Videos - The Strategic Perspective

Managing Autonomous Warfare

On September 30, 2026, US Secretary for War, Pete Hegseth announced America’s Autonomous Warfare Command (AUTOWARCOM) during his ‘State of the Force’ address at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. This newly planned four-star functional combatant command is dedicated to leading the joint US military force in unmanned and autonomous warfare.With its operational launch date projected…
Starlink Ground Station Arson in Bulgaria: Strategic Assessment

Executive AssessmentAccording to reports an attack was carried out on a Starlink communications facility near Sofia, Bulgaria, on 9 October. It was further reported that 11 out of 17 facility’s antennas were set ablaze.Bulgarian opposition MP Ivaylo Mirchev made the disclosure. Prime Minister Rumen Radev subsequently confirmed an investigation, while security officials described the incident…
FZ1073: India Opens a Case, Israel Tightens the Rules

Since 15 October 2026, the FZ1073 case has shifted from a UAE-led criminal inquiry into a three-way contest over jurisdiction, vetting and access. According to reports, India has registered its own terror case, Israel has extended its crew-nationality bar to dual nationals and shifted enforcement onto airlines, and the UAE has stated that the suspect…
Munir's Map: Pakistan's Plan to Redraw Its Provinces, Explained

According to reports, Pakistan’s government and military establishment has been deliberating on the restructuring of its four provinces (Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan) by splitting them into multiple smaller units. The provinces have not been altered since 1947. It is assumed that real intent behind this proposed plan is to enervate the regional powers…
NATO's Proxy and Ukraine Peace

As NATO’s war on Russia (using Ukraine as its proxy) escalates, calls for ceasefire and peace are also rising. China and Brazil have jointly introduced a six-point peace plan. Turkey has proposed a framework for freezing frontline combat, non-use of nuclear weapons, and creating long-term, multi-year diplomatic cooling periods. An African Nations Coalition (including South…
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India’s strategic outpost in Bay of Bengal

Recently, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Opposition politicians, environmental groups and researchers and have urged for suspension of the Great Nicobar Project on environmental issues. A former Union Environment Secretary filed a petition in the Calcutta High Court challenging the project as a threat to the fragile ecosystem and a violation…
Indian Coast Guard Shares Its Expertise In Search & Rescue

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) organised the 24th National Maritime Search & Rescue (NMSAR) Board Meeting at Bhubaneswar under the Chairmanship of DG, ICG Paramesh Sivamani, AVSM, PTM, TM, on October 6, 2026.Deliberations focused on strengthening national SAR preparedness, enhancing distress‑alert management, and ensuring faster mobilisation of rescue assets through technology integration and seamless inter‑agency…
Race for Indigenous GPS

According to news reports of September 28, 2026, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is targeting the launch of its navigation satellite NVS-03 between October 15 and 20, a mission that could reactivate India’s Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC), formerly known as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS): NavIC’s standalone positioning service and provide a…
BrahMos Fire Control Systems and Launchers for the Indian Navy

Analysis of the ₹661.50 crore Buy (Indian-IDDM) contract signed on 6 October 2026
FZ1073: The Perpetrator, the Al-Qaeda Links Investigated

Analytical report, status as of 5 October 2026. Open-source and unclassified. Competing claims are attributed, not adjudicated.
India at 2026 Asian Games

India won a total of 9 medals on the final day (October 3) at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, wrapping up its overall campaign in 4th place on the medal leaderboard, matching Uzbekistan with 21 Golds but taking the higher rank due to a superior silver-medal count. India’s final tally stands at 21…
Turkey’s KAAN Fighter: Flight Testing, Capabilities and Strategic Implications

Turkey’s indigenous fifth-generation fighter program, KAAN (formerly TF-X/MMU), has entered a critical phase. Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) expedites the prototype production and flight-testing activities ahead of a broader test campaign expected prior to 2027. This program is considered to be the most ambitious undertaking in Turkey’s aerospace history and is central to Ankara’s long-term plans…
Eagle's Dragon Seduction

The POTUS Donald Trump receiving visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 23, 2026, at the tarmac of Joint Base Andrews airport in a long winter coat and gloves was quite a sight, especially with speculation his protruding posterior was because of extra diapers. Was this exceptional reception out of respect to Xi or just…
Regional Responses to FZ1073: Cooperation Amid Diplomatic Tension

Updated 3 October 2026 with new reporting on the Omani co-pilot (see the section marked “Update”)
Operation Korag: LeT Commander Hashim Moosa Eliminated

SITREP
Collaboration in Weaponized Space

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has planned major upcoming deep-space, lunar, and crewed missions that include: Gaganyaan uncrewed and crewed flights (2026–2027) – India’s human spaceflight program features upcoming uncrewed orbital test flights carrying a robot named Vyommitra, leading up to the crewed Gaganyaan flight planned for 2027; Chandrayaan-4 (2027) – a complex lunar…
Situation Report: Nuristan Clash: Kabul's Kamdesh claim, Islamabad's denial.

