[NEWS OF THE DAY]

Galwan valley standoff casting a shadow on India-China ties, says S Jaishankar

Indian external affairs minister S Jaishankar accused China of disregarding the border pacts and said that the stand-off at the Galwan Valley has been extremely detrimental to the relations between the two nations. At an Indian community event in Sao Paulo in Brazil, Jaishankar said that it is a tough time for Indo-China relations but added that “the relationship cannot be a one-way street”. “We have agreements with China going back to the 1990s which prohibits bringing mass troops in the border area. …That problem has not been resolved and that has been casting a shadow,” he said. The standoff has been continuing in the Galwan Valley since May 2020 when the Chinese army made headway in multiple areas in the region. The situation got worse in June that year when the armies from both countries were involved in violent clashes resulting in several casualties. (here) Moreover, the EAM also visited the historic Casa de la Independencia from where Paraguay’s Independence movement staFounder and Chairman of Central Square Foundation (CSF) and a Founding Member of Ashoka University. Prior to this, he worked for twenty years in the investment management business and ran one of India’s leading private equity funds, ChrysCapital. In June 2012, he left his full-time role at Chrys Capital to start CSF to pursue evidence driven and innovation led system reform in school education. Ashoka University is a not for profit university that aims to offer an Ivy League-quality undergraduate programme in India, based on the US liberal education system.rted more than two centuries ago. Jaishankar is on an official visit to Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina from Aug 22-27. During his visit, in addition to bilateral engagements with his counterparts, EAM will call on the top leadership in all 3 countries. In Paraguay, EAM will also inaugurate the premises of the newly opened Indian Embassy which started functioning in Jan 2022 while on Fri met with the Ambassadors from Latin American and Caribbean countries in New Delhi ahead of his visit to the region. The Minister expressed gratitude to host the Ambassadors of LAC countries and was positive about the potential for growing cooperation between India and the South American and Caribbean countries. (here)

‘China & India Have More Common Interests Than Differences’: Chinese Foreign Ministry

After External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that an Asian Century cannot cease to exist if India and China do not join hands, the Chinese Foreign Minister stated that China and India “have more common interests than differences.” “China and India are two ancient civilizations, two major emerging economies, and two neighboring countries, we have far more common interests than differences.” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said. Earlier, Jaishankar had said the relationship between India and China was going through an ‘extremely difficult phase’ after what Beijing had done at the border and emphasized that the Asian Century would not happen if the two neighbors could not join hands. His remarks came while responding to a series of questions after delivering a lecture on ‘India’s Vision of the Indo-Pacific’ at the prestigious Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok on Thu. (here)

PH, India to Upscale Partnership in Defense and Security

The Philippines and India agreed to build on the gains in their defense and security partnership as they convened for the 4^th Philippines-India Strategic Dialogue on Aug 18, hosted by the Philippines at the Department of Foreign Affairs. Leading the Philippine delegation was Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs, while the Indian delegation was headed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary (South). This is the first time that the Philippine and Indian delegations had their face-to-face dialogue since the last meeting in 2017 in New Delhi. The officials discussed the growing cooperation between their countries on defense and security, as well as in a maritime partnership. [significant amid Taiwan Crisis] They also shared their views about the direction of Philippine-Indian cooperation on strategic matters in the next few years. Both sides agreed to scale up cooperation in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, science and technology, culture, education, and tourism, as per a statement on the website of FO of the Philippines. (here)

India determined to fulfill commitments in Chabahar port: minister

India’s Minister of Ports, Shipping, Sarbananda Sonowal has said the Indian government is committed to equipping and developing Chabahar port and will make its utmost effort for turning the port into a regional and international transit hub. Sonowal made the remarks in Chabahar on Sat on the sidelines of a meeting with the Head of Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) Ali-Akbar Safaei in which the two sides discussed the development of maritime and port cooperation between the two countries, the PMO portal reported. Stressing the rich cultural and historical relations between Iran and India, the minister noted that such relations will pave the way for the development of bilateral economic cooperation between the two countries. Emphasizing that New Delhi is committed to developing Chabahar Port, the minister stated that the joint determination of the two countries to develop cooperation in 2016 and during the visit of the PM of India to Iran led to strengthening bilateral cooperation in relevant fields. Chabahar port is a transit gateway and has a significant role in International North-South Transport Corridor. (here)

Quad to curb China’s illegal fishing in Indo-Pacific

Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) nations – the US, Australia, Japan, and India are planning to curb China’s illegal fishing in the Indo-Pacific using satellite tracking technology connecting surveillance centers in Singapore and India. China is accused of being the biggest beneficiary of not-so-legal fishing, so much so that there is a risk of fish stock being depleted in the Pacific and the seas near the Chinese’ coast, reported The HK Post. As per a UK-based media, the Quad maritime initiative will use satellite technology to create a tracking system for illegal fishing from the Indian Ocean to the South Pacific by connecting surveillance centers in Singapore and India”. It “will enable these countries to monitor illegal fishing even when the boats have turned off the transponders which are typically used to track vessels”. China has been the worst offender in the 2021 illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) Fishing index, which maps illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in 152 coastal countries. Chinese ships can be found everywhere in the world. The Quad initiative comes in the wake of this menace in the Indo-Pacific, reported The HK Post. It is “simultaneously responsible for 15% of the global total of caught fish and one-third of fish consumption worldwide”, they say. (here)

India hands over 21,000 tonnes of fertilizer to Sri Lanka

India on