Strategic Affairs Archives - Page 6 of 303

07 Aug

Indian missions across Gulf region providing full support to ships and seafarers: MEA

New Delhi, Aug 7 (IANS) The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday stated that Indian missions across the Gulf region are in constant contact with the shipping ministry and the local authorities while running a 24x7 helplines to assist Indian flagged vessels and seafarers amid escalating tensions in the region. Addressing a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated the ongoing measures taken by India to ensure the safety and security of Indian vessels and seafarers. “This is a subject of high importance, and we attach high priority to the issue. Our missions all across…

06 Aug

Indi, Fiji discuss strengthening cooperation in affordable social housing, sustainable urban development

Suva, Aug 6 (IANS) India and Fiji on Thursday held discussions on strengthening cooperation in affordable social housing, sustainable urban development, waste management and local governance. The discussions were held during a meeting with India's High Commissioner to Fiji, Suneet Mehta, and Fiji's Minister for Housing and Local Government, Maciu Nalumisa. "High Commissioner Suneet Mehta was honoured to meet Fiji's Minister for Housing and Local Government, Hon'ble Maciu Nalumisa. Productive discussions were held focusing on strengthening cooperation in affordable social housing, sustainable urban development, waste management and local governance, while exploring opportunities to further deepen the India–Fiji development partnership," the…

06 Aug

North Korea fires short-range ballistic missile toward East Sea: South Korea’s military

Seoul, Aug 6 (IANS) North Korea fired at least one short-range ballistic missile toward the East Sea on Thursday, South Korea's military said. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the missile was launched from the eastern coastal Wonsan area in the North at around 5 pm (local time). The number of missiles launched was not immediately known. "While strengthening monitoring and surveillance against potential additional launches, our military is maintaining a full readiness posture and closely sharing relevant information with the United States and Japan," the JCS said, Yonhap News Agency reported. The latest launch comes over a month…

06 Aug

Seoul seeks exemption from UK sanctions on Russian LNG: official

Seoul, Aug 6 (IANS) South Korea's trade minister on Thursday asked his British counterpart to exempt South Korea's imports of Russian Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from Britain's upcoming sanctions, citing concerns over Seoul's energy security. Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo made the request during a video meeting with Britain's newly appointed Minister for Trade Anas Sarwar to discuss bilateral trade issues, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said in a press release, Yonhap News Agency reported. "Britain's plan to ban the provision of maritime transport, insurance and related services for Russian LNG starting in January 2027 could undermine South Korea's…

06 Aug

Mortal remains of Nirmal Purja and four other climbers airlifted to Skardu

Islamabad, Aug 6 (IANS) Mortal remains of renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja and four other climbers have been airlifted to Skardu after they were killed in an avalanche on Broad Peak mountain in Pakistan, local media reported on Thursday. A 10-member international expedition led by 43-year-old Purja on Broad Peak, one of the world’s highest mountains, was cut off from contact when the avalanche struck on July 30, "Following one of the most technically demanding recovery operations on Broad Peak, the Alpine Club of Pakistan confirms that the bodies of Nirmal Purja, Wang Zhong, Nima Sherpa, Gyalu Sherpa, and Killi Pemba…

04 Aug

Three militants killed in Northern Philippines’ clash with government troops

Manila, Aug 4 (IANS) Three alleged members of the rebel New People's Army (NPA) were killed during an encounter with government troops in Abra province in the northern Philippines on Tuesday, according to local media reports. The Philippine authorities said troops encountered about 10 suspected NPA members while conducting pursuit operations in the area. Soldiers later recovered the bodies of the three suspected rebels along with three high-powered firearms, Xinhua News Agency reported. The local government and the Philippine Army have urged local residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious individuals or activities as security operations in the region continue.…

04 Aug

Pakistan feeling insecure, frustrated over positive trajectory of India-Afghanistan ties: MEA

New Delhi, Aug 4 (IANS) India on Tuesday slammed the recent objectionable comments made by the Pakistani Army spokesperson on friendly ties between New Delhi and Kabul, saying that such statements only reflect Islamabad's growing insecurity and frustration. Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), had once again invoked religion while reacting to growing India-Afghanistan ties and urged the Taliban regime to stay away from "non-believers" of Islam. "Regarding the comments made by the spokesperson of the Pakistani army, I would like to say that such statements and comments reflect the Pakistani state's…

04 Aug

Taxation and Other Laws Bill aims to woo more FDI, boost manufacturing

New Delhi, Aug 4 (IANS) The Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introduced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, aims to attract more foreign capital in the country, strengthen the manufacturing sector and facilitate the ease of doing business in the country. The Bill seeks to woo global investment funds, cloud businesses and infrastructure investors to route more of their activity through the country. The common thread is to provide reliable policy and process certainty. Overseas players are often unsure whether operating in or through India will create an unexpected tax exposure. These proposals…

03 Aug

Taiwan reiterates its claim over islands in South China Sea

Taipei, Aug 2 (IANS) The Taiwan government on Sunday reaffirmed its sovereignty claim over islands in the South China Sea after the Philippines shared an official nautical chart of Scarborough Shoal with the United Nations, local media reported. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said any disputes in the South China Sea should be resolved peacefully as per international law and the law of the sea, and called for Taipei's inclusion in the multilateral dispute settlement mechanisms, Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) reported. Taiwan's MoFA statement comes after the Philippines shared an official nautical chart of Scarborough Shoal with the…

03 Aug

South Korea, US launch joint underwater survey for Korean War aircraft wreckage

Seoul, Aug 3 (IANS) South Korea and the United States on Monday launched a joint underwater excavation project in waters off the country's eastern coast to find wreckage of US aircraft that went down during the 1950-53 Korean War, Seoul's defence ministry said. The project, which is scheduled to run through August 28, will take place in Gangneung and Yangyang in Gangwon Province, involving the ministry's Agency for KIA Recovery & Identification and the US Defence POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). Some 40 people will be deployed for the project, including personnel from the South Korean Navy's First Fleet and the…