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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
New rules to fast-track joint services commands
India has notified new rules under an overarching law to boost jointness, command efficiency and operational synergy in the armed forces at a critical moment when they are charting a path towards theaterisation --- a long-awaited reform for the best use of the military's resources to fight future wars, weeks after the May 7-10 clash with Pakistan that saw the three services work jointly for best battle outcomes. The government notified the rules under the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Act, 2023 in the Gazette of India on May 27, signalling its intent to fast-track the setting up of joint services commands --- a key goal of the ongoing theaterisation drive. Such commands will consist of military elements, assets, and personnel drawn from the three services and placed under a commander-in-chief. 'This significant step aims to bolster command, control, and efficient functioning of Inter-Services Organisations (ISOs), thereby strengthening jointness among the armed forces,' the defence ministry said on Wednesday. Jointness among the three services is an essential prerequisite to the creation of theatre commands and was in focus during Operation Sindoor --- New Delhi's direct military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. It led to a four-day confrontation that showcased the Indian military's synergy. The moves comes a year after the Act was notified in the gazette, empowering the government to set up ISOs --- including joint services commands --- and bestowing powers on the heads of such organisations to exercise command and control over the tri-services personnel serving under them to ensure discipline and effective discharge of duties. Such personnel were earlier governed by the respective laws of the three services: the Army Act, 1950, the Air Force Act, 1950, and the Navy Act, 1957. 'The rules (notified) are a critical enabler for the functioning of ISOs and establish a comprehensive framework for discipline, administrative control, and operational synergy,' the defence ministry said in a statement. The setting up of theatre commands for integrated application of force, operational efficiency, and optimal resource utilisation is among the nine areas identified by the defence ministry for focused intervention in 2025, which the ministry has declared as the 'year of reforms.' Other areas include building indigenous capabilities to strengthen the armed forces, simplifying acquisition procedures for swifter capability development and new domains such as cyber and space. Defence minister Rajnath Singh is conducting a quarterly review of the defence reforms --- including theaterisation --- being driven by the government to boost the armed forces' combat readiness. The theaterisation model being pursued involves raising the China-centric northern theatre command in Lucknow, the Pakistan-centric western theatre command in Jaipur, and the maritime theatre command in Thiruvananthapuram. The earlier legal framework of the armed forces had its limitations when it came to tri-services matters as officers of one service lacked the authority to exercise disciplinary and administrative powers over personnel belonging to another service. For instance, a three-star general heading a joint command could not act against air force or navy personnel serving under him. The lack of such powers had a direct impact on command, control and discipline, officials aware of the matter said. 'With the notification of these rules, the Act is now fully operational. This will empower the heads of ISOs, enable the expeditious disposal of disciplinary cases, and help avoid the duplication of proceedings,' the defence ministry said. The actions of the three services during the May7-10 military confrontation with Pakistan reflected the synergy of the country's armed forces, the information and broadcasting ministry said on May 18, in a backgrounder titled Operation Sindoor: Forging One Force. 'The operation unfolded across land, air, and sea --- a seamless demonstration of synergy between the army, air force and navy,' the I&B ministry said at the time. It added that efforts were underway to restructure forces through the setting up of integrated theatre commands by unifying the capabilities of the three services based on geography and function. Operation Sindoor triggered four days of strikes and counterstrikes with fighter jets, missiles, drones, long-range weapons and heavy artillery before the Indian and Pakistani forces reached an understanding on stopping all military action on May 10. Between the launch of the operation in the early hours of May 7 and the ceasefire, Indian forces bombed nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), killing at least 100 terrorists, and the Indian Air Force (IAF) struck targets at 13 Pakistani airbases and military installations. The IAF struck two terror sites at Markaz Subhanallah in Bahawalpur and Markaz Taiba near Muridke, while the army hit targets at seven places including Mehmoona Joya in Sialkot, Sawai Nala and Syed Na Bilal in Muzaffarabad, Gulpur and Abbas in Kotli, Barnala in Bhimber, and Sarjal. The IAF also struck military targets in Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Chunian, Pasrur, Sialkot, Skardu, Sargodha, Jacobabad, Bholari and Malir Cantt in Karachi. The navy played a critical role during the operation. The forward presence of aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in the northern Arabian Sea, along with its Mig-29K fighters and airborne early warning helicopters, prevented hostile aircraft from coming within several hundred kms of the carrier battle group. 