“India and Africa sharing a significant bilateral trade relationship across various key sectors will play a vital role in shaping trade ties between the two regions,” said Ajmal Fawad, Country Director – CWEIC (India) & Deputy Director – International (Africa) Confederation of Indian Industry.

Speaking at the event organised by CII to discuss the existing and emerging business opportunities in Africa here on Thursday, Mr. Fawad said, “Bilateral trade of India and Africa grew by 9.26% in 2022-23 and stood at about 98 billion dollars. India and Africa have a history of trade and cultural exchange that dates back centuries.” 

Further, he said, CII began its Africa-focused initiatives more than 29 years ago and was now linked with more than 95 counterpart organisations in 44 African countries to facilitate exchange of information between Indian and African industries.

A.K. Pramod of ARISE IIP India, speaking at the event, said India’s substantial investment in Africa had been a cornerstone of the region’s development. “In 2021, India emerged as one of the foremost inbound investors. Bilateral trade reached almost 100 billion dollars in 2022–23, a significant growth of 9.26% over the previous year,” he added.

“Africa’s geographical proximity to European and U.S markets adds an extra layer of advantage for Indian investors looking to expand their reach globally. The continent’s abundance of natural resources, coupled with a steadily growing working population, further position Africa as an attractive destination on the global business map,” Mr. Pramod noted.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Anālakṣhya Metamaterial Surface Cloaking System, a camouflage tech, could help dodge satellite detection & provide protection from missiles. It also promises non-military applications.

India’s first indigenously developed stealth initiative, created by scientists at IIT-Kanpur, marks a significant advancement in stealth technology for defense applications. Experts believe it will enhance the operational capabilities of India’s armed forces and bolster their ability to maintain strategic superiority, thereby strengthening national security.

Launched in November, the Anālakṣhya Metamaterial Surface Cloaking System is a textile-based broadband metamaterial microwave absorber which offers near-perfect wave absorption across a broad spectrum, significantly enhancing stealth capabilities against Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging.

Simply put, this innovation is a camouflage technology that will help the defence forces dodge satellite detection and provide effective protection from missiles that use radar guidance. Once commercially viable, it also promises non-military applications.

ThePrint explains the new technology and its applications:

What it is

Air Vice Marshal Praveen Bhatt—Managing Director and CEO of Meta Tattva Systems Pvt Ltd, the industry partner for this project—said that the Anālakṣhya Metamaterial Surface Cloaking System is a comprehensive multi-spectral camouflage system, which is effective in visual, near-infrared, thermal infrared (IR), and radiofrequency spectrum.

A metamaterial uses small structures to create resonances and interact strongly with radiation.

“This technology uses such properties to create strong absorption over broadbands of frequencies. The biggest challenge was to create the absorption in thin layers compared to the wavelength to ensure microwave stealth,” Bhatt said.

He said that the inclusion of emissivity control structures, and paints yield the desired performance against thermal infrared imaging.

Experts said that this technology—which will eventually be developed into multiple end-use products like cloaks, asset covers, clothing etc—will give a major boost to the Indian defence services.

Lieutenant General Cherish Mathson (retd), former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, said that the biggest threat to military movements was the SAR. He said that developments in stealth technology—like the latest development from IIT-Kanpur—can greatly assist defence applications.

“When we realised in 2019 that the biggest threat to military movements is SAR, it was unbeknownst to us that the teams at IIT-K had already developed this ground-breaking invention,” Mathson said.

But the technology also holds promise for non-military applications.

Bhatt said that this technology will be valuable in environments requiring protection against microwave radiation, effective EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) shielding, and improved electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).

Some of the areas where the technology could be useful are wearable medical devices to enhance signal accuracy by shielding against external electromagnetic noise; enhancement of worker safety by developing it as protective cloaks for workers on mobile phone towers and masts to shield against prolonged microwave radiation exposure; and in test labs by providing radiofrequency (RF) shielding in testing environments to protect sensitive equipment during calibration.

