Newsletter 29 January

Sino-Indian Standoff: ‘yellow-cards’ China for violating pacts: EAM

Jaishankar ‘yellow-cards’ China for violating pacts, spells out the India way

S Jaishankar’s speech on India-China ties signals India’s determination to continue to stand up to Xi Jinping’s expansionist plans for Asia as an equal and makes it clear that nothing that Beijing does against India will be overlooked, or allowed to go unpunished.
Jaishankar’s speech lucidly spells out that India and China are competitors in both the Asian and global context and that New Delhi is not the regional south Asian player that Beijing wants it to be.
The 3 mutual and 8 broad propositions spelt out by the Minister, who was India’s longest-serving envoy to China over the past decade, are reminders to Beijing that the bilateral relationship between the two Asian powers is not a one-way street.
The proposition that India and China are civilization states, something that Beijing seems so reluctant to acknowledge about New Delhi, is designed to remind the Middle Kingdom that all civilization states have their ups and downs in their history and nothing is permanent.
That the Xi Jinping regime must adhere to all past agreements and desist from any unilateral change of status quo of LAC is also a clear message from the Modi Govt that any new agreement, possibly on disengagement and de-escalation, will have credibility only, if the past understandings are honored in letter and spirit.
The fact is that China has used Pakistan to block India’s entry into the Nuclear’s Suppliers Group though the two ‘iron brothers’, as Islamabad and Beijing describe their relationship, have a patchy track record on nuclear non-proliferation.
China also backed Pakistan to get global terrorists such as Jaish-e-Mohammad Chief Masood Azhar off the hook at the UNSC 1267 committee while both of them tried to frame Indian engineers working in Afghanistan in terror cases.
In the present context too, Beijing has been talking about de-escalation plans with New Delhi for East Ladakh but has been making aggressive moves in North Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

President Kovind’s customary address ahead of the Budget Session

This morning, while addressing members of both Houses of Parliament, President Ram Nath Kovind highlighted how the country had come together over the last year to overcome several adversities, including the Covid-19 pandemic, floods, earthquakes, major cyclones, locust attacks and bird flu.
He said India has witnessed an “unparalleled courage, endurance and discipline of our countrymen”.
The address was boycotted by Opposition leaders of 18 parties, who skipped the event in solidarity with farmers protesting at Delhi’s borders against the 3 farm laws.
Speaking about the violence on Republic Day, President Kovind called it “very unfortunate” and said, “The Constitution that gives us the right to freedom of expression, is the same Constitution that teaches us that law and rule should be followed equally seriously.”
He said his government respects the Supreme Court’s decision to stay the implementation of the farm laws and shall abide by it.

Economic Survey 2021 Live Updates: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tables document in Parliament

Economic Survey 2021, Parliament Budget Session 2021: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has tabled the Economic Survey 2021 in Parliament.

Economic Survey: Indian economy on V-shaped recovery path post unlock -ANI

The Economic Survey 2020-21 tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Parliament on Friday said the country’s economy after being gradually unlocked since June 2020 has experienced a V-shaped recovery.
The survey said the V-shaped economic recovery is due to mega vaccination drive, robust recovery in the services sector, and robust growth in consumption and investment.
Country’s Chief Economic Advisor Dr K Subramanian has likened India’s economic recovery to the Indian cricket team’s recent victory against Australia.
It stated that with the economy brought to a standstill for two complete months, the inevitable effect was a 23.9% contraction in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as compared to the previous year’s quarter.
This contraction was consistent with the stringency of the lockdown.
However, “While there was a 23.9% contraction in GDP in quarter 1 (Q1), the recovery has been a V-shaped one as seen in the 7.5% decline in Q2 and the recovery across all key economic indicators,” he said.
To capture the lagged impact of stringency on economic indicators, the survey used a 3-month moving average of stringency index, which shows that the month-on-month change in the 3-month moving average of the stringency index has a positive relationship with the growth in each of the economic indicators.
According to report, the evidence from the experience of Spanish flu establishes that cities that intervened with lockdowns earlier and more aggressively experience stronger recovery in economic front in the long run and learning from this experience, India implemented an early and stringent lockdown from late Mar-May to curb pace of the spread of COVID-19.
The survey also forecasted that India’s real GDP will record a growth of 11% in 2021-22 and nominal GDP by 15.4% – the highest since independence.

