The Indian Army and the French Army held a Subject Matter Expert Exchange on March 9 and 10 to strengthen military cooperation and improve understanding of modern warfare developments. The discussions focused on key operational areas relevant to current battlefields, particularly the use of Long Range Vectors and Precision Guided Munitions. These engagements allow defence professionals from partner nations to share operational knowledge, doctrinal perspectives and technological advancements influencing modern conflicts.

The Additional Directorate General of Public Information of the Indian Army said the exchange centred on the operational use of long range strike systems and precision weapons in contemporary warfare. Delegations from both armies shared insights on operational applications, doctrinal evolution and global trends related to precision strike and deep strike capabilities, helping to strengthen professional learning and defence cooperation.

The interaction also highlighted the growing significance of precision strike systems in modern military operations. Long Range Vectors and Precision Guided Munitions enable forces to carry out accurate attacks on strategic targets while reducing collateral damage. Experts from both countries discussed operational experiences, emerging technologies and doctrinal changes shaping the use of such systems in present day conflicts.

Subject Matter Expert Exchanges are aimed at enhancing professional understanding between partner armies and improving interoperability. These interactions also help militaries remain informed about evolving global defence trends, technological innovations and strategic thinking that influence military planning.

India’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, G Balasubramanian, met Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi to discuss strengthening the India Maldives strategic partnership. According to the Indian Army, the meeting reviewed the evolving regional security environment and explored ways to deepen defence and diplomatic cooperation, while highlighting the importance of continued engagement to maintain stability and security in the Indian Ocean region.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from @adgpi.

The seventh edition of the India-Japan Joint Military Exercise, Dharma Guardian 2026, was held at the Foreign Training Node in Chaubattia, Uttarakhand, from February 24 to March 8. Since 2018, the annual exercise has alternated between India and Japan, serving as a key pillar of defence cooperation between the two nations. Its significance has grown in light of shared security concerns and the changing dynamics of global terrorism. The closing ceremony, held yesterday, marked the successful completion of intensive joint training between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), underscoring the deepening strategic partnership and reaffirming both nations’ commitment to regional peace, stability, and strengthened defence collaboration.

During the exercise, troops from both countries focused on improving interoperability and joint operational capabilities, with an emphasis on counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism, urban warfare, and complex-terrain combat drills. The training provided opportunities to exchange best practices, operational procedures, and professional expertise, while enhancing physical fitness, marksmanship, and fieldcraft. It also fostered camaraderie through meaningful cultural interactions and exposure to each other’s traditions.

A highlight of Dharma Guardian 2026 was Exercise ASAHI SHAKTI, conducted as a Validation Exercise to assess the standards achieved during training. This 48-hour field exercise simulated operational scenarios in the Chaubattia region, where joint forces executed operations against terrorists. Activities included terrain analysis, establishing a Company Operating Base, intelligence gathering via patrols and ambushes, cordon and search operations, special heliborne missions, room intervention, and hostage rescue drills. Advanced surveillance technologies, including drones, enhanced situational awareness, coordination, and operational efficiency.

The closing ceremony was attended by Major General Tsunehiro Yanagida, Vice Commanding General, 1st Division, JGSDF, and Major General Sudhanshu Sharma, SM, VSM, Chief of Staff, Headquarters 14 Corps, representing the Indian Army. The successful conclusion of Dharma Guardian 2026 highlights the growing India-Japan defence partnership and their shared determination to address contemporary security challenges collaboratively.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

India has strongly rejected as “baseless” a viral claim that the United States is using its naval ports to launch strikes against Iran amid rising tensions in the Middle East. The claim originated from a video interview of retired US Army Colonel Douglas Macgregor on One America News Network (OAN). In the clip, Macgregor alleged that, with US bases and harbor facilities destroyed, American naval forces are now relying on Indian ports. He said, “All of our bases have been destroyed. Our harbour installations are destroyed. We are actually having to fall back on India and Indian ports, which is less than ideal; that is what the navy says.”

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) quickly dismissed the report via its official FactCheck account on X (formerly Twitter), calling the claims “fake and false” and warning against “baseless and fabricated comments.” The response reflects New Delhi’s focus on countering misinformation on sensitive national security and international issues.

