Page 4 - External Affairs & Defence Security

MEA debunks fake letter falsely linked to EAM Jaishankar on Rafale deal

The fake letter, falsely attributed to Jaishankar, claimed that details of the Rafale naval aircraft delivery schedule had been leaked and that the disclosure had caused unexpected complications

PM Modi speaks to Trump, calls chat 'warm, engaging'; leaders review ties

The call comes at a time when a US trade delegation, led by Deputy US Trade Representative (USTR) Rick Switzer, is in India to further the trade negotiations

US approves sale of tech worth $686 mn for Pakistan's F-16 fighter jets

The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress about the deal in a letter sent on December 8, kicking off a 30-day review period

Italian Deputy PM Tajani hints at PM Modi's visit to Italy in 2026

When asked about Prime Minister Meloni's chances to visit India, Tajani said that it would be decided post the leaders' meet

India calls for pragmatic engagement with Taliban: Ambassador to UNSC

Harish said India calls on the United Nations and the international community to adopt nuanced policy instruments that help bring sustainable benefits for the people of Afghanistan

PM Modi, Italy's Dy PM review progress on Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029

Tajani, currently on a three-day visit to India, called on PM Modi as part of a wider series of engagements aimed at reinforcing the bilateral partnership across multiple sectors

Netanyahu, PM Modi to meet 'very soon', says Israel PMO after phone call

The much-anticipated trip of the Israeli prime minister would come on the heels of several high-level ministerial visits from both sides

Italian deputy PM Tajani to meet Goyal; talks on India-Italy action plan

Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani will meet commerce minister Piyush Goyal in Mumbai to discuss the India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29,

PM Modi speaks with Netanyahu, discusses strategic partnership

Netanyahu called Modi and shared views on the situation in West Asia

China pushes India-US closer; tariffs, Pakistan strain ties: D Jaishankar

At a Congressional hearing, ORF's Dhruva Jaishankar said China is accelerating India-US coordination, but tensions over tariffs and US-Pakistan engagement weighs on diplomatic momentum

Top Indian arms makers hold meetings in Russia on potential joint ventures

The meetings took place during the first visit of India's defence business leaders to Russia since Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine

India, Brazil sign key naval MoU to boost Scorpene submarine support

According to the Indian Navy, the MoU will enhance life-cycle support, enable experience sharing in maintenance, and strengthen cooperation between government agencies & industry of both nations

India, Brunei hold inaugural joint meeting to boost defence cooperation

The Ministry of Defence said the talks centred on expanding military-to-military exchanges and joint training, strengthening maritime security cooperation

Defence R&D: Parliamentary panel calls for adequate budgetary provisions

The committee said the ministry is adopting emerging technologies of warfare and it has recommended that adequate budgetary provisions for research and development be made available to the armed force

India-US Foreign Office Consultations review trade, defence and tech agenda

India and the US held Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi to review their strategic partnership and discuss trade, defence, technology, energy and Indo-Pacific cooperation, the MEA said

Lockheed Martin 'eyeing' IAF deal, plans co-production facility for C-130J

Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems have been jointly manufacturing C-130J empennages and other aerostructure assemblies in India for the last several years

Russian military transport plane with 7 onboard crashes in Ivanovo region

The An-22 is a heavy transport aircraft used by the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) to transport heavy weapons

'Democracy and Pakistan don't go together: MEA amid Imran Khan protests

Jaiswal, while replying to a query on diminishing democratic institutions in Pakistan, noted that India was following events but would not go into details

Exercise discretion while travelling through China: India to its nationals

"The Ministry of External Affairs would advise Indian nationals to exercise due discretion while travelling to or transiting through China," Jaiswal said

India free to buy oil from sources it considers beneficial: Russia

Speaking after his talks with Prime Minister Modi, the Russian leader assured that Moscow will remain India's reliable energy supplier