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Plan to buy Predator drones put on hold

The center was planning to acquire 30 Predator armed drones for use across services at the cost of at least $3 billion from US-based General Atomics

The multipolar world requires multipolar economic order: Jaishankar

Citing risks associated with the concentration of global supply chains in a few countries, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar emphasized the need for a “multipolar” economic order on Tue.

Rafale project complete, India-France cement ties amidst global turmoil

France is integral to the development of the military-industrial complex in India as it is willing to share and jointly develop technologies without caveats. “In response, all nations are reappraising priorities, strategies, relationships, and even strategic geography. France hands over 3 Rafale fighter jets with India-specific enhancements to IAF. Jaishankar said in the last two decades India has transformed many relationships at the global level but India’s ties with France are one that bridged multiple generations. Through the tumult of our times, India’s relations with France have continued to move forward on a steady and clear course.

I would love to debate with Narendra Modi, says Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan

India has also told Pakistan that ‘talks and terror’ cannot go together and has asked Islamabad to take demonstrable steps against terror groups responsible for launching various attacks on India. “I would love to debate with Narendra Modi on TV,” Khan told Russia Today in an interview, adding that it would be beneficial for the billion people in the subcontinent if differences could be resolved through debate. “This doesn’t concern us, we have a bilateral relationship with Russia and we really want to strengthen it,” Khan said of the Ukraine crisis.

Sensex, Nifty log 6^th straight day of loss amid lingering Ukraine crisis

Market gauges Sensex and Nifty extended their losing streak to the sixth session on Wed as the lingering Ukraine crisis continued to dent investor sentiment. The Sensex closed 68.62 points or 0.12% lower at 57,232.06 and the Nifty ended 28.95 points or 0.12% down at 17,063.25.

Ukraine, crude price surge seen as risks to financial stability

The Financial Stability Development Council headed by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tue discussed the possible impact of the situation in Ukraine and rising global crude prices, which were seen as a risk to financial stability. Besides this, the council also took stock of the outcome of the actions of the US Federal Reserve.

Indians arrive on an Air India flight from Ukraine

There were at least 240 Indians onboard the flight. Air India had announced that it would operate three flights between India and Ukraine on Feb 22, 24, and 26.

SC to hear Subramanian Swamy’s plea seeking to declare ‘Ram Setu’ as a national heritage monument on March 9

The Supreme Court on Wed said it will hear on March 9 a plea of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy seeking direction to the Centre to declare ‘Ram Setu’ (Adam’s Bridge) as a national heritage monument. The bench also enquired about the govt’s stand. Swamy said the govt has filed an affidavit on the issue. In his plea, Swamy urged the apex court to pass order and direct “The Union of India along with National Monuments Authority (NMA) to declare Ram Setu as an Ancient Monument of National Importance.” Ram Setu is a chain of limestone shoals between Pamban Island, off the south-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu, and Mannar Island, off the north-western coast of Sri Lanka.

ED arrests Nawab Malik in connection with money laundering case against Dawood

The Indian Express-Nawab Malik’s name first cropped up in the intelligence inputs gathered by the agency in the hawala case, said sources. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wed arrested NCP leader and Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik in connection with the money laundering case against underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and his aides. Stepping out of the ED office after questioning, Malik told reporters “Ladenge, jeetenge, sab ko expose karenge. (Will fight, win and expose everyone)”. The agency is looking into a Kurla property deal of Malik, among others. The property was allegedly bought by Malik from an aide of Dawood Ibrahim at a price lower than its prevailing market rate, said sources.

Afghanistan: No media outlet will remain active in the next six months, cautions media organization

Voicing concern over the media’s economic challenge post the Taliban took control of Kabul, the Afghanistan Journalists and Media Organizations Federation (AJMOF) said that no media outlet will remain active in the next six months in the country if immediate attention is not paid to the media’s financial problems. The reporters said that they should be aided by the organizations supporting media and journalists at a press conference in Kabul on Mon, reported Tolo News.

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Beijing denies Ukraine-like situation in Taiwan, says it is an inalienable part of China

ANI – Reiterating its ‘one-China principle’, Beijing on Tue claimed that Taiwan is an inalienable part of its territory. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, stressed during a presser that there is but one China, claiming Taiwan as a part of its territory. “This is an indisputable historical and legal fact. The one-China principle is a universally-recognized norm governing international relations,” he said as per a press statement released by China’s Foreign Ministry.

2 lines from US, long, tough statements from China — how they portrayed the Blinken-Wang call

US readout of the call said Blinken & Wang spoke about ‘developments in DPRK & Russia’s aggression against Ukraine’. Chinese statements were harsher, vociferous against Indo-Pacific.

