India, Indonesia discuss strengthening defence cooperation, enhancing expertise exchanges

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Lucknow, Aug 13 (IANS) India and Indonesia held the 12th Army-to-Army Staff Talks (AAST) here, with the discussions focussed on strengthening defence cooperation, enhancing expertise exchanges, and deepening military-to-military ties, the Indian Army said.

“12th India-Indonesia Army-to-Army Staff Talks, AAST, are being held in Lucknow from 11-13 Aug 2026. The Indian Army delegation held discussions with the Indonesian Army (TNI-AD) delegation, led by Brig Gen Ari Prasetya, VACOS Intelligence”, the army’s Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) said in a post on X.

“Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral Defence Cooperation, expanding the scope of joint training, enhancing expertise exchanges and deepening military-to-military ties, while reaffirming the commitment to a strong India-Indonesia strategic partnership,” it added.

Last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a three-day visit to Indonesia. During the visit, PM Modi held talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, addressed the Indonesian Parliament and attended an Indian community programme.

During their meeting, PM Modi and President Subianto reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral ties and discussed issues of global and multilateral interests. The two leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

“The leaders reviewed the full spectrum of the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership encompassing trade and investment, defence and security, maritime cooperation, energy, healthcare and pharma, space, critical minerals and rare earths, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

The two sides witnessed the exchange of several bilateral documents, including maritime safety and security, space cooperation, defence, steel supply chain, rare earths, health, agriculture, and science and technology, among others.

PM Modi and President Subianto jointly inaugurated the UNESCO World Heritage Prambanan Temple restoration project in Yogyakarta.

In May, the military exercise Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in IOR (PRAGATI) 2026 was conducted in Meghalaya, reinforcing collective commitment towards peace, stability, and security in the Indian Ocean Region, the Indian Army said.

Bringing together over 400 troops from 12 friendly foreign countries, the exercise fostered camaraderie and enhanced operational synergy. Conducted in the spirit of partnership and shared responsibility, PRAGATI reinforced the collective commitment towards peace, stability, and security in the Indian Ocean Region, the Army added.

The two-week-long exercise brought together participants from Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam to strengthen regional cooperation, interoperability, and strategic coordination among the participating countries.

–IANS

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No weapons, tall Tazias during Muharram procession, says Kolkata Police

Kolkata, June 24 (IANS) The Kolkata Police have announced that no weapons of any type are permitted to be displayed during Muharram. Additionally, the police have stated that DJs are not allowed to be played during the procession, and excessively tall tazias are prohibited.

The police also said on Wednesday that permission for any new processions will not be granted.

Instructions in this regard have been sent to all police stations under its jurisdiction on Tuesday evening.

According to the police officer, the decisions have been taken to maintain communal harmony in the city and ensure law and order.

Muharram will be celebrated across the state, including Kolkata, next Friday. In view of this, Deputy Commissioner-rank officers of the concerned police station held a meeting with the officers of each police station.

The instructions of Lalbazar (Kolkata Police headquarters) were conveyed to the police stations. Lalbazar (Kolkata Police headquarters) said that no new processions will be allowed during Muharram. Only those processions that have been going out for many years will be allowed. No weapons will be displayed in any procession. The police have instructed that the height of the Tazia should not be excessive in any procession to ensure no damage to cables or electricity wires. This is also to ensure the safety of the people.

In addition, Lalbazar has ordered that no DJs should be played in any procession. Even if a microphone/loudspeaker is used during the procession, it should be played as per the Calcutta High Court’s permitted noise levels. Organisers of such processions will have to ensure that there is no noise pollution.

It has been advised not to give any sensitive message from the procession. Police officers have been asked to keep an eye on these issues.

In addition, police officers have been instructed to hold a meeting with those who will take out the procession.

Lalbazar is deploying additional police personnel on the roads through which the procession will move on Friday. The police said that special attention will be paid to maintain harmony.

–IANS

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Delhi: Nangloi gets upgraded Ayushman Aarogya Mandir to boost local healthcare

Nangloi (Delhi), Jan 14 (IANS) In a major boost to neighbourhood-level healthcare in West Delhi, an Ayushman Aarogya Mandir was inaugurated in Nangloi on Wednesday, marking a significant step towards improving access to quality primary medical services for residents. The facility was inaugurated by Nangloi’s Municipal Councillor Poonam Surender Saini amid the presence of a large number of residents, community members, and local leaders.

The newly launched Aarogya Mandir was earlier functioning as an MCD dispensary and has now been comprehensively renovated and upgraded. The centre has been equipped with essential amenities such as patient beds, CCTV surveillance for security, improved infrastructure, and expanded healthcare services. These upgrades aim to ensure timely, affordable, and reliable medical care for people living in and around Nangloi.

Speaking on the occasion, Councillor Poonam Surender Saini said that the upgraded facility reflects a strong commitment to public welfare and grassroots healthcare delivery. “This Aarogya Mandir will serve as a lifeline for residents, especially women, senior citizens, and children. Quality healthcare should be accessible close to home, and this initiative moves us firmly in that direction,” she said.

