Month: October 2025

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday reaffirmed India’s commitment to a stronger and more stable partnership with ASEAN, emphasising shared prosperity, maritime security, women’s participation in UN peacekeeping, and enhanced defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

“In today’s uncertain world, where many old beliefs and expectations are changing, I believe that the ASEAN-India relationship will remain a strong pillar of stability. Both ASEAN and India have shown rapid economic growth. Naturally, we both look forward to greater economic ties that will lead to mutual prosperity. To further strengthen trade relations with ASEAN, we look forward to the early completion of the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement,” the Defence Minister said in his opening remarks at the ASEAN-India Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

He underlined India’s role in regional security and its commitment to international law, saying, “India contributes to disaster relief, counter-terrorism and maritime security, and supports freedom of navigation and adherence to international law in the South China Sea.”

Singh highlighted that maritime cooperation remains a cornerstone of India’s engagement with ASEAN. “Maritime security is a central focus of India-ASEAN engagement. I commend ASEAN member states for agreeing to the second edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise,” he said.

Emphasising the economic and strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific sea lanes, the Defence Minister added, “Sea lines of communication in the Indo-Pacific are vital for regional stability and prosperity. More than half of India’s trade passes through the South China Sea and the Malacca Strait, so secure maritime routes are our top priority.”

He further noted, “India supports a rules-based maritime order based on the principles of UNCLOS and emphasises peaceful resolution of disputes. ASEAN-led initiatives to establish regional maritime interests are reinforced by India’s support. Any Code of Conduct in the South China Sea must respect the legitimate interests of all countries to safeguard regional interests.”

Turning to the issue of inclusivity in peacekeeping, Singh highlighted India’s efforts to promote gender equality and enhance women’s roles in international missions.

“At the first ASEAN-India Defence Ministers Meeting, an initiative was announced for Women in UN peacekeeping operations. The United Nations has set an ambitious goal to increase women’s participation in peacekeeping missions. This goal is based on the experience that the deployment of women peacekeepers makes conflict resolution more achievable and establishes a just peace,” he said.

“Therefore, taking this initiative forward, I propose a second edition of the ASEAN-India Initiative for Women in UN Peacekeeping Operations. This time too, it will be conducted in two phases – the first phase will consist of tailor-made courses for women military officers, and the second phase will be a table-top exercise focusing on the protection of civilians and the role of women peacekeepers,” the Defence Minister added.

Singh also called for greater institutional collaboration between India and ASEAN in the defence and security domain. “To further strengthen strategic cooperation between India and ASEAN in the defence and security domain, I propose to establish a dedicated forum that will encourage institutional engagement between defence think tanks from both regions. This initiative will promote dialogue, policy research collaboration, and capacity building to address evolving security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.

“Today, we are sharing a concept note for this proposed forum. I request our ASEAN partner countries to nominate leading defence think tanks, experts, and academics from their countries to participate in this dialogue. I am confident that this dialogue will further strengthen regional cooperation and bring innovation to policy-making and practical execution,” he added.

Concluding his remarks, Singh invited ASEAN nations to participate in upcoming joint naval engagements to strengthen interoperability and maritime cooperation.

“I look forward to the participation of all ASEAN Member States in the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise and International Fleet Review 2026, to be held in India. These events will further strengthen naval cooperation, enhance interoperability, and help ensure maritime safety, security, and freedom of navigation,” he said.

The Defence Minister also expressed appreciation for Malaysia’s leadership and hospitality. “I thank Malaysia, as Chair of ASEAN & ADMM Plus, for organising this meeting effectively. We will meet again soon to advance our shared goals of peace, security, and progress in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said. (ANI)

Abhishek Sharma came to India’s rescue with Harshit Rana in the supporting role to propel the visitors to 125 in the second T20I against Australia at the famed Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.

Abhishek, the number one T20I batter in the world, hammered 68 off 37 while Harshit held the other end with a sturdy 33-ball 35. The duo forged a 56-run partnership to keep India’s hopes of posting a competitive total alive. Abhishek and Harshit were India’s only two batters, who managed to cross the double-digit mark.

Under the gloomy sky of Melbourne, Australia’s mainstay Josh Hazlewood ran rampant with his blistering pace after India was put to bat by the hosts. While Abhishek went about the business with his usual belligerent mindset, vice-captain Shubman Gill struggled to churn out runs in seaming conditions.

