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Two out of the top three military spenders in the world are India and China – and Pakistan was among the top ten countries in terms of military spending as a portion of the GDP in 2019 – and that says something about the tension in the region. Even as the world is struggling to tame the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, India and Pakistan are exchanging <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pakistani-soldier-killed-in-india-s-retaliatory-fire-along-loc-in-jammu-and-kashmir-s-poonch/story-yRDoqNx0Aiqj5Aiy6LKFUI.html" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">fires across the Line of Control in Kashmir</a>. Most recently, two Indian soldiers including a Colonel lost their lives. The appeal for peace from <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/un-chiefs-appeal-as-pakistan-continues-ceasefire-violations-along-line-of-control-2222343" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">United Nations' chief Antonio Guterres</a> has not eased the tensions so far. From the Korean Peninsula to the South China sea, to the India-Pakistan border, there are many hotspots in Asia involving the three major nuclear powers. So here's a look at how India and its two bitter neighbours have increased their expense on military in the last five years. <div type="image" title="military spending" msid="75516507" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Data source: Stockholm International Peace Research Institute&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;"></div> Countries around the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/world/news/global-military-spending-just-saw-its-biggest-spike-in-a-decade-but-the-us-outspends-everyone-else-by-far/slidelist/75461645.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">world increased their spending</a> on building up defence in the last five years and it has now reached a whopping $1.9 trillion in 2019. The top five countries – US, China, India, Russia and Saudi Arabia – accounts for 62% of the total military spending across the world. Going forward, governments will need money to first deal with the health crisis, and then, to revive the economy with additional spending. Other countries in Asia like <a href="https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/asian-military-spending-sees-a-spike-65536/" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">South Korea and Thailand</a> have already announced cuts to defence budgets, by 2% and 8% respectively, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The rising tension along South Asian borders is not good news for India, Pakistan as well as its ally China. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="75187494" title="America's rivals and adversaries are creating some headaches for the US military as it battles the coronavirus" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="75190889" title="US special operations forces are special - but they're not 'elite'" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

This is how India's military spending stacks up against its neighbours China and Pakistan

Pakistan on Wednesday continued with its unprovoked firing and shelling at Indian positions on the Line of Control (LoC) in J&amp;K's <keyword id="44760" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Poonch">Poonch</keyword> district for the 5th consecutive day. "Pakistan army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation around 9 a.m. today along the LoC in Shahpur, Kirni and Qasba sectors of Poonch district by firing with small arms and shelling with mortars. <keyword id="6354416" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Army">Indian army</keyword> retaliates befittingly," Colonel Devender Anand, defence ministry spokesman said. In over 3,186 ceasefire violations on the LoC by Pakistan since the beginning of this year, 24 civilians have been killed and over 100 injured. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/china-has-hardened-its-stance-experts-decode-the-india-china-joint-statement-on-border-tensions/articleshow/78270081.cms">China has hardened its stance — experts decode the India-China joint statement on border tensions</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/microsoft-acquires-exclusive-license-for-elon-musks-largest-gpt-3-ai-language-model/articleshow/78269391.cms">Microsoft acquires exclusive license for Elon Musk’s largest GPT-3 AI language model</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/facebook-india-head-goes-to-supreme-court-against-delhi-assembly-panels-summons-on-hate-speech/articleshow/78267998.cms">Facebook India Head goes to Supreme Court against Delhi Assembly Panel's summons on 'hate speech'</a>

Pakistan continues to violate LoC ceasefire with India for the 5th consecutive day

