China hikes defence budget by 7.5 per cent to USD 117.6 billion
Beijing: China, the world’s second largest military spender after the US, Tuesday announced a 7.5 per cent increase in its defence budget for this year, hiking it to a whopping USD 177.61 billion, over three times that of India. The 2019 defence budget will be 1.19 trillion yuan (about USD 177.61 billion), according to a […]
Turkey lambasts US move to end special trade status
Ankara: Turkey’s trade minister on Tuesday said US plans to end the preferential trade status granted to Turkey conflicted with the NATO allies’ push to increase commercial exchanges. “This decision contradicts our mutual objective of reaching bilateral trade volume of 75 billion… The decision will also negatively affect US small and medium-sized enterprises and manufacturers,” […]
Will cross all limits for protecting country’s sovereignty: President Kovind
Coimbatore: President Ram Nath Kovind Monday said India will use all its might to protect the nation’s sovereignty while referring to the IAF air strikes in Pakistan following the Pulwama terror attack of February 14. Addressing a function here, the President said India’s growing stature in the comity of nations is consistent with the strength […]
No letup in defence spending by China
Country hints at further rise, says it poses threat to none
Beijing: China, the world’s second largest military spender after the US, defended its massive allocation on security on Monday and hinted at raising it further this year, saying the country did not pose any “threat” to others. China last year increased its defence budget by 8.1 per cent, taking its declared defence spending to a […]
Battle against terror has been directed against Kashmiris, Muslims: CPI (M)
New Delhi: There has been an “orchestrated effort” by the BJP and the RSS to rouse “jingoistic nationalism” after the Pulwama terror attack and the government has turned the battle against terrorism into one against Muslims and Kashmiris, the CPI (M) alleged Monday. CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said the government must step up diplomatic […]