Russia eyes rail link to India to avoid maritime chokepoints

IANS | August 19, 2026 8:14 PM

New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS) Russia is keen on exploring a strategic overland rail link to connect it with the Indian Ocean and India, with the initiative aiming to secure freight transport and bypass vulnerable maritime choke points like the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf and the Bosphorus Strait, which connects the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

India should focus on potential Ukrainian drone technology transfer to Pakistan: Report

IANS | August 19, 2026 7:10 PM

New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS) India’s primary concern would not necessarily be the supply of drones developed by leading Ukrainian drone and missile manufacturer 'Fire Point' to Pakistan, as Ukraine is unlikely to deliver them amid the ongoing war with Russia. New Delhi should instead be more focused on the possibility of a technology pipeline developing between the two countries than on the acquisition of a specific weapon, a report has highlighted.

Kiren Rijiju rejects Chinese intrusion claims, says Cong policy left India behind on border infrastructure (IANS Exclusive)

IANS | August 19, 2026 4:26 PM

New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS) Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday dismissed the allegations made by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi regarding alleged Chinese intrusion into Indian territory, asserting that the concerns being raised in Arunachal Pradesh need to be viewed in the context of the long-standing lack of a formally demarcated India-China boundary.

ISKP seeks to create Caliphate mindset in India through AI; eyes bots for radicalisation

Vicky Nanjappa | August 19, 2026 12:42 PM

New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS) The Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) is making a major shift in its digital operations and this is proving to be a worry for the Indian security agencies who are battling a major problem of radicalisation. The security agencies are worried as the ISKP is seeking to create a Caliphate mindset in India through Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Terrorist Pannun sparks alarm with 'Khalistani Army' rhetoric in Canada

IANS | August 17, 2026 9:41 PM

Washington/ Ottawa, Aug 17 (IANS) The recent announcement by terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun to form a Khalistan Army and Sikh Homeland Security force, followed by videos showing Sikh men training with semi-automatic rifles on Canadian soil, is deeply alarming and could have catastrophic consequences for the Sikh community itself, a report has stated.