[NATIONAL]

Corps Commander Level talks concluded with no hard way: India, China agree to maintain security, stability along LAC in Western Sector

ANI India and China agreed to maintain the security and stability along the Line of Actual Control in the Western Sector during the 15^th round China-India Corps Commander Level talks, said the Indian Army Spokesperson on Sat.

Pakistan demands joint probe into ‘accidental’ India missile fire, calls on the international community

Rejects New Delhi’s decision to hold an internal inquiry into the incident and calls on the international community to play a role. Foreign office statement from Pakistan warned of ‘dire consequences’ if any misinterpretation lead to an escalation.

UNSC asked to stop the use of sexual violence as a weapon in conflicts- Munir Akram

Dawn-Pakistan has urged the UN Security Council to focus on the ongoing violence against women in India-held Jammu and Kashmir. During a Security Council debate on the week-long International Women’s Day, Pakistan’s UN ambassador Munir Akram underlined the need to stop using sexual violence as a weapon in armed conflicts. “There’s documented evidence of rape and sexual violence being used as a weapon of war (in the region).” However, in a detailed speech he failed to mention any such single case of violence, particularly in Kashmir. There was also no word on UNSC officials.

The new air-launched version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile would be able to strike targets at 800 km: Sources

ANI- India is developing a new air-launched version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile which would be able to strike at enemy targets at more than 800 km. The missile earlier had the capability of hitting targets at around 300 km after being released from a Su-30MKI combat aircraft. The BrahMos missile was recently in the limelight after one of it was misfired due to a technical malfunction from an Indian Air Force unit during a Command Air Staff Inspection (CASI) there. The missile landed in Pakistani territory causing very little damage to the property and equipment there and no damage to lives there.

HAL, Safran to set up Helicopter engines MRO facility in Goa

The ground-breaking ceremony for a new facility of Helicopter Engines MRO Pvt Limited (HE-MRO), a joint venture of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Safran, was held on Mon at Sattari, 40 km from Panaji, in Goa. The facility will be operational by the end of 2023 with a capacity to repair 50 engines a year and a full-capacity goal of 150 engines in the coming years, HAL said.

After considerable delay, the Indian Army to have Son of Bofors- Dhanush

The Indian Army acquired the Bofors 155mm howitzer in the 1980s. A scandal followed, but the weapon showed its worth in the Kargil war of 1999. Now, after considerable delays, the Indian Army is getting the Son of Bofors: the Dhanush. The Army has cleared the Dhanush after a successful firing demonstration on Mar 8. The first 12 guns, manufactured indigenously by AWE are likely to arrive in May or June and another 6-8 shortly after (probably in July) to ensure the first Dhanush regiment is in place. The transfer of technology from Bofors allowed the manufacture of 414 howitzers, but after considerable delays, an order of 114 came through. The technology remains the same except that the barrel will not be 39 calibers, but 45 caliber, which is a little longer.

4 members of B’desh-based terror outfit held in Bhopal

Four members of banned terror organization Jamaat-e-Mujahideen-Bangladesh (JMB) were arrested from two locations in Bhopal on Sun, the state’s anti-terrorist squad (ATS) said in a statement. According to the communique, an ATS team carried out raids in the Aishbagh and Karond areas in the early hours of Sunday based on a tip-off and made the arrests. The accused were arrested for rented accommodations in both localities. A large quantity of jihadi literature, electronic equipment, and incriminating documents have been found from the above accused, due to which, it has been known that the accused are active members of Jamaat-e-Mujahideen-Bangladesh (JMB) at the initial stage,” it added.

J&K sarpanch killing: 3 Hizbul terrorists held, weapons & vehicle seized

The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Mon arrested 3 terrorists belonging to the Hizbul Mujahideen in connection with the killing of sarpanch Shabir Ahmed Mir in Kulgam. Shabir Ahmed Mir was shot by terrorists at his home in Kulgam, 70 km away from Srinagar on March 11. He was rushed to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. This was the 3^rd killing of a sarpanch in the past 10 days. According to the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the sarpanch had been given accommodation at a secured hotel in Srinagar but he went home without informing the police personnel.

