[ NATIONAL ]

China maintains around 60,000 troops opposite Ladakh, Indian preparedness is also at a high level

ANI – More than 20 months into the military standoff, China has deployed around 60,000 troops opposite the Indian territory in Ladakh and continues its build infrastructure to help the faster movement of its forces to the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Will PM Modi attend the SAARC summit this year? India weighing options as Pakistan prepares to host

With Afghanistan on the agenda, Pakistan has said it would be open to India participating in the summit virtually or in-person, but sources said New Delhi is considering its options.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has spoken to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The two leaders discussed a range of bilateral and global issues, including the situation in the Indo-Pacific region.

MHA releases manuals, a newsletter of Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre of Cyber and Information Security Division

ANI -The Union Home Secretary released 3 Manuals and a Newsletter of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Cyber and Information Security Division (CIS) of the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi on Mon.

ISIS Kerala module case: NIA arrests ISIS operative in Karnataka

ANI -The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Mon arrested one ISIS operative, Mundadiguttu Sadananda Marla Deepthi Marlah alias Maryam in the ISIS Kerala module case, with the assistance of state police.

Intelligence note claims Chinese hand in Tamil Nadu Foxconn labor strike

Days after Apple Inc placed the Sriperumbudur facility of their supplier Foxconn under probation, an internal intelligence note pointed out “Chinese aid to the left-leaning workforce inside Foxconn” (Taiwanese) as the reason for the labor unrest.

A surge in cases indicative of third Covid wave in India: Expert

In the major Indian cities, the Omicron variant of the coronavirus is accounting for more than 50% of the fresh cases of the infection and the massive surge in the number of cases over the last week is indicative of a third wave of the pandemic, as is being witnessed in several countries, the chairman of the Covid-19 working group of the NTAGI, said on Tue. India reports 37,379 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hrs, a daily positivity rate of 3.24%. Covid R-value in India shoots up to 1.96, highest since the beginning of the pandemic

From Nykaa to Purplle, Sugar to Plum: India’s US$27 billion beauty industry is booming, driven by influencers, online shoppers

SCMP-Every Sun, Sunita Sharma, leading beauty influencer on YouTube. Hundreds of thousands of upper-middle and middle-class Indian women like the Sharmas are increasingly joining an exponentially growing consumer base for India’s massive beauty and personal care product market. Currently valued at US$26.8 billion, the industry is poised to surge to US$37.2 billion by 2025 according to Statista, a consumer data company, which forecasts it will cater to 122 million online beauty shoppers by that year.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

China ‘pushed for big 5 nuclear nations pledge’ to not target other countries

China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the US reiterated their commitment to de-targeting and reaffirmed that none of their nuclear weapons was targeted at each other or any other State. China pushed for the world’s major nuclear states to explicitly reaffirm that they would not target any nation with nuclear weapons as part of a new non-proliferation agreement.

China to order cyber security reviews for some firms seeking overseas listings

China’s cyberspace regulator said on Tue (Jan 4) it will implement new rules from Feb 15 that require platform companies with data for more than one million users to undergo a security review before listing their shares overseas. The Cyberspace Administration of China also said such firms should apply for cyber security reviews before submitting listing applications to foreign securities regulators, according to statements published on its WeChat account. Companies will not be allowed to list abroad if the review finds that national security could be impacted, it said in a statement on its official WeChat account.

Farrukh Habib blasts PML-N after another alleged audiotape of Maryam Nawaz, Parvez Rasheed emerges

Minister of State, Information, Farrukh Habib on Tue lambasted the PML-N after another audiotape, allegedly of PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz and party leader Pervaiz Rashid, was leaked online in which the two purportedly talk about the “bias” of certain journalists. The audiotape, which was shared by ARY News and Samaa TV, has not been independently verified by Dawn. In the clip, Rashid can allegedly be heard saying: “They have a program ‘Score Card‘” in an apparent reference to Geo News’ well-known show Report Card. PM Imran Khan has directed the Attorney General to take every step to bring back Nawaz Sharif to Pakistan. (Nai Baat)

First Islamabad-Istanbul train reaches Turkey

After a pause of around a decade, the first freight train between Istanbul and Islamabad via Tehran reached Ankara via Lahore, Taftan, and Zahedan on Mon, completing its 17-day journey in 13 days. A second train is already on its way to Turkey.

No Place for Ex-Officials in Cabinet: Mullah Baradar

Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in an interview with Radio-Television of Afghanistan (RTA) on Monday said that the Islamic Emirate will not include members of the fallen republic government in its cabinet. In the meantime, Baradar said that the Emirate has fulfilled the pre-conditions for recognition and that the world should recognize it formally. 

