[ NATIONAL ]

Pentagon concerned over Chinese military-buildup near the border with India

China’s military buildup near the demarcation line across its Himalayan border with India has compelled Pentagon to worry but there is optimism among experts and officials that India will be able to stand its ground against the People’s Liberation Army, reported Foreign Policy.

India-US 2+2 dialogue unlikely this year, details being worked out, MEA says

MEA spokesperson said India looks forward to the next 2+2 ministerial meeting with the US but a date hasn’t been finalized yet. The meeting is to be hosted by the US.

Indian security agencies effective in disrupting terror threats: US report

The country-wise report on Pakistan said that India’s neighbor made “limited progress” on its “pledge to dismantle all terrorist organizations without delay or discrimination”.

French Minister for the Armed Forces Florence Parly called on PM Modi: Lenain

Ready to provide additional Rafale aircraft to India: French Defence Minister

Assuring full commitment to the Make-in-India initiative, French Defence Minister Florence Parly on Fri said that Paris is open and ready to provide additional Rafale aircraft upon India’s request.

Bhutan confers highest civilian award on PM Modi

Bhutan on Fri conferred its highest civilian award, Ngadag Pel gi Khorlo on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister’s Office of Bhutan said in a Facebook post. While conferring the award, Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck highlighted support PM Modi extended over the years and particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the start of the pandemic, India has assisted Bhutan in the form of COVID-19 vaccines and other medical equipment. Earlier this year, Bhutan PM Lotay Tshering had congratulated PM Modi for achieving one billion COVID-19 vaccination doses. He also stated that Bhutan being a close neighbor to India, feels more secure.

Inquiry into CDS chopper crash expected to be completed within next two weeks: sources

The tri-services inquiry set up by the Defence Ministry to probe the reasons behind the chopper crash wherein Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and 13 others were killed is expected to complete its proceedings within the next two weeks.

The curious case of missing BSF deputy commandants who joined Delhi Police | RTI

IT-The Union home ministry deputed 2 Border Security Force (BSF) deputy commandants, identified as Pawan Kumar and Sudhir Kumar to the Delhi Police. The decision was taken on Sept 3 this year after on request of the Delhi Police on deputation for one year as additional deputy commissioner of police (ADCP) of the Delhi Police. However, the Delhi Police has said replying to India Today’s Right to Information (RTI) query that the two BSF officers did not join the force as indicated by the Union home ministry. The status of two BSF officers curiously remains unknown in the RTI responses by the Delhi Police.

Vice Adm Sanjay Vatsayan, AVSM NM assumed charge as Chief of Staff of the Eastern Naval Command on 16 Dec 21. He is an alumnus of the NDA Khadakwasla, DSSC Wellington, Naval War College, Mumbai, and National Defence College, New Delhi.

HAL bags ADE-DRDO supply order for ABHYAS target platform

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has secured an order for manufacturing, assembly, integration, testing, and supply of a High-Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) system known as ABHYAS from the Aeronautical Development Establishment, DRDO, recently.

Govt: ‘In-principle’ nod for 6 nuclear reactors in Jaitapur

The six nuclear power reactors, which will have a capacity of 1,650 MW each, will be set up with technical cooperation from France.

Uniform Minimum Marriageable Age of Girls Proposed to be 21 Years Regardless of Religion

The minimum marriageable age of girls has been proposed to be made religion-neutral at 21 years of age, which is at present 18 years, according to a Cabinet decision to bring in a new law in Parliament on Dec 20 during the Winter Session that will amend the ‘The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006’ (PCMA). (source)-“There will be consequential amendments in laws relating to the age of marriage in all communities in the country.

India, Taiwan in talks on semiconductor hub, free trade, and investment pacts

Both sides are eyeing the possibility of one of Taiwan’s semiconductor giants, including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), setting up a facility in India. 

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

US notes Islamabad’s efforts to meet FATF demands

The annual US report on terrorism acknowledged on Thu that Pakistan took steps in 2020 to counter-terrorism financing, restrain India-focused militant groups, and meet demands of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) but will remain in the gray list.

