[NEWS OF THE DAY]

Indian envoy meets QUAD, UN Ambassadors, discuss strengthening the international order

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, TS Tirumurti on Wed (local time) met with UN Ambassadors from the QUAD (Australia, India, Japan & the United States), in New York. Tirumurti met US, Australian, and Japanese Ambassadors. “…We discussed ways to strengthen the rules-based international order and reinforce efforts at the UN to tackle global challenges,” tweeted Tirumurti. QUAD finds a common ground of being democratic nations and common interests of unhindered maritime trade and security. Amid reports of China and Russia coming closer, the US has planned to “enhance cooperation, engagement, strategic and economic ties” with its Quad partners. As competition continues between China and members of the Quad, it will be critical to find ways to creatively engage in ways that mitigate risk. Members share a vision of an open and free Indo-Pacific. Each is involved in the development and economic projects as well as in promoting maritime domain awareness and maritime security. (here)

West Asian Quad to be upgraded to summit level during Biden’s visit to Israel

The new grouping formed last year by India, Israel, UAE, and the US (I2U2) will be upgraded to the summit level during US President Joe Biden’s visit to West Asia next month through the holding of a virtual meeting of heads of state. Biden will hold a virtual summit with the heads of state of the West Asian Quad while in Israel, the first stop of his visit during Jul 13-16 that will also take him to Palestine and Saudi Arabia. A senior US official said during a media briefing that Biden’s visit will focus on Israel’s increasing integration into the region, including through the Abraham Accords with the UAE, Morocco, and Bahrain, and the new grouping of Israel, India, the UAE, and the US. The official said some of these new partnerships reach beyond the Middle East and Biden “looks forward to this unique engagement with Prime Minister [Naftali] Bennett of Israel, with Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi of India, and President Mohammed bin Zayed of the UAE”.

Goyal raises the issue of public stockholding for food security, asks ‘what is holding back WTO’

Highlighting the issue of public stockholding for food security at World Trade Organization 12^th Ministerial Conference (MC12), Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal on Tuey asked, “What is holding back WTO, still no solution to public stockholding for food security.” “WTO is a trade organization, but one should remember that before the trade, there comes to hunger and one cannot tread the path of trade on an empty stomach,” said Goyal. Many countries have been severely impacted due to the recent food crisis, both during COVID 19 and the current geopolitical situation. “My friends from Egypt and Sri Lanka spoke about this yesterday, and we need to see if the draft declarations and decisions under consideration would help in improving food availability in their countries,” he said. Goyal further said that the world is in a situation, where the temporary declarations are not going to help the countries rather the Permanent Solution to Public Stock Holding, pending for more than 9 years, is not yet being taken up for closure. “The special and differential treatment accorded to developing countries remains crucial for us and hence bringing it into the ambit of negotiations is just not acceptable,” added Goyal. On the proposal for providing exemption to the World Food Programme from export restrictions, India support such exemptions. (here)

India’s exports jump by 24% to $62.21 bn in May

India’s overall exports, merchandise, and services combined rose by 24.03% year-on-year to $62.21 bn in May, the govt data showed on Wed. The merchandise exports in May 2022 stood at $38.94 bn as compared to $32.30 bn recorded in the same month last year, registering a year-on-year growth of 20.55%. The estimated value of services export for May 2022 is $23.28 bn, which is 30.32 % higher as compared with $17.86 bn recorded in May 2021. For the first 2 months of the current financial year, overall exports rose to $124.59 bn, posting 25.90% year-on-year growth. The merchandise exports for the period Apr-May 2022 rose to $78.72 bn against $63.05 bn recorded during the period Apr-May 2021, registering a positive growth of 24.86 %. The estimated value of services export for April-May 2022 is $45.87 bn, exhibiting year-on-year growth of 27.71% over the $35.92 bn recorded in the Apr-May ‘21 period. (here)

