[ NEWS OF THE DAY ]

Presidential election on July 18, results 3 days later: Election Commission

The presidential election will be on July 18 and the results will be declared three days later on July 21, the Election Commission (EC) announced on Thu. A formal notification will be issued on Jun 15 and the nominations have to be filed by Jun 29, the chief election commissioner, Rajiv Kumar said at a press conference. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is July 2. President Ram Nath Kovind’s term ends on Jul 24 and according to the Constitution, a new president has to be appointed before his term ends. The president is elected by an electoral college comprising 776 members of Parliament (members of both houses) and 4,033 members of the legislative assemblies, with a total of 4,809 votes being cast. The combined value of votes of state legislators is 543,231 and that of MPs is 543,200, a total of 1,086,431. Political parties cannot issue a whip to its members,” Kumar said. The Congress + other parties are determined to field their candidate against the ruling alliance’s nominee in the coming presidential election. The election for the vice president is expected to take place in Aug. The Opposition’s chances of getting its candidate elected in the race are, however, slim. (here)

China lauds India for helping Sri Lanka amid the economic crisis

China on Wed praised India for helping Sri Lanka amid the unprecedented economic crisis in the island nation that has led to a shortage of fuel and other essential items. Speaking at a press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said China ‘commends’ India for efforts to mitigate the crisis in Sri Lanka. “The Chinese govt will do its utmost and make full use of the channels available to deliver help to the Sri Lankan society,” he replied to a question over a remark made by Sri Lankan President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa who said in an interview on Jun 6 that Sri Lanka couldn’t tap a USD 1.5 billion credit line from China and has yet to hear back on the request to China for a USD 1 bn loan. He also said that China seems to have shifted its strategic focus to Southeast Asia and Africa, and has less interest in South Asia. In response to these remarks, Zhao said Beijing pays close attention to and feels for the difficulties and challenges facing Sri Lanka. (here) China’s official acknowledgment of Indian assistance to Sri Lanka — totaling $ 3.5 bn this year by way of currency swaps, loan deferments, and credit lines — is significant, coming amid a well-known geopolitical contest between the two powers in Sri Lanka. Earlier this year, China expressed disappointment over Colombo replacing a proposed Chinese energy project in 3 islands off the northern Jaffna peninsula with an Indian project. (here)

Our target is $5 billion of defense export in the next five years: PM Narendra Modi

India is eyeing defense export of $5 billion in the next 5 years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wed, highlighting the measures taken by his govt to boost manufacturing and woo investors to set up a base in the country while inaugurating the 11^th edition of DefExpo in Lucknow. PM said the number of defense licenses issued in the last 5 years has risen to 460 from 210 in 2014. India is building several defense equipments like artillery guns, aircraft carriers, submarines, light-combat aircraft, and combat helicopters, he said. “Our mantra is Make in India, for India, for the world. In 2014 the export of defense equipment from India was about Rs 2,000 crore. In the last 2 years, it has gone up to Rs 17,000 crore. In the next 5 years our target is export of USD 5 bn, which is about Rs 35,000 crore,” the PM said. (here)PM says India’s bio-economy grown 8 times since 2014, ‘not too far from…’ PM Modi on Thu said India’s bio-economy has grown 8 times in the last 8 years and is not too far from joining the league of the top ten countries in the biotech global ecosystem. Addressing the Biotech Startup Expo 2022 in New Delhi, the PM said that the inaugural 2-day event is a reflection of the expansive growth of the biotech sector in the country. He said that the number of start-ups in India has increased from a few hundred to 70K in the last 8 years across 60 different industries. He further added that more than 5K start-ups are associated with biotech. (here)

India-UAE pact on industrial cooperation receives Cabinet’s approval

The government on Wed approved a proposal for signing a bilateral MoU between India and the United Arab Emirates on cooperation in the field of industries and advanced technologies. The decision was taken by the Union Cabinet, chaired by the PM. The statement said the MoU envisages cooperation on a mutually beneficial basis in areas including strengthening the supply chain resilience of industries, renewable and energy efficiency, health, and life sciences, space systems, artificial intelligence, standardization, metrology, and conformity assessment, accreditation, and halal certification. Indian investments in the UAE are estimated at around USD 85 billion. Both the countries have implemented a comprehensive trade agreement to increase bilateral trade from USD 60 billion to USD 100 billion in the next 5 years. The UAE is the 8^th largest investor in India with an estimated investment of USD 18 billion, while the 3^rd largest trading partner (USD 60 billion at present), after China and the US. (here)

