[NATIONAL]

Concerned by the effect of war, Brics back Kyiv-Moscow talks

External affairs minister S Jaishankar joined via video link his counterparts from Brazil, Russia, China, and South Africa for a meeting that discussed ways to further intra- BRICS cooperation in politics and security, economy and finance, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges. FMs of the BRICS grouping on Thu expressed concern at the impact of the conflict in Ukraine on global energy and food security and backed talks between Moscow and Kyiv. The meeting was chaired by Chinese FM Wang Yi under the rotating presidency of BRICS. The FMs expressed their “strong condemnation of terrorism whenever, wherever, and by whom-so-ever” and expressed their commitment to combat all forms and manifestations of terror, including the cross-border movement of terrorists. During the meeting, BRICS FMs will also have a dialogue with FMs of emerging markets and developing countries in the “BRICS+” format, stated Min of Foreign Affair, China. They also backed a call for advancing reforms and ensuring greater representation for developing countries in international organizations and multilateral forums. Ahead of the meeting, the Chinese President on Thu said the BRICS need to strengthen political trust and security cooperation and help stabilize international relations at a time of global turbulence. The BRICS should “oppose hegemonism [except China] and power politics, reject Cold War mentality and bloc confrontation and work together to build a global community of security for all,” he said. (here; here)

BRICS-led New Development bank to set up a regional office in India

Reuters – New Development Bank, established by the BRICS group of emerging economies, said on Fri it would set up a regional office in Gujarat, India for funding and monitoring infrastructure projects in that country and B’desh. “The Indian Regional Office will be instrumental in enhancing NDB’s engagement with borrowers and stakeholders,” NDB President Marcos Troyjo said in a statement. NDB has so far approved 21 Indian projects, involving funding of $7.1 billion. On Thu, while participating in the 7^th annual meeting of NDB’s board of governors by video link, the Indian Fin Minister said the bank had successfully established itself as a reliable partner for emerging market economies. The Shanghai-HQ lender has signed off on more than 80 projects in the 5 original member countries. The value of the projects exceeds $30 bn and they are in sectors from transport, water, and sanitation to clean energy and digital and social infrastructure. (here)

China accuses the US of ‘interference’ after top official meets the Dalai Lama

Beijing on Thu criticized the meeting of a special American diplomat and the 14^th Dalai Lama, calling it a violation of Washington’s commitment to the position that Tibet is a part of China. Explicitly referring to the Tibetan spiritual leader as a “separatist”, the Chinese foreign ministry said the US also interfered in its “internal affairs” by appointing a special officer for Tibetan affairs. It violated Washington’s commitment that it does not support Tibetan separatists, the ministry added. Beijing’s strong response came after US special coordinator for Tibetan affairs Uzra Zeya met the Dalai Lama on Thu, the 1^st such visit of an official from Biden’s administration. The Dalai Lama has been living in India ever since he fled Tibet in 1959 following Beijing’s crackdown in the remote region. Beijing has been accused of isolating the ‘Tibet’ Autonomous Region by banning journalists and diplomats from traveling to the region by themselves, using coercive methods to Sinicise Tibetan Buddhism, and deliberately eroding the distinct Tibetan culture and language. (here)

36 countries including the US urge UN members to keep food markets open, avoid export bans

The US and several other countries on Thu urged members of the UN to keep their “food and agricultural markets” open and “to avoid unjustified restrictive measures, such as export bans on food or fertilizer”. In a statement issued the after ministerial meeting ‘Roadmap for Global Food Security-Call to Action’, was chaired by the US Secy of State, they called on all Member States to work together to mitigate the mid-term and long-term impact of recent shocks to global agriculture and food systems. The 7-point ‘actions’ in the statement called for the Member States with available resources to make new, additive financial donations to key humanitarian organizations providing immediate life-saving humanitarian assistance. The statement noted with grave concern that the newly-released 2022 Global Report on Food Crises indicates that the number of people facing acute food insecurity greatly increased from 135 million in 2019 to 193 million in 2021 in the 53 countries most in need of assistance and that nearly 40 million people across 36 countries just one step away from famine. Minister of State, External Affairs who on Thu also participated in an open debate, said that the Indian govt took the measure to restrict the export of wheat as it “recognized the sudden spike in global prices of wheat which put our food security and those of our neighbors and other vulnerable countries at risk.” (reported yesterday also, here)

