Joe Biden announces new Ukraine assistance package as he makes surprise visit to Kyiv

It is the first time US President Joe Biden has visited Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.(Reuters/Ukrainian Presidential Press Service)

US President Joe Biden has made an unannounced visit to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, days before the first anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Air raid sirens blared across the Ukrainian capital as Mr Biden visited Kyiv but there were no reports of Russian missile or air strikes.

He delivered remarks and met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Mariinskyi Palace to announce an additional half billion dollars in US assistance and to reassure Ukraine of American and allied support as the conflict continues.

"One year later, Kyiv stands. And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands," Mr Biden said.

"[Putin] is counting on us not sticking together. He was counting on the inability to keep NATO united. He was counting on us not to be able to bring in others to the side of Ukraine.

"He thought he could outlast us. I don't think he's thinking that right now. He's just been plain wrong."

Mr Biden said Washington would provide Kyiv with a new military aid package worth $US500 million ($A724 million) that would be announced on Tuesday.

He said it would include more ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).

The US would also be announcing additional sanctions this week, Mr Biden said, against the Russian elite and companies trying to evade sanctions to "back the Russian war machine".

In a speech, Mr Biden commended Ukraine's courage during the war and noted that he had visited Kyiv six times when he had earlier served as vice-president.

"I knew I would be back," he said.

The air raid sirens wailed while both presidents were inside the St Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral on a square in central Kyiv where burnt-out Russian tanks have been placed.

"Your visit is an extremely important sign of support for all Ukrainians," Mr Zelenskyy said.

"We hope this year, 2023, will become the year of victory against this unprovoked and criminal Russian war against Ukraine."

In a statement, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said both Mr Biden and Mr Zelenskyy were pleased with the outcome of their talks.

Ukraine is preparing for what it expects to be a major new Russian offensive that some military analysts say is already underway.

Mr Biden's trip fell on the day that Ukraine marks the deaths of more than 100 people — now known as the Heavenly Hundred — at anti-government protests that eventually toppled a Moscow-backed president in 2014.

It also comes just a day before Russian President Vladimir Putin was due to make a major address, expected to set out his country's aims for the second year of the invasion he launched on February 24 last year.The anniversary has taken on more than symbolic significance, becoming what the West views as motivation for the war's deadliest phase as Moscow hurls thousands of conscripts and mercenaries into a winter offensive. Source: https://www.fijivillage.com/

Read More........ → February 21, 2023

Chinese disengagement in Ladakh is a small lollipop to India!

It is quite possible that the Indian side conveyed to Beijing that with China’s rigid stance on the border standoff, Prime Minister Narendra Modi may consider it difficult to attend the summit, and more importantly, a one-to-one meeting between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping may not be possible unless Beijing shows some progress on further disengagement

By Lt Gen Prakash Katoch (retd) : The 16th round of Corps Commander-level talks over the India-China standoff in Eastern Ladakh held on July 17, 2022, led by the Leh-based 14 Corps Commander, Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta, and China's South Xinjiang Military District Commander, Major General Yang Yin, had indicated no breakthrough.

During the 15th round of talks, held on March 11, 2022, that lasted for around 13 hours, the Indian side had pushed China for the resolution of remaining intrusion areas (dubbed "friction points") in Ladakh but there was also no breakthrough. India had hoped that a resolution on Patrolling Point (PP) 15 in Hot Springs would be arrived at but the joint statement issued after the talks said that the "two sides carried forward their discussions from the previous round", 14th round, held on January 12, "for the resolution of relevant issues along the LAC in the Western Sector". It said both sides "agreed to maintain dialogue via military and diplomatic channels to reach a mutually acceptable resolution at the earliest".

Not only was the 14th round of talks inconclusive, but the 13th Corps Commander-Level meeting that took place on October 21, 2021, also ended in a stalemate, after which the Indian Army said that the "constructive suggestions" it made were not agreeable to the Chinese side, which also could not provide any "forward-looking" proposals. The Chinese later released a press statement calling India's demands "unreasonable".

Now almost two months after the 16th round of Corps Commander-level talks, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a statement on September 8, 2022, that reads: “On 08 September 2022, according to the consensus reached in the 16th round of India China Corps Commander Level Meeting, the Indian and Chinese troops in the area of Gogra-Hotsprings (PP-15) have begun to disengage in a coordinated and planned way, which is conducive to the peace and tranquillity in the border areas.”

Sudden disengagement

The next day on September 9, China’s state media Global Times tweeted: “Chinese and Indian troops in the area of Jianan Daban have begun to disengage in a coordinated and planned manner on Thursday (September 8), according to the consensus reached on 16th Round of China-India Corps Commander Level Meeting: Chinese Defense Ministry.”

It is significant to note that the 16th round of talks was held ten days after India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had an hour-long meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Bali, Indonesia, on July 7, 2022, on the sidelines of a meeting of the foreign ministers of the G20 countries. After the discussion, Jaishankar stated that he had focused on specific outstanding issues in India-China bilateral relationship pertaining to the border situation. But despite this, China gave no indication of any possibility of changing the status quo in Eastern Ladakh.

