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India Gazette
27-05-2025
- India Gazette
India to welcome Navika Sagar Parikrama II crew after historic 50,000km global circumnavigation
New Delhi [India], May 27 (ANI): The Indian Navy is set to welcome the crew of Navika Sagar Parikrama II, led by Lt Cdr Roopa A and Lt Cdr Dilna K, after their remarkable 50,000km circumnavigation of the globe onboard the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Tarini. The crew will arrive in Goa on May 29, marking the culmination of their eight-month journey across four continents, three oceans, and three Great Capes. This extraordinary sailing expedition was flagged off from Naval Ocean Sailing Node, Goa, on Oct 2, 2024. The crew accomplished this rare feat in double-handed mode, relying solely on sails and wind power, and braving extreme weather conditions, including winds up to 50 knots (93 kmph) and stormy weather. The Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will preside over the Flag-in ceremony of this landmark event at Mormugao Port, Goa, formally marking the culmination of the circumnavigation. The expedition symbolises India's maritime endeavours, showcasing the nation's prominence in global maritime activities, the Indian Navy's commitment to excellence, and Nari Shakti, signifying the motto 'Courageous Hearts Boundless Seas.' Over eight months, the Naval duo (famously called #DilRoo) covered a distance of 25,400 nm (approx 50,000km) across four continents, three oceans and three Great Capes, braving extreme weather conditions and challenging seas relying solely on sails and wind power, Though each leg had its challenges, the third leg of the journey from Lyttleton to Port Stanley was one of the most arduous. The crew encountered three cyclones, navigated through the treacherous Drake Passage, and successfully rounded Cape Horn. The circumnavigation highlights the unwavering spirit, exceptional valour, courage, and perseverance of the officers amidst challenging sea and nature conditions. During their journey, the crew engaged in numerous diplomatic and outreach activities, interacting with parliamentarians, the Indian diaspora, and school children, showcasing India's maritime endeavors and promoting national pride. As the proud flag bearers of resurgent India, the duo commenced their circumnavigation with port calls at Fremantle (Australia), Lyttleton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Falkland Islands) and Cape Town (South Africa). The officers engaged in numerous diplomatic and outreach engagements, interacting with parliamentarians, the Indian diaspora, school children, Naval cadets and university faculty across the globe. In a rare gesture, they were honoured as special invitees at the Western Australian Parliament in recognition of their achievements. Their accomplishments received accolades from local communities, international sailing bodies and foreign parliaments, serving as a beacon of women's empowerment, maritime excellence and national pride. During the voyage, the crew had the opportunity to interact with the Union Defence Minister on the eve of International Women's Day. He congratulated the crew for their remarkable milestone and acknowledged the invaluable role of women in bolstering national security, and reaffirmed India's commitment to expanding opportunities for women in the defence sector. Besides this, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, also interacted with the crew on various occasions and commended their exemplary skills, professionalism, camaraderie and teamwork. As the nation eagerly awaits the arrival of the resilient crew of Navika Sagar Parikrama II, this expedition has been a defining chapter in India's maritime history. The crew exemplified the spirit of exploration, showcasing seafaring skills on a global stage. The expedition symbolises Nari Shakti, highlighting the role of women in India's maritime sector and serving as a beacon of women's empowerment. It has been a journey of empowerment, innovation and commitment to India's maritime heritage, charting new paths for a brighter and empowered future. It reaffirms the Indian Navy's pledge to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and responsibility across the vast expanse of the world's oceans. (ANI)
Mint
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Viral video: Ex-Pakistan Air Marshal admits losing AWACS at Bholari airbase during Operation Sindoor
Although the Pakistani government has not officially acknowledged the damage from the Operation Sindoor airstrikes, a former Pakistani Air Marshal has let out that an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft was destroyed by the Indian airstrikes at Bholari airbase in Sindh province on the early morning of May 10. In an interview, ex-Air Marshal Masood Akhtar said the Pakistani military tried to save the AWACS aircraft but the missiles kept coming. 'They (Indian forces) fired four back-to-back Brahmos surface-to-surface missiles or air-to-surface missiles, I am not sure. The Pakistani pilots rushed to secure their aircraft, but the missiles kept on coming, and unfortunately, the fourth one hit the hangar at Bholari airbase, where one of our AWACS was standing. It was damaged,' Masood Akhtar said. The AWACS is designed to detect aircraft, ships, vehicles, missiles, and other incoming threats from long distances. Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, was India's swift retaliatory strike targeting nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK). The mission followed the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, where 25 tourists and a local were killed. After India targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, the Pakistani military attempted to breach Indian air defences. However, the attempt failed, and India struck back by hitting Pakistani airbases and destroying key military areas and equipment. The military strikes continued for four days before the Pakistani DGMO dialed his Indian counterpart to reach an agreement. Meanwhile, in a strong warning to Pakistan, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that Operation Sindoor is not over yet and whatever happened was 'just a trailer'. 'We have kept Pakistan on probation. If its behavior improves, then okay, otherwise, it will be given strictest punishment,' he said.
