Newsletter 28 October

Indo-China Standoff

Under One Umbrella: India-US partnership stands on firm foundation of shared principles, common strategic interests: PM Modi

After the 2+2 dialogue, Pompeo and US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi who said in a tweet that he was happy to see “tremendous progress” made in India-US relations and the results of the third round of the 2+2 dialogue.

Chinese Foreign Ministry: The situation at the Indo-China border is stable and the communication channels between the two sides are unimpeded. Relevant issues are being properly handled through negotiations

No Means No: Chinese Embassy in India rejects US meddling in Indo-China border tensions

The Chinese Embassy in India has urged the US to stop meddling in Indo-China border issues and rejected anti-China comments made by US State Secretary Michael Pompeo during the India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.
After Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper held talks with Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday, Pompeo threw brickbats at China, claiming the country is no friend to democracy, the rule of law, transparency or freedom of navigation.
The Chinese embassy accused the US officials of repeating old lies, attacking and making allegations against China. China also said that they violated the norms of international relations and basic principles of diplomacy, and harmed China’s relations with other countries in the region, which once again exposed their Cold War mentality and ideological bias.
China added, “Pompeo also paid his condolences to the families of the Indian soldiers who were killed during the recent conflict with China at the border, a gesture aimed at hyping up anti-China sentiment among Indians and support India in its border spat with China.
The embassy made a statement, “The boundary question is a bilateral matter between China and India. The two sides have been discussing disengagement and de-escalation in the border areas through diplomatic and military channels.”
“China and India have the wisdom and ability to handle their differences properly.”

Though, nothing happened on ground even after 7 rounds of talks and ministerial level talk, except substantial enhancement in deployments from Chinese side, followed by mirroring from Indian side.

Global Times has said that the US military help may make the pulses of some already excited Indian forces beat faster with the signing of BECA, and India is likely to stir up more troubles along the border, but US help won’t give India an edge over China in conflicts.

A hand of help - US offered F-18 fighters to India for Naval requirement

Seeking to develop closer ties with India, the US has offered its F-18 fighters for the Indian Navy’s requirements of combat jets for its aircraft carriers.
The Indian Navy had a few years ago expressed an interest in the acquisition of 57 naval fighter aircraft for its aircraft carriers including INS Vikramaditya and the under-construction Indigenous Aircraft Carrier.
The US has offered to sell their F-18 fighters along with the unmanned aircraft Sea Guardian to the Indian Navy along with a number of other systems.
At the moment, the Indian Navy is assessing the F-18 and the Rafale naval fighters for its present and futuristic requirements as its present fighters are likely to get phased out by the end of this decade or the beginning of next.
Even the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) deal had to be scrapped, the New Delhi showed faith in the French fighter and bought 36 of them under a Rs 60,000 crore deal.
F-18 can be operated from aircraft carriers. Both Rafale and F-18 have been showcasing to the Indian Navy the simulated capability of their fighter aircrafts to take off and land at the INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier.
American equipment including The C-17 heavy-lift and the C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft, M-777 ultra-light howitzers, Apache attack and Chinook heavy-lift choppers along with the SiG Sauer assault rifles have become mainstays in the Air Force and the Army in the last decade.
The Americans have also shared a lot of information regarding the deployment and activities of the Chinese military in the military standoff.

Twitter's Blunder: Twitter’s explanation on showing Ladakh as part of China inadequate

“The committee was unanimous in its opinion that Twitter’s explanation was inadequate,” Committee Chairman Meenakshi Lekhi said. Representatives of Twitter appeared before the Joint Committee of Parliament on Data Protection Bill, 2019 and were questioned by the members on showing Ladakh as part of China.

First phase of voting in Bihar election began in 71 constituencies spread across 16 districts completed on Wednesday - Voters turnout 51.68 percent till 3 p.m

PM addressed 3 rallies in Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur and Patna during his second visit to Bihar.
As many as 1,066 candidates are in the fray including 42 from Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), 35 from Janata Dal (United), 29 from BJP, 21 from Congress and 8 from Left parties.
LJP not part of NDA, PM Modi hints at Darbhanga rally
“NDA in Bihar includes BJP, JD(U), VIP and HAM,”
The Bihar assembly elections kicked off on Wednesday in a region where RJD had done particularly well five years ago and hence, has a lot at stake.
Equations have changed significantly since then, with JD(U) now aligned with BJP, RJD for the 1^st time having the entire Left on its side, and the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party of Upendra Kushwaha now out of the NDA ring.

