[ NATIONAL ]

India successfully tests Agni-5 ballistic missile with game-changing 5000 Km range

A successful launch of Surface to Surface Ballistic Missile, Agni-5, was carried out on October 27, 2021, at approximately 1950 hrs from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Orissa.

India and ASEAN have a vibrant relationship: PM Modi

Addressing the 18^th India- ASEAN summit virtually, the Prime Minister said India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and Asean’s Outlook for the Indo-Pacific are the framework for their shared vision and mutual cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Modi also described the India-ASEAN relations as vibrant.

PM Modi to be in Rome from Oct 29 to 31: Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla

Shringla on Thusday informed that PM Modi will be in Rome, Italy from October 29-31 to attend the 16^th edition of the G20 Summit at the invitation of Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi, in addressing the special briefing on PM Modi’s visit to Rome.

• PM will attend the World Leaders’ Summit of the COP26 in Glasgow after that. He is expected to pitch for collective measures to deal with the situation in Afghanistan.
• G20 is a global forum whose members account for more than 80% of global GDP, 75% of global trade, and 60% population.
• The theme of this G20 meet under the Italian Presidency is centered around ‘People, Planet and Prosperity.’

Terrorist, involved in the killing of Bihar laborers, shot dead in J&K’s Baramulla- Police

Javed Ah Wani was identified as a hybrid-type terrorist by IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar. The IGP also said that Wani had assisted terrorist Gulzar, in killing 2 laborers from Bihar in Wanpoh. He was now on a mission to target a shopkeeper, according to IGP. One pistol, a loaded magazine, and a Pakistan grenade have been recovered from Wani’s possession.

“Someday, India will have whole of Kashmir”: Top Air Force officer

Budgam Landing Anniversary: Air Officer Commanding in Chief (AOC-in-C) of Western Air Command, Air Marshal Amit Dev, also said the people in PoK are not being treated very fairly by the Pakistanis. However, when asked if the force has any plans to capture the PoK, Air Marshal Dev said there was no plan at the moment.

Either fight to end terror in Kashmir or take transfer, Amit Shah’s straight talk with top officers in J&K

Home Minister, Amit Shah said while he was interacting with BSF troopers during his visit to J&K on Sun. After a detailed review of the security situation in J&K during his maiden visit to the valley since the Centre’s Article 370 move in 2019, Shah told officials to focus on “ending terrorism” or “take transfer”, CNN-News18 has reported.

US senators urge Joe Biden to avoid India sanctions over Russian missile systems deal

India signed a US$5.5 billion deal with Russia in 2018 for 5 of the surface-to-air missile systems for defense against Pakistan and China. Republican Senator John Cornyn and Democratic Senator Mark Warner called for a waiver on the grounds of national security and broader cooperation

Govt focused on enhancing combat capability, ensuring the welfare of soldiers: Rajnath Singh

ANI -Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said that the govt focused on enhancing combat capability and ensuring the welfare of soldiers in the country.

The plan is to procure 667 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

The Government of India has applied for loans from the Manila-based, Asian Development Bank (ADB) in which the U.S. and Japan are the biggest shareholders, and Beijing-based the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), where China and India are the biggest shareholders to procure as many as 667 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

Sri Lanka, Maldives cite major threats in region, laud India’s response

Terrorism and the threat of radicalization remain major threats to nations in the Indo-Pacific, Maldives Defence Minister Mariya Didi said at a virtual address during the Defense Conclave organized by the BharatShakti web portal in Delhi.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

Undeterred, thousands of TLP workers head for Gujranwala as protest continues for 2nd week

The rally comprising thousands of workers of the proscribed Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) left Kamoke and neared Gujranwala city on Thursday morning, as life in the areas surrounding its route continued to remain disrupted.

Pakistan needs to unapologetically tell its narrative to the world, says NSA Moeed Yusuf-Dawn

National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf on Thursday said that Pakistan needed to “unapologetically” share its narrative with the world.  Yusuf outlined 3 words that encapsulated his approach to narratives: proactive, unapologetic, and pragmatic. He said national dialogue was required in the following key areas: Character as an Islamic country; Unity in diversity; Human welfare for everyone; Pakistan’s democratic and federal nature; and Pakistan’s stance for peace within and in its neighborhood.