How then is this sudden disengagement at PP 15? The 2022 annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of State is being held on September 15-16 at Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan has taken over the chairmanship of SCO from Tajikistan in September last year. It is quite possible that the Indian side conveyed to Beijing that with China’s rigid stance on the border standoff, Prime Minister Narendra Modi may consider it difficult to attend the summit, and more importantly, a one-to-one meeting between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping may not be possible unless Beijing shows some progress on further disengagement.

As per recent news, the Chinese side has pulled back northeast of PP 17A while the Indian troops have pulled back to PP-17. In between is the no-patrol zone which means that Indian troops can no more patrol up to PP 15 which was our forward PP in this sector.

China loses nothing:  On the other hand, China loses nothing. The extent of the buffer zone has not been specified. China has ensured the buffer zone since PP-15 in the Kungrang Nullah area provides an access route to Kongka La - a key pass leading into the Aksai Chin hinterland and beyond. In the event of any possibility of hostilities, China can reoccupy PP 15 at the earliest.

The deepest intrusion by China is at Y Junction in the Depsang area – 20 km deep. This denies our patrols to go up to PPs 10, 11, 11A, 12 and 13, even as these PPS were cited short of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Moreover, India vacated the Kailash Range without linking it with the Chinese withdrawal from Depsang and Demchok areas.

Having consolidated its defences in the intrusion areas, China is sitting pretty in Eastern Ladakh with buffer zones in Indian territory, continuing to block traditional patrolling areas in Depsang plains and Charding Nala regions, and denying traditional grazing areas to our villagers in Eastern Ladakh. Disengagement from PP 15 is just a small lollipop to India. Source:w!

Read More........ → September 23, 2022

China officially admits five military officers, soldiers killed in Galwan clash with Indian Army

FEB 19, 2021 Five Chinese military officers and soldiers were killed in last year's Galwan Valley clash in eastern Ladakh with the Indian Army, the People''s Liberation Army (PLA) officially acknowledged for the first time on Friday. Five Chinese frontier officers and soldiers stationed in the Karakoram Mountains have been recognised by the Central Military Commission of China (CMC) for their sacrifice in the border confrontation with India, which occurred in the Galwan Valley in June 2020, the PLA Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese military reported on Friday. Those killed included Qi Fabao, the regimental commander from the PLA Xinjiang Military Command, state-un Global Times quoted PLA Daily report as saying. A total of 20 Indian soldiers died in the Galwan Valley clash on June 15, regarded as the worst in over four decades at the India-China border. The CMC, the overall high command of the PLA headed by President Xi Jinping,has awarded Qi Fabao, the regimental commander from the PLA Xinjiang Military Command, the title of "Hero regimental commander for defending the border," Chen Hongjun with "Hero to defend the border," and awarded first-class merit to Chen Xiangrong, Xiao Siyuan and Wang Zhuoran. This is the first time China has acknowledged casualties and details of these officers and soldiers'' sacrifice, four of whom died when dealing with the Indian military''s "illegal trespassing" of the Galwan Valley Line of Actual Control (LAC), the report said. A total of 20 Indian soldiers died in the Galwan Valley clash regarded as the worst in over four decades at the India-China border. While India has announced the casualties immediately after the incident, China did not officially acknowledge the casualties until Friday. The Russian official news agency TASS reported on February 10 that 45 Chinese servicemen were killed in the Galwan Valley clash. Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times that China unveiled the details of the incident to refute previous "disinformation" that stated China suffered greater casualties than India or China incited the incident. The admission of the casualties by the PLA coincides with the disengagement of troops by both sides at the North and South banks of the Pangong Lake, the most contentious part of the standoff which began in May last year. Copyright © Jammu Links News, Source:  Jammu Links News

Read More........ → February 19, 2021

India, China to hold round 9 of military talks today

Military commanders of India and China will meet today for a ninth time for talks to defuse tension along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh and find a solution to end the standoff. The talks will be held at Moldo, opposite Chushul sector in India.

In the last round of talks, the Indian Army strongly insisted on an early disengagement of troops by China from all points of friction in eastern Ladakh.

The nearly nine-month-long military standoff has seen tension rise along the LAC. Some 50,000 Indian Army troops are currently deployed in a high state of combat readiness in mountainous locations in eastern Ladakh in sub-zero conditions, as multiple rounds of talks between the two sides have failed to resolve the standoff.

China has deployed an equal number of troops, officials said.

India will not reduce its troop strength unless China initiates the process, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday in an interview to Times Now. Expressing confidence that a solution to the row could be found through talks, he said India is developing its border infrastructure, some of which China has objected to, at a "very fast rate".

According to a transcript of the interview issued by the channel, when asked about the dialogue process with China on the row, Mr Singh said, "There is no deadline when it comes to matter like the ongoing standoff. You can't fix a date."- NDTV.DailyBangladesh/SA Source: https://www.daily-bangladesh.com/

