[NATIONAL]

QUAD navies gear up for Indo-Pacific challenge

With fighters and helicopters onboard the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning conducting more than 100 take-offs and landings south of Okinawa this month and rattling Tokyo, all eyes are on the May 24 QUAD summit to counter the growing naval challenge in the Indo-Pacific. While US Navy has upgraded all its warships at Yokosuka base in Japan, aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya will get operational next month and India will be a 2 carrier and 2 ballistic missile submarine Navy by 2022-end. While the QUAD agenda is expected to be worked out this week, the Chinese carrier task force exercised that close to Japan for the first time, setting off alarm bells in Tokyo as the PLA Navy’s muscle-flexing remains focused on Taiwan and Japan. Just as the PLAN is testing its long-range capabilities and acquiring long sea legs in the Indo-Pacific, the QUAD navies are seized of the challenge ahead with the US deploying top-of-the-line Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, guided missile cruisers, and the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan at Yokosuka naval base near Tokyo and Sasebo Naval Base in Nagasaki. The key change in US naval strategy is the induction of anti-submarine warfare-capable MH-60R helicopter-carrying destroyers that can carry out long-range surveillance of Chinese warships and pose a threat to submarines. (here)

US warship transit of Taiwan Strait misleads independence forces, [?] says Beijing

US navy 7^th fleet said the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit on Tue. Taiwan’s defense ministry says a single Chinese WZ-10 attack helicopter briefly crossed the strait’s unofficial median line. China’s military said it had warned a US warship that had sailed through the Taiwan Strait and it blamed Washington for provoking tensions in the latest confrontation between the 2 nations over Taiwan. (here)

Chinese media unveils details of US-inspired military logistics system

Chinese state media has released details of the country’s military logistics supply networks and how they are operating under the concept of joint operations in system analysts said was inspired by the US military’s transport command. State-owned China Central Television’s WeChat social media account on Mon published a report about the operations of the 5 logistic support centers of the PLA 5 theatre commands. (here)

China wants to replicate the Ukraine crisis in Taiwan

According to Policy Research Group, China’s independent refiners are discreetly buying Russian oil at highly discounted prices during the ongoing Ukraine war to avoid coming under the ambit of US sanctions. Additionally in Mar, Russia bought 9,950 metric tons of alumina from China, which is almost 10 times more than a year earlier, POREG further reported. CIA Director said, “The bitter experience of the Russia-Ukraine conflict has come as a surprise for China” Continuing further, he said that the Chinese President is “unsettled” because of the “economic uncertainty” and “reputational damage” due to China’s association with the “brutishness of Russia’s aggression” against Ukraine, through which Chinese have a first-hand assessment of the Western world’s stomach for a fight, many in China have had the apparent motive of annexing the territory of a non-nuclear and smaller country. (here)

Ahead of the Quad, the US hopes Russia’s war and China’s assertiveness have shaken India

In 2015, the US and India made a landmark announcement in their burgeoning military partnership: they would co-develop jet engines and aircraft carrier technology. India wanted the technology to develop its jet fighter, one of the projects in PM Modi’s “Make in India” initiative. The US sought to increase its security ties with India to balance against China’s increasing influence in the region. But after much fanfare, the project was suspended in 2019, with the Pentagon citing US export controls and differences between Delhi and Washington over which technologies would be useful to India. Instead, the two sides agreed to collaborate on drone technology, lightweight small arms, and aircraft support systems – a drastic step-down. India maintains ties to Russia, its leading arms supplier, but regards China as its leading regional threat, analysts say. (here)

Nationwide CBI raids over FCRA violation

After getting a complaint from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Central Bureau of Investigation on Tue conducted a nationwide operation at about 40 locations in connection with Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020. (FCRA) violation. A detailed note on 3 FCRA-clearance networks which are reportedly operating and have linkages with govt officials and are charging speed money or problem resolution money. It has been decided that CBI should immediately investigate this matter for taking necessary action, and read an official letter. The operations are underway in Delhi, Rajasthan, Chennai, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Mysore, etc, to “nab representatives of NGOs, middlemen and public servants of MHA’s FCRA division who were facilitating illegal FCRA clearances in lieu of bribes.” An official tells OneIndia that several NGOs have been under the scanner for a long. There are 16,890 NGOs registered with the MHA and the registration of over around 20,600 NGOs have been canceled for various violations in the past decade. In Mar, the MHA had told the Parliament that it had rejected the renewal licenses of 466 NGOs since 2020. (here)

Uzbek minister expresses interest to access Chabahar port, says Uzbekistan can be India’s gateway to Eurasia

India’s release says, “Both sides agreed to exploit the full potential of Chabahar port for trade between the two countries”. Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Furkat Sidikov on Tue said that his country can be a gateway for Indian businessmen to get access to the Eurasian market. The Uzbek minister also expressed his country’s interest in accessing the Chabahar port, being developed by India in Iran for improving logistics. He further added there is one issue of logistics and now they will work with the govt of India and would like to use Chabahar. Sidikov said that India is a tested and reliable partner for Uzbekistan. Touching upon the historical ties between the two countries, Sidikov mentioned Babur, who hailed from present-day Uzbekistan, as well as the Mughal era. The minister also pitched for a ‘new Uzbekistan’ saying that his country has the potential to emerge as an investment destination and that Uzbekistan would like to enhance its role with India and have a new format of business cooperation. (here)

