Thundering Tuesdays

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PM Modi to attend ASEAN-India summit virtually, take stock of post-Covid economic recovery

The Prime Minister will also attend the East Asia Summit on Oct 27 virtually and discuss maritime security and terrorism. The ASEAN-India summit will be held on 28 October.

Amit Shah spends a night at CRPF camp during 3-day J&K visit extended on Monday

”People sleep peacefully because you are here at the border,” Amit Shah said in an address to security personnel at the CRPF camp in Pulwama. “I want to spend one night with you people and understand your difficulties. I want to know how they feel at the last border point.”

Navy ready to push predator drone acquisition with Modi government

Defense minister Rajnath Singh and external affairs minister S Jaishankar will meet their US counterparts, secretary of state Antony Blinken and defense secretary Lloyd Austin, in December in Washington with both sides on verge of finalization of dates.

CBI arrests Navy officers in the information leak case, Navy orders high-level investigation

ANI-In a significant development, the Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a serving Indian Navy officer along with 2 retired ones in connection with the leakage of confidential information related to the modernization of a Kilo-class submarine going.

Gujarat ATS arrests BSF man for spying for Pakistan

A Border Security Force personnel deployed in Gujarat’s Bhuj battalion was arrested by the anti-terrorist squad for allegedly working as a spy for Pakistan and passing on secret and sensitive information to the neighboring country over WhatsApp, the ATS said on Monday.

3 Indian start-ups win IAF swarm drone competition, at least 2 in line for defense contracts

Three Indian start-ups have won a 3-year-long swarm drone competition organized by the Indian Air Force, which will now pave the way for at least 2 of them to get formal contracts for surveillance, attack, and electronic warfare drones.

WHO to consider emergency use listing for Covaxin in meeting

The technical advisory group of the World Health Organisation (WHO) will meet on Tuesday to consider the emergency use listing for Bharat Biotech’s Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin.

Delhi Police conducts raids at 37 locations in Unitech case

Delhi Police Crime Branch on Monday conducted search and seizure operations at 37 different locations in the national capital, Haryana, and Rajasthan in connection with the Unitech case.

The court can quash proceedings in SC/ST Act where it appears offense civil in nature: SC

The Supreme Court on Monday said that a court can exercise its power to quash proceedings where it appears that the alleged offense although covered under the SC/ST Act, is primarily private or civil or where it has not been committed on account of the caste of the victim.

President Ram Nath Kovind accepted credentials from Ambassadors of Luxembourg – Peggy Frantzen, Slovenia – Mateja Vodeb Ghosh, Israel – Naor Gilon, and Egypt – Wael Mohamed Awad Hamed at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

Chinese FM Wang Yi meets Taliban’s acting Deputy PM Baradar in Doha

Taliban’s delegation led by First Deputy of Afghanistan’s PM Mullah Baradar and Taliban’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Monday met Chinese counterparts led by Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Doha. The two leaders discussed the political and economic situation in Afghanistan.

New COVID-19 outbreak in China: Authorities shut down Lanzhou, a city of 4 million people

Lanzhou, a four-million-strong city in northwest China, was placed under lockdown on Tuesday to contain a domestic coronavirus outbreak, with people ordered not to leave their homes except in an emergency. Officials in hazmat suits stood guard at the doors of each residential complex, and metal barriers were erected around the perimeter of the area.

The US expresses concern over the Myanmar junta’s brutal violence

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Monday (local time) virtually met with Duwa Lashi La and Zin Mar Aung representatives of Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) and underscored continued Washington’s support for the pro-democracy movement in the country.

Sheikh Hasina desires stronger trade ties between Bangladesh, Pakistan

Both countries have begun to prepare for Hasina’s first visit to Pakistan.

Foreign Office, Pakistan to be released a song titled “Main Kashmir Hoon” in collaboration with Youth Parliament of Pakistan, to mark Kashmir Black Day.

