India and France have reiterated their resolve to further expand defence cooperation following a high-level meeting between India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and France’s Chief of Defence, General (Air) Fabien Mandon, held in New Delhi on 20 July 2026. The Ministry of Defence highlighted the discussions through a post on X, stating that both countries are working towards enhancing defence industrial collaboration through joint design, development and production initiatives. The approach aligns with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign, which aims to strengthen domestic defence manufacturing capabilities.
The talks also focused on advancing the outcomes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to France, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron at Villa Kerylos in Nice. The meeting marked a significant step after India and France elevated their relationship to a ‘Special Global Strategic Partnership’ earlier this year.
Both sides reviewed the progress made in defence cooperation and expressed confidence in expanding collaboration across multiple sectors. They agreed to place greater emphasis on developing advanced military platforms, emerging technologies and joint defence projects that can enhance industrial capabilities in both nations.
Beyond defence, discussions also covered the longstanding partnership between India and France in the space sector. Officials explored possibilities for deeper cooperation in areas such as human spaceflight and space situational awareness, highlighting the growing strategic partnership between the two countries in advanced technology domains.
India and France have maintained a strong defence relationship over the years, supported by major projects including the acquisition of Rafale fighter aircraft and Scorpene-class submarines. The partnership is now moving towards greater industrial cooperation, with a focus on boosting indigenous production and technological development within India.
The shift towards co-production and joint development is expected to support India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem while improving operational compatibility between the armed forces of both countries. Defence cooperation between New Delhi and Paris is regularly reviewed through established mechanisms, including the Annual Defence Dialogue at the Defence Minister level and the High Committee on Defence Cooperation at the Secretary level. These platforms help maintain strategic coordination and ensure continued progress in bilateral defence initiatives.
The latest reaffirmation highlights the growing importance of the India-France partnership, with both nations viewing defence cooperation as a long-term strategic partnership rather than a simple buyer-seller relationship. By combining India’s push for self-reliance with France’s technological expertise, the two countries aim to build a stronger and more sustainable defence collaboration framework for the future.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian Defence News.
Ransomware attackers are increasingly shifting their focus towards small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), many of which are rapidly adopting digital technologies but still lack dedicated cybersecurity teams and advanced protection systems. Data from cybersecurity firm Kaspersky shows that ransomware detections among Indian SMBs increased from 3.18 per cent in the first quarter of 2025 to 4.07 per cent during the same period in 2026. Although the rise may appear small, experts say it reflects a steady change in cybercriminal behaviour, with smaller businesses becoming regular targets rather than experiencing isolated attacks.
Cybersecurity specialists believe the actual level of risk could be much higher than detection numbers indicate. Jaydeep Singh, General Manager for India at Kaspersky, explained that such statistics generally capture only the final stage of an attack, when criminals encrypt systems, while earlier activities such as gaining access, stealing credentials and moving through networks often remain undetected. Ransomware has evolved significantly over the years. Earlier attacks mainly involved encrypting files and demanding payment in exchange for restoring access. Today, cybercriminal groups often spend considerable time inside a victim's network, collecting sensitive information, compromising accounts and extracting data before launching encryption.
This shift has made ransomware more damaging because even organisations that recover their systems through backups may still face risks if stolen confidential information is later leaked or misused. Small and medium businesses are becoming increasingly attractive targets because of two major trends. The first is India's rapid digital transformation, which has pushed SMBs to adopt cloud platforms, online payment systems, connected manufacturing technologies and digital supply chains. The second is the rise of ransomware-as-a-service models, which have made advanced attack tools easily available to a wider range of criminals.
According to Singh, ransomware groups are not replacing large enterprises with smaller businesses as targets. Instead, they now view Indian SMBs as valuable victims because many have weaker security measures while still holding important business data and network access. India's MSME sector contributes significantly to the economy, accounting for around 31.1 per cent of GDP, 35.4 per cent of manufacturing output and nearly half of the country's exports. As these businesses become more connected with larger companies, their cybersecurity weaknesses can create risks across entire supply chains.
Cybercriminals increasingly see suppliers, logistics providers, IT vendors and manufacturing partners as possible entry points into bigger organisations. A compromised small business can provide attackers with access to larger corporate networks, making SMB security a concern not only for the companies themselves but also for their business partners. The ransomware ecosystem has also become more organised. Groups such as The Gentlemen, a ransomware-as-a-service operation tracked by Kaspersky researchers, have expanded rapidly by targeting industries including manufacturing, healthcare, IT services, financial services, construction and logistics.
