[NEWS OF THE DAY]

Drones spotted near Ambala air base over two days, police initiate probe

The Indian Air Force lodged a police complaint at the Ambala Cantonment police station after allegedly spotting two drones flying around Ambala Air Force Station on Aug 13^th and 15^th. As per the Air Force guidelines, flying drones is prohibited around the Ambala Air Force Station. Notably, the incident comes just after Independence Day and is the second such incident within two days as another flying object was seen on Aug 13. Further investigations are underway. Reports of unauthorized drones inside the Indian territory surrounding the border have been reported in various parts of the country. Earlier, troops of the Border Security Force (BSF) spotted the movement of a drone along the international border in Rajasthan on the intervening night of Jul 26 and 27 near the Gharsana sector of Sri Ganganagar district. The patrolling team fired several rounds toward the drone This came after BSF detained a Pakistani national on July 19, who crossed the Border to allegedly kill the suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, in Sri Ganganagar district of Rajasthan. (ANI)

Kin of Militant Who Killed Kashmiri Pandit Arrested, Their Home To Be Attached

The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Wed initiated the process of attaching the house of a terrorist who allegedly killed a Kashmiri Pandit in Shopian. His father and 3 brothers were arrested on the accusation of sheltering him. The police added that security forces launched a cordon and search operation at his residence but Wani fled after hurling grenades at the police. During the search operation, the police claimed to have recovered arms and ammunition from Wani’s home, which led to the authorities attaching the property and arrestation. The police further asked residents not to shelter or harbor terrorists, and their associates. (here)

China’s Xinjiang command puts updated missile to high-altitude test

The PLA’s Xinjiang Military Command tested an updated surface-to-air defense missile in the region’s high-altitude plateau, state broadcaster CCTV reported, as the US and India prepare for joint Himalayan military drills in Oct. Military observers said that from the footage the weapons appeared to be HQ-17A air defense missiles, part of an integrated system that can fit in a single vehicle, and is regarded as very mobile and accurate. One military observer said the tests in Xinjiang were a show of deterrence in the countdown to the India-US drills near India’s disputed border with China. CCTV reported on Mon that the Xinjiang command conducted live-fire drills with a “new type of surface-to-air missile” at an altitude of more than 4500 m. The missile hit a target plane flying at a low altitude on its first attempt. Operators of the system took evasive action and hit a target in the second round of strikes despite strong electromagnetic interference from the aircraft, the report said. Yue Gang, a retired People’s Liberation Army colonel, said the drills involved a new type of HQ-17A short-range air defense missile, part of a system commissioned by the Xinjiang command in May 2021. (here)

NSA Ajit Doval in Russia; Afghanistan, counter-terrorism, energy security on agenda

Indian National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval paid an unannounced visit to Moscow on Tue to assess progress and recent developments in bilateral relations as India continues to deepen its engagement with Russia on regional and international concerns. During his 2-day visit to Moscow, Doval will meet with Russian officials, notably his counterpart Nikolai Patrushev, to discuss several regional and international concerns, including Afghanistan, counterterrorism, defense, and food and energy security in the wake of the Ukraine war. Nevertheless, the visit was not formally acknowledged. Wion reported citing sources that the visit is part of ongoing discussions between the nations on “strategic bilateral, regional, and global issues.” India has recently increased its imports of both oil and fertilizers despite demands from the West to limit its crude purchases from Russia. (here)

EAM Jaishankar arrives in Thailand for the 9^th Joint Commission Meet

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar who is in Thailand to attend the 9^th India-Thailand Joint Commission Meeting defended India’s crude oil imports from Russia by terming it the “best deal” for the country. Addressing the Indian community in Bangkok, he discussed the surge in energy prices across the world due to the Russia-Ukraine war and said, “We have been very open and honest about our interest. I have a country with a per capita income of US$ 2000, these are not people who can afford higher energy prices. It’s my moral duty to ensure the best deal.” According to him, Europe was buying more oil from the Middle East countries which were Asia’s traditional suppliers, however, now it was diverted to Europe. He also said that the US knows India’s position on Russian oil import and has “moved on”, adding that in such circumstances “India is open about its interests, wants the best deal.” (here) “Every barrel of Russian crude oil delivered to India has a good portion of Ukrainian blood in it. Throughout human history, in every conflict, in every war, there are those who suffer from the war there are those who make money,” Ukraine Foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba on India importing Russian oil. Jaishankar comments on the Chinese spy vessel docking in Sri Lanka; In response to a question, says, “What happens on our neighborhood, any development which has a bearing on our security…. we are monitoring it very very carefully“.

