[ Important Picks of the Day ]

[ NATIONAL ]

Indian NSA Ajit Doval meets Russian counterpart over Afghanistan (↓)

The high-level talks will reflect on the situation in Afghanistan. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had discussed with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russian NSA will also meet PM and EAM.

CIA Chief met Ajit Doval in New Delhi amid Taliban Government formation (↓)

CIA chief Williams Burns was in Delhi on Tuesday and met with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. Top security and intelligence officials of the UK, the US, and Russia have made a beeline for India to discuss the situation in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover in Kabul and the implications for regional security.

Pakistan continues to foment a culture of violence at home, across its borders: India at UN (↓)

India’s strong response came after Islamabad’s envoy to the UN Munir Akram raked up the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and spoke about the late pro-Pakistan leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani in his remarks in the UNGA hall that focused almost entirely on India and not on the forum’s theme.

IAF looks to ‘Atmanirbhar’ start-ups to boost India’s swarm drone capability (↓)

IAF is set to issue a ‘Request for Proposal’ for swarm drone contracts to 5 start-ups, selected firms to receive support from the air force as well as DRDO.

“Delighted to Share” Women Can Now Join NDA: Centre to Supreme Court

“We are extremely glad to know that the armed forces themselves decided to induct women into the NDA,” the SC said. In a historic move, the center on Wed told the SC that women will be admitted into the National Defence Academy for permanent commission into India’s armed forces. The govt, however, said it needs some time to frame guidelines to pave the way for women to take NDA courses.

IAF looking at procuring around 350 aircraft: Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria

Chief of Air Staff RKS Bhadauria spoke about the need for developing asymmetric capabilities to bolster the IAF’s overall strength.

Centre gives nod to ₹10,683 crore-worth PLI scheme for textile sector

Under the scheme, incentives worth ₹10,683 crores will be provided over five years. This outlay has been approved for textiles for man-made fiber (MMF) apparel, MMF fabrics, and ten segments or products of technical textiles.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

Afghanistan Crisis: Taliban government lists agenda on Sharia law, media quality & foreign policy (↓)

Taliban government promised to work towards improving media quality in the country, however, there was no mention of any policies towards women’s rights in Akhundzada’s statement.

Myanmar urged to avoid violence after junta opponents declare a revolt

Southeast Asian and Western countries have urged all sides in Myanmar to refrain from violence and allow in humanitarian aid, after a shadow government, formed by opponents of military rule, declared a nationwide uprising against the junta.

Prevention of humanitarian crisis, economic meltdown in Afghanistan key priorities, FM tells virtual moot

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday stressed that the prevention of a humanitarian crisis and economic meltdown in Afghanistan were key priorities in the wake of recent developments in the country that saw the Taliban take over Kabul and the formation of an interim govt.

He tweeted “The situation in Afghanistan remains complex & fluid. We hope the political situation stabilizes leading to normalcy, soon. The new reality requires us to discard old lenses, develop new insights & proceed w/ a realistic/ pragmatic approach”

PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz said on Wednesday that Pakistan must accept the will of the Afghan people and refrain from imposing its decision on Afghanistan.

Nepal Parliament to begin new session today, MCC on agenda

Leaders of the then CPN (Maoist), including Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, had protested when the then Prime Minister KP Oli took the process forward for the parliamentary approval of the MCC

After dropping all charges, the Myanmar army frees notorious anti-Muslim monk

Ashin Wirathu, a nationalist Buddhist monk notorious for his anti-Muslim tirades, has been released by Myanmar’s military. The development comes after all charges, including sedition, levied against him by Aung San Suu Kyi’s deposed govt, were dropped.

Former Mauritius PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam en-route to India for medical emergency

Former PM of Mauritius, Navinchandra Ramgoolam is en route to India (Chennai) for a medical emergency.

India, Russia agree to coordinate approaches in multilateral formats on Afghan

• Emphasizing the need to prevent escalation of violence in Afghanistan, India, and Russia on Tuesday agreed to coordinate their approaches in multilateral formats regarding the Afghan settlement, informed the Russian Embassy in New Delhi.
• This was agreed upon during the high-level meeting between India and Russia on the situation in Afghanistan. During the meeting, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev discussed Moscow and New Delhi joint efforts aimed at creating conditions for launching a peaceful settlement process based on an intra-Afghan dialogue.

Indian NSA Ajit Doval meets Russian counterpart over Afghanistan: Amid the still-unfolding situation in Afghanistan India’s NSA met his Russian counterpart, supposed to be from the inner circle of Putin, on Wed (Sept 8th) in New Delhi.

