[NATIONAL]

UK PM to announce £1bn new commercial deals on India visit

ANI -British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who arrived in Guj on Thu for his 1^st median visit as PM will announce a slew of commercial agreements and hold bilateral discussions with a focus on the UK and India’s trade, investment, and technology partnership. The British High Commission (BHC), in a statement, his visit to India to boost “…. slashing trade barriers for UK businesses and driving jobs and growth at home“. The UK and Indian businesses will confirm more than £1 billion in new investments and export deals today in areas from engineering to health, creating almost 11,000 jobs across the UK, BHC added. Johnson signaled that he was ready to offer more visas to India in return for a free-trade deal after Britain’s exit from the EU, reported Reuters, which Britain hopes to complete by the end of this year, Johnson said on Thu as he emphasized the need to reduce reliance on foreign oil and gas due to the conflict in Ukraine. Johnson will discuss the Ukraine issue with PM Modi during their meeting on Fri, but won’t ‘lecture’ India on how to go about its ties with Russia. He is also expected to keep a sharp focus on the Indo-Pacific during his conversations in India.

Sri Lanka crisis: India will give another $500 million in fuel aid: Sri Lanka foreign minister

HT-India has also extended two credit lines worth over $2 billion to help buy food, medicines, and other essentials. India will give Sri Lanka an additional $500 million in financial assistance to buy fuel, the troubled island nation’s foreign minister told reporters Wed, adding that Bangladesh was also willing to postpone $450 million in swap repayments to ease Colombo’s burden. The first line of credit was used up earlier this month after a shipment of 120,000 tons of diesel and 40,000 tons of petrol. So far India has provided nearly 400,000 tons of fuel. Massive protests broke out on Tue after fuel reserves ran low.

Vaccine hand over to Thailand under Quad Vaccine Partnership

Under the Quad’s flagship Vaccine Partnership, a consignment of COVID vaccines was handed over jointly by the Ambassador of India, Australia, Japan, and the Chargé d’Affaires of the USA, to Thailand. The consignment comprising 200,000 doses of Made in India, Covovax vaccines was presented to Anutin Charnvirakul, Dy Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Health of Thailand on 21 April 2022 in Bangkok. This is the second consignment of vaccines delivered by India under the Quad Vaccine Partnership, after the inaugural delivery to Cambodia took place on 12 April 2022, and have been supplied to fulfill PM Modi’s commitment made at the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Washington DC in Sept 2021 to donate 500,000 doses of COVID vaccines to countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

Army gets 1st indigenous upgrade for AK-47s as Bengaluru-based firm delivers kits

The ever-dependable AK-47 assault rifle of the Army has just become deadlier and more stable, due to an indigenous upgrade solution brought in by a Bengaluru-based SSS Defence, which won a contract from an elite unit of the Army — beating an Israeli firm —last Oct delivered its upgrade kits to the Army on Wed. The new kit includes a new foldable buttstock for the rifle, which allows the better operation, and a new dust cover that will allow mounting of sights. There have been changes to the front part, which will allow mounting of a bipod or a knife when needed. The upgrade kits include a hand-guard and vertical grip, which allow the soldier a better and stable firing position. The upgrades are mostly done by J&K-based units because the AK-47s have lacked many features that a modern rifle would have. The Northern Command has come out with a tender for the upgrade of 90 pieces of the nearly 3-decade-old rifle. Overall, the Army is estimated to have anywhere from 6 to 7K pieces of the DSR.

PM Modi lays the foundation of the manufacturing unit for 9,000 HP electric locomotives in Dahod

As part of the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Make for World’ initiatives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wed laid the foundation stone of the Indian Railways’ Dahod Workshop project which is set to become a manufacturing unit for 9,000 horsepower (HP) electric locomotives with an investment of more than Rs 20,000 crore, which expects to produce 1,200, High HP locomotives. As per expectation, the first locomotive will turn out from the factory in early 2024. These locomotives will help to decongest the saturated tracks which can haul a load of 4,500 tonnes of cargo load at a max speed of 120 km/h.

