhailovskaya Artillery Academy and the 56th Guards District Training Centre, Leningradsky Military District, the Indian Army said.
Strengthening the bilateral defence engagement further, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' meeting in Qingdao, China.
The meeting came shortly after Singh arrived at the venue on Thursday, where he was received by Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun. Upon his arrival, Singh joined Admiral Dong and other participating leaders for a group photograph ahead of the official proceedings. Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif arrived at the venue after Singh.
The SCO Defence Ministers' meeting, being held from June 25 to 26, brings together member states to discuss key regional and global security issues. The discussions are expected to focus on international and regional peace and security, counter-terrorism cooperation, and enhanced collaboration among the defence ministries of SCO member states.
In a press release, the Ministry of Defence stated, 'Defence Ministry is expected to highlight India's continued commitment to the principles and mandate of the SCO, outline India's vision towards achieving greater international peace & security, call for joint & consistent efforts to eliminate terrorism & extremism in the region, and stress on the need for greater trade, economic cooperation and connectivity within SCO. He will also hold bilateral meetings with the Defence Ministers of some participating countries, including China and Russia, on the sidelines of the meeting.'
India, the Ministry noted, places special importance on the SCO as a platform for promoting multilateralism and cooperation across politics, security, economy, and people-to-people ties in the region.
'SCO pursues its policy based on the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity of nations, non-interference in internal affairs, mutual respect, understanding and equality of all member states,' the Ministry added.
The SCO is an intergovernmental organisation established in 2001. India became a full member in 2017 and held the rotating chairmanship in 2023. Member countries include India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus. China has assumed the Chair of the SCO for 2025 under the theme 'Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move.' (ANI)

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
'Socialist, secular' were rejected in original Constitution: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi
Haveri (Karnataka) [India], June 29 (ANI): Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has claimed that the words 'socialist' and 'secular' were rejected in the original Constitution by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. Speaking to ANI, Joshi on Saturday said, 'The words 'socialist' and 'secular' were rejected in the original Constitution by no less than Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar himself. We respect the Constitution given by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.' The remarks came after RSS general secretary Hosabale suggested reconsidering the inclusion of the terms 'socialist' and 'secular' in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution. Hosabale was addressing an event on the 50th anniversary of the emergency, held at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre, jointly organised by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (under the Ministry of Culture) and the Ambedkar International Centre. Speaking at the event, he emphasised that the emergency wasn't just a misuse of power but an attempt to crush civil liberties. Millions were imprisoned, and freedom of the press was suppressed. He remarked that during the emergency, terms like 'socialist' and 'secular' were forcibly inserted into the Constitution - a move that needs to be reconsidered. Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi came down heavily on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), saying that it doesn't want the Constitution but the Manusmriti. Intensifying his attack, Gandhi said that RSS intended to violate the rights of the marginalised and the poor while enslaving them. 'The mask of RSS has come off again,' he added. 'RSS-BJP doesn't want the Constitution. They want Manusmriti. They aim to strip the marginalised and the poor of their rights and enslave them again. Snatching a powerful weapon like the Constitution from them is their real agenda,' the Congress leader posted on X. 'The Constitution irks them because it speaks of equality, secularism, and justice,' he added. Gandhi asserted that Congress would resist the dreams of RSS to 'snatch' the constitution from the marginalised and the poor. 'RSS should stop dreaming this dream - we will never let them succeed. Every patriotic Indian will defend the Constitution until their last breath,' he said. (ANI)


