[ NATIONAL ]

Military helicopter with CDS Gen. Rawat crashes near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu

There were at least four people on board besides the crew on the military helicopter. Five bodies have been recovered while four people have been rescued and taken to the military hospital in Wellington.

China’s aggressive intent visible near the border, will try to tie down India on unsettled borders: IAF chief

Pointing out China’s aggressive intent on Indian borders through Raipur infrastructure development in the Tibet region, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari on Wed said China poses a long term challenge of realization of India’s long term strategic goals and it will try to further tie New Delhi down by keeping it engaged in the unsettled borders while addressing a seminar conducted by the Centre for Air Power Studies.

Hosted millions of refugees, saved them from massacre when West Pakistan unleashed genocide on East Pakistan: India at UN

Underlining India’s commitment to the humanitarian protection of refugees, TS Tirumurti, Permanent Representative of India to the UN, on Tue said when West Pakistan unleashed genocide on East Pakistan, India hosted millions of refugees and saved them from the massacre.

PM Modi to lay the foundation stone of Ganga Expressway on December 18 in UP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of Ganga Expressway on Dec 18, said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday. The Chief Minister further said that the 6 lanes expressway from Meerut to Prayagraj will be increased to 8 lanes.

Samyukt Kisan Morcha seeks clarification, amendments from the Centre on the proposal for ending farmers’ agitation

A day after receiving Home Ministry’s proposal, which urged protesting farmers to call off their agitation, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has sought clarifications on several points and sent back the proposal to the govt citing “flaws” and asking for amendments.

Omicron reported in 57 countries, hospitalizations set to rise, WHO says

The Omicron variant has been reported in 57 nations and the number of patients needing hospitalization is likely to rise as it spreads, the World Health Organization said on Wed. Referring to the risk of reinfection, the WHO said: “Preliminary analysis suggests that the mutations present in the Omicron variant may reduce the neutralizing activity of antibodies resulting in reduced protection from natural immunity.”

PDP will contest polls, but I won’t till Article 370 is restored: Mehbooba Mufti

Former J&K CM and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said her party shall fight assembly polls in the UT, as and when they are held, so as not to cede any space to BJP. However, she added that she would not contest polls individually unless Article 370 and Article 35A are restored and J&K returns to its pre-August 5, 2019 status.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

China’s yuan strengthens as trade surplus hits US$72 billion in November

Analysts have attributed the strength of the yuan and the growth of foreign reserves to China’s large trade surplus, which hit US$72 billion in November amid robust export growth.

Chinese military’s largest amphibious assault ship passes the assessment

Type 075 amphibious assault ship the Hainan takes part in annual tests in the South China Sea. It passes an assessment on multidimensional landing combat, reducing the time needed for equipment loading and dispatching

Bangladesh Mantri seeks Teesta issue resolution, return of Rohingya

Bangladesh foreign minister A K Abdul Momen called for the speedy resolution of the Teesta water-sharing issue. He also asked India to build a road between ‘Mujibnagar’ in India to Dhaka.

CDS Bipin Rawat, Wife Among 13 Dead in Mi-17 Chopper Crash in Tamil Nadu

With deep regret, it has now been ascertained that Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs. Madhulika Rawat, and 11 other persons on board have died in the unfortunate accident: Indian Air Force

The crash took place shortly after the IAF chopper took off from the army base in Sulur.

The Indian Air Force on Wed confirmed that Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat was on- board an IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter that met with an accident earlier today near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. The IAF has ordered an inquiry into the accident.

The IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter was airborne from Sulur for Wellington. There were 14 persons on board, including the crew: Indian Air Force

• Wing Commander Prithvi Singh Chauhan was pilot of Mi-17V5
• 13 out of 14 onboard confirmed dead
• IAF chief rushed to crash site
• Witness said he heard a loud sound, saw bodies falling out of the chopper
• In the media, the reports were that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will go to the crash site, which has changed later.
• A meeting Cabinet Committee for Security was completed at PM’s house

Mi-17V-5 (domestic designation Mi-8MTV-5) is a military transport variant in the Mi-8/17 family of helicopters. It is produced by Kazan Helicopters, a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters.

