The 14th India-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue took place in New Delhi on August 01, 2024. It was co-chaired by the Defence Secretary and Deputy Minister of National Defence of Vietnam. Reviewing the range of bilateral defence cooperation issues, the two sides also noted the transformative progress in ties.
Vietnam proposed five areas for cooperation which were welcomed by the Defence Secretary who suggested adding cyber security, information security, military medicine, and submarine search and rescue, highlighting opportunities for partnership in defence capacity building. Post-meeting the two sides signed a letter of Intent to strengthen cooperation in training and the exchange of instructors and experts. Defence cooperation is a key pillar of the India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with Vietnam playing a crucial role in India's Act East Policy and the Indo-Pacific Region. Click here to read… [2]
Indian Navy’s frontline frigate, INS Tabar arrived at St. Petersburg, Russia on 25 Jul 24 to participate in 328th Russian Navy Day Parade celebrations. The visit aimed to strengthen the longstanding friendship between India and Russia and explore new opportunities for enhancing their relationship.
INS Tabar conducted a successful Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) with the Russian Navy Ship Soobrazitelny on July 30, 2024, following its departure from St. Petersburg, Russia. The exercise included complex naval manoeuvres, showcasing the professionalism and interoperability of both navies. This event highlights the strong bilateral naval ties between India and Russia, underscoring their commitment to peace, stability, and security in the maritime domain. Click here to read… [3]
Indian Navy’s submarine INS Shalki, reached Colombo, Sri Lanka for a two-day visit and was accorded a ceremonial reception by the Sri Lanka Navy. The INS Shalki, a Shishumar class diesel-electric submarine, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on February 7, 1992, and was the first submarine built in India. Earlier, Kalvari class submarines INS Karanj and INS Vagir had visited Colombo in Feb 2024 and Jun 2023. Click here to read… [4]
On August 9, 2024, the Indian Coast Guard evacuated a Philippines crew member from the Marshall Islands-flagged vessel Olympia GR near Port Blair. The crew member suffered a severe hand injury while the ship was en route from Haldia to Indonesia.
On 08 August 2024, the Master of MV Olympia GR reported a medical emergency to the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Port Blair at 1608 hrs. MRCC Port Blair instructed the vessel to head towards Port Blair and alerted ICG Search and Rescue units. Ship C-428 was dispatched for the MEDEVAC, evacuated the patient, and brought him to Port Blair the next morning. The timely medical evacuation underscores the Indian Coast Guard's commitment towards aiding mariners in distress at sea. Click here to read… [5]
The Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent returned to India on August 10, 2024, after participating in Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 in Malaysia. The exercise, held from August 5 to 9 at Kuantan, was conducted with the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). The IAF and RMAF conducted joint exercises with their Su-30MKI and Su-30MKM fighter jets, respectively, to improve interoperability and effectiveness by familiarizing each other with their operational protocols. Technical experts of both Air Forces engaged in exchange for their maintenance practices to bolster operational efficiency. Click here to read… [6]
The 10th edition of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Military Exercise MITRA SHAKTI began at the Army Training School, Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka. Scheduled from August 12 to 25 2024, it involves 106 Indian personnel from the Rajputana Rifles and other units and Sri Lankan personnel from the Gajaba Regiment. The exercise alternates between India and Sri Lanka each year.
The Joint Exercise aims to enhance the joint military capability of both sides to undertake counter-insurgency operations in a Sub Conventional scenario with the exercise focusing on operations in the semi-urban environment. Exercise MITRA SHAKTI will enable both sides to share best practices and facilitate developing inter-operability, bonhomie, and camaraderie between the two armies. It will also enhance defence cooperation, further augmenting bilateral relations between the two friendly nations. Click here to read… [7]
On August 12, 2024, a U.S. delegation led by Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman visited Innovations for Defence Excellence-Defence Innovation Organization (iDEX-DIO) at IIT Delhi. They were briefed on iDEX's role in fostering a robust defence innovation ecosystem by engaging startups and MSMEs in developing deep-tech technologies.
Ms. Isabel Casillas Guzman praised the iDEX scheme for boosting India's defence innovation and expressed interest in collaborating with iDEX startups during the upcoming summit. The U.S. SBA, a federal agency, offers financing options to support small businesses. Both sides also lauded the INDUS-X (India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem) initiative and the key initiatives under it include joint innovation projects in critical domains and the capacity building of startups. iDEX is a key player in the Make in India initiative, creating opportunities for young innovators and contributing to the vision of a Viksit Bharat. Click here to read… [8]
Indian Navy’s frontline stealth frigate, INS Tabar arrived at Gothenburg, Sweden on 14 Aug 24 for a two-day visit. This visit aims to strengthen these bonds and also explore newer avenues of bolstering the relationship in the maritime domain. The ship during her inbound transit to Gothenburg, Sweden conducted a Maritime Partnership Exercise with the Swedish Navy Ship HMS Munter, involving visual signalling and escort operations. The ship’s crew will participate in various bilateral professional interactions with the Swedish Navy, seeking to enhance best practices between the two navies.
