The White House on Monday reaffirmed that a long-anticipated trade agreement between the United States and India is nearing finalisation, with officials suggesting that an announcement could be made soon. The statement comes as both nations deepen strategic and economic ties amid shifting dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region.

During a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described India as a “very strategic ally” and confirmed that US President Donald Trump and his trade team are in the final stages of completing the deal. Responding to a reporter’s question, she said, “Yes, the President said that last week, and it remains true. I just spoke to our Secretary of Commerce about it. He was in the Oval Office with the President. They are finalising these agreements, and you’ll hear from the President and his trade team very soon when it comes to India.”

Leavitt also addressed a query from Indian news agency ANI regarding China’s increasing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific and its implications on US-India relations. “India remains a very strategic ally in the Asia Pacific and the President has a very good relationship with Prime Minister Modi, and he will continue to have that,” she stated.

The potential trade pact comes amid growing American efforts to strengthen partnerships in the Indo-Pacific to counterbalance China’s economic and military influence. Analysts suggest that a comprehensive agreement with India would not only deepen bilateral trade but also align with Washington’s broader geopolitical strategy.

While no specific timeline was provided, Leavitt’s remarks strongly indicate that behind-the-scenes preparations are in advanced stages and a formal announcement could be imminent.

In a provocative address at the Pakistan Naval Academy in Karachi, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, reignited tensions with India by describing terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir as a “legitimate and lawful struggle” and warned of a “befitting response” to any future Indian action. His remarks come just weeks after a brief but intense military standoff between the two nations during Operation Sindoor.

“What India labels as terrorism is, in fact, a legitimate and lawful struggle for freedom, recognised by international law,” Munir said while reaffirming Pakistan’s support for the Kashmiri separatist movement. He claimed that attempts to suppress the movement have only strengthened its relevance.

The statement marks yet another instance of Munir using diplomatic platforms to dog-whistle support for anti-India elements operating in Kashmir. India has long maintained that Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of the country, and that Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism remains the primary hurdle to peace.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has consistently condemned Pakistan’s rhetoric and actions as open encouragement of terrorism under the guise of self-determination. The two countries’ already strained relations have further deteriorated since India revoked Article 370 on August 5, 2019, restructuring the former state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories.

Munir also claimed that Pakistan had proven itself as a “net regional stabiliser,” alluding to its response following India’s Balakot airstrike in 2019 and the recent Indian precision strikes during Operation Sindoor after the Pahalgam terror attack. He asserted that Pakistan had acted with “restraint and maturity” while vowing a “swift and befitting response” to any miscalculated aggression.

Despite condemning India’s policies in Kashmir, Munir simultaneously reiterated Pakistan’s official stance of opposing terrorism in all forms, stating that the armed forces would continue to fight against it “to its logical conclusion.”

His speech, however, appears to reflect a contradiction—expressing support for what India calls terrorism while claiming to stand against it globally. Munir’s remarks are expected to draw strong diplomatic backlash from New Delhi, which has frequently warned Islamabad against using terrorism as an instrument of state policy.

In a recent interview with Tarmak Media House and as reported by IDRW, Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Chairman of Defence Research & Development and Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), refuted reports claiming that all 73 Tejas Mk1A fighter jets would be equipped with Israeli ELM-2052 AESA radars. Clarifying the status of radar integration in India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program, Dr. Kamat stated, “No, I don’t think it’s true. Discussions are still underway, and the plan is to integrate the Uttam AESA radar starting from the 41st Tejas Mk1A jet.”

The clarification comes amid growing interest and speculation over the radar systems chosen for India’s frontline indigenous fighter. The Uttam AESA radar, developed by DRDO’s Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), is a major milestone in India’s quest for technological self-reliance. While acknowledging that the initial batches of Tejas Mk1A may use foreign radar systems to meet delivery schedules, Dr. Kamat reiterated DRDO’s goal of transitioning to the indigenous Uttam radar during the latter stages of production.

This move aligns with the Indian defence ecosystem’s broader focus on indigenization under the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative. The integration of the Uttam AESA radar is expected to significantly enhance the combat capabilities of the Tejas Mk1A, providing advanced tracking, targeting, and electronic warfare functionalities comparable to global systems.

