The 23rd edition of the Multilateral Joint Military Exercise Khaan Quest 2026 is being conducted at the Five Hills Training Area in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The exercise also commemorates the 20th anniversary of one of the world’s major peacekeeping training exercises, with more than 1,000 personnel from 18 nations taking part, according to the Ministry of Defence.

The Indian Army contingent, consisting of 40 personnel from a battalion of the JAT Regiment along with members of other Arms and Services, is participating in extensive joint peacekeeping exercises alongside international forces. Conducted under the framework of the United Nations mandate, the exercise focuses on improving interoperability, coordination, communication, and collective responses during challenging operational situations.

During the drills, Indian troops are undergoing training in various tactical operations, including checkpoint management, area patrolling, cordon and search operations, crowd control measures, protection of UN facilities, humanitarian support for civilians, combat medical assistance, and evacuation of casualties. The Indian contingent is also taking part in the “Women, Peace and Security” segment of the exercise, which promotes gender-inclusive peacekeeping practices, civilian protection, community involvement, and a more inclusive approach in conflict and post-conflict regions.

The Ministry of Defence stated that the exercise serves as a valuable opportunity for participating forces to share their experiences, strategies, and operational methods related to peace support missions. Training together in a multinational environment enables troops to strengthen trust, coordination, and preparedness for future UN peacekeeping deployments.

With India’s long-standing contribution to UN peacekeeping missions, including the participation of women peacekeepers, the Indian Army contingent is demonstrating professionalism, discipline, and operational capability. Exercise Khaan Quest 2026 highlights India’s continued role in supporting global peace, stability, and international cooperation. The exercise is being held from June 20 to July 3 at the Five Hills Training Area in Ulaanbaatar. It brings together military forces from various countries to enhance cooperation and interoperability in peace support operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.

The exercise began in 2003 as a bilateral initiative between the United States and Mongolian Defence Forces. From 2006 onwards, it expanded into a multilateral peacekeeping exercise and has since evolved into a major international training platform. The participation of the Indian Army reflects India’s commitment to global peace efforts and its growing defence partnership with Mongolia.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from MinistryofDefence.

Indian Navy’s stealth frigate INS Tarkash departed from Port Louis, Mauritius, on 22 June 2026 after completing its scheduled port visit, as the warship continued its operational deployment in the South West Indian Ocean Region. According to an official statement, the crew of INS Tarkash took part in several engagements during the visit, including a friendly but competitive volleyball match and specialised professional training sessions for personnel of the Mauritius National Coast Guard.

The naval ship was also opened for public visitors on 21 June 2026, attracting nearly 450 people from the Indian diaspora and the local community. The interaction helped strengthen the longstanding cultural and people-to-people connections between India and Mauritius. During the visit, INS Tarkash Commanding Officer Captain Rohit Mishra held meetings with Mauritius Police Commissioner Rampersad Sooroojebally and India’s High Commissioner to Mauritius Anurag Srivastava, the release stated.

The ship also organised a yoga session for Mauritius National Coast Guard personnel on 21 June to mark the International Day of Yoga 2026, highlighting cooperation and shared participation between the two maritime partners. The visit reflected the strong and historic relationship between India and Mauritius while reaffirming New Delhi’s focus on strengthening maritime cooperation, regional stability, and the vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).

The development comes after External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s high-level visit to Mauritius in April, which focused on healthcare cooperation, diplomatic engagements, and regional discussions aimed at further deepening bilateral ties. A key highlight of Jaishankar’s visit was the inauguration of Mauritius’ first dedicated renal transplant unit at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital in Port Louis. The facility was described as a significant step in improving the country’s healthcare infrastructure and as another example of India’s long-term development partnership with Mauritius.

While inaugurating the unit, Jaishankar said the project represented an important achievement for patients and families in Mauritius, describing it as both a healthcare milestone and a humanitarian initiative. In a post on X, he said the new facility would enhance access to advanced medical treatment for kidney patients and further strengthen the health partnership between the two nations. He also reiterated India’s commitment to global cooperation, noting that Mauritius remains an important partner in India’s vision of a connected and inclusive global community.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

An Ex-Servicemen (ESM) Rally was conducted at Tangdhar under the aegis of Shakti Vijay Brigade with the objective of strengthening outreach, resolving grievances, and spreading awareness about various welfare schemes for veterans, Veer Naris, widows, and their dependents. The event saw active participation from the veteran community, including 154 Ex-Servicemen, 4 Veer Naris, and 25 widows. Representatives from multiple organisations and departments such as the Veterans Cell, ECHS Baramulla, JAK LI and JAK RIF Record Offices, civil administration, police, forest, employment, banking institutions, and education offices were also present. They interacted with participants, addressed their issues, and guided them regarding available welfare measures and government schemes.

During the rally, speakers paid tribute to the sacrifices and service of veterans and reaffirmed their commitment to their welfare. They highlighted several ongoing initiatives, including ESM rallies, Veer Nari meets, ECHS clinical camps, artificial limb camps, outreach programmes for Veer Mata-Pita, and the SPARSH data migration drive.

