Newsletter 27 August

Sino-Indian Standoff: India is clear that it will not agree to any unilateral change of the LAC by China.

Sino-Indian crisis most serious since 1962: EAM

The current crisis in Sino-Indian relations “is surely the most serious situation after 1962”, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has told a news website, while acknowledging that “the quantum of forces currently deployed by both sides at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is also unprecedented”. The EAM also said that the “difficulties” in Sino-Indian ties “may well undermine” the Asian Century.

The EAM’s remarks also seems at odds with recent comments made by Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong who had described the deadly Galwan valley clash as a “brief moment from the perspective of history”. [See Yesterday’s letter.]

EAM added, “I am not minimizing either the seriousness or the complex nature of the current situation. Naturally, we have to do what it takes to secure our borders…. But when it comes to finding a solution, this must be predicated on honoring all agreements and understandings. And not attempting to alter the status quo unilaterally. … That is why we tell the Chinese side clearly that peace and tranquility in the border areas are the basis for the relationship.”

The EAM further remarked, “What I have said is that the ability of India and China to work together could determine the Asian Century. But their difficulties in doing so may well undermine it.”

But he also pointed out that previous military stand-offs between the two sides in the past decade “were resolved through diplomacy”.

India unable to threaten China militarily: said, Chinese’s State media Global Times

Over 70% of participants support Govt in retaliating strongly against Indian provocation.

GT reported, more than 70% of participants believe that India is being too hostile against China and support the Govt in retaliating strongly against Indian provocations.

India to order 2 more Israeli ‘eyes in sky’ for $1 billion

India is now finally going to seal the long-pending around $1 billion deal to acquire two more “Phalcon” airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft from Israel, which has been derailed at least a couple of times in the past due to the high costs involved.
The ongoing military confrontation with China in eastern Ladakh has further reinforced the operational requirement.
Pakistan is ahead of India in this crucial arena, which has 8-10 Chinese Karakoram Eagle ZDK-03 AWACS and Swedish Saab-2000 AEW&C.
China, in turn, has well over 30, including Kong Jing-2000 “Mainring”, KJ-200 “Moth” and KJ-500 aircraft.
India currently has just three Phalcon AWACS, with a 400-km range and 360-degree coverage, and two indigenous “Netra” AEW&C aircraft, with indigenous 240-degree coverage radars with a 250-km range fitted on smaller Brazilian Embraer-145 jets.
A much more ambitious indigenous AWACS-India project worth Rs 5,113 crore was approved by the defense ministry in Mar 2015 for 360-degree coverage with indigenous AESA (active electronically scanned array) radars to be mounted on two Airbus A-330 wide-body jets. But this project will only now head to the CCS for clearance.

#AWACS

AWACS or AEW&C (airborne early-warning and control) aircraft are critical in modern warfare because they can detect and track incoming fighters, cruise missiles and drones much before ground-based radars, direct friendly fighters during air combat with enemy jets, and keep tabs on enemy troop build-ups and movement of warships.
Sources on Wed said the acquisition of the two AWACS, with the Israeli Phalcon early-warning radar system mounted on Russian Ilyushin-76 heavy-lift aircraft, is all set to get the final nod from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) after extensive inter-ministerial consultations.
The two new Phalcon AWACS, which will add to the three such aircraft inducted by the IAF in 2009-2011 under a $1.1 billion contract, will be delivered in 3-4 years. “They will be more advanced than the first three Phalcon AWACS with the latest upgrades,” said a source.
The need for additional AWACS, which are powerful “eyes in the sky”, was acutely felt during the pre-dawn strikes at Balakot and the subsequent aerial skirmish with Pakistani fighters in Feb last year.
The impending contract for the two new AWACS comes after the defense ministry decided earlier this month to also fast-track the Rs 3,500 crore “Project Cheetah” to upgrade its Israeli Heron drones with laser-guided bombs, air-to-ground anti-tank missiles and other precision-guided munitions as well as advanced reconnaissance capabilities, as was reported by TOI.
Israel is one of the top arms suppliers to the Indian armed forces. Indian acquisitions over the years range from Barak surface-to-air missile systems, Spyder quick-reaction anti-aircraft missiles and a wide array of drones and radars to Python and Derby air-to-air missiles, Crystal Maze and Spice-2000 precision-guided munitions.

PDP leaders detained while trying to take out protest march against detention of Kashmiris

Police has now detained PDP leaders Rouf Bhat, Hamid Qousheen, Shanti Singh, Arif Laigroo and Mohd Amin, the party said on its official Twitter handle

Officials said that the protesters raised slogans demanding the release of Kashmiris jailed in and outside the Union Territory and political prisoners, including PDP chief and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti.