Mint
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
'Are nuclear weapons safe with Pakistan?' asks Rajnath Singh; seeks IAEA monitoring
India-Pakistan Conflict: Union Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday sought an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) monitoring of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal, questioning if the same was 'safe' in the hands of an 'rogue and irresponsible nation'. Pakistan's nuclear arsenal should be brought under the surveillance of the UN's nuclear agency, Rajnath Singh said on Thursday, following last week's conflict between Islamabad and New Delhi. "I wanted to raise this question for the world: are nuclear weapons safe in the hands of a rogue and irresponsible nation?" Rajnath Singh told troops at a base in Srinagar in Kashmir. "I believe that Pakistan's atomic weapons should be brought under he surveillance of IAEA. I want to say this very clearly," he said, referring to the International Atomic Energy Agency. "The entire world has seen how Pakistan has irresponsibly threatened India with nuclear attacks multiple times." Pakistan has consistently maintained throughout the conflict with India that the use of nuclear weapons was not under consideration. In contrast, India has firmly asserted that it will not be intimidated by what it terms 'nuclear blackmail' from its neighbour. New Delhi has categorically denied targeting Pakistan's nuclear installations during the recent conflict. Air Marshal AK Bharti, Director General of Air Operations, told reporters, 'We have not hit Kirana Hills,' referring to the rocky mountain range in Pakistan believed by some reports to house the country's nuclear arsenal. He added with a hint of sarcasm, 'Thank you for telling us that Kirana Hills houses some nuclear installation-we did not know about it,' emphasising that the site was not among the targets struck by Indian forces. India and Pakistan possess nearly comparable nuclear arsenals, with India estimated to have around 180 warheads and Pakistan approximately 170 as of 2025. India maintains a declared 'No First Use' (NFU) policy, committing to use nuclear weapons only in retaliation, emphasising credible minimum deterrence and restraint. Its nuclear triad includes land-based ballistic missiles (like the Agni series), air-delivered weapons, and sea-based platforms such as nuclear-powered submarines. Conversely, Pakistan has not adopted an NFU stance and follows a 'Full Spectrum Deterrence' doctrine, which allows for the potential first use of nuclear weapons, including tactical nuclear arms, to counter India's conventional military superiority. Pakistan's arsenal primarily consists of land-based ballistic and cruise missiles, with sea-based nuclear capabilities still under development. While India's nuclear command is under civilian control through the Nuclear Command Authority, Pakistan's strategic control is exercised by its National Command Authority. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an autonomous intergovernmental organisation established in 1957 to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and prevent its military application, including nuclear weapons. Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, it operates within the United Nations system, reporting to both the General Assembly and the Security Council. The IAEA facilitates scientific and technical cooperation among its 180 member states, implements safeguards to monitor nuclear programmes, and promotes nuclear safety and security worldwide. IAEA was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 for its efforts to ensure nuclear energy is used safely and peacefully.
