Latest news with #Turkey-made
Mint
3 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Robotic lifebuoys coming to Mumbai beaches? Not so soon, BMC scraps plan amid fallout with Turkey
Mumbai will have to wait longer for the dream robotic lifebuoys as the city's civic body scrapped its plan to procure Turkey-made bot. As per the initial plan, these remotely-operated rescue machines were sought for deployment across Mumbai's half-a-dozen beaches, an official informed PTI. This decision comes in the wake of backlash over Turkey's role in supporting Pakistan and India-Turkey fallout post Operation Sindoor. Boycott Turkey goods calls were raised and trade relations strained between the two countries after Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's government criticised India's terror clampdown and strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir. According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, these bots were to be deployed at Girgaum Chowpatty, Shivaji Park Dadar, Juhu, Versova, Aksa and Gorai beaches. However, a change in plan was made after Turkey openly condemned India's action in response to April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Affirming the development related to procurement of robotic lifebuoys, Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani said that the civic body has scrapped the plan to procure robotic lifebuoys manufactured in Turkey. Designed to assist lifeguards, the robotic lifebuoys would have been a part of search and rescue operation to save people from drowning. Equipped with dual water jets, each unit of robotic lifebuoys possess a 10,000 mAh rechargeable battery. With a carriage capacity of 200 kg, these remotely-operated rescue machines can cover a distance of 800 metres into the sea at speeds up to 18 km/h. BMC officials further informed PTI that the bot can operate for about an hour after one charge. Following the deal with the Eurasian country, the BMC faced strong criticism from political parties. BJP and Shiv Sena leaders had questioned and condemned the procurement of the machine from foreign supplier and had insisted on promoting indigenous production.
India Today
3 days ago
- Business
- India Today
Mumbai civic body cancels order of Turkish lifebuoys to be deployed at 6 beaches
The Mumbai civic body has scrapped its plan to procure Turkey-made robotic lifebuoys for deployment across half-a-dozen beaches, officials said, a move coming in the backdrop of Ankara facing backlash in India for supporting remotely-operated rescue machines, designed to assist lifeguards in saving people from drowning, were to be deployed at Girgaum Chowpatty, Shivaji Park Dadar, Juhu, Versova, Aksa and Gorai beaches, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said on Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani replied in the affirmative when asked if the civic body had scrapped the plan to procure robotic lifebuoys manufactured in Turkey. Each unit of the machine was equipped with dual water jets, a 10,000 mAh rechargeable battery, and had the capacity to carry up to 200 kg. It could travel 800 metres into the sea at speeds of up to 18 km/h and operate for about an hour, as per civic body faced strong criticism from political parties for the deal after Turkey extended diplomatic and military support to Islamabad during last month's military confrontation between India and leaders, including of the ruling BJP and its ally Shiv Sena, had questioned the procurement of the equipment from foreign suppliers instead of promoting indigenous open support to Pakistan in the wake of Operation Sindoor, India's military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, triggered broader domestic calls for a boycott of goods made in the Eurasian Watch
News18
3 days ago
- Business
- News18
BMC Scraps Deal To Procure Turkey-Made Lifebuoys Amid Diplomatic Tensions
Last Updated: The BMC has cancelled its plan to procure Turkish-made robotic lifebuoys for Mumbai beaches due to Turkey's support for Pakistan amid recent India-Pakistan tensions. Mumbai's Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has scrapped its plan to procure Turkey-made robotic lifebuoys for deployment across half a dozen beaches, amid India's strained ties with the country over its backing for Pakistan. According to some civic officials, remotely-operated rescue machines, designed to assist lifeguards in saving people from drowning, were to be deployed at Girgaum Chowpatty, Shivaji Park Dadar, Juhu, Versova, Aksa, and Gorai beaches. Officials also said that each unit of the machine was equipped with dual water jets, a 10,000 mAh rechargeable battery, and had the capacity to carry up to 200 kg. It could travel 800 metres into the sea at speeds up to 18 km/h and operate for about an hour. Last month, the BMC had come under fire for reportedly awarding a contract to a Turkish company to supply robotic life-saving equipment for deployment at Mumbai's popular beaches. In a letter to the Mumbai municipal commissioner, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Bhalchandra Shirsat had demanded the immediate cancellation of the tender. In his letter, Shirsat also questioned why Mumbai's civic body would engage in business with a country that has openly supported Pakistan during times of conflict. Turkey extended diplomatic and military support to Islamabad during last month's military confrontation between India and Pakistan, thus triggering broader domestic calls for a boycott of goods made in the Eurasian country. On June 2, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said Earlier, multiple universities, including the Jawaharlal Nehru University and Jamia Millia Islamia, suspended their Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Inonu University in Turkey, citing national security considerations.
