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Ex-R&AW chief Alok Joshi to head revamped National Security Advisory Board
The government has reconstituted the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), appointing former Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) chief Alok Joshi as its new chairman, according to news agency ANI.
The revamped seven-member board includes a mix of former senior officials from the armed forces, police, and diplomatic services. Among the new members are retired military officers Air Marshal PM Sinha (former Western Air Commander), Lt Gen AK Singh (former Southern Army Commander), and Rear Admiral Monty Khanna.
From the Indian Police Service, Rajiv Ranjan Verma and Manmohan Singh have been inducted in the board. It also includes B Venkatesh Varma, a retired Indian Foreign Service officer.
The NSAB is a body of eminent experts outside the government, including retired officials, academics, and specialists from civil society. The main function of the NSAB is to provide long-term analysis, and policy recommendations on national security issues to the National Security Council, which is headed by the Prime Minister.
CCS meeting at PM's residence
In the wake of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam that left 26 dead and several others injured, a high-level meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) was held at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence on Wednesday.
In addition to the CCS, meetings of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) and the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) also took place at the Prime Minister's residence. A formal cabinet briefing is expected at 3:00 pm.
This was the second CCS meeting convened in light of the attack, focusing on assessing and enhancing national security measures. The CCS had previously met on April 23 to receive a detailed assessment of the attack.
Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi held a separate meeting with Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, the heads of the three armed forces, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and NSA Ajit Doval.
(With agency inputs)
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Indian Express
34 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Russia launches another large-scale drone, missile attack on Ukraine, kills 3, wounds 13
Russia sent waves of drones and missiles in an attack on two Ukrainian cities early Tuesday that killed three people and wounded at least thirteen others, Ukrainian officials said. The attack struck the capital, Kyiv, and the southern port city of Odesa. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an online statement called the attack on Kyiv 'one of the biggest' in the war that has raged for over three years, and said that Moscow's forces had fired over 315 drones, mostly Shaheds, and seven missiles at Ukraine overnight. 'Russian missile and Shahed strikes are louder than the efforts of the United States and others around the world to force Russia into peace,' Zelenskyy wrote, urging 'concrete action' from the US and Europe in response to the attack. A maternity hospital and residential buildings in the centre of the southern port city of Odesa were damaged in the attack, regional head Oleh Kiper said. Two people were killed and nine injured in the city, according to a statement from the regional prosecutor's office. An additional victim was found in Kyiv's Obolon district, regional head Tymur Tkachenko wrote on Telegram. 'Russian strikes are once again hitting not military targets but the lives of ordinary people. This once again shows the true nature of what we are dealing with,' Tkachenko said. Associated Press journalists heard explosions and the buzzing of drones around the city for hours. The fresh attacks came a day after Moscow launched almost 500 drones at Ukraine in the biggest overnight drone bombardment in the three-year war. Ukrainian and Western officials have been anticipating a Russian response to Ukraine's audacious June 1 drone attack on distant Russian air bases. Russia has been launching a record-breaking number of drones and missiles targeting Ukraine in recent days, despite both sides trading memoranda during direct peace talks in Istanbul on June 2 that set out conditions for a potential ceasefire. However, the inclusion of clauses that both sides see as nonstarters make any quick deal unlikely, and a ceasefire, long sought by Kyiv, remains elusive. The only tangible outcome of the talks has been in the exchange of prisoners of war, with a swap starting on Monday to release soldiers aged between 18 and 25. A similar exchange was also announced for the bodies of fallen soldiers held by both sides, although no schedule for that has been released. Asked to comment on the exchange of bodies with Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that it has remained unclear when it could take place and how many bodies of Russian soldiers Ukraine was going to hand over. He again accused Kyiv of dragging its feet on the exchange. There is one unarguable fact, we have had trucks with bodies standing ready for it on the border for several days,' he said in a call with reporters. Plumes of smoke were visible in Kyiv as air defence forces worked to shoot down drones and missiles Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, Ukrainian residents took shelter and slept in metro stations during the hourslong attack. Nina Nosivets, 32, and her 8-month-old son, Levko, were among them. 