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In the midst of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor counter-terror operation, both countries have taken a strategic approach to influence policy in their favour by hiring prominent figures from US President Donald Trump’s inner circle as lobbyists in Washington DC.

India has enlisted Jason Miller, a senior adviser to Trump, to represent its interests in the US capital. Miller’s firm, SHW Partners LLC, will receive $1.8 million annually to provide strategic counsel, tactical planning, and government relations assistance. 

Miller’s role extends beyond traditional lobbying, having served as an informal liaison briefing Trump and members of Congress on India’s counter-terrorism strategy. Notably, Miller understands how Trump’s brain functions, which could help India’s diplomacy significantly. “This is not a new practice,” said Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs. “This has been in place for several decades and under successive governments since the 1950s.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan has hired Keith Schiller, Trump’s former bodyguard and close aide, to build “long-term economic partnerships” in the US. Schiller’s role involves strengthening Pakistan’s ties with the US government and private sector. 

Schiller, a former NYPD officer, rose through Trump’s ranks to become Director of Oval Office Operations during the Trump presidency. He has been described as “one of Trump’s most loyal and trusted aides” and “a constant presence at Trump’s side for nearly two decades”. Schiller is joined by Georges Sorel, former compliance chief at the Trump Organisation, who co-founded Javelin Advisors. Their firm will help Pakistan communicate its perspective to America’s executive branch, Congress, and the general public.

The hiring of these lobbyists comes after Trump’s unexpected announcement of an India-Pakistan ceasefire on May 10, and his offer to mediate the Kashmir issue, which New Delhi promptly rejected. With the US historically financing Pakistan as a strategic buffer against the Soviet Union and for its war on terror, both India and Pakistan recognise the importance of having their own representative in Washington DC.

Pakistan aims to secure investments for its mining sector, including from US companies, while India seeks to bolster its diplomatic outreach to the Trump administration.

India’s integrated air defence system – which includes AD systems of the Army, Navy and the Air Force – was brought together by the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS). Air Marshal Bharti said IACCS accorded us a “net-centric operational capability, which is vital to modern-day warfighting.”

Net-Centric or the network-centric approach toward warfighting was adopted by the Indian Air Force in 2010 with the induction of the Air Force Network (AFNET). It was revolutionary and formed the basis of IACCS. Before this, India had been using the troposcatter communication system, where the Earth’s topography was used to relay radio waves for communication. AFNET replaced the system of the 1950s, revolutionising the approach to warfare.

Defence Minister AK Antony inaugurated the AFNET system in 2010.

Then Defence Minister AK Antony inaugurated the network on September 14, 2010. Outlining the two-fold aim of the ‘Network for Spectrum’ approach of the government – to facilitate the growth of national tele-density on the one hand, and ensure modernisation of defence communications with the state-of-the-art communication infrastructure, the network will have the potential to support net-centric operations, Mr Antony had said.

The AFNET network was tested during a practice interception of simulated enemy targets by a pair of MiG-29 fighter jets airborne from an airbase in the Punjab and neutralizing targets in the western sector was played out live on the giant screens at the Air Force auditorium, when the ministers and senior officers were present during the inauguration.

“The recent deployments of AFNET, IACCS and other systems have put the IAF at the forefront of NCW-enabled nations. This quantum leap in the field of Communication & Information Technology will help field units train and develop tactics, techniques and procedures to realise the full benefits of network-enabled capabilities,” Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Vasant Naik had said.

IACCS – The Central Nervous System Of Air Space Management

Air Marshal AK Bharti, the Director General of Air Operations, credited the efforts of the personnel of the three forces and the Border Security Force in guarding the skies and the layered air defence system, which is controlled by India’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS).

“Our battle-proven systems have stood the test of time, and take them head-on. Another highlight has been the stellar performance of the indigenous air defence system, the Akash system. Putting together and operationalising the potent AD environment has been possible only because of budgetary and policy support from the government of India in the last decade,” Air Marshal Bharti said.

Net-Centric or the network-centric approach toward warfighting was adopted by the Indian Air Force in 2010 with the induction of the Air Force Network (AFNET). It was revolutionary and formed the basis of IACCS.

India controlled its airspace and protected its military bases and strategic assets through an integrated network of air defence systems during ‘Operation Sindoor’ when hundreds of Pakistani drones, missiles and rockets were launched to target Indian military assets and civilian infrastructure. The aerial threats were identified, tracked and neutralised by India’s integrated air defence systems.

India’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) played a pivotal role in defending the skies. An automated system integrates data from forces to combat aerial threats.

India controlled its airspace and protected its military bases and strategic assets through an integrated network of air defence systems during ‘Operation Sindoor’ when hundreds of Pakistani drones, missiles and rockets were launched to target Indian military assets and civilian infrastructure. The aerial threats were identified, tracked and neutralised by India’s integrated air defence systems.

India’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) played a pivotal role in defending the skies. An automated system integrates data from forces to combat aerial threats.

New Delhi:

The internet has been abuzz with the ongoing feud between Deepika Padukone and Sandeep Reddy Vanga over her exit from Spirit. Last Saturday the film’s team and Triptii Dimri took to social media to officially confirm that the Animal actress is the new female lead in Spirit, opposite Prabhas.

India Today has now exclusively reported that Triptii Dimri is being paid a whopping sum of Rs 6 crore as she reunites with Sandeep Reddy Vanga for the second time.

WHAT:

• It’s a career-defining moment for Triptii Dimri as Rs 6 crore is her biggest paycheck yet. 

• Spirit is currently in its pre-production phase and will go on floors in October.

• Out of the many reasons cited for Deepika’s exit from Spirit, one of them was her demanding Rs 20 crore as her remuneration and profit-sharing.

What Led To Multiple Delays

Deepika Padukone was called out for her “unprofessional” behaviour and unacceptable fee demands for Spirit. There were also some allegations of Deepika not being on board for certain “bold scenes” in the film, which eventually led to the makers dropping her.

According to a Bollywood Hungama report, dated May 22, Padukone “refused to shoot for more than 6 hours a day” for Spirit.

“That’s not all, the actress, via her agency, also started to demand an amendment to the contract. Their point of contention was simple – if the shoot extends beyond 100 days, Deepika will have to be paid extra for every single day of shoot beyond the commitment on paper,” the report further stated.

Deepika had reportedly refused to deliver her dialogues in Telugu as well. Other than Deepika’s pregnancy, Prabhas’ injury also led to further delay in Spirit taking flight.

Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Jibe At Deepika Padukone’s “Dirty PR Games”

Yesterday Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s post took the internet by storm. He put out a long note on X, indirectly slamming Padukone’s “Dirty PR games.” He also questioned Deepika’s idea of “feminism”, and also revealed that she had violated the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).

Vanga wrote, “When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith. There is an unsaid NDA(Non-Disclosure Agreement) between us. But by doing this, You’ve ‘DISCLOSED’ the person that you are… Putting down a Younger actor and ousting my story?  Is this what your feminism stands for?”

“As a filmmaker, I put years of hard work behind my craft & for me, filmmaking is everything. You didn’t get it. You won’t get it. You will never get it. Aisa karo… Agli baar poori kahani bolna… kyunki mujhe jarra bhi farak nahi padtha. (Let’s do one thing… next time tell the whole story… because I don’t even care a bit) #dirtyPRgames,” the filmmaker added.

In A Nutshell:

Even though Vanga tried to sort out a solution with the producers, Deepika’s team was adamant about their demands. And the rest is history, as Triptii Dimri joined the cast as the female lead in Spirit, and is taking home her fattest paycheck yet of Rs 6 crore.

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