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Economic Times
29 minutes ago
- Economic Times
India will respond with full force whenever terrorism threatens its citizens: Govt
ANI Telangana, Jul 13 (ANI): General Officer Commanding of the Sudarshan Chakra Corps, Lieutenant General Prit Pal Singh, interacts with Kerala Startup Mission during his visit to Amphibious Brigade of the Bison Division, on Sunday. (@IaSouthern X/ANI Photo) Anticipating future warfare scenarios through "predictive technologies" and creating precise, targeted systems for counter-action are among the three-fold goals when it comes to India's futuristic defence programme, Sudarshan Chakra Mission, the government said on Wednesday. In a broad synopsis of the country's security scenario, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Wednesday shared some data and a summary of various defence-related developments in the past 11 years, titled 'Transformation of India's Defence and Internal Security Posture'. "Unlike in the past, India under the present government has become a global force to reckon with, a nation that speaks on issues from a position of strength," it says. The government said India has adopted a "firm and clear approach towards cross-border terrorism", adding that the pattern of action over the last decade reflects this policy. The most recent and defining operation came in May 2025 with Operation Sindoor. In response to the killing of civilians in Pahalgam, "India gave its armed forces full freedom of action", the synopsis says. Using drones and precision munitions, they struck nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir. More than 100 terrorists were eliminated, including individuals linked to the IC814 hijacking and the Pulwama attack. Pakistan attempted retaliatory strikes through drones and missiles, but Indian counter-drone systems neutralised them, it adds. In his 79th Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Operation Sindoor as "a new normal", making it clear that "India will respond with full force whenever terrorism threatens its citizens," the synopsis says. Beyond immediate responses, the Modi government is preparing for "long-term threats," the government said. In his Independence Day speech, Modi had announced the Sudarshan Chakra Mission, a futuristic defence programme. "Its goals are threefold -- to ensure the entire system is researched, developed, and manufactured in India; to anticipate future warfare scenarios through predictive technologies; and to create precise, targeted systems for counter-action. By 2035, the aim is to provide a comprehensive national security shield for both strategic and civilian assets," it says. In the last eleven years, India's defence and internal security posture under the government of PM Modi has undergone a "profound transformation", it says. The shift has been marked by "greater clarity of purpose, stronger deterrence, and a sustained drive for self-reliance," the synopsis says. This government has consistently underlined that "national security is non-negotiable", and to ensure this security, India will build its own capacity and preparedness. This has resulted in a "more confident, modern, and proactive approach to challenges, both external and internal". it adds. Firm responses to terrorism, the clear articulation of new normal with Pakistan and futuristic initiatives like the Sudarshan Chakra Mission underscore a "forward-looking security doctrine," the government asserted. India's defence and internal security posture under the Modi government reflects a "decisive shift towards strength, clarity, and self-reliance". With record investments in defence, rapid growth in indigenous production, bold reforms, and the adoption of emerging technologies, India has transitioned from being a major importer to a rising global exporter of defence equipment, it added. "India's defence expenditure has steadily increased under the present government, rising from Rs 2.53 lakh crore in 2013-14 to Rs 6.81 lakh crore in 2025-26," the PIB synopsis says. "The focus is no longer only on acquiring weapons but also on building domestic capacity. In 2024-25, defence production touched a record Rs 1.50 lakh crore, more than triple the 2014-15 level," it adds. Fighter jets, missile systems, artillery systems, warships, naval vessels, aircraft carriers and a lot more are now being made in India, underlining how strongly "self-reliance and deterrence have become the cornerstone of national security," the government said. Defence exports grew thirty-four times over the last decade, reaching Rs 23,622 crore in 2024-25. Indian equipment is now exported to over 100 nations, including the United States, France, and Armenia, it said. The synopsis also shared data related to indigenisation efforts. The SRIJAN Portal (2020) enables the industry to locally develop items earlier imported. "To date, over 46,798 items have been listed". And, Positive Indigenisation Lists by DPSUs have identified 5,012 items (across five tranches), "signalling a phased ban on imports", it says. At the same time, progress in internal stability, food and energy security, financial inclusion, and technology innovation demonstrates that Atmanirbharta is "not confined to defence alone" but forms the foundation of a "resilient and confident India prepared to meet both traditional and non-traditional challenges on its path to becoming a global leader", the government asserted. "This tectonic shift reflects the deep resolve of the government to see the country as Viksit Bharat in every sense in the years to come. It also reaffirms that this government does not merely believe in rhetoric, but has actually done, and is continuing to do, what it takes to make India 'Viksit'," it said.