India Gazette
10-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
PM Modi chairs high-level meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, CDS and armed forces chiefs
New Delhi [India], May 10 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting with Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and chiefs of the Indian Armed Forces at his residence in New Delhi. The meeting took place following India's strikes at four airbases in Pakistan in the early hours of Saturday in reply to Pakistan's attack on 26 Indian locations. Earlier today, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh briefed the media about the ongoing developments amidst the rising tensions between India and Pakistan. Vikram Misri emphasised that the actions being undertaken by Pakistan against India are being seen as 'escalatory' and 'provocative' in nature. He made the remarks during a press briefing on Saturday, where proofs of Pakistan's escalatory and provocative actions were provided alongside exposing the lies being peddled by Pakistan. While speaking to media, the Foreign Secretary said, 'Pakistan's actions constituted provocation, escalation. In response India defended and reacted in a responsible and measured fashion'. India categorically rejected Pakistan's malicious misinformation campaign, which falsely claimed the destruction of critical Indian military assets and infrastructure. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, while addressing the joint press conference, highlighted Pakistan's attempts to spread disinformation about damage caused to the S-400 system at Adhampur, airfields at Suratgarh and Sirsa, Brahmos space at Nagrota, and artillery-gun positions in Dehrangyari and Chandigarh, among other allegations. She emphasised that India unequivocally rejects these false narratives, which are part of a broader strategy to undermine India's military capabilities and instil fear among the public. Alongside the disinformation campaign, Singh added that Pakistan has escalated its military actions along the Line of Control (LoC), attempting multiple air intrusions using drones and conducting shelling with heavy-calibre artillery guns, which have threatened civilian infrastructure and resulted in civilian casualties. Meanwhile, incidents of heavy shelling and cross-border firing were reported from various places aligning with Pakistan border on Saturday. (ANI)
Indian Express
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Sharad Pawar: ‘I am very happy at govt's action in Pakistan, PoK… It was a much-needed lesson'
NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar hailed 'Operation Sindoor' Wednesday, asserting that Indian armed forces had given a 'befitting reply' to the Pahalgam terror attack on tourists. Pawar, 84, was his inscrutable-yet-affable self as he sat in his Mumbai home for an interview, speaking about a range of issues, from the raging conflict between India and Pakistan to the outpouring of anger in Jammu and Kashmir against the Pahalgam incident. Among the country's most experienced politicians, Pawar, a four-time Maharashtra chief minister, was the Union Defence Minister in the early 1990s under the P V Narasimha Rao government. In an interview held over two days, Pawar spoke about the dilemma facing his party, the state of the Opposition INDIA bloc and its future, and Rahul Gandhi 's leadership. Excerpts: Q. How do you see the strikes by India on nine terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK)? I appreciate the steps taken by the Indian armed forces against the terrorist spots in Pakistan and PoK. It was a much-needed lesson . The Indian Air Force took special precautions… there were no civilian casualties. I am very happy at the steps taken by the Indian government. Q. You have been Raksha Mantri. What was your first reaction when you heard of the Pahalgam attack? My first reaction was that such a big incident could not have happened unless something went wrong. But this is not the time to ask questions. This is a time to work together and give full support to the Government of India. Q. How do you look at the reaction in Kashmir, where people came out in protest against the attacks, arguably for the first time in the Valley's history of militancy? The local population took an aggressive anti-terrorism stand. There was a unanimous resolution in the J&K Assembly condemning the attack. The speech made by the Chief Minister (Omar Abdullah) was really good… You may not know this but Omar lived at our house in Mumbai for three years when I was the CM and he and Supriya (Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule) used to go to college together. At that time the situation in Kashmir was bad, and Farooq (Abdullah), who is a friend, came to me and said, 'Sharad, I am sending Omar to you.' An element in this country likes to blame the (Kashmiri) community as a bloc if anything happens. The mood of the Kashmiri people is something different now. Q. You have been Defence Minister. If you were one now, what would be your advice to the Prime Minister? There are sizeable sections in the country who are insisting on action. Whatever action you have to take, do not be in a hurry. What they (the government) have done, like stopping imports, exports, that all is good. I would have taken appropriate action (if I had been in office) … Sabak seekhane ke alag-alag tareeke hote hain (There are different