India, Iran hold wide-ranging talks; ink agreement on mutual legal assistance

India and Iran on Wed held wide-ranging talks focusing on enhancing trade, connectivity, and counter-terror cooperation even as Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian raised the issue of controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad made by two former BJP spokespersons. The two sides also signed an agreement on mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial matters. The crisis in Ukraine and the situation in Afghanistan were among the key issues that figured in the talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Abdollahian who is on a 3-day visit to India. Abdollahian also held talks with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the discussions centered around enhancing connectivity through the Chabahar port, boosting trade and investment ties, and expansion of cooperation in education and research. There were no details from the Indian side on the meeting between Doval and Abdollahian. The Iran nuclear deal also figured in the talks. Iran has been a key country for India in the Gulf. During the visit, the Abdollahian called on Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and also held a meeting with the National Security Advisor, Ajit Kumar Doval. (here) Doval, according to the Iranian readout, reaffirmed the Indian govt’s respect for the founder of Prophet Mohammad, saying offenders will be “dealt with in such a way that others will learn a lesson“. The Indian side has dismissed the Iranian side’s claims on what NSA had said on the issue of remarks controversy. MEA underscores the EAM statement that the unavailability of oil from Iran and Venezuela makes Indian energy security difficult, in the press briefing. However, the Iranian FO deleted that statement. Abdollahian said, “Muslims are satisfied with the stance of Indian officials in dealing with the culprits.”

India will host the Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ meeting on 16^th-17^th June to mark the 30^th anniversary of our dialogue relations and the 10^th anniversary of our strategic partnership with ASEAN. External Affairs Minister, Dr. S Jaishankar and Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan will co-chair the meeting. Foreign Ministers of other ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretary-General will participate in the meeting. 2022 has been designated as the ASEAN-India friendship year. ASEAN meeting is in the ASEAN format. Myanmar is an ASEAN member state. So, the participation of Myanmar in this Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ meeting is as per ASEAN consensus in this regard: Arindam Bagchi, Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affair.

[NATIONAL]

Prophet remarks fallout: Nupur Sharma, Naveen Jindal, and others booked for allegedly spreading hate

Police said that the FIR has been registered under various sections for spreading messages of hate, inciting various groups, and creating situations, which are detrimental to the maintenance of public tranquility. The case has been registered by Delhi Police’s Intelligence Fusion & Strategic Operations unit of Special Cell. The Deputy commissioner of police confirmed the development. The case has been registered against Nupur Sharma, Naveen Kumar Jindal, Shadab Chauhan, Saba Naqvi, Maulana Mufti Nadeem, Abdur Rehman, Gulzar Ansari, Anil Kumar Meena, Pooja Shakun, police said. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi, and priest Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati in two cases related to derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammed and alleged hate on social media in the aftermath. (here)

Kanpur clash: Local cops under scanner – they were in touch with main accused Hayat Zafar

Two police officials are under the scanner for their role in the violence that took place in Kanpur on Jun 3. The violence had broken out in 3 areas – Parade Ground, Nai Sadak, and Yateem Khana – after 2 groups clashed over a market shutdown. The call for bandh was given by Muslim leader Hayat Zafar Hashmi over the objectional comments on Prophet Mohammad. ACP Akmal Khan and Nawab Ahmad – in-charge of Becon Ganj Police station – were in touch with the main accused Hayat Zafar Hashmi around the time when the violence took place. It was still not clear whether the officials were in touch with Hashmi regarding the protest that was to happen. The bandh call was given in the last week of May for June 3, Fri. When the posters of the bandh were made public, the police commissioner had called Hashmi to his office and instructed him to withdraw the bandh. Hashmi was asked to postpone the bandh to a later date as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind were to visit Kanpur. The bandh was then postponed to Jun 5 (Sun). (here)

NIA conducts searches in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry

The National Investigation Agency on Thu conducted searches at different locations in Tamil Nadu and neighboring Puducherry, police sources said. The searches were being held in Chennai and Mayiladuthurai in Tamil Nadu and Karaikal in the neighboring Puducherry. The NIA action was held in connection with a probe into a terror module. Not many details in the media (here)

