[ NATIONAL ]

China building bridge over Pangong Tso on its territory to counter possible Indian Army ops

The bridge, which is under construction, will cut down a 180 km loop from China’s Khurnak to the southern banks of Pangong Tso through Rudok.

Indian Army forces realigned, reorganized to cater for major Chinese troops augmentation: Defence Ministry

The Indian Army has reorganized and realigned its forces along the border with China to cater for the troops and infrastructure build-up by the Chinese Army along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Defence Ministry said in its year-end review on Fri.

China says Arunachal Pradesh part of it ‘since ancient times’

China on Friday defended the renaming of 15 more places in India’s Arunachal Pradesh, claiming that the southern part of Tibet has always been its territory.

India’s plans to export BrahMos get a boost as the Philippines sets aside funds for missiles

Negotiations between India and the Philippines regarding BrahMos had been going on for years, but hit a roadblock in 2020, with Manila citing budgetary limitations caused by Covid.

Foggy weather may have led to the disorientation of pilots in the Gen Bipin Rawat copter

TOI (source) -The inquiry, headed by Air Marshal Manvendra Singh, has ruled out any major structural failure or technical snag in the twin-engine Mi-17 V5 chopper that crashed. 2-3 elements are being re-checked before the inquiry report is formally submitted next week.”

Security tightened at the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura ahead of PM Modi’s visit to the state

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tripura to inaugurate the new terminal building of Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in Agartala, on Jan 4, security has tightened at the India-Bangladesh border in the state with additional deployment of the Border Security Force.

J&K: IGP Kashmir Warns Leaders Over Misguiding Youth Regarding Terrorist Encounters

Citing the challenges faced by the Jammu and Kashmir police over the past year in the valley amid concerns of terrorist activities, the Police Chief of Kashmir Zone warned certain mainstream leaders over doing politics on terrorism and misguiding people regarding terrorist encounters. During this while, he also informed that the 3 terrorists involved in the Srinagar attack have been knocked down. This came in the backdrop of the questions raised by the Gupkar alliance on the J&K Police formed SIT’s report on the Hyderpora encounter case.

A sum of 171 terrorists were killed in 2021-He informed that a total of 171 terrorists were killed in 2021 out of which 19 were Pakistani terrorists. Meanwhile, IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar also mentioned the other challenges faced by the police including narcotics and cybercrime.

J&K police on Mon neutralized dreaded terrorist of proscribed terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba Salim Parrey along with one foreign terrorist. Details awaited.

The Indian Security forces said -“In breach of an ongoing ceasefire between India and Pak across LoC, infiltration by the Border action team (BAT border security forces), was attempted in Keran sector, Kupwara on Jan 1^st. Indian Security Forces have foiled the bid and eliminated the terrorist, identified as Pak’s Mohd Shabbir Malik; one AK47 & 7 grenades recovered.” This establishes that Pakistan continues to sponsor cross-border terror. A Hotline communication has been made to Pakistan Army asking them to take back the body of the killed individual: Indian Army Officials added.

India reports new 33,750 Covid cases, 123 deaths in the last 24 hours

India on Mon reported 33,750 new Covid cases, a 22% jump from yesterday while the active cases rose to 1,45,582, according to the Union health ministry data. There are 1,700 Omicron cases in India with 23 states reporting the new Covid-19 strain. Maharashtra continues to be the worst-affected state with 510 cases followed by Delhi, which has 351 infections.

All India Radio to double broadcast duration in 6 neighborhood languages from Jan 3

The External Services Division of All India Radio (AIR) will expand its transmission in 6 neighborhood languages including Dari, Pashto, Baluchi, Mandarin Chinese, Nepali, and Tibetan from Mon. The broadcast duration in each of these six languages has been doubled from the existing 1 to 1.5 -3 hours/day per day.

Government to start Haldia-Guwahati inland waterways services soon

The contract to connect Guwahati via inland waterways has been awarded and services will start soon. The jetty will be operational for Exim and inland cargo from Haldia to Pandu terminal in Guwahati.

