Newsletter 16 July

July 16, 2021
 Team

Important Picks of the Day

NATIONAL​

India will support Afghanistan on peace, says Jaishankar in Tashkent as Taliban shadow grows (↓)

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar Thu met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad in Tashkent.

Why US pullout from Afghanistan has Indian security forces worried about Kashmir

This is because the worst is being feared, especially in the context of the Kashmir situation. The worry is that the pull-out by the western forces and consolidation of power by the Taliban would eventually result in increased terror violence in Kashmir, ThePrint reported, citing sources.

Shringla meets UN Secretary-General Guterres, informs India’s priorities for Security Council (↓)

During the meeting, the two leaders also exchanged views on Afghanistan & Myanmar, climate change, UNSC reforms and the Covid situation around the world.

PM Modi to inaugurate multiple railway projects in Gujarat via video conferencing (↓)

According to the PM Office, the upgradation of the Gandhinagar Capital Railway station has been done at a cost of Rs 71 crore. The Station has been provided with world-class amenities, at par with modern airports.

India, Sri Lanka and Maldives hold virtual trilateral exercise on maritime security

The two-day virtual exercise aimed at enhancing mutual understanding and facilitated the exchange of best practices to counter trans-national maritime crime like curbing narcotics.

UK Carrier Strike Group on way for exercises with Indian Navy

The UK Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2021, led by HMS Queen Elizabeth, has sailed into the Indian Ocean Region having recently transited the Suez Canal.

Army opens fire at Pakistan quadcopter spotted along LoC in Jammu

The quadcopter was spotted by Army troops in Pallanwaka sector around 9 pm Wed. It returned to the Pakistani side when the troops opened fire to bring it down, said sources.

Explosive material, ammunition found in J-K's Awantipora

Awantipora (J&K) A huge cache of explosive material and ammunition has been recovered by security forces from Awantipora in Pulwama district of J&K, police said on Friday.

NEIGHBORHOOD

'Disappointed': PM Imran tells Ashraf Ghani unfair to blame Pakistan for Afghanistan situation (↓)

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday hit back at Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s claims about Pakistan’s “negative role” in the Afghan peace process, adding that it was “unfair” to blame the country for the situation in Afghanistan.

Pakistan denies allegation of threatening Afghan forces against dislodging Taliban from border

Afghan vice president had alleged Pakistan issued warning to Afghan forces and is providing Taliban with “air support”.

We will not recognise or assist Taliban that takes power by force: Zalmay Khalilzad

U.S. Special Envoy for Afghanistan says there is no ultimate military solution, there has to be a political settlement for lasting peace in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan VP Saleh slams Pakistan over its denial of Taliban prese

Kabul: Reacting to the denial statement of Pakistan over the presence of Taliban on its land, Afghan first Vice President Amrullah Saleh on Friday said that issuing a statement of denial is just a pre-written paragraph.

UN urged to protect Baloch refugees in Afghanistan

The United Nations should take immediate steps to protect and secure the lives and future of Baloch refugees in Afghanistan as the security situation in the war-torn country deteriorates, said Chairman Khalil Baloch of Baloch National Movement in a statement. Under the 1951 Refugee Convention, the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and other parties or host countries are bound to provide protection to any person who seeks refuge from persecution.

Imran Khan govt has failed to resolve missing persons' issue, end poverty in Balochistan: Pak opposition

Islamabad (ANI): Lashing out at Prime Minister Imran Khan, Jamaat-e-Islami emir Senator Sirajul Haq has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government has failed to end poverty, resolve missing persons’ issue and restore law and order in Balochistan.

India will support Afghanistan on peace, says Jaishankar in Tashkent as Taliban shadow grows

Amid heightened tensions due to the Taliban gaining vast territories in Afghanistan, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar Thu assured President Ashraf Ghani of New Delhi’s “support” when they met in Uzbekistan’s Tashkent, on the margins of a conference.

  • Jaishankar, who reached Tashkent Thu after a two-day trip to Dushanbe in Tajikistan, also met Zalmay Khalilzad, US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation.
  • In the meeting, Jaishankar also met Liz Sherwood-Randall, Homeland Security Advisor of the White House, who had accompanied Khalilzad.
  • This was the first time Jaishankar met both Ghani and Khalilzad after the Afghan President’s visit to the US last month.
  • Ghani had met President Joe Biden along with Afghanistan’s key peace and reconciliation leader Abdullah Abdullah on their visit on 25 June.
  • It was after this meeting that Biden announced the withdrawal of the US troops from Afghanistan by 31 August.
  • Ghani and Jaishankar are attending a two-day conference, titled ‘The International Conference on Central and South Asia Regional Connectivity, Challenges and Opportunities’, in Uzbekistan, that also has Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in attendance.

