[ NATIONAL ]

Putin, Modi, Xi summit in near future: Kremlin

In a recent video conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping had discussed a trilateral with India, presidential aide Yury Ushakov said.

Some forces out to spoil India-Nepal ties but Modi govt wouldn’t let it happen: Rajnath Singh

Addressing a ceremony in Dehradun, Defence Minister Rajanth Singh said India won’t let its relations with Nepal get jeopardized or snapped even if ‘we have to keep our heads bowed’.

President Kovind meets Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, pays homage to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

After the meeting, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abdul Momen said Kovind appreciated the motto ‘dharma jar jar, utsab sabar’ (religion is an individual matter but festivals are universal).

Proposal for Aadhaar-voter ID linking gets Cabinet nod

The Union Cabinet on Wed cleared proposed amendments to the electoral law seeking to bring in key electoral reforms such as linkage of voter ID with Aadhaar. Another reform sought to be implemented is allowing multiple dates in a year, rather than only Jan 1, for those above 18 years, to register themselves as voters.

Wuhan lab leak more likely origin of Covid-19, UK Parliament panel

A Canadian molecular biologist on Wed told cross-party members of Parliament (MPs) on the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee that a leak from a laboratory in the Wuhan region of China is now the “more likely” origin of the Covid-19 global pandemic.

Supreme Court raps ED for indiscriminate use of Prevention of Money Laundering Act

The Supreme Court on Wed tore into the Enforcement Directorate for weaponizing the Prevention of Money Laundering Act through the drop of a hat invocation of its stringent provisions to put people behind bars and warned that such unabashed misuse would make the law lose its relevance.

2 terrorists killed in J&K’s Kulgam

Two terrorists were killed by security forces in the Redwani area in Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on Wed. A search operation was launched after security forces received input about the presence of two militants in the village. With this, security forces have killed three militants in 24 hours. One terrorist, identified as Feroz Dar, was killed in Pulwama.

Tablighi Jamaat Threat to India and World, Wants to Be Ideal Global Jihadi Network: Intel Sources

The organization is still facilitating recruitment drives for jihadi groups like ISIS, indoctrinating millions of its members in different parts of the world, according to the sources.

Myanmar army hands over five RPF militants to Manipur police

Myanmar army on Wednesday handed over five militants of banned Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF). RPF is the sister wing of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). A police official on condition of anonymity said that a special flight brought the 5 Manipur-based RPF militants from Myanmar and handed them over to Manipur police. “The militants were taken to by police and their interrogation is on.” The official said that they were nabbed in Monywa under Sagaing Region in northwestern Myanmar in Aug last year. On Nov 13, in a joint terror attack by the PLA and the Manipur Naga People’s Front killed Assam Rifles Col and 4 jawans of the para-military force were gunned down in Churachandpur district bordering Myanmar. Col’s wife and their 9-years-old son were also killed in the attack.

Security Agencies on High Alert After Police Arrest Man With 20 Bombs In Bengal’s Burdwan

As per reports, the police have recovered these bombs from the possession of a person identified as Mohammad Sarfaraz Ansari in a state govt bus, which was heading to Panagarh Army Camp, kept the security agencies on a high alert. The man was arrested by the Ghalsi police from the SBSTC bus, which was going from Kolkata to Suri., the passenger has been arrested on charges of smuggling bombs and was produced in Burdwan court today. The primary probe claimed that the target was Panagarh Army Camp as the box full of bombs was to be delivered at Panagarh. As per the updates from the intelligence department, the Ghalsi police stopped and searched the government bus on the national highway.

2 killed in Gujarat chemical factory fire after the blast that was heard 10km away

The Gujarat administration has cordoned off an area of 5km around the Gujarat Fluorochemicals Limited factory, where a devastating fire broke out, because of the toxic gases in the air. Two people were killed and 15 workers were injured in an explosion. Officials in Godhra, the district headquarters of Panchmahals, said a huge blast, which preceded the devastating fire, was heard some 10km away.

