[NEWS OF THE DAY]

Chinese vessel won’t dock at Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port as scheduled: Report

China’s high-tech Chinese research vessel, which was to dock at Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port, won’t reach there as scheduled, according to a media report on Thu, citing the port authorities. Newsfirst.lk website reported that the ‘Harbour Master’ for the Hambantota Port said no vessel can enter the port without his permission. It said the Chinese ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship ‘Yuan Wang 5’ will not reach Hambantota Port on Thu. However, there was no announcement on whether or not the vessel will be allowed to enter the Port. When News 1^st made an inquiry from the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka on Wed on this matter, the High Commission said “NO COMMENT”. As reported citing ANI which claimed that the vessel is 500 nautical miles away from the port. On Mon, China described as “senseless” India’s opposition to the docking of a Chinese ship at a Sri Lankan port, saying “relevant” countries should stop disturbing normal exchanges between Beijing and Colombo. Reports from Colombo said following India’s concerns, Sri Lanka had asked Beijing to defer the arrival of the ship. (here) [interesting to watch how Yuan Wang5 will take the further route. Route tracker explained that it’s floating in a triangular route] MEA rejects “insinuation” by China over Chinese vessel Yuan Wang 5 not being able to dock at Hambantota.

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

China’s threat of force is undiminished, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen said on Thu, even though Beijing’s largest-ever military drills around the island seemed to be scaling down after the Chinese military said it had “completed various tasks” around Taiwan, signaling a possible end to the war games, even while keeping up the pressure. China sees Taiwan as a renegade province, which needs to be reunified, by force if necessary. Taiwan has also been conducting relatively small-scale annual exercises, scheduled before the flare-up and aimed at preparing to repel an invasion. “the threat of Chinese military force has not decreased,” Ms. Tsai told air force officers, according to an official statement. Taiwan will not escalate conflict or provoke disputes, her office quoted her as saying, adding: “We will firmly defend our sovereignty and national security, and adhere to the line of defense of democracy and freedom.” Taiwan also reiterated a rejection of the “one country, two systems” model by Beijing in a white paper published on Wed, the self-ruled island’s foreign ministry said on Thu. (here) India expresses concern over the Taiwan strait crisis: “Like many other countries India is also concerned on the development -we urge to avoid unilateral steps to change the status quo in the region, MEA stated on Taiwan Crisis at the weekly press briefing. India ‘skips’ specific mention of ‘One China’. In response to a question, MEA spokesperson said, “India’s relevant policies are well known and consistent. They do not require reiteration”

France backs India’s call for ‘urgent’ UN Security Council reforms

Backing India’s long-standing demand, France has called for “urgent” UNSC reforms. Speaking at a UNSC’s Arria Formula meet, French Diplomat Sheraz Gasri said, “France is in favor of enlarging the UNSC to strengthen its authority and representativeness while preserving its decision-making character. This has been emphasized by India. This reform is urgent.” Arria Formula is an informal UNSC mechanism under which issues are discussed without the usual formulations at the high table, was 1^st implemented in Mar 1992. The French diplomat called for support of the “Franco-Mexican initiative on the use of the veto in the event of mass atrocities to strengthen the council’s effectiveness.” Speaking at the same meeting, India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to UN, R Ravindra said, “A more representative, effective, and transparent UNSC is a key pillar to India’s overall approach to the subject of reformed multilateralism.” The meet was called to discuss the issue of penholdership, and co-penholdership (an informal arrangement to initiate and chair the informal drafting process at the high table) at the UNSC. The Indian diplomat proposed several ways to make penholdership “democratic and inclusive” which will enhance the decision-making process.” France also expressed support for the issue. (here)

At UNSC, India calls for restraint as it expresses concern over Ukraine’s nuclear power plant

Amid the crisis over Ukraine’s Zaporizhya nuclear power plant, India has called for “mutual restraint” so as not to “endanger the safety and security of nuclear facilities“. The nuclear plant is among the top 10 largest nuclear power plants in the world and is currently under Russian control. At UNSC meet on Ukraine, Indian ambassador to UN Ruchira Kamboj expressed “concern over reports of shelling near the spent fuel storage facility of the Zaporizhya nuclear power plant“, highlighting that New Delhi “attaches high importance to ensuring the safety and security of these facilities, as any accident involving nuclear facilities could potentially have severe consequences for public health and the environment.” The UN and the nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have expressed concerns over the situation in and around the nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine.  At UNSC, India welcomes the UN SG-backed initiative to open the exports of grains from Ukraine via the Black Sea and the facilitation of the exports of Russian food and fertilizers. Indian envoy says it shows that “differences can be resolved through sustained dialogue” (here)