Some of the protesters were taken into custody, they added.

The party said the police stopped a peaceful protest against the detention of political prisoners, the “harassment” of youngsters, the “gag” on media and “gross human rights violations”.

10 Lakh Pakistani Rupees Deposited In Terrorist Mohd Umar's Account For Funding Pulwama Terror Attack: NIA

ANI: Mohammad Umar Farooq, for funding the attacks, sources in the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Thur.
Earlier this week, NIA filed a 13,800-page chargesheet against 19 accused persons in the NIA Special Court at Jammu in connection with the terrorist attack on the CRPF convoy that was moving from Jammu towards Srinagar on Feb 14, 2019, at Lethpura, Pulwama.
The main accused Farooq visited Afghanistan for explosive training in 2016-17 and had infiltrated into India through the International Border (IB) at Jammu, Samba sector, and along with 3 Pakistani nationals and 2 local associates had planned and prepared for the attack NIA said. (How? Not mentioned)
It also named 4 accused of providing all logistics and harboring the JeM terrorists in their house, along with reconnaissance of deployment and movement of security forces on the Jammu-Srinagar Highway.
The explosive materials, RDX, gelatin sticks, among others were stocked by accused Shakir Bashir at his residence.
Another accused, Sajjad Ahmad Bhat had purchased the car in Jan 2019 for carrying out the IED attack.
3 others had made a propaganda video clip of the suicide attack at the residence of one Insha Jan, which was released immediately after the ghastly attack took place, towards the end of Jan.
In the first week of Feb, two IEDs (weighing 160 kg and 40 kg,) had been made using various explosive devices, including some which were brought by terrorists who infiltrated into India from across the border, and were then fitted into the car bought for the purpose.
On Feb 14, as the national highway reopened after remaining closed due to heavy snowfall, Shakir Bashir drove terrorist Adil Ahmad Dar till the NH, and then Dar took over and carried out the suicide attack by ramming into the bus in the CRPF convoy.

Those named as accused include Pakistani nationals (7) Masood Azhar Alvi, Rouf Asgar Alvi, Ammar Alvi, Mohd Ismail, Muhammad Umar Farooq, Mohd Kamran Ali, and Qari Yasir.
Notably, the charge sheet named 6 accused who have already been killed.
Others named in the FIR include Shakir Bashir, Insha Jan, Peer Tariq Ahmed Shah, Mohd Abbas Rather, Bilal Ahmed Kuchhey, Mudasir Ahmad Khan, Sameer Ahmad Dar, Ashaq Ahmed Nengroo, and Adil Ahmed Dar, all residents of Pulwama district.
Srinagar resident Waiz-ul-Islam, Budgam resident Mohd Iqbal Rather and Sajjad Ahmed Bhat from Anantnag district were also named in the chargesheet.
In July, the NIA had informed that it has arrested the seventh accused named, Bilal Ahmed Kuchey, whom the agency has termed as “a terror associate” on July 5.
According to the NIA, Kuchey a resident of Hajibal, Kakapora, JnK, runs sawmill at his place and harbored and extended logistic support to the JeM terrorists involved in the Pulwama attack.
The main culprits in the case stayed in his house and Kuchey further introduced them to other over ground workers (OGWs) who provided safe houses during their stay and planning of the attack.

RBI has not exhausted ammunition to fight situation due to pandemic: Shaktikanta Das

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has not exhausted its instruments or ammunition, including those related to rate cuts, to deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, governor Shaktikanta Das said on Thur.
He also said that the RBI wanted to keep its gun powder dry and hence opted for a status quo at the last policy review earlier this month.
Das responded to a specific question on whether the RBI- which cut policy rates in two moves since the onset of the pandemic – front-loaded its calls and what is it left with to tackle further impact.
It can be noted that the central bank has reduced rates by 1.15% in two rate cut moves till the surge in inflation to beyond its comfort level prevented it from acting at the last policy.
However, the policy continues to be in the accommodation stance, which means the central bank can act as and when it sees space.

Act of God’ may result in contraction of economy this fiscal: Fin Min N Sitharaman, referring to coronavirus pandemic. Sitharaman was chairing the 41^st GST Council meeting via video conferencing in Delhi today. MoS Finance Anurag Thakur, FMs of States & UTs and senior officers from Union & State’s Govt are also present in the meeting: Mini of Fin.