Key US senator asks Blinken to ensure Biden calls PM Imran to ‘rebuild’ Pak-US relationship

US Senator Bob Menendez says there exists an “extraordinary moment” to restore the Pak-US relationship to “what it once was”.

PM Modi to attend ASEAN-India summit virtually, take stock of post-COVID economic recovery

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend virtually the annual 18th ASEAN (the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations) -India summit on Thursday at the invitation of Sultan of Brunei, which will review the status of strategic partnership between the two sides and take stock of progress made in areas of trade and investment, post-COVID-19 economic recovery, and connectivity.

  • The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Modi will also attend the 16th East Asia Summit to be held virtually on Wed that will discuss matters of regional and international interest and concern including maritime security and terrorism.
  • ASEAN is considered one of the most influential groupings in the region, and several other countries, including the US, China, Japan, and Australia, are its dialogue partners.
  • The ties between India and ASEAN have been on an upswing in the last few years in the areas of trade and investment as well as security and defense.

The East Asia Summit, since its inception in 2005, is the premier forum in the Asia-Pacific region to deal with issues relating to security and defense. Apart from the ASEAN member states, the East Asia Summit includes India, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Russia.

  • The MEA said the ASEAN-India summit will be attended by heads of state and governments of the member countries of the grouping.
  • The two sides are also expected to review the maritime security scenario in the Indo-Pacific and the South China Sea.
  • Modi attended the 17th ASEAN-India summit held virtually in Nov 2020. The upcoming summit will be the 9th ASEAN-India summit to be attended by him.
  • The East Asia Summit is the premier Leaders-led forum in the Indo-Pacific. Since its inception in 2005, it has played a significant role in the strategic and geopolitical evolution of East Asia.

India, being a founding member of the East Asia Summit, is committed to strengthening the East Asia Summit and making it more effective for dealing with contemporary challenges,” the MEA said.

It said the leaders are also expected to accept declarations on mental health, economic recovery through tourism, and green recovery, which are being co-sponsored by India.

Amit Shah spends a night at CRPF camp during 3-day J&K visit extended on Monday

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday extended his 3-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir and decided to spend the night with the CRPF to listen to their grievances and understand the challenges they are facing, he said.

  • ”People sleep peacefully because you are here at the border,” Amit Shah said in an address to security personnel at the CRPF camp in Pulwama.
  • “I want to spend one night with you people and understand your difficulties. I want to know how they feel at the last border point.”
  • While noting that the law and order situation in the UT has “improved drastically”, Shah emphasized that the Modi govt has a zero-tolerance policy towards terror.
  • He referred to the civilian killings in recent weeks and the number of security personnel who are martyred and said, “We should not be satisfied till total peace is achieved. The perpetrators behind this will be brought to justice.”
  • The minister called on the people of the Valley not to fall prey to the misleading claims and deception being peddled by certain groups for the sake of their own political and personal agendas.

Recalling the Pulwama attack in which 40 jawans lost their lives, Shah said the deadly terror strike had become synonymous with the district, and the people the world over knew about it.

But now, Pulwama will be known for the Rs 2000-crore AIIMS medical college which would be built here soon, he asserted.

Zia Mustafa, LeT militant killed in Poonch, ‘knew of hideouts, radicalized youth inside jail’

Zia Mustafa, who was accused of killing 24 Kashmiri Pandits in Pulwama’s Nadimarg in 2003, was killed in a crossfire while “leading the security forces to the Pakistani terrorists hiding in the forested areas of Poonch”, the J&K Police had said in a statement. 2 J&K policemen and 1 Army soldier were injured in the crossfire.

Mustafa, the Lashkar-e-Taiba “operative” who was killed during an encounter with militants in Poonch on Sunday, was a “crucial link” and could have “helped conclude the ongoing operation” to identify hideouts of terrorists, sources in the security establishment said.