Cabinet approves Auction of IMT/5G Spectrum

The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi has approved a proposal of the Department of Telecommunications to conduct a spectrum auction through which spectrum will be assigned to the successful bidders for providing 5G services to the public and enterprises. Digital connectivity has been an important part of policy initiatives of the Govt through its flagship programs such as Digital India, Start-up India, Make in India etc. Broadband, especially mobile broadband, has become an integral part of the daily lives of citizens. This received a big boost through the rapid expansion of 4G services across the country since 2015. 80-crore subscribers have broadband access today compared to ten crore subscribers in 2014. Measures to reduce the cost of doing business for Telecom Service Providers. 5G services are to be rolled out soon – about 10 times faster than 4G. Over 72 GHz of the spectrum to be auctioned for 20 yrs. (here)

[NATIONAL]

US State Dept launches Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative

The US Department of State on Tue launched Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative. The two great luminaries Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr were patrons of civil rights and social justice. The Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced the launch of the Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative, which brings together 20 emerging young civic leaders from India and the United States, read the US Department of State release. The exchange will open on Jun 15, 2022, with a one-week virtual program and orientation followed by a two-week academic residency hosted at Alabama A&M University, a Historically Black College and University, and the University of Alabama. (here)

India asserts for ‘Yemeni-led, Yemeni-owned’ peacefully negotiated settlement

India on Tue asserted for Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned peacefully negotiated settlement to the conflict between them (Yemen) and the Houthis. Speaking at the briefing on the situation in Yemen, A Amarnath, Counsellor in India’s Permanent Mission to UN said, “Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political process, with meaningful participation of women, must commence parallelly to achieve an inclusive and peacefully negotiated settlement to the conflict.” The conflict between Yemeni Government forces, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, and the Houthis began in 2015, a few months after the rebels took over the capital, Sana’a. However, the economic and humanitarian situation in Yemen continues to face significant challenges, which include a lack of funding for aid operations. “International community must continue its support to the Govt of Yemen to help them overcome these challenges. Full, equal, and meaningful implementation of all measures agreed as part of the truce agreement is necessary,” said the Indian Counsellor. (here)

24^th ASEAN-India Senior Officials’ Meeting

Secretary (East), co-chaired the 24^th ASEAN-India Senior Officials’ Meeting, with the Permanent Secretary of Singapore, on 15 June 2022 in New Delhi. The meeting saw the participation of Senior Officials from the other ASEAN Member States. The SOM reviewed the ASEAN-India strategic partnership and its future direction. As India and ASEAN celebrate the 30^th anniversary of their Dialogue Relations, the SOM leaders made their assessment on the progress of cooperation under all three pillars of Partnership – political-security, economic and socio-cultural. Underlining the centrality of ASEAN in India’s vision of the Indo-Pacific, he emphasized the implementation of the ASEAN-India Joint Statement on Cooperation on ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP) to strengthen the ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership. The two sides also took stock of the calendar of activities to celebrate the year 2022 as ASEAN-India Friendship Year. (MEA)

China lifts 2-year Covid visa ban, curbs on Indian workers, families & students

China has announced plans to provide visas to Indian professionals and their families stranded in India for over two years following the strict visa restrictions imposed by Beijing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Separately, China is also processing requests of thousands of Indian students studying in Chinese universities who have conveyed their interest to re-join their colleges and universities. On Mon, the Chinese Embassy in India updated its COVID-19 visa policy after two years to accept visa applications of foreign nationals and their accompanying family members wanting to go to China for resumption of work in all fields. Besides the Indians, the Chinese Embassy said family members of Chinese citizens and foreigners with Chinese permanent residence permits going to China for family reunions or visiting relatives can apply for visas. (here) [worth watching how many visas they really issue]

UAE bans the export of wheat from India for 4 months

The UAE has placed a ban on the export and re-export of all varieties of wheat from India for four months. The resolution applies to all varieties of wheat and wheat flour, which were imported into the country before 13, May 2022, the ministry of economy said in a statement issued on Wed. The ban on exports comes in the wake of the global shortage of the commodity in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as Ukraine is one of the world’s largest wheat exporters. India, the second-largest wheat producer, May 13 imposed a ban on the export of the grain to shield its domestic population from shortages and high prices. [India was being pushed by some rich countries to export wheat to them. This is why countries friendly to India like UAE have come forward to ban the export of wheat from their soil. UAE & India had recently signed CEPA.] (here)

