Singaporean light howitzers enter India despite ban

September 26th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Eyeing India's estimated $100 billion defence pie, major US arms suppliers are wooing Indian defence agents and officials as New Delhi embarks on a major military shopping spree to modernise its Soviet-era arsenal, a US media report said. At the US embassy in New Delhi, defence contractors such as Northrop Grumman are sponsoring little league baseball teams, the companies' names stitched onto the uniforms, the Washington Post said in a report from New Delhi.

September 17th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The United States sold arms worth $4.5 billion to Pakistan between 2005 and 2008, says a Congressional report even as Washington has expressed concern about reported diversion of military equipment away from the war on terrorism to fight India. An updated Congressional report released last month says Washington signed arms transfer agreements with Pakistan in excess of $3.5 billion in the year 2006 alone, "ranking Pakistan first among all arms clients of the United States during that calendar year".

August 18th, 2009 CHANDIGARH - Ireland is "the safest gateway" for Indian corporates to enter the European market and is ready to provide "any kind of help" to Indian investors, a diplomat from that country said here Tuesday. "Ireland offers a congenial environment for Indian businesses to thrive by providing the safest gateway to enter European market," Ireland's Ambassador to India Kenneth Thompson said.

July 30th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Foreign Minister S. M. Krishna on Thursday said that India would continue its determined efforts to conclude an extradition treaty with Pakistan, despite the latter's unwillingness.

July 7th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The defence ministry has sought advice from the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and the law ministry on further dealings with the seven foreign armament companies, including an Israeli firm and a Singaporean gun manufacturer, blacklisted on suspicion of thier involvement in payoffs. The ministry has also written to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for further evidence in the case.

July 3rd, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Indian Army will not issue fresh bids to buy the ultra-light howitzer that it badly needs for frontline defence. Instead, it will await the outcome of the probe into corruption charges against the Singapore firm, whose guns it had chosen for field trials.

June 12th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Blacklisting of Singapore Technology along with six other defence firms on charges of bribery would delay the process of artillery modernisation in the Indian Army, Gen Deepak Kapoor admitted Friday. The development is of particular concern as the army has not been able to purchase a single gun in the last 23 years.

June 12th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Indian Army's 23-year wait for new artillery guns - a crucial element of its modernisation drive - has just got longer with the blacklisting on corruption charges of a Singapore firm. Its howitzer was the frontrunner for a Rs.29 billion ($612 million) order for 140 guns, the army chief, Gen.

April 28th, 2009 Singaporean terrorist gets 18 years in jailJAKARTA, Indonesia — A Southeast Asian terrorist who admitted to meeting Osama bin Laden many times was sentenced to 18 years in jail Tuesday for killing an Indonesian teacher and plotting an attack on a bar frequented by non-Muslims. Mohammad Hasan bin Saynudin, a 36-year-old Singaporean, was defiant as he was led into the South Jakarta District Court, saying he was proud of his actions and ready for whatever punishment was handed down.

March 20th, 2009 KOLKATA - Luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz India will enter the used car business by the year-end, a top official said here Thursday. 'We are currently working on launching the used car programme in India.

March 20th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The eve of the spring equinox brought welcome relief from the fast-advancing summer to residents of the capital Friday. A light drizzle from the dark clouds overhead at least helped the dust to settle down a bit.

February 8th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has hit out at critics of Danny Boyle's Oscar nominated rags to riches drama 'Slumdog Millionaire', saying it shows India in a 'visually appealing way'. Contactmusic.com reports that Shah Rukh, who was earlier offered the role of the quizmaster in the film, played by Anil Kapoor, has defended the film.

January 13th, 2009 NEW DELHI - In the wake of the 60-hour hostage drama that unfolded in Mumbai last year, highlighting the lacunae in the Indian Special Forces, the army has asked for more counter terrorism equipment and decided to fast track the procurement process. Interacting with the media ahead of the 61st Army Day, Indian Army chief General Deepak Kapoor said the army has sought 'better guns and goggles to remove night blindness' in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attack in which more than 170 people were killed.

January 12th, 2009 NEW DELHI - In a development that would push the Indian Army's decade-old modernization plan of its artillery, overseas vendors have submitted bids for 180 155mm/52 caliber towed and light howitzers and the trials are expected to commence in February or March, a senior official said Tuesday. The defence ministry had issued the request for proposals (RFPs) for three variants of the howitzers - light, wheeled and self-propelled - a year ago.

January 9th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Temperatures continued to remain above normal in Delhi and light rainfall was expected Saturday that can lead to a foggy weekend, according to the weather office. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature recorded early Saturday was 7.9 degree Celsius, a degree above normal.