  • Mustafa had been in prison for the last 18 years, was in “constant touch with Lashkar handlers in Pakistan and was also guiding infiltrators hiding in Poonch, using a phone”. (sources)
  • He also had information about the terrorist hideouts in Poonch and had guided them, for which security forces picked him along with them.
  • The operation is in its last leg, and we were certain that Mustafa will have reliable information on the hideouts of these terrorists. (see the last letter for details)
  • As per official words, Mustafa was killed in crossfire, which means firing was done by “hidden terrorists”.

Who was Zia Mustafa: On March 23rd, 2003, gunmen dressed in Army uniform lined up 11 men, 11 women, and 2 children outside their homes in Pulwama’s Nadimarg area and shot them dead and Zia (a resident of Rawalakote, in POK) was arrested on 10 April, Zia Mustafa, as the “mastermind of the Nadimarg massacre” and since then he has been inside the prison as an undertrial.

  • Along with Mustafa, 3 other militants were named in the FIR registered after the incident, but they were killed in an encounter in Kulgam by the BSF in April 2003.
  • According to the police, Mustafa was a “district commander of the LeT” and was “carrying an AK rifle, ammunition, and a wireless set” when he was arrested in 2003.
  • The police filed a charge sheet in the case on 9 June 2003 and charges were framed against Mustafa in October that year but out of 38 prosecution witnesses, only 9 could have been examined.

In 2015, the Supreme Court then asked the high court to take up the matter and reconsider the state’s petition, but it was finally dismissed in 2017 after the state failed to appear before the high court for the hearing.

Was radicalizing the inmates to join terror ranks’: A second source in the J&K Police said that Mustafa was a “notorious inmate who was radicalizing the inmates to join terror ranks”

  • “He continued to motivate people to go to Pakistan for training,” the source added.
  • 3 terrorists who supported the Poonch lot of terrorists arrested by Police from Kathmandu, Nepal

6 injured in explosion at Sumo Taxi Stand in Sumbal, as it missed the target, 2 shifted to Srinagar: J-K Police

  • 6 persons were injured in an explosion at Sumo Taxi Stand in J&K’s Sumbal on Tuesday.
  • Two of them have been shifted to Srinagar for treatment, police said.  
  • It is being said that a convoy of the Army was on target.
  • The Bandipora area has been cordoned off after the blast.

Navy ready to push predator drone acquisition with Modi government

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will meet their US counterparts, secretary of state Antony Blinken and defense secretary Lloyd Austin, in December in Washington with both sides on verge of finalization of dates.

With the India-US 2+2 dialogue scheduled in December, all eyes are on the Indian Navy to move the Defence Acquisition Council for a possible announcement of the $3 billion procurement of armed Predator drones from the US to strengthen India’s beyond the horizon capabilities.

While the stabilization of drought facing Taliban-ruled Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific in light of Chinese aggressive postures will be top of the agenda, there is a possibility of the two sides announcing the Predator deal provided the due govt processes are completed.

  • It is understood that the Indian Navy is ready to move the DAC for Acceptance of Necessity (AON) for the acquisition of 30 MQ 9A Predator drones from General Atomics with each of the tri-services getting 10 Hell-Fire missile-firing drones.
  • As the Indian Navy is already operating 2 leased Predator drones for maritime domain awareness beyond the Straits of Malacca to the Gulf of Aden, the acquisition process is being handled by them for both the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army.
  • Despite initial reservations of the Indian Air Force, all services are on board on Predator acquisition.

(Official) -The process is on. It involves the concurrence of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) after DAC clearance.

