Author: Defenceline Webdesk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Slovakia has marked a historic milestone in bilateral relations, being the first by an Indian Prime Minister since Slovakia’s independence in 1993.During the visit, Modi and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico agreed to deepen cooperation across defence, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure protection and connectivity, identifying these areas as strategic pillars of their growing partnership.The Joint Statement issued on Monday reflected a shared vision for strengthening ties in sectors vital to both nations’ security and prosperity.The two leaders emphasised the importance of defence and security cooperation, agreeing to encourage regular consultations and exchanges between their respective…

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Slovakia’s highest national award, The Order of the White Double Cross (1st Class), during his state visit to Bratislava.The ceremony was presided over by Slovak President Peter Pellegrini, who presented the decoration to the Indian leader. This honour marks Modi’s thirty-third international award, underlining his growing global recognition and the strengthening of India’s diplomatic engagements worldwide.In a message shared on social media, Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude to the people and government of Slovakia for the distinction. He emphasised that the award belongs to the 140 crore citizens of India and dedicated…

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Chief of Defence Staff Air Marshal Richard Knighton (left), with the newly appointed Secretary of State for Defence, Dan Jarvis (centre), and MoD Permanent Jeremy Pocklington, at MoD Main Building. Credit: UK MoD/Crown copyright UK military chief signals the Defence Investment Plan will mean cuts or delays to capabilities Savings likely come from slowing or shrinking future procurement, not existing kit, as well as operational deployments British Army programmes could be most at risk as drones reshape priorities The UK’s seniormost military officer has signalled the long-overdue Defence Investment Plan (DIP) will likely result in cutting or delaying planned acquisition…

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The Asian synthetic drug industry continued to expand in 2025, the United Nations said this week, with seizures of methamphetamine and ketamine both jumping to new all-time highs. In its annual report on the Asian synthetic drug market, released yesterday, the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported that methamphetamine seizures spiked to 349 tons in East and Southeast Asia in 2025, a 48 percent increase over last year’s record of 236 tons. Ketamine seizures also shattered the previous record, jumping by 185 percent year-on-year, to 52.5 tons. “Record seizures of both methamphetamine and ketamine in the same year…

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India and Slovakia announced 14 landmark outcomes during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic first visit to Bratislava, elevating bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Partnership and expanding cooperation across defence, technology, labour mobility, scientific research, and culture.This marks the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Slovakia since its independence in 1993, underscoring the strategic depth of the relationship.Prime Minister Modi described the elevation of ties to a Comprehensive Partnership as a “very special moment,” highlighting the breadth of cooperation ranging from advanced manufacturing and green technology to cultural exchanges.His meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico produced wide-ranging agreements…

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The leader of Myanmar’s new military-backed government yesterday began a five-day visit to China, his first to the country since being appointed president in April. During the trip, Min Aung ​Hlaing is set to hold talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and Zhao Leji, the chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, the two nations said in separate announcements. Arriving in Beijing yesterday, the 69-year-old was received with the full red-carpet treatment. According to a report in the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar, “a Chinese child and a Myanmar child presented…

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