Participants were also informed about recent improvements such as the empanelment of additional hospitals under the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) in the Kashmir Valley to enhance healthcare access. Veterans and families were encouraged to make full use of these welfare schemes and approach relevant authorities for timely grievance redressal.

They were further urged to contribute to nation-building by mentoring youth, raising awareness against drug abuse, and promoting peace and social harmony. As part of the programme, scholarships were awarded to 25 widows, 4 Veer Naris, and 10 meritorious students from ESM families for their academic and extracurricular achievements by Mrs. Sheela Yadav, wife of Brigadier Dharmendra Yadav, SM, Station Commander Tangdhar. In addition, five distinguished Ex-Servicemen were felicitated for their contributions to community development and nation-building.

Addressing the gathering, Brigadier Dharmendra Yadav reiterated the Indian Army’s commitment to the welfare of veterans, Veer Naris, and their families. He outlined various welfare initiatives and assured continued support in resolving their concerns. He also encouraged veterans to guide the younger generation, fight drug abuse, strengthen social harmony, and remain alert against misinformation and anti-national influences.

The rally concluded with an interactive session between the Station Commander and veterans, allowing for direct engagement and discussion, followed by a group photograph marking the occasion and the enduring bond between serving personnel and veterans. The event underscored the Indian Army’s continued dedication to honouring veterans and ensuring their dignity, welfare, and active participation in nation-building.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

For decades, the residents of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have lived under a system of control that many describe as oppressive and exploitative. But something significant has changed in recent months. What started as isolated protests over basic economic issues has transformed into a broad-based people's movement demanding fundamental changes to the political and economic structure imposed by Pakistan. This isn't just about prices or power bills anymore—it's about the right to self-determination and an end to what many locals view as decades of systemic neglect and exploitation.

The protests that erupted in September 2025 across cities like Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Kotli, Rawalakot, and Neelum Valley represent one of the largest mobilizations in PoK's recent history. Thousands of residents took to the streets after negotiations between the Awami Action Committee (AAC)—a coalition of traders, lawyers, and civil society groups—and Pakistani authorities collapsed. The AAC launched what they call a "shutter-down and wheel-jam strike," effectively paralyzing daily life across the region. This wasn't a spontaneous outburst; it was a carefully organized response to grievances that have accumulated over generations.

At the heart of this movement is a comprehensive 38-point charter of demands that addresses both immediate economic needs and long-term political reforms. The protesters are demanding subsidised flour, sugar, and ghee—basic necessities that have become unaffordable due to Pakistan's economic policies. They want fair electricity tariffs, particularly for the local hydropower that should benefit Kashmiri residents rather than being exported elsewhere. They're calling for access to electricity generated from the Mangla Dam, which sits in their territory but whose benefits rarely reach them. These aren't abstract demands; they're about survival in a region where inflation has soared and basic amenities remain scarce.

But the movement goes far beyond economics. The charter challenges the political structure itself, demanding the scrapping of 12 legislative seats reserved for refugees in Pakistan—a provision critics say distorts local representation and dilutes the political voice of actual PoK residents. Protesters want to curb elite privileges that benefit Pakistani officials and their allies while locals remain marginalized. They're calling for judicial reform to tackle corruption that has plagued the administration for decades. The demands include tax relief for traders, acceleration of stalled infrastructure projects, improved schools and hospitals, equitable job opportunities for local youth, housing for families affected by natural disasters, and fairer policies for farmers who have been struggling under Pakistan's agricultural policies.

One of the most striking aspects of this uprising is how it has evolved from economic protest into political movement. What started as anger over skyrocketing power bills, wheat flour shortages, and unemployment has transformed into a broader demand for greater autonomy and fundamental reforms. In some areas, protesters have been raising slogans calling for PM Narendra Modi to free them from Pakistan's occupation. Slogans like "Chalo, Chalo Kargil Chalo" and demands to merge with India can be heard clearly and loudly in protest zones. This is remarkable because it represents a direct challenge to Pakistan's narrative of Kashmiri solidarity and shows that many locals view India as a potential alternative to Pakistani control.

The Pakistani response has been predictable and heavy-handed. Paramilitary forces have been deployed across protest zones, and there have been fears of a violent crackdown similar to past incidents where Rangers killed three civilians. The UKPNP (United Kashmiri People's National Party) issued an urgent international appeal regarding Pakistan's communication blackout in PoK, coinciding with the major protests. Fears of violence escalated after reports of excessive force and shelling that left three young men dead in Kotli, with injuries rising among protesters. Local voices have accused authorities of ignoring public grievances while using force to suppress dissent. The situation remains tense as anger grows over alleged political insensitivity and the failure to address long-pending demands for change.