New Delhi’s role in Afghanistan discussed by Jaishankar and Ghani: According to sources, Jaishankar and Ghani discussed the role that New Delhi will be playing as a “key stakeholder” in Afghanistan even as China is seen to be gearing up to play a dominant role there.

  • Besides China, Turkey and Russia have also begun to chalk out their respective roles as regional players.
  • Jaishankar had also met Afghanistan’s foreign minister Mohammed Haneef Atmar in Tajikistan Tue, on the margins of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers Conference and the SCO Contact Group on Afghanistan.
  • Meanwhile, a delegation comprising Abdullah, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Afghan politician and former warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum left for Doha in Qatar to meet a Taliban delegation led by their chief negotiator Abdul Ghani Baradar and Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, a former dreaded Taliban fighter and now chief of Hizb-e-Islami, an Islamist party in Afghanistan.
  • The meeting is expected to restart the intra-Afghan talks, said another source.
  • On Wed, former US President George W. Bush, who began the war in Afghanistan after the 9/11 attack, said that the withdrawal of US troops is a “mistake” and Afghan women will “suffer unspeakable harm”.

Jaishankar in Uzbekistan propose to include Chabahar port in the INSTC framework for a secure, viable and unhindered access to sea for Central Asian countries. Welcome India-Iran-Afghanistan-Uzbekistan Working Group on joint use of Chabahar port.

Economic growth is universally prevented by 3 Cs — connectivity, commerce & contacts. All 3 need to come together to ensure regional cooperation & prosperity, he added.

The challenge we face is that politics, vested interests & instability can be formidable impediments to its realisation. The real issues are of mindsets, not of disputes. Blocking connectivity in practice while professing support in principle benefits no one.

Shringla meets UN Secretary-General Guterres, informs India’s priorities for Security Council

India’s Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla called on UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Thu and the two exchanged views on regional situations, including Afghanistan and Myanmar, climate change, Security Council reforms and the COVID-19 situation around the world. Shringla congratulated him on his reappointment as chief of the world organisation for a second tenure

  • Shringla is on an official visit to New York from July 14-16 to participate in high level meetings of the Security Council being held under the French Presidency this month.
  • His visit comes as India prepares to assume the Presidency of the powerful 15-nation Security Council for the month of August.
  • Foreign Secretary briefed Secretary General about India’s priorities for the Security Council during its Presidency in Aug, namely maritime security, peacekeeping and counter-terrorism, a press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said.
  • Views were exchanged, inter alia, on regional situations, including Afghanistan and Myanmar, on climate change, International Solar Alliance, UNSC reforms and on the COVID-19 situation around the world, it said.
  • The release added that Guterres expressed solidarity with the Government and people of India in their efforts against the recent wave of COVID-19 pandemic.
  • He appreciated the positive role India is playing in the UN Security Council as well as India’s robust contribution to UN peacekeeping, the release said.
  • Guterres also wished India the best for its upcoming Presidency of the UNSC.
  • Earlier in the day, Shringla participated in the High Level Security Council briefing on the “Situation in Libya chaired by the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Yves Le Drian.
  • On the sidelines of the UNSC high-level meeting, Shringla also called on the French Foreign Affairs Minister and briefed him on India’s August UNSC Presidency initiatives.
  • He extended him External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s invitation to attend the high-level meetings that would be chaired by India next month.
  • During his visit, Shringla will also be meeting with US Permanent Representative to UN Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield and hold meetings with other senior officials of the UN, including Under Secretary General, Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) Rosemary DiCarlo, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Achim Steiner, Chef de Cabinet to the Secretary General Maria Viotti, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and High Representative for Least Developed Countries & Small Island Developing States Courtenay Rattray to discuss the entire gamut of India’s engagement with the UN system and its agencies, the release said.

PM Modi to inaugurate multiple railway projects in Gujarat via video conferencing

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated and dedicated to the nation several key projects of the Railways in Gujarat on Fri via video conferencing.
  • He has inaugurated the Aquatics and Robotics Gallery, and Nature Park in Gujarat Science City during the event.
  • The Railway projects, cost of Rs 71 crore include the newly redeveloped Gandhinagar Capital Railway station, gauge converted cum electrified Mahesana – Varetha line, and the newly electrified Surendranagar – Pipavav section.
  • The prime minister will also flag off two new trains i.e Gandhinagar Capital – Varanasi Superfast Express and MEMU service trains between Gandhinagar Capital and Varetha.
  • The complete building is designed and provided with Green Building rating features. The state-of-the-art external facade will have daily theme-based lighting with 32 themes. The station will also house a five star hotel.
  • The Mahesana – Varetha Gauge conversion of 55 km has been completed at a cost of Rs 293 crores alongwith the electrification work at a cost of Rs 74 crores. It has a total of ten stations with four newly developed station buildings viz. Visnagar, Vadnagar, Kheralu & Varetha.
  • Electrification of Surendranagar – Pipavav Section has been completed at a total cost of Rs 289 crores. 
  • The project will provide seamless freight movement from Palanpur, Ahmedabad and other parts of the country upto Pipavav Port without any change of traction. It will also decongest Ahmedabad, Viramgam and Surendranagar Yards due to avoidance of detentions for loco change over.
  • Nature Park includes several picturesque features like a Mist Garden, Chess Garden, Selfie Points, Sculpture Park and an outdoor maze. It also includes interesting labyrinths designed for children. The park also contains various sculptures of extinct animals such as Mammoth, Terror Bird, Saber Tooth Lion replete with scientific information. 

Army opens fire at Pakistan quadcopter spotted along LoC in Jammu

More drones spotted near IAF station & LoC:  Less than 24 hours after BSF troops forced a Pakistani drone spotted in Arnia area of Jammu to retreat, another drone was spotted hovering near the Air Force station in Jammu early on Thursday, while the Army reported a drone at the Line of Control in Pallanwala area of Akhnoor.

  • The Army fired on a Pakistani quadcopter after it tried to venture into the Indian territory along the Line of Control (LoC) here, official sources said on Thu. The quadcopter was spotted by the alert Army troops in Pallanwaka sector around 9 pm on Wed, they said.
  • The sources said the quadcopter returned to the Pakistani side when the troops opened fire at it to bring it down. It was basically sent for surveillance of the area, they said.
  • A blinkering white light was detected near the Jammu Air Force Station, the sources said.
  • However, the IAF has not confirmed any drone sighting.
  • On Wed, Border Security Force (BSF) personnel opened fire at a flying object after they spotted it near the International Border in the Arnia sector of Jammu and Kashmir, a senior official said.
  • On July 2, a quadcopter from Pakistan tried to enter Indian territory along the International Border from Arnia sector but retreated after it was fired at by the personnel of the BSF.
  • In what was the first instance of Pakistan-based terrorists deploying drones to strike vital installations, two bombs were dropped at the IAF station in Jammu city in the early hours of June 27, causing minor injuries to two personnel.
  • Authorities in various districts, mostly in border districts in Jammu and Kashmir, have banned the storage, sale or possession of drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles

'Disappointed': PM Imran tells Ashraf Ghani unfair to blame Pakistan for Afghanistan situation

  • Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday hit back at Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s claims about Pakistan’s “negative role” in the Afghan peace process, adding that it was “unfair” to blame the country for the situation in Afghanistan.
  • The prime minister made the comments at the international conference on “Central and South Asia Regional Connectivity: Challenges and Opportunities” during his two-day visit to Uzbekistan. The Afghan president was also present at the conference.
  • With Pak PM Khan on stage, President Ghani slams Pakistan for not stopping terrorists crossing over into Afghanistan and for failing to convince Taliban to moves for successful talks.
  • Pakistan needs to engage constructively in the peace process for the region. Permit me to make it clear, our govt is committed to peace, but our forces are prepared to fight to protect our people. The price of Liberty is oftentimes blood of Patriots.
  • Imran Khan: Geoeconomics, not Geopolitics will show the way in regional connectivity, CPEC BRI is transforming Asia in an unprecedented way.Trans Afghan rail project from Termez to Peshawar, is being led by Uzbekistan President Mirziyoyev. two challenges to connectivity are security in Afghanistan and outstanding disputes between regional players.
  • PM Imran’s remarks came shortly before the two leaders were scheduled to meet on the sidelines of the conference.
  • “When there were 150,000 Nato troops […] that was the time to ask the Taliban to come to the table. Why were the Taliban going to compromise once the exit date was given […] why would they listen to us when they are sensing victory” the prime minister questioned.

We will not recognise or assist Taliban that takes power by force: Zalmay Khalilzad

U.S. Special Envoy for Afghanistan says there is no ultimate military solution, there has to be a political settlement for lasting peace in Afghanistan.

The US and NATO forces are leaving Afghanistan but the US is not leaving the country and will remain engaged while supporting the peace process, US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad said on Fri.

Pakistan has denied a serious charge by Afghanistan’s Vice-President, who said Pakistan’s airforce threatened to launch missiles at the Afghan airforce if it targets posts claimed by the Taliban. The charges and denial came just as a conference in Tashkent got under way with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on stage, where External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and U.S. Special Envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad were present.

In an interaction with The Hindu, Mr. Khalilzad said Pakistan must fulfil its special role in peace in Afghanistan, and that the U.S. will not recognise a Taliban government in Kabul taken by force

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