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Jaishankar Pitches For Connectivity With Afghanistan Via Chabahar, Takes Jibe At China, Pakistan

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Jaishankar Pitches For Connectivity With Afghanistan Via Chabahar, Takes Jibe At China, Pakistan

Addressing a conference in Tashkent on regional connectivity of Central & South Asia, also attended by China & Pakistan, Jaishankar said connectivity efforts must conform to international laws

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar made a strong pitch for connectivity with Afghanistan Friday by leveraging the role of Iran’s Chabahar Port, which will act as a hub for the joint use of India, Uzbekistan, Iran and Afghanistan.

Speaking at the International Conference on Regional Connectivity of Central and South Asia, at the Uzbekistan capital of Tashkent, Jaishankar stressed that any form of connectivity efforts made by countries should adhere to international laws, territorial integrity and sovereignty, and that such initiatives should not create “debt burdens”.

“Since 2016, India has taken practical steps to operationalise the Chabahar port in Iran. This provides a secure, viable and unhindered access to the sea for Central Asian countries. Its efficacy is now clearly proven… The formation of (the) India-Uzbekistan-Iran-Afghanistan Quadrilateral Working Group on the joint use of Chabahar port is a welcome development,” he said while addressing the conference.

The two-day conference — Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity. Challenges and Opportunities — that concluded in Tashkent Friday was also attended by Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister S.M. Qureshi, and Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councillor Wang Yi.

“Connectivity efforts must be based on economic viability and financial responsibility. They should promote economic activity and not create debt burdens. Ecological and environmental standards, as also skill and technology transfers, are musts. Connectivity must be consultative, transparent and participatory,” Jaishankar said.

This was a direct taunt at China and Pakistan that are engaged in developing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) under Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). India has been opposed to the CPEC since its inception because the corridor passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The BRI, which has been touted as the pet project of Chinese President Xi Jinping, has often been accused of creating a debt trap for countries that have become part of it.

Imran Khan, meanwhile, said at the conference that Pakistan “wants to have civilised relations with India, but the RSS ideology comes in the way”.

Resilient And Reliable Supply Chains

In the wake of the post-Covid economic recovery, Jaishankar said, connectivity can act as an “economic multiplier”.

“Connectivity acquires a particular salience in the context of post-Covid economic recovery. It is itself an economic multiplier. But there is also a widespread realisation of the need now for more resilient and reliable supply chains. This is not just a matter of production; it is equally a challenge of efficient logistics,” he said.

Jaishankar added that connectivity must be “consultative, transparent and participatory” and also highlighted that the challenges faced by New Delhi, such as politics, vested interests and instability, can be formidable impediments to its realisation.

“The real issues are of mindsets, not of disputes. Blocking connectivity in practice while professing support in principle benefits no one. A one-sided view of trade rights and obligations can never work. No serious connectivity can ever be a one-way street,” he said.

Discussions On Afghanistan

On Friday, Jaishankar also met Uzbekistan President Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev and discussed with him the situation in Afghanistan and its impact on the entire region, which includes countries that are not just in the immediate neighbourhood of Afghanistan but also beyond.

Afghanistan is currently witnessing a rapid deterioration in the security situation, even as the Taliban steps up violence as the American troops wind up operations in the country aiming to make a complete exit by 31 August.

Jaishanakar had also met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Thursday and assured him of India’s support for peace, stability and development in Afghanistan.

In his keynote address at the event, President Ghani Friday said the Taliban has unleashed a “destructive wave of attacks across the country”. He said the Taliban is resorting to car bombs, planting to landmines, assassination campaigns and targeted killing of women among others.”

Ghani, in his speech, also hit out at Pakistan-based terror outfits for helping the Taliban in carrying out its offensive.

In a last-ditch effort to have a peaceful settlement under the framework of the intra-Afghan dialogue, a delegation from Afghanistan left for Qatar capital Doha Friday to meet Taliban chief negotiator Abdul Ghani Baradar and Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, a former dreaded Taliban fighter and now chief of Hizb-e-Islami, an Islamist party in Afghanistan.

The Afghan delegation comprised Abdullah Abdullah, head of the High Council for National Reconciliation, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, and Afghan politician and former warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum.

Before leaving for India, Jaishankar also discussed the present situation in Afghanistan with Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of European Commission.

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INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’

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INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’


NEW DELHI: India tested its nuclear capable K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), designed to have a strike range of 3,500 km, for the second time in six days on Friday. The missile test, as the one conducted on January 19, was undertaken from an undersea platform in the shape of a submersible pontoon off the coast of Andhra Pradesh according to a report by Rajat Pandit of TOI.

