Page 2 - National Security

NSA Doval speaks to US counterpart Sullivan, discusses global challenges

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held a phone conversation on Friday with his American counterpart Jake Sullivan amid some indication of unease in India-US ties following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Russia. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Doval and Sullivan reiterated the need to work "collectively" to address global challenges to peace and security and further expand the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. It said the two national security advisors agreed to work closely to further advance India-US relations, which are "built on shared values and common strategic and security interests". "They discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral, regional and international concern and forthcoming high-level engagements under the Quad framework to be held in July 2024 and later in the year," the MEA said in a statement. The phone conversation between the NSAs came a day after US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti appeared to be critical of India

Form of war rapidly transforming, need to be ready to accept change: CDS

Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan on Thursday said the form of war is transforming rapidly due to technological advancements and the country's armed forces will have to be ready to accept this change. He made the remarks while addressing a gathering of Army officers, junior commissioned officers (JCOs) and soldiers drawn from 18 Grenadiers to mark 25 years of the battles of Tololing and Tiger Hill fought during the Kargil war in 1999. Tiger Hill top was captured by the Indian Army on July 4, 1999. The 18 Grenadiers battalion played a pivotal role in the Kargil conflict. 'Vijay Diwas' is celebrated on July 26 every year to mark India's victory over Pakistan in the 1999 Kargil war. "People of the country have faith in our capabilities and due to that, we have this immense prestige. The legacy that has been bequeathed to you has been earned by our ancestors. We may not have made a direct contribution but we are reaping its fruits," Gen Chauhan told the gathering. This also ...

Spymaster Ajit Doval reappointed national security adviser: Govt order

His appointment will be co-terminus with the term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi or until further orders, it said

Vietnam confirms arrest of writer Truong Huy San for Facebook post

Authorities in Vietnam announced Friday that they have charged prominent journalist and historian Truong Huy San with violating a national security law because of writing he had posted on Facebook, the website of the newspaper Tuoi Tre and other state media reported. The reports citing the Security Investigation Agency of the Ministry of Public Security said San, better known by his pen name Huy Duc, was charged with abusing the rights of freedom and democracy to infringe upon the interests of the State, the rights and legitimate interests of organizations and individuals. A lawyer, Tran Dinh Trien, was also charged under the same Article 331 of the Penal Code, according to the reports, which said both men were ordered detained for prosecution and that security officials were to carry out searches of their workplaces and homes. The offence is punishable by two to seven years in prison. Trien is a former deputy director of the Hanoi Bar Association who has been involved in many ...

Modi 'playing with' national security by bringing in Agnipath scheme: Cong

The Congress on Monday accused the Modi government of "playing with" national security and the future of the youth, and asserted that the military recruitment scheme would be scrapped when it comes to power at the Centre. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the Agnipath scheme is the contribution of the "outgoing prime minister". "This is playing with national security and the future of the youth. Before Agnipath, about 75,000 youth were recruited (annually) into the armed forces and now that has been reduced by one-fourth," Ramesh said in a video statement posted on X. He said that under the Agnipath scheme, training is given to the youth for six months and they are told to go and take on China and Pakistan at the borders. Ramesh recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's June 2020 statement, which the Congress describes as a "clean chit of China", and claimed that it had reduced India's negotiating power. "We should remember that the three chiefs of the army, navy and air

DoT to telecom operators: How much of legacy gear is non-trusted?

Considers US-like 'rip & replace' scheme to help telcos shift to 'trusted sources' to ensure national security

TikTok faces ban in US: Which countries have banned the app and why?

National security, data privacy and 'protecting youth from being misled' are among reasons cited

Continue co-op for countering misuse of information tech by terrorists: NSA

India will continue cooperation for countering misuse of information and communication technologies by terrorists and criminals, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval said on Wednesday as he called for international cooperation for an open, stable, secure, reliable and inclusive framework for ensuring information security. Speaking at a plenary session on Ensuring Information Security in the Polycentric World in St Petersburg, Doval underscored India's policy to use digital technology for inclusive economic development. Doval emphasised that India shall continue cooperation for countering misuse of information and communication technologies by terrorists and criminals, as also for countering terror funding. In that context, the UN Convention on cybercrime will be an important initiative at the international level, he said. He called for international cooperation for an open, stable, secure, reliable and inclusive framework for ensuring information security. Doval, who participated a

Nationhood comes from common sense of history, vision of future: NSA Doval

Nationhood is constituted by people who share a "common sense of their history" and a "common vision of their future", National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said as he released an 11-volume book series that charts different phases of the history of ancient India and its accomplishments. Addressing a gathering at the launch event here on Tuesday, the NSA said, "People who have got a different sense of history, 'if my hero is your villain', you and I cannot make a nation." Describing India as a "civilisation of antiquity" and "civilisation of continuity" spanning thousands of years, Doval also said that it was a "paradox" that the narrative that has been brought is that probably, "the first chapter about Indian history in any western, this thing... is that it starts with Alexander". After releasing the series 'History of Ancient India', published by Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) and Aryan Books, he said it consists of scholarly papers contributed by a "large body of ...

Hong Kong passes anti-dissent law, to come into effect from March 23

Hong Kong lawmakers passed a new national security law on Tuesday that grants the government more power to quash dissent, widely seen as the latest step in a sweeping political crackdown that was triggered by pro-democracy protests in 2019. The legislature passed the Safeguarding National Security Law during a special session Tuesday. It comes on top of a similar law imposed by Beijing four years ago, which has already largely silenced opposition voices in the financial hub. Hong Kong's Legislative Council, which is packed with Beijing loyalists following an electoral overhaul, expedited the process. Since the bill was unveiled on March 8, a committee held daily meetings for a week, following an appeal by Hong Kong leader John Lee to push the law through at full speed. The law threatens stringent penalties for a wide range of actions authorities call threats to national security, with the most severe including treason and insurrection punishable by life imprisonment. Lesser ...

