Latest news with #Pakistan-occupied
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Business
- Time of India
Pakistan PM Sharif reaffirms his willingness to talk with India on all issues
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday reaffirmed Pakistan's willingness to talk with India on all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir , the Indus Water Treaty , trade and counter-terrorism. He conveyed this during a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio , according to a statement posted by the state-run Pakistan Television on X. During their warm and cordial conversation, the Prime Minister conveyed his best wishes to US President Donald Trump, it said. He praised the President for his bold leadership and appreciated Secretary Rubio's proactive diplomacy that "played a pivotal role in helping Pakistan and India to arrive at a ceasefire understanding". Sharif said that President Trump's positive statements about Pakistan are most encouraging for a durable peace in South Asia, which can only be made possible by initiating meaningful dialogue between Pakistan and India. "In this context, he reaffirmed Pakistan's willingness for talks with India on all outstanding issues, including Jammu & Kashmir, the Indus Water Treaty, trade and counter-terrorism," the state-run PTV said. Live Events India has made it clear that it will only have a dialogue with Pakistan on the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the issue of terrorism. The situation in the Middle East, particularly the Iran-Israel crisis, was also discussed, where the Prime Minister emphasized the need to find a peaceful resolution to this grave crisis, through dialogue and diplomacy. He said Pakistan is ready to play a constructive role in any effort for peace in the current situation, which is deeply worrying, not only for the region but for the entire world. While recalling President Trump's focus on trade, Sharif said Pakistan and the US need to work together to advance mutually beneficial cooperation across a wide range of areas, including trade, investment, energy, mining, rare earth metals, and IT. On security and counter-terrorism, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan's resolve to deal with the menace of terrorism from the entire country, particularly the threat from militant groups. Rubio appreciated Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts and assured Pakistan of full cooperation by the United States in countering all such threats, the channel said. He also appreciated Pakistan's resolve to uphold the ceasefire understanding with India, as well as its sustained efforts for peace in the region.
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
New India is assertive, resolute and will no longer be a victim of terrorism, says Rajnath in J&K
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday (June 20, 2025) asserted that Operation Sindoor was proof that the new India was assertive, resolute and would no longer be a victim of terrorism. He was addressing jawans at the Barakhana organised on the eve of International Day of Yoga 2025 at the Army's Northern Command in Udhampur. Mr. Singh said, 'Operation Sindoor sent a powerful message to terrorists and their patrons that new India is assertive, resolute and will no longer be a victim of terrorism, but respond with strength and strategy.' The Defence Minister commended the precision, coordination and courage of the Armed Forces and intelligence agencies in destroying terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, asserting that India's change in policy towards terrorism was a result of this unmatched valour and dedication. Operation Sindoor was not just a military action, it was a warning to the terrorists sitting across the border, and more than that — to those who support them. India would no longer tolerate terrorism and give a befitting reply if its unity and integrity were harmed. He emphasised that Operation Sindoor was not over yet. This was just a pause. Mr. Singh defined the life of a soldier as the one filled with courage and sacrifice, adding that the nation would forever remain indebted to the services rendered by the Armed Forces in the duty of the motherland. He urged the personnel to keep focusing on physical and mental well-being, underlining the importance of strength and wellness in a soldier's life. 'If you are strong, our borders will be strong. When the borders are strong, India will be strong,' he said. Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and other senior Army officials were present on the occasion. On May 10, the Udhampur base was targeted by Pakistani drones but all the drones were successfully intercepted and neutralised by the Army's air defence system.
Mint
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
Pakistan's BIG admission: India's strike on air bases forced us to request ceasefire, says Deputy PM Ishaq Dar
Pakistan's deputy prime minister Ishaq Dar admitted that it was Islamabad that requested a ceasefire after two of their key air bases were hit by India. While speaking on a TV news show, Dar said that India struck Nur Khan and Shorkot air bases in Rawalpindi and Punjab province as part of Operation Sindoor. In the video which is now going viral on social media, Dar can be heard saying, "Unfortunately, India once again launched missile strikes at 2:30 am. They attacked the Nur Khan Air Base and Shorkot Air Base. Within 45 minutes, Saudi Prince Faisal called me. He said he had just learnt about my conversation with (US Secretary of State) Marco Rubio. He asked if he was authorised to talk to (India's External Affairs Minister) S Jaishankar and convey that we are ready if they (India) stop. I said yes, brother, you can. He then called me back, saying he had conveyed the same to Jaishankar.' India carried out precision strikes under 'Operation Sindoor' on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10. India strongly responded to the Pakistani attempts by inflicting heavy damage to a number of key Pakistani military installations, including air bases, air defence systems, command and control centres and radar sites. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on May 10 announced that India and Pakistan reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea, with immediate effect. On June 4, Dar said that the chance of revival of an armed conflict between Pakistan and India is remote but warned of a befitting response in case of any such development. According to a PTI report, Dar's comment came while responding to a question during his press conference giving details of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's recent visit to Turkiye, Iran, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan and to thank the respective leadership for support during the last month's conflict with India following the Pahalgam terror attack. When asked about a possible new round of fighting, Ishaq Dar said that he could not predict the future but the chances of any such possibility are slim. 'The ceasefire is holding and all steps regarding withdrawal of troops have been implemented by the two sides in letter and spirit. So there is no chance (of new war) in my opinion,' he said. 'However, we will give a befitting reply if India resorts to armed conflict.' He said Pakistan was ready for dialogue with India, but not desperate for it, adding that Pakistan seeks a composite dialogue that includes terrorism as well as other issues, including Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), the report said. The minister reiterated the offer for a neutral probe into the Pahalgam incident, which led to the recent escalation between Pakistan and India. Dar claimed while Pakistan's kinetic action has been appreciated, its diplomatic efforts have also earned international recognition. The minister also appreciated the role played by the US, UK, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Iran and other countries during the conflict and bringing peace.