Read More........ → January 24, 2021

Army to test indigenous artillery system with 48-km strike range

The Army will soon begin testing an indigenously-developed artillery system, which the DRDO contends is the best in its class in the world with a record-breaking strike range of 48-km. If the big gun passes muster, it can fulfill the Army’s requirement for 1,580 such guns worth over Rs 25,000 crore. The 155mm/52 caliber advanced towed artillery gun system (ATAGS) is set to undergo “winter user trials” by the Army in Sikkim in January-February, which will be followed by the “mobility trials” and then the “summer trials” in May-June. With the development of ATAGS, which has Bharat Forge (Kalyani Group) and Tata Advanced Systems as the production partners, DRDO officials contend the Army has no need to import such guns from Israel or other countries. But the Army says the indigenous guns will have to first prove their worth in the forthcoming user trials. The force has a parallel project stuck in the final stages to procure 400 Athos towed gun systems for Rs 5,147 crore from Israeli firm Elbit Systems, which was originally supposed to be followed by the domestic production of another 1,180 guns in collaboration with the Ordnance Factory Board. The Israeli gun had emerged as L-1 (lowest bidder) a year ago to beat the French one from Nexter Systems after trials. “Our procurement case for towed artillery guns has been hanging fire since 2010,” said an Army officer. Amidst this wrangling, the user-trials of the indigenous ATAGS also got somewhat delayed after the barrel of one of the guns burst during test-firing at the Pokhran field firing range in Rajasthan, which injured four personnel, in September. “It was most probably due to defective ammunition. There was no issue with the barrel. Over 2,000 rounds have already been successfully test-fired from the ATAGS during high-altitude trials in Sikkim and then in Pokhran,” a senior DRDO official said. “Further tests are currently underway at the Proof and Experimental Establishment range at Balasore. Why should the Army import such guns if a much better indigenous option with a longer 48-km range is available? Other contemporary guns have a 40 to 45-km range,” he added. The ATAGS has “excellent accuracy, consistency, mobility, reliability and automation”, and can fire five-round bursts as compared to three-round bursts by other foreign contemporary guns. “ATAGS is also configured with an `all-electric drive technology’ for the first time in the world, which will ensure maintenance free and reliable operation over longer periods of time,” said another official. But the Army contends DRDO often “over-promises and under-delivers”. The force has also had to contend with recurring scandals in artillery procurement projects, from the Swedish Bofors in the mid-1980s to the South African Denel in 2005 and Singapore Technology Kinetics in 2009. It was only in 2018 that the Army finally managed to exorcise the Bofors ghost by beginning to induct 145 US-origin M-777 ultra-light howitzers (155m/39-calibre) and 100 South Korean-origin K-9 Vajra tracked self-propelled guns (155mm/52-calibre). ///(Timesofindia) Source: Defenseblog-njs.blogspot.com

Read More........ → December 24, 2020

Common efforts needed to maintain good ties, China on Jaishankar's remarks on Ladakh situation

DEC 10, 2020 BEIJING: Underlining that common efforts were needed to maintain good relations between China and India, a senior Chinese official on Thursday said that Beijing is committed to resolving the border standoff through dialogue but was also determined to safeguard its territorial sovereignty. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said this while reacting to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's remarks that China has given India "five differing explanations" for deploying large forces at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the violation of bilateral pacts has "very significantly damaged" their relationship. The comments by Jaishankar on Wednesday during an online interactive session organised by Australian think tank Lowy Institute came against the backdrop of the over seven-month-long military standoff between India and China at the LAC in eastern Ladakh. "China and India are neighbours and the world's two biggest emerging markets and keeping good relations serves the fundamental interests of both countries and its people but it requires common efforts from both sides", Hua underlined at a regular Chinese foreign ministry briefing here. "The merits of the situation at the border area is very clear and the responsibility totally lies with the Indian side. China has been strictly observing the agreements signed between the two sides and committed to resolving the border issue through dialogue and we are committed to safeguarding regional peace and tranquillity at border areas," she said. "In the meantime, we are determined in safeguarding our territorial sovereignty," she said in response to a question at the briefing. Asked to elaborate on the common efforts needed to defuse the current standoff at the border, the spokesperson said, "like all sovereign states we are determined in safeguarding our territorial integrity. So on the Indian side, I think this is a serious question on what it should reflect upon." "There are challenges in bilateral relations but China''s position and the policy on India hasn't changed," she said. As two major countries and emerging markets, "keeping good relations serves the fundamental interests of both and we will stay committed to safeguarding the peace and tranquillity in the border area," she said. "On the historical issues, China believes that we should find fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solutions based on equal-footed consultation and put it on the proper position in our bilateral relations", Hua said. "We hope we can reach consensus, properly manage differences, enhance practical cooperation and bring our bilateral relations back on the right track," she said. The two countries have held eight rounds of Corps Commander-level talks to resolve the military standoff in eastern Ladakh. However the talks have not yielded any concrete outcome yet to ease the border tensions. Copyright © Jammu Links News Source: Jammu Links News

Read More........ → December 16, 2020

India needs to build 'dissuasive deterrence' against China: Chief of Defence Staff

India's Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat on Friday said the like-minded partners need to build "dissuasive deterrence" against China's attempts at establishing its hegemony in the Indo-Pacific region.

General Rawat was speaking at the Global Dialogue Security summit on Contesting the Indo-Pacific for Global Domination organized online by Global Dialogue Forum in partnership with Global Dialogue Review and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.

In his keynote address, General Rawat said today India is "facing increased security challenges and the best guarantor to peace and stability is to have dissuasive deterrence."

Though he did not mention India's ongoing standoff with China along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh for the last seven months, he alluded to the Asian neighbour in several references to the Indo-Pacific region.

For nations like India, General Rawat said, the security of land and borders remains a primary concern. "Therefore, there is a need to develop integrated structures to ensure modernization programs to be undertaken by our armed forces based on correct assessment of the nature of threats and challenges. In addition, we are also partnering with like-minded nations to ensure peace and stability in our region."

