With MQ-9 Deal Indo-US Military Aviation Ties Move Further Ahead

India has just approved the lease of two additional General Atomics MQ-9 unmanned aircraft for the Indian Navy. The approval was cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and is being seen as a significant boost to India’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities along its borders and across theContinue reading “With MQ-9 Deal Indo-US Military Aviation Ties Move Further Ahead”

77th Republic Day – Uncertain World – India Biding Time and Carving Own Geo-Strategic Place

As India prepares for its 77th Republic Day, it is all set to welcome European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa as the chief guests. Republic Day is not merely a national celebration, but it is a tribute to the day the Indian Constitution came into force, shaping IndiaContinue reading “77th Republic Day – Uncertain World – India Biding Time and Carving Own Geo-Strategic Place”

Rajnath Singh in Moscow – Time-Tested Indo-Russia Defence Partnership

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Moscow on Sunday night on a 3-day visit. The Minister was received by Indian Ambassador Vinay Kumar and Russian Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin. Rajnath Singh’s trip comes shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Russia in October. During that visit, PM Modi attended the 22nd India-Russia SummitContinue reading “Rajnath Singh in Moscow – Time-Tested Indo-Russia Defence Partnership”

Challenges of Russia India China (RIC) Grouping and Way Forward

India is still amidst the aftermath of “Operation Sindoor”, in which they watched China very actively supporting its strongest ally Pakistan with hardware, intelligence and command and control, and global narrative building. China and India have continued to have military showdowns on their borders every few years. US-led NATO is most openly supporting Ukraine against Russia. Adversary of USA, China has been tacitly backing Russia. In its desire not to antagonise USA, India has chosen a neutralContinue reading “Challenges of Russia India China (RIC) Grouping and Way Forward”

China’s Threatening Exercises around Taiwan – Dummy Run For Invasion – But Taiwan No Walk Over

China encircled Taiwan in massive military display. Chinese military rehearsed blockade of island’s north and south and carried out 10 hours of live-firing drills around the threatened island. Taiwan said that China was simulating strikes on US-made weapons. USA and Europeans condemned China’s drills. Earlier in December 2025, the US NDAA for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 authorized up to $11.1 billion for Taiwan under the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative. Largest US arms package for Taiwan includes HIMARS rocket systems, howitzers, JavelinContinue reading “China’s Threatening Exercises around Taiwan – Dummy Run For Invasion – But Taiwan No Walk Over”

Russia Needs Skilled Workforce – Old Friend India, Best to Make Good Shortages

Since the war with Ukraine, Russia is grappling with a major labour shortage in its industrial hubs and plans to bring in up to one million foreign workers, including Indians. The shortfall could widen to 3.1 million workers by 2030, says Russian Labour Ministry. To address the gap, the ministry wants to increase the quota for qualified foreign workersContinue reading “Russia Needs Skilled Workforce – Old Friend India, Best to Make Good Shortages”

Indian Government’s Strategy to Reduce Key Foreign Dependencies

India has some major import dependencies that include energy, electronics, and critical minerals. While India has a large agricultural sector, it also imports significant amounts of agricultural commodities like pulses. India needs certain fermentation-based active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Economically, China is the largest supplier of imports to India, followed by countries like Russia and theContinue reading “Indian Government’s Strategy to Reduce Key Foreign Dependencies”

Whose Chicken Neck and Whose Vulnerabilities

Bangladeshi National Citizen Party’s leader Hasnat Abdullah has rhetorically threatened to cut off India’s north-eastern states by cutting off India’s Chicken’s Neck, i.e. the Siliguri Corridor, while downplaying India’s contribution in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. The Siliguri Corridor is the narrow land strip linking India’s northeast to the mainland. For decades, the Siliguri CorridorContinue reading “Whose Chicken Neck and Whose Vulnerabilities”

World Needs Skilled Workforce – India Best to Make Good Shortages – Win-Win for Both

Since the war with Ukraine, Russia is grappling with a major labour shortage in its industrial hubs and plans to bring in up to one million foreign workers, including Indians. The shortfall could widen to 3.1 million workers by 2030, says the Russian Ministry of Labour. To address the gap, the ministry wants to increaseContinue reading “World Needs Skilled Workforce – India Best to Make Good Shortages – Win-Win for Both”

Putin Visit – Significant Outcomes – Global Signalling of Reinforced Strategic Autonomy

As the world remains mired in wars, sanctions, and Trump tariffs, India and Russia played cool and moved substantially forward on constructive engagement in multiple disciplines. Bonhomie and mutual respect was displayed when Prime Minister Modi received President Putin at the base of the aircraft ladder and then drove him in his “made-in-India” Toyota Fortuner while Putin’s high security, specially flown-in, “Aurus Senat limousine” remained standing by. Putin’sContinue reading “Putin Visit – Significant Outcomes – Global Signalling of Reinforced Strategic Autonomy”