India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
TMC govt has zero tolerance for crime against women: Mahua Moitra amid outcry over Kolkata gangrape case
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], June 29 (ANI): Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra said on Saturday that the probe in the rape incident of a female student is going on war footing and stressed that TMC-led West Bengal government has 'zero tolerance' for crime against women. A female student was allegedly gang-raped inside the South Calcutta Law College in Kolkata's Kasba on Wednesday, June 25. Kolkata police has formed a five-member Special team to investigate the incident. The three accused, Manojit Mishra, Zaib Ahmed and Pramit Mukhopadhyay, who the Police have named, have been remanded to police custody till July 1(ANI) 'College student's rape investigation on war footing - @KolkataPolice identified & arrested all accused within 12 hrs, sent to 4 day custody. @AITCofficial & state govt has zero tolerance for crime against women - swiftest action taken in rape & POCSO cases. Unlike @BJP4India who glorify, garland & reward rapists & killers, ' Moitra who represents the Krishnanagar Lok Sabha constituency said in social media post X on Saturday. South Suburban Division DC Bidisha Kalita on Saturday said that the crime scene was recreated by the police, and the statement of the victim has been recorded. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched an all-out attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal over the alleged gangrape incident, with the party demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee. BJP leader Gourav Vallabh told ANI, 'What is the relationship between the gang rape accused and the TMC? Why do accused often emerge as members of the TMC party? In this case, the accused is also found to be a member of TMC. All of this is happening when the West Bengal Chief Minister is a woman... I believe Bengal has now become synonymous with anarchy, corruption, and nepotism. I strongly demand that a government that fails to protect its women must be dismissed. It is disgraceful to see MPs standing with the accused, claiming it was a matter of friendship or asking 'what should we do.' Such behaviour from TMC leaders, who are trying to shield the accused, is shameful... Mamata Banerjee should resign immediately...' The incident that comes 10 months after the RG Kar hospital rape and murder case has triggered a major political row in West Bengal. Congress and the BJP earlier in the day held separate protests over the incident. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) workers also held a 'Mashal March' demanding justice for the rape survivor. A female student was allegedly gang-raped inside the South Calcutta Law College in Kolkata's Kasba on Wednesday, June 25. The police have arrested three persons, including the main accused, and a five-member Special team has been formed to investigate the incident. (ANI)


India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta completes Govardhan Parikrama in UP's Mathura
Mathura (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 29 (ANI): Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta completed Govardhan Parikrama in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura on Saturday. Prior to Parikrama, the Delhi Chief Minister, speaking to ANI on Friday, said, 'Today we have come for Govardhan Parikrama with our team. We will also have darshan of Banke Bihari... Everyone is very excited. I have been coming here for years... I have come here for the first time after becoming the Chief Minister of Delhi...' Govardhan mountain is situated at a distance of 25 km from Mathura on the Mathura-Deeg road. According to the legend, Lord Krishna kept this mountain (Giriraj Parvat) on his little finger (finger) for seven days and nights to save the Brajwasis from the fierce rains and storms caused by the anger of Indra, the king of the gods, as stated on the UP government's official website. Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta participated in a mock Parliament programme organised by the BJP Mahila Morcha, where the Emergency was discussed. Gupta described it as a 'meaningful experience' and emphasised the importance of understanding this dark chapter in India's history. She said the country was turned into a jail on June 25, 1975, with lakhs of people imprisoned and democracy crushed. Gupta added that the women of Delhi learnt about this dark chapter and stressed the need for the nation to stay united to prevent such a crisis in the future. Speaking to the reporters, Rekha Gupta said, 'It felt great to participate in the mock parliament programme organised by the BJP Mahila Morcha, where the Emergency was discussed. Whatever happened in the country on 25 June 1975, the country was turned into a prison. Lakhs of people were sent to jail. By murdering democracy, a dark chapter was added to the country's history. Today, the women of Delhi gained knowledge about that chapter. To ensure such a crisis never befalls the country again, the entire nation will unite to fight this battle.' Earlier, on Friday, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated the 34th Mango Festival at the Tyagraj Stadium in Delhi. The festival saw active participation from farmers, agricultural experts, and mango producers, providing a platform for sharing challenges, innovations, and opportunities. According to an official release from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), CM Rekha Gupta interacted with farmers, agricultural experts, and mango producers at the event venue, gathering information about their challenges, opportunities, and innovations. (ANI)