"Our approach to security needs to shift from a unilateral mode to multilateral mode, which mandates increasing training, engagements with partner nations so as to fructify joint response in the future," he added.

The US, he said, recognizes Indo-Pacific as consequential for its future, adding that similarly, Japan, Australia, France, the UK, Indonesia and Germany also find the region of strategic importance to them. However, China's rise as a military and economic power, has made the region highly contestable.

Based on the challenges India faces as a rising regional power, he said, "We require structured long time planning for capability building and development of our defence forces. In a quest to building stronger India, we need a peaceful and stable secure environment."

"We need to maintain strategic autonomy and cooperative relations with extra regional powers, regional linkages. We need to build bilateral, trilateral and multilateral mechanisms like Japan, Australia and India (JAI), India-Asean and similar existing mechanisms to have the right balance in our strategic autonomy."

Technology, he said, will play an important role in any nation's quest for supremacy, be it in the military or any other sphere of activity. Therefore, investment in research and development will determine the future course of action for any enterprise, he said.

However, he warned, "Quest to acquire proprietary rights on technology must not deny benefits of development to the global community at large. It must in fact, create linkages between the haves and have nots. Humanity must not be guided by profiteering alone but must consider equal opportunity for growth for all."

In the military, he said, technology must become the means of deterrence and not a source of destruction. "Technology must benefit mankind and not be used for destroying existing systems." Source: https://southasiamonitor.org/

Read More........ → December 13, 2020

120 warships deployed in Indian Ocean to ‘deal’ China!

China has been trying to increase its influence in a wide area of ​​Asia for a long time. India and its allies, on the other hand, are now making various preparations to deal with China, even though they did not look into the matter the way before.

“More than 120 warships were deployed in the Indian Ocean on Friday as part of this,” said Bipin Rawat, India’s chief of defense staff. — reports Indian media Hindustan Times. 

Speaking at the Global Dialogue Security Summit, he said that most of the countries in the region want to improve communication in economic interest. Various infrastructures are also being built. 

“Taking advantage of geographical location, almost all countries want to influence each other in the interest of their own development, as a result, the competition for influence in the Indo-specific region has begun,” he also said, adding: “Realizing the situation, various countries have deployed more than 120 warships in the Indian Ocean to help with various projects there.”

India’s Chief of Defense Staff sharply criticized China in the discussion titled ‘Contesting the Indo-Specific for Global Domination’. “China’s economy and military power have grown more than ever in the past few years. Others are also preparing to see China’s efforts to increase its power to serve its own interests,” he said. Thus, many countries, including India, have deployed more than 120 warships in the Indian Ocean to help with various projects, resulting in the peaceful atmosphere in the area, said Bipin Rawat. Source:https://www.daily-bangladesh.com

Read More........ → December 12, 2020

India needs to build 'dissuasive deterrence' against China: Chief of Defence Staff

India's Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat on Friday said the like-minded partners need to build "dissuasive deterrence" against China's attempts at establishing its hegemony in the Indo-Pacific region.

General Rawat was speaking at the Global Dialogue Security summit on Contesting the Indo-Pacific for Global Domination organized online by Global Dialogue Forum in partnership with Global Dialogue Review and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.

In his keynote address, General Rawat said today India is "facing increased security challenges and the best guarantor to peace and stability is to have dissuasive deterrence."

Though he did not mention India's ongoing standoff with China along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh for the last seven months, he alluded to the Asian neighbour in several references to the Indo-Pacific region.

For nations like India, General Rawat said, the security of land and borders remains a primary concern. "Therefore, there is a need to develop integrated structures to ensure modernization programs to be undertaken by our armed forces based on correct assessment of the nature of threats and challenges. In addition, we are also partnering with like-minded nations to ensure peace and stability in our region."

"Our approach to security needs to shift from a unilateral mode to multilateral mode, which mandates increasing training, engagements with partner nations so as to fructify joint response in the future," he added.

The US, he said, recognizes Indo-Pacific as consequential for its future, adding that similarly, Japan, Australia, France, the UK, Indonesia and Germany also find the region of strategic importance to them. However, China's rise as a military and economic power, has made the region highly contestable.

Based on the challenges India faces as a rising regional power, he said, "We require structured long time planning for capability building and development of our defence forces. In a quest to building stronger India, we need a peaceful and stable secure environment."

"We need to maintain strategic autonomy and cooperative relations with extra regional powers, regional linkages. We need to build bilateral, trilateral and multilateral mechanisms like Japan, Australia and India (JAI), India-Asean and similar existing mechanisms to have the right balance in our strategic autonomy."

Technology, he said, will play an important role in any nation's quest for supremacy, be it in the military or any other sphere of activity. Therefore, investment in research and development will determine the future course of action for any enterprise, he said.

However, he warned, "Quest to acquire proprietary rights on technology must not deny benefits of development to the global community at large. It must in fact, create linkages between the haves and have nots. Humanity must not be guided by profiteering alone but must consider equal opportunity for growth for all."

In the military, he said, technology must become the means of deterrence and not a source of destruction. "Technology must benefit mankind and not be used for destroying existing systems." Source: https://southasiamonitor.org/

Read More........ → December 12, 2020

China, India agree to halt troop deployments in Ladakh

India and China have vowed not to deploy new troops along the disputed Ladakh border.