Indian-made stealth technology

While the use of metamaterial for its camouflaging abilities has been experimented with for the first time by IIT-Kanpur, research around this technology has been happening in many countries.

However, scientists claim that despite early initiatives in the field of metamaterials, limited success has been achieved, even by advanced nations, in mitigating the SAR challenge from the military satellites using RF-wide bands.

Researchers from IIT-Kanpur said that Anālakṣhya offers near-perfect wave absorption across a broad spectrum, significantly enhancing the ability to counter SAR imaging. It also provides protection from missiles that use radar as guidance.

“Tailored for modern warfare, this cutting-edge innovation strengthens operational capabilities, providing India’s armed forces with advanced tools to maintain strategic superiority and ensure national security,” a senior scientist at IIT-Kanpur said, requesting anonymity.

In a statement, IIT-Kanpur said that the design is tailored for “operational imperatives, making it a crucial asset in modern warfare and surveillance.”

“The technology underwent extensive laboratory and field testing between 2019 and 2024, proving its efficacy across diverse conditions,” the institute said in the statement.

How does SAR foil military operations?

SAR satellites are powerful military tools that help locate enemies and decide engagement strategies. The SAR satellites are designed to penetrate conditions like thick clouds and the night sky to provide clear images of military assets in any part of the world.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) documents explain that unlike optical imagery, which is a passive data collection technique based on emitted energy, SAR imagery is created from the reaction of an emitted pulse of energy with physical structures (like mountains, forests, and sea ice) and conditions like soil moisture.

The SAR technology is extensively used to study Antarctic icebergs, track oil spills, and map wetlands. However, as this technology is gaining popularity, it is also making it increasingly difficult for armed forces to conceal assets and avoid military movement detections.

Bhatt said that India’s innovation comes at a time when the relevance of SAR-enabled ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems) is evident in global conflicts.

“For instance, in the Ukraine-Russia war, despite being an inferior force, Ukraine has effectively leveraged SAR-based intelligence from the western systems to target and disrupt Russian operations. This has underscored the immense power of ISR and the urgent need for effective countermeasures,” he said.

(Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri)

source/content: theprint.in (headline edited)

Unnat Pandit, Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDTM), shares that the intellectual property guidelines are being revamped and inputs are being sought from various stakeholders for the new norms.

Around 92,000 patent applications were filed in India during the last financial year, signifying India’s growing maturity as a hub for technological and scientific development, a top official said on Tuesday.

Unnat Pandit, Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDTM), also shared that the intellectual property (IP) guidelines are being revamped and inputs are being sought from various stakeholders for the new norms.

“Around 92,000 patent applications have been filed in the last financial year, that means every six minutes one new technology is seeking IP protection in India,” Pandit said on the sidelines of an Assocham event here.

“We are revamping the IP guidelines which were formed for the protection of IP in different sectors. This exercise is going on, a contribution can be made by industry associations also and the IP stake-holders for further strengthening the impact of such guidelines,” he added.

Pandit highlighted the need to create an IP system which is vibrant.

“We are working towards efficient IP filings. This rapid growth in granted patents underscores the efficiency of India’s patent office in processing applications and granting IP rights. It also reflects the rising quality of applications being filed, with many innovations meeting global standards,” he said.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Telegraph Online staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

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After its Cannes win, All We Imagine as Light premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival 2024 in September.

Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine as Light won the Best International Feature trophy at this year’s Gotham Awards held in New York’s Cipriani Wall Street on Monday.

The drama film competed with Agnieszka Holland’s Green Border, Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths, Pham Thien An’s Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell and Maura Delpero’s Vermiglio in the category.

Prior to the win at the Gotham Awards, All We Imagine as Light clinched the Jury Grand Prize at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) 2024 on Sunday.

All We Imagine as Light grabbed headlines after winning the Grand Prix award at Cannes Film Festival in May.

Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine as Light won the Best International Feature trophy at this year’s Gotham Awards held in New York’s Cipriani Wall Street on Monday.