ITBP officer killed, jawan injured in IED Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh

An Assistant Sub-Inspector rank officer of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police was on Mon killed in a high-pressure improvised explosive device blast attack by Naxals in Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh, police said. The incident took place within 3 Km of ITBP’s Sonpur camp.

PM Modi takes an overview of global tech use in the defense sector in CCS meet

ANI (sources)- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sun chaired a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting and took stock of global technology usage in the defense sector and also India’s advances in the same. The PM emphasized integrating the latest technology in India’s security apparatus. PM reiterated that every effort must be made to make India self-reliant in the defense sector so that it not only strengthens the country’s security but also enhances economic growth.

PM Modi meets three services chiefs

The three services chiefs along with the other senior national security brass met the Prime Minister and briefed him on the security scenarios in and around the country, sources said.

Indian Embassy in Ukraine to be temporarily relocated to Poland

ANI- Considering the deteriorating security situation in Ukraine, including attacks in the western parts of the country, the Indian Embassy in Kyiv, will be temporarily relocated in Poland, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Sun. The Ministry further said that it is keeping an eye on the developments in Ukraine and the situation will be reassessed as per that.

A 17-member Parliamentary Delegation from Austria led by Wolfgang Sobotka, President of the National Council of Austria will be on an official visit to India from March 13 to 17, 2022: Statement read. The delegation will witness the proceedings of Rajya Sabha from ‘Special Box’ on Mon, March 14, 2022. Besides Delhi, the Delegation will also visit Agra and Hyderabad during their stay in India.

The Maldives Denies Presence of Indian Troops in Country Amid ‘India Out’ Campaign By Opposition

AP-The Defence Ministry of Maldives has denied the presence of any foreign military presence in the country amid the ongoing ‘India Out’ protest. The Defence Ministry put out a press release on Sat, refuting claims of “Indian Military’s presence” in the archipelago, and added that all statements about Uthuru Thilafalhu being a foreign base or under the influence of foreign forces is completely false. According to the reports of local media, UTF is the base where Maldives National Defense Force’s Coast Guard dock and dockyards are being developed. It is pertinent to mention that India and Maldives had signed an agreement last year in Feb according to which the Indian govt had promised to develop the harbor of the Maldives National Defence Force Coast Guard at Sifvaru-Uthuru Thilafalhu (UTF).

Congress G23 leaders demand leadership reforms at CWC meeting

ANI – After the Congress party witnessed humiliating defeat in the recently-concluded Assembly elections in five states, the G23 leaders reiterated their demand for leadership reforms at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting held on Sun. G23 leader Ghulam Nabi Azad at the meeting said, “Earlier also there used to be a difference of opinions in the party but talks did not go out of the rooms but now things have changed,” said Azad. Congress to hold ‘Chintan Shivir’ after Budget Session. CWC calls the poll debacle ’cause of serious concern’, reaffirms faith in Sonia Gandhi’s leadership.

TIPRA chairman holds massive rally in Agartala, announces to fight Assembly polls alone if ‘Greater Tipraland’ demand not met

ANI – Royal scion and Chairman of TIPRA Motha Pradyot Kishore Debbarman on Sat said that his party would like to fight the electoral battle alone in the forthcoming assembly elections if national parties do not agree to give written commitment for the party’s core demand “Greater Tipraland”. He also clarified that his party will contest in 35 out of 60 assembly constituencies in the elections. TIPRA is the ruling party of Tripura’s only tribal district council. The royal scion was addressing a mammoth gathering of supporters at Swami Vivekananda Stadium, Agartala. The record turnout of the crowd conveyed the message of his importance in the politically charged Tripura and certainly his party may become a key component of the next government.