Pakistan used small arms and mortars to target the Indian positions on the <keyword id="44759" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Line-of-Control">Line of Control</keyword> (LoC) on Friday in <keyword id="17605" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jammu-and-kashmir">Jammu and Kashmir</keyword>'s <keyword id="158222" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Poonch-district">Poonch district</keyword>. Colonel Devender Anand, Defence Ministry spokesman, said, "At about 8.30 a.m. today Pakistan initiated the unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and shelling with mortars along the LoC in Mankote sector in Poonch district. "<keyword id="6354416" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Army">Indian army</keyword> retaliates befittingly". On Thursday, for the entire day Pakistan violated ceasefire on the LoC in three sectors of the Poonch district. Twenty-four civilians have been killed and over 100 injured in over 2,730 such ceasefire violations by Pakistan on the LoC so far this year. This has brought misery into the lives of hundreds of border villagers living close to the LoC as cross border shelling endangers their lives, homes, cattle and agricultural fields. Since the beginning of this year, Pakistan has been violating the bilateral ceasefire agreement signed by the two countries in 1999, with impunity. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/india-estimated-6-4-million-covid-19-infections-by-early-may-according-to-national-serosurvey/articleshow/78051040.cms">India estimated 6.4 million COVID-19 infections by early May, according to National serosurvey</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/news/meet-the-richest-women-in-india-who-have-a-combined-net-worth-of-18-billion/slidelist/78045349.cms">Meet the richest women in India who have a combined net worth of $18 billion</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/india-reports-96760-new-coronavirus-cases-in-last-24-hours/articleshow/78051725.cms">India reports 96,760 new coronavirus cases — the biggest single-day addition by any country since the pandemic began</a>

Indian Army retaliated 'befittingly' to Pakistan's latest ceasefire violation in J&K's Poonch district

<ul><li>One army officer and four soldiers among killed. </li><li>A gunfight erupted facing off security personnel and up to three militants. </li><li>The overnight encounter took place 10 kilometres from site of <keyword id="43212" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pulwama">Pulwama</keyword> attack.</li></ul>Less than 5 days after one of the deadliest militant attacks in Kashmir, an overnight encounter between Indian security forces and three militants in Pulwama, Kashmir has reportedly killed at least four army personnel. Seven people, including an Indian Army major and two Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militants, were reportedly killed in a gunfight in <keyword id="17605" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jammu-and-kashmir">Jammu and Kashmir</keyword>'s Pulwama district. Defence Ministry spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said: "One of the two slain JeM terrorists was a top commander and belonged to Pakistan." According to an NDTV <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/4-armymen-killed-in-overnight-encounter-in-pulwama-in-jammu-and-kashmir-1995055?pfrom=home-topscroll">report</a>, one army officer and three soldiers were killed during the encounter when terrorists opened fire on Indian security forces in Pulwama. On Sunday night, a gunfight erupted facing off security personnel from the Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operations Group (SOG) of the state police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and militants, after the former received a tip off that militants from Jaish-e-Muhammad were hiding there, IANS reported. “As the cordon was tightened, the holed-up militants fired triggering the gunfight," IANS reported citing police sources. As of Monday morning, a search operation was still underway at the site some 10 kilometres away from the spot where last week an SUV packed with explosives rammed into a bus carrying CRPF personnel, killing at least 45 Indian security personnel, in one of the worst militant attacks in the valley. With IANS See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/pulwama-attack-on-crpf-in-kashmir-condemned-by-pm-modi/articleshow/67997003.cms">India vows an ‘unforgettable lesson’ for the terrorists who killed 42 troopers</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/modi-on-pulwama-attack-indias-pakistan-policy/articleshow/68005611.cms">Indian government is raging at Pakistan again—here's a look at its policy so far</a>

Four soldiers killed in Pulwama during encounter between Indian security forces and militants: Report