The final configuration of the Tejas Mk1A fleet will be shaped by ongoing technical and strategic discussions between HAL, DRDO, and the Indian Air Force. However, Dr. Kamat’s statement reinforces the intent to prioritize indigenous technology and reduce dependency on foreign vendors, marking a significant shift in India’s defence manufacturing narrative.

In a major boost to India’s aerospace innovation, Kalam Labs has successfully flown a fully autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to an altitude of 9,790 meters above mean sea level (AMSL) in the Himalayas, potentially setting a world record for the highest flight by a sub-2-meter wingspan drone weighing under 4 kilograms.

The feat, announced on June 29, saw the drone launched from an altitude of 2,700 meters and ascend over 7,000 meters in some of the world’s harshest flying conditions. The flight endured freezing temperatures plunging to -60°C, wind speeds exceeding 50 km/h, and a 73% drop in atmospheric pressure—all without real-time human intervention. The drone operated entirely autonomously, guided by onboard artificial intelligence and advanced navigation systems.

According to Kalam Labs, the UAV was built completely in-house and designed with ultra-light composite materials, an energy-efficient propulsion system, and robust thermal management solutions. These innovations enabled the aircraft to function in near-stratospheric conditions, a domain typically reserved for much larger and costlier platforms.

Dr. Priya Sharma, lead engineer at Kalam Labs, called the mission a milestone in India’s self-reliance journey. “This is a testament to what Indian innovation can achieve. Our UAV’s ability to operate autonomously in such harsh conditions opens new possibilities for high-altitude surveillance, environmental monitoring, and disaster response in regions like the Himalayas.”

The flight underscores the growing role of Indian startups under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, especially in dual-use technologies. With India’s drone industry projected to reach $23 billion by 2030, Kalam Labs’ breakthrough is expected to have significant implications for both civilian and military domains.

The UAV’s sub-4 kg classification also simplifies regulatory compliance, making it suitable for a variety of civilian applications including agricultural mapping, environmental studies, and emergency response. However, its high-altitude capabilities could prove particularly valuable for defense forces, offering low-cost alternatives for border surveillance in high-altitude conflict zones like Ladakh.

This achievement follows the increased use of drones by Indian forces during Operation Sindoor in May 2025, where UAVs played a crucial role in detecting and neutralizing hostile drone incursions. The success of Kalam Labs’ high-altitude drone could complement existing platforms such as the Heron and MQ-9 Reaper, strengthening India’s surveillance capabilities across rugged and remote terrains.

Kalam Labs’ innovation is not just a technological triumph but a strategic asset, reinforcing India’s emergence as a serious player in the next generation of aerial warfare and civilian UAV applications.

Security measures at Agra airport have been intensified following the receipt of a threat email, officials confirmed on Monday. The email prompted immediate action from the airport authorities, who filed a formal complaint with the police on Sunday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (City) Sonam Kumar stated that a case has been registered at Shahganj police station, and an investigation is currently underway. While the nature of the threat has not been disclosed, authorities are taking the matter seriously and have increased vigilance in and around the airport premises.

Police have not shared specific details from the email but assured that security protocols are being strictly enforced to ensure passenger and staff safety. The origin and credibility of the email are being examined as part of the probe.

This incident comes amid heightened security awareness at key transportation hubs across the country, and authorities have urged the public to remain alert while cooperating with security personnel.

In a landmark move to boost maritime cooperation and regional security, the Coast Guards of India, Japan, the United States, and Australia have launched the first-ever ‘QUAD at Sea Ship Observer Mission’ under the Wilmington Declaration. The initiative marks a new chapter in QUAD collaboration, with two officers, including women officers, from each nation currently embarked on the US Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Stratton en route to Guam.

This cross-embarkation mission is the first of its kind and aims to enhance joint readiness, interoperability, and maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific. It supports the shared commitment of the QUAD nations to uphold a Free, Open, Inclusive, and Rules-Based Indo-Pacific as emphasized during the QUAD Leaders’ Summit in September 2024.

India’s involvement aligns with its SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine and complements its efforts under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), focusing on capacity-building, humanitarian assistance, and ensuring the maritime rule of law. The initiative is expected to pave the way for future collaborative frameworks, potentially leading to a formalized ‘QUAD Coast Guard Handshake.’

The observer mission not only strengthens multilateral ties among the four nations but also reinforces their shared vision of regional stability and cooperative maritime governance in response to evolving security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region.