[NEWS OF THE DAY]

3 soldiers killed; 2 terrorists attempting to infiltrate the army camp in J-K gunned down

Two terrorists attempting to infiltrate an army company operating base in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir were neutralized, an Army official said on Thu. According to officials, in the attack that took place 25 km from Rajouri and 3 Army personnel lost their lives, while 2 were injured. Security officials have cordoned off the area and additional parties have been dispatched to the location. The attack comes days ahead of the celebration of the 75^th Independence Day. The operation is underway. The attack comes a day after three LeT terrorists were neutralized by security forces in Budgam. 1 of the killed terrorists was involved in the killing of civilians Rahul Bhat and Amreen Bhat. Yesterday, 3 militants were killed encountered concluded late in the evening (here)

China puts hold on the listing of Pakistan-based IC814 plotter Abdul Rauf Azhar

China on Wed put a hold on the listing of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed commander Abdul Rauf Azhar as an UN-designated international terrorist. India and US had proposed the listing of Azhar who was involved in the hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight IC814 in 1999. Both countries had proposed the listing 2 weeks ago. Abdul Rauf Azhar is the younger brother of Masood Azhar and is one of the most wanted persons in India. While all 14 other members agreed, only China stood out in placing the hold on Abdul Rauf Azhar, just a day after India slammed China at the UNSC on the “practice of placing holds and blocks on listing requests without giving any justification” as the Indian ambassador to UN Ruchira Kamboj said, “must end”. It is the 2^nd time this year that China has put a hold on the listing of a Pakistan-based terrorist as an international terrorist. Earlier this year, China had put the UN listing of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba’s 2^nd in command Abdul Rehman Makki on hold. He is allegedly the 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed’s brother-in-law and has been involved in raising funds, recruiting and radicalizing the youth to violence, and planning attacks in India’s J&K. Notably, while all 14 other members agreed,  only 1 country, i.e. China stood out in placing the hold. Meanwhile, India terms China putting a hold on Pak terrorist Rauf as ‘unfortunate’ India has termed China’s putting a hold on the listing of Pakistan-based terrorists at the United Nations as “unfortunate” and one that smacks of “doublespeak and double standards”. (here) China’s foreign ministry on putting a hold on Abdul Rauf’s terror listing: “We need more time to assess the application to this individual.. We strictly follow relevant rules and procedures”

India, UK complete fifth round of talks, aims to achieve FTA by Oct-end

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Thu notified about the conclusion of the 5^th round of talks for the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The press release by Ministry informed that the fifth round of talks for the India-UK FTA was concluded on 29 Jul. The press release also says that the ministry expects the FTA talks to be complete by the end of Oct. The technical experts covered 15 policy areas in 85 separate sessions and came together with a detailed draft treaty for discussions. The experts belonged to both India and UK. “India and the UK will continue to work intensively to meet the Diwali deadline at the end of October for an FTA announced during the India visit of outgoing British Prime Minister Boris Johnson,” a UK govt statement said, as reported by a news agency PTI. (here)

China’s spy ship at a few nautical miles away from Sri Lanka’s Hambantota despite “defer” request

Yuan Wang 5, the Chinese research and Survey vessel, continues to proceed to Sri Lanka’s port of Hambantota despite the authorities of the island country asked Beijing to defer the visit, local media reported. On Tue, the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it has requested China to defer the visit of the Yuan Wang 5, News First reported. However, on Tue the vessel increased its speed and reached a point some 600 nautical miles away from the Chinese-leased Hambantota port. It is now reported that the vessel abruptly reduced its speed to 5 knots late last night, changing direction towards the Andaman Islands. However, again on Wed morning, the Yuan Wang 5 changed back to its original course. The vessel that can travel at speed above any other standard vessel had reduced its speed to 4 Knots, reported News First. Earlier, on Mon, in a statement, the Sri Lankan foreign ministry said the Chinese vessel Yuan Wang 5 was scheduled to dock at the port on Aug 11 for refueling and leave on Aug 17. The Ministry further stated it wishes to reaffirm the enduring friendship and excellent relations between Sri Lanka and China which remain on a solid foundation, as reiterated most recently by the two FMs at a bilateral meeting in Phnom Penh on Aug 4. “It is completely unjustified for certain countries to cite the so-called “security concerns” to pressure Sri Lanka,” it said. During this significant visit to the port, it could conduct satellite research in the northwestern part of the Indian Ocean region, prompting security concerns for India. (here)