The controversy comes amid a sharp escalation in the US-Israel-Iran conflict, triggered last Saturday by joint American-Israeli strikes on Iran, which killed the country’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated with missile attacks on Israel and US bases in the Gulf. On Tuesday night, a US submarine reportedly sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka—the first such submarine strike on a surface vessel since World War II—resulting in 87 deaths. Casualties continue to rise, with over 1,000 reported in Iran, around a dozen in Israel, and at least six US troops killed.

US President Donald Trump defended the pre-emptive strikes, describing America’s performance as “15 out of 10,” and claiming Iran posed an imminent threat. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu framed the conflict as a necessary response, insisting it would not be “an endless war.” The region remains tense, with Iran’s missile attacks—including cluster bombs—raising concerns about technological support from Russia and China, while oil markets face potential disruptions.

For India, the MEA’s swift denial underscores its effort to protect strategic autonomy, maintain stable relations with the US and Israel, and avoid being drawn into a volatile conflict near its maritime interests in the Indian Ocean. Analysts note that Macgregor’s unverified claims demonstrate how retired military voices can amplify misinformation online, often faster than official clarifications. Observers will continue monitoring India’s stance as the conflict unfolds, especially given its growing defense cooperation with the US through the Quad and bilateral agreements.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian Defence News.

Amid rising cross-border tensions, the Islamic Emirate’s Ministry of National Defence announced that the Afghan Air Force carried out targeted strikes on several key Pakistani military installations. Among the locations hit were the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, the 12th Brigade base in Quetta, Balochistan, and the Khoizai camp in Mohmand Agency, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, along with other critical military sites.

The Afghan Ministry described the operation as highly effective, claiming substantial damage to all designated targets. The strikes were presented as retaliation for recent Pakistani air raids on Afghan territory, including attacks on Kabul, Bagram Airbase, and other locations over the past two days. The Nur Khan Airbase, situated in Rawalpindi’s Chaklala area, is strategically important as a hub for Pakistan Air Force operations and due to its proximity to Islamabad. It had previously been struck during India’s Operation Sindoor in May of the previous year, following a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Satellite imagery from that period confirmed extensive damage to Nur Khan and other bases, including PAF Base Mushaf, Bholari, and PAF Base Shahbaz.

Afghanistan’s Ministry stated that preliminary assessments show considerable destruction at the targeted sites and issued a warning that any future violations of Afghan airspace would provoke stronger retaliation, emphasizing Kabul’s commitment to defending its sovereignty. The escalation marks a serious intensification of hostilities along the 2,640-kilometre Durand Line, a historically disputed and porous border. Tensions have persisted since the Taliban regained power in 2021, fueled by accusations of cross-border militancy, refugee flows, and territorial encroachments. Pakistan has long accused Afghan territory of harboring Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, prompting Islamabad to conduct airstrikes and ground operations, which Kabul has condemned as breaches of sovereignty. Afghanistan’s recent strikes are unusual, representing a rare counter-offensive with its limited air capabilities.

The timing coincides with ongoing instability in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, regions affected by separatist insurgencies and militant activity. Striking the 12th Brigade base in Quetta may reflect an attempt to exploit Pakistan’s internal vulnerabilities, while the Mohmand Agency camp has historically sheltered militants.

The escalation has regional implications. India, having previously targeted Nur Khan, may interpret Afghanistan’s strikes as indirectly advancing its interests against Pakistan. China, invested in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in Balochistan, could push for de-escalation, while the United States and NATO are likely monitoring for counter-terrorism impacts.

Despite limited resources, Afghanistan’s air force demonstrated unexpected reach in striking Pakistani targets. Details remain unclear on the methods used—whether fighter jets, drones, or loitering munitions—and Pakistan’s defensive measures, including Chinese-supplied J-10 jets and HQ-9 missile systems. Pakistan has not yet issued an official response, but reports indicate emergency military meetings in Rawalpindi. Social media from border areas shows heightened alerts, troop mobilization, and civilian precautions near the affected sites.

This tit-for-tat escalation risks further destabilizing South Asia, disrupting trade, worsening humanitarian situations in refugee camps, and potentially drawing in regional powers. Diplomatic efforts, including the Quadrilateral Coordination Group involving Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, and the US, appear stalled amid the crisis. With Afghanistan’s international isolation under Taliban rule and Pakistan’s internal challenges, a swift resolution seems unlikely, signaling the possibility of continued border clashes.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Deccan Chronicle.

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.