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Terrorism, drug trafficking, piracy are maritime challenges: Rajnath Singh

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday inaugurated the three-day 39th Commanders’ Conference of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).

He said, “The growing regional and global trade has brought forth new challenges. Geopolitical tensions and clash of strategic interests have led to traditional security challenges. Terrorism, drug trafficking and piracy are some non-traditional challenges in front of us today. The entire region is being affected by these challenges. Being a responsible maritime power, we have a clear interest to create a rule-based, peaceful and stable environment. Such a rule based environment is essential for both regional and global prosperity. In such a situation, the ICG has a big role to play.”

On the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), Singh said, India’s geographical location is crucial from the strategic and economic point of view. “Our long coastline with deep-water ports, a prosperous Exclusive Economic Zone and islands at both ends present a unique position. The IOR accounts for more than two-thirds of the world’s oil shipments. One-third of bulk cargo and more than half of container traffic pass through it. The safety of these sea routes is not only directly connected to our economic interests, but it also establishes India as a Net Security Provider in IOR,” he stated.

Singh stressed on the need to maintain maritime preparedness in the constantly-changing global scenario, terming it as a crucial aspect which safeguards the economic and strategic interests of a nation. He pointed out that there has been a shift in India’s maritime security needs due to the ever-evolving global situation.

Recalling the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, Singh said, the incident showed that for a long time the country’s orientation was focused on the security of land borders and not much attention was paid to coastal security.

He lauded the ICG for continuously enhancing its capability in the last few years in line with the Government’s vision and playing a key role in bolstering coastal security. Due to these efforts, the country has not witnessed any terror activity from the sea route since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, he said.

He added that keeping in view all aspects such as security, trade, environment and humanitarian assistance, Ministry of Defence has sanctioned a large number of projects, including acquisition of Pollution Control Vessels and mid-term Life Upgradation of Dornier Fleet, to modernise the ICG. He appreciated the ICG’s efforts towards achieving ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.

“Today, the manufacturing and servicing/repairing of ships and aircraft of ICG is being done indigenously. The ICG is spending almost 90 per cent of its capital budget on the development of indigenous assets,” he added.

Business

IndiGo to start flights from Navi Mumbai International Airport from Dec 25

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Mumbai, Nov 15: Low-cost airline IndiGo on Saturday announced flight operations from the newly-opened Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) starting December 25, connecting the airport to 10 cities across the country.

IndiGo will connect the future-ready airport to 10 cities, including Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, North Goa (Mopa), Jaipur, Nagpur, Cochin, and Mangalore, the airline said in a statement.

The airline said it plans to expand operations at NMIA progressively by adding direct routes to more destinations in due course.

NMIA, the second airport in the Mumbai metropolitan area, is designed to complement Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and meet growing demand for air travel from India’s financial capital.

NMIA is expected to enhance regional connectivity and support economic development in western India due to its strategic location.

By enhancing regional connectivity and supporting economic development in western India, the launch of IndiGo’s operations will connect the airport to its vast domestic network of 95 airports across the country, it added.

The Navi Mumbai International Airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month, as a major achievement in India’s economic development and “a symbol of Bharat’s aspirations”.

PM Modi said that Mumbai welcomed its second international airport, marking a significant milestone in its journey to becoming Asia’s premier connectivity hub. “Through this new airport, the farmers of Maharashtra will be able to connect with supermarkets in Europe and the Middle East as well,” he observed.

NMIA will ease congestion at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and significantly increase India’s aviation capacity.

The Navi Mumbai International Airport Private is designed to accommodate both domestic and international passengers, featuring state-of-the-art facilities. It includes a 3,700-metre runway capable of handling large commercial aircraft, modern passenger terminals, and advanced air traffic control systems.

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National News

Extended hearty congratulations to CM Nitish Kumar: Chirag Paswan after Bihar poll results

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New Delhi, Nov 15: After the announcement of the Bihar Assembly election results, Union Minister and LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan on Saturday met Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and congratulated him on the NDA’s sweeping mandate.

Paswan posted on X to mark the occasion, stating, “After the Bihar Assembly Election results today, met with the Honourable Chief Minister of Bihar Shri Nitish Kumar Ji and extended hearty congratulations and best wishes to him for the NDA’s resounding majority.”

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Chirag Paswan reaffirmed the solidarity and unity within the ruling alliance.

He said, “After meeting the Chief Minister, I came to personally congratulate him and extend my best wishes. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the NDA achieved a historic victory. As a representative of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), I met him to convey our congratulations and good wishes…”

Paswan’s remarks come at a time when the NDA has consolidated its position in Bihar with a powerful, near-landslide performance. Leaders across the alliance have hailed the results as a mandate for stability and continuity.

Adding to Paswan’s sentiments, LJP (RV) MP Rajesh Verma highlighted the party’s impressive performance in the state polls. He said, “It is quite natural that 19 MLAs from our party have won, and many of the seats allotted to us were tough seats. Despite this, the party won 19 seats with a large margin, and on 2–3 seats we lost by very small margins. With this massive mandate, the people of Bihar have clearly shown that there is no alternative to the NDA now. The condition and the numbers of the Mahagathbandhan clearly indicate that the Opposition has disappeared…”

In a decisive electoral outcome, the NDA surged far past the majority mark of 122 seats, tightening its hold over Bihar as the ruling coalition secured a commanding victory.

The alliance, led by Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United), saw its numbers significantly boosted by a strong performance from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as the alliance bagged 202 seats.

In contrast, the Opposition Mahagathbandhan, comprising the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, and Left parties, suffered a severe setback.

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Crime

NMC cancels registrations of doctors accused in Delhi blast

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New Delhi, Nov 15: The National Medical Council (NMC) has cancelled the registrations of three doctors linked to the car blast attack near Delhi’s Red Fort Metro Station, barring them from practising until further orders.

The Delhi blast, which occurred on November 10, killed 12 and injured several others, sending shockwaves across the nation.

The council released the directive in light of the FIR filed under UAPA Sections against Dr Muzaffar Ahmad, Dr Adeel Ahmad Rather, and Dr Muzamil Shakeel, effective immediately.

While Muzamil, Adeel, and another suspect, Dr Shaheen, are currently in the custody of the J&K Police, Muzaffar is thought to have escaped India around August this year.

They are believed to have connections to the Faridabad terror module.

An order from Rajiv Sharma, the NMC Secretary (incharge), mentioned an FIR filed against Ahmad, Rather, and Shakeel in Srinagar on October 19.

It stated that evidence gathered by investigating agencies indicated their involvement in the Red Fort terror blast case.

“Such association or conduct is prima facie inconsistent with the standards of ethical propriety, integrity and public trust expected of members of the medical profession and attracts the provisions of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002,” the order read.

The Jammu & Kashmir Medical Council has exercised its authority to cancel the registrations of the three doctors mentioned above, instructing that their names be promptly removed from the Register of Medical Practitioners that is maintained by the council.

“Consequent upon such removal, the said practitioners shall cease to be entitled to practise medicine or to hold any appointment as medical practitioners till further orders,” the order added.

It also mentioned that in view of the notifications dated November 13, 2025 regarding “cancellation of registration of the above-mentioned doctors issued by the Jammu & Kashmir Medical Council, their names be removed from the Indian Medical Register (IMR) / National Medical Register (NMR) with immediate effect.”

It has been reported, though not yet confirmed, that a similar directive has been issued concerning Dr Shaheen Saeed, who was listed with the Uttar Pradesh Medical Council, and she has also been promptly removed from the IMR/NMR.

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