The drama film competed with Agnieszka Holland’s Green Border, Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths, Pham Thien An’s Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell and Maura Delpero’s Vermiglio in the category.

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Prior to the win at the Gotham Awards, All We Imagine as Light clinched the Jury Grand Prize at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) 2024 on Sunday.

All We Imagine as Light grabbed headlines after winning the Grand Prix award at Cannes Film Festival in May.

After its Cannes win and drawing a full house at Jerusalem Film Festival earlier this year, the film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2024 in September.

At this year’s Cannes Film Festival, All We Imagine As Light was the first Indian film in competition since 1994 and was one of only four female-directed features in the lineup.

Set in Mumbai, the film revolves around two nurses who are also roommates. Prabha’s usual schedule is disrupted when she unexpectedly receives a gift from her estranged husband. Meanwhile, her younger roommate, Anu, struggles to find a private place in the bustling city to spend time with her boyfriend. A getaway to a seaside town provides them with the perfect opportunity to fulfil their desires.

The film, however, was snubbed by India for Oscars this year.

All We Imagine As Light features Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Chhaya Kadam and Hridhu Haroon in key roles. The film is produced by France’s Petit Chaos along with co-producers including India’s Chalk & Cheese, France’s Arte France Cinema, the Netherlands’ Baldr Film, India’s Another Birth, Luxembourg’s Les Films Fauves and Italy’s Pulpa Film.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

India is among the largest contributors of uniformed personnel to UN Peacekeeping.

India has been re-elected to the UN Peacebuilding Commission for 2025–2026.

India’s current term on the Commission was expiring on December 31.

“India has been re-elected to the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) for 2025–2026. As a founding member and major contributor to @UNPeacekeeping, India is committed to continuing its engagement with the PBC to work towards global peace and stability,” the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations said in a post on X on Thursday.

The Peacebuilding Commission is an intergovernmental advisory body that supports peace efforts in conflict-affected countries and is a key addition to the capacity of the International Community in the broad peace agenda, according to its website.

The PBC is composed of 31 Member States, elected from the General Assembly, the Security Council, and the Economic and Social Council. The top financial contributing countries and the top troop-contributing countries to the United Nations system are also members.

The Commission is mandated to bring together all relevant actors to marshal resources and to advise on and propose integrated strategies for post-conflict peacebuilding and recovery; to focus attention on the reconstruction and institution-building efforts necessary for recovery from conflict and to support the development of integrated strategies in order to lay the foundation for sustainable development.

It is also mandated to provide recommendations and information to improve the coordination of all relevant actors within and outside the United Nations, to develop best practices, to help to ensure predictable financing for early recovery activities and to extend the period of attention given by the international community to post-conflict recovery, the Commission said.

The Commission also focuses on promoting an integrated, strategic and coherent approach to peacebuilding, noting that security, development and human rights are closely interlinked and mutually reinforcing; serving a bridging role among the principal organs and relevant entities of the United Nations by sharing advice on peacebuilding needs and priorities, in line with the respective competencies and responsibilities of these bodies.

India is among the largest contributors of uniformed personnel to UN Peacekeeping.

It currently deploys about 6,000 military and police personnel to UN operations in Abyei, the Central African Republic, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, the Middle East, Somalia, South Sudan, and Western Sahara.

Nearly 180 Indian peacekeepers have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, the highest number by far from any troop-contributing country.

source/contents: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

These fish species belong to the cyprinidae family, which are large-bodied and big-scaled carps, and are also included under 20 mega fishes of the world, officials said.

Researchers at the Central University of Odisha have discovered two Mahseer fish species from the Indravati river system in the state’s southern region, officials said.

These fish species belong to the cyprinidae family, which are large-bodied and big-scaled carps, and are also included under 20 mega fishes of the world, they said.

They are often referred to as the ‘king of the Indian aquatic system’.

In Odisha, Mahseer fish species have earlier been reported from the Mahanadi and Brahmani rivers and the Similipal region. However, the rare species were for the first time spotted in any river in the southern part, the Koraput-based institute said in a statement on Saturday.

