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Economic Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Can India navigate the challenges of US relations under Trump's leadership?
'He's okay today?' Donald Trump's musings will continue to jangle India's political nerves, but look closely and an alternate reality exists where a calm confidence prevails and work gets done. It's the normal layer under the as it might be to imagine, last week, India and the US held a comprehensive, two-day dialogue covering all major aspects of bilateral relations at the White House as if the main occupant had left town. Goals and deadlines were set, aims and ambitions recounted, and the word 'strategic' that precedes 'partnership' came out in bold. That's the best of diplomacy at play, where outcomes are more important than outrage. Yes, the recent India-Pak military confrontation was flagged, but the focus was adamantly on the bilateral agenda set during Narendra Modi's visit in February. Foreign secretary Vikram Misri and deputy NSA Pavan Kapoor discussed everything from emerging technologies, export control reforms, energy, counterterrorism, Indian Ocean security, Quad, India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), and complexities of pharma supply chains to AI, securing critical minerals, defence procurement, and manufacturing in India. Yes, India will buy more P-8I surveillance aircraft and more LNG from the US. Misri and Kapoor mapped out deliverables for the rest of the year and ahead - smart strategy to showcase the breadth and depth of the relationship and deny centre stage to the recent India-Pak crisis. The two sides nailed down dates for the Quad foreign ministers' meeting - it appears that S Jaishankar and his Japanese, Australian and US counterparts will meet in Washington on July 1. Nothing of this nature - a concentrated and condensed dialogue - has been convened before where so many US officials gather at the White House for 'India Day', as it were. Whether caused by necessity (administration structures are still evolving) or design (NSC wants total policy control) is irrelevant. Officials from both sides decided that the White House as a venue would be a signal for all those Indian officials had kept top US officials well-informed about the ground situation from May 6 to 10 - the before, during and after - as missiles flew and drones swarmed. It was an important gesture, and the US side and Kapoor reinforced the message on Pakistan's support, financing and training of terrorist groups, and emphasised the need to return Pakistan to the grey list of FATF. The US treasury should also consider World Bank lending and coordinate strategy at international financial institutions and the that Pakistan is a non-permanent member of UNSC until December 2026 and will hold the council's rotating presidency for July. While India and the US work closely at the UN, Pakistan's presidency will pose challenges. Expect moves to raise the Kashmir dispute (for domestic consumption) and countermoves by India's battle-ready as a permanent saboteur is a reality. Its full-time job is trying to bring India's house down since its own is beyond repair with all the poison running through the plumbing. US officials were told that US protection only encourages more terrorism. Will the Trump administration curtail the field marshal's runaway ambition, egged on by Beijing? The Indian side also flagged the slow implosion underway in Bangladesh under Muhammad Yunus, who doesn't have the skills the state department imagined he true that the gamut of issues negatively affecting India/Indians under Trump 2.0 is disturbing - impending tariffs, threats to Apple not to make in India, a proposed 3.5% tax on remittances, stricter controls on semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and visa questions hanging over thousands of students, to say nothing of the political difficulties created by the US president's daily claims to own the India-Pak ceasefire and his apparent amnesia on relations must be managed because convergences are greater than divergences. 'Stealth diplomacy' in Trump 1.0 is functional again, and officials on both sides are doing what they must to keep the relationship not lost on US officials that many in India feel a sense of anger and betrayal, resulting in some erosion of trust. Those in senior positions at the Pentagon and state department are trying to rebuild, but they need more coordination. Elbridge Colby, undersecretary of defence, could be crucial in pushing the India boss, defence secretary Pete Hegseth's remarks at the Shangri-La dialogue in Singapore that the Indo-Pacific remains a 'priority theatre' are important. He talked of 'new milestones' with India in defence co-production, coordination and and Pakistan will play spoilers, but as South Asia analyst Aparna Pande said, even as they seek to distract, 'India needs to find a way to maintain a laser-eyed focus on economic growth and military modernisation.' (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. He termed IndiGo a 'paan ki dukaan'. Still made INR30k crore by selling its shares How Sikka turned Infosys misfortune into AI springboard Arrest of Pak spies signal the changing face of grey zone warfare ET Prime Unicorn 100: Growth slowed for India's leading startups ET Prime Unicorn 100: A fifth of Indian unicorns saw revenue decline Can inclusive growth dividend transform economic security in India? Increase both: Bullish thought & cautious and selective approach; 7 large-cap stocks with upside potential of up to 35% Stock picks of the week: 5 stocks with consistent score improvement and return potential of more than 21% in 1 year Stock Radar: Pennar Industries breaks out of 22-week consolidation; time to buy? Check target & stop loss for long positions
The Print
06-05-2025
- Business
- The Print
Pakistan vigilantly watching India's ‘Eye in the Sky'. All about the P-8I Poseidon