Sikh employees are now allowed to carry Kirpan at domestic airports and on flights; the Centre modifies the order

After a decision by the Union govt barring Sikh employees wearing kirpan (Sikh religious symbol) from performing duties at airports across the country drew the ire of the community, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has modified a previous order relating to the matter. An order issued earlier by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, which comes under the purview of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, had stated that no stakeholder or its employee at the airport (including Sikh) and working in any terminal, domestic or international, shall be allowed to carry Kirpan on a person.

Should not be only data-oriented but portray society: Parliamentary panel on Census

A parliamentary standing committee on home affairs has said the pan-India decadal census exercise should not merely be data-oriented; rather it should portray the perspective of culture and society as was done before Independence. The Census 2021 – a two-phase exercise – was postponed indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic. The first phase was to be conducted from April 1 to Sept 30, 2020, while the second phase, known as Population Enumeration, was to be carried out from Feb 2021. It has recommended the constitution of a separate expert group by the Registrar General of India (RGI) to examine the census pattern since its commencement and suggest measures to bring qualitative change in the census exercise so that the socio-cultural diversity of the country is truly represented in the census.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

Sri Lanka to hold an all-party conference on the economic situation

ANI – An all-party conference in Sri Lanka will be held later this month to discuss the current economic situation in the country, media reports said on Sun. Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will preside over the conference, media reports quoted the presidential secretariat as saying. The meeting will be attended by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and figures from all political parties represented in the parliament. Sri Lanka has seen the national currency devalued significantly against all major international currencies, in addition to fuel and gas shortages as well as daily electricity cuts. The state-owned corporation on Fri increased the price of Octane 92 petrol by Rs77 to Rs 254/l and that of Octane 95 petrol by Rs76 to Rs283. This report regarding the conference comes as Sri Lanka is set to begin talks with the International Monetary Fund in mid-April on a plan for aid for the crisis-ridden country.

Very unfortunate situation: Afghan diplomats under pressure from the Taliban regime

Afghan embassies around the world that have refused to recognize the new Taliban regime are struggling to stay afloat and facing increasing pressure from Kabul to accept loyalist replacements. None of the country’s 60 or so ambassadors, consuls, or heads of diplomatic missions who were appointed by Western-backed former president Ashraf Ghani have agreed to serve the hardline Islamist group since it seized power in August last year.

Covid in China: Millions placed under lockdown

China on Sun reported nearly 3,400 domestic Covid-19 cases including 1,807 symptomatic ones, the highest in over two years, across 19 provinces, forcing new lockdowns and travel restrictions to contain the outbreak. The Chinese govt has placed all 17.5 million residents in one of its biggest cities under lockdown on Sun. The southern tech hub of Shenzhen told all residents to stay at home as the city struggles to eradicate an Omicron flare-up linked to neighboring virus-ravaged Hong Kong. Shenzhen reported 66 new infections on Sun – a fraction of the 32,430 confirmed the same day in Hong Kong.

Taiwan Confirms Chinese Military Aircraft Crashed In South China Sea In Early March

Taiwan’s National Security Bureau (NSB) recently confirmed that a Chinese military aircraft had crashed into the South China Sea earlier this month. According to Taiwan News, NSB Director-General Chen Ming-tong confirmed that a People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) plane had crashed into the South China Sea on Mar 1^st. Ming-tong declined to disclose further details about the incident but he informed that PLAAF’s Y-8 anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft had crashed in the region. 

Another Taiwanese air force jet crashes during a training run

• A Taiwanese air force jet crashed into waters off the island’s east coast during a routine flight on Mon, the second crash of its kind in three months.
• Taiwan’s defense ministry said the pilot of the Mirage 2000-5 fighter jet ejected to safety after reporting mechanical problems and was rescued.
• An air force spokesman said all Mirage 2000-5s would be grounded immediately for inspections.

Myanmar military revokes citizenship of opposition members it says ‘harmed the national interest’

The announcement broadcast on state-run MRTV television on Fri said 11 leaders of the opposition to military rule have had their citizenship terminated because they had allegedly fled the country and harmed the national interest.