  • The announcement can be done provided the process is complete before the 2+2 dialogue or else it will be announced later, confirming that the US had clarified to their satisfaction.
  • Incidentally, PM Modi had met the CEO of General Atomics, which is the leading US manufacturer of armed drones, during his visit to Washington on Sept 23.
  • In the context of the US getting permission to use Pakistani air space for maintaining beyond the horizon capabilities to target terrorists in Afghanistan, India also needs to strengthen its drone capabilities as the indigenous development of armed drones has miles to go.
  • The Indian requirement for Predator armed drones has grown with China not only acquiring the capability but selling the Wing Loong armed drone to Pakistan, which can launch up to 12 air to surface missiles.
  • Islamabad’s close ally Turkey has also acquired the armed drone capability with Bayraktar series of drones being used in Libya and Syria theatres and by Azerbaijan against Armenia in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.

CBI arrests Navy officers in the information leak case, Navy orders high-level investigation

In a significant development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a serving Indian Navy officer along with 2 retired ones in connection with the leakage of confidential information related to the modernization of a Kilo-class submarine going.

(sources)- After the developments took place last month, the Indian Navy also ordered a high-level probe under a vice admiral and a rear admiral to probe the leakage of information and look for ways to prevent any such incident in the future.

  • CBI questioned several other serving officers who were in touch with the arrested officers.
  • The top brass of the government including the agencies looking after national security has also been given a briefing on the status of the investigations.
  • As soon as the matter was brought to the notice of the top Naval brass, they formed a 5-member team headed by a Vice Admiral also started a parallel probe to investigate the matter and plug any other possible information leaks in the force and suggest ways to prevent them in future.
  • Sources said the probe agencies have been monitoring the activities of a large number of ex-servicemen officers from tri-services which lead to the arrests in the case.
  • More arrests are possible as some more inputs have been received.
  • The central agency is also checking the hardware and date accessed by the arrested officer in his official capacity and the possibility of it getting leaked.
  • Several cases in the recent past have come up where defense personnel has been found compromised for leaking information to the suspected Pakistani agencies virtually.

Gujarat ATS arrests BSF man for spying for Pakistan

A Border Security Force personnel deployed in Gujarat’s Bhuj battalion was arrested by the Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) for allegedly from the BSF headquarters in Bhuj working as a spy to Pakistan for money and passing on secret and sensitive information to the neighboring country over WhatsApp, the ATS said on Monday.

  • The arrested BSF man, identified as Mohammad Sajjad, (native of Sarola village, Rajauri district, J&K), was deployed in the 74 BSF Battalion at Bhuj in July 2021, the ATS said in a release.
  • He was getting money for providing the information which was getting deposited in the accounts of his brother Wajid and colleague Iqbal Rashid, the ATS added.

ATS– Sajjad traveled to Pakistan for 46 days from December 1, 2011, to January 16, 2012, went via train to visit Pakistan, got a passport from Regional Office at Jammu.

  • Sajjad used 2 phones. On one of his phones, he had last activated a SIM card on Jan 14-15, 2021.
  • CDR (Call Data Record) of that number revealed that the SIM card, (belonging to Satyagopal Ghosh from Tripura), was first activated on Nov 7, 2020, and he (Sajjad) received two calls on the number, which remained active till November 9 before being deactivated till Dec 25, 2020, and was reactivated on Dec 26, 2020.
  • On January 15, 2021, when the number was activated, an SMS (Probably OTP for W/A, used to send information) was received at 12:38:51 hours, and the number was deactivated thereafter, but W/A was active and used by some person in Pakistan who was in touch with Sajjad.
  • Sajjad had misled the BSF by providing the wrong birth date.
  • As per his Aadhaar card, he was born on Jan 1, 1992, but his passport details showed his date of birth as January 30, 1985.

Delhi Police conducts raids at 37 locations in Unitech case

Delhi Police Crime Branch on Monday conducted search and seizure operations at 37 different locations in the national capital, Haryana, and Rajasthan in connection with the Unitech case.

An FIR was registered on October 12 in Delhi Police Crime Branch under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act after 32 Tihar Jail officials were found to be complicit with former Unitech promoters Ajay Chandra and Sanjay Chandra.