Ahead of <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>'s blockbuster clash against arch-rivals <keyword id="3001" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="pakistan" source="Orion">Pakistan</keyword> on Saturday, some fans have threatened to boycott the match on social media due to Pakistan's involvement in terrorism, once again sparking a 'Boycott' trend and debate that if sports and politics/international relations can be kept separate. Earlier on September 13, an Indian Army Colonel commanding a Rashtriya Rifles Unit along with a Major and a Deputy Superintendent of Police were killed in a gunfight with terrorists in the Kokernag area of Kashmir's Anantnag district. The pictures, and videos of Pakistan players receiving a warm welcome for their matches in the World Cup in India have gone viral after this encounter, with many questioning why Pakistani players are being treated this way when the instances of terrorism continue from Pakistan's side, causing loss of life and property in India, especially of soldiers, security and police forces. The announcement of a pre-match show in <keyword id="5065" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ahmedabad" source="Orion">Ahmedabad</keyword>'s Narendra Modi Stadium, featuring Bollywood singers Arijit Singh, Shankar Mahadevan, and Sukhwinder Singh by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (<keyword id="6354756" type="General" weightage="60" keywordseo="bcci" source="Orion">BCCI</keyword>) also made plenty of fans furious. It is notable that no opening ceremony was held for the ICC Cricket World Cup, being hosted in India for the first time ever. India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2013 and India last travelled to Pakistan for the 2008 Asia Cup. Since 2013, India has only played Pakistan in ICC tournaments like the T20 World Cup, ICC Cricket World Cup and ICC Champions Trophy, and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) tournament, Asia Cup. The viral media of Pakistan players receiving a warm welcome and announcement of the pre-match show in Ahmedabad ahead of the IND-PAK clash led to many social media users voicing out their displeasure, threatening to boycott the show and the match itself. "What BCCI and <keyword id="210899" type="General" weightage="60" keywordseo="jay-shah" source="Orion">Jay Shah</keyword> have done in the honor of the Pakistan team will not be tolerated at all. Our soldiers are fighting bravely against Pakistan-supported terrorists on the border. #BoycottIndoPakMatch #BoycottIndoPakMatch," said a user. "Cricket match is nothing infront of our Soldiers. Enemies are always enemy. Pakistani doesn't deserve this type of welcome. #BoycottIndoPakMatch #INDvsPAK #IndiaVsPakistan #AUSvsSA #INDvPAK #INDvsAFG #INDvAFG #RohitSharma #TrainAccident #ViratKohli #BoycottIndoPakMatch," said another user. India and Pakistan will both want to continue their winning momentum Coming to the match, India have begun their World Cup campaign with comprehensive wins over Australia and Afghanistan, while Pakistan have also emerged victorious in their first two matches against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka. Fans are counting on the likes of Virat Kohli, skipper Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj to come up with the goods again as the hosts go to battle against their bitter rivals. India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav. Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim.

India vs Pakistan World Cup clash has a section of fans irked and threatening 'boycott'

Pakistan resorted to heavy shelling and firing on Sunday at Indian positions on the Line of Control (<keyword id="6355098" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="LoC">LoC</keyword>) in Jammu and Kashmir's <keyword id="44760" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Poonch">Poonch</keyword> district. At about 3.20 a.m., Pakistan initiated the unprovoked <keyword id="87640" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="ceasefire-violation">ceasefire violation</keyword> by firing with small arms and intense shelling with mortars along the LoC in Mankote sector, Defence Ministry Spokesman Colonel Devender Anand said. "Indian army retaliated befittingly," he added. Since the beginning of this year, Pakistan has been violating with impunity the bilateral ceasefire agreement signed by the two countries in 1999. In over 3,190 such ceasefire violations since January 2020, 24 civilians have been killed and over 100 injured. Lives of thousands of people living in villages close to the LoC have been affected as shells rain from across the LoC and threaten families, homes, cattle besides damaging agricultural fields. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/supermassive-black-hole-traps-six-galaxies-in-a-web-that-is-300-times-bigger-than-the-milky-way/articleshow/78428277.cms">Supermassive black hole traps six galaxies in a 'spider web' that is 300 times bigger than the Milky Way</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/einsteins-theory-of-general-relativity-just-got-500-times-harder-to-beat-thanks-to-the-first-ever-black-hole-to-be-caught-on-camera/articleshow/78431373.cms">Einstein's theory of general relativity just got 500 times harder to beat thanks to the first-ever black hole to be caught on camera</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/north-pole-could-see-more-clouds-as-a-new-chemical-compound-infiltrates-its-skies/articleshow/78429190.cms">North Pole could see more clouds as a new chemical compound infiltrates its skies</a>