BREAKDOWNAfghanistan’s defence ministry has stated that its security forces killed 28 fighters and wounded 32 in Kamdesh district, Nuristan, on 26 September, after the group consisting if the Islamic State outfit infiltrated from Pakistan with an effort to carry out attacks.Kabul further claimed that the Pakistani armed personnel and militia coordinated with the fighters before…
ISRO Cacophony

Speaking on India’s SpaceTech Lift-Off And The Race To 2047 at the IndiaAt100 Summit on August 21, 2026, Pawan Goenka, Chairman IN-Space said that the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) would no longer manufacture routine launch vehicles (rockets) or routine satellites; instead, this production work would completely move over to the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)…
Jo Hukums And The Charge That Took Haifa

On 23 September 1918, four hundred Rajput lancers of the Jodhpur Imperial Service Lancers rode down an entrenched German and Ottoman rear-guard to take Haifa — in what military historians still call the last great cavalry charge fought on a regimental scale.
Pakistan, Houthis and the Mecca Pact

Paper promise or a Defence deal
India-China Eight-Point Agreement: A Tactical Thaw, but Trust Remains Elusive

Hopes for Sino-Indian relations centre on a cautious diplomatic thaw, institutionalised border stability and renewed high-level engagement. Indian negotiators and defence planners are well aware that “trust must be verified”. While the activation of these eight points provides valuable channels to prevent an accidental kinetic clash on the ground, the real test of China’s sincerity…
NIA Court Issues Non-Bailable Warrant Against LeT Commander Saifullah Kasuri Over Pahalgam Attack Nexus

NIA Court Issues Non-Bailable Warrant Against LeT Commander Saifullah Kasuri Over Pahalgam Attack Nexus
The Nag, Spike, Javelin Triangle

India conceived and officially started the Nag Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) project in 1983. The government gave its formal approval on July 26, 1983, under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), led by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam (later President of India). The mission was that the Indian Army needed a modern, domestic ATGM without…
Bangladesh Post-Hasina Defence Strategy: A Three-Track Shift

Bangladesh Post-Hasina Defence Strategy: A Three-Track ShiftThree distinct but converging developments are on the public record. First, Bangladesh is reportedly negotiating its largest defence procurement in years. According to various reports, Dhaka is focusing on an advanced but unfinalized package of Chinese J-10 CE fighter jets, attack helicopters, and drones. On 4 August 2026, Bangladesh’s…
India’s RAKSHA Doctrine

10-Year Defence Diplomacy Roadmap Decoded
The AI-Human Mashup

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is storming the world but concerns are rising high. Ai-enabled political propaganda in India (memes included) is a constant source of humour. There is considerable hype about India becoming a leading AI super-power with foreign entities aggressively seeking to collaborate with India in AI. Global tech giants are injecting hundreds of billions into…
Xi Jinping’s India Visit: Tibetan Anger, BRICS Diplomacy and a Cautious Thaw

Chinese President Xi Jinping departed Beijing on Saturday morning to attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, embarking on his first visit to India in almost seven years. This is marked as his notable visit to India since his last having been at the October 2019 informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at…
PROFILES IN FIGHTING SPIRIT – 4TH HORSE IN 1965- The Second India-Pakistan War

It was a heady period for Pakistan’s first dictator President, self –promoted to Field Marshal, Ayub Khan. Flush with the acquisition of then-modern Patton Tanks, Sabre aircraft and other sophisticated equipment from the US, Pakistan Army’s operation ‘Gibraltor’ was planned with the aim of annexing India’s Jammu & Kashmir. It had built up quite a…
18th BRICS Summit

