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The Hindu
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Rajnath to attend SCO Defence Ministers' meeting in China
In his first such visit since Operation Sindoor, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will travel to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' meet in Qingdao from June 25 to 27. Pakistan Defence Minister Khwaja Asif too will attend the meeting. The visit comes as India and China take steps to restore ties, including the resumption of trade and travel links as well as dialogue mechanisms. Also Read: Influencing interlocutors: On Operation Sindoor, India's delegations In addition, the Indian pilgrims bound for Kailash-Mansarovar – the first batch to undertake the trip since the 2020 military stand-off and Galwan killings – are also expected to reach their destination at the same time as Mr. Singh's visit to Qingdao. The steps are part of the 'normalisation' process agreed to by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meeting in Kazan in October 2024, after a tense four-year military stand-off on the Line of Actual Control. Both leaders are expected to attend the BRICS summit in Brazil from July 6 to 7, while Mr. Modi has been invited to the SCO Heads of State Summit in Tianjin, China, later this year. Sources said that in Qingdao, which hosts a significant Chinese naval base, Mr. Singh will hold bilateral talks with Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong and Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov on the sidelines of the conference. While Mr. Singh had met Admiral Dong during the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus in Laos last November, this will be their first exchange since the four-day India-Pakistan conflict, where Chinese military hardware support to Pakistan was significant. Mr. Singh is expected to meet other Defence Ministers from the SCO states that also include Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus, while sources said no meeting with the Pakistani Defence Minister is on the cards. SCO members are expected to discuss defence and security cooperation, along with the SCO's special Regional Anti-Terror Structure (RATS) mechanism, during the meeting. As the conflict between Israel and Iran escalates, Mr. Singh's participation at the SCO conference will also be watched closely for India's position. Last week, India disassociated itself from a statement issued by the SCO that had 'strongly condemned' Israel for its strikes on Iran on June 13, and said Israel's 'aggressive actions' on civilian targets and infrastructure were a 'gross violation of international law and the United Nations Charter'. India said it had not been part of the discussion on the statement and issued its own separate statement.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
How India's defence spending is aligned with its regional ambition
West Asia is among the regions witnessing the steepest defence spending largely driven by the Israel-Gaza conflict, according to the 2025 report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The ongoing Israel-Iran conflict only compounds the situation. At the same time, South Asia has emerged as one of the fastest militarising regions worldwide, exacerbating security concerns across Asia. But what are the major factors behind increased military spending worldwide and, specifically, in the Indo-Pacific region – home to seven of the 10 largest militaries? Global militarisation is accelerating at a pace unseen since the Cold War, with South Asia and the Indo-Pacific emerging as the key theatres of this trend. According to the SIPRI, global defence spending in 2024 surpassed $2.7 trillion, with over one-fifth coming from Asia and Oceania. Driven by declining geopolitical trust, nuclear competition, and escalating rivalries, defence spending has now increased for ten consecutive years. Across the Himalayas and throughout the Indian Ocean, military buildups are growing more complex and consequential. The SIPRI estimates show that global defence spending rose by 9.4 per cent in 2024 in real terms, reaching approximately $2.72 trillion. The five largest military spenders – the US, China, Russia, India, and Saudi Arabia – together contributed around 61 per cent of global defence expenditures. The steepest regional increases were observed in Europe (17 per cent) and West Asia, largely driven by the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Gaza conflict. The total world spending rose by 37 per cent in the past decade and the US continued to be the largest spender with $997 billion in 2024 – 3.2 times more than the next biggest spender, China. The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) presents an alternative estimate, placing global defence spending at $2.46 trillion for 2024 – a 7.4 per cent increase after adjusting for inflation. Although both sources confirm a significant rise in global defence budgets, the SIPRI uses a more comprehensive accounting method – covering pensions and paramilitary forces – while IISS restricts its focus to formal military allocations. South Asia has emerged as one of the fastest militarising regions worldwide. According to the SIPRI, India's military expenditure in 2024 stood at $86.1 billion, a 1.6 per cent increase from the previous year, placing it fifth among the top global spenders. Meanwhile, Pakistan's defence budget was estimated at $10.2 billion, nearly nine times less than India's, although