  • A letter has also been sent to Tihar Jail and the Home Ministry for action to be taken.
  • According to the police, a total of 37 teams of the Delhi Police Crime Branch conducted these raids today.
  • The prominent place includes the residences of Unitech owners Ramesh Chandra, Ajay Chandra, Sanjay Chandra, and their employees.
  • Police informed that search and seizure operation has also been conducted at the residences of jail officials which includes former Superintendent of Tihar Jail, former Deputy Superintendent, Assistant Superintendents, Head Warders, Warders, and Contractual Staff of Tihar Jail.

Evidence in the form of mobile phones and documents has been seized by the police. Police further stated that Supreme Court has transferred Ajay Chandra and Sanjay Chandra from Delhi’s Central Jail Tihar to Taloja Central Jail of Mumbai and Arthur Road Jail, Mumbai, respectively. Further investigation is underway.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

Sheikh Hasina desires stronger trade ties between Bangladesh, Pakistan

Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina on Monday reiterated her govt’s desire for stronger trade ties and economic collaboration with Pakistan while talking to Pak­istan’s envoy Imran Ahmed Siddiqui during their meeting in Dhaka. It was 2nd meet in the lat 11 months.

  • The Foreign office, in a statement issued here, said the two sides agreed to promote relations between the two countries.
  • The meeting came amid a warming of ties between the two countries after remaining in deep freeze for over a decade.
  • It is important to note that the meeting took place at a time when both countries have begun to prepare for Hasina’s first visit to Pakistan.
  • The Bangladeshi PMO has recently conveyed in writing to Pakistan the acceptance of the invitation, which was extended last July, while the date is yet to fix.
  • Hasina has also invited Khan to visit Bangladesh.
  • The Pakistani side has proposed to Bangladesh to prepare a road map for the PM’s trip so that it is fruitful.
  • Moreover, Islamabad is seeking the revival of bilateral mechanisms like the foreign secretaries’ dialogue, which halted for nearly 13 years.

The Pakistan-Bangladesh relationship– It should be recalled, took a nosedive after Hasina started her second tenure as PM in 2009 as she resumed the so-called 1971 ‘war crimes’ trial.

  • Pakistan has always considered the bitter 1971 dismemberment of the country as a closed chapter given the tripartite agreement signed in April 1974 for the repatriation of war prisoners.
  • Relations, however, started improving last year.
  • The developments in the Pak-B’desh ties came in the backdrop of Delhi-Dhaka ties turning lukewarm following the enactment of the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act by India last year.
  • Moreover, growing Chinese influence in Dhaka has also brought Pakistan and Bangladesh closer.

The Pak FO said – Siddiqui conveyed Khan’s message of goodwill and friendship to Hasina and the people of Bangladesh.

He also presented a photo album of the late Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s visit to Pakistan in 1974 to attend the OIC Summit; videos of his engagements in Pakistan during the summit; a photograph of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s portrait in Lahore Museum, as well as Bangla version of a coffee table book “Alla’ma bil Qalam” containing calligraphy-art rendered by Pakistani artists.

Chinese FM Wang Yi meets Taliban’s acting Deputy PM Baradar in Doha

Taliban’s delegation led by First Deputy of Afghanistan’s Prime Minister Mullah Baradar on Monday met Chinese delegation led by Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Doha, said Islamic Emirate spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

Both sides discussed the ongoing situation in Afghanistan and political and economic relations between Afghanistan and China. This was the first face-to-face talk since the Afghanistan takeover.

Wang- Afghanistan is facing quadruple challenges, namely the humanitarian crisis, economic chaos, terrorist threats, and governance difficulties, and overcoming these challenges requires more understanding and support from the international community (Xinhua).

Wang hoped that the Taliban will further demonstrate openness and tolerance, unite all ethnic groups and factions in Afghanistan to work together for peaceful reconstruction, and effectively protect the rights and interests of women and children.

