<img src="https://api-discussion.policharcha.com/1713440585192" alt="Technology Trifecta – U.S., South Korea, and India Forge Strategic Alliance in the Indo-Pacific" style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar convened their 10th Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) in Seoul, marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations after nearly six years.
This meeting was swiftly followed by a trilateral technology dialogue involving the United States, South Korea, and India, focusing on collaborative opportunities in cutting-edge fields like semiconductors, biotechnology, space, artificial intelligence (AI), and quantum technology.
These developments underscore a deepening strategic alliance between South Korea and India in the Indo-Pacific era. The momentum gained from these interactions signals a shift towards expanding their bilateral cooperation beyond the existing special strategic partnership, paving the way for a long-term alliance spanning the next five decades and beyond.
The bilateral summit between South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2023 G-20 meeting further solidified this partnership, particularly in advanced manufacturing sectors like electric vehicles. Recognising the importance of collaboration in critical technological domains among nations sharing common values, both leaders committed to enhancing supply chain cooperation, especially in emerging sectors such as IT and electronics.
Amidst the current geopolitical landscape, the Indo-Pacific region necessitates minilateral frameworks involving like-minded countries to address mutual concerns and pursue common objectives. The establishment of the trilateral technology dialogue stemmed from the inaugural South Korea-U.S.
Next Generation Critical and Emerging Technologies Dialogue held in Seoul in December 2023. Notably, recent advancements also expanded the scope of the India-U.S. Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET), covering areas like biotechnology, key minerals, rare earths processing methods, digital connectivity, digital public infrastructure, and innovative materials.
Central to this evolving partnership are shared values, including a commitment to democracy and upholding the rules-based international order. The "defining partnership" between the United States and India reflects this dedication, with the U.S. actively supporting India's ascent as a major global power and viewing India as a crucial ally in ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The participation of both nations in the Quad framework underscores the broader necessity for engaging in minilaterals and trilaterals, underscoring the region's security imperatives.
In 2022, South Korea unveiled its new Indo-Pacific policy, signalling its ambition to emerge as a "Global Pivotal State" and collaborate with like-minded nations in the region to bolster peace and stability. Recognising South Korea's status as a prominent economic powerhouse in Asia, India is keen on expanding cooperation across various domains such as critical and emerging technologies, semiconductors, green hydrogen, human resource mobility, nuclear collaboration, and supply chain resilience.
While India plays a pivotal role in upholding the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific, South Korea maintains a cautious stance regarding China's response to initiatives like the Quad, despite not being a member. The Quad's focus on infrastructure development, climate action, pandemic management, and technological advancements aligns with Seoul's strategic priorities, hinting at potential areas of collaboration among the United States, India, and South Korea.
India's democratic framework and shared interests in critical technologies make it a valuable partner for the South Korea-U.S. alliance. India's expanding domestic market, aspirations in semiconductor innovation, and its partnership with South Korea based on democratic principles further enhance this strategic alignment.
In a recent development in New Delhi, the United States and South Korea solidified their partnership through the formalisation of cooperation between their international development agencies, USAID and KOICA, aiming to address global development challenges collectively. This memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlines collaborative efforts in areas such as women's economic empowerment, disaster resilience, digital literacy, and fostering trilateral cooperation with the Indian government. The alliance seeks to stimulate innovative collaborations, bolster local trade, and provide digital and entrepreneurial resources to support grassroots development.
The establishment of a new communication mechanism between the U.S., South Korea, and India signifies one of the early diplomatic agreements on technology cooperation by New Delhi. India's participation in the Quad's technological collaborations, including initiatives related to 5G and 6G, further amplifies its engagement in shaping the global tech landscape.
The trilateral technology dialogue holds substantial economic implications, potentially transforming manufacturing dynamics and driving employment growth across these nations. This alliance is poised to stimulate innovation hubs, enhance exports, and attract investments, contributing to advancements in global technology markets.
Moreover, the collaborative efforts in technology could serve as a counterbalance to China's technological dominance, particularly in areas like 5G and artificial intelligence, exerting a notable influence on the global tech competition.
To counter China's influence in the Indo-Pacific, nations like the United States, South Korea, and India are increasingly turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a critical component of their defence and security strategies. Collaborative efforts in AI innovation and data-sharing are seen as essential steps to address concerns about China's growing military capabilities among these partners.
While trilateral cooperation on critical technologies is a positive move for India and South Korea's bilateral ties, it's just one piece of the puzzle. Strengthening strategic trust and evolving into true strategic partners in the Indo-Pacific requires a broader range of cooperative platforms based on mutual interests.
One such area ripe for deeper collaboration is the defence industry. The successful export and local production of K-9 self-propelled howitzers from South Korea to India serve as a positive example. Now, expanding this cooperation to include maritime weapon platforms could significantly enhance their defence capabilities.
Moreover, with the rise of maritime threats like terrorism, piracy, and illegal fishing in the Indian Ocean, leveraging existing regional multilateral platforms and considering joint bilateral exercises can greatly improve maritime security and awareness. This collaboration is not only crucial for India, a key security provider in the Indian Ocean, but also beneficial for South Korea's strategic interests as it relies heavily on sea lines of communication.
The trilateral dialogue between India, the U.S., and South Korea is pivotal in ensuring equitable technology-sharing without compromising India's policy independence. This dialogue should also focus on responsible AI use in surveillance and intelligence sharing, emphasising common data protection standards, cybersecurity enhancement, and supply chain resilience to maximise the benefits of this technology partnership.
By fortifying their alliance and aligning their interests, these three nations can effectively protect their interests and uphold the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region, ushering in a new era of strategic cooperation and technological advancement.

