Chief of Defence of France, General (Air) Fabien Mandon, called on Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi on Monday to review the progress of bilateral defence cooperation and discuss ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between India and France. During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the India–France defence relationship, with a renewed emphasis on defence industrial cooperation. The discussions focused on enhancing collaboration through co-design, co-development and co-production of defence platforms and technologies, in line with India’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The two leaders also reviewed ongoing defence engagements and explored avenues…
Author: Digital Desk
As part of their orientation and familiarisation programme, newly commissioned Young Officers of the Assam Regiment visited the Headquarters Assam Rifles in Churachandpur district to gain firsthand exposure to the operational environment, traditions and ethos of the country’s oldest paramilitary force. The visit commenced with a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the War Memorial, where the officers paid homage to the brave martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. During the visit, the Young Officers interacted with senior Assam Rifles personnel and Ex-Servicemen, gaining valuable insights into the force’s operational legacy, leadership philosophy and core values. The…
Assam Rifles organised an Educational Exposure Tour to Cherrapunjee and Shillong, Meghalaya, for 25 students of the second batch of the Subedar K.B. Chhetri, Kirti Chakra (NIEDO) Centre of Excellence, Ghaspani, from 14 to 17 July 2026. The initiative was aimed at broadening the students’ perspectives through experiential learning while exposing them to the educational, cultural and natural heritage of Meghalaya. A major highlight of the tour was an interaction with Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera, AVSM, SM, Director General Assam Rifles, who encouraged the students to pursue academic excellence with discipline, dream ambitiously and contribute meaningfully towards nation-building. His address…
The Indian Army, under the White Knight Corps, rescued 11 civilians, including five children, stranded at different locations in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district after heavy rainfall triggered flash floods. The rescue operations were carried out in close coordination with the Jammu & Kashmir Police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the civil administration. The first rescue mission was launched after nine civilians, including five children, were reported stranded across a flooded Nala near Churung village, south of Thanamandi. Army troops responded immediately, navigating strong currents and adverse weather conditions to safely evacuate all those trapped. In a separate operation,…
The Indian Air Force (IAF) will commence its participation in Exercise Pitch Black 2026 at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Darwin from July 20. The biennial multinational air combat exercise, hosted by the RAAF, will continue until August 7 and brings together air forces from across the Indo-Pacific and beyond for complex air combat and large-force employment missions. The IAF contingent comprises pilots, engineers, technicians, air traffic controllers and other specialists. India has deployed its Rafale multirole fighter aircraft for the exercise, supported by the C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlifter and the IL-78 air-to-air refuelling aircraft in combat…
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah inaugurated the first phase of the Museum of Word in Kolkata on Saturday, describing it as a landmark initiative to preserve India’s linguistic heritage and promote the country’s cultural renaissance. The event was attended by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta, the Union Home Secretary, the Union Culture Secretary, the Director of the Intelligence Bureau, and several other dignitaries. Addressing the gathering, Shah said the museum gives tangible expression to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of cultural renaissance by showcasing the evolution of language and its role…
The Indian Army successfully conducted its 39th Annual Recruiting Conference (ARC) on July 16 and 17 in Bengaluru, during which senior officials deliberated on key recruitment policies aimed at strengthening the Army’s future recruitment framework. Addressing the conference, Director General of Recruiting Lt Gen R.S. Sundaram, SM, VSM, commended all participants for their valuable contributions to the success of the event. He underscored that recruitment forms the foundation of the Indian Army’s future strength and operational readiness. Lt Gen Sundaram also highlighted the Army’s continued focus on a transparent, technology-driven, inclusive, efficient and future-ready recruitment process. Expressing confidence in the…
Indian Railways is set to usher in a new era of sustainable transportation with the launch of India’s first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell-powered train on July 17. The train will commence operations on the Jind–Sonipat section of Northern Railway, placing India among a select group of nations—including Germany, Japan, China and the United States—exploring hydrogen-powered rail technology. Developed entirely in India under the technical guidance of the Research, Design & Standards Organisation (RDSO), the project is a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to promote clean energy, strengthen self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat, and support the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The…
The Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent has arrived in Australia to participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2026, one of the world’s premier multinational air combat exercises. The biennial exercise will bring together air forces from 19 nations, providing a strategic platform to enhance interoperability, strengthen operational coordination and improve combat readiness among participating forces. The IAF will deploy its advanced Rafale fighter aircraft for the exercise, where it will conduct complex air combat training missions alongside partner and friendly air forces. The participation will provide valuable opportunities for the exchange of operational expertise, tactics and best practices. Exercise Pitch Black…
India and Indonesia have further strengthened their defence cooperation with the operational support extended by Jakarta for the transit of Indian Air Force (IAF) assets participating in Exercise Pitch Black 2026 in Australia. An IAF IL-78 air-to-air refuelling aircraft operated from Juanda Airport in Surabaya, Indonesia, to support the mid-air refuelling requirements of IAF Rafale fighter aircraft transiting Indonesian airspace en route to Darwin, Australia. The deployment marks another milestone in growing military cooperation between the two nations, highlighting enhanced operational coordination and mutual trust between the Indian and Indonesian armed forces. The Embassy of India and IAF personnel expressed…