• Myanmar’s ruling military council has announced the revocation of the citizenship of top members of the main group that have been coordinating resistance to army rule.
• It targeted eight members of the shadow National Unity Government, which views itself as the country’s legitimate ruling authority, and three prominent activists.

Pakistan: Voting on the no-trust motion to take place after Mar 27: Senator Faisal Javed

PTI Senator Faisal Javed Khan said on Mon that the voting on the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran will take place after March 27. After holding consultations and marathon sessions for weeks, the opposition had submitted the no-confidence motion on Mar 8.

Corps Commander Level talks concluded with no hard way: India, China agree to maintain security, stability along LAC in Western Sector

ANI India and China agreed to maintain the security and stability along the Line of Actual Control in the Western Sector during the 15^th round China-India Corps Commander Level talks, said the Indian Army Spokesperson on Sat.

• The meeting was held at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side on Mar 11, 2022.
• The two countries carried forward their discussions from the previous round held on Jan 12, 2022, for the resolution of the relevant issues along the LAC in the Western Sector.

Indian Army – They had a detailed exchange of views in this regard, in keeping with the guidance provided by the State Leaders to work for the resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest.

Both the countries reaffirmed that such a resolution would help restore peace and tranquillity along the LAC in the Western Sector and facilitate progress in bilateral relations.

The two sides also agreed to maintain-

• The security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector in the interim.
• Maintain dialogue via military and diplomatic channels to reach a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest.

• (sources)- the two sides will now focus to achieve a resolution of balance friction areas.
• Recent statements by both sides to find a mutually acceptable solution have been encouraging and positive.

Russia seeking Chinese hardware help, sparks concern in Delhi

Western media reported, quoting Biden administration officials, have stated that Russia has asked China for military equipment to push its invasion of Ukraine.

• The reports citing other US officials say that there were signs of Russian special military operations running out of non-specified weaponry after the war began nearly 20 days ago.
• Given that the US intelligence was spot on the Russian invasion, it is quite evident that Washington knows exactly what hardware help Moscow has sought from Beijing.

But that Russian forces are running out of supplies, spares and oil has been a sobering thought for New Delhi, looking at its dependence for military spares and supplies for its frontline Russian origin equipment in the tri-services.

• The Russian T-90 tanks, Su-30MKI fighters, and under maintenance INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier, are all reliant on the original equipment based in Moscow.
• The biggest Indian fear is the cutting of the arms spares supply chain after massive western sanctions on Russia and the diversion of hardware by Moscow to the Ukraine front.

With Ukraine having a history of nationalism in western parts of the country and Russia still not being able to capture the main cities, the war shows no sign of complete victory by the Putin”s “Z” forces.

• And Moscow’s problems are going to compound by the day with the west injecting high-tech arms into Ukraine leading to a rise in the morale of the defending troops.
• Despite the fog of war, the Russian armored losses are quite evident apart from the incapability of Moscow to achieve air dominance of Ukraine skies.
• This has resulted in Ukraine using Turkish Bayraktar TB 2 drones to take out Russian armored columns at will.
• Russian watchers are reminded of the confidence with which the erstwhile Red Army went into Afghanistan in 1979, expecting to conquer Kabul within days.
• The Afghan war ultimately turned out to be a quagmire for the Red Army with Pakistan-based and US armed jihadis ensuring a humiliating return home a decade later.
• While Cold War relics in Indian diplomacy are batting for Russia, it is only a matter of time before New Delhi will come under serious pressure from its QUAD.
• India does not have to answer to anyone in Europe on its stance after explaining its position to France.
• European powers like UK and Germany maintained radio silence when the Chinese Army transgressed into Ladakh in May 2020.
• However, the hardware decoupling from Russia is complex and will take years despite the constant push of the “Atmanirbhar Bharat”, its translation on the ground will take time.
• And that too if the military bureaucracy, the PSUs, and the R&D establishment do not place any hurdles.

With the US getting hit with Iranian missiles in Erbil, Houthis rebels firing ballistic missiles into UAE from Yemen, China belligerent in the South China Sea over Taiwan, and Russia underestimating the Ukrainians, the world is getting uncertain by the day.