  • On the current situation in Afghanistan, Baradar briefed Wang. He said it is under control and improving.
  • The leader said govt decrees are being carried out effectively.
  • The Afghan leader added their govt is working hard to meet the needs of the people.
  • It will continue to learn from its historical experience to take the path of development in line with its conditions.
  • In Doha, Wang will also meet the Taliban’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.

The US expresses concern over the Myanmar junta’s brutal violence

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Monday (local time) virtually met with Duwa Lashi La and Zin Mar Aung representatives of Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) and underscored continued Washington’s support for the pro-democracy movement in the country.

  • Sullivan also expressed concern over the recent arrest of pro-democracy activist Ko Jimmy and noted the U.S. will continue to advocate for his release and the release of all those unjustly detained.
  • Myanmar has been in turmoil since the coup, on Feb 1st, when the Myanmar military led by Senior General Ming Aung Hlaing overthrew the civilian govt and declared a year-long state of emergency.
  • The coup triggered mass protests and was met by deadly violence, which claimed the lives of more than 1,000 civilians in Myanmar, with thousands more detained, many tortured or beaten, according to the United Nations, citing activists.
  • Sullivan reiterated U.S. support for ASEAN efforts to hold the Burmese military regime to its obligations under the Five-Point Consensus.
  • Myanmar junta to free 5,000 anti-coup protesters after Military’s exclusion from ASEAN Summit
  • The Myanmar Military on Mon (Oct 19) announced that more than 5,000 people who were arrested for opposing the coup will be freed under a grant of amnesty

Myanmar Coup and India:

  • Myanmar is the only ASEAN country with which India shares a land border, extending to 1643 kms, most of which is not fenced.
  • Myanmar borders 4 North East Indian States – Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram, and its help is critical to countering insurgency in India’s North East.
  • Peace in the Chin and Rakhine states of Myanmar is essential for the completion of the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project and the Trilateral Highway project.
  • The India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway will provide connectivity from Moreh (Manipur) to Mae Sot (Tak province, Thailand) and the Kaladan project would link Mizoram to the Bay of Bengal.
  • The political instability in the post-coup period is expected to divert the attention of the Myanmar Army from its periphery and its borders.
  • The Arakan Army on the Myanmar side of the border continues to be a source of concern.
  • It must be remembered that it was the Myanmar army that was assisting the Indian Army in dealing with the Arakan Army and the National-Socialist Council of Nagaland Isak-Muivah (NSCN (IM) in the period before the coup.
  • Second, the refugee influx from Myanmar to Manipur and Mizoram (due to common ethnic links and family ties) is a matter of concern for New Delhi.
  • In sum, closer coordination between the central govt and borders states is essential for the successful attainment of critical national objectives.
  • The growing international isolation of Myanmar led by the Army could once again push the country into dependence on China.
  • When Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Myanmar in Jan 2020, 33 important agreements were signed, including the Kyaukphyuyu Special Economic Zone and Kyaukphyu deep-sea port.
  • Earlier in 2018, Myanmar and China had signed an MoU to establish the China Myanmar Economic Corridor, a length of 1700 km to connect Kunming to Myanmar’s economic hubs, from Mandalay to Kyaukphyu.
  • A framework agreement on Kyaukphyu was also signed in Nov 2018, also when Xi visited Myanmar in 2018 related to the New Yangon City project.

New Delhi’s Position: Developments in Myanmar pose a serious policy challenge to India. Myanmar is an important element for the success of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’, ‘Act East’, and ‘Indo-Pacific’ policies.

  • It was from Naypyitaw that Prime Minister Modi launched India’s Act East policy in 2014. India’s initial response to the Febuary 1 coup expressing “deep concern” was moderate.
  • India, however, upped the ante as the death toll kept on rising.
  • India does not support sanctions against Myanmar as sanctions have not worked in the past and are not likely to work now.

Earlier, India’s envoy to the UN in Geneva, Indra Mani Pandey told the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Feb 12, 2021, that the rule of law and democratic processes in Myanmar must be upheld and the detained political leaders released.

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