A joint statement issued from New Delhi on Monday said the two countries had agreed to avoid misunderstandings and misconceptions and to refrain from changing the situation on the border alone.

According to the South China Morning Post, senior military officials from the two countries met for the sixth time on Monday to discuss border issues.

During the talks, the two countries agreed not to deploy new troops on the border and not to take any steps that could complicate the situation.

According to the Hindustan Times, this is the first time foreign ministry representatives have attended a military-level meeting on the Indo-China border.

The Indian delegation was led by Lieutenant General Harinder Singh, Commander of Leh-based 14 Corps of the Indian Army.

On the other hand, the Chinese delegation was led by Major General Liu Lin, commander of the South Xinjiang Military Zone.

Earlier, China and India agreed on five plans to defuse tensions on the Ladakh border over the past few months. A meeting between the two countries’ foreign ministers in Moscow, Russia, earlier this month agreed to take steps to defuse border tensions. But despite these attempts at a diplomatic, military and political solution, tensions remain on the border between the two sides.Last week, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh accused China of violating bilateral border agreements and continuing to expand troops along the border. Despite the allegations, both sides agreed to ensure peace on Tuesday. Source: https://www.daily-bangladesh.com/

Read More........ → December 10, 2020

India, China on verge of reaching agreement to resolve border standoff in eastern Ladakh

India and China may be on the verge of a breakthrough in resolving the over six-month-long tense border standoff in eastern Ladakh with both sides broadly agreeing on a three-step process on disengagement of troops and withdrawal of weaponry from all major friction points in a time-bound manner, authoritative sources said on Wednesday. The broad contours of the proposal include removal of armoured personnel carriers within one day of inking an agreement, withdrawal of troops from specific areas on the north and south banks of the Pangong lake in eastern Ladakh and carrying out verification of the disengagement process by both the sides, they said. The specific proposals for the disengagement and restoration of the status quo ante as existed in April were finalised during the eighth round of high-level military talks between the Indian and Chinese armies in Chushul on November 6 on the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control(LAC). The sources said both the Indian Army and the Chinese People's Liberation Army(PLA) are looking at sealing the pact in the next round of Corps Commander-level talks as the proposals were agreed to by the two sides. The ninth round of military talks are likely to take place in the next few days. Nearly 50,000 Indian Army troops are currently deployed in a high state of combat readiness in various mountainous locations in eastern Ladakh in sub-zero conditions as multiple rounds of talks between the two sides have not yielded concrete outcome to resolve the standoff. China has also deployed an equal number of troops, according to officials. The standoff between the two sides erupted in early May. As a first step, both sides will remove their tanks, artillery guns, armoured vehicles and large equipment from the friction points along the LAC to their rear bases within three days from inking the agreement, the sources said. Under the second step, the PLA will go back to Finger 8 areas from their current position of Finger 4 on the north bank of Pangong lake while the Indian troops would position themselves close to the Dhan Singh Thapa post, the sources said. The mountain spurs in the area are referred to as Fingers. It was broadly agreed to withdraw around 30 percent of the troops every day for three days, they said. In the third step, it was agreed to complete the disengagement process in areas along the southern bank of Pangong lake like Rezang La, Mukhpari and Magar hill. Indian troops occupied a number of strategic heights in the Mukhpari, Rezang La and Magar hill areas around the southern bank of the Pangong lake, after the PLA soldiers attempted to intimidate them in the area on the intervening night of August 29 and 30. "These are all proposals. There is no agreement signed yet," said a high-level source. In the final phase of the disengagement process, both sides will carry out a detailed verification process following which normal patrolling is expected to resume, the sources said. It is learnt that the top military brass deliberated on the proposals for disengagement and de-escalation of tension in eastern Ladakh before the eighth round of Corps Commander talks with the PLA. The disengagement proposal in Finger areas will mean there will be no patrolling between Finger 4 and 8 areas till there is a resolution of the standoff. India used to patrol till Finger 8. Army chief general M M Naravane on Tuesday said he was hopeful that the Indian and Chinese militaries will be able to reach an agreement on disengagement and de-escalation of tension in eastern Ladakh. After the last round of military talks, both sides described the negotiations as candid, in-depth and constructive. They said it was agreed to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and ensure that the frontline troops exercise restraint and avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation. At the seventh round of talks too, both sides had agreed to maintain dialogue and communication through military and diplomatic channels to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution for disengagement "as early as possible". India has all along been maintaining that the onus is on China to carry forward the process of disengagement and de-escalation at the friction points in the mountainous region. Following the sixth round of military talks, the two sides announced a slew of decisions including not to send more troops to the frontline, refrain from unilaterally changing the situation on the ground and avoid taking any actions that may further complicate matters. The sixth round of talks took place days after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi reached a five-point agreement to resolve the row at a meeting in Moscow on September 10 on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO) conclave. The pact included measures like quick disengagement of troops, avoiding action that could escalate tensions, adherence to all agreements and protocols on border management and steps to restore peace along the LAC. Economictimes Source defenseblog-njs.blogspot.com

Read More........ → December 01, 2020

Malabar naval exercise: US, Indian aircraft show coordinated manoeuvres

The ongoing Malabar naval exercise in the Indian Ocean Region witnessed coordinated operations involving fighter jets and other aircraft of the Indian Navy and its US counterpart from the decks of INS Vikramaditya and USS Nimitz respectively.

