Indian Defense
UN Secretary General Meets PM Modi In Dubai, Welcomes His Green Credit Initiative At COP28
Dubai: Appreciating India’s efforts in the areas of sustainable development and climate action under its G20 Presidency, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Friday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’ s Green Credit Initiative in Dubai.
PM Modi and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres met each other on the sidelines of the COP28 Global Climate Action Summit in Dubai earlier today and exchanged views on priorities and concerns of the Global South related to climate action, climate finance, and technology.
“UN Secretary-General appreciated India’s efforts in the areas of sustainable development, climate action, MDB reforms, and disaster management under the G20 Presidency. He welcomed the PM’s Green Credit Initiative,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official release.
“He affirmed his intention to work with India to build on the achievements of India’s Presidency and take them forward at the UN Summit of the Future 2024,” the MEA release said.
The Prime Minister also thanked the Secretary General for his support during India’s G20 Presidency. He highlighted India’s initiatives and progress in achieving climate goals.
“Both leaders exchanged views on priorities and concerns of the Global South related to climate action, climate finance, technology and reforms of multilateral governance and financial institutions, including the UN,” the MEA said.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Sweden’s PM Ulf Kristersson, President of Mozambique Filipe Jacinto Nyusi and European Council President Charles Michel, launched the web portal of the Green Credits Programme at the COP28 World Climate Action Summit in Dubai.
“The manner in which we give importance to our health card in life, we have to similarly start thinking in the context of environment. We will have to see what is to be done to add positive points to Earth’s Health Card. I think this is what green Credit is,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi, together with President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE, co-hosted the high-level event on the ‘Green Credits Programme’ at COP-28.
The event saw the participation of the Swedish Prime Minister, the Mozambique President and the President of the European Council.
The Prime Minister invited all nations to join this initiative.
A Ministry of External Affairs release said that the Green Credit Initiative has been conceptualised as a mechanism to incentivize voluntary pro-planet actions as an effective response to the challenge of climate change.
It envisions the issue of green credits for plantations on waste or degraded lands and river catchment areas to rejuvenate and revive natural ecosystems.
The web platform launched today would serve as a repository of policies and best practises that incentivize environment-friendly actions.
Meanwhile, PM Modi, on the sidelines of the COP 28 summit in Dubai, also met the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog.
The two leaders, during the bilateral meeting, exchanged views on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in the region.
“The Prime Minister expressed his condolences on the loss of lives in the October 7 terror attacks and welcomed the release of hostages. Prime Minister reiterated the need for continued and safe delivery of humanitarian aid for the affected population,” the Ministry of External Affairs release said.
PM Modi also emphasised India’s support for a two-state solution and an early and durable resolution of the Israel-Palestine issue through dialogue and diplomacy.
Following the meeting with the Israeli President, PM Modi, in a post on X, wrote, “Had a very productive meeting with President @Isaac_Herzog of Israel earlier today. Our talks covered a wide range of global and bilateral issues.”
COP28 is being held from November 28-December 12 under the Presidency of the UAE.
The Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC provides a unique opportunity to impart momentum for collective action towards combating the shared challenge of climate change.
PM Modi earlier said that India is among the few countries which is on course to meet its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) as part of efforts to combat climate change and proposed that the country will host COP33 in 2028.
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.
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.
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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