Islamabad has now proposed a 20 per cent hike in military spending for 2025–26 in response to the recent military showdown with India. India's defence strategy largely revolves around addressing simultaneous challenges – maintaining stability along the Line of Actual Control with China and mitigating asymmetric security threats from Pakistan, particularly terrorism. With increasing maritime commitments and aspirations to become a regional security provider, India's military focus is now deeply tied to its vision for the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The Indian Navy has seen steady modernisation, with over $21 billion earmarked for equipment in the 2025–26 budget. Pakistan continues to rely on a blend of conventional and nuclear deterrence. Although its economic situation limits long-term defence investments, its military planning remains responsive, aimed at preserving some degree of strategic balance with India. Islamabad's increasing dependence on Chinese support, including under initiatives such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), enhances its military capacity but also deepens geopolitical reliance. The Indo-Pacific region, home to seven of the 10 largest militaries, has become the focal point of the global rise in military expenditures. Three interconnected factors define this: China's increasingly assertive military posture, India's balancing efforts, and the strategic involvement of the US and its allies in shaping regional security. — China: With a defence budget of $314 billion in 2024 – up 7 per cent from 2023 – China continues its three-decade trait of steady rise in military spending. IISS offers a slightly lower figure of $296 billion, noting a 6 per cent real-term increase. China is responsible for nearly 50 per cent of defence expenditure across Asia and Oceania, with its priorities centred on expanding anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) capabilities, enhancing maritime surveillance, and updating its nuclear forces. China's activities in the South China Sea, its port-building spree across the IOR, and its sharpening rhetoric on Taiwan have alarmed regional powers. — India: India's spending rose modestly by SIPRI's estimate (1.6 per cent), but IISS reports a 4.2 per cent increase, possibly due to exchange rate adjustments and accounting categories. Strategically, India is placing increasing emphasis on maritime security, deterrence against China, and technological self-reliance. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh outlined a vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' in defence production, with a target of 1.75 lakh crore (approx. $21 billion) in domestic military manufacturing in 2025. — Pakistan: Faced with growing fiscal constraints, Pakistan's real defence capacity remains limited. Yet, the proposed 20 per cent hike in 2025–26 aims to send a strong political message after its April 2025 confrontation with India. The addition of military pensions and a significant allocation for equipment purchases reflects its desire to keep pace strategically despite economic headwinds. — Japan and Australia: Japan's defence budget reached $55.3 billion in 2024, registering a 21 per cent increase, as Tokyo moves away from its post-WWII pacifism. Australia too continues to scale up, with its outlay of $33.8 billion, driven by the AUKUS agreement and a perceived need to counterbalance China in the Pacific. These actors amplify the Indo-Pacific's shift from a trade-first paradigm to a security-centric theatre. Military spending in the IOR is not driven by economics alone – it is fed by an uptight mix of strategic distrust, nuclear deterrence, and sovereignty concerns. Nuclear posturing The nuclear arms race is once again intensifying, especially in Asia. According to SIPRI's latest estimates, the total number of nuclear warheads globally stands at 12,241, with 9,614 in military stockpiles and around 3,912 deployed, some on high alert. The US and Russia together possess almost 90 per cent of all nuclear weapons. One of the most concerning trends is the continuous growth and upgrading of nuclear arsenals, particularly among China, India, and Pakistan. China is estimated to have between 500 and 600 nuclear warheads and is reportedly expanding its arsenal by around 100 warheads per year. Over 350 new intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) silos are also under development. It is building a robust second-strike capability through sea- and air-based systems. India is developing its nuclear triad with technologies like canisterised missile systems and ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), aiming to enhance both deployment flexibility and survivability. Pakistan is gradually expanding its nuclear arsenal and placing growing emphasis on tactical nuclear capabilities for potential use in regional conflict. This expansion is closely linked to the deteriorating regional security situation. The 2025 India-Pakistan war and China's assertiveness in the South China Sea have added urgency to nuclear preparedness. Compounding this are the failures of global arms control – such as the uncertain fate of New START – and the lack of regional risk-reduction mechanisms. West Asia is witnessing the consequences of this setback. In the Indian Ocean Region, the presence of nuclear-armed submarines, especially from China and India, increases the risk of miscalculation. Without new confidence-building measures, the regional nuclear competition