NIA raids Greater Kashmir’s office, NGOs, and human rights activist’s home in Srinagar

The raids are reportedly in connection with NIA’s inquiry in a fresh terror funding case.
The National Investigation Agency on Wed carried out searches at 9 places, including three NGOs, in Srinagar city of J&K, PTI reported.
The locations included the offices of English newspaper Greater Kashmir and NGO Athroot, the home of human rights activist Khurram Parvez, and a houseboat named HB Hilton in Dal Lake, IANS reports.
The NIA has registered a case to inquire the activities of NGO Athroot and the allegations against it include misappropriation of funds, according to HT.

Two terrorists killed in an encounter in Badgam: Police

Security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation at Moachwah in Chadoora area of Budgam district around 7pm on Tue based on inputs, a police official said. The identity and group affiliation of the slain terrorists was being ascertained, adding that preliminary investigation suggests one of the slain ultras was a foreigner.

30 corporate heads set to visit J&K with career advice for youth to discuss placements

Hope to instill confidence for investments in J&K
Heads of nearly 30 well-known corporate houses in India are expected to visit Srinagar as part of an outreach initiative for the youth of J&K, facilitated by the Central Govt and the union territory administration, ThePrint reported.
Officials said that this maiden visit by India’s corporate heads, after the withdrawal of Article 370 last year, will be a significant step to engage with the youth of the UT.

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha launches MIS for Apple at Horticulture Complex, Raj Bagh; he says, “Horticulture is one of the priority sectors of J&K, Govt is making all-out efforts to tap its immense growth potential: J&K Govt. Contrary to reports on sale of land to outsiders, Sinha assured that not an inch of agriculture land would be sold to anyone.

Tamil Nadu fishermen allege Sri Lankan Navy attacked them with stones and bottles

Groups of fishermen in Tamil Nadu were attacked by the Sri Lankan Navy personnel using bottles and stones early on Tuesday while fishing near Dhanushkodi, resulting in injuries and some damage to their gear, a fishermen association leader alleged. Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar, reacting to the incident said, “Any attack on fishermen is condemnable and not acceptable.”

NEIGHBORHOOD/ WORLD

Saudi Arabia’s ‘Diwali Gift’ to India, Chops-Off Gilgit-Baltistan & Kashmir From Pakistan’s Map: Estuary Times

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on Oct 24, released a 20 Riyal banknote to commemorate its presidency of organizing G-20 summit on 21-22 Nov 2020. The backside of the note is enough to leave Pakistan, KSA’s once most trusted ally, all aghast!
The world map displayed on the backside of the note does not show Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Kashmir as parts of Pakistan. The territory of Kashmir is disputed between India and Pakistan from the past 70 years.
The decision led both China and Pakistan dragging the issue of Kashmir to the UNSC thrice in the past 1 year.
India and US call on Pakistan to take “immediate, sustained and irreversible action” to ensure that “no territory under its control is used for terrorist attacks“, said Joint Statement after 2+2 dialogue.

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday wrote a letter to leaders of the Muslim countries for a collective action to counter the growing trend of Islamophobia, which he showed on Twitter.

Pakistan has no ambassador in France: The National Assembly has asked the Govt through its unanimous resolution that Pakistan should recall its ambassador in France for protests against blasphemy by French President. Interestingly, Pakistan has no ambassador posted in Paris. The previous ambassador Moin-ul-Haq had left France 3 months ago when he was transferred to China.

Pakistan’s ambitious railway project hits snag as China puts an end to low-interest rate

CPEC was sold as the ultimate solution to Pakistan’s economic troubles. But, it was China that has squeezed all the benefits.

Now, the Chinese government is reluctant to finance the Main Line 1 railway track that connects Karachi to Peshawar, the largest in China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Pakistan at 1% interest rate demanded by Islamabad, due to the unstable political climate in the Islamic republic.

However, PM Imran Khan has repeatedly highlighted the need to complete the $60-billion CPEC saying that it would push socio-economic development.

India-Bangladesh Air Bubble arrangement takes off today. Big relief for Bangladesh nationals desiring urgent travel to India, especially for medical purpose. All visas, except tourist, being issued: High Commission of India in B’desh.