India finalizing alternative payment system to carry on Russian trade

India is stepping closer to setting up an alternative payments system to maintain its trade with Russia, identifying a potential bank, as a top panel examining the issue recommended prioritizing edible oil and fertilizer imports as well as payments owed to India, an official aware of the development has said.

• The top inter-ministerial panel has been tasked with scrutinizing the impact of a barrage of economic sanctions imposed by the West on Russia on India’s economy.
• It is led by economic affairs secretary Ajay Seth and includes the ministries of food and consumer affairs, fertilizers, commerce, external affairs, and petroleum.

US, China set to hold crucial talks over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

In the first high-level in-person engagement between the US and China after Russia invades Ukraine, the US’s national security adviser and one of President Joe Biden’s closest aides, Jake Sullivan, will meet Yang Jiechi, politburo member of the Chinese Communist Party and director of the office of foreign affairs commission, in Rome on Mon.

• A statement issued by the National Security Council said this was “a part of our ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication” between the two sides.
• The meeting comes at a time when there are two parallel trends in the US-China dynamic in Ukraine.
• Ironically, the US believes that while China remains aligned with Russia, Beijing is uncomfortable with the invasion and implications – and this opens a window to use Beijing’s influence with Moscow.

This has prompted speculation among members of the strategic community in Washington that there could be a reset in the US-China ties, though US officials have continued to emphasize their commitment to the Indo-Pacific and their recognition of China as America’s foremost competitor and adversary.

Chinese Foreign Ministry says Sanction is never an effective means to address problems and China opposes any form of US’ unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction. He added that Beijing will firmly safeguard legitimate rights and interests of Chinese individuals and enterprises after the US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said China would face consequences if it helps Russia evade sanctions over Ukraine.

‘Pak could have responded to Indian missile but observed restraint’: Imran Khan

Speaking for the first time on the incident, Prime Minister Imran Khan said, while addressing a public rally in Punjab’s Hafizabad district on Sun “We could have responded after an Indian missile fell in Mian Channu but we observed restraint.”

On Mar 9, an unarmed Indian supersonic missile entered Pakistani territory, endangering several airliners during its flight before hitting a private property (cold storage) near Mian Channu, some 275-km from Lahore.

• No loss of life was reported.
• He was an afternoon in the face of a no-confidence motion moved against him by the joint opposition.
• Khan also talked about the country’s defense preparedness, saying “we have to make our defense and country strong.”

Earlier, Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Sat said it was not satisfied with India’s “simplistic explanation” on the “accidental firing” of a missile that landed in Pakistan’s Punjab province and demanded a joint probe to accurately establish the facts surrounding the incident.

• “Pakistan demands a joint probe to accurately establish the facts surrounding the incident,” the FO said.
• India claimed that the missile was ‘fired accidentally’ during a routine maintenance operation because of a technical malfunction
• It added that a ‘high-level court of inquiry’ had been ordered into the incident.
• After the incident, India sent a letter to the Pakistani authorities deeply regretting the incident and also stated in this regard.

Pakistan is trying to rake up the issue of the misfiring of the BrahMos and trying to question the safety of India’s missile arsenal at the international level but the BrahMos was just a tactical missile.

• India has enhanced the range of the tactical missile recently and it can go beyond 500 km with just an upgrade in its software.
• The Indian Air Force has equipped around 40 of its Su-30 combat aircraft with the BrahMos cruise missiles which can cause heavy destruction in enemy camps.
• The Indian Air Force had brought these planes to the northern sector from their home base in Thanjavur during the peak of conflict with China.
• The IAF also operates a surface to the surface squadron of planes to carry out pin-point attacks against enemy vital installations and bases.

PM Modi held a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Sun to discuss Indian security preparedness.

The meeting, which dealt with the war in Ukraine and also the defense situation in the neighborhood, came 4 days after an Indian unarmed missile, launched accidentally, landed inside Pakistan.

