[NATIONAL]

India elected as Chair of the Association of Asian Election Authorities for 2022-24

ANI – India has been unanimously elected as the new Chair of the Association of Asian Election Authorities (AAEA) for 2022-24, informed the Election Commission of India on Wed. As per ECI, the decision was taken at the recently held meeting of the Executive Board and General Assembly, Manila, Philippines. Commission on Elections, Manila was the current chair of AAEA. The new member of the Executive Board now includes Russia, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Taiwan, and the Philippines. ECI’s 3-member delegation headed by Dy Election Commissioner, along with Manipur Chief Electoral Officer and CEO Rajasthan attended the Executive Board meeting in Manila and presented the work plan for 2022-23 as also futuristic activities for 2023-24 to the Executive Board. (here)

Govt to send trade delegations to 9 countries for exploring possibilities of boosting wheat exports from India

The Centre will send trade delegations to Morocco, Tunisia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Turkey, Algeria, and Lebanon for exploring possibilities of boosting wheat exports from India. India has set a target of a record 10 million tonnes of wheat in 2022-23 amid rising global demand for grain globally. The Ministry of Commerce & Industry has already set up a task force on wheat exports with representatives from various ministries, including commerce, shipping and railways, and exporters under the aegis of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). The Department of Commerce has also planned to organize a series of sensitization meetings on exports in states such as Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The official estimate said that India has exported a record 7 million tonnes of wheat in 2021-22 which is valued at $ 2.05 bn. Out of the total export, around 50% of wheat was exported to B’desh in the last fiscal. (here)

Indian Army to buy 12 more Made-in-India ‘Swathi’ weapon-locating radars for China border

In a major boost for the Indian Army on the China front, the force has put up a proposal to the defense ministry for buying 12 Swathi weapon-locating radars developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation. The Indian Army has initiated this proposal worth around Rs 1,000 crore Swathi WLRs and it is planned to be put for consideration by a high-level Ministry meeting, govt sources told ANI. The weapon-locating radars developed by the DRDO and built by Bharat Electronics Limited had achieved major success and were supplied to Armenia as well. Swathi weapon-locating radars provide fast, automatic, and accurate location of enemy weapons like mortars, shells, and rockets within 50-km range. The radars can simultaneously detect multiple projectiles fired from different weapons at different locations. The Indian Army has been using the radars for its operations along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. (here)

Elections for 57 Rajya Sabha seats to be held on June 10 – All you need to know

The elections were necessitated as 57 Rajya Sabha members from 15 states are retiring between Jun and Aug. Seats from Karnataka and Maharashtra vacated by BJP leader Nirmala Sitharaman and Congress leader P Chidambaram will also go to the polls. The Election Commission announced the dates of the biennial elections for 57 seats of the RS on Thu. As per the announcement, the elections RS will take place on Jun 10. These RS seats are spread across 15 states and union territories. Of these, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra have the most vacant seats – 11, 6, and 6, respectively. Bihar has 5, while Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Rajasthan have 4 open seats each. Also, there will be 3 vacant seats in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, 2 in Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Haryana, and Jharkhand each, and 1 in Uttarakhand. (here)

ED asks Karnataka high court to re-block Xiaomi’s ₹5,551 crore bank assets

The Enforcement Directorate on Thu asked the Karnataka high court to reinstate a freeze on ₹5,551.27 crores of funds belonging to Chinese smartphone giants Xiaomi, which were seized by the central agency in connection with ‘illegal outward remittances’. The seizure had been stayed by the high court on appeal from Xiaomi, which has also accused the ED of recording statements ‘under coercion’ and adding charges – on violation of the foreign exchange act – as an ‘afterthought’. ED slammed the Chinese Xiaomi for ‘baseless’ and ‘untrue’ allegations. The court said its decision to stay the order (and allow Xiaomi access to the funds) would continue till the ED makes a formal request later today (Thu) to reinstate the freeze. The next hearing has been set for May 23. Xiaomi has been under investigation for four months now, over claims of sending money to three foreign entities in the guise of royalties. (here)

Allahabad HC rejects plea seeking to open 22 closed doors in Taj Mahal

ANI – The Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court on Thu rejected the plea seeking to open 22 closed rooms in the Taj Mahal to ascertain the presence of the idols of Hindu deities. The hearing concluded on Thu. The plea was filed by Rajneesh Singh, a BJP youth media in charge, that sought the directions from the Archaeological Survey of India. The plea sought the constitution of a fact-finding committee and the submission of a report by the ASI. The plea also cited the claims by some historians and some Hindu groups about the monument being an old Shiva Temple.