He tried to break free in the third but holed out to captain Mitchell Marsh and returned with a scratchy 5(10). Sanu Samson was promoted to number three from the middle order, but Nathan Ellis cut short his stay with a scorching delivery.

Nathan Ellis trapped him in front of the stumps with a sharp nipping back delivery, punching his return ticket on 2(4) in the fourth over. Abhishek counter-attacked by reeling in back-to-back boundaries off Ellis, but Australia stole the momentum away with Hazlewood luring an outside edge off India captain Suryakumar Yadav (1 off 4) to wicketkeeper Josh Inglis in the fifth.

Hazlewood further increased India’s woes with Tilak Varma lasting just two balls before miscuing his shot to Inglis for a duck. India ended the powerplay with 40/4, and the trend of India losing wickets continued.

Axar Patel was run out by Tim David on 7(12) in the eighth, leading to a surprise promotion for Harshit. The scoreboard kept ticking with the duo frequently rotating the strike. In the final moments of the partnership, Harshit smoked the ball into the stands before perishing against Xavier Bartlett.

Shivam Dube (4) arrived at the crease and placed the ball for a four before edging it away to Inglis. In the 18th, Abhishek walloped a four and towering maximum off Bartlett before Ellis pinned the young southpaw in front of the stumps with a toe-crushing yorker. Jasprit Bumrah was run out after a mix-up with Varun Chakaravarthy on the next ball as India bundled out on 125 in 18.4 overs. (ANI)

Australia skipper Mitchell Marsh won the toss and elected to field against India in the second T20I of the five-match series, which is being played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground here on Friday.

During the second match of the series, the players of both teams will be seen wearing black armbands paying tribute to 17-year-old Australian cricketer Ben Austin, who tragically died after being struck by a ball while training in Melbourne. Austin lost his life after being struck on the neck while training in the nets at the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club in Melbourne.

The ongoing five-match series between hosts and Men in Blue is currently poised at 0-0 after the series opener was washed out due to persistent rain.

After winning the toss, Mitchell Marsh said, “We are going to bowl first. Looks like a good one, hopefully it won’t change for 40 overs. We have one change – Short comes in for Philippe.”

At the time of toss, Team India captain Suryakumar Yadav said, “We are happy to bat first. That is the brand of cricket we want to play. Shubman knows how to score runs. With him you have to run hard between the wickets as well. We are playing the same team.”

Teams:

India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.

Australia (Playing XI): Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Tim David, Matthew Short, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Josh Hazlewood. (ANI)

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s grandson Gautam Patel, on the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary, celebrated as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, stated that the young generation will remember Sardar Patel through the Statue of Unity.

“It was nice to see history. New generations will learn about him (Sardar Patel). Those who didn’t see him will see and remember him through this (statue of unity). Very little has been written about what happened in India at that time… Gandhiji convinced everyone to leave their jobs and engage in Satyagraha in 1930. It took twenty years to achieve Swaraj…” he said.

Earlier, PM Modi paid floral tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 150th Jayanti at the Statue of Unity in Nandi, Gujarat, on Friday. PM Modi remembered the great leader with folded hands and offered sincere homage to Sardar Patel.

He participated in the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas parade at the Statue of Unity. The parade was led by the women’s personnel under the leadership of the Prime Minister. The oath-taking parade ceremony was led by IPS Simran Bhardwaj of the Gujarat cadre.

PM Modi, accompanied by thousands of participants, took the oath on the 150th Jayanti of Sardar Patel.

“I solemnly swear that I will dedicate myself to the preservation of the unity, integrity, and security of the nation. I will also make every effort to spread this message among my countrymen. I take this oath in the spirit of my country’s unity, which was made possible by the foresight and hard work of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. I also resolve to do my part to ensure the internal security of my country,” he recited.

Sardar Patel was born on October 31, 1875, in Nandia, Gujarat. Also known as the “Iron Man of India,” he was the nation’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister. He is widely recognised for his pivotal role in the integration of over 560 princely states and the Indian Union after Independence. His leadership ensured that India emerged as a unified and dignified nation during the direst time. (ANI)

Fresh snowfall blanketed the higher reaches of the Indo-China border, including the Nathula Pass area, on Friday, bringing temperatures down sharply across Sikkim. The mercury dipped to sub-zero levels in several high-altitude regions, disrupting movement along key mountain routes.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), heavy to very heavy snowfall was recorded in and around Nathula, Kupup, and Tsomgo (Changu) Lake since early morning. The IMD has issued a red alert for Sikkim, warning of continued severe weather conditions over the next 24 hours.

