Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, along with a high-level delegation, attended India's 76th Republic Day celebrations as the Chief Guest, at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi. During his visit, talks were held between the two nations regarding the potential acquisition of BrahMos missiles and collaboration on aircraft carrier construction. Indonesia is the latest among several countries expressing interest in the Indian-built missile system.
As India gears up for its 73rd Republic Day celebrations, the selection of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as the chief guest is significant in multiple ways. This is the fourth time an Indonesian leader will attend the event, showcasing the long-standing cordial relationship between the two countries. With growing ties in the military sector, India is eyeing Indonesia as a potential buyer of Brahmos missiles, with talks underway for a $450 million deal. The strategic positioning of Indonesia, as well as its large Muslim population, makes this partnership all the more important for India.
Nishant Agarwal, a former junior scientist at BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a court in Nagpur for leaking technical information about the BrahMos missile to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The 6-year-long investigation led to his arrest in 2018 by the Anti-Terrorism Squad of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. Agarwal was found guilty of violating the Official Secrets Act and leaking information from the Defence Research and Development Organisation. His interactions with the ISI were monitored by the UP police, leading to his arrest and subsequent conviction.
A former engineer at BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd in Nagpur has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Nagpur district court for spying for Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI. Nishant Agarwal was arrested in 2018 after a joint operation by military intelligence and Anti-terrorism squads. He was found guilty under the Official Secrets Act and will also have to undergo 14 years of rigorous imprisonment and pay a fine of Rs 3,000.
India has delivered the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines in a $375-million deal. This marks India's first major export order and is seen as a strategic move amid increasing tensions with China in the South China Sea. The missile, which has a range of 290 km and has been operationalized in all three wings of the Indian armed forces, is expected to be exported to at least 10 countries, including South Africa and Saudi Arabia. Efforts are also underway to upgrade the range and capabilities of the missiles.