Today, India supplied the next batch of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, consisting of 500,000 doses of COVID vaccine (COVAXIN). These were handed over to the Indira Gandhi Hospital in Kabul.

Sino-Indian Standoff: China maintains around 60,000 troops opposite Ladakh, Indian preparedness is also at a high level

ANI – More than 20 months into the military standoff, China has deployed around 60,000 troops opposite the Indian territory in Ladakh and continues its build infrastructure to help the faster movement of its forces to the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

(sources)- The Chinese numbers had surged significantly during the summer brought in a large number for summer training, but now they have gone back to their rear locations.

• Still maintaining around 60,000 troops in the areas opposite Ladakh.
• The threat perception is there from the Chinese side as they continue to build infrastructure along the LAC, as reported yesterday.
• New roads are being built opposite the Daulat Beg Oldie area and near the Pangong lake area.
• The Indian side has also taken steps to ensure that any possible misadventure from the Chinese.
• India has brought in the forces of the counter-terrorism Rashtriya Rifles’ Uniform Force into the Ladakh theatre on the Eastern front.
• The Indian Army is keeping all the mountain passes open.
• The Indian side is in the eyeball to eyeball situation only at one or two locations as at most of the places, two armies are separated by buffer zones.
• Both sides are also deploying a large number of surveillance drones over the buffer zones.
• The Chinese are finding the winter deployments very harsh as they are rotating troops at forwarding locations very fast.

A satellite surveillance handler identified itself as ‘Damien Symon’ (@detresfa_) twitted with an image that “Chinese road construction, improvement activity has rapidly risen across #AksaiChin through 2020-21, in multiple sectors new bridges, wider roads, re-pavement of existing routes & the fresh construction of alternate roads is visible & documented on this simple map” (1)

On the Chinese aggression which started in April-May last year, the Defence Ministry in its Year-End review had stated that unilateral and provocative actions by the Chinese to change the status quo by force, in more than one area on the LAC, has been responded to as an 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.
• Force levels in areas where disengagement has yet to take place have been adequately enhanced.
• Threat assessment and internal deliberations have resulted in reorganization and realignment of forces and to cater for the major augmentation of PLA forces and military infrastructure.
• Troops continue to deal with Chinese troops in a firm, resolute and peaceful manner while ensuring the sanctity of India’s claims.
• Upgradation 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.

On the disengagement, Indian geopolitical strategist, Brahma Chellaney tweeted “China’s frenzied construction of a long bridge connecting Lake Pangong’s northern and southern banks only highlights India’s folly in vacating the strategic Kailash Heights. The bridge is aimed at preempting any new operation of the type India pulled off at the Kailash Heights.”

“…. India has been incrementally legitimizing the land grabs. Note the latest references to “Chinese territory,” not occupied areas, about the Galwan flag-hoisting and bridge over Pangong. Such legitimation of territorial grabs has been happening ..since the time China gobbled up big-buffer Tibet. So, for example, China is said to be building militarized border villages on “its territory.” No wonder China’s aggression never ceases.” –Chellaney

Indian Army unfurls national flag in Galwan valley on New Year

ANI – Indian Army unfurled the Tricolour in the Galwan valley, Ladakh on the occasion of New Year.

• (sources) – the Indian Army personnel had hoisted the National flag in Galwan on New Year’s eve.
• The move comes amid reports in a section of media that claimed that Chinese soldiers had displayed their flag in the region a few days ago.
• After ANI posted, some ‘experts’ on social media express doubt with the Dogra regiment flag, as Tibet’s Flag.

ISIS Kerala module case: NIA arrests ISIS operative in Karnataka

ANI -The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Mon arrested one ISIS operative, Mundadiguttu Sadananda Marla Deepthi Marlah alias Maryam in the ISIS Kerala module case, with the assistance of state police.

Maryam is the daughter-in-law of B M Basha, son of former Ullal MLA late B M Idinabba. Idinbaba was a member of the Congress party and was elected as a 3 times MLA in the state assembly from the Ullal constituency.

Maryam was held after the NIA raided the house of Basha following her suspected ISIS links.

Maryam is connected with the investigation of the Kerala Module case. She is from the Bunt community and belongs to the Kodagu district, fell in love with Anas while studying and later, she converted to Islam and changed her name to Maryam.

• Earlier, NIA had conducted searches and arrested 11 accused persons for raising funds, radicalizing and motivating people to join ISIS.
• During the investigation, the NIA said that it has been revealed that after the decline of ISIS Caliphate in Syria and Iraq, Maryam and Mohd.
• Ameen had visited Kashmir in Jan and Mar 2020 for Hijrah (Religious migration) and for engaging in terrorist acts and supporting the activities of ISIS.
• NIA-“Investigation has also revealed that Maryam was the kingpin of the instant ISIS conspiracy along with Mohd Ameen.”