[NATIONAL]

‘Deportation’: Home Ministry clarifies after outcry over proposed ‘EWS flats’ for illegal Rohingya migrants

Amid the ongoing debate over providing the benefit of EWS flats for Rohingyas, the Home Minister’s Office, on Wed, clarified it has not given any directives to provide EWS flats to Rohingya illegal migrants at Bakkarwala in New Delhi. The HMO also clarified that it has taken up the matter regarding the deportation of Rohingyas with the Ministry of External Affairs. Earlier, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, who on Wed appreciated the decision taken by the central govt to shift Rohingya refugees staying in tents to flats equipped with basic facilities and round-the-clock security. He also said that India has always welcomed those who have sought refuge in the country and termed the move a landmark decision. He also pointed out that those people will be disappointed who made a career out of spreading canards on India’s refugee policy deliberately linking it to the CAA, adding that India respects and follows UN Refugee Convention 1951 and provides refuge to all, regardless of their race, religion or creed.” Around 1,100 Rohingyas staying in tents will be shifted into flats equipped with basic facilities and round-the-clock security. (here)

India’s security establishment keeping eye on the visit of a Chinese satellite ship to the Sri Lanka port

ET reported citing the sources that the aim of the Chinese satellite tracking ship’s visit to Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port cannot be only replenishment and that it could be used to snoop on Indian installations. They said India has been conveying to Sri Lanka its opposition to such forays in the past as well and that India’s concerns were not limited to just one visit. (here)

The ship docked at port, China keeps mum on extending financial aid to debt-ridden Sri Lanka

China on Tue docked its tracking and satellite support vessel Yuan Wang 5 at Sri Lanka’s strategic southern port of Hambantota. The arrival of the ship, which was earlier deferred by the Sri Lankan govt over alleged concerns raised by India, led to speculations of China extending financial aid to debt-strapped Sri Lanka. However, the Chinese Foreign Ministry parried questions by the media over extending financial support to Sri Lanka, which went bankrupt after defaulting on US$ 51 bn in foreign debt – the majority of which was from China. Replying to a question about whether China is considering providing the much-needed financial assistance to Sri Lanka considering its dying economy, the ministry said, “As we have stressed many times, as Sri Lanka’s friendly neighbor, China feels deeply for the economic and social difficulties facing Sri Lanka at the moment”. “China has been doing its utmost to support and help Sri Lanka pull through the difficulties. This is what we have been doing and what we will continue to do,” PTI was quoted as saying. (here)

PM Modi, French Prez Macron discuss food & energy crisis amid ongoing Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Tue reviewed ongoing bilateral initiatives, including defense collaboration projects and cooperation in civil nuclear energy. During their telephonic conversation, they also discussed important geopolitical challenges, including those related to global food security, a statement issued by the PM’s Office said. India and France have been expressing concern about the risk to global food security and nutrition in light of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Macron also held a call earlier on Tue with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which Macron underlined his concerns about risks to Ukraine’s nuclear facilities as a result of the fighting with Russia. The PMO statement also said the leaders reviewed ongoing bilateral initiatives, including defense cooperation projects and cooperation in civil nuclear energy. The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the depth and strength that the India-France Strategic Partnership has acquired in recent years and agreed to continue working closely together to expand the relationship to new areas of cooperation. (here)