India slams Pak FM Bilawal for ‘unwarranted remarks’ at UNSC on Kashmir issue

India on Fri slammed Pakistan for making “unwarranted remarks” on Jammu and Kashmir, saying comments made by its Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in the UNSC are a “pavlovian response” (conditioned or predictable reactions) aimed to misuse any forum and every topic to propagate false and malicious propaganda against New Delhi. India’s response came after Bilawal raked up the issue of J&K, the abrogation of Article 370, and the recent order by the Delimitation Commission during his remarks at the Council debate. India exercised the Right to Reply in the open debate on ‘Maintenance of International Peace & Security – Conflict and Food Security’ organized by the US, the Council President. “The only contribution that Pakistan can make is to stop state-sponsored terrorism. As regards his other remarks, we will treat it with the contempt it deserves,” the envoy added. (here)

The reappearance of bodies in Ganga contradicts last year’s unaccounted Covid death claims

The Phaphamau Ghat in the northern part of Prayagraj has become a graveyard of sorts and with yellow and saffron-colored clothes on temporarily-erected poles indicating that bodies have been buried. This is not part of the traditional Hindu religious practice but people are resorting to it as they find it “convenient” while some even call it a custom. Last year during a severe phase of the Delta variant of COVID-19, this place had got a bad name amid reports of bodies floating in Ganga. It was shown in sections of media, especially foreign media, that people who had died of COVID-19 had been buried or their bodies had been “dumped” in Ganga. Several restrictions were also imposed. (here)

Cartelisation going to be a challenge: FM

Finance minister N Sitharaman on Fri flagged concerns about possible cartelization in markets and stressed the need to look into the causes of the short supply of commodities while speaking at the 13^th annual day function of the Competition Commission of India, the minister also said that the regulator needs to have a “proactive understanding” of mergers and acquisitions. “Cartelisation is going to be a challenge…,” the minister said. While mentioning rising commodity prices due to various factors, she said there is a need to look into the causes of the short-supply situation. Her remarks come against the backdrop of spiraling inflation. (here)

Part of the tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar highway collapses, at least 6 feared trapped, 4 rescued

At least 6 people are feared to be trapped after a part of an under-construction tunnel collapsed at Khooni Nala on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in the Makerkote area of Ramban on Thu. One person has been rescued, and the Rescue operation is underway.

The phones of 3 Munnar cops were confiscated over a probe into leaking information to terrorist organizations

Over the allegation that information was leaked to terrorist organizations from Munnar police station, the mobile phones of 3 cops have been confiscated by the official probing the matter. Recently, various intelligence agencies had flagged that confidential information from a computer in the Munnar police station was leaked to terrorist organizations. The probe over matter has been progressing and the new development is based on that. The probe officer DySP KR Manoj has confiscated the phones of an official in the data operations wing who handles important documents and two other cops. The phones have been handed over to the cyber cell and further details will come only out once the details in the phones are thoroughly examined.

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Chinese navy launches South China Sea drills as Biden visits Asia

The Chinese navy is holding military exercises in the disputed South China Sea as US President Joe Biden begins South Korea and Japan trips largely focused on countering the perceived threat from Beijing. The drills began on Thu and will continue until Mon, the Maritime Safety Administration office in China’s southern island province of Hainan said. Other aircraft and vessels will be prohibited from entering the area, the official said without further details. (here)

China’s April Saudi oil imports soar 38% on yr, Russian oil up 4%

Reuters – China’s crude oil imports from top supplier Saudi Arabia soared 38% in Apr from a year earlier, hitting the highest monthly volume since May 2020, according to Reuters’ calculations based on official Chinese customs data. Saudi shipments amounted to 8.93 million tonnes last month, equivalent to 2.17 mn barrels/day (bpd), according to Chinese official data. The hefty purchases, with trades completed mostly in Feb, compared with 1.61 mn bpd in Mar and 1.57 million bpd a year earlier. Imports from the 2^nd-largest supplier Russia rose a more modest 4% last month from a year earlier, with cargoes booked before the western toughened sanctions on Russia in late Feb. Russian oil arrivals in Apr totaled 6.55 mn tonnes or 1.59 mn bpd, data showed, up slightly from 1.5 mn bpd in Mar and 1.53 mn bpd a year earlier China’s overall oil imports last month rose nearly 7% on the year, the first rise in 3 months. (here)

