&w=3840&q=100)
CNN-News18 Town Hall returns with ‘The Defence Edition' to celebrate India's Strength, Strategy and Self-reliance
As India emerged stronger from the recent war, this edition of CNN-News18 Town Hall will offer a rare window into the strategy, courage, and innovation driving the country's defence transformation read more
In this pivotal moment, CNN-News18 Town Hall - The Defence Edition will convene India's most respected defence personnel to share insights on issues strengthening India from borders to business
New Delhi: The highly anticipated CNN-News18 Town Hall is set to make a grand comeback on Saturday, 28 June 2025 with 'The Defence Edition.' Renowned for its dynamic and thought-provoking discussions, CNN-News18 Town Hall – The Defence Edition will celebrate India's resilience and patriotic spirit. This edition is themed 'Borders to Business – The Strength of Bharat', and is both a tribute and a timely conversation, highlighting the unwavering spirit of India's defence forces and the strategic strength of indigenous capabilities.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Over the years, this platform has brought together leaders from politics, business, and culture to engage in impactful discussions on key national issues. In this pivotal moment, CNN-News18 Town Hall - The Defence Edition will convene India's most respected defence personnel to share insights on issues strengthening India from borders to business.
This special edition will feature a series of compelling sessions on national security, modern warfare, indigenous defence production, Operation Sindoor, and lessons from the recent war.
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC), will set the stage with an incisive perspective on 'The Age of Modern Warfare', highlighting how the battlefield is evolving and what India must do to stay ahead. In the session 'Forging India's Defence Independence', Defence Secretary of India Rajesh Kumar Singh will outline the government's strategic roadmap for achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
In a rare and stirring session titled 'From Sindoor to Seema', Assistant Commandant of Border Security Force, Neha Bhandari, along with three fellow women officers who were part of Operation Sindoor, will share their experiences and insights from the frontlines. Lt. Gen Vinod G. Khandare (Retd.), Former Principal Adviser to the Ministry of Defence, and Dr Sudhir Mishra, DRDO Chair, Former Director General, DRDO and Ex - CEO & MD, BrahMos Aerospace, will take the stage to present 'Made in India, Made for World', focusing on India's growing global defence footprint.
Dr. B.K. Das, Director General (Electronics & Communication System), DRDO, will reflect on 'Defence Aatmanirbharta: Opportunities Ahead', offering key insights into India's journey towards self-reliance in defence technologies.
Maj Gen Vishal Saxena (Retd.), Vice President, Business Development, ideaForge and Smit Shah, President, Drone Federation of India, Maj Gen Indrabalan (R), Military Technology Advisor, Amber Wings & The ePlane Company and Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria (Retd), Former Chief of Air Staff will bring the industry lens to the fore in 'Catalysing Indigenous Defence', spotlighting innovation, collaboration, and the private sector's role in transforming India's defence landscape.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Smriti Mehra, CEO - English & Business News, Network18, said, 'CNN-News18 has been India's No.1 English news channel for more than three years now, and that's a reflection of our dedication to impactful journalism and meaningful dialogue. With the Defence Edition of CNN-News18 Town Hall, we're bringing together some of the sharpest minds in the field, leaders and experts to discuss the strength and resilience of our armed forces and the success of Operation Sindoor. I am sure that the thematic discussions will offer deep insights into the evolving narrative of India's national security.'
Commenting on the upcoming Defence edition of CNN-News18 Town Hall, Zakka Jacob, Managing Editor, CNN-News18, says, 'India has demonstrated immense resilience and capability during Operation Sindoor, and as conflicts unfold around the world, this dialogue is crucial to understand our position and priorities. The upcoming CNN-News18 Town Hall edition will honour the valour of our armed forces and ignite meaningful conversations on how India is securing its future, from borders to business, at a time when national security and self-reliance are central to India's growth story.'
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
As India emerged stronger from the recent war, this edition of CNN-News18 Town Hall will offer a rare window into the strategy, courage, and innovation driving the country's defence transformation.
Tune in to CNN-News18 on 28 June, 3 pm onwards to watch the Town Hall live on CNN-News18 TV, CTV and YouTube channel.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
34 minutes ago
- First Post
Who is Parag Jain, upcoming RAW chief and the brain behind Operation Sindoor?
