[NATIONAL]

2+2 Dialogue: India, the US spent a lot of time discussing the Ukraine war: Jaishankar

Foreign minister S Jaishankar, who is currently in the US and has held a series of high-level meetings, said on Wed that a lot of time was spent on discussing the ongoing war in Ukraine, which is on its 50^th day. “.. there was discussion on US perspectives, their analysis, their sense, what they think is likely to happen. The conflict (Russia-Ukraine) and diplomacy involved in it — peace talks, progress, etc were one set of issues that came up,” –ANI. The FM pointed out that the discussions with Americans over Russia’s offensive were more about what could be done to encourage an early cessation of hostilities. On Ukraine Crisis, he said that America “does acknowledge the difference between India and China” over their respective stance on the Kremlin. On CAATSA, he said it’s up to them (US).

India Considering Repairing U.S. Military Sealift Ships Following 2+2 Dialogue

USNI -The United States and India are weighing the potential to maintain and fix U.S. Military Sealift Command ships in Indian shipyards, the State Department announced this week. Following a 2+2 dialogue, the State Department said the two countries would look at how feasible it is to maintain and repair MSC ships in Indian yards to help the defense industrial base. “…. both sides agreed to explore possibilities of utilizing the Indian shipyards for repair and maintenance of ships of the U.S. Maritime Sealift Command to support mid-voyage repair of U.S. Naval ships,” according to a State Department announcement. It’s unclear what this evaluation stage would look like. The Navy did not immediately respond.

India, France affirm closer defense ties in 20^th Joint Staff talks in Paris

ANI – Amid growing defense collaborations between India and France, the 20^th edition of Joint Staff talks between the two countries took place during Apr 12-13 with a focus on strengthening bilateral defense engagement. Discussions focused on new initiatives under the ambit of existing bilateral defense cooperation mechanisms and strengthening ongoing defense engagements. The meeting was co-chaired by Assistant Chief of Integrated Staff and Head of Bilateral Cooperation South/Staff HQ Brigadier Gen Eric Peltier. France is fast growing as India’s partner in defense cooperation.

India gets elected to 4 United Nations ECOSOC bodies

ANI – India on Wed got elected to four UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) bodies, the country’s mission to the UN informed in a tweet. The bodies include the Commission for Social Development, Committee on NGOs, Commission on Science & Technology for Development, and Committee for Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. Of the above bodies, India was re-elected to the Committee for Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights with Ambassador Preeti Saran representing the country. Last year, India was elected to 3 ECOSOC bodies including the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, the Executive Board of UN Women, and the Executive Board of the World Food Program.

Chair of EU Parliament’s trade panel hopes for early FTA with India

Wion-The Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade (EPCIT), Bernd Lange, who was on a visit to Delhi had hoped for the early conclusion of a free trade agreement between India and the EU. Lange said, “…it will be great to have an agreement before that election campaign will (2024) start. So mid or end next year, as I said political will there”. This is the first such major visit of the European delegation to India since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb 24^th. A 7-member delegation of the EPCIT, led by Lange was in Delhi during which they met the Finance Minister, Trade Minister, NITI Aayog chief, and top ministry of external affairs officials.

Sri Lanka seeks India’s help to secure bridge financing amid the economic crisis

Sri Lanka has sought India’s assistance in garnering international support to secure bridge financing as it enters negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout program to cope with the island nation’s worst economic crisis in decades, according to a statement from the Sri Lankan high commission. The issue was figured out when Sri Lanka’s high commissioner Milinda Moragoda met finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Wed. On Tue, Sri Lanka declared it would default on its external debt pending a bailout from IMF. The move was attributed to the country’s critically low foreign exchange reserves. This was the 1^st time Lanka has announced a debt default since its independence in 1948. In addition to reviewing bilateral economic cooperation, Moragoda and Sitharaman discussed how India can assist Lanka, through both bilateral and multilateral partners, said the statement from the Sri Lankan high commission. India has so far committed $1.9 billion to Sri Lanka in the form of credits for essential commodities and fuel, and also in loans and currency swaps.

