Rajnath Singh News

assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370, as the National Conference (NC) emerged the single largest party with 42 seats. Among the prominent names who lost the polls are former minister and ex-JKPCC president Vaqar Rasool, J-K BJP president Ravinder Raina, former minister and JKPCC working president Raman Bhalla, and former ministers Altaf Bukhari, Usman Majid, Chowdhary Lal Singh, Manohar Lal Sharma, Chowdhary Zulfiqar Ali, Harsh Dev Singh, Ghulam Nabi Lone, Ghulam Hassan Mir, Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzan, and Asiea Naqash.

India has consistently advocated for a peaceful resolution to disputes and has sought to promote cooperation among nations in the Indo-Pacific, with a strong emphasis on the centrality of ASEAN, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday. His remarks come amid China's increasing military muscle-flexing in the region. In his address at the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) 2024 here, he also expressed concern over «certain attempts to monopolise and weaponise critical resources for strategic reasons», terming these tendencies as not conducive for the global good. Singh emphasised that India's engagement with its partners is guided by the understanding that true progress can only be achieved through collective action and synergy, and due to these efforts, it is now considered as a «credible and preferred security partner and first responder» in the region.

Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has said that the Opposition can't reinstate Article 370 and accused them of misguiding the people of Jammu and Kashmir on this. «They (the opposition) can't bring it again (Article 370). They are just misguiding people; the way they did during the Lok Sabha elections by saying that we (the BJP) will finish the constitution. How can the Constitution be finished? Good governance and development--these are the two agendas, based on which we are contesting and will win this election,» Meghwal told reporters here. While Congress is silent on Article 370, its alliance partner, the National Conference, promised restoration of the Article in its manifesto.

defence production hit a record high of Rs 1.27 lakh crore in 2023-24, with the country exporting military hardware to over 90 nations, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced on Wednesday. The milestone aligns with the 10th anniversary of the 'Make in India' programme under the NDA government. Started under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this initiative aimed to achieve self-reliance across various sectors, including defence. Singh noted, «Ten years since then, many reforms have been made in every sector including the defence sector. India is rising on the defence industrial landscape of the world.» In recent years, several measures were taken to promote domestic defence manufacturing, focusing on enhancing military preparedness, particularly along the China border. Defence exports surpassed Rs 21,000 crore for the first time in 2023-24. The ministry targets increasing this to Rs 50,000 crore within five years.

Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that Pakistan has asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a seven-billion-dollar bailout package, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given more than this for the PF package for J&K. «Pakistan is requesting the IMF for a USD 7 billion bailout package. They could have asked India. PM Modi has given more than this in the PF package for J&K. They are in this condition because they domesticated snakes,» said Rajnath Singh while addressing a public rally in Jammu. «We have done whatever we promised in the BJP election manifesto. We spoke about the abrogation of Article 370, and we did it as soon as we got the majority in centre. I feel pained by what Omar Abudullah said and did. He said that he won't fight in elections till the J&K restores statehood, but now he is fighting from two constituencies. Parties like the PDP, NC, and Congress claim that they will give statehood to J&K. How will they? They do not have government in the centre. Without that, it is not possible. Politics should not be done to win in elections. It must be done to build a country,» Rajnath Singh said slamming J&K opposition parties.

light tank, Zorawar, a highly versatile platform being developed to boost the Army's combat capabilities along the frontier with China. The tank demonstrated «exceptional» performance, efficiently meeting all the intended objectives during the field trials conducted in desert terrain, the defence ministry said. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the L&T Defence are developing the air-transportable 25-tonne tank that has been designed for rapid deployment largely along the frontier with China. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the successful trials of the Indian light tank as a «significant milestone» towards India's goal of self-reliance in critical defence systems and technologies.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu pointed to the success of the Vibrant Village Programme, noting the transformative changes it has brought. Ongoing projects include the construction of 1,022 km of roads to connect 124 habitations. He attended the Border Area Development Conclave today, with Union Defence minister Rajnath Singh as the chief guest. The event organized by the Indian Army and Centre for Land Warfare Studies, was also graced by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. Khandu emphasized the importance of the conclave in enhancing the development of border regions and outlined the critical role Arunachal Pradesh plays in national security and development.

Hurriyat Conference on Monday said it has always believed in the dialogue process and had conveyed the same to Lok Sabha member Asaduddin Owaisi in 2016, when Hurriyat leaders were in detention in Srinagar.

Rajnath Singh on Friday responded to his earlier statement that "Armed Forces need to be prepared for war". The Defence Minister said that he gave that statement so that India's peace cannot be disturbed under any circumstances. Highlighting India's message of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', Singh said that India has always advocated for peace but keeping in mind the today's geopolitical situation, India always needs to prepare for war to establish peace in India and world. Speaking to media persons, Rajnath Singh said, «India is the only country in the world that has given the message of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'. India has always advocated for peace and it will always. But today given the geopolitical situation, I told the army that to maintain peace in India and the world, we should always be ready for war. I said so that India's peace is not disturbed under any circumstances.»

Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 10 capital acquisition proposals amounting to Rs 1,44,716 crore. «Of the total cost of AoNs, 99% is from indigenous sources under Buy (Indian) and Buy (lndian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) categories,» said the official statement, For modernisation of the tank fleet of the Indian Army, the proposal for procurement of Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs) has been cleared. The FRCV will be a futuristic Main Battle Tank with superior mobility, all terrain ability, multilayered protections, precision & lethal fires over and real-time situational awareness.

nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) within six months, further strengthening its sea-based nuclear deterrent. This comes after the formal induction of the second SSBN, INS Arighaat, into the Strategic Forces Command at Visakhapatnam on Thursday. The upcoming third SSBN, currently undergoing trials and expected to be commissioned as INS Aridhaman early next year, is larger than its predecessors, INS Arihant and INS Arighaat, allowing it to carry more long-range nuclear-tipped missiles. INS Arighaat can also deploy K-4 missiles with a range exceeding 3,000 km, unlike INS Arihant, which is equipped with 750-km range K-15 missiles. This capability is vital for maintaining a credible strategic deterrent amid ongoing military tensions with China. SSBNs, capable of remaining submerged for extended periods, provide a secure and stealthy platform for second-strike capabilities, deterring potential first strikes.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday stated that the Indian economy has now improved to 'Fabulous Five' from the 'Fragile Five' before 2014. The minister also added that the Indian economy is one of the fastest-growing large economies now. Speaking at the 'Manorama News Conclave 2024' in Thiruvananthapuram, the minister said, «India's economy has undergone unprecedented changes. Before 2014, India's economy was among the 'Fragile Five'. Today it is being recognised all over the world as one of the 'Fabulous Five'. The Indian economy has become one of the fastest-growing large economies today». The minister also added that the government has taken various steps to improve the ease of doing business in the country, he added that because of the efforts by the government now the process to get environment clearance has reduced to less than 75 days from 600 days earlier.

Indian Navy is set to commission its second nuclear submarine, with the 112-metre-long INS Arihant to be launched out of Visakhapatnam on Thursday by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Top military officials are set to be present at the inaugration of the submarine, with the nuclear-powered machine set to join INS Arihant as part of the country's 'nuclear triad,' strengthening India's ability to fire nukes from the air, land and the sea. Armed with K-15 missiles — that are nuclear-tipped and have a range of 750 kilometres — the 6,000-tonne submarine became 'fully ready' earlier in August, following extensive trials and upgrades.

India and the US have signed a new agreement that will prioritise supply of defence equipment and components to each other to meet urgent national security requirements, even as defence minister Rajnath Singh described the partnership as a «formidable force» for global peace and security. Singh held a meeting with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in Pentagon, Washington DC, and the two had wide-ranging discussions on bilateral defence cooperation, industrial collaboration, regional security and other international issues.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will embark on a four-day visit to the US beginning August 23 to strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. During the visit, Singh will engage in talks with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, focusing on key defence cooperation initiatives, including the procurement of 31 MQ-9B Predator drones, joint manufacturing of Stryker infantry combat vehicles, and the co-production of GE F414 engines in India. The Defence Ministry announced that Singh's visit aims to deepen and broaden the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, in light of the growing momentum in bilateral relations and defence engagements. Officials highlighted the significance of Singh’s meetings, noting that the Indian Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has recently cleared the MQ-9B Predator drone deal with certain amendments, and the Indian Navy’s partnership with HawkEye 360 as part of the QUAD Indo-Pacific Partnership of Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA). “The visit is expected to further deepen and broaden the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership,” the Defence Ministry stated while announcing Singh’s trip to the US from August 23 to 26.

Rakesh Pal passed away in Chennai on Sunday due to a heart attack, according to officials. Sources told ToI that Rakesh Pal developed chest pain at INS Adyar when he was in discussion with the officials about the preparations for defence minister Rajnath Singh's visit to Chennai. He was rushed to the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) around 2.30 pm, but he died without responding to the treatment around 7 pm. Chief minister MK Stalin and defence minister Rajnath Singh were to visit RGGGH to pay their respects to Rakesh Pal.

Modi has hailed late DMK President and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M Karunanidhi as a «towering figure» in Indian politics, literature and society. The late leader's efforts to promote the Tamil language and culture are still remembered by the people, Modi said in a message to Karunanidhi's son and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin. Stalin shared on his 'X' handle, Modi's message for the release of a commemorative coin on the occasion of Karunanidhi's centenary on Sunday by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The CM thanked Modi.

Haryana Assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a high-level meeting convened by the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) central leadership in Delhi on Friday. The meeting focused on the party's strategy for the upcoming election in the northern state. BJP National President JP Nadda, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar were present at the meeting.

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are expected to visit Kerala's Wayanad, where massive landslides claimed ,ore than 40 lives.

Modi on Sunday gave several suggestions to the chief ministers and deputy chief ministers of BJP-ruled states on further improving the governance in their respective states, emphasising on messaging of the welfare schemes for their better delivery.

N Biren Singh had discussion about the situation in the state with Union Defence minister Rajnath Singh.