Mukesh Tyagi, Border Security Force (BSF) Inspector General of the North Bengal Frontier, stated that the India-Bangladesh border remains secure, with incidents of border crime and infiltration having decreased in recent years. Responding to a query on the border’s status, he mentioned that the BSF also assists individuals who voluntarily wish to cross into Bangladesh, a practice ongoing for several months.

“The border with Bangladesh is secure. Border crimes are declining due to our strong patrolling and the installation of new fencing. Infiltration has gone down. Regarding voluntary crossings, we facilitate those who wish to go into Bangladesh. I wouldn’t attribute this to SIR, as this has been happening for some months,” Tyagi told ANI.

He added that modern surveillance technology, including cameras and other equipment, has been installed along the border, and older fencing has been replaced. “Old fencing has been replaced in this corridor. Surveillance cameras and other equipment have also been installed. We also increase forces when needed and keep a close watch on the Siliguri Corridor (Chicken’s Neck), taking action whenever necessary,” he said. Tyagi further highlighted the strong cooperation between BSF and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). “Our relations with BGB are excellent. All Bangladeshi nationals caught are handed over to BGB, and they cooperate with us,” he added.

The BSF Meghalaya Frontier reported significant operational gains along the 444.857 km India-Bangladesh border in its annual performance summary released on Monday. Between January and November 2025, BSF personnel seized contraband worth Rs 29.43 crore, including Yaba tablets, ganja, and Phensedyl cough syrup, striking a major blow to cross-border smuggling networks.

To curb illegal migration, the force apprehended 449 individuals attempting to cross the border illegally, including 213 Bangladeshi nationals and 31 Indians involved in infiltration. Officials noted that coordinated crackdowns on tout networks and enhanced monitoring of vulnerable routes have strengthened border security across key sectors.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff, dismissed reports suggesting that a Chinese spy vessel caused a delay in an Indian missile test, calling such claims “somebody’s figment of imagination” or a possible planted narrative during his remarks on 30 November 2025. Speaking at the National Defence Academy’s 149th Passing Out Parade in Khadakwasla, Admiral Tripathi admitted he was not fully aware of the specifics. He noted that in the past, survey and satellite-tracking ships from other countries have appeared near areas of Indian interest, occasionally requiring operational adjustments.

The Navy Chief emphasized that such occurrences are part of routine global maritime practices. He stated that the Indian Navy consistently monitors foreign vessels, including dual-use ships, to maintain full maritime domain awareness in the Indian Ocean Region. The parade marked the completion of three years of training for 329 cadets, including 20 from friendly foreign nations and a second batch of 15 women cadets. Admiral Tripathi, an NDA alumnus, reviewed the parade and lauded the graduates for their discipline and dedication. He also highlighted the academy’s 75-year tradition of excellence, quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi: “The path to peace runs through power,” and noted that the cadets embody this principle, ready to protect India’s sovereignty and that of partner nations.

Chinese surveillance ships, such as the Yuan Wang-class and Shi Yan-6, have frequently entered the Indian Ocean, often around Indian missile test schedules. Past instances, including in 2022 near Bali and recent sightings in late November 2025, reportedly delayed tests from 25–27 November to 1–3 December.

Equipped with advanced sensors for tracking missile trajectories and underwater activities, these vessels are closely monitored by India. The country has deployed assets for surveillance and occasionally engaged diplomatically, such as with Sri Lanka over the docking of such ships at Hambantota port. Admiral Tripathi’s statements reflect India’s continued vigilance against foreign intelligence-gathering in strategic waters. Operation Sindoor remains active, demonstrating integrated tri-service preparedness amid regional tensions.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from desi talk chicago.

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) claimed it had foiled a plan by Ukrainian and British intelligence to entice Russian pilots into stealing a MiG-31 fighter jet armed with a Kinzhal hypersonic missile for US$3 million (S$3.9 million), according to state media reports on Tuesday. The FSB said the stolen jet was intended to be flown toward a NATO airbase in Constanta, Romania, where it could have been intercepted or shot down by air defenses. RIA news agency cited the FSB as saying Ukraine and the UK had allegedly planned a large-scale “provocation” using the aircraft. Ukrainian military intelligence was said to have attempted to recruit Russian pilots with the promise of money to carry out the theft.

RIA quoted the FSB as stating that “the measures taken have thwarted the Ukrainian and British intelligence services’ plans for a large-scale provocation.” State television aired images of messages and recordings from a man claimed to be working for Ukrainian and British intelligence, offering both US$3 million and citizenship to a Russian pilot willing to fly the MiG to Europe.