The solid-fuelled K-4 missile is being developed by DRDO to arm the country’s nuclear-powered submarines in the shape of INS Arihant and its under-development sister vessels. INS Arihant, which became fully operational in November 2018 to complete India’s nuclear triad, is currently armed with the much shorter K-15 missiles with a 750 km range.

“The K-4 is now virtually ready for its serial production to kick-off. The two tests have demonstrated its capability to emerge straight from underwater and undertake its parabolic trajectory,” said a source.

India has the land-based Agni missiles, with the over 5,000-km Agni-V inter-continental ballistic missile now in the process of being inducted, and fighter jets jury-rigged to deliver nuclear weapons. But INS Arihant gives the country’s deterrence posture much more credibility because nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear-tipped missiles are considered the most secure, survivable and potent platforms for retaliatory strikes.

Once the K-4 missiles are inducted, they will help India narrow the gap with countries like the US, Russia and China, which have over 5,000-km range SLBMs. The K-4 missiles are to be followed by the K-5 and K-6 missiles in the 5,000-6,000 km range class.

The 6,000-ton INS Arihant, which is propelled by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor at its core, in turn, is to be followed by INS Arighat, which was launched in 2017. The next generation of nuclear submarines, currently called S-4 and S-4*, will be much larger in size.





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After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%

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After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%


India has received clearance to upgrade 84 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, which will result in 78% indigenization after the upgrade

In a significant step towards bolstering its military might with indigenously developed technology, India is poised to witness its Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets evolve into a domestic platform. Speaking at a recent lecture.

The upgrade program is being led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in partnership with the Indian Air Force and other partners. The upgrade is expected to cost US$7.5 billion.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the upgrade. The upgrade is part of India’s efforts to improve the capabilities of its primary fighter aircraft, it refers to as the “Super Sukhoi”.

This initiative is a part of a larger effort by the Indian Air Force to modernize its ageing fleet. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari asserted the critical role of an offensive air force as demonstrated in current global conflicts and emphasized India’s move towards an indigenized arsenal. To this end, the IAF has been proactive, from upgrading its Mirage 2000 to enhancing its MiG-29 fleet.

In summary, the IAF’s commitment to updating their combat forces with the latest technology, including shifting to fifth-generation fighter jets, ensures operational preparedness and a strong deterrence capability. The gradual indigenization of its air fleet marks a pivotal shift in India’s defence landscape, reducing dependency on foreign imports and fostering technological sovereignty.





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Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace

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Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace


According to unconfirmed reports, Armenia is a top contender for an export order for Akash SAM system manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).

While there is no official confirmation because of the sensitivities involved, documents suggest that the order for the same has already been placed the report further added.
There are nine countries, in turn, which have shown interest in the indigenously-developed Akash missile systems, which can intercept hostile aircraft, helicopters, drones and subsonic cruise missiles at a range of 25-km. They are Kenya, Philippines, Indonesia, UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Vietnam and Algeria reported TOI.

The Akash export version will also be slightly different from the one inducted by the armed forces. The 100-km range air-to-air Astra missiles, now entering production after successful trials from Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, also have “good export potential”, said sources.

Akash is a “tried, tested and successfully inducted systems”. Indian armed forces have ordered Akash systems worth Rs 24,000 crore over the years, and MoD inked a contract in Mar 2023 of over Rs 9,100 crores for improved Akash Weapon System

BDL is a government enterprise under the Ministry of Defence that was established in 1970. BDL manufactures surface-to-air missiles and delivers them to the Indian Army. BDL also offers its products for export.

Akash Weapon System

The AWS is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) Air Defence System, indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In order to meet aerial threats, two additional Regiments of AWS with Upgradation are being procured for Indian Army for the Northern borders. Improved AWS has Seeker Technology, Reduced Foot Print, 360° Engagement Capability and improved environmental parameters.

The project will give a boost to the Indian missile manufacturing industry in particular and the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem as a whole. The project has overall indigenous content of 82% which will be increased to 93% by 2026-27.

The induction of the improved AWS into the Indian Army will increase India’s self-reliance in Short Range Missile capability. This project will play a role in boosting the overall economy by avoiding outgo of precious foreign exchange to other countries, increasing employment avenues in India and encouraging Indian MSMEs through components manufacturing. Around 60% of the project cost will be awarded to the private industry, including MSMEs, in maintaining the supply chain of the weapon system, thereby creating large scale of direct and indirect employment.





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