Newsletter 28 July
Important Picks of the Day
NATIONAL
India, US ties critical for delivering stability in Indo-Pacific: US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken
Blinken’s visit that commenced Tue is also aimed at discussing Afghanistan’s security situation and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region under Quad. All Contemporary Conflict Issues including Afghanistan LAC South China Sea and Taiwan discussed in NSA Doval and US Secy of State’s meeting. Pak-based terror will also be discussed.
Rajnath to focus on regional peace at SCO, meet with Chinese defense minister not ruled out
Rajnath Singh is on a 3-day trip to Dushanbe, Tajikistan, for the annual meeting of the Defence Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. He is scheduled to address the SCO meet on 28 July. Tajikistan. Singh met the Belarusian counterpart on the sidelines of SCO in Dushanbe.
Karnataka: With the new CM, BJP tries to reassure the powerful Lingayat community
The announcement that Basavaraj Bommai will be the next Karnataka chief minister, made by his predecessor BS Yediyurappa, is a significant gesture to reassure the influential Lingayat community that their interests are safe with BJP and the party will not lose sight of them.
Centre writes to States, seeks data on deaths due to oxygen shortage during COVID-19 second wave: Sources:
The Central Govt has written to States/UT seeking data on deaths due to oxygen shortage during the second wave of COVID-19, according to govt sources. This data is likely to be presented in the ongoing Monsoon Session.
Denied introduction in parliament by the opposition, BJP plans Jan Ashirwad Yatra for newly-inducted union ministers
PM Narendra Modi may not have been able to introduce the newly inducted members of his council of ministers in the House due to the uproar created by the opposition but BJP is planning to introduce them to the people they represent.
India, Turkey don’t need ‘reset’, partners can have an opposing view on issues: Turkish envoy
India and Turkey do not need to reset their ties, and Ankara considers New Delhi as a friend of “significant importance”, according to Fırat Sunel, Turkey’s new envoy to India, who believes both countries have to now “open new horizons” and “deepen” their cooperation.
J&K to be granted statehood at appropriate time: Govt: J&K would be granted statehood at an “appropriate” time after normalcy are restored there, the govt stated in the house on Wed.
NEIGHBORHOOD
2nd N-missile base found in China, signals ‘largest’ N-force expansion-TOI
An American researcher, Matt Korda, a Research Associate for the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists has discovered a second new nuclear facility with 110 silos in China that analysts say points to Beijing’s coming of age as an atomic superpower on par with the US and Russia while countering India’s own “rapid” expansion of its arsenal, on Mon.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with the delegation led by Abdul Ghani Baradar
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson tweeted on Wed, “As the largest neighbor of Afghanistan, China always pursues a friendly policy towards the entire Afghan people. Afghanistan belongs to the Afghan people, and its future and destiny should be in the hands of the Afghan people”. On July 28, 2021, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with the delegation led by Abdul Ghani Baradar, head of the Afghan Taliban Political Commission, in Tianjin during Baradar’s visit to China.
Ashraf Ghani says no military solution to Afghan issue, govt ready to talk with Taliban- ANI
Underlining that there is no military solution to the Afghan issue, the country’s President Ashraf Ghani on Wed said his govt is ready to “direct talks” with the Taliban.
'US really messed it up': PM Imran on Afghanistan situation
PM Imran Khan has said that the United States “really messed it up in Afghanistan” as he questioned the American motive of Afghan invasion in the first place and then their subsequent attempts of seeking a political solution with the Taliban from a position of weakness. He said in an American news program aired on Tue night.
Nepal faces competing for territorial claims from both India, China
India, US ties critical for delivering stability in Indo-Pacific: Blinken, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who
arrived in India on a 2-day visit to boost bilateral ties
The relationship has transformed in recent years. Meeting Blinken for the 4th time this years, says Jaishankar
US announces USD 25 million aid to support India's COVID-19 vaccination process
- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in India on Tue on a two-day visit aimed at further boosting bilateral ties and deliberate on the rapidly evolving security situation in Afghanistan as well as expanding cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region under the framework of Quad.
