Begin preparation for State-level Independence Day celebrations: BBMP chief Maheshwar Rao
Addressing a preliminary meeting held on July 22 at the BBMP headquarters in connection with the State level Independence Day celebrations, he instructed the officials to carry out the responsibility given to the respective departments for the successful conduct of the programme.
"As the celebration will be held at Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Grounds, concerned officials should take appropriate steps to ensure that there are no lapses in the State level programme," he said.
He instructed that that there should be no confusion in the arrangement of seats, entry gates, parking arrangement, route change and other arrangements.
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The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Operation Sindoor fallout: Chinese-made surveillance gear banned, aerial monitoring boosted for Independence Day
In the wake of Operation Sindoor, this year's Independence Day celebrations will feature enhanced aerial monitoring and a complete ban on the usage of 'Made In China' surveillance equipment in and around the Red Fort in the national capital. With Prime Minister Nadrendra Modi set to make his Independence Day address from the ramparts of Red Fort on August 15, the venue was taken over by the Ministry of Defence from July 15. This year, more guests are being invited to attended the Independence Day celebrations in comparison to previous years, sources said. Security agencies, intelligence agencies, and Defence Ministry officials who attended a recent high-level meeting regarding security at Red Fort held a detailed discussion on possible security breaches through unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Anti-drone systems 'Installation of anti-drone devices and radar systems near the Red Fort and possible threats were discussed in detail with defence forces. Ministry of Defence will be deploying anti-drone systems to stop any aerial breach and the Indian Air Force will be on high alert. Drones are among the key security concerns. We have also given clear instructions to the vendors installing CCTVs in and around the venue to not install any 'Made in China' equipment for surveillance purposes,' said an official. The Indian government has banned Chinese surveillance equipment, including CCTV cameras, citing potential data leakage risks. Another official said that aerial security is a major concern this Independence Day. Teams of experts have visited the Red Fort and surrounding areas to assess the minute details of all possible security threats. Another high-level meeting has been called on Friday to discuss the preparations for the event in detail, including the security aspect. Operation Sindoor was a drone-centric war, with Pakistan using loitering munitions and swarm drones. These attempts, however, were effectively neutralised by India's comprehensive and multilayered air defence architecture. Smart video surveillance Security agencies said that they will be installing intelligent video surveillance systems, including features such as a vehicle number plate recognition system, face detection, people movement counting, tripwires, audio detection, defocus, and spotting intrusions and abandoned or missing objects. The advanced facial recognition system facility on live cameras as well as on recorded videos will help to detect any matches with faces on the government's watch list database and provide alerts to the control room.
Hans India
3 hours ago
- Hans India
PM Modi's much-awaited Maldives visit to strengthen development partnership, solidify ties: Indian envoy
Male: Highlighting India's role in the development of the island nation, India's High Commissioner to Maldives, G Balasubramanian said on Thursday that several key agreements are expected to be signed between the two nations during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day State Visit to Maldives, beginning Friday. "This is an important visit for strengthening the bilateral relations between our two countries. This visit would be the third time that the Prime Minister would be visiting Maldives -- the first being in 2018 and then in 2019. This is also the first visit of a State head under the presidency of Mohammad Muizzu. This is also the first time the Maldives has invited someone to be the guest of honour for the Independence Day celebrations since 2017," Balasubramaniam told IANS in an exclusive interview. PM Modi will undertake a State Visit to Maldives from July 25–26, at the invitation of the Maldives President, Mohamed Muizzu. This will be Prime Minister Modi's third visit to Maldives - he had visited the Indian Ocean archipelago in 2018 and 2019, earlier. Besides holding discussions with Muizzu, PM Modi will also be the 'Guest of Honour' at the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the Independence of Maldives on July 26. President Muizzu was on a State Visit to India in October 2024. He also visited New Delhi to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new government that had been elected earlier in the year. Both leaders had also met on the sidelines of the COP meeting in Dubai. Noting that 60th anniversary of Maldives Independence