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US, India Looking For Solutions Together Amid Changing Nature Of Warfare: Garcetti

By LokMarg 31st March 2024

Praising the defence partnership between the two nations, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti has said that both the US and India are looking for solutions together amid the ongoing shift in nature of warfare.

He also affirmed that both the deals between India and the US regarding jet engine and predator drones are very much on track.

While speaking to ANI, Garcetti said, “You actually prefer a defence partner, which is very high-level, very unique, and something that happened a couple years ago between the US and India. And I hope it’s the beginning of many things.”

“We’re looking at armoured cars and howitzers together,” he added.

Highlighting the changing scenario in the Red Sea, Garcetti said it is now a need to develop weapons that can confront the new nature of war.

“We need to develop also weapons that can confront the new nature of war. We’re seeing this in the Red Sea right now, that cheap drones and other cheaply-made missiles can only be brought down today by a million-dollar missile and defence. The nature of warfare is changing, and I think that the US and India are looking for solutions together,” he said.

Tensions in the Red Sea region have been escalating following repeated attacks by Houthi rebels on ships, putting immense pressure on trade, globally.

The Houthis initially said that they would target Israel-linked ships in a show of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, but later expanded their targets to include vessels linked to the United Kingdom and the US.

The US and the UK have responded by hitting Houthi targets in Yemen multiple times, characterising the Houthi attacks as indiscriminate and a threat to global trade.

According to US Central Command, the goal of this multi-national effort is to defend their own countries, their partners, and allies in the region and restore freedom of navigation by destroying Houthi capabilities used to threaten US and partner forces in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways.

Meanwhile, when Garcetti, was asked about the negotiations on the deal on predator drones and jet engines between the US and India, he clarified by saying that it is not stuck at all.

“So the predator drones moved forward. Now we’re awaiting India’s last signature, essentially, but it went through the congressional notification. It was accelerated. It went ahead of some other things. It jumped the queue, showing the priority and how important we saw this deal. And even in the quote unquote, some people were predicting rockier times because of what we talked about earlier. It actually went through and shows the strength of this relationship. So those are in a great place,” Garcetti told ANI.

Regarding the jet engines, the US envoy said, “And then the engines also, you know, that will take years for engines to be made because they’re very complicated, most exquisite technology we’ve ever shared with anybody, including some of our closest allies that we have not shared this kind of technology with.”

He said that both the deals are 100 per cent on track, while adding that it is his job to help GE (General Electric) and HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited), to try to get their ecosystems accelerated regarding the same.

“Both are 100 per cent on track. We’re satisfied. Indians are satisfied. My job, and I think My Indian counterparts would say the same, is to help GE and HAL, which is the local manufacturer here, domestic manufacturer, try to get their ecosystems accelerated so that we can see those in the Indian plains sooner than later,” Garcetti affirmed.

The Biden Administration notified the US Congress in February this year, of its intent to sell nearly 4 billion dollars worth of arms, comprising mainly of the MQ 9 B Drones armed with Hellfire missiles.

The Defence Security Cooperation Agency, which is an agency within the US Department of Defence, said in a press release that the sale helps strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship.

It added that New Delhi continues to be an “important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region.”

“The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible foreign military sale to the Government of India of MQ-9B remotely Piloted Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of USD 3.99 billion. The Defence Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today,” the Defence Security Cooperation Agency said.

According to the statement, the Indian government has requested to buy 31 MQ-9B Sky Guardian aircraft; 161 Embedded Global Positioning and Inertial Navigation Systems (EGIs); 35 L3 Rio Grande Communications Intelligence Sensor Suites; 170 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles; 16 M36E9 Hellfire Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); 310 GBU-39B/B Laser Small Diameter Bombs (LSDB); and eight GBU-39B/B LSDB Guided Test Vehicles (GTVs) with live fuzes.

The proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a ‘major defence partner’ that continues to be an “important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region,” the release stated.