Preparations are in full swing in New Delhi to host the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12-13, 2026, under the theme ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability’. The BRICS economic bloc has officially overtaken the G7 in terms of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) -adjusted GDP. According to the IMF, the combined economic output of…
Beijing’s note, Manila’s Reply

Amidst the mid-session at the Seoul Defence Dialogue, a handwritten note was passed to Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.The note was supposedly meant to reassert Beijing’s position on the 2016 South China Sea arbitration.Instead, Mr. Teodoro Jr. read the note aloud and rebutted line by line in front of a live international audience. This…
The Hormuz Squeeze: South Asia’s Energy Security Crisis Explained

Since the Russia Ukraine war in 2022, the 28 February 2026 break out of the US-Israel-Iran war, followed by Iran’s consequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has presented a critical challenge to South Asian energy security.Based on reports, since early September 2026, the daily transits have plummeted to 6–12 vessels, which is still a…
Arunachal Calling

Reports continue to pour in of Chinese ingress in Arunachal Pradesh. However, these cover past decades, with the more recent Chinese incursion being China’s PLA denying Indian forces access to key patrolling points in the Taksing area of Arunachal Pradesh. A fact-finding committee (FFC) deputed by the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) has reported that…
India develops Agalega and Minicoy Islands

Agalega IslandIndia worked with Mauritius to set up a military base on North Agalega Island, which was leased to the India for deploying a coastal surveillance radar system and developing several strategic assets.This facility came about by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2015 agreements to develop islands in Mauritius and Seychelles to counter China’s hegemonic forays…
THE 26TH SCO SUMMIT AT 25 YEARS

Bishkek’s Agenda, the Russia-India-China Triangle, and What the Outcomes Actually Change
Bishkek SCO Summit

The 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, held from August 31 to September 1, 2026, brought together all 10 full member states: Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. In addition, an expanded ‘SCO Plus’ session featured the observer states of Mongolia, 16 dialogue/partner states (including Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and several…
The India Century: Vision 2047: Economy, Security, Geopolitics & Beyond

The India Century: Vision 2047 Economy, Security, Geopolitics & BeyondBrig (Dr) Ashok Pathak (Retd)Pentagon PressPages: 109 in hard coverPrice: Rs. 695/-Reviewed by Anil Bhat INDIA AIMING TO BE A MULTI-TRILLION ECONOMYThis book has been sponsored by Bharat Global Industries Forum (BGIF), a premier national think-and-action platform uniting India’s top corporations, policymakers, and global investors to support…
Trade Pivot Weakens Pakistan’s Grip on Afghanistan, as Others Move in

Afghanistan has sought to limit or reduce its structural vulnerability by moving trade through Iran’s Chabahar Port and Central Asian corridors. Kabul is realigning Afghanistan’s external economic geography by looking towards Iran, Central Asia, China and India.
India China 25th SR Talks

The 25th round of boundary talks (since 2014) between India’s NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Special Representatives (SR) of India and China, were held in Beijing on August 25, 2026. Before the talks, Indian propagandists posted their pictures on Meta with the caption: “Something Big is Happening – POK Will Be…
Islamic Bomb and Islamic NATO

The credit for the Islamic Bomb in Pakistan goes to China, with the US turning a Nelson’s Eye. China supplied 500 ring magnets to kick start Pakistan’s nuclear program and later conducted the first Pakistani nuclear device test on Chinese soil in Lop Nor. Pakistan’s AQ Khan indulged in blatant nuclear proliferation but the CIA…
Integrating Pakistan Occupied Kashmir

Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK) is afire amid recent clashes and firing leading to and during the recent regional Legislative Assembly elections held from July 27 to August 10, 2026. Amnesty International and media trackers say at least 40 deaths have been documented; 34 protesters and 6 police/paramilitary personnel.Local residents/activists and the Joint Awami Action Committee…
Trump, Hormuz, and Strategic Exaggeration

President Donald Trump’s recent claim on Truth Social posts declaring that the United States has “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz is best comprehended as a stylistic assertion of dominance rather than an empirically defensible description of maritime reality.This blanket assertion mistakenly treats separate variables—military, operational, legal, and political—as a single absolute indivisible truth.…
Dissecting Military Transformation.