Hindustan Times
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
India's strike on air bases forced Pakistan to request ceasefire, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar admits
In a rare and open admission, Pakistan's deputy prime minister, Ishaq Dar, confirmed that it was Islamabad that requested a ceasefire after two of their key air bases were hit by India. While speaking on a television news show, Dar clearly stated that India struck Nur Khan and Shorkot air bases in Rawalpindi and Punjab province as part of Operation Sindoor, which was carried out in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. "Unfortunately, India once again launched missile strikes at 2:30 AM. They attacked the Nur Khan Air Base and Shorkot Air Base. Within 45 minutes, Saudi Prince Faisal called me. He said he had just learnt about my conversation with (US Secretary of State) Marco Rubio. He asked if he was authorised to talk to (India's External Affairs Minister) S Jaishankar and convey that we are ready if they (India) stop. I said yes, brother, you can. He then called me back, saying he had conveyed the same to Jaishankar," Dar can be heard saying in a now-viral video. Earlier, Islamabad admitted that its jet indeed suffered damage due to the Indian armed forces' attack. Addressing a press conference, Pakistan Army spokesman Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry claimed that 'only one aircraft' of Pakistan suffered 'minor damage', without providing details about the aircraft, reported PTI. However, an Indian Air Force officer, Air Marshal AK Bharti, director general of air operations, said on Sunday that India shot down a few high-tech fighter jets of the Pakistan Air Force during Operation Sindoor. He indicated that there were combat losses on the Indian side, too, but the fighter pilots were back home. About two weeks after the April 22 terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.
Hindustan Times
16 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Defence ministry sets up panel to review acquisition procedure
The defence ministry on Thursday said it has set up a high-powered committee, headed by the director general (acquisition), to steer a comprehensive review of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 for speedy modernisation of the armed forces and boosting self-reliance in the critical sector. The panel includes senior officers from the ministry, representatives from the defence industry and academia. 'Following the declaration of 2025 as the 'year of reforms', the defence ministry has initiated a comprehensive review of the DAP 2020 to align it with existing government policies and initiatives. A committee headed by the director general (acquisition) has been constituted to carry out extensive deliberations with all stakeholders,' the defence ministry said. The panel has begun consultations with the stakeholders and invited suggestions from them by July 5. The aim of the review, the ministry said, is to meet the operational requirements and modernisation needs of the armed forces in a timely manner to ensure national security and achieve 'atmanirbharta' (self-reliance) goals by promoting technology infusion through indigenously designed and developed systems. It also seeks to boost the Make-in-India initiative by promoting defence manufacturing through facilitation of joint ventures and transfer of technology for the private sector, encouraging foreign original equipment manufacturers to invest in the country and establish India as a global defence manufacturing and MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) hub, the ministry said in a statement. Another goal is to 'promote design and development in both public and private sectors, with a focus on startups, innovators, and the private defence industry for indigenous technology infusion'. The panel was formed weeks after India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7 and struck terror and military installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following the Pahalgam terror strike in which 26 people were shot dead. It triggered a four-day military confrontation with Pakistan before the two sides reached an understanding on stopping all military action on May 10. Indian forces deployed several indigenous weapons during the clash. The panel has sought suggestions from stakeholders on a raft of issues including policy/procedural changes to streamline the acquisition processes, ease of doing business, conduct of trials, post-contract management, fast-track procedures, adoption of new technologies including artificial intelligence, and language improvements to eliminate ambiguity and enhance procedural clarity in the DAP. On May 30, defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said DAP 2020, the document that spells out the complex procurement process, is being revisited to reflect current realities. He said the government is taking steps to shorten the weapon procurement cycle and has already cut it by more than a year -- a move aimed at accelerating the modernisation of the armed forces. 'The defence ministry has already, in the year of reforms, slashed the timelines for some of the processes in the procurement cycle. This would save about 69 weeks overall in the process timeline,' he said at a defence conclave. There is a need to shift away from the traditional nomination-based procurement focused mostly on the public sector to a more competitive pricing model where both the public and private sector can compete for orders, he said, adding this approach is already being implemented for shipbuilding and recently for the AMCA (advanced medium combat aircraft) project. The defence ministry has declared 2025 as the year of reforms aimed at transforming the military into a technologically advanced, combat-ready force capable of tackling new challenges. The nine areas identified by the defence ministry for focused intervention include simplifying weapons buying procedures, setting up of integrated theatre commands for the best use of the military's resources to fight future wars, and new domains such as cyber and space. On May 29, the chief of the air staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh put the spotlight on the armed forces' agonising wait for new weapons and systems, saying he could not recall a single instance of a project being executed on time, in what was seen as a wake-up call for the country's defence production sector. 'Timelines are a big issue,' Singh said at the time.
