[NEWS OF THE DAY]

Eknath Shinde (Devendra Fadnavis) to take oath as Maharashtra CM today at 7:30 pm

“Eknath Shinde to be the Maharashtra Chief Minister, oath ceremony to be held at 7.30 pm today,” BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis announces in a joint press conference with Shinde. The Maharashtra political potboiler is finally in its climax and the floor test will put an end to all speculation. Lacking numbers, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray resigned as the CM on Wed after the Supreme Court refused to stay the floor test ordered by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. Eknath Shinde, the leader of the rebel faction of Shiv Sena, is confident of breezing through the floor test.

4,000 gather for silent protest, even as Udaipur remains on edge over the Hindu tailor’s murder

A large number of people took to the streets on Thu against the Udaipur murder incident in Rajasthan despite prohibitory orders clamped across the state. Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor, was beheaded by two men on June 28 for allegedly posting content in support of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma. Both the accused have now been arrested. The case has been handed over to the National Investigation Agency.

Pak FO rejects India’s ‘mischievous’ attempt to link Udaipur accused with the Pak organization

Pakistan on Wed rejected India’s “mischievous” attempt to link the accused of the murder case in Udaipur with a Pakistani organization. “We have seen reports in a segment of the Indian media referring to investigations into the murder case in Udaipur, mischievously seeking to link the accused individuals — Indian nationals —  to an organization in Pakistan,” said the Foreign Office spokesperson in a statement. The spokesperson, while “categorically” rejecting the insinuations, said that the linking was a “typical” BJP-RSS “Hindutva” driven Indian regime’s attempts to malign Pakistan “including externalizing their internal issues through pointing of fingers towards Pakistan”. (here) The Indian side had claimed that the electronic devices recovered from both the killers and those detained for providing logistics support to the crime have been sent for forensic analysis, interrogation of the accused revealed that they were self-radicalized and followers of Karachi-based Dawat-e-Islami leader Illyas Attar Qadri, whose followers call themselves Attari. (here)

Russia and China slam NATO after alliance raises alarm

NATO faced rebukes from Moscow and Beijing on Thu after it declared Russia a “direct threat” and said China posed “serious challenges ” to global stability. The Western military alliance was wrapping up a summit in Madrid, where it issued a stark warning that the world has been plunged into a dangerous phase of the big-power competition and myriad threats, from cyberattacks to climate change. NATO leaders also formally invited Finland and Sweden to join the alliance, after overcoming opposition from Turkey. If the Nordic nations’ accession is approved by the 30 member nations, it will give NATO a new 1,300 km border with Russia. Russian President warned he would respond in kind if the Nordic pair allowed NATO troops and military infrastructure onto their territory. He said Russia would have to “create the same threats for the territory from which threats against us are created.” China accused the alliance of “maliciously attacking and smearing” the country. Its mission to the EU said NATO “claims that other countries pose challenges, but it is NATO that is creating problems around the world.”(here) NATO noted China’s malicious hybrid and cyber operations and its confrontational rhetoric and disinformation target allies and harm alliance security. They said that Beijing seeks to control key technological and industrial sectors, critical infrastructure, and strategic materials and supply chains. Despite noting the threat from China, the security alliance also said they remain open to constructive engagement with China, to safeguard the alliance’s security interests.

China voices opposition to India’s reported plans to hold a G20 meet in J&K

China on Thu voiced its opposition to India’s reported plans to hold the next year’s meeting of G-20 leaders in Jammu and Kashmir, echoing close ally Pakistan’s objection, and underlined that relevant sides should avoid “politicizing” the issue. “We have noted relevant information,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a media briefing here on Thu while replying to a question from the official media. He said the “relevant parties should avoid complicating the situation with the unilateral move. We need to address the disputes through dialogue and consultation and jointly uphold peace and stability.” Stating that G-20 is a premier forum for international economic cooperation, Zhao said “we call on relevant sides to focus on economic recovery and avoid politicizing the relevant issue to make a positive contribution to improving the global economic governance”. Asked whether China, a member of G-20, would attend the meeting, he said, “whether we attend the meeting, we will look into that.” (here)

[NATIONAL]

