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India to boost drone capabilities amid growing threats from China, Pakistan

India to boost drone capabilities amid growing threats from China, Pakistan

India Today5 days ago
In a bid to strengthen its defence against rising drone threats, the government has approved emergency purchases of Remotely Piloted Aerial Vehicles (RPAVs) worth Rs 2,000 crore, a Defence Ministry statement said on Thursday.The decision comes over a month after Pakistan launched a barrage of drones to attack Indian military and civilian targets during the conflict in the aftermath of India's Operation Sindoor precision strikes on Pakistani terror infrastructure in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.advertisementThe funds will be used to equip the Army with advanced technologies, including Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction Systems (IDDIS), to detect and neutralise hostile drone threats.
The growing use of drones in warfare has raised concerns, especially with reports indicating that China is building a massive drone force estimated at around one million units.On the other hand, Pakistan has also reportedly acquired over 50,000 drones from China and Turkey, which could possibly be used for surveillance and combat missions against India.To meet these challenges, India is investing in RPAVs, loitering munitions, and combat drones for various military applications. These systems will enhance India's surveillance and strike capabilities along sensitive border areas.The government is also promoting domestic drone manufacturing to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. India's private defence manufacturers are also developing drone solutions for both defence and civilian use, including surveillance and infrastructure monitoring.With growing tensions along its borders, India's efforts to modernise and expand its drone capabilities mark a crucial step in safeguarding national security.- EndsMust Watch
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Zohran Mamdani wins New York City's Democratic mayoral primary, defeating ex-Guv Andrew Cuomo
Zohran Mamdani wins New York City's Democratic mayoral primary, defeating ex-Guv Andrew Cuomo

Hindustan Times

time15 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

Zohran Mamdani wins New York City's Democratic mayoral primary, defeating ex-Guv Andrew Cuomo

Zohran Mamdani has won New York City's Democratic mayoral primary, a new vote count confirmed Tuesday, cementing his stunning upset of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and sending him to the general election. Mamdani's win had been widely expected since he took a commanding lead after the polls closed a week ago.(Bloomberg) The Associated Press called the race after the results of the city's ranked choice voting tabulation were released and showed Mamdani trouncing Cuomo by 12 percentage points. In a statement, Mamdani said he was humbled by the support he received in the primary and started turning his attention to the general election. 'Last Tuesday, Democrats spoke in a clear voice, delivering a mandate for an affordable city, a politics of the future, and a leader unafraid to fight back against rising authoritarianism," he said. "I am humbled by the support of more than 545,000 New Yorkers who voted for our campaign and am excited to expand this coalition even further as we defeat Eric Adams and win a city government that puts working people first.' Mamdani's win had been widely expected since he took a commanding lead after the polls closed a week ago, falling just short of the 50% of the vote needed to avoid another count under the city's ranked choice voting model. The system allows voters' other preferences to be counted if their top candidate falls out of the running. Mamdani, who declared victory the night of the June 24 primary, will face a general election field that includes incumbent Mayor Eric Adams as well as independent candidate Jim Walden and Republican Curtis Sliwa. The former governor, down but not out Cuomo conceded defeat just hours after the polls closed last week but is contemplating whether to run in the general election on an independent ballot line. After the release of Tuesday's vote count, Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi said "We'll be continuing conversations with people from all across the city while determining next steps.' 'Extremism, division and empty promises are not the answer to this city's problems, and while this was a look at what motivates a slice of our primary electorate, it does not represent the majority," Azzopardi said. 'The financial instability of our families is the priority here, which is why actionable solutions, results and outcomes matter so much.' Also Read | Indian-origin Zohran Mamdani, son of filmmaker Mira Nair, stuns in NYC mayoral primary race Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist and member of the state Assembly, was virtually unknown when he launched his candidacy centered on a bold slate of populist ideas. But he built an energetic campaign that ran circles around Cuomo as the older, more moderate Democrat tried to come back from the sexual harassment scandal that led to his resignation four years ago. The results, even before they were finalized, sent a shockwave through the political world. Democratic support? Mamdani's campaign, which was focused on lowering the cost of living, claims it has found a new blueprint for Democrats who have at times appeared rudderless during President Donald Trump's climb back to power. The Democratic establishment has approached Mamdani with caution. Many of its big players applauded his campaign but don't seem ready to throw their full support behind the young progressive, whose past criticisms of law enforcement, use of the word 'genocide' to describe the Israeli government's actions in Gaza and 'democratic socialist' label amount to landmines for some in the party. If elected, Mamdani would be the city's first Muslim mayor and its first of Indian American decent. He would also be one of its youngest. Opposition mounts For Republicans, Mamdani has already provided a new angle for attack. Trump and others in the GOP have begun to launch broadsides at him, moving to cast Mamdani as the epitome of leftist excess ahead of consequential elections elsewhere this year and next. 'If I'm a Republican, I want this guy to win,' said Grant Reeher, a political science professor at Syracuse University. 'Because I want to be able to compare and contrast my campaign as a Republican, in a national election, to the idea of, 'This is where the Democratic party is.'' New York City's ranked choice voting model allows voters to list up to five candidates on their ballots in order of preference. If a single candidate is the first choice of more than 50% of voters, then that person wins the race outright. Since no candidate cleared that bar on the night of the primary, the ranked choice voting process kicked in. The board is scheduled to certify the election on July 15. Mamdani has been a member of the state Assembly since 2021, and has characterized his inexperience as a potential asset. His campaign promised free city buses, free child care, a rent freeze for people living in rent-stabilized apartment, government-run grocery stores and more, all paid for with taxes on the wealthy. Critics have slammed his agenda as politically unrealistic. Cuomo ran a campaign centered on his extensive experience, casting himself as the only candidate capable of saving a city he said had spun out of control. During the campaign, he focused heavily on combating antisemitism and leaned on his name recognition and juggernaut fundraising operation rather than mingling with voters. Confronted with the sexual harassment allegations that ended his tenure as governor, he denied wrongdoing, maintaining that the scandal was driven by politics and that voters were ready to move on. Cuomo did not remove his name from the November ballot last week, ahead of a procedural deadline to do so, and has said he is still considering whether to mount an actual campaign for the office. Adams, while still a Democrat, is running in the November election as an independent. He dropped out of the Democratic primary in April after he was severely wounded by his now-dismissed federal bribery case. Though he had done little in the way of campaigning since then, he reignited his reelection operation in the days after Mamdani declared victory, calling it a choice between a candidate with a 'blue collar' and one with a 'silver spoon.'

