
The India-Japan Joint Working Group (JWG) have held preliminary meetings to initiate the process for acquisition of the ShinMaywa US-2i amphibious aircraft for the Indian Navy.
The Indian Army has firmed up dates for a joint exercise with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The exercise will be held from November 04 to November 14 at the Chengdu Military Region in China. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is also expected to visit China towards the end of the year. He may…
South Korea has indicated an interest in joining the Escort Convoy Coordination exercise run by the navies of India, China and Japan to protect merchant shipping in the Gulf of Aden against piracy. The original tri-nation coordination began last January and in the first two instances, the Chinese, and then the Indian navies provided their…
The move marks the official approval for the 13-tonne AC313, Asia’s largest helicopter, to enter the market, said the Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC), which developed and manufactured the helicopter. The company says the AC313 is also world’s first civil helicopter to receive an A-category airworthiness certificate at an altitude of 4,500 meters.
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.
India, which imports nearly 80 percent of its crude consumption, is in the process of creating its own strategic petroleum reserve to cater to potential supply disruptions. But this reserve will require good judgment of India’s leadership for its proper administration and must not become a tool for populism during election year, argues Rajeev Lala.
The pivotal issue is whether Indian and Myanmar leaders would consider according a higher priority to political and strategic dimensions of the relationship.