[NATIONAL]

Jagdeep Dhankhar takes oath as India’s 14^th Vice-President

Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thu took oath as the 14^th Vice President of India. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office of Vice President to him at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi. The Vice President is also the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Dhankhar was elected as Vice President on Aug 6 after defeating the Opposition candidate Margaret Alva. The BJP-led NDA candidate won the election comfortably with 528 votes against Alva’s 182. Dhankhar secured 74.36%. He has the highest winning margin in the last 6 vice presidential elections held since 1997. Out of the total 780 electors, 725 cast their ballots but 15 votes were found to be invalid. The turnout was 92.94%, he said, adding that a candidate needed 356 votes to get elected. (here)

Delhi & Jakarta to step up defense cooperation, tech-sharing, says Indonesia envoy

India and Indonesia are planning to step up bilateral cooperation in defense and security, and are holding regular discussions on the sharing of technologies in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment, Ina Krisnamurthi, Indonesia’s ambassador to India, has said. In an exclusive interview with ThePrint, she said that after Jakarta and New Delhi signed the defense cooperation agreement in 2018, the two sides have been holding a regular dialogue on technology sharing based on the equipment and arms they both produce — which includes a possible export of India’s BrahMos cruise missile to Indonesia. She pointed out that Indonesia produces fighter planes as well as defense equipment that is being used by UN peacekeeping forces. Last week, INS Sumedha was on a visit to Port Tanjung Benoa, Bali, as part of the Indian Navy’s long-range deployment in the southeastern Indian Ocean. Before entering Bali, the ship undertook a maritime partnership exercise on Aug 2^nd with KRI Sultan Hasanuddin, a Sigma-class corvette of the Indonesian Navy, as stated by the Indian Navy. (here)

Kashmir University’s Data Hacked, 1 Million Students’ Data Allegedly Put on Sale

Following reports that its student database was spotted on the ‘Dark Web’, officials of the Kashmir University said on Wed that the database was ‘unmodified’ and the reported breach was being analyzed. The hacker has claimed that it put the data of about one million students of the varsity on sale. It was reported by an independent media outlet that the data of Kashmir University has been put on sale for $250 on a hacking forum by “ViktorLusting“. The media report said that the threat actor has shared a database index to show the data he has in possession. It claims to include student information, registration number, phone number, email address, password, employee data, and more. “The database is listed on Breached Forums, the famous hacking forum that gained international attention earlier this month with a data breach exposing over 1 bn Chinese residents“, the report said. Meanwhile, University in a statement said that the data is ‘unmodified’ and that further analysis is going on in the matter. The Computer Emergency Response Team, under the aegis of the Ministry of IT, has also sought an immediate report from the authorities of the University about data breaches. (here)

India also linked to anti-army propaganda

Express Tribune Pak-A joint inquiry team formed by the govt on Wed detected a total of 774 social media accounts responsible for a bulk of the misleading claims and smear campaign against the military, with many of them found to be operating from India as well as from within the country. The revelations were made during a session of the committee summoned by Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah for a briefing on the progress made in the case so far. The Cyber Crimes Wing of the Federal Investigation Agency also informed the ministry about the case’s proceedings. Key officials including the secretary interior ministry, director general FIA, and other team members were also in attendance. The inquiry team informed that over 17 accounts were found to be operating from India whereas 204 accounts out of 774 accounts were being handled by people inside Pakistan. The development comes amid an ongoing online smear campaign stoking speculations about the recent helicopter crash that resulted in the martyrdom of 6 army officers in Lasbela. (here)

Justice Uday Umesh Lalit appointed As 49^th Chief Justice Of India

Justice Uday Umesh Lalit was on Wed appointed as the 49^th Chief Justice of India after President Droupadi Murmu signed his warrant of appointment. He will assume charge on Aug 27 after incumbent N V Ramana demits office the day before. Justice Lalit will have a brief tenure of fewer than 3 months. He will turn 65 on Nov 8^th when he demits office.