US citizen, four Chinese intelligence officers charged with spying on dissidents

A US citizen and 4 officials from China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) were charged in an indictment, unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn, with conspiracy and other charges related to an espionage and transnational repression scheme. According to court documents, the 4 allegedly participated in an espionage and transnational repression scheme in the US and abroad. US Attorney said this indictment exposes and disrupts an operation by the PRC that threatens the safety and freedom of Chinese nationals residing in the US on account of their pro-democracy beliefs and speech. As per court documents, Wang, a key conspirator is a well-known academic and author who helped start a pro-democracy organization in Queens that opposes the current communist regime in China. However, Wang has used his position and status within the Chinese diaspora and dissident communities to covertly collect information about prominent activists and human rights leaders on behalf of the MSS and PRC. (here)

Canada to ban China’s Huawei, and ZTE from 5G networks over national security concerns

The Canadian govt announced on Thu that it is banning Chinese telecommunications firms Huawei and ZTE from its 5^th-generation infrastructure to protect national security. Announcing the ban in a statement, the minister of innovation, science, and industry François-Philippe Champagne said, “Today, the Govt of Canada is ensuring the long-term safety of our telecommunications infrastructure. As part of that, the govt intends to prohibit the inclusion of Huawei and ZTE products and services in Canada’s telecommunications systems.” He said the decision followed a review by Canadian security agencies and in consultation with its closest allies. (here)

Pakistan condemns in ‘strongest possible terms’ Yasin Malik’s conviction after ‘sham trial’

Pakistan has condemned “in strongest possible terms” the conviction of Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik by an Indian court after a “sham trial” in a “manifestly dubious and motivated case” and urged Indian authorities to stop the victimization of the “true representatives of the Kashmiri people”. On Thu, an Indian court convicted Malik in a terrorism-related case, filed by the National Investigation Agency, which carries a maximum sentence of the death penalty or life imprisonment. He had been charged with terrorist acts, illegally raising funds, being a member of a terrorist organization, and criminal conspiracy and sedition. In a statement issued on Thu evening following the conviction, the FO called the development “highly reprehensible” and said that the “fictitious charges” against him were not only in defiance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights but also attempted to make “conjectural insinuations about Pakistan”. Earlier, the FO had also issued a demarche to the Indian charge d’affaires for framing fabricated charges. Meanwhile, FM raised the issue of J&K with US Congressman Adam Smith in a virtual meeting on Thu. (here)

PM Shehbaz proposes turning CPEC into a ‘trilateral arrangement’

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Fri proposed turning the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into a “trilateral arrangement” between China, Pakistan, and Turkey so that all 3 nations could benefit from its potential. He made the remarks while addressing a launching ceremony at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works for the 3^rd MILGEM Corvette built by Turkey. The premier arrived in the metropolitan city earlier today on a day-long visit. At the outset, PM began by lauding the launch of the warship built with the cooperation and collaboration of a Turkish company. He also appreciated the efforts of the naval chief and Turkish Def Min. The premier went on to say that the people were witnessing the cooperation between the two countries in all fields. (here)

Pakistan FM Bilawal Bhutto to embark on maiden visit to China tomorrow

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is scheduled to embark on his maiden 2-day visit to China on Sat at the invitation of the Chinese State Councilor and FM Wang Yi. According to a statement issued by Pakistan’s FO, MoS for Foreign Affairs and senior officials will accompany him, Geo News reported. “The two leaders will review the entire gamut of bilateral relations, with a particular focus on stronger trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and China,” Pakistan’s Foreign Office said in a statement. The two leaders are also expected to discuss the developments related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor which has recently been running into several hurdles due to the faltering Pakistani economy. (here)

Five years on, BRI projects are nowhere on the horizon

Last week marked the 5^th anniversary of the signing of the Belt and Road Initiative between Nepal and China. In Feb 2018, KP Sharma Oli became PM and visited China in the following June and readout 35 different projects Nepal would want to build under the BRI during his meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. 5 years down the line, the hopes seem to have faded though. Since projects under the BRI are funded mostly with loans which Nepal did not prefer much, Kathmandu truncated the number of projects to 9, as per Chinese advice- (officials). According to them, the projects under the BRI are not even a priority. There are multiple reasons the BRI has failed to gain momentum, mainly because of the pandemic. According to the former Foreign minister, the Sher Bahadur Deuba govt’s attitude towards the BRI is confusing. Observers say there are political, ideological, and practical reasons that have stymied BRI’s progress in Nepal. (here) [Indian expert says ‘window for India’]