Earlier in 2023, US General Electric (US GE) announced that it had inked an agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the government’s aerospace and defence manufacturing firm, to jointly manufacture engines in India to power fighter jets for the Indian Air Force.

The agreement includes the potential joint production of GE Aerospace’s F414 engines in India. (ANI)

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Israel Receives Armoured Vehicles From US

By LokMarg 19th October 2023

Israel received a cargo plane carrying the initial shipment of armoured vehicles from the United States to replace the vehicles damaged during the war, the Israel Ministry of Defence informed on Thursday.

“The Israel Ministry of Defense recently received a cargo plane from the United States, carrying the initial shipment of armoured vehicles designated for use by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). They are being transferred to the IDF to replace vehicles damaged during the war,” the Israel Ministry of Defence posted on X (formerly Twitter).

This comes after US President’s visit to Israel amid the ongoing war with Hamas after the terror group launched a deadly attack.

Over the weekend, US Secretary of Defence Lyod Austin directed the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group to join the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group which arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean last week.

The Navy units are part of a broader bolstering of US forces in the region. Last week, the Air Force announced the deployment of F-15 and F-16 fighter squadrons and A-10 attack squadrons to the region, according to a US Department of Defence press release.

During his visit, Biden compared the Hamas attack to “fifteen 9/11s” for a nation the size of Israel while retreating that America stood with Israelis and their demand for justice.

“My message to any State or any other hostile actor thinking about attacking Israel remains the same as it was a week ago – Don’t. Don’t. Don’t. Since this terrorist attack, we have seen it described as Israel’s 9/11. But for the nations the size of Israel, it was like fifteen 9/11s,” the US President said at a press conference in Tel Aviv.

Biden also reassured Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the United States’ unwavering support for Israel. He emphasized the commitment to stand by Israel as it defends its citizens, particularly in the face of recent terrorist attacks by Hamas.

The US President further reaffirmed that the US will continue to work with Israel to prevent the killing of civilians in the war.

Biden’s visit to Israel came after two senior officials — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin — visited Israel to showcase US’ unwavering support for Israel amid for war.

Antony Blinken has said the US stands with Israel and condemns Hamas for its terrorist attacks.

“We stand with Israel and condemn Hamas for its terrorist attacks. Today, the United States designated two of the group’s leaders and other financial supporters who enabled it to carry out vicious attacks against Israel,” he said.

During his visit to Tel Aviv last week, Austin condemned the “bloodthirsty, fanatical and hateful” attacks by Hamas terrorists.

“The world has just witnessed a great evil: the deadliest attack on civilians in the history of the state of Israel and the bloodiest day in Jewish history since the end of the Holocaust,” Austin said after meeting with Israeli officials.”

So, make no mistake: The United States will make sure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself,” he said. (ANI)

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We Have Vital Stakes In Ensuring Stable Indo-Pacific: Gen Pande

By LokMarg 27th September 2023

Indian Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande on Wednesday said that to suggest India and the US merely have “skin in the game” in the Indo-Pacific region would be an “understatement”, adding the stakes are high in ensuring stability, cooperation and a focused approach.

“To say that we have skin in the game is an understatement. I think we have vital stakes today in ensuring that the Indo-Pacific is stable, that it is secured, that there is cooperation and that the focus is on the right things,” said Army Chief general Manoj Pande while addressing the conclusion ceremony of Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC) at Manekshaw Centre in Delhi.

The armies of India and the US hosted the 13th biannual IPACC, the 47th annual Indo-Pacific Army Management Seminar (IPAMS), and the 9th Senior Enlisted Forum in the national capital from September 25-27.

The gathering is notably the largest conference for land forces (army, marines, etc.) in the region.

“As we draw this forum to a close, I want to express my gratitude to each one of you, for participating and enriching the discussions with your insightful perspectives on the theme – ‘Together for Peace: Sustaining Peace & Stability in the Indo-Pacific’,” said General Pande.

