Newsletter 4 September

Sino-Indian Standoff: Condition seems to volatile but will take time to evaporate No major Development today Yet matter on highest priority

India, China engaging at diplomatic, military levels: Army chief Naravane

Indian Army chief Gen MM Naravane said on Fri that New Delhi is engaging with Beijing at the diplomatic and military level to resolve the border crisis in Ladakh.

Naravane is currently in Ladakh on a two-day visit to review Indian forces operational preparedness.

China thus far has never waged war when the foe was ready and prepared. It has launched a lightening war when the foe least expected an attack and when the international timing was propitious.

“We are very sure that through this medium of talks, whatever differences we have, will be resolved and we will ensure that status quo is not changed and we are able to safeguard our interests,” said Naravane, as quoted by news agency ANI.

“Keeping in view of the situation, we had undertaken some precautionary deployment for our own safety and security. These deployments we undertook along the LAC (Line of Actual Control) so that our security and integrity remains safeguarded,” he said.

India-China Brigade Commanders meeting in Chushul of Eastern Ladakh has ended yesterday at 3pm after four hours, inconclusive. This was the fourth meeting ever since the recent developments in Pangong Tso. Likely to meet again as per discussion on hotline.

Exiled Tibetans in India’s ‘special force’ are only ‘cannon fodder’ Global Times

The latest border confrontation between China and India has brought under spotlight an Indian force unit, composed of the exiled Tibetans who some Indian media believe formed an “elite unit” and played an “important role” in the latest standoff triggered by India’s provocative actions.

However, according to Chinese analysts, this so-called Special Frontier Force (SFF), numbered at most 1,000, was far from being “elite” and was only used by Indian army as cannon fodder in the border clash.

If so, nothing could be more shameful for Beijing, that same exile Tibetans become a threat to PLA.

Yesterday GT, warned, citing experts, “India’s latest military provocations on the China-India border are very different to that of the Doklam stand-off in 2017, as it dispatched more troops and displayed an extremely aggressive posture with Chinese”. It further added that India will pay for its any misadventure, despite of Chines Tension on Taiwan Side and SCS.

India, Russia Discuss Issues Of Interaction For SCO, RIC, BRICS Meet: India, Russia finalized AK-47 203 rifles deal

India and Russia have finalized the deal for manufacturing AK-47 203 rifles in India during defense minister RN Singh’s ongoing visit in Moscow, on Thu.
The AK-47 203 is the latest and most advanced version of the AK-47 rifle, which will replace the Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) 5.56×45 mm assault rifle.
The Indian Army has a requirement for around 770,000 AK-47 203 rifles, of which 100,000 will be imported and the rest will be manufactured in India, Russia’s state-run Sputnik news agency said.
India and Russia on Tue discussed the issues that will be taken up between both countries at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), RIC (Russia-India-China) and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) platforms.

Singh informed that India-Russia Naval exercise to be conducted in next 2 days off Malacca strait.

Singh talked about threat of terrorism and extremism and pitched for having institutional capacity to deal with the challenges.

Peace and security in the SCO region demands a climate of trust, non-aggression, respect for international rules and peaceful resolution of differences, Singh said on Fri, seen as an indirect message to China which is engaged in a festering border row with India in eastern Ladakh.

In his address at a ministerial meeting of the SCO, here in the Russian capital, Mr. Singh also referred to the Second World War and said its memories teach the globe the “follies of aggression” of one state upon another that brings “destruction” to all.

He said India “unequivocally” condemns terrorism in all forms and manifestations, and condemns its “proponents”, adding New Delhi values the works of SCO Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS).

“We laud recent work of RATS in the cyber domain to prevent the spread of radicalism and extremism. The adoption of anti-terror measures by the SCO Council to counter extremist propaganda and de-radicalization is a significant decision, he added.

Singh on Fri attended the joint meeting of the Defense Ministers of CIS, the SCO and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Moscow. “Attending the joint meeting of the Defense Ministers of SCO, CIS and CSTO members in Moscow,” Singh said in a tweet.
Russia has reiterated its policy of no arms supply to Pakistan following India’s request on the same, according to sources.
Dy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Igor Morgulov had a telephonic conversation with First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of India Harsh V Shringla.
According to a press statement, the parties discussed current topics of bilateral cooperation, the schedule of Russian-Indian meetings at various levels, as well as global and regional issues, including issues of interaction between Moscow and New Delhi at the SCO, RIC and BRICS platforms.
Russia has proposed SCO Foreign Ministers meet in Moscow on Sept 10, the meet will also see the participation of Pakistan and China. However, no confirmation, yet that Indian Ministers will meet Chinese Counter Parts.
According to diplomatic sources, “On the same day, Russia has also offered to host BRICS FM’s meet.”
sources told ANI that this meet was scheduled during pre-COVID times and India can only confirm its participation after evaluating the current situation, as of now there is no official confirmation that India will take part in the scheduled meetings in Moscow.
Meanwhile, Chines State media said “the Defense Ministers of China and India are highly anticipated to meet on the sideline of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting in Moscow, Russia on Fri, which seems more likely.
Interestingly, citing ‘Indian media’, Global Times said “Indian media reported that Chinese Def Min Wei Fenghe “has sought” a meeting with his Indian counterpart in Moscow and the embassies of the two sides are working on this”.
Even if it happened, won’t be expected to end with a conclusive results.

