Lokesh Machines Wins ₹58 Crore Indian Army Contract For FN MAG MOD Kits

Hyderabad-based Lokesh Machines has secured a ₹58.21 crore ($6 million) contract from the Indian Army to supply modification kits for FN MAG 7.62×51mm medium machine guns, marking a major expansion of its role in India’s defence manufacturing program.

This order significantly boosts its order book and aligns with the government’s push for indigenous defence production under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

Lokesh Machines Limited announced that the contract was awarded by the Master General Sustenance Branch of the Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Army). The order is valued at ₹58,20,89,421 inclusive of all duties and taxes. It involves the supply of MOD kits designed to enhance the operational capability of the FN MAG 7.62×51mm medium machine gun, a widely used platform in the Indian Army.

The company clarified that the award does not constitute a related-party transaction and that neither its promoters nor members of the promoter group have any interest in the contract. This transparency underscores the credibility of the deal and its importance for the company’s defence portfolio.

Lokesh Machines has traditionally been engaged in manufacturing special purpose machines, CNC lathes, connecting rods, and machining cylinder blocks and heads.

However, in recent years, it has pivoted towards defence manufacturing, including joint development of the indigenous Asmi machine pistol with DRDO. This latest order demonstrates institutional acceptance of its defence capabilities and marks a milestone in its transition from industrial machinery to defence hardware.

Financially, the company has shown strong growth. For Q4 FY26, Lokesh Machines reported revenue of ₹59.36 crore, a 53.5% year-on-year surge. Net profit rose sharply to ₹2.15 crore compared to just ₹12 lakh in Q4 FY25. The ₹58.21 crore defence contract nearly matches its entire quarterly revenue, providing substantial visibility for future earnings and strengthening its order pipeline.

The MOD kits for FN MAG MMGs are expected to improve reliability, ergonomics, and adaptability of the weapon system, ensuring better performance in diverse operational environments. Such upgrades are critical for the Indian Army, which continues to modernise its small arms inventory to meet evolving battlefield requirements.

The order also reflects the government’s continued emphasis on self-reliance in defence procurement. By awarding contracts to domestic firms like Lokesh Machines, the Ministry of Defence is reinforcing the indigenous manufacturing ecosystem and reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. This programmatic approach is expected to create long-term opportunities for Indian companies in the defence sector.

Lokesh Machines’ successful entry into defence manufacturing highlights the growing role of private industry in India’s strategic programs. Precision engineering, adherence to stringent quality standards, and the ability to deliver complex defence equipment are now central to its business model.

The company is well positioned to benefit from future indigenous defence programs as India expands investments in domestic production.

Agencies

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Skyroot’s Vikram-1 Triumphs On First Orbital Attempt, Outpacing SpaceX’s Three Early Struggles

Skyroot Aerospace has achieved a milestone that has instantly placed India’s private space sector on the global map. On Saturday, the Vikram-1 rocket lifted off from the First Launch Pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, marking India’s first privately developed rocket to reach orbit.

The launch tower was cleared smoothly, the trajectory was followed precisely, and payload separation was completed successfully. The mission, named Aagaman, was Hyderabad-based Skyroot’s very first orbital attempt, and it succeeded on the first try.

The rocket carried satellites for both Indian and international customers. It also included symbolic items such as a handwritten postcard from Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the words “Vande Mataram,” alongside notes from Skyroot’s team, investors, and supporters. The Prime Minister described the mission as a historic new frontier for India’s space journey.

Vikram-1 is a four-stage rocket built with an all-carbon composite structure. It is powered by three solid-fuel stages and a liquid-fuelled orbital adjustment module for the final orbital insertion. The rocket is capable of carrying payloads of up to 350 kilograms into a 450-kilometre low earth orbit. This design makes it particularly suited for small satellite launches, a rapidly growing segment of the global space economy.

The achievement is striking when compared with the early struggles of SpaceX. Elon Musk’s Falcon 1 rocket failed three times before finally reaching orbit in September 2008. The first attempt in March 2006 ended in a fire caused by a fuel leak. The second in March 2007 failed due to a stage separation issue.

The third in August 2008 collapsed after a stage collision. By then, SpaceX was nearly bankrupt, with Musk investing most of his personal fortune to keep the company afloat.

Only the fourth attempt succeeded, making Falcon 1 the first privately built, liquid-fuelled rocket to reach orbit. Skyroot, by contrast, succeeded on its very first orbital attempt.

This first-try success is rare in the history of spaceflight. Orbital rockets are unforgiving machines, where even a minor error can end a mission in seconds. Most new rocket programs, whether private or government-run, expect at least one failure before success.

Rocket Lab, the New Zealand-based company, needed two attempts before its Electron rocket reached orbit. Skyroot’s ability to bypass this learning curve in public is remarkable, though the company has emphasised that the mission will still be studied closely for improvements before regular commercial flights begin.

The story of Skyroot’s co-founder and CEO, Pawan Kumar Chandana, adds a human dimension to this achievement. As a school student, he scored only 51 marks in mathematics. Yet he went on to spend six years as a scientist at ISRO before leaving in 2018 to establish Skyroot with fellow ISRO engineer Naga Bharath Daka.

The company has since built India’s first privately tested rocket engine in 2020, launched India’s first private suborbital rocket in 2022, and reached a valuation of $1.1 billion after a $60 million funding round in May 2026. The successful orbital launch now adds another landmark to this record.

Skyroot has confirmed that Vikram-1’s maiden flight is the first of several development launches. Data from the mission will be used to refine the rocket before it enters regular commercial service.