Technology Trifecta – U.S., South Korea, and India Forge Strategic Alliance in the Indo-Pacific

<img src="https://api-discussion.policharcha.com/1712829746190" alt="Apple issues global alerts on Pegasus spyware, including to users in India" style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

Tech giant Apple has recently issued a series of alerts to users in 91 countries, including India, warning them about the risks posed by 'mercenary spyware' like the infamous Pegasus malware, which has been at the centre of controversy in recent times.
These new notifications, also sent to users in India, are part of Apple's proactive measures to caution users about potential threats to their privacy and data security.
Back in October 2023, Apple had sent a similar alert to political figures across different parties in India, including Shashi Tharoor from the Congress, Raghav Chadha from the Aam Aadmi Party, and Mahua Moitra from the Trinamool Congress. The alert raised concerns about a "potential state-sponsored spyware attack" targeting their iPhones.
This heightened alert comes in the wake of ongoing scrutiny regarding the Pegasus software developed by the Israeli firm NSO Group. In 2021, the Supreme Court had formed a committee of technical experts to investigate allegations of unauthorised surveillance using Pegasus.
In August 2022, the committee appointed by the Supreme Court reported that while no evidence of the spyware was found in 29 mobile phones examined, malware was discovered in five of them.
Apple's recent notification highlights findings from public reports and research by civil society organisations, tech firms, and journalists. These findings suggest that individually targeted attacks of significant cost and complexity, often associated with state actors and private companies like NSO Group, continue to pose a global threat.
Since 2021, Apple has been actively sending out threat notifications multiple times a year as it detects these attacks. So far, the company has alerted users in over 150 countries.
The tech giant emphasises the seriousness of mercenary spyware attacks, labelling them as some of the most advanced digital threats today due to their extreme cost, sophistication, and global reach. However, Apple refrains from attributing these attacks to specific entities or regions.
In addition to issuing alerts, Apple advises users to update their devices with the latest security patches and exercise caution when dealing with suspicious links or messages. They also recommend enabling Lockdown Mode as an extra layer of protection.

Apple issues global alerts on Pegasus spyware, including to users in India

<img src="https://api-discussion.policharcha.com/1709381960727" alt="Google faces government backlash over removal of Indian apps from Play Store; parties called for meeting" style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

The government has taken a firm stance against Google's recent removal of certain apps from its Play Store, stating that the delisting of Indian apps is unacceptable.
IT and Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw conveyed this sentiment in an interview with PTI, and talked about the pivotal role of the startup ecosystem in the Indian economy, asserting that their fate cannot be subject to the decisions of major tech companies.
Vaishnaw's remarks come in the wake of Google's action on Friday to remove several apps, including popular matrimony apps, from its Play Store in India amidst a dispute over service fee payments. This move sparked outcry from affected apps and prominent startup founders.
Expressing grave concern over the issue, Vaishnaw stated, "India is very clear, our policy is very clear...our startups will get the protection that they need." The government is poised to address the matter directly by convening meetings with Google and the affected app developers in the coming week to seek resolution.
"I have already called Google...I have already called the app developers who have been delisted, we will be meeting them next week. This cannot be permitted… This kind of delisting cannot be permitted," affirmed Vaishnaw.
Stating India's remarkable achievement in nurturing a robust startup ecosystem, with over one lakh startups and more than 100 unicorns emerging within a decade, the minister stressed the imperative to harness the energy of youth and entrepreneurs fully. He underscored that such critical matters cannot be left at the mercy of big tech policies.
"I will be telling Google...Our entrepreneurial energy...startups, look at the whole startup India programme, 10 years back we had practically nothing and today we have more than 1,00,000 startups, more than 100 unicorns...this is something...the energy of our youth, the energy of our entrepreneurs, energy of our talented people that has to be channelised fully well, it cannot be left to the policies of any big tech," Vaishnaw said.
Google announced on Friday that it had taken action against ten companies in India, including several well-established ones, for evading fees despite benefiting from the platform and Play Store. Consequently, the tech giant proceeded to delist several apps from its platform.
While Google did not disclose the names of the companies involved, searches on the Play Store from Android phones failed to yield results for matrimonial apps such as Shaadi, Matrimony.com, and Bharat Matrimony. Additionally, Balaji Telefilms' Altt (formerly ALTBalaji), audio platform Kuku FM, dating service Quack Quack, and Truly Madly also vanished from the Play Store.
The contentious issue stems from Google's imposition of a fee ranging from 11 to 26 percent on in-app payments, following an order from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to scrap the previous system, which charged between 15 to 30 percent.
Google proceeded with the removal of apps that failed to pay the fee after the Supreme Court declined to grant interim relief to the companies behind these apps in their legal battle against the tech giant's app marketplace fee.
Reacting to the development, Bharat Matrimony founder Murugavel Janakiraman characterised the move as a "dark day" for the internet in India, while Kuku FM Co-founder Vinod Kumar Meena criticised Google's actions, likening them to those of a "monopoly." Quack Quack Founder Ravi Mittal expressed the company's intention to comply with the rules to regain access to the marketplace.
Previously, Google had issued notices of Play Store violations to Matrimony.com, the operator of BharatMatrimony, and Info Edge, which operates a similar app called Jeevansathi.
In a related development, Info Edge (India) Ltd disclosed on Saturday that its mobile apps, including naukri.com, 99acres.com, and shiksha.com, had been removed from the Google Play Store.
"Indian companies will comply - for now. But what India needs is an App Store/ Play Store that is a part of Digital Public Infrastructure - like UPI and ONDC. The response needs to be strategic," Info Edge founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani had said in a post on Friday on X (formerly Twitter) tagging Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and his office.
IAMAI - an industry association that represents some of the largest Indian startups as well as international firms - condemned the removal of apps and had urged Google to reinstate delisted apps.
In its blogpost, Google had said 10 Indian companies had chosen for an extended period of time not to pay for the "immense value they receive on Google Play".
"For years, no court or regulator has denied Google Play's right to charge," it said, adding that the Supreme Court on February 9 also "refused to interfere" with its right to do so.
Google asserted that allowing a small group of developers to get differential treatment from the vast majority of developers who are paying their fair share creates an uneven playing field putting all other apps and games at a competitive disadvantage.
"After giving these developers more than three years to prepare, including three weeks after the Supreme Court's order, we are taking necessary steps to ensure our policies are applied consistently across the ecosystem, as we do for any form of policy violation globally," Google said.
In the blogpost, Google had said that enforcement of the policy, when necessary, can include removal of non-compliant apps from Google Play. Google, however, added that existing users will be able to continue to access the apps without interruption and that it continues "to offer our support to help developers get into compliance."
Developers, it said, are welcome to resubmit their apps to be listed on Play by selecting one of the three billing options as part of its payment policy.
"Today, we have over 2,00,000 Indian developers using Google Play who adhere to our policies, helping us ensure we have a safe platform; however, for an extended period of time, 10 companies, including many well-established ones, have chosen to not pay for the immense value they receive on Google Play by securing interim protections from the court," Google had said.

