Prior to taking over as the vice-chief in February, he was General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command which looks after the borders with both Pakistan and China.
The Army was clearly unprepared for this extension, till recently events were continuing as though COAS was to retire as per schedule. He was even felicitated for nearing the milestone.
With Modi govt granting a one-month extension to Gen Manoj Pande, others whose names were sent to the Cabinet Committee on Appointments are strong contenders now.
Army is pursuing 45 niche technologies identified for military application & 120 indigenous projects are underway to develop & absorb these niche technologies, Gen Pande says.
It also plans to introduce Army Design Bureau (ADB) cells at command level to 'upscale' innovation potential of ADB, whose mandate is to modernise & indigenously develop army equipment
China and Bhutan have agreed to fast-track talks over delimitation and demarcation of the border besides establishing diplomatic ties, which will have strategic implications for India
Country's used lithium-ion battery problem is also set to grow sharply in next decade. India 3rd largest e-waste producer with 7% global share but currently recycles only about 10% of it.
Shield AI will provide V-BAT vertical takeoff & landing drones along with licences for software, which will be integrated into aircraft and made available to select Indian partners.
No nation other than China can negotiate one-on-one with Trump on an equal footing. That’s why the middle powers who so far formed the core of multilateral bodies now feel orphaned.
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