Newsletter 19 August

Sino-Indian Standoff: Force Deployment Increasing from All 3 sides along LoC and LAC

India, China likely to hold another WMCC meeting tomorrow, discuss disengagement along LAC in Ladakh

A meeting of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) is expected to take place on Thurs as part of the dialogue between the two countries for disengagement along LAC in Eastern Ladakh and de-escalation of troops.

The 17^th meeting of WMCC was held last month in which the two countries agreed that early and complete disengagement of the troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and de-escalation from India-China border areas in accordance with bilateral agreement and protocols and full restoration of peace and tranquility was essential for smooth overall development of bilateral relations.

The WMCC talks are headed by joint secretary-level officials from both sides.

China has not disengaged in Finger area, Depsang plains and Gogra after multiple rounds of military and diplomatic talks

Both sides are trying to resolve the standoff through diplomatic and military means, however, the process has been excruciatingly slow and is leading nowhere.

China Has Deployed Stealth J-20 Jets Against Indian Rafales Near Ladakh Border

Two Chinese J-20 stealth fighter (China claims 5^thGen fighter) jets were spotted at Hotan airbase (200 miles from Laddakh) in the Uighur autonomous region of Xinjiang. With the ongoing disengagement talks between India and China, the provocative move is seen as a show of military strength by China.

With additional troops moved to key areas of Eastern Ladakh, the Indian Army has decided to maintain its current strength of troops, tanks, and other weaponry, while the Indian Air Force (IAF) is on high alert at forward airbases along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

IAF has deployed its Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, and MiG-29K fighters in the border region and could also eventually deploy newly arrived Rafale jets in the future.

China had also deployed it’s at least 6 H-6 bombers with KD-63 cruise missiles at Kashgar airport, also in Xinjiang, (500 miles from Ladakh).

Why Has India Opted For Indigenous LCH Helicopters Over AH-64E Apache To Fight China?

Developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), IAF has ordered 30 more LCH. “It is the lightest attack helicopter in the world, designed and developed by HAL to meet the specific and unique requirements of the Indian Armed Forces, reflecting the crucial role of HAL in Atmanirbhar Bharat.

EurAsian Times reported, the Chief Designer of J-20 jets, Yang Wei, had explained the vast, unmatched capabilities of J-20 aircraft.

The J-20 has been described as a revolutionary, cognition-subverting next-generation fighter jet, characterized by long-range, high capabilities in penetration, awareness, firepower, and fast decision-making.

As Dhaka holds talks with Beijing, Foreign Secy meets Hasina Media described the meeting as “excellent”

On A two-day visit to Bangladesh at a time that Dhaka is in talks with Beijing for an almost USD 1 billion loan regarding the Teesta river, Foreign Secy HV Shringla on Tue met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and discussed “security-related issues of mutual interest”.
A Joint Consultative Commission might meet soon to oversee the relationship, especially projects.
Both sides emphasized the importance of enhancing connectivity, taking steps for revival of the economy post-Covid, cooperating on measures to fight the pandemic including therapeutics and vaccine, as well as discussed joint commemoration of Mujib Barsho (to mark the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman).
Dhaka raised the Rohingya issue and the possibility of their safe repatriation to Myanmar.
India and Bangladesh have not been able to sign the Teesta water-sharing agreement for the past 9 years, with West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee refusing to sign off on it.
Last week, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Water Resources said it was trying to secure a loan from China to manage the river.
The project summary seeking a $983.27 million loan for a “Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project”, points out that floods in the river cause serious erosion of land and destruction of property every year, while in the dry winter months, the country battles a water crisis, as per a report in Bangladesh’s leading daily Daily Star.
Teesta is one of the 54 rivers shared by India and Bangladesh. It originates in India, with around 113 km of its 315-km length in Bangladesh.
Ties with Bangladesh have been strained since the Modi government passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and announced plans for a nationwide National Register of Citizens.
Bangladesh had cancelled ministerial visits after the law was passed in Dec last year. In early Mar, Shringla had visited Dhaka to assuage Bangladesh’s concerns.

Bangladesh FM, Dr. AK Abdul Momen dismisses reports of a rift with India

He was reacting to Indian High Ambassador Riva Ganguly Das being unable to meet Bangladeshi premier Sheikh Hasina.
According to him due to pandemic, Hasina had not met, many foreign ambassadors who had gone back to their respective countries.
Rejecting any impact of Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s phone call to Hasina, Dr. Momen said that this was not going to affect the bilateral relationship with India.
Additionally, he also refuted the charge that his country’s position vis-à-vis India had changed because of the relationship with China.
He reiterated that Bangladesh never meddles into any other country’s internal affairs.

Supreme Court handed Over Case to CBI: 5 Big Remarks [For detail see Sat Newsletter] Maharashtra Police will continue its probe the parallel

Sushant Singh Rajput Case: The SC said Bihar’s FIR was correct and so was its move to hand over the case to the CBI. It also asked Maharashtra to cooperate with the probe.
Sushant was a talented actor and died before his full potential could be realized.
Sushant’s family and admirers are waiting for the outcome of the probe. To stop floating speculation, an impartial probe is the need of the hour.
The outcome of the probe would be a measure of justice for Sushant’s father, who lost his only son.
When both states (Bihar, Maharashtra) make acrimonious allegations of political interference against each other, the legitimacy of the probe comes under a cloud. An unbiased probe will result in justice for the innocents who are targets of vilification campaign.
When truth meets sunshine, justice will not prevail on the living alone but after Life’s fitful fever, now the departed will also sleep well. Satyameva Jayate.
The SC has said in a statement that it is completing 100 days of virtual court hearings. It has disposed of 4,300 cases approximately from Mar 23^rd Aug 20^th. 1,021 Benches were constituted. Over 50,000 advocates appeared before the virtual courts.