Biden vows to stand with Asia on freedom, hits at China on Taiwan

President Joe Biden on Wed reiterated that the US had a “rock-solid” commitment to Taiwan. “We are deeply concerned by China’s coercive … actions,” the President said, charging that they “threaten regional peace and stability.” Tensions between Taiwan and China have escalated in recent weeks as Beijing has staged repeated air missions over the Taiwan Strait.

Xi-Asean summit boosts China’s plan to upgrade Southeast Asia ties to comprehensive strategic partnership

China’s long-held plan to upgrade ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to a higher tier of diplomatic recognition could come to fruition during next month’s special summit between President Xi Jinping and the bloc’s leaders, observers have said. Meanwhile, ASEAN agreed to upgrade ties with Australia, which gave assurances the AUKUS pact was no threat to the region

Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen confirms US troops training soldiers on the island

Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng says Taiwan-US military interactions were ‘quite a lot and quite frequent’.

India successfully tests Agni-5 ballistic missile with game-changing 5000 Km range

Republic-India on Wednesday successfully launched Surface to Surface Ballistic Missile, Agni-5 at 1950 hours (IST) from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha. The successful test of Agni-5 is in line with India’s stated policy to have ‘credible minimum deterrence’ that underpins the commitment to ‘No First Use’.

Features: The Agni-V, the longest range Missile is a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile that uses a 3-stage solid-fuelled engine, which is capable of striking targets at ranges up to 5000 km with a very high degree of accuracy, has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

• Operation range -5500-5800 km
• Weight-50000 Kg
• Length-17.5m
• Diameter-2m
• Speed -24 Mach (24x time of sound speed)
• Warhead-1500 Kg (nuclear)

Uses a 3-stage solid-fuelled engine: Major Gaurav Arya called Agni-5 a formidable strategic missile and said that it can directly trouble China. “This missile has nothing to do with Pakistan, it does not even consider Pakistan as a possible landing target. This is an aim at China, which is very important,” he noted.

• In Aug, India successfully tested the DRDO’s Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM) off the coast of Odisha.
• In July, India had test-fired it’s indigenous developed, Surface to Air Missile defense system, New Generation Akash Missile (Akash-NG), with a target range up to 60 km.
• Also, flight-tested the Man-Portable Anti Tank Guided Missile
• In June, a new missile of the Agni series known as Agni-Prime was test-fired from the Odisha coast. Being a canisters missile, it has a range capability from 1000 to 2000 km.
• News reports last month had said that India would be conducting user trials of the missile soon i.e., tests before induction of the missile. 

India joins the club of countries with ICBMs: With Agni-V, India has joined an exclusive club of countries, with the others being China, the US, Russia, Britain, and France, to have ICBMs.

• Agni-V can reach almost every part of China, sources had said in 2018 when the missile was tested last by its developer, the DRDO.
• Interestingly, the DRDO is also working on a longer-range version of the Agni series of missiles.

A DRDO official had in 2018 said that Agni-V is programmed in a way that after reaching the peak of its trajectory, it will turn towards Earth to continue its journey towards the intended target with an increased speed due to the attraction of the Earth’s gravitational pull.

ASEAN’s unity, centrality always an important priority for India: PM Modi

The 10-nation ASEAN is considered one of the most influential groupings in the region, and India and several other countries including the US, China, Japan, and Australia are its dialogue partners

ASEAN’s unity and centrality have always been an important priority for India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thu and announced that the year 2022 would be celebrated as the ‘ASEAN-India Friendship Year’ to mark 30 years of their partnership.

Addressing the India-ASEAN Summit virtually, Modi said India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and ASEAN’s Outlook for the Indo-Pacific are the framework for their shared vision and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

“…… time was also a test for India-ASEAN friendship. In the Covid era, our mutual cooperation, mutual sympathy, will continue to strengthen our relationship in the future,” he said.

This special role of ASEAN is embedded in India’s Act East Policy and Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), he said.