Pakistan resorts to heavy shelling at India along the LoC in Poonch

Pakistan used the threat of nuclear weapons as a "magic word" to deter India from punishing terrorists hiding across the border, but that changed after the surgical strikes and the Balakot air strikes, former India Army officers said on Thursday. The 2016 surgical strikes after the Uri attack on an Indian Army base, the Balakot air strike this year and a change in the "Indian psyche" together were instrumental in calling Pakistan's nuclear bluff, Lt Gen (retd) Amit Sharma and Maj Gen (retd) Dhruv C Katoch said. They made the remarks during the launch of the book, "The Bugle Calls: A Life in the Indian Army", written by Lt. Colonel (retd) Naresh Rastogi and former diplomat Kiran Doshi. "These surgical strikes, with full support from the political authority, represented a dramatic shift in our approach," said Maj Gen Katoch. "It was a different ball game altogether. The message was very clear: 'Do what you want', but we (India) won't be deterred by a nuclear threat," he said. He said India called Pakistan's bluff twice with surgical strikes and air strikes. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan during his maiden speech at the 74th UN General Assembly devoted most of his time to India and Kashmir, drumming up hysteria over a possible nuclear war after New Delhi revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August. Calling Khan's nuclear war threat "immature" and "plain brinkmanship", Lt Gen Sharma said all this rhetoric was done to direct the international attention towards Kashmir. He said the "entire existence" of Pakistan's political and military leadership is about Kashmir. But with Article 370 gone, they really don't know what to do, he added. "Now, they are trying to get the world to do something to India by scaring the world with nuclear weapons. I feel this is brinkmanship, no country goes to nuclear war over these things," Lt Gen Sharma, who was the Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Forces Command in 2014, said. Citing the book, he talked about an interaction between a Pakistani army officer and an Indian Army officer. The Pakistani officer told the Indian officer, "Indians are like batsmen, you have to stop us every time, and we are bowlers who have to get through only once". This, he said, was the Pakistani psyche for a long time and they have used the threat of using nuclear weapons as a "magic word" to stop India from doing acting against terrorists. But not anymore, he asserted. "This psyche changed after Balakot and Uri surgical strikes," he said. "From being batsmen, we are now googly bowlers. That is we have become offensive ... Today, we have a government which is offensive," he said. On the question of India's "No First Use' policy, Maj Gen Katoch brought the attention to the second line of the policy which, he said, is very categorical about "massive retaliation". "It (India) will not use nuclear weapons first, but if attacked, and that is where the actual philosophy comes in, there will be massive response, massive retaliation. I think that is the lesson people should not forget," he said. He said he feels Pakistan lacks the capacity to actually carry out the nuclear threat. "If they do so, the consequences to Pakistan would be severe and that country will no longer exist," he warned. Published by Westland, the book, "The Bugle Calls-A Life in the Indian Army", is a candid, racy, humorous memoir of a life lived in the Indian Army.