Skill India International Centre to be set up in Varanasi to prepare a skilled workforce for global markets

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the National Skill Development Corporation and UAE’s DP World for the development of Skill India International Centre at Varanasi, in the presence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and UAE minister Dr. Ahmad Belhoul in New Delhi on Thu. The agreement will provide opportunities to the Indian youth to skill them so that they can be trained to pursue overseas employment overseas in logistics, and port operations, accompanied by other allied areas. According to the Ministry of Skill Development, India serves as a valuable partner to the UAE accompanied by other countries across the world. Further, the Indian govt is working towards fulfilling the aspirations of the youth of India. (here)

Rupee tumbles to a record low on Inflation risks, stocks decline

Indian rupee tumbled to a new low, while bonds and stocks retreated amid growing worries that accelerating inflation may force the central bank to tighten rates more aggressively. The rupee dropped as much as 0.5% to 77.6313/$ on Thu, hitting a record low for the second time this week. The benchmark Sensex index tumbled 1.7% to the lowest in two months. Sovereign bonds also retreated. (here)

After the Punjab blast, Haryana to form an anti-terrorist squad

ANI -Following the blast in Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij on Wed said an anti-terrorism squad (ATS) will be formed in the state. “ATS will be formed in which DIG and SP rank officers will also be appointed. Night vision CCTV cameras should be installed in crowded areas and govt offices, and buildings in Haryana where criminal incidents can be committed,” the minister said. “A campaign will be launched to strengthen the inspection and inspection of tenants in Haryana so that no unknown and anti-social person is living in someone’s house using a fake identity,” said the Minister. (here)

New Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar set to take charge on Sunday   

Former finance secretary Rajiv Kumar, 62 is set to take charge as the new chief election commissioner on Sun (May 15). He succeeds Sushil Chandra for the top post in the poll body. Rajiv Kumar is a 1984 batch Indian Administrative Service officer. He has “worked in various ministries at the center and his state cadre of Bihar and Jharkhand,” a govt statement had said earlier. He retired as the Finance Secretary in Feb 2020. (here)

‘Rahul Gandhi ready to consider’ return as Congress president: Report

HT-Congress is going to hold a ‘Chintan Shivir’ in Udaipur under the leadership of its interim President Sonia Gandhi to hold discussions on party organization and to formulate a strategy to challenge the BJP in the upcoming 2024 General elections. The top leaders demanded that Rahul Gandhi should take over the post of Congress President in the Congress Working Committee meeting held on Mar 14. (sources)-“Rahul is ready to consider the post. After this, a proposal came in the meeting to hold the election of the President of Aug-Sept. However, it was then decided that the ongoing process cannot be preponed.” (here)

Delhi Police arrest honey-trapped Indian airforce sergeant for leaking sensitive Info

ANI – Crime Branch of Delhi Police has arrested on May 6 a sergeant of the Indian Air Force for allegedly leaking sensitive information about defense installations, and Air Force personnel through electronic means and seized incriminating evidence such as electronic gadgets and documents, etc. The official, police said, was honey-trapped by a woman and allegedly ended up sharing sensitive information with her. The arrestee has been identified as Devendra Kumar Sharma, who belongs to Kanpur and was working as an Administrative Assistant (GD) at Record Office at Subroto Park, New Delhi. The police said that there is a suspicion of the hand of Pak’s intelligence agency ISI in this whole work. It has been found that the number that Sharma was getting calls from was of an Indian service provider. A investigation is underway.

