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Vsdoc · Dec 19, 2024

India's Diplomatic Move In North Korea Marks Significant Shift In Policy

Besides boosting its ties with Southeast Asian nations, New Delhi has been working silently and cautiously towards its policy in the Korean peninsula.

Written by:
Abhishek Chakraborty
World News
Dec 17, 2024 20:35 pm IST

India's Diplomatic Move In North Korea Marks Significant Shift In PolicyIndia has reopened its Embassy in North Korea as it aims to build on diplomatic ties.

While the world is focused on central and west Asia and the actions of the West vis-a-vis the wars in the Middle East and Europe, India has been looking and acting eastward with its Act East policy. Besides boosting its ties with Southeast Asian nations, New Delhi has been working silently and cautiously towards its policy in the Korean peninsula.

North Korea functions with a great degree of opacity, which in turn, leads New Delhi to also maintain its diplomatic relations with Pyongyang in the shadows, unnoticed and silent from the rest of the world.

In July 2021, India quietly shut its embassy in Pyongyang and Ambassador Atul Malhari Gotsurve along with the entire staff returned to New Delhi via Moscow. Though the Ministry of External Affairs never officially declared the embassy 'closed', when asked by journalists why the entire staff was called back, it said the step was taken due to COVID-19.

Years went by with no update on the diplomatic mission in Pyongyang, and fourteen months ago, Mr Gotsurve was given a new posting as Ambassador to Mongolia.

Another year went by, and then suddenly, earlier this month, India decided to resume normal operations at its embassy in Pyongyang. Within days a team comprising technical staff and diplomatic personnel were dispatched for North Korea. According to a report in The Tribune, the staff has already reached Pyongyang and are in the process of making the mission fully functional.

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The embassy, now shut for more than three-and-a-half years, needs to first undergo a thorough check. North Korea, infamous for its suspicious intelligence-gathering techniques, would mean the staff must first debug the entire embassy building. This, and the delays expected from North Korea's bureaucracy, means that a new Ambassador and the rest of the team might be several months away from joining the initial staff sent.

NORTH KOREA'S GROWING IMPACT

North Korea's strategic importance today is significantly more than it was four years ago - not just for India and Asia, but for the West too. Militarily, North Korea has been steadily growing its nuclear arsenal while also rapidly working on technology such as hypersonic missiles, tactical weapons, short, medium and long-range missiles, among others. For India, it is important to be present in Pyongyang and establish ties such, that such technology does not make its way to Pakistan or its rouge elements.

In the last few years, North Korea has also deepened its ties with Russia, China, and Iran - a growing alliance in Asia which many see as a counter to the Quad - a security and trade grouping comprising US, Japan, India, and Australia. This too is a major priority for India to tackle diplomatically.

While New Delhi already has very strong ties with Moscow, it shares good diplomatic relations with Tehran too. Neighbours India and China - the two most populous nations are also working to iron out differences to see lasting peace in Asia. That leaves Pyongyang - a relationship New Delhi has thus far tread with great caution.

North Korea has also increased trade ties with Russia and has even provided boots on the ground in Ukraine to battle alongside Russian soldiers.

Keeping Pyongyang's growing stature and activity across Asia in mind, New Delhi aims to build on diplomatic ties in accordance with its global outlook and objectives. North Korea thus becomes increasingly important strategically for India and reopening the embassy in Pyongyang is seen as the first step to reestablishing a channel of communication.

Source: India's Diplomatic Move In North Korea Marks Significant Shift In Policy

Big news.

Cheers, Doc

LegionnairE · Dec 19, 2024

Turkish Army Receives GZPT-T1 Armored Personnel Carriers as Part of M113 Service Life Extension Program

armyrecognition.com

Engine, suspension, protection, electronics, weapons, and sensors. Just about everything is upgraded in this version while maintaining amphibious capabilities.

I hope all GZPTs soon get this upgrade.

