Jodhpur:

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said India’s aim is to unite and move forward with other nations at a time when some countries are at war with each other.

Speaking at ‘Tarang Shakti’ — the largest multilateral air exercise in India underway here — Mr Singh also called upon friendly nations to elevate their partnership and collaboration to new heights in view of the evolving global challenges.

“While countries today are indulging in wars, India aims to unite and move forward together,” he said.

‘Tarang Shakti’ is aimed at enhancing operational coordination among Friendly Countries. Speaking at the event in Jodhpur. https://t.co/UPK6g2N44E

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 12, 2024

Mr Singh’s remarks come in the backdrop of calls for India’s potential role in pushing peace talks between Russia and Ukraine as New Delhi has good relations with both nations The defence minister also noted that India is becoming largely self-reliant in areas like light combat aircraft, sensors, radars, and electronic warfare. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Jammu:

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday that the Pakistan government has called the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as ‘foreigners’ while India considers them as its own citizens.

Addressing an election rally of the BJP in Ramban district of Jammu division, Rajnath Singh referred to the BJP-PDP coalition government and said, “During Mehbooba-led government, we withdrew cases against minors and those who were innocent. But the problem was that the PDP was sympathetic to separatists. I would always tell her to bring the ground situation under control, but she couldn’t. People of J&K are free citizens of India and they have a right to peace and prosperity.

“In contrast to this, in a recent affidavit, the solicitor general of Pakistan has called the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as ‘foreigners’. We don’t call them foreigners. They are our people. Let them come and join us. After a government is formed in J&K, the people of PoK will want to come and join India,” he asserted. He strongly criticised former J&K chief minister and National Conference (NC) vice president, Omar Abdullah for saying Afzal Guru should not have been hanged.

“Omar Abdullah has said Afzal Guru should not have been hanged. I want to ask him did he want Afzal Guru to be garlanded?” Mr Singh queried.

The Union minister said he has come for the first time to Ramban, but the people have given him a warm welcome. “I greet all of you. After 10 years, Assembly elections are being held in J&K. Entire country is watching the outcome of this election. I was in America recently and the Indian diaspora there asked me what would happen in these elections. I told them BJP will form the govt in J&K,” he claimed.

“While coming here, I asked Dr Jitendra Singh about the ground situation and he told me that such a conducive political atmosphere in favour of BJP is far greater than his expectations. In the past, whenever, 2, 6 or 10 per cent voting would take place in Kashmir it would become a big news. 58 per cent voting took place in Lok Sabha elections and in Ladakh it went to 72 per cent,” he added.

“First time, there was an election here which was held without fear and without any partisan consideration. This is a great change for us. The people of J&K are hard-working and talented. If BJP rules J&K for the next 10 years, J&K will be the most prosperous place in India,” Rajnath Singh opined.

“Since Modiji took over as the Prime Minister, our economy has grown from 11th place to become the 5th largest economy in the World. Independent economic surveys and media reports now accept that in 2027 India would be 3rd largest in size after US and China,” he claimed.

“Give an opportunity to BJP to form the government here and we will change the face of this place in 10 years. We have already changed the ground situation in the last 10 years. Even Tazia (Muharram) procession was not allowed in Kashmir and we made this procession take place,” the Union minister said.

“Nobody has the guts today to fire a pistol or hurl a stone at Lal Chowk. Countries need a strong-willed PM and we are fortunate to have one in Modiji. In J&K women were deprived of their rights. We will ensure that West Pakistan refugees, Safaikaramcharis, Valmiki Samaj and others will vote in the Assembly elections. We ensured OBC reservations in Panchayats and urban bodies,” he further claimed.

“PM Modi abrogated article 370 and nobody rose against this. NC manifesto says they will restore 370. Nobody can restore 370 now. For the first time, a G-20 meeting was held in Kashmir Valley. This is called governance. Kashmir was called a terrorism spot, but now it is called a tourism spot,” he said.

