1==> NSG is based on consensus and China is it's member state.
2==> China considers India and Pakistan on the Same level...and is in the intrest of what they call "Strategic Balance in South Asia"
3==> China will NEVER allow India to be a Member and Pakistan to be Neglected...
4==> Among the 48 members it is Unlikely that all of them will support Pakistan.....
5==> As long as Pakistan won't get in.....simply India won't get in.
6==> Moreover China will simply not allow any new selection criteria which Pakistan cannot fulfil.
7==> China isn't a banana republic...they will get a few smaller states to vote it's way so that it is not seen as being the sole objection.
Note: An option India could excersise is giving the Chinese, Assured Construction Conrtacts for their Nuclear Reactors in India... So that the Chinese have a Financial Incentive....But that seems Unlikely....
Saturday, 31 December 2016
Friday, 30 December 2016
US sanctions Pakistani companies related to missile program
n 15th December, the US Department of Commerce issued an update to its Entity List, adding seven entities in Pakistan which appear to be linked to Pakistan’s missile programme.
The move by the BIS End User Review Committee follows close scrutiny of Pakistan’s nuclear and missile programmes prompted, in part, by a report published by Project Alpha in November. That report had identified most of the entities that were added to the US list on the 15th December as well as up to a dozen more front companies procuring illicit goods on behalf of Pakistan, including front companies thought to act on behalf of the newly designated entities.
The timing of the move is noteworthy. With little over a month to go until the inauguration of President Trump, it is possible that the Obama administration acted to list these entities foreseeing a window in which the move would not necessarily hamper US diplomatic ties with Pakistan. While there are signs that Pakistan is discontent with the US action, the Pakistani government will wish to start fresh with the Trump administration regardless.
It is also notable that the US appears to have focused these additions around entities involved in Pakistan’s missile programme. Given that Pakistan earlier this year applied to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group, any move by the US to designate entities connected to Pakistan’s nuclear programme would likely be taken as an overtly political act by the outgoing Obama administration.
The entities sanctioned the US are noted below.
- Ahad International
- Engineering Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
- National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM)
- Air Weapons Complex (AWC)
- Maritime Technology Complex (MTC)
- New Auto Engineering (NAE)
- Universal Tooling Services
The US announcement can be found here:
Thursday, 29 December 2016
Wednesday, 28 December 2016
Indian artillery gun shines in trials, to be displayed on Republic Day
After 18 years of having failed to buy a towed artillery gun from the global arms market, top army generals are finally reassured that their most worrying operational shortfall will soon be met from within India.
This belief comes after a week of successful “engineering trials” of the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), from December 13-20, at the Defence R&D Organisation (DRDO) ranges in Balasore, Odisha. Army observers witnessed the trials.
“We are on track in designing and building an international quality gun through the ATAGS project. If it continues like this, India will be a major gun supplier in the world market, instead of a major buyer”, asserts a senior army procurement manager.
The army is usually restrained in its endorsement of on-going DRDO projects.
So pleased is the ministry of defence that it has ordered the two existing ATAGS prototypes to be transported post-haste to New Delhi and displayed in the Republic Day Parade this year.
ATAGS is potentially the DRDO’s biggest indigenous project, aiming to meet the army’s need for more than 2,000 towed artillery pieces in the coming decade, generating indigenous manufacture for over Rs 30,000 crore.
Conceived and designed by the DRDO’s Armament R&D Establishment, Pune (ARDE), the gun is mostly built by two private firms. The lion’s share has been won by Tata Power (Strategic Engineering Division), which has built one prototype. The Kalyani Group has built a second prototype.
Development of the ATAGS system has been divided into nine “work packages”, with each package competitively tendered within India. The Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) won the tender to manufacture gun barrels, along with forgings giant, the Kalyani Group.
Other private companies have won roles too. Mahindra Defence Systems will make the recoil system along with Tata Power SED, while Punj Lloyd will make the muzzle brake. During full-scale manufacture, an entire eco-system of smaller Tier-2 and Tier-3 suppliers is expected to come up.
At first look, ATAGS appears similar to the Bofors FH-77B – the famous “Bofors gun” that India bought 410 of in the 1980s. In fact, the ATAGS, a 155-millimetre, 52-calibre gun-howitzer (guns fire at low angle, howitzers at high angle, while ATAGS does both) is significantly bigger than the 155-millimetre, 39-calibre Bofors.
155-millimetres is the “bore” of the gun, or the width of the gun barrel. Calibre relates to barrel length; the higher the calibre, the longer the barrel, and the longer its range. A third parameter is chamber size, which determines how large a projectile can be fired from the gun, and therefore how much damage a round can inflict on the target.
While most globally available 155-millimetre guns, including the French Nexter and Israeli Elbit guns the military has evaluated, have a chamber capacity of 23 litres, ATAGS will have a 25-litre chamber. That would let it fire more high explosive onto the target with each round.
In addition, that makes the ATAGS’s range noticeably higher, especially while firing “extended range full bore” (ERFB) ammunition, with which the range goes up to an astonishing 45 kilometres.
The ATAGS is the world’s only gun with a six-round “automated magazine”, which lets it fire a six-round burst in just 30 seconds. Most other 155-mm, 52-calibre guns have three-round magazines, which must be reloaded after firing three rounds.
Since most casualties are caused by artillery in the initial burst of fire, when enemy soldiers are caught in the open (and not after they dive into their trenches), a high “burst fire” capability is an important attribute.
The ATAGS specifications also require it to fire 60 rounds in 60 minutes in the “sustained fire” mode.
