Latest news with #Kondapalli
India Gazette
05-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Chinese weapons shortcomings exposed during Operation Sindoor: Srikanth Kondapalli
New Delhi [India], July 5 (ANI): Srikanth Kondapalli, Professor in Chinese Studies and Chairperson of the Centre for East Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), stated that China's military capabilities were put to the test during Operation Sindoor, and the results revealed significant limitations of China's military technology. Kondapalli's remarks come in response to the Deputy Army Chief's statement that China shared live data on India's assets and Turkey provided drones to Pakistan. '...China also faced a loss during Operation Sindoor, as during the operations on May 9 and 10th, Chinese missile systems, drones, and other weapons couldn't work against BrahMos attacks. It shows that their weapons have a few shortcomings,' Kondapalli told ANI. Kondapalli also emphasised the importance of air defence in the face of emerging threats. 'During Operation Sindoor, air dimension was heavily displayed and we mobilised many aircraft... We are seeing Turkey, Pakistan, and China working together; hence, we need to strengthen our air defence further...' On Friday, Lieutenant General Rahul R. Singh, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Capability Development and Sustenance), outlined several key lessons learnt from Operation Sindoor. This conflict revealed the complexity of modern warfare. Speaking at the 'New Age Military Technologies' organised by FICCI, the Deputy COAS highlighted the importance of air defence and technological advancement during military operations. Acknowledging the Pakistan-China alliance, the Deputy Chief pointed out that India has 'two adversaries on one border,' where Pakistan was on the front and China was providing all possible support. The Deputy COAS said that Pakistan has 81 per cent Chinese hardware in their military fleet. 'Air Defence and how it panned out during the entire operation was important... This time, our population centres were not quite addressed, but next time, we need to be prepared for that... I must flag a few lessons regarding Operation Sindoor. Firstly, we had one border and two adversaries, actually three. Pakistan was in the front. China was providing all possible support. In the last five years, 81% of the military hardware with Pakistan is Chinese...' he said. Emphasising the need for a robust air defence system, the Deputy COAS revealed that Pakistan had 'live updates' on India's important vectors that too, with China's help. He said, 'China can test its weapons against other weapons, so it's like a live lab available to them. Turkey also played an important role in providing the type of support it did; they gave Bayraktar and numerous other drones... When DGMO-level talks were underway, Pakistan had access to live updates on our key vectors from China... We need a robust air defence system...' Lt Gen Rahul R Singh also lauded the Indian Armed Forces for carrying out precision strikes on terror infrastructure. He further emphasised the strategic messaging and integration of technology and human intelligence in target selection and planning. '... There are a few lessons from Operation Sindoor. The strategic messaging by leadership was unambiguous... There is no scope of absorbing the pain the way we did a few years ago... The planning and selection of targets was based on a lot of data that was collected using technology and human intelligence. So a total of 21 targets were identified, out of which nine targets we thought would be prudent to engage... It was only the final day or the final hour that the decision was taken that these nine targets would be engaged,' he said. He added, 'A considered decision was taken that it will be a tri-services approach to send the right message that we indeed are an integrated force... An important consideration was that we should always be at the top of the escalation ladder. When we reach a military objective, we should try and put a stop to it... War is easy to initiate, but it's very difficult to control. So I would say that was a very masterly stroke that was played to stop the war at an appropriate time.' (ANI)
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Business Standard
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
India seen as telling China to move on both troops and border talks
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told his Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun in Qingdao on Thursday that border management would help resolve the complex issues surrounding the India-China dispute. Singh's remarks included the words 'permanent solution of border demarcation by rejuvenating the established mechanism on the issue', as mentioned in a media statement issued by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in New Delhi. The comments, according to Indian foreign policy and military analysts, indicate two things. One, a positive signal from the Indian government, and two, the push for de-escalation and de-induction along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that has been heavily militarised over the past five years. Speaking to Dong on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers' meeting, Singh called for bridging the trust deficit created after the Galwan River valley clash in 2020, 'by taking action on ground'. The hand-to-hand combat killed at least 24 Indian and Chinese soldiers, and froze the bilateral relationship until a thaw that followed a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a Brics summit in Russia in October. India and China have agreed to continue discussions at various levels to achieve progress on issues related to disengagement, de-escalation, border management and 'eventually de-limitation through existing mechanisms', the MoD statement said. 'He (Singh) was trying to convey that it is important to move ahead,' Srikanth Kondapalli, professor, China studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, said. 'The defence minister also spoke from the perspective of the armed forces on the ground.' The remarks reflect an aspiration for a desirable outcome for both countries, Kondapalli said, adding that not just bilaterally, the two Asian giants have not been able to cooperate on addressing major international issues such as wars and geopolitics in these five years. 'Chinese are mindful of that, too.' Lieutenant General Raj Shukla (retired) said, 'India's position also is that the border issue can only be resolved if the associated attributes, such as disengagement, de-escalation and de-induction are addressed collectively, without disadvantaging either side.' While disengagement has happened to an extent and joint patrolling has resumed in many spots, a lot of troops and defence equipment remain. At the height of tensions after the clash, troops had moved to the LAC in their thousands, often positioned in close proximity. Much of the equipment gathered there has yet to be removed and many troops have not gone back to their bases, Kondapalli said. Former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi's China visit in 1988 and meeting with Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping -- seen as an ice-breaker after a diplomatic freeze triggered by the 1962 war -- was also when a mechanism of border management was established. It has been disrupted by skirmishes since 2017. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met Chinese Foreign Minister and politburo member of the Communist Party of China Wang Yi in Beijing earlier last week. Wang is expected to visit India later this year for the special representatives' talk with Doval. Other than the SR mechanism, multiple rounds of discussions at different diplomatic and military levels have taken place between India and China over the years. 'Yet, the border is only one aspect of the larger Sino-Indian challenge. What we need to address in speed and scale is the growing technological disparity, the asymmetry in domains like space and artificial intelligence, as also in the maritime sphere,' Shukla said. 'The surest way to secure peace with China is by creating solid deterrence,' Shukla, who was the general officer commanding-in-chief of the Indian Army training command at the time of the Galwan clash, said. He also pointed to problems within the Chinese military, citing the reported purge of a large number of generals in the People's Liberation Army. 'Many of its capacities are exaggerated through cognitive warfare.'