“It is a sacred fish and worshipped in many Hindu temples in India,” it said.

Researchers led by Sharat Kumar Palita, dean of School of Biodiversity and Conservation of Natural Resources (SBCNR), discovered the fish species, said the statement.

Under close scrutiny in the university laboratory, the fishes were identified as Mahseer fishes and later confirmed by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Calcutta. The ZSI identified the two species as ‘tor tor’ and ‘tor putitora’, it said.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Telegraph Online staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

The test positioned India among an elite group of six nations possessing SLBM technology, a crucial component of a credible nuclear triad.

In a leap forward in deterrence capability, India has successfully test-fired the indigenously developed long range nuclear-capable ballistic missile K-4 from a home grown submarine positioned at an undisclosed location in the Bay of Bengal, making it a strategic player in the South East Asia region.

Defence sources said the submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) was flight-tested by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) for the first time from INS Arighaat on Wednesday. The INS Arighaat is a 6,000-tonne nuke-powered submarine that was commissioned in the armed forces in August.

Code-named after former President APJ Abdul Kalam, the missile, with a strike range of over 3,500 km and designed for precision targeting and deterrence, is capable of striking deep into enemy territory while being launched from a stealthy underwater platform.

Developed by DRDO, the missile successfully hit its target in the Indian Ocean region with high accuracy. “The notice to airmen was issued for a range of 3,490 km, marking the missile’s full length. The weapon tested in full operational configuration covered close to the coordinated distance, demonstrating India’s technological and operational readiness,” sources told The New Indian Express.

Although defence officials are tight-lipped about the mission, the missile fired from the onboard silos of the ship-submersible ballistic nuclear (SSBN) submarine also validated the capability of the newly built underwater war vessel to fire nuclear capable long range missiles and the killing efficiency of the advanced weapon system.

This successful test underlines India’s strategic deterrence capabilities, enhancing its security posture in the Indo-Pacific region. It also positioned India among an elite group of six nations possessing SLBM technology, a crucial component of a credible nuclear triad. Other countries having the capability are the US, Russia, China, France and UK.

Defence experts said the ability to launch nuclear-tipped weapons from submarines ensures greater survivability as compared to land or air-based systems and aligns with India’s ‘no first use’ nuclear policy that focuses credible deterrence without aggressive intent.

The solid-fueled K-4 missile with the features of boost-glide flight is hard to detect and can defeat any anti-ballistic missile system. Equipped with satellite updates to modify accumulated errors from its inertial navigation system, the weapon system is dangerous in terms of lethality and one of its kind in the world.

The 10-metre long missile with a diameter of 1.5 metre weighs around 20 tonne and can carry warheads up to 2.5 tonnes. India is now developing the K-5 SLBM, which will have a strike range of more than 5,000 km.

The New Indian Express was the first to report the missile’s successful trial from a submerged pontoon (replica of a submarine) off Visakhapatnam coast in March 2016.

Fire power

Operational Range – 3,500 km / Length – 10 metres / Width – 1.5 metre / Weight – 20 tonnes / Warhead – 2.5 tonnes / Engine – Solid fueled

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

The month-long instructor-level exercise, with the other participants being the Air Forces of Egypt, Jordan and Greece, will facilitate sharing of best practices and interoperability at a much higher level.

An Indian Air Force contingent of SU-30MKIs and personnel is in Egypt for the second edition of the month-long Tactical Leadership Programme (TLP) at Egyptian Air Force (EAF) Weapon School, along with the Air Forces of Jordan and Greece.

This is a unique exercise different from regular military exercises as it is done at the instructor level with sharing of best practices and interoperability at a much higher level. The IAF team is led by Gwalior-based Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE), which trains the top cream of fighter pilots.

The IAF team reached Egypt on Tuesday (November 26, 2024), sources confirmed. The TLP will see exchange of ideas in the domain of large force engagements involving complex and multi-aircraft missions deepening interoperability, sources said.