Another first in the ATAGS is its all-electric drive, which replaces the comparatively unreliable hydraulic drives in other towed guns. The ATAG’s all-electric drive operates its automated mechanisms: ammunition handling, opening and closing the breech, and ramming the round into the chamber.
These enhanced performance attributes have increased the weight of ATAGS to 16 tonnes, a couple of tonnes heavier than comparable towed guns. The army is willing to accept a heavier gun that delivers significantly better performance.
Notwithstanding the army’s enthusiasm, the ATAGS faces a stiff regimen of trials before entering service. In June, “range and accuracy trials” will be conducted to evaluate its accuracy and its effect on the target. Its performance will be evaluated in varying terrain conditions, like deserts, plains, mountains and high altitude; both in summer and winter. The gun’s mobility, and that of the Ashok Leyland tractor that tows it, will also be evaluated. Maintenance evaluation trials (MET) will follow.
Traditionally, indigenous weapon projects have been dominated by the DRDO. In ATAGS, however, the DRDO functions as a project manager and concept designer, while private firms handle much of the systems development. With the workload thus shared, the project is expected to escape the delays that have bedevilled past projects that were exclusively handled by an overloaded DRDO.
A look at the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS)
Designed by DRDO, built mainly by private industry
1,500 – 2,000 guns needed by army
Rs 15-18 crore per gun, total cost about Rs 30,000 crore
ATAGS is a 155-millimetre, 52-calibre gun-howitzer
45-kilometre range with “extended range” ammunition
Fires six rounds in 30 seconds, fastest in the world
World’s first towed gun with all-electric drive
Weighs 16 tonnes, 2-3 tonnes heavier than comparable guns
Fires 60 rounds in 60 minutes in “sustained fire” mode
25-litre chamber for larger projectile
India needs about 200-250 Rafale fighter jets to maintain edge, says IAF Chief Arup Raha
NEW DELHI: Outgoing IAF chief Arup Raha on Wednesday made it clear that just 36 Rafale fighter jets would not suffice as India needs about 200-250 more fighters to maintain its combat edge over adversaries.
The Air Chief Marshal, who is set to retire on December 31, also rued that the tender for the much needed "force multiplier" mid air refuellers had to be withdrawn. He said a fresh tender is in the offing and the procurement will be speeded up.
Underlining that the teeth of any air force is the combat fleet, Raha said that the country needs another production line besides the Tejas.
He explained that the strength sanctioned by the government is 42 squadrons "which was a numerical value. He said what is needed "is also a capability mix".
Raha said India has enough of heavy weight fighters - the Su30 MKI- which will last for another 30-40 years. He said the light weight spectrum would be served by the 123 Tejas light combat aircraftordered by the IAF.
Terming Rafale as an excellent aircraft, Raha said it comes in the medium weight spectrum.
"It is tremendously capable in all its role. It is a multi-role aircraft and can be used very effectively. It can prove its worth in any situation," Raha said.
"But we have just ordered 36 aircraft and we require more aircraft in this middle weight category to give entire spectrum of capability," he said.
Raha said a void has been created in the past because of obsolescence and many of the squadrons will be past their use-by date.
"We have already used them for four decades plus. It is time to retire them and get new aircraft," he said adding this void has to be filled up quickly and 36 Rafale aircraft "will not do as we require much more".
"Over the next 10 years, we must have 200-250 aircraft. It has to be balanced out. In the heavy weight spectrum, we have enough. But in the medium weight category, we need to have more. Yes, about 200 will be very good," he said.
India and France finally signed the Rafale deal on September 23 this year, over a year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the deal during his Paris visit in April 2015.
The planes, equipped with latest weapons and tailored for Indian needs, will be delivered to the IAF between September 2019 and April 2022.
The IAF currently has 33 fighter squadrons, against the sanctioned 42.
Raha also rued that IAF's Russian-origin Ilyushin-78 tanker fleet was plagued by maintenance problems and more midair refuellers were a "strategic requirement" to extend the range of fighter planes.
IL-78 fleet had served the IAF well but its availability for missions has been less due to maintenance problems. India floated a global tender for six midair refuellers in 2007 but it has been scrapped twice in the final stages.
"Sadly, there have been some problem areas in the acquisition. A new tender will be out soon," Raha said.
The air chief said the terrorist attack on the Pathankot air base and the An-32 crash in which 29 people were killed were "the worst memories of my career".
"We have flown in the fighter fleet 40,000 hrs, more than last 10 years due to better serviceability. We have done an average night flying of 27 per cent which was less earlier," he said speaking about the achievements under his tenure.
The Air Chief Marshal, who is set to retire on December 31, also rued that the tender for the much needed "force multiplier" mid air refuellers had to be withdrawn. He said a fresh tender is in the offing and the procurement will be speeded up.
Underlining that the teeth of any air force is the combat fleet, Raha said that the country needs another production line besides the Tejas.
He explained that the strength sanctioned by the government is 42 squadrons "which was a numerical value. He said what is needed "is also a capability mix".
Raha said India has enough of heavy weight fighters - the Su30 MKI- which will last for another 30-40 years. He said the light weight spectrum would be served by the 123 Tejas light combat aircraftordered by the IAF.
Terming Rafale as an excellent aircraft, Raha said it comes in the medium weight spectrum.
"It is tremendously capable in all its role. It is a multi-role aircraft and can be used very effectively. It can prove its worth in any situation," Raha said.
"But we have just ordered 36 aircraft and we require more aircraft in this middle weight category to give entire spectrum of capability," he said.