• He said India is committed to further deepening ties with the grouping under the next president Cambodia and country coordinator Singapore.
• He also congratulated the Sultan of Brunei for his successful presidency of ASEAN.

The 10-nation ASEAN is considered one of the most influential groupings in the region, and India and several other countries including the US, China, Japan, and Australia are its dialogue partners.

ASEAN- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is a regional grouping that promotes economic, political, and security cooperation among its 10 members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

• ASEAN countries have a total population of 650 mn and a combined GDP of $2.8 tn.
• The group has played a central role in Asian economic integration, spearheading negotiations among Asia-Pacific nations to form one of the world’s largest free trade blocs and signing six free trade agreements with other regional economies.

Security beefed up in North Tripura’s Panisagar following violence

ANI-The security arrangements have been tightened in North Tripura district following tension in Panisagar and Dharmanagar area after violence during a procession by VHP.

• DIG Northern Range Lalhimnga Darlong, said, “Exaggerated and perverted rumors were being spread in social media that could spread high tension between two religious communities.”
• He, however, said that some malefactors who participated in a rally called by Vishva Hindu Parishad indulged in the violence.
• Darlong said Vishva Hindu Parishad took out a protest procession against the recent violence in Bangladesh.
• Darlong said police acted swiftly to defuse the tension.
• He appealed to the people not to get swayed by emotions and rumors and cooperate with police if they find anyone involved in a malicious campaign. (ANI)

HT- On Thursday, the police said that fake social media accounts are being used to spread fake news and communally sensitive rumors, and action will be taken against those spreading rumors.

North Tripura district authorities imposed Section 144 in the Panisagar and Dharmanagar subdivisions on Wednesday to maintain “peace and harmony” after clashes erupted during a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) rally on Tuesday.

The National Crime Records Bureau’s Crime in India 2020 report puts Tripura on top of all states in the Northeast in terms of political conflicts with 0.05 crimes/mn people in the category against 0.01/mn in Arunachal Pradesh and zero cases of political conflict in the other states.

Tripura, however, fared well in terms of communal and religious violence. The administration needs to keep a strict vigil so that this record remains untarnished.

Prominent US lawmakers pitch sanctions waiver on India’s S-400 purchase, deepening India-US ties

ANI -US Senator John Cornyn, the co-chair of the Senate India Caucus, Congressman Brad Sherman of California and Congressman Mike Waltz of Florida, a powerful Republican leader, called for the US to waive possible sanctions on India for buying the S-400 defense missile system from Moscow and urged for deepening cooperation between the two countries.

SCMP- Two US senators have urged President Joe Biden to waive sanctions against India over its purchase of Russia’s S-400 air defense system, saying such a punitive measure would endanger growing cooperation.

S-400 ADS: India signed a US$5.5 billion deal with Russia in 2018 for 5 of the surface-to-air missile systems for defense against long-time adversary Pakistan, and China, with which it is locked in a stand-off on their disputed border.

• The proposed transfer has caused friction with the United States, which passed a law in 2017 under which any country engaged with Russia’s defense and intelligence sectors could face sanctions.
• Cornyn and Warner wrote to Biden on Tue calling for a waiver on the grounds of national security and broader cooperation.

“We believe there is a national security imperative to waiving sanctions,” the senators said in their letter.

CAATSA: Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, which was enacted to hold Russia accountable for interfering in US elections, cyber hacking, and bullying Ukraine. And they said they were concerned that the “transfer of ADS would trigger sanctions against India, at a virtual forum organized by US India Business Council and US-India Friendship Council, advocacy groups,

• India has made a down payment on the ADS and the first set of missile batteries is expected to begin deployment later this year and to be completed by 2025.
• Cornyn and Warner- shared the administration’s concerns about Russia but they warned of damage to cooperation with India if sanctions were to be imposed.
• As India and Russia find common ground in Afghanistan, China watches closely
• India’s defense deals with the US, on the other hand, have been increasing with sales at US$3.4 bn in the 2020 financial year. These are positive trends, the senators said.

India has been cutting back on purchases of military equipment from Russia, which for years was its main source, with a 53% drop in Russian arms exports to India from 2016 to 2020 compared with the preceding 5-year period.