Will PM Modi attend the SAARC summit this year? India weighing options as Pakistan prepares to host

ThePrint-India is weighing its options on whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit — which may be held in the first half of this year — even as Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Mon that his country is open to having India participate in the meeting virtually.

(sources)-PM Modi may attend the summit this time, keeping in mind the soaring humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover there, with New Delhi planning to send food and other essential items to Kabul via Pakistan.

• It will be “difficult” for India to attend the summit even virtually as it hasn’t officially recognized the Taliban govt, and Pak would invite the head of the interim regime.
• The SAARC summit was due to take place in 2016, chaired by Pak in which India didn’t attend in the wake of the Uri terror attack in J&K and also ensured the isolation of Pak.

However, in Mar 2020, PM Modi relaunched by calling all SAARC leaders for a special virtual meeting (after the Covid-19), and pledging a contribution of $10 million toward a SAARC Covid-19 Emergency Fund, but it hadn’t been attended by Pak PM but his representative.

Afghanistan crisis main agenda in SAARC summit-

(sources)-Pakistan believes it has to hold the SAARC summit this year as Afghanistan is facing a humanitarian crisis, which is why this will be the main agenda.

• Talks are still ongoing between New Delhi and Islamabad on how to send 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan through Pakistan by road.
• The matter is stuck on whether or not to ship by Indian trucks, as Pakistan has said it will allow only Afghan trucks to carry this.
• All these issues will be ironed out once the SAARC summit takes place, as a seamless movement among the members for a long time.
• While dates are yet to be finalized, but it may take place in the first half of this year.
• Pakistan is scheduled to hold general elections in Oct next year.

India had approved the signing and ratification of the SAARC Motor Vehicles Agreement at the last SAARC summit on Nov 26-27, 2014 in Kathmandu, which has been on hold since then as no further summits have been held.

• Addressing pressers on Mon, Qureshi said, “…If India doesn’t want to participate in person, then it can attend virtually also, but they should not stop others from coming.”
• He also said, “India has made the SAARC forum dysfunctional.”

Pakistan might want to use any SAARC summit for the Taliban’s recognition at the regional high table. Like OIC FMs meet. No SAARC leader (barring…) will be keen to rub shoulders with Taliban leadership.

Intelligence note claims Chinese hand in Tamil Nadu Foxconn labor strike

THE WEEK- Days after Apple Inc placed the Sriperumbudur facility of their supplier Foxconn under probation, an internal intelligence note pointed out “Chinese aid to the left-leaning workforce inside Foxconn” (Taiwanese) as the reason for the labor unrest.

The report claimed-“the instant reaction to the substandard canteen food causing ill health to a few staff members is an indicator of an international design to destabilize industrial establishments”.

• “it is no secret that China was aggrieved over these factories, as, earlier, 48% of the components for Apple iPhone were produced in China”.
• But, “Apple has increased its stable of contracts with manufacturers in India of late as the US-China feud threatened to impose tariffs on Apple devices”.
• “China’s supply chain got tangled in the US-China trade war” due to India emerging as a manufacturing alternative for Apple and other tech firms. (reported yesterday also)
• The list includes Wistron Infocomm Manufacturing India (Karnataka) and Pegatron technology Pvt Ltd Tamil Nadu.
• Recently, Wistron too had shut down the production due to an assault and violence allegation inside the factory.
• The same pattern of unrest in multinational companies like Sanmina, Ford, PPG Asian paints, Enfield India Limited among others.
• A few other companies are saying that “the group is making all efforts to intrude”.
• The necessary countermeasures should be taken at the highest level to “thwart nefarious activities”.
• The multinational electronic company Foxconn did not allow labor unions inside the facility, and those involved in union activities did not have job security.
• The issue was that the “left-leaning forces”, e.g, New Democratic Labour Front, Peoples Democratic Youth Association, Peoples Rights Protection Centre and Students Uprising Movement capitalized on the wretched working conditions inside the facility.
• (Sources)- the involvement of these movements in the agitation, and also their links to movements outside India, is being probed.

Foxconn also agreed to improve the working conditions, after talks with the representatives from the state government.

It may be recalled that in Dec 2014, when Foxconn, one of the major handset manufacturers for Nokia, came up with a proposal to suspend its operations, the then Foxconn India employees union threatened to launch a protest.

Incidentally, it was during the same period that Sriperumbudur witnessed major labor unrest after Microsoft, which bought Nokia’s handset business for over $7 billion, suspended its operations due to a tax dispute.