Two Lashkar terrorists killed in Anantnag encounter

Jammu and Kashmir Police killed 2 Lashkar terrorists at the Kreeri area in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district. Police said that it was the same group that managed to escape the encounter site on Apr 16 in the Watnad area. J&K Police also said that the terrorists were an imminent threat to National Highway and Amarnath yatra. Operation still in progress. Police had a tip-off about the presence of militants in the area after which a joint cordon and search operation was launched. According to police, the terrorists fired indiscriminately at the forces resulting in a gun battle. (here)

Jawans being sensitized ahead of Amarnath Yatra: CRPF

The alertness of security forces foiled several other attempts by terrorists to carry out attacks using “sticky bombs” in the past over one year with the latest being the timely detection of one such IED on the Sidhra bypass in the outskirts of Jammu on Apr 28. Earlier, 4 IEDs fitted with sticky bombs were seized each from the Poonch district in Aug and Sept last year. (here)

‘Advancing economic and investment ties with India a priority for Canada’

Advancing the long-standing economic and investment relationship with India is a priority for Canada, as it “deepens key partnerships in the Indo-Pacific”, Canada’s minister of trade Mary Ng told Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal in a virtual meeting on Tue. A readout of the conversation, released by Global Affairs Canada, the country’s foreign ministry, said the two countries “noted progress in negotiations on a Canada-India Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA) while working toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)”. As “Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine threatens the rules-based international order, it is more important than ever for democracies to strengthen ties”, the statement said. A formal relaunch of negotiations for a CEPA — along with the agreement to consider the interim pact, EPTA — was announced when Ng visited New Delhi in Mar and held a ministerial dialogue on trade and investment with Goyal. While the EPTA will serve as a transitional step toward the CEPA, the two countries also agreed to intensify negotiations for a bilateral investment treaty. (here)

UK national in Tihar jail: UN group terms terror accused Johal’s arrest ‘arbitrary’, seeks release

A UN Working group on Arbitrary Detention has called for the immediate release of British national Jagtar Singh, alias Jaggi Johal, a terror accused with criminal cases against him being probed by the NIA and the Punjab Police. He was arrested on Nov 4, 2017, from Jalandhar by the Police for his alleged role in targeted killings reported from Apr 2016 to Oct 2017, including the murder of Brig Jagdish Gagneja (Retd). Now, the Group has said that Johal was “abducted” and “tortured” in 2017, adding that the agencies looking into his case have failed to produce any evidence, Jaggi’s British family has been lobbying for his release since the 1^st day of his arrest. His brother was elected a Labour councilor in the Scottish local elections recently. (here) The UK is under pressure to insist India release Johal after a UN group ruled he had been arbitrarily detained by India and his detention lacked any legal basis. Boris Johnson raised the case when he met the Indian PM Modi, last month and provided a written note of consular cases, but FO has not confirmed. Maya Foa (2015 Soros Justice Fellow), co-executive director of the group said: “This is a watershed moment…facing a potential death sentence, the PM’s responsibility is clear. What is Boris Johnson waiting for?” (here)

SC keeps in abeyance sedition law till review; asks Centre, States not to register cases

In a historic development, the Supreme Court on Wed ordered that Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code which criminalizes the offense of sedition be kept in abeyance till the govt reviews the law. A bench of Chief Justice of India also asked the govt and States not to register any cases under Section 124A. It added that if such cases are registered in the future, the parties are at liberty to approach the court and the court has to expeditiously dispose of the same, the bench added. The apex court also said that those already booked under Section 124A IPC and are in jail can approach the concerned courts for bail. “It would be appropriate to put the provision on abeyance,” the bench ordered. At the outset of the hearing Solicitor General told the court govt cannot prevent police from registering a cognizable offense under the sedition provision, but an FIR under Section 124A would be registered only if the area Superintendent of Police is satisfied that the facts of a case involve sedition. “..We respect the independence of the court, but there are things called Lakshman Rekha (red line)” said the law minister reacting to SC staying. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

India refutes speculative media reports on sending troops to Lanka

The Indian High Commission here on Wed categorically dismissed speculative media reports about New Delhi sending its troops to Colombo, saying India is fully supportive of Sri Lanka’s democracy, stability, and economic recovery. The denial from the Indian mission came a day after it was refuted as “fake and blatantly false” local social media speculation that former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family members have fled to India. The whereabouts of Rajapaksa have been speculated since his resignation on Mon. It was reported that Mahinda had left his office-cum-official residence, Temple Trees.