He referred to developments in the last 10 years and said that the Muharram procession, railway link, Rs 38000 core worth developmental works, reducing the travel time from Jammu to Srinagar from 14 to 4 hours, 40,000 recruitments in last 5 years.

“Not a single stone pelting incident since 2022. Those youth who had pistols in their hands had rave tablets and laptops. We abrogated 370, if Congress has guts, let them get it back. As long as the BJP is there, no power on earth can bring 370 back,” he asserted.

He also referred to the Parliamentary delegation that went to meet hardline separatist leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani on September 4, 2016. “I was part of the Parliamentary delegation and I told members that the Hurriyat is allergic to the BJP, but if they wanted to go to meet the Hurriyat, they could. When they went to their door, the Hurriyat people shut their door on them,” Rajnath recalled.

He referred to the manifesto and the promises made in that. He said incomplete border fencing will be completed, two free gas cylinders will be provided to families of weaker sections, students of remote areas higher secondary schools will be given free tablets and laptops, Jammu will have a riverfront on Tawi, Ramban and Banihal will have tourist destination areas. Jammu and Srinagar will get Metro services and migrant Kashmiri Pandits will be brought back to the Kashmir Valley with safety and honour. In the end, he appealed to voters to elect BJP candidate, Rakesh Gupta with a huge majority.

J&K will go to the polls in three phases on September 18, September 25 and October 1 while counting will take place on October 8.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir:

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh criticised National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah’s comment on the execution of 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, and asked whether the separatist leader should have been garlanded publicly.

He was addressing a public rally in the Ramban area of Jammu on Sunday, as part of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s campaign for the upcoming assembly polls in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

“I heard that National Conference leader Omar Abdullah Sahab said that Afzal Guru should not have been hanged. I want to ask him that Afzal Guru should not have been hanged; should he have been garlanded publicly? And these people claim that they will restore article 370,” Rajnath Singh said.

In a recent interview with ANI, Omar Abdullah said that he did not believe any purpose was served by “executing” Afzal Guru.

The Defence Minister said that even the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir would like to join India, seeing its massive development. He added that India considers PoK people as their own.

“I ask all of you to form a BJP government in J&K, and after seeing development in J&K, the people of PoK will say that we do not want to stay with Pakistan; we want to go with India,” Rajnath Singh said.

“People in Pakistan consider PoK people as foreigners, but India considers the people of PoK as our own. Come and join us, he added.

Taking a potshot at the opposition parties, he said that the National Conference, with whom the Congress party has formed an alliance, has vowed to restore Article 370 in their election manifesto.

He further asserted that no one has the courage to restore Article 370 and a huge transformation has happened in Jammu and Kashmir, with “not a single incident” of stone pelting being reported.

“No one has the courage to restore Article 370. Jammu and Kashmir, which was earlier known as a terrorism spot, has now become a tourism hotspot,” he said.

“Earlier, many youths in the Kashmir Valley used to have pistols and revolvers in their hands. Go and see the change today, they do not have pistols and revolvers in their hands, instead, you will see laptops and computers. This is a huge change. There has not been a single incident of stone-pelting after 2022. As long as the Bharatiya Janata Party remains in India, no one can restore Article 370,” he added.

Addressing the underprivileged community in the valley, he said earlier the Valmiki community was barred from voting, but now they can exercise their right to vote in the state assembly elections.

The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will undergo its first assembly elections in 10 years, and the first since the abrogation of Article 370.

Polling would be held in three phases: September 18, September 25, and October 1. The counting of votes will take place on October 8.

Congress and the National Conference have announced a pre-poll alliance. However, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is not part of the pre-poll alliance and is contesting on its own.