“I think, not waiving these sanctions would achieve nothing, and perhaps derail the hard-earned progress that we’ve made to strengthen our military cooperation,” the Senator from Texas added.

Waltz -“I think it’s just important, whether it’s at the 2+2 (dialogue) or the congressional level ….that we keep the dialogue open to understanding each other’s perspective.”

“I think we’re brought together by two thin’s one we are democracies, …and two we are also being pushed together by China, which is pursuing aggressive policies in the region,” Sherman asserted.

Govt focused on enhancing combat capability, ensuring the welfare of soldiers: Rajnath Singh

ANI -Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wed said that the govt focused on enhancing combat capability and ensuring the welfare of soldiers in the country.

Ministry of Defence– The Army Commanders’ Conference, an apex level biannual event, is being held in New Delhi from Oct 25-28, 2021, in which the Army’s top leadership is comprehensively deliberating upon all aspects of existing security scenarios, situations along with the borders and in the hinterland and challenges for the present security apparatus.

• In addition, the conference is also focusing on issues on organizational restructuring, logistics, administration, and human resource management.
• The main highlight of the 3^rd day of the conference was the address by the Defence Minister, to the senior leadership of the Indian Army preceded by a brief on the present and plans of the Indian Army.

Singh applauded the Indian Army for working towards this goal and remarked that in 2020-2021, in keeping with the Atmanirbhar Bharat, 74% of contracts by the Army were awarded to Indian Vendors which is praiseworthy.

“There are no budgetary constraints for capability development and meeting other requirements of the Army“, he said.

• He complimented the forces for the high standard of operational preparedness and capabilities which he experienced firsthand during his visits to forward areas.
• He complimented the significant contributions made by the Army in military diplomacy to further our national security interests by creating sustainable cooperative relationships with foreign Armies.
• Commenting on the current situation along the Northern borders, the Minister expressed full confidence that while troops are standing firm, the ongoing talks for peaceful resolution of the crisis will continue.
• Singh also complimented the efforts of the Border Road Organisation (BRO) working under difficult conditions to connect far-flung areas.
• Referring to the situation along the Western borders, he complimented the Indian Army’s response to cross-border terrorism.

The plan is to procure 667 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

The Government of India has applied for loans from the Manila-based, Asian Development Bank (ADB) in which the U.S. and Japan are the biggest shareholders, and Beijing-based the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), where China and India are the biggest shareholders to procure as many as 667 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

• The ADB is expected to lend $1.5 billion and the AIIB around $500 million for the vaccine purchase by the Govt of India, which has been made under the ADB’s Asia Pacific Vaccine Access Facility (APVAX) initiative.
• Launched in Dec 2020, APVAX offers “rapid and equitable support to its developing member countries as they procure and deliver effective and safe COVID-19 vaccines”.
• The 667 million doses will, however, have to be vaccines qualified by the WHO, and only Covishield is among those vaccines, while Covaxin is still awaiting the green light, scheduled for Nov 3.
• The Beijing-headquartered AIIB will co-finance the vaccine procurement.
• The bank said that this week, several loans were being considered for projects in India, including another loan for the next phase of the Chennai Metro rail system.
• Earlier this month, the AIIB had already approved a $356.7 million loan to the GOI for the construction of a new corridor as phase II of Chennai Metro’s.
• So far, the AIIB has approved loans for 28 projects in India amounting to $6.7 billion, more than for any other member of the multilateral bank, which was launched in Beijing in 2015.
• India is the second-largest shareholder after China in the bank, which does not count the U.S. and Japan among its members.

Sri Lanka, Maldives cite major threats in region, laud India’s response

Terrorism and the threat of radicalization remain major threats to nations in the Indo-Pacific, Maldives Defence Minister Mariya Didi said at a virtual address during the Defense Conclave organized by the BharatShakti web portal in Delhi.

“Whether it has been the Christchurch attack, the Easter Sun bombing in Sri Lanka, or the terror attack in the Maldives (on former president Mohamed Nasheed) terrorism and the threat of radicalization remain key concerns,” said Mariya Didi.