Sri Lanka: Opposition leader seeks China’s support to overcome the economic crisis

ANI – Sri Lankan Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa on Wed met the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong at the office of the Opposition Leader. Premadasa and the Chinese Ambassador engaged in a discussion in which the Sri Lankan Opposition leader called on Qi Zhenhong to extend hands of brotherhood to Sri Lanka at a time when the island nation is facing a crisis, reported Colombo Page. In addition, Premadasa said that Sri Lanka looks forward to China’s generous support to lift the country from its current predicament and pave the way to recovery. He also urged Qi to intervene in the situation. Reportedly, Premadasa emphasized that his administration would prioritize governing the island country with transparency [with?], reported the Colombo Page. (here)

CID summons security head of former Sri Lankan Prime Minister

The Head of Security for the former PM Rajapaksa and other officials have been summoned to Crime Investigation Department (CID) to record statements in connection with the Mon violence. “Director in charge of former PM’s security unit and the OIC of the Kollupitiya Police had been summoned to the CID to record statements in connection with attacks on unarmed ‘MinaGoGama’ and ‘GotaGoGama’ protesters on Mon,” Daily Mirror reported. (here)

Sri Lankan army chief denies armed forces poised to shoot at the general public

Sri Lankan Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva on Tue refuted allegations that the armed forces are poised to shoot at the general public to provoke them. The allegations were leveled by Duminda Nagamuwa of the Frontline Socialist Party, [communism lean] reported by the Daily Mirror Online. Gen Silva, while rejecting the statement, assured that the members of the armed forces would not resort to any such disgraceful acts under any circumstances. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka tri forces have been ordered to shoot all those who plunder public property or cause personal harm, local media reported on Tue as large-scale protests continue to take place across the island nation. (here) [what irony is a country suffering from a fuel crisis, is westing it to control violent protests. In who’s interest it would be, of course not Sri Lankan]

China’s zero Covid strategy to defeat pandemic not ‘sustainable’: WHO chief

ANI -World Health Organization chief on Tue said that China’s “zero-COVID” strategy isn’t sustainable given the virus’ ever-evolving nature. Speaking at a media briefing, he said, “When we talk about the zero-COVID strategy, we don’t think that it’s sustainable, considering the behavior of the virus now and what we anticipate in the future.” China’s draconian measures have trapped most of Shanghai’s 25 million people at home for weeks as China combats the country’s worst outbreak since the pandemic began. The Shanghai lockdown has caused outrage and protest. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting with top leaders said the country will stick to its strategy, and officials vowed to “resolutely fight” against any questioning of its virus control policies. “We have won the battle to defend Wuhan, and can certainly win the battle to defend Shanghai,” read the official readout. (here)

A Chinese team has tested an engine for hypersonic flight – powered by explosions

Researchers in China say their air-breathing engine – driven by the explosions of cheap hydro-carbon fuel – achieved stable operation during a simulated test flight at hypersonic speed. This approach can wreck an engine because the explosions release a huge amount of energy in a sudden, uncontrollable way. But the team at the China Aerodynamics Research and Development Centre, Sichuan province says their rotating detonation engine could power a plane or missile at 5 times the speed of sound or faster by producing thousands of explosions/ sec. These mini-explosions occur in a narrow gap between 2 metal cylinders filled with the vapor of ethylene or kerosene. Shock waves caused by the explosions travel through the circular space in a spiral pattern, producing a powerful thrust as they leave the engine. (here)

Pakistan PM Shehbaz arrives in London to meet Nawaz Sharif

Dawn -As tensions run high on the political front, the prime minister and senior leadership of the main govt party, PML-N, have decamped to London where they are due to meet with party supremo Nawaz Sharif on Wed. Announcing the visit, Information Minister said that this was a private visit by PML-N leaders to meet their party leader, adding that PM Sharif would also be going with them. Regarding criticism of the visit, the min said the government’s opponents were blowing it out of proportion. However, the trip was roundly criticized by their chief rival, Imran Khan, who said on Tue that the entire cabinet was going to meet a ‘corrupt and convicted’ person, that too on taxpayers’ money. It is expected that he will remain in London for 2-3 days. Cabinet decisions- Not to increase the prices of flour and sugar and import 3 mn tonnes of wheat to meet the demand. (here) Notably, the metrological department of Pak didn’t also give any good news regarding the wheat production this season.

Pakistan Appoints Minister of Tread in Delhi Mission

In the first olive branch extended towards India after the formation of a new rainbow govt in Pakistan, Islamabad on Tue approved the appointment of a Trade Minister in the country. Pak under then PM Khan had ended all trade with India after the abrogation of Article 370 in J&K in Aug 2019. The step suggests an inclination by the coalition govt to restore trade with India. The last Min of Trade in Pak High Commission in Delhi and several other posts, including that of the High Commissioner, are vacant following a severe downgrading of ties. (here)

Police have arrested suspects a few days ago for spreading unrest

4 Afghan suspects were arrested for waving flags of Afghanistan and chanting slogans against Pakistan on Eid-ul-Fitr and several other occasions in the limit of Garden Police Thana (Karachi). According to the details, the district City Police has arrested suspects a few days ago for spreading unrest in the area by waving a foreign flag. (Jasarat)