- On Wed, Blinken will hold extensive talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and meet National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. He is also scheduled to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi before leaving for Kuwait as part of his two-nation tour.
- Just before leaving for India, Blinken said he was looking forward to consultations with partners of the US for further cooperation in support of its shared interests in the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East.
- This is Blinken’s first visit to India after assuming charge as the US Secretary of State.
- US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin visited India in March while US Special Envoy on Climate Change John Kerry traveled to New Delhi in April.
- Acting Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Dean Thompson said on Fri that the discussions will focus on expanding ties in areas of security, defense, cyber, and counterterrorism cooperation.
- People familiar with the agenda of the visit said both sides will extensively deliberate on the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan with the Taliban increasing its hostilities in an attempt to seize control of new areas in the country.
- Afghanistan witnessed a series of terror attacks in the last few weeks as the US withdrew the majority of its troops and is looking at completing the drawdown by Aug 31st, ending nearly two-decade of its military presence in the country.
- The two sides are also expected to explore ways to deepen defense collaboration, including exercises, defense transfers, and technologies ahead of the next edition of the 2+2 defense and foreign ministerial dialogue to be held in the US later this year, familiar with the development said. The two sides are also expected to look at implementing the Quad vaccine initiative.
- They are also expected to focus on ways to augment trade and investment ties besides looking at opportunities in healthcare, education, digital domains, the people cited above said.
- In the talks, India will continue to push for ensuring open and consistent supply chains for materials and items required for vaccine production, the people cited above said.
President Biden determines to continue to grow stronger the relationship between India and the US: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on Wed
US Statement on Visit: “…..Blinken will travel to New Delhi, to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to strengthening our partnership and underscore cooperation on our shared priorities. Secretary Blinken will discuss a wide range of issues, including continued cooperation on COVID-19 response efforts, Indo-Pacific engagement, shared regional security interests, shared democratic values, and addressing the climate crisis”.
Antony Blinken meets Dalai Lama’s representative in New Delhi: Blinken met a representative of Tibet’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, in the Indian capital on Wed, a state department spokesperson said. “Secretary Blinken had an opportunity to meet briefly this morning in New Delhi with a representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” the official said, identifying the representative as Ngodup Dongchung.
The Two Leaders addressed a joint press briefing
Jaishankar: Discussed Afghanistan, important to support the peace process, but unilateral enforcement of will not acquire legitimacy. We must preserve the rights of women and minorities. Quad cooperation in several spheres. Also committed to observing the rule of international laws including UNCLOS. On Myanmar, conveyed India’s support for ASEAN initiatives. Discussed UNSC cooperation, countering cross-border terrorism. In a globalized world, India’s interests are far beyond borders, we have interests in the Indo-Pacific. Not unusual for groups of countries to work together. BRICS is an example. Other countries should get over the idea a grouping is against them.
Blinken: There are few relationships more vital than the one between India and the United States. Our diversity fuels our national strength. Also, two leading economies shared values and shared aspirations. Discussed COVID 19 at the top of the agenda. We remember with gratitude the aid India provided to us early in the pandemic and I am proud we could return the gesture. Quad vaccine partnership is part of cooperation to bringing pandemics to an end.
US and India share a vision for a free open and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Quad countries are focused on COVID, emerging technologies, and climate change. US and India discussed Afghanistan, committed to preserve the freedoms of Afghans once the coalition pulls out.
Def Secy Austin and I look forward to welcoming Dr. Jaishankar and Rajnath Singh in Washington later this year (for 2+2 consultations). Democratic values are at the heart of our relationship. I look back to then-Senator, Biden’s speech during the India trip in 2006 when he said he hopes that by 2020 the two countries closest together would be the US and India.
Rajnath to focus on regional peace at SCO, meet with Chinese defense minister not ruled out
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will carry a message of peaceful settlement of regional issues, including in Afghanistan and border tensions with China, during his trip to Dushanbe, Tajikistan, for the annual meeting of the Defence Ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
- The meeting will be attended by his Chinese and Russian counterparts as well. Although no bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Wei Fenghe, has been fixed, govt sources did not rule out the possibility of having one there-ThePrint.