Khalistan slogans painted on walls of Indian Consulate in San Francisco: Report

Khalistan slogans were found painted on the walls of the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, Pakistan’s Geo News reported on Fri. A viral video circulating on social media showed the walls of the Indian Consulate with the “Khalistan Zindabad” slogan, the report added. This incident comes as the outlawed Khalistani group issued a provocative statement in the wake of India’s 75^th anniversary of independence. Ahead of the I-Day celebration in India, the Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannu recently announced a cash reward for the hoisting of the Khalistani flag at key places. The central govt has launched a ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign as part of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav,’ to be held from Aug13-15. Some radical elements have, however, been opposed to the govt move. Earlier this week, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Simranjit Singh Mann had also called for a boycott of the “Har Ghar Tiranga” campaign. This statement by the SAD MP sparked outrage on social media. (here) For the first time, the Indian govt has called upon Canada to ensure adequate security during I-Day celebrations at missions in the country but to also prevent the disruption of events organized by the Indo-Canadian community.

[NATIONAL]

Three French Rafale jets stop over in India during Indo-Pacific deployment

A French Air and Space Force contingent, including three Rafale jets, was hosted in India during Indo-Pacific deployment on Wed, a statement issued by the French Embassy in New Delhi said. The contingent which was en route to New Caledonia was hosted for a technical stopover at Air Force Station in Sulur town of Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore district on Aug 10-11 during a long-distance deployment from metropolitan France to the Pacific Ocean. “From Aug 10^th to 18^th Sept, the French Air and Space Force is carrying out a major long-range mission in the Indo-Pacific, code-named Pegase 22….To achieve this unprecedented 16,600-km deployment, the Air Force contingent made a technical stopover in India, at Air Force Station Sulur,” the statement read. Lauding the IAF’s role in this successful operation, the Ambassador of France to India, Emmanuel Lenain, said: “France is a resident power of the Indo-Pacific,…. It is only natural that to carry out this mission, we rely on India, our foremost strategic partner in Asia. My heartfelt thanks to the IAF for welcoming the French contingent.” (here)

Kashmir Killings Continue: More deaths add to list as militants now kill migrant from Bihar

Jammu & Kashmir has been seeing a series of encounters between terrorists and security forces, and targeted civilian killings over the past few months. In the latest attack on Fri, a non-local laborer was killed by militants in the Bandipora district. Sources told IANS that at around 1 am, “militants fired at Muhammad Amrej, 19, a non-local laborer in Sadnara village of Bandipora’s Hajin area”. “He was referred by doctors to medical college hospital Bemina in Srinagar where he succumbed. He belonged to Bihar. The area was surrounded for searches,” they added. Following this incident, the terror organization Lashkar-e-Islam issued a warning to Kashmiri Hindus to ‘leave Kashmir or get killed in a letter named ‘Letter to kafirs.’ 9 people are killed by militants since last Oct. (here) A policeman was injured after terrorists fired at a joint Naka party of the police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the Bijbehara area of Anantnag in J&K, informed the police on Fri. Following this, the area was cordoned off and a search is in progress.

IAF chief’s Greece visit to be a game changer

The likely visit of Air Chief Marshal V.R.Chaudhari to Greece is being seen as a major game-changer, certainly for the Indian Air Force (IAF), but also in terms of strategic messaging. For, Greece, a part of the US of America-led North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), can be of great tactical help to the IAF as its air force flies not just the Rafale that India has acquired from France, but also the F-16 C/D, which the Pakistan Air Force has. “The Hellenic Air Force has acquired both planes and will have a clear idea of the operational aspects of a Rafale vs F16 C/D matchup,” TimesNow reported citing sources. Currently, the F16C/D is the best fighter Pakistan has, along with F16A/B, which belongs to the previous generation. So, the Greeks, having both the Rafale and the F16C/D will have a clear and also impartial view as far as the performances of both planes are concerned and how they compare with each other operationally. F16C/Ds in the future. With both countries having the Rafale, it will be an opportunity to work together and share information on the fighter. The strategic aspect of the visit comes from the fact that the Greeks have a difficult relationship with Turkey, also a NATO country. While India and Turkey have diplomatic and also economic ties, Ankara’s military help to Islamabad has caused considerable concern. Turkey is making 4 MILGEM-class heavy corvettes for the Pakistan Navy. Turkey has also sold PNS Moawin, a fleet tanker to the Pakistan Navy and repaired PNS Alamgir, a guided-missile frigate, and therefore, a frontline warship. Pakistan and Turkey have frequent consultations about their air force assets— both have F16s. (here)