• The helicopter retains the outstanding performance characteristics of its predecessors and can fly in tropical and maritime climates, as well as desert conditions.
• The large cabin of the helicopter offers a floor area of 12.5m² and an effective space of 23m³.
• The standard portside door and ramp at the rear allow for the quick ingress and egress of troops and cargo.
• The helicopter can be fitted with an extended starboard sliding door, rappelling and parachute equipment, searchlight, FLIR system, and emergency flotation system.
• The helicopter has a maximum takeoff weight of 13,000kg. It can transport either 36 armed soldiers internally or 4,500 kg of load on a sling.

Mi-17V-5 weapon systems

• Mi-17V-5 is armed with Shturm-V missiles, S-8 rockets, a 23mm machine gun, PKT machine guns, and AKM sub-machine guns.
• It features 8 firing posts for aiming the weapons.
• The onboard armament allows the crew to engage enemy personnel, armored vehicles, land-based targets, fortified fire posts, and other fixed and moving targets.

The persons on board the chopper included Rawat’s defense assistant Brigadier LS Lidder and his staff officer Lieutenant Colonel Harjinder Singh, the officials said.

• Rawat took charge as India’s first CDS on Dec 31, 2019, after serving as the army chief for a full 3-year term.
• Previously, the news flashed in media that Defense Minister will state in Parliament, which has been postponed later for tomorrow (Thu).

Here are some questions left unanswered

• Did the helicopter hit power lines?
• How high was the helicopter when it crashed?
• What led to the chopper crash?
• Was there a mechanical failure?

Citing Ex-Mi-I7 pilot India Today reported “The main culprit has always been the weather. The weather in the hills has been nasty. The weather could be one of the factors; another could be a technical defect.”

Who is General Rawat?

CDS General Bipin Rawat is the highest-serving military official in the Indian army, who was appointed to the newly created post of CDS, a day before he was set to retire as the army chief on Dec 31, 2019. As part of his new assignment, Gen Rawat was heading the new Department of Military Affairs in the Defence Ministry.

Bipin Laxman Singh Rawat, PVSM UYSM AVSM YSM SM VSM ADC (16 Mar 1958 – 8 Dec 2021) was a 4-star general of the Indian Army. Before taking over as the CDS, he served as 57^th and last Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee as well as 26^th Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army.

At a time when China’s 20-month-long border aggression has resulted in a warlike situation along the Himalayan front, the tragic death of India’s chief of defense staff, Gen. Rawat, his wife, and 11 other military personnel in a helicopter crash couldn’t have come at a worse time. Brahma Chellaney twitted after confirmation of the news.

China’s aggressive intent visible near the border, will try to tie down India on unsettled borders: IAF chief

Pointing out China’s aggressive intent on Indian borders through Raipur infrastructure development in the Tibet region, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari on Wed said China poses a long term challenge of realization of India’s long term strategic goals and it will try to further tie New Delhi down by keeping it engaged in the unsettled borders while addressing a seminar conducted by the Centre for Air Power Studies.

• The Air Chief said China’s growing imprint will surely increase contestation and competition in economic domains.
• China will further tie us down by keeping us engaged on the unsettled border.
• Talking about the military capability of China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force, he added that China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force is using supersonic drones.
• China’s rocket force and strategic force are redefining the contours of future warfare.
• He mentioned that to counter China’s defense capability, the Indian Airforce need to modernize, expand its fleet and improve indigenous manufacturing capability.

“PLAAF is also using supersonic drones..… In my assessment china poses a more significant and long-term challenge of realization of India’s long-term strategic goals,” he said.

“Our security scenario is influenced by unstable neighbors with unsettled borders, which could be a flashpoint in the future,” he stated.

He said, “Its aggressive intent is visible in the rapid enhancement of PLAAF operative infrastructure.….In terms of equipment, their air force has a forward position, offensive air defense unit, along with 4^th and 5^th generations aircraft“.