India has called Pak's nuclear bluff twice: Ex-Army officers

<ul><li>India and China were locked in discussion for nearly 14 hours on Monday. </li><li>In a joint statement, both countries have agreed to stop sending more troops to the frontline. </li><li>However, experts assert that when it comes to reducing the existing number of troops or reverting to the original status quo — China is playing hardball. </li></ul>India and China have agreed to stop sending more troops to the frontline after military commanders from India and China were locked in discussions for nearly 14 hours on Monday, September 21, during the sixth round of talks. “The two sides had candid and in-depth exchanges of views on stabilizing the situation along the LAC in the India - China border areas,” said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a <a href="https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/33047/Joint_Press_Release_of_the_6th_round_of_Senior_Commanders_Meeting_between_India_and_China">statement</a>. However, there was no consensus on reducing the number of soldiers that have already been deployed — or a return to the original status quo prior to May. According to former Indian Army Colonel and expert on strategic affairs, <a href="https://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2020/09/china-links-troop-pull-back-with-indian.html?m=1">Ajai Shukla</a>, China has hardened its stance on the issue. It is refusing to withdraw any troops until the Indian Army vacates five to six tactically dominating heights it has occupied south of Pangong Tso Lake in Ladakh. “It is unclear whether the Indian side has also demanded a Chinese withdrawal from Depsang, where PLA troops have penetrated about 15 kilometres into India – the deepest point of intrusion,” wrote Shukla. Geostrategist <a href="https://twitter.com/Chellaney/status/1308636286320697345">Brahma Chellaney</a> explains that China's current strategy against India aims at stepping up “coercion and blackmail,” which includes deploying nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) on occupied territory. Stance on returning to the original status quo still unclear Another Indian Army veteran <a href="https://twitter.com/SushantSin/status/1308437137142947841">Sushant Singh</a> affirms that the joint statement’s assertion that both sides will “refrain from unilaterally changing the situation on the ground,” can be interpreted as acceptance of the new status quo along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). “The missing bit is even an indirect reference to the situation on the ground as of April 2020, and India's stated objective of restoration of status quo ante as of April 2020,” <a href="https://twitter.com/SushantSin/status/1308437809590484993">he wrote</a> on Twitter. Carnegie South Asia’s Ashley J Tellis told <a href="https://t.co/DXqgzUliBs?amp=1">Hindustan Times</a> that China’s aggressive border moves were motivated by India’s decision to abolish Section 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. “If there had been no changes in Indian politics, we would’ve had a continuation of past problems but nothing of this magnitude,” he said on the Tamasha podcast. Beijing’s take on the military-level border talks On home turf, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin told the press that India and China exchanged in-depth views on easing the current situation in the border areas — reiterating India’s stance on the issue. "The two sides agreed to continue maintaining dialogue and consultation on this front," said Wang during a media briefing when asked to provide details on the latest round of military talks. Monday’s negotiations were the first time that the Indian delegation had two Lieutenant Generals, two Major Generals and a Joint Secretary from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) — Joint Secretary Navin Srivastava. The meeting was led by Lieutenant General Harinder Singh of the 14 Corps from India and his Chinese counterpart from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Major General Lin Liu. Here’s a quick look at what India and China did agree on during the sixth round of Corps Commander-level talks in Moldo: <ul><li>Earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries </li><li>Strengthen communication on the ground </li><li>Avoid misunderstandings and misjudgments, stop sending more troops to the frontline </li><li>Refrain from unilaterally changing the situation on the ground </li><li>Avoid taking any actions that may complicate the situation </li><li>Hold the 7th round of Military Commander-Level Meeting as soon as possible </li><li>Take practical measures to properly solve problems on the ground </li><li>Jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border area </li></ul>SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/microsoft-acquires-exclusive-license-for-elon-musks-largest-gpt-3-ai-language-model/articleshow/78269391.cms">Microsoft acquires exclusive license for Elon Musk’s largest GPT-3 AI language model</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/facebook-india-head-goes-to-supreme-court-against-delhi-assembly-panels-summons-on-hate-speech/articleshow/78267998.cms">Facebook India Head goes to Supreme Court against Delhi Assembly Panel's summons on 'hate speech'</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/yes-bank-ceo-prashant-kumar-clarifies-that-the-forensic-investigation-isnt-restricted-to-the-top-10-defaulters/articleshow/78255868.cms">EXCLUSIVE: YES Bank CEO Prashant Kumar clarifies that the forensic investigation isn't restricted to the top 10 defaulters</a>

China has hardened its stance — experts decode the India-China joint statement on border tensions

On the celebration of <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword>’s 72nd <keyword id="28240" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Independence-day">Independence Day</keyword>, the country’s prime minister addressed the nation making a few key announcements about future projects. One of the more significant developments was the promise of a manned space mission by 2022. But closer home, the Ayushman Bharat Healthcare Scheme is set to launch on 25 September. Here are the <keyword id="6381696" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="highlights">highlights</keyword> from Modi’s Independence Day address: <div type="image" title="independence day highlights" msid="65423758" hostid="261"></div>