Dogun18 · Dec 19, 2024

In response to a question regarding the reported upcoming visit of the Japanese Foreign Minister to China and planned talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Chinese FM spokesperson Lin Jian stated on Monday that China values maintaining dialogue and communication with Japan at all levels and in various fields, and is willing to work together with Japan to promote China-Japan relations.

As for the visit, Lin mentioned that he currently has no information to provide.

According to Kyodo News on Saturday, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya is arranging talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on December 25, a Japanese government source close to the matter said, in what will be his first visit to the neighboring country as Japan's top diplomat.

@Jiangnan

Global Times

Krishna with Flute · Dec 19, 2024

India Eyes Customized Two-Seat Variant of Russia’s Su-57 Stealth Fighter for Local Production: Russian Media

India Defense

India's ambition to strengthen its airpower capabilities appears to have taken a significant stride, with Russian media reporting that India is evaluating the potential acquisition of a customized two-seat variant of the Su-57 Felon, Russia’s premier fifth-generation stealth fighter. If materialized, this move would not only enhance India's combat readiness but also signify a deeper Indo-Russian defense partnership.

The Su-57, designed to rival the world's most advanced stealth fighters like the American F-35, is lauded for its superior maneuverability, powerful armament, and advanced stealth technology. What sets this potential deal apart is India’s specific interest in a two-seat configuration—a feature unprecedented in fifth-generation fighter jets.

The Two-Seat Innovation: A Game Changer

The two-seat variant, tailored for Indian requirements, could revolutionize the operational capabilities of stealth fighters. The second cockpit would likely host a weapons systems officer or a trainer, offering advantages in several key areas:

Enhanced Mission Complexity: The second operator can manage electronic warfare, reconnaissance, or complex long-range strike missions, freeing the pilot to focus solely on navigation and combat maneuvers.
Improved Training Efficiency: Trainees could directly experience real-time combat scenarios, making the learning curve for advanced fighter operations significantly steeper.
Flexible Multirole Capabilities: Dual-operator systems could optimize performance in coordinated operations, especially in environments requiring split-second decision-making.

Specifications of the Su-57

The Su-57 boasts state-of-the-art features designed for modern warfare, including:

Stealth Technology: Incorporates composite materials and radar-absorbing coatings to reduce its radar cross-section.
Supermaneuverability: Powered by advanced Saturn AL-41F1 engines, with future models expected to feature the more powerful Izdeliye 30 engines, enabling high agility in dogfights.
Advanced Avionics: Equipped with N036 Byelka radar, which provides enhanced situational awareness and target detection capabilities.
Multirole Armament: Capable of carrying advanced air-to-air missiles, guided bombs, and hypersonic weapons in internal bays to maintain stealth.

Aligning with India’s Strategic Vision

India’s interest in the Su-57 aligns with its overarching goal of modernizing its military infrastructure and achieving strategic autonomy. Recent acquisitions such as the S-400 missile defense system underscore India's willingness to diversify its defense imports. Integrating the Su-57 could complement existing platforms like the Rafale and bolster India’s aerial dominance in the region.

The Su-57’s two-seat variant would not only address India’s immediate tactical needs but also offer a pathway for enhanced technological cooperation with Russia. The "Make in India" initiative could pave the way for localized production, reducing dependency on imports and potentially facilitating the transfer of critical stealth and avionics technologies.

Challenges and Considerations

While the prospect is promising, several hurdles remain. The cost of developing a customized two-seat variant and ensuring technology transfer could be substantial. Moreover, integrating such an advanced platform into India’s Air Force may pose logistical and operational challenges. Another critical aspect is balancing this acquisition with indigenous projects like the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), which remains a cornerstone of India’s fifth-generation ambitions.

A Strategic Leap Forward

The potential acquisition of a two-seat Su-57 variant signifies a bold step in India's quest for cutting-edge airpower capabilities. Whether this deal comes to fruition will depend on the outcome of bilateral negotiations, financial considerations, and alignment with India’s long-term defense goals.

If realized, the deal could set a global precedent, marking the first operational two-seat stealth fighter while cementing India’s position as a dominant player in the realm of advanced military aviation.

