Indo-Asian News Service

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India-China defence dialogue resumed; border mechanism gets a push

The fourth round of ADD, held after nearly two years, was led by India’s Defense Secretary Shashikant Sharma and Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Deputy Chief of General Staff General Ma Xiaotian. The two sides also discussed defense exchanges for 2012 and agreed to “gradually enhance” the range and scope of their interaction, according to Indian defense ministry officials.

Backpacks key to unmasking suicide bombers’ identity

Through the MSU-led study, researchers obtained DNA from backpacks that had been blown up with pipe bombs inside, and subsequently obtained full DNA profiles that matched all the volunteers who had carried the backpacks for a week. The findings could ultimately change the way law enforcement officials investigate bombings.

Coast Guard to get more funds for 2012-27

The defense ministry informed the Parliamentary Standing Committee that it had prepared a perspective plan for 2007-2022 with an outlay of Rs.49,377.33 crore (about $10 billion) for a 15-year period. But after the Mumbai terror attack, the outlay was now “under revision”, the panel said in its report tabled in parliament Thursday.

Coast Guard regional headquarters for northeast

The new regional headquarters will help protect the environment and safety of life and property in the exclusive economic zone of India extending up to 200 nautical miles from coastal states in the Northeastern region, according to the Parliamentary Standing Committee report on the Coast Guard Organization.

Army considering women officers’ promotion

Army to Supreme Court: Promotions for women officers whose services were restored on the court’s direction under consideration. The women officers, discharged from their service in 2009 when they were due to be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, are now, upon the restoration of their service, working under the officers who were junior to them.

Lt. Gen. S.K. Singh is new army vice chief

Lieutenant General Shri Krishna Singh, the Indian Army’s second senior-most officer, Tuesday took over as the new vice chief, heralding a generational change in the top brass. He is the first officer commissioned after India’s 1971 war with Pakistan to rise to the post.

Antony leaves for Japan to further defense relations

Defense Minister Arackaparambil Kurian Antony Tuesday left for Japan on a daylong visit where he is expected to explore opportunities for furthering the bilateral military relations in global and regional security matters, maritime security, anti-piracy operations, counter-terrorism and humanitarian assistance.