'It compelled the Pakistani air elements to remain bottled up close to the Makran coast, with the Indian Navy denying the enemy any opportunity to be a threat in the maritime space,' a top navy official earlier said. In March, the defence ministry told a parliamentary panel that a raft of complex issues must be addressed before rolling out integrated theatre commands as they have a direct bearing on the proposed force structure, calling it 'a trailblazing reform.' The ministry's response to a pointed question on theaterisation was part of a report tabled by the standing committee on defence in Parliament. 'Deliberations on reorganising the armed forces into integrated theatre commands are in progress and currently being examined at various levels before finalisation of an optimal organisational structure to meet the operational requirements,' the report said. The joint structures would help create and integrate new war-fighting capabilities along with faster assimilation of future technology and tactics, it said. 'The concept of theaterisation seeks to mitigate the shortcomings of single service operations and support modern war fighting,' the report added. The chief of defence staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan is heading the theaterisation drive. The appointment of a CDS was one of the most significant recommendations made by the K Subrahmanyam-led Kargil Review Committee (KRC) that was constituted after the 1999 Kargil war to examine various lapses and suggest measures to boost national security. In 2000, the KRC recommended appointing a CDS to provide single-point military advice to the government and foster synergy in warfighting. A year later, a group of ministers backed the appointment of a CDS, who would bring about much needed jointness among the three services and prioritise defence planning. The need for a CDS was stressed by several committees and parliamentary panels between 2002 and 2016. But successive governments were unable to build political consensus around a CDS until Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the post on August 15, 2019. General Bipin Rawat was appointed the country's first CDS on December 31, 2019. He was killed in a helicopter crash on December 8, 2021.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Govt notifies rules to push jointness, efficiency in armed forces
New Delhi: The government has notified rules under the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Act, 2023 in the Gazette of India to boost jointness and command efficiency in the armed forces, weeks after the May 7-10 military confrontation with Pakistan that saw the three services work jointly for best battle outcomes. The rules came into force on May 27. 'This significant step aims to bolster command, control, and efficient functioning of Inter-Services Organisations (ISOs), thereby strengthening jointness among the armed forces,' the defence ministry said on Wednesday. The moves comes a year after the Act was notified in the gazette, empowering the government to set up ISOs --- including joint services commands --- and bestowing powers on heads of such organisations to exercise command and control over the tri-services personnel serving under them to ensure discipline and effective discharge of duties. Such personnel were earlier governed by the respective laws of the three services: the Army Act, 1950, the Air Force Act, 1950, and the Navy Act, 1957. 'The rules (notified) are a critical enabler for the functioning of ISOs and establish a comprehensive framework for discipline, administrative control, and operational synergy,' the defence ministry said in a statement. The development comes amid a renewed push for theaterisation, a long-awaited military reform for the best use of the military's resources to fight future wars. The earlier legal framework of the armed forces had its limitations when it came to tri-services matters as officers of one service lacked the authority to exercise disciplinary and administrative powers over personnel belonging to another service. For instance, a three-star general heading a joint command could not act against air force or navy personnel serving under him. The lack of such powers had a direct impact on command, control and discipline, officials said. 'With the notification of these rules, the Act is now fully operational. This will empower the heads of ISOs, enable the expeditious disposal of disciplinary cases, and help avoid the duplication of proceedings,' the defence ministry said. Jointness among the three services is an essential prerequisite to the creation of theatre commands. It was in focus during Operation Sindoor too; New Delhi's direct response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. It triggered four days of strikes and counterstrikes with fighter jets, missiles, drones, long-range weapons and heavy artillery before the Indian and Pakistani forces reached an understanding on stopping all military action on May 10. Between the launch of the operation in the early hours of May 7 and the ceasefire, Indian forces bombed nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), killing at least 100 terrorists, and the Indian Air Force (IAF) struck targets at 13 Pakistani airbases and military installations. The IAF struck two terror sites at Markaz Subhanallah in Bahawalpur and Markaz Taiba near Muridke; the army hit targets at seven places including Mehmoona Joya in Sialkot, Sawai Nala and Syed Na Bilal in Muzaffarabad, Gulpur and Abbas in Kotli, Barnala in Bhimber, and Sarjal. The IAF also struck military targets in Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Chunian, Pasrur, Sialkot, Skardu, Sargodha, Jacobabad, Bholari and Malir Cantt in Karachi. The navy played a critical role during the operation. The forward presence of aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in the northern Arabian Sea, along with its Mig-29K fighters and airborne early warning helicopters, prevented hostile aircraft from coming within several hundred kms of the carrier battle group. 'It compelled the Pakistani air elements to remain bottled up close to the Makran coast, with the Indian Navy denying the enemy any opportunity to be a threat in the maritime space,' a top navy official earlier said.