India’s proposed three tri-service Theatre Commands (TCs) was covered in these columns earlier: Northern TC facing China; Western TC facing Pakistan; Maritime TC safeguarding maritime domain and projecting power in Indian and Pacific Oceans (https://www.thestrategicperspective.org/transforming-indian-military/). CDS was to present the plan to Defence Minister, followed by approval of Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), and Prime…
Communication Security versus Insecurity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi named and dedicated the NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) system to the nation on April 28, 2016. The naming coincided with the successful launch of the seventh and final satellite (IRNSS-1G) of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) program. NavIC was to cover India and a region extending 1,500 km…
After Article 370: Security and Change in Kashmir

On 5 August 2019, the abrogation of Article 370 became the most consequential constitutional amendment in India’s post-Independence history. The abrogation of Article 370 catalysed a structural realignment in Jammu and Kashmir, immensely reshaping its security framework, accelerating its political integration, and redirecting its socio-economic development.Even though terrorism had not been eradicated in all entirety,…
Indian Military in Commonwealth Games

The Indian Military, primarily represented by the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB), has been a foundational pillar of India’s sporting history, contributing to the Commonwealth Games (CWG) since India’s very first appearance in 1934. Through rigorous systematic training via the Army Sports Institute (ASI) and multiple nodal centres, military personnel have historically anchored India’s multi-sport…
The “Azad” Kashmir Myth: PoJK’s Protest Movement and Pakistan’s Rights Record

Executive SummaryThe ongoing mass mobilization in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) is indicative of the direct structural shift which has erupted from the culmination of decades of systemic exploitation, political disenfranchisement, and human rights violations by Pakistan. The current development which began in 2023 gained a dramatic momentum, escalating sharply between 2025-2026. The unrest in…
Hedgehogs and Cockroaches

With the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests at Jantar Mantar entering the 35th day on July 25, 2026, protests had spread to 34 cities, including Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, and Kolkata, alongside solidarity demonstrations in five countries: Britain – in London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh under Students federation of India (SFI) banner; Germany and Ireland –…
Transforming Indian Military

India is slated to get three Theatre Commands (TCs) designed to handle geographical and adversary-specific threats; the existing 17 single-service operational commands are to be merged into these TCs. The blueprint, originally drafted under former CDS General Anil Chauhan, is being presented by the current CDS General NS Raja Subramani to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh,…
Ahmedabad-Mumbai Bullet Train

Relations between India and Japan are ancient. Buddhism originated in India in the 6th century BCE, travelled to Central Asia and China, and was formally introduced in Japan in the mid-6th century CE through South Korea, with monks from India also travelling to Japan. Indian monk Bodhisena arrived in Japan in 736 CE and performed…
Cyber Insecurity

In a recent security breach, 19,000 of sensitive files related to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu (South India), one of India’s largest nuclear power plants, was compromised. The ransomware gang ‘World Leaks’ claimed on the dark web of releasing these 14.3 gigabytes; of 8,58,000 Reliance Group (nuclear power plant contractor) files.The Reliance…
Senapati: A Warning from the Hills

Why the Latest Violence Must Become a Wake-Up Call for India’s Naga Peace Process
5th Edition of the India Space Congress-2026

The 5th edition of the India Space Congress (ISC) was held in New Delhi from June 15–17, 2026. Themed “Reimagining Space. Reinventing Collaboration. Realising the Next Era of Space” and hosted by the Space Industry Association–India (SIA-India), the premier event brought together over 1,000 delegates and 250 speakers from 25 countries.Discussions cantered broadly on India’s…
India-US Relations: When Objectives Overlap, Perspectives Differ

One of the most durable strengths of India-US relations lies outside the government. The five million strong Indian diaspora has become an extraordinary bridge between the two societies. Indian Americans occupy influential positions in technology, academia, medicine, business and public administration. This human connectivity provides resilience that many bilateral relationships lack.
Defending the Siliguri Corridor: Securing India’s Strategic Lifeline to the Northeast

The Geography of Vulnerability
Colonial Cacophony

India has been actively targeting colonial vestiges to foster national identity rooted in indigenous heritage. Politically, this decolonization led by the current administration aims to erase symbols of imperial rule, British-era names are continually being phased out, for example; Delhi’s Rajpath is renamed Kartavya Path. But the government is loath to change the British-era name…
China’s Water Threats, India’s Malacca Leverage and Growing Indo-Pacific Contestation

While China’s leverage over India runs through an upstream river Beijing controls, India’s leverage over China runs through a choke-point India will now sit astride. The Strait of Malacca is a 930-km passage between the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra through which an approximate of 40–50 percent of global trade and 80 percent of China’s crude…
Enforcing 'Ethnic Unity' in China: New 'National Identity' Law has Implications for Dalai Lama Succession and Tibetan Diaspora