The company aims to offer dedicated, on-demand satellite launches, a service currently dominated by SpaceX and Rocket Lab. If Skyroot maintains its pace, it could soon set new benchmarks in the industry rather than chase existing leaders.

The comparison with SpaceX’s early struggles highlights the scale of Skyroot’s achievement. Chandana’s team has managed to do on the first attempt what took Musk three failures to achieve.

For India, this marks a new chapter in private space exploration, with Skyroot poised to play a significant role in the global launch market.

Agencies

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PM Modi Calls Skyroot Founders Team, Congratulates Team After Vikram-1’s Historic Orbital Launch

Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally called Skyroot Aerospace’s founders Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka minutes after Vikram-1’s flawless orbital debut, hailing the young team’s achievement as proof of India’s bold space reforms and a landmark for the nation’s private space sector.

He emphasised that the success vindicated the government’s decision to open the industry to private players and highlighted the symbolic payload of his handwritten “Vande Mataram” postcard travelling aboard the rocket.

The Prime Minister congratulated the founders over the phone, describing the launch as planting “a new tree in space” while strengthening roots on the ground to inspire future generations. He said he had been closely tracking the mission and wished he could have been present at Sriharikota to witness the historic lift-off alongside the team.

PM Modi expressed particular joy that most of Skyroot’s engineers are between 25 and 30 years old, calling their achievement a testament to India’s youthful talent and entrepreneurial spirit.

He recalled the scepticism that surrounded the Centre’s 2020 decision to open India’s space sector to private companies, noting that Vikram-1’s success had vindicated that policy.

PM Modi stressed that the mission demonstrated India’s growing self-reliance in space technology and urged the team to continue building on this milestone, describing it as only the beginning of a new chapter in India’s space journey.

Adding a personal touch, Vikram-1 carried a handwritten postcard from the Prime Minister inscribed with “Vande Mataram.” This symbolic payload was accompanied by dozens of handwritten messages from Skyroot employees, investors, policymakers, scientists, and well-wishers worldwide.

The collection also included notes from current and former ISRO chairmen and Indian astronauts, paying tribute to the decades-long journey that shaped India’s space program. Modi revealed that he chose “Vande Mataram” to mark the 150th anniversary of India’s national song in 2026, linking the mission to a broader cultural celebration.

The mission, named Aagaman (Arrival), lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre after a brief internal hold delayed the scheduled 11:30 am launch to 12:05 pm. The seven-storey rocket executed all four stage separations flawlessly, completing its final burn and injecting payloads into a 450 km orbit. 

Among the payloads were Grahaa Space’s Solaras S3 CubeSat, Cosmoserve’s Embrace robotic arm demonstrator, Skyroot’s SCOPE platform, and DCubed’s technology demonstrators, alongside symbolic tributes such as Cosmos Diamonds’ lab-grown lotus and microscopic gold sculptures of India’s pioneering scientists.

With this achievement, India has become only the third country after the United States and China to demonstrate private orbital launch capability. The Hyderabad-based start-up, already valued at over $1 billion, plans to scale production to one rocket per month and begin commercial launches next year.

PM Modi invited the Skyroot team to meet him soon, affirming his support for their future endeavours and stressing that their success would inspire countless young innovators across the country.

The flawless mission marks a watershed moment for India’s commercial space ecosystem, positioning Skyroot as a global player in rapid, on-demand satellite launches. Modi’s call underscored the national significance of the achievement, blending technological triumph with cultural symbolism and youthful ambition.

Agencies

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IDN Editorial: Private Space Industry Sparks India’s Rise As Global Space Power

The transformation of India’s space sector through private participation is not a story of decline but of immense opportunity. Far from weakening ISRO, the rise of private companies and start-ups represents the first great step towards building a truly global space industry in India.

This shift is technological, organisational, and cultural, and it promises to propel the country into a new era of innovation and competitiveness.

Private enterprises such as Skyroot, Agnikul and Pixxel have already demonstrated their ability to design, build and launch rockets and satellites with remarkable efficiency. Their agility allows them to experiment with new propulsion systems, reusable launch technologies and miniaturised satellites at a pace that large government organisations often cannot match.

This technological dynamism ensures that India will not only keep pace with global developments but also set new benchmarks in cost-effective and rapid deployment of space assets.

Human resource efficiency is another critical advantage. By attracting talent from ISRO and other research institutions, private companies are creating a vibrant ecosystem where experienced scientists collaborate with young innovators.

This cross-pollination of ideas accelerates problem-solving and reduces the time taken to move from concept to execution. Instead of being seen as a drain on ISRO, this migration of talent should be recognised as the creation of a larger national pool of expertise, one that strengthens the entire space sector.

The private sector also brings financial resilience. With venture capital, foreign investment and commercial contracts flowing into Indian start-ups, the burden on government funding is reduced.

This diversification of resources ensures that ambitious projects such as human spaceflight, deep-space exploration and indigenous space stations can be pursued without being constrained by budgetary limitations.

Moreover, private players are well positioned to tap into the booming global market for satellite launches, Earth observation services and space-based communication, making India a formidable competitor internationally.

Another factor is speed. Private companies, unencumbered by bureaucratic layers, can move quickly from design to testing to launch. This agility is vital in an era where space technology evolves rapidly and where delays can mean losing strategic advantage.

Their ability to deliver results in months rather than years complements ISRO’s long-term missions, creating a balanced ecosystem of rapid innovation and steady national projects.