NIA arrests Bengaluru ophthalmologist on charges of developing apps to benefit Islamic State cadres

Abdur Rahman, (ophthalmologist 28), working at MS Ramaiah Medical College, is accused developing a medical application to help injured Islamic State cadres in conflict zones. After Rahman’s arrest, the NIA carried out searches at 3 of his premises and seized digital devices, containing incriminating material: NIA claimed.
He arrested under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
He was taken into custody on Mon in connection with the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) case being probed by the agency.
The NIA has found that Rahman allegedly toured Syria, and visited an Islamic State medical camp in early 2014.
Reports added that he stayed with Islamic State operatives for 10 days before returning to India.
The ISKP case was initially registered by the Delhi Police Special Cell in Mar, 2020, after the arrest of a Kashmiri couple- Jahanzaib Sami Wani and his wife Hina Bashir Beigh- from the Okhla Vihar, Jamia Nagar, Delhi.

Cabinet approves new NRA; to allow common test for all Govt jobs

National Recruitment Agency: About 2.5 to 3 crore people appear for over 1.25 lakh central government vacancies in Group B and C every year; now these multiple exams will be reduced to one.
The Union Cabinet on Wed approved the formation of a National Recruitment Agency, under which a common exam will be held for all government jobs in the country. “This decision will benefit job seeking youth of the country,” Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said.
Cabinet Secy C Chandramouli, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievance and Pensions, said the Govt recruitment exams have different schedules, application processes, fees and many malpractices take place due to infrastructural challenges.
“To eliminate these challenges, a historic the decision of setting up a NRA has been taken by the Cabinet.
The NRA will be an autonomous society registered under the Societies Act, with representatives from all 3 agencies. The NRA will conduct a Tier-1 exam, which will be conducted online and candidates’ scores will be available immediately, he said.

Role of National Recruitment Agency

The NRA to initially conduct CET twice a year. It will be a multiple-choice objective (MCQ) type question paper.
CET scores can be shared with central and state governments, PSUs, private the sector, thus reducing recruitment costs of these organizations.
The NRA will ensure transparency and ease in recruitment process, both for the candidate and the recruiting organization.
Scores of CET will be valid for 3 years; candidates can improve the score by appearing again and the best score will be considered.

Two major Assam students’ groups join hands to take anti-CAA movement forward

All Assam Students’ Union and Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad get together for insulating the indigenous people from existential threats.

Class X girl kills herself over ‘pollution and corruption’ in UP’s Sambhal district

Upset with rising pollution, corruption and some other social evils plaguing the society, a 16-year-old girl of a farmer, allegedly shot herself dead on the eve of Independence Day in UP’s Sambhal district.
Policemen tasked with the probe on Tue recovered an 18-page note penned by the Class X student before her death and addressed to PM Narendra Modi.
In the extensive letter, the minor girl has raised concern over rising pollution level, cutting down of trees and corruption in medical field as some of the triggers for her suicide.
She always wanted to meet the PM in person and discuss these issues with him.
She urged the PM to curb the growing population, implement the ban on firecrackers during Diwali and chemical-based colors on Holi.

Ministry of Home Affairs has reviewed the deployment of paramilitary in JnK and has decided to withdraw 100 companies of various para-military forces from the UT.

Neighborhood

“Compared to India, Pakistan has a higher international standing,” said Pakistan PM, Imran Khan.

He said “The rumors that our relations with Saudi Arabia have soured are totally false” backing away from criticism by his foreign minister this month who suggested Saudi Arabia was indifferent on Kashmir.
Imran Khan completed 2 years in office as the PM of Pakistan and he marked this day with an interview.

Pakistan’s Army Chief Bajwa failed to secure meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Bajwa along with Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief visited Saudi Arabia on Mon amid strain in ties between the two countries over Kashmir.
Saudi Arabia has forced Pakistan to pay back USD 1 billion and is demanding another USD 1 billion of the loan.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had criticized the Saudi government and threatened to call an OIC meeting by sidestepping the Gulf country

Pakistan’s FM slaps Imran Khan’s principal secretary: Pak Media Reported

Qureshi allegedly slapped principal secretary to PM Imran Khan, Azam Khan, when he didn’t allow to meet PM, citing the reason “he had no information from the PM to let him in”.

But interestingly, why he stopped to meet? Qureshi also allegedly raised strong complaints with Imran Khan for being denied entry.

3 killed, 16 wounded in Kabul rocket attack

A rocket attack that struck Kabul this week as the city marked Afghanistan’s Independence Day killed at least three people, including two members of President Ashraf Ghani’s honor guard, officials said Wed.
14 rockets were fired into central Kabul on Tue as the country marked the 101^st anniversary of its independence, with one of the missiles slamming into the compound of the famous Arg presidential palace.
Interior Ministry spokesman Tareq Arian said 3 people, including 2 Govt employees, had been killed in strike.
The Arg Palace is located in a highly fortified area of the capital that also houses several embassies.
Ghani’s swearing-in ceremony on Mar 9^th was also interrupted by rocket fire near the palace. No serious injuries were reported at the time.

Nation Amid COVID-19

Confirmed cases: [+64531] 27,67,273
Active: [+3348] 6,76,514
Recovered: [+60091] 20,37,870
Deaths: [+1092] 52,889