[ NATIONAL ]

Visit of Foreign Minister of Mexico, H.E. Mr. Marcelo Ebrard Casaubón to India

The Foreign Minister of Mexico, Marcelo Ebrard Casaubón will pay his first official visit as Foreign Minister, to India from March 30 – to Apr 1. He will also visit Mumbai. The two Ministers will undertake a comprehensive review of bilateral relations and will also discuss international issues of mutual interest. The visit of Mexican FM follows EAM’s visit to Mexico City last Sept. Currently, Mexico is India’s second-largest trade partner in Latin America and is a member of the UNSC alongside India for the period 2021-22.

Defense ministers of India and Israel spoke over Telephone

Indian Defence minister Rajnath Singh speaks to Israeli Defence minister Benjamin Gantz; extends condolences on the loss of lives due to terror attacks in Israel. Talks come even as Gantz postponed the India visit. Singh said in conversation that terrorism is a global menace, which has no place in today’s civilized world. Israel PM Naftali Bennett’s India visit has been postponed. He tested covid positive on Mon.

• American deputy National security advisor Daleep Singh to visit India amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine
• President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen to visit India next month, says EU envoy on Indo Pacific, Gabriele Visentin.

India, UAE aim to achieve USD 250 billion in trade in goods and services: Piyush Goyal

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Mon expressed hope that India and UAE will achieve US$ 250 billion in bilateral trade in goods and services. “We have opened up services in a big way. The growing role of services in both economies will give a big thrust to our bilateral engagements in the years to come,” he added. Goyal had earlier announced the unveiling of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

India plans power project in Sri Lanka after China’s shelved

India has signed an agreement to set up hybrid power projects on northern Sri Lankan islands in a deal seen as a strategic victory in its competition with China for influence in the Indian Ocean. India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is in Colombo for bilateral meetings, witnessed the signing, along with his Sri Lankan counterpart Gamini Peiris, the Indian embassy said on Tue.

Govt in no rush to resume trade with Russia & CIS

The government may be eyeing the resumption of trade with Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries but is not rushing with any move.​ While details are being discussed during inter-ministerial consultations, the focus is on exempted product categories such as pharmaceuticals, food products, and plantation crops such as tea and coffee, which are a large part of India’s exports to the region. While the West has imposed sanctions on Russia, some of the products, including economically crucial oil and gas, are outside the purview, as are drugs and medicines, and farm goods. TOI (sources)- India was hoping that the war in Ukraine ends quickly and would ideally want to wait for it before pushing exports.

HAL Showcases LCA-LIFT at DSA, While Malaysia delays tender announcement

IDRW-India’s State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is participating in the Defence Services Asia (DSA) Exhibition & Conference held from Mar 28-31 at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur, where the company is seen promoting LCA-Lead-in fighter training to met Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) tender for the 18 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) procurement. According to Malaysian Media, RMAF has shortlisted 4 bids and likely Russian bid for Mig-35 has been rejected and chances are that the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet bid by the Sino-Pakistan joint-venture has also been rejected. Turkey Aerospace Industries is offering its LCA known as Hürjet, and Tejas fighter, are seen as front runners while RMAF also has got bids from Korea Aerospace Industries for the FA-50 jet fighter and Italy’s Leonardo, with its M-346 planes.

Assam, Meghalaya sign historic agreement to resolve a 50-year-old boundary dispute

Assam and Meghalaya govt on Tue signed a historic agreement here in the national capital to resolve their 50-year-old pending boundary difference. The agreement was signed by the Chief Ministers of Assam and Meghalaya in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the office of the Ministry of Home Affairs. A draft resolution was submitted by the CMs to Amit Shah on Jan 31 for examination and consideration by the MHA. The two had come up with a draft to resolve their border disputes in 6 of the 12 “areas of difference” along the 884-km boundary. According to the proposed MoU for the 36.79 km² of land, Assam will keep 18.51 km² and give the remaining 18.28 km² to Meghalaya. The final agreement is significant as the dispute between the two states has been pending since 1972. The border issues came about as a result of different readings of the demarcation of boundaries in the initial agreement for the new state’s creation.

Licenses of 466 institutions rejected under FCRA since 2020: MHA tells LS

The Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs on Tue informed the Lok Sabha that it has rejected a total of 466 licenses of institutions under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) since 2020 while responding to a query of Congress leader Suresh Kodikunnil. Giving a detailed report, the MoS said the number of renewal applications refused in 2020 was 100. In 2021, the number of refusals of similar licenses increased to 341, said the Minister, adding as of Mar 21 this year, a total of 25 licenses have been refused. Informing the reason for their rejection, the Minister said, not fulfilling the eligibility criteria following the provisions of the FCRA, 2010 and rules made thereunder.