Registration of 12,580 NGOs under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act ends Jan 1^st

The registration of 12,580 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) has been ceased or expired on Sat. The total number of NGOs underactive or alive category as of Sat has come down to 16,829 from 22,762, as per the data uploaded on the Ministry of Home Affairs website. In the updated list on Jan 1, the registration of 5933 NGOs has either been canceled or they did not apply for renewal. There are a total of 16,829 active NGOs under FCRA. And 20675 NGOs are in the canceled category that means they can’t receive or utilize any foreign fund.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

China Is Building Entire Villages in Another Country’s Territory- FP

Since 2015, a previously unnoticed network of roads, buildings, and military outposts has been constructed deep in a sacred valley in Bhutan.

RCEP promise of enhanced trade among members will be challenged by Indo-Pacific geopolitics: Report

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which came into force on Sat for the majority of its 15 Asia-Pacific economies, will be challenged by Indo-Pacific geopolitics, according to a report.

Will India scoop up more investments at the expense of China in the new year?

(Lee Kah Whye): Last year witnessed China receiving a smaller share of foreign investments compared to previous years, a trend that started with former US President Trump’s trade war with China.

Vietnam complains China’s border controls to stop coronavirus spreading are ‘overkill’

Tight curbs introduced as part of the country’s zero-Covid strategy have seen thousands of trucks delayed at border crossings. Vietnam’s trade ministry says the measures have caused ‘great losses’ to business and traders and urged the Chinese side to act to resolve the problem.

Taiwan offers a port in a diplomatic storm for Lithuanian rum

A state-run Taiwanese liquor company said on Monday (Jan 3) that it has snapped up more than 20,000 bottles of Lithuanian rum that were blocked from China after a diplomatic row broke out between Beijing and Vilnius. China has downgraded diplomatic ties with Lithuania after Vilnius allowed Taiwan to open a representative office under its name in Nov. China has also stopped issuing visas and blocked exports from Lithuania, prompting protests from the European Union’s trade commissioner.

Taiwan leader’s new year speech criticizes Hong Kong press crackdown, mainland military incursions

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has warned that military actions were not a solution to resolving the self-ruled island’s ongoing tensions with mainland China. In a New Year’s Day live broadcast, Tsai said such conflict would hurt the economy on both sides of the strait and she urged Beijing officials to “prevent the expansion of militarism within the Chinese govt.” On Jan 1^st, 2022, Tsai also criticized the Hong Kong govt for its crackdown on opposition media outlets. 

PM Imran launches Pak-China Business Investment Forum

Dawn-Prime Minister Imran Khan on Mon launched the Pak-China Business Investment Forum aimed at enhancing information exchange and promoting communication between businesses of the two countries, thereby opening up new avenues of cooperation. Radio Pakistan- the forum consists of 18 Chinese and 19 Pakistani companies and its objective is to promote sustainable investment, export industry, and development of modern technology in Pakistan.The premier said that Pakistan must learn urban planning from China to tackle disparity in resource management arising out of rapid population growth.

Ummat-Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi Women Wing Organizer Asma Safeer said that the largest protest by women in the history of Karachi will take place today in front of the Sindh Assembly. She urged women to attend the JI’s Give Rights to Karachi Movement in big numbers and demanded that the Sindh Government accept fair demands of the citizens of Karachi and revoke black laws that are making the life of Karachi miserable.

Sindh Express- A 44-year old Hindu businessman, Sunil Kumar, was shot dead in firing from unidentified persons at Anaj Mandi, Foodgrains Market, Pir Goth in Sindh. This led to the shut-down of the city. Later, the dharna was held in front of the local police station demanding immediate arrest of killers.

Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) chief, Sardar Akhtar Mengal has said that the people of Balochistan are the owners of the resources of the province. 