Six were killed in an explosion at the Andhra Pradesh pharma manufacturing unit

Six people were charred to death and at least 15 sustained burn injuries when a reactor exploded apparently due to a gas leak at a pharma manufacturing unit at Akkireddygudem in Andhra Pradesh’s Eluru district late on Wed. Police cited a preliminary probe and said it suggested the gas leaked due to suspected malfunction and resulted in the explosion. He added over 20 people were working when the explosion took place at a unit of Porus Laboratories Private Limited, which manufactures pharmaceutical intermediaries and specialty chemicals. [is it a coincidence that yesterday, SCMP published a story on Hydrabad as a Pharma hub of international significance]

J&K sees fewer terror-related incidents, more development since 2019

There were 229 terror-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir last year as compared to 417 in 2018 – a drop of 38% over 3 years. There were also fewer deaths in the 2019-21 period (46 military personnel and 87 civilians) as compared to the 2014-19 period when 178 soldiers and 177 civilians were killed in terror-related incidents and attacks. Since 2019, J&K has seen increased infrastructure development – including in industries, roadways, power generation, education, and health. Overall, industrial development has increased as a ₹28,400 crore scheme for industrialization in 2021 means over 4.50 lakh people can get jobs. Also, from 2019 to date proposals worth ₹47,441 crore – jobs potential of 1.97 lakh – have been received.

Army to upgrade ‘archaic’ security and safety infrastructure at 16 major ammunition depots

IDRW- After having lost ammunition worth several hundred crores over the past years in various accidents, the Army has drawn up plans to upgrade the security and fire fighting infrastructure at 16 major ammunition depots across the country. “Increased security threats and recent incidents of fire in ammunition depots warrant an immediate up-gradation of the existing archaic security and fire fighting infrastructure currently found in all the ammunition installations of Ordnance,” states an expression of interest issued this week by the Directorate General of Ordnance Services seeking project management consultancy from suitable agencies.

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

World Bank slashes Pakistan’s growth forecast to 4.3pc

Reducing Pakistan’s economic growth rate forecast for the current fiscal year by almost 1%, the World Bank (WB) on Wed said the last-ditch energy subsidies by the outgoing govt put an additional burden on the budget and threaten the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program said the World Bank ahead of the IMF-WB Annual Spring Meetings beginning early next week. While launching its latest ‘South Asia Economic Focus Reshaping Norms: A New Way Forward’, the bank’s Chief Economist for South Asia Region Hans Timmer said these subsidies were ‘unsustainable and ineffective’ and advocated that the right prices should be charged to consumers and redistributed to poor households. “GDP growth is expected to slow to 4.3% in FY22 (against 5.6% last year) and to 4% in FY23”. In Jan, Pakistan’s GDP growth was put at 5.2% which has since been changed. This comes amid monetary tightening measures that began in Sept 2021, high base effects from the previous year, and continued high inflation eroding real private consumption growth,” the bank said.

Pakistan: Balochistan Governor resigns after Imran Khan-led govt’s ouster

ANI – After the ouster of Imran Khan as Pakistan’s PM, Balochistan Governor Syed Zahoor Ahmed Agha, who hails from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), on Wed resigned from his post, local media reported. Ahmed was appointed as the Governor on July 7 last year after the resignation of Justice (retd) Amanullah Khan Yaseenzai, The Express Tribune reported. Meanwhile, despite several attempts by the PTI govt to block the no-confidence motion in the National Assembly, Prime Minister Imran Khan was voted out of power as he lost the trust vote mandated by the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Shehbaz Sharif may take some time to appoint his Cabinet: Report

Sources, in the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Peoples Party, told Dawn newspaper that the leadership of both parties had decided to accommodate all allied parties in the federal cabinet and give them the ministries of their choice. Pakistan’s Parliament on Monday elected unopposed Shehbaz Sharif as the 23rd prime minister of the country.

NSC statement did not include the word ‘conspiracy’: DG ISPR

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar said on Thu that the word “conspiracy” was not used in the statement issued after a meeting of the National Security Committee last month. He was answering a question by a journalist after his press conference. The journalist had asked the army leadership’s stance on Imran Khan’s claim of a foreign conspiracy to oust him and whether the NSC had endorsed such a claim.

Newly elected Pak PM Sharif to visit China, Saudi Arabia: Report

Newly-elected Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif will likely travel to China and Suadi Arabia as his first official visit, local media reported. The Express Tribune, quoting a Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader, said that Sharif will be first heading to Saudi and then Beijing. Earlier in the day, China congratulated Sharif for becoming the 23^rd PM of Pakistan, saying that Beijing looks forward to building a “high quality” US $60 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)”. As soon as it was made clear that Imran Khan would lose the no-confidence motion moved by the joint opposition led by Sharif on April 10, the Chinese state media projected that the all-weather ties between the two countries would get better under him than during Khan’s govt. Sharif had spoken highly of China-Pakistan ties in his victory speech. He spoke about the special relations with China, calling the country “the most faithful friend and a partner through thick and thin“.