- Sources said that a bilateral meeting with Russia could also take place. Singh, who left around 4 pm Tue, will return Fri.
- Earlier this month, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar was in Dushanbe for the SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting. Jaishnakar had met his Chinese counterpart and State Councilor Wang Yi for an hour-long bilateral meeting.
Rajnath to focus on regional peace
- Sources said that during Singh’s address at the SCO meet on 28 July, the minister will stress the need for peaceful settlement of all issues.
- Besides the situation at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), India is keenly following the developing situation in Afghanistan, where the Taliban has launched a bloody war against the govt.
- The SCO member states are likely to focus on defense cooperation, and Afghanistan is an area that will come up for discussion, sources said.
- Singh’s visit to the SCO meet comes at a time when both India and China have been engaged in an over a year-long confrontation in Eastern Ladakh.
Rajnath Singh meets Belarusian counterpart on sidelines of SCO in Dushanbe
Defence Minister on Wed met with his Belarusian counterpart Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin on the sidelines of the SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Dushanbe.
The Minister is also expected to meet his Tajik counterpart Col Gen Sherali Mirzo to discuss bilateral issues and other issues of mutual interest.
2nd N-missile base found in China, signals ‘largest’ N-force expansion-TOI
An American researcher, Matt Korda, a Research Associate for the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists has discovered a second new nuclear facility with 110 silos in China that analysts say points to Beijing’s coming of age as an atomic superpower on par with the US and Russia while countering India’s own “rapid” expansion of its arsenal, on Mon.
- He had found through satellite photo analysis China’s second major nuclear silo field near Hami in Eastern Xinjiang.
- Together with the discovery a few weeks ago of another silo field of similar size in Yumen, they suggested “the largest expansion of China’s nuclear force ever.” The discovery was validated by other experts and it invited a lengthy analysis in the New York Times, whose resident nuclear pundits said the simplest explanation for the massive expansion is that “China now views itself as a full-spectrum economic, technological and military superpower — and wants an arsenal to match that status.”
- Experts believe that till recently China operated only about 20 silos for big, liquid-fuel missiles called the DF-5. But the discovery of two new facilities, which will give the country roughly 230 new silos, indicates Beijing is embarking on a new assertive strategy under President Xi Jinping.
- The paper said another possibility for the unprecedented build-up is that “China is concerned about American missile defenses, which are increasingly effective, and India’s nuclear buildup, which has been rapid.”
- Beijing also has to contend with the announcement of new hypersonic and autonomous weapons by Russia, requiring a more effective deterrent.
- “The scale of the current nuclear build-up appears to contradict both of these policies,” FAS Director Hans Kristensen, who co-wrote a paper on the discovery with Korda, said.
- Not all experts see the silo build-up as an expansion of China’s nuclear arsenal.
- Other explanations for it include a long-practiced game of nuclear bluff where countries build more silos than nuclear missiles they possess and move the missiles around to deceive adversaries.
- Still, the uncovering of 230 silos, which some experts say were “meant to be discovered,” comes amid growing assertiveness on the part of Beijing towards a host of nations, including the US.
- After US Deputy Secretary Wendy Sherman flagged Washington’s concerns about abuse of genocide, human rights abuse, oppression, and a range of Chinese excesses in Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Tibet, and other places, during a visit to China this week, Beijing asked the US to take a hike.
- In language that has become increasingly blunt and belligerent, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Sherman’s counterpart told her to “stop interfering in China’s internal affairs, stop harming China’s interests, stop stepping on the red line, stop playing on the fire, and stop orchestrating group confrontation under the guise of values.”
Ashraf Ghani says no military solution to Afghan issue, govt ready to talk with Taliban (ANI)
- Underlining that there is no military solution to the Afghan issue, the country’s President Ashraf Ghani on Wed said his govt is ready to “direct talks” with the Taliban.
- Speaking at Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board meeting at Afghan Presidential Palace, Ghani assured the international community that the people of Afghanistan do not want anti-government elements.