We will oppose any deal on Reko Diq if it is against the interests of the local people. First, they have to remove our doubts. A refinery should be established in the mining area so that people should know the quantity of gold, silver, and other minerals dug out from the mines. On CPEC we were not taken into confidence. We have not changed our stand over it. Inflation is spiraling. Before people have to cry over it once a year, but now they have beat their heads every month. The decision of raising the prices is not taken by the government or the parliament but by the IMF. We are blamed that we are opposing progress. We are not opposed to progress but we support only that progress which is in favor of the people of Balochistan.

Sino-Indian Standoff: China building bridge over Pangong Tso on its territory to counter possible Indian Army ops

ThePrint- China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is building a bridge over the Pangong Tso on its territory in Khurnak, the narrowest part of the lake.

(Sources)- the bridge is being built with prefabricated structures to counter any Aug 2020 like operation of the Indian Army, which led to the capture of dominating heights in the southern banks of Pangong Tso.

• The bridge, which is under construction, will cut down a 180 km loop from Khurnak to the south banks through Rudok, sources said.
• This would mean that the route from Khurnak to Rudok will be 40-50 km and not nearly 200 km earlier.
• The 135-km long Pangong Tso, a landlocked lake that is partly in the Ladakh region and partly in Tibet, has seen tensions between India and China since May 2020.

More road beings constructed by China- The PLA has also initiated the process to build a road to and from the bridge and will add to a new route for faster deployment of soldiers and material, the sources explained.

(Sources) while the stand-off was on in that region between Sept 2020 and mid-2021, the Chinese had managed to build a new road to the Moldo garrison to circumvent the visibility arc of the Indian soldiers and equipment on top of advantageous heights.

• India and Chinese troops had carried out disengagement from the southern banks in Feb last year.
• The Chinese had carried out initial work on the road during the standoff and completed the blacktopping middle of 2021.
• With the new construction, the PLA aims to have multiple routes to counter any possible operations by the Indian forces in the southern banks in the future.
• As reported earlier, China has ramped up its infrastructure build-up along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) even during the stand-off.
• This included the construction of new roads, the surface to air missile sites, heliports, dwellings among others.
• India too has carried out multiple infrastructure build-ups along the LAC.

Indian Army forces realigned, reorganized to cater for major Chinese troops augmentation: Defence Ministry

The Indian Army has reorganized and realigned its forces along the border with China to cater for the troops and infrastructure build-up by the Chinese Army along the LAC, Defence Ministry said in its year-end review on Fri.

It also stated:

• Troops continue to deal with Chinese troops in a firm, resolute and peaceful manner while ensuring the sanctity of India’s claims.
• The unilateral and provocative actions by the Chinese to change the status quo by force, in more than one area on the LAC, have been responded to with adequate measure.
• To resolve the issue, the militaries of the two countries have been engaged in dialogue at various levels.
• After sustained joint efforts, disengagement was carried out at many locations.
• Up-gradation and development of infrastructure along the Northern Borders are being carried out holistically and comprehensively.
• Major efforts have also been undertaken to identify dual-use infrastructure

China Flag Unfurled In Galwan Wasn’t Close To Area Of Clash: Army Sources

NDTV (sources)- a video from an official Chinese media handle on Twitter, which shows a Chinese flag being unfurled in Galwan valley, does not violate the demilitarized zone between the two countries in the area.

• In other words, the flag is being flown in undisputed Chinese-held areas, and not near the bend of the river where Indian and Chinese soldiers had clashed in June 2020.
• The video and the tweet said, “China’s national flag rise over Galwan Valley on the New Year Day of 2022.”
• The tweet claims that this flag is special since it once flew over Tiananmen Square in Beijing.

China says Arunachal Pradesh part of it ‘since ancient times’

China on Fri defended the renaming of 15 more places in India’s northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, claiming that the southern part of Tibet has been “China’s territory since the ancient times”.

India on Thu strongly rejected China renaming 15 places in Arunachal Pradesh and asserted that the state has “always been” and will “always be” an integral part of India and that assigning “invented” names does not alter this fact.

India’s reaction came in response to China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs announcing Chinese names for 15 more places in Arunachal Pradesh which Beijing claims as South Tibet, and called it Zangnan.