Omar Abdullah, who lost Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla, is contesting from two constituencies — Ganderbal and Budgam. Former CM Mehbooba Mufti is not contesting the assembly polls. PDP has fielded her daughter Iltija Mufti from the Bijbehara constituency.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today said India is ready to start dialogue with Pakistan if the neighbouring country stops sponsoring terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Mr Singh made the comment at an election rally in the Union Territory’s Ramban district. The BJP has fielded Mohd Saleem Bhat from the Banihal seat in this district.

“If Pakistan do one thing, that is stop giving support to terrorism, who would not like to improve relations with neighbouring countries? Because I know the reality that you can change a friend, but not your neighbour. We want improved relations with Pakistan, but first of all they should stop terrorism,” Mr Singh said at a rally in Banihal.

The Defence Minister said 85 per cent people who were killed by terrorists were Muslims.

“Terror incidents used to be a routine affair in Kashmir. Were Hindus being killed in the terror acts? I have been a Home Minister and I know the highest number of Muslims lost their lives in incidents of terror,” Mr Singh said.

India has long maintained that the normalisation of radical elements in Pakistan has been a part of Islamabad’s state policy. Even a political party backed by 26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed had contested elections in Pakistan. Hafiz Saeed, who is a UN-proscribed terrorist, is the founder of terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

Major terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir had declined after Pakistan was included in the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list. Pakistan had then faced huge worries about securing financial aid from foreign institutions because of its FATF scrutiny.

The FATF had later removed Pakistan from the grey list, though India had said it did not mean Pakistan would no longer be under scrutiny.

Earlier today, the Defence Minister also addressed an election rally in Ramban in support of party candidate Rakesh Singh Thakur.

The BJP’s Mohd Saleem Bhat is pitted against former state Congress chief and ex minister Vikar Rasool Wani, who is looking for a hat-trick from Banihal.

Voting in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases. Counting is on October 8.

With inputs from PTI

The US-India defence relationship is rapidly expanding, adapting to evolving regional and global security demands. This includes safeguarding supply chains, advancing critical and emerging technologies, and enhancing cooperation in cyber, space, and new dimensions of battlespace dominance. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to the US from August 23-26 highlighted these shifts, aiming to bridge bilateral gaps in these critical areas. The visit underscored a clear trend: while major defence deals continue to strengthen traditional security ties, both nations are increasingly emphasising emerging strategic elements to integrate the security partnership with a purposive intent towards making the Indo-Pacific region free and open.

Issues central to joint India-US interests in the Indian Ocean and the security of the Indo-Pacific are being prioritised. India’s increasing role in shaping regional security by ensuring freedom of navigation, now especially as a member of the Combined Maritime Force (CMF), was acknowledged. With India assuming leadership in the Combined Task Force 150 in 2025, stakes for an expanded regional security role have increased for New Delhi.

The Indo-Pacific Arena

As the Indo-Pacific remains central to regional and global security, enhancing partnership in this region is key to shaping a regionally favourable security architecture. Towards this, the visit provided an opportunity for steps in increasing supply chain security as well as enhancing maritime security in the Indian Ocean. Among the highlights was a new agreement to expand and strengthen operational coordination between India and the US by placing Indian liaison officers at US commands. The agreement is a step up for regional security coordination and domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific for India, complementing an earlier initiative to host US officers at the Information Fusion Centre (IFC-IOR) in India. It also overcomes the capacity limitations of India, indeed any country, to solely monitor the vast expanse of the Indo-Pacific on a real-time basis. Beyond the Indo-Pacific, placing Indian liaison officers at the other 10 Combatant Commands could usher new vistas in information sharing.

At the heart of the visit were steps to strengthen the Major Defence Partnership (MDP) and provide fresh momentum to joint production, including the reigniting of the Defense Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI). Under the US-India Roadmap for Defense Industrial Cooperation, an agreement to jointly produce jet engines, unmanned platforms, munitions, and ground mobility systems was signed. Leading up to the third summit of the India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) to be held in September in the US, discussions to expand cooperation in the areas of undersea and space-related collaborations were timely.