Day coincides with the 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties, Balasubramaniam said, "The 60th anniversary of the Independence Day of the Maldives also coincides with the sixtieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. India was one of the first countries to recognise the independence of the Maldives in 1965. Since then, we have been having very friendly, very close diplomatic relations. To commemorate this particular milestone of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, our Prime Minister and Maldives President will also be releasing a commemorative stamp to celebrate this event. So this is another important milestone in our relationship." PM Modi will arrive in Maldives on July 25 which would be the second and final leg of his two-nation visit, following the visit to the United Kingdom. High Commissioner Balasubramanian said that, during his visit, PM Modi would be handing over about 4,000 housing complexes that we had constructed under the buyer's credit. Elaborating on PM Modi's engagements in Maldives, he said, "After attending the Independence Day event on July 26, he would be having bilateral meetings with President Muizzu. Other important events that he would be attending would be inaugurating some of the projects that we had undertaken, handing over of them, signing MOUs, and exchanging MOUs. It would be a full schedule for our Prime Minister during this visit. Both leaders would be reviewing the progress that had been made on the vision document that was declared last year during the State Visit of President Muizzu to India in October 2024, which was a comprehensive partnership on economic and maritime security. We are also signing some of the MOUs, which are the main part of the official visit." Balasubramaniam stated that PM Modi will also have some private engagements along with official meetings. He said that PM Modi will interact with Indian diaspora, meet Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) candidates who have been trained in India and some people from the 'Bharat ko Janiye' quiz. When asked about India's role in the development of Maldives, he responded, "India has been one of the largest development partners for the Maldives. Since 2014, our assistance has been in terms of infrastructure development, capacity building or even emergency financial assistance in terms of currency swap and other things. The total financial assistance from 2014 is more than $3 billion. Many of the projects that we have undertaken in the Maldives are high-impact community development projects, which are done through grants from the Indian government. There are various lines of credit projects. There are various buyers' credit projects. "For example, our Prime Minister would be handing over about 4,000 housing complexes that we had constructed under the buyer's credit. The other HICDP projects have a direct impact on the community of the Maldives. More than 78 set projects have been undertaken. Some of them would be handed over by the Prime Minister because this is an ongoing cooperation between our two countries. Under the Line of Credit, some projects have been undertaken, whether in Addu or other parts of the country. Those would also be handed over," he added." With PM Modi slated to inaugurate some infrastructure projects and also announce new initiatives, the visit reflects the importance India attaches to its maritime neighbour, Maldives, which continues to hold a special place in India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and Vision MAHASAGAR.
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First Post
3 hours ago
- First Post
From ‘India out' to strategic embrace: Maldives resets ties with New Delhi
Not long ago, it would have been difficult to imagine that Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu—who rose to power on the back of a robust 'India Out' campaign—would extend an invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the Maldives' most significant national event on July 25, 2025, the country's 60th Independence Day, as the Guest of Honour. Yet, that is precisely what has unfolded. In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi stated: 'Day after tomorrow, 25th July, I will be in the Maldives at the invitation of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. I am honoured to be taking part in the 60th Independence Day celebrations of the Maldives. This year we also mark 60 years of India-Maldives diplomatic relations. The talks with President Muizzu will certainly add momentum to bilateral ties across diverse sectors.