Raha said a void has been created in the past because of obsolescence and many of the squadrons will be past their use-by date.
"We have already used them for four decades plus. It is time to retire them and get new aircraft," he said adding this void has to be filled up quickly and 36 Rafale aircraft "will not do as we require much more".
"Over the next 10 years, we must have 200-250 aircraft. It has to be balanced out. In the heavy weight spectrum, we have enough. But in the medium weight category, we need to have more. Yes, about 200 will be very good," he said.
India and France finally signed the Rafale deal on September 23 this year, over a year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the deal during his Paris visit in April 2015.
The planes, equipped with latest weapons and tailored for Indian needs, will be delivered to the IAF between September 2019 and April 2022.
The IAF currently has 33 fighter squadrons, against the sanctioned 42.
Raha also rued that IAF's Russian-origin Ilyushin-78 tanker fleet was plagued by maintenance problems and more midair refuellers were a "strategic requirement" to extend the range of fighter planes.
IL-78 fleet had served the IAF well but its availability for missions has been less due to maintenance problems. India floated a global tender for six midair refuellers in 2007 but it has been scrapped twice in the final stages.
"Sadly, there have been some problem areas in the acquisition. A new tender will be out soon," Raha said.
The air chief said the terrorist attack on the Pathankot air base and the An-32 crash in which 29 people were killed were "the worst memories of my career".
"We have flown in the fighter fleet 40,000 hrs, more than last 10 years due to better serviceability. We have done an average night flying of 27 per cent which was less earlier," he said speaking about the achievements under his tenure.
Formula for new NSG members leaves Pakistan out: US group
WASHINGTON: A draft proposal for accepting new members into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) paves the way for India’s entry but leaves Pakistan out, says a US-based arms control organisation.
The Arms Control Association (ACA), Washington, also warns that relaxing membership rules will undermine non-proliferation.
Last week, the US media reported that Rafael Mariano Grossi, a former chairman of the NSG, had prepared a two-page document, explaining how a non-NPT state, like India and Pakistan, could join the group. Mr Grossi was acting on behalf of the current chairman, Song Young-wan of South Korea, and his document enjoys a semi-official status.
To prevent India from blocking Pakistan from joining the NPT, Mr Grossi’s draft note proposes that “one non-NPT member state should reach an understanding not to block consensus on membership for another non-NPT member state”.
But ACA’s executive director, Daryl Kimball, warns that “Pakistan still has grounds to object to the formula outlined by Mr Grossi”. He explains that the document will require Pakistan to meet the same criteria for membership as India “but, to engage in civil nuclear trade with NSG states, it would have to win a separate NSG exemption from the full-scope safeguards requirement”.
The 48-nation NSG is a nuclear technology control organisation formed in 1975 in response to India’s first nuclear weapon test, which used plutonium produced with nuclear technology from Canada and the United States. The NSG seeks to prevent similar future misuses.
Current NSG membership rules require a state to sign the nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) before joining this exclusive club. India remains one of only three countries, with Israel and Pakistan, never to have signed the NPT.
Earlier this year, India formally applied for membership and was followed by Pakistan. The United States, and a host of other powerful western nations, back India’s application, but China and half a dozen other nations are blocking India’s membership, which requires a consensus of all members.
India had hoped to join the group during NSG’s last plenary session, held in Seoul in June this year, but the meeting ended without taking any decision on New Delhi’s application.
Several countries expressed concerns over India’s entry because it had not yet signed the NPT. China led the efforts to block India’s membership.
After the plenary, the new chairman asked Mr Grossi to work out a proposal for admitting new members. The proposal he prepared also addressed the India-Pakistan dispute, acknowledging that both countries had “political reasons” for blocking each other’s membership.
But Mr Kimball points out that Grossi’s formula allows India to claim that it has already undertaken the steps necessary for membership, “which could then lead to a decision on membership for India, while still leaving Pakistan in a different status”.
The proposal requires a non-NPT state to declare that it has brought into force a clear and strict separation of current and future civilian nuclear facilities from non-civilian nuclear facilities and is willing to apply this principle to future facilities as well.
The new member also needs to assure NSG that it has provided and maintains a declaration to the IAEA that identifies all current and future civilian nuclear facilities.
The applicant also needs to assure NSG that it has enforced a safeguards agreement with the IAEA covering all declared civilian facilities and all future civilian facilities which the IAEA determines are eligible for safeguards.
===============================================================
The Arms Control Association (ACA), Washington, also warns that relaxing membership rules will undermine non-proliferation.
Last week, the US media reported that Rafael Mariano Grossi, a former chairman of the NSG, had prepared a two-page document, explaining how a non-NPT state, like India and Pakistan, could join the group. Mr Grossi was acting on behalf of the current chairman, Song Young-wan of South Korea, and his document enjoys a semi-official status.
To prevent India from blocking Pakistan from joining the NPT, Mr Grossi’s draft note proposes that “one non-NPT member state should reach an understanding not to block consensus on membership for another non-NPT member state”.
But ACA’s executive director, Daryl Kimball, warns that “Pakistan still has grounds to object to the formula outlined by Mr Grossi”. He explains that the document will require Pakistan to meet the same criteria for membership as India “but, to engage in civil nuclear trade with NSG states, it would have to win a separate NSG exemption from the full-scope safeguards requirement”.
The 48-nation NSG is a nuclear technology control organisation formed in 1975 in response to India’s first nuclear weapon test, which used plutonium produced with nuclear technology from Canada and the United States. The NSG seeks to prevent similar future misuses.