What Is SOSA

One of the most significant outcomes of the visit was the signing of the Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA), which makes India the 18th country to enter into this agreement with the US. It reflects a shared long-term vision to seamlessly integrate the defence industrial ecosystems of both nations while safeguarding supply chains from future disruptions. SOSA complements the Major Defense Partnership (MDP) and the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI). Notably, the visit aimed to reinvigorate the DTTI, a co-production initiative launched with high expectations, but that had lost momentum. The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment will host a DTTI meeting in the coming months, bringing together government and private stakeholders from both countries’ defence industries. The DTTI’s primary goal is to integrate the defence industrial bases of the US and India, promoting bilateral co-development, co-production, and co-sustainment efforts.

SOSA strengthens the partnership by establishing guardrails for supply chains between the two countries’ defence industries, which are poised to grow with new co-production and co-development opportunities. Guided by the US Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS), the arrangement provides structural and institutional assurances for defense supplies. India, in turn, is expected to develop a common code of conduct for government and industry stakeholders, prioritizing critical supplies to the US on a voluntary basis. With SOSA in place, working groups will have the framework to communicate more frequently and take proactive steps to ensure supply chain stability in both peacetime and crisis situations.

Diaspora As A ‘Living Bridge’

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s reference to the Indian diaspora in the US as a ‘living bridge’ now resonates within the context of the growing India-US defence relationship. This June marked the first anniversary of the US-India INDUS-X Initiative, which aims to build a defence innovation bridge between the two countries under the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET). By connecting researchers, investors, and defence tech companies from both nations, INDUS-X outlines a strategy to harness private capital for defence innovation.

India and the US are swiftly adapting to the evolving global security landscape, responding to new threat perceptions with increased innovation and cooperation in advanced domains. The second US-India Advanced Domains Defense Dialogue (AD3) held this year underscored the importance of coordination in emerging defence areas, including space, cyber, and artificial intelligence, while identifying critical sub-sectors for potential industrial collaboration.

The Next Goals

The Defence Minister also visited the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Memphis, accompanied by a delegation from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), signalling a potential pathway for co-learning and development. In a boost to India’s Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capabilities, India secured the purchase of sonobuoys from the US in the lead-up to the visit. The acquisition and co-production of General Atomics’ MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft systems and the joint production of GE F414 jet engines in India are the next major goals for both nations.

Rajnath Singh’s visit managed to underline once again that defence is the main driver when it comes to shaping the trajectory of US-India bilateral engagement.

(Harsh V Pant is Vice President for Studies at ORF and Professor at King’s College London. Vivek Mishra is Fellow, Americas, at ORF.)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the authors

New Delhi:

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said that he will be visiting Washington and looks forward to meeting his US counterpart Lloyd Austin. Mr Singh said that he will discuss areas of strategic interests and seek to strengthen defence cooperation between India and US.

Taking to X, Rajnath Singh stated, “Leaving for Washington. India and the United States share a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. Looking forward to meet my friend @SecDef Austin. Will discuss areas of strategic interests, while seeking to strengthen defence cooperation.”

Leaving for Washington. India and the United States share a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. Looking forward to meet my friend @SecDef Austin. Will discuss areas of strategic interests, while seeking to strengthen defence cooperation.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 21, 2024

During his visit, Rajnath Singh will meet the US Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Jake Sullivan.

In a press release, the Ministry of Defence stated, “Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will be undertaking an official visit to the US from August 23 to 26, 2024, on the invitation of the US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin.”

The visit comes as there is a growing momentum in India-US relations and defence engagements at multiple levels.

“The visit is expected to further deepen and broaden the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership,” the release read.

“Rajnath Singh will also chair a high-level roundtable meeting with the US defence industry on the ongoing and future defence collaborations. He will also interact with the Indian community during the visit,” it added.

Earlier on August 17, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma in Delhi and spoke about the continuing momentum in the bilateral ties between the two countries.

