MEA Stresses ‘Mutual Respect' as India, US Gear Up for Alaska Defence Drill Amid Tariff Strain
Fresh from the stunning success of Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force is now set to supercharge its arsenal with long-range precision weapons capable of hitting targets over 200 km away. In Sindoor, IAF jets used BrahMos, SCALP, Rampage, and Crystal Maze missiles to smash enemy airbases from 250-450 km, staying safely beyond Chinese HQ-9 air defences. Now, DRDO is developing extended-range Astra missiles, while the IAF eyes Russia's deadly R-37 for unrivalled reach. Project Kusha long-range air defence is being fast-tracked, alongside plans for two more S-400 squadrons, systems that already forced Pakistani jets deep into their own skies. With Rafales, fifth-gen fighters, and a new missile doctrine, India is preparing to dominate future wars in the air, ensuring the next Sindoor will be even more decisive.
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Indian Express
7 minutes ago
- Indian Express
79th Independence Day: CM Manik Saha says Tripura's GDP rose by over 12%, urges youth to unleash passion for Viksit Bharat
Recalling the martyrs of India's freedom struggle, Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Friday highlighted the different initiatives adopted by his government in different sectors, including law and order, agriculture, education, employment, etc, and urged youths to pursue their passion for Viksit Bharat. He said Tripura has seen significant economic development in recent years, with over 12 per cent hike in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) last fiscal, catapulting the state to second position in the North East region. 'On this 79th Independence Day, let's ignite our souls with the heroic valour of Operation Sindoor, where our bravehearts redefined courage. I appeal to the Youths to unleash your passion for a #ViksitBharat & New India—fuel nationalism, dream big, and shape a glorious future,' CM Saha wrote on X. 'Tripura's economy is mainly based on agriculture. Last year, some initiatives were taken by the government for farmers' development', said CM. While detailing about the initiatives, he said that the state government spent Rs 15 crore under Mukhyamantri Integrates Crop Management to expand 92,588 hectares area for rice cultivation, brought another 20,161 hectares area under organic farming, distributed 11,444 agricultural equipment among farmers and 35,661 soil health cards, disbursed Rs 450 crore as farmers' loan under Kisan credit card scheme, provided Rs 201 crore to 2.38 lakh farmers directly in their bank accounts till this August under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. He said his government provided Rs 109.34 crore to over 2.13 lakh farmers who were affected by the flood last year. Around 25,000 farmers were enrolled for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, and the state government provided Rs 32.75 crore as assistance and subsidy under Mukhyamantri Fasal Bima Yojana in the 2020-21 fiscal. In the dairy and poultry sectors, the state produced over 2.47 lakh tonnes of milk, 59,700 tonnes of meat, and 36 crore eggs in the 2023-24 fiscal year. During the period, the state produced 85,800 metric tonnes of fish and 45.65 crore fish fingerlings that helped the state to attain self-sufficiency in fish production and export fish to neighbouring states. 'Tripura has topped in egg production and second in meat and milk production in the Northeast Region. Tripura is in the second position in fish production in the region,' said the CM. CM Saha highlighted that the crime rate in the state declined last year, with 19.4 per cent fewer crimes than the cases in 2023 and 12.35 per cent fewer crime cases in the first five months this year compared to 2024. The state also achieved success in combating drugs, as records showed a 106 per cent rise in the seizure of drugs and other narcotic items last year. The officials also destroyed a massive amount of drugs during the period, a rise of 132 per cent, he said. Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for Atmanirbhar Bharat, CM Saha stated that it was not only a mere slogan but a resolution for 140 crores Indians to become self-reliant. The CM emphasised the need to push for Swadeshi products, saying that the Tripura government launched 'Vocal for Local' to prioritise the state-produced products. Saha said that the state is focusing on the indigenous people's overall development by implementing several schemes for their socio-economic development. The state would launch the 'Super 100' programme under the Mukhyamantri Janajati Unnayan Mission to impart training to the meritorious students, he added. In the tourism sector, CM Saha stated that different facelift works for Chaturdash Devata temple, Chhabimura, Kasba Kalibari, etc., are in progress. The chief minister said the government filled up 19,765 regular posts at different departments since 2018. Former Tripura Chief Minister and Lok Sabha MP Biplab Kumar Deb hoisted the national Tricolor at his residence in Agartala and celebrated the day by donating blood at Amarpur in Gomati district, interacting with security personnel, and visiting Shantikali Ashram in the area. Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma, who was elected from Asharambari in Khowai district, took part in the Independence Day celebrations in the district. Recounting Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh, Sardar Ballabhbhai Patel, and others who struggled for the Independence of the nation, Debbarma said that Independence isn't a gift, but a duty to ensure that people can live together with equal rights everywhere in the country. Chef Whip Kalyani Roy, while taking part in the celebrations at Teliamura, said that the motto of this Independence Day is 'New India' and said the spirit of freedom is not about anecdotes of the past alone, but a vision for the future as well. At Udaipur in Gomati district, Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy joined the celebrations at Udaipur Sports Complex. He paid homage to the brave freedom fighters who made a supreme sacrifice in the struggle for Independence. 'Independence Day is a Red-Letter day for all of us. We should never forget that our nation got freedom due to the sacrifices of our freedom fighters,' he said. Social Welfare Minister Tinku Roy joined the Independence Day celebrations at Unakoti district and said the central and state governments in Tripura are working to develop education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, employment, and other crucial sectors to fulfill the dreams of freedom fighters. Meanwhile, in a sharp critique of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress MLA and veteran legislator Gopal Chandra Roy said, 'The BJP was born in 1980. Before that, there was the Jana Sangh and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). They had no role in the nationalist movement. The BJP was not there. The BJP and VHP had sided with the British; they were 'Razakars' (pro-Pakistani activists who were active in different parts of India before the Independence). They never participated in the Independence movement. The Congress, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, fought against the British, and eventually, the British had to flee'. The Opposition CPI(M) celebrated the day by hosting the Tricolor at the Communist Party headquarters in Agartala, which was attended by former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, Opposition Leader and politburo member Jitendra Chaudhury, and former deputy speaker Pabitra Kar. 'Democracy in the country is under attack. There is a concerted conspiracy to destroy secularism and change the Constitution itself. The working class, which comprises more than 75 per cent of the population, is still struggling to make ends meet. All democratic people of the country need to unite today and work towards developing these sectors, fight against communalism, and develop democracy, secularism. Only then, the spirit of Independence would be honoured,' Manik Sarkar said after joining a voluntary blood donation camp in Agartala. Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and former minister Sudip Roy Barman joined the Independence Day celebrations. He reminded that it was the Congress that had struggled to free India from British colonialism. 'The freedom fighters belonged to the Congress party. We are soldiers of the same party. Even today, the Congress party is struggling to protect the rights of Indians under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi,' he said.
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Business Standard
7 minutes ago
- Business Standard
PM unveils 'Mission Sudarshan Chakra'; pushes for Made-in-India jet engines
Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on the 79th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Operation Sindoor as a demonstration of India's self-reliance in defence, and vowed to enhance the country's military capabilities by announcing the launch of 'Mission Sudarshan Chakra,' aimed at neutralising enemy infiltrations and enhancing the country's offensive capabilities. He also urged Indian innovators and youth to develop jet engines — a critical gap in the country's defence manufacturing capabilities that has held up indigenous combat aircraft programmes. In his 12th Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Operation Sindoor — India's military response to the Pakistan-backed April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack — demonstrated that strategic autonomy and indigenous capabilities, including Made-in-India weapons, are essential for decisively tackling threats, making self-reliance the foundation of national strength, dignity, and the journey towards a developed India by 2047. He also emphasised that national security cannot rely on foreign dependence. 'Mission Sudarshan Chakra' announced Noting that August 16 marked Janmashtami, the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, PM Modi said that the Hindu deity and his divine weapon — the Sudarshan Chakra — brought to mind how modes of warfare are changing across the world. He emphasised that India is well-equipped to counter every new form of warfare, and that the country's technological prowess was demonstrated during Operation Sindoor, when the armed forces repelled countless attacks by Pakistan, which launched missiles and drones against India's military installations, airbases, sensitive locations, centres of faith, and civilians. 'Due to the efforts made over the past 10 years to secure the nation, the result of that strength was that every one of their attacks was shattered. They could not inflict even the slightest damage,' said PM Modi. Highlighting that India must further expand and continuously upgrade the mastery it has achieved to ensure the defence of the nation and the safety of its citizens, the Prime Minister said that, drawing inspiration from Lord Krishna's divine weapon, he was announcing the launch of the 'Sudarshan Chakra Mission.' He explained that the mission would deliver a powerful weapon system capable not only of neutralising enemy attacks, but also of striking back with multi-fold force.