Annual GST compensation requirement is estimated to be around Rs 3 lakh crores, and cess collection is expected to be around Rs 65,000 crores, leaving us with an annual compensation gap of Rs 2.35 lakh crores: Revenue Secy, Fin Mini.

Students want that exams are held at any cost: Education Min Ramesh Pokhriyal

NTA DG told me that 7.5 lakhs out of 8.58 lakhs candidates in JEE have downloaded admit cards. For NEET, over 10 lakhs out of 15.97 lakhs candidates downloaded admit cards in 24 hrs. It shows that students want that exams are held at any cost: Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal

“Further Delay Will mean compromising the future of students”: Over 150 Academicians to PM On JEE, NEET Exams

Over 14 lakh admit cards for the medical and engineering entrance exams –NEET and JEE– were downloaded after the National Testing Agency (NTA) released them on Wed.

Academicians from various universities in India and abroad have written to PM Narendra Modi that delaying the medical and engineering entrance exams -JEE-Mains and NEET- any further will mean compromising the future of students.

Referring to the growing chorus against the conduct of these exams in Sept in view of the rising COVID-19 cases, the academicians said in their letter, “Some are trying to play with future of students to propel their own political agenda”.

“Youths and students are the future of the nation but in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, clouds of uncertainty have gathered over their careers too.”

Apex court has already rejected the Petition filled to postpone the test due to COVID. However, most of opposition leaders including ruling party BJP leader, Dr S. Swamy also written to postpone it.

Antique idols worth more than Rs 35 crore seized by Indian customs officials in Kolkata

The agency seized as many as 25 antique idols valued at Rs 35.3 crore.
On Aug 23 night, officials of the Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), West Bengal intercepted a truck at South Dinajpur district enroute Bangladesh through Kaliyaganj border.
Officials found antique idols (25) carefully concealed in paddy and hidden inside the truck.
The seized antiques range from 9^th to 16^th Century AD.
The same office had earlier too, seized 7 antique idols having a value of Rs 11 crore in Jan this year.

Uttar Pradesh CM, Yogi Adityanath Orders Rape Accused To Be Charged Under Stringent ‘National Security Act’

The body of a 17 girl was found near a dry pond around 200 m from her village under the Neemgaon police limits on Tue.
NSA (passed in 1990) whose purpose is “to provide for preventive detention in certain cases and for matters connected therewith.

‘Unfair, one sided and manufactured investigation’, say over 700 activists in letter to CM over Delhi riots

About 700 activists have written a letter to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal raising concern over investigation in the violence during riots in North East Delhi by the police and special crime branch.

# The investigation appears to be an “unfair, one sided and manufactured” investigation, the letter reads. (Yet to complete).

“We request you to order an independent investigation under a retired judge of suitable stature with a time bound mandate.”

“We are committed to ensure punishment to those guilty of the violence and we believe an independent inquiry will help such a process,” the activists have said in the letter.

Faces of 749 activists” Wajahat Habeebullah, Brinda Karat, (CPI) Harsh Mandar, Irfan Habib, Ashok Dhawale, Admiral Ramdas, (AAP) Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat, P. Sainath, Anand Patwardhan, Prakash Raj, Shabnam Hashmi, Arun Khote, Claude Alvares, Dr. Bhalchandra Mungekar, Kumar Ketkar, Manoj Mitta, Saibal Chatterjee, Sanjoy Hazarika, Shantha Sinha, Vimal Thorat, Irfan Engineer, Subhashini Ali. On behalf of 749 activists SC declines permission for carrying out Muharram procession across country, asks petitioner to move Allahabad HC

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No change in Pakistan’s policy on Kashmir issue: Pak FO

Pakistan has categorically stated that there is no change in its policy on Kashmir dispute.
At his weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thur, Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said solution of the lingering dispute lies in granting right of self-determination to the Kashmiri people through a fair and impartial plebiscite under the umbrella of UN.
The spokesperson called upon India to reverse its unilateral and illegal actions of 5^th Aug last year, lift restrictions, release all the prisoners and revoke the draconian laws in the occupied territory. He said the domiciles issued post abrogation in the occupied valley should also be declared null and void.
He said New Delhi should allow unfettered access to UN Military Observer Group and human rights observers and organizations to the Indian illegally occupied JnK.
Chaudhry said there cannot be “durable peace” and security in South Asia without resolution of Kashmir dispute.
He ‘warned’ the world community to be cognizant of the dangerous consequences of India’s belligerent rhetoric and irresponsible actions for peace and security in the region.
He said the world community must use all tools at its disposal to hold India accountable for its crimes against Kashmiris.