Current NSG membership rules require a state to sign the nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) before joining this exclusive club. India remains one of only three countries, with Israel and Pakistan, never to have signed the NPT.
Earlier this year, India formally applied for membership and was followed by Pakistan. The United States, and a host of other powerful western nations, back India’s application, but China and half a dozen other nations are blocking India’s membership, which requires a consensus of all members.
India had hoped to join the group during NSG’s last plenary session, held in Seoul in June this year, but the meeting ended without taking any decision on New Delhi’s application.
Several countries expressed concerns over India’s entry because it had not yet signed the NPT. China led the efforts to block India’s membership.
After the plenary, the new chairman asked Mr Grossi to work out a proposal for admitting new members. The proposal he prepared also addressed the India-Pakistan dispute, acknowledging that both countries had “political reasons” for blocking each other’s membership.
But Mr Kimball points out that Grossi’s formula allows India to claim that it has already undertaken the steps necessary for membership, “which could then lead to a decision on membership for India, while still leaving Pakistan in a different status”.
The proposal requires a non-NPT state to declare that it has brought into force a clear and strict separation of current and future civilian nuclear facilities from non-civilian nuclear facilities and is willing to apply this principle to future facilities as well.
The new member also needs to assure NSG that it has provided and maintains a declaration to the IAEA that identifies all current and future civilian nuclear facilities.
The applicant also needs to assure NSG that it has enforced a safeguards agreement with the IAEA covering all declared civilian facilities and all future civilian facilities which the IAEA determines are eligible for safeguards.
===============================================================
Indian Defence News [View All Articles] India will not allow export of the FA-18 Super Hornet to Enemy Countries - Claws Under Review
India will not allow export of the FA-18 Super Hornet to Enemy Countries - Claws Under Review
Boeing’s decision to manufacture advanced medium combat aircraft, Super Hornet in India, has run into a fresh hurdle with issues over their export.
Michael Koch, who is Boeing’s President for Defence, Space and Security in India, told BusinessLine that the aircraft maker is committed to producing Super Hornets in India. “The Super Hornets will be built in India in a world class advanced manufacturing facility with the very latest technologies in place, perfectly positioning India to build its Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA),” he said.
But sources in the Defence Ministry said the issue of exporting the fighter jets manufactured here remains a key question which needs to be answered for the project to take off.
“One needs to understand that in India, the government is the buyer. And it can buy only so much. So, if a company is setting up a plant to manufacture these planes here then after a point their production will halt. They have to look for exporting them to other countries,” the official said requesting anonymity.
The official also added that even if there are plans of shipping these planes, there will be riders coming along with it because India cannot have these jets to be shipped to the “enemy countries”.
With the most advanced technologies, designed in stealth and a robust capability growth plan, the Super Hornet offers advanced multi-role attack fighter capability that is suited to meet the needs of the Indian Air Force.
Koch pointed out that the Super Hornet not only has a low acquisition cost, but it costs less per flight hour to operate than any other tactical aircraft in US forces inventory. That includes single engine fighters, which many would incorrectly assume are cheaper to operate. “The lethality of the Super Hornet is as game changing, as it is versatile. The Super Hornet fighter is the most advanced fighter being considered,” he said.
Koch also said that Boeing’s business strategy has a dual focus in India – firstly, to provide a winning platform to our military customers, with reliable and fuel-efficient products, underscored by life-cycle support services; and secondly, to create an eco-system for the aerospace industry in India, through partnerships with local companies.
“Going forward, you will see Boeing deepening its presence in India and continue to strengthen its partnerships with Indian companies to align with the government’s Make in India vision.”
Significant portions of the Apache and Chinook helicopters will be made in India. While the Bengaluru-based Dynamatic Technologies manufactures the ramp and pylon for the CH-47 Chinook helicopter in India, Boeing last year also announced a joint venture with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) to manufacture aerostructures for aircraft.
“Boeing also sees future opportunities for providing additional P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft, aircraft refuelling tankers and weapons such as Harpoon missiles, unmanned systems and services and support,” Koch said.
He said Boeing has maintained its delivery schedules all along. For example, 10 C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlifter aircraft to the IAF were delivered on schedule in 2013 and 2014. With the 10 deliveries, India became the largest international operator of the C-17. Boeing also delivered all eight P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft to the Indian Navy by the end of 2015, all on time and budget.
Michael Koch, who is Boeing’s President for Defence, Space and Security in India, told BusinessLine that the aircraft maker is committed to producing Super Hornets in India. “The Super Hornets will be built in India in a world class advanced manufacturing facility with the very latest technologies in place, perfectly positioning India to build its Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA),” he said.
But sources in the Defence Ministry said the issue of exporting the fighter jets manufactured here remains a key question which needs to be answered for the project to take off.
“One needs to understand that in India, the government is the buyer. And it can buy only so much. So, if a company is setting up a plant to manufacture these planes here then after a point their production will halt. They have to look for exporting them to other countries,” the official said requesting anonymity.
The official also added that even if there are plans of shipping these planes, there will be riders coming along with it because India cannot have these jets to be shipped to the “enemy countries”.
With the most advanced technologies, designed in stealth and a robust capability growth plan, the Super Hornet offers advanced multi-role attack fighter capability that is suited to meet the needs of the Indian Air Force.
Koch pointed out that the Super Hornet not only has a low acquisition cost, but it costs less per flight hour to operate than any other tactical aircraft in US forces inventory. That includes single engine fighters, which many would incorrectly assume are cheaper to operate. “The lethality of the Super Hornet is as game changing, as it is versatile. The Super Hornet fighter is the most advanced fighter being considered,” he said.