He added that the collective viewpoints on regional and sub-regional security dynamics, challenges, concerns and aspirations, have brought to fore important aspects that impact, contribute and need to be addressed, if ‘peace’ and ‘stability’ is to be achieved and sustained, in the Indo-Pacific region.

General Pande also acknowledged and appreciated the ‘Trust Quotient’ that all fostered and helped build, during the deliberations.

“The frank exchange of thoughts and ideas has reaffirmed that India and the US are bonded by a common thread, of ‘values’ that stand for collective good, adherence to ‘international laws and conventions, respect for each other’s sovereignty and a yearning for peace. In doing so, the two countries have asserted that, despite their geographical separation, they stand united in their commitment towards ‘peace’ and ‘stability’” said General Pande.

He also listed the key takeaways from the conference – which according to him were –commitment towards collaboration, exchange of best practices, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, concerns on climate change, and the need for a synergized response.

He also said that the need to give impetus towards enhancing bilateral relations through ‘Military Diplomacy’, is the next key takeaway.

“India and the US have also affirmed the need for ‘open and sustained dialogue’, as a cornerstone for fostering mutual understanding and cultivating relationships. It clearly emerged that it is through shared values of cooperation, collaboration, and pursuit of common goals, that the foundations for a constructive engagement are laid. That is the only way ahead, to give effect to ‘peace’ and ‘stability’,” said the Indian Army Chief.

He also extended his heartfelt gratitude to Army Chiefs and Heads of Delegations of the Indo-Pacific Nations to jointly host this event with the US Army.

General Pande also thanked Gen Randy George, Chief of Staff of the US Army and his team for making the 13th Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs’ Conference, the 47th Indo-Pacific Armies Management Seminar (IPAMS) and the Senior Enlisted Leaders Forum (SELF) 2023, a grand success.

The objective of these meetings is to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region through mutual understanding, dialogue, and friendship.

Participation in IPAMS has grown from nine nations at the first conference held in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1977, to 31 nations in Seoul, Korea in 2017. (ANI)

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India Has Demonstrated Most Successful G20 Ever: US Ambassador Garcetti

By LokMarg 26th September 2023

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Tuesday said India has demonstrated the most successful G20 ever.

“India’s marvellous growth, its rapid rise, its leadership in the world today has demonstrated the most successful G20 we have ever seen,” the US Ambassador said.

Garcetti was addressing the 20th Indo-US Economic Summit “Sharing ideas & Potential for sustainable partnership between India and the US for the next 25 years” organized by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC).

Garcetti while speaking on India-US ties, said: “The goal that we should be establishing, I think, together, is, how can we be more ambitious. Not just settle for another deal, not just settle for, as we’ve done just in the last few months, bringing down the retaliatory tariffs and the trade disputes between our countries. That’s not good enough. I think we need to close our eyes and dream of what this relationship can be like even more than we would imagine today. “

The US Ambassador congratulated India on ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission.

He said: “Congratulations on a marvellous space year here in India. Landing on the dark side of the moon, doing something that only four nations have done before and doing it so beautifully, so reasonably and so successfully. But now we’re looking at commercial space together.”

The US Ambassador on Tuesday reiterated that the United States cares deeply about its relationship with both India and Canada.

His comments come amidst heightened tensions between India and Canada after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau alleged that there was an Indian hand behind the killing of Khalistani operative Hardeep Nijjar.

“We care about both countries, and we care about their relationship. Our relationship is rock solid with both of them. And I think that all of us need to make sure that we can come together as countries that take seriously sovereignty, take seriously security, and take seriously the potential of our relationship,” the US Ambassador said. (ANI)

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We Care About Both India And Canada, Says US Envoy Garcetti

By LokMarg 26th September 2023

US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti has reiterated that the United States cares deeply about its relationship with both India and Canada. Garcetti’s comments on Tuesday come amidst heightened tensions between India and Canada after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau alleged that there was an Indian hand behind killing of Khalistani operative Hardeep Nijjar.

Garcetti’s comments shortly after US State Department Spokesperson Mathew Miller said that the US was concerned made by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau regarding the killing of Hardeep Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India.