China temporarily detains Japanese diplomat on charges of ‘acting inappropriately’

A diplomat at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing was detained temporarily by Chinese authorities in Beijing on the charges of “acting inappropriately.” Japanese Foreign Ministry has posted on its website that on Mon, a member of the Japanese Embassy in China was temporarily detained by Chinese authorities against his will. The Japanese government protested with China through diplomatic channels, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters, saying, “We cannot overlook (the incident) and it is unacceptable.” But the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo refused to accept the protest, releasing a statement Wednesday that the diplomat had been investigated and questioned following the law after acting inappropriately, without elaborating. The diplomat was released a few hours later after exchanges with Chinese authorities and was not physically harmed, reported The Japan Times.

Long march on Islamabad would oust ‘incompetent’ govt, says PPP’s Bilawal Bhutto

Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) long march will leave Karachi on Feb 27 and it will make it difficult for the govt to handle once it reaches Islamabad, said the Chairman of the opposition PPP Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Tue. Attacking the Imran Khan govt, Bilawal said that his party had announced the waging of a war against the incompetent federal govt. Bilawal approved the route plan for the party’s planned long march. He said that his party’s planned long march would initiate from Karachi on Feb 27. The march will begin from Karachi and will reach Islamabad in 10 days after passing through 34 different cities of Sindh and Punjab. The opposition parties in Pakistan have come together to send home the Imran Khan govt, which is trying to annex the rights of the nation, local media reported.

Pakistan journalist Athar Mateen’s murderer arrested from Balochistan

The provincial government in Pakistan’s Balochistan on Wed claimed to have arrested the alleged killer of journalist Athar Mateen from the Khuzdar district.

The multipolar world requires multipolar economic order: Jaishankar

ANI-Citing risks associated with the concentration of global supply chains in a few countries, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar emphasized the need for a “multipolar” economic order on Tue.

• Jaishankar is on 3 days visit to France to attend the European Union (EU) Ministerial Forum for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
• While addressing the French Institute of International Relations in Paris on the theme of ‘How India sees France’, Jaishankar said, “A multipolar world order requires a multipolar economic order”.

He further argued that India would like to see France, a major power with a global outlook and an independent mindset, central to multipolarity and rebalancing of the global economic order, and also extremely responsive to India’s concerns and priorities.

Highlighting the shared beliefs between the two countries in democracy and universal human values, he said, “Our interests are best served in a multipolar order.”

Commenting on the contemporary and emerging challenges in the world, Jaishankar remarked that as the two countries “have now entered an era of turbulence the partnership now has greater salience in international relations”.

On Feb 20, Jaishankar held talks with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian in Paris and exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and the evolving situation in Ukraine.

• Last year, the EU adopted its Indo pacific strategy intending to increase engagement in the region.
• Through the policy, the bloc wishes to deepen its engagement with partners in the Indo-Pacific to respond to emerging dynamics that are affecting regional stability.
• India and France are working together to uphold international law, said Jaishankar and emphasized that the two nations were seeking to deepen their partnership.
• Jaishankar said that these engagements captured the strategic priorities that provide a compelling framework for a “truly unique” partnership between India and France.
• Amid the geopolitical changes, he said all nations are reappraising priorities, strategies, relationships, and even strategic geography in response to these developments.

Highlighting the contemporary drivers of this partnership, he said, “One is the future of the Indo Pacific region, where the center of gravity of global opportunities and challenges increasingly lie. Developments there and ensuing regional order will have a direct impact across the world, including here in Europe.”

China bigger threat than Russia-Ukraine crisis: Jaishankar hints to EU at Indo-Pacific meet

Jaishankar Tue sought to remind Europe that China is a bigger threat facing the world today, as opposed to the deepening Russia-Ukraine crisis, at the first-ever gathering of the European Union along with the Indo-Pacific countries.

The gathering — Ministerial Forum for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific — being held in Paris Tue, saw the participation of the foreign ministers of EU member states and about 30 countries in the Indo-Pacific region, including India, as the crisis between Russia and Ukraine grows bigger.

Instead of ‘China’, he used the word ‘the Asian superpower’, the EAM said in Paris, “Today, we see challenges on that score with the clarity that proximity brings. And believe me, distance is no insulation,”

Added, “issues we confront in the Indo-Pacific will extend beyond, even to Europe”.

India will not accept any change in status quo at LAC: EAM Jaishankar

India will not agree to any change in the status quo along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Jaishankar said on Tue while addressing the IFRI. India and China have had 13 rounds of talks between military commanders focused on disengagement, however ‘some friction points still await resolution.’

France highlights ‘Chinese domination’

Urging greater integration of European countries with the Indo-Pacific region, French Foreign Minister Le Drian said, “the Indo-Pacific is today an area with huge challenges, particularly given the rise of Chinese domination”.

Josep Borrell Fontelles, EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission. According to Borrell, the Indo-Pacific will continue to remain a top priority for the EU, given that 70% of the trade of the region takes place through the sea routes of the Indo-Pacific.