Geopolitical Shifts Causing More Intl Rivalries, Clash of Interest in Indian Ocean Region: NSA

There are increasing international rivalries, competitions, and clashes of interest in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and it is important for us to protect this area, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said on Thu. “Earlier, it was an ocean of peace. The geo-political scenario in the IOR is changing now,” Doval said at the first-ever meeting of the Multi-Agency Maritime Security Group (MAMSG) organized to discuss important policy matters. Its members include key central ministries, agencies, and security forces dealing with maritime affairs and State Maritime Security Coordinators representing all 13 coastal states and UTs. The meeting was chaired by the National Maritime Security Coordinator Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar (Retd), who assumed charge as the country’s first NMSC on Feb 16. Navy chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar and Deputy NSAs from NSCS were also present. Addressing the officials, Doval said while IOR is a great asset to India, its vulnerabilities are directly proportional to its assets. (here)

India hosts 4^th Indo-Japan cyber dialogue, reviews progress in cyber security

India virtually hosted the 4^th India-Japan Cyber Dialogue on Thu as both sides discussed areas of bilateral cyber cooperation and reviewed the progress achieved in the areas of cybersecurity. The talks also discussed Information and Communication Technologies including the 5G technology. Joint Secy of Cyber Diplomacy Division, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), led the Indian delegation while the Japanese delegation was led Ambassador in charge of Cyber Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Indian delegation consisted of senior officials from MEA, Home Affairs, Defence, National Security Council, Ministry of Electronics and IT, Department of Telecomm, Indian Computer Emergency Response Team, and National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre. The Japanese delegation comprised senior officials from the National Centre of Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, and MOFA. “Both sides discussed important areas of bilateral cyber cooperation and reviewed the progress achieved in the areas of cybersecurity and Information and Communication Technologies including 5G Tech. Both sides exchanged views on latest developments in the cyber domain and cooperation during cyber consultations at the UN and other multilateral and regional fora,” MEA statement said. (here)

Looking to co-create defense tech with India: UK Minister Jeremy Quin

UK’s Minister for Defence Procurement Jeremy Quin said the country is looking to build industrial partnerships for future defense technologies with India, with maritime and fighter engines, helicopters, and undersea technologies as possible areas of cooperation. In an interview with ET ahead of defense minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to the UK, where he is likely to be accompanied by a defense industry delegation, Quin said the aim is to build upon existing industrial partnerships within combat air, complex weapons, and maritime technologies to co-create future defense products. Describing the UK as a serious partner of choice for India, the minister said other areas that can be discussed include helicopters and underwater battle space. There is also interest in cooperation in the development of next-generation fighter jets. On talks for cooperation in jet engine technology – a key priority area for India – Quin said the progress is at an early stage. Among key UK-origin equipment being used by the Indian armed forces are the M 777 howitzers as well as BAE Hawk trainer aircraft. (here)

India, Saudi Arabia hold talks to boost defense cooperation

India and Saudi Arabia on Wed held wide-ranging talks to further bolster bilateral defense cooperation. ET reported that both sides explored the possibility of cooperation between the defense firms of the two countries. Officials said the main focus of the deliberations was to expand overall defense and security cooperation between the two sides. The talks were held in Delhi and were co-chaired by the Joint Secretary in the defense ministry and Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Defence and Strategic Affairs, officials said. It was the fifth meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation. The meeting took place over 4 months after Saudi Arabia’s land forces commander Lt Gen Fahd Bin Abdullah Mohammed Al-Mutair visited India. It was the first-ever visit by a serving Royal Saudi land forces commander to India which marked a deepening of bilateral defense cooperation. (here)

Sikh body SGPC in coordination with the Indian govt facilitates the transfer of distressed Afghan minorities