External Affairs Ministry -“… This is not the first time China has attempted such a renaming of places in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. China had also sought to assign such names in April 2017”.

• Asked for his reaction to India’s assertion, Chinese Foreign Ministry – “Zangnan (the southern part of China’s Tibet) is located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
• “It has been China’s territory since ancient times,” he said in updated comments posted on the Chinese Foreign Ministry website.
• Earlier, Chinese FM “the southern part of Tibet belongs to the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China and it has been China’s inherent territories”.
• “China’s ethnic minorities such as the Moinba and Tibetan ethnic groups have lived and worked in this area for a long time, and many place names have been passed down,” it added.

Chinese FM, updated comment -To strengthen the standardized administration of place names, the competent department of the Chinese govt, by the regulation on the administration of geographical names, has announced the second batch of standardized names of places in Zangnan for use by the public, which completely falls within China’s sovereignty.

• This is the second batch of standardized Chinese names of places in Arunachal Pradesh released by China.
• The first batch of the standardized names of six places was released in 2017.
• China claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet which is firmly rejected by the External Affairs Ministry which has asserted that the state is an “inseparable part of India”.
• Beijing routinely protests visits of top Indian leaders and officials to Arunachal Pradesh to reaffirm its claim.
• The India-China border dispute covers the 3,488 km long Line of Actual Control (LAC).
• China’s renaming of the places in Arunachal Pradesh came amid the lingering eastern Ladakh border standoff that began in May last year. PTI

What is untold?

Amid border standoff for the last couple of years, the relations between Beijing and New Delhi are at extremely low. China has already done, what it wanted to but at the same time, it doesn’t want Delhi to go to other camps and accept the altered LAC. So it seems all such efforts are just to change the goal-post.

India’s plans to export BrahMos get a boost as the Philippines sets aside funds for missiles

ThePrint-India’s plans to export BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles may soon be a reality, with the Philippines setting aside funds for the planned acquisition of the shore-based, anti-ship missile system.

Inquirer (based in-country)- The Philippines’ budget department has released initial funding for the acquisition.

• Two special allotment release orders (SARO)- ₱1.3 bn (Rs 190 cr) + ₱1.535 bn (Rs 224 cr) — were issued by the Philippines’ Department of Budget Management on Dec 27.
• The SARO allows the country’s Department of National Defense to finalize contracts for military hardware.
• The Philippines is expected to acquire BrahMos missiles under a “govt-to-govt deal”.
• The move comes at a time when Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is on a military hardware shopping spree, with only six months left in his term.
• On Dec 28, Manila had also signed a ₱28 billion contract with South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries for building two corvettes for the Philippine Navy.

(Sources)- while India is working on an extended range of the BrahMos missile, the variant that will be exported will be the one with a “normal range” of 290 km.

A key pact after Covid stalled negotiations-The BrahMos — which is a joint venture between India and Russia — is the only supersonic cruise missile in the world that flies at 2.8 Mach.

• It is capable of both coastal defense and ground attack roles. India had offered a $100 million line of credit for the purchase of the weapon. 
• The Philippines has been eyeing BrahMos missiles to beef up its defense. 

Negotiations between India and the Philippines regarding the BrahMos missiles had been going on for years, but hit a roadblock in Dec 2020, with Manila citing budgetary limitations caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In March this year, India signed a key enabling pact with the Philippines — which is in a territorial dispute with China over the South China Sea — that had paved the way for the deal on defense equipment including BrahMos.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

China Is Building Entire Villages in Another Country’s Territory-FP

In Oct 2015, China announced that a new village, called Gyalaphug in Tibetan or Jieluobu in Chinese, had been established in the south of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).

In Apr 2020, the Communist Party secretary of the TAR, Wu Yingjie, traveled across two passes, both more than 14,000 feet high, on his way to visit the new village and told the residents—all of the Tibetans—to “put down roots like Kalsang flowers (In Tibetan people’s eyes, Kelsang flower has the toughest vitality flower and can be seen in anywhere) in the borderland of snows” and to “raise the bright 5-star red flag high.” 