Equally important is the cultural shift. The entry of private players signals the democratisation of space in India. No longer confined to a single government agency, space exploration becomes a national endeavour involving universities, start-ups, industry and research institutions.

This whole-of-nation approach ensures that space technology permeates into diverse sectors such as agriculture, disaster management, climate monitoring and defence, multiplying its impact on everyday life.

Looking ahead, the synergy between ISRO and private industry will be the cornerstone of India’s ascent in global space leadership. ISRO’s role as an enabler, mentor and regulator ensures that national interests remain safeguarded while private companies drive innovation and commercial expansion. Together, they can build a resilient, sovereign and world-class space architecture that rivals the best in the world.

In truth, what is unfolding is not the destruction of ISRO but the blossoming of India’s space industry into one of the world’s finest. The private sector is not a rival but a partner, and its rise marks the beginning of a new chapter where India’s ambitions in space are matched by its capabilities, resources and vision.

IDN (With Agency Inputs)

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India And China’s Nuclear Readiness Shift Raises Risks Across Southern Asia

India’s nuclear arsenal has undergone a notable transformation, with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reporting that the country expanded its stockpile from 180 to 190 warheads in 2025. 

The most striking revelation is that India may now be deploying some of these warheads during peacetime, with around 12 reportedly placed onboard a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine. 

This marks a departure from India’s long-standing practice of keeping warheads de-mated from launchers, suggesting a shift in operational nuclear posture while its declaratory policy remains unchanged.

This change is not entirely sudden, as India has been modernising its nuclear arsenal for over a decade. Developments include cannisterised missiles that reduce launch times, long-range and multiple-warhead systems, and sea-based deterrence patrols.

China appears to be following a similar trajectory, with reports indicating it has deployed 34 warheads at sea alongside a rapid missile silo expansion. These moves highlight the interconnected strategic chain in Southern Asia, where China’s nuclear build-up aimed at the United States drives India’s readiness, which in turn prompts Pakistan to modernise its own arsenal.

India’s nuclear posture is shaped by the dual challenge of China and Pakistan. China’s conventional superiority and growing nuclear arsenal, now at 620 warheads, has been accompanied by quick-launch solid-fuel missiles, silo deployments, and a launch-on-warning capability.

These developments cast doubt on China’s no-first-use pledge. India’s response has been to strengthen its second-strike capability through long-range and sea-based systems, but this inevitably alarms Pakistan.

Pakistan’s arsenal remains at around 170 warheads, yet its fissile material accumulation and new delivery systems remain a concern. India’s conventional superiority has led Pakistan to rely on nuclear brinkmanship, as seen during the May 2025 conflict when India struck Pakistani bases suspected of supporting nuclear weapons, prompting Islamabad’s National Command Authority to convene.

The risks of inadvertent escalation are heightened by these developments. India and China have historically been classified as having assertive nuclear command and control systems, keeping warheads de-mated and centralising authority. Pakistan, by contrast, employs a conditional system that delegates authority during crises.

Recent changes challenge these classifications, leading scholars to propose a new “Segmented-Delegative Assertive Control System.” This framework suggests that while political authority remains centralised, segments of the arsenal—such as SSBNs—may be granted quasi-delegated authority to ensure survivability and credibility in the event of a decapitation strike.

China’s launch-on-warning capability and India’s pursuit of alternate chains of command reflect this nuanced shift.

The trade-off between readiness and escalation risk remains uncertain. Enhancing combat readiness can deter adversaries but also incentivises similar moves, raising the risk of misinterpretation. India’s credible minimum deterrence cannot offset conventional skirmishes with China, as seen in Doklam and Galwan, but a ready arsenal signals to Pakistan that conventional superiority will not be neutralised by nuclear threats.

Yet this readiness risks pushing Pakistan towards greater decentralisation and heightened alert levels, potentially destabilising the region further.

To mitigate these dangers, confidence-building measures are essential. Expanding agreements to cover pre-notification of missile tests, especially sea-based ones, establishing crisis hotlines, and extending transparency dialogues into domains such as cyber, space, and autonomous systems could help reduce risks.

Regular military exchanges would also be vital to prevent misinterpretation and unintended escalation. Without such measures, Southern Asia’s nuclear chain risks spiralling into instability as each state seeks to outpace the other in readiness.

Agencies

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India Operates Only Shahid Beheshti Terminal At Chabahar, MEA Confirms Strike Did Not Affect India’s Assets At Chabahar

The claim that India “owns” Chabahar Port is factually wrong. India operates only the Shahid Beheshti Terminal under a 10‑year agreement, while the port itself remains under Iranian sovereignty.

The recent strike occurred near Shahid Kalantari, not the Indian‑run terminal, and Iranian officials themselves confirmed the damaged tower was part of the civilian monitoring system. Even the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified the same, making the reporting on X by Suhasini Haidar misleading and careless.

India’s role in Chabahar has always been limited to operations at the Shahid Beheshti Terminal. This arrangement was formalised in May 2024 when India Ports Global Limited signed a decade‑long contract with Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organisation.

The agreement marked India’s first overseas port management deal, but it did not confer ownership of the port. India invested about $120 million and extended a $250 million credit line for related infrastructure, but sovereignty remained firmly with Iran.

The strike that drew attention recently did not affect India’s operational zone. It occurred near Shahid Kalantari, a separate terminal within Chabahar Port. Iranian authorities confirmed that the damaged structure was a civilian monitoring tower, not an Indian‑run facility.

The MEA in New Delhi reiterated this point, emphasising that India’s operations at Shahid Beheshti were unaffected. This distinction is crucial, yet it was ignored in the commentary that portrayed the incident as if India’s “Chabahar” had been struck.

