Defense

Major Barak is serving with the Indian Battalion in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. She works as the Commander of the Female Engagement Team and also serves as the Gender Focal Point. This role carries deep operational importance in a conflict zone because peacekeeping today depends on trust with local communities, early warning networks, civilian protection and direct engagement with women, children and vulnerable groups.

The Prime Minister reviewed ongoing manufacturing activities and technologies across multiple sectors, with special focus on defence capabilities. The visit underlined the growing role of Indian private industry in building platforms that were once heavily dependent on imports. Companies such as L&T are now part of a larger national ecosystem that includes DRDO laboratories, the armed forces, public-sector units, startups, MSMEs and specialised component suppliers.

The new project aims to transform Chumur from a vulnerable frontier hamlet into a self-reliant, climate-resilient and economically active border village. The initiative is being developed under the Vibrant Village Programme, which focuses on improving habitations located along India’s northern borders. Chumur has been chosen as the first model settlement in Ladakh, setting the stage for a wider plan to develop more border villages in the region.

The main purpose of this decision is to give field commanders faster access to resources. In modern military operations, speed of procurement can decide preparedness, response capability and mission effectiveness. When commanders can approve essential purchases closer to the point of need, contracts move faster, projects advance quicker and units receive critical equipment without long administrative delays.

The decision carries strategic importance because West Bengal shares India’s longest state-level border with Bangladesh. According to a Ministry of Home Affairs reply in Parliament, the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal is 2,216.7 km long. Of this, 1,647.696 km had been covered by fencing, while 569.004 km remained to be covered by fencing and other border infrastructure works. Out of the remaining stretch, 456.224 km was assessed as feasible for fencing and related infrastructure.

The fencing project gives India a stronger physical and surveillance-based grip over a border that has remained porous for historical, ethnic, geographical and administrative reasons. The India-Myanmar frontier stretches for 1,643 km across Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. Arunachal Pradesh alone accounts for around 520 km, making it the longest state-wise stretch on this frontier. This makes eastern Arunachal central to India’s border-management strategy.