Renowned in intelligence circles as a 'super sleuth,' Parag Jain assumes the top role at RAW with a reputation for skillfully integrating human intelligence (HUMINT) with technical intelligence (TECHINT) read more Parag Jain, a 1989-batch Punjab cadre IPS officer, will take over as R&AW chief from July 1 The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (June 28) appointed Parag Jain, a 1989-batch IPS officer of Punjab cadre, as the next Secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). He will lead India's premier intelligence agency for next two years starting July 1, succeeding incumbent chief Ravi Sinha. Renowned in intelligence circles as a 'super sleuth,' Jain assumes the top role with a reputation for skillfully integrating human intelligence (HUMINT) with technical intelligence (TECHINT), a combination officials credit for the success of numerous high-stakes operations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Played key role in Op Sindoor Among his most notable recent achievements was his leadership in Operation Sindoor , where his intelligence inputs facilitated precise missile strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. While the initial missile hits may have taken few minutes, the intelligence-based groundwork took years to piece together critical information. Parag Jain's extensive field experience in Jammu and Kashmir, one of India's most complex security regions, is expected to bolster his leadership as India navigates a volatile global security landscape. Experience Senior officials describe Jain as methodical and discreet, with a career marked by key roles. On January 1, 2021, he was promoted to Director General of Police (DGP) in Punjab, though serving on central deputation, he received only notional benefits. Jain played a significant operational role during Punjab's terrorism period, serving in Bhatinda, Mansa, Hoshiarpur, as SSP Chandigarh, and DIG Ludhiana. He also handled Pakistan-related operations for India's external intelligence agency, with tenures in Jammu and Kashmir during the abrogation of Article 370 and Operation Balakote. A low-profile officer, Jain represented India in Canada and Sri Lanka. While posted in Canada, he actively countered the Khalistan ecosystem, repeatedly warning Delhi of its growing threat. Challenges As Parag Jain succeeds Ravi Sinha on Monday, India's external intelligence agency faces calls for a revamp, having been criticised for its handling of the Maldives and Bangladesh crises over the past two years. The inability to foresee the brutal attack in Pahalgam on April 22 further raised significant concerns, especially given the Pakistan Army chief's inflammatory anti-Hindu rhetoric and his assertion that Kashmir is Pakistan's 'jugular vein.' With Asim Munir's elevation to Field Marshal and his prioritisation of cross-border terrorism against India, the role of RAW becomes critical in countering these heightened threats.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Who Is Parag Jain, The IPS Officer Appointed As India's New R&AW Chief?
Last Updated: Currently serving as the head of the Aviation Research Centre, a crucial arm of R&AW, Jain played a pivotal role in Operation Sindoor The Narendra Modi government on Saturday appointed Parag Jain, a 1989-batch IPS officer of the Punjab cadre, as the new Secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW)—India's premier external intelligence agency—for a fixed tenure of two years. He will officially take over on July 1, succeeding Ravi Sinha, whose term ends on June 30 after what many viewed as a relatively low-profile tenure. Jain's elevation was cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet on June 28, ending speculation over the leadership succession in one of India's most sensitive security establishments. Currently serving as the head of the Aviation Research Centre (ARC)—a crucial arm of R&AW—Jain played a pivotal role in Operation Sindoor, India's precision retaliation following the Pahalgam terror attack. Under his command, ARC gathered actionable intelligence on Pakistani military deployments using a combination of HUMINT and TECHINT capabilities. Over 15 Years in R&AW: Deep Domain Expertise Parag Jain is currently the second-most senior officer in R&AW, directly reporting to the chief, and oversees several high-stakes operational and intelligence divisions. With over 15 years in the agency, he has built deep expertise in: Stints In Canada, Sri Lanka & J&K: Global Intel Exposure Jain's international assignments include a critical posting in Ottawa, Canada, where he monitored radical Sikh diaspora groups and worked to infiltrate separatist networks. He was later stationed in Sri Lanka during its 2022 economic crisis, witnessing regime change and political upheaval—giving him firsthand operational experience in high-volatility foreign environments. Back home, he has served in Jammu and Kashmir, contributing significantly to the Centre's counter-terrorism strategy, especially in the post-Article 370 security restructuring of the Union Territory. Grassroots Policing To Strategic Ops: A Dual Lens Before his R&AW tenure, Jain held several key policing roles across Punjab, including as Senior Superintendent of Police in Chandigarh, DIG Ludhiana Range, and postings in Bhatinda, Mansa, and Hoshiarpur. His deep familiarity with Punjab's ground-level security dynamics, especially amid the legacy of militancy, gives him a unique advantage in handling transnational threats with regional roots. Jain was empanelled for senior central postings and granted DGP rank benefits effective January 1, 2021, further underscoring his standing within the national security hierarchy. Why His Appointment Matters Parag Jain's elevation comes at a time of rising strategic challenges for India's external intelligence community—ranging from cross-border terrorism and Khalistani revivalism to China-Pakistan coordination, and evolving hybrid warfare. With a rare combination of ground policing experience, foreign intelligence postings, and technical reconnaissance leadership, Jain is expected to bring sharper focus and operational depth to R&AW's mission during a geopolitically sensitive period. First Published: June 28, 2025, 15:23 IST
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Air Marshall Ashutosh Dixit Praises Made-In-India Weapon Systems At CNN-News18 Townhall
Last Updated: Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, Air Marshall Ashutosh Dixit, said that India can hit targets across the border with precision without crossing the border. The Indian armed forces destroyed the incoming projectiles during the four-day India-Pakistan military confrontation using a homegrown system, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, Air Marshall Ashutosh Dixit, said on Saturday. Speaking at CNN-News18 Defence Towhhall, the official said that India's indigenous weapon systems paid India 'great dividend" during the conflict. More to follow…