Opposition leaders adopt a resolution to field a common candidate in the forthcoming Presidential election

Opposition leaders adopted a resolution to field a common candidate in the forthcoming Presidential poll. A candidate who can truly serve as custodian of the Constitution and stop the Modi govt from doing further damage to Indian democracy and India’s social fabric said Sudheendra Kulkarni to pressers on Wed. Mamata Banerjee, TMC, who took lead and reached New Delhi said that several parties were here today. We’ve decided we will choose only one consensus candidate. Everybody will give this candidate our support. We will consult with others. This is a good beginning. We sat together after several months, and we will do it again. Leaders of 17 parties- TMC, Congress, CPI, CPI(M), CPIML, RSP, Shiv Sena, NCP, RJD, SP, National Conference, PDP, JD(S), DMK, RLD, IUML, and JMM – are participating in the Opposition leaders’ meeting called by Mamata Banerjee ahead of Presidential election. Opposition is discussing the names of Farooq Abdullah, Gopalkrishna Gandhi, and Sharad Pawar as their Presidential candidates in the upcoming elections.

NIA conducts raids at multiple locations in J-K in terror funding case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wed conducted searches at multiple locations in Jammu and Kashmir linked to a terror funding case, ANI (sources). The places raided by the NIA are in the Baramulla district of J&K, in connection with suspects having involvement in an ongoing case of misuse of money generated from cross-LoC trade for fomenting terrorism. On Apr 18, 2019, India indefinitely suspended cross-LoC trade at two points along the Line of Control (LoC) in J&K, following reports that it was being “misused” by elements from across the border to smuggle weapons, narcotics and fake currency. (here) J-K: 2 Terrorist including who shot dead Bank manager from Kulgam, killed in Shopian encounter – The two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists killed in the Shopian Encounter on Wed had been involved in the killing of Vijay Kumar (bank manager) from Kulgam district, informed the police. (here) Meanwhile, J&K Govt orderd to be sealed the Educational institutions run by Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT), an affiliate of the banned Jamat-e-Islami organization within 15 days. All students studying in such institutions will enroll in nearby govt schools. No new admission to be taken & registrations to be done

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Defective critical components, poor service from Chinese manufacturers give nightmares to the Pakistani Navy

Pakistan inducted Chinese multi-role frigates as part of their efforts to strengthen its sea frontiers, however, these frigates are giving jitters to the Navy due to the defective critical components and poor service from Chinese manufacturers. Geopolitica.info said that these have forced the Pakistani Navy to operate these frigates with degraded operational capabilities, compromising some of the key mission objectives with which these ships were bought at a high price. At least 4 Chinese frigates, F-22P were commissioned in Jul 2009, are giving nightmares to Pakistani Navy officers and men tasked to keep them afloat in the turbulent waters of the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, e.g. faulty onboard imaging device of the FM90 (N) missile system, defective infra-red sensor (IR17) system, and SR 60 radars, search and track radars and problems also detected in its main engines. (here) [worth recalling that Pakistan claimed many times that Indian submarines entered its territorial water]

Pakistan envoy, President Biden discuss ‘building a strong basis’ for taking ties forward

Islamabad’s ambassador, Masood Khan, who was sent to Washington on Mar 25, has met US President Joe Biden on his visit to the White House where the two discussed building a “strong basis for moving Pakistan-US ties forward”. According to a press release issued by the Pakistan Embassy in the US, Khan visited the White House for a “meet and greet” and an official photograph with the US president — an established tradition for newly appointed envoys. “During the ceremony, the US President and the ambassador had a brief conversation on building a strong basis for moving the US-Pakistan ties forward,” the statement said. (here)