Naxal-SSB encounter in Jamui; hardcore Zonal Committee member neutralized

In a fierce gun battle, a suspected hardcore Naxal Zonal Committee member was neutralized on Wednesday night, by a team of Sashastra Seema Bal, in the Giddheswar forest range under Khaira police station located on Bihar – Jharkhand border in Jamui district. If those, who were part of the operation, are to be believed, the Naxals opened fire the moment they spotted the SSB team inching ahead. The firing drew an immediate response from the SAT team of SSB. Gun battle ensued! Combing operations are on to ensure the capture of others involved in the firefight and who are still evading arrest. Local informers tipped off the paramilitary forces after which a hasty operation was planned leading to the gunfight that took a toll on the alleged insurgent. The deceased has been identified as Naxal Zonal Committee Member Matalu Turi or Prakash Turi. (here)

Suspected Pak drone made to return by BSF in Jammu’s Arnia; search for explosive on

A suspected Pakistani drone movement was spotted by the Border Security Force in the Arnia area of Jammu and Kashmir in the early hours of Thu, PTI reported citing BSF troops. The forces fired several rounds at the drone forcing it to return. The drone was at a height of 300 m when forces opened fire at it. A search operation to hunt any weapons, explosives and other dangerous materials dropped by the drone have begun in Arnia. Forces have shot down several drones in the recent past in Jammu, Kathua, and Samba sectors and seized their payloads including rifles, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and sticky bombs. The recent drone activities in the border area are said to be attempts made by Pakistan and terror outfits across the border to smuggle weapons, ammunition, and explosives to arm terrorists. On Mon, the J&K police had recovered three magnetic IEDs and other explosives dropped by a drone in the Akhnoor border area of Jammu after forces shot it down with its payload. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

China eyeing high-speed rail network in Bangladesh

China is eyeing high-speed rail network projects in Bangladesh following Bangladesh Railway (BR) feasibility study for constructing the railway network between Dhaka and Chattogram. In a recent development, China has proposed carrying out the project under the govt-to-govt-Public Private Partnership (G2G-PPP) framework, reported The Daily Star. Moreover, Dhaka has also selected China Railway Group Ltd (CREC), a state-run company, for implementing the project, which will cost more than 3 times the expenditure for Padma Bridge (Tk 30,193 cr). Li Jiming, the Chinese ambassador to B’desh, in Apr wrote to Railways Minister for signing an MoU between CREC and BR “as soon as possible”. Apart from CREC, 2 other Chinese companies expressed interest in forming a joint venture. Moreover, Li expected that an MoU would be inked in the “near future”. No project under the G2G-PPP arrangement has yet been implemented in B’desh. Once the high-speed rail project is implemented, the journey on the 224.64 km route between Dhaka and Chattogram via Narayanganj-Cumilla-Feni will take 55 mins if uninterrupted which is 6 hrs at present. Dhaka-Chattogram highway is considered the lifeline of the economy as it carries more than 80% of the external trade. (here)

China sees an exodus of South Korean giants as relations wane

China’s appeal as a gold mine for foreign businesses is waning, and while some multinationals ponder their future in the world’s biggest consumer market, one group of companies is already headed for the exit. South Korean firms are at the vanguard of what’s threatening to be a global shift away from China, with the higher tariffs and inconveniences of the trade war now compounded by disruptions wrought by the country’s zero-tolerance approach to Covid-19. Retail giant Lotte Group, known for its department stores and supermarkets, is in the final stages of shutting its China headquarters and is pivoting its focus to other Asian markets, a person familiar with the situation told Bloomberg News, on condition of anonymity. Seoul-based cosmetics maker Amorepacific Group has closed more than 1,000 stores. Meanwhile, South Korean manufacturing giants like Samsung Display Co and LG Electronics Inc are already shutting some factories in China, pressured by cheaper local rivals and the uncertainty caused by China’s ongoing and intensive lockdowns. (here)

