The third Annual Defence Dialogue between India and France took place between Raksha Mantri(RM) and French Minister for Armed Forces Ms Florence Parly in New Delhi on December 17, 2021. A wide range of bilateral, regional, defence and defence industrial cooperation issues were discussed in the annual meeting.
The Ministers reviewed the existing military-to-military cooperation, which has increased in spite of pandemic challenges. They discussed ways to increase defence cooperation in all domains. Defence industrial cooperation was discussed with focus on future collaborations and co-production between the two countries. They expressed commitment to work together to enhance cooperation in bilateral, regional and multilateral forums. France is the current chair of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium and shall take over the Presidency of European Union from January 01, 2022. The two Ministers decided to work closely on a number of issues during the French Presidency. Click here to read... [2]
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the new generation nuclear capable ballistic missile ‘Agni P’ on December 18, 2021. The Agni P is a two-stage canisterised solid propellant ballistic missile with dual redundant navigation and guidance system. Click here to read... [3]
The RM addressed the 94th Annual General Meeting of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), on the theme ‘India Beyond 75’, in New Delhi on December 18, 2021. He voiced the Government’s vision to make India a global defence manufacturing hub in the coming times, stressing that the focus is to modernise the Armed Forces and create a strong & ‘Aatmanirbhar’ defence industry which can help in safeguarding the country from conventional and non-conventional, present and future security threats. He also stated that he saw the “defence and aerospace manufacturing market in India to be Rs five lakh crore by 2047. The present contribution of private companies is Rs 18,000 crore in the market of Rs 85,000 crore. According to the current situation, more than Rs one lakh crore will be the contribution of the private sector in the market Rs five lakh crore in the future”. Click here to read... [4]
Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra conducted a flight demonstration of Controlled Aerial Delivery System of 500 kg capacity (CADS-500) on December 18, 2021. The CADS-500 is used for precise delivery of payload upto 500 kgs at predetermined location by making use of manoeuvrable capabilities of Ram Air Parachute (RAP). It uses Global Positioning System for the coordinates, altitude and heading sensors for the heading information during its flight. The CADS, with its onboard electronics unit, autonomously steers its flight path using waypoint navigation towards target location by operating controls. System performance was demonstrated at Drop Zone, Malpura from an altitude of 5000m. The system was para-dropped from AN32 aircraft and then steered to the pre-designated landing point in autonomous mode. Click here to read... [5]
A contract for procurement of quantity 6,01,427 Assault Rifles AK-203 was signed on December 06, 2021 between Ministry of Defence and M/s Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL)- a Joint Venture established between India, represented by the Defence PSUs-Advanced Weapons & Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) & Munitions India Limited (MIL) and Russia, represented by Rosoboronexport (RoE) & Concern Kalashnikov (CK), in the share holding of 50.5% and 49.5% respectively. These rifles will be produced by M/s IRRPL at Korwa, Uttar Pradesh. Click here to read... [6]
A total 5,601 instances of Cease Fire Violations (CFVs) were reported along the LoC under operational control of Indian Army in Jammu & Kashmir from 30 November 2019 to 29 November 2021. Click here to read... [7]
Tejas LCA is not being inducted as a replacement of MIG-21 fighter aircraft, but as a part of modernisation of IAF. Amount spent so far on the manufacture of 24 LCA Tejas delivered till 30.09.2021 is Rs 6,653 crore. Considering the contract with HAL by IAF, a total of 123 Tejas fighter aircraft are to be manufactured. Click here to read... [8]
(DRDO) successfully conducted maiden flight test of indigenously developed surface-to-surface missile ‘Pralay’, from Dr A P J Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha on December 22, 2021. The Missile is powered with solid propellant rocket motor and many new technologies. The missile has a range of 150-500 kilometre and can be launched from a mobile launcher. The missile guidance system includes state-of-the-art navigation system and integrated avionics. Click here to read... [9]
DRDO successfully conducted the flight test of indigenously developed High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) Abhyas. During the flight trial, High subsonic speed trajectory at a very low altitude with high endurance was demonstrated. Two boosters provided initial acceleration during launch and a small turbo jet engine is used to sustain high subsonic speed with long endurance. The indigenous data link designed by Bengaluru based Industry partner has been successfully flown and tested during the flight. Click here to read... [10]
As part of a deployment undertaken by Indian Navy under Mission SAGAR, Indian Naval Ship Kesari entered Port of Maputo, Mozambique on 25 December 2021. About 500 Tons of food aid has been shipped by INS Kesari to support the efforts of Government of Mozambique to cope with ongoing drought and concurrent challenges of pandemic. India also remains committed to supporting the capacity building efforts of the Armed Forces of Mozambique. To this end INS Kesari is carrying two Fast Interceptor Craft and self defence equipment to be handed over to the Armed Forces of Mozambique. Click here to read... [11]
Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari PVSM AVSM VM ADC, Chief of the Air Staff is on a four day official visit to the Republic of Korea till 30 Dec 21. The CAS will be calling on the Minister of National Defence, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Chief of Staff of the Republic of Korea Air Force and visiting important defence establishments. The visit of CAS is expected to bolster ties with the Armed Forces of the Republic of Korea.