Such misreporting undermines serious geopolitical analysis. By conflating India’s operational rights with ownership, the narrative distorts the reality of India’s strategic engagement. Chabahar is Iran’s port, and India’s presence is confined to one terminal. Suggesting otherwise not only misleads readers but also trivialises the complexities of regional diplomacy and sanctions management.

The port itself is strategically significant. It provides Afghanistan and Central Asian countries with access to the Indian Ocean, bypassing Pakistan. It also links to the International North‑South Transport Corridor, offering connectivity to Russia via Central Asia. India’s involvement is designed to strengthen trade routes, humanitarian assistance, and regional integration. But this involvement is operational, not sovereign.

The careless framing in Suhasini Haidar’s tweet, which implied India “owns” Chabahar, deserves ridicule. It reflects a lack of precision in reporting on sensitive geopolitical issues. Analysts and journalists must distinguish between management rights and ownership, especially when discussing ports that sit at the intersection of sanctions, regional rivalries, and strategic corridors. Presenting India’s limited operational role as ownership is not just sloppy—it is misleading to the public and damaging to informed debate.

The facts are clear. India operates Shahid Beheshti Terminal. The strike hit Shahid Kalantari. The damaged tower was part of Iran’s civilian monitoring system.

The MEA confirmed this. Any suggestion that India’s “Chabahar” was struck is inaccurate. Such reporting reduces complex geopolitics to careless soundbites, and the ridicule it attracts is well‑deserved.

Agencies

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HSL Proposes Greenfield Shipyard At Machilipatnam Or Dugarajapatnam To Boost India’s Maritime Vision

Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) has formally proposed establishing a new greenfield shipyard in Andhra Pradesh, with Machilipatnam in Krishna district and Dugarajapatnam in Tirupati district identified as potential sites.

This initiative is part of India’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 and aims to expand domestic shipbuilding capacity while positioning Andhra Pradesh as a major maritime hub.

The proposal was highlighted during a high-level meeting between HSL Chairman and Managing Director Rear Admiral Chandrasekharan Raghuram and Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer at Raj Bhavan.

The discussions centred on strengthening India’s maritime self-reliance and advancing the state’s role in the national shipbuilding program. HSL officials confirmed that the proposal aligns with directives from the Centre and is part of the company’s broader expansion and exploration plans.

Machilipatnam and Dugarajapatnam were chosen due to their strategic coastal advantages. Machilipatnam, with its historical maritime significance, offers proximity to existing port infrastructure, while Dugarajapatnam has already been earmarked by the Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board for a greenfield port and mega shipbuilding cluster. Both sites provide deep-water access and logistical advantages for large-scale shipbuilding operations.

India’s shipbuilding industry currently accounts for less than one per cent of global output, with most cargo carried on foreign-flagged vessels. The Union government’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 seeks to propel India into the top five shipbuilding nations globally by scaling domestic capacity to 4.5 million gross tonnage. The proposed shipyard is expected to contribute significantly to this target by enabling construction of large commercial vessels and fleet support ships.

HSL, established in 1941 in Visakhapatnam, remains the only defence public sector shipyard on the eastern seaboard. It has undergone an operational turnaround in recent years, expanding its capabilities in shipbuilding, repair, and submarine refits. The new greenfield facility would complement existing public sector shipyards such as Cochin Shipyard Limited, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, and Goa Shipyard Limited, while also strengthening India’s east coast maritime infrastructure.

The project is expected to catalyse industrial growth and generate employment in Andhra Pradesh. It will create opportunities for local MSMEs, attract global collaborations, and stimulate ancillary industries in steel, logistics, and marine engineering. The initiative is also aligned with Aatmanirbhar Bharat, ensuring that India reduces dependence on foreign shipyards for both commercial and defence requirements.

The Andhra Pradesh government has already been engaging with multiple companies to attract investments worth over ₹15,000 crore in shipbuilding and repair projects along its 1,054-kilometre coastline. HSL’s proposal adds momentum to this drive, reinforcing the state’s ambition to become a leading shipbuilding hub in South Asia.

If approved, the greenfield shipyard will mark a major milestone in India’s maritime journey, strengthening its industrial base, saving foreign exchange, and positioning the country as a global player in shipbuilding and repair.

Agencies

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Zero Tolerance Against Terrorism Becomes India’s Line of Action, Defence Production Surges To ₹1.78 Lakh Crore: Defence Minister

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has reaffirmed that zero tolerance against terrorism is not just rhetoric but a concrete line of action, citing Operation Sindoor as proof of India’s resolve.

He also highlighted record defence production of ₹1.78 lakh crore and exports to nearly 100 countries, positioning India as a credible global security partner.

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh declared that New Delhi’s stance on terrorism is uncompromising, stating that “zero tolerance against terrorism is not merely a statement for us, but a Line of Action.”

He emphasised that India will strike against terrorism not only at its doorstep but by entering the house, a strategy demonstrated during Operation Sindoor in 2025. This operation showcased India’s ability to conduct decisive technological warfare using advanced indigenous systems such as Akashteer, Akash missile system, and BrahMos, alongside other modern equipment.

Singh underscored that India’s defence production has reached a record level of nearly ₹1.78 lakh crore annually, with defence products now being exported to almost 100 countries. This surge in production and exports reflects India’s transformation into a credible global security partner, with its strategic footprint expanding from the Indian Ocean to the Indo-Pacific. He noted that India is well-positioned to achieve a defence production milestone of ₹3 lakh crore by 2029, a target aligned with the government’s vision of self-reliance.