 1. <keyword id="6797456" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gaganyaan">Gaganyaan</keyword> to take off in 2022 The preparations for the India’s first manned space mission have already been in the news for a while but the PM has officially set a launch deadline for 2022. Currently, project ‘Gaganyaan’, an initiative of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is in its initial stages having successfully tested the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/isro-pads-up-to-make-indias-manned-mission-into-space-a-reality/articleshow/64887057.cms">Crew Escape System</a>. That being said, while ambitious with its intentions, ISRO has had trouble meeting past deadlines. Most recently, the Chandrayaan-2 mission set to launch in April and then in October, is now looking at a 2019 launch date. But, the chairman of ISRO also warned that the launch maybe delayed to March if the changes aren’t made to the spacecraft in time. 2. Ayushman Bharat Healthcare scheme to launch on 25 September Also called the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyaan, the prime minister claims that it will benefit nearly 500 million citizens of the country. The scheme aims to give ₹500,000 ($7,123) cover per year for a whole family. Inclusive of nearly 1,354 packages within the scheme, the measure covers 100 million vulnerable families. That’s over 40% of the Indian population. The initiative, though necessarily for a country like India where statistics indicate that 67% of health expenditure is out-of-pocket, has ruffled a few feathers. There are questions over whether using third party administrators is the best idea and how easy it would be to exploit the loopholes in the scheme. 3. Permanent commissioning of <keyword id="624" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Women">women</keyword> in the <keyword id="3790" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Armed-forces">armed forces</keyword> It’s not that women weren’t allowed in the Indian armed forces before, but with permanent commissioning, they can now be a part of the direct combat arms like the infantry, armoured corps and artillery. The current 3,700 women employed in the armed forces are restricted to officer posts. This initiative opens up a myriad of career choice where they can now apply for subordinate posts to achieve the ranks of colonels, brigadiers, major generals and lieutenant generals. 4. New agricultural export policy soon In a mission to double farmer incomes in India by 2022, the prime minister has stated that a new agricultural export policy will be rolled out soon that will boost their compensation. Using the ‘Beej se Bazaar tak’ (from planting seeds to accessing the market) approach, Modi expressed the importance of value addition. While no other details were revealed during the Independence Day address, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry did publish a Draft Agricultural Export Policy back in March that was aimed at doubling India’s agricultural exports and integrating agricultural commodities in to the global value chain. 5. <keyword id="95908" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Panchayat-polls">Panchayat polls</keyword> in Jammu and Kashmir It’s been seven years since the last panchayat polls in the volatile state of Jammu and Kashmir. The polls that were supposed to take place in 2016 were, first, postponed due to the unrest that followed the death of Burhan Wani and then, eventually cancelled due to ‘security concerns’. Even the local body elections haven’t been conducted in over eight years now. According to the state’s Governor, NN Vohra, the local body election will happen first over the course of September and October followed by the panchayat polls from October to December. Reviewing the country’s progress over the past couple of years, Modi made it a point to assert how his government has pulled pending initiatives through without directly pointing the finger at the Opposition. That being said, a fact-checking report by <a href="https://www.thequint.com/news/india/independence-day-speech-modi-fact-check">The Quint</a> calls those claims into question. Which is why though these announcements may bring a ray of hope to many, expectations should be adjusted keeping past performances in mind.

India’s power 5: Big announcements from the world’s second most populous country on its Independence Day