The Army, with support from the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) has recently established the Quantum Lab at Military College of Telecommunication Engineering, Mhow (MP) MCTE to spearhead research and training in this key developing field. Indian Army has also established an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre at the same institution. Training on cyber warfare is being imparted through a state of art cyber range, and cyber security labs. Click here to read... [12]
The key highlights of the defence forces and the ministry of defence was released in a yearend review paper. Some areas besides the three services contributions were Atmanirbhar Bharat, Swarnim Vijay Varsh, Strengthening border infrastructure, Contribution of MoD in fight against COVID-19, contribution by the Department of Defence, Department of Military affairs, Department of Defence Production and other key stake holders were set out. Click here to read... [13]
On 23 December 2021, Boko Haram terrorists fired several rockets at Maiduguri airport, as President Muhammadu Buhari’s plane arrived in the Borno capital during a State visit to Governor Babagana Zulum. No fatalities or injuries were reported. Click here to read... [14]
On 26 December 2021, the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists carried out an attack in Buni Yadi, Gujba LGA of Yobe state, but the attack was deterred by the Nigerian Army. “The terrorists used cows as their shield in order to gain easy access without being noticed, but their evil plan and strategy were unravelled by the troops, who quickly engaged them in a gun battle. Seven of the ISWAP terrorists were killed, while five others were arrested,” said a Nigerian intelligence official on the basis of anonymity. Click here to read... [15]
The Taliban is legalising terrorism by granting Afghan passports to al-Qa’ida and Islamic State (IS) terrorists. “The whole world should know that all terrorists from al-Qa’ida and IS in Afghanistan are given Afghan passports by the Taliban. This is a serious signal to all mankind that terrorists are being legalised,” said the Afghan Ambassador to Tajikistan— Muhammad Zahir Agbar.
“…the Taliban leadership has not yet brought their families to Afghanistan, who are residing in Qatar, Dubai, and Pakistan. They [Taliban] have not paid their military personnel for several months. Disagreements have emerged among the Taliban…and women hold protests against this regime almost every day,” said the Ambassador Agbar. Click here to read... [16]
In an international conference on the fight against terrorism, on 22 December 2021, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister— Oleg Syromolotov informed that terrorist organisations, including al-Qa’ida, consider Taliban’s victory in Afghanistan as a victory of radicalism.
“Unfortunately, the actions of the United States and its partners only undermine the situation. Instead of admitting mistakes and refusing to dictate, they took the financial leverage to push their demands on the Taliban movement,” said Deputy Foreign Minister Syromolotov. On 15 August 2021, the Taliban captured Kabul, and following this Afghanistan has been suffering with deep economic, humanitarian, and security crises. Click here to read... [17]
On 28 December 2021, Pakistan’s cabinet approved a security plan as country’s first National Security Policy (NSP), which aims at guiding economic, foreign, and defence policies. “It is truly historic achievement; a citizen-centric comprehensive national security policy with economic security at the core will now be pursued in earnest,” tweeted Pakistan’s National Security Adviser (NSA)—Moeed Yusuf.
“The policy was an important milestone in strengthening Pakistan’s national security. Pakistan’s armed forces will play their due part in achieving the vision laid out in the policy,” said Major General Babar Iftikhar. Click here to read... [18]
On 23 December 2021, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a charge-sheet against five Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists— i) Mohammad Nasir Khan, ii) Imran Malik, iii) Saleem Ahmed aka Haji Saleem, iv) Kafil Ahmad aka Kafil, and v) Iqbal Mohammad, in ‘Darbhanga Railway Station blast’ case— RC-13/2021/NIA/DLI.
