Author: News Desk

India and Russia are expected to conduct detailed negotiations in the coming weeks regarding the potential supply of long-range air defence systems, sources close to the matter have told idrw.org. The primary focus of these talks will be on procuring two to three additional S-400 Triumf regiments and replenishing missiles used in previous operations. Exploratory Discussions on S-500 Systems While the S-500 Prometheus system has not yet been exported to any country, discussions about it are slated for the upcoming meetings. Sources indicate that no immediate contract is likely; the talks will largely serve to gauge Russia’s willingness to supply the…

For a week, fishing boats have stayed away from the seven-metre-long Sankhumugham coast as the area has transformed into a high-security naval arena. Residents are stunned to see warships and submarines stationed offshore, an unexpected sight after the rebuilt beach reopened. A massive lineup including 19 warships, a submarine, 4 fast interceptor crafts, and 32 aircraft, such as P8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft, MiGs, and Hawks, will participate in today’s exercise marking Navy Day, celebrated on December 4 to honour Operation Trident (1971). President Droupadi Murmu, the chief guest, will witness the grand display before returning to Delhi tomorrow. Southern Naval Command Chief Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena…

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Israel’s leading defence manufacturer, is the sole remaining contender for the Rs 8,000-crore contract to supply six mid-air refuelling aircraft to the Indian Air Force. The company has confirmed its willingness to comply with India’s 30 per cent ‘Make in India’ mandate for the project. Commitment to Local Content Yehuda Lahav, Executive Vice President of IAI, stated that while he could not comment on where the aircraft modifications would take place, the company is fully aligned with India’s local content requirements. “In any programme where we consider ourselves a candidate, we are ready to comply,” he…

Vizhinjam International Seaport, developed by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone in partnership with the Government of Kerala, has completed its first year of commercial operations with results that have caught the attention of the entire maritime world. In a span of just twelve months, the port has carved out a reputation as one of India’s most advanced deep-water gateways, earning the tag Wonder Port of India for the pace at which it has scaled up and the records it has set. What stands out is how quickly Vizhinjam has matched global performance standards. It became the fastest Indian port…

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal attended the 54th UAE National Day celebrations held in Delhi on Monday, highlighting the strong partnership between India and the United Arab Emirates. He emphasized that both nations are working toward the “shared prosperity of their people.” Shared Vision for the Future Speaking at the event, Goyal noted that India’s long-term vision of Vikasit Bharat 2047 aligns closely with the UAE’s national plan, ‘We the UAE 2031.’ He described this alignment as a reflection of the growing collaboration and mutual understanding between the two countries. Strengthening Educational Ties Goyal also pointed to the expanding cooperation…

The Union government’s decision to have smartphone makers pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app has sparked significant debate, with critics warning that it could be used for surveillance. Cybersecurity experts have weighed in on what the app can realistically achieve in combating telecom fraud and where challenges remain in protecting users. Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia clarified that installing the “fraud reporting” app would be optional for users and can be removed from devices. The Ministry explained that the move aims to protect citizens from purchasing counterfeit handsets and to make reporting suspected misuse of telecom resources easier. Opposition leaders, however,…

The Adani Group is preparing a major push in its aviation business with a plan to invest around 15 billion dollars to expand the total passenger capacity across its airports to 200 million a year over the next five years, according to people familiar with the discussions. This large expansion drive comes as the company gears up for the public listing of its airport division and aims to tap into the rapid growth of India’s air travel market. The strategy includes new terminals, additional taxiways, and a fresh runway at the Navi Mumbai airport, which is scheduled to open on…

Cooperation Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday that the government is preparing to introduce a new ride-hailing mobility platform called Bharat Taxi, built to reduce the dependence of the country’s commercial drivers on private aggregators. In his written reply to the Lok Sabha, he explained that the app will be operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd, a multi-state cooperative society registered under the MSCS Act 2002 on June 6, 2025. He noted that the plan is to create a cooperative-driven digital mobility system that gives drivers more freedom and control instead of keeping them tied to private companies. According to…

Vietnamese EV manufacturer VinFast has announced that its new 7-seater electric MPV, the Limo Green, will enter the Indian market by February 2026, expanding the company’s footprint beyond the VF6 and VF7 SUVs. The launch marks VinFast’s entry into India’s premium people-mover EV segment, an area expected to grow significantly as both families and fleet operators shift toward larger electric vehicles. The Limo Green is designed as a full-electric MPV with a three-row 2+3+2 seating layout, offering comfortable space for seven passengers. Globally, the model is equipped with a 60.13 kWh lithium-ion battery pack paired with a front-mounted electric motor producing approximately 201–204 bhp and 280 Nm of torque. Depending on…

The Ministry of Tourism has signed a non-commercial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Netflix Entertainment Services India to promote Indian tourism destinations worldwide through cinematic storytelling, the government told Parliament on Monday. Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat explained that the MoU will highlight India’s natural landscapes, cultural heritage, and historic sites, including locations in Gujarat. The partnership aims to leverage visual storytelling and on-screen representation to draw global attention to India’s tourism offerings. Separately, the government provided details on initiatives to promote rural homestays. Under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PMJUGA), 1,000 homestays are being developed to…