Sources in the Navy told thePrint that the presence of the P-8I in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean Region is a regular occurrence. The aircraft has frequently been involved in anti-piracy missions, operating alongside Navy's Marine Commandos (MARCOS) and contributing to broader maritime domain awareness. Irrespective of Pakistan's claim, the Indian Navy's aircraft was flying in international airspace and broadcasting its location on FlightRadar24, an open-source flight-tracking platform accessible to any party with an internet connection. New Delhi: Pakistan was 'vigilantly watching' Indian Navy's maritime reconnaissance aircraft P-8I, the Pakistan Navy spokesperson said Monday in an apparent bid to showcase its surveillance capabilities in the backdrop of heightened tensions. ThePrint looks at the P-8I long range maritime patrol aircraft, nicknamed India's Eye in the Sky', and its crucial role it essays for the Indian Navy. Also Read: Pakistan-linked cyber-attacks intensify as defence websites, veterans' platforms targeted A flying destroyer The Boeing P-8I Poseidon, adapted from the Boeing 737 airframe, is the Indian Navy's most advanced long-range maritime patrol aircraft. India inducted its first P-8I in 2013 after signing a $2.1 billion deal with the US in 2009 for eight aircraft. A follow-on order for four more was placed in 2016, with the final aircraft delivered in 2021. Furthermore, India is in talks to likely acquire 6 more aircraft. Originally developed to replace the US Navy's ageing P-3 Orion fleet, the P-8I has been tailored to Indian operational requirements under a defence agreement with America. The aircraft come with a combination of American systems and indigenous technologies developed by Indian defence public sector units and private manufacturers. P-8I's capabilities are built around endurance, altitude and payload. It can fly up to 41,000 ft, remain airborne for over 10 hours, and cover over 1,200 nautical miles per mission—thereby, suitable for extended surveillance over both coastal and deep-sea theatres. What makes it suitable for tracking submarines is the Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) that can sense minor disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field caused by underwater metal objects like submarine hulls, while expendable sonobuoys acoustically track submarine activity below the surface. Its arsenal includes AGM-84L Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles, Mark 54 lightweight torpedoes, depth charges and free-fall bombs. These capabilities make it a formidable anti-submarine warfare (ASW) platform, a critical asset in tracking potentially hostile submarines in contested waters and earning it the moniker of 'flying destroyer.' From seas to the Himalayas Despite its primary maritime role, the P-8I has repeatedly proven useful in land-based operations as well. The aircraft, according to sources in the defence, was used to monitor Chinese military deployments over the Himalayas during the 2017 Doklam standoff, a non-traditional environment for a naval aircraft. Reports further indicate that a similar deployment followed the Pulwama terror attack in 2019, when the P-8I was reportedly used to monitor Pakistani military activity near the Line of Control (LoC). Similarly, it was also engaged in post-Galwan operations in 2020, assisting in intelligence-gathering and data relay. The sources indicated that the P-8I became a semi-permanent presence in the northern theatre due to a capability gap in the Indian Air Force's Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) assets. It helped bridge that gap with real-time imagery and data relay, directly aiding Army formations in contested zones along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). P-8I has thus evolved into a strategic asset that serves beyond its original maritime mission, operating across land and sea in both conventional and grey-zone scenarios. In addition, the aircraft's versatility extends to peacetime missions as well. It has supported search-and-rescue efforts, anti-piracy patrols in the Indian Ocean Region and environmental monitoring operations. A notable episode took place in 2018, when a P-8I flying out of Mauritius helped locate the damaged sailing vessel The boat was carrying Indian naval officer Commander Abhilash Tomy (retired), who was injured in a storm and was stranded in a remote region of the Indian Ocean. The aircraft's long-range sensors played a critical role in narrowing down the search zone and ensuring his rescue (Edited by Tony Rai) Also Read: Defence stocks surge continues amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions since Pahalgam attack
India Today
06-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Air sirens and blackouts: What to do? India Today War Room Special Broadcast
This episode of 5ive Live throws light on civil defence drills, which will be held across India tomorrow, including air raid siren tests and blackout protocols, following Prime Minister Modi's warning of 'unimaginable punishment' for terror backers following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in J&K. The drills, which will be conducted in over 240 border districts, aim to prepare citizens for emergencies as part of a 'whole of nation' approach to national security. Military experts discuss India's preparedness for potential conflict, including missile defence systems and evacuation protocols. The program also highlights India's naval enhancements, such as the induction of the stealth frigate INS Thamal armed with BrahMos missiles, the P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft, and new technologies like the stratospheric airship platform, emphasising the importance of civilian readiness and awareness in the face of potential threats.
Express Tribune
06-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Pakistan navy detects Indian P-8I near sea frontier
Listen to article The Pakistan Navy detected and continuously monitored an Indian P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft as it neared Pakistan's maritime boundaries during the night between May 4 and 5, official sources confirmed on Tuesday. The aircraft was observed throughout its flight path, underscoring the Navy's operational vigilance and technical preparedness. According to officials, the swift detection demonstrates the force's advanced surveillance capabilities and firm resolve to safeguard Pakistan's maritime interests. 'Pakistan Navy remains fully prepared to counter any hostile action with full force and efficiency,' the source said, reiterating the Navy's 24/7 readiness to defend national sea frontiers against external threats. The Indian P-8I aircraft is used for long-range maritime patrol and anti-submarine operations. It has previously been spotted near sensitive regions in the Arabian Sea amid heightened regional tensions.
Business Recorder
06-05-2025
- Business Recorder
Pakistan Navy detects Indian P-81 aircraft
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy detected and closely monitored an Indian P-8I surveillance aircraft during the night between May 4 and 5, as it approached Pakistan's maritime boundaries, according to official sources. The aircraft was kept under constant observation, showcasing the Pakistan Navy's high level of operational vigilance and technical capability. The official added that the swift detection reflects the Navy's robust monitoring systems and unyielding resolve to protect national maritime interests. 'Pakistan Navy remains fully prepared to respond to any hostile act with full force and effectiveness,' the source said, emphasising the force's round-the-clock readiness to defend the country's sea frontiers against any aggression. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
