Thundering Thursdays
[ NATIONAL ]
India cautions students against enrolling in Chinese universities
The warning by the National Medical Commission (NMC) was issued after India’s external affairs ministry was alerted that some Chinese medical universities were inviting applications for admission to MBBS programs – despite a ban on foreign students from entering China.
‘We have leaders who continue to defend Laden as a martyr’, India’s UN envoy at UNSC
Indian envoy to United Nations T.S. Tirumurti has slammed Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council for its support to cross border terror and leadership eulogizing terrorists. Speaking at the UNSC meeting, he said, “….. India is acutely aware of the human cost of terrorism and remains fully committed to bringing the perpetrators of these terror attacks to justice.” Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan had called the Al Qaeda chief a martyr in the Pakistani parliament drawing global condemnation and shock. India’s envoy at the UN further said that they have been highlighting the threat of terrorism in Afghanistan and emphasized that the security fears have further escalated due to the political situation in Afghanistan. Tirumurti informed that the report of the Taliban Sanctions Committee has revealed the continuous links between the Taliban, especially through the Haqqani Network and Al Qaida.
EAM Jaishankar to visit Munich, Paris; India, Australia, France FMs trilateral on an anvil
External affairs minister Dr. S Jaishankar will visit Europe later this month for multiple engagements both in Germany’s Munich and French capital Paris. In Munich, he is expected to take part in the Munich Security Conference that will take place from Feb 18 to 20. In 2020, India’s EAM had participated at the MSC. The conference has emerged as one of the most well know forums that deals with international security issues and this time comes amid the eastern Europe crisis and Russian military buildup at Ukraine’s border. It will also be the first high-level visit from Delhi to Germany since the new govt led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz took charge. The occasion is expected to provide the first in-person meeting between EAM and Germany’s new foreign minister Annalena Baerbock. Germany is the president of G7 countries this year and for the last 3 years, India has been regularly invited to the G7 by the host country.
Centre Bans Import Of Foreign Drones To Promote Made In India Drones, Lists Exceptions
To promote Made in India drones, the Central government has prohibited the import of foreign drones in India with effect from Wed, Feb 9. While the Centre has allowed the import of drones required for R&D, defense, and security purposes, due clearances by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade would be required to import such drones. The order has been issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The govt has allowed the import of drone components and it will not require any approvals, PTIreported. The import of drones by govt entities, educational institutions recognized by the Central or state govt and R&D entities, and drone manufacturers for R&D purposes will be permitted in CBU (Completely Built-Up)/ CKD (Completely Knocked Down)/ SKD (Semi Knocked Down)
7-day home quarantine scrapped: COVID-19 guidelines for international travelers relaxed
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Thu issued revised guidelines for international travelers which recommends 14 days self-monitoring post-arrival as against 7 days home quarantine as mandated earlier. The guidelines, which relaxed the protocols to be followed during international travel, will come into force from Mon. As per the revised guidelines, all international travelers can now choose the option of uploading a certificate of completing the full primary vaccination schedule of COVID-19 from selected 82 countries on a reciprocal basis, besides uploading negative RT-PCR reports (taken 72 hrs before journey). The list of countries includes Australia, Canada, Cuba, Denmark, Hong Kong, Iran, Maldives, Israel, Mexico, Nepal, New Zealand, Oman, Qatar, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, USA, among others.
India planning to institute national awards for foreigners
The Indian govt is in the process to institute national awards for foreigners for work related to India and furthering Indian culture. The award will be given to those foreigners who have worked in connection to India, or can be described as “Indophiles”. These foreigners won’t be PIOs or NRIs. India’s “Pravasi Bharatiya Samman” is given to honor exceptional NRIs and PIOs. The awards were first instituted in 2003 and since 2016 the number of awardees has been doubled. The awards are given every 2 years.