Surender Saini, Outer Delhi BJP district co-incharge, also highlighted the broader vision behind the initiative. He said strengthening primary healthcare infrastructure is a priority, and such centres will reduce pressure on major hospitals while ensuring early diagnosis and treatment.

Medical professionals associated with the centre stressed the importance of upgraded facilities. Dr Sonam Sehrawat, Dental Surgeon, told IANS that the improved infrastructure and availability of services would significantly enhance patient care, preventive treatment, and awareness at the community level.

The inauguration of the Nangloi Aarogya Mandir is part of a larger initiative by the BJP-led Delhi government, under which 81 Aarogya Mandirs were opened across the national capital on January 14. The programme aims to strengthen public health infrastructure and deliver dependable primary healthcare services to residents across Delhi.

The event concluded with the residents expressing satisfaction and optimism, viewing the upgraded Aarogya Mandir as a crucial step towards a healthier and more resilient community.

–IANS

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MUDA case: Petitioner files appeal petition questioning quash order on CBI probe

Bengaluru, March 4 (IANS) In a major development regarding the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case allegedly involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the petitioner Snehamayi Krishna has filed an appeal writ petition before the division bench of the Karnataka High Court, questioning the single bench order of quashing of his appeal for the CBI investigation into the MUDA case.

The petition appeal petition has been filed on Tuesday, when the budget session is in motion and the development is seen as a setback for CM Siddaramaiah, who is all set to present the budget on March 7.

The petition prayed to set aside the order dated February 7 passed by the learned single judge.

“Grant any other or further relief/s to the Appellant which this Hon’ble High Court deems fit and thinks proper under the facts and circumstances of the case, to meet the ends of justice,” the petition further prayed.

The petitioner has stated in the appeal petition that he reserves the right and liberty to challenge the closure report filed by the Lokayukta before the jurisdictional court and does not impugn the closure report in these proceedings.

The Union government, State of Karnataka, The Director, CBI, SP CBI, Karnataka Lokayukta SP Mysuru, Karnataka DGP, ADGP Lokayukta, Vijayanagar police station inspector are also made as parties in the appeal petition.

Siddaramaiah is named as respondent number 9, his wife B.M. Parvathi as 10th and brother-in-law Mallikarjunaswamy as 11th and land owner D. Devaraju as 12th respondents. However, in the MUDA scam, Siddaramaiah is named as accused number one, his wife Parvathi is second, Mallikarjunaswamy third and Devaraju as fourth accused persons.

The memorandum of writ appeal is made under Section 4 of the Karnataka High Court Act, 1961 read with Rule 27 of the High Court Writ Proceedings Rules 1977.

The appeal petition is filed through Vasantha Kumara and Associates, Kumara Park West, Bengaluru.

The petition claimed that the Learned Single Judge completely erred in framing questions that were never urged and pleaded before the court. The Appellant never doubted nor did he question the credibility of the Lokayukta and it is only due to the Respondent No.9’s ( Siddaramaiah) influence over the state machinery that the entire investigation be tainted with real likelihood of bias and would not instil confidence in the public or the complainant.

It further stated: “That the learned single judge failed to take into consideration that the documents appended in the writ petition are sufficient proof that the Respondent No.9 at all times has misused the trust in order to fulfil personal goals with the aid and assistance of his family members and officials of MUDA.”

The petition stated that the Respondent No.9 (CM Siddaramaiah) has a history of criminal antecedents wherein allegations were made against him on various grounds wherein, some instances are, that the Respondent No 9 misused his office and helped his son to secure the contract at BMRCI to set-up diagnostic centre and also has de-notified about 541 acres of land which was acquired for formation of Arkavathy Layout and has obtained bribe and further Respondent No.9 has alleged to have issued mining license to a company by violating the conditions and rules prescribed.

However, no investigations were conducted by any investigating agency to identify the truth of the matter and all such cases registered before various investigating agencies were closed. Such facts would only indicate that the Respondent No.9 is an influential person having deep roots in the bureaucracy, and to insulate him from any sort of fair investigation, the petitioner stated.

“The Respondent No. 9, who is currently the Chief Minister of the State of Karnataka, is the executive head of the state and his writ runs large in all aspects of administration of the state machinery which includes the investigation of any offences. Further, the State government vide its Order dated 31.08.2024 issued by the Under Secretary, Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, to Sri. G T Dinesh Kumar, KAS, suspended the said official, on the ground of involvement in the MUDA misappropriation,” the petition stated.

Most importantly, the Writ Court noted that if the events or the link in the chain of events are noted, there are few dots to be connected. It is that connection of dots that would require an inquiry or an investigation in the least, whereby, the law was completely towards prima facie illegality only to favour the wife of the Respondent No 9 (Siddaramaiah) as the very allotment of sites as compensation is said to be contrary to the law, the petition underlined.

In a major relief for Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the Dharwad Bench of the Karnataka High Court, led by Justice M. Nagaprasanna, on Friday quashed a petition seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the court had reserved its verdict on January 27.

–IANS

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