“We need training and equipment not to fight the last war but to win tomorrow’s wars. we must lose focus in an attempt to distribute the pie evenly,” he added.

Pakistan continues to sponsor terrorism despite its economic weakness, internal problems: chief

Air Chief said Pakistan continues to sponsor terrorism despite its economic weakness and is unlikely to shed its Kashmir-oriented strategy.

• He mentioned that Pakistan armed forces have formulated a new concept of war-fighting and have acquired and equipped themselves with the latest technology.
• He revealed that Pak Air Force has built 24 forward operating bases along with 6 satellite bases which provide greater flexibility and ability to influence battles.
• Air Chief also added that in an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous geopolitical environment there is a strong linkage between security and development.

Hosted millions of refugees, saved them from massacre when West Pakistan unleashed genocide on East Pakistan: India at UN

ANI – Underlining India’s commitment to the humanitarian protection of refugees, TS Tirumurti, Permanent Representative of India to the UN, on Tue said when West Pakistan unleashed genocide on East Pakistan, India hosted millions of refugees and saved them from the massacre.

• Speaking at the UNSC briefing by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Tirumurti said,
• In contemporary history, India’s hospitality, and assistance for refugee communities from the neighboring countries are well recorded and appreciated.
• Be it the Tibetans or our brothers and sisters from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Myanmar, India has always responded with compassion and understanding.
• When West Pakistan unleashed genocide on East Pakistan, India hosted millions of refugees and saved them from the massacres.

He said India’s humanitarian response to the refugee issue from Bangladesh was one of the most sophisticated and empathetic in contemporary history.

• The Ambassador pointed out that throughout history, India has been a land of refuge to those who have faced persecution in foreign lands.
• He emphasized that in current times, India is host to a large number of refugees, and the programs to assist them are managed entirely from the country’s resources.

Samyukt Kisan Morcha seeks clarification, amendments from the Centre on the proposal for ending farmers’ agitation

ANI -A day after receiving Home Ministry’s proposal, which urged protesting farmers to call off their agitation, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has sought clarifications on several points and sent back the proposal to the govt citing “flaws” and asking for amendments.

Samyukt Kisan Morcha, an aegis of farmer unions, had formed a 5-member committee and is awaiting the government’s response on the matter.

One of the members, Ashok Dhawale said, “…But the proposal had a few flaws, so last night, we sent it back with some amendments and are awaiting their response.”

He Said-

• The formation of a Minimum Support Price (MSP)-the focused committee is needed, including members from the farmers’ union.
• The govt also said that the cases registered against us will be taken back after we finish the movement, which is wrong.
• We don’t like sitting here in the cold.
• The compensation has been approved theoretically, We need something concrete like the Punjab model.

Samyukt Kisan Morcha’s 5-member committee held an urgent meeting in the national capital on Wed.

• They are likely to decide on the future course of action on farmers’ protests.
• On Tuesday, Samyukta Kisan Morcha held a meeting to discuss the Centre’s response and said that some pending issues remain.
• The farmers’ body informed that the government, in its proposal, has asked them to first end the protest, and only then cases against them will be taken back.
• Addressing the press conference after the meeting on Tue, SKM’s Balbir Singh Rajewal said that they will not accept the government’s condition that cases against farmers will be withdrawn after agitation is called off.
• Bharatiya Kisan Union’s (BKU) Gurnam Singh Charuni said the Centre should follow the Punjab model while giving compensation to the kin of over 700 deceased farmers.

RBI keeps interest rates untouched, continues its accommodative stance

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) maintained a status quo on key rates, keeping the repo rate unchanged, in its bi-monthly policy review announced on Wed.

“MPC voted unanimously to maintain status quo about the policy repo rate and by a majority of 5 to 1 to retain the accommodative policy stance. Consequently, the policy repo rate remains unchanged at 4%, and the stance remains accommodative as long as necessary to revive and sustain growth …” Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das informed on Wed.