OIC meeting to help bridge gap between Taliban, world: minister

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thu said that with members of the international community and the Taliban at the same platform, the coming meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Islamabad would prove to be a stepping stone in finding solutions to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

The US blacklists Chinese biotech firms over rights abuses

The US on Thu blacklisted over 30 Chinese biotechnology companies and organizations which it said are involved in using technologies for military applications and human rights abuses. In a statement, US Commerce Department said that it was adding 34 Chinese entities to its Entity List, meaning that U.S. companies cannot export to the companies without a license, The Hill reported. US Secretary of Commerce said that China is choosing to use biotechnology to pursue control over its people and its repression of members of ethnic and religious minority groups.

Pentagon concerned over Chinese military-buildup near the border with India

China’s military buildup near the demarcation line across its Himalayan border with India has compelled Pentagon to worry but there is optimism among experts and officials that India will be able to stand its ground against the People’s Liberation Army, reported Foreign Policy.

The buildup fits the pattern of Chinese regional aggression seen elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific region, such as in the Philippines, where Beijing’s coast guard vessels moved to block Manila’s supply boats in Nov, Foreign Policy quoted a senior Pentagon official as saying.

• The official discussed the sensitive policy deliberations with the publication on the condition of anonymity.
• Beijing last month deployed long-range strategic bombers to the area.
• However, experts and officials believe that India will be able to stand its ground against the Chinese Army.
• New Delhi has put up more diplomatic and military resistance than China’s antagonists in other territorial incursions, like in the South China Sea, FP (experts).
• Jeff Smith, (research fellow, Heritage Foundation’s Asian Studies Centre), said that it is just clear that [China has] become more assertive all across their territorial fault lines.
• Smith also said that arguably India is the one where they (Chinese) have met the most resistance stressing that Indians will not be cowed, coerced, or intimidated.

India-US 2+2 dialogue unlikely this year, details being worked out, MEA says

The External Affairs Ministry on Thu said the India-US 2+2 dialogue, takes place between foreign and defense ministers of both sides were unlikely this year and details were being worked out for it, but a date had not yet been finalized.

• So far, India and the US have held 3 rounds of dialogue.
• The first 2+2 dialogue was held in Sept 2018 while the next two editions were held in Dec 2019 and Oct 2020.
• S Jaishankar and Rajnath Singh were earlier expected to travel to Washington in Dec for the dialogue

Asked when would the dialogue be held and if any dates had been finalized, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “….. Details are being worked out but I am afraid we haven’t got a date as yet to share with you”.

India-Central Asia Dialogue in New Delhi: Meanwhile, the MEA further informed that EAM S Jaishankar will host a third meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue in New Delhi from Dec 18 to Dec 20, involving Foreign Ministers of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan will participate in the meeting.

• He said that as part of the third meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue on Dec 19, ministers will discuss further strengthening of the relationship.
• The foreign ministers of the 5 Central Asian countries are also likely to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Bagchi also informed that the Foreign Affairs Minister of Tajikistan will be on an official visit to the country from December 18 to 20, during which he will hold talks with EAM Jaishankar.

The MEA spokesperson also touched upon the topic of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.

• “We’ll continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
• We’re committed to sending 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan.
• We were in touch with Pakistan authorities on modalities of shipment of this wheat to Afghanistan through land route,” he stated.

Indian security agencies effective in disrupting terror threats: US report

Indian security agencies are effective in disrupting terror threats, but gaps remain in interagency intelligence and information sharing, the US state department said in its annual report, ‘Country Reports on Terrorism 2020: India’ on terrorism published Thu. Citing several arrests by India’s National Investigative Agency (NIA), the country-wise report said that Indian counterterrorism forces actively detected and disrupted transnational and regional terrorist groups in 2020.

The Report– Multiple arrests of alleged al-Qaeda-affiliated operatives from Kerala and West Bengal, and of Abdul Karim, the second-in-command of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh, on suspected involvement in serial bombings in Bodh Gaya in 2013.