MEA Response to China-Pakistan Joint Statement issued on 06 Feb 2022
We have always rejected such references and our position is well known to China and Pakistan. In this instance too, we reject reference to Jammu and Kashmir in the joint statement. The UT of J&K and the UT of Ladakh have been, are, and will always remain integral and inalienable parts of India. We expect the parties concerned not to interfere in matters that are internal affairs of India. The so-called CPEC is in India’s territory that has been illegally occupied by Pakistan. We resolutely oppose any attempts to change the status quo by other countries, as also by Pakistan, in the areas under the illegal occupation of Pakistan.
Karnataka Hijab Row: SC declines to urgently list plea seeking transfer of petitions from HC
The Supreme court on Thu declined to urgently list a plea seeking transfer of the petitions from Karnataka high court relating to Hijab row to the apex court. SC says HC is getting the matter today, asks why it should interfere at this stage. Govt decides to wait for HC’s verdict before taking further decisions.
[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]
Japan, Philippines to hold security talks amid concerns over China’s growing Indo-Pacific influence
SCMP (sources)-Japan and the Philippines plan to hold their first ministerial security talks online later this month, apparently aimed at bolstering cooperation in countering China’s increasing maritime assertiveness in the South and East China seas, diplomatic. The Philippines will be the 9th country with which Japan has held the so-called 2+2 talks, which involve the countries’ foreign and defense ministers, and only the 2nd Southeast Asian country following Indonesia to do so. The launch of such talks is in line with an agreement made in Nov last year between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, whose country has overlapping territorial claims with Beijing in the SCS.
South China Sea: China-Asean code of conduct unlikely by end of the year, experts say
The China-Asean code of conduct for the disputed South China Sea is unlikely to be concluded by the end of this year, according to a panel of Southeast Asian experts at a forum on Wed. A Chinese military adviser had earlier said that Beijing and ASEAN countries could not agree on several contentious issues, including the role of other powers. The US, Japan, Australia, and British navies have increased their presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Amid fear of China blocking Taiwan’s entry, the business association wants Taipei to join CPTPP
Taiwan’s business association, the Chinese National Federation of Industries (CNFI) on Wed suggested the island nation join Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) amid fears of China blocking Taipei’s entry. Taiwan filed its formal application to join the 11-member trading area last Sept, shortly after China did so. Commentators have voiced concern that if Beijing is allowed to join earlier, it will try and block Taiwan’s entry, reported Taiwan News. As per CNFI, joining CPTPP will help free Taiwan businesses from the pressure of non-tariff barriers which is replaced tariffs as a major obstacle for Taiwan businesses exporting to areas like China and Southeast Asia. Joining a trade bloc like the CPTPP and signing free trade agreements with its members would contribute to the removal of those barriers, the group said, reported Taiwan News. According to the survey, more than 70% of participating companies said they exported to Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, and North America, CNA reported.
Publicize report on the border issue with China at earliest: Nepal Province Assembly lawmaker
An opposition party lawmaker from Karnali Province has demanded Nepal’s federal Govt publicize the report submitted earlier in Sept, on the border issue with China at the earliest during a parliament session here on Wed. He also claimed that the government study about such issues falls under the right of every citizen to know about it and further requested the central government to publicize. The last one (2020) had pointed out some issues regarding border (with China) especially in the Kit area, which lies near Hilsawhere a canal was built unilaterally. The report should be publicized at its earliest so that sovereign Nepali citizens and locals of Karnaliand people of Humla would get to know the findings. If there are any issues then it should be dealt with diplomatically,” he added. The leaked report commissioned last Sept has accused China of encroaching into Western Nepal along their shared border.