Local authorities have advised tourists and transport operators to avoid travel to higher elevations as roads have become slippery due to snow accumulation. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) teams are working continuously to clear the snow and ensure essential connectivity.

Residents have been urged to take necessary precautions, while the state government has placed disaster response teams on standby.

Officials said temperatures in the Nathula region could drop further overnight, marking one of the season’s earliest and heaviest snowfalls.

Meanwhile, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has released Rs 8.3 lakh to Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) in Uttar Pradesh and Sikkim under the Access and Benefit Sharing framework, as outlined in the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change stated on Saturday.

The funds were transferred directly to two BMCs: the Narrau village Biodiversity Management Committee in Akrabad Kaul Taluk, Aligarh District, Uttar Pradesh, and the Biodiversity Management Committee in the Lampokhari Lake Area, Aritar, Sikkim, through the respective State Biodiversity Boards.

According to the Ministry, a company accessed crop materials within the Narrau village for producing fermentable compounds from lignocellulosic biomass, while another company accessed microorganisms from water and soil samples collected in the Lampokhari Lake area for research purposes.

By channelling these funds, the NBA is empowering local custodians to play a leading role in biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management.

Earlier, the NBA had released Rs 1.36 crore to support grassroots biodiversity conservation in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. (ANI)

The NDA members in Bihar jointly released their manifesto ‘Sankalp Patra’ in Patna on Friday in the high-stakes assembly elections.

Union Minister and BJP chief JP Nadda, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Union Minister and Hindustan Awam Morcha (Secular) custodian Jitan Ram Manjhi, Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan, Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra Kushwaha and other key leaders jointly released NDA’s manifesto.

In the manifesto, the NDA has promised to provide over 1 crore government jobs and employment opportunities, conduct a skills census to provide skills-based employment, and establish mega skill centers in every district, transforming Bihar into a ‘Global Skill Training’ Centre.

The ruling alliance has also promised to provide women with financial assistance of up to Rs 2 lakh to promote prosperity and self-reliance through the ‘Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana’.

The NDA has promised to make 1 crore women ‘Lakhpati Didi’.

According to the manifesto, the NDA promises to give Rs 10 lakh to various occupational groups belonging to the extremely backward classes.

Under the ‘Kapurgari Thakur Kisan Samman Nidhi’, the farmers will be given an annual benefit of Rs 3,000, totaling Rs 9,000, as per the manifesto.

The manifesto also promises, Metro train services to be introduced in 4 more cities in Bihar besides Patna, Opening of ten new industrial parks and a promise to attract investments of Rs 50 lakh cr in 5 years.

Addressing the press conference, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said, “Financial and social empowerment of Extremely Backward Classes is very important. Different categories of Extremely Backward Classes will be given financial help of Rs 10 Lakhs. The most important thing is that under the chairmanship of a retired Supreme Court judge, we will form a high-level committee which will assess the social and financial conditions of different communities under Extremely Backward Classes and make suggestions to the govt for the upliftment of these communities.”

The voting for the 243-seat Bihar Assembly will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, whereas bye-elections for eight seats across seven states and Union Territories will be held on November 11. The results for both will be declared on November 14.

Mahagathbandhan, led by Rashtriya Janata Dal, includes Congress party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI-ML) led by Deepankar Bhattacharya, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), and Mukesh Sahani’s Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP).

NDA includes the Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha.

On Tuesday, the Mahagathbandhan, led by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, released its manifesto titled ‘Bihar Ka Tejashwi Pran,’ promising to pass a law within 20 days of forming government, to provide government jobs to one member of every family in the state. (ANI)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Friday exchanged an agreement on the framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership in Kuala Lumpur, marking a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral defence cooperation between the two nations.

The development came as the United States signed a 10-year Defence Framework Agreement with India, underscoring the growing strategic alignment between the two countries. Announcing the development, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the two nations’ “defence ties have never been stronger.”

Hegseth, in a post on X, said he met Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and signed the new framework. The head of the Department of War, formerly known as the Department of Defence, stated that the agreement would advance the India-US defence partnership, describing it as a “cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence.”

He added, “We’re enhancing our coordination, info sharing, and tech cooperation. Our defense ties have never been stronger.”