Farmer’s Protests

Now protests sites, which was only to Singur border of Delhi are now divided into two different borders, Gazipur border in addition. However, at Singur Border, counter protests also started by local for vacating the areas, which culminated in to clashes between both groups as well as police. (ongoing developments)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asks protesting farmers at Singhu border not to leave the protest site. Says, he will support them till the very end. Gandhi says movement of farmers will now travel across India in cities. Asks: Why did Home Ministry allow people to enter Red Fort?
Haryana Government has suspended internet services except voice calls in Ambala, Yamuna Nagar, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Kaithal, Panipat, Hisar, Jind, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Fatehabad, Rewari and Sirsa till 5 pm tomorrow: State Directorate of Info and Public Relations
Nine people arrested and sent to Tihar Jail in connection with attack on police personnel during violent protest at Burari ground yesterday. The protesters were raising instigative slogans & were adamant on going to Red Fort. They also tore Uniforms of police personnel: Delhi Police
Massive turnout at the Muzaffarnagar Mahapanchayat in Western Uttar Pradesh. Jat villagers from across many villages come in support of Rakesh Tikait after his video in tears went viral. This is much bigger than the Muzaffarnagar riots in 2013.
Akal Takht Jathedar (Religious leader of Sikhs) Giani Harpreet Singh issues appeal to farmers and the government to end standoff peacefully so that all can go home. Top Sikh religious leader says only dialogue will bring a solution. Asks Govt to take a step back and farmer as well and keep talks open.
Alipur SHO Pradeep Paliwal injured in a clash that broke out at Singhu border where farmers are protesting. SHO suffered grievous injuries on his hand, while he intervened between rioting protestors (Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee MKSC faction) local Singhu villagers, who had gone to register their protest against happenings on R-Day and continued loss of ordinary livings for over 2 months.
KMSC leader Satnam Singh Pannu on Fri claimed that the central Govt is sending Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) affiliated people to instigate clashes at the protest site.
Locals stage protest against protesting farmers at Tikri border. RAF team deployed to stop the protesters from approaching the farmers’ stage.
Police has blocked entry to all at Ghazipur border protest site. Media is too not allowed to enter the site.
One police personnel and a local injured during the stone pelting between farmers and counter-protestors at Singhu border.
No tear gas or stone pelting happening for now. Police have taken one farmer away who was allegedly causing violence.

How India is countering China's aggressive wolf diplomacy with vaccine diplomacy

The Chinese state media is furious leading Chinese dailies are crying foul. In the last few months, India has strategically countered China’s influence both at home and abroad.
India has also countered China’s aggressive wolf diplomacy through its vaccine diplomacy initiative from Nepal, Afghanistan, Morocco and Brazil.
India’s goodwill gestures have overshadowed China’s predatory investments. The Chinese media is mighty upset leading Chinese voices are worried and the uneasiness is evident in their reports and statements.
On Jan 26, China’s saber-rattling mouthpiece the Global Times carried this report on the app ban. “India is taking revenge on China and also set up a bad example for the world to revenge China,” it said.
“The purpose in one side is to take revenge against China and on the other hand, is to satisfy the needs of interest groups in India showing a tough attitude towards China,” it added.
All this is being said by a country that knows best how to damage bilateral relations severely with its continued aggression.
Another report was carried in the GT on Jan 26 accusing India of being behind the halting of Chinese vaccine trials in Bangladesh.
“The clinical trials were delayed until Oct due to the Indian Govt allegedly meddling in the two sides” and that “India has been smearing China’s cooperation with countries in South Asia on the anti-epidemic fight as the region is traditionally under India’s influence.”