“We are deeply concerned by the allegations referenced by Prime Minister Trudeau. We remain in close contact with our Canadian partners, as the Secretary said on Friday” the State Department spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, the US envoy to India who was attending the 13th biannual Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC) highlighted that India will again probably be the number one source of students from across the world and the US is very close to adjudicated one million visa applications in India.

Garcetti said, “A record number of student visas were processed this summer. Now, India, again, will probably be the number one source of students from across the world.”

He further said that the US is anticipating 25 per cent of foreign students just from India.

“25 per cent we anticipate of foreign students in the United States will come just from India. And then, second, we also are very close to our 1 million visa application in India being adjudicated, which will be a brand new record as well,” Garcetti said.

He further noted that the US is not doing this with more people.

“We’re not doing this with more people. We’re just working harder, working smarter, and making sure more Indians can come to America,” he added.

Speaking about the IPACC, Garcetti said that it highlights how close the US and India have become to co-host all the heads of armies from around the Indo-Pacific region.

“It’s not just the closeness of the two nations. It’s the integration of all nations, both of us speaking for a free, prosperous Indo-Pacific. It’s our values that guide this. And I’m so excited to see and to demonstrate the strength not only of a bilateral relationship but what happens when India and the United States are together,” he said.

Earlier today, the US Army’s Chief of Staff General Randy George on Tuesday said the partnership between the US and Indian Army is vital for stability in the Indo-Pacific and the relationship between the armies is strong and growing stronger.

The armies of India and the United States will host the 13th biannual Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC), the 47th annual Indo-Pacific Army Management Seminar (IPAMS), the 9th Senior Enlisted Forum at the Manekshaw Center in the national capital from September 25-27.

The gathering is notably the largest conference for land forces (army, marines, etc.) in the region.

The objective of these meetings is to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region through mutual understanding, dialogue, and friendship. (ANI)

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Both India And Canada Our Important Partners: US

By LokMarg 21st September 2023

Amid the rising tensions between India and Canada, US State Department’s Hindustani Spokesperson Margaret MacLeod on Thursday emphasized that the US has their own relations with India and Canada, noting that both are important for the United States.

Macleod further said that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations are concerning.

‘The allegations levied by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau are very concerning. We are keeping in touch with our Canadian allies. We urge the Indian govt to cooperate in this investigation,” she added.

Notably, she said, “US and Canada have their own relation and US and India have their own relation, both are important partners for us. But most importantly, the guilty should be brought to justice.”

Earlier today, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, Adrienne Watson rejected reports of the US rebuffing Canada after the latter accused the Indian government of being behind the assassination of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Watson said they are “coordinating and consulting” with Canada and also “engaging” with the Indian government.

Watson made the statement in response to reports in the American media that Washington has distanced itself from Canada’s allegation about New Delhi’s involvement in the killing of Nijjar, a wanted Khalistani leader in India. The report highlighted the diplomatic challenges faced by the Biden administration as it seeks to maintain strong relations with both India and Canada.

Earlier, US National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby said “serious allegations” were levelled by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau against India in the killing of Nijjar, adding that the US wanted the matter handled in a “transparent” way.

In an interview with CBS News, an American television news channel, Kirby urged India to cooperate in the investigation. “These allegations are serious and we know that Canadians are investigating and we certainly don’t want to get ahead of that investigation. We urge India to cooperate in that investigation as well,” Kirby said in the interview.

Moreover, on Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that the allegations made by Canada regarding the “potential links” of India being behind the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar are “politically driven”.

“Yes, I do think there is a degree of prejudice here. They have made allegations and taken action against them. To us, it seems that these allegations by the government of Canada are primarily politically driven,” Bagchi said.

Bilateral relations between India and Canada have hit a sharp downward spiral after Prime Minister Trudeau on Monday alleged that “Indian agents” were behind the shooting of Hardeep Nijjar.