The Defence Minister stressed that dependence on foreign countries for weapons, ammunition, navigation systems, missiles, radars, and drones limits strategic and military autonomy. India’s current program is designed to eliminate this dependency and ensure complete sovereignty in defence capabilities.

He credited the Modi government’s emphasis on self-reliance as the “biggest step” taken to strengthen India’s defence sector, contrasting it with previous governments that, in his view, lacked faith in India’s potential.

Operation Sindoor was described as a splendid example of technological warfare, proving that India’s armed forces not only understand change but are confidently employing it. Singh said this success is possible because of the new foundation laid over the past 12 years, which has transformed India’s defence sector through structural reforms, innovation, and indigenous production. He highlighted that in 2013-14, defence exports stood at just ₹686 crore, but by 2025-26 they had surged to over ₹38,000 crore, representing a nearly 57-fold increase.

The Defence Minister also linked these achievements to broader geopolitical dynamics. He pointed out that rising global military expenditure, which reached $2.7 trillion in 2024, opens up significant opportunities for India’s indigenous defence industries.

With increasing private sector participation, India’s defence sector is evolving from being controlled to being facilitated, ensuring faster decision-making and greater innovation. Singh reiterated that defence spending should be seen not as mere expenditure but as an economic investment with multiplier impact, strengthening both national security and economic growth.

The Controllers’ Conference 2025, which Singh is set to inaugurate, will further reinforce this vision. Hosted by the Defence Accounts Department, the conference will focus on transforming defence finance and economics, with themes such as budget reform, audit restructuring, and capacity building. 

Singh emphasised that the Defence Accounts Department must evolve into a facilitator, ensuring financial agility and operational readiness for the armed forces. He noted that reforms such as SAMPURNA, an AI-driven automation system for procurement and payments, and SPARSH, a digital pension delivery platform serving over 32 lakh pensioners, are examples of how India is modernising its defence financial architecture.

By combining operational success, indigenous production, and financial reform, Singh asserted that India is not only securing its own sovereignty but also emerging as a trusted global security partner. The trajectory ahead, he said, is ambitious yet achievable, with India poised to expand its defence production and exports while maintaining its uncompromising stance against terrorism.

PTI

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Field Marshal Asim Munir’s Balochistan Mess

by Nilesh Kunwar

Unfulfilled Promises & Lies

More than a year ago, Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir told a cheering group of Pakistanis how he would beat the hell of Baloch fighters “very soon.” More than a year has since elapsed but rather than improving, things have taken a turn for the worse.

And this is why media reports of the CDF issuing a 72-hour ultimatum to his top military commanders and intelligence officials to either “control Balochistan or pack-up” indicates that performance of the Pakistan army and intelligence agencies in Balochistan has been inordinately unsatisfactory.

The utterance of a failed field marshal also exposes two ground realities that the Pakistan army has been trying to conceal through disinformation that Baloch fighters are proxies creating unrest at the behest of India and they are hated by locals.

The undeniable fact is that despite being targeted by heavy artillery, armed drones and attack helicopters, Baloch fighters are still putting up stiff resistance against overwhelming odds with extraordinary tenacity-a testimony to their commitment against illegal occupation by Pakistan.

It’s also pertinent to note that Baloch Sarmachars (Guerrillas) are not waging jihad (Holy War) but a war for independence and hence their motivation is not rewards promised in afterlife but liberation of their land and its people. Secondly, failure of intelligence agencies to obtain actionable information and thwart large scale attacks involving a large number of fighters like Operation Herof-2 and Jaffar Express hijacking proves that armed Baloch groups enjoy immense popular support.

Balochistan Crisis

The freedom struggle in Balochistan has been going on since its illegal occupation in 1948. More than two decades ago, Gen Pervez Musharraf threatened armed Baloch groups saying, (Don’t push us… This time you won’t even know what hit you.”

However, despite giving the army and other agencies (including its vigilante death squads) a free hand to brutalise, abduct and extra-judicially execute innocent people, determination of the Baloch people to achieve independence endured.

Field Marshal Munir obviously didn’t learn any lesson from Gen Musharraf’s over-confidence and hence like him has made a laughing stock of himself. Probably he thought that could bring things under control using a three pronged stratagem- use devastating military force against armed groups, terrorise locals by orchestrating widespread enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings and, three, making the peaceful rights campaign ineffective by using the judiciary to jail its leadership.

That the self-appointed field marshal’s grand plan to beat the hell out of Baloch groups would end in a damp squib was expected all along. Islamabad-based research and advocacy organisation Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies (PIPS) in its Pakistan Security Report 2025 has mentioned that as compared to 2024, Balochistan witnessed a 30 percentage increase in attacks by Baloch armed groups and a 26 percent increase in fatalities- a poor report cart for Field Marshal Munir,

Resultantly, even though shifting blame for failure on subordinates is not a done thing in any army, the severely embarrassed CDF had no other choice but to issue the 72-hour ‘perform or pack-up’ ultimatum to his own brother-in-arms. And Balochistan isn’t the only huge black eye for him- while his army is yet to get the upper hand in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), New Delhi continues to hold the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance despite his high-decibel warnings and dire threats.

Heeding Advice

The Pakistan army would like the world to believe that violence in Balochistan is being orchestrated by a handful of armed groups sponsored by India, and to strengthen its unsubstantiated claim even refers to them as Fitna-al-Hindustan (Curse of India). However, leave alone the international community, even discerning people in Pakistan don’t quite believe that loyalty of an entire people could be subverted by a third country.