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
APHDC announces design competition for artisans and designers
1 2 3 Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh handicrafts development corporation limited (APHDC) has invited emerging designers, artisans, and creative individuals across Andhra Pradesh to take part in a state-level design competition. The competition aims to reimagine traditional handicrafts and handlooms as modern souvenir products. Vishwa M, vice chairman and managing director of the APHDC, officially announced the competition, which is being jointly organized by APCO and Lepakshi in collaboration with the National Institute of Design (NID), Vijayawada. This initiative aims to foster innovation among local weavers and artisans while preserving the cultural identity of Andhra Pradesh. It invites entries in ten traditional clusters—five each in handicrafts and handlooms—including Kondapalli and Etikoppaka toys, leather puppetry, wood carvings, Kalamkari block prints, Dharmavaram and Uppada silks, Mangalagiri fabric, and more. The handloom category also encourages development of utility-based products such as scarves, ties, shawls, and waistcoats. Speaking to the media, Vishwa emphasized that the goal of the competition is to connect heritage with modern design sensibilities, offering creative individuals an opportunity to showcase Andhra's artisanal excellence on new platforms. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo The competition is open to all residents of Andhra Pradesh above the age of 18—artisans, students, designers, or independent creators. A total of ₹5.00 lakh in cash prizes will be awarded to 30 winners, with top entries selected based on innovation, craftsmanship, feasibility, and sustainability. A panel of judges from NID-AP, the development commissioner's office, APCO, and Lepakshi will select the winners. Participants are required to submit their physical souvenir samples at the nearest Lepakshi or APCO showroom by July 16. Visit or for complete competition guidelines and updates.
New Indian Express
12-06-2025
- New Indian Express
Aviation University may be set up in Visakhapatnam
VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has suggested exploring the possibility of establishing a Civil Aviation University in Visakhapatnam. He underscored the need to enhance flight connectivity from airports in Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam to various cities in India and abroad. Chairing a review meeting at the State Secretariat on Wednesday, he reviewed the progress of Vijayawada International Airport terminal construction. Minister for Civil Aviation K Ram Mohan Naidu, senior ministry officials, and the Chairman of Airports Authority of India participated in the meeting virtually. Naidu instructed that the terminal's architectural design be visually striking and unique. He directed the airport authorities to ensure that various components like the terminal elevation, departure and arrival blocks, and passenger lounges reflect Andhra Pradesh's rich cultural heritage. Elements such as Kuchipudi dance, Kondapalli toys, Amaravati emblems, and Lepakshi art should be incorporated into the design, Naidu said.
Hans India
12-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Explore setting up a Civil Aviation University in Vizag: CM
VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has suggested exploring the possibility of establishing a Civil Aviation University in Visakhapatnam. He underscored the need to enhance connectivity from airports in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and across the State to various domestic and international cities. At a review meeting held on Wednesday at the Secretariat at Velagapudi, Chandrababu Naidu assessed the progress of the Vijayawada International Airport terminal construction. Union Minister for Civil Aviation K Ram Mohan Naidu, senior ministry officials, and the Chairman of the Airports Authority of India participated virtually. The Chief Minister instructed that the terminal's architectural design should be visually striking and unique. He directed airport authorities to ensure that various components like the terminal elevation, departure and arrival blocks, and passenger lounges reflect Andhra Pradesh's rich cultural heritage. He called for elements such as Kuchipudi dance, Kondapalli toys, Amaravati emblems, and Lepakshi art to be incorporated into the design. He also issued clear instructions regarding the construction of the terminal building, including the ramp connection to the national highway. Additionally, the Chief Minister reviewed the progress of terminal works at Kadapa and Rajamahendravaram airports. Union Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu informed the Chief Minister that technical feasibility studies are underway for new airports at Dagadarthi, Kuppam and Palasa (Srikakulam district). Regarding the proposed Amaravati Airport, the Union Minister said land surveys were in progress and a RITES team will soon submit a report. If land pooling is completed, the project could commence within two years. Operations at Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam airports have grown by nearly 40%, and there is increased interest from operators to expand connectivity from Vijayawada, Tirupati, Rajamahendravaram and Kurnool airports. The Minister also mentioned that TruJet is set to launch services from Visakhapatnam to various locations starting in October, and that international flights between Vijayawada–Singapore and Tirupati–Muscat will commence soon. Seaplane operations are expected to begin after September. He further informed that the Qatar Aviation Fund has expressed investment interest in the Bhogapuram Airport project.