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This moment carries deep symbolic significance. Only a few years ago, the India-Maldives relationship had reached a historic low. President Muizzu's 'India Out' campaign actively challenged India's strategic footprint in the archipelago, marked by personal attacks and sharp rhetoric against Prime Minister Modi himself. Many analysts concluded at the time that India had effectively 'lost' the Maldives to China—particularly when Muizzu broke with diplomatic precedent by choosing Beijing as the destination for his first official overseas visit. Muizzu took deliberate steps to distance Maldives from India, including demanding the withdrawal of Indian defense personnel and enhancing ties with China. Anti-India narratives became mainstream, and the political climate was steeped in antagonism toward New Delhi. Despite these provocations, what followed is nothing short of remarkable: a dramatic turnaround in relations that reflects India's strategic patience and diplomacy, and the statesmanship of Prime Minister Modi. The credit for this diplomatic transformation lies squarely with PM Modi. Faced with political hostility and personal criticism, he chose to remain committed to a pragmatic, forward-looking foreign policy. Rather than retaliating, Modi's approach emphasized engagement, development cooperation, and people-to-people ties—hallmarks of a mature global leader. India has traditionally been Maldives' first responder in times of crisis—be it natural disasters, public health emergencies, or economic instability. During President Muizzu's state visit to India from October 6-10, 2024, both nations reaffirmed their commitment to mutual security and development. This culminated in the adoption of the 'Vision for Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership.' On that occasion, President Muizzu reassured New Delhi of its security concerns, stating: STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The Maldives will not do anything that would harm India's security interests. We value India's role as a close neighbour and friend.' This statement marked a sharp departure from his earlier rhetoric, signalling a shift towards mutual respect and constructive cooperation. India, in turn, has remained steadfast in supporting the Maldives' maritime and defense capabilities—providing coastal radar systems, naval vessels, and training for Maldivian defense personnel since before Muizzu's term. Notably, these efforts included the inauguration of a network of coastal radar stations and the establishment of a Composite Training Centre at Maafilaafushi during previous governments, particularly under President Solih, laying the foundation for today's robust security architecture. Economic considerations also played a pivotal role in this diplomatic recalibration. As the Maldives undertook expansive infrastructure projects—many backed by Chinese loans—its external debt surged, crossing $8 billion by early 2024 and exceeding 110 per cent of its GDP. The nation's tourism-dependent economy remained fragile, with foreign exchange reserves under immense strain, at times covering barely a month of imports. New Delhi, however, stood by as a consistent and generous partner. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In May 2024, India rolled over a $50 million Treasury Bill at the Maldives' request—a move the Maldivian government described as a 'true gesture of goodwill.' Further, during Muizzu's visit to India in October 2024, New Delhi extended significant financial support, including a $400 million currency swap agreement and an Rs 30 billion line of credit under the SAARC framework. President Muizzu acknowledged India's assistance: 'I am thankful for the Indian Government's decision to provide support in the form of Rs 30 billion in addition to a $400 million bilateral currency swap… which will be instrumental in addressing the foreign exchange issues we are facing.' Unlike China's debt-driven model, India's approach focused on economic stabilisation, sustainable infrastructure, and capacity-building—promoting long-term development without the burden of unmanageable debt. Strategically, Maldives' location in the heart of the Indian Ocean makes it indispensable to India's security calculus and central to its broader MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision. Guided by this doctrine, India has continually prioritized the Maldives' development and security needs, anchored in mutual respect and shared regional concerns. Under this framework, India has deployed maritime surveillance infrastructure, conducted joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercises—including a major one in May 2025—and consistently trained Maldivian defence forces. These engagements underscore India's role as a reliable partner and affirm its commitment to regional peace and stability. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Equally noteworthy is President Muizzu's own evolution. He gradually came to realize that a confrontational posture toward India offered no tangible benefits. Strategic pragmatism ultimately prevailed. Both he and his advisors understood that partnership with India serves Maldivian interests far better than antagonism. This diplomatic turnaround offers a broader lesson for regional leaders—particularly for Bangladesh's interim leader Mohammad Yunus. While anti-India rhetoric may provide short-term domestic political gains, it seldom translates into long-term strategic or economic benefits. Foreign policy must be rooted in reason and rationality. For the countries in India's neighbourhood, maintaining cooperative and constructive relations with New Delhi is not just diplomatically prudent—it brings real, measurable benefits to their people. Imran Khurshid is a visiting research fellow at the International Centre for Peace Studies, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