• Sriperumbudur is one of the most vibrant industrial corridors in Tamil Nadu. The recent episode may send across a message that India is not a conducive destination.
• Earlier, Ford had opted to shut down its production in Chennai and moved out of India. The state govt is monitoring the situation and the Tata group is in talks with Ford.
• India is one of the 3, manufacturing Apple products, apart from Brazil and China.
• The labor unrest, and the shutting down of the Foxconn facility, may not help the “investor-friendly” USP of the Tamil Nadu government.

MHA releases manuals, a newsletter of I4C of Cyber and CIS

ANI -The Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) released three Manuals and a Newsletter of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Cyber and Information Security Division (CIS) of the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi on Mon.

As per MHA, the manuals and the newsletter released include Cyber Hygiene for Cyber Space – Dos and Don’ts – Basic Manual, Cyber Hygiene for Cyber Space – Dos and Don’ts – Advanced Manual, and Quarterly Newsletter – CyberPravah.

The manuals are part of a focussed awareness campaign for the prevention of cybercrimes and to inculcate cyber hygiene in rural areas, industrial bodies, and the general public.

The Quarterly Newsletter – “CyberPravah”, covers the introduction to I4C, various activities of I4C in two quarters (from Apr-Jun, 2021 and Jul-Sept, 2021), cybercrime trends/patterns, statistics, facilities created by I4C, platforms for reporting and addressing cybercrimes, and to assist in the area of cybercrime prevention, detection, and investigation.

• It also aims to create awareness about recent developments in the field of cybercrimes and cybercrime terminology, stated the ministry.
• The MHA said that the I4C, as an Agency for coordinating at the Central level and to support States/UTs by providing a common framework.
• I4C is spreading mass awareness through various social media handles in the name of ‘CyberDost’ by providing cyber safety tips at frequent intervals for the public.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

China ‘pushed for big 5 nuclear nations pledge’ to not target other countries

The leaders of China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States on Mon (local time) reiterated their commitment to de-targeting and reaffirmed that none of their nuclear weapons was targeted at each other or any other State.

In a joint statement, the leaders of the 5 countries said “we affirm that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.”

The 5 permanent member states of the UNSC also reaffirmed the importance of addressing nuclear threats and emphasized the importance of preserving and complying with their bilateral and multilateral nonproliferation, disarmament, and arms control agreements and commitments.

The 5 countries also underlined their ultimate goal of a world without nuclear weapons with undiminished security for all.

They intend to continue seeking bilateral and multilateral diplomatic approaches to avoid military confrontations, strengthen stability and predictability, increase mutual understanding and confidence, and prevent an arms race that would benefit none and endanger all.

This is the first time for leaders of the “5 Nuclear-Weapon States” to issue such a joint statement, which has demonstrated the political will to prevent nuclear wars, and given their common voice of maintaining global strategic stability and reducing the risk of nuclear conflicts, Chinese vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said.

First Islamabad-Istanbul train reaches Turkey

“The first train consisted of eight wagons which departed on Dec 21 from Islamabad carrying goods (mainly pink salt, 150 tonnes) reached Ankara (Turkey) on Mon evening. Before reaching its destination, the goods loaded onto the train were shifted to other bogies (trans-shipment) compatible with the Iranian and Turkish rail/ gauge system,” Pakistan Railways Director told Dawn.

• The second train, which had departed from Azakhel dry port on Dec 28, carried 525 tonnes of soapstone.
• It has entered Iran and will reach Zahedan very soon where the trans-shipment-related work will be completed.

• The Pakistan Railways earned Rs 800,000 and Rs 2.2 million from the first and second trains, respectively.
• Iran would only be used as a transit country for the Istanbul-Tehran-Islamabad (ITI) train service.
• The pink salt was loaded onto trucks from Sargodha and shifted to the ITI train in Islamabad.
• The soapstone had been brought from Jalalabad (Afghanistan) and the freight forwarders got it booked on the ITI train as per the demand of the parties, he added.
• Ahmad further revealed that a 3^rd train would also depart soon for Turkey, as the demand and load are currently under assessment by freight forwarders.
• After a decade, the resumption of the ITI train service from Turkey was scheduled for Mar 4, 2020, with its arrival in Pakistan on Mar 16 and return to Turkey after 3 days.

However, later, mishandling, negligence, and other administrative issues allegedly on the part of the authorities concerned delayed the service, forcing Turkey and Iran to cancel orders for hundreds of tonnes of goods from Pakistan.

1. https://twitter.com/detresfa_/status/1478215245936017409?s=20