Investigation revealed that LeT terrorists conspired to set ablaze a moving long-distance train by placing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the train. For executing the attack, Mohammad Nasir Khan and Imran Malik received instructions from Pakistan-based LeT terrorist— Hafeez Iqbal. Both terrorists placed the IED bomb in a parcel of clothes and booked the same in Secundrabad-Darbhanga Express. Earlier, Nasir Khan had travelled to Pakistan and received training in espionage and fabricating IEDs. Click here to read... [19]
On 22 December 2021, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed charge-sheet against three The Resistance Front (TRF) terrorists— i) Nadeemul-Haq, ii) NadeemAyoub Rather, and iii) Talibur-Rehman, in ‘Recovery of IED at Bhatindi’ case, before NIA Special Court (Jammu).
The charge-sheet in the case— RC-04/2021/NIA/JMU, filed under Sections 120B, 121A, and 122 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Section 18, 18B, 19, 20, and 23 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A], Section 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act (ESA). During the investigation, it was found that the three TRF terrorists were receiving instructions from Pakistan-based TRF handlers via WhatsApp application. Click here to read... [20]
In three separate counter-terrorism (CT) operations on 25-26 December 2021, security forces eliminated five terrorists, including an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) expert, linked with al-Qa’ida in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), Islamic State Jammu and Kashmir (IS-JK)— an Islamic State affiliated terror group, and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), in Pulwama, Shopian, and Anantnag districts of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). “The IS-JK terrorist— Faheem Bhat, has recently joined the terror group and was involved in killing of Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Mohammad Ashraf on 22 December 2021; ASI Ashraf was posted at Police Station (Bijbehara),” said Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kashmir— Vijay Kumar. Click here to read... [21]
On 21 December 2021, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) police cracked a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM)’s terror cell and arrested four Over-Ground Workers (OGWs)— i) Zubair Gul, ii) Adil Fayaz Ganie, iii) Basit Ali, and iv) Shahid Nabi Pandit, from Pampore area in Pulwama district of J&K. The preliminary interrogation revealed that all four OGWs were in contact with JeM commanders and were providing logistic support to them. Click here to read... [22]
In two separate counter-terrorism (CT) operations on 25 December 2021, security forces killed four terrorists of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), in Shopian and Pulwama districts of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). According to the statements released by police, Two LeT terrorists— i) Sajad Ahmad Chak, and ii) Raja Basit Yaqoob, were killed in Chowgam area of Shopian, whereas, other two terrorists of JeM were killed in a separate CT operation in Hardumir in Tral area of Awantipora in Pulwama district. Click here to read... [23]
In a joint counter-terrorism (CT) operation on 24 December 2021, security forces killed a Hizbul-Mujahideen (HM) terrorist— Shahzad Ahmad Shah, in Mominhall village of Arwani in Bijbehara in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Shahzad was given several calls to surrender, but instead he fired upon security forces personnel; he was involved in the killing three BhartiyaJanta Party (BJP) workers in October 2020, and a BJP Sarpanch & his wife in August 2021. Click here to read... [24]
On 18 December 2021, security forces eliminated two women Maoists— i) Hidme Kohrame, and ii) Pojje, in a gun-battle in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh. “Acting upon inputs, a team of Dantewada’s District Reserve Guards (DRG) carried out search operation in Gonderas near Aranpur. The Maoists opened fire which led to gun-battle. Later, security forces recovered bodies of two female Maoists from the operation site,” said Dantewada Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Pallava. Dantewada is among the seven Maoist-affected districts in Bastar region in Chhattisgarh. Click here to read... [25]
On 27 December 2021, security forces killed six Maoists during an operation in Telangana-Chhattisgarh border area. Acting upon intelligence input, Greyhounds (elite anti-Maoist force of Telangana police), District Reserve Guards (DRGs) in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh, and 141st Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), launched a joint search operation at Pesallapadu forest. Six Maoists, including four women, fired upon security forces which led to exchange of fire. All six Maoists were killed. Later, security forces recovered five weapons, two .303 rifles, four rocket launchers, and three double barrel guns from the operation site,” said Sunil Dutt, Superintendent of Police (SP)-BhadradriKothagudem district in Telangana. Click here to read... [26]
On 23 December 2021, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a charge-sheet against four terrorists of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF)— i) Kamaljeet Sharma, ii) Ram Singh aka Sona, iii) Arshdeep Singh aka Arsh, and iv) Hardeep Singh Nijjar (presently in Canada), before the NIA Special Court in Mohali, Punjab. The case— RC-28/2021/NIA/DLI, related to the killing of Manohar Lal (follower of Dera Saccha Sauda) by the KTF terrorists.