From the Indian perspective, the extraterritorial jurisdiction clause directly implicates the Tibetan exile community residing in India, potentially exposing CTA officials, Dharamsala based researchers and Tibetan advocacy networks to a Chinese claim of jurisdiction.
Bleeding Manipur

Manipur continues to bleed. On May 13, 2026, three Baptist pastors and their driver were killed in an ambush in Kangpokpi district, Manipur. The group was traveling back to their native place in Kangpopki after attending a church gathering in Churachandpur. A day after the killings of these three Baptist pastors, reports emerged of at…
GRSE’s triple warship tranche to Indian Navy marks a quantum outreach and punch

India has indeed come a long way since 1964, when the Directorate of Naval Design was created and major indigenous warship programs, such as the Nilgiri-class frigates in the 1970s and the initial planning for the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant were initiated, but systemic challenges—such as underdeveloped supply chains and a lack of competitive manufacturing…
Border Issues

India has a volatile neighbourhood and border issues remain hot with iridescent handling from both sides. Some 4,800 undocumented Bangladeshi nationals have been deported from West Bengal following the BJP election victory in the state. Another 836 individuals are in holding centres in border districts, awaiting nationality verification and repatriation. Of the 90 lakh voters…
Sentenced to Silence? Mahrang Baloch’s Life Imprisonment Raises Uncomfortable Questions for Pakistan

Despite the narrative of the Pakistani state, Mahrang Baloch’s international recognition grew through 2024. Time magazine included her in its TIME100 Next list of emerging influential figures, citing her advocacy against enforced disappearances while the BBC named her to its 100 Women list.
Modi-Trump Tête-à-Tête

In an interview on The Axios Show on June 20, 2026, US President Donald Trump, when asked to identify two international leaders he admired most, responded by naming Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This was three days after Trump met Modi on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evan…
The Nuclearized World

According to the latest SIPRI report, India’s nuclear warhead count has gone up to 190 as of January 2026, India has deployed at least 12 nuclear warheads, and may be deploying nuclear warheads on an SSBN conducting patrols, having two SSBN’s operational since August 2024. The report calls this a major departure from past practice…
Greece Eyes Hormuz Security Mission

According to reports, Greece is prepping for a potential deployment of its naval assets to assist its maritime security operations in the Strait of Hormuz.It is reported that the Hellenic Navy has been placed on heightened readiness as options are being assessed for the kind of contribution that Athens may provide to the multinational mission…
Finland Aligns With NATO Nuclear Policy

Helsinki Ended a Decades-Old Ban Amid Europe’s New Security Reality
India's Reconsideration of the K30 Biho

In the field of short-range air defence, India may have revived its interest in South Korea’s K30 Biho self-propelled anti-aircraft system. According to reports, this platform was once expected to become a key component of the Indian Army’s air defence network before the acquisition process was ultimately shelved.With the renewed attention being given to the…
Voices from Beijing

Our hierarchy can’t stop harping about India’s rise, but when we reach USD 10 trillion economy, what will be China’s economy? China’s present nominal GDP is USD $18 trillion compared to India’s USD 3.5 to 4 trillion. China’s per capita GDP of USD 12,000 far outpaces India’s USD 3,000. China contributes 28% to global manufacturing…
Bamboozling West Asia

US President Donald Trump’s prevaricate flip-flops on Iran don’t surprises anymore; he has been claiming to have obliterated Iran’s nuclear capability, missile strength and military and navy to Iran ready to surrender, and more. In between there was news he wanted to use nukes on Iran, but his military was against it. Among his latest…
From Akash to Lusan: Armenia's Indian Arsenal Gets Armenian Names

On 28 May 2026, Yerevan displayed a range of recently acquired weapons and equipment at its Republic Day military parade.Armenia’s decision to assign indigenous names to several Indian-made defence systems that have recently entered service with its armed forces became the focal point.It can be inferred that the move was far more than some ceremonial…
EFES 2026: Steel Dome, Syria and 50 Nations

Turkey concluded the largest-ever edition of its EFES military exercise. The exercise was conducted between 20 – 30 May 2026, with more than 10,000 personnel from 50 nations participating in the demonstration of military power, defence technology, and regional diplomacy. The exercise was conducted in the İzmir region and the Aegean Sea. This was also…
Marco Rubio’s visit to India