ways to teach a lesson)… for example, in the PoK, the strong bases of extremists…. Q. Do you think India should reach out to politicians in Pakistan, as opposed to their army? This is not the time (for it). Q. Shifting to another subject, do you think if Nitish Kumar had not gone back to the NDA last year, you (the INDIA bloc) might have won the 2024 Lok Sabha elections? If friends like Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu had been with INDIA, it would have been a very different situation. Q. Would you have won? I can't say that. But if you see the numbers that the BJP got and those that the Opposition won… we would have been close to the magic mark. Q. Why were you not able to keep Nitish Kumar with you? The first meeting of the INDIA bloc was held in Patna. Who was the host? Nitish Kumar. The second meeting was held in Bengaluru. Till then he (Nitish) was with us. Suddenly he changed. Q. It was said that in Bengaluru Nitish's name was going to be announced as the convenor of the INDIA bloc? Lalu (Prasad) insisted that his (Nitish's) name be announced – actually Lalu took the initiative. Some of us, including me, supported it. This was discussed at the Bengaluru meeting. But some people said, 'Jaldbaazi mat keejiye (Don't act in haste)'. Q. Did those people include Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi? 'Some people' said we will talk to the people from the South, take them into confidence and then decide. Kharge (Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge) was there, I don't remember if Rahul was there. Q. Do you think that as Leader of the Opposition, Gandhi has frittered away the opportunity that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections presented to Opposition parties? An opportunity does not get missed. Even today there are opportunities. Galti ho sakti hai, wrong judgment ho sakta hai (there can be mistakes, wrong judgment). Even today, if we work with 'samajhdaari (sagacity)', those opportunities can return. Q. You told me in Satara during the Lok Sabha campaign last year that a situation would develop, within a year or so, when several regional parties would be compelled to associate more closely or merge their identity with the Congress. That was a big statement. Did Gandhi get in touch with you about your offer? It was Kharge, the Congress president, who was in contact (with us). Q. Did Kharge broach this with you? Not in so many words. He said there is a need to work together… Par issi raste se jaana hoga (But we have no option but to go forward on this path). The INDIA group cannot join the BJP. Q. Has no response come from the Congress side on this? I have no contact now. Q. What do you feel about the Congress and Rahul Gandhi's approach? He has said that there could be 30-40 moles inside the Congress and that to revive the Congress in Gujarat was a 50-year project? Why should I react? Q. How do you assess Rahul Gandhi's overall leadership? He works hard. When issues arise in the country, he reacts. But today there is no mahaul (atmosphere) for Rahul to do something big. I would only say that there is need for him to work even more aggressively on the ground. Not just Rahul but the entire Opposition. Q. Though down to 240 seats in the 2024 polls, the BJP behaves as if it is as strong as it was earlier? That is the BJP. Q. So you think there is something to learn from the BJP? (Laughs). Q. How do you see the INDIA bloc's future? Today, the situation is not conducive for INDIA. But the situation can be changed. Q. What really went wrong in the Maharashtra Assembly polls? I don't know. The situation here was in our favour. The Lok Sabha poll result went in our favour. What happened in the Vidhan Sabha (elections) then? Wherever we go, people in every village say we voted in the Vidhan Sabha elections just as we had voted in the Lok Sabha polls, but the result was different. I don't want to give a strong statement about the Election Commission. Q. How do you see the future of your own party NCP(SP)? As far as we are concerned, there are two views inside the party. One is that we reunite (with the NCP led by Ajit Pawar). The second section feels do not go directly or indirectly with the BJP. Let's join the INDIA group and reorganise the alliance. Q. But you are already in INDIA? INDIA is not active today. So we have to reorganise, rebuild our party, induct younger people into it, and work. Q. But where do you propose to go – with INDIA, or keep your options open? Our thinking is to work in the Opposition. We should create a credible alternative to the BJP. Q. You recently met your nephew Ajit Pawar twice in a week? That was not for rajniti (politics). There are many institutions, including educational ones, where we work with him, with NDA, with the Leftists, and we will continue to do so. Q. What about your daughter Supriya Sule? She has to take a stand, decide whether to sit in the Opposition in Parliament or not. Q. What is your view on the caste census the Modi government has announced it will hold? Theek hai (It's the right move). For many years there was a demand to hold it. The naksha (social map) will become clear. Q. Some fear it will lead to social divisions. It may have some such repercussions. Q. How do you see the future of India… I mean desh? I am an optimist. Parliamentary democracy is continuing in this country because of the samajhdaari of the common people, not because of us.
