The delivery schedule for the S-400 long range air defence systems was on track for the end of 2021 despite the COVID-19 pandemic, a senior defence official said.“The deal is on track and deliveries are expected to begin by November this year,” the official said. Two officials independently stated that efforts were made to speed up the deal but the Russian side had conveyed this was not possible.Two official sources, also speaking independently, dismissed concerns over possible U.S. sanctions on the deal under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), stating this...…The delivery schedule for the S-400 long range air defence systems was on track for the end of 2021 despite the COVID-19 pandemic, a senior defence official said.“The deal is on track and deliveries are expected to begin by November this year,” the official said. Two officials independently stated that efforts were made to speed up the deal but the Russian side had conveyed this was not possible.Two official sources, also speaking independently, dismissed concerns over possible U.S. sanctions on the deal under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), stating this...WW…

In a rare and unusual public statement, the U.S. Navy conceded that it had violated India’s maritime policy by conducting an exercise in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The U.S. Navy said its warship carried out Freedom of Navigation Operation (FONOP) in Indian EEZ.“USS John Paul Jones asserted navigational rights and freedoms approximately 130 nautical miles west of the Lakshadweep Islands, inside India’s exclusive economic zone, without requesting India’s prior consent, consistent with international law,” the U.S. Navy’s 7th fleet said in a statement dated April...…In a rare and unusual public statement, the U.S. Navy conceded that it had violated India’s maritime policy by conducting an exercise in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The U.S. Navy said its warship carried out Freedom of Navigation Operation (FONOP) in Indian EEZ.“USS John Paul Jones asserted navigational rights and freedoms approximately 130 nautical miles west of the Lakshadweep Islands, inside India’s exclusive economic zone, without requesting India’s prior consent, consistent with international law,” the U.S. Navy’s 7th fleet said in a statement dated April...WW…

Amid the crackdown by the military on protesters in Myanmar following the February 1 coup, India is one of the countries that attended the Armed Forces Day parade on March 27, it has been learnt.“As the norm, the Defence Attache at the Embassy would attend the parade. It is so as diplomatic ties are still on with Myanmar,” two official sources independently said, referring to a series of reports that India was one of the countries that had attended the parade.There was no official response on this from the government.According to Nikkei Asia, eight countries — Russia, China, India,...…Amid the crackdown by the military on protesters in Myanmar following the February 1 coup, India is one of the countries that attended the Armed Forces Day parade on March 27, it has been learnt.“As the norm, the Defence Attache at the Embassy would attend the parade. It is so as diplomatic ties are still on with Myanmar,” two official sources independently said, referring to a series of reports that India was one of the countries that had attended the parade.There was no official response on this from the government.According to Nikkei Asia, eight countries — Russia, China, India,...WW…

As the second round of Corps Commander level talks was held on Monday to resolve differences on the disputed India-China boundary, there were reports of a Chinese troop build-up at Pangong Tso in Eastern Ladakh. The first round of Corps Commander talks on June 6 resulted in an important understanding for limited disengagement but the consensus was breached after Indian troops were attacked on June 15 during the “de-escalation” process,, including a Colonel.Also read | |The Monday meeting was held at Moldo on the Chinese side opposite Chushul, a defence source said. The Indian side was...…As the second round of Corps Commander level talks was held on Monday to resolve differences on the disputed India-China boundary, there were reports of a Chinese troop build-up at Pangong Tso in Eastern Ladakh. The first round of Corps Commander talks on June 6 resulted in an important understanding for limited disengagement but the consensus was breached after Indian troops were attacked on June 15 during the “de-escalation” process,, including a Colonel.Also read | |The Monday meeting was held at Moldo on the Chinese side opposite Chushul, a defence source said. The Indian side was...WW…

The armed forces are said to have been given a free hand to assess the situation on the ground along the(LAC) and take appropriate action as required in case of anyfrom the other side, a defence source on Sunday. This was conveyed during a meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with the Chief of Defence Staff and the three Service Chiefs.Also read:“The situation along the LAC and preparedness of the armed forces was reviewed at the meeting. Forces have a free hand to assess the situation and to take action as required. While we don’t want escalation but if it happens by the other...…The armed forces are said to have been given a free hand to assess the situation on the ground along the(LAC) and take appropriate action as required in case of anyfrom the other side, a defence source on Sunday. This was conveyed during a meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with the Chief of Defence Staff and the three Service Chiefs.Also read:“The situation along the LAC and preparedness of the armed forces was reviewed at the meeting. Forces have a free hand to assess the situation and to take action as required. While we don’t want escalation but if it happens by the other...WW…