Baloch Republican Guards claims responsibility for the grenade attack in Balochistan
Baloch Republican Guards (BRG) has claimed responsibility for the hand grenade attack in Balochistan’s Dera Murad Jamali town that killed one person and left many others injured, on Tue, at least one person was killed and five others severely injured in a grenade blast in Balochistan, according to The Express Tribune. According to the Counter-Terrorism Department, a hand grenade was hurled at a bus stand by unidentified attackers in the evening. The attack occurred hours after PM Imran Khan visited another region in the province to assure his support for troops who came under attack in the Naushki and Panjgur districts, last Wed. 9 soldiers and 20 assailants were killed in those twin attacks and subsequent clearing operations. Last month, 17 people, including 2 policemen had been injured in a grenade attack in Dera Allahyar town of Jaffarabad district.
TTP releases fresh video featuring sniper attacks against Pakistani troops
Amid the recent surge in terrorist attacks in Pakistan, the Tehreek-e-Taliban has released a fresh video featuring about a dozen sniper attacks against Pakistani troops in South Waziristan and Bajaur districts. Reportedly, the attacks were carried out using the advanced thermal night vision mounted on long-range rifles. This video is released a few days after at least 5 Pakistani soldiers have been killed at a border post by firing from neighboring Afghanistan. This was a second such attack since the Taliban seized power in Aug last year.
One million Afghan children could die if urgent actions are not taken: UNICEF
The United Nations Children’s Fund in Afghanistan has warned that one million Afghan children could die from severe acute malnutrition if “urgent actions” are not taken. UNICEF Afghanistan tweeted. “Having recently recovered from acute watery diarrhea, 2 years old Soria is back in the hospital, this time suffering from edema and wasting. Her mother has been by her bedside for the past 2 weeks anxiously waiting for Soria to recover,” UNICEF Afghanistan said in another tweet. It further reported that according to the Ministry of Public Health, the number of children suffering from malnutrition is around 4.4. mn in Afghanistan.
EAM Jaishankar to visit Munich, Paris; India, Australia, France FMs trilateral on an anvil
External affairs minister Dr. S Jaishankar will visit Europe later this month for multiple engagements both in Germany’s Munich and French capital Paris.
- In Munich, he is expected to take part in the Munich Security Conference that will take place from Feb 18 to 20. In 2020, India’s EAM had participated at the MSC.
- The conference has emerged as one of the most well know forums that deals with international security issues and this time comes amid the eastern Europe crisis and Russian military buildup.
- It will also be the first high-level visit from Delhi to Germany since the new govt led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz took charge.
- The occasion is expected to provide the first in-person meeting between EAM and Germany’s new FM Annalena Baerbock.
- Germany is the president of G7 countries this year and for the last 3 years, India has been regularly invited to the G7 by the host country.
The EAM’s next stop will be France where he will participate in the mega meet at Indo Pacific-Paris Forum on Feb 22.
- The six-month French presidency of the Council of the European Union.
- French foreign minister Jean Yves Le Drian last month announced that invite has been extended to Jaishankar and said, “it will be the first time during European presidency there will be an event focused on Indo-Pacific...”, adding, “for a long time we have had a very special relationship with India“.
- High Representative of the EU for foreign affairs Josep Borrell will also be in the French capital for the forum.
- The foreign ministerial Paris Forum on Indo-Pacific will see “concretization of principles we share on the respect for law and harmonious development and post-COVID-19 recovery“.
- Foreign ministers of European Union members and many Indo-Pacific countries will be present at the forum.
- The invite has also been extended to Australian FM Marise Payne.
- Remember, France-Australia ties had suffered a major blow over AUKUS nuclear deal pact between Washington, London, and Canberra.
- Australia highlighted worries over increased Chinese aggressiveness in the region.
- The visit will be an occasion to repair the damage to the ties.
- Meanwhile, work is on to hold on 2 key trilateral on the sidelines of the forum – India, Australia, and France and another being India, Indonesia and Australia FMs meet.
- The India, Indonesia, and Australia FMs meet was set to take place last year in Delhi but the COVID-19 crisis impacted the incoming visits.
- Work on the India, Australia, and France trilateral has been going fast, given it’s relatively new and came about in 2020.
