The Trump administration’s proposed tariff on Indian imports and criticism of its forced labor laws complicates US-India relations, which are marked by diplomatic contradictions amid ongoing trade discussions.
Indian Army’s Lieutenant General VK Saxena emphasizes the significant environmental impact of the Armed Forces’ training activities, particularly through greenhouse gas emissions from equipment and live ammunition, advocating for a shift to simulator-based training to reduce pollution.
General Anil Chauhan’s tenure as Chief of Defence Staff reshaped India’s military structure, emphasizing joint operations, technological self-reliance, and strategic security, aligning with the vision of a robust Viksit Bharat by 2047.
With about 42 Afghan civilians killed by Pakistan’s military strikes at the border and the displacement of an estimated 16,400 households in Afghanistan, a humanitarian crisis is looming at the hands of Islamabad.
A 2021 policy by India’s Ministry of Defence aims to boost simulator-based training in the armed forces, currently underutilized at less than 15%. Increased adoption is essential for cost efficiency and environmental benefits.
Claims by Pakistan that it shot down Indian Air Force (IAF) Rafale fighter jets during a brief but intense aerial standoff have come under sharp scrutiny, with a leading defence analyst arguing that the narrative is riddled with unanswered questions and cannot be used to judge Chinese versus Western military technology.
Field Marshal Asim Munir has shifted Pakistan’s image from an unreliable partner to a vital counterterrorism ally for the U.S., leveraging external relationships to consolidate military power domestically. While this partnership brings financial aid, it perpetuates political oppression and economic hardship for citizens, reflecting a cyclical dependency on foreign patronage rather than genuine progress.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India on December 4-5, 2025, is significant amid shifting geopolitics and India’s strategic recalibration. The focus will be on defence cooperation, particularly concerning the S-400 air defence system. Both nations seek to adapt their partnership while addressing new challenges and pressures from the West.
Pakistan’s military operations in Afghanistan conducted in October 2025 reveal a clear pattern: Militarised approach to foreign policy is indicative of profound domestic crises, including economic vulnerability, political illegitimacy, and institutional decay, rather than serving as a viable resolution to these issues.
The Indian Army’s decision to induct women into the Territorial Army’s Home & Hearth battalions marks a significant step toward gender integration. Initially limited to a small section, this policy allows women to engage in operational roles in counter-insurgency environments, signaling a gradual shift in military norms despite existing restrictions on frontline combat roles.
India’s USD 1 billion deal with General Electric for 113 F404 jet engines marks a significant milestone for the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft program. It aims to enhance the Indian Air Force’s fleet amid declining numbers and supports India’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing, signaling a strong shift towards domestic aerospace capabilities and broader military readiness.
Pakistan’s renewed diplomatic and military outreach to Bangladesh in 2025 masks a deeper strategic motive rather than genuine reconciliation. Decades after the 1971 genocide, Islamabad’s attempts to regain influence in Dhaka highlight opportunism and geopolitical rivalry with India, exposing Pakistan’s self-serving agenda behind its so-called rapprochement with Bangladesh.
The introduction of the Buy (Indian–IDDM) category aimed to promote self-reliance in India’s defense sector. However, a decade later, urgency in procurement, spurred by mechanisms like Emergency Procurement, has diluted original intentions, favoring imports over innovation. Reforms are necessary to ensure genuine support for indigenous defense firms and maintain strategic autonomy.
By N. C. Bipindra for CIHS The Middle East was thrust into a dramatic escalation of hostilities as Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion,” a comprehensive preemptive military campaign against Iranian targets, taking out military and nuclear facilities, on June 13, 2025. The operation, which included airstrikes, cyberattacks, and […]
By N. C. Bipindra As a rookie in journalism three decades ago, the first lesson given to us by our seniors and editors was that ‘Dog bites man is not news, but man bites dog is, and that is a goldmine.’ Many of us, who have transitioned from […]