INS Tabar celebrated India's 78th Independence Day in Gothenburg, Sweden, with a 7.7 km run to commemorate 77 years of Indian independence, which saw participation from 77 personnel from the Indian Navy and Swedish Armed Forces. Click here to read… [9]
On 03 August, al-Shabaab’s suicide bomber detonated explosives at the entrance of the Beach View hotel, followed by gunmen firing at beachgoers. At least 32 people were killed, and over 60 were injured in the attack at Lido Beach in Mogadishu, Somalia. Despite efforts from both the African Union and U.S. forces, Al-Shabaab continues to launch brutal attacks, undermining the Somali government’s ability to maintain stability and protect its citizens. Click here to read… [10]
On 13 August, the Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) arrested eight Over-Ground Workers (OGWs) involved in facilitating the infiltration of foreign terrorists into the State. Along with this, the JKP busted a terror module in the Kathua district, where the group operated to aid terrorist movements in Doda and Udhampur along with the Bharat-Pakistan border. “The kingpin of the module, Lateef, was in active communication with terrorist handlers across the border and played a crucial role in receiving foreign terrorists who illegally entered Bharat via the Samba-Kathua sector,” said the JKP spokesperson. Click here to read… [11]
On 16 August, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) attached the property of Nasir Rashid Bhat, an Over-Ground Worker (OGW) of Hizb ul-Mujahideen (HM), in the case of targeting killing of Adoora-Kulgam Sarpanch. Nasir’s property— a residential house at Tengpora village in Shopian has been attached under Section 33(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A], on orders of the NIA Special Judge, Jammu. Click here to read… [12]
The NIA, on 08 August, filed a charge-sheet against four terror operatives, including a Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) handler, in connection with the case of killing civilians in Kashmir. The operatives— Adil Manzoor Langoo, Ahran Rasool Dar, Dawood, and Jahangeer, aka Peer Sahab have been charge-sheeted. All four terror operatives were involved in the brutal killing of two civilians on the evening of 07 February 2024 at Karfali Mohalla, Shala Kadal, Srinagar. Click here to read… [13]
In a gun battle between security forces and terrorists, an Army officer attained Veergati (fell in battle), and a terrorist was neutralised in the Assar area of Doda district. Capt. Deepak Singh sustained injuries during the operation and was swiftly transported to a military hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. “All ranks of White Knight Corps salute the supreme sacrifice of Braveheart Captain Deepak Singh,” posted the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps, aka 16 Corps. Later, the Defence PRO, Suneel Bartwal, confirmed the death of one terrorist and the recovery of an AK-47 rifle and M-4 carbine from the site. Additionally, four blood-soaked rucksacks were seized, initially leading officials to suspect the presence of multiple terrorists. Click here to read… [14]
On 09 August, the NIA secured extradition and arrested Tarsem Singh, a key aide of designated ‘Khalistani’ terrorists— Harwinder Sandhu, aka Rinda, and Lakhbir Singh, aka Linda, after his extradition from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Tarsem Singh, a key operative of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), had a non-bailable warrant (NBW) of arrest against him since June 2023. Tarsem was initially picked up in Abu Dhabi in November 2023 following the issuance of the NBW by an NIA special court and the subsequent Red Corner Notice (RCN) by the INTERPOL. Eventually, on 09 August, he was extradited from the UAE to Bharat in adherence to INTERPOL’s due processes. Click here to read… [15]
On 08 August, the NIA filed a charge-sheet against two operatives of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI)— i) Jaffar B and ii) Shafeekh, in a case related to ‘Kerala PFI conspiracy’. The case pertains to the PFI’s conspiracy of radicalisation and arms training aimed at establishing Islamic rule in Bharat by 2047. While Jaffar was a ‘master arms trainer’ and a member of the Hit Squad of the PFI, Shafeekh had undergone arms training and had harboured other accused persons. Jaffar was also involved in 20 different criminal cases. Click here to read… [16]
On 10 August, the NIA arrested an absconder— Seeni Aabulkhan, in connection with the ‘Sri Lankan Human Trafficking’ case run by him with links with the LTTE terror organisation. Seeni was nabbed from Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu. NIA investigations found that he, along with his associates, was involved in confining the trafficked victims in a boat in the high sea before sending them to Mangaluru by train, car and bike for further confinement. Click here to read… [17]
The NIA Special Court, Kolkata, on 07 August, sentenced two operatives— i) Asim Sarkar and ii) Aladu, to Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) of 7 years and five years in jail respectively, as per the sentence pronounced by the court. The case pertains to the seizure of high-quality Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs) by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in September 2019. Asim Sarkar is a resident of Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh, while Aladu is a resident of Malda in West Bengal. The DRI officials had seized 99 fake notes in the denomination of ₹ 2,000 and two notes in the denomination of ₹ 500, having a total face value of ₹ 1,99,000, from Asim Sarkar, who was immediately taken into custody. Click here to read… [18]
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Links:
[1] https://www.vifindia.org/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2024/september/02
[2] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2040680
[3] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2040892https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2040892
[4] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2041161
[5] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2043716
[6] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2044075
[7] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2044570
[8] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2044655
[9] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2045739
[10] https://evrimagaci.org/tpg/alshababs-deadly-attack-shakes-somalia-18457
[11] https://www.deccanherald.com/india/jammu-and-kashmir/jammu-and-kashmir-police-busts-terror-module-in-kathua-8-held-3148104
[12] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1790_1_PR16082024.pdf
[13] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1785_1_PR080820242.pdf
[14] https://risingkashmir.com/army-capt-killed-terrorist-neutralized-in-doda-dist/
[15] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1786_1_PR09082024.pdf
[16] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1784_1_PR08082024.pdf
[17] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1788_1_PR10082024.pdf
[18] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1781_1_Pr7.pdf
[19] http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?title=VIF News Digest : National Security- Defence Studies & Terrorism, (01-15 August 2024)&desc=&images=&u=https://www.vifindia.org/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2024/september/02
[20] http://twitter.com/share?text=VIF News Digest : National Security- Defence Studies & Terrorism, (01-15 August 2024)&url=https://www.vifindia.org/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2024/september/02&via=Azure Power
[21] whatsapp://send?text=https://www.vifindia.org/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2024/september/02
[22] https://www.vifindia.org/author/Anurag-Bisen