HAL signs biggest-ever deal worth Rs 2,400cr with BEL for LCA fighters

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited for the development and supply of 20 types of systems for the Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas Mk1A program in Bengaluru on Wed for the next 5 years for a value of Rs 2,400 crores and involves supplying critical avionics Line Replaceable Units, flight control computers and night flying LRUs.

Army chief Gen MM Naravane takes over as chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee

Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Wed assumed the charge as the chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (CoCS) as a stop-gap arrangement to fill up the post that fell vacant with the tragic demise of Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat. The chairman of the CoCS, which comprises triservice chiefs, used to be the senior-most post before the creation of the CDS rank two years ago.

Defence Ministry to place orders with Indian firms for equipment on the negative import list

Having put 216 pieces of military equipment on the negative import list, the Department of Military Affairs is now working with the 3 armed forces and other stakeholders to place orders for these items with the Indian industry. Last year, the Ministry under had come out with 108 items-ANI. The sources said the list is being prepared and would be followed up with the stakeholders soon.

Defense Research and Development Organisation has successfully conducted a test of Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology from a defense facility off the Odisha coast. This missile propulsion system will help DRDO develop longer-range air to air missiles. 2 days ago Supersonic Missile Assisted Torpedo (SMART) was also tested by India

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

China: PLA conducts nuclear, chemical, biological warfare drill in Tibet

The PLA exercise, including commandos, armored assault groups, and soldiers trained for chemical warfare were drawn from various wings of the army.

The US Slaps Sanctions on 3 Chinese Firms in Painkiller Crackdown

The Treasury Department said it was imposing sanctions on four Chinese chemical companies and one individual, Chuen Fat Yip.

LinkedIn launches China-only app without social feed

Chinese users express mixed feelings towards LinkedIn’s new app, tailored for China’s strict censorship and data protection requirements.

China’s internet censors are taking down top influencers for not being good enough socialists

• Luo Changping’s Weibo account, with 2 million followers, was closed in Oct after he was arrested for posting ‘insults’ about Chinese soldiers portrayed in a movie
• Top influencers, even if they are individuals or private firms, must abide by the law and ‘vigorously promote core socialist values’, the internet watchdog said

NFL raises eyebrows by labeling Taiwan as part of China

The map comes as the Chinese Communist Party, led by President Xi Jinping, sets its sights on Taiwan

Putin, Modi, Xi summit in near future: Kremlin

The Hindu-A trilateral summit of the leaders of India, China, and Russia is expected shortly, a top Presidential adviser has said in Moscow. Briefing the media on the recent video conference between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, presidential aide Yury Ushakov said that the two leaders had discussed a trilateral with India.

Both the leaders “agreed to continue exchanging opinions in this regard and to endeavor to hold the next summit within the RIC [Russia-India-China] framework shortly,” Mr. Ushakov was quoted as saying by a Russian news agency TASS.

• Putin visited Delhi briefly on Dec 6 during which he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a one-on-one meeting.
• Upon returning to Moscow ‘he’ held a video conference with Xi.
• The sequence of meetings has acquired special significance amid tension between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) since early 2020.
• India is yet to acknowledge whether the China factor came up for discussion during the visit of Putin while maintaining that regional and global ‘hotspots’ were discussed.
• The trilateral format has been convened at various levels, though a meeting at the level of the leadership is yet to take place in the backdrop of the LAC tension.
• Lastly, Putin, Modi, and Xi had met in 2019 on the sidelines of the G20 summit.
• That meeting was held before the Galwan clashes of June 2020 that worsened tension between India and China.
• The Foreign Ministers of Russia, India, and China met on Nov 26 ahead of Putin’s visit.
• During that meeting, a major difference was visible on Indo-Pacific with Russia supporting Chinese concern on Indo-Pacific grouping ‘Quad’.

SCMP-China and Russia have pledged to speed up their efforts to set up an independent trade network to reduce their reliance on the US-led international financial system.

Wed’s video call saw “special attention paid to the necessity of accelerating efforts on the formation of independent financial infrastructure for servicing trading operations between Russia and China”, Ushakov told Tass.