Google faces government backlash over removal of Indian apps from Play Store; parties called for meeting

<img src="https://api-discussion.policharcha.com/1709205492251" alt="Union Cabinet greenlights three semiconductor units in India, including one in North-East" style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the establishment of three semiconductor units under 'Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystems in India'.
Briefing reporters after a meeting of union cabinet, Union Minister for Communications, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said all three units will start construction within the next 100 days.
Minister Vaishnaw said that the Prime Minister has taken an important decision to set up semiconductor unit in the country. The first commercial unit will be setup by Tata and Powerchip-Taiwan in Dholera, Gujarat.&nbsp;
The union minister said that cumulative investment in all three units will be Rs 1.26 lakh crore.
"All three units will start construction within the next 100 days. 50,000 wafer per month will be manufactured. 300 crore chips will be manufactured annually through this facility. Northeast will get its first semiconductor Unit in Assam. 48 million chips per day will be manufactured from here. The breakdown is investment in FAB will be 91,000 crore. Investment in the Assam unit will be 27,000 crore. Investment in the Sanand unit will be Rs 7,600 crore," he said.
Vaishnaw said these units will generate direct employment of 20,000 advanced technology jobs and about 60,000 indirect jobs.
"These units will accelerate employment creation in downstream automotive, electronics manufacturing, telecom manufacturing, industrial manufacturing, and other semiconductor consuming industries," he said.
He said within a very short time, India Semiconductor Mission has achieved four big successes.
"With these units, the semiconductor ecosystem will get established in India. India already has deep capabilities in chip design. With these units, our country will develop capabilities in chip fabrication. Advanced packaging technologies will be indigenously developed in India with today's announcement," the minister said.
The Programme for Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem in India was notified in December 2021 with a total outlay of Rs 76,000 crore.
In June, 2023, the Union Cabinet had approved the proposal of Micron for setting up a semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat.
An official release said that construction of this unit is progressing at a rapid pace and a robust semiconductor ecosystem is emerging near the unit.
The approved three semiconductor units are: Semiconductor Fab with 50,000 wfsm capacity, semiconductor ATMP unit in Assam and Semiconductor ATMP unit for specialised chips.
The release said Tata Electronics Private Limited ("TEPL") will set up a fab"&gt;semiconductor fab in partnership with Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (PSMC), Taiwan.
"This fab will be constructed in Dholera, Gujarat. Investment in this fab will be Rs 91,000 crore. PSMC is renowned for its expertise in logic and memory foundry segments. PSMC has 6 semiconductor foundries in Taiwan. The capacity is 50,000 wafer starts per month (WSPM)," the release said.&nbsp;
Segments covered include high performance compute chips with 28 nm technology, power management chips for electric vehicles (EV), telecom, defence, automotive, consumer electronics, display, power electronics, etc. Power management chips are high voltage, high current applications.
Referring to semiconductor ATMP unit in Assam, the release said Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Pvt Ltd ("TSAT") will set up a semiconductor unit in Morigaon, Assam.
This unit will be set up with an investment of Rs 27,000 crore.
"TSAT semiconductor is developing indigenous advanced semiconductor packaging technologies including flip chip and ISIP (integrated system in package) technologies. Capacity is 48 million per day. Segments covered include automotive, electric vehicles, consumer electronics, telecom, mobile phones," the release said.
On semiconductor ATMP unit for specialised chips, the release said CG Power, in partnership with Renesas Electronics Corporation, Japan and Stars Microelectronics, Thailand will set up a semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat.
This unit will be set up with an investment of Rs 7,600 crore.
"Renesas is a leading semiconductor company focussed on specialised chips. It operates 12 semiconductor facilities and is an important player in microcontrollers, analog, power, and System on Chip ('SoC)' products," the release said.&nbsp;
The CG power semiconductor unit will manufacture chips for consumer, industrial, automotive and power applications and will have a capacity of 15 million per day, it said.
The meeting of union cabinet was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Union Cabinet greenlights three semiconductor units in India, including one in North-East

<img src="https://api-discussion.policharcha.com/1709021591994" alt="PM Modi unveils Gaganyaan astronauts: India's journey towards human spaceflight takes shape" style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), has announced that four astronauts are currently undergoing training for India's pioneering human space flight mission, Gaganyaan.
The quartet comprises Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Angad Prathap, Ajit Krishnan, and Shubhanshu Shukla, each bringing unique experience and expertise to the mission. PM Modi said that the selected individuals symbolise the aspirations of India's 1.40 billion people.