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to India was in interesting times. Rubio had just revealed his strategic wisdom by announcing that Cuba is a national security threat for the US; despite Cuba being 1/80th the size of America and the Cuban Revolution 67 years ago in 1959. Did Rubio smell Cuba developing nukes?…
Graded Wafers – Boosting Progress

Semiconductor chips or wafers, acting as microscopic switches that control the flow of electrical currents, enabling devices to process information, store data, and communicate, are the fundamental power behind practically all electronic and digital devices today. These are specialized by function and embedded into countless everyday items; used extensively in computing, communications, automotives, energy management…
India’s Fast Breeder Reactor Success Strengthens Energy Security Vision

India maintains a separation between civilian and military nuclear programmes and remains outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Consequently, the PFBR is not under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.
IAI DIAMOND Naval Warfare System

A Distributed Naval Warfare Concept That Turns Frigates Into Networked Combat Fleets
Canada’s €64 Million Military Expansion in Latvia

Long-Term NATO Strategy on Russia’s Frontier
BRICS Dissonance

The BRICS Foreign Ministers Meet, held in New Delhi on May 14-15, 2026, themed ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability’, was chaired by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Key attendees included Russian FM Sergey Lavrov, Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi, South African FM Ronald Lamola, Brazilian FM Mauro Vieira, Indonesian FM Sugiono, plus representatives from…
Future Submarines

US President Donald Trump visited China recently, seeking some assurances on Taiwan, in addition to other issues (https://www.thestrategicperspective.org/trump-xi-tete-a-tete/). But Trump could not achieve much even by way of trade, with Chinese President Xi Jinping refusing to meet the planeload of billionaires that Trump brought along on Air Force One. Ironically, Trump’s request to visit China…
US-Iran Conflict Boosts India's Naval Role

At a time when the US arsenal in the Persian Gulf has taken a big bashing from Iran, there seems no chance of President DJ Trump getting persuaded to stop parroting his false claims of “obliterating” Iran’s navy and air force and begin to meaningfully work towards peace. Meanwhile India has been working at keeping…
Cambodia and India Conclude CINBAX-II Military Exercise

On 16 May 2026 the second edition of the Cambodia-India joint military exercise CINBAX-II 2026 concluded in Cambodia’s Kampong Speu Province. This highlights the growing defence partnership between the two nations. The bilateral exercise commenced over a span of two weeks focusing on counter-terrorism operations, peacekeeping missions, and tactical interoperability.The exercise was conducted at the…
Trump-Xi Tête-à-Tête

The world looked forward to the Trump-Xi meeting with great interest. Equally interesting were events in the run up to the summit, some of which were:Trump sanctioned Chinese companies importing oil from Iran, with Beijing signaling him to go climb a tree. Last year, China halted REE supplies to the US in response to Trump’s…
China-Linked Tankers Cross Hormuz

According to several reports, multiple cargo ships and oil tankers connected to Chinese companies have made safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz during the past 48 hours using an Iranian-controlled maritime corridor. The development comes at the time when the US President Donald Trump has been reportedly visiting China for high-level discussions.Shipping data from…
Iraq, Pakistan Secure Oil Transit Deals with Iran

According to various reports, both Iraq and Pakistan have concluded separate arrangements with Iran to allow the movement of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The developments indicate Iran’s growing influence in one of the most strategically important energy corridors.The ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel…
The BrahMos Bubble

India completed delivery of USD 375 million worth BrahMos shore-based anti-ship missiles to the Philippines in 2025. As of March 2026, Indonesia also signed a deal with India for importing USD 200 million worth of BrahMos, which again are the shore-based anti-ship version. Following India’s BrahMos cruise missile precision strikes in Pakistan during Operation ‘Sindoor’,…
NFU Denial to Armed Forces: Policy Failure or Systemic Neglect?