Saif · Dec 18, 2024

13 dead, 99 rescued as Indian Navy craft hits ferry

A military helicopter flies over a ferry during a rescue operation after a passenger boat capsized off the coast of India's financial capital Mumbai, India, December 18, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Thirteen persons were killed and 99 rescued yesterday after an Indian Navy craft crashed into a ferry off the coast of Mumbai, the Navy said.

At about 4:00pm, a Navy craft undergoing engine trials lost control and collided with a passenger ferry off Karanja near Mumbai, the Navy said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

The ferry was carrying passengers from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island, a popular tourist destination.

"13 fatalities have been reported so far," it said adding survivors rescued from the incident site were being shifted to nearby hospitals.

The Navy said, "Search and rescue efforts have been immediately launched wherein four naval helicopters, 11 naval crafts, one Coast Guard boat and three marine police crafts have been pressed in action for recovering the survivors."

LegionnairE · Dec 18, 2024

Portuguese Navy Awards Türkiye’s STM Contract to Build Multirole Logistics Support Ships - Naval News

On December 17, 2024, the Portuguese Navy and Türkiye's Defence Industry Presidency signed a contract for the construction of two replenishment vessels for the Portuguese Navy.

www.navalnews.com

We're exporting ships to a NATO/EU Navy for the first time.

Vsdoc · Dec 18, 2024

@Guru Dutt @Krishna with Flute @Bagheera0084 @Dogun18 @Mainerik @Egyptian @Lulldapull

What a pathetic disgusting race of people man.

Ugly from within and without.

You can literally see the disgust in the eyes of the west indians. Some of the most chilled public on earth.

Cheers, Doc

Krishna with Flute · Dec 18, 2024

Indonesia shows interest in collaborating with India in defence tech sector

Indonesia shows interest in collaborating with India in defence tech sector
Indonesia has shown keen interest in collaborating with India in the defence technology domain as Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi held wide-ranging talks with top military brass of the Southeast Asian nation on boosting strategic ties. Ways to forge bilateral collaboration in the area of defence technologies figured prominently in a meeting between Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Admiral Tripathi.

The Navy chief is on a four-day visit to Indonesia from Sunday.

The two sides discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation and various aspects of defence collaboration, including joint exercises, the Indonesian defence ministry said.

It said Admiral Tripathi explained that India is developing indigenous technologies to support the advancement of its Navy and Sjafrie appreciated the rapid progress in the domain.

The minister expressed his "enthusiasm for working together to improve Indonesia's defense technology," it said.

Discussions were held on the expanding India-Indonesia defence relations with a focus on measures to further consolidate maritime cooperation, including operational engagements and joint training initiatives, the ministry said.

In the meeting, Tripathi highlighted potential avenues for defence industrial collaboration between the two sides.

The visit of Admiral Tripathi underscores the strong maritime relations between the two countries conforming to the shared vision in the Indo-Pacific, the Indian Navy said last week.

Indonesia is a key member of the 10-nation ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) grouping.

The overall strategic relations between India and Indonesia have been on an upswing but both sides are of the view that there is huge potential for expansion of the ties.
For more news like this visit The Economic Times.

Dogun18 · Dec 17, 2024

A Uyghur militant group that helped to topple Bashar-al Assad has vowed to take the fight to China. The Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP) threatened Beijing in a video released on Dec 8, the day the Syrian regime collapsed, showing its fighters holding machine guns and wearing military fatigues. “Now here in Syria, in all the cities here, we fight for Allah, and we will continue to do this in our Urumchi, Aqsu and Kashgar in the future,” said one masked man, listing cities in China’s Xinjiang region, from where the Uyghurs hail. “We will chase the Chinese infidels away.”Using the Uyghurs’ preferred name for their homeland, he added: “We have fought in Homs, in Idlib and we will continue the fight in East Turkistan.“Allah has given us a victory here. May he also grant us a victory in our own land.”

Bilal9 · Dec 17, 2024

Dogun18 · Dec 17, 2024

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