Unlike traditional ransomware groups, modern operators often use specialised tools to study their victims before launching attacks. Researchers have identified malware capable of gathering network information, communicating with attackers and conducting reconnaissance activities long before files are encrypted. Kaspersky's Q1 2026 threat report said The Gentlemen accounted for 9.25 per cent of victims listed on ransomware leak websites, placing it among the fastest-growing ransomware groups.
The growing popularity of ransomware-as-a-service has lowered the technical skills required to launch attacks. Criminal groups can now purchase access, malware tools and support services, allowing more attackers to target businesses with limited cybersecurity resources. Industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, IT services, financial services, construction and logistics are currently facing increased ransomware activity. Experts say attackers are not necessarily interested in what these companies produce but are instead targeting sectors that have become highly digital and interconnected without making equal investments in cybersecurity.
Manufacturing is considered particularly vulnerable because information technology and operational technology systems are increasingly linked. While this improves efficiency, it also creates more opportunities for attackers if security controls are not strengthened. The nature of ransomware attacks is also changing. Criminals are moving away from relying only on file encryption and increasingly using data theft and extortion tactics. Instead of simply blocking access to systems, attackers steal confidential information and threaten to publish it unless their demands are met.
The use of initial access brokers has further complicated the threat landscape. These specialised cybercriminal groups break into networks and sell access to ransomware operators, with remote access services, VPN systems and internet-facing portals often becoming common entry points. Artificial intelligence has introduced another challenge. While fully automated AI-powered cyberattacks are still developing, criminals are already using the popularity of AI tools to trick users into downloading malicious software.
Kaspersky researchers found that attacks disguised as popular AI applications increased significantly among SMBs in 2026. Fake AI tools, including fraudulent versions of widely used assistants, have become a growing method for spreading malware. Despite the increasing sophistication of ransomware campaigns, many SMBs continue to struggle with basic cybersecurity practices. Lack of dedicated security teams, poor patch management, weak backup strategies and limited monitoring capabilities remain major vulnerabilities.
Experts also warn that backups alone are no longer enough protection. Modern ransomware groups often steal data before encrypting systems, meaning businesses need stronger detection, response and data protection measures. Another challenge is regulatory preparedness. Many Indian organisations are still in the early stages of implementing requirements under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) framework, leaving them exposed to both cybersecurity threats and compliance risks. As India's SMB sector continues to digitise, cybersecurity is becoming a critical part of business survival. Ransomware is no longer just an IT problem affecting individual companies; it has become a wider economic risk that can impact entire supply chains and larger organisations connected to smaller businesses.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Busienss Standard.
Amid the controversy surrounding the CJP-led Parliament march that resulted in injuries to more than 100 people, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday alleged that the police response to the student protesters reflected the government’s repeated approach toward handling demonstrations. He compared the incident with the government’s response to the lawyers’ agitation, farmers’ protests, and the anti-CAA movement.
Speaking to the media, Owaisi said the authorities had enough time to prevent the situation from worsening, as the protest had been continuing for several weeks. He claimed that engaging in dialogue with students earlier could have avoided the escalation. “What happened yesterday reflects the government’s consistent pattern. Similar situations were witnessed during the lawyers’ protest, farmers’ agitation, and the CAA protests. This movement had been going on for weeks, and discussions with the students should have taken place earlier,” Owaisi said. He described the scenes from the protest as “complete disorder.”
The protest began in June and gained wider attention after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the movement and began an ongoing hunger strike. The demonstrators have been demanding accountability over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Owaisi’s comments came as opposition leaders continued to criticise the police action during the march. Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi alleged that students were subjected to force while raising concerns about their future. He also called for a detailed discussion in Parliament over the alleged mistreatment of protesters and the NEET examination controversy.
The Delhi Police has filed five FIRs related to alleged incidents of violence, stone-pelting and damage to property during Monday’s protest at Jantar Mantar. Officials said they are investigating whether the clashes were part of a planned conspiracy and are reviewing more than 250 video recordings to identify those involved. The cases have been registered at the Parliament Street and Connaught Place police stations under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Arms Act, and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. According to Delhi Police officials, over 118 police personnel were injured during the clashes, while more than 60 protesters also sustained injuries.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced that American forces completed another series of strikes against Iran, marking the 10th consecutive night of military operations targeting Tehran’s military infrastructure. In a statement released on Monday, CENTCOM said the latest operation concluded at 9 pm ET on July 20. The strikes focused on Iranian military command facilities, maritime assets, missile and drone launch locations, and air defence systems.