<img src="https://api-discussion.policharcha.com/1709021620931" alt="The quartet comprises Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Angad Prathap, Ajit Krishnan, and Shubhanshu Shukla, each bringing unique experience and expertise to the mission." style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, a Group Captain, hails from Kerala and received training in Russia for the human space flight mission. A fighter pilot specialising in Sukhoi warplanes, he graduated from the National Defence Academy and joined the Air Force in 1999. Reports suggest that he's also a graduate of the US Air Command and Staff College in Alabama, with additional training at Bengaluru's Human Space Flight Centre.
Group Captain Ajit Krishnan is among the four people picked to be a part of the mission. As per reports, three of the four crew members would ultimately be selected to go on the space mission.
Group Captain Angad Prathap, who trained alongside his counterparts in Russia for 13 months, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla, trained in Moscow's Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, complete the quartet.
The Gaganyaan project, spearheaded by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), aims to showcase India's human spaceflight capabilities by launching a three-member crew into a 400 km orbit for a three-day mission, culminating in their safe return to Indian sea waters.
Critical to the mission's success are the development of various technologies, including a human-rated launch vehicle, a Life Support System ensuring crew wellbeing in space, and provisions for crew emergency escape, along with comprehensive crew management aspects for training, recovery, and rehabilitation, as reported by ANI quoting ISRO.

PM Modi unveils Gaganyaan astronauts: India's journey towards human spaceflight takes shape

<img src="https://api-discussion.policharcha.com/1708612399413" alt="Chinese cyber espionage: Indian government offices & businesses targeted in extensive data leak by iSoon" style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

A Chinese state-affiliated hacker group has purportedly claimed responsibility for targeting key offices within the Indian government, including what is presumed to be the Prime Minister's Office, alongside prominent businesses such as Reliance Industries Limited and Air India, as per a report by India Today.
This revelation stems from leaked data analysed by India Today's Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) team.
Over the weekend, thousands of documents, images, and chat messages purportedly linked to I-Soon, an alleged cybersecurity contractor affiliated with China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS), were anonymously posted on GitHub. GitHub serves as a collaborative platform for developers working on open-source projects.
In response to the leak, I-Soon, in conjunction with Chinese authorities, has initiated an investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the breach.
Two employees of the contractor informed the Associated Press that an internal meeting was held on February 21 to address the leak. Despite the setback, employees were reportedly instructed to continue operations as usual, with assurances that the incident would not significantly impact business operations.
The leaked data sheds light on a sophisticated network of covert hacking activities, spyware deployments, and intricate surveillance conducted by cyber threat actors affiliated with the Chinese government.
Machine-translated versions of the leaked internal documents, originally in Mandarin, reveal details of the attackers' tactics, targets, and exploits.
The range of targets extends from international entities like the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and various European governments to Beijing's strategic partners such as Pakistan.
However, while the leak identifies targets of the cyber espionage operation, samples of the stolen data itself within the leaked documents was not found yet. Furthermore, the extent and duration of the attacks on individual targets remain unspecified in several cases.
<ins>Indian entities targeted</ins>
The leaked data identifies Indian targets such as the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the "Presidential Ministry of the Interior," likely referring to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
During the peak of India-China border tensions between May 2021 and October 2021, advanced persistent threat (APT) or hacker groups reportedly acquired 5.49GB of data pertaining to various offices of the "Presidential Ministry of the Interior."
An internal report, purportedly prepared by iSoon, contains a translated section highlighting India as a primary focus area, particularly emphasising ministries like foreign affairs and finance. The report indicates a sustained interest in these sectors with the potential for long-term data extraction.
Allegedly breached user data includes information from the state-run pension fund manager, the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), as well as state telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), and private healthcare chain Apollo Hospitals.
Furthermore, Air India's stolen data encompasses details related to daily passenger check-ins, while approximately 95GB of India's immigration records from 2020, denoted as "entry and exit points data," were referenced in the leaked documents. Notably, 2020 witnessed heightened tensions between India and China following the Galwan Valley clash.
Taiwanese researcher Azaka, who initially brought attention to the GitHub leak, highlighted China's longstanding focus on India within the realm of advanced cyber espionage. According to Azaka, the stolen data encompasses a wide array of Indian organisations, including Apollo Hospitals, immigration records, the Prime Minister's Office, and population databases.
John Hultquist, the chief analyst at Google Cloud-owned Mandiant Intelligence, corroborated the authenticity of the leaked data, describing it as originating from a contractor engaged in global and domestic cyber espionage operations based in China. Hultquist highlighted the rarity of obtaining such comprehensive insights into intelligence operations.
<ins>Other targets</ins>
The hacker group implicated in the recent data leak has purportedly extended its cyber operations beyond India, claiming to have targeted various countries, including its longstanding ally Pakistan. Additionally, apparent targets encompass Nepal, Myanmar, Mongolia, Malaysia, Afghanistan, France, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Turkiye, Cambodia, and the Philippines, among others.
According to the leaked dataset, the Chinese hacker group allegedly acquired approximately 1.43GB of postal service data from Pakistan's "Anti-Terrorism Centre" located in the Punjab province between May 2021 and January 2022. The documents further reveal sanctioned surveillance activities by the Chinese government targeting Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and telecommunications giant Zong.
Significant volumes of data were purportedly stolen from diverse entities, including Nepal Telecom, Mongolia's Parliament and police departments, a French university, and Kazakhstan's pension management authority. Furthermore, the hackers allegedly infiltrated the official systems of the Tibetan government-in-exile and its domain, Tibet.net.
For years, hacking groups with ties to China's Communist Party, such as Mustang Panda or APT41, have conducted malicious campaigns targeting organisations and countries worldwide, including the United States, to gather intelligence. In response, the US recently initiated an operation to counter a pervasive Chinese hacking campaign that compromised thousands of internet-connected devices.
This is not the first instance of China facing scrutiny for cyberattacks in India. In 2022, China-linked hackers reportedly targeted seven Indian power hubs. Similar attempts to breach India's power infrastructure were also observed in 2021.