Koch also said that Boeing’s business strategy has a dual focus in India – firstly, to provide a winning platform to our military customers, with reliable and fuel-efficient products, underscored by life-cycle support services; and secondly, to create an eco-system for the aerospace industry in India, through partnerships with local companies.
“Going forward, you will see Boeing deepening its presence in India and continue to strengthen its partnerships with Indian companies to align with the government’s Make in India vision.”
Significant portions of the Apache and Chinook helicopters will be made in India. While the Bengaluru-based Dynamatic Technologies manufactures the ramp and pylon for the CH-47 Chinook helicopter in India, Boeing last year also announced a joint venture with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) to manufacture aerostructures for aircraft.
“Boeing also sees future opportunities for providing additional P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft, aircraft refuelling tankers and weapons such as Harpoon missiles, unmanned systems and services and support,” Koch said.
He said Boeing has maintained its delivery schedules all along. For example, 10 C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlifter aircraft to the IAF were delivered on schedule in 2013 and 2014. With the 10 deliveries, India became the largest international operator of the C-17. Boeing also delivered all eight P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft to the Indian Navy by the end of 2015, all on time and budget.
Tuesday, 27 December 2016
Pakistani Cyber crooks Hack Cochin, Trivandrum Airport Website
In a recent development, Pakistani cyber criminals on Wednesday hacked a server containing a 148 domains of Indian airport websites including Cochin and Trivandrum.
The perpetrators have been identified as Kashmiri Cheetah of Pak Cyber Attackers. After numerous physical attacks in the Kashmiri region, Pakistan has now decided to target India digitally as well.
While the identity of the hackers remains blurred, it is clear that the attackers belong across the border. One key reason why the attackers chose airport websites can be for extracting crucial information about flights, which can lead to compromising consequences.
Not only flight details, but the hackers can also hack the websites to mine information about the individual airports - from logistics to facilities - which can potentially disclose decisive details to the state's enemies.
So the attack - although on the digital front - is a risk for all the citizens who may take flights in future.
India's weak cybersecuirty infrastructure has been criticised time and again by noted security experts from the country. India ranks among the top 10 countries, with a large number of cyber crimes, ranging from online harassment to fraud, and even spying.
Although the financial sector has been a prime target for foreign hackers, they are also eyeing government and other sensitive websites to mine information and use it to attack the nation.
It is about time, India refocuses on setting up stringent anti-hacking teams to counter these attacks or at least track them. IT firm Nasscom had earlier said that India lacks cyber security personnel to the tune of 50,000, which is a significant number.
While this is not the first time hackers from across the border have attacked government websites, but this particular attack on airport websites should be taken seriously, as it can lead to a multitude of risks.
source-Times Now
China calls for 'strategic balance' in South Asia after Agni-V test-firing
Without referring to Pakistan, China on Tuesday advocated “preserving the strategic balance and stability in South Asia,” after India successfully test-fired Agni-V ballistic missile.
“China always maintains that preserving the strategic balance and stability in South Asia is conducive to peace and prosperity of regional countries and beyond,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying in response to a question.
Without going into details during her regular press briefing, Ms. Hua also signaled that there are restrictions imposed by the UN Security Council on India for developing missiles carrying nuclear weapons.
“We have noted reports on India's test-firing of Agni-V ballistic missile. The UN Security Council has explicit regulations on whether India can develop ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons,'' she observed.
Agni V , with a range above 5000 km, can carry a payload of 1.5 tonnes, three times the minimum weight of an atomic warhead. It is also more survivable to a counterstrike, as it is mounted on a TATRA truck, which imparts mobility to the weapon-system. Missiles having nuclear warheads launched from fixed silos can be more easily targeted.
The spokesperson stressed that India and China, as emerging economies, were not rivals but partners, following media reports from India and Japan.
“We also notice reports, including some from India and Japan, speculating whether India made this move to counter China. They need to ask the Indian side for their intention behind the move. On the Chinese part, China and India have reached an important consensus that the two countries are not rivals for competition but partners for cooperation as two significant developing countries and emerging economies,” she said.
Ms. Hua pointed out that “China is willing to work alongside regional countries, including India, to maintain the long-lasting peace, stability and prosperity of the region.”
She added, “We also hope that relevant media can report in an objective and sensible manner and do more things to contribute to the mutual trust between China and India and regional peace and stability.”
Military exercise with China will not change ties with India: Nepal
Military exercise with China will not change ties with India: Nepal
Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal has been performing a balancing act between India and China, but Kathmandu’s proposed first joint military exercise with Beijing early next year has triggered considerable unease in New Delhi.
The decision discomfits India as it seeks to put a rocky patch in relations with Nepal during the tenure of K P Oli behind it and look forward to a new chapter with Prachanda at the helm.
Nepal’s ambassador to India Deep Upadhyay sought to play down the significance of the exercise named ‘Pratikar’, and said the military engagement would be on a very “small scale” and that there was nothing for India to be worried about. “There’s really not much in it,” Upadhyay said.
We have done similar exercises with some other countries, too, in the past to be able to deal with the Maoists, Nepal’s ambassador to India Deep Upadhyay told TOI. Whichever way you look at it, Nepal has a special relationship with India and that’s not going to change because of any such exercise.
The exercise is meant to help Nepal with counter-terror operations. India, however, has been conducting such anti-terror joint exercises annually with Nepal for a decade. Nepal’s deciding to go ahead with a similar exercise with China is likely to add another layer of complexity to India’s ties with both Nepal and China, not discounting Prachanda’s efforts to restore Nepal’s ties with India after he took over from Oli.