Indian Navy's MiG 29Ks and maritime patrol aircraft P-8I along with US Navy's F-18 and AEW aircraft E2C participated in these operations, said Indian Navy.

"Both fighter aircraft operated as a composite strike package and practiced Beyond Visual Range (BVR) tactics, including Dissimilar Aircraft Combat Training (DACT) exercises," Indian Navy said.

These complex advanced air defence exercises and manoeuvres necessitate a high level of understanding amongst both aircrews and underline the similarity in their air operations as well as a high level of operational preparedness and an ability to conduct joint maritime security operations, it added.

]

The navies of Quad or Quadrilateral coalition - an informal security forum comprising India, the US, Japan and Australia - are carrying out the naval exercise with aircraft carriers battle groups from November 17 to November 20 in the Indian Ocean region.

Underway replenishment was also undertaken between Indian Navy ships and those of the Royal Australian Navy and the US Navy.

The coordination and understanding displayed by the navies during these exercises is reflective of the trust and understanding they have built over the years, as also the high standards of professionalism and preparedness they maintain to counter any threat at sea.

The first phase of Malabar exercise was conducted in the Bay of Bengal from November 3 to November 6.

The Malabar series of exercises, which began as an annual bilateral naval exercise between India and the US in 1992, has seen increasing scope and complexity over the years.

The exercise takes place against the backdrop of growing concerns over Chinese expansionism in the Indo-Pacific region, both on land and sea.

For India, the Malabar exercise has gained geostrategic prominence at a time China has started a dispute on the borders. India and China are locked in an eight-month military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.Source: https://southasiamonitor.org/ 

Read More........ → November 20, 2020

India steps up military diplomacy, engages neighbourhood

More officers from neighbouring counties will be trained at India's prestigious strategic leadership institution - National Defence College (NDC) - as New Delhi increases its engagement with neighbours to counter the growing influence of China.

Five more friendly countries -- Tajikistan, Indonesia, Maldives, Uzbekistan and Philippines -- will now be able to send their officers to India for annual training in national and international security-related fields.

"In the next two years, NDC is going to increase intake of 20 participants from its current capacity of 100," Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar said during opening statement of the diamond jubilee of the institution. NDC was inaugurated in 1960 with 21 participants.

Kumar said that the seats have been increased keeping in view of huge demand India is getting from friendly foreign nations.

Out of existing 100 capacity, 75 are reserved for Indian senior defence and civil services officers and 25 are for officers from foreign nations across the continents.

It is learnt that out of 20 increased seats almost half of them would be reserved for friendly foreign nations. The seats are also reserved for officers coming from Nepal, Myanmar and Bangladesh. The officer said that 10 seats would be increased in 2021 and another 10 in 2022.

The NDC also functions as an important instrument of the state towards fostering and enhancing strong relationships with friendly countries, not only in the neighbourhood but also globally.

The aim of NDC is to equip future policymakers with the background necessary for a broad understanding of the varied social, economic, political, military, scientific and organisational aspects involved in the planning of national strategy.

The recent changes in the geopolitical environment and reshaping of the world order accompanied by the heightened security scenario in the Indo-Pacific and the Indian sub-continent has a direct impact on the development of India. Source: https://southasiamonitor.org

Read More........ → November 05, 2020

US warns of threat posed by China, signs military pact with India

India and the US today signed five agreements including the much-awaited Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA), which allows the militaries of both the countries to share geospatial information, high-end military technology and classified satellite data on defense-related issues.

BECA, the landmark defense pact, was signed between the Ministry of Defence and the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA), USA after the Third 2+2 US-India Ministerial Dialogue held at Hyderabad House here, said a joint statement after the meeting.

The crucial US-India dialogue was held between the visiting US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and US Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.

“We reaffirmed our commitment to peace and security in Indo-Pacific region… Our military to military cooperation with the US moving forward very well and we have identified projects for joint development of defence equipment,” said Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh after signing of the pact.

Besides, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper described the signing of BECA between the US and India as a “significant milestone” saying that the pact will lead to greater geospatial information sharing between the armed forces of the two countries.

Apart from BECA, four more agreements concerning technical cooperation on earth sciences and Ayurveda and Cancer Research, Global Centre for Nuclear Energy partnership and Technical Cooperation in Earth Observations and Earth Sciences and electronic exchange of Customs Data were also signed.

The signing of the BECA completes finalization of four key pacts between the two countries which were identified as crucial to significantly expand the strategic ties between the two countries.

In the dialogue, the two sides reiterated their commitment to further strengthening the India-U.S. partnership and intend to expand cooperation under the 2+2 framework to realize the full potential of the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

During their two-day visit for the Third 2+2 US-India Ministerial Dialogue, the two US secretaries also called on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.The US secretaries, who arrived here on Monday will also visit Sri Lanka and the Maldives, as America seeks to balance China’s growing influence in the region. The USA will host the next 4th US-India Ministerial Dialogue in 2021. Source: https://www.daily-bangladesh.com/

Read More........ → October 31, 2020

'India-US military dialogue fruitful, to further deepen defence cooperation'

The India-US talks on military issues here on Monday were "fruitful" and aimed at further deepening defence cooperation between two largest democracies in the world, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said.