Chinese cyber espionage: Indian government offices & businesses targeted in extensive data leak

<img src="https://api-discussion.policharcha.com/1707832707883" alt="IAF Hawk trainer aircraft crashes in West Bengal, pilots eject safely" style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

An Indian Air Force (IAF) Hawk trainer aircraft crashed during a routine training sortie in Kalaikunda, West Bengal, on Tuesday, as confirmed by a Defence official. Fortunately, both pilots aboard the aircraft managed to eject safely from the plane before the crash occurred.
The incident unfolded in a civilian area near the Kalaikunda Air Force Station, happening sometime between 4 pm and 5 pm, as the aircraft was returning from its training session. Kalaikunda Air Force Station primarily serves as a training base for the Indian Air Force.
Thankfully, there were no reported casualties or damage to civilian property resulting from the crash.
However, a court of inquiry has been initiated to investigate the cause of the accident and gather further details surrounding the incident.

IAF Hawk trainer aircraft crashes in West Bengal, pilots eject safely

<img src="https://api-discussion.policharcha.com/1707391634678" alt="QuantumScape's solid-state battery breakthrough signals promising future for EVs" style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

The pursuit of safer, long-lasting, and cost-effective batteries for electric vehicles has achieved a significant milestone recently. According to tests conducted on a prototype solid-state battery developed by United States-based company QuantumScape, the battery retained an impressive 95 per cent of its capacity after completing 1000 charging cycles.
This corresponds to a total mileage of more than half a million kilometres for an electric car with a range of 500-600 kilometres.
Typically, in the development phase of a solid-state battery, the industry standard target is around 700 charging cycles and a maximum capacity loss of 20 per cent. The exceptional results from QuantumScape's prototype indicate a significant advancement in the realm of lithium-ion batteries.
The tests were carried out over several months by PowerCo, the battery company of global automaker Volkswagen, which announced this breakthrough. This solid-state battery presents a potential solution to various challenges currently faced by electric vehicle (EV) batteries, including cost, safety, capacity, charging time, and durability.
Unlike the lithium-ion batteries used in most EVs today, the battery tested by PowerCo employs a solid electrolyte instead of a liquid one.
The solid-state electrolyte offers improved temperature tolerance, leak resistance, and non-flammability compared to liquid electrolytes used in conventional lithium-ion batteries.
Studies have indicated that solid electrolytes can withstand higher temperatures, making them potentially suitable for conditions such as those prevalent in India.
While traditional EV batteries typically consist of two electrodes, a liquid electrolyte, and a separator, solid-state batteries replace the liquid electrolyte with a solid one, which also serves as a separator. This solid-state technology has been pursued for over four decades, aiming to harness the potential of solid-state and lithium-metal batteries, which offer significantly higher energy density and faster charging compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.
QuantumScape's anode-free solid-state lithium-metal cell, constructed in 24 layers, holds promise for series cell production, with scalability being the next focus.
Anode-free cells, a notable innovation, draw lithium metal directly from the cathode during the initial charge, potentially leading to increased energy density.
Several automotive companies are heavily invested in solid-state battery technologies. Volkswagen Group, a major investor in QuantumScape since 2012, is among them. BMW has also invested in Solid Power to expand solid-state battery production, while Toyota and Hyundai have announced plans to launch solid-state battery EVs by 2025.

QuantumScape's solid-state battery breakthrough signals promising future for EVs

<img src="https://api-discussion.policharcha.com/1707390207509" alt="Indian women officers shine at Saudi defence show, inspire future generations" style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