The Print
20 minutes ago
- The Print
What is Project Sudarshan Chakra, announced by Modi from ramparts of Red Fort
'Mission Sudarshan Chakra will enable a powerful weapon system, which will not only neutralise the enemy's attack, but also hit back at the enemy many times over,' Modi said in his Independence Day address at the Red Fort. The project will include not just hard kill options, but also integrated soft kills with greater emphasis on cyber warfare, laser and directed energy weapons. New Delhi: A fully integrated security architecture linking every air defence system, including the planned Ballistic Missile Defence network and Project Kusha, or Extended Range Air Defence System, and space-based capabilities, is set to take shape under Project Sudarshan Chakra, which was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday, ThePrint has learnt. He has set a 10-year time frame till 2035 for completion of the project. 'The protective shield will keep expanding so that every citizen feels secure, and whatever kind of technology is used against India, our technology will prove to be superior.' The prime minister said that Sudarshan Chakra, which incidentally is the Indian name for the S-400 Triumf air defence system, will be a fully modern system, with its research, development and manufacturing done entirely in India. A source in the security establishment told ThePrint that the idea is more like that of the 'Golden Dome' announced by US President Donald Trump. This new network, according to sources, will see both existing air defence systems and future plans integrated, providing a pan-India coverage against incoming ballistic missiles, hypersonics, fighter aircraft, loitering munitions and swarm drones among others. The systems will include those which provide strategic cover as well as those tasked for operational coverage. Sources said that the exact details of the project announced by the prime minister are yet to be fully known, adding that this will include long range air defence missiles to indigenous long-range radars, and would be primarily led by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) with strategic partners in both government and the private sector. 'There are multiple projects that India is currently working on, which are at various stages of completion. However, all of them need to be integrated and be capable of speaking to each other, which will then provide a fully integrated response to any kind of threat,' a source said. One of the key elements of Project Sudarshan Chakra is Project Kusha, which is India's own long-range air defence system. It will not be a system that will replace the S-400 Triumf, but will complement it. 'The Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) system that we use has a range of about 7-80 kilometres, and the next one available is the S-400, which has a range of up to 400 kilometres. This is where Project Kusha comes in. And yes, eventually Kusha will match the S-400 capabilities,' a source said, adding that Kusha is basically going to be MRSAM with extended boosters. Another key element of Project Sudarshan Chakra will be the key ballistic missile interceptors that India has developed, sources added. 'The S-400 is basically our ballistic missile defence. However, we also have our indigenous BMD system which has been in the works for long. India already has interceptor missiles for both exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric interception. All of this has to be integrated into one security architecture, and this will include indigenous long range radars too,' a source told ThePrint. Another aspect of the Sudarshan Chakra will be integrated space assets, not just for information, but also for round-the-clock surveillance of enemy operations. It is understood that the Chinese were able to have a full-fledged overview of India's military operations during Operation Sindoor, a capability that India is already working on. (Edited by Mannat Chugh) Also Read: 'An expression of outrage': Operation Sindoor front and centre in Modi's Independence Day address