The US military said the objective of the operation was to weaken Iran’s ability to carry out attacks on commercial vessels operating through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. “US forces targeted Iranian military command centres, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defence systems to reduce Iran’s capacity to continue attacks on commercial shipping passing through the Strait of Hormuz,” CENTCOM stated.
Despite the rising tensions, CENTCOM said commercial shipping activity through the key maritime route has continued. The command noted that since early May, US forces have supported the safe movement of around 900 commercial vessels carrying nearly 450 million barrels of crude oil. The US military also reiterated that its forces in the region remain ready to respond to any threats against civilian maritime operations.
“American forces remain positioned and prepared to hold Iran accountable for unjustified aggression against civilian mariners seeking free and secure passage through the strait,” CENTCOM said. Following the US strikes, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and military forces claimed to have carried out retaliatory attacks against several US-linked targets across the Gulf region.
Iranian officials claimed their forces had struck a US missile defence radar installation, damaged an F-15 aircraft at a shelter in Jordan, and targeted Amazon’s central data infrastructure facility in Bahrain. These claims were made through announcements carried by Iran’s state broadcaster, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).
The IRGC said the operations were conducted under the name “Operation Nasr 2”, while the Iranian Army described its actions as part of “Operation Lightning”. The IRGC claimed it had attacked a facility housing US military personnel in Jordan’s Rukban area, alleging that several American soldiers were killed. It also claimed that an MQ-9 drone facility at Kuwait’s Ali Al-Salem base was targeted, resulting in damage to multiple drones.
The Iranian Army claimed that US HIMARS missile systems stationed at the Arifjan base in Kuwait were hit by surface-to-surface missiles. The latest escalation follows the collapse of a 14-point memorandum of understanding signed last month that was intended to reduce hostilities between Washington and Tehran and create a path for further discussions on issues including Iran’s nuclear programme and security in the Strait of Hormuz. The breakdown of the agreement has triggered renewed confrontation in West Asia, with the US launching strikes against Iranian military and civilian targets while Iran has responded with attacks on American positions across the Gulf region.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Yemen's Houthi movement has announced a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, raising fears of renewed tensions in West Asia and potential disruptions to global oil supplies. The group said the "maritime embargo" was a response to what it described as Saudi Arabia's long-standing blockade of Yemen and warned of stronger action if Riyadh escalates the conflict. The announcement follows last week's strike on Sanaa International Airport, which the Houthis blamed on Saudi Arabia. Yemen's internationally recognised government, however, said it carried out the attack to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing in the capital. In retaliation, the Houthis launched ballistic missiles toward Saudi Arabia's Abha International Airport, which were intercepted by the Saudi-led coalition. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical shipping route linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, is central to the dispute. Around 10–12% of global trade and nearly 7% of the world's oil supply pass through the waterway. Any disruption could delay shipping, increase transport costs and push up global energy prices. Saudi Arabia has increasingly relied on its Red Sea export terminal at Yanbu following disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. A prolonged blockade of Bab el-Mandeb could therefore affect Saudi oil exports and further strain global energy markets already facing geopolitical uncertainty.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has come to an end, but the tournament will be remembered for far more than the action on the pitch. From debates over hydration breaks, controversial VAR decisions, and a demanding match schedule to growing concerns about football's evolving identity under increasing commercial influence, the competition sparked widespread discussion. Andrea Heng and Poh Kok Ing examine the tournament's most talked-about controversies alongside Dr. Tom Heenan, a lecturer at the Monash Intercultural Lab at Monash University, offering insights into how these issues shaped the World Cup experience both on and off the field.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Counter-terrorism officers have assumed responsibility for the investigation into the death of former MP and Reform UK spokesperson Ann Widdecombe after authorities said new information and evidence emerged during the inquiry. Police arrested a 28-year-old white British man from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on Saturday on suspicion of murder. The development was discussed by Lucy Hough and The Guardian's head of national news, Archie Bland, in a video available on YouTube.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
On the July 13 edition of Open For Business, Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman spoke with Mel Siew, Head of Asia Public Credit at Muzinich & Co., to examine the latest market trends. The discussion covered the resilience of Asian credit markets, growth opportunities in AI infrastructure, and the potential inflationary impact of rising oil prices on the global economy.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
With just one week remaining before the World Cup champion is decided, the tournament has delivered plenty of memorable moments, including Donald Trump's unexpected intervention this week that stunned the football community.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