The World Defence Show (WDS) 2024, presently underway in Riyadh, has seen the notable participation of women from various branches of the armed forces, affirming the government's commitment to harnessing the strength of women across different sectors, as stated by the Ministry of Defence in an official release on Thursday.
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth, Colonel Ponung Doming, and Lieutenant Commander Annu Prakash represented the Armed Forces in the various seminars of the WDS 2024, especially in the International Women in Defence-themed events.
On February 7, Squadron Leader Kanth, a distinguished fighter pilot from the Indian Air Force, took centre stage as a panellist at the seminar titled 'International Women in Defence: Investing in an Inclusive Future,' hosted by Saudi Ambassador to the United States Princess Reema bint Bandar Al-Saud.
"The Squadron Leader shared her inspiring journey of breaking barriers and soaring through the skies, thus becoming a part of the revered fighter pilot club in India. Her insights on leadership, resilience and the evolving role of women in modern warfare resonated with the diverse audience, who were impressed to know about her journey. She is the first female fighter pilot to take part in the Republic Day Parade (2021). She also participated in the Republic Day 2024 Flypast," statement by the Defence Ministry stated.
Colonel Ponung Doming from the Indian Army has made history as the first woman officer to command the world's highest border task force situated above 15,000 feet in the northern sector, with numerous accolades accumulated over her more than 20 years of service, the release noted.
Lieutenant Commander Annu Prakash of the Indian Navy showcased her expertise in maritime security and operations, emphasising the indispensable role women play in safeguarding India's extensive coastline and ensuring regional stability, according to the release.
"The participation of these three exceptional women officers at the WDS 2024 served as a testament to the growing role of Indian women in the defence landscape. The trio will deliver an inspirational talk about their remarkable journey at International Indian School, Riyadh, on February 8, to about 600 schoolchildren from various schools. The event will serve as a platform for showcasing the diverse talents and leadership skills of Indian women in uniform, inspiring future generations to follow their dreams and cover new ground."
The WDS 2024, which commenced on February 4, is set to conclude on February 8. The Union Minister of State for Defence visited Riyadh as the head of the Indian delegation for the show.

Indian women officers shine at Saudi defence show, inspire future generations

<img src="https://api-discussion.policharcha.com/1706789416650" alt="FM Sitharaman allocates ₹1 lakh crore for research & innovation in a push for self-reliance" style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her interim budget speech on Thursday, unveiled a groundbreaking initiative, allocating a ₹1 lakh crore corpus for long-term financing in research and innovation. The interest-free loan spanning 50 years is dedicated to promoting advancements in sunrise domains, encompassing crucial areas like defence technology.
While the specifics of the scheme's allocation under various ministries for Research and Development (R&amp;D) projects will be revealed later, it is perceived as a response to the longstanding demand for increased funding in critical defence sectors.
This includes the development and manufacturing of marine and air platform engines within India, along with the creation of next-generation weapon systems, especially in a period of escalating global insecurities.
As per FM Sitharaman's Lok Sabha speech, the ₹1 lakh crore corpus aims to provide long-term financing or refinancing with extended tenors and low or zero interest rates. The initiative is expected to incentivise significant research and innovation in sunrise domains by encouraging greater participation from the private sector.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed optimism about the interim budget, stating, "This is an encouraging budget....We are fully confident that we will achieve the target of becoming a developed nation by 2047."
In the 2023-24 defence budget, the Centre earmarked a capital outlay of ₹12,850 crores for R&amp;D, reflecting a 7.2 percent increase over the previous year's ₹11,981.81 crores. The overall outlay for the Defence Ministry stood at ₹5.9 lakh crore, constituting over 13 percent of the total expenditure of the Union government.
Despite being the third-largest defence spender globally after the USA and China in 2021, India's budgetary allocations for defence have often fallen short of the expectations of the armed forces. The armed forces, grappling with the prospect of a two-front war with adversarial neighbours, have long sought increased financial support to meet their strategic requirements.

FM Sitharaman allocates ₹1 lakh crore for research & innovation in a push for self-reliance

<img src="https://api-discussion.policharcha.com/1705662350726" alt="Chinese scientist's early attempt to publish Coronavirus genetic profile raises questions" style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

Federal documents shared with a US congressional committee reveal that a Chinese scientist sought to publish the genetic profile of the coronavirus two weeks before Beijing officially released the sequence, according to The Washington Post.
The delayed disclosure may have impeded global efforts in developing tests, treatments, and vaccines to combat the virus.
On December 28, 2019, a virologist at the Institute of Pathogen Biology of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in Beijing, submitted a genetic sequence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to GenBank, a publicly accessible database of genetic sequences overseen by the US National Institutes of Health, reported The Washington Post.
However, GenBank's review process flagged the submission three days later, indicating it was incomplete and requesting additional annotations. The scientist's submission was eventually deleted from GenBank's processing queue on January 16, 2020, after failing to provide the necessary information.
Meanwhile, a separate team of Chinese researchers submitted a "nearly identical" genetic sequence to GenBank, which was published on January 12, 2020.
Experts caution that this development, while raising questions about information sharing in the early days of the pandemic, does not offer substantive insight into the virus's origins.
Nevertheless, public health experts argue that the missed opportunity to publish the genetic sequence submitted by the Chinese scientist hindered understanding at the beginning of the global health emergency.
The failure to publish the genetic sequence submitted by Ren is “retroactively painful”, stated virologist Jesse Bloom of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle. Bloom emphasised the crucial role genetic sequences play in developing medical interventions and suggested that earlier access to the information could have expedited the development of tests and vaccines.
"That two weeks would have made a tangible difference in quite a few people's lives," Bloom remarked, underscoring the potential impact of the delayed publication.
The genetic sequence submitted by the Chinese scientist in December 2019, predating global awareness of the virus outbreak, was never publicly accessible on GenBank, containing over 3.8 billion published records, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
In response to these revelations, House Energy and Commerce Committee leaders expressed concern about whether Chinese officials have been transparent about the virus. House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, health subcommittee chair Brett Guthrie, and oversight subcommittee chair Morgan Griffith issued a statement, highlighting the need for further investigation into the matter.

