Nation

New Delhi: India has strengthened its strategic footprint in Southeast Asia by moving closer to a landmark defense deal with Vietnam and Indonesia, two nations wary of China’s growing influence in the South China Sea. The deal, centered on BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, marks a significant step in India’s expanding defense diplomacy and could potentially alter regional power dynamics. $450 Million Missile Deal According to defense sources, India is finalizing export agreements worth over ₹4,000 crore (approximately $450 million) with Vietnam and Indonesia. This deal highlights India’s emerging role as a supplier of advanced weapon systems to friendly nations in the region. Green Light from Russia Since BrahMos is a joint development between India and Russia, any export req...

New Delhi: A new U.S. Department of Defense report has revealed China’s expanding strategic designs against India, with a particular focus on Arunachal Pradesh, alongside its continued military support to Pakistan. The report warns that China is attempting a dual-front strategy to complicate India’s position in South Asia. According to the Pentagon’s annual assessment on Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2025, Chinese leaders have expanded the scope of their “core interests” to include Taiwan, the South and East China Seas, the Senkaku Islands, and India’s northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh. The report notes that China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had repeatedly intruded into Eastern Ladakh’s Western Sector in April-May 2020 and has sin...

New Delhi: The survivor of the Unnao rape case expressed deep anguish following the Delhi High Court’s suspension of the life imprisonment sentence of former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar. She described the court’s decision as a “death sentence” for her family, saying that her fear has intensified and, for her safety, she would rather be sent to jail herself if the accused is released. Speaking to the media, the survivor said, “If the accused is being released, then for my protection, I should be sent to jail. This is the first instance in the country where a stay has been granted on the sentence in a rape case, and bail has been allowed. All daughters in this country are now afraid that if such orders continue, perpetrators may go unpunished.” Family Voices Distress The survivor’s...

New Delhi: The survivor of the Unnao rape case expressed deep anguish after the Delhi High Court suspended the life imprisonment sentence of former BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar, granting him bail. The court’s decision has left the survivor disappointed and determined to challenge it in the Supreme Court. In a candid statement, the survivor said that if she had not married and had children, she might have considered taking her own life. She described Sengar’s temporary release as a “death sentence” for her family. Concerned for her safety, she stated she would rather go to prison herself than risk facing threats outside. The survivor also intends to meet President Draupadi Murmu, to convey the pain and distress caused by the court’s decision. She highlighted that security for her f...

New Delhi: Northern India is experiencing severe winter chill as dense fog blankets large parts of the region, including Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued widespread fog alerts, warning residents to exercise caution in low-visibility conditions. According to the IMD, eastern Uttar Pradesh can expect dense fog until 28 December, while some areas may experience fog continuing until 31 December. Western UP, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh are also under fog alerts, with visibility expected to remain low in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi in the coming days. Night and early morning fog in Uttar Pradesh is expected to intensify on 28–29 December. Dense Fog Across Other States The weather...

New Delhi: On 11 May 1998, at exactly 3:45 pm, the sands of Pokhran, Rajasthan witnessed a historic moment that would redefine India’s strategic identity. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, India conducted a series of nuclear tests that not only demonstrated the country’s self-reliance but also sent a clear message to the world about its sovereign defense capabilities. Despite international pressure and close scrutiny from the United States, India carried out the tests without foreign assistance, showcasing a remarkable blend of political courage and strategic foresight. What many had envisioned for years remained unrealized until Vajpayee took the decisive step. The tests were not merely explosions—they were a statement of national pride, strategic autonomy, a...

New Delhi: India has successfully conducted a secret test of its powerful K‑4 intermediate-range ballistic missile from the nuclear-powered submarine INS Arighat in the Bay of Bengal, significantly strengthening the sea-based leg of its nuclear deterrence. The solid-fuel, two-stage K‑4 ballistic missile, capable of striking targets at a distance of up to 3,500 kilometres, was launched from the 6,000‑tonne INS Arighat, India’s second indigenously built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN). No official statement has been issued by the Ministry of Defence so far. According to defence sources, the K‑4 missile can carry a two‑tonne nuclear payload and is a crucial component of India’s nuclear triad, which consists of land-based missiles, air-delivered nuclear weapons, and se...

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha Secretariat has urged Members of Parliament (MPs) to refrain from using advanced digital devices such as smart glasses, pen cameras, and smart watches within the Parliament premises. The advisory, issued through an official bulletin, highlighted that the use of such devices could compromise the confidentiality of members and potentially violate parliamentary privileges. The bulletin reminded MPs that these advanced devices are now widely available across the country. It cautioned that certain devices could be misused in ways that breach members’ privacy or infringe upon parliamentary privileges. It stated, “Members are requested to avoid using any devices that may compromise the security, privileges, or confidentiality of members within any part of the Parlia...

In a major boost to urban transport, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved Delhi Metro’s Phase-V(A) project, adding 16.076 km of new lines and 13 stations to the network. This expansion is expected to directly benefit over 2.6 lakh daily commuters. Project DetailsThe approval was granted during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The total estimated cost of the project is ₹12,014.91 crore, to be funded by the Central Government, Delhi Government, and international funding agencies. The Phase-V(A) expansion includes three new corridors: R.K. Ashram Marg – Indraprastha: 9.913 km Aerocity – IGI Airport Terminal-1: 2.263 km Tughlakabad – Kalindi Kunj: 3.9 km Key Benefits The R.K. Ashram – Indraprastha corridor will extend the Botanical Garden–R.K. ...