threatens to destabilise rather than deter. Territorial and maritime disputes China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea and increased naval presence in the Eastern IOR (Gwadar, Djibouti, Maldives) are reshaping strategic calculations. India's response has been to deepen naval outreach, participate in multilateral naval exercises (like Malabar), and build infrastructure in the Andaman-Nicobar command. Deterrence by denial Rather than deterrence by punishment, many states in the region are focusing on deterrence by denial – developing submarine fleets, surveillance networks, and air defence systems to deny adversaries access to key maritime zones. Securitisation of the commons Even areas like seabed mapping, undersea cables, and marine biodiversity – once under scientific or civilian control – are now being securitised. This blurs the line between peace-time preparations and war-time readiness. The Indo-Pacific is evolving into one of the most militarised regions globally. Although modernisation and deterrence can promote security, the absence of clear military doctrines, effective arms control frameworks, and reliable confidence-building channels increases the risk of accidental escalation. Despite their significant military budgets, India and China lack dedicated hotlines or transparent mechanisms to verify each other's military activities – raising the risk of miscalculation during crises. India and Pakistan continue to observe a fragile ceasefire, but sustained diplomatic engagement and backchannel communications are largely absent. In such a context, every military drill, arms purchase, or border incident becomes a potential flashpoint. There is an urgent need to reinvigorate CBMs – such as greater transparency in defence spending, advance notification of military drills, collaborative disaster-response training, and open dialogues on maritime security. Multilateral institutions like the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and ASEAN need to be empowered to facilitate such efforts. Long-term strategic stability in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific needs to go beyond deterrence. It demands sustained dialogue, responsible restraint, and a shared understanding that economic progress cannot flourish amid constant military tension. According to recent reports by SIPRI and IISS, defence spending has increased for ten consecutive years globally. Evaluate major reasons behind this trend. What does India's rising defence expenditure reveal about its strategic priorities? How is India's defence strategy balancing its continental challenges with maritime ambitions in the Indian Ocean Region? In what ways does India's approach to balancing power in the Indo-Pacific illustrate its broader strategic goals amid China's assertiveness and increasing US-led alignment in the region? (K.M. Seethi is the Director of Inter University Centre for Social Science Research and Extension (IUCSSRE), Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Kerala, and former Senior Professor of International Relations at the same university.) Share your thoughts and ideas on UPSC Special articles with Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Amid bid to rebuild China ties, Rajnath Singh to attend SCO meet
File photo: Defence minister Rajnath Singh (PTI) NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh is set to visit China later this month for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation defence ministers' meet, which comes amid efforts by New Delhi and Beijing to rebuild and stabilize bilateral ties, though de-escalation between the rival armies is yet to take place along the Line of Actual Control. Singh is likely to have a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun on the sidelines of the SCO meet on June 24-25, in what will be his first visit as defence minister to China. "The final details are still being worked out," an official said on Saturday. Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Asif is also slated to attend the SCO meet, which is taking place soon after intense cross-border military hostilities between India and Pakistan from May 7 to 10. Both India and Pakistan in 2017 became full members of the SCO, which also includes Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Belarus. Along the 3,488-km LAC with China, there are as yet no signs of de-escalation and de-induction of troops after disengagement at the two remaining face-off sites at Depsang and Demchok in eastern Ladakh last Oct, which has led to restoration of patrolling by the rival soldiers and grazing by herders as well as reduced the risk of any inadvertent escalation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ambato: Ecuatorianos: generen un segundo ingreso con Amazon CFD. Empezar ahora Registrarse Undo China has continued to strengthen its military positions & infrastructure build-up all along LAC, with PLA troops continuing to be forward deployed with heavy weapon systems in large numbers, as earlier reported by TOI. Moreover, the deep military collusiveness between Pakistan and China was quite evident during Operation Sindoor. Pakistan used several Chinese weapons and platforms, ranging from J-10 fighters firing the PL-15 beyond visual range air-to-air missiles to HQ-9 air defence missile batteries, during the hostilities with India. Pakistan is also set to acquire at least 40 J-35A fifth-generation stealth jets and the HQ-19 long-range air defence missile systems from China.