Sitharaman proposes partnering with European Investment Bank on digitalization
Sitharaman proposes partnering with European Investment Bank on digitalization

Mint

time18 minutes ago

  • Mint

Sitharaman proposes partnering with European Investment Bank on digitalization

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday met Nadia Calvino, president of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, and proposed partnering with the bank to take India's digitization expertise to third countries. They met on the sidelines of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) in Seville, Spain. Discussions were held on wide-ranging issues, including EIB's expanding portfolio in India—seven metro projects and an urban rail project—and diversifying in other sectors such as water and sanitation. Digital diplomacy Recognizing India's strength in digitalization and its role in promoting economic growth and inclusivity, the finance minister and Calvino also discussed the scope for partnering in third countries in this field and other areas. Calvino looked forward to further strengthening of partnership between EIB and India. The meeting with EIB followed Sitaraman's meeting with Dr. Shane Reti, Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, Universities, Statistics and Pacific Peoples, New Zealand, on Monday evening at the same event. The ministers discussed cooperation in defence, education, technology and agriculture, and shared values rooted in democracy, rule of law, and robust people-to-people ties. Sitharaman discussed the world-class opportunities available at GIFT-IFSC in banking, bullion exchange, capital markets, funds ecosystem, FinTech, insurers and (re)insurers. The finance minister also noted educational exchange as a cornerstone of India-New Zealand ties with many Indian students pursuing higher education in New Zealand. Reti agreed on the need for enhancing education sector ties, and also shared New Zealand's experience in engaging with the Pacific region. Sitharaman also met Elmer Schialer Salcedo, Foreign Minister of Peru and Reem Alabali-Radovan, Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany, on the sidelines of FFD4 on Monday evening. The finance minister discussed deepening strategic partnerships across FinTech, trade, investment, mining and defence, as well as the potential for collaboration in infrastructure projects, particularly the railways with the Peruvian minister. Sitharaman highlighted India's expertise in building rail links and manufacturing of rolling stock. Salcedo said that he looked forward to India's participation in international bids for three rail links being developed in Peru. The Union Finance Minister shared India's interest in diversifying exports to Peru, especially in automobiles, pharmaceuticals, textiles, engineering goods, and IT services; and valued imports of critical minerals such as copper and lithium from Peru - potentially key to India's energy transition and industrial growth. With the German minister Radovan, Sitharaman discussed various areas of collaboration under the India-Germany Green and Sustainable Development Partnership including renewable energy, urban mobility, sustainable urban development and sustainable livelihoods through ecology.

Chhattisgarh launches One-Click Single Window System 2.0 to boost investment, ease of doing business
Chhattisgarh launches One-Click Single Window System 2.0 to boost investment, ease of doing business

Indian Express

time19 minutes ago

  • Indian Express

Chhattisgarh launches One-Click Single Window System 2.0 to boost investment, ease of doing business

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday launched the 'One-Click Single Window System 2.0' at the Chhattisgarh Industry Dialogue–2 in Raipur, projecting it as a major step towards making the state a national hub for future-facing industries such as semiconductors, AI, pharmaceuticals, defence, and green hydrogen. 'Our new industrial policy is focused on employment generation and economic prosperity,' the CM said, adding that over 20,000 youth will benefit from the Rs 1.23 lakh crore worth of investment proposals received from 11 companies. Sai also announced the approval of the draft Chhattisgarh State Logistics Policy 2025, which aims to transform the state into a national logistics hub. 'Our geographical position gives us a connectivity edge. The new policy will attract global and domestic logistics players, strengthen export infrastructure, and make warehousing affordable for industries and farmers,' he said. In the last six months alone, Chhattisgarh has received investment proposals worth Rs 5.5 lakh crore. The state accounted for 3.71 per cent of India's total investment inflows in FY2025. The new One-Click Single Window System 2.0 integrates online applications, departmental approvals, and subsidies. 'It ensures transparent, real-time approvals for industrial set-ups,' Sai said. Commerce and Industries Minister Lakhan Lal Dewangan said that with the new online approval mechanisms, industrial areas are now offering land for online allotment. 'Chhattisgarh is fast becoming a top-tier industrial state,' he said. Senior officials including Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain, Principal Secretary Subodh Kumar Singh, and industry leaders were present.

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