India Today
26-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Shehbaz Sharif thanks 'dear brother' Erdogan for backing Pak against India
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held talks with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Istanbul, just weeks after tensions rose between Pakistan and India. Shehbaz thanked Erdoan for 'resolute support' against X, Pakistan PM wrote: "Had the honor of meeting my dear brother President Reccep Tayipp Erdogan in Istanbul this evening. Thanked him for his resolute support to Pakistan in the recent Pakistan India standoff."advertisement"We also reviewed the ongoing progress of our multifaceted bilateral engagements particularly in trade and investment and reaffirmed our resolve to continue working closely to further strengthen these unshakable bonds of brotherhood and cooperation. Long live Pakistan Turkiye Friendship," he added. According to a statement from the Turkish president's office, the meeting aimed to strengthen ties between the two countries, particularly in the energy, trade, transportation, and defence stressed the importance of deeper cooperation between Turkey and Pakistan in areas like intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism. He said both countries must continue working together to ensure regional stability."It is in the interest of Turkey and Pakistan to increase solidarity in education, intelligence sharing and technological support in the fight against terrorism," his office meeting took place amid strained ties between Turkey and India. Turkey has been supporting Islamabad. Ankara faced backlash from New Delhi, who discovered that Pakistan used Turkey-made drones during the clashes. However, Turkish officials have denied these claims, saying no weapons were sent to Pakistan during the conflict.'WE HAVE STRENGTHENED UNBREAKABLE TIES'advertisementIn response to Sharif's post, President Erdogan wrote: "We discussed many critical issues with them, especially the economy, trade and security. We confirmed and strengthened our will to strengthen the deep-rooted historical, human and political relations between Turkey and Pakistan in every field. As my dear brother Shehbaz stated, we have further strengthened the unbreakable ties, cooperation, solidarity and brotherhood between our countries and peoples. I convey my most heartfelt love to my Pakistani brothers through Mr. Sharif." A statement released by Sharif's office after delegation-level talks with Erdogan stated that the PM expressed "heartfelt gratitude" to the government and people of Turkey for its support during the conflict with India, the worst between the two nations in decades.$5 BILLION TRADE GOALAfter the meeting, Turkey's Directorate of Communications issued a statement: "During the meeting, President Erdoan stated that Trkiye and Pakistan would continue to take steps to advance their relations and achieve the goal of a five billion dollar trade volume." "Emphasizing that efforts would be made to enhance cooperation in all areas, particularly in energy, transportation, and defence between the two countries, President Erdoan noted that strengthening solidarity between Turkey and Pakistan in the fight against terrorism through training, intelligence sharing and technological support would serve the interests of both nations, and added that the Istanbul–Tehran–Islamabad railway line should be made more efficient and that concrete steps in the field of education would contribute to bilateral relations," it BACKS PAKISTANErdogan has been vocal in his support for Pakistan after the conflict with India escalated. The clashes began after armed terrorists attacked tourists in Pahalgam in Kashmir on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese citizen. India accused Pakistan of indirectly sheltering the attack, which Pakistan has firmly response, India launched military operations at nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK). The situation quickly escalated into a four-day military conflict. Notably, both countries possess nuclear weapons. Turkey called for an international investigation into the attack, backing Pakistan's May 10, both sides eventually agreed upon a Erdoan was accompanied during the talks by several top officials, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, Minister of National Defence Yaar Gler, National Intelligence Chief brahim Kaln, and other senior advisors and military leaders.
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First Post
23-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
'Mutual respect and sensitivities basis of bilateral ties': India's reminder to Turkey, China over Pak terror
A preliminary probe into the debris of Pakistani drones thwarted by India's air defence systems on May 9 reveals that the country used the Turkey-made Songar armed drone system read more The External Affairs Ministry has called for Turkey and China to be sensitive to India's concerns after initial investigations revealed that Pakistan deployed drones made by the two countries following New Delhi's Operation Sindoor. 'We expect Turkey to strongly urge Pakistan to end its support to cross-border terrorism and take credible and verifiable actions against the terror ecosystem it has harboured for decades. Relations are built on the basis of sensitivities to each other's concerns,' foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A preliminary probe into the debris of Pakistani drones thwarted by India's air defence systems on May 9 reveals that the country used the Turkey-made Songar armed drone system. Songar is an armed drone system developed and produced by Asisguard, a subsidiary of Asis Electronics and Information Systems, to enhance capabilities in low-intensity conflict scenarios. It is the first domestically produced armed drone to be deployed by the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) and the first indigenous Turkish drone equipped with a machine gun. Meanwhile, Director General Air Operations, Air Marshal A K Bharti, had presented images of debris of the Chinese-made PL-15 during a joint military press briefing, saying that the missile had fallen inside the Indian territory and parts of it were recovered from Punjab's Hoshiarpur. On the use of Chinese military equipment, Jaiswal said, 'Our NSA and the Chinese FM and Special Representative on Boundary Issue Mr Wang Yi had spoken to each other on May 10, 2025, when the NSA conveyed India's resolute stance against cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. The Chinese side is aware that mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual sensitivity remain the basis of India-China relations.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India's Armed Forces intercepted and neutralised various advanced foreign-made weapons employed by Pakistan, including Chinese-origin PL-15 air-to-air missiles and Turkish Byker YIHA III kamikaze drones.