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also confirmed the signing of the 10-year agreement, calling his meeting with Hegseth “fruitful.”

In a post on X, he said, “Had a fruitful meeting with my US counterpart @PeterHegsethSec in Kuala Lumpur. We signed the 10 years ‘Framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership’. This will usher in a new era in our already strong defence partnership.”

Singh further noted that the Defence Framework “will provide policy direction to the entire spectrum of the India-US Defence Relationship.”

“It is a signal of our growing strategic convergence and will herald a new decade of partnership,” he stated, adding that defence “will remain as the major pillar of our bilateral relations” and that the partnership is “critical for ensuring a free, open and rules-bound Indo-Pacific region.”

The meeting between Rajnath Singh and Pete Hegseth took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting in Kuala Lumpur. The informal meeting was convened ahead of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus), scheduled to be held on November 1.

Ahead of his visit, Rajnath Singh had said that the ASEAN-India meetings in Kuala Lumpur “aim to further strengthen defence and security cooperation among ASEAN member states & India and advance the ‘Act East Policy’.”

The high-level engagement between the two leaders reflected the continuing momentum in India-US defence cooperation, reaffirming their shared commitment to regional stability and strategic collaboration in the Indo-Pacific. (ANI)

India’s women’s cricket team has stormed into the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 final, defeating the defending champions, Australia, by five wickets in a thrilling semifinal match. Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur were the stars of the match, forming a crucial partnership that helped India chase down a massive target of 339 runs, the highest-ever run chase in women’s ODI cricket.

India successfully chased down 338/10 from Australia, with 9 balls to spare, setting a new record for the highest successful run chase in Women’s World Cup history.

Rodrigues played an unbeaten knock of 127 runs off 134 deliveries, including 14 boundaries. Harmanpreet Kaur scored 89 runs off 88 balls, including 10 boundaries and two sixes, and shared a 167-run partnership with Rodrigues.

A mesmerising century by Jemimah Rodrigues and her record-breaking partnership with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur helped India secure a spot in the ICC Women’s World Cup clash against South Africa, beating Australia by five wickets in a nail-biting semifinal clash at DY Patil in Navi Mumbai on Thursday.

A fabulous century from Phoebe Litchfield (119 in 93 balls, with 17 fours and three sixes) was the crowning jewel of Australia’s innings as they posted a massive 338 runs. However, a 167-run stand between Jemimah Rodrigues (127* in 134 balls, with 14 boundaries) and Harmanpreet Kaur (89 in 88 balls, with 10 fours and two sixes) helped India overcome an early slump.

Cameos from Richa Ghosh (26* in 16 balls, with two fours and two sixes) and Amanjot Kaur (15* in eight balls, with two fours) helped India chase down the highest-ever target in women’s ODI history. With India and South Africa in the final, the world will get to witness a first-time champion either way on November 2.

After Australia elected to bat first at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium, Litchfield, along with an experienced Ellyse Perry, helped the Aussies overcome the early loss of captain Alyssa Healy, smashing 119 in 93 balls, with 17 fours and three sixes. Her runs came at a strike rate of 127.95.

Litchfield had a 155-run stand with Perry (77 in 88 balls, with six fours and two sixes), which laid down a solid platform for the Aussies at 180/2 when Amanjot Kaur (1/51) rattled the centurion’s stumps. Shree Charani (2/49) and Radha Yadav (1/66) reduced Australia to 265/6, despite Perry’s half-century, in 41.4 overs.

However, a stand of 66 runs between Gardner (63 in 45 balls, with four boundaries and four sixes) and Kim Garth (17) took the Aussies past the 300-run mark. In the final few overs, the Aussies went from 331/7 to 338 all out, setting India a mammoth 339 runs to win.

Litchfield’s knock made her the youngest to score a Women’s World Cup knockout century.

She continued her golden run against India, having scored 627 runs against them in nine innings at an average of 69.66, with two centuries, four fifties and a best score of 119. She has never been dismissed for below 25 by India in women’s ODIs.

She joined the company of skipper Healy (170 against England in the 2022 WC final and 129 against WI in the 2022 semifinal) and Karen Rolton (107* against India in the 2005 edition final) as the third Aussie to score a century in a 50-over World Cup knockout match.