“The Colombo Security Conclave (a new mini-lateral between India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives) has made a beginning. But the momentum needs to be kept up” she added.

She noted -“India’s constant bid to robustly promote security and growth for all under PM Modi’s SAGAR initiative had helped to push forward a free and open Indo-Pacific under the grouping of the Quad.”

The Maldives and Sri Lanka have welcomed the revival of the trilateral NSA-level meeting last year to discuss maritime security, followed up more recently by another meeting at the deputy NSA level this Aug, focussing on marine security, human trafficking, counter-terrorism, and cyber security.

Kamal Gunaratne, Sri Lanka’s defense secretary, said close coordination between the 3 capitals and the efforts of the strategic and academic community, had helped provide a “stable platform by which sound assessments on defense and security of the IOR could be maintained.”

The Indian Ocean Region: from the Malacca Straits in the East to the Straits of Hormuz in the West, is home to 3 billion people and the main artery through which 40% of the world’s oceanic trade, 2/3 of the world’s oil trade, and around 1/3 of global cargo trade pass.

This makes it essential that security and stability are maintained and for that India can and should take a leadership role.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

Undeterred, thousands of TLP workers head for Gujranwala as protest continues for 2^nd week

Dawn- Some 4,000 TLP workers traveled on the Grand Truck Road in large trucks and buses along with their supplies, as stick-wielding activists of the group guarded the procession against all sides. The TLP demonstrators have blocked the GT Road in Gujranwala district from both sides since Wed, causing hardship to the area residents in their commutes. From Kamoke tehsil to Jhelum, cellular services have been suspended for 24 hours.

• The rally was expected to continue its journey towards Islamabad after crossing the Qila Chand bypass.
• Educational institutions along GT Road have also been closed because of the uncertain situation.
• Meanwhile, Rangers and police personnel took positions near the Chenab river and Wazirabad border.
• Security officials plan to stop the TLP activists near the Wazirabad-Chenab river area instead of Gujranwala city.
• At a high-level meeting held to review the security situation, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar directed officials to “take every step possible” to establish peace in the province.
• He said nobody could be allowed to disturb people’s daily lives, stressing that “the protection of people’s lives and properties is the state’s foremost responsibility.”
• Pakistan Railways announced that 3 trains between Lahore and Rawalpindi would remain suspended today for both inbound and outbound services.
• The Peshawar-Quetta Jaffar Express will also be suspended for the Peshawar-Lahore leg today,
• The Green Line will remain suspended between Lahore and Rawalpindi.
• All other trains will function according to their schedule and route, a PR spokesperson said.

‘Sheer chaos’: Meanwhile, PML-N president and opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif criticized the govt’s handling of the situation arising out of the TLP rally, saying “federal ministers are giving contradictory statements on the prevailing situation.”

But Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari denied his allegation, calling Shehbaz a “confused soul” and saying “There is absolutely no confusion in the govt led by the PM as the cabinet decision yesterday made abundantly clear the position on TLP!” she wrote.

The developments come a day after the govt decided inthe federal cabinet in its meeting presided over by Prime Minister Imran Khan, to crush the TLP by all means and resolved that the army, Rangers, and police would stop participants of its long march from entering the federal capital.

• Following the decision which Rangers were requisitioned in Punjab for 60 days to maintain law and order in the province.
• The govt categorically announced that it could not meet the TLP’s demand of closing down the French embassy in Pakistan and revealed that there was no French ambassador in the country.

TLP-police clashes: The govt’s announcement had come after at least 4 police officials were killed and another 263 wounded, many of them seriously, when violent activists of the TLP clashed with police near Muridke and Sadhuke on Wed.

• On its part, the TLP claimed that two workers of the organization had died in the clashes with police, and 41 had been wounded.
• A TLP spokesman said police had used excessive force against their peaceful rally. However, the group’s claim of the deaths of its workers could not be confirmed independently.

TLP denies it was behind cops’ deaths: In a statement on Thursday, the TLP Central Shura claimed that it was being held responsible for the deaths of three policemen but that they had died in a collision between a police van and a Mazda truck.