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Thu in coordination with the Indian World Forum and the Government of India commenced the transfer of distressed Afghan minorities – Hindus and Sikhs. A special flight comprising 11 Afghan Sikhs from Kabul to New Delhi was arranged at 11.30 am today (Thu) which included Raqbir Singh who was injured in the Karte Parwan Gurdwara attack in Kabul on June 18 and the ashes of Sawinder Singh, killed in the attack. SGPC provided humanitarian assistance to the Afghan minorities by paying for their airfare. Kam Air, the largest private Afghan airline, flight no 4401 is airborne from Kabul and is landed in New Delhi. Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISKP) attacked Karte Parwan Gurdwara in Afghanistan’s Kabul city. ISKP released a statement claiming responsibility for the attack. According to ISKP, ‘Abu Mohammed al Tajiki’ carried out the attack which lasted for three hours. Indian PM Modi on Sat condemned the terrorist attack at Karte Parwan Gurdwara in Afghanistan’s capital. Religious minorities in Afghanistan, including the Sikh community, have been targets of violence in Afghanistan. In Oct 2021, 15-20 terrorists entered a Gurdwara in the Kart-e-Parwan District of Kabul and tied up the guards. In Mar 2020, a deadly attack took place at Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Gurudwara in which 27 Sikhs were killed and several were injured. IS terrorists claimed responsibility for the attack. (here)

All ITBT Personals will know 100 Mandarin sentences

The Indo-Tibetan Police Force will complete the Mandarin training for its jawans and officers by 2030, an official told Asianet Newsable on Wed. Deployed in the border areas, the ITBP troops guard the 3,488-km-long India-China border along with Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir. A large part of the border is disputed. The troops are posted at 200 Border outposts located at altitudes ranging from 9,000-19,000 feet. ITBP, which has a strength of about 90,000 strong personnel, inducts 3,000 jawans and officers every year and all of them are undergoing a mandatory Mandarin language course. On being asked about providing language training to all personnel, an ITBP official said that the troops are deployed on the border with China and there were some instances where misunderstandings happened due to language-related issues. Learning their language would help in finding solutions if any untoward incident takes place on ground zero.

7 Dead, 45 Missing After Massive Landslide in Manipur’s Noney, Rescue Ops On;

Seven people have lost their lives while 45 others are missing after a massive landslide in Manipur’s Noney district, around midnight on Wed and struck the company location of 107 Territorial Army of Indian Army deployed near Tupul Railway Station for protection of under-construction railway line from Jiribam to Imphal, a press release said. (here) 20 Territorial army personnel among 55 Territorial Army Jawans and laborers had gone missing. 13 evacuated safely. 7 dead bodies were recovered. Full-scale Rescue ops are underway by Assam Rifles, the Indian Army, NDRF, and district administration.

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Taliban to meet the US on releasing frozen Afghan funds after the earthquake

The United States and the Taliban plan talks Thu in Qatar on unlocking some of Afghanistan’s reserves following a devastating earthquake, officials said, with Washington seeking ways to ensure the money goes to help the population. The White House said it is working “urgently” on the effort, but a member of the Afghan central bank’s board said it could take time to finalize. The Taliban’s foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, arrived in the Qatari capital Doha along with the finance ministry and central bank officials for talks, the Taliban foreign ministry said. Last week’s 5.9-magnitude earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, which killed more than 1,000 people and left tens of thousands homeless, adds urgency to the funding debate. Washington at the time froze $7 billion in reserves and the international community halted billions in direct aid that Afghanistan and its population of roughly 40 million people had relied on. (here)

Hong Kong bars some journalists from covering official ceremonies during Xi’s visit

Ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Hong Kong later this week to mark the 25^th anniversary of the city’s handover from Britain to China, Beijing has barred journalists from leading international media organizations from covering official ceremonies. According to the Hong Kong Journalist Association (HKJA), at least 10 journalists working for local and international organizations had their applications to cover the events rejected for “security reasons”, reported CNN. In his first trip outside mainland China since the start of the pandemic, Xi is coming to HK to mark the 25^th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule — a highly symbolic event at a pivotal time for both the city and Xi himself. Meanwhile, China has thrown a media shield against Xi’s visit to HK and barred journalists from leading international media organizations, including Reuters and CNN from covering official ceremonies. (here)

The US needs to do more to protect companies against state-sponsored cyberattacks: experts