Former Pak premier Imran Khan may face treason charges: Report

ANI -In an ironic turn of events, the provisions of Pakistan’s constitution that the former premier Imran Khan sought to use against his opponents might be his undoing by becoming the reason for possible charges of treason against him, said a media report. Notably, with a clutch of petitions filed before various courts citing the provisions of the constitution that Khan tried to use against his opponents during his last fortnight in power, he may face renewed charges of treason and a possible trial, reported Islam Khabar. Though Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah rejected one of these petitions as “frivolous”, the danger still looms on Khan with the decision on other petitions still pending in the courts. After failing at his attempts to block the no-confidence motion upon realization of falling short of the majority, Khan declared the launch of a “freedom struggle” in the National Assembly within hours of being voted out of power on Apr 10. “During my 25 years in politics, I have never provoked the public against state institutions,” Khan said at a gathering in Peshawar.

Voices from the ground: Shanghai’s lockdown through the eyes of SCMP’s journalists

SCMP-On March 28, China’s financial hub Shanghai began a two-phase lockdown plan to contain the spread of the coronavirus within the city. While the initial plan was for restrictions to be lifted on Apr 5, they have been repeatedly extended in some areas with no end in sight. Like other residents, the Post’s journalists in Shanghai have struggled with food shortages, loneliness, and fears for their families – all while working hard to bring news of the situation in the city to the world from the confines of their homes. On Mar 28, China’s financial hub Shanghai began a two-phase lockdown plan to contain the spread of the coronavirus within the city. While the initial plan was for restrictions to be lifted on April 5, they have been repeatedly extended in some areas with no end in sight. The SCMP reported through journalists in Shanghai– all while working hard to bring news of the situation in the city to the world from the confines of their homes. Shanghai Bureau Chief, who is in Tangqiao, said “I cannot see my parents and buy food and daily essentials for them. They are old and they need to be looked after by their children. They are still unable to order food via mobile phones.”

China vows ‘necessary measures’ to defend investors amid Western pressure to take sides in the Russia-Ukraine war

SCMP-China hit back at Western pressure to choose a side in the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war, with Beijing insisting it will take “necessary measures” to defend the legitimate interest of Chinese investors. Western sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine have already disrupted China’s normal trade with its northern neighbor, according to the Ministry of Commerce. Some foreign businesses have also violated market rules by forcing Chinese enterprises to choose a side in the conflict, it added.

US foreign affairs committee senators head for Taiwan meeting with Tsai Ing-wen: reports

Another bipartisan group of US senators – led by the chairman of the foreign relations committee – is expected to land at Taipei’s Songshan airport on Thursday night. Bob Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, and 6 Republican senators – including Lindsey Graham from South Carolina – will leave Taiwan the following evening, after meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen, according to the pro-government Formosa Television. Other senators in the group are Richard Burr, Ben Sasse, Rob Portman, and Ronny Jackson.

The US distinguishes between India, and China on the Russia-Ukraine stance? Minister’s reply

ANI -Foreign minister S Jaishankar, who drew praise earlier this week over his comments on India’s Russian energy purchase after the India-US 2+2 dialogue amid a debate over the Ukraine war, on Wed said that America “does acknowledge the difference between India and China” over their respective stance on the Kremlin. “….Obviously, they do,” Jaishankar said while responding to a question at a media briefing.

• China and India have abstained from voting against the Kremlin at the UN.
• But India has been repeatedly calling for an end to violence in the war-battered country.
• PM Narendra Modi has also spoken to presidents of both countries – Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky – post-war, expressing concern over the conflict.
• On India, the White House has said that New Delhi is not violating any sanctions by purchasing oil from Russia, which is “1-2% of the country’s total imports”.
• Beijing had last month faced pressure from the West on taking punitive measures against Moscow amid the war. (see Tue Newsletter)
• Jaishankar said the Moscow-Kyiv conflict was one of the topics of discussion when he met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi last month.
• “… But we agreed and still agree that dialogue and cessation of hostilities would be a necessary first step,” he told.

Discussed ways to increase economic cooperation in Indo-Pacific with the US: Jaishankar

• ANI – Jaishankar on Wed said that India and the US discussed ways to increase economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the role QUAD can play to promote the same.
• EAM was addressing a press briefing on his interactions with his US counterpart Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

Talking about his discussion on QUAD, Jaishankar said,

“We spent a fair amount of time reviewing what has been the progress. … what more do we have to do between now and the next time we meet, how can we take it forward.”

