Parliament Monsoon Session Day 2: Both Houses adjouns till noon
Follow the Parliament Monsoon Session Day 2 LIVE
In Rajya Sabha, the proceedings began with the Deputy Chairman of the House Harivansh Narayan Singh, presiding over the session after Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned on July 21, 2025, citing health reasons. The Opposition had moved 12 notices under Rule 267, requiring the suspension of the day's business to debate the listed issue. One of the notices moved by CPI MP P. Sandosh was on the sudden resignation of Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar. The protest continued in the House, and the Rajya Sabha was adjourned till noon.
In the Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla called to adjourn the House minutes after convening after members of the Opposition continued their protests seeking a discussion on the Pahalgam terrorist attack and the foreign policy occurrences in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor.
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India Today
16 minutes ago
- India Today
Pakistan to create Army Rocket Force after Op Sindoor setback
Pakistan, which was made to bite the dust by Indian armed forces in Operation Sindoor, has announced the creation of a new military force to supervise missile combat capabilities in a conventional conflict. Pakistan's move on a dedicated command for missiles and rockets, modelled on China's People's Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF), is being seen as an apparent move to match India's the four-day mini-war in May, aerial warfare prevailed. Drones, missiles, and loitering munitions were all used by both sides. Pakistan's Chinese-made PL-15 and India's indigenous BrahMos, Akash systems, and even the Russian S-400 were deployed. Pakistan's missiles largely turned into duds, as almost all were intercepted and destroyed by Indian air defence using several missile Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, on the eve of its Independence Day, late Wednesday (August 13, 2025), announced the creation of the Army Rocket Force at a ceremony held in Islamabad to commemorate the military confrontation with India, reported news agency Reuters. "It will be equipped with modern technology," Sharif said, according to a statement from Islamabad. He added that the force will prove to be a milestone in strengthening the combat capability of Pakistan's however, did not provide any further NEW MISSILE COMMAND, MODELLED AFTER CHINA'S IS 'MEANT FOR INDIA'A senior Pakistani security official told news agency Reuters that the new force will house a dedicated command, which will be exclusive to the handling and deployment of missiles in any event of a conventional war."It is obvious that it is meant for India," he Army Rocket Force Command (ARFC) will be "modelled explicitly after China's People's Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF)", noted Group Captain MJ Augustine (retired) in his report in the Eurasian PLARF, previously known as the Second Artillery Corps, serves as China's strategic and tactical missile force. As the fourth branch of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), the PLARF manages China's land-based missile arsenal, including ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles, both nuclear and Captain MJ Augustine (retired) explained how Pakistan's new force being modelled after the one in China, also strengthens the Islamabad-Beijing axis. During Operation Sindoor, China provided Pakistan with real-time intelligence, satellite surveillance, and advanced military hardware. This collaboration, including the use of Chinese-supplied J-10 aircraft and AI-driven systems like CENTAIC, revealed the deep strategic nexus, with China using Pakistan as a testing ground for its military the regional level, the ARFC reinforces the China-Pakistan alliance, often referred to as an "all-weather friendship". Modelled after China's PLARF, which oversees the country's extensive missile arsenal for both conventional and nuclear purposes, Pakistan's force gains from Chinese technology transfers, according to the INDIA HAD AN EDGE OVER PAKISTAN IN OPERATION SINDOORDuring Operation Sindoor, India demonstrated a decisive advantage over Pakistan in both missile interception and offensive air defence systems proved highly effective in neutralising incoming threats, intercepting Pakistani missiles with precision and minimising potential damage. A night before the ceasefire, India intercepted and shot down Pakistan's Fatah-1 missile over Haryana's Sirsa. Its debris were found near Khaja Khera the same time, the Indian Air Force launched a fierce and coordinated assault, striking multiple high-value and sensitive targets deep within Pakistani territory. These included PAF's Nur Khan airbase, key communication hubs, and strategic infrastructure, disrupting Pakistan's operational combination of technological superiority, advanced missile defence systems, and aggressive aerial tactics left Pakistan struggling to mount an effective by this, Pakistan has seemingly responded by creating its new military unit – the Army Rocket Force.- Ends advertisement
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First Post
32 minutes ago
- First Post
Jaishankar in Moscow, Wang Yi in Delhi: Why this is an important time for Indian diplomacy
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will travel to Moscow next week, where he will meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on August 21. Talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin could also be on the cards. Before the EAM's trip, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected to be in India. The two visits come amid a strain in New Delhi's ties with the US over trade Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit India next week. Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will head to Russia. File Photo/Reuters India will boost engagement with Russia and China at the top levels over the coming weeks, amid a strain in ties with the United States over trade. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar will be in Moscow next week to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on August 21. Before Jaishankar heads to Russia, India is reportedly preparing to host Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. This will be the first high-level visit from China following a four-day conflict between India and Pakistan in May after Operation Sindoor. