News India Times

www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know News India Times (May 23, 2026 - May 29, 2026) May 29, 2026 6 US-India US Affairs T he US State Department has approved the pos- sible sale of support services and related equip- ment for Apache attack helicopters and M777 ultra-light Howitzers to India in deals worth more than USD 428 million. The proposed sale for Apache helicopters is es- timated at USD 198.2 million and includes AH-64E Apache sustainment support services, and long-term sustainment support for M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers is worth around USD 230 million The principal contractors for the Apache support package will be Boeing and Lockheed Martin, the State Department said. BAE Systems serves as the principal contractor for the Howitzers’ support. The State Department said that India has requested to buy AH-64E Apache sustainment support services; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, techni- cal, and logistics support services; technical data and publications; personnel training; and other related ele- ments of logistics and program support. For the Howitzers, the US said that non-major defence equipment items will be included: ancillary items; spares; repair and return; training; technical assistance; field service representative; depot capability; and other related elements of logistics and program support. “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by help- ing to strengthen the U.S.-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defence partner, which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacif- ic and South Asia regions,” US State Department said. The State Department said that the sale will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats, strengthen its homeland defence, and deter regional threats. Highlighting India’s military capabilities, they said, “India will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.” Earlier on April 9, the Indian Army on Thursday demonstrated the combat strength of its latest attack helicopter, the Boeing AH-64 Apache, during a live firing exercise ‘Brahmastra’ at the Pokhran Firing Range.The demonstration by the army underlined its growing focus on high-precision, network-centric warfare. The Apaches carried out precision strikes using AGM- 114 Hellfire missiles, rockets and onboard gun systems, hitting designated targets with accuracy in a simulated battlefield environment.The exercise aimed to test both operational readiness and coordination between pilots and ground crews. The Boeing AH-64 Apache is among the most ad- vanced multi-role combat helicopters in the world.It is equipped with a 30 mm chain gun, can carry Hell- fire anti-tank missiles and Hydra rockets, and features advanced targeting systems such as the Longbow radar and night-vision sensors. The Indian Army’s latest attack choppers also have the ability to operate in all-weather conditions, including at night. - ANI US Approves Apache Helicopter, M777 Support Deal For India PHOTO:COURTESY ANI I ndian American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) introduced the All Students Count Act, legislation May 21, 2026, that would require more comprehensive and equitable disaggregation of Asian American, Native Hawai- ian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) student data in K-12 schools. Disaggregating student data would help ensure AANHPI student groups are better accounted for and supported by schools across the country, they noted in a press release. “As someone who came to this country alone at 16 with nothing in my pockets, I deeply under- stand the unique challenges in the US education system that immigrant communities face. Our students deserve visibility at all levels. By ensuring that student data collections capture the diverse experiences of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander children, we can work to close the education gap in our communities,” Represen- tative Jayapal is quoted saying in the press release. “In Hawaii, we celebrate our diverse communities and recognize the differences in their backgrounds, experi- ences, and challenges faced. By disaggregating AANHPI student data, this legislation helps schools better un- derstand and address students’ individual needs,” said Senator Hirono. “As this regime continues its attacks on diversity, I will continue fighting to ensure all students feel recognized and supported in the classroom.” School districts, state education agencies, and the federal government have made significant progress in disaggregating and improving data on K-12 student achievement for major racial and ethnic groups, includ- ing “Asian” and “Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.” However, these two categories condense dozens of distinct ethnic groups, each with unique histories and varying access to social and economic opportunities, making it difficult to identify or address disparities be- tween students from those unique ethnic subgroups, the lawmakers contend. Jayapal and Hirono’s efforts were applauded by leaders of groups like the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center, and the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), The All Students Count Act of 2026 aims to sup- port equitable access to education by ensuring that student data collections capture the diverse expe- riences of AANHPI children. Specifically, the bill would: Require the U.S. Department of Education, state education agencies, and school districts to collect and report disaggregated data for a minimum of 15 Asian American and 6 Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander subgroups; and Add an effective date of 18 months after the leg- islation has been enacted to give states and school districts time to make changes to their data collec- tion and methodology. In addition to Representative Jayapal, legislation in the House of Representatives was cosponsored by Ed Case (D-HI), Sharice Davids (D-KS) Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Grace Meng (D-NY), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL). In addition to Senator Hirono, this legislation was also cosponsored by Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Cory Booker (D-NJ), ElizabethWarren (D-MA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merk- ley (D-OR), and Dick Durbin (D-IL). The All Students Count Act is endorsed by numerous organizations including the AAPI Equity Alliance, Ameri- can Association of UniversityWomen (AAUW), APAPA (Asian Pacific American Public Affairs), APIA Scholars, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-AAJC, Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education (APAHE), Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia, Chinese for Affirma- tive Action, Clearinghouse onWomen’s Issues, Feminist Majority, Japanese American Citizens League, etc. Lawmakers Jayapal, Hirono Introduce Legislation To Ensure AANHPI Students Are Accounted For In Schools More than 300 children from dance schools around the tri-state area participated in the 38th Dance Pe Chance competition organized by the Federation of Indian Associations, held at Patriot War Memorial Theater in Trenton, N.J. May 7, 2022. PHOTO:PARESH GANDHI,FIA By a StaffWriter