The meet had been scheduled just one day after the Taliban announced its govt on Tuesday.

• ANI quoted sources to say that Patrushev will also meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
• The high-level consultations will reflect on the situation in Afghanistan after the US withdrawal.
• Both NSA`s will also review activities of terrorist groups including Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, threats from drugs, the role of regional countries, and details of Indo-Russia cooperation to meet current and future threats and measures to assist Afghanistan said the sources.
• Earlier, Doval hosted the 11^th Meeting of the BRICS high representatives responsible for National Security through video conferencing on Aug 31. His Russian counterpart was also present in the meeting.
• Earlier on Mon Russian ambassador Nikolay Kudashev shared concern of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan spreading to Kashmir amid the Taliban takeover of Kabul.
• He also said that India and Russia have shared concern over terrorism and added that Afghan soil should not be a source of spreading terrorism to other countries.
• Last month, India’s deputy NSA Pankaj Saran had visited Moscow and met with Patrushev and discussed Afghanistan.
• India raised the issue of cross-border terrorism and activities of groups such as the Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed at the meeting of BRICS representatives responsible for national security and said these groups “enjoy state support” and threaten peace and security.
• Pakistan interfering in Afghanistan’s affairs remains a big concern for India.
• The meeting between Doval and Patrushev is a follow-up to the phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin on Aug 24, during which the two leaders had agreed to remain in close touch on the Afghanistan issue.
• The consultations reflect the importance and potential for enhanced political and security cooperation on Afghanistan, the people said.
• “Both countries also share concerns on terrorism, especially ensuring that the Taliban adhere to their commitments,” one of the people said.

India, Russia have ‘common position and approach’ on Afghanistan, says envoy Venkatesh Varma: The Indian envoy to Russia DB Venkatesh Varma has said that India and Russia have a “common position, common approach” when it comes to Afghanistan and both countries are “particularly affected” by the developments in the country concerning the issue of terrorism, drug trafficking, and other issues.

• Envoy, however, said talks with the Taliban in Doha have not yielded the right results. “…India was not a direct participant in the Doha talks. India was also not part of the Troika Plus mechanism, but as I said, these mechanisms have not yielded the right results.
• I think one lesson is that India and Russia should work together concerning Afghanistan. That is the most important lesson for us,” He said, referring to the Qatar-hosted talks with the Taliban that paved the way for the US pullout from Afghanistan after a 20-year war.
• Moreover, Modi and Putin are also expected to meet during the BRICS virtual summit on Thu, hosted by New Delhi.

Apart from that, Putin is expected to visit India later this month for the much-awaited annual India-Russia bilateral summit and deliver the first units of the S-400 Air Defense system.

CIA Chief Met Ajit Doval In New Delhi Amid Taliban Government Formation

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met with US spymaster William Burns in Delhi on Tuesday. The meeting took place on the day when the Taliban announced the names of people who would run Afghanistan, including a man on the UN sanctions list being named as Prime Minister.

Richard Moore, the head of the UK Secret Intelligence Service or MI6, was the first of the visitors over the past week, and he was followed on Tuesday by Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director William Burns.

Both spy chiefs and their teams met National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and top members of the National Security Council Secretariat, Hindustan Times reported citing an anonymous source.

• Just three days after a visit to Kabul by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief, Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, the Taliban on Tues announced a 33-member interim setup.
• The people cited above-said developments in Afghanistan and the possible spillover of terrorism from Afghan soil was among the key topics discussed in the meetings with the MI6 and CIA chiefs and the Russian security official.
• The Indian side raised Pakistan’s backing for the Taliban and its core military component, the Haqqani Network, and the presence of thousands of Pakistani fighters in Afghanistan, the people said.
• India was among the countries that evacuated their mission staff from Kabul when the Taliban took the Afghan capital three weeks ago. Russia and Pakistan had stayed put.
• India has said it expects the Taliban not to allow terror groups to operate from its soil to target India, especially foment trouble in Jammu and Kashmir.
• The meetings also looked at the way forward in Afghanistan, especially at a time when Russia and China appear to be veering towards the possible recognition of the Taliban dispensation.
• There are indications that Russia and China are keen to work with the Taliban to address their security concerns, especially the perceived threat from the Islamic State and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM).
• Russia and China are also among the very few countries that have kept their embassies in Kabul open and their envoys have been meeting with Taliban leaders.
• Burns and his team interacted with Doval and key members of the National Security Council Secretariat, including deputy national security adviser Rajinder Khanna and Lt Gen (R) VG Khandare, the secretariat’s military adviser, the people said.