Global growth momentum is dampened by prolonged inflation, supply chain disruption: FM at G20

ANI – Global growth momentum is dampened by prolonged inflation, supply chain disruption, volatility in energy markets, and investor uncertainty said Fin Min N Sitharaman while taking part in the G20 FMs and Central Bank Governors meeting (FMCBG) in Washington. Under the Indonesia presidency, the Minister said that it is well placed to catalyze international policy coordination to deal with macroeconomic consequences. Yesterday, Fin Minister met Mary Schapiro, vice chairman of the Climate Finance Leadership Initiative, and spoke about her vision of developing GIFT City, India’s First Operational Smart City. According to the Indian Fin ministry, Schapiro (former chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission) concurred that it is an opportune time for India to play a leadership role in shaping global climate finance trends. Sitharaman is in Washington on an official visit to attend the Spring Meetings at the World Bank, the G20 FMCBG. She also met South African Fin Min in Washington and discussed enhancing bilateral ties between the two countries.

US Sending Team To Explore Maintenance Of Vessels At Indian Shipyards: Official

PTI- India has asked the US to enable it to provide maintenance and repair facilities in Indian shipyards for American naval vessels present in the region, Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar said on Wed. Responding to a question from reporters on the sidelines of the launch of submarine INS Vagsheer, Kumar said this matter was discussed by Defence Minister and his US counterpart Lloyd J Austin III during the 2+2 dialogue held in Washington earlier this month. In answer to a question on the involvement of any other country, he said that talks are going on with many other nations too.

MHA notifies New Jalpaiguri as immigration check post for travel to Bangladesh via ‘Mitali Express’

ANI -To enhance trade and passenger travel between India-Bangladesh, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Wed issued a notification thereby adding the ‘New Jalpaiguri-Railway Check Post’ in the district of Jalpaiguri (West Bengal). Presently there are 3 railway check posts-Chitpur, Gede, and Haridaspur at the India-B’desh border which is managed by the Bureau of Immigration. The notification mentions that the ‘New Jalpaiguri Railway Check Post’ in Jalpaiguri is an authorized Immigration Check Post. It further mentions that Central Govt hereby appoints Chief Immigration Officer, Bureau of Immigration, New Jalpaiguri Railway Check Post as the “Civil Authority” for said Order for the Immigration Check Post located at New Jalpaiguri, with effect from April 20, 2022. On Apr 11, in a high-level meeting, MHA had given nod to resume the India-Bangladesh train services after a series of meetings.

Concerns over Pakistan misusing the Kartarpur corridor

Pakistan has been yet again seen misusing the Kartarpur corridor, one of the holiest places in Sikhism, by holding a business meeting and its intelligence services trying to engage with the incoming Indian pilgrims. The corridor gives rare visa-free access to Indian pilgrims to the holy Darbar Singh Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan from the Indian side. Recently, a Rotary club meeting took place on the campus of the holy Gurudwara something that has been taken note of by the Indian side. As far as Pakistan intel services and officials are concerned, they are seen trying to interact with Indian pilgrims in an attempt to cultivate them, sources have pointed out, which is contrary to the India Pakistan pact on Kartarpur signed in 2019.

2 terrorists held in India met Pak Army Major who is seen in a photo with IAF’s Abhinandan

Two terrorists arrested by the Delhi Police said they met a Pak Army Major while undergoing training in Pakistan, vindicating New Delhi’s long-held assertion that Islamabad is perpetrating terrorism in India. They identified the army personnel after they were shown a photo of him with IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who was in Pakistani custody 3 years ago, the Indian Express newspaper reported citing a charge sheet filed in a Delhi court.

Top LeT commander among 2 terrorists killed in encounter in J&K

A top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander, Yousuf Lattoo +1, were killed in an encounter with security forces in the Baramulla district of J&K on Thu, police said. 3 soldiers were injured in the initial exchange of fire between the two sides, they said. Based on inputs about the presence of terrorists in Baramulla’s Malwah, security forces had launched a cordon and search operations.