Nijjar, the chief of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) — a Sikh extremist organisation banned by India and a “designated terrorist” was killed in a targeted shooting at British Columbia in Canada’s Surrey in June 2018.

India, however, rejected the allegations by the Trudeau administration, terming them “absurd” and “motivated”.

“We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. (ANI)

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G20: US, India, Saudi Arabia, UAE, EU Set To Unveil Railway, Ports Connectivity Deal

By LokMarg 9th September 2023

A shipping and rail transportation corridor linking countries across the Middle East, South Asia and Europe is likely to be announced on the sidelines of the ongoing G20 Summit in New Delhi, a White House official has said.

The United States, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the European Union and other G20 partners are set to explore the shipping and rail transportation corridor, which is aimed at aiding in the flow of commerce, energy and data from India across the Middle East up to Europe.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) is expected to be announced at a meeting focused on global infrastructure on the sidelines of the G20 today according to White House Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer.

The leaders are meeting to discuss the global economy and supply chain challenges, among other issues facing the global community.

This agreement after it is inked could be seen as an alternate supply chain in a completely evolved post-pandemic world order.

Finer added that President Biden and Prime Minister Modi will meet with other leaders for an event focused on global infrastructure later today.

“The deal will benefit low and middle-income countries in the region, and enable a critical role for the Middle East in global commerce. We see this as having a high appeal to the countries involved, and also globally, because it is transparent because it is a high standard because it is not coercive,” Finer told mediapersons here.

Delving more on the initiative, Finer noted it was not just a railway project but more of a shipping and railway project.

“It is not just the Railway project, it is a shipping and Railway project and it is important for people to understand how expansive, ambitious and ground-breaking this will be” Finer added.

Finer termed this to-be-built project as “affirmative positive” aimed at serving the underserved.

“The way we see the infra project, it is an affirmative positive project. It has appeal for countries underserved by infra. We are not asking countries to make a zero-sum choice. We have seen other efforts that are not as ambitious, we feel good about contrast of what we provide,” White House Deputy National Security Advisor said.

The infrastructure deal is expected to connect countries in the Middle East via a network of railways. The network will also connect to India through shipping lanes from ports in the region. (ANI)

Khalistan Supporters Threaten Indian Embassy In US

By LokMarg 26th March 2023

Pro-Khalistan supporters in the US threatened the Indian embassy and Indian Ambassador to the United States Taranjit Singh Sandhu during their protest on Saturday. They issued threats and made announcements that the “hypocrisy” will come to an end and the people at the embassy would have nowhere to run to.

The protesters made vague claims that the “Indian government is killing citizens from all communities all over the country.”

“This hypocrisy comes to an end now…… There will come a day when the windows of your cars will break and you will have nowhere to run to,” they threatened the Indian embassy with slogans of “Khalistan Zindabad”.

Hundreds of Khalistan supporters gathered outside the Indian Embassy in the United States.

The protesters included turbaned men of all ages who raised pro-Khalistan slogans. They came in from different parts of the DC-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area. The organisers used mics to make anti-India speeches both in English and Punjabi and targeted the Punjab Police for alleged human rights violations.

Multiple events of protests by supporters of Khalistan have been staged outside the Indian embassy and the San Francisco Consulate. Earlier this week the Indian Consulate in San Francisco was also attacked on March 20.

Visuals shared online show a huge mob brandishing Khalistan flags mounted on wooden poles, using them to smash glass doors and windows of the consulate building. They raised pro-Khalistan slogans as they broke through makeshift security barriers raised by the city police and installed two Khalistani flags inside the premises.

The United States strongly condemned the attack on the Indian consulate in San Francisco by a group of separatist Sikhs, terming it absolutely unacceptable.

The United States has condemned the attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco and any attack against diplomatic facilities within the US. The US has pledged to defend the safety and security of these facilities as well as the diplomats who work within them.

“The United States condemns the attack against the Indian Consulate and any attack against diplomatic facilities within the United States. We pledge to defend the safety and security of these facilities as well as the diplomats who work within them,” the US State Department spokesperson told ANI.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said via Twitter that the US condemns the acts of violence against the Indian Consulate in San Francisco. He further said that the US is committed to the safety and security of Indian diplomats.