Contrary to the CDF’s assertion that Balochistan is purely the product of India’s nefarious designs, the PIPS report contains some seminal observations on this issue, like:

• Resolving the conflict in Balochistan requires comprehensive political dialogue, socioeconomic reforms, and efforts to address grievances and rebuild trust.

• Winning public trust is crucial to reducing the appeal of insurgent ideologies among the Baloch people.

• The issue of enforced disappearances, often exploited by insurgents to gain support and recruits, must be addressed through a lawful and amicable policy to counter militant narratives effectively.

• Pakistan must introduce employment opportunities for youth to improve their living conditions and prevent them from being drawn toward militancy and insurgency.

• As the socio economic trickle down impact of mega development projects for masses in Balochistan has been minimum so far, Pakistan needs to make sure that people in the province start reaping the benefits of big projects as soon as possible.

Under Field Marshal Munir’s charge, Pakistan is not only experiencing an unprecedented crisis in both KP and Balochistan but is also in a state of war with Afghanistan. The sooner he realises that military force alone cannot bring about normalcy, the better it would be for him as well as the people of Pakistan.

Nilesh Kunwar is a retired Indian Army Officer who has served in Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur. He is a keen ‘Kashmir-Watcher,’ and after retirement is pursuing his favourite hobby of writing for newspapers, journals and think-tanks. Views expressed above are the author's own

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Singapore Hails Landmark Skyroot's Vikram-1 Launch 'Thank You For Taking Singapore Along' Says High Commissioner

Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1 rocket has successfully completed its maiden orbital mission “Aagaman”, marking India’s entry into the private orbital launch market. Singapore’s High Commissioner Simon Wong hailed the achievement, calling it deeply emotional and symbolic of growing India-Singapore space ties.

The launch took place on 18 July 2026 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The mission was briefly delayed due to an internal hold but proceeded smoothly thereafter.

The seven-storey-tall, multi-stage rocket executed flawlessly, achieving nominal performance across all four stages and deploying its payloads precisely on the first attempt.

Singapore’s High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong, expressed his joy and gratitude in a celebratory post on X. He wrote, “Thank you #isro #inspaceind #skyroot for taking a small nation like Singapore along with you to space and beyond.

Singapore’s primary contribution to the Vikram‑1 / Mission Aagaman launch has been financial and strategic backing for Skyroot via its sovereign wealth funds GIC and Temasek, plus strong diplomatic support signalling future commercial partnership in space launches.

Very emotional now.” His remarks highlighted the strengthening of bilateral space cooperation, especially as Singapore’s sovereign wealth funds GIC and Temasek have backed Skyroot Aerospace financially.

Following the launch, Wong personally spoke with Skyroot’s Co-Founder Naga Bharath Daka to congratulate the team. He emphasised that the mission symbolises not only India’s technological leap but also the collaborative spirit between nations in advancing space exploration.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reached out to Skyroot’s leadership via phone call to commend the team on their historic success. He described the mission as a grand validation of India’s space-sector liberalisation, which opened the door for private companies to manufacture and launch rockets alongside ISRO.

The Vikram-1 rocket is built entirely from carbon-composite materials, enabling lightweight yet robust construction. It is capable of delivering payloads of up to 350 kilograms into Low Earth Orbit. The vehicle integrates advanced propulsion systems, including high-performance solid motors and 3D-printed engines, showcasing India’s growing expertise in cutting-edge aerospace technology.

The debut flight carried multiple technology demonstrators. These included payloads from Grahaa Space, Cosmoserve, and German firm DCubed, as well as Skyroot’s in-house SCOPE experiment. Symbolic items were also transported, such as a postcard featuring Prime Minister Modi’s handwritten “Vande Mataram” message, along with notes from ISRO chairmen, astronauts, investors, and supporters worldwide.

The mission represents a milestone for Skyroot Aerospace, founded in 2018 by former ISRO scientists Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka. The company had earlier achieved a suborbital success with Vikram-S in 2022, becoming the first private Indian rocket to reach space.

Vikram-1 now elevates India into the global league of private orbital launch providers, making it only the third nation after the US and China to achieve this capability through private enterprise.

Telemetry gathered from the mission will provide crucial engineering insights to refine the Vikram family of launch vehicles. Skyroot aims to establish a regular commercial launch cadence, offering affordable and rapid access to space for satellite operators worldwide.

This aligns with India’s ambition to expand its share of the global space economy, projected to grow significantly in the coming decade.

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NSA Ajit Doval Warns Myanmar Against Anti-India Insurgency At BIMSTEC

Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met Myanmar’s National Security Adviser U Tin Aung San on the sidelines of the 5th BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs’ Meeting in New Delhi. The meeting carried significant weight as India conveyed a firm message that Myanmar must not allow its territory to be used for anti-India activities.

These include cross-border insurgency, arms smuggling, and infiltration, which have long posed challenges to India’s security environment.

The talks were held against the backdrop of continuing instability in Myanmar, which has had a direct impact on India’s Northeast. Insurgent groups from the region have exploited ungoverned spaces in Myanmar to establish camps, regroup, store weapons, and launch cross-border attacks. This situation has created a persistent security concern for India, prompting the need for stronger bilateral cooperation.

The instability has also driven thousands of refugees into Mizoram and Manipur, placing immense strain on public resources and aggravating existing ethnic tensions in these states.

The influx of displaced populations has complicated local governance and heightened social pressures, making the issue not only a matter of national security but also of humanitarian management.