Udarshakti: Indian Air Force to participate in a bilateral exercise with Malaysia; contingent leaves for Kuantan

Indian Air Force and Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) are set to participate in a 4-days bilateral exercise named ‘Udarashakti.’ A contingent of the Indian Air Force today (Fri) left for Malaysia, the RMAF base of Kuantan for the same. This is the first bilateral exercise being conducted between the two countries. Notably, the Indian Air Force is participating in the air exercise with Su-30 MKI and C-17 aircraft while the RMAF will be flying Su-30 MKM aircraft. The exercise will allow IAF contingent members to ‘share and learn best practices with some of the best professionals from RMAF’ and also discuss mutual combat capabilities. (here)

Ahead of Independence Day, Delhi Police busted a syndicate of ammunition trafficking; 6 held

This consignment was intended for Lucknow, UP. Prima facie appears to be a part of a criminal network. Terror angle not ruled out said Vikramjit Singh, ACP, Eastern Range on busting ammunition smuggling syndicate. 6 persons including 2 persons transporting the consignment, a gun house owner from Dehradun, 1 person each from Roorkee and Dehradun, and 1 handler from Jaunpur arrested. Following this week’s previous arrest of an “active ISIS member” in the nation’s capital, Fri’s event occurred just a few days later. The defendant is a 2^nd-year Jamia Millia Islamia University student. The anti-terror agency stated in a statement on Sunday that searches were done at the accused’s house, Mohsin Ahmad’s. Later, he was detained in connection with the “online and offline activities” of the terrorist group ISIS. (here)

Over 7 pc Indians owned cryptocurrency in 2021, says UN trade body

Over 7% of Indians owned digital currency in the form of cryptocurrency in 2021, according to the UN trade and development body UNCTAD, which said the use of cryptocurrencies globally, including the developing countries, has increased exponentially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The UN body released data on the share of the population in the top 20 economies that owned digital currencies in 2021. Ukraine topped the list with 12.7% of its population holding such currencies. While these private digital currencies have rewarded some, and facilitated remittances, they are an unstable financial asset that can also bring social risks and costs, the UNCTAD said. While cryptocurrencies can facilitate remittances, they may also enable tax evasion and avoidance through illicit flows, just as if to a tax haven where ownership is not easily identifiable. It is important to note that the price of Bitcoin has dropped sharply from its all-time high over the past several months, turning investors poorer. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

US military ‘rewriting’ nuclear deterrence, says STRATCOM chief amid China, Russia threat

Amid the Ukraine war, US strategic command chief Navy admiral Chas Richard said that the military “can start by rewriting deterrence theory”. The US admiral’s remarks come as China conducted a series of drills near Taiwan. “We have never faced 2 peer nuclear-capable opponents at the same time, who have to be deterred differently,” the strategic command chief was quoted as saying. Richard added that STRATCOM has been “furiously” working towards rewriting deterrence theory. The top military chief said the “current crisis is radically different” since it did not show up in “classic deterrence theory” as the two parties displayed “chaotic behavior” and an “inability to predict” events. Richard added that Russia has been displaying both “implicit and explicit nuclear coercion“. Richard asserted that the US needs to be “deterred differently” since it was facing threats from “two peer nuclear-capable opponents” which was “unprecedented” in the country’s history. (here)

China expands power restrictions as heatwave drives demand to record levels

Major Chinese manufacturing hubs have imposed power restrictions on multiple industries as the country grapples with record high electricity demand for cooling during a summer heatwave. Jiangsu, China’s 2^nd wealthiest province that neighbors Shanghai, has imposed restrictions on some steel mills and copper plants, the province’s steel association and industry research group Shanghai Metals Market said on Fri. The central province of Anhui has also shut down all independently operated electric furnace facilities, which produce steel. Some production lines in long-process steel mills are facing partial or complete closure, the industry group said. Anhui also appealed on Thu to the manufacturing industry, businesses, the public sector, and individuals to ease energy use. (here)