India’s coal demand likely to touch 1.5 billion tonnes by 2030

ANI – In India, the energy transition away from coal is not happening in the foreseeable future, as Union Minister of Coal, Mines Pralhad Joshi said on Mon the country’s coal demand is likely to increase to 1.5 billion tonnes by 2030, which will be around 63% higher from the current level. The draft Economic Survey 2021-22 projects coal demand in the range of 1.3-1.5 billion tonnes by 2030. Thus, as of now, there is no scenario of energy transition away from coal affecting any stakeholders involved in coal mining, the minister said.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

China to host 3^rd meeting of foreign ministers of Afghanistan’s neighbors

China will host the third meeting of the foreign ministers of Afghanistan’s neighboring countries on Mar 30-31, the Chinese foreign ministry announced on Mon as Beijing and “all-weather ally” Pakistan firm up their influence in the Taliban-ruled country. The ministers’ meeting comes days after foreign minister Wang Yi’s unannounced visit to Afghanistan last week where he met the country’s leadership – it was the first by a Chinese minister after the Taliban came to power last Aug. When asked FM Spokesperson didn’t directly answer whether India had been invited to the meeting but Beijing seems to have blanked out Delhi from it.

China attempts to sway international perception through media

Beijing had stepped up its efforts to influence international perceptions about China through the means of expanding Chinese media networks in international markets, new research by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) reveals in its new report titled “The China Network: Inside China’s Global Media Mission in Asia, Africa and Latin America“. This report seeks to measure China’s global media outreach based on the findings of an international survey conducted by the IFJ with journalists in Kenya, Peru, and the Philippines – 3 countries where China has had a strong presence with investment and infrastructure projects in recent years.

Voting on a no-confidence motion against Imran Khan in Pak National Assembly on Apr 3^rd

The odds are stacked against PM – Multiple ministers in his Cabinet have joined the Opposition as he struggles to maintain a majority.

Opposition Strength (PMLN: 84; PPP: 56; MMA: 14; BAP: 04; BNP: 4; JWP (Erstwhile in govt): 1; Independents: 4; TB Cheema: 1 (PMLQ , who recently resigned) =Total: 169

Govt Strength-(PTI: 155; PMLQ: 4; BAP: 1 GDA: 3; AML: 1; Others: 1)= Total: 165 against 172 votes required.

As Taiwan prepares to host a global democracy meeting, the foundation leader says it is an ‘example to the world’

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and the head of the US foundation National Endowment for Democracy formally announced on Tue that the self-ruled island would host a global meeting of the World Movement for Democracy in Taipei in Oct. Damon Wilson, during talks with Tsai in Taipei, touted Taiwan as showing international solidarity with democracies, saying, “The vibrancy of democracy in Taiwan is an example to the world”. The global assembly, which will gather 400 activists, donors, and others from dozens of countries, is expected to be held from Oct 24 -27, according to a statement by Wilson’s foundation in Nov.

India, UAE aim to achieve USD 250 billion in trade in goods and services: Piyush Goyal

• ANI – Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Mon expressed hope that India and UAE will achieve US$ 250 billion in bilateral trade in goods and services.
• “We have opened up services in a big way. The growing role of services in both economies will give a big thrust to our bilateral engagements in the years to come,” he added.
• Goyal had earlier announced the unveiling of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
• India-UAE CEPA was signed on Feb 18 in New Delhi during the India-UAE Virtual Summit.
• He termed the agreement the ‘defining strategic partnership of the 21^st century.
• The minister said that the agreement sets the tone for the new direction, a paradigm shift in the India-UAE relationship.

“A journey that started with an interim agreement covering maybe 100-200 lines culminated in a CEP with many firsts to its credit. The time taken for it was only 88 days,” he said.

• UAE Trade Minister Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi underlined the importance of CEPA.
• Goyal said no issue had been left pending by the UAE leadership concerning the agreement which text was released Mon and also in the public domain.
• Goyal added that the CEPA between India and UAE will become the template for several more agreements, Goyal said.
• The minister said India and UAE will take this deal to newer heights.
• It was a humongous effort across the govt in the UAE and India — getting agreements, fine-tuning the offers, 800 odd-pages legal texts, which is not going to live for five years or 10 years.

