Latest news with #RobinderSachdev
South China Morning Post
14-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
India on path to weapons self-sufficiency but still lags behind China: experts
As India embarks on its path to self-sufficiency in modern weapons production to shore up its defence clout, its military inventory may have already surpassed arch rival Pakistan's, but still lags behind China. The drive is marked by New Delhi's latest bid to acquire the Rs 30,000 crore (US$3.6 billion) Indigenous Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) system, after it fended off Turkish-origin drones and Chinese-made missiles launched by Pakistan last month at the height of clashes. The proposal for three QRSAM regiments is expected to be reviewed by the Ministry of Defence in a coming meeting of the defence acquisition council set for later this month, according to Indian news agency ANI. Foreign-affairs specialist Robinder Sachdev, founder and president of Delhi-based think tank Imagindia Institute, says the QRSAM system is a critical addition to India's layered air defence network, developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation. 'Following the waves of Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones and Chinese-origin Wing Loong-II UCAVs deployed by Pakistan, India is investing in capabilities that offer rapid mobility, autonomous response, and indigenous sustainability,' Sachdev said. India's defence procurement now centred on indigenisation, Sachdev said, adding it was estimated that in the financial year 2024–25, more than 65 per cent of defence capital procurement contracts were awarded to domestic vendors.
Hans India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Environment for international students in US is quite worrying: Foreign policy expert
New Delhi: Amid growing concerns over mass deportations by the US and its fresh warning to Indian and other foreign students that skipping classes or dropping out of their courses may lead to the risk of losing their visa status, a foreign policy expert has expressed concern over the prevailing sentiment there. Robinder Sachdev said that while the warning is technically valid, the broader environment in the US has become increasingly hostile to immigrants. "On one level, what America is saying is correct. Students on visas are expected to attend classes regularly, maintain good academic standing, and continue their studies. If they don't, they are violating the terms of their visa. So, America's warning is understandable from that perspective," Sachdev told IANS. However, he emphasised a deeper concern. "The atmosphere in the US has turned anti-immigrant. There's a growing sentiment that no immigrant - whether a student or an H1B tech worker - should be allowed in. During the Trump administration, there has been particular scrutiny of students, especially those involved in political activities or demonstrations. Even minor infractions, like a traffic violation, are being used as grounds for visa cancellation," he said. He added that universities have been directed to report any charges or concerns involving international students. "Any student with even a minor charge against them is being flagged. The administration is aggressively cancelling visas under such circumstances. This makes the current environment very troubling for international students in the US," Sachdev said. This warning follows a series of mass deportation drives carried out by the US government earlier this year, many of which targeted students and other immigrants. In response, several colleges across the US have issued advisories urging international students not to travel outside the country to avoid the risk of visa complications or cancellation. The growing apprehension among foreign students reflects a broader shift in US immigration policy, where even legitimate visa holders are now facing increased scrutiny and uncertainty about their future in the country.
Times of Oman
20-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
"High time for India to be strict": Foreign Affairs Expert on India's trade restrictions to Bangladesh
New Delhi: India's decision to restrict land port trading with Bangladesh sends a clear message of vigilance and was a strict response to a few concerning developments in India's eastern neighbour amid tensions between India and Pakistan, as per foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev. Speaking to ANI on Sunday, Sachdev stated that the move was a "strict response" to Bangladesh's movements promoting 'Greater Bangla' and 'Sultanate Bangla', which claim territories such as Bihar, Jharkhand, and Northeast India. "The way Bangladesh is going, it was necessary for India to take some strict action. By blocking the trade routes over land from Bangladesh, India is signalling that we are noticing and taking with due consideration and seriousness what Bangladesh is doing. In Bangladesh, some movements have started for 'Greater Bangla' and 'Sultanate Bangla', which include Bihar, Jharkhand and the Northeast of India on their map," he said. "It is now high time for India to be strict with Bangladesh... Bangladesh is also trying to put pressure on India amid India-Pakistan tensions," Sachdev added. He highlighted that the trade restrictions were poised to significantly impact Bangladesh's exports, especially given its struggling economy. He noted that Bangladesh, as a seller, would face challenges in securing new buyers in the global market, which would create substantial trade difficulties for Dhaka. "By acting strictly and restricting trade to only incoming from the ports of Kolkata and Nhava Sheva in Mumbai, we are looking to decrease our imports from Bangladesh. So, essentially, Bangladesh's exports will suffer... We are buyers; we could buy from somewhere else, as normally it's easier if you're a buyer, but as a seller, it is difficult to sell your goods," he said. "Bangladesh will face problems with regard to its trade, particularly when its economy is in tatters... So by taking this strict and clear action, I think India is standing firm and saying that, even if we engage with Pakistan, we are not distracted. We are paying attention to what Bangladesh is doing," the Foreign Expert said on Bangladesh's attempt to pressure India during India-Pakistan engagements. Eadrleir, Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), reported that India's restrictions on imports from Bangladesh via land ports will impact goods worth USD 770 million, accounting for nearly 42 per cent of total bilateral imports. This came after the Ministry of Commerce and Industry imposed immediate land port restrictions on the import of several categories of goods from Bangladesh on Saturday, following a directive issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). The move limits the entry of products such as ready-made garments and processed foods to specific seaports, an official press release by the Ministry stated and is widely viewed as a response to Bangladesh's recent curbs on Indian yarn, rice, and other goods, along with its decision to impose a transit fee on Indian cargo, marking a shift from previously cooperative trade relations.
India Gazette
19-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
"High time for India to be strict": Foreign Affairs Expert on India's trade restrictions to Bangladesh
New Delhi [India], May 19 (ANI): India's decision to restrict land port trading with Bangladesh sends a clear message of vigilance and was a strict response to a few concerning developments in India's eastern neighbour amid tensions between India and Pakistan, as per foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev. Speaking to ANI on Sunday, Sachdev stated that the move was a 'strict response' to Bangladesh's movements promoting 'Greater Bangla' and 'Sultanate Bangla', which claim territories such as Bihar, Jharkhand, and Northeast India. 'The way Bangladesh is going, it was necessary for India to take some strict action. By blocking the trade routes over land from Bangladesh, India is signalling that we are noticing and taking with due consideration and seriousness what Bangladesh is doing. In Bangladesh, some movements have started for 'Greater Bangla' and 'Sultanate Bangla', which include Bihar, Jharkhand and the Northeast of India on their map,' he said. 'It is now high time for India to be strict with Bangladesh... Bangladesh is also trying to put pressure on India amid India-Pakistan tensions,' Sachdev added. He highlighted that the trade restrictions were poised to significantly impact Bangladesh's exports, especially given its struggling economy. He noted that Bangladesh, as a seller, would face challenges in securing new buyers in the global market, which would create substantial trade difficulties for Dhaka. 'By acting strictly and restricting trade to only incoming from the ports of Kolkata and Nhava Sheva in Mumbai, we are looking to decrease our imports from Bangladesh. So, essentially, Bangladesh's exports will suffer... We are buyers; we could buy from somewhere else, as normally it's easier if you're a buyer, but as a seller, it is difficult to sell your goods,' he said. 'Bangladesh will face problems with regard to its trade, particularly when its economy is in tatters... So by taking this strict and clear action, I think India is standing firm and saying that, even if we engage with Pakistan, we are not distracted. We are paying attention to what Bangladesh is doing,' the Foreign Expert said on Bangladesh's attempt to pressure India during India-Pakistan engagements. Eadrleir, Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), reported that India's restrictions on imports from Bangladesh via land ports will impact goods worth USD 770 million, accounting for nearly 42 per cent of total bilateral imports. This came after the Ministry of Commerce and Industry imposed immediate land port restrictions on the import of several categories of goods from Bangladesh on Saturday, following a directive issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). The move limits the entry of products such as ready-made garments and processed foods to specific seaports, an official press release by the Ministry stated and is widely viewed as a response to Bangladesh's recent curbs on Indian yarn, rice, and other goods, along with its decision to impose a transit fee on Indian cargo, marking a shift from previously cooperative trade relations. Under the new directive, all kinds of ready-made garments from Bangladesh can now only be imported through Nhava Sheva and Kolkata seaports, with entry through land ports no longer permitted. (ANI)
India Gazette
18-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"New normal has still not settled in," Defence Expert on Pak's continued hostilities
New Delhi [India], May 18 (ANI): Defence expert Robinder Sachdev said that the next DGMO-level talks is yet to be decided by the government. But, it should be done after Pakistan actually adheres to the cessation of the hostilities. Sachdev said that as the army is still releasing the videos of ceasefire violations, it proves that cessation is not in place yet. 'We cannot say when will the next DGMO level talks be held. Those are up to the government. However, what we can say and what we can see is that the conflict which had been paused under a mutual understanding, is a new normal as Prime Minister Modi had also said,' he said. Sachdev said that the 'new normal' of cessation of hostilities has not set in as the intrusions by Pakistan has not stopped yet. 'So the expectation was that once this pause comes into effect, there will be no cross border violations between the two armies. Essentially what we mean is that we will not see any incursions by the Pakistan army or any attacks, but it seems to me that the Pakistan army has not fully subsided its intrusions as can be seen that the Indian army is releasing videos which shows that we are retaliating. So if we are retaliating, it means that the Pakistanis are violating the ceasefire, right? So the new normal has still not settled in,' he said. He added that the government also feels the same. Hence they too feel that now is not the right time for the DGMOs to hold talks. 'With respect to Pakistan I think it may be that the relevant authorities in India think that right now is not maybe the right time for a meeting between the two principles of the DGMOs. Probably we want to see more, uh more uh behavioural change from Pakistan before the next meeting of the DGMO takes place,' he said. The Indian Army has said that no talks were scheduled between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMO) of India and Pakistan on Sunday. The Army further made it clear that the continuation of a break in hostilities, as decided in the DGMOs interaction of May 12, has no expiry date to it. (ANI)