Pak-China exploiting natural resources in Balochistan: Dossier

A dossier put together by the security establishment highlights China’s role in the exploitation of Baloch people along with the atrocities of Pakistani forces. The dossier accessed by India Today says Pakistan and China are exploiting Balochistan’s natural resources. Sources said the detailed dossier has been put together based on information and data from various sources to expose Pakistan’s atrocities in Balochistan. According to the report, Pakistan is turning Gwadar and other coastal areas of Balochistan into a Chinese stronghold that has the largest concentration of military cantonments and bases in the region. “It is believed that China plans to settle nearly 500,000 Chinese in Gwadar port,” the dossier says. Pakistan handed over the Gwadar port to a Chinese-backed multinational corporation for a lease of 40 years in 2017. China Overseas Port Holding Company has been carrying out the development of the port. “China has spent billions of dollars on building the port town, opening a 300-MW coal-fired power plant, and building an international airport at the cost of $230 million, alongside other projects that come under the CPEC umbrella,” the dossier says. (here)

Govt cobbles up a plan to tackle TTP resurgence

The govt is preparing a ‘contingency plan’ to deal with a potential resurgence of the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) after reports suggesting the terrorist outfit was trying to make a comeback. Although the govt has been holding talks with the TTP for months to broker some kind of a deal, prospects of such an agreement are grim, The Express Tribune reported on Thu citing sources. On Wed, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif expressed his apprehensions about the success of the talks, while Pakistan’s special envoy to Afghanistan Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq admitted the peace process was at a ‘nascent stage’. With reports of some Taliban fighters being seen in the Swat valley, the authorities concerned are preparing a ‘contingency plan’ to deal with the militant threat in case talks with the TTP collapse. Authorities have not closed the window of talks with the TTP, they are at the same time ready to deal with any eventuality. Sources said the primary reason Pakistan entered into talks with the TTP was that the Afghan Taliban were reluctant to take any military action against the outfit, instead, the Taliban govt was keen on Pakistan and the TTP to resolve their differences through talks. (here)

COAS recognizes deep-rooted ties between Pakistan, UK at Sandhurst passing-out parade

The army chief made the remarks while attending the passing-out parade at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, one of several military academies of the United Kingdom and the British Army’s initial officer training center where he was the chief guest. All British Army officers, including late-entry officers who were previously Warrant Officers, as well as other men and women from overseas, are trained at the academy. Sandhurst is the British Army equivalent of the Britannia Royal Naval College and the Royal Air Force College Cranwell. (here)

Blamed the US for ouster, Imran hires lobbying firm for ‘good relations’ with Biden

In the wee hours of April 10 this year, Imran Khan was removed as the prime minister of Pakistan after a dramatic no-confidence vote. The cricketer-turned-politician blamed foreign conspiracy for his ouster, even naming a US diplomat named Donald Lu. According to Khan, Lu had allegedly threatened the Pakistani ambassador in the US that there would be implications if the former captain survived the trust vote. The workers of Imran Khan’s PTI coined the slogan ‘Amreeka Ka jo Yaar hai, ghaddar hai (Those who are friends with the US are traitors), a jibe directed at the incumbent Shehbaz Sharif govt. In a sudden somersault, the same PTI has now hired a lobbying firm for ‘good relations’ with the Biden admin. According to documents being circulated on social media, the lobbying firm Fenton/Arlock LLC is being paid a handsome $25,000/month to support the party’s ‘goals’ for good relations with the US and the Pakistani diaspora in the US. (here)

Tibet’s resistance to decades of colonial suppression of China

While Chinese leaders, especially President Xi Jinping leave no chance to flex muscles and boast about China’s power and influence across the globe, it is interesting to note that they are finding themselves helpless and desperate within the boundaries of their colonies. Whether it is Tibet, East Turkistan (Xinjiang), or South Mongolia, there have been several reports related to China’s coercion and frequent announcements about new laws and regulations to control religious activities among the local populations, Tibet Press reported. However, the people of Tibet have refused to accept China’s rule despite more than seven decades of colonial suppression and oppression. This anger and the desperation of Chinese rulers of these colonies reflected itself once again early this month on the Aug 4^th of when authorities in Ngaba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan province of China issued formal orders threatening Tibetans against posting any messages on social media related to the 80^th birthday of 11^th KyabjeKirti Rinpoche who happens to be the abbot of the Kirti monastery of Ngaba. Kirti is among the most important and influential monasteries in the Ngaba and Dzoge regions of original Tibet. On the last count, the total number of such known immolations in Tibet was over 154, Tibet Press reported. Kirti Rinpoche is a learned Buddhist scholar, a vocal critic of China’s rule over Tibet, and an active supporter of Tibetan independence. He had escaped to India along with Dalai Lama in 1959. (here)