Chinese scientist's early attempt to publish Coronavirus genetic profile raises questions

<img src="https://api-discussion.policharcha.com/1703864013356" alt="MoS IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar addresses deepfake threat and digital legislation progress" style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

In a recent statement, MoS Rajeev Chandrasekhar highlighted the escalating challenge posed by deepfakes and misinformation to Indian democracy, terming it "a very problematic issue." Chandrasekhar, who serves as the Minister of State for IT and Electronics, asserted that the government is closely monitoring the steps taken by digital platforms to address these concerns.
"The minister also promised that inaction on their part may prompt an amendment to the IT Rules that will be more 'prescriptive.'"
In an interview with PTI, Chandrasekhar outlined notable achievements in 2023, including the progress on the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) legislation, the establishment of grievance appellate panels, and enhanced accountability measures on digital platforms for user safety.
However, he acknowledged that the Digital India Act, set to supersede the 22-year-old Information Technology Act, remained an "unfinished agenda" despite extensive pre-consultations.
"The Digital India Act...spent almost a year on pre-consultations...we ran out of time...certainly, it's an unfinished, incomplete agenda," Chandrasekhar said, emphasising the enduring principles advocated in the DIA.
India, approaching general elections early next year, anticipates the legislation of the DIA post the 2024 polls and government formation.
Addressing the deepfake issue, Chandrasekhar expressed deep concern about its impact on the conduct of safe and fair elections in India, highlighting the challenges it poses to personal liberty and individual lives. The government has alerted digital platforms about the potential problems associated with misinformation and deepfakes, urging them to take necessary actions. However, the platforms' failure to respond adequately led to the issuance of advisories.
"They should have done a number of things in terms of prosecuting and barring people who are violating these laws. They didn't do any of this...deepfakes are trying to influence election outcomes," Chandrasekhar noted.
The government plans to closely monitor intermediaries following advisories and is prepared to amend IT rules if necessary, signalling a tougher stance on the issue. This move comes in the wake of growing concerns surrounding deepfakes powered by artificial intelligence.
Earlier this week, the government directed all platforms to comply with IT rules, emphasising transparency about prohibited content. Chandrasekhar acknowledged that while some platforms have respected Indian law, others in different jurisdictions remain uncertain about which laws to follow.
The government's firm approach comes in response to deepfake videos targeting public figures, sparking outrage and raising concerns about the misuse of technology. The Centre has urged platforms to align their terms of use and community guidelines with IT Rules and current laws, warning of strict consequences for non-compliance.

MoS IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar addresses deepfake threat and digital legislation progress

<img src="https://api-discussion.policharcha.com/1703590655494" alt="Nasscom unveils landscape of Responsible AI in India – Insights, challenges, and path forward" style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

In a bid to understand and harness the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in India, Nasscom has unveiled preliminary findings on the state of Responsible AI (RAI) in the country.
The insights, derived from a survey of 500+ senior executives spanning large enterprises, SMEs, and startups involved in AI development and deployment, offer a comprehensive view of the tech industry's perspectives on strengths, weaknesses, and the path forward regarding RAI adoption.
The report underscores the growing recognition among AI stakeholders about the crucial need for Responsible AI practices. Industry leaders are now channelling investments into advanced RAI tools and strategies while emphasising the importance of transparency in AI practices. As businesses enhance their AI capabilities, they concurrently witness an increase in RAI maturity.
Key findings reveal that 60% of surveyed businesses have either attained mature RAI practices or initiated formal steps towards RAI adoption. Meanwhile, 30% reported having a basic awareness of RAI imperatives without a formal strategy. Interestingly, developers exhibited almost twice the likelihood of reporting higher levels of RAI maturity compared to users.
Delving deeper into the data, large enterprises (with annual revenue &gt; 250 crores) emerged as 2.3 times more likely than startups and 1.5 times more likely than SMEs to have matured RAI practices. A significant majority of businesses in pivotal sectors like BFSI, TMT, and Healthcare are progressing towards satisfactory levels of RAI maturity.
A critical aspect highlighted by the survey is the pivotal role of workforce development in ensuring robust RAI implementation. Approximately 89% of businesses with matured RAI practices and policies affirmed their commitment to ongoing investments in workforce sensitisation and training for RAI compliance. Even among businesses with lower RAI maturity, over 60% expressed their dedication to improving compliance through similar investments.
Leadership support emerged as a linchpin for successful RAI adoption, with 69% of respondents indicating that C-suite executives or the board of directors should bear the major share of accountability for RAI compliance.
Debjani Ghosh, President of Nasscom, commented on the findings, stating, "The year 2023 marked the ascendancy of AI, presenting both opportunities and risks that are integral to its adoption. The insights from the survey are poised to shape robust industrial policies and strategies, fostering compliance with Responsible AI. As India positions itself as a global hub for AI, these insights will guide AI governance and regulations that strike a balance between innovation and ethical principles."
However, the road to widespread Responsible AI adoption is not without challenges. Technical, commercial, and regulatory hurdles pose obstacles to large-scale implementation. Trust and transparency in AI development remain paramount, but the lack of access to high-quality data and a shortage of skilled technical and management personnel stand out as the most significant barriers to RAI implementation.
As the industry evolves in tandem with technological advancements, Nasscom remains committed to collaborating with various stakeholders, aiming to create frameworks and tools that facilitate extensive skilling and training on RAI compliance.