Weak law enforcement in Myanmar has further enabled transnational crimes to flourish. Human trafficking, arms smuggling, and narcotics trafficking from the Golden Triangle have become lucrative sources of funding for insurgent groups. These illicit activities have strengthened their operational capabilities, thereby intensifying the threat to India’s border regions.

The violence and instability have also delayed strategic connectivity projects that are central to India’s regional ambitions. The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, designed to link India’s Northeast with Myanmar’s Sittwe port, has faced repeated setbacks. Similarly, the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, a flagship program aimed at enhancing regional connectivity, has been hindered by the volatile security situation.

During the meeting, Ajit Doval emphasised the importance of strengthening bilateral security cooperation, improving border management, and enhancing counter-terrorism coordination. These measures are seen as essential to curbing insurgent activity and ensuring that Myanmar’s territory is not misused against India’s interests.

The dialogue at BIMSTEC reflects India’s broader strategic approach to regional security. By pressing Myanmar to act decisively against insurgent groups and transnational crime networks, India seeks to stabilise its Northeast, safeguard its connectivity projects, and reinforce its role in regional security frameworks.

The meeting underscored the urgency of coordinated action, given the complex interplay of insurgency, refugee flows, and criminal networks that continue to challenge both nations.

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Panama’s Foreign Minister Javier Eduardo Martinez-Acha Vasquez To Visit India From July 19 To 23

Panama’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Javier Eduardo Martinez-Acha Vasquez will undertake a five-day visit to India from 19 to 23 July. He will be accompanied by his wife Mireya Paris De Martinez Acha, arriving at Indira Gandhi International Airport on the morning of 19 July.

His official program will commence in New Delhi on 20 July with a meeting with the Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, at the New Parliament Building. Later the same day, he will meet with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at Hyderabad House, as confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs.

The Minister will continue his engagements in the capital on 21 July. On 22 July, he is scheduled to meet with the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, at Transport Bhavan. The visit will conclude with the delegation’s departure from India on 23 July. The Ministry of External Affairs has clarified that all scheduled meetings will be restricted to official photo opportunities.

Earlier in January, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi held discussions with Panama’s Commerce and Industry Minister Julio Armando Molto Alain and Foreign Affairs Minister Javier Eduardo Martinez-Acha Vasquez on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos.

The talks focused on strengthening cooperation in the renewable energy sector, including clean energy solutions, sustainable technologies, and expanding investment partnerships to support the global energy transition. Joshi described the meeting as constructive, highlighting the shared interest in advancing sustainable energy collaboration.

In 2025, India and Panama entered a new phase in their bilateral ties with the establishment of a 20-member inter-parliamentary friendship group, as shared by the Embassy of India in Panama.

This initiative marked a significant step in institutionalising parliamentary exchanges and fostering closer political cooperation. The friendship group is expected to play a role in enhancing dialogue and mutual understanding between lawmakers of both nations.

Panama and India have long enjoyed cordial, warm, and friendly relations. Their partnership is rooted in mutual understanding, growing bilateral trade, and comprehensive cooperation across diverse sectors.

The upcoming visit by Foreign Minister Vasquez is anticipated to reinforce these ties further, particularly in areas of commerce, shipping, renewable energy, and broader diplomatic engagement.

The visit also reflects Panama’s interest in deepening its outreach to India as part of its wider engagement with Asia, while India continues to strengthen its partnerships across Latin America.

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Indian Students Face Uncertainty As US Ends Flexible VISA System

The United States Department of Homeland Security has formally enacted a new immigration regulation that imposes a maximum four‑year limit on stays for F‑1 student visa holders, J‑1 exchange visitors and I visa holders for foreign journalists.

This marks the end of the long‑standing flexible “duration of status” system, which had previously allowed foreign nationals to remain in the country for as long as they maintained enrolment or complied with visa rules without a fixed expiry date.

The policy has triggered widespread anxiety among Indian students and professionals, casting uncertainty over their academic and career prospects in the United States. The regulation is scheduled to take effect on 15 September 2026, though it remains subject to congressional scrutiny.

It was introduced as part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration crackdown and was officially published in the Federal Register on 16 July.

Under the new framework, international students and exchange visitors will be permitted to stay only for the specific duration of their approved academic course or program, capped strictly at four years at a time. Foreign media personnel travelling on I visas will also be shifted to fixed‑term stays.

Students requiring additional time to complete their degrees must now petition the DHS for extensions or leave and re‑enter under a newly authorised period of stay. This process is significantly more stringent than before, as universities no longer hold the authority to extend stays; that discretion has been transferred entirely to federal immigration officials.

The regulation also reduces the post‑graduation grace period. Previously, F‑1 students had 60 days to depart, transfer institutions or change visa categories. This has now been cut to 30 days, with tougher restrictions on switching programs or transferring between schools. The administration has defended the overhaul, claiming it will curb misuse of student visas and strengthen oversight of foreign nationals.

India, which sends the highest number of international students to the US, has expressed concern. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that New Delhi is in contact with Washington and will continue to advocate for genuine students and travellers.

He emphasised that while visa rules are sovereign functions, India consistently raises issues when its citizens face operational difficulties. Approximately 330,000 Indian students were enrolled in American institutions during the 2023‑24 academic year, highlighting the scale of potential impact.

Beyond students, the US hosts around 5,00,000 J‑1 exchange visitors and 37,000 foreign media professionals on I visas. All these groups will now face stricter timelines and bureaucratic hurdles. The change represents a significant departure from decades of practice, where flexibility allowed students to remain legally as long as they pursued their studies.