Pakistan rules out trade with India

With a change in the federal govt, the Ministry of Commerce has ruled out the possibility of a resumption of stalled bilateral trade with India. The response came from the commerce ministry over the widespread speculation on social media that the new govt led by PM Shehbaz Sharif is considering a proposal to resume trade with its arch-rival India. “There is no change in Pakistan’s policy on trade with India,” an official announcement from the commerce ministry said. An official source in the PM’s office told Dawn that the appointment of a trade officer in New Delhi is one of the routine postings, adding that the post of trade officer in the Pakistan embassy in New Delhi has been vacant for years. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Sri Lanka Crisis:5-time former PM may be named Sri Lanka’s new prime minister: Report

Sri Lanka president Gotabaya Rajapaksa is expected to name a new prime minister today (Thu) to help steer the island nation past an economic crisis and days of horrific violence that has claimed the lives of at least 8 people so far. 5-time former premier Ranil Wickremesinghe is seen as the frontrunner for the post that was formerly held by the president’s brother – Mahinda Rajapaksa who quit Mon amid violent protests in Colombo. Wickremesinghe (if named) will likely be at the head of a ‘unity’ govt with cross-party support in the 225-member parliament.

New cabinet ‘without any Rajapaksa’ to be appointed this week: Lanka’s President

Amid the escalating political and economic crisis in Sri Lanka, President Gotabaya Rajapksa on Wed addressed the nation and said he was working with all party leaders to establish a new government in the country. He also promised to a appoint new Prime Minister and a “young cabinet without any Rajapaksas,”  PTI reported. Gotabaya also spoke on the recent violent clashes and said he has ordered “relevant authorities” to take action against the perpetrators of the violence. The president also said he will empower parliament, bringing back the 19^th amendment. Gotabaya added that he was ready to abolish the executive presidency once the country stabilises, reported Newswire. The address comes as Sri Lanka is battling its worst economic crisis and political instability since its independence in 1948. (here) Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s governor Nandalal Weerasinghe warned on Wed that the country’s economy will “completely collapse” if a new govt is not appointed within two days.

Where Sri Lanka’s inflation-driven crisis could head next

Will Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa flee the country? This is what the protesters are hoping for with their chants of “Go Home Gota,” and can’t be ruled out if the violence spreads. If the president resigns, then immediately whoever becomes PM would take over, with the house speaker as next in line. (here)

US-China commission to brainstorm security implications over Beijing’s footprints in South, Central Asia

ANI – US-China Economic and Security Review Commission will discuss on Thu (local time) Beijing’s activities in South and Central Asia, besides the consequences of the economic ties with China. The chairman of the US-China Commission board and the chairman of the board of the ‘Project 2049 Institute’ and a partner at the Pacific Solutions, in the meeting, will brainstorm the issue of several countries reconsidering their economic ties with Beijing. Notably, there’s a growing awareness in India like in the US that trade and investment with China are not only economic but also national security issues. The commission, which provides US Congress with the latest updates on what China is doing in South and Central Asia, will also discuss the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, including how Moscow’s action in Ukraine may allow Beijing to deepen its influence in Central Asia. (here)

China censors online debate on its zero-Covid policy after WHO criticism

China’s censors scrambled to wipe out the online debate over its zero-Covid strategy on Wednesday after the World Health Organisation criticized the country’s hardline approach to crushing the virus. The intervention prompted China’s army of internet censors to race to snuff out his comments. China is the last major economy glued to a zero-Covid policy and enforces some of the most stringent viruses controls anywhere in the world. Those restrictions have trapped most of Shanghai’s 25 million people in a lockdown with no clear end date, while Beijing has also gradually corralled many of its residents indoors as it battles its biggest outbreak since the pandemic began. (here)

Xi and Biden congratulate Marcos Jnr on election win as China, the US vie for influence