BJP Revamps Parliamentary Board, Drops Nitin Gadkari, Shivraj Singh Chouhan

In a major organizational reshuffle, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Wed dropped Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan from its parliamentary board, the party’s highest decision-making body. Former Karnataka CM B S Yediyurappa, Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal, former IPS officer Iqbal Singh Lalpura, former Lok Sabha MP Satyanarayan Jatiya, BJP National OBC Morcha president K Lakshman, and national secretary Sudha Yadav have been included in the party’s parliamentary board. PM Narendra Modi, BJP chief J P Nadda and Union Ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh are also part of the board. The shuffle is an attempt by the BJP to make its parliamentary board more socially and regionally representative. Lalpura is the first Sikh to be included in the party’s parliamentary board as a person from a minority community. (here)

Gurdeep Singh Randhawa elected as 1^st representative of the Indian community in Germany

Gurdeep Singh Randhawa has been elected as the first representative of the Indian community in Germany on Wed. Randhawa is the first Indian representative of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany, Thuringia. Randhawa’s task is to make the concerns of the Indian community heard and at the same time encourage them to become politically active. The 62-year-old entrepreneur is a member representative of the local CDU association in the Wachsenburg district, where he is also a member of the local council. He still maintains not only business relations with his country of origin, India but is also involved in humanitarian work there, especially for the rights of Sikhs and the people of Punjab. (here)

Teesta moves SC for interim bail, case to be heard on Aug 22

Her appeal against the Aug 3^rd order of Guj HC denying her interim bail was mentioned for urgent hearing by advocate Aparna Bhat before a bench of Chief Justices N V Ramana, J K Maheshwari, and Hima Kohli. The CJI-led bench directed the listing of Setalvad’s appeal for hearing on Aug 22 before a bench headed by Justice UU Lalit, who would take oath as CJI on Aug 27. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

China wants military outposts in Pakistan to safeguard its investments

Having made significant investments in the conflict-prone Pakistan-Afghanistan region as part of its hugely ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, (BRI) China is planning to protect its interests in the two countries by stationing its forces in specially created outposts, ANI reported citing sources. China has been keen to expand its influence to central Asia through the Pakistan-Afghanistan route and has made strategic investments. Pakistan, where according to some estimates the Chinese investments have risen above USD 60 billion, is largely dependent on China not only for financial but also military and diplomatic support. Given the huge imbalance of power in its favor, China has begun to put pressure on Pakistan to allow the building of outposts where it would station its armed personnel. Kabul however, is yet to meet the expectations of both China as well as Pakistan on many counts. Top diplomatic and security sources in Islamabad, believe that China’s People’s Liberation Army is working at a war scale to establish military outposts in Afghanistan and Pakistan for what it claims would be smoother operations and expansion of its BRI. The Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong who arrived recently has held meetings with Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif, FM Bilawal Bhutto, and COAS Qamar Javed Bajwa in this regard. However, the meeting in which he demanded the creation of outposts for Chinese forces was perhaps the first formal meeting of ambassador Rong with the new government and state representatives. (here)

The Chinese military will send troops to Russia for a joint exercise

China’s participation in the joint exercises is “unrelated to the current international and regional situation,” the ministry said in a statement. The exercises are part of an ongoing bilateral annual cooperation agreement, it said. Similar Russian-led joint exercises involving China have taken place in recent years. “The aim is to ….. enhance the level of strategic collaboration among the participating parties, and strengthen the ability to respond to various security threats,” the statement said. (here)

Pakistan: PM Shehbaz may finally meet President Xi

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has yet to travel to China despite being in office for over 4 months, a development seen as unusual given the fact Beijing has always been among the first destinations for any new Pakistani leader. When Shehbaz replaced Imran Khan as the PM in Apr, there were plans that after he visited Saudi, he would travel to Beijing. However, the visit has yet to materialize. But given the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China, observers feel Covid-19 protocols might not just be the only reason, as suggested by diplomatic sources. Nevertheless, there was no official word or explanation from either side. However, PM might receive an opportunity to have an in-person meeting with President Xi next month. President Xi is expected to attend the Shanghai Cooperation summit scheduled for Sept 15-16 in Samarkand. The Express Tribune reported citing sources that a bilateral meeting between President Xi and PM is on the cards at the sidelines of the SCO. Pakistan was exploring options for a possible bilateral meeting between Putin and PM. India, meanwhile, will take over the presidency of the SCO at the upcoming summit. (here)

