dialogue with china

A new report highlights China's key maritime vulnerability lies at the Strait of Hormuz, not the Malacca Strait. This shifts strategic competition in the Indian Ocean to a new arena involving India, France, and the US. China's energy imports through this region expose it to potential exploitation by rival powers.

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth lauded India's military modernization and strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific. He highlighted New Delhi as a critical anchor for regional balance and praised its growing industrial capacity for high-end military operations. The US is pursuing co-production initiatives with India, including for Javelin munitions, to enhance collective readiness.

BRICS nations will convene in Puri, Odisha, from June 3-5 for a technical meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction. Representatives will discuss disaster management, resilience, and international collaboration, leveraging Odisha's proven preparedness and response capabilities. The event aims to foster knowledge-sharing and strengthen global cooperation.

India is set to host a crucial Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) meeting, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expected to attend. This high-level gathering, involving India, the US, Japan, and Australia, is seen as a strategic move to counter China's influence in the Indo-Pacific. The meeting will likely address critical mineral supply chains and regional security concerns.

In a joint statement, Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and UK Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed the revised arrangement. "The deputy prime minister and secretaries welcomed the proposed approach to streamline Australia's acquisition of Virginia-class submarines (VCS), simplifying supply chain management, operational and maintenance requirements, and maximising cost efficiencies," the statement said.

A Pakistani journalist's query about India's alleged Agni-6 ICBM test at the Shangri-La Dialogue was based on misinformation. India confirmed a recent test involved an advanced Agni missile with MIRV technology, not the Agni-6. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth avoided singling out either India or Pakistan as a threat.

Jackie Shroff reminisced about his early days with Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan. He revealed he helped Salman secure his first film, 'Biwi Ho Toh Aisi', by carrying his photos to filmmakers. Shroff also recalled Shah Rukh Khan's respectful demeanor on the sets of 'King Uncle'.

During a significant summit in Brussels, global Buddhist leaders and European officials stood united in their commitment to the Tibetan Buddhist community. They highlighted alarm over China's escalating encroachment into Tibetan religious autonomy, especially concerning the future of the Dalai Lama's lineage.

Former Army chief General (retired) Manoj Mukund Naravane has endorsed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale's call for increased people-to-people contact between India and Pakistan. Naravane believes stronger citizen ties can improve bilateral relations between the two countries, stating common people share similar concerns and have no stake in politics. Hosabale is the RSS number two after Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat.

Iran'Fazli, has expressed support for Chinese President Xi Jinping's "four-point proposal" aimed at ensuring lasting security amid the conflict in West Asia as well as the shared development in the region.