Navy hosts 13 nations in naval working group meeting to boost maritime security
Rear Admiral Nirbhay Bapna, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Foreign Cooperation & Intelligence), reaffirmed India's commitment to regional maritime security and highlighted the importance of multilateral efforts to tackle evolving challenges at sea.Delegates discussed ways to enhance information sharing, boost Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), and strengthen coordinated responses to emerging threats. The group also worked on developing common operational guidelines and practical measures for regional cooperation.The outcomes of the meeting are expected to strengthen collective efforts in ensuring a safe, secure, and stable Indian Ocean.- EndsTune InMust Watch
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
10 hours ago
- India Today
Blatant negligence: Activists slam delay in Assam coal mine tragedy report
Pressure is mounting on the Assam government to make public the judicial enquiry report into the Umrangso coal mine tragedy, over six months after nine workers died in a flooded illegal mine in Dima Hasao incident, which occurred on January 6, 2025, triggered a massive 44-day operation involving the Indian Navy and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). All nine bodies were eventually recovered by February the tragedy, the state government had set up a judicial commission led by retired Gauhati High Court judge Justice Anima Hazarika. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had assured that the commission would submit its report within three months. However, six months later, the findings remain under wraps, sparking fresh outrage among rights groups and locals. Daniel Langthasa, convenor of the Sixth Schedule Protection Committee and a former member of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC), lashed out at the government for the delay.'The commission was given three months. Six months have passed, but the government has not shared the report. There is no update, and those responsible for the illegal mining that caused this tragedy are yet to be punished,' he a 2014 ban by the National Green Tribunal, rat-hole mining - a hazardous and outdated method - continues unchecked across Umrangso.A post-tragedy survey found at least 220 illegal rat-hole coal mines operating in the area. Langthasa questioned the role of the BJP-ruled NCHAC, asking, 'How could the council be unaware of 220 mines? This is blatant negligence, if not complicity.'So far, only one person - Punish Nunisa - has been arrested in the case, but activists fear he is being made a scapegoat. They allege a larger, more powerful network of illegal mining operators remains the Chief Minister had earlier announced that all illegal mines would be identified and shut down with help from central agencies, locals say little has changed on the ground. 'There is no visible action. Illegal mining continues. The government must act,' Langthasa also linked the illegal mining ecosystem to broader law and order issues in the insurgency-hit district. Pointing to a rise in kidnappings, mysterious deaths and drug abuse, he accused the NCHAC of failing to protect tribal land and allowing the quiet transfer of protected land to private coke plant operators without village council the situation a 'social crisis,' Langthasa warned of long-term consequences. 'People commit crimes when they lose hope in those in power,' he said, urging the government to make the commission's report public, punish those responsible, and ensure justice for the families of the victims.- Ends
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
UNESCO tag for forts sharpens political focus on Marathi pride
New Delhi: UNESCO's inclusion of 'Maratha Military Landscapes' in its World Heritage List has added another layer to the Centre's push for Maratha heritage and identity, coming as Maharashtra heads for crucial local body elections later this year. The recognition of 12 Maratha forts — 11 in Maharashtra and one in Tamil Nadu — follows the Centre's grant of classical language status to Marathi ahead of the 2024 Maharashtra assembly polls, a long-pending demand that became central to the BJP-led alliance's victory, political observers said. The opposition has hit out at what it calls "headline-grabbing cultural optics" designed to mask governance lapses. The cultural thrust was also evident when the Indian Navy dropped the colonial-era St George's Cross in 2022 for an ensign inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai PM Modi on Saturday described the UNESCO listing as a moment of national pride. "Every Indian is elated with this recognition. These Maratha military landscapes include 12 majestic forts, 11 of which are in Maharashtra and one in Tamil Nadu. When we speak of the glorious Maratha empire, we associate it with good governance, military strength, cultural pride and emphasis on social welfare. The great rulers inspire us with their refusal to bow to any injustice. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo I call upon everyone to go visit these forts and learn about the rich history of the Maratha empire," Modi posted on social media. Earlier, when Modi unveiled the Navy's redesigned ensign in Sept 2022, he had said, "Till now the identity of slavery remained on the flag of Indian Navy. But from today onwards, inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji, the new Navy flag will fly in the sea and in the sky." BJP's calibrated emphasis on Maratha symbols reflects a larger strategy of cultural nationalism being woven into state politics. By granting Marathi classical language status ahead of the 2024 assembly elections and now amplifying Unesco's recognition of Maratha forts, it has sought to embed itself in the emotive terrain of Maharashtra's regional pride. For BJP, which has historically faced challenges in breaking the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress stronghold over the "Maratha pride" vote, these gestures are a bid to redraw the political map and secure urban and semi-urban Marathi voters. Yet critics argue such symbolism risks crowding out governance debates on agrarian distress, urban infrastructure gaps and unemployment, issues that resonate in local polls. The classical language status for Marathi, granted in early 2024, had been a longstanding demand from cultural bodies and political groups for over a decade. Earlier govts cited procedural hurdles, but NDA cleared the proposal months before state elections, helping it tap into a potent mix of linguistic pride and historical identity. With civic polls due, heritage and identity are again becoming political battlegrounds.
India.com
2 days ago
- India.com
Rs 1000000000000 defence deal: What is Project 75I which is set to give sleepless nights to Pakistan, China as India gets ready to...
(File) New Delhi: A few days ago, INS Tamal warship was included in the Indian Navy fleet. This warship has been developed under partnership with Russia. INS Tamal is also equipped with BrahMos cruise missile. The Indian Navy's submarine fleet currently has 16 traditional submarines, out of which the original Project-75 programme was completed recently with the inclusion of INS Vagsheer in January 2025. What is Project-75? Under Project-75, 8 submarines of Kalvari class are currently the biggest strength of the Indian Navy. These submarines are a big weapon against China and Pakistan in the Asia-Pacific, Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific region. Its importance increases significantly especially in curbing the increasing activities of China in the Indian Ocean. The Chinese PLA-Navy operates 355 warships and submarines, which makes it the world's largest naval power. Pakistan is continuously developing its submarine capability with the help of China. What is Project-75I? In view of the constantly changing situation in marine security, India has also become active and under Project-75I, continuous efforts are being made to increase the submarine capacity of the Indian Navy. Now a big development has taken place in this regard. Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders Limited is very close to getting an advanced and traditional submarine contract worth more than Rs 1 lakh crore. After implementing the defense deal, the Indian Navy will become the world's biggest naval power in 6 to 7 years. The government is set to award contracts worth Rs 1.06 lakh crore to Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) for two major submarine projects by the end of the next financial year. The Rs 70,000 crore Advanced Submarine Project under Project-75I is expected to be finalised soon. Under this mega deal, 6 state-of-the-art submarines will be built at a cost of Rs 70,000 crore. MDL will partner with Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) in this project. The proposed submarines will be based on the HDW Class 214 design, equipped with state-of-the-art features and highest stealth capability. What are HDW Class 214 submarines? The HDW Class 214 submarines are 72 meters long, weigh about 2,000 tons with 8 weapon tubes. These submarines can carry 27 crew members and have a special Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, which will give them the ability to operate underwater for two weeks without surfacing. This system generates electricity from the chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, making noiseless and secret operations possible. Under Project-75I, the use of 45% indigenous equipment has been made mandatory in the first submarine, which will increase to 60% by the sixth submarine. India will get the capability to build indigenous submarines in the future through technology transfer from TKMS.