The Hindu
29 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Iran says will deploy new missiles if Israel attacks again
Iran said Wednesday (August 20, 2025) it was prepared for any new Israeli attack, announcing it has developed missiles with greater capabilities than those used during their recent 12-day war. "The missiles used in the 12-day war were manufactured... a few years ago," Defence Minister Aziz Nassirzadeh said, quoted by the official IRNA news agency. "Today, we have manufactured and possess missiles with far greater capabilities than previous missiles, and if the Zionist enemy embarks on the adventure again, we will undoubtedly use them." In mid-June, Israel launched a bombing campaign against Iran, triggering a war in which Iran responded with missile and drone strikes. The Israeli offensive killed senior military commanders, nuclear scientists and hundreds of others, striking both military sites and residential areas. The United States briefly joined the war with strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. A ceasefire between Iran and Israel has been in place since June 24. Iranian officials have since warned that another round of fighting could erupt at any moment, emphasising that Tehran does not seek war but remains prepared for any confrontation. On Monday, First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said Iran should be "prepared at every moment for confrontation". "We are not even in a ceasefire; we are in a cessation of hostilities," he added. Iranian media reported that the army is to begin a two-day military exercise on Thursday, featuring a wide range of short and medium-range cruise missiles. Western governments have repeatedly voiced concern about Iran's missile programme, calling it a threat to regional security. In July, France called for a "comprehensive deal" with Tehran that covers not only its nuclear programme but also its missile programme and its regional ambitions. Iran has insisted that its military capabilities are not up for negotiation.
The Hindu
29 minutes ago
- The Hindu
RMG firms quietly assess Bill banning their industry; video game firms welcome move
Real money gaming (RMG) firms struck a cautious tone in responding to the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which was passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday (August 20, 2025). The Bill prohibits any sort of online game that accepts money from users in exchange for a chance to win a return on the money, or risk losing what they put in. The E-Gaming Federation (EGF), which represents Games24x7 and RummyCircle, two RMG platforms, said that the Bill was a 'distinct opportunity to establish a framework that safeguards players while promoting responsible growth in a sunrise sector.' It added, 'Thoughtful regulation can amplify the positive impact while ensuring responsible and fair practices remain at the core.' The Bill would force these firms to stop offering pay-to-play games. Commissions on these games are a principal revenue stream for RMG firms. 'Death knell' In a letter to Home Minister Amit Shah, the firms underlined their anxieties more explicitly. 'Such a blanket prohibition would strike a death knell for this legitimate, job-creating industry, and would cause serious harm to Indian users and citizens,' the EGF said, along with the All India Gaming Federation and the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports. 'Fly-by-night' offshore firms would proliferate, investor sentiment would be dampened, and two lakh people would lose their jobs, the letter argued. Video gaming is distinct category Video game companies, which have complained in the past about their industries being conflated with the RMG industry under the umbrella 'gaming' label, welcomed the Bill. 'For the last two years, the singular demand of the Indian video games industry has been recognition and categorisation as a distinct industry-business, not clubbed with online money games,' Harish Chengaiah, CEO of Chennai-based Outlier Games said. 'With the proposed Bill, that demand has finally been met, and we thank the Government of India for it.' The Bill may find takers across the political spectrum, but few voices of support emerged from the Opposition, amid the standoff on the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar and allegations of 'vote theft' by the INDIA coalition. However, Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge and Congress MP Karti Chidambaram have both expressed concerns that an outright prohibition may not fix the problem and instead promote offshore gambling operators' attempts to make inroads among Indian users.