According to the foreign ministry, India's defence ties with Nepal comprise military educational exchanges, joint exercises, and supplies of military stores and equipment. That's not all though. Military ties between the two countries are so inextricably intertwined that over 32,000 Nepalese Gorkhas continue to serve in Indian Army and Nepal is home to over 1.2 lakh ex-servicemen - and their dependants - who draw pension from India.
The news about Nepal's proposed joint exercise comes only a month after the visit to Nepal by Indian Army chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag. His trip was meant to build upon the warmth in ties since Prachanda took over and also to assure Nepal that India remained committed to capacity-building of Nepal's army.
Reacting to the development on Nepal's military engagement with Beijing, China's Global Times warned India on Monday that it was neither realistic nor possible for India to always regard Nepal as its backyard and put pressure on Sino-Nepalese cooperation.
"If the Sino-Nepalese joint military exercise is implemented, this will enhance bilateral relations. Security cooperation can strengthen mutual trust and promote bilateral cooperation. In the future, Nepal and China may establish normalised and institutionalised security framework. Meanwhile, the Sino-Nepalese relationship can set a good example for surrounding countries, thus further enhancing China's cooperation with countries in South Asia,'' it said in an op-ed piece.
While the article argued China's security ties with Nepal were not aimed at any third country, Indian officials said China's military links with Nepal do not really help India at a time when the government is struggling to check Chinese presence in the disputed Gilgit-Baltistan region in POK as part of its economic corridor with Pakistan. Despite having publicly maintained that it wasn't acting against India's interests, Beijing has shown little regard for the government's concerns over the corridor which passes through Indian territory.
The decision discomfits India as it seeks to put a rocky patch in relations with Nepal during the tenure of K P Oli behind it and look forward to a new chapter with Prachanda at the helm.
Nepal’s ambassador to India Deep Upadhyay sought to play down the significance of the exercise named ‘Pratikar’, and said the military engagement would be on a very “small scale” and that there was nothing for India to be worried about. “There’s really not much in it,” Upadhyay said.
We have done similar exercises with some other countries, too, in the past to be able to deal with the Maoists, Nepal’s ambassador to India Deep Upadhyay told TOI. Whichever way you look at it, Nepal has a special relationship with India and that’s not going to change because of any such exercise.
The exercise is meant to help Nepal with counter-terror operations. India, however, has been conducting such anti-terror joint exercises annually with Nepal for a decade. Nepal’s deciding to go ahead with a similar exercise with China is likely to add another layer of complexity to India’s ties with both Nepal and China, not discounting Prachanda’s efforts to restore Nepal’s ties with India after he took over from Oli.
According to the foreign ministry, India's defence ties with Nepal comprise military educational exchanges, joint exercises, and supplies of military stores and equipment. That's not all though. Military ties between the two countries are so inextricably intertwined that over 32,000 Nepalese Gorkhas continue to serve in Indian Army and Nepal is home to over 1.2 lakh ex-servicemen - and their dependants - who draw pension from India.
The news about Nepal's proposed joint exercise comes only a month after the visit to Nepal by Indian Army chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag. His trip was meant to build upon the warmth in ties since Prachanda took over and also to assure Nepal that India remained committed to capacity-building of Nepal's army.
Reacting to the development on Nepal's military engagement with Beijing, China's Global Times warned India on Monday that it was neither realistic nor possible for India to always regard Nepal as its backyard and put pressure on Sino-Nepalese cooperation.
"If the Sino-Nepalese joint military exercise is implemented, this will enhance bilateral relations. Security cooperation can strengthen mutual trust and promote bilateral cooperation. In the future, Nepal and China may establish normalised and institutionalised security framework. Meanwhile, the Sino-Nepalese relationship can set a good example for surrounding countries, thus further enhancing China's cooperation with countries in South Asia,'' it said in an op-ed piece.
While the article argued China's security ties with Nepal were not aimed at any third country, Indian officials said China's military links with Nepal do not really help India at a time when the government is struggling to check Chinese presence in the disputed Gilgit-Baltistan region in POK as part of its economic corridor with Pakistan. Despite having publicly maintained that it wasn't acting against India's interests, Beijing has shown little regard for the government's concerns over the corridor which passes through Indian territory.
Malabar Naval Exercise By India, US, Japan Aimed At Chinese Submarines: Report
Malabar Naval Exercise By India, US, Japan Aimed At Chinese Submarines: Report
The Malabar naval exercise involving the India, US and Japan is designed to "target" PLA (People's Liberation Army) submarines in the East and South China Seas and to back America's Asia-Pacific rebalance strategy, a Chinese media report claimed today.
"Such a large-scale military exercise was obviously designed to target China's submarine activities in the East and South China Seas in recent years, promote the US rebalance to the Asia-Pacific and cement the US presence in the region," an article in state-run Global Times said.
"Washington brought New Delhi and Tokyo into the exercise to relieve its pressure due to overstretched military presence around the globe and tighten its grip on the Asia-Pacific region," the article said.
Highlighting comments by Vice Admiral Joseph P Aucoin, commander of the US Seventh Fleet stating that India, Japan and the US are set to focus their next round of Malabar exercise on anti-submarine warfare, it said the drills aimed at jeopardising peace in the East China Sea region "so as to distract China's attention from the South China Sea and disturb the political landscape in the Asia-Pacific".