Rajnath Singh and his US counterpart Mark T. Esper held talks on various defence and security issues ahead of 2+2 dialogue between both the countries scheduled on Tuesday.

After the bilateral meeting at the South Block, Rajnath Singh said that the talks "were fruitful, aimed at further deepening defence cooperation in a wide range of areas".

"Today's discussions will add new vigour to India-US defence relations and mutual cooperation," he said.

The talks on Monday came in the run-up to the third edition of the 2+2 ministerial dialogue between US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Esper and their Indian counterparts, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, respectively.

A host of crucial bilateral, regional, and global issues -- including China's efforts to expand influence in the Indo-Pacific region as well as its aggressive behaviour in eastern Ladakh -- will figure in the talks.

To further tighten the strategic partnership between the two countries, the last of the four military communication foundational agreements, Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geospatial Cooperation (BECA), is expected to be signed.

It largely pertains to geospatial intelligence, and sharing information on maps and satellite images for defence.

The signing of BECA would allow India to use global geospatial maps of the US for accuracy of stand-off weapons like cruise and ballistic missiles.

Both countries are also expected to sign the Marine Information Sharing Technical Arrangement. Source: https://southasiamonitor.org

Read More........ → October 29, 2020

'India-US military dialogue fruitful, to further deepen defence cooperation'

The India-US talks on military issues here on Monday were "fruitful" and aimed at further deepening defence cooperation between two largest democracies in the world, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said.

Rajnath Singh and his US counterpart Mark T. Esper held talks on various defence and security issues ahead of 2+2 dialogue between both the countries scheduled on Tuesday.

After the bilateral meeting at the South Block, Rajnath Singh said that the talks "were fruitful, aimed at further deepening defence cooperation in a wide range of areas".

"Today's discussions will add new vigour to India-US defence relations and mutual cooperation," he said.

The talks on Monday came in the run-up to the third edition of the 2+2 ministerial dialogue between US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Esper and their Indian counterparts, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, respectively.

A host of crucial bilateral, regional, and global issues -- including China's efforts to expand influence in the Indo-Pacific region as well as its aggressive behaviour in eastern Ladakh -- will figure in the talks.

To further tighten the strategic partnership between the two countries, the last of the four military communication foundational agreements, Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geospatial Cooperation (BECA), is expected to be signed.

It largely pertains to geospatial intelligence, and sharing information on maps and satellite images for defence.

The signing of BECA would allow India to use global geospatial maps of the US for accuracy of stand-off weapons like cruise and ballistic missiles.

Both countries are also expected to sign the Marine Information Sharing Technical Arrangement.

The first 2+2 Ministerial dialogue was held in New Delhi in September 2018 and second ministerial dialogue happened in Washington DC in 2019.

Read more at: https://southasiamonitor.org/india/india-us-military-dialogue-fruitful-further-deepen-defence-cooperation 'Source: https://southasiamonitor.org/

Read More........ → October 27, 2020

India, US hold defence minister-level talks

A meeting between visiting US Secretary of Defence Mark T Esper and India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was held here Monday to discuss various issues.

The talks at the South Block are part of the third edition of the 2+2 ministerial dialogue between US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defence Mark T Esper and their Indian counterparts, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

A host of crucial bilateral, regional, and global issues -- including China's efforts to expand influence in the Indo-Pacific region as well as its aggressive behaviour in eastern Ladakh -- will figure in the talks.

To further tighten the strategic partnership between the two countries, the last of the four military communication foundational agreements, Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geospatial Cooperation (BECA), is expected to be signed with the US.

It largely pertains to geospatial intelligence, and sharing information on maps and satellite images for defence.

The signing of BECA would allow India to use global geospatial maps of the US for accuracy of stand-off weapons like cruise and ballistic missiles.

Both countries are also expected to sign the Marine Information Sharing Technical Arrangement.

Source: https://southasiamonitor.org

Read More........ → October 26, 2020

Indian soldiers in Kashmir being trained to neutralise drones

Threat of terrorists using hexacopters to lob grenades at security forces at Line of Control (LoC) as well as in the Kashmir hinterland have made armed forces adopt new training course for the troops. Now, soldiers are learning how to neutralise drones.

The Indian Army has adopted a new training module for their troops deployed in Jammu and Kashmir for counter insurgency and counter terror operations.

Trainers at 15 Corps Battle School, wherein specialised combat training is imparted through real life situations, are now being educated on how to thwart emerging threats due to drones.

"We are sensitising all the troops who come for training here about threats that drones poses to counter insurgency operations," said one of the trainers, adding that there have been intelligence inputs that terrorists can use drones to lob grenades at the security establishments and troops involved in counter terror operations in built up area of terror hot-beds in the valley.

Indian Army officers or soldiers who get posted to the valley need to undergo a training course at the battle school where they are trained for their upcoming task in the new terrain.

The battle school runs two training courses: one for those who are to be posted at Line of Control with Pakistan and another for those who are to be posted in counter insurgency units in different parts of the valley.

The soldiers who are to be deployed at LoC have to undergo 14 days training programme and those who are to be deployed in the valley for counter operations have to undergo 28 days course.

"Both the courses have some common training module, including drones," said another trainer adding that these training programmes will help the troops on the ground.