Mr Jaishankar and Richard Verma also exchanged views on regional and global issues. Richard Verma served as the 25th United States Ambassador to India. He was nominated by President Obama in September 2014.

In a post on X, S Jaishankar said, “Pleased to meet @DepSecStateMR Richard Verma today in Delhi. Spoke about the continuing momentum in our bilateral ties. And exchanged views on certain regional and global issues.”

On July 29, Mr Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Tokyo at the Quad Foreign Ministers meeting and stated that they had a wide-ranging discussion on regional and global issues.

Taking to X, S Jaishankar said, “Great to catch up with @SecBlinken in Tokyo today. Our bilateral agenda progresses steadily. Also had a wide-ranging discussion on regional and global issues. Look forward to attending the Quad FMM tomorrow.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be on a four-day visit to the US beginning Friday to further boost the comprehensive global strategic partnership between the two countries.

In Washington, Rajnath Singh will hold talks with Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan among others.

India’s plan to procure 31 MQ-9B Predator drones, the proposed joint manufacturing of Stryker infantry combat vehicles and co-production of GE F414 engines in India are likely to figure prominently in Singh’s talks with Austin, officials said today.

“The visit is expected to further deepen and broaden the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership,” the defence ministry said announcing Singh’s trip to the US from August 23 to 26.

“The visit comes in the backdrop of the growing momentum in India-US relations and defence engagements at multiple levels,” it said.

Rajnath Singh will also chair a high-level round-table meeting with the US defence industry on the ongoing and future defence collaborations. He will also interact with the Indian community during the visit.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Chief ministers of BJP-ruled states who participated in the two-day conclave “Mukhyanantri parishad” this week, have been asked not to dilute Central schemes and implement them fully in their character and spirit, as envisaged by the Central government.

States have been asked to work in complete “samanway” or coordination with the Centre, and work together to achieve targets. The Centre’s message of welfare and development should be uniformly reflected in the governance of the states, chief ministers have been told.

The meeting, seen as the first collective introspection exercise by the BJP after the Lok Sabha elections, saw participation from 13 chief ministers and 15 deputy chief ministers. In the recently held Lok Sabha elections, the BJP faced a setback in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Haryana that are ruled by BJP or NDA.

States have been strictly asked to utilise the funds allocated to them, and not make tweaks to them.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has specifically asked Chief Ministers to focus on the complete implementation of schemes, utilisation of funds and also work in tandem with the Centre.

“Central schemes are mindfully drafted to benefit deprived sections… states have been asked not to dilute them, make changes to them, and just implement them on ground with full integrity,” a source said.

The Centre has at least 46 flagship schemes concerning affordable housing to sanitation and free ration, skilling and scholarship that are implemented across the nation.

PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP president JP Nadda and BJP national organisation secretary BL Santhosh took part in the meeting.

Sources said saturation of Centre’s welfare schemes, target of $5 trillion economy, taking development and heritage together were on agenda. Best practices of good governance were also discussed.

Assam’s drive for recruitment for government jobs, UP’s efforts at digitization of rural records, Bihar’s efforts to make coal mining transparent were also discussed.

New Delhi:

Defence minister Rajnath Singh was on Saturday discharged from AIIMS here, two days after he was admitted to the hospital with complaints of back pain, an official said on Saturday.

According to Dr Rima Dada, All India Institute Medical Sciences media cell in-charge, Rajnath Singh was evaluated and treated for back pain. The minister was discharged around 2 pm on Saturday, Dada said.

Rajnath Singh was admitted to the the hospital’s old private ward under the neurosurgery department early Thursday, she said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here on Thursday with complaints of back pain, hospital officials said.

He is stable and under observation, AIIMS media cell in-charge Dr Rima Dada said, adding he is undergoing tests.

The 73-year-old was admitted early in the morning and is in the Old Private Ward, she said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)