While the Ministry of External Affairs announced Patrushev’s visit, there was no official word from any side on the trips by the British and American spy chiefs. Burns is believed to have traveled to Pakistan after the India leg of his visit.

Pakistan continues to foment a culture of violence at home, across its borders: India at UN

India’s strong response came after Islamabad’s envoy to the UN Munir Akram raked up the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and spoke about the late pro-Pakistan leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani in his remarks in the General Assembly hall that focussed almost entirely on India and not on the forum’s theme.

“A Culture of Peace is not just an abstract value or principle to be discussed and celebrated in conferences, but needs to be actively built into global relationships between and among member states,” First Secretary in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN Vidisha Maitra said in the UN General Assembly Tuesday during the high-level forum on the Culture of Peace ‘Transformative role of the Culture of Peace: Promoting Resilience and Inclusion in Post-Covid Recovery’.

“We have witnessed yet another attempt today by the delegation of Pakistan to exploit a UN platform for hate speech against India, even as it continues to foment a ‘culture of violence’ at home and across its borders. We dismiss and condemn all such efforts,” she said.

Underlining that India will continue to spread the message of humanity, democracy, and non-violence, she said India reiterates its call for the application of the principles of objectivity, non-selectivity, and impartiality to form the basis of discussions in the United Nations especially on the issue of religion.

Last year in June, India along with 12 countries had co-sponsored the Cross-Regional Statement on “Infodemic” in the Context of COVID-19, a first of its kind statement by the UN Member States.

‘UNSC not truly representative of contemporary world’: Indian envoy

India’s permanent representative to the United Nations, TS Tirumurti said that for preventive diplomacy to be effective the member states have to be convinced that the decision taken by the UNSC is impartial and carefully considered, not just a political tool.

• Highlighting that the UN charter is prescribed a “trigger mechanism for collective action” by the UN Security Council, Tirumurti said, “Action by the UNSC is not the first step, but the last, after exhausting all options.”
• He said the principle of non-intrusion into domestic affairs of member states is a key aspect of the UNSC. “The challenge is to balance these important articles of faith when initiating action by the (UN Security) Council,” the Indian envoy said.
• Tirumurti spoke on the constraints of the UNSC and the “structural inequality” in the security grouping.

“We have seen and continue to witness the distressing consequences of intervention made without allowing for mediation efforts, especially regional mediation efforts. We, therefore, need to draw the right lessons from history, and calls for preventive diplomacy should be seen in these contexts,” Tirumurti said during this address.

• The Indian diplomat highlighted that some of the member nations have, in recent years, made efforts to bring thematic issues to be taken up by the UNSC by projecting them as peace and security issues.
• Tirumurti remarked that much of the problems relating to Security Council decisions stem from an “important factor” that the group is not truly representative of the contemporary world.

Speaking in favor of including regional blocs in the decision-making process of the UNSC, Tirumurti said, “With their deep knowledge of local factors and complexities, regional and sub-regional organizations and uniquely placed to contribute to finding better solutions to conflicts in their respective regions.”

IAF looking at procuring around 350 aircraft: Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria

• The Indian Air Force is looking at procuring around 350 aircraft in the next two decades, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria said on Wed.
• In an address at a conference on the Indian aerospace sector, the Chief of Air Staff also talked about the need for developing asymmetric capabilities to bolster the IAF’s overall strength given challenges from China.
• “Looking at the northern neighbor, we have to have niche technologies which must be built in-house by our industry for reasons of security,” the IAF chief said.
• Emphasizing that India becoming self-reliant in the defense sector is crucial for dealing with the various challenge, Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria said the IAF is looking at procuring around 350 aircraft from within the country in the next two decades.
• At the same time, he noted that it is a rough projection.

The IAF chief also said the Tejas light combat aircraft project has instilled confidence in the aerospace industry in India and that it has huge potential to grow further.

[ AFGHANISTAN CRISIS ]

Taliban government lists agenda on Sharia law, media quality & foreign policy

Taliban government promised to work towards improving media quality in the country, however, there was no mention of any policies towards women’s rights in Akhundzada’s statement.

“In the future, all matters of governance and life in Afghanistan will be regulated by the laws of the Holy Sharia,” Akhundzada said in a statement.

“I assure all the countrymen that the figures will work hard towards upholding Islamic rules and Sharia law in the country. The Islamic Emirate has no problem with anyone. Everyone will take part in strengthening the system and Afghanistan and in this way, we will rebuild our war-torn country,” Akhundzada said.