The investigation revealed that Hardeep Singh Nijjar— ‘self-claimed’ chief of KTF, along with Arshdeep Singh, had recruited Kamaljeet Sharma, Ram Singh and others in Punjab in order to threat and exhort money from Punjab-based businessmen, and conspired targeted killings to disturb the communal peace and harmony in the state. Click here to read... [27]
On 16 December 2021, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed supplementary charge-sheet against three Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) terrorists— i) Navpreet Singh, ii) Harbhinder Singh, and iii) Gurwinder Singh, in the case— RC-01/2020/NIA/DLI, related to the killing of Comrade Balwinder Singh Sandhu (Shaurya Chakra awardee, by KLF terrorists on 16 October 2020 at his residence in Bhikhiwind in Tarn Taran district in Punjab.
Investigation revealed that all three charge-sheet KLF terrorists were involved in conducting reconnaissance of the target and organising logistics for the assassins. Click here to read... [28]
According to an intelligence input, a pro-Khalistan terror group based in Lahore, Pakistan, masterminded the explosion in Ludhiana Court Complex in Ludhiana, Punjab. On 23 December 2021, a blast took place in the Ludhiana Court complex, in which a person was killed and at least five others were injured. The Central agencies have been sending inputs to the State government on daily basis. The recent intel emphasised on possible interference by radicalised groups before the assembly elections scheduled in early 2022. Click here to read... [29]
On 28 December 2021, Germany’s Federal Police arrested a pro-Khalistan terrorist— Jaswinder Singh Multani, for his alleged involvement in the Ludhiana Court complex blast on 23 December. The Indian government had requested German government to arrest Jaswinder, as he was under scanner for conspiring the India’s financial capital— Mumbai and the national capital— Delhi.
According to preliminary investigation, Jaswinder is a key link in Pakistan’s Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI)’s plan to orchestrated terror attacks in Punjab as well as Mumbai. Click here to read... [30]
Punjab police, on 28 December 2021, arrested three pro-Khalistan operatives, including a woman, for allegedly distributing pro-Khalistan material nearby Banur area in Patiala district in Punjab. “Out of three, two operatives— i) Jagmeet Singh, and ii) Ravinder Singh, were arrested for ‘preaching in favour of Khalistan’. Both were visiting various religious and public places in the area and distributing some registration forms to people to vote for a ‘Khalistan Referendum 2020’,” said Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP)— Harcharan Singh Bhullar.
The initial interrogation revealed that the third operative— Jasveer Kaur, and her husband— Kuldeep Singh (works as Superintendent at Punjab Roadways), are the kingpin the network. “Jasveer Kaur’s brother-in-law— Manjit Singh was the area commander of the terrorist organisation— BabbarKhalsa International (BKI)’s SukhdevBabbar Group. Click here to read... [31]
On 17 December 2021, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court (Patna) convicted eight Jamaatul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) terrorists— i) Paigambar Sheikh, ii) Ahmad Ali, iii) NurAlamMomin, iv) Adil Sheikh, v) Dilwar Hossain, vi) Abdul Karim, vii) Mustafizur Rahman, and viii) ArifHussain, in ‘Recovery and Explosion of IED at Bodh Gaya’ case— RC-04/2018/NIA/DLI.
The case is related to the planting of three Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in and around the premises of Bodh Gaya Temple complex. Click here to read... [32]
In Baishnabnagar Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs) case— RC-08/2018/NIA/DLI, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court, Kolkata, on 22 December 2021, sentenced two accused— i) Santosh Mondal (25 years-old), and ii) Pintu Mondal (20 years-old), to rigorous imprisonment of five years and six months, and also imposed ₹ 40,000 fine for commission of offences under Sections 120B, 489B, and 489C of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The case is related to the seizure of FICNs with face value of ₹ 4,62,000, in the denomination of ₹ 2,000, from the possession of Santosh Mondal. The NIA had filed charge-sheet against both accused on 03 April 2018. Click here to read... [33]
On 22 December 2021, China’s telecom regulators suspended an information-sharing partnership with Alibaba’s Cloud Computing— a subsidiary of Alibaba Group, considering accusations it failed to report and address cyber security vulnerability. “Alibaba Cloud did not immediately report vulnerabilities in popular, open-source logging framework—Apache Log4j2 to China’s telecommunications regulator,” stated a notice released by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). The suspension will be reassessed in six months and revived depending on the Alibaba’s internal reforms. Click here to read... [34]
The Security Service of Ukraine— Sluzhba Bezpeky Unkrayiny or SBU, accused its Russian counterpart— Federal Security Service (Federal'naya Sluzhba Bezopasnosti) of waging Information Warfare (IW) after Russian law-enforcement agencies arrested 106 supporters of the Ukrainian neo-Nazi youth group for planning attacks and mass murders. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) made arrests in 37 of more than 80 regions of Russia. According to the statement released by the FSB, the alleged group— MKU, was set up by a Ukrainian under the patronage of Ukraine’s intelligence services.