Japan to offer incentives to companies shifting base from China to India: Report

The government has allocated 23.5 billion yen in 2020 supplemental budget for the subsidy to encourage companies to disperse their manufacturing sites across ASEAN region.

Japanese manufacturers will now be eligible for subsidies if they shift production out of China to India or Bangladesh, in an expansion of a Govt program aimed at diversifying the country’s supply chains.

By expanding the scope of the subsidy program, Japan aims to reduce its dependence on a particular region and to build a system which is able to provide a stable supply of medical materials and electronic components even in an emergency, reports Nikkei Asian Review.

Boat-sized vessel kicks off maiden journey from Bangladesh to Tripura

A boat-sized vessel, which is smaller than a barge, kicked off its maiden and experimental journey from Bangladesh’s Doudkandi to Sonamura in Tripura on Thu afternoon, the project has been delayed many times crossing deadlines.
The vessel is carrying 200 bags of cement from Bangladesh to Sonamura.
This is for the first time in history that any kind of goods will be reaching Tripura by a small vessel.
Gomoti river, which is the main river in Tripura and flows to Bangladesh from Tripura, has been chosen for the transportation of goods as the river has sufficient waters for movement of boats and small ships.
The Sonamura-Daudkandi route was included in the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route that was signed by both High Commissioner of India in Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das and shipping secretary of Bangladesh Mohammad Mezbah Uddin Chowdhury at Dhaka in May.

Bangladesh a priority for Indian COVID-19 vaccine: India

India has again reiterated that when it comes to COVID-19 vaccine, Bangladesh will get a priority. MEA in its weekly presser said, “As a close neighbor and strategic partner, we have assured the Bangladesh side that Bangladesh will get high priority in supply of vaccine, once ready. We are glad to note that enterprises on both sides are also taking steps towards this end.”
Issue of COVID-19 vaccine was discussed during Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla to Dhaka besides other issues.
Days after that visit, Bangladesh’s largest pharma company Beximco Pharmaceuticals announced that it is investing in the Serum Institute of India for the vaccine.

However, the present intention of New Delhi is somehow engage B’desh as its becoming mediatory to keep Dhaka in own court, otherwise Beijing may get advantages of any misunderstanding between India-B’Desh, during standoff.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thu delivers special key note address at US-India 2020 Summit of US-ISPF

The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) is a non-profit organization that works for the partnership between India and the U.S. The Theme of the 5 day Summit that began on the 31^st of August is “US-India Navigating New Challenges”.

Key take Away

Addressing the Summit, Modi said the global pandemic has impacted everyone and that it is testing our resilience, our public health systems, and our economic systems. The current situation demands a fresh mind set. A mind set where the approach to development is human centric. Where there is a spirit of cooperation between everyone, he said.

Referring to various steps taken to ramp up facilities for fighting COVID and to increase awareness amongst the citizens, the PM said all such early measures ensured that the country with 1.3 billion people and limited resources has one of the lowest death rates per million in the World.
The PM said that the pandemic failed to impact the aspirations and ambitions of 1.3 billion Indians.
He said there have been far reaching reforms in the country in recent times which have made the business easier and red-tapism lesser.
Modi said that work is actively underway on the world’s largest housing program and that the renewable energy infrastructure is being expanded.
PM also referred to the boosting of the Rail, road and air connectivity.
He said India is creating a unique digital model to build a national digital health mission.
We are using the best of fin-tech to provide banking, credit, digital payments and insurance to millions.
PM said “the pandemic has shown the world that decision on developing global supply chains should be based not only on costs but also be based on “trust”.
Along with affordability of geography, companies are now also looking for reliability and policy stability. India is the location which has all of these qualities.
He said be it America, the Europe, Australia or the Gulf the world believes in us. We have received over 20 billion dollars of foreign investment flows during this year.
Prime Minister referred to the transparent and predictable India offers and how the system encourages and supports honest tax payers.
He said, India’s GST is unified, fully enabled indirect tax system.
He also dwelt on the Comprehensive Labor Reforms that reduce compliance burden for employers and how it provides social security protection to the workers.
He described India as a young country with 65% population less than 35 years old which is aspirational and decided to take the nation to new heights.

Give India another chance to appoint lawyer for Kulbhushan Jadhav: Pak court

Pakistan has introduced a special law to allow Kulbhushan Jadhav to get his sentence reviewed as asked by the ICJ.
The Islamabad high court (IHC) in Pakistan on Thu directed the federal government to give India another chance to appoint a lawyer to represent death-row prisoner Jadhav as it adjourned hearing for a month.
The IHC took up the case of appointment of lawyer for Jadhav to hear the review of the death sentence given to him by a Pakistani military court on charges of “espionage and terrorism” in April 2017.