During the run-chase of 339 runs, the Aussies got just what they wanted. They prevented Shafali Verma (10 in four balls, with two fours) from making an impact, reducing India to 13/1, with Kim Garth drawing the first blood. Jemimah Rodrigues joined Smriti Mandhana at the crease and both kept the tempo up, taking the team to the 50-run mark in 8.2 overs.

Garth struck gold, removing a red-hot Smriti for a run-a-ball 24 (with two fours and a six), with the batter giving a faint nick to Alyssa Healy behind the stumps. India was 59/2 in 9.2 overs, with their most in-form batter out.

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur started slow, with Jemimah collecting boundaries at the other end, helping India reach the 100-run mark in 17 overs. The duo brought a fifty-run stand in just 53 balls.

Rodrigues made the most of her promotion up top, reaching the 50-run mark in 57 balls, with eight fours, while the skipper anchored from the other end. The duo continued going full blast against the Aussies, bringing up their 100-run and 150-run partnerships in 99 and 140 balls, respectively.

Kaur also continued her hot streak in 50-over knockouts, registering a half-century in 65 balls. This was her third fifty-plus score in the third 50-over WC knockout match, sitting just next to Aussie legend Belinda Clark (with four such scores in six innings).

India was at the 200-run mark in 31.2 overs. With each close call, dropped catch and good-for-nothing appeal, tensions grew within the Aussie camp.

A poor shot from the skipper ended a 167-run stand between these two was undone by Annabel Sutherland, Australia’s golden arm, with Gardner taking an easy catch at deep mid-wicket. Harman was done for at 89 in 88 balls, with 10 fours and three sixes. India was 226/3 in 35.3 overs.

This 167-run stand turned out to be India’s highest in women’s WC knockout matches for any wicket, outdoing Harmanpreet and Deepti Sharma’s 137-run stand in the semifinals of the 2017 edition against the same opponent. But a lot had to be done, despite this record-breaking partnership.

Deepti was sent next. While she showed great intent with some boundaries, a poor call for a run led to her being run out for a 17-ball 24, with three fours. India was down four wickets for 264 runs in 40.5 overs. The stand was once again cut short at 38 runs, disrupting India’s chase.

With a single against Megan Schutt, Rodrigues reached her third ODI ton in just 115 balls, with 10 fours. She became only the second Indian with a WC knockout ton after Harmanpreet’s 171* against Australia during the 2017 WC semifinals. India’s attacking intent, as highlighted by a gigantic six by Richa Ghosh over long-off, left India to chase 63 in the final eight overs.

Richa continued to steer India towards a win, with a four against Sutherland and a four and six in Gardner’s over. India was left with 34 to get in the final five overs. India had reached the 300-run mark in 44.4 overs.

Sutherland’s golden arm did its magic as Richa handed an easy catch to Garth at backward point while attempting a slice. The wicketkeeper-batter had gone back for 26 in 16 balls, with two fours and two sixes. India was 310/5, needing 29 in 24 balls.

Sophie Molineux’s 47th over produced just six runs despite a boundary on the first ball by Jemimah, leaving India with 23 needed in the final three overs.

Sutherland’s 48th over cooled off some pressure, as two wides and two fours from Jemimah brought down the equation to 10 runs in 14 balls. The equation came down to eight in the final two overs.

In the penultimate over, Amanjot shaved off the remainder of the deficit, taking India to a win with nine balls left.

Brief Scores: India: 341/5 in 48.3 overs (Jemimah Rodrigues 127*, Harmanpreet Kaur 89, Kim Garth 2/46) beat Australia: 338 in 49.5 overs (Phoebe Litchfield 119, Ellyse Perry 77, Shree Charani 2/49). (ANI)

Hurricane Melissa has reached the Bahamas, bringing destructive winds, torrential rain and a dangerous storm surge to the islands south-east of the US state of Florida, according to the US National Hurricane Centre (NHC).

The devastating storm had earlier swept over Jamaica and Cuba. With sustained winds of up to 150 kilometres per hour, Melissa is now a Category 1 hurricane. The storm’s centre is moving relatively quickly towards the north-east, forecasters said.

The Bahamian government ordered evacuations on six of the country’s more than 700 islands. Around 1,500 people were flown out of threatened areas before air traffic was suspended, according to officials.

On Tuesday, Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane – one of the strongest storms ever recorded in the Atlantic, according to meteorologists. More than 30 people have died across the region, most of them in Haiti due to flooding, even though the storm did not make landfall there. (ANI/WAM)