• Film of the visit was broadcast on local TV channels and plastered on the front pages of Tibetan newspapers.
• It was not reported outside China: Hundreds of new villages are being built in Tibet, and this one seemed no different.
• Gyalaphug is, however, different: It is in Bhutan. Wu and a retinue of officials, police, and journalists had crossed an international border.
• They were in a 232—mile² area claimed by China since the early 1980s but internationally understood as part of the Lhuntse district in northern Bhutan.

The Chinese officials were visiting, unnoticed by the world, in planting settlers, security personnel, and military infrastructure within territory internationally and historically understood to be Bhutanese.

This new construction is part of a major drive by Chinese President Xi Jinping since 2017 to fortify the Tibetan borderlands, a dramatic escalation in China’s long-running efforts to outmaneuver India and its neighbors along their Himalayan frontiers.

In this case, China doesn’t need the land it is settling in Bhutan: It aims to force the Bhutanese government to cede territory that China wants elsewhere in Bhutan to give Beijing a military advantage in its struggle with New Delhi.

Developments: Gyalaphug is now one of 3 new villages (2 already occupied, 1 under construction), 66 miles of new roads, a small hydropower station, 2 Communist Party administrative centers, a communications base, a disaster relief warehouse, 5 military or police outposts, and what is believed to be a major signals tower, a satellite receiving station, a military base, and up to 6 security sites and outposts that China has constructed in what it says are parts of Lhodrak in the TAR but which are in the far north of Bhutan. This involves a strategy that is more provocative than anything China has done on its land borders in the past.

The settlement of an entire area within another country goes far beyond the forward patrolling and occasional road-building that led to war with India in 1962, military clashes in 1967 and 1987, and the deaths of 24 Chinese and Indian soldiers in 2020.

• In addition, it openly violates the terms of China’s founding treaty with Bhutan.
• It also ignores decades of protests to Beijing by the Bhutanese about far smaller infractions elsewhere on the borders.

By mirroring in the Himalayas the provocative tactics it has used in the South China Sea, Beijing is risking its relations with its neighbors, whose needs and interests it has always claimed to respect, and jeopardizing its reputation worldwide. ⁽¹⁾

RCEP promise of enhanced trade among members will be challenged by Indo-Pacific geopolitics: Report

ANI -The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which came into force on Sat for the majority of its 15 Asia-Pacific economies -Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar + 5 of Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s major Free Trade Agreement (FTA) partners: China, South Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand- will be challenged by Indo-Pacific geopolitics, according to a report. The RCEP brings together the 10 members of the Association of ASEAN.

The idea of RCEP was originally proposed by the ASEAN countries in 2011 as a way of bringing ASEAN’s key FTA partners into 1 overarching agreement, and negotiations began in earnest in 2013.

• China was the first to ratify RCEP, in April last year after it was signed in Nov 2020 at a virtual meeting of leaders from its 15 member countries.
• Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines have yet to do so, though they are expected to ratify it soon.
• Myanmar, whose govt was ousted by the military on Feb 1, ratified it but that is pending acceptance by other members.
• The US is not a part of the agreement, even though it is in the Asia-Pacific region, and India has also pulled out of the negotiations.

Further, RCEP’s commitment to regional integration will be challenged by Beijing’s increased military assertiveness forcing the ASEAN member nations to join Quadrilateral Security Initiative involving, the US, Japan, India, and Australia in the region, according to analysts.

Earlier, the updated version of the Quadrilateral Security Initiative called Quad 2.0 was formed on the sidelines of the Nov 2017 ASEAN and East Asia Summits held in Manila, the Philippines with the proposal for the maritime alliance being mooted by Japan.

Meanwhile, RCEP member nations Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines have contested territorial claims with China in the geopolitically significant South China Sea.

Also, despite their deep trade relations with China, ASEAN countries look to the US for strategic partnership as 3 ASEAN Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines participated in US Democracy Summit to strengthen strategic partnership with Washington.