Pakistan PM commits to build economic zones in Balochistan, KP

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wed said that it is in his interest and commitment to building the economic zone in Pakistan, especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Sharif made this statement during his visit to Rashakai Special Economic Zone, a flagship project under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework. This 1,000 acres Special Economic Zone is developed by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) in a joint venture with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development and Management Company (KPEZDMC), Geo News reported. Referring to Chinese investors, Sharif said that Pakistan can send their delegates from Rashakai to China and can have road shows there to attract them to these places. “We would like to engage Chinese companies to provide expertise and experience to manage other new economic zones in Pakistan,” he said. Responding to a question over problems in CPEC projects, Sharif said that they had faced some hiccups during the last three to four years, however, the incumbent government was resolved to take it to “Pakistan Speed” to fill the gap. (here)

Chinese President Xi Jinping unlikely to face a challenge in the next election

Chinese President Xi Jinping has no challenge in his way to get another term as he has spent a decade eliminating opposition and factions within the Communist Party of China (CPC) while keeping his considerable control over the armed forces, said the latest analysis by the Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS). (here)

China’s interest in Archaeology hampers Tibet’s history

China’s discovery of archaeological sites in Tibet from pre-historic periods is used as proof destroying the narrative of Lhasa having its history and giving emphasis on the fact that it was always an integral part of Beijing. Archaeological discoveries are being made in China every month and like many other aspects, this is also being used as a political venture by the Chinese Communist Party. It is to be noted that China has led large excavation and mining projects to rob Tibet of its abundant source of natural resources. The excessive mining projects have not only lessened the existence of precious resources but have also resulted in the land and the soil losing their quality. Another such expedition that has grown popular over the years is China’s interest in Archaeology. Li Qun, the head of China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration announced on Jan 17, 2022, that Beijing will lay out and administer plans for archaeological works in the 14^th five-year period plan as well, Tibet Press reported. (here)

China’s factories perk up in May, but weak consumption points to sluggish economic recovery

China’s economy stabilized somewhat in May after a sharp slump the previous month as industrial production rose unexpectedly, but consumption was still weak and underlined the challenge for policymakers amid the persistent drag from strict Covid-19 curbs. The data, however, points to a partial recovery in the world’s 2^nd-biggest economy after businesses and consumers were hit hard due to full or partial lockdowns in dozens of cities in March and Apr, including a protracted shutdown in commercial center Shanghai. Industrial output grew 0.7% in May from a year earlier, after falling 2.9% in April, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Wed. That compared with a 0.7% drop expected by analysts (here)

Dozens of countries question China at UN over Xinjiang ‘abuses’

In a joint statement, 47 countries voice concern about the treatment of ethnic minority Uighurs in the far western region. Dozens of countries have voiced concern about alleged abuses in China’s far-western Xinjiang region and demanded that the United Nations rights chief publish a long-delayed report on the situation there. “We continue to be gravely concerned about the human rights situation in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region,” Paul Bekkers, the Dutch ambassador to the UN in Geneva, told the UN Human Rights Council on Tue. Delivering a joint statement on behalf of 47 countries, Bekkers pointed to several “credible reports” indicating that more than one million Uighurs and other Muslim minorities have been arbitrarily detained. Beijing has admitted that there are camps but that they are “vocational skills training centers” and necessary to tackle “extremism”. (here)

Lithuania plans to open a Taiwan office in Sept, says exports to mainland China ‘close to zero’

Lithuania plans to open a representative office in Taiwan in Sept, one of its deputy ministers said on Wed, part of a bolstering of ties with the island that has infuriated mainland China and led, she added, to exports falling to almost zero. Lithuania has come under sustained pressure from Beijing, which claims self-ruled Taiwan as its territory, to reverse a decision last year to allow the island to open a de facto embassy in the capital, Vilnius, under its name. Beijing has downgraded diplomatic ties with Lithuania and pressured multinationals to sever ties with it while urging it to correct its “mistakes”. (here)