NEW DELHI: Describing the ongoing conflict in West Asia as “an issue of particular concern”, given that the region houses a crore Indians and holds the key to India’s energy security, external affairs minister S Jaishankar on Monday told Parliament that New Delhi’s approach would be guided by “national interest”.“Our national interest, including energy security and trade flows, will always be paramount,” Jaishankar said while making a statement on the security situation in West Asia in both Houses of Parliament. He also pointed to India’s pitch for de-escalation and return to dialogue and diplomacy, and identified the well-being and security of the Indian community in the region as the govt’s priority.The statement made no concession to the demand by Congress and others in opposition for condemnation of the US and Israel for attacking Iran and killing its supreme leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei.However, Jaishankar said India had promptly accepted the requests from three Iranian naval vessels to dock at Indian ports. The Iranian side requested permission on Feb 28 (the day the conflict began) and it was granted on March 1, he said. “We believe that this was the right thing to do and the Iranian foreign minister has expressed his country’s thanks for this humane gesture,” he said. One Iranian vessel, IRIS Lavan, docked in Kochi on March 4 and its crew is currently in Indian naval facilities, he said.Jaishankar disclosed that IRIS Dena – sunk by a US submarine off the Sri Lankan coast on March 4 – along with two sister ships, IRIS Bushehr and IRIS Lavan, had been permitted to dock at Indian ports.While Dena and Bushehr chose not to avail of the permission they had sought, IRS Lavan is docked at Kochi port. The sinking of frigate Dena, while she was returning from a naval exercise in India, had triggered concerns about the expansion of the conflict to the Indian Ocean Region.The minister’s stress on “national interest” being the paramount consideration was being seen as indicative of govt’s decision not to condemn Israel, which has emerged as a reliable security partner, or disregard the threat it faces from Iran – which has vowed to annihilate Israel – and its terror proxies.Also, many in govt don’t agree with opposition’s framing of Khamenei as a ‘friend of India’, and point to the slain Ayatollah’s meddling in the J&K issue, including his description of the abrogation of Article 370 as “ugly”, and bracketing India with places like Gaza and Myanmar where Muslims were suffering.The importance of ties with the US and the volatility they have acquired under the Trump administration was another consideration for the govt to tread carefully.While reiterating India’s repeated calls for an early end to the conflict that has witnessed mounting casualties, “including at the leadership level in Iran, as well as destruction of infrastructure in the region”, Jaishankar said, “I am confident that the House joins me in expressing sorrow at the loss of lives.”“We believed and continue to believe that dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate tensions and address underlying issues… it is also imperative that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states in the region be respected,” he said.The minister added that the CCS, at its meeting on March 3, discussed the airstrikes in Iran and the subsequent attacks in several Gulf countries and expressed concerns regarding the safety and security of the Indian community in the region. “The committee was apprised of difficulties faced by Indian travellers transiting the region and by students appearing for scheduled examinations in these countries. It directed all ministries and departments concerned to take appropriate measures to respond to these problems,” he said.Jaishankar also mentioned the attacks on merchant shipping, “where Indian nationals often constitute a large proportion of the crews”. He said two Indian mariners have already been lost to such attacks, while another is missing.Sharing that PM Narendra Modi “continues to closely monitor emerging developments” and maintains contact with the leadership of affected countries, while relevant ministries coordinate to ensure effective response, Jaishankar said India remains alert and committed to ensuring safety of its citizens affected by the conflict, having operated around a hundred flights so far to bring back those stranded or looking to return home. He added that at the same time, the country is alive to the need to protect its energy security and commerce.While Jaishankar’s statement in the Rajya Sabha came amid a walkout by the opposition members, Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day shortly after it reassembled at 3pm, following an earlier adjournment amid opposition protest that broke out as soon as Jaishankar rose to make the statement.

Japan has begun preparations to deploy its first batch of domestically developed long-range missiles, with launchers arriving at an army camp in Kumamoto Prefecture early Monday, officials said.The upgraded Type-12 land-to-ship missiles are set to be operational at Camp Kengun by the end of March, completing the initial deployment phase, chief cabinet secretary Minoru Kihara confirmed, AP reported.Army vehicles carrying the launchers and related equipment arrived past midnight in what was described as a highly secretive operation. The move drew criticism from local residents, with dozens gathering outside the camp, shouting “Stop long-range missile deployment!” and holding protest banners.“The prefecture has never been notified,” Kumamoto Governor Takashi Kimura told reporters. “It is extremely disappointing that we learned this from media reports.” In response, the regional defense bureau in Kyushu announced plans to invite local representatives for an equipment exhibit at the camp next week, ahead of the full deployment on March 31. No town hall meetings are planned.The defense ministry had moved up the deployment schedule by one year last year. Japan’s accelerated military buildup in the southwestern region comes amid rising tensions around Taiwan, claimed by China. The Type-12 missile, developed and produced by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, has a range of about 1,000 km (620 miles), significantly extending the original 200 km (125 miles) range and capable of reaching mainland China.The missile is expected to be next deployed at Camp Fuji in Shizuoka later this year. Japan has deployed PAC-3 interceptors and midrange surface-to-air missiles on southwestern islands, including Okinawa, Ishigaki, and Miyako. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said last month that midrange SAMs will be deployed on Yonaguni Island, east of Taiwan, by March 2031.Japan’s prime minister Sanae Takaichi has indicated that any Chinese military action against Taiwan could trigger a Japanese military response. She plans to revise national security policy by year-end, boost Japan’s military capabilities with unmanned weapons and long-range missiles, and lift restrictions on lethal arms exports to strengthen the defense industry.

