Nation

New Delhi: European Union (EU) leaders Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, will be the chief guests at India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations. Every year, India invites global leaders to mark the occasion, underscoring its growing diplomatic engagement. Amid rising concerns over US trade and tariff policies, both sides are expected to sign a long-anticipated free trade agreement (FTA) on January 27. The agreement is seen as a major step to further strengthen bilateral trade, with the EU being India’s largest trading partner. Bilateral trade reached USD 135 billion in FY 2023-24. The three-day visit from January 25 to 27 will see von der Leyen and Costa engaging in high-level discussions to prepare a compreh...

Amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, there are growing concerns that Israel could also be affected if the situation escalates into a conflict. In response, the Indian Embassy in Israel has issued an important advisory for all Indian citizens residing in the country. The embassy has urged Indians to remain vigilant and strictly follow all safety instructions issued by Israeli authorities and the Home Front Command. Citizens have also been advised to avoid non-essential travel within the country. For any emergency, the embassy has provided a 24x7 helpline and an email address for assistance: Helpline Numbers: +972-54-7520711, +972-54-3278392 Email: cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in The advisory emphasizes that all Indians in Israel should exercise extreme caut...

New Delhi:A major mishap was narrowly avoided on Thursday at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport when a large iron container struck the engine of an Air India Airbus A350. Reports suggest that the container penetrated the engine, causing significant damage. Fortunately, no other part of the aircraft was affected, and no injuries were reported. Engine Sustains Severe Damage The impact caused severe damage to the aircraft’s engine, which is now undergoing repairs. Airport authorities confirmed that the incident was contained without further complications. Flight Returns Due to Technical Glitch In a separate incident, Air India Flight AI 2380, bound for Singapore, returned to Delhi shortly after takeoff due to a suspected technical malfunction. Acting on the crew’s precautio...

New Delhi:Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Thursday announced that the Indian Army is evolving into a ‘Future-Ready Force’, designed not only to tackle present-day challenges but also to prepare for the wars of tomorrow. Speaking to the media on the occasion of the Army Day parade, he emphasized that the transformation focuses on creating highly trained soldiers, modernised systems, and capabilities for multi-domain operations. Embracing Technology to Empower Soldiers General Dwivedi clarified that technological advancements in the army are intended to enhance soldiers’ capabilities, not replace them. “Technology increases efficiency, but it cannot substitute human judgment and skill,” he said. Highlighting the importance of agility, he noted that smaller, well-coordinate...

New Delhi:The severe winter chill continues to grip Delhi-NCR and much of northern India. On Friday, 16 January, residents of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan will continue to experience harsh cold waves, while hilly regions of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir are likely to see snowfall. Cold Wave Persists in Punjab and Haryana On Thursday, temperatures in parts of Punjab and Haryana dropped near freezing, intensifying the cold wave. According to the Meteorological Department, Hisar recorded the lowest temperature at 0.2°C, around six degrees below the seasonal average. Other areas also faced dense morning fog, significantly reducing visibility. Narnaul recorded a minimum of 1.5°C and Nuh 4.6°C. Kashmir Records Slight Temperature Rise Kashmir ...

New Delhi:India is on the verge of a major leap in air defence capability with the development of an indigenous Anti‑Stealth Radar Grid, a system designed to detect even the world’s most advanced fifth‑generation stealth fighter jets. Defence experts believe this technology could significantly reduce the operational advantage of aircraft such as the US F‑35, Russia’s Su‑57, and China’s J‑35. The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of Mission Sudarshan Chakra from the Red Fort on August 15 last year, aimed at strengthening India’s air defence architecture in response to evolving threats witnessed during recent military operations. While India’s air defence systems have already demonstrated effectiveness, the new radar grid represents a forward‑looking effor...

India is set to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets from France, with a landmark condition that 80% of the aircraft will be manufactured in India. This deal, likely to be finalized during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India, aims to boost India’s air power while promoting domestic defense production. India’s Navy has already signed a contract for 24 Rafale jets. Self-Reliance in Defense ManufacturingThe centerpiece of the $39 billion deal is local production. Indian authorities are negotiating with French officials to ensure that maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities are established in India. This would allow India to service, upgrade, and repair the aircraft domestically, eliminating dependence on France during critical times. Sources indicate that once compon...

During the Cold War, the threat of nuclear conflict between superpowers loomed large. One such moment in history saw the British government preparing a special speech for Queen Elizabeth II, to be delivered in the unlikely event of a nuclear war. Fortunately, the speech was never needed. A Historical Precedent The fear of atomic devastation had haunted the world since the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II. Over the decades, periods of extreme tension between nuclear-armed nations rekindled this fear. By 1983, global apprehension had escalated to a point where Britain readied a public address for its monarch, anticipating a potential nuclear confrontation. The speech, now preserved in the UK National Archives and dated March 4, 1983, was carefully drafted for Queen ...

New Delhi, January 15, 2026 – India’s ties with Pakistan have long been marked by tension, primarily due to cross-border terrorism. Yet, there was a time when India invited the Governor-General of Pakistan as the Chief Guest at its Republic Day celebrations—a historical episode that is largely forgotten today. Malik Ghulam Muhammad: A Brief Profile The year was 1955, and the guest in question was Malik Ghulam Muhammad, then Pakistan’s Governor-General. This was a formative period for India, as it sought to establish its democratic institutions and ceremonial traditions. Malik Ghulam Muhammad had strong administrative links with India. An alumnus of Aligarh Muslim University, he served under the British administration as a chartered accountant and worked in the Indian Railway Accou...

New Delhi, January 15, 2026 – India’s concern over the ongoing protests and political unrest in Iran has intensified, given the country’s strategic importance as a gateway to Central Asia and the vital connectivity offered by the Chabahar port. Experts warn that any sudden political upheaval in Iran could directly affect India’s trade routes, diplomatic leverage, and security, while providing opportunities for Pakistan and China to gain a strategic edge. Iran’s Strategic Significance for India Historically, India’s relationship with Tehran has been pragmatic rather than ideological, rooted in geography, trade, and regional balance. With Pakistan blocking India’s overland access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, Iran has served as India’s primary western corridor. The development of th...