Chinese ambassador warns the UK not to cross ‘red lines’ over Taiwan

China’s ambassador to the UK has said Britain would face “serious consequences” if it crossed the “red lines” over Taiwan and warned against following in the footsteps of the US. In a Guardian opinion piece that comes days after Liz Truss said China’s actions “threaten peace and stability in the region”, Zheng Zeguang wrote that Taiwan had become a “touchstone” for bilateral relations that he warned were “at an important juncture”. He said: “The Chinese people will firmly safeguard, at any cost, their national sovereignty and territorial integrity. ‘Taiwan independence’ means war and will lead to a dead end.”Zheng says Britain would face serious consequences if it were to ‘follow in the footsteps of the US. (here)

China warns the US against underestimating Beijing’s Taiwan resolve

US congressional visits to Taiwan are inflaming regional tensions, and the Biden administration shouldn’t underestimate China’s resolve on the issue, Beijing’s envoy to Washington said on Tue. Ambassador Qin Gang rejected US officials’ argument that lawmakers act independently of the WH or that the administration had no control over the agenda of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Qin said that trips by Pelosi and other members of Congress violate existing US-China agreements. Qin delivered the warning after a congressional delegation led by Democratic Senator Edward Markey of Massachusetts wrapped up a trip to the island over the weekend. (here)

Taliban urges the international community to cooperate with their leadership

As the Taliban completed a year of rule in Afghanistan, acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi urged the world leaders as well as the international community to recognize the govt and cooperate with the Taliban leadership. “We should all work together to take advantage of this opportunity, and the international community should cooperate with Afghanistan and the new government,” he said in a statement on Mon, reported Khaama Press. The remarks were made by Muttaqi at a ceremony that was held on the first anniversary of the Islamic Emirate’s return to power on Aug 15. Speaking further, Muttaqi highlighted the Doha agreement and said that Afghanistan is not a threat against any country, including the US, which is part of their commitment agreed upon during the peace negotiation in the Qatari capital. Meanwhile, the second Deputy Prime Minister, Abdul Salam Hanafi, and spokesman of the Islamic Emirate Zabiullah Mujahid talked about the achievements their leadership brought about for the Afghan people and the nation. Over the past year, the Taliban’s regime has forced numerous Afghans to flee from the country and seek shelter in neighboring nations, due to human rights issues, especially women’s rights. (here)

Army chief awarded Order of the Union medal by UAE

The United Arab Emirates has conferred the Order of the Union Medal on Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa for ‘making significant contributions’ to bilateral ties, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Wed. The army chief is on an official visit to the Gulf state. ISPR said Gen Bajwa also called upon the President of UAE, H.H Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, bilateral defense, security cooperation, and the regional security situation in the Middle East were discussed. On Aug 11, Gen Bajwa arrived in the UK on an official visit. He attended the passing out parade at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, as the chief guest and also called on the military leadership of the UK during the visit. (here)

Nepal: 84 parties apply to contest Nov elections

More political parties will be contesting the upcoming elections for the House of Representatives and 7 provincial assemblies than in the local elections held on May 13. A total of 84 parties have applied at the Election Commission seeking its approval to contest the general elections to be held on Nov 20 through 116 parties have been registered to it. Political parties that have already been registered at the Election Commission need to register again every time ahead of elections. As many as 79 parties had got approval to contest the local elections. However, only 65 participated. “We have received applications from 80 parties to contest the elections for the House of Representatives and provincial assemblies,” Shaligram Sharma Poudel, spokesperson at the commission, told the Post. There shall be only one parliamentary party led by the party winning the highest number of seats, according to the Act. CPN (Maoist Centre) and Nepal Samajbadi Party on Tue applied to contest under the same election symbol. (here)