On the foreign policy, the statement said Afghanistan wants a healthy relationship with the world based on mutual respect while adding that it was committed to upholding all international laws and treaties, not in conflict with Islamic law.

It also assured that the country will not be used to harm any other country and promised safety for foreign diplomats, NGOs, and businesses in the country.

Not surprising but worth noting that the Taliban omitted the Ministry of Women Affairs and replaced it with the Ministry of Amr bil Ma’ruf wa Nahy aan al Munkar (Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice).

Taliban announces ‘acting’ govt, Mohammad Hasan appointed acting PM

Key figures in the interim govt:

• Prime Minister – Mohammad Hasan Akhund
• Deputy Prime Minister – Abdul Ghani Baradar
• Interior Minister – Sirjauddin Haqqani
• Foreign Minister – Amir Khan Muttaqi
• Deputy Foreign Minister – Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai
• Defence Minister – Mullah Yaqoob
• Army Chief – Fasihuddin Badakhshani
• Finance Minister – Mullah Hidayatullah
• Information Minister – Zabihullah Mujahid

At least six of the new Taliban ministers are products of Darul Uloom Haqqania seminary in Pakistan, which is also known as the “University of Jihad” producing a record number of Islamist terrorists.

Sarajuddin Haqqani, son of the founder of the Haqqani network, designated as a terrorist organization by the United States. will be the new interior minister, a Taliban spokesperson said, more than 3 weeks after taking over the country.

Notably, all of them are on the UN terror list, while Sirajuddin Haqqani carries a bounty of $5 million announced by the FBI.

Baradar was earlier arrested and imprisoned in Pakistan in 2010 and had become the head of the Taliban’s political office in Doha after his release in 2018 as he spearheaded the talks with the US government with the former Trump administration.

Haibatullah Akhundzada who is still the supreme leader of the Taliban is a hardline cleric and his son was a suicide bomber. Akhundzada was an early member. He had served as the chief of the Taliban’s justice system. In 2001, in the wake of the US invasion of Afghanistan and the ouster of the Taliban after the Sept 11 attacks, Akhundzada had reportedly fled to Pakistan where he taught and preached at a mosque for 15 years.

Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, a lesser-known leader of the group, has been chosen as a compromise candidate between opposing factions within the Taliban, reports claim citing sources.

• Akhund is from the Kandahar region of Afghanistan, where the Taliban had emerged in the 1990s. He was among the founding members of the insurgency group, according to reports.
• He is believed to be more of a religious than a military leader and is considered close to the Taliban’s spiritual and supreme leader Sheikh Hibatullah Akhundzada.
• Akhund serves as the head of the Taliban’s top decision-making body, “Rehbari Shura” or the leadership council, a position he has held for 20 years.
• “He worked for 20 years as head of Rehbari Shura and earned himself a very good reputation. He is a religious leader rather than a military background and is known for his character and devotion,” a Taliban leader said.
• Akhund had held several important positions during the group’s previous Govt (1996 – 2001).
• He was earlier the Foreign Minister and later made the Deputy Prime Minister under Mullah Mohammad Rabbani Akhund as the PM.
• He was the Vice President of the Council of Ministers in 2001. He also features on a terror list of the United Nations (UN).

The 33 member Taliban cabinet has one Uzbek – Abdul Salam Hanafi who is the deputy head of state and two Tajiks – Qari Fasih, the Army chief, and Qari Din Muhammad Hanif, the economic affairs minister.

There were no reports of any casualties, however, the Taliban warned the public against taking to the streets saying that until the laws for protests have been explained no one should protest.

Tuesday was marked by protests across Kabul and many other provinces of Afghanistan with men and women coming out on the streets against the Taliban, chanting “Death to Pakistan” and “Support Panjshir“.

• Similar protests were also witnessed in Washington DC, London, and Tehran.
• Taliban terrorists opened fire on several such protesters in Kabul and Herat.
• At least four civilians were killed and eight injured in the Taliban firing on the protesters in Herat.
• Several women, activists, and journalists were also manhandled and detained in Kabul.

Reconstruction and rehabilitation

Terming education “one of the most important requirements”, the Taliban leader said it will be the government’s duty to provide a healthy and safe environment to all citizens to study religion and modern sciences.

He pointed out that the country had been suffering from war and economic crises for the last four decades.