In the maiden TLP in 2022, TACDE participated with three Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft and six combat instructor pilots. The induction and de-induction had involved flights of over six hours with mid-air refuelling support from the IAF and UAE Air Force. This time too, the IAF has deployed a IL-78 mid-air refueller for non-stop flight.

During the programme, IAF’s SU-30MKI jets and pilots will hone their war fighting skills and refine tactics in missions by day and night, involving air to ground and air to air combat scenarios flying alongside Egyptian F-16, Rafale and Mig-29 aircraft as well as F-16s from Greece and Jordan.

India and Egypt have significantly deepened military to military cooperation over the years. Cooperation between the two Air Forces dates back to the 1960s when Gp. Capt. Kapil Bhargava, an IAF Test Pilot, test flew the Egyptian prototype of the Helwan HA-300 with Test Pilots from the Egyptian Air Force. This was followed by Indian Qualified Flying Instructors training young Egyptian pilots, a programme that continued into the 1980s.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

President-elect Donald Trump appointed Jay Bhattacharya as head of the NIH. He is a Stanford academic and known as Covid-19 policy critic.

President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) appointed Stanford academic and Covid-19 policy critic Jay Bhattacharya as the head of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The NIH, a part of the US Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s top medical research agency.

Who is Jay Bhattacharya?

• Born in Kolkata in 1968, Jay Bhattacharya pursued both his MD and PhD in economics at Stanford University.

• He is a professor of health policy at Stanford University and a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. He also directs Stanford’s Center for Demography and Economics of Health and Aging.

• Jay Bhattacharya’s research revolves around the health and well-being of vulnerable populations, emphasising the links between economics, biomedical advancements, and government policies.

• During the pandemic, Jay Bhattacharya’s work explored the epidemiology of Covid-19 and evaluated government responses. He has called for reforms in public health agencies to foster innovation and adjust bureaucratic power dynamics.

• Jay Bhattacharya was a vocal critic of the US government’s Covid-19 policies during the pandemic.

• In March 2020, Jay Bhattacharya co-authored an opinion piece in titled ‘Is the Coronavirus as Deadly as They Say?’. The article argued that there was insufficient evidence to justify shelter-in-place orders and quarantines.

• In October 2020, Jay Bhattacharya co-authored the Great Barrington Declaration, advocating for a return to normal life for those not at risk of the virus. Later, Bhattacharya filed a lawsuit against the government, claiming it pressured social media platforms to censor his views.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

The DRDO recently also carried out important test of the guided Pinaka rockets which are produced by Nagpur-based Solar Industry’s Economic Explosives Limited along with government-owned Munitions India Limited.

Amid growing global interest in the indigenous multi barrel rocket launchers (MBRL), India has started the supply of the highly capable Pinaka rockets to Armenia.

The supplies of the DRDO-developed rocket launchers have started around the same time India has started deliveries of the Akash air defence missile system to that country.

The first lot of the Pinaka multi barrel rocket launcher systems has been supplied to Armenia, defence sources told ANI.

The Pinaka rocket launchers are highly capable weapon system with variants which can strike targets over 80 Kms.

The contract between Indian firms and Armenia for the supply of these weapons was signed about two years ago after extended negotiations.

Armenia is one of three largest buyers of Indian weapons and equipment along with the US and France.

A number of countries from South East Asia and Europe have shown interest in the Pinaka rockets whose multiple variants have been developed in recent times and the Indian Army is looking to induct them in a big way.

The DRDO recently also carried out important test of the guided Pinaka rockets which are produced by Nagpur-based Solar Industry’s Economic Explosives Limited along with government-owned Munitions India Limited.

France has shown interest in the acquisition of this weapon system. Named after the Hindu god Shiva’s divine bow, the French interest in the rocket system was shown during a high-level visit by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan earlier this year.

India has been pushing the indigenous systems for export markets and the Centre has been able to achieve success by three times since 2014. Notably, France is the second largest importer of Indian defence equipment after the US with a lot of electronics items going there from India. 

source/content: zeenews.india.com (headline edited)