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wed congratulated Ferdinand Marcos Jnr for his win in the Philippine presidential election and vowed to further strengthen ties with Manila, amid an intensifying US-China competition for influence in the nation. Xi’s message to Marcos, the son, and namesake of the Philippines’ late dictator, came as US President Joe Biden also pledged stronger ties with Manila on the eve of a summit with Southeast Asian nations at the White House. Despite simmering tensions over the South China Sea dispute, Xi described China and the Philippines as “neighbors facing each other across the sea and partners through thick and thin”, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement. Biden tells the president-elect he wants to seek close security ties and expand cooperation on a range of issues. Kurt Campbell, coordinator for Indo-Pacific on the National Security Council, on Wed said the talks were expected to be “direct, polite, but maybe a little bit uncomfortable at times” as the US and ASEAN member states do not see eye to eye on issues such as China. (here)

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif, brother Nawaz Sharif decide against early elections

ANI-The first session of the crucial Pakistan Muslim League (N) huddle in London decided that there will be no early elections in Islamabad and the primary focus of the Shehbaz Sharif-led govt should be on providing economic relief to the citizens and taking long-term economic decisions. The 6-hour-long meeting was held among Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, his brother, the party supremo Nawaz Sharif and other leaders, at an undisclosed location in London, The News International citing sources. (here) HT- Pakistan’s defense minister indicates that general polls can be held before Nov “Elections may be held before the appointment of the new army chief… the caretaker govt may be replaced by a new govt before Nov,” defense minister Khawaja Asif said. (here)

Army chief should have a ‘flawless reputation’: Maryam on considering Gen Faiz for top post

PML-N Vice-president Maryam Nawaz on Thu said that the army chief should be a person who had a “flawless reputation”, free from any criticism or doubts. Maryam made these remarks in a press conference outside the Islamabad High Court while answering a question about Def Min Khawaja Asif’s comments, wherein he had said that former Inter-Services Intelligence chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed’s name could be considered for the new army chief. “If his name is on the seniority list, it will be considered,” Asif had said in an interview with the BBC. The PML-N leader has been critical of Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, who served as the ISI chief from Jun 2019-Oct ‘21 and is currently posted as the Peshawar corps commander. (here)

Pakistan, US hold security talks ahead of FM Bilawal’s visit

Pakistan and the US completed their security level talks in Washington on Wed, days before a scheduled meeting between their foreign policy chiefs is scheduled to be held in New York. Inter-Services Intellig­e­n­­ce Director-General (DG ISI) Lt-Gen Nadeem Anjum spent 3 days in Washington this week, meeting senior security officials, including US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and CIA Director William J. Burns. Neither side disclosed the details of these meetings, but the talks are believed to have focused on bilateral security concerns and the situation in Afghanistan. The last security level talks between the two countries were held in July 2021, when then-National Security Advisor Moeed Yusuf met Sullivan at the WH. The Pakistani delegation had also included former ISI chief Lt-Gen Faiz Hameed.

EU envoy to Afghanistan expresses concern over reports of civilian casualties in Panjshir

The European Union envoyto Afghanistan, Andreas von Brand, has expressed concerns over the reports of killings of civilians and mistreatment in Panjshir and said it underlines the need for overdue inclusive solutions in governing the troubled country. However, the local officials in Panjshir denied the reports of civilian casualties. The remarks by Brand come as earlier reports were published alleging that civilians suffered casualties in the provinces of Panjshir, Baghlan, and Takhar said the Afghan media. (here)

Protests against former President Yameen intensify in the Maldives

Protests against former President of Maldives, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, have intensified after he has been on the run, stealing billions of rufiyaa from the state coffers and depositing 450 million rufiyaas in his account. Protesters have drawn graffiti of Arrest Yameen along with his mugshot on the door of his residence, wall, and Yameen’s party office wall as well. Flyers have also been put all over the roads against the former President. Reportedly, while the people are reeling under abject poverty, Yameen and his family are enjoying a life of luxury, with Yameen’s million-dollar house. (here)

Pak-China Trade Unions GB protested against the federal govt’s decision to ban their entry

Pak-China Trade Unions Gilgit-Baltistan traders and leaders organized a press conference to protest against the federal government’s decision to ban entry of Gilgit-Baltistan traders in Khunjerab and offloading goods coming from China at Khunjerab Top. It was said that this is a conspiracy to push the Gilgit-Baltistan trades to the wall and this ban should be lifted or Gilgit-Baltistan traders would be forced to make strong protests. (DailyK2)