Meanwhile, the US is trying to re-engage with South East Asia and President met with leaders from the region in Oct last year for a virtual summit in Washington’s 1^st high-level engagement with the ASEAN in 4 years and announced a USD 100 million initiative to beef up engagement.

A powerful Chinese navy is ready to flex its muscles

ANI – Last year was a phenomenal one for China’s navy – the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) – with approximately 170,000 tonnes’ worth of new ships commissioned in 2021.

Armed with such an influx of vessels every year, the PLAN has become one of the most modern and capable navies in the world, far eclipsing any other Asian navy.

The year’s haul included –

1. Type 094A ballistic missile submarine (SSBN)-1
2. Type 075 helicopter landing docks (LHD)-2,
3. Type 055 cruisers-3
4. Type 052D destroyers- 7
5. Type 056A corvettes-6,
6. Type 082II mine countermeasure vessels-6,
7. cable-laying ship-1 and
8. Type 927 surveillance ships-3

The utter quantity and diversity of modern ships in the PLAN are imbuing it with growing confidence, bolstered by nationalism fanned by an increasingly martial communist party, which is not only looking to dominate waters close to its coast but to break out beyond the so-called First Island Chain and to influence the narrative and fly a flag in distant oceans.

• Indeed, 2022 will mark the 14^th year of a continuous Chinese naval presence in the Gulf of Aden, supported by a PLA base in Djibouti.
• The largest of the aforementioned list of ships completed in 2021 is the Type 075 LHD, which looks similar to an aircraft carrier thanks to its flat deck.
• An LHD carries a large number of helicopters (up to 28 in the case of China’s Type 075) + landing craft and hovercraft in an internal well deck for amphibious operations.
• Up to 1,000 marines and their amphibious assault vehicles can be carried too.
• The PLAN’s first Type 075 christened Hainan of approx 36K-tonne displacement was commissioned into the South Sea Fleet at Sanya, Hainan Island on 23 Apr 2021.
• The 2^nd formally entered service on 26 Dec (China’s distrust means religious festivals are outlawed by new laws, even though an estimated 5% of the Christians).
• The 2^nd LHD, commissioned at Zhoushan Naval Base as Guangxi, was assigned to the East Sea Fleet focuses against Taiwan.
• Interestingly, the East Sea Fleet had hitherto not received either aircraft carriers or LHDs. Guangxi had been launched on 22 April 2020 and commenced sea trials in Dec.

As well as its helicopter and amphibious capabilities, the LHD lends itself to employment as a logistics and command platform for any contingency operations against Taiwan.

Aircraft carriers meanwhile could be used to dissuade any intervention by the USA and allies in any future Chinese attack on Taiwan.

More LHDs are on the way – a 3^rd Type 075 was launched by the Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai on 29 Jan 2021, and it commenced sea trials on 25 Nov 2021.

China is maintaining an impressive unmatchable shipbuilding rate, with one LHD launched every 6 months so far.

With the PLAN keen to test the mettle of its crews and with the USA and others more intent on defying China’s illegal maritime claims, the stage is set for increasing tensions in South China and East China Seas.

The question is, will Chinese hubris lead to an unintended confrontation at sea this year? Chinese actions will not be limited to these aforementioned maritime areas either, as the PLAN sails ever farther from the Chinese coast. The Indian Navy, for example, will be required to respond to a heavier presence by the PLAN in the Indian Ocean in the year ahead too. (2)

Will India scoop up more investments at the expense of China in the new year?

ANI-(Lee Kah Whye): Last year witnessed China receiving a smaller share of foreign investments compared to previous years, a trend that started with former US President Trump’s trade war with China.

Although his successor, Joe Biden campaigned on a promise to end the trade war “steep tariffs on Chinese imports are hurting US’s interests”, his administration is now continuing to enforce the so-called “phase one agreement” made by China with the US in Trump’s era.

Phase One among other things commits China to purchase an additional USD200 bn of not only US agriculture, but also manufacturing, energy, and services exports, by the end of 2021.