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div>Indian and Chinese troops clashed in a melee high in the western Himalayas on August 15, adding to simmering tensions along the two countries' shared border.Chinese troops reportedly tried to enter Indian territory twice that day, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-india-china-troops-in-high-altitude-clash-officials-2017-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">according</a> to an Indian <keyword id="6354810" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="defense">defense</keyword> official.They were pushed back both times but threw stones at Indian troops during the exchange, which took place near Pangong Lake, a tourist attraction in the mountain region of Ladakh."There was a minor incident. There was some stone pelting from the Chinese side but the situation was quickly brought under control," the official <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-india-china-troops-in-high-altitude-clash-officials-2017-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">told</a> AFP.The early-morning confrontation lasted about <a href="http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-china-ladakh-skirmish-possibly-linked-to-doklam-intelligence-report-says/1/1026754.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">30 minutes</a> and was resolved after both sides conducted banner drills and retreated to their respective outposts.Indian media outlet The Print <a href="https://twitter.com/ThePrintIndia/status/898871876813967361" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">obtained footage</a> of the incident, which took place just yards from the shoreline. Both sides reported injuries.The lake - of which India claims about one-third and China the rest - is more than 13,000 feet high on the Tibetan plateau and lies in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, at the eastern extent of China and India's <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-china-idUSKCN1AV29F" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">2,175-mile</a> mountain border.A police official in the state said that confrontations along the de facto border, called the Line of Actual Control, were relatively common."These things happen every summer but this one was slightly prolonged and more serious but no weapons were used," a police source in the state capital, Srinagar, told AFP.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div>The clash took place on India's independence day, and an early <a href="http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-china-ladakh-skirmish-possibly-linked-to-doklam-intelligence-report-says/1/1026754.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">assessment</a> by Indian intelligence sources called the encounter "not at all unusual" due to the "non-delineation" of the border in the area. Indian and Chinese patrols <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Chinese-troops-intercept-Army-patrol-in-Ladakh/articleshow/20284571.cms" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">have crossed</a> into areas <a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/chinese-troops-entered-india-before-v-p-s-beijing-visit/story-y6UJIk1riVDTZxxMQ71NOL.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">claimed by the other</a> in the past; more than <a href="http://indianexpress.com/article/india/ladakh-scuffle-three-days-on-govt-confirms-incident-in-pangong-lake-with-chinese-soldiers-4803352/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">300 such crossings</a> have been reported through mid-August this year.But the confrontation comes two months into a dispute between China and India near their shared border with Bhutan in the eastern Himalayas, and, the assessment added, the "use of force appears to be part of a considered design."<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div>"Use of stones unprecedented and unusual. Appears to be deliberate attempt to provoke and heighten tension without use of lethal weapons," the assessment <a href="http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-china-ladakh-skirmish-possibly-linked-to-doklam-intelligence-report-says/1/1026754.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">said</a>. Steel bars and rifle butts were <a href="http://indianexpress.com/article/india/ladakh-scuffle-three-days-on-govt-confirms-incident-in-pangong-lake-with-chinese-soldiers-4803352/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">also used</a> during the tussle.On Wednesday, a previously scheduled border-personnel meeting was held between brigadier-rank officers from the Indian and Chinese armies. (Such meetings are usually held between colonel-rank officers.)The meeting's agenda was expanded to include the August 15 clash. Both sides reiterated the need to adhere to set protocols and drills, The Express <a href="http://indianexpress.com/article/india/ladakh-scuffle-three-days-on-govt-confirms-incident-in-pangong-lake-with-chinese-soldiers-4803352/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reported</a>.But China's People's Liberation Army also declined an invitation to take part in ceremonial meetings on the border to mark India's independence day this year, the first time it has declined since 2005, <a href="http://indianexpress.com/article/india/doklam-standoff-indian-chinese-patrols-clash-on-ladakh-lake-pla-skips-independence-day-meets-4798619/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">according</a> to The Express. Another meeting usually held on the Chinese side of the border on August 1 was not held this year.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div>The contentious but nonviolent confrontation in the Doklam territory - known as Donglang in Chinese - near the two countries' border with Bhutan started in mid-June, when New Delhi dispatched troops to stop Chinese construction of a road in the area, which is claimed by both China and Bhutan. India viewed the construction as a threat because it brought Chinese personnel close to the "<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-india-china-troops-in-high-altitude-clash-officials-2017-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">chicken's neck</a>" that connects India's northeast territory to the rest of the country.An Indian official <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-china-idUSKCN1AV29F" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">said</a> New Delhi had no choice but to act, as Chinese activity had come too close for comfort. New Delhi has also said both sides should withdraw their forces before any proper negotiation.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div>Beijing - which has <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-china-says-india-building-up-troops-amid-border-stand-off-2017-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">said</a> India is massing troops and building roads in its territory east of Doklam - has said India has <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-india-china-soldiers-involved-in-border-altercation-indian-sources-2017-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">no role</a> to play in the region and that Indian personnel illegally crossed into Chinese territory. It has <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-india-china-soldiers-involved-in-border-altercation-indian-sources-2017-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">repeatedly asked</a> for their unilateral withdrawal.Chinese state media has <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-china-idUSKCN1AV29F" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">warned India</a> of a fate worse than its decisive defeat during a month-long border war in 1962 in India's northeast Arunachal Pradesh state.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div>Chinese officials later admitted the war was <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/this-is-how-it-could-go-down-if-china-and-india-went-to-war-2017-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">launched to teach a lesson to India</a>, which had granted asylum to the Dalai Lama and criticized China's occupation of Tibet.The 1962 war was brief in duration, but the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/china-and-india-relationship-nepal-and-tibet-2017-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">political concerns</a> that sparked remain.The Indian intelligence assessment issued in the hours after the August 15 incident <a href="http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-china-ladakh-skirmish-possibly-linked-to-doklam-intelligence-report-says/1/1026754.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">said</a> the skirmish at Pangong Lake could be related to the standoff in the eastern Himalayas."Both nations recognise that there are big differences in perception about the LAC (Line of Actual Control), but these have been managed well and troops have quickly gone back to the respective positions," Ashok K. Kantha, former Indian ambassador to China, <a href="https://theprint.in/2017/08/19/india-china-must-ensure-video-showing-troops-clashing-in-ladakh-doesnt-raise-tensions/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">wrote for The Print</a>, noting that calm along the border has endured despite past incidents."Ensuring that these old modalities hold is extremely important," he added. "The alternative is not good."<div></div> <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/helima-croft-rbc-commodities-emerging-markets-oil-demand-growth-2017-7">RBC commodity chief: India and China will dictate oil's future</a></h3> <div> </div> </div>

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