Terrorism biggest form of human rights violation: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thu said terrorism is the biggest form of human rights violation, and it is absolutely necessary to root out the menace to protect people’s rights. Addressing the 13th foundation day of the National Investigation Agency here, Shah said the cases registered against terror funding in J&K have helped to a great extent in curbing terrorism in the union territory.

India condemns the visit of US congresswomen Ilhan Omar Ilhan to Pakistan occupied Kashmir

During her stay in Pakistan, US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar visited Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. Omar on Wed met Former Pakistani PM Imran Khan at his residence in Bani Gala in Islamabad. Shireen Mazari, former human rights minister in Imran Khan-led Pakistan-e-Tehreek (PTI) shared the photo of the meeting and wrote that both sides discussed issues of mutual interest.

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Do not ‘underestimate’ China, Defence Minister Fenghe warns the US

ANI – The US should not underestimate China’s determination and capability, Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Defense Wei Fenghe on Wed said during a phone call with the US Secy of Defense. In the phone conversation, the 2 ministers also exchanged views on issues such as maritime and air security and the situation in Ukraine. China hopes to establish sound and stable major-country relations with the US, Wei said, adding that in the meantime, China will defend its national interests and dignity. The two armies should enhance mutual trust, strengthen dialogue and exchanges, manage risks and crises, and carry out practical cooperation, to ensure the normal and stable development of bilateral military-to-military relations, he said. If the Taiwan question is not handled properly, it will have a subversive effect on China-US relations, Wei stressed, adding that the Chinese military will resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity. US State Department on Mon said that the US will continue to carefully monitor the level of support China may show towards Russia concerning Ukraine. [The entire issue came from the backdrop of the Solomon Island and PRC Pact and yesterday’s visit of US officials to the Island. Nevertheless, the US seems more concerned about Russia than the Indo-Pacific]

First-time invite for China’s public to comment ahead of 20^th party congress

China’s Communist Party has invited public comment on several issues ahead of its 20^th congress later this year, a first for the ruling party ahead of its five-yearly key political gathering. State news agency Xinhua said people can make suggestions on “full and strict Party governance, high-quality development, comprehensive reform and opening up, [and] whole-process people’s democracy”. The party is also seeking views on “law-based state governance, socialist cultural advancement, people’s livelihoods, and ecological progress”. People have until May 16 to submit their comments and suggestions to websites and mobile apps for Xinhua, party mouthpiece People’s Daily, and state broadcaster CCTV.

Philippine ambassador to China dies during COVID-19 quarantine, tributes pour in

Wion-The Philippines’ ambassador to China, Jose Santiago “Chito” Sta. Romana, 74, passed away while in a coronavirus quarantine hotel in the eastern Chinese province of Anhui, the country’s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) informed. Media reports claimed that he attended a key diplomatic meeting with foreign ministers of both countries. There’s no official confirmation whether he had contracted Covid after the meeting that apparently happened on Apr 3. But if reports are to be believed, he was supposed to stay at the hotel in Huangshan city as per China’s quarantine rules. AP reported that Sta. Romana was a longtime resident of China and had been a correspondent for ABC News before being appointed ambassador in 2016.

Ensure foolproof security for Imran Khan’s Lahore rally, Pak PM tells officials

Imran Khan is set to address a rally at Minar-e-Pakistan, which will be his first power show in Lahore since Apr 10 when he was ousted from the office after a late-night no-confidence motion in the national assembly. Pakistan prime minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thu directed the interior ministry to ensure foolproof security for his predecessor Imran Khan over security agencies issued warning over threats to his life, news agency PTI reported. Khan was asked to address the supporters virtually, but he declined.

Blast hits mosque in Afghanistan’s Mazar-e-Sharif; many feared dead: Report

“A blast happened in the district inside a Shia mosque, more than 20 killed and injured,” Mohammad Asif Wazeri, the spokesman for the Taliban commander in Mazar-e-Sharif said. Several people are feared dead or at least 20 injured in a blast at a mosque in the northern Afghanistan city of Mazar-e-Sharif on Thu, news agency Reuters quoted a local Taliban commander as saying. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. The incident comes days after three explosions rocked a high school in western Kabul, killing at least six people and injuring children.

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Thundering Thursdays