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As relations with the US take a hit over trade, India's ties with Russia and China are evolving. Let's take a closer look. Jaishankar in Russia, China's FM in India EAM S Jaishankar is slated to visit Russia on a two-day trip next week. He will hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin could also be in the cards. 'The Ministers will discuss key issues on our bilateral agenda, as well as key aspects of cooperation within international framework,' the Russian Foreign Ministry said, announcing Jaishankar's Moscow visit on Wednesday (August 13). This will be the third meeting between Jaishankar and Lavrov in the past few weeks. 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On August 11, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the phone, underlining the need for a 'peaceful settlement' of the conflict. Amid Trump's steep tariff threats, Modi also held a telephonic conversation with Brazil's President Lula Da Silva, whose country is part of Brics – the informal group that the US president has targeted. As India continues trade negotiations with the US, it has also carried on its engagement with Russia. Moscow has condemned Trump's tariff action and supported India's right to choose its trading partners. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Last week, Modi and Putin held a 'detailed' phone conversation, discussing 'the latest developments on Ukraine' and 'reaffirmed our commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership'. This came after NSA Doval visited Russia, where he met Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu and President Putin. In late June, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov on the sidelines of the gathering of SCO Defence Ministers in Qingdao, China. Thaw in India-China ties Wang Yi's visit to India is likely to take place before PM Modi heads to China's Tianjin for the SCO summit later this month. It will be the Indian prime minister's first visit to the country since 2018. The SCO summit will be held in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Putin also in attendance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping arrive for a family photo during the BRICS summit in Kazan on October 23, 2024. File Photo/AFP Russia is also part of the SCO grouping, along with India, China, Pakistan and Iran. PM Modi could also hold bilateral talks with both the Chinese and Russian presidents on the sidelines of the summit. 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Beijing allowed the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra this year, while India has started issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals since July. In a sign of further easing of tensions, New Delhi and Beijing are mulling resuming direct flights between the two countries. Beijing has also reportedly relaxed restrictions on urea shipments to India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As per ThePrint report, India and China are also in talks to 'facilitate' the revival of border trade through the Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand), Shipki La Pass (Himachal Pradesh) and Nathu La Pass (Sikkim), the Rajya Sabha was told last week. Trade between India and China through these border posts was first disrupted during the Covid-19 pandemic. It was not resumed following a downturn in diplomatic ties due to the border clashes in 2020. With inputs from agencies
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Drones, boats, kite catchers, spotters and more; how New Delhi is locking down during Independence Day 2025
A security personnel keeps vigil on the eve of Independence Day, amid rainfall, near Red Fort area, in New Delhi. In anticipation of Independence Day celebrations, Delhi has implemented unprecedented security measures, focusing on air and water safety. Over 11,000 personnel are deployed at Red Fort, with heightened surveillance at water treatment plants and along the Yamuna River. Advanced technology, including anti-drone systems and AI-powered facial recognition, complements ground forces to ensure a secure and seamless event. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads High-tech aerial vigilance Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Ground security Security preparations for this year's Independence Day celebrations have reached an unprecedented level of vigilance, with a dual focus on air and water the wake of Operation Sindoor against terrorism, more than 11,000 personnel from the Army, police, and paramilitary forces have been deployed at the Red Fort, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver his national address, reported inputs have prompted heightened surveillance at water treatment plants amid fears of possible tampering. A Deputy Commissioner of Police has been tasked with overseeing the anti-drone command. Speed boat patrols now monitor stretches of the Yamuna near the Red Fort, while sewerage maps have been secured to close any potential security the first time, two mobile command and control vehicles with real-time video streaming are being deployed, feeding live visuals from two districts directly to the C4i system at Police Headquarters. This setup allows senior officers to issue instant directives to ground further reported that spotters will keep watch from high-rise buildings, while 'kite catchers' stationed on rooftops will prevent any flying objects—whether playful or suspicious—from entering restricted airspace. Sophisticated anti-drone systems will detect and neutralise unauthorised aerial incursions, complemented by air defence guns as an additional facial recognition will be used at traffic checkpoints leading to the Red Fort. Temporary control rooms equipped with live CCTV feeds will support rapid incident response. In Yamuna Khadar, two patrol boats and armed teams are on constant watch for sub-conventional aerial platforms, with joint combing operations conducted by paramilitary and Delhi Police forces in surrounding forested 200 buildings along the parade route are being sealed, with windows facing the event cordoned off. Multi-layered barricades have been placed at key points, backed by roughly 60 companies of paramilitary forces and 350 commandos stationed across strategic drills—nearly three dozen so far—have fine-tuned the readiness of on-ground teams. To ensure smooth travel for dignitaries and visitors, Delhi Metro will begin services at 4 a.m. on all lines. From 4 a.m. to 6 a.m., trains will run every 30 minutes before resuming their normal schedule, TOI added in its these layered defences—combining advanced technology, boots on the ground, and meticulous planning—officials aim to ensure a seamless and secure Independence Day celebration in the capital.