• In the last policy review in Oct, the RBI had kept the key lending rates unchanged for 8 consecutive times.
• The repo rate, at which the RBI lends short-term funds to banks, was kept unchanged at 4%.
• The reverse repo rate, at which the RBI borrows from banks, was kept unchanged at 3.35%.
• The Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate was also kept unchanged at 4.25%.
• The last time the RBI changed the policy rate was in May 2020.
• The central bank had slashed the key policy rates in May 2020 to historic lows to support the economy hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
• However, during this period the Indian economy has been on a roller coaster.
• During April-June 2020 quarter, a period when the RBI last changed policy rates, India’s GDP slumped by 24.4%.
• The economy posted a growth of 20.1% during April-June 2021 quarter.
• The GDP posted a growth of 8.4% in July-Sept 2021 quarter as against a contraction of 7.4% in the year-ago period.
• There has been a wide fluctuation in inflation also.
• However, the RBI has maintained a ‘wait and watch” approach as these fluctuations have been guided by factors largely beyond its control.
• COVID-19 new strain Omicron, first identified by South African scientists, is seen as the next big potential source of uncertainties for India’s economy.
• The WHO has officially named the new Covid-19 variant B.1.1.529. As per the WHO, the first known confirmed case of the new variant was from a sample collected on Nov 9 this year.
• Omicron cases have been spreading fast in India as more than 20 cases have been reported in the last week.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

Chinese military’s largest amphibious assault ship passes the assessment

An advanced amphibious assault ship of the Chinese navy has passed an assessment on multidimensional landing combat, in a boost to the military’s readiness for action in the South China Sea or Taiwan Strait.

The first Type 075 amphibious assault ship of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy recently passed an assessment focusing on multidimensional landing combat that features the integration of sea, land, and air units, with experts saying on Tue that the vessel is rapidly reaching operational capability shortly after its commissioning a few months earlier, at a time when deterrence is needed against “Taiwan independence” forces, CCP mouthpiece Global Times reported.

During the assessment, the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA’s) first Type 075 amphibious assault ship, the Hainan, conducted various tests, including the loading and unloading of amphibious armored vehicles.

In the year-end exam, the Hainan inspected the loading and unloading of air-cushioned landing craft, amphibious armored vehicles, and other equipment, greatly reducing the time needed for loading and dispatching, report said.

Since the commissioning of the Hainan in April, it now operates more helicopters of more types, and the procedure has become more sophisticated, the report said.

The CCTV report footage and a video clip posted on the social media account of the PLA Navy earlier this month show that the Hainan now has the Z-18J early warning helicopter and the Z-9 anti-submarine helicopter at its disposal besides the previously revealed Z-8C transport helicopter.

The assessment also tested the integration of air-cushioned landing craft and amphibious armored vehicles, and the results show the loading and sortie time for these equipment has been greatly reduced, CCTV said.

Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the assessment shows the PLA Navy’s first amphibious assault ship is reaching operational capability.

As new-type of equipment in the PLA Navy’s fleet, the Hainan will help establish a comprehensive outline in training and using the Type 075 ships, Song said.

The PLA Navy has launched three Type 075s as of 2021. The first ship, the Hainan, was commissioned on April 23. The second is expected to join naval service soon, and the third recently held a sea trial, indicating its smooth construction, according to media reports.

Another major type of warship, the Type 071 amphibious landing ship, was also featured in the year-end assessment, as the Type 071 Kunlunshan operated together with air-cushioned landing craft in a nighttime landing combat test, CCTV reported.

The Type 075, with a focus in the air, and the Type 071, with a focus in the sea, are perfect partners in landing combat, as they complement each other in multidimensional landing, Song said.

A task force consisting of Type 075, the Type 071, and an aircraft carrier will serve as a tremendous deterrent to “Taiwan independence” forces, and these warships will play a leading role in striking targets in the east side of the Taiwan island if the occasion comes to that, Song said, noting that they could also be used in the South China Sea.