India plans power project in Sri Lanka after China’s shelved

India has signed an agreement to set up hybrid power projects on northern Sri Lankan islands in a deal seen as a strategic victory in its competition with China for influence in the Indian Ocean.

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is in Colombo for bilateral meetings, witnessed the signing, along with his Sri Lankan counterpart Gamini Peiris, the Indian embassy said on Tue.
• In Dec, China announced its project to build power plants on 3 Sri Lankan islands was suspended due to security concerns involving a “third party.”
• An Indian official said he couldn’t confirm if the plants in the new agreement are to be built on the same islands earmarked for the Chinese project.
• The power source and other details on the projects weren’t available.
• India considers Sri Lanka, just across the narrow Palk Strait off India’s southeastern coast, to be in its sphere of influence.
• The island nation in the middle of a key sea route connecting the east and west also is important to China’s ambitious “Belt and Road” global infrastructure initiative.
• “It is kind of a substantial victory for India,” said Lynn Ockersz, a senior journalist and foreign relations analyst in Sri Lanka.
• “Overall it will be in a great position to influence Sri Lanka when it comes to policy issues affecting India,” he said.
• Had the Chinese power plant project been realized, it would have placed China next to India’s southern coast.
• India and China already have running border disputes in other regions.

EAM is also taking part in the BIMSTEC summit, (meeting of Bay of Bengal nations Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand for economic cooperation.

• India also signed agreements on providing a maritime rescue coordination center and building fisheries harbors in Sri Lanka.
• The agreements come as Sri Lanka is suffering its worst economic crisis in recent memory with shortages of medicine, fuel, and milk power and daily power outages lasting for hours.

Sri Lanka has approached both India and China for help.

• India has lent over $2.5 billion in credit so far, in addition to $500 million for a shipment of diesel.
• Sri Lanka faces its worst economic crisis in decades with the govt struggling to pay for essential imports after a 70% drop in foreign exchange reserves over 2 years triggered a currency devaluation and efforts to seek help from global lenders.
• Fuel is in short supply, prices of food and essential commodities have increased sharply and protests have broken out as the govt preps for talks with the IMF amid concerns over the country’s ability to pay $4 billion in foreign debts this year, including a $1 billion international sovereign bond that matures in July.
• Sri Lanka has sought an additional credit line of $1.5 billion from India to import essentials, the island nation’s central bank governor said on Mon, amid its economic crisis in decades.
• China is considering a request for $2.5 billion in economic assistance.
• Infrastructure projects that were built using Chinese loans but don’t make money are blamed for their debt crisis.
• Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves are dwindling but it has to repay $7 billion in foreign debts this year.
• China has been noncommittal to a request for debt restructuring.

Beijing has invested billions of dollars in building a seaport, airport, roads, and a port city on reclaimed land near Colombo harbor which the Sri Lankan govt aims to develop into a financial city.

• The Lankan govt previously scrapped a plan to allow China outright ownership of land at the Colombo Port City and instead gave it 62 hectares (153 acres) on a 99-year lease.

Jaishankar meets Nepali, Bhutanese counterparts on sidelines of BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting in Sri Lanka

EAM Jaishankar on Tue met his Nepali and Bhutanese counterparts on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Ministerial meeting here and discussed cooperation in connectivity, energy, and hydropower projects.

He said in the meeting that the member states must collectively combat terrorism and violent extremism as he emphasized India’s commitment to intensify, expand areas of cooperation.

“The international system is going through the most challenging phase, perhaps one of the most difficult in recent memories,” says EAM Jaishankar, at the 18^th BIMSTEC meet. Adds, “recent development in Ukraine has added to international disquiet”

US Urges BIMSTEC to Follow ASEAN’s Path and Bar Myanmar Junta’s Participation

• As the host, Sri Lanka decided on this formula to allow for Myanmar’s participation, which all the other members accepted.
• The US sent a diplomatic note to India earlier this week expressing its view that BIMSTEC should not have allowed Myanmar to participate in the current format.
• It is learned that the demarche sent to India specifically refers to the steps taken by the Southeast Asian bloc of countries ahead of their annual summit in Oct 2021.
• Last week, the ASEAN special envoy, Cambodia’s foreign minister, visited Myanmar but failed to secure a meeting with ousted civilian leader Suu Kyi.
• It is not yet clear if the US has sent a similar demarche to other member states.
• Intending to keep channels open, India abstained from a resolution castigating Myanmar at the UN General Assembly and opposed the imposition of sanctions.
• India’s defense attaché had attended the Army day parade, along with China, Russia, and a couple of Southeast Asian nations, a month after the Feb coup.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

China to host 3^rd meeting of foreign ministers of Afghanistan’s neighbors

HT-China will host the third meeting of the foreign ministers of Afghanistan’s neighboring countries on Mar 30-31, the Chinese foreign ministry announced on Mon as Beijing and “all-weather ally” Pakistan firm up their influence in the Taliban-ruled country.