Jammu and Kashmir: BSF head constable found mysteriously dead near LoC in J&K's Rajouri

The constable, identified as Virpal Singh was found dead under mysterious conditions near a forward post along the Line of Control in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district of on Thu.

Stop Using Pellet-Firing Shotguns in Kashmir- Ganguly

The Indian authorities should prohibit security forces in Jammu and Kashmir from using shotguns firing metal pellets to disperse crowds, Human Rights Watch said today. Indian police and paramilitary forces fired shotguns as well as tear gas at a Shia Muslim procession in Srinagar on August 29, 2020, injuring dozens of people.
The forces opened fire after marchers in Muharram defied orders to disperse under a Covid-19 ban. This sparked violent protests in which some protesters threw stones, injuring 15 security personnel, according to the police.
“Time and again, Indian law enforcement’s use of shotguns in Kashmir has resulted in shocking, grievous injuries of protesters and bystanders,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
“Indian authorities need to recognize that this weapon fired into crowds, even with violent demonstrators, will invariably cause indiscriminate and excessive injury in violation of international standards.”
What, Ganguly didn’t mention is a loss of life of one security personal and Shiya Muslim by the same procession.

J&K Govt employees to get salaries at par with Centre

Panel constituted to review IAS cadre issues. Lt Governor G C Murmu Thu extended various benefits of Central pay grade in favor of the 4.5 lakh government employees in UT of JnK.

The General Administration Department on Thursday issued an order giving benefit of Children Education Allowance (CEA) and hostel subsidy for children of the employees.

SC rejects Bail plea of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots case, observed "This isn't a small case"

A bench of Chief Justice SA Bobde, Justices AS Bopanna & V. Ramasubramanium stated that his appeal against conviction will be heard once top court starts physical hearings.

Bench also refused his hospitalization, stating that medical reports suggest that he doesn’t require any.

Senior Advocate Vikas Singh appeared for Kumar and asked the bench to consider the bail plea on merits as the High Court’s judgment was faulty.

“The witnesses deposition was completely reversed in the High Court and Trial Court,” said Singh.

Senior Congress leader Kumar and Balwan Khokhar are serving life imprisonment in Tihar jail in the case after the Delhi High Court convicted them on Dec 17, 2018.

ED told the Delhi High Court that it will challenge its order dismissing the ED plea to revoke approver status of Rajiv Saxena in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam.

The High Court allowed the ED’s plea to adjourn the matter, relating to the agency’s plea seeking cancellation of Rajiv’s bail, and listed it for hearing on Oct 15.

Kafeel shifts to Rajasthan, says Priyanka assured him of a ‘safe stay’ there

Yesterday’s newsletter reported that Kafeel, while crossing UP border, said he won’t be safe if Judiciary didn’t granted him bail. While INC Govt in Rajasthan, he may feel safer, especially after assurance of Priyanka Gandhi Wadra, Party Gen Secy of UP west.

NEIGHBORHOOD

Chinese vessels allowed to fish in Pakistan's exclusive economic zone

But it’s news because of some surprising developments in Karachi. Pakistani citizens are out by the hundreds protesting against China.
These are mostly Pakistani fishermen. They are protesting against the arrival of 20 deep-sea trawlers from China. These trawlers arrived in the first week of August.
And they have been permitted to fish off the coasts of Sindh and Balochistan.
Pakistani fishermen do not want the Chinese to fish in their waters. They say – today these vessels might deprive them of a good catch. But tomorrow – they may end up destroying the entire ecological environment of these waters.
According to the Pakistan fisher folk forum, fish stocks in coastal areas have already declined by more than 72% since last year. This is largely due to uncontrolled fishing.
According to some estimates, fishing— is a source of livelihood for more than 2.5 million people in Pakistan’s coastal towns. These fishermen use small boats that can’t venture into deep waters.
Chinese trawlers can and they are equipped with large fishing nets. They can capture fish in big numbers and given that the vessels are Chinese.
One can only imagine the predatory practices they will indulge in –at the expense of Pakistanis.
They account for 1/3 of the world’s consumption. Nothing to be proud of here. China’s stocks around its coasts have depleted because of this.

Pak PM, Imran Khan rejected the Resignation of Bajwa

News of resignation of Lt Gen (Retd) Asim Saleem Bajwa’s from the post of Project head of CPEC, has come late night yesterday, after controversy surrounded him for corruption.
An official of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), Sajid Gondal, has gone missing from Islamabad.
His disappearance is being linked to the controversy surrounding Lt Gen Bajwa’s properties.

Thailand scraps KRA canal project of China

It also delayed the purchase of two Yuan-class S26T submarines worth $724 million highlighting China’s losing grip on its key allies in Indo-Pacific Region.

In a big blow to China, Thailand on Thursday announced it will scrap a Chinese led-KRA canal project under which Beijing wanted to build a bypass to the Strait of Malacca.