Indian Defense
NewClick Got Funds From China To Promote Beijing’s Interest In India: Ed Probe Reveals
According to the reports, an officer probing the money laundering case revealed to the Times of India that NewsClick had financial dealings with a Sri Lankan-Cuban based businessman named Neville Roy Singham, who allegedly funnelled Rs 38 crore to PPK NewsClick Studio Pvt Ltd between 2018 and 2021 from abroad.
The officials, who have traced the money flow of the media outlet, said that Singham is associated with the propaganda arm of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
The ED officials also reportedly said that the investigation had established that part of the money NewsClick allegedly received from foreign sources, which was then routed to Gautam Navlakha, one of the accused in the Elgar Parishad case. The ED had recently interrogated Navlakha in jail for his links with NewsClick’s founder and editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayastha.
Earlier, OpIndia had published a detailed report on foreign funding received by NewsClick and its links with Gautam Navlakha. It was revealed that both Purkayastha and Navlakha were directors of a company called Startacus Software Private Limited. The ED had alleged that funds Purkayastha received for opening a company with Navlakha. Gautam Navlakha was an ‘Independent Partner” of PPK NewsClick Studio LLP.
Most Money Received From China Shows As “Export Of Business”: ED
The anti-money laundering agency said their investigations had shown the media portal received funds from entities named “Justice and Education Fund Inc, US; GSPAN LLC, US; Tricontinental Ltd Inc, USA — all located at the same address — and Centro Popular Demidas, Brazil. The agency said that their search at the places linked to shareholders of PPK NewsClick in February this year had shed light on regular exchanges of emails in connection with the Communist Party of China (CPC).
The ED had also established that NewsClick had received foreign funding of Rs 9.59 crore from a defunct company called Worldwide Media Holdings LLC, Delaware, in April 2018, and another of Rs 20.92 crore later, which has been shown as receipts for “export of services”.
In April 2018, the newly formed company issued shares of face value Rs 10/share at a premium of Rs 11,510/share to Worldwide Media Holidays LLC, registered in Delaware, USA. It is believed that the premium price on share was artificially enhanced to transfer as FDI.
Purkayastha, however, defended the same by claiming that it was ‘fair assessment’ of the company and that the valuation was conducted professionally.
TOI further reports that as per the ED sources, the funds were paid to NewsClick to carry out “specific jobs” to spruce up China’s role in Africa, where it is being accused of high-handedness and predatory capitalism. The ED said they are also investigating payments of large sums to journalists for any irregularities. The Enforcement Directorate also said that most of the money received by the far-left portal was shown as proceeds from “export of services”. However, Purkayastha has denied the allegations about Singham being a front for CPC and his outlet’s links with the Chinese regime. Instead, Purkayastha claimed that Singham is an American citizen who launched and ran a software company in the US before selling it for around $700-800 million.
“All our funds are from legitimate sources and well-known foundations in the US as per RBI guidelines,” Purkayastha said.
Over and above this, the agency is also probing huge amount of payment made to journalists for any irregularities. Purkayastha has also been asked about payment of money to Bappaditya Sinha, a CPM member who maintains and runs Twitter accounts of some party leaders. Purkayastha acknowledged links of NewsClick with Sinha but claimed that he was paid for usage of his software and that ‘there is nothing wrong in it’.
China Financed Money To NewsClick To Create A Media Narrative In Favour of Beijing’s Interest In India
Besides ED, other investigative agencies are also probing the Chinese links in the case, specifically into the funding by the CPC to build a ‘media narrative’ in India that suits China’s interests. These agencies are looking to find Singham’s links with a senior politician.
During the interrogation, the ED had asked Purkayastha to provide details of services exported by his company, for which it had received about Rs 28.5 crore between 2018 and 2021. The ED had also asked him to explain how NewsClick received money running into crores from dubious foreign sources within a few months of the launch of the company. The agency had come across one payment of Rs 1.55 crore made to a ninth-class pass electrician by Newclick, who was hired for maintenance at his office. Purkayastha has been asked to provide information on the “nature of work” the latter executed.
Meanwhile, Purkayastha has claimed that the government has sent income tax, the economic offences wing of the Delhi Police and the ED behind them because they are not pro-government. “All of them have the same set of questions regarding the source of our funds and people associated with us,” he claimed.
“If they have anything against us, let them file all these facts in the charge sheet before the court. We are ready to face trial and respond to all those charges,” said the NewsClick founder.
Fearing arrest, NewsClick’s editor-in-chief had approached the Delhi high court seeking anticipatory bail. The High Court has provided him protection till July 29, when the case is listed for hearing.
Indian Defense
INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’
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.
Indian Defense
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.
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.
Indian Defense
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).
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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