• He added that “third countries” would not be able to influence this network.
• The two leaders also want to increase the number of deals settled in their currencies as sanctions threaten to limit US dollar transactions

Some forces out to spoil India-Nepal ties but Modi govt wouldn’t let it happen: Rajnath Singh

Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony of Sainya Dham (martyrs memorial) in Dehradun, Defence Minister Rajanth Singh on Wed said India won’t let its relations with Nepal get jeopardized or snapped even if ‘we have to keep our heads bowed’.

• Singh said some forces want to spoil India’s ties with Nepal, but asserted the govt would not allow that to happen at any cost.
• He also said the country’s armed forces are free to make their own decisions.
• Mentioning Tibet, he said, India has emotional ties with Tibet too but the situation has changed now.
• However, he said the route to Mansarovar via Lipulekh pass has been cleared.

He also congratulated the people of the country on the eve of the 50^th anniversary of India’s victory over Pakistan on Dec 16, 1971, when 93,000 personnel of the Pakistani Army surrendered before Indian forces.

Accusing Pakistan of always doing some mischief against India, he said, “By conducting surgical and airstrikes, we have been able to give a clear message to our western neighbor that we can hit it not just from our side of the border but also on its territory.

“Army Chief General MM Naravane had telephonic interaction with Lieutenant General Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Mutair, Commander, Royal Saudi Armed Forces, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and discussed issues of bilateral defense cooperation“: Indian Army

President Kovind meets Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, pays homage to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wed called on President Ram Nath Kovind in Dhaka on the first day of his 3-day visit here and the two leaders discussed several issues of mutual interest and bilateral cooperation.

President Kovind arrived here earlier in the day on a maiden 3-day State Visit during which he held talks with his counterpart M Abdul Hamid and attend the golden jubilee celebrations of Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan in 1971.

“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh called on President Ram Nath Kovind in Dhaka. Both leaders discussed several issues of mutual interest and bilateral cooperation between India and Bangladesh,” the Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a tweet.

Both sides reviewed the progress in the multifaceted and comprehensive bilateral ties.

The two leaders also recalled the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War and expressed satisfaction at the joint celebration of Maitri Diwas on Dec 6-Ministry of External Affairs.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen separately called on President Kovind and “apprised him of the excellent progress in bilateral cooperation and future joint projects, including in the area of connectivity,” he said in another tweet.

Briefing the media briefing after Prime Minister Hasina meets with President Kovind, Foreign Minister Momen said that she told the Indian leader that the two countries by now resolved several pending bilateral issues and expected the rest to be settled as well through discussions.

She said that the Dhaka-New Delhi collaboration ensured peace in the region.

Momen said that PM Hasina told the Indian President that Bangladesh was pledge-bound to uphold interfaith harmony in line with its long-standing tradition as “we do not consider any (religious) community as a minority group”.

“He (Kovind) particularly appreciated the Bangladesh motto that dharma jar jar, utsab sabar (the religion is a matter of individuals, but the religious festivals are universal), Momen said.

• President Hamid along with his wife Rashida Khanam received President Kovind at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, with a red carpet welcome upon his arrival.
• Several ministers along with civil and military officials were present at the airport to receive Kovind — the only foreign head of state invited to join the celebrations.
• Bagchi earlier termed President Kovind’s visit to Bangladesh a grand beginning.
• The Bangladesh tri-services offered him a guard of honor at the airport from where he was escorted to the National Memorial at Savar on the outskirts of the capital.

Later in the day, Sheikh Rehana, youngest daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, received President Kovind at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum and showed the visiting dignitary around it.

Rehana showed him different parts of the museum, originally Bangabandhu’s private residence, where he was killed in an abortive coup on August 15, 1975, along with most of his family members.