• It stated that India responds “promptly” to the requests from the US in terrorism investigations and “makes efforts to mitigate threats” to the inputs shared by the US.
• The collaborative efforts of India and the US have disrupted terrorist travel and alerted American authorities about possible threats.
• Officials remain concerned about internet use for terrorist recruitment and radicalization to violence, as well as for fomenting interreligious tensions.
• In 2020 there were multiple reports in the media and from the NIA of suspected cases of online terrorist radicalization, particularly in southern Indian states.
• It highlighted the major terrorist groups that are active in India, including Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.
• The Indian govt made significant efforts to detect, disrupt, and degrade the operations of terrorist organizations within its borders
• The counterterrorism and security cooperation with the US expanded in 2020.

2 LeT terrorists killed in Kulgam encounter, 2 hostage girls recused

Two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists were killed in an encounter at the Redwani area of Qaimoh hamlet in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district, police said on Thu. A defense spokesman said the terrorists had forcefully intruded into the residential house and taken 2 girls hostage.

(For the Pak, see the neighborhood section)

French Minister for the Armed Forces Florence Parly called on PM Modi: Lenain

French Minister for the Armed Forces Florence Parly called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi today: Ambassador of France to India Emmanuel Lenain.

“In a world of growing instability, France sees India as major power and partner to build a multipolar order, defend the rule of law and tackle global challenges,” Lenain said.

Ready to provide additional Rafale aircraft to India: French Defence Minister

ANI – Assuring full commitment to the Make-in-India initiative, French Defence Minister Florence Parly on Fri said that Paris is open and ready to provide additional Rafale aircraft upon India’s request, during her conversation with Dr. Mohan Kumar, Chairman of research and information system for developing countries and former envoy of India to France.

• This comes as France has delivered 30 Rafale aircraft to India and the remaining 6 are set to be delivered by April 2022.
• Speaking at an event amid her India visit, Parly said that France, more than any other country, understands the necessity of the Indian content.
• “And we are fully committed to the make-in India initiate as well as to do further integration of Indian manufacturers into our global supply chains.”
• The French Defence Minister further noted that in the time of upheavals, both India and France are involved in building international security.
• “Finally, we want to protect the Indo-Pacific as an open and inclusive area. it must be free from any coercion and based on international law and multilateralism,” she added.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has attended a meeting with his French counterpart today for the 3^rd Annual Defence Dialogue between India and France.

During her official visit, the talks between the two countries will cover aspects of wide-ranging Indo-French defense cooperation, including operational defense cooperation, particularly maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.

HAL bags ADE-DRDO supply order for ABHYAS target platform

ANI-Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has secured an order for manufacturing, assembly, integration, testing, and supply of a High-Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) system known as ABHYAS from the Aeronautical Development Establishment, DRDO.

HAL would be identified as Development cum Production Partner (DcPP) for the supply of this system along with a private firm (50% of the volume), which is estimated to have large requirements from the tri-services, DRDO laboratories for evaluation trials of missile programs.

ABHYAS: It is designed and developed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru.

• The air vehicle is launched using twin under-slung boosters which provide the initial acceleration to the vehicle.
• It is powered by a gas turbine engine to sustain a long endurance flight at subsonic speed.
• The target aircraft is equipped with Micro Electro Mechanical System based Inertial Navigation System for navigation along with the Flight Control Computer for guidance and control.
• The vehicle is programmed for fully autonomous flight.
• The check-out of air vehicles is done using a laptop-based Ground Control Station.

India, Taiwan in talks on semiconductor hub, free trade, and investment pacts

HT-India and Taiwan have begun talks through the 4 groups, which have been set up earlier this year, on a free trade pact and creating a semiconductor manufacturing hub in the country as part of efforts to meet the burgeoning demand for the chips needed for products ranging from cellphones to cars.

The groups are focusing on creating a semiconductor manufacturing hub, education and training of highly specialized manpower needed for the industry, a bilateral investment agreement, and a free trade agreement, two people familiar with the matter said.

