Mangaluru (Karnataka) May 31: Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Sunday said inclusive development would be central to India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047, stressing that progress must benefit all sections of society.

Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of the Siri Mathashree Industrial Park, organised under the aegis of Dharmasthala institutions, Radhakrishnan said the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) could be realised only through equitable progress, social empowerment and economic opportunities for all.

He said India had witnessed a rapid transformation over the past decade through initiatives aimed at improving the lives of the poor, farmers, women and youth, while strengthening infrastructure and promoting innovation.

“The country’s development journey is centred on inclusive growth and last-mile delivery. Economic progress must benefit every citizen and ensure dignity and opportunity for all,” he said.

Highlighting the role of young people in nation-building, Radhakrishnan said the aspirations and energy of the country’s youth would be crucial to achieving the goal of a developed India by the centenary of Independence.

He called upon students and entrepreneurs to contribute to innovation, skill development and nation-building efforts, adding that the country was creating an ecosystem that encouraged enterprise and technological advancement.

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, who also addressed the event, said flagship programmes such as ‘Make in India’, ‘Startup India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ had provided fresh direction to India’s growth trajectory and strengthened the country’s self-reliance.

He said these initiatives had encouraged entrepreneurship, enhanced manufacturing capabilities and created new opportunities for employment and economic development.

Gehlot noted that India’s progress was being driven by a combination of innovation, welfare measures and people-centric governance, adding that sustained investments in education, technology and infrastructure were laying the foundation for long-term growth.

The governor also emphasised the need for balanced and inclusive development to ensure that the benefits of growth reached marginalised communities and remote regions.

The speakers underlined the importance of collective participation in achieving the national goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’ and said cooperation among governments, institutions and citizens would be essential to transforming India into a developed nation.

The programme was attended by public representatives, educational leaders, students and other dignitaries.

New Delhi, May 31: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Australian Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Defence Mr Richard Marles will co-chair the second India-Australia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue in New Delhi on June 01, 2026. The dialogue will review the progress in bilateral defence cooperation and identify new avenues for collaboration.

The discussions will focus on strengthening defence & security cooperation, enhancing military interoperability, industry collaboration, including co-development and co-production opportunities, and regional & global security developments of mutual interest. The meeting is expected to further strengthen bilateral defence relations, enhance strategic trust and cooperation, promote stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region and identify new areas of collaborations in defence &  security.

The visit of Mr Richard Marles follows the inaugural Dialogue held in Australia in October 2025 and reflects the growing momentum in the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Australia is a key partner in India’s vision of a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific. The visit underscores the growing depth and maturity of the India-Australia defence partnership.

New Delhi, May 31: Admiral Krishna Swaminathan on Sunday assumed charge as India’s new chief of the Naval Staff amid a fast evolving regional maritime security scenario.

He succeeds Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, who retired from service.

Admiral Swaminathan was serving as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command.

“The Indian Navy stands vigilant to protect national interests wherever they are and is very actively deployed in a regional security environment that continues to remain challenging, complex, unpredictable, and uncertain,” he told reporters.

“It shall be my highest priority to ensure that the Indian Navy maintains the highest level of operational readiness and combat effectiveness so that it can protect the nation’s security and economic interests,” he said.

Admiral Swaminathan said the Indian Navy is well set on a course of capability enhancement and modernisation.

“It shall be my endeavour to sustain the growth momentum of the Navy, consolidate all ongoing programs, scale up where required, and sharpen our operational capabilities through the induction of niche and emerging technologies,” he said.

Srinagar, May 31: The Centre has waived the mandatory cooling-off period for senior IPS officer and IGP Kashmir Vidhi Kumar Birdi, making him eligible for a fresh central deputation ahead of schedule.

According to an order issued on May 30, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved a proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs to exempt Birdi from the cooling-off requirement that normally applies before an officer can take up another assignment at the Centre.

The decision is significant as Birdi was repatriated prematurely from the Central Reserve Police Force in September 2023 while serving as Inspector General. He was sent back to his parent cadre and subsequently posted in Jammu and Kashmir.

A 2003-batch IPS officer, Birdi originally belonged to the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir cadre, which was merged with the AGMUT cadre following the reorganisation of the former state after the abrogation of Article 370.

After rejoining the AGMUT cadre on October 13, 2023, he was appointed Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone. Under prevailing deputation rules, officers are generally required to complete a three-year cooling-off period in their parent cadre before becoming eligible for another central assignment. In Birdi’s case, that period was scheduled to end in October 2026.

With the ACC now waiving the requirement, Birdi has become immediately eligible for a fresh posting at the Centre, fuelling speculation that he may be under consideration for a key assignment in the Union government.