Assam Police access vital info about Al-Qaeda, Ansarullah Bangla’s plans

After busting 5 modules of Bangladesh-based Islamic terrorist organization Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) in the state, the Assam Police have accessed vital information and decoded the activities and plans of Al-Qaeda Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT). ANI reported citing Assam Police personnel that AQIS/ABT has planned a big for Assam and other parts of the North Eastern region. During the investigation and interrogation of the arrested members of AQIS/ABT, the AQIS/ABT members were using special modern mobile apps for communication. On Aug 7, the police arrested a woman identified as Jahura Khatun in connection with AQIS/ABT from the Dhubri district and recovered two mobile phones in her possession. Khatun is the wife of absconding AQIS/ABT member Abu Tallah. Khatun studied till Class 8, but she knew how to handle the special mobile app. According to the police, the communication mode is highly sophisticated, installed by some people who have come from Bangladesh, and they talked and then they discontinued the app. Assam police have so far arrested at least 31 persons including a Bangladeshi national and busted five modules of AQIS/ABT in the state since March this year. (here)

Google opposes Facebook-backed proposal for a self-regulatory body in India: sources

REUTERS (sources) – Google has grave reservations about developing a self-regulatory body for the social media sector in India to hear user complaints, though the proposal has support from Facebook and Twitter. India in June proposed appointing a govt panel to hear complaints from users about content moderation decisions but has also said it is open to the idea of a self-regulatory body if the industry is willing. The lack of consensus among the tech giants, however, increases the likelihood of a govt panel being formed – a prospect that Meta Platforms Inc’s Facebook and Twitter are keen to avoid as they fear govt and regulatory overreach in India, the sources said. (here)

MoS Meenakashi Lekhi to visit Norway, Iceland, and Malta next week

Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi will pay an official visit to Norway (Aug 16-18), Iceland (Aug 19-20), and Malta (Aug 21-23), according to the Ministry of External Affairs on Wed. During her visit to Oslo, Lekhi will meet Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt. She will also participate in a panel discussion on India-Norway Green Energy Cooperation together with Espen Barth Eide, Min of Climate and Environment in Arendal. While in Reykjavik, she will have discussions with Thordis Kolbrun Gylfadottir, Minister of Foreign Affairs as well as Lilja Alfredsdottir, Min of Culture & Business Affairs. Moreover, she will also pay a courtesy call on Birgir Armannsson, Speaker of the Parliament. In Valletta, Lekhi will pay a courtesy call on George Vella, President of Malta, and will have discussions with Ian Borg, Minister for Foreign & European Affairs and Trade. She will also meet the Minister of Tourism as well as the Minister for National Heritage, Arts, and Local Govt. The visit will further the momentum of the high-level exchanges, and provide an opportunity to strengthen cooperation with the three countries bilaterally and in the multilateral fora. (here)

Centre notifies establishment of campuses of NFSU in Goa, Tripura

The Central govt has notified the establishment of campuses of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in Goa and Tripura. The Women Safety Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Mon issued a notification mentioning the move of the govt as part of plans to set up 10 NFSU campuses in different states and five abroad over the next 5 years. Gandhinagar-based NFSU was formed by an Act of Parliament in 2020. Establishing 10 NFSU campuses in different states is a move to incorporate forensic sciences into the police and judicial systems of states as per the requirements of their respective law and order situations. ANI reported citing sources that the university vis-a-vis MHA was in talks with Tripura and Goa govt to open its campuses. Similar talks were also on with Manipur, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Odisha, Assam, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh to open their campuses. The NFSU Gandhinagar has an ambitious plan of opening over 20 Training Centres, 10 campuses in India, 5 campuses abroad, and 50-100 affiliated colleges in the next 4-5 years. In August last year, the NFSU took its first step in this direction when it set up a DNA testing center in Lucknow’s Institute of Forensic Sciences. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Yuan Wang 5 standoff: Sri Lanka’s IMF process may be under threat

Can Sri Lanka’s resistance against letting China dock the Yuan Wang 5 at Hambantota stall its efforts for a bailout package at the International Monetary Fund? Yes, if China decides so. And by accounts reaching Delhi, it appears Beijing has sought to play this card in their hectic conversations with Colombo to go back on its advice to defer the ship’s visit. So, just how can China play spoiler? For Sri Lanka’s bailout package to go through, it requires first approval of principal creditors on IMF’s Sri Lanka Debt Sustainability Assessment (DSA) report. Now, that is the place the catch lies. IMF wouldn’t need that any bundle, if and when it materializes, goes into simply servicing Sri Lanka’s money owed. As of now, Sri Lanka’s public debt is 115% of its GDP. Usually, in keeping with World Bank and IMF, this could not cross 60-65% even for poorer nations. Over 40% of the debt composition is exterior and there, 4 classes emerge – multilateral assist, personal industrial credit score, China, and credit score by Paris Club nations. However, India has raised a safety pink flag as a result of the Yuan Wang 5 a chosen Strategic Support Vessel that tracks Chinese Inter Continental Ballistic Missiles and rockets as soon as they elevate off past their base station controls. significantly, as Indian intelligence has alerted, the vessel has capabilities to intercept sign intelligence in frequency bands utilized by Indian armed forces, which is confirmed by US inputs too. (here)