- FMs of all 3 countries had last met on the sidelines of the G7 FMs meet last year but since the AUKUS pact, no engagement has taken place amid the Paris-Canberra tiff.
A joint statement was released after last year’s meet that called for “centrality of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and that UNCLOS provides the legal framework for all activities in the oceans and seas.”.
- UNCLOS has been undermined by China in the South China Sea even as the country engages in aggressive maneuvers.
- The visit to Europe comes after EAM’s Asia visit.
- The EAM visited Qatar on Wed and is currently in Australia for Quad FMs meet and engagement with his Australian counterpart.
- Later he will travel to the Philippines, it is the first such visit by an Indian foreign minister to the country in a decade and comes in the backdrop of the BrahMos deal.
India cautions students against enrolling in Chinese universities
HT-India’s top medical education regulator National Medical Commission warned the students against enrolling in Chinese universities as the country continues to ban the entry of foreign students in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The warning came in the backdrop of the external affairs ministry has alerted that some Chinese medical universities were inviting applications for admission to MBBS programs – despite a ban on foreign students from entering China.
- It means students who enroll in these Chinese universities this academic year would likely have to take classes online for the near future, and NMC doesn’t recognize online medical degrees.
- The NMC pointed out that thousands of medical students studying in China are stranded in India because of the travel restrictions for more than 2 years, jeopardizing their careers.
Medical students studying in China University seeks physical training in India, Delhi HC issues notice
ANI – The Delhi High Court on Thu issued notice to the NMC on a plea moved by students seeking directions to NMC to allow physical training in India for Indian students studying medicine in China, who are stuck in their home country India, due to the COVID-19.
The Petitioners, 147 students of medicine in the Ningbo University (China) states that they returned to India in early 2020 (Jan- Mar) and thereafter, have been stuck in their home country, ever since due to the non-availability of visas from the Chinese authorities.
The Division Bench on Thu sought the response of the Central Government through the Ministry of Law and Justice, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and National Medical Council and listed the matter for Mar 21, 2022.
Karnataka Hijab Row: SC declines to urgently list plea seeking transfer of petitions from HC
The Supreme court on Thu declined to urgently list a plea seeking transfer of the petitions from Karnataka high court relating to Hijab row to the apex court. Supreme Court says HC is getting the matter today, asks why it should interfere at this stage. It refuses to give any specific date. A bench of the Karnataka high court completed the hearing for today and next will be on Mon, the petitions challenging govt rule on dress code on Thu. Meanwhile, CM Basavaraj Bommai has appealed to outsiders to not disturb peace and tranquility in school campuses and the state.
Police have been directed to ensure law & order while maintaining extreme restraint in dealing with students. Students shouldn’t fall prey to communal elements who are hell-bent on making the hijab issue a tool to disturb communal harmony: state Home Minister
- Karnataka HC says, “We are considering the issue of whether the wearing of headscarf comes within the Fundamental Rights.”
- “We are also considering whether wearing a headscarf is an essential part of the religious practice,” HC added.
- School and college can be opened, No Religious Headgear or shawls including Hijab till further orders.
- HC asks the media not to report any oral observations and wait for the final orders.
- A bench of Karnataka HC comprising CJ Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit, and Justice JM Khazi will hear the petitions challenging govt rule on dress code on Mon.
- The govt has decided to wait for the high court verdict on the hijab controversy, before taking any further decision.
- Meanwhile, the cabinet which met under CM Bommai took stock of the untoward developments related to the row in PU colleges.
- The Mysuru city police have denied permission for a protest in support of the hijab on Thu.
Pakistan summons India’s envoy In Islamabad over Karnataka hijab row
ANI – In a statement issued on Wed, the Foreign Office said that the Indian Charge d’Affaires was summoned to the Foreign Ministry and was conveyed the government’s “grave concern and condemnation on the deeply reprehensible act” of banning Muslim students from wearing hijab in Karnataka, Daily Pakistan reported on Thu.