Russia’s Kinzhal missile is air-launched, hypersonic, and capable of maneuvering at very high speeds to evade air defenses. Moscow has repeatedly accused the UK of being a key adversary, blaming London for fueling the Ukraine war and supporting Ukrainian intelligence operations inside Russia. Reuters could not independently verify the FSB’s account.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

China’s induction of its third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, marks a major milestone in its ongoing naval modernisation. Entirely designed and constructed domestically, the Fujian reflects a significant technological leap within the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). The commissioning ceremony, held on November 5 in Hainan and overseen by President Xi Jinping, underscored China’s determination to transform its navy into a globally deployable force capable of sustained power projection. Unlike its predecessors, the Liaoning and Shandong, which were based on Soviet-era designs, the Fujian is a fully indigenous creation. At approximately 80,000 tonnes, it is China’s largest and most advanced warship to date.

Equipped with modern electrical and propulsion systems, the carrier achieves greater energy efficiency and seamless integration across its combat and control systems. Its launch represents the PLAN’s evolution from relying on foreign technology to developing its own advanced designs. A defining feature of the Fujian is the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), a technology previously exclusive to the United States. Replacing the ski-jump ramps of earlier carriers, EMALS allows for the rapid launch of heavier aircraft with larger payloads, significantly enhancing operational flexibility. This system enables the deployment of radar aircraft, stealth fighters, and reconnaissance drones that would otherwise be constrained under the STOBAR (Short Take-Off but Arrested Recovery) system, increasing sortie rates and combat capability.

The Fujian is expected to operate J-35 stealth fighters, KJ-600 airborne early warning aircraft, and upgraded J-15 fighters, collectively providing comprehensive air combat, strike, and surveillance capabilities. The J-35 extends detection and interception range, while the KJ-600 strengthens early warning and battle management, enhancing the PLAN’s situational awareness and offensive reach across vast ocean areas. With three carriers now active, China possesses the world’s second-largest carrier fleet, after the United States. The Fujian allows China to deploy carrier strike groups simultaneously across the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean, securing strategic sea lanes and enabling rapid responses to multiple regional contingencies. Its induction also signals China’s ambitions to safeguard maritime interests far beyond its coastal waters.

The carrier’s advanced electrification includes an integrated Medium Voltage Direct Current (MVDC) system powering EMALS, radar, communications, and weapons. This system improves energy management and prepares the ship for future technologies, such as directed-energy weapons or electromagnetic railguns, while supporting extended missions and high-tempo operations. For India, the Fujian introduces significant strategic challenges. The Indian Navy currently operates two carriers, INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, both using the STOBAR system, which limits aircraft payloads and sortie frequency compared to EMALS. This gives the Fujian a clear operational advantage in both strike capability and air wing flexibility.

China’s expanding naval presence, supported by strategic ports like Gwadar in Pakistan and Djibouti in East Africa, enables sustained operations far from home waters. Combined with the Fujian’s range and endurance, this could impact navigation and sea-lane security in the Indian Ocean, which are crucial for India’s energy and trade routes. The PLAN’s formation of carrier strike groups integrating the Liaoning, Shandong, and Fujian demonstrates its ability to coordinate complex maritime operations. The presence of these groups in the Indian Ocean could compel India to accelerate its naval modernisation, expand carrier-based unmanned systems, and expedite the development of its third carrier, INS Vishal.

Currently, India’s carrier air component relies on MiG-29K fighters and Ka-31 helicopters, which face operational limits under STOBAR. The future Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) could help bridge the gap, but its deployment is still years away. In the meantime, the Fujian further widens the near-term capability differential.

Strategically, China’s Fujian represents a qualitative shift toward sustained power projection, supporting Beijing’s long-term goal of a global navy by the mid-2030s, capable of safeguarding sea routes, protecting overseas interests, and participating in international operations. For India, an effective response requires strengthening partnerships with like-minded navies, including those of the U.S., Japan, and Australia, to maintain regional stability.

The entry of the Fujian signals a new era in Asian naval competition, highlighting the urgent need for India to enhance carrier capabilities, integrate next-generation aircraft, and invest in advanced shipborne technologies. As China continues to build a true blue-water navy, India must balance deterrence and diplomacy with robust modernisation to preserve strategic equilibrium in the Indian Ocean and beyond.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from The Indian Express.

On September 3, China held its largest military parade to date in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The event featured tens of thousands of soldiers, along with hundreds of aircraft, ground vehicles, and advanced weaponry. More than just a show of military might, the parade was intended as a symbol of deterrence, national solidarity, and a display of Xi Jinping’s authority in a period of global uncertainty. Andrea Heng discussed the significance of the event with Dr. Mustafa Izzuddin, Senior International Affairs Analyst at Solaris.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

On May 18, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that Israel would relax its blockade to allow limited food supplies into Gaza, following the military’s declaration of “extensive ground operations” in both the northern and southern regions of the enclave. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman provide the latest updates from Stephen Zunes, Professor of Politics at the University of San Francisco.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

India's military operations chief is set to meet with his Pakistani counterpart to discuss the next steps following the ceasefire. After some initial violations, there were no reports of explosions or projectiles overnight. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman provide the latest update with insights from Dr. Christopher Snedden, a political scientist and author.
Disclaimer: This Video is taken from CNA.