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Indian Women's Defense Sector Role Highlighted at World Defence Show

India has opened the doors for the induction of women in its armed forces in a big way, with female officers and soldiers being deployed in combat roles in the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Sputnik
India's "Nari Shakti (women's power)" in the defense sector hogged the limelight at the World Defense Show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Remarkably, for the first time in the history of the Indian Armed Forces, a tri-service delegation of women officers from India participated in a military expo.
"Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth, Colonel Ponung Doming and Lieutenant Commander Annu Prakash represented the Armed Forces in the various seminars of the WDS 2024 especially in the International Women in Defence themed events," the Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) said in a statement.
Kanth, who is a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force (IAF), shared her views on women's active engagement in militaries as part of a panel discussion called "International Women in Defence - Investing in an Inclusive Future" during the event.

It is worth noting that Kanth became the first IAF pilot to feature in India's iconic Republic Day Parade in 2021.

On the other hand, the Indian Army's Doming has many firsts to her credit, including being the commanding officer of a Border Task Force at over 15,000 feet, a feat never achieved by a woman in the military before.

While Indian Navy's Lieutenant Commander Prakash "brought her expertise in maritime security and operations to the forefront."
"Her participation underscored the crucial role women play in safeguarding India's vast coastline and ensuring regional stability. Her presence at the event helped in fostering stronger ties and collaboration between India and other nations in the maritime domain," the MoD concluded.
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