Plan to buy Predator drones put on hold

HT-India has put its plan to acquire 30 Predator armed drones from the US on the back burner, on account of its focus on indigenous development and manufacturing, as well as the prohibitive cost involved. HT learns that the Pentagon has been informed of the decision.

Although govt on Feb 9 banned the import of drones, acquisition of unmanned aerial vehicles for defense and security purposes are exempt, but still require special and specific clearances.

(source)-“As of now, the Predator deal is off”.

• India was planning to acquire 30 Predator armed drones for use across services (10 each for tri-services) at the cost of at least $3 billion from US-based General Atomics.
• The Indian Navy already has taken 2 surveillance Predators on lease from the US company and uses them for conducting reconnaissance of India’s maritime and land borders with China and Pakistan.
• The decision to put the acquisition on hold was taken as India already has some capability in armed drones; it is currently upgrading the Israeli Heron drones.
• The Predator platform with armed payload, as in missiles and laser-guided bombs, costs nearly $100 million apiece, but the platform has an endurance of nearly 27 hours.
• The Indian Navy uses it for maritime domain awareness from the Gulf of Aden to Sunda Straits in Indonesia.
• The Indian Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is expected to unveil its medium altitude long endurance (MALE) drone latest by Mar,
• the country’s national security planners are looking at futuristic high altitude pseudo satellite (HAPS) technology for surveillance and targeting capability.
• India has already demonstrated its capacity and capability for the manufacture of swarm drones, as was showcased in the Beating Retreat ceremony this year.
• Besides DRDO, private Indian companies are also involved in the development of drones that are cheaper to operate compared to the Predator and pack similar lethality.

While the Indian Navy and Army have significant use for the drones for domain awareness, the Indian Air Force was skeptical of Predators due to congested air space, and the presence of surface to air missiles and radars in Pakistan occupied Kashmir. The Air Force is in favor of purchasing more fighter aircraft.

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2 lines from US, long, tough statements from China — how they portrayed the Blinken-Wang call

ThePrint-Beijing has once again criticized the Indo-Pacific strategic framework being promoted by America in a phone call with US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and said it is designed to contain China.

• Blinken had telephoned Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
• During the call, which took place Tue, Washington “underscored the need to preserve Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
• While the US side issued a two-line readout of the call, the Chinese side released multiple statements, with a more detailed outline of the conversation between the two.

“I spoke with People’s Republic of China State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. I underscored the need to preserve Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Blinken said in a tweet.

The US Department of State’s readout of the call said Blinken and Wang Yi spoke about “developments in the DPRK (North Korea) and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The Secretary underscored the need to preserve Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

• The Chinese statements were harsher and more vociferous against the Indo-Pacific strategy.
• They said the US has not kept its promise of having a smooth relationship with Beijing, and in fact, has become more aggressive against China.
• The State Council statement also said that during the call, Wang urged Blinken to stand by the promise made by US President Joe Biden and “honor the commitments made by them”.

The Chinese foreign minister was referring to the summit meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Biden that took place in Nov 2021, when the US reiterated its commitment to the ‘One China’ policy.

Both leaders had then also discussed the Indo-Pacific strategy and the US’ adherence to “freedom of navigation and safe overflight” in the region.

According to the statement released by the Chinese State Council Tue, China has also told Washington that it will “stay true” to its commitment to bettering bilateral ties between the US and China.

“For his part, Blinken said that as President Biden has said many times, the United States does not seek a new Cold War or to change China’s system, adding it opposes Taiwan independence and has no intention of conflict or confrontation with China,” the State Council statement claimed.

China ‘closely monitoring’ Ukraine tensions

• On the deepening of the crisis between Russia and Ukraine, China informed the US that it is “monitoring” the developments “closely”.
• Like India, China has also called for restraint by all parties and stressed the need for diplomatic solutions.
• It has also maintained a stoic silence over Moscow’s declaration of the two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine, Donetsk, and Luhansk, as independent republics.
• This move by Putin has also invited a slew of stringent economic sanctions on Russia by the US, UK, European Union, and Australia.
• The ministry stated, “What has happened on the Ukraine issue has much to do with the long delay in the effective implementation of the Minsk II agreements.
• China will continue to engage all parties according to the merits of the matter itself”.

The Minsk I and II agreements, which were facilitated by France and Germany in 2014 and 2015, lay down a diplomatic solution to avoid a large-scale conflict in Europe. These agreements were put in place after Russian forces attacked and occupied Ukraine’s Donbas region.

Taiwan denounces Russia’s recognition of Luhansk, Donetsk

Taiwan on Wed denounced Russia’s recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions as independent and urged all parties to pursue a peaceful resolution to the conflict to jointly uphold peace and stability in the region.