This development follows earlier controversies in US immigration policy. In 2020, during the COVID‑19 pandemic, Washington briefly ordered international students to leave if their universities shifted entirely to online instruction, a move later rescinded after global backlash.

In mid‑2025, India pressed Washington to evaluate visa applications “on merit” after temporary suspensions of interviews and intensified social media checks. Diplomatic interventions have thus become a recurring feature of India’s engagement with US immigration updates.

The latest rule is expected to reshape the landscape for Indian students and professionals, adding layers of uncertainty to their educational and career planning. It underscores the tightening of US immigration policy and the challenges faced by foreign nationals seeking opportunities in America.

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India To Engage With US Over New VISA Rules Affecting Students And Professionals

India has confirmed it will raise concerns with Washington over the new US visa rules that restrict the stay of foreign students, exchange visitors, and journalists.

The changes, which replace the long-standing “duration of status” system with fixed admission periods, are expected to affect thousands of Indian students and professionals.

India has announced that it is actively engaging with American authorities to mitigate complications arising from revised US visa policies. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the government is monitoring the situation closely and will take up issues of genuine travellers and students with the US side to minimise difficulties.

The regulatory changes introduced by the US Department of Homeland Security dismantle the previous system that allowed foreign students, exchange visitors, and journalists to remain in the country indefinitely without continuous federal oversight. Under the new framework, non-immigrant visa holders in the F, J, and I categories will be admitted for a fixed period, capped at four years.

F category visas are designated for students, J category visas for exchange visitors, and I category visas for working media professionals. The DHS has clarified that the new rules are intended to strengthen immigration enforcement, prevent visa misuse, and enhance national security through regular vetting.

One of the most significant changes is the reduction of the grace period for F visa holders. Previously, students had 60 days after graduation to leave the country, transfer to another institution, or change their legal status. This window has now been shortened to just 30 days, creating additional pressure on students to act quickly after completing their program.

Until now, most students entered the US under the “Duration of Status” system, which allowed them to stay as long as they maintained their student status. Universities could issue updated forms to extend enrolment without requiring federal approval. Under the new rules, however, students must apply directly to US Citizenship and Immigration Services for extensions, undergo biometric verification, and pay additional fees.

Indian students are among the largest international student groups in the US, with over 330,000 enrolled in the 2024–25 academic year. The new rules will therefore have a disproportionate impact on this community, affecting their ability to pursue extended research, change majors, or transition smoothly into employment.

The DHS has argued that the reforms are necessary to prevent abuse of the system, citing cases where foreign nationals perpetually enrolled in courses to avoid leaving the US. Officials have stated that the new limits will ensure students remain focused on completing their studies and returning home.

For Indian families, the consequences of overstaying under the new system are severe. Even a single day beyond the fixed admission period without a valid extension will count as unlawful presence. Staying more than 180 days past expiration triggers a three-year re-entry bar, while overstaying by more than a year results in a ten-year ban.

India’s diplomatic engagement with the US is aimed at ensuring that genuine students and professionals are not unfairly penalised by these changes. The government has reiterated its commitment to raising concerns whenever difficulties are brought to its attention.

The new visa rules are scheduled to take effect later this year, following congressional review. They represent one of the most significant shifts in US immigration policy in decades, and their impact on Indian students will be closely watched.

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Brazil Condemns US Tariffs As Lamentable Blow To Sovereignty And Trade Rules

Brazil has issued a strong condemnation of the United States’ decision to impose a 25 per cent tariff on Brazilian products, describing the move as a lamentable milestone in bilateral relations. The government pledged to defend the country’s economic interests through international legal mechanisms and domestic measures.

In an official statement, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s administration said the tariffs lacked both economic and legal justification. It announced that Brazil would challenge the decision at the World Trade Organisation while invoking the Reciprocity Law, recently approved by the National Congress, to formulate an appropriate response.

Brasilia rejected Washington’s justification under Section 301 of the US Trade Act, arguing that official US data contradicted claims of unfair trade practices. According to the statement, the United States has recorded a cumulative trade surplus of USD 424.5 billion in goods and services with Brazil over the past fifteen years.

The government highlighted that 76 per cent of US imports entered Brazil duty-free in 2025, while the effective average tariff on American products stood at just 3.1 per cent. Officials said these figures undermined Washington’s argument that Brazil was engaging in discriminatory trade practices.

Brazil also defended its instant payment system, Pix, calling it a national asset and a global benchmark in public digital infrastructure. It rejected allegations concerning digital regulation, environmental policies and ethanol, stressing that Brazilian authorities had presented technical evidence to US officials disputing each of the concerns raised during bilateral consultations.

Brasilia further noted that a majority of submissions during the US Trade Representative’s public consultation opposed the tariff proposal, indicating limited support for the measure even among businesses in both countries. This, it argued, showed that the tariffs were politically motivated rather than economically justified.

The government announced that its Sovereign Brazil Plan would be activated to protect domestic companies, jobs and production chains affected by the tariffs. Alongside legal action at the WTO, reciprocal measures would be considered under Brazilian law to mitigate the impact on the economy.

The statement also criticised members of the Bolsonaro family, alleging they had supported actions that undermined Brazil’s national interests. It accused them of collaborating with external forces to weaken the country’s position in global trade negotiations.

Reaffirming its commitment to protecting national sovereignty, the Lula administration said its response would remain within the framework of international law while safeguarding Brazil’s economic and strategic interests. Officials emphasised that Brazil would not falter in defending its sovereignty and economic independence against unilateral measures.

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