He confirmed that the US State Department is in touch with the local law enforcement authorities. (ANI)

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Deepika Poses, Greets Paps Before Flying For Oscars

By LokMarg 10th March 2023

The final countdown has begun. Ahead of the 95th Academy Awards, Deepika Padukone, who has been selected as one of the presenters this year, flew to the US. The pictures and videos of Deepika at Mumbai airport surfaced online on Thursday night.

The ‘Gehraiyaan’ actor was dressed in all-black. She chose a turtle-neck black sweater, teaming it up with a black blazer. The nerdy black glass added to the glam quotient of Deepika. The ‘Padmaavat’ actor posed for the paparazzi stationed at the airport. She smiled, and greeted them saying ‘Thank You.’ Even Deepika shared a gratitude emoji on the post of a paparazzo, who shared the video on Instagram.

Deepika took to Instagram on March 3 to share a post with the names of all the presenters.

The list also includes Dwayne Johnson, Michael B. Jordan, Riz Ahmed, Emily Blunt, Glenn Close, Troy Kotsur, Dwayne Johnson, Jennifer Connelly, Samuel L. Jackson, Melissa McCarthy, Zoe Saldana, Donnie Yen, Jonathan Majors, and Questlove.

Deepika made head turns with her Gothic-inspired look at the Paris Fashion Week just a few days back. Deepika wore Louis Vuitton’s leather stud button coat at PFW. She accentuated her dress by carrying a stylish black bag. She paired the coat with black long boots and laced stockings.

Meanwhile, on the film front, Deepika has already started the shoot of ‘Fighter’. In this movie, she will be seen opposite Hrithik Roshan for the first time. Helmed by Siddharth Anand, ‘Fighter’ also stars Akshay Oberoi, Karan Singh Grover, and Anil Kapoor in pivotal roles.

She also has ‘Project K’ with Prabhas and megastar Amitabh Bachchan. Fans will also see her in ‘The Intern’ remake with Big B. (ANI)

North Korea Fires Two Ballistic Missiles Toward East Sea

By LokMarg 20th February 2023

North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles towards the East Sea on Monday, the second attack within 48 hours and a day after US-South Korea staged joint air drills, Yonhap News Agency reported.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said they had detected the launch from North Korea’s Sukchon area between 7 am to 7:11 am.
“While strengthening its monitoring and vigilance, our military is maintaining a full readiness posture in close cooperation with the US,” the JCS said in a text message sent to reporters.

This comes a day after the US and South Korea staged combined air drills, involving at least one B-1B strategic bomber, on Sunday, Seoul’s military said.

During the drills, F-35A stealth fighters and F-15K jets from the South flew together with US F-16 fighters to escort the B-1B aircraft entering the South’s air defence identification zone, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), reported Yonhap News Agency.

US and South Korea launched its drill after North Korea confirmed that they had fired ICBM on February 18 in a “surprise launching drill.”

The training this time demonstrated the South Korea-U.S. combined defence capabilities and posture featuring the alliance’s overwhelming forces, through the timely and immediate deployment of the U.S.’ extended deterrence assets to the Korean Peninsula,” the JCS said in a press release.

It added that the air drills affirmed Washington’s “ironclad” commitment to the defence of the peninsula and its extended deterrence pledge.

Monday’s launch marks the North’s third missile provocation this year, according to Yonhap News Agency.

Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, issued another sharp-tongued threat of “corresponding” actions against the allies’ military drills.

“The frequency of using the Pacific as our firing range depends upon the U.S.,” she said in an English-language statement carried by the North’s official Korean Central News Agency.

The latest sabre-rattling raised concerns that the North may continue to engage in such provocations as the allies plan to hold a tabletop military exercise against North Korean nuclear threats this week and their springtime Freedom Shield exercise next month, as per the report in Yonhap News Agency. (ANI)