• The two sisters Hasina and Rehana – survived the putsch as they were on a visit abroad.
• He is the only foreign head of state invited to join the celebrations which also coincide with the birth centenary celebrations of Bangabandhu and 50 years of Dhaka-New Delhi ties.
• It is President Kovind’s first trip abroad since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• He will the guest of honor in Bangladesh’s 50^th Victory Day celebrations here.
• In a reflection of close ties, India is also hosting several events to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1971 India-Pakistan war that led to the liberation of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh to import defense items from India under $500-million LoC

Under this line of credit, several items have been identified and are fast-tracked. They’re in fairly advanced stages of being processed… we will see certain defense items exports from India coming to Bangladesh and this is something that we would like to see, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said.

Tablighi Jamaat Threat to India and World, Wants to Be Ideal Global Jihadi Network: Intel Sources

News18 (sources)- The transnational Sunni Islamic missionary movement Tablighi Jamaat poses a threat to India and the entire world. The organization is representative of jihadi ideologue Abu Musab al-Suri and it aims to be an ideal global jihadi network.

• Tablighi Jamaat is a leaderless, autonomous movement of believers with a singular objective of establishing a global Islamic order.
• Terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda and ISIS have lost much of their influence and power under a long global offensive campaign, while Jamaat has remained unaffected.

(sources)- The organization is still facilitating recruitment drives for jihadi groups indoctrinating millions of its members in different parts of the world.

• They are disaffected youth, allied with rogue nations like Pakistan.
• They are also aiding terrorist groups to launch attacks against state forces like in Marawi, the Philippines.
• The Jamaat continues to operate freely in more than 200 countries, in collusion with other Salafist organizations.
• (sources)- Jamaat is the world’s biggest manpower pool for the next wave of jihad.
• The organization is geared to make it an invisible but effective vehicle for achieving its ultimate goal shortly.

Amorphous: Tablighi Jamaat is composed of small, autonomous cells spread throughout the Islamic world. These cells have little interaction with each other and the central leadership is irrelevant to their regular operations.

The group comes closer to al-Suri’s ideal jihadi group – one which has no structure at all.

• Organizers of these units are required to meet once every Thu where the council of seniors discusses programs and conveys the information to the headquarters.
• Such an organizational structure has inherent advantages that are difficult to investigate.
• It is easier to maintain secrecy and allows the leadership to feign ignorance about the presence of militants that take place at every congregation in Raiwind, Tongi, etc.
• It also offers a convenient cover for various militant and extremist groups to utilize the services provided by the Tablighi Jamaat.
• These capabilities have helped the organization in the past to establish its presence in a large number of countries.

Threat to India: In India, the Tablighi Jamaat has a considerable number (in Few million). The annual ijtema (congregation) at Bhopal attracts at least a million visitors and the organization’s headquarters at Nizamuddin, Delhi, controls a large number of centers in different parts of the world. After the split in the leadership, several centers in the US, UK, Europe, and South East Asia are controlled by the Raiwind Markaz.

Much of the threat from Tablighi Jamaat emanates from the Raiwind Markaz patronized by the Pakistan establishment as well as Wahhabi-Salafi-oriented donors from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Gulf countries.

The sources say Tablighi Jamaat is likely to become deeper and more extensive.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

China: PLA conducts nuclear, chemical, biological warfare drill in Tibet

A joint military brigade of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has recently carried out a “real combat drill” involving anti-nuclear, chemical, and biological warfare in Tibet in the backdrop of the ongoing Sino-India border tension in eastern Ladakh. The exercise, including commandos, armored assault groups, and soldiers trained for chemical warfare were drawn from various wings of the army.

It was organized by the Tibet military region under the Western theatre command (WTC), the largest of China’s 5 commands that is responsible for the Sino-India disputed border, extending for 3,488 km from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.

• The news of the 24-hour long exercise held in late Nov was published in an official PLA news portal on Tue.
• Chinese official military media rarely mentions drills that involve Chinese armed forces and non-conventional weapons.
• The article described in brief the nature of the drill and what the participating soldiers were responding to but did not specifically mention where the exercise was held.
• It was headlined: “A synthetic brigade of the Tibet military region carried out a cross-day and night mobile multi-arm coordinated actual combat drill”.
• After rockets were launched and the armored assault group was deployed, army engineers were called in to install explosives on the targeted “obstacle”, the article said.