India Gazette
20-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
India notifies port restriction move on Bangladeshi exports
New Delhi [India], May 20 (ANI): The port restriction on import of certain goods from Bangladesh to India has been notified in the Gazette of India. The official gazette notification was issued on Monday and published today. India has imposed restrictions on the entry of Bangladeshi ready-made garments (RMG) and other products through its northeastern land ports -- Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram -- and Fulbari and Changrabandha in West Bengal, weeks after controversial remarks made by Bangladesh's interim chief advisor Muhammad Yunus about the India's northeastern region, during his visit to China. During a speech in China, Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Yunus had described India's northeastern states as a 'landlocked region with no access to the ocean.' This comment has sparked diplomatic friction, with Indian officials viewing it as undermining the region's connectivity and status. The new restrictions will, slapped on May 17 and came into effect immediately, forced Bangladesh to reroute exports -- including Ready-Made garments (RMG), plastics, melamine, furniture, juices, carbonated drinks, bakery items, confectionery, and processed foods -- through Kolkata port in West Bengal or Nhava Sheva port in Maharashtra, sharply increasing logistics costs. With 93 per cent of Bangladesh's exports to India previously moving through these land routes, the impact on its ready made garments sector -- which exports nearly USD 740 million worth of garments to India annually -- could be severe. The move is expected to disrupt Bangladesh's garment industry, raising costs and limiting market access, while creating new opportunities for Indian manufacturers. India's restrictions on imports from Bangladesh via land ports will impact goods worth USD 770 million, accounting for nearly 42 per cent of total bilateral imports, according to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) report, a trade-focused research group. The May 17 directive makes clear that imports of essential items like fish, LPG, edible oil, and crushed stone remain unaffected. Goods transiting through India from Bangladesh to Nepal and Bhutan are also exempt. The Indian government has imposed land port restrictions on certain Bangladeshi exports to the northeastern states, a move that sources say is aimed at restoring 'equality in the relationship'. The sources further said that while India had hitherto allowed all exports from Bangladesh without restrictions, the transit and market access to India's northeast region had been restricted by Bangladesh. The sources further said that the relationship with Bangladesh will now be on 'reciprocal terms'. India limiting imports from Bangladesh to only two seaports, according to the sources, is a reciprocal measure to Bangladesh -- which had imposed similar trade restrictions on Indian yarn and rice, besides selectively enhancing inspection on all Indian goods exported to Bangladesh. The sources further noted that Bangladesh needs to realise that 'it cannot cherry pick terms of bilateral trade solely for its benefit or assume North East is a captive market for its exports, while denying it market access and transit.' (ANI)
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India notifies port restriction move on Bangladeshi exports
New Delhi: The port restriction on import of certain goods from Bangladesh to India has been notified in the Gazette of India. The official gazette notification was issued on Monday and published today. India has imposed restrictions on the entry of Bangladeshi ready-made garments (RMG) and other products through its northeastern land ports -- Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram -- and Fulbari and Changrabandha in West Bengal, weeks after controversial remarks made by Bangladesh's interim chief advisor Muhammad Yunus about the India's northeastern region, during his visit to China. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo During a speech in China, Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Yunus had described India's northeastern states as a "landlocked region with no access to the ocean." This comment has sparked diplomatic friction, with Indian officials viewing it as undermining the region's connectivity and status. The new restrictions will, slapped on May 17 and came into effect immediately, forced Bangladesh to reroute exports -- including Ready-Made garments (RMG), plastics, melamine, furniture, juices, carbonated drinks, bakery items, confectionery, and processed foods -- through Kolkata port in West Bengal or Nhava Sheva port in Maharashtra, sharply increasing logistics costs. Live Events With 93 per cent of Bangladesh's exports to India previously moving through these land routes, the impact on its ready made garments sector -- which exports nearly USD 740 million worth of garments to India annually -- could be severe. The move is expected to disrupt Bangladesh's garment industry, raising costs and limiting market access, while creating new opportunities for Indian manufacturers. India's restrictions on imports from Bangladesh via land ports will impact goods worth USD 770 million, accounting for nearly 42 per cent of total bilateral imports, according to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) report, a trade-focused research group. The May 17 directive makes clear that imports of essential items like fish, LPG, edible oil, and crushed stone remain unaffected. Goods transiting through India from Bangladesh to Nepal and Bhutan are also exempt. The Indian government has imposed land port restrictions on certain Bangladeshi exports to the northeastern states, a move that sources say is aimed at restoring "equality in the relationship". The sources further said that while India had hitherto allowed all exports from Bangladesh without restrictions, the transit and market access to India's northeast region had been restricted by Bangladesh. The sources further said that the relationship with Bangladesh will now be on "reciprocal terms". India limiting imports from Bangladesh to only two seaports, according to the sources, is a reciprocal measure to Bangladesh -- which had imposed similar trade restrictions on Indian yarn and rice, besides selectively enhancing inspection on all Indian goods exported to Bangladesh. The sources further noted that Bangladesh needs to realise that "it cannot cherry pick terms of bilateral trade solely for its benefit or assume North East is a captive market for its exports, while denying it market access and transit."
News18
14-05-2025
- Sport
- News18
Neeraj Chopra Conferred With Honorary Rank Of Lieutenant Colonel
India's star athlete Neeraj Chopra has been conferred with the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Defence in the Gazette of India, a weekly authorised journal of the Government of India, on Wednesday. Chopra became India's most successful individual Olympian after he claimed a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the javelin throw, marking his second medal at the Games after his historic gold in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