'I just try not to think about all this, silently curled up like a mouse, wait until it all passes, the attacks. Distract the child somehow because its probably the hardest thing for him to bear,' she said. Krystyna Semak, a 37-year-old Kyiv resident, said the explosions frightened her and she ran to the metro at 2 a.m. with her rug. Russia has been launching a record-breaking number of drones and missiles targeting Ukraine while the two countries continue to swap prisoners of war, the only tangible outcome of recent direct peace talks held in Istanbul. A ceasefire, long sought by Kyiv, remains elusive. In Kyiv, fires broke out in at least four districts after debris from shot down drones fell on the roofs of residential buildings and warehouses, according to the Kyiv City Military Administration. Vasyl Pesenko, 25, stood in his kitchen, damaged in the attack. 'I was lying in bed, as always hoping that these Shaheds (drones) would fly past me, and I heard that Shahed (that hit the house),' he said. 'I thought that it would fly away, but it flew closer and closer and everything blew away.' The Russian attack sparked 19 fires across Ukraine, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko wrote on Telegram. 'Russia must answer for every crime it commits. Until there is justice, there will be no security. For Ukraine. And for the world,' he said. In Moscow, the Defence Ministry said that a group strike early Tuesday targeted arms plants in Kyiv, as well as military headquarters, troops locations, military air bases and arms depots across Ukraine. 'The goals of the strikes have been achieved, all the designated targets have been hit,' it said in a statement. The death tolls from previous Russian strikes also continued to rise Tuesday. In Kharkiv, rescuers found the body of a person trapped under the rubble of a building that was hit in a drone-and-missile attack Saturday, city mayor Ihor Terekhov wrote on Telegram. The discovery brings the number of casualties to five, with five more people potentially still trapped under the debris, Terekhov said. Meanwhile, in the northern city of Sumy, a 17-year-old boy died in the hospital Tuesday morning after being injured in a Russian strike on June 3, acting mayor Artem Kobzar wrote on Telegram. It brings the number killed in the attack to six. Elsewhere, the Russian Defense Ministry on Tuesday morning reported downing 102 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions and Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula Moscow illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014. The drones were downed both over regions on the border with Ukraine and deeper inside Russia, including central Moscow and Leningrad regions, according to the Defence Ministry's statement. Because of the drone attack, flights were temporarily restricted in and out of multiple airports across Russia, including all four airports in Moscow and the Pulkovo airport in St. Petersburg, the country's second largest city.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Germany 'eager' to host Indian students amid US visa pause, sees 35 per cent surge in university applications
Amid growing uncertainty around student visa processes in several Western countries, Germany is positioning itself as a stable and reliable "alternative" for Indian students, saying, "we are not erratic and volatile," and promising a secure academic environment. The German Embassy in India reported a 35 per cent surge in applications to German universities from India over the past months, reflecting growing interest in the country's higher education system. Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday, German Ambassador Dr Philipp Ackermann said, "In the context of the difficulties Indian students face in other countries, we have seen a sharp rise in interest for German universities and research institutions. Applications have increased by over 35 per cent in the last couple of months." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like nhà container: Xu hướng nhà ở hiện đại và bền vững 2025 Visionary Echo Undo Currently, around 50,000 Indian students are studying in Germany, making it one of the top five study destinations for Indians after the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) In what appeared to be a subtle remark of growing scrutiny in other nations, Ambassador Ackermann assured Indian students of Germany's transparent and stable system. "We are a very reliable partner. When it comes to studying or researching in Germany, we don't check your social media before you arrive," he said. Live Events The ambassador also highlighted that most state-run universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees. When they do, the fees are nominal compared to those in Anglo-Saxon countries. "We believe education is a public good, not a business opportunity," he said. The ambassador's remarks come amidst the backdrop of a crackdown on foreign students in the US. US President Donald Trump's administration has ordered US embassies around the world to stop scheduling appointments for student visas as it prepares to expand social media vetting of such applicants. Dr Katja Lasch, Director of the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) Regional Office in