Last month intelligence agencies had flagged that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has procured a sizable number of Hexacopters from a Chinese firm associated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to flood Jammu and Kashmir with weapons to create unrest.

Indian intelligence agencies stated that ISI has adopted a new modus operandi to infiltrate by weaponing the terrorists who ahve been without weapon. Sending weapons separately by drones or other means has also been instituted to reduce the risk of terrorists getting eliminated at the Line of Control itself.

Sources said that due to the strong anti-infiltration grid established by the Indian security forces, Pakistan has been unable to infiltrate terrorists or weapons into the valley to increase insurgency. So they have adopted the new modus operandi.

Pakistan too has been adopting new training measures. Terrorists are being taught how to operate drones so that when they infiltrate into valley they can use drones to hit at security establishments and forces engaged in counter terror operations.

Last month, security forces recovered EMEI Type 97 NSR rifles manufactured by Norinco company of China, which is a standard issue to PLA soldiers and also gifted to Pakistan Frontier Force as part of CPEC cooperation.

On the intervening night of September 23 and 24, two suspected persons who were travelling in a Mahindra Bolero from Jammu to South Kashmir were arrested while transporting a Chinese made Norinco/EMEI Type 97 NSR rifle, four magazines with 190 rounds one AK47 rifle with four magazines with 218 rounds and three grenades.

This consignment was dropped through a drone at Samba, the security forces had said Source: https://southasiamonitor.org/

Read More........ → October 15, 2020

Indian, Chinese militaries to talk on de-escalation in eastern Ladakh

Top Indian and Chinese military representatives will meet on Monday to discuss de-escalation at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh as winter sets in.

It would be seventh round of deliberations between both the countries at the Corps Commander level.

From the Indian side, Lt Gen Harinder Singh, who is ending his tenure as 14 Corps commander, and his successor, Lt Gen P.G.K. Menon, would lead the discussions. Joint Secretary from the Ministry of External Affairs, Navin Srivastava will also attend.

There was no escalation last month but also no easing of tensions, sources said.

Temperatures at critical mountain peaks and passes along the disputed India-China border have dropped to minus 20 degrees Celsius, throwing up a fresh challenge to the thousands of troops amassed by both sides in the region.

On August 30, India had occupied critical mountain heights like Rechin La, Rezang La, Mukpari, and Tabletop, that were all unmanned till now, on the southern bank of the Pangong Lake. India has also made some deployments near Blacktop also. The movement was carried out after the Chinese tried to make a provocative military move.

Now, dominance at these 13 peaks allows India to dominate the Spangur Gap under Chinese control and also the Moldo garrison on the Chinese side.

During the previous Corps Commander level talks, China insisted that India vacate these strategic heights. It told India that it will not discuss disengagement in eastern Ladakh, where the build-up by both sides has triggered a war-like situation over the last four months, till the time India vacates these strategic positions.

Senior Indian and Chinese commanders had held the 6th round of Military Commander-Level Meeting on September 21.

China's PLA is adamant that the situation on the southern bank where the Indian troops are in position of strength tactically be resolved first but India strongly wants a roadmap for de-escalation all across Ladakh to be drawn up.

India and China are engaged in a six-month-long standoff at the LAC. Despite several levels of dialogue, there has not been any breakthrough and the deadlock continues. (IANS) , Source: https://southasiamonitor.org

Read More........ → October 14, 2020

India ushering in historical changes in border development: Defence Minister

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday that despite challenging times due to COVID-19 and border tensions and disputes caused by Pakistan and China, India was not only resolutely facing them but also bringing about historical changes in all sectors of development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's able leadership.

Reiterating the government's commitment to boost developmental activities in India's border areas, Singh said that progress in all such projects is regularly monitored and adequate funds provided for timely execution.

The minister on Monday dedicated to the nation via videoconference 44 major bridges built in seven border states and Union Territories in western, northern and north-eastern India and also laid the foundation of important Nechiphu tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh.

Singh also congratulated the Director General and other ranks of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for its achievements and said that the dedication of 44 bridges in one go was itself a record.

Lauding the BRO for its role in improving the border infrastructure, the minister said that these bridges would further improve the connectivity in far-flung areas in the respective sectors and fulfil the aspirations of the area people.

"They will also meet the transport and logistics requirements of the armed forces throughout the year," he added.

The minister said that roads and bridges were the "lifeline of any nation" and played a vital role in the socio-economic development of far-flung regions.

The 450-metres-long strategically important bi-laned Nechiphu Tunnel on the road to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh would ensure all-weather connectivity across Nechiphu Pass besides providing safe and secure passage through accident-prone areas.

BRO Director General Lt Gen Harpal Singh said that the 44 bridges of various spans, ranging from 30 metres to 484 metres, are located in Jammu and Kashmir (10), Ladakh (8), Himachal Pradesh (2), Punjab (4), Uttarakhand (8), Arunachal Pradesh (8), and Sikkim (4).

"These bridges are of strategic importance and have been designed to facilitate movement of heavy civil and military traffic in border areas.

"In line with the vision of the Prime Minister, these bridges will contribute towards the overall economic growth of remote border areas and also assist in speedy deployment of the Armed Forces in strategically important sectors," the BRO chief said.  Source: https://southasiamonitor.org/

Read More........ → October 13, 2020