• The contacts on these issues gathered momentum around the middle of this year and the group met twice virtually, in Aug and Sept.
• Both sides are eyeing the possibility of one of Taiwan’s semiconductor giants setting up a facility in India.
• The Indian side has proposed several sites for the hub though the two sides are yet to come to a final decision, the people said.
• It is a very complicated process because a company like TSMC uses components from hundreds of other firms.

“Setting up a hub in India means convincing all those firms to also set up a facility in India to ensure the supply of components,” one of the people cited above said.

If the proposal is finalized, it will be only the second such manufacturing hub set up in a foreign country by a Taiwanese manufacturer.

Taiwan’s semiconductor giants- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), out of which TSMC has a market value of more than $550 bn and accounts for about 54% of global revenues from semiconductors, has set up a $12-bn fabrication plant in the US that is expected to start production in 2024. TSMC is also eyeing possible facilities in Japan and Europe.

• For Taiwan, such investments are linked to strategic gains at a time when China has increased its pressure on the island to a new high amid threatening talk of an invasion.
• The Taiwanese decision to create the semiconductor manufacturing hub in the US was seen as closely linked to military support extended by Washington to Taipei.
• Taiwan is also hoping such moves will translate into greater support for its efforts in other areas, such as a presence at the WHO.

As part of overall efforts to increase trade and investment, Taiwan is also eyeing the possibility of opening a representative office in Mumbai because of the potential for investments and manufacturing in Maharashtra and Gujarat.

• India and Taiwan established representative offices in each other’s capitals in 1995.
• A second Taipei Economic and Cultural Center was established in Chennai in 2012.
• As with most contacts with Taiwan, the Indian side has been proceeding cautiously, largely because of the tensions with China.
• However, India’s rapidly growing need for semiconductors, expected to be around $100 billion by 2025, up from the current level of $2.
• On Wed, the center approved a production-linked incentive scheme with an outlay of $10 bn for the development of a semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem.
• The govt has also committed support of $30 bn to position India as a global hub for electronics manufacturing, with semiconductors as the foundational block.

Govt: ‘In-principle’ nod for 6 nuclear reactors in Jaitapur

THE CENTRE has given “in-principle’’ approval for setting up of 6 nuclear power reactors at Jaitapur in Maharashtra, Minister of State for Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh said on Thu. The reactors will have a capacity of 1,650 MW each, will be set up with technical cooperation from France. It will be the country’s largest nuclear power generating site with a total capacity of 9,900 MW.

• In a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha, Singh said the project is proposed to be set up at Jaitapur.
• Currently, the government is holding techno-commercial discussions to arrive at the project proposal with French firm EDF.
• The minister, in Rajya Sabha, said the present installed nuclear power capacity in the country is 6,780 MW, just 3.1% of total electricity generation in 2020-21.
• He said nuclear power is clean and environment friendly, apart from having a “huge potential to ensure the country’s long-term energy security on a sustainable basis’’.
• The nuclear power plants have so far generated about 755 billion units of electricity, saving about 650 million tons of CO₂ emission.
• Singh said the net-zero targets are expected to be met through a combination of various clean energy sources, including nuclear power.
• The nuclear power capacity is expected to be increased to 22,480 MW by 2031 on the completion of projects while more projects are in line.

The government has also amended the Atomic Energy Act to enable joint ventures of public sector companies to set up nuclear power projects and has taken several measures to enhance the nuclear power plants in the country, including administrative approval and financial sanction for 10 indigenous 700 MW pressurized heavy water reactors.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

US notes Islamabad’s efforts to meet FATF demands

Dawn-Pakistan continued to experience terrorist attacks last year, said the report. Pakistani military and security forces undertook counterterrorism operations against groups that conducted attacks within Pakistan, such as the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the militant Islamic State (IS) group, and Balochistan Liberation Army.

“Pakistan took steps in 2020 to counter terror financing and restrain India-focused militant groups from conducting attacks. Pakistan convicted Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed and 4 other senior LeT leaders in multiple terrorism financing cases,” the report said.