Mint
12-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
China adds another name to its 10-day visa-free transit list of 55 countries; India remains excluded
China has now included Indonesia in its 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit programme. Now, the total number of eligible countries is 55. However, India is still not on this list. According to China's National Immigration Administration (NIA), travellers from 55 countries, such as the UK, US, Japan, France, Australia and UAE. They can already use the 72 or 144-hour visa-free transit facilities at 31 ports in 23 cities. From June 12, 2025, eligible Indonesian travellers can enter China through any of 60 ports in 24 regions. They can stay for up to 10 days without a visa, as long as they are en route to a third country. According to the NIA, this move strengthens ties between China and ASEAN countries and supports regional cooperation. Many Indian travellers, however, continue to wait for similar ease of entry as India remains excluded from the current visa-free list. "With deepening exchanges between China, Indonesia, and other ASEAN members, China's visa-free policy is gradually evolving into a broader regional initiative," Ge Hongliang, vice dean of the ASEAN College at Guangxi Minzu University, told the Global Times. NIA has said that it will keep improving immigration rules to make it easier for foreigners to enter, study, work and live in the country. The transit visa policy is expanding, allowing more people to visit China. 'This also clearly reflects China's commitment to opening up and boosting international exchanges," Ge said. India and China continue to have a rocky relationship due to border issues and political rivalry. The main reason is the Line of Actual Control (LAC) dispute in the Himalayas. Geopolitically, China does not enjoy India's bond with countries like the US, Japan and Australia. In turn, India's major concern is China and Pakistan's 'all-weather friendship'. China continues to provide Pakistan with economic help and weapons. It also gives Pakistan advanced arms, like fighter jets and missiles, adding to India's security concerns. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which India sees as a violation of its sovereignty.
Tom's Guide
10-06-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
IPVanish becomes the United Rugby Championship's official VPN partner
IPVanish has partnered with the United Rugby Championship (URC) to launch the "First Line of Defence" campaign and showcase the importance of cybersecurity in the world of professional rugby. IPVanish can't always match the best VPNs, but it's a reputable and capable VPN provider. It is committed to online privacy and digital security, and is a founding member of the VPN Trust Initiative (VTI) – a group of VPN providers which is focused on improving digital safety. IPVanish believes that your "first line of defence" should go beyond simply your devices, and should be part of your everyday life. IPVanish: a cheap and capable all-rounderIPVanish is an established VPN name, and a reputable and dependable all-rounder. It's a verified no-logging VPN, which can protect an unlimited number of devices on one plan. It can unblock most streaming services and its speed exceed 750 Mbps. Its threat protection is very highly rated and post-quantum encryption support is due soon. The 2-year deal works out at $2.19 per month ($52.56 plus tax up front). The more expensive plan includes a free 3 GB eSIM and both plans come with a 30-day money back guarantee. The United Rugby Championship (URC) is a professional rugby league featuring elite clubs from Ireland, Italy, Scotland, South Africa, and Wales. Its partnership with IPVanish will focus on education, awareness, and creating a safer digital environment for fans, players, and teams. Through the "First Line of Defence" campaign, IPVanish will support and promote the work of the league's Television Match Officials (TMOs) – match officials who use TV replays to assist the referee in making important decisions. The provider said how their work will "enhance how decisions are communicated to fans both in the stadium and watching at home." IPVanish is partnering with the United Rugby Championship! 🏉🔐Together, we're launching the 'First Line of Defence' campaign to promote cybersecurity across the passionate world of professional rugby. #CyberSecurity #URC #VPN #IPVanish 4, 2025 "Whether it's on the pitch or online, everyone needs to protect their home," said IPVanish General Manager, Subbu Sthanu. "This partnership allows us to connect with a passionate, tech-savvy audience and drive home the importance of security and privacy in everyday life." Back in December 2024, Tom's Guide spoke to Sthanu about the future of digital privacy, something he described as "a game of chess we need to play." For the 2025/26 URC season, fans will benefit from "exclusive content, smart tips to stay safe online, and tools to help protect their digital lives." United Rugby Championship CEO Martin Anayi also shared thoughts on the partnership. He said: "Working closer with tech-based partners will also foster greater opportunities to enhance our business as a league and support our clubs with their own sporting and business goals." IPVanish boasts some decent features and has seen some significant and welcomed updates in recent months. Its no-logs policy was verified for a second time. It confirmed IPVanish will not collect, store, or share any of your browsing activities, and no metadata is logged. Windscribe's recent legal case highlighted the importance of verified no-logs policies. Details of the audit, plus a full transparency report, was published in IPVanish's Trust Centre. The provider's threat protection – VIPRE – was awarded the highest possible "Advanced+" rating from AV-Comparatives in its testing, having been subjected to over 10,000 pieces of malware. There's also a link and QR code checker, enabling you to avoid malware threats before they strike. You can protect an unlimited number of devices on one plan and IPVanish is working on implementing post-quantum encryption this year. Working out at just over $2 per month, IPVanish is one of the cheaper VPNs out there, and is certainly worth considering. We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