• Jaishankar added that he had a lot of discussions on economic cooperation and what different countries can do in that regard.
• The discussion on an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework between the US and India has been ongoing for some time, with the issue also discussed during the virtual summit.
• Jaishankar also used the occasion to inform about the host of issues that he discussed with the US officials, including recent developments in the Indian subcontinent.

Have concerns about human rights in the US: Jaishankar

TOI- Jaishankar pushed back at US criticism of human rights in India, attributing it to American lobbies and vote banks.

“People are entitled to have views about us. We also are entitled to have views about their lobbies and vote banks. We will not be reticent. We also have views on other people’s human rights, particularly when it pertains to our community,” Jaishankar retorted in one of the strongest repudiations of the constant American lectures on human rights.

• This came after the annual Country Report on Human Rights Practices released by the State Department on Tue, said among other things that govt at both local and national levels in India were “intimidating” critical media outlets through physical harassment and attacks, followed by secretary of state Antony Blinken saying the US is monitoring “rise in human rights abuses” in India.

Indian Expert-When Blinken took a swipe at human rights in India, Jaishankar kept mum instead of politely saying the US, and India should respect each other’s democratic system and not make allegations that give a handle to either side’s domestic critics. Talking to Indian media won’t undo the damage.

In a blunt rebuttal to the US menacing New Delhi with sanctions threats over its purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system, Jaishankar on Wed said CAATSA, the US domestic law that enjoins sanctions for such transactions with American adversaries, was for Washington to sort out.

“It is their legislation and whatever has to be done has to be done by them,” Jaishankar said, implicitly declaring that India will do what it takes to safeguard its security without worrying about sanctions.

Asked if a prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict would place more stress on US-India relations, he said ties between the two countries have the “strength and comfort level to deal with differences“, even if the two sides may not agree on all issues.

• EAM and Defence Minister arrived in the US on Sun to attend the 4^th India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Washington.
• Jaishankar arrived in New York this noon to meet UN Secy-General Antonio Guterres, as well as to conduct internal meetings with the Indian Mission at the UN.

India Considering Repairing U.S. Military Sealift Ships Following 2+2 Dialogue

USNI -The United States and India are weighing the potential to maintain and fix U.S. Military Sealift Command ships in Indian shipyards, the State Department announced this week. Following a 2+2 dialogue, the State Department said the two countries would look at how feasible it is to maintain and repair MSC ships in Indian yards to help the defense industrial base.

“…. both sides agreed to explore possibilities of utilizing the Indian shipyards for repair and maintenance of ships of the U.S. Maritime Sealift Command to support mid-voyage repair of U.S. Naval ships,” according to a State Department announcement.

• It’s unclear what this evaluation stage would look like. The Navy did not immediately respond to questions from News.
• Sal Mercogliano, a maritime historian at Campbell University, noted Military Sealift Command already maintains ships at yards in other parts of the world.
• During the discussions, the U.S. and India also reiterated the significance of naval exercises like Malabar and Milan, according to the State Department announcement.
• Malabar is a yearly naval exercise that includes participation from the U.S., Australia, India, and Japan – the 4 countries making up the informal alliance known as “the Quad.” Milan is a biennial naval exercise that India hosts.
• The U.S. Navy started participating in Milan for the first time this year, according to a service news release.

India and the U.S. will also evaluate how their respective supply chains could collaborate.

USNI-“Both sides would explore and further promote the means to encourage reciprocal participation of U.S. and Indian vendors in each other’s defense supply chains. Acknowledging India’s focus on developing its domestic capabilities and helping to ensure reliable defense supplies, the Ministers committed to work closely across their respective governments on co-production, co-development, cooperative testing of advanced systems, investment promotion, and the development of Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in India,” according to the State Department announcement.

• The decision to evaluate maintaining MSC ships in India comes as the Pentagon continues to emphasize its focus on countering China in the Indo-Pacific.
• Under the Trump regime, former Navy Secretary proposed standing up a U.S. 1^st Fleet that could straddle the Indian and Pacific oceans, USNI News reported at the time.
• That proposal has been stalled since the Biden administration took office, several defense officials have told USNI News.
• While India buys weapons systems from Russia, it has also started buying platforms that the U.S. Navy uses.
• For example, in 2020 India inked a deal to buy 24 of the Sikorsky-built MH-60R helicopters that the U.S.
• Navy uses for anti-submarine warfare.
• India also flies the Boeing-built P-8I Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft.