Although the report acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts to counter terrorism, it claimed that groups targeting Afghanistan and India — such as the Haqqani Network, LeT, and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) — continued to operate from Pakistani territory.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken releases report in Washington

“Pakistan did not take action against other known terrorists such as JeM founder and UN-designated terrorist Masood Azhar and 2008 Mumbai attack ‘project manager’ Sajid Mir, both of whom are believed to remain free in Pakistan,” the report added.

• But it also acknowledged that “Pakistan did make positive contributions to the Afghanistan peace process, such as encouraging Taliban reductions in violence”.
• Noting Pakistan’s efforts to meet the demands put forth by FATF, the report noted: “…. but did not complete all Action Plan items and remained on the FATF ‘grey list’.”

In a separate chapter titled “Support for Pakistan”, the report said the US recognized Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan and broader regional security, and “urges Pakistan to dismantle terrorist groups within its territory”.

It pointed out that the US “cooperates with Pakistan on counterterrorism operations, which has helped Pakistan reclaim parts of the country previously held by militant groups”.

Report– Yet, TTP and other designated terrorist groups “continue to conduct attacks against the Pakistani military and civilian targets”.

• While Pakistan has taken some action against these designated terrorist organizations, some externally focused terrorist groups continue to find haven in Pakistan.
• That’s why “the US govt continues to suspend most of its security assistance to Pakistan.
• That suspension remained in effect throughout 2020”.
• Despite the restriction, however, the US govt maintained a civilian assistance portfolio on a focused set of priorities, the report added.
• The counterterrorism efforts included countering terrorist financing and related anti-money laundering, nonproliferation cooperation, including Covid-19.

The report explained that the emphasis of US civilian assistance to Pakistan remained on sustainable development and capacity-building, and on leveraging trade and private sector investment, where possible.

• It also encouraged partnership and a long-term positive impact for the Pakistani people.
• People-to-people exchanges, which largely shifted to virtual exchanges during Covid-19, help promote mutual understanding and bilateral ties.
• Blinken warned that globally “both the number of terrorist attacks and the overall number of fatalities from those attacks increased by more than 10%”.
• He attributed this increase to “the spread of IS branches and networks and Al Qaeda affiliates, particularly in Africa”.

OIC meeting to help bridge gap between Taliban, world: minister

The Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, flanked by Information Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain in interaction with journalists on Thu and anchorpersons, said by hosting the event, Pakistan was playing a positive role by bridging the communication gap between the world and the Taliban.

• Qureshi confirmed that a Taliban delegation, headed by the interim foreign min, would participate in the moot, besides special representatives from the US, Russia, and China.

• Apart from P5 countries, the representatives of Germany, Canada, Australia, and Japan had also been invited, he added.
• He said Pakistan wanted the Taliban to listen to concerns of the international community relating to human rights.
• He said Pakistan was not the spokesperson for the Taliban but only wanted to bring the stakeholders to the OIC platform to directly get across their points of view.
• The FM said Pakistan’s focus was an improvement in the lives of Afghan people who faced conflict for decades.
• He dismissed the impression that holding the OIC conference on Afghanistan was a step towards recognizing the government.
• Qureshi said the moot offered a rare opportunity for peace and stability in Afghanistan.
• The whole region would benefit if things go right. But in case the situation moved the wrong way, all gains would come to naught, he warned.

He recalled that during his meetings with his counterparts in New York and the recent meeting with the High Representative of the EU, Josep Borrell in Brussels, he explained that Afghanistan would be facing a tough situation if the EU did not take any action.

• Qureshi said 75% of Afghanistan’s budget was dependent on external assistance. He pointed out that the country’s monetary reserves of $9.5 billion were frozen.
• All the efforts and foreign investment of 20 years in Afghanistan, besides the loss of innocent lives, would prove to be futile with the rise of a new wave of terrorism.
• He said the situation would not only affect Pakistan, but also other countries of the region, including Iran and Tajikistan, and even Europe.