- “There is no military solution to the country’s issue,” TOLOnews quoted him as saying. “We believe in the future of Afghanistan,” President Ghani said, adding that “today’s Afghanistan has really changed.”
- With the Taliban increasing their advances in Afghanistan, the clashes between the terror group and Afghan security forces have escalated in recent weeks.
- “We are ready for direct talks with the Taliban,” Ghani said, adding that the release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners has “showed our will for peace.” “I offered a bridge to peace through the holding of early elections.
- The Loya Jirga took the unprecedented step of releasing 5,000 hardened Taliban fighters and some of the largest drug dealers under the assurance of good conduct by the international community,” he added.
- His remarks come as Taliban-led violence has increased in Afghanistan as foreign troops are withdrawing from the war-torn country.
- Taliban has escalated its offensive against security forces and civilians.
- They are rapidly gaining territory in Afghanistan. Moreover, they are imposing archaic rules on the captured territories, and being a Sunni outfit, the Shias fear sectarian violence against them.
Wang Yi met with Baradar, head of the Taliban Political Committee in Afghanistan
On July 28, 2021, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Tianjin with Baradal, head of the Afghan Taliban Political Committee who is visiting China. The heads of the Atta Religious Committee and the Propaganda Committee traveled with each other.
- Wang Yi pointed out that Atta is a pivotal military and political force in Afghanistan and is expected to play an important role in the process of peace, reconciliation, and reconstruction in Afghanistan.
- It is hoped that Atta will put the country and the nation’s interests first, hold high the banner of peace talks, establish peace goals, establish a positive image, and pursue an inclusive policy.
- All factions and nationalities in Afghanistan should unite and truly implement the principle of “Afghanistan-led and Afghan-owned”, promote the Afghan peace and reconciliation process to achieve substantive results as soon as possible, and independently establish an inclusive political structure that suits Afghanistan’s national conditions.
- Wang Yi emphasized that the “East Iranian Movement” is an international terrorist organization listed by the UN Security Council and poses a direct threat to China’s national security and territorial integrity.
- Cracking down on the “Eastern Iranian Movement” is the shared responsibility of the international community.
- It is hoped that Atta will completely draw a line with all terrorist organizations such as the “Eastern Iraqi Movement” and deal resolutely and effectively against them, remove obstacles to regional security, stability, and development cooperation, play an active role, and create favorable conditions.
Union Cabinet Decisions:
- Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur says Cabinet has decided that depositors will get back their money up to Rs.5 lakh within 90 days.
- The Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation Bill, 2021 has been approved by Cabinet. The corporation covers all deposits up to Rs.5 lakh, both interest, and principal, Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman said.
- “98.3% of deposits will be covered, as against 80% globally. Normally, it takes 8-10 years to get the money. Now, what we are saying is that even if there is a moratorium, this measure will be set in.” she said.
- The first 45 days will go for banks in distress to collect accounts and then it will be given to this insurance company, and around the 90th day, you will get your money, she added
- The Finance Minister said, “Banks already declared under moratorium will also be covered. This will be taken to Parliament in this session.
- “The second decision of the Cabinet is approval for Limited Liability Partnership Amendment Bill. The total number of penal provisions will be reduced. A total of 12 offenses will be de-criminalized. Three sections will be omitted,” Ms. Sitharaman said.
- “The govt is ready for discussion, but if Opposition MPs will snatch papers from the Minister while replying, it is not good for democracy,” Anurag Thakur said, when asked about the Opposition disruption in Parliament.
New UK visa program: Soon, Indians techies can get work permits even without a job offer industry
Individuals will have the flexibility to switch jobs or employers and will also allow eligible individuals to extend their visas and settle in the UK, subject to meeting specific requirements.
The new ‘high potential individual’ visa route could attract more high-skilled Indians to the UK. So far, the US has been attracting most of the highly skilled tech talents from India, given the high demand from both US tech firms and Indian services firms. Over the last year, the UK has adopted a more immigration-friendly stance.
- Team
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