Government Seeks To Expand Indigenous Defence Industry Capacity

28 Feb 2026 CW Team

The Trainee Officers of the Indian Foreign Service 2025 batch called on the Raksha Mantri at South Block, New Delhi on 25 February 2026. The interaction was convened to familiarise the officers with the defence establishment and strategic priorities. The Ministry of Defence issued the briefing as part of a structured orientation programme for new diplomats.

The Raksha Mantri underlined the Government of India’s determination to expand the capacity of the indigenous defence industry for local production and exports under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, and he highlighted the crucial role of Indian diplomats in realising that vision. He set out steps that the Government has taken to absorb niche technologies in the defence sector and noted that India has moved from being a major importer of defence equipment to a manufacturer and exporter of platforms in all domains. The remarks placed emphasis on leveraging national industrial capacity to project strategic autonomy.

The minister observed that the global comity of nations is closely following India’s growth story and looking to its leadership role, and he encouraged the officers to work with honesty and integrity to further India’s positive image abroad. He reminded them that they represent the aspirations of one point four billion (bn) Indians and urged them to remain open to new ideas, people and perspectives from every culture. He also asked them to carry the values of India’s civilisational wisdom while conducting their duties.

Before the interaction, officials from relevant verticals of the Ministry of Defence briefed the officers on defence diplomacy initiatives, the defence budget, Tri-service integration and defence acquisition processes. The batch comprised 55 trainee officers, including 53 Indian trainees and two trainees from Bhutan. The ministry noted the officers’ achievement in joining the Indian Foreign Service and conveyed congratulations for their hard work.

Products

28 Feb 2026

GROHE Introduces Matte Black Ceramics In India

GROHE has launched Matte Black Ceramics in India, extending the finish across its complete bathroom range in both GROHE and GROHE SPA portfolios. The move responds to growing demand for coordinated bathroom spaces that move beyond traditional white ceramics. With the launch, matte black is now available across ceramics, fittings, showers and accessories, enabling consumers to create fully integrated bathroom environments in a single finish. The company stated that the introduction aligns with evolving design preferences among Indian homeowners seeking personalised and enduring colour choices...

SEEPEX BN Pumps Boost Rock Blasting Efficiency

SEEPEX has introduced BN pumps with Smart Joint Access (SJA), designed for the reliable transfer of abrasive, corrosive and chemical media in mining and construction applications. Engineered for rock blasting, the pumps incorporate a large inspection opening for rapid joint checks, a compact footprint suited to mobile or skid-mounted installations, and flexible drive and material configurations. “Operators can inspect joints quickly and rely on precise pumping of shear-sensitive and abrasive emulsions,” said Magalie Levray, Global Business Development Manager Mining at SEEPEX. “This is ..

WCA Annual Conference 2026 to Host Global Cement Leaders

World Cement Association (WCA) will organise its Annual Conference 2026 from April 19–21 at The Athenee Hotel in Bangkok, bringing together global cement industry leaders, policymakers and technology providers to address the sector’s evolving challenges.Held under the theme ‘Shaping a sustainable future through digitization, innovation and performance,’ the event will focus on strategic, operational and sustainability priorities influencing the industry’s next phase of growth. The conference will begin with an assessment of global economic trends and their impact on cement markets, a..