NSA Ajit Doval, Netanyahu discuss war in Gaza, humanitarian assistance

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel on Monday to discuss regional developments and the urgent need to address the issue of humanitarian assistance in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and updated him on recent developments in the fighting in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli Prime Minister posted on X from his official handle. The sides also discussed the effort to release the hostages and the issue of humanitarian assistance, he said. Doval also met his Israeli counterpart Tzakhi Hanegbi, who was also present during the meeting with Netanyahu. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been constantly in touch with the important leaders in the region, such as the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan, and is actively involved in discussions to promote peace and stability in the region. India has supported efforts to provide necessary humanitarian assistance to the ...

US to investigate national security risks posed by Chinese-made smart cars

Citing potential national security risks, the Biden administration says it will investigate Chinese-made smart cars that can gather sensitive information about Americans driving them. The probe could lead to new regulations aimed at preventing China from using sophisticated technology in electric cars and other so-called connected vehicles to track drivers and their personal information. Officials are concerned that features such as driver assistance technology could be used to effectively spy on Americans. While the action stops short of a ban on Chinese imports, President Joe Biden said he is taking unprecedented steps to safeguard Americans' data. "China is determined to dominate the future of the auto market, including by using unfair practices," Biden said in a statement Thursday. "China's policies could flood our market with its vehicles, posing risks to our national security. I'm not going to let that happen on my watch." Biden and other officials noted that China has impose

India, Oman hold strategic dialogue; discuss trade pact, Red Sea situation

India and Oman have discussed various aspects of their strategic ties and reviewed the regional developments including the security situation in Gaza and the Red Sea at a high-level dialogue in Muscat. In the ninth India-Oman strategic dialogue, the two sides noted that discussions on signing of a comprehensive economic partnership agreement were progressing and that its early finalisation would benefit both nations. Deputy National Security Adviser Vikram Misri represented India at the dialogue on Monday, people familiar with the matter said. The strategic dialogue was held in a frank and constructive manner and both sides held discussions on various issues of regional and bilateral concern, they said. The two sides discussed the regional security situation resulting from the Gaza conflict, including in the Red Sea, the people said. There have been mounting global concerns over Houthi militants attacking various cargo vessels in the Red Sea and other strategic waterways in the re

Security can neither be outsourced nor dependent on others' largesse: Army

The security of the nation can neither be outsourced nor be dependent on the "largesse" of others, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande said on Saturday, asserting that becoming self reliant in critical military hardware will be essential to deal with future challenges. In an address at a defence conclave, he said weaning away from import dependencies for capability development requirements of the Army remains pivotal in its strategic planning to be "future ready". "As the guardians of the nation's security, we are seized of the need to completely wean away from import dependencies for our capability development requirements. This aspect remains pivotal in our strategic planning to be future ready," he said. The COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing conflicts world over have shown the impact of external dependencies for critical military components, the Army chief said at the Firstpost Defence Summit. "Technology is emerging as the new strategic arena of geopolitical competitions. The impact of

Haryana Police backtracks on invoking NSA against Ambala farm leaders

The Police have urged farmers to cooperate with the authorities in maintaining law and order

Defence ministry approves proposal to buy 15 maritime aircrafts: Report

The move will give a boost to Centre's push for 'make in India' initiative in a bid to promote self-reliance in the defence sector and overall economic growth

Lloyd Austin urges Senate to pass National Security Bill 'immediately'

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin urged the Senate to pass the national security bill immediately to invest in America's national security, which will further bolster its deterrence in Indo-Pacific

Decision to limit LNG export threatens national security: US lawmakers

The recent decision to limit the export of US Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) threatens the country's national security, economy, and clean energy goals, a bipartisan group of nearly two dozen lawmakers told President Joe Biden. With forthcoming European Union sanctions expected to block all Russian gas imports, the importance of offsetting lost supplies will only grow. "Moreover, global demand for natural gas is projected to grow for many years to come, as key allies in Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, and India continue to grow their economies. Put simply, stability in the West depends on American energy exports, a group of 23 Congressmen wrote in a letter to Biden. In the letter dated February 5, Congresswoman Carol Miller and her fellow Energy Export Caucus co-chairs led a bipartisan letter to Biden to voice their concern on the Administration's decision to limit the export of LNG. The letter highlights how the Department of Energy's proposed plan threatens the United States' national

Hong Kong begins public consultation to implement national security law

Hong Kong begun public consultation on Tuesday on enacting its own national security law, beginning a process to implement legislation that for years was widely opposed by residents who feared the erosion of their civil liberties. Beijing imposed a national security law on Hong Kong in 2020 and a crackdown on dissent followed. Many of the city's leading pro-democracy activists have been arrested, silenced or forced into self-exile. Dozens of civil society groups have been disbanded, and outspoken media outlets like Apple Daily and Stand News have been forced to shut down. Both the Hong Kong and Beijing governments have hailed the law for restoring stability after the massive pro-democracy protests in 2019. But the Basic Law, Hong Kong's mini-constitution, requires the city to enact its own national security law. I want to say that legislation for Article 23 of the Basic Law is something that we need to do and have to do as soon as possible because it is our constitutional ...

Delhi police takes stock of security arrangements ahead of Republic Day

Ahead of Republic Day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the Republic Day parade camp organised by the National Cadet Corps in the national capital on Saturday