Author: swasti.sachdeva

In the latest development to the Israel-Hamas war, Israel has tragically confirmed that it has recovered the bodies of 6 of its hostages from the Gaza Strip. These include – Alex Lobanov, Eden Yerushalmi, Almog Sarusi, Master Sgt Ori Danino, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Carmel Gat. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists before they could reach. The IDF found their bodies on Saturday, Sept 31, in an underground tunnel in the Rafah area of southern Gaza. They had been in captive since October 7 last year. Goldberg-Polin, Yerushalmi, Lobanov, Sarusi and Danino (an off-duty non-commissioned…

In the presence of top military, national security and defence officials, India’s defence minister Rajnath Singh officially commissioned Indian Naval Sail (INS) Arighaat. It marks the latest addition to Indian Navy’s growing lethal arsenal. This is India’s second nuclear-powered submarine, after INS Arihant commissioned in 2016, but is much more technologically advanced than its predecessor. These are called Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear (SSBN) submarines and two more of these are expected to join this four-SSBN project but are still under construction. These SSBNs are difficult to detect and have the ability to launch surprise and retaliatory attacks. The official induction…

The Indo-Pacific has been more volatile and tense than ever in the recent years. China’s increasing aggression has concerned all countries, especially the smaller ones in East and Southeast Asia. They have all sought to increase their capabilities, undermine Chinese assertiveness through various tactics, form alliances, or even seek protection from the United States. Vietnam and the Philippines are two such countries and have the most overlapping claims with China in the South China Sea. The Philippines and Vietnam are now set to sign a landmark defence agreement expected later in the year and enhance their strategic partnership particularly in…

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is a flagship programme of the Narendra Modi-led BJP-NDA government since its first tenure. The Prime Minister had announced the scheme from the ramparts of the Red Fort in his first Independence Day address in 2014. The scheme was officially launched on August 28, 2014 and is run by the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance. PMJDY is basically aimed at financial inclusion to expand access to services like bank accounts, remittances, credit, insurance and pensions. The program is open to all Indian citizens, even as young as 10 who can open…

The US National Security Advisor and top diplomat of the Biden Administration, Jack Sullivan, landed in Beijing today for a three-day visit, ending on Thursday, August 29. This is the first time that a US NSA has visited China since 2016. Although China has historically collaborated well with US NSAs as they receive less media spotlight, but are key decision-makers and are close to the President. US-China relations have been at an all-time low for quite some time now and many key geopolitical differences remain among the two biggest powers. Resolving these is a herculean task and the rivalry will…

For a country grappling with a major political turmoil, street violence and the ouster of its long-time President Sheikh Hasina, the challenges have just begun for Bangladesh. The Chief Advisor of the interim government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus has now sought “patience” from the people. In a televised speech to the nation on Sunday, August 25, Yunus appealed for people to stay patient. He stated that it is difficult to overcome ‘mountain-like challenges’ overnight. All demands of the people cannot be met in an instant. In an important message, he urged the people of Bangladesh to not take law in…

On the 16th of August, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar along with other Election Commissioners, Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. Sandhu address the media at Vigyan Bhawan and announced assembly polls in the state of Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir. While India’s northernmost, terror-stricken state will go to polls in 3 phases, Haryana will vote on a single day, where the BJP is eyeing a third consecutive term while the Congress hopes to come to power after its good show in the Lok Sabha elections in May. The polls have been scheduled to Tuesday, October 1, with results expected…

Today on the 23rd of August, India is celebrating its maiden national space day. The decision had been announced earlier by the Indian Prime Minister as on this very day a year ago India successfully reached the moon. We became the first country to do a soft landing on the South Pole and fourth on the moon overall with the successful completion of ISRO’s Chandrayan 3 mission on 23 Aug, 2023. The day is celebrated not only to commemorate this landmark achievement but for an indebted nation to pay tributes to its prestigious space agency and scientists. The theme for…

The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, left for a two-nation visit to Poland and war-torn Ukraine yesterday on August 21 from New Delhi. He arrived in Warsaw to a rousing welcome, becoming the first head of government from India in four decades to visit Poland. However, all eyes will be on his visit to Kyiv, which comes less than two months after his trip to Moscow. The visit to Ukraine will focus on economic ties, defence, science and technology and will mark the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister ever to the country. He will also meet Ukraine’s President…

The 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue is a diplomatic summit between the Ministers of External Affairs and the Defence Minister with their counter parts from other major powers to collaborate and work on bilateral and global issues. The practice has its origins with the inaugural 2+2 dialogue with the United States of America in 2018 and later expanded to Japan in 2019, Australia and Russia in 2021 and in 2023 with the United Kingdom. India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue In November 2019, India and Japan held their first 2+2 meeting in New Delhi between Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Defense Minister Taro…