Rights groups call for the sacking of Bachelet after sham China visit

As many as 230 human rights advocacy groups have called for the immediate resignation of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights after she “whitewashed” the Chinese govt’s human rights atrocities during her recent 6-day visit to China. During her visit, the rights groups said Bachelet “squandered” a rare opportunity to promote accountability by failing to address the litany of systematic human rights violations committed by the Chinese authorities. This includes genocide and crimes against humanity in East Turkistan. Rights groups say Bachelet also neglected to offer a single specific recommendation to address the gravity of the human rights crisis. According to the Uyghur group, the High Commissioner legitimized Beijing’s attempt to cover up its crimes by using the Chinese govt’s false “counter-terrorism” framing and repeatedly referred to the notorious internment camps by the Chinese govt’s term: “Vocational Education and Training Centers“. (here) With Xinjiang top of mind, EU lawmakers urge a more hardline approach on China’s human rights- EU lawmakers rallied around calls for a more hardline approach to confronting China on human rights issues on Wed, ahead of an expected move by the EU legislature to accuse Beijing of committing “crimes against humanity” in Xinjiang. Two weeks after a leak of alleged Xinjiang police documents shed new light on Beijing’s policies in the region, legislators used a parliamentary session in Strasbourg to call for more sanctions against Chinese officials implicated in alleged rights abuses; an import ban against goods suspected of being produced with forced labor; and a broader recalibration of the EU’s economic ties with Beijing. (here)

Pakistan: Hindu temple vandalized in Karachi, idols desecrated

In yet another incident of atrocity against minorities in Pakistan, a Hindu temple was attacked by some extremists in Karachi, Sindh province of the country. The incident took place at the Korangi Number 5 area of the country’s port city. The Shri Mari Mata Mandir, which also houses the residence of the Hindu priest, was attacked late on Wed, triggering fear among the Hindu community. A violent mob attacked the house of the priest and vandalized the idols. No arrests have been made by Pakistan police so far. The idols were brought by the priest a few days ago to be installed in the under-construction temple. “We don’t know who has attacked and why,” The Express Tribune newspaper quoted a local Hindu resident as saying. Eyewitnesses say 6-8 individuals on motorcycles attacked the complex. (here)

One dead after fighter jet crashes into homes in central China

One person died and two more were injured when a fighter jet crashed in central China on Thu, state media reported. The plane, an Air Force J-7, “had an accident during training and fell in the vicinity of an airport…causing damage to private homes”, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The pilot parachuted to safety and has been transferred to the hospital along with the other injured, CCTV said, adding that the cause of the crash is to be investigated. Several buildings appeared to have been completely flattened in the accident. Footage of the crash site posted online by the Xinhua news agency showed flames sending black smoke billowing into the air from a street in Xiangyang. (here)

US approves $120 million in sales to maintain Taiwanese warships

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement it had delivered the required certification notifying Congress following State Department approval for the sale, which was requested by Taiwan’s de facto embassy in Washington. It said the sale covered unclassified spare and repair parts for ships and ship systems, logistical technical assistance, U.S. government, and contractor representative technical and logistical support. (here)

IMF asks Pak to renegotiate CPEC energy deals before making payments: Rpt

The IMF has asked cash-strapped Pakistan’s government to renegotiate the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) energy deals before making payments of around Rs 300 billion to the Chinese power plants, putting Islamabad in a tight spot, a media report said on Thu. As of now, Pakistan has repeatedly been seeking international aid to support its failing economy. The talks with the IMF are being held in the Qatari capital Doha. The global lender has asked the govt to treat the Chinese CPEC power plants at par with the power plants established under the 1994 and 2002 power policies, The Express Tribune reported in a detailed report. Sources said the IMF suspected that the Chinese IPPs might have been overcharging Pakistan and there was a need to reopen these deals. (here) Pakistan shows record high growth of 5.97% in FY22, says Finance Minister, Miftah Ismail highlights the performance of and targets achieved or missed during the last 12 months.

Ex-bureaucrat Ahad Khan Cheema appointed PM’s adviser on establishment

Former bureaucrat Ahad Khan Cheema has been appointed as the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Establishment. The official notification for Cheema’s appointment stated that his designation will be equal to that of a federal minister. (here)

Two, including a Unicef official, allegedly raped in Islamabad

An official of the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) was allegedly raped by her security guard in the capital while a 16-year-old girl was sexually assaulted in the Kahuta area. In the first incident, the Unicef official, who is a Swedish national, approached Aabpara police to register a complaint against a security guard deployed at her residence who she alleged raped her. According to the police, the victim had been working in Pakistan since Jan 10. (here)