The Malabar exercise started in 1992 with the navies of US and India in the Indian Ocean. Since Japan joined in 2007, it has alternated between the West Pacific and the Indian Ocean.
In June, the three countries held their largest-ever joint exercise which involved 11 vessels and 8,000 personnel.
The article said Japan wants to become a permanent member of the exercise to enhance its military cooperation with the US and find a solution to its dispute with China over islands in the East China Sea.
"India hoped to enhance the anti-submarine capability of its navy that has tracked at least six Chinese submarines in the Indian Ocean region," it said quoting reports, adding "India also wants to disrupt China's military deployment in the East China Sea through these exercises".
Japan, which has participated in the exercise five times, also attached great importance to the Malabar 2016.
It used the exercise to enhance the anti-submarine capability of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force and spy on China's military deployment in the waters, it said.
"However, the anti-submarine warfare of the US, Japan and India won't make them succeed in countering China as China has significantly improved its technologies in ballistic missile submarines and attack submarines. And with the development of multi-dimensional operations, merely elevating anti-submarine capability won't enable these countries to contain China," the article said.
"The Malabar exercise has always been led by the US, with Japan and India being just partners with varied purposes. This will cripple the actual effects of the exercise. In fact, this kind of exercise is unlikely to impair China's presence in the East China Sea, except for flaring up tensions in the waters and producing frictions," it said.
"Such a large-scale military exercise was obviously designed to target China's submarine activities in the East and South China Seas in recent years, promote the US rebalance to the Asia-Pacific and cement the US presence in the region," an article in state-run Global Times said.
"Washington brought New Delhi and Tokyo into the exercise to relieve its pressure due to overstretched military presence around the globe and tighten its grip on the Asia-Pacific region," the article said.
Highlighting comments by Vice Admiral Joseph P Aucoin, commander of the US Seventh Fleet stating that India, Japan and the US are set to focus their next round of Malabar exercise on anti-submarine warfare, it said the drills aimed at jeopardising peace in the East China Sea region "so as to distract China's attention from the South China Sea and disturb the political landscape in the Asia-Pacific".
The Malabar exercise started in 1992 with the navies of US and India in the Indian Ocean. Since Japan joined in 2007, it has alternated between the West Pacific and the Indian Ocean.
In June, the three countries held their largest-ever joint exercise which involved 11 vessels and 8,000 personnel.
The article said Japan wants to become a permanent member of the exercise to enhance its military cooperation with the US and find a solution to its dispute with China over islands in the East China Sea.
"India hoped to enhance the anti-submarine capability of its navy that has tracked at least six Chinese submarines in the Indian Ocean region," it said quoting reports, adding "India also wants to disrupt China's military deployment in the East China Sea through these exercises".
Japan, which has participated in the exercise five times, also attached great importance to the Malabar 2016.
It used the exercise to enhance the anti-submarine capability of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force and spy on China's military deployment in the waters, it said.
"However, the anti-submarine warfare of the US, Japan and India won't make them succeed in countering China as China has significantly improved its technologies in ballistic missile submarines and attack submarines. And with the development of multi-dimensional operations, merely elevating anti-submarine capability won't enable these countries to contain China," the article said.
"The Malabar exercise has always been led by the US, with Japan and India being just partners with varied purposes. This will cripple the actual effects of the exercise. In fact, this kind of exercise is unlikely to impair China's presence in the East China Sea, except for flaring up tensions in the waters and producing frictions," it said.
Modi's Global Push :: How 'Brand India' was promoted internationally in 2016
Modi's Global Push :: How 'Brand India' was promoted internationally in 2016
In 2016, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India continued to enlarge its foreign policy options and generally pursue the goal of raising the country's international profile.
Over the year India exhibited more self-confidence in dealing with challenges, showed more assertiveness in defending its interests, and displayed far more flexibility in exploring compromises on issues of global concern.
Diplomacy ::
The consolidation of the India-US relationship continued in 2016.
Modi met Barack Obama five times during the year. The invitation in June to address the US Congress signified growing bi-partisan support for the India-US relationship.
Modi worked constructively with the US on climate change negotiations, leading to the Paris Agreement.
Defence ties with the US continued to expand, with additional equipment orders, the signing of the awkwardly named Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement and India's designation as a Major Defence Partner of the US.
India's push for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) in 2016 led by Modi himself failed because of China's opposition and lack of adequate US effort in a body founded by it in response to India's 1974 nuclear explosion.
India, however, obtained membership of the Missile Technology Control Group during the year.
In 2016, India continued to grapple with the difficulty of finding a balance between dealing with China as a security threat and as an economic partner.
Modi engaged Chinese president Xi Jinping three times in 2016 - at the SCO, G-20 and BRICS summits.
Despite this, the atmosphere of India-China relations deteriorated.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, China's persistent opposition to India's NSG membership and blocking the designation of Masood Azhar of the Jaish-e- Mohammed (JeM) as an international terrorist by the relevant UN Security Council Committee hardened negative perceptions in India about China.
As part of this dynamic, India disregarded China's position on maritime issues in the South China Sea and in joint statements with the US, Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia underlined the need to show utmost respect to UNCLOS in addressing them.
To increase its political space in dealing with China, India allowed the Karmapa to visit Tawang in November and, earlier, the US ambassador in Delhi in October.
The Dalai Lama's planned visit to Arunachal Pradesh in March 2017 was announced.
The invitation to him to attend a Rashtrapati Bhawan event this month was a signal to China that it should not expect only one side to show sensitivity to the core concerns of the other.
At the same time, the economic engagement of China continued with growth in Chinese investments in the country.