West Bengal elections are over. During the last assembly elections Union Home Minister Amit Shah predicted 100 seats for BJP, which didn’t work out. This time he predicted minimum 110-seats for BJP and camped in situ for a fortnight overseeing extraordinary measures instituted. With BSF under him guarding the border, Shah promises no infiltration if…
EU Industrial Accelerator Act and Chinese EVs

In March 2026, European Union announced the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA). The announcement projects a crucial shift, rather a consequential one in European industrial policy in decades. This decision focuses on building Europe’s manufacturing base especially in strategic sectors such as electric vehicles (EVs), batteries, and clean technologies. However, this proposal also poses implications for…
Saudi Arabia Blocks Pakistan’s $5.5 Billion African Arms Push in Major Strategic Shift

A shift in Saudi Arabia’s foreign policies, risk tolerance and global stance was made evident when Riyadh’s silent intervention to halt Pakistan’s planned $5.5 billion arms deals with African partners came to light.Two major defence agreements comprising of a $1.5 billion weapons package for Sudan and a separate $4 billion deal linked to eastern Libya,…
TUSAS Expands Southeast Asia Strategy Through Malaysia Partnerships

From drones to next-generation jet trainers, Turkish TUSAS is making a strong play for Southeast Asia, using Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2026 to expand Malaysia ties and position itself as a rising defence partner in ASEAN.
Italy–Israel Defence Rift

On 14 April 2026, in a decisive measure, Italy suspended the renewal of its 20 year old defence cooperation agreement with Israel. This has become a turning point in European–Middle Eastern security relations.Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that the “current situation,” involving the Israeli military actions in Lebanon and attacks near Italian UN peacekeeper (UNIFIL)…
Hedging the Su-57

The proposed Indo-French Rafale deal for 114 additional Rafale fighter jets costing USD 39-40 billion, covered in these columns earlier (https://www.thestrategicperspective.org/next-indp-french-rafale-deal/) highlighted the following: The India Air Force (IAF) is very much interested in the Su-57 stealth fighter jet for deep-strike roles.Russia has said: Su-57 package for India with 100% technology transfer could cost about 50%…
Indian Defence Review and Policy of Hedging

On March 24, 2026, the defence review, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, focussed mainly on possible disruptions of defence supply chains, as well as issues related to maintenance and serviceability of existing military equipment in backdrop of the West Asia crisis, which significantly disrupted global trade routes. Rajnath called for drawing lessons from ongoing…
Airbus Tests “Bird of Prey” Interceptor Drone

Airbus’s interceptor drone designed to destroy Kamikaze UAVs with Low-Cost Missiles
SDA Launches First Operational Satellites on SpaceX Falcon 9

Space Development Agency Launches First Operational Satellites on SpaceX Falcon 9, Begins 150+ Satellite Deployment
“Get Your Own Oil”: Trump Blasts Allies as NATO Splits over Iran War

On 31 March 2026, President Trump voiced strong dissatisfaction with European partners for not facilitating logistical support, expressing his frustration with their refusal to assist in the ongoing Middle East conflict. “Go get your own oil”, he stated, adding that “the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for…
Kharg Island’s Strategic Role in the Iran–US Crisis

US President Donald Trump has threatened to destroy Iran’s oil export hub of Kharg Island on 30 Monday 2026 if Iran fails to comply with a deal to end the war. President Trump further added that “The United States of America is in serious discussions with A NEW, AND MORE REASONABLE, REGIME to end our…
Volkswagen in Talks to Produce Iron Dome Components at German Plant

Europe may be indicating a shift in its industrial strategy and defence priorities as reports of Volkswagen exploring a potential partnership with Rafael Advanced Defence Systems to manufacture components for the Iron Dome have surfaced.The talks centre on Volkswagen’s plant in Osnabrück. It is believed to have an uncertain future as the plant has no…
Japan Boosts Defence with Tomahawk-Armed JS Chokai

Japan’s has decided to equip its Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) destroyers with long-range strike capabilities. JS Chokai, a Kongo-class Aegis-equipped destroyer has now been customised to launch U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missile systems. This marks a turning point in Japanese post war policy. It is the first for Japan, as the Japanese warship possesses the operational…
The West Asia War: Its Perspectives & Lessons for India (part 3/3)

Lessons for India
The West Asia War: Its Perspectives & Lessons for India (part 2/3)

The effects of the conflict on the world
The West Asia War: Its Perspectives & Lessons for India (part 1/3)

What brought US to the war with Iran and how they responded
Apathetic National Security

On March 13, 2026, India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested US national Mathew Aaron VanDyke along with six Ukrainian citizens. The arrests were carried out across three airports — Kolkata, where VanDyke was apprehended, Lucknow and Delhi, where three Ukrainian nationals were arrested at each location. This group of seven were arrested for entering restricted…