MHA approved additional Central assistance under NDRF to 5 States,

High-Level Committee under Chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah has approved additional Central assistance under National Disaster Response Fund to five States, which were affected by floods/ landslides during South-West monsoon 2020 & hailstorm during Rabi 2019-20, said MHA. HLC has approved assistance of Rs 1,751.05 cr to 5 States from NDRF. For floods/ landslides during South-West monsoon-2020, Rs 437.15 cr to Assam, Rs 75.86 cr to Arunachal Pradesh, Rs 320.94 cr to Odisha, Rs 245.96 cr to Telangana & Rs 386.06 cr to UP have been approved.

Meghalaya govt decides to undertake further study at proposed uranium mining sites

The Govt has decided to undertake further study at the proposed uranium mining sites in SW Khasi-Hills district after it was found that radiation level below the source of a rivulet was higher.
The expert committee constituted by the Govt with scientists from the Chemistry department of the Nort Eastern Hill University (NEHU) found that the levels of radiation at about 100’ from the source of the rivulet Phud Syngkai are higher than at the source which requires further study.

The increase in radiation level was found by a team of scientists from the NEHU which had undertaken a study of the area after reports of uranium storage tank was found burst late last year.
Meanwhile, the expert committee revealed that the radiation levels at the source where uranium exploratory ore were stored and villages/habitations nearby are well within the safety levels, the Govt said.
An assembly panel had in Nov last year, said though the Atomic Mineral Division has stopped all activities in the area following the Govt revocation of the land lease to UCIL including suspension of uranium exploration and mining by UCIL, there is, however, a need to continue monitoring of the radiation level in the villages adjoining to Domiasiat.

1 Militants killed in Tral encounter, J&K: 1 unidentified militants killed in an ongoing encounter in South Kashmir. Encounter currently raging at Mandoora, Tral area of Awantipora. J&K Police, Indian Army and CRPF are on the job. Further details are awaited.

NEIGHBORHOOD/ WORLD

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, informed Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani, in a phone call that US is reviewing the Feb 2020 US-Taliban agreement and whether the Taliban are living up to their commitments to cut ties with terrorist groups to reduce violence in Afghanistan. Highlighted the robust ‘diplomatic’ supports to his Govt.

Indian, MEA on Pak SC ordering release of Omar Saeed, prime accused in Daniel Pearl murder:

“The low conviction rate in Pakistan against any terror accused and this case demonstrates the lack of seriousness on part of Pakistan in taking action on terror related issues.”

US dials up pressure over Omar Sheikh but will Pak loos its ties with jihadis?

Pakistan’s policy-makers would have woken on Fri to two strong statements from the White House and the US state department expressing outrage and concern about the Supreme Court’s ruling
The Supreme Court’s ruling that could pave the way for Sheikh and three other men convicted of the 2002 abduction and murder to walk free.
Underlining the gravity of the situation, the statement from the US state department wasn’t issued by a spokesperson, but by the new Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and even before he had made an introductory call to his Pakistani counterpart.
Blinken also offered to prosecute Sheikh in the US “for his horrific crimes against an American citizen” – in effect, asking Pakistan to hand over Sheikh.
The timing of the Pakistan Supreme Court’s order was also inopportune because it came weeks before the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) holds its first plenary meeting of 2021, at which the multilateral watchdog will review Pakistan’s efforts to fight terror financing.

Nepal’s Top Court Serves Contempt Notices To PM Oli: Report

The Supreme Court has ordered to caretaker Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to “present his written replies within 7 days,” Devendra Dhakal, a Supreme Court official told Reuters.
Nepal’s Supreme Court has issued two contempt of court notices to Oli, demanding he explain why he mocked lawyers challenging his decision to dissolve parliament and call early polls.
The contempt of court suits are the latest challenges for the beleaguered leader after being expelled from his party earlier this week.
The Supreme Court judges are dealing with more than a dozen petitions against Oli’s surprise move in Dec last year to dissolve the parliament and call fresh elections a year ahead of schedule, a move that has triggered nationwide protests amid the coronavirus pandemic and plunged the young Himalayan republic into a political crisis.