New Delhi, was also present at the press interaction. German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) is a funding organisation that supports international students and researchers who wish to study or conduct research in Germany. She emphasised that Indian students should avoid using commercial agents, noting that applications can be submitted independently through university websites. "Most public universities in Germany do not work with agents. Our system is transparent and accessible. Students can get free counselling from DAAD and German university liaison offices in India," Dr Lasch said. DAAD also highlighted that Germany offers over 2,300 English-language programs, including opportunities for international students to pursue PhDs, with strong career support and pathways into the labour market. Germany is facing a significant demand for skilled professionals, especially in STEM fields. "We are looking for the smartest, most dedicated students--those who are eager to contribute and grow. And we see that in Indian students," Ambassador Ackermann said. Post-graduation, students are allowed to stay in Germany for up to 18 months to look for employment, and once placed, they can easily extend their residence permits. Officials stressed Germany's commitment to being a reliable, non-volatile partner in international education, especially as students face delays and unpredictability in countries like the US. "Germany is very eager and happy to welcome Indian students. In these turbulent times, we offer not just world-class education but also a stable, inclusive, and trustworthy system," Ackermann concluded.
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First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
Operation Sindoor effect? India to induct Tejas A1 variant fighter jet with new Israeli scan tech
The Indian Air Force is set to receive advanced Tejas A1 variant later this month, more than a year after the scheduled delivery, according to a report read more The Indian Air Force is set to receive advanced Tejas A1 variant later this month, more than a year after the scheduled delivery. The delay, largely attributed to supply chain issues, comes at a time when regional tensions with Pakistan have sharpened the need for modern combat aircraft. According to a Jerusalem Post report, the new Tejas A1 variant represents a significant leap in capability, integrating cutting-edge Israeli technology to bring the aircraft closer to Western standards. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The jet features an AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar developed by Elta Systems, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries, replacing an earlier radar model. Elta is also supplying an advanced electronic warfare system for the aircraft, added the report. Pilots will benefit from a state-of-the-art helmet-mounted display developed by Israel's Elbit Systems, while Rafael's radar-guided Derby missiles will arm the aircraft, enhancing its air-to-air combat potential, reported Jerusalem Post. Critical moment for defence sector This marks a critical moment for India's defence sector, as the A1 variant is the first of 83 Tejas jets ordered under a new production contract. Each of these aircraft will be equipped with multimillion-dollar Israeli systems manufactured in India through joint ventures with local firms, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' policy. According to the report, citing defence analysts, the Tejas A1 will be outfitted with more Israeli systems than many Israeli Air Force jets, which continue to use American radars due to US export restrictions. India's reliance on the indigenous Tejas to replace its aging MiG-21 and Jaguar fleets is part of a broader modernisation effort. However, the transition has faced hurdles. The IAF currently operates just 31 fighter squadrons, well short of the planned 42, due in part to delays in domestic aircraft production. The Air Force has already inducted 40 Tejas fighters from an earlier production run. However, the rollout of the newer A1 model was pushed back by engine delivery delays from US-based General Electric, as well as previous bottlenecks involving Israeli components. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India continues to grapple with a strategic debate between pursuing high-quality foreign systems and developing homegrown technology, which has often faced criticism for inconsistent performance. While the Ministry of Defence's research arm pushes for indigenous innovation, military branches have frequently preferred proven foreign alternatives. Looking ahead, state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) is already working on a more advanced version of the Tejas. The upcoming model will feature canard wings, improved range, and upgraded systems, reported Jerusalem Post. Israeli, French, and American defence firms are currently in competition to supply the next wave of onboard technology. India-Pakistan tensions On May 7, India carried out precision strikes under 'Operation Sindoor' on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. Following the Indian action, Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9 and 10. The Indian forces launched a fierce counter-attack on several Pakistani military installations. India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes. With inputs from agencies
