
Australian Defence Minister Marles makes first 'port of call' at 'chai' stall in Delhi
'A morning run at Nehru Park followed by chai at Malcha Marg- an active start to the Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles MP's day in Delhi. Look forward to a busy but productive day ahead,' Australia's High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, said.
https://x.com/AusHCIndia/status/1930152259876184458
Richard Marles said he went out for a run at Nehru Park and then had tea at Malcha Marg.
'First port of call in India is a run and a chai from the local market!' Marles said in a post on X.
https://x.com/RichardMarlesMP/status/1930163968976531463
Marles arrived in Delhi late on Tuesday night.
Green said in a post on X, 'Welcome to India, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles. 5 years ago tomorrow, Australia and India signed our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Your visit to India so early in your second term reflects the strength & continuity of our enduring relationship.'
https://x.com/AusHCIndia/status/1929949095633854545
Rajnath Singh will meet Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles in New Delhi on Wednesday, an official statement said.
Both leaders will discuss regional and global security issues and the deepening of defence cooperation ties.
In a post on X, the Ministry of Defence stated, 'Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will meet Australian Deputy Prime Minister & Defence Minister Richard Marles MP in New Delhi today, to discuss regional and global security issues and deepen Defence Cooperation. Defence and security are key pillars of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with both nations committed to peace, stability, and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.'
https://x.com/SpokespersonMoD/status/1930108085076390007
Marles is travelling to the Maldives, Sri Lanka, India and Indonesia from June 2-5 for high-level meetings, as per the Australian Defence Government release.
The Deputy Prime Minister will meet leaders and counterparts in the South and Southeast Asia as part of the Government's commitment to deepening diplomatic and defence partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. (ANI)
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)

Business Standard
23 minutes ago
- Business Standard
India will respond decisively whenever terrorism threatens citizens: Govt
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 201314 to Rs 6.81 lakh crore in 202526," the PIB synopsis says. "The focus is no longer only on acquiring weapons but also on building domestic capacity. In 202425, defence production touched a record Rs 1.50 lakh crore, more than triple the 201415 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 202425. 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.


Economic Times
26 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Pakistan extends airspace ban for Indian aircraft till September 23
Synopsis Pakistan has prolonged its airspace ban for Indian aircraft until September 23, as announced by the Pakistan Airports Authority through a new NOTAM. This restriction, initially imposed on April 23 due to heightened tensions after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, prohibits Indian airlines and aircraft from using Pakistani airspace. India had previously responded with a reciprocal airspace closure for Pakistani aircraft. ANI Representational image Pakistan authorities on Wednesday extended its airspace ban for Indian aircraft till September 23. The Pakistan Airports Authority has issued a fresh NOTAM (notice to airmen) announcing the one-month extension of the restriction on Indian aircraft in Pakistan's airspace. "All aircraft operated by Indian airlines will not be allowed to use Pakistani airspace. The ban also remains in place for military and civilian aircraft that are Indian-owned or leased," the authority said. The ban was initially imposed on April 23 for one month in the wake of tension between the two countries following the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The move barred Indian carriers and aircraft from flying over Pakistani territory. Days later, on April 30, India responded with a reciprocal airspace closure for Pakistani aircraft and airlines. The tit-for-tat restrictions were first extended on May 23.


Economic Times
26 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Russian oil continues to flow to India: First Deputy PM Denis Manturo
Synopsis Russia aims to increase LNG exports to India, continuing fuel shipments including oil, coal, and oil products. Trade between the two nations is increasingly conducted in their national currencies, exceeding 90%. Both countries are set to enhance cooperation in the banking and insurance sectors, and also in the peaceful nuclear sector, building on the Kudankulam NPP project. iStock Russian oil and energy resources continue to flow to India as Moscow sees potential for LNG exports, Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturo said on Wednesday. "We continue to ship fuel, including crude oil and oil products, thermal and coking coal. We see potential for exporting Russian LNG," Manturov said, co-chairing the 26th session of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific-Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC). From the Indian side, the commission was co-chaired by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who arrived here on Tuesday on a three-day visit. "We expect to expand comprehensive cooperation in the peaceful nuclear sector, including on the basis of the successful experience of the Kudankulam NPP construction project," the Russian leader said. Manturov noted that trade between Russia and India in national currencies has exceeded 90 per cent. "An equally important task, especially in the current realities, is to ensure seamless mutual settlements. We have already managed to transfer more than 90 per cent of payments between Russia and India to national currencies," Manturov said. India and Russia will continue to develop cooperation in the banking sector to further strengthen interbank cooperation and interaction in the insurance sector, he added. After the meeting, Jaishankar in a social media post said, "We had detailed discussions on our cooperation in a wide-ranging arena including trade & economic sector, agriculture, energy, industries, skilling, mobility, education and culture." "As we prepare for the Annual Leaders Summit, confident that the outcomes of the IRIGC-TEC meeting today will further drive the time-tested India-Russia partnership," he added. Jaishankar and Manturov signed the protocol of the IRIGC-TEC sessions; details of which would be released later by the governments in New Delhi and Moscow. Earlier, Jaishankar laid wreaths at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier at the Kremlin Wall to pay homage to Soviet people who died in World War II. He also met with experts of top Russian think-tanks to explain recent developments in India's foreign policy. Before leaving for home on Thursday, he will meet his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov to discuss current issues amid the global turmoil and Trump administration's sanctions on India. Lavrov and Jaishankar will also set the agenda for President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Summit in China from August 31 to September 1. The relations between New Delhi and Washington are on a downturn after US President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to a whopping 50 per cent, including a 25 per cent additional duties for India's purchase of Russian crude oil that will come into effect from August 27.