Filmmaker R. Parthiban apologized to Trisha Krishnan following a controversial remark. Meanwhile, Malayalam director Chidambaram received anticipatory bail in a harassment case. The censor review for Vijay’s ‘Jana Nayagan’ was postponed again. Rumors about ‘Vaadivaasal’ revival were denied, and Mahesh Babu concluded the Georgia schedule for ‘Varanasi’.

South cinema saw several headline-making developments today, ranging from film controversies and production updates to celebrity reactions. From legal relief for a filmmaker to delays in a major film’s censor review, the industry had plenty of talking points. Rumours about big projects and fresh shooting updates also kept fans engaged online. Here’s a quick look at the top five South cinema stories of the day.

Chidambaram gets anticipatory bail in harassment case

A sessions court in Ernakulam granted anticipatory bail to Malayalam filmmaker Chidambaram S. Poduval in a sexual harassment case registered by the Ernakulam Town South Police. The case was filed under IPC Sections 354, 354A(1)(i), and 509. The court’s order protects the director from arrest while the investigation continues. According to a report by India Today, a young woman filed the complaint alleging that the director sexually harassed her at his residence in 2022. In his bail plea, Chidambaram denied the allegations and questioned the delay in filing the complaint, after which the court granted him anticipatory bail.

‘Jana Nayagan’ censor review postponed again

The censor review of Jana Nayagan, starring Vijay, was delayed after its scheduled screening before the CBFC Revising Committee on March 9 was cancelled. According to India Today, the review was reportedly called off at the last minute after a committee member fell ill. The postponement means the film’s certification process remains pending, with no new screening date announced yet. Directed by H. Vinoth, the film had already faced censor objections, which earlier led to its review being moved to the Revising Committee.

‘Vaadivaasal’ revival rumours denied

Rumours recently suggested that Vaadivaasal, the long-delayed film of Suriya and Vetrimaaran, was set to restart soon. Reports claimed the actor had agreed to allocate monthly call sheets for the project. However, sources close to Vetrimaaran clarified that there have been no recent discussions about reviving the film, calling the claims rumours. The director is currently focused on his ongoing project Arasan, starring Silambarasan.

Mahesh Babu wraps up Georgia schedule of ‘Varanasi’

Mahesh Babu has completed the Georgia shooting schedule of his upcoming film Varanasi, directed by S. S. Rajamouli. The actor was recently spotted returning to Hyderabad after wrapping up the schedule. Reports suggest he will stay in the city briefly before flying to Antarctica for the film’s next schedule. The globe-trotting adventure film also stars Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran in key roles.

Parthiban apologises after Trisha remark controversy

R. Parthiban expressed regret after his comment about Trisha Krishnan at an award event sparked controversy. The filmmaker issued an apology on social media, saying the situation had “gone wrong” and that there was no option but to regret it. The row began after a remark he made on stage about Trisha went viral online. Earlier, Trisha had shared a strong message stating that a microphone only makes a comment louder, not more intelligent.

Indonesia has reached an agreement with India to acquire the BrahMos missile system, a spokesperson for Indonesia’s defence ministry confirmed on Monday.Defence ministry spokesperson Rico Ricardo Sirait told news agency Reuters that the deal forms part of Jakarta’s ongoing efforts to upgrade its military capabilities.In 2023, BrahMos Aerospace, a company jointly owned by the governments of India and Russia, told Reuters it was in advanced discussions with Jakarta on a potential agreement estimated to be worth between $200 million and $350 million.Rico said the agreement was “part of the modernisation of military hardware and defence capabilities, especially in the maritime sector.”However, he declined to confirm the overall value of the deal.BrahMos Aerospace secured its first international contract in 2022 with the Philippines, a Southeast Asian neighbour of Indonesia.

BrahMos

Neither BrahMos Aerospace nor Ministry of Defence immediately responded to requests for comment.The BrahMos missile is a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia and produced by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia. Named after the Brahmaputra River in India and the Moskva River in Russia, the missile is among the fastest operational cruise missiles in the world, capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 2.8 to 3. It can be launched from multiple platforms including land, warships, submarines and aircraft such as the Sukhoi Su-30MKI operated by the Indian Air Force. Initially developed with a range of around 290 km, newer versions have extended ranges of over 400 km. Known for its high precision and ability to fly at low altitudes to evade radar, the BrahMos missile is a key component of the strike capabilities of the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, and has also been exported to countries such as the Philippines as India expands its defence exports.