Strategic Affairs Archives - Defence Monitor

07 Oct

Trump launches $6.6 billion US shipyard project

Washington, Oct 7 (IANS) US President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a $6.6 billion public-private investment to develop what the administration says will be the largest new shipyard built in the United States since World War II, expanding production of nuclear submarine components and autonomous underwater vessels. The new facility, called Arsenal-2, will be developed at Sparrows Point, Maryland, on a site with a long history of American industrial production. Anduril Industries will invest $3.7 billion to build and operate the facility, while the US Navy is contributing up to $2.9 billion under an agreement tied to…

07 Oct

India-Africa partnership built for generations, not just today: EAM Jaishankar

Accra, Oct 7 (IANS) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar addressed a distinguished gathering at the Foreign Service Institute of Ghana on India, Africa and the Global South, affirming that India carries Africa in its heart and will build a partnership not just for today but for generations to come. Speaking on the evolving global landscape, EAM Jaishankar said, “In today’s turbulent times, the challenge before diplomacy is to manage competition without allowing it to become confrontation, and to promote cooperation even when interests diverge.” He highlighted the India story of ambition, execution, and confidence, underlining how transformations in the…

07 Oct

Belgian PM Wever hails PM Modi’s 25 years of leadership, expresses hopes for stronger partnership

Brussels, Oct 7 (IANS) Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever on Wednesday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 years of continuous leadership in government and expressed readiness to deepen the partnership between India and Belgium. In his congratulatory message, Wever described his recent visit to India as "productive." In a post on X, Wever stated, "I warmly congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 years of continuous leadership in government, from Gujarat to New Delhi. Following my productive visit to India last month, I look forward to further deepening the strong partnership between our two countries." Bart De Wever's…

07 Oct

India, Italy discuss measures to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation

New Delhi, Oct 7 (IANS) India and Italy on Wednesday condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and discussed measures to further strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation. The discussions were held during a meeting between Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Sibi George, and the Director for G7-G20, Transnational Threats and Integrated Strategy, Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Paolo Mari. Sharing the details regarding the meeting, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X, "Secretary (West) Sibi George received Mr. Paolo Mari, Director for G7-G20, Transnational Threats and Integrated Strategy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International…

07 Oct

India hands over three tonnes of anti-tuberculosis medicines to Sri Lanka

Colombo, Oct 7 (IANS) India's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, on Wednesday handed over a consignment of essential anti-tuberculosis medicines to Sri Lanka's Minister of Health and Mass Media, Nalinda Jayatissa. "Standing together in the fight against TB! Pleased to hand over a 3-tonne consignment of essential anti-TB medicines to Hon. Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa today. These medicines will support Sri Lanka’s TB treatment and control efforts and contribute to strengthening the country’s response to tuberculosis," Santosh Jha posted on X. On September 28, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar said that India…

06 Oct

India, Sweden focus on innovation in defence and operationalising strategic partnership

New Delhi, Oct 5 (IANS) India and Sweden discussed innovation in defence and operationalising the Strategic Partnership at the 11th India–Sweden Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting in New Delhi. The meeting was co-chaired by the Joint Secretary, Planning and Coordination, Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence, Meera Mohanty, from the Indian side and Brigadier General Dennis Hedstrom, Ministry of Defence, from the Swedish side. “The 11th India–Sweden Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting concluded successfully in New Delhi, co-chaired by the Joint Secretary (P and C), DDP, MoD, Ms Meera Mohanty, from the Indian side and Brig General Dennis…

06 Oct

US, Japan deepen technology partnership

Washington, Oct 6 (IANS) The United States and Japan have agreed to deepen cooperation on artificial intelligence, quantum technology, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and space as the two allies expand a technology partnership aimed at strengthening secure supply chains and setting standards for emerging technologies. The two countries outlined progress under their Technology Prosperity Deal in a joint statement released by the US State Department on Monday. Michael Kratsios, Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, met Japan's Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy Toshiharu Furukawa in Kyoto on Sunday.…

06 Oct

G20 trade talks yield gains, expose divisions

Washington, Oct 6 (IANS) The United States pointed to a G20 agreement against using food trade as economic or political coercion as a key outcome of last week's trade ministerial in Milwaukee, while acknowledging that major economies remained divided over forced abour, industrial overcapacity and changes to global trading rules. The Office of the US Trade Representative released its assessment of the September 30-October 1 meeting hosted by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, outlining areas where ministers reached agreement and others where differences prevented broader G20 action. India was represented at the meeting by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.…

06 Oct

15 MPs representing India’s political, geographic diversity at UN General Assembly

United Nations, Oct 6 (IANS) Fifteen members of Parliament, representing the political and geographic diversity of India have joined the India's delegation to General Assembly, showcasing the nation's democracy. They paid homage on Monday to Mahatma Gandhi at his statue on the UN campus before heading out to their General Assembly assignments. India's Permanent Representative P Harish, the senior diplomat who heads India's UN Mission, briefed the MPs on India's engagement with the UN. The MPs met with Assistant Secretary-General Kanni Wignaraja, who is also the regional director for Asia and the Pacific, and discussed the work of the UN…

06 Oct

EAM Jaishankar begins five-day visit to Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Ethiopia

New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar embarked on a five-day official visit to Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire and Ethiopia starting Tuesday, aimed at deepening India's bilateral partnership with the three African nations. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), during the visit from October 6 to 10, EAM will hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts and meet with the leadership of all three nations to review close bilateral ties of friendship and cooperation. "Discussions will cover the whole gamut of bilateral ties across sectors, including trade and economic, development cooperation, capacity building, and people-to-people ties.…