New zoonotic virus found in China, 35 known cases of infection: Study

A new animal origin virus, which could infect humans, has been discovered in two provinces in China, scientists from China and Singapore have said in a new study. The new study said that this newly discovered, possibly animal-derived Nipah virus, has been associated with some febrile cases – cases of fever where the cause is unknown – with symptoms including fever, fatigue, cough, anorexia, myalgia, and nausea. At least 35 such cases have been recorded in eastern China’s Shandong province and central China’s Henan province said the study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NJEM) on Aug 4. The authors have named it Langya henipavirus or LayV. “During sentinel surveillance of febrile patients with a recent history of animal exposure in eastern China, a phylogenetically distinct henipavirus, named Langya henipavirus (LayV), was identified in a throat swab sample from one patient using metagenomic analysis and subsequent virus isolation,” the study said. The paper was jointly written by several scientists including a few from China. “This virus is in the same genus as the Nipah virus, and so far these cases have not been fatal or very serious. (here)

‘Global threat’: Terrorism has the potential of destabilizing region, says COAS

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army chief expressed these remarks during a meeting with Commander Iraqi Navy Lt Gen Ahmed Jasim Maarij Abdullah Al Zayid on Wed. ISPR said, matters of mutual interest, regional security issues, and measures to further enhance bilateral defense collaboration were discussed. The COAS said that Pakistan values its brotherly relationship with Iraq and acknowledged sacrifices rendered by the Iraqi nation in fighting terrorism. He also said that terrorism is a global threat, which has the potential to destabilize the region that needs a well-coordinated response. [Interesting] The ISPR also said that the visiting dignitary acknowledged the professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces and also offered his condolence on the loss of precious lives during the recent helicopter crash in Balochistan. It is expected that the recent visit of the commander of the Iraqi Navy will further enhance bilateral collaboration between the two countries. (here)

China Gives Nepal ‘sovereignty’ Assurance as Kathmandu Backs ‘One China’ At FMs’ Meet

Nepal’s Foreign Affairs Minister Narayan Khadka and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi held bilateral talks in Qingdao on Wed. Amid ongoing geopolitical tensions over the Taiwan issue, Kathmandu reiterated its unwavering commitment to the ‘One China Policy’. According to the official release by Nepal’s Foreign Ministry, Khadka assured Yi that Nepal’s territory will not be allowed to be used for any activity against China. Meanwhile, Wang stated that China would continue unconditional support for Nepal’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. Wang also assured Khadka of Beijing’s support for Nepal’s development endeavors as per the priority of the Kathmandu govt. China to start 2^nd phase of Kathmandu Ring Road Improvement Project and to start feasibility study of Keyrung-Kathmandu Railway. Also, Wang announced that China would provide 800 mn RMB to Nepal for the year 2022. Moreover, the statement noted, “…China agreed to assist Nepal’s agricultural sector. He also agreed to encourage Chinese investment in developing the manufacturing capacity of Nepal and enhance cooperation in the export of Nepali tea and traditional medicinal herbs”. (here)

Taiwan rejects China’s ‘one country, two systems’ plan after holding the military drill

Taiwan rejects the “one country, two systems” model proposed by Beijing in a white paper published this week, the self-ruled island’s foreign ministry said on Thu, after its army held another live-fire drill as China ended its military exercises. Only Taiwan’s people can decide its future, ministry spokesman Joanne Ou told a news conference in Taipei, the capital. China was using US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei as an “excuse to create a new normality to intimidate Taiwan’s people,” Ms Ou added. Taiwan’s drill on Thu came after Beijing ended its largest-ever military exercises around the island, as China repeated threats to bring the self-ruled democracy under its control. No more than 10 Chinese and Taiwan navy ships continued to stay close to the median line of the Taiwan Strait as of Thu afternoon, a source briefed on the matter told Reuters, adding the number has “greatly reduced” compared to previous days. (here)