Chinese FM Wang Yi will also host a dialogue between the FMs (from Pakistan, Iran, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) and the acting FM of Afghanistan’s Amir Khan Muttaqi, on the sidelines of the main meeting, to be held in Tunxi in Anhui province in eastern China, the ministry said on Mon.

• When asked Wang Wenbin didn’t directly answer whether India had been invited to the meeting but Beijing seems to have blanked out New Delhi from it.
• The FMs meeting comes days after Wang’s unannounced visit to Kabul last week where he met the country’s leadership – it was the first by a minister after the Taliban came to power last Aug.

Wang Wenbin added:

• Wang will chair the ‘Afghanistan’s neighbors+ Afghanistan’ FM dialogue.
• Acting FM of the Afghan Interim Government Amir Khan Muttaqi will be invited to attend the dialogue.
• The FMs of Indonesia and Qatar will be invited as guests.

Pakistan, which along with China and Russia kept their embassies opened in Kabul as the Taliban seized the capital, held the 1^st FMs meeting of Afghanistan’s neighboring countries on Sept 8 last year, a day after the announcement of Govt formation.

• The second meeting was held in Tehran in Oct last year.
• Neither has formally recognized the interim govt but Beijing and Islamabad seem to follow a coordinated policy in gradually legitimizing the Afghan interim system.
• At this meeting, Wang Wenbin said it will help to build consensus among the neighbors on the issue of Afghanistan.
• “By hosting the 3^rd meeting, China looks forward to putting consensus among neighboring countries, discussing ways to achieve stability and support the Afghan people,” he said.
• China shares a narrow border with Afghanistan in the northwestern Xinjiang province.

China has repeatedly told the Taliban regime to rein in militants belonging to the East Turkistan Islamic Movement, who, Beijing claims, are inciting terrorism and separatism in Xinjiang.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi left on Tue for China to attend the meeting

In a video message before departing, he said the talks would be attended by foreign ministers of all the countries in the region. “We will run through the situation of peace in Afghanistan and discuss its economic development and connectivity projects.”

Comment: This is for what Wang came to India last week, which he said “think out of the box on border issue” and seems like he didn’t get an appropriate response from New Delhi.

Voting on a no-confidence motion against Imran Khan in Pak National Assembly on Apr 3^rd

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is walking on thin ice after the national assembly tabled the no-confidence motion against him. Multiple ministers in his Cabinet have joined the Opposition as he struggles to maintain a majority.

• The assembly on Mon began its session to discuss the no-confidence resolution against PM Khan.
• Reports stated that 161 lawmakers voted in favor of tabling the resolution.
• After the resolution was tabled, the session was adjourned till Thu.
• With PM Khan facing a tough test now, here’s how the odds are stacked against him.

Opposition Strength (PMLN: 84; PPP: 56; MMA: 14; BAP: 04; BNP: 4; JWP (Erstwhile govt member now with the opposition): 1; Independents: 4; TB Cheema: 1 (PMLQ member who recently resigned) =Total: 169

Govt Strength-(PTI: 155; PMLQ: 4; BAP: 1 GDA: 3; AML: 1; Others: 1)= Total: 165

Imran needs 172 votes to win.

• After JWP, the ruling Balochistan Awami Party has also left the tent of the Federal Govt joining hands with the opposition.
• Asif Ali Zardari and Shahbaz Sharif have assured BAP the new govt at the center will work sincerely for Balochistan.
• JWP Chief Shah Zain Bugti said that the increase in the insurgency in Balochistan is a failure of the federal govt.
• He added that PM Khan got many opportunities but he did not keep his promises and hence JWP has parted ways with the PTI.

PM Imran ready to show the letter on ‘foreign conspiracy’ to CJP: Asad Umar

Dawn-PM Khan is ready to share a letter — that he claimed during the PTI’s Mar 27 rally contained evidence of a “foreign-funded conspiracy” to topple his govt — with Chief Justice of Pakistan, Umar Ata Bandial, federal minister Asad Umar said on Tue while addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry.