Drone Destination, one of India’s leading drone technology and training companies, has announced plans to establish its European subsidiary in Cyprus. The move was revealed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the Republic of Cyprus, marking a significant step in India’s growing influence in the global drone ecosystem.

The Cyprus-based entity will focus on developing a full-spectrum drone ecosystem including drone design, services, pilot training, and drone sports. The initiative aims to cater not only to Europe but also to the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The announcement aligns with India’s national vision of becoming a global drone hub by 2030.

India’s High Commissioner to Cyprus, Manish, welcomed the move and said, “We welcome Indian companies like Drone Destination to invest in Cyprus, particularly in future-ready sectors such as drone technology and artificial intelligence. This complements Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to make India a drone hub for the world by 2030, and Cyprus can serve as an ideal gateway for such innovations into Europe.”

Invest Cyprus CEO Marios Tannousis emphasized that the initiative would not only boost the island nation’s economy but also help position Cyprus as a trusted global innovation centre. “Drone technology is reshaping defence, infrastructure monitoring, agriculture, logistics, environmental monitoring, STEM education and even entertainment. By creating a secure, sovereign, and innovation-led drone hub envisaged by Drone Destination, Cyprus can lead in this critical sector for Europe and its global partners.”

Drone Destination confirmed that it is already in talks with both government and private entities to build a state-of-the-art drone ecosystem from Cyprus. The company sees this as an opportunity to bring sovereign capabilities, attract foreign direct investment, and promote policy-driven innovation.

Chairman of Drone Destination, Alok Sharma, noted, “We are proud to bring India’s proven experience in drone services and pilot training to this initiative. Together, we can build a global centre that combines India’s scale and innovation with Cyprus’s strategic location, IP protection, and policy clarity.”

The announcement marks a new chapter in India’s drone diplomacy and strengthens Indo-Cypriot economic cooperation, particularly in the cutting-edge sectors of technology and innovation.

Drone Destination, one of India’s leading drone technology and training companies, has announced plans to establish its European subsidiary in Cyprus. The move was revealed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the Republic of Cyprus, marking a significant step in India’s growing influence in the global drone ecosystem.

The Cyprus-based entity will focus on developing a full-spectrum drone ecosystem including drone design, services, pilot training, and drone sports. The initiative aims to cater not only to Europe but also to the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The announcement aligns with India’s national vision of becoming a global drone hub by 2030.

India’s High Commissioner to Cyprus, Manish, welcomed the move and said, “We welcome Indian companies like Drone Destination to invest in Cyprus, particularly in future-ready sectors such as drone technology and artificial intelligence. This complements Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to make India a drone hub for the world by 2030, and Cyprus can serve as an ideal gateway for such innovations into Europe.”

Invest Cyprus CEO Marios Tannousis emphasized that the initiative would not only boost the island nation’s economy but also help position Cyprus as a trusted global innovation centre. “Drone technology is reshaping defence, infrastructure monitoring, agriculture, logistics, environmental monitoring, STEM education and even entertainment. By creating a secure, sovereign, and innovation-led drone hub envisaged by Drone Destination, Cyprus can lead in this critical sector for Europe and its global partners.”

Drone Destination confirmed that it is already in talks with both government and private entities to build a state-of-the-art drone ecosystem from Cyprus. The company sees this as an opportunity to bring sovereign capabilities, attract foreign direct investment, and promote policy-driven innovation.

Chairman of Drone Destination, Alok Sharma, noted, “We are proud to bring India’s proven experience in drone services and pilot training to this initiative. Together, we can build a global centre that combines India’s scale and innovation with Cyprus’s strategic location, IP protection, and policy clarity.”

The announcement marks a new chapter in India’s drone diplomacy and strengthens Indo-Cypriot economic cooperation, particularly in the cutting-edge sectors of technology and innovation.

India has launched ‘Operation Sindhu’ to evacuate Indian nationals, primarily students, stranded in Iran as the Iran-Israel conflict intensifies. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), around 110 Indian students from northern Iran were successfully evacuated after being guided across the border into Armenia.

Under the supervision of Indian diplomatic missions in Tehran and Yerevan, the students reached Armenia safely and boarded a special flight from Zvartnots International Airport. They are expected to land in New Delhi in the early hours of June 19, 2025.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “India launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran. India evacuated 110 students from northern Iran who crossed into Armenia under the supervision of our Missions in Iran and Armenia on 17th June. They departed from Yerevan on a special flight and will arrive in New Delhi in the early hours of 19th June.”

The evacuation comes amid reports of missile and drone attacks in Iran as tensions with Israel continue to rise. Several Indian students had earlier reached out on social media, sharing their plight and requesting immediate assistance from the Indian government.

Iran currently hosts more than 4,000 Indian nationals, with approximately 2,000 being students—many of whom are pursuing medical and other professional degrees, especially from Jammu and Kashmir.

Operation Sindhu follows a series of similar missions by the Indian government aimed at protecting its citizens during international crises. In 2023, Operation Ajay was launched to evacuate Indians caught in the Israel–Hamas conflict. In 2022, Operation Ganga was initiated during the Russia–Ukraine war to bring Indian students back home safely from Ukraine.

India’s swift response once again reflects its commitment to the safety and well-being of its diaspora, even in regions fraught with conflict.

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has taken a significant step forward in India’s defense technology landscape by releasing an Expression of Interest (EoI) for the development of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet. This move signals a renewed push to bolster the Indian Air Force and Navy with cutting-edge indigenous capabilities amid rising global security challenges.

The AMCA project, initially conceptualized in 2010, has faced delays but is now gaining momentum under a newly approved execution model by the Ministry of Defence. The pre-bid meeting is scheduled for July 4, 2025, with bids set to open from August 18, 2025. This timeline reflects a strategic shift toward involving private sector expertise, moving away from the traditional reliance on public sector entities like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Only Indian companies—owned and controlled by resident Indian citizens—with the requisite technical capabilities are eligible to submit bids. The applicant can be a single company, a joint venture, or a consortium compliant with Indian laws and regulations. Preference will be given to reputed Indian firms experienced in the aerospace and defence sectors that can absorb the AMCA design and have demonstrated capability in areas such as development, engineering, manufacturing, integration, testing, quality assurance, and customer support.

The shortlisted entity must also have the capacity to establish a dedicated manufacturing facility for series production. The development contract—including prototyping, flight testing, and certification—is strictly limited to eight years from the effective date. No requests for extensions or delayed submissions will be entertained, and incomplete or inadequately detailed proposals will be rejected without explanation. Additionally, mere compliance with the EoI does not ensure shortlisting.

The AMCA is envisioned as a twin-engine, all-weather, multirole stealth fighter. Designed with advanced stealth and combat capabilities, it is being developed as a domestic counterpart to global platforms like the F-35. A key component of the project is India’s ongoing partnership with France’s Safran for the development of a high-thrust engine.

To ensure efficient implementation, a high-level committee chaired by the Defence Secretary—with representatives from ADA and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)—is overseeing the roadmap from design to deployment. A detailed report was submitted in April 2025 to streamline timelines and budget adherence. With prototype costs estimated at ₹1,000 crore each, any cost overruns must be reported directly to the Cabinet Committee on Security, reflecting the project’s strategic significance.

The AMCA initiative marks a pivotal moment for India’s defense sector, combining domestic innovation with selective global partnerships to boost national security and technological sovereignty.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has categorically denied any third-party involvement in the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan, dismissing former US President Donald Trump’s claims of having mediated the truce. In a 35-minute phone conversation with Trump, Modi clarified that the decision to suspend Operation Sindoor was a result of direct military communication between Indian and Pakistani forces and not due to any external pressure or negotiation.

According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who released a video statement on X, Modi told Trump unequivocally that there had been no discussion on either a trade deal or US mediation during the course of Operation Sindoor. “India has never accepted mediation, does not accept it, and will never accept it,” Modi told Trump, reaffirming India’s long-standing diplomatic stance.

Tensions between the two nations had escalated following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, prompting India to launch retaliatory precision strikes on terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7. Pakistan responded with failed attempts to strike Indian military installations over the next few days, leading to a sustained exchange of fire.

The ceasefire came after direct communication between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries, initiated at Pakistan’s request, Modi informed Trump. He also emphasized that India now views cross-border terror attacks as acts of war, not mere proxy actions.

Trump, who is scheduled to meet Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir over lunch in Washington on Wednesday, had repeatedly asserted that US diplomatic efforts and trade negotiations played a role in de-escalating the conflict. “If you take a look at what we just did with Pakistan and India… we settled that,” Trump had claimed, suggesting US intervention stopped the fighting.

India, however, maintains that Operation Sindoor has only been suspended and that vigilance on Pakistan continues. Trump’s statements have previously sparked political debate in India, with opposition parties questioning Modi’s silence on the issue. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor remarked that mediation was impossible between “terrorists and their victims,” countering Trump’s narrative.

During the phone call, Trump also extended an invitation to Modi for a meeting during his US visit, which Modi declined due to prior commitments. Both leaders, however, agreed to meet at a later date.