Nasscom unveils landscape of Responsible AI in India – Insights, challenges, and path forward

<img src="https://api-discussion.policharcha.com/1703512482796" alt="Omicron's JN.1 subvariant emerges as dominant force: Researchers highlight transmissibility & immune evasion concerns" style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

Researchers from the University of Tokyo have indicated that the omicron subvariant JN.1, distinguished by the L455S "FLip" mutation in its spike protein, is on track to become the prevailing lineage of the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide. While the dominance of a strain does not inherently imply increased danger, experts emphasise that the nature of viruses involves constant mutations.
Designated as a separate variant of interest (VOI) on December 18, 2023, JN.1 originated from the BA.2.86 lineage, which surfaced in August 2023. This subvariant has rapidly gained prominence, surpassing its predecessor BA.2.86 and other omicron lineages, such as EG.5.1 and HK.3.
The FLip mutations, exemplified by L455S and L455F, switch amino acids F and L on the spike protein, enhancing transmissibility. A study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases revealed that JN.1 swiftly became dominant in France, outpacing BA.2.86 and the FLip strains.
JN.1's transmissibility is reflected in its surpassing of HK.3 in France and Spain by the end of November 2023. The "FLip" mutations impact the receptor binding capacity of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a key protein facilitating the virus's entry into the body.
The University of Tokyo researchers, utilising a Bayesian multinomial logistic model, determined that JN.1's effective reproductive number (Re) is higher than other new variants like BA.2.86.1 and HK.3, indicating a growth advantage. This parameter is crucial for understanding the transmissibility of the virus in an epidemic.
While concerns have been raised about the potential evasion of vaccination by the JN.1 variant, INSACOG chief NK Arora has stated that there is currently no need for additional vaccine doses, except for specific vulnerable groups.
Globally, between November 20, 2023, and December 17, 2023, the World Health Organization reported a significant increase of 52 percent in new cases (850,000) and a decrease of 8 percent in new deaths (3,000). In the same period, India recorded 3,241 new cases and 21 deaths. The Southeast Asia Region reported over 9,200 new cases, reflecting a 388 percent increase.
However, experts caution that reported cases may not accurately represent infection rates due to reduced testing and changes in reporting mechanisms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States notes that JN.1 is expected to account for 39-50 percent of all SARS-CoV-2 variants in the coming weeks, indicating a potential increase in transmissibility or immune evasion. The situation is being closely monitored globally, with the CDC acknowledging the continued growth of JN.1.
Despite the upsurge in JN.1, the EG.5 variant remains the most reported variant of interest (VOI) globally, although it has displayed declining trends in recent weeks.

Omicron's JN.1 subvariant emerges as dominant force: Researchers highlight transmissibility & immune evasion concerns

<img src="https://api-discussion.policharcha.com/1703246761418" alt="Serum Institute's Malaria vaccine achieves WHO approval, promising a game-changing impact" style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

A significant milestone in the fight against malaria has been achieved as the World Health Organization (WHO) granted regulatory approval to the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, developed by the Serum Institute of India.
This marks a crucial step forward in combating the mosquito-borne disease that disproportionately affects children in the African region.
The vaccine, a collaborative effort between the University of Oxford and the Serum Institute of India, met WHO standards for quality, safety, and efficacy.
In a press statement, the WHO declared the inclusion of R21/Matrix-M malaria on its list of prequalified vaccines, having recommended its use for preventing malaria in children on October 2, 2023.
To qualify for the WHO List of Prequalified Vaccines, a vaccine undergoes a rigorous evaluation process, including the examination of relevant data, sample testing, WHO inspections of manufacturing sites, and assessment of suitability for the target population. The approval enhances access to the vaccine, making it eligible for procurement by UNICEF and deployment funding support by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
Rogerio Gaspar, Director of the Department of Regulation and Prequalification at WHO, emphasised the importance of WHO vaccine prequalification, ensuring the safety and effectiveness of vaccines in global immunisation programs. He stated, “WHO evaluates multiple products for prequalification each year, and core to this work is ensuring greater access to safe, effective, and quality health products.”
The R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine has demonstrated high efficacy, reducing malaria cases by an impressive 75% over a year. Compared to its predecessor, this vaccine represents a significant improvement, with the best-performing vaccine prior to this achieving a 50% success rate over a year. Notably, the Serum Institute has the capacity to produce hundreds of millions of doses annually, making the vaccine more accessible.
A key factor in the widespread use of this vaccine is its affordability, priced at approximately $5 per dose in high volumes. This stands as a positive development in the global effort to make malaria prevention more accessible and cost-effective.
This approval marks the second WHO-approved malaria vaccine, following the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine's approval in July 2022. Both vaccines have demonstrated safety and effectiveness in clinical trials, promising a substantial public health impact when implemented alongside other recommended malaria control measures.
Malaria remains a significant global health challenge, with nearly half a million children in the African region succumbing to the disease annually. In 2022, the WHO reported an estimated 249 million malaria cases worldwide, resulting in 608,000 malaria-related deaths across 85 countries. The approval of the R21/Matrix-M vaccine provides renewed hope in the ongoing fight against this deadly disease.

Serum Institute's Malaria vaccine achieves WHO approval, promising a game-changing impact

After the grand success of Chandrayaan missions and Aditya L1 project, India is ready to take Indian astronauts into the space for the first time on an Indian platform.

I just hope everything goes well....
what are your views?

Big hopes from Gaganyaan Mission

<div>ISRO Chandrayaan 3 Moon Landing Updates: Isro’s third lunar mission Chandrayaan-3 made a historic soft landing on the Moon on Wednesday. This made India only the fourth nation to land a rover on the lunar surface and also the first ever country to land a rover near the Moon's South Pole. Meanwhile, the Pragyan rover ramped down from the Vikram lander and is moving on the Moon's surface, where it will conduct scientific experiments for 14 days. Stay with Indiatoday.in for the latest updates on Chandrayaan-3’s landing</div><div> </div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DLA_64yz8Ss" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

Pragyan rover moves on Moon’s surface, to conduct experiments for 14 days

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