The meeting was attended by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla. Home Minister Amit Shah did not attend the meeting as he was in Gujarat.

• PMO-“The Prime Minister was briefed on latest developments and different aspects of India’s security preparedness in the border areas as well as in the maritime and air domain,”
• It didn’t directly refer to the missile incident that occurred on Mar 9 but indicated that border security was at the top of the agenda.
• The meeting is also understood to have discussed the global security scenario in response to the war in Ukraine, and sanctions against Russia.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

Another Taiwanese air force jet crashes during a training run

The air force said the French-built aircraft took off just after 10 a.m. (0200 GMT) on a training mission from the Chihhang airbase in the southeastern city of Taitung and reported it had to return after a mechanical problem.

• The pilot ejected over the sea south of the airbase and was rescued safe and in good condition by helicopter, it added.
• Air force Inspector-General Liu Hui-Chien told reporters the Mirage fleet would be grounded while an investigation was carried out.
• Taiwan received its first of 60 Mirage jets in 1997, though they have been upgraded several times since then. 6 have since been lost in accidents.
• In Jan, the air force suspended combat training for its much larger F-16 fleet after a recently upgraded model of the fighter jet crashed into the sea, killing the pilot.
• Last year, 2, F-5E fighters, which first entered service in Taiwan in the 1970s, crashed into the sea after they collided in mid-air during a training mission, also from the Chihhang airbase.
• In late 2020, an F-16 vanished shortly after taking off from the Hualien airbase on Taiwan’s east coast on a routine training mission.

While Taiwan’s air force is well trained, it has been repeatedly scrambling to see off Chinese military aircraft intruding in its air defense zone in the past 2 years, though the accidents have not been linked in any way to these intercept activities.

China, which claims the democratic island as its own, has been routinely sending aircraft into Taiwan’s air defense zone, mostly in an area around the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands but sometimes also into the airspace between Taiwan and the Philippines.

Pakistan: Pakistan: Voting on the no-trust motion to take place after Mar 27: Senator Faisal Javed

Dawn-Information Min Fawad Chaudhry has said that the opposition should take back its no-confidence motion against the current establishment, considering the international economic situation and the political bitterness that would be created, adding that the PTI govt “will see what can be given in return”.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Mon said the PTI had complete trust in its allies in the Centre — Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, Grand Democratic Alliance, and the Balochistan Awami Party— amid the opposition’s attempts to woo them for the no-confidence resolution against the PM.

Besides submitting the resolution under Article 95 of the Constitution, the opposition members also submitted a requisition notice for convening the National Assembly under Article 54(3) of the Constitution on a 1-point agenda i.e. to take up the resolution.

• Under the Constitution, NA Speaker is bound to convene the assembly session within 14 days after submission of the requisition notice.
• Voting on the no-confidence motion must take place between three and seven days after the session is summoned.

Sindh Exp (sources)- the Opposition has agreed to all conditions put forth by MQM in return for its support in the no-trust motion against the Imran Khan government.

• Zardari is ready to make MQM part of the Sindh govt too.
• MQM’s demand for the written agreement has also been agreed to.
• JUI (F) and ML (N) will be guarantors in this agreement to be signed between PPP and MQM.
• MQM will be made partner in government at federal and provincial levels.
• MQM also might be given Sindh governorship talks are underway in this connection.
• MQM is expected to make a big announcement on Mon (today) on its plans about continuing or discontinuing with (PTI) govt.

Pahenji, (Mar 13),-PM has now asked his party-men to mobilize 10 lakh people in Islamabad.

• The sources say a mammoth public meeting is being planned a day before the no-trust motion test on floors of parliament.
• Strict security arrangements were made for churches across the province yesterday, including in the provincial capital Lahore, given fears of terrorism.
• A search operation was also carried out to crack down on criminal elements.
• Nawaiwaqt, Ummat-Large numbers of Christians visit churches for religious services on Sun, prompting Lahore police to tighten security at all churches given fears of terrorism.
• The churches were divided into A-plus, A, B, and C categories, and security measures were taken.