Terrorism ::
With Pakistan relations acquired a new confrontational edge in 2016 with Islamabad- sponsored terrorist attacks against the Pathankot airbase in January and against Army units in Uri (September) and Nagrota (November).
Following the killing of Burhan Wani in July, Pakistan chose to fuel disturbances in J&K, with Nawaz Sharif lauding him as a martyr and fulminating against India at the UNGA.
India decided to create more space for itself by changing the nature of its traditional response to Pakistani provocations.
Modi alluded to the Baloch issue in his Independence Day speech, which was unprecedented.
He created another point of pressure by announcing our intention to exercise India's full rights under the Indus Waters Treaty.
The publicly announced 'surgical strikes' by India across the LoC in response to the Uri attack was intended to upset Pakistani calculations about past Indian reactions to such provocations.
Over the year India exhibited more self-confidence in dealing with challenges, showed more assertiveness in defending its interests, and displayed far more flexibility in exploring compromises on issues of global concern.
Diplomacy ::
The consolidation of the India-US relationship continued in 2016.
Modi met Barack Obama five times during the year. The invitation in June to address the US Congress signified growing bi-partisan support for the India-US relationship.
Modi worked constructively with the US on climate change negotiations, leading to the Paris Agreement.
Defence ties with the US continued to expand, with additional equipment orders, the signing of the awkwardly named Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement and India's designation as a Major Defence Partner of the US.
India's push for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) in 2016 led by Modi himself failed because of China's opposition and lack of adequate US effort in a body founded by it in response to India's 1974 nuclear explosion.
India, however, obtained membership of the Missile Technology Control Group during the year.
In 2016, India continued to grapple with the difficulty of finding a balance between dealing with China as a security threat and as an economic partner.
Modi engaged Chinese president Xi Jinping three times in 2016 - at the SCO, G-20 and BRICS summits.
Despite this, the atmosphere of India-China relations deteriorated.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, China's persistent opposition to India's NSG membership and blocking the designation of Masood Azhar of the Jaish-e- Mohammed (JeM) as an international terrorist by the relevant UN Security Council Committee hardened negative perceptions in India about China.
As part of this dynamic, India disregarded China's position on maritime issues in the South China Sea and in joint statements with the US, Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia underlined the need to show utmost respect to UNCLOS in addressing them.
To increase its political space in dealing with China, India allowed the Karmapa to visit Tawang in November and, earlier, the US ambassador in Delhi in October.
The Dalai Lama's planned visit to Arunachal Pradesh in March 2017 was announced.
The invitation to him to attend a Rashtrapati Bhawan event this month was a signal to China that it should not expect only one side to show sensitivity to the core concerns of the other.
At the same time, the economic engagement of China continued with growth in Chinese investments in the country.
Terrorism ::
With Pakistan relations acquired a new confrontational edge in 2016 with Islamabad- sponsored terrorist attacks against the Pathankot airbase in January and against Army units in Uri (September) and Nagrota (November).
Following the killing of Burhan Wani in July, Pakistan chose to fuel disturbances in J&K, with Nawaz Sharif lauding him as a martyr and fulminating against India at the UNGA.
India decided to create more space for itself by changing the nature of its traditional response to Pakistani provocations.
Modi alluded to the Baloch issue in his Independence Day speech, which was unprecedented.
He created another point of pressure by announcing our intention to exercise India's full rights under the Indus Waters Treaty.
The publicly announced 'surgical strikes' by India across the LoC in response to the Uri attack was intended to upset Pakistani calculations about past Indian reactions to such provocations.
Sunday, 25 December 2016
More Than 2000 Indian Peacekeepers Are Serving Without Bulletproof Jackets In War-Torn Sudan
More Than 2000 Indian Peacekeepers Are Serving Without Bulletproof Jackets In War-Torn Sudan
The United Nations has red-flagged an alarming lack of life protecting equipment available with Indian peacekeepers, informing India that the ability of troops to undertake operations has been impacted in South Sudan.
Officials familiar with the issue told ET that UN officially informed India in October that its troops stationed there had “inadequate” life-protecting equipment such as bulletproof helmets and jackets. India has about 2,200 troops in South Sudan.
“The situation in South Sudan has been deteriorating. The UN Secretary-General recently went on record that the country is headed for mass genocide. Still, two months later, the situation with our troops remains the same,” an official, who did not wish to be identified, told ET.
As a result, this has apparently affected the number of operations the deployed troops can undertake.
Even before this, the UN had over the last nine months informed India repeatedly that the serviceability of Indian peacekeepers in South Sudan is barely 60% due to the shortages. This against other peacekeepers deployed in the same area that are much better equipped.
However, two months after the matter was brought up it still remains unresolved despite several rounds of consultations between the Defence Ministry and Ministry of External Affairs, with officials saying the safety and reputation of Indian peacekeepers are at stake.
While comments were unavailable from the Defence Ministry, sources said Indian deployment in South Sudan was performing strongly under extreme conditions as compared to other troops, pointing to a recent UN special investigation that blamed Chinese and Nepalese troops for abandoning posts and failing to help aid workers under attack.
“We must recognise that Indian forces are performing well operationally. There have been no complaints on that front,” said a South Block official.
The Indian Army has also been facing shortages of life-saving bulletproof jackets and helmets at home as well, with orders placed for 50,000 jackets only in March this year — a seven year gap when the requirement was first raised in 2009. Even now the jackets ordered are against the full requirement of 1,86,138 that were needed by the Army till 2017.
Originally Published in the Times Of India
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)