The US needs to do a better job helping American companies protect against state-sponsored cyberattacks as they find themselves increasingly caught in the crossfire of US-China tech competition, SCMP reported citing several experts on Wed. The US govt should strengthen safeguards, improve public-private cooperation and bolster regulations and cybersecurity strategy, panelists said at an event at the Centre for the National Interest, a Washington-based think tank. Cyberattacks have been a point of tension between the US and its allies and Beijing, as the former has accused China of carrying out a global cyberespionage campaign to steal intellectual property. Last July, the US, Britain, the EU, and Nato accused China of sponsoring a cyberattack that allowed outsiders to access Microsoft Exchange’s email and calendar service, a hack that affected at least 30,000 customers. According to a list of cyberattacks compiled by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, the most recent Chinese state-sponsored hack was discovered in May, when it was determined that intellectual property assets from US and European companies were being stolen – largely undetected – since 2019. (here)

Top Chinese diplomat promises to help reinvigorate ties

High-ranking Chinese politician Yang Jiechi on Wed pledged to help in reinvigorating ties with longstanding ally Pakistan as he opened his two-day trip to Islamabad with a meeting with Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa. “He assured to play his role for further improvement in diplomatic cooperation with Pakistan at all levels,” the ISPR said after Yang met Gen Bajwa at the General Headquarters. Yang, who is considered a personal representative of President Xi Jinping because of his position in the Chinese hierarchy, is leading a high-level delegation comprising vice ministers for foreign affairs and commerce, vice chairman of China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), and deputy secretary-general of the National Development and Reform Commission on the visit that is taking place at a crucial juncture in bilateral ties. It was probably in this context that PM sent his special assistant and point man on foreign policy Tariq Fatemi to receive him at the airport. Dawn citing experts reported that Yang is ranked even higher than Foreign Minister Wang Yi. He has in the past represented China in National Security Advisers’ talks with the US. Therefore, it is said that whatever demands and concerns he conveys and any commitments that he makes during his meetings here will be seen as coming directly from President Xi. (here)

Pakistan mulls oil import from Russia

The Ministry of Energy has asked industrial experts to provide analysis for importing oil from Russia, as the country seeks to procure the commodity at a cheaper rate amid a financial crunch. Pakistan’s monthly fuel oil imports are set to hit a four-year high in June, Refinitiv data showed. The country’s fuel oil imports could climb to about 700,000 tonnes this month, after hitting 630,000 tonnes in May, according to Refinitiv estimates. Imports last peaked at 680,000 tonnes in May 2018 and 741,000 tonnes in June 2017. Fin Min had also stated that Pakistan would surely consider if Russia offers oil trade at cheaper rates as there are no restrictions on buying the supply. (here)

TTP refuses to budge from demand for Fata merger reversal

The proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has categorically stated that the insurgent group would not back down from its demand for the reversal of the merger of erstwhile Fata with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. “Our demands are clear and especially the reversal of Fata merger with KP is our primary demand which the group cannot back down from,” said Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud, chief of the outlawed group during an interview with a YouTuber. The interview, (YouTube) on Wed, has been conducted anywhere in Kabul. Pak Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah had recently ruled out the reversal of the Fata merger with KP which was done through a constitutional amendment in 2018. Negotiations between Islamabad and TTP have been held in Kabul under the auspices of the Afghan Taliban’s interim govt. A 57-member jirga comprising elders of major tribes and clans from KP visited Kabul and held talks with the TTP leaders. TTP had announced a ceasefire for an indefinite period. Security forces kept searching and striking operations against militants in the region, particularly in the N Waziristan district. Similarly, attacks on security forces also continued. (here)

Missing persons bill still ‘missing’, Senate committee told

A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights was informed on Wed that the bill about enforced disappearances was still not found and continued to remain “missing”. The bill, Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2021, was passed by the National Assembly (NA) on Nov 8, 2021, and is aimed at making amendments to the Pakistan Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure. In Jan, former human rights min Shireen Mazari had revealed that the bill had gone missing after it was sent to the Senate, having been passed by the relevant standing committee and the NA. Last month, Mazari claimed that she was asked to appear at the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) headquarters over the bill. She went on to say that after the bill was tabled in the NA, it was referred to the interior committee where “invisible shadows” tried to change the clauses. She had regretted that the bill “disappeared” on the way to the Senate. The bill’s mysterious disappearance came under discussion during a session of the standing committee today. (here)