Boeing pitches F-15EX to Indian RM backed by Biden administration

IDRW- Boeing recently decided to withdraw its F-18 and instead offered India F-15EX under Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender for 114 jets and Raksha Mantri who is presently in the US got an aggressive briefing from the Boeing officials on their latest offer that seems to have backing also from the Biden administration that wants India to move away from Russian weapons systems.

F-15EX is a 2-seat all-weather, multi-role fighter that offers fly-by-wire flight controls, new weapons stations, a new electronic warfare suite, advanced radar and computer, conformal fuel tanks, and a strengthened airframe.

F-15EX resembles externally the original F-15A/B that flew over four decades back but internally it’s a different beast.

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

US foreign affairs committee senators head for Taiwan meeting with Tsai Ing-wen: reports

Another bipartisan group of US senators – led by the chairman of the foreign relations committee – is expected to land at Taipei’s Songshan airport on Thu night. Bob Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, and 6 Republican senators – including Lindsey Graham from South Carolina – will leave Taiwan the following evening, after meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen, according to the pro-government Formosa Television. Other senators in the group are Richard Burr, Ben Sasse, Rob Portman, and Ronny Jackson.

• The precautionary measures began after Tsai came into contact with Covid-19 during a family meal.
• She later tested negative for the disease and remains in good health, according to the presidential office.
• Nevertheless, a visiting delegation from the Swedish parliament met her via video conference on Tue, because of the health restrictions.
• The Taiwanese foreign ministry declined to comment on the reported visit by the US senators.
• Foreign minister Joseph Wu said on Thu that Taiwan welcomed foreign dignitaries who showed support for the island.

“… We don’t have any comments before the time is ripe for us to announce any such visits,” he said.

• Menendez is known for his friendly stance toward the self-ruled island.
• He co-sponsored a draft bill with Republican Marco Rubio to rename Taipei’s de facto embassy in Washington the Taiwan Representative Office.
• The move sharply angered Beijing, which regards the island as its territory and not entitled to full representation.
• In Oct last year, Menendez and Senator Jim Inhofe, co-chairmen of the Senate Taiwan Caucus, sent a letter to Tsai to extend congratulations in advance of Taiwan’s Double Tenth Day.
• They highlighted their enduring commitment to fortifying Taiwan’s security and the US’ relationship with Taiwan.

The senators also called for the defense of Taiwan’s commitment to democracy and protecting private enterprise in light of intimidating military activities staged by Beijing to ramp up pressure on the island.

Beijing has repeatedly warned the US – which has diplomatic relations with Beijing instead of Taipei – against sending high-level politicians to the island and other official contacts.

Why has the relationship between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan taken a turn for the worse?

Media reports of a planned visit by US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi – also a long-time supporter of Taiwan – last week prompted angry responses from Beijing with both the Taiwan Affairs Office and the Chinese foreign ministry protesting the reported visit, which has canceled after ‘Covid’ infection.

• Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned that any visit to Taiwan by Pelosi would cross Beijing’s “red line”.
• The Wu again declined to comment, in the Taiwanese legislature on Thu, about Pelosi visiting the island after her quarantine ended?
• There have been a string of congressional visits to Taiwan in recent years,
• The US has sought to broadcast its commitment to helping the island defend itself against possible military action by Beijing.
• In two separate visits last November, congressional delegations met with senior officials in Taipei, including Tsai.
• Last month, US President sent a delegation of former senior defense and security officials to visit the island and to reassure Taipei of US support after Russia invades Ukraine.

Washington has moved closer to Taiwan in recent years, including through arms deals and more high-level official exchanges, angering Beijing which has stepped up diplomatic and military pressure on the island.

Hawley: the US Must Arm Taiwan ‘As Quickly as Possible’

Washington Free Beacon– Hawley, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is spearheading legislation that would expedite U.S. arms shipments to Taiwan amid the CCP’s latest threat to unleash “violence” in the region.

• Hawley’s bill comes just days after the Biden admin approved a $95 million arms package to Taiwan, the 2^nd in recent months, to help defend the territory.
• Hawley’s bill would fast-track the delivery of these arms.
• The weapons prompted a flurry of threats from China, which warned on Wed that any U.S. effort to support the island will “push the Taiwan people into the abyss of disaster.”

Ma Xiaoguang, the CCP’s spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs, described the arms deal as “no different from tying a bomb to every Taiwan compatriot,” a comment published in the country’s state-controlled press.

• The legislation would make it easier for the US to send critical defensive weaponry into Taiwan, including equipment to bolster its Patriot surface-to-air missile system.
• It would also turn Taiwan into a member of Country Group A:5, a formal trade designation that would put the country on par with other NATO allies.