India, Sri Lanka eye deeper trade, investment collaboration
Monday, 16 December 2024 Prime Minister Modi and Sri Lankan President Dissanayake concluded a productive bilateral meeting, strengthening ties and economic cooperation. They affirmed the success of the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement and agreed to boost trade in their respective currencies. Discussions covered debt restructuring, enhanced connectivity projects, and development initiatives.
India has reportedly declined a U.S. offer to buy F-35 stealth fighter jets, according to Bloomberg. The offer was made by President Trump during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Washington in February. Instead of purchasing American jets, India is prioritizing joint defense manufacturing initiatives and has shown greater interest in the Russian Su-57, especially after its debut at Aero India.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs downplayed Bloomberg’s report, confirming no formal talks on the F-35 have taken place yet. Meanwhile, the U.S. has slapped 25% tariffs on Indian imports due to a failed trade deal, escalating tensions. Trump also announced India would face a penalty over its continued defense ties with Russia. This deepening rift could impact U.S.-India defense cooperation and reshape future arms procurement.
#IndiaUSRelations #F35Deal #ModiTrump #IndiaDefense #FighterJetDeal #USIndiaTensions #Su57India #DefenseNews #Tariffs #USIndiaTrade #TrumpModi #Geopolitics #MilitarySale #IndiaRejectsF35 #BloombergReport #RussianDefense #TrumpSanctions #ModiWashington #IndiaForeignPolicy #AeroIndia
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Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda has strongly condemned US President Donald Trump's recent remarks describing India's economy as "dead," calling them baseless.. IndiaTimes
The US President pitched the sale of F-35 as the main basis for India-US cooperation and pressed visiting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to buy it in February... DNA
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticized Rahul Gandhi for echoing Donald Trump's "dead economy" remarks, deeming it an "anti-India" stance. Rijiju.. IndiaTimes
Shashi Tharoor contradicted Rahul Gandhi's agreement with Donald Trump's assessment of the Indian economy. While Rahul Gandhi claimed PM Modi had "killed" the.. IndiaTimes
Lieutenant General Pushpendra Singh, a veteran with 35 years of service, has assumed the role of Vice Chief of the Army Staff. He was commissioned into the.. IndiaTimes
The Indian passport has improved its ranking. It now stands at 77th position in the Henley Passport Index-2025. This is an increase of eight places. Indian.. IndiaTimes
South China Sea Breaking: In a significant escalation of defensive capabilities, Taiwan has officially formed its first combat-ready HIMARS rocket unit. This move is designed to strengthen deterrence against increasing threats and military pressure from China. Taiwan's Defense Minister, Wellington Koo, lauded the new unit as a "significant boost" to the island's defensive power, underscoring the strategic importance of this deployment. The soldiers operating these advanced systems have completed specialized training in the United States, highlighting the close military cooperation between Washington and Taipei.
The M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is a game-changer for Taiwan's military. It can fire six 227mm rockets or a single Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missile, the latter boasting a range of up to 300 kilometers. This impressive range means that key military and strategic targets deep within mainland China's coastal provinces are now potentially within Taiwan's strike capability. Reports suggest that Taiwan may have already acquired these long-range ATACMS missiles, a detail that is sure to alarm military planners in Beijing.
This deployment is part of a larger arms deal with the U.S., with 11 of a total 29 HIMARS systems already delivered. The move aligns with America's broader strategy to build a strong coalition in the Indo-Pacific to counter China's growing military and economic dominance. While the HIMARS system has proven its devastating effectiveness in the Ukraine conflict, analysts note that China's more advanced air defense systems could pose a greater challenge. The activation of this unit comes as Chinese military aircraft and vessels continue to cross the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait, prompting regular intrusion warnings from Taipei and keeping the region on high alert.
#Taiwan
#China
#HIMARS
#USChinaRelations
#BreakingNews
#WorldNews
#Geopolitics
#OneindiaNews
#IndoPacific
#ATACMS
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