“The current statements of the FSB are part of a coordinated information operation which should only be viewed through the prism of hybrid warfare,” read the statement released by the Ukraine’s SBU. Click here to read... [35]
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Links:
[1] https://www.vifindia.org/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2022/january/03
[2] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1782701
[3] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1782960
[4] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1783013
[5] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1783168
[6] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1783413
[7] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1783416
[8] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1783420
[9] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1784136
[10] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1784674
[11] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1785282
[12] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1786012
[13] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1786640
[14] https://gazettengr.com/boko-haram-fires-rockets-into-maiduguri-airport-as-buharis-plane-touches-down/
[15] https://www.legit.ng/nigeria/1449333-7-killed-others-arrested-as-troops-foil-iswap-attack-yobe-town/
[16] https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/terrorists-being-legalized-afghan-diplomat-says-taliban-granting-passports-to-al-qaeda-is-members20211228194830/
[17] https://www.aninews.in/news/world/europe/al-qaeda-aims-to-benefit-from-taliban-victory-in-afghanistan-russian-foreign-ministry20211222141921/
[18] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pakistan-rolls-out-its-first-national-security-policy/articleshow/88555694.cms
[19] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1136_1_Pr1.pdf
[20] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1135_1_Pr.pdf
[21] https://www.hindustantimes.com/videos/news/five-terrorists-including-al-qaeda-ied-expert-gunned-down-in-3-j-k-encounters-101640489596345.html
[22] https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/j-k-police-bust-jaish-e-mohammad-module-arrest-four-terror-associates20211221224558/
[23] https://www.dailypioneer.com/2021/india/four-let--jem-terrorists-killled-in-encounters-in-j-k.html
[24] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/hizb-ul-mujahideen-militant-killed-in-jammu-and-kashmir-joint-forces-operation/articleshow/88484824.cms
[25] https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/dec/18/two-women-maoists-killed-in-exchange-of-fire-at-chhattisgarhs-dantewada-2397001.html
[26] https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/6-maoists-gunned-down-by-security-forces-in-encounter-in-telangana-chhattisgarh-border-area-police-101640631352374.html
[27] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1137_1_Pr2.pdf
[28] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1132_1_Pr.pdf
[29] https://www.news18.com/news/india/exclusive-ludhiana-court-blast-punjab-govt-has-been-ignoring-alerts-and-sops-say-intel-sources-4586183.html
[30] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/news/ludhiana-blast-probe-khalistani-terror-plotter-jaswinder-singh-multani-arrested-in-germany/videoshow/88559037.cms
[31] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/3-held-with-pro-khalistan-material-in-punjabs-patiala/articleshow/88546863.cms
[32] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1133_1_Pr.pdf
[33] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1134_1_Pr.pdf
[34] https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/china-regulator-suspends-cyber-security-deal-with-alibaba-cloud/article38017811.ece
[35] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-arrests-ukrainian-neo-nazis-kyiv-denies-link-them-2021-12-13/
[36] http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?title=VIF News Digest: National Security - Defence Studies & Terrorism, 16-31 December 2021&desc=&images=&u=https://www.vifindia.org/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2022/january/03
[37] http://twitter.com/share?text=VIF News Digest: National Security - Defence Studies & Terrorism, 16-31 December 2021&url=https://www.vifindia.org/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2022/january/03&via=Azure Power
[38] whatsapp://send?text=https://www.vifindia.org/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2022/january/03
[39] https://www.vifindia.org/author/anurag-sharma
[40] https://www.vifindia.org/author/Naval-Jagota