Subsequently, the commanding officer warned of “nuclear, biological and chemical attack”.

“Encountered a nuclear, biological, and chemical attack! Suddenly, an immediate guidance command came. Li Qunfeng, commander of the 3^rd battalion, put on gas masks, quickly passed through the poisoned zone, and then reported the situation to the command post, requesting the chemical defense detachment to help and decontaminate.”

The US Slaps Sanctions on 3 Chinese Firms in Painkiller Crackdown

The United States on Wed imposed sanctions on Chinese painkiller makers, vowing to step up action over the addiction epidemic that kills hundreds of Americans daily. The sanctions came under a new executive order by President Joe Biden that makes it easier for the US to target foreign drug traffickers.

“The actions will help disrupt the global supply chain and the financial networks that enable synthetic opioids and precursor chemicals to reach the US,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

• The Treasury Department said it was imposing sanctions on four Chinese chemical companies and one individual, Chuen Fat Yip.
• The United States said it was offering up to $5 million for the arrest of Chuen, calling him “one of the largest, if not the largest, producer of anabolic steroids in the world.”

Chuen and his company, Wuhan Yuancheng Gongchuang Technology Co. Ltd, operate out of China and Hong Kong and use cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin in international shipments of fentanyl, steroids, and drug compounds, the Treasury said.

• The Treasury Department also imposed sanctions on two criminal drug groups in Mexico and one in Brazil.
• The sanctions will block any assets in the United States that the groups or Chuen may have and criminalize transactions from the United States.

A record of more than 100,000 Americans died in the year through April from overdoses of painkillers, an epidemic initially blamed on how drug companies eagerly promoted their use, and how readily available they became to people in despair.

• Painkiller addiction has spiked more recently due to a proliferation of fake drugs, often smuggled in from overseas, that can be bought online.
• The executive order allows the US to target foreign drug makers directly rather than focusing on cartels or other criminal groups, historically the focus of US efforts.
• Biden also established the US Council on Transnational Organized Crime, which will coordinate among departments to combat transnational crime.

NFL raises eyebrows by labeling Taiwan as part of China

The National Football League (NFL) raised eyebrows on Wed by labeling Taiwan as being part of mainland China.

The NFL announced that 18 of its teams “have been granted access to 26 International Home Marketing Areas (IHMA) across eight different countries” as part of a plan to give teams “access to international territories for marketing, fan engagement, and commercialization.”

WH Cuts Taiwan Minister’s Video After Map Depicts Taiwan, China as Different Colours: REPORT

“This important initiative enables NFL teams to develop meaningful, direct relationships with NFL fans abroad, driving fan growth and avidity globally,” he continued.

“We were very pleased with the number, creativity, and level of commitment of club proposals across the board in this initial application period and look forward to teams launching their efforts early next year.”

The NFL also included a map to show the countries that would be partnering with the league — a map that critics online were quick to point out claimed Taiwan is part of mainland China.

The White House came under fire recently after reports that the video feed of a Taiwanese minister cut off after she showed a map illustrating China and Taiwan in different colors.

Tang’s map was presented for about one minute on Friday during the summit before the feed was cut, the outlet reported.

China’s internet censors are taking down top influencers for not being good enough socialists

China’s internet watchdog shut down or suspended more than 20,000 influential social media accounts in 2021 – some with tens of millions of followers amassed over many years – for reasons that ranged from “misuse” to not promoting “core socialist” values.

The ruthless crackdown is part of Beijing’s efforts to achieve absolute control of all online content amid ongoing tensions with the West and ahead of a sensitive year for Chinese politics.

Among the top influencers, Luo Changping, a former investigative journalist who used China’s Twitter-like microblogging platform Weibo to uncover a corrupt senior economic planner in 2012, was arrested for posting “insulting comments” about Chinese soldiers portrayed in a recent blockbuster movie about the Korean war. His Weibo account, with over 2 million followers, was shut down in October.