The crisis is raising serious questions about human rights, governance, and the treatment of people in what Pakistan calls its territory but many view as occupied land. Critics allege manipulation, neglect, and a lack of accountability in Pakistan's handling of PoK. The continuing subjugation by Pakistan over decades has led to an acute sense of alienation amongst the people, according to analysts. The growing discontent has led groups to demand freedom from Pakistani control and abolition of the Interim Constitution that Pakistan imposed to govern the region without genuine local representation.

India's government has condemned Pakistan's violent crackdown in PoK, asserting the territory as an integral part of India while urging Islamabad to account for human rights violations amid deadly protests. The Ministry of External Affairs said the ongoing unrest in PoK reflects decades of systemic exploitation and repression by Pakistan. India believes it's a natural consequence of Pakistan's oppressive approach and its systemic plundering of resources from these territories, which remain under its forcible and illegal occupation. This represents India's strongest public statement on PoK unrest in recent years, signaling that the government sees the protests as validation of its position that Pakistan's occupation is illegitimate.

The movement has gained prominence because the Awami Action Committee has surged in influence lately, drawing crowds with its comprehensive agenda. Political activists in PoK have taken to the streets to denounce Pakistani atrocities and the suppression of rights in occupied territories, coinciding with Islamabad's observance of 'Kashmir Solidarity Day' on February 5th. This timing is significant because it exposes Pakistan's double standards—the country observes solidarity with Kashmir while suppressing the very people it claims to represent. Protesters criticized this hypocrisy and highlighted the dire conditions faced by residents in PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan, including soaring inflation, wheat shortages, and power outages.

What makes this uprising particularly significant is that people residing near the Line of Control in PoK are raising slogans asking Modi to get them freedom from Pakistan's illegal occupation and saving their souls that are dying from hunger, according to activist Shabbir Choudhry. These residents are appealing for India's help and asking PM Narendra Modi to free them from Pakistan. This is not just political rhetoric; it represents a genuine shift in how many PoK residents view their relationship with both India and Pakistan. The continuing protests over various issues faced by local residents—from the demand for proper educational setup to the administration's incapability to provide basic amenities—have been going on for a long time, but this movement has achieved unprecedented coordination and scale.

The rise of nationalist movements in PoK has given local people some relief from the restraints imposed on political activities, according to researchers. For years, Pakistan has maintained strict control over political organizing in the region, but the AAC's success in mobilizing thousands shows that this control is weakening. The continuing subjugation has created a sense of alienation that Pakistan cannot easily overcome through force alone. The people's movement represents a fundamental challenge to Pakistan's legitimacy in governing PoK, and it raises questions about whether Islamabad can maintain control without addressing the genuine grievances of local residents.

This isn't just a local issue—it has international implications for how the world views Pakistan's occupation of Kashmir. The protests expose the contradiction between Pakistan's rhetoric about Kashmiri solidarity and its actual treatment of PoK residents. The movement shows that occupation, regardless of how it's justified politically, creates resentment and resistance that cannot be suppressed indefinitely. The people of PoK are demanding not just economic justice but political freedom, and they're articulating this demand in ways that challenge Pakistan's narrative and potentially strengthen India's position on the Kashmir dispute.

The bottom line is that PoK residents are no longer willing to accept the status quo. They're rising up against what they see as decades of occupation, oppression, and economic exploitation by Pakistan. This people's movement represents a historic moment in the Kashmir dispute, showing that the people most affected by the conflict are demanding a voice in determining their future. Whether Pakistan can address these demands without fundamentally changing its relationship with PoK remains uncertain, but the uprising has already achieved something significant: it has made the world pay attention to the reality of occupation in Kashmir and the genuine suffering of those who live under it.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian Defence Research Wing.

Amid rising tensions in the U.S.–Israel–Iran conflict, airlines are diverting flights away from major Middle East routes that connect Asia and Europe. This shift raises the question: could new aviation hubs emerge beyond established centers like Dubai and Doha? How might this affect ticket costs, cargo transport, and the broader landscape of global air travel? Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman explore these issues with Shantanu Gangakhedkar, Principal Consultant and Commercial Aviation Lead at Frost & Sullivan.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Whether it is issuing military threats toward Colombia and Cuba, suggesting the takeover of Greenland from Denmark, or capturing oil tankers in European and Caribbean seas, Donald Trump’s actions are forcing global leaders into constant crisis management. His renewed brand of American imperialism is reshaping international politics at a rapid pace. Jonathan Freedland discusses this shifting global landscape with Pulitzer Prize–winning author Anne Applebaum, examining what lies ahead in a world being rapidly transformed by the decisions of the US president.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

The United States’ confiscation of a sanctioned Venezuelan oil tanker represents a significant escalation, denounced by Caracas as “international piracy.” Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman examine the underlying strategic signal the Trump administration is sending to Latin America in the context of China’s expanding influence, alongside Ross Feingold, Head of Research at Caerus Consulting. They assess whether this aggressive move qualifies as a justified national security action, whether it accomplished its intended objectives, and how neighbouring countries have responded in the immediate aftermath.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

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.