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India on Wednesday (March 23) successfully testfired the surface to surface BrahMos supersonic cruise missile in the UT of Andaman and Nicobar, Informed the defence officials. Defence officials said that the extended range missile hit its target with pinpoint accuracy.

According to ANI reports, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari congratulated on the successful test-firing of surface to surface BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. He is in the Island territory of Andaman and Nicobar to review operational preparedness, said the defence officials.

Earlier, in the first week of March the Indian Navy also successfully test-fired a long-range version of the BrahMos cruise missile. The Indian Navy took to Twitter and said that the long-range precision strike capability of an advanced version of the BrahMos missile was successfully validated

NATO warned on Wednesday against Russia's war in Ukraine sliding into a nuclear confrontation between Moscow and the West. "Russia should stop this dangerous irresponsible nuclear rhetoric," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told a news conference. "But let there be no doubt about our readiness to protect and defend allies against any threat anytime."

"Russia must understand that it can never win a nuclear war," he said on the eve of a summit of the Western military alliance's national leaders in Brussels. "NATO is not part of the conflict ... it provides support to Ukraine but isn't part of the conflict."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the Ukraine crisis and a host of bilateral interests with his British counterpart Boris Johnson in a phone call on Tuesday (March 22). 

As per the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Modi reiterated India's "consistent appeal for cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue and diplomacy" between Russia and Ukraine. He further underscored India's "belief in respect for international law and territorial integrity of all states", the PMO added. 

PM Modi also expressed his wish to welcome UK PM Johnson in India at the earliest. Modi also appreciated the progress in implementing 'India-UK Roadmap 2030' adopted during Virtual Summit last year. 

Johnson called on India today to work with the UK to ramp up efforts to promote peace and de-escalation in Ukraine. 

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday met a delegation of senior leaders from Himachal Pradesh to review the party’s preparations for Assembly elections later this year. Separately, Rahul Gandhi held a meeting with the top leadership of the party from Gujarat, which will go to polls along with Himachal.

Sonia underlined the need for unity, a routine suggestion that the leadership gives at such huddles. But with this meeting, Sonia has signalled that she is back in action. It was Rahul Gandhi who had been holding such meetings with state leaders. Sources said most leaders argued that the Congress can make a comeback in Himachal.

The emergence of AAP was also a point of discussion. After the AAP’s landslide victory in Punjab, there were fears in the Congress that its impact could be felt in neighbouring Himachal. But most of the leaders who attended the meeting told Sonia that AAP may not be a big factor in Himachal and that the situation in Punjab and Himachal was not similar.

Amid growing concerns about a possible fourth wave of COVID-19, Karnataka Health and Family Welfare minister K Sudhakar said that there is no need for the people to get panic as the state is conducting vaccination drive effectively. Responding to a question by BJP MLC Shashil Namoshi during the Zero Hour, he also stated that it would be made mandatory to wear masks at indoor facilities. A decision would be taken in this regard after holding a meeting with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.

Here are the highlights from his address:-

The fourth wave of Covid in the country has been predicted for the month of August, said K Sudhakar.

Vaccination prevents the spread of Covid. However, precautions must be followed by the people.