Talking further about his government’s plans, Akhund said: “It will manage domestic revenue properly and transparently, provide special opportunities for international investment and various sectors of trade [and] will work to fight unemployment effectively. Our ultimate goal will be to get our country back on its feet as quickly as possible, and efficiently perform reconstruction and rehabilitation work in our war-torn country.”

He added that the interim government would reach out to Afghan businessmen, investors, and sensible citizens to ask for their support and help in ending poverty and strengthening the country’s economy.

Talking about the media, he said the govt would work towards its freedom, functioning, and quality improvement.

Afghan Politicians React to War in Panjshir

The politicians’ comments on the issue come a day after the Taliban claimed to have captured all of Panjshir province.

• Abdullah, referring to the war in Panjshir, wrote on his Facebook page that imposing demands on people by force will not have positive results and will lead to the continuation of conflict and suffering.
• Abdullah said he regrets the death of the Resistance Front spokesman Fahim Dashti, and also Abdul Wadood Zara, a nephew of the late Ahmad Shah Massoud.

Panjshir resistance: Wion reported citing sources, that the Taliban have retreated from Bazarak to Rokha. Casualties continued to be inflicted due to the presence of Pak/Taliban fighters. Former VP Saleh constantly changing his location. Mobile networks aren’t working. Fox News also confirmed that 27 Pakistani fighter planes are also supporting Talibani forces, while later already declared the capture of Pajshir.

China is ready to maintain communication with the leaders of the new government: FM

China on Wed said the formation of a provisional Taliban govt in Afghanistan was a “necessary step” in pursuing a post-war reconstruction, adding that it is ready to maintain communication with the new leaders.

• It is a “necessary step for Afghanistan to restore domestic order and pursue post-war reconstruction”, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin told state English broadcaster, CGTN, in an interview.
• Wang Wenbin made the same comment when asked to respond to a query on whether Beijing will recognize the new government in Kabul at the regular ministry briefing on Wed.

Chinese state media, Global Times, China to hold Taliban to honor the pledge to cut ties with terrorism after interim govt announcement

• An expert on counter-terrorism and Afghan affairs in Beijing, who asked to remain anonymous, said that “…but the Taliban is unlikely to deal with all terrorists in Afghanistan with the same standard.”

The East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) is a major concern for China and the Taliban are aware if it wants to maintain a sustainable ruling of the country, China is the only major power that could provide meaningful support. Therefore, it would take some actions on the matter to meet China’s request, the expert said.

Nepal Parliament to begin new session today, MCC on agenda

On the recommendation of the council of ministers, President Bidya Devi Bhandari last week had called for the next session of the House of Representatives to be held at 4 pm on Sept 8 and one of the main agendas is to table the proposal to endorse $ 500 million American grant assistance, Millennium Challenge Corporation’s Nepal Compact.

• It is a project of $630 million, where MCC will provide a grant of $500 million and Nepal will bear $130 million. $500 million goes to the energy sector and $130 million goes to the roads sector.
• It is a challenging task for Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to reach a consensus on the MCC, taking into account US pressure on the one hand and coalition partners on the other.
• Leaders of the then CPN (Maoist), including Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, had protested when the then Prime Minister KP Oli took the process forward for the parliamentary approval of the MCC. Maoist leaders, that oppose the MCC outright, argue that it is a part of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) and thus acceptance of MCC would drag Nepal into a military alliance with America.
• Communist Parties in Nepal believe if Nepal subscribes to the IPS, its relation with China will be affected.
• However, following controversy surrounding the program, the MCC is yet to be ratified by Nepal’s Parliament, a prerequisite for its implementation in the areas of electricity transmission and transport (road) sector.
• As per the agreement with the US, the MCC should be endorsed by Parliament to ensure that all political parties take ownership so the project can be implemented smoothly. However, some politicians and civil society members argue that there is no tradition of endorsing aid projects from Parliament.
• Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Nepal has stated that the western country was a supporter of free speech after a protest was staged in front of the Embassy against MCC.
• Nepal Government had earlier written a letter to the US Government through the Embassy in Nepal to clarify on provisions of the project of which some leaders think is allegedly jeopardizing Nepal’s sovereignty.
• Voices against the ratification of MCC have started to be heard on the streets and many groups, political parties will once again stage a protest today in front of the Parliament.
• The last session of the Nepal parliament was prorogued to August 17, a day after which the Deuba government introduced an ordinance to amend the Political Parties Act.
• At a time when the US is stepping up diplomatic activism over MCC ratification, China has also expressed interest in implementing the BRI. Kathmandu is now in the geopolitical gravity between the two powers.