• China has purchased only slightly more than 60% of the goods it promised.
• The phase one agreement also commits China to make progress on enforcing IPR, removing non-tariff barriers to farm imports, liberalizing its financial services sector.
• The US may be using the trade tariffs as leverage in its negotiations with China.

However, some officials have commented to the media that there is no better alternative to achieve its trade objectives with China at the moment, also it is not expedient to remove the tariffs all at once. This is despite more than 30 business associations in the US appealing to the govt and complaining that tariffs are “costly and burdensome.

India’s Intrest-The trade war has resulted in a diversion of foreign investments away from China for the benefit of China’s competitors like Vietnam and India (benefited the most), and it makes sense for both to foster closer political and economic ties as a counterbalance to China.

Vietnam like China is a communist state with a centrally planned economy and has pivoted to a similar version of free-market state capitalism, but the two have enjoyed a cordial but uneasy relationship.

• Last Dec, Vietnam National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue visited New Delhi to mark the 5^th anniversary of the Vietnam-India comprehensive strategic partnership.
• He also attended the “Vietnam India Business Forum organized by the Embassy of Vietnam and the Confederation of Indian Industry.
• To cement the relationship, a total of 12 MoUs worth billions of dollars were signed.

In his address at the event, Chairman Vuong revealed that bilateral trade turnover between India and Vietnam saw an average growth of 20%/annum, and despite the pandemic, trade between the two countries totaled US$ 11 bn for the first 10 months of 2021, on track for an average annual increase around 40%.

Besides, the US-China trade war the perceived human rights violations in Xinjiang, the erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy, China’s zero COVID strategy, supply chain challenges, and rising costs are resulting in many global companies leaving China’s shores.

A study by UBS Evidence Lab found that in 2020, 76% of US companies with factories in China were in the process of or considering moving operations to other countries.

• India has been a beneficiary of firms looking for alternative locations to site their manufacturing operations.
• Apple contractors Foxconn, Wistron, and Pegatron have factories in India. So has Apple’s rival Samsung.
• Samsung has established large handset manufacturing plants in Noida (capacity of 120 mn, largest in world) and Sriperumbudur.
• It is set to pump another US$90 mn into its Noida plant by end of this year. (3)

Nepal tight-lipped over Chinese encroachment of its territory in border areas

ANI – Kathmandu remains silent over China’s expansionist designs in the Himalayan nation as several media reports indicate illegal encroachments by Beijing in bordering districts including Humla, Gorkha, Darchula, Dolakha, and Sindhupalchowk.

• In Sept last year, a 7-member committee headed by the home secretary was formed by the Nepal govt to study the Nepal-China border in the northern part of Humla.
• The team studied border pillars, especially in the Limi valley, and initial findings confirmed that there were some serious border issues between Nepal and China.
• (Sources)- the Committee has finalized its report, but the Home Ministry withheld the findings as there has been no response from China over the issue.
• (sources)- Nepal has approached the Chinese side over the issue but there has been no response to date over the issue.
• The then govt led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli directed the Chief District Officer (CDO) of Humla district to study and submit a report.
• The findings have not been made public, but Nepali newspapers quoted the CDO as saying that the construction seems to have taken place 1 km inside Chinese territory.
• It was opposed by the Congress who tabled a resolution in Parliament calling on PM Oli “to bring back these encroached territories by holding the dialogue,” with China.

The allegations also led to protests in front of the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, where protesters chanted slogans calling a “stop (to) Chinese Intervention” and to “Chinese Encroachment”.

Nepali Congress leaders at that time even accused the Oli government of appeasing Beijing and remaining quiet when China had encroached on Nepali territory. (4)

1. https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/05/07/china-bhutan-border-villages-security-forces/
2. https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/a-powerful-chinese-navy-is-ready-to-flex-its-muscles20220103115541/
3. https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/will-india-scoop-up-more-investments-at-the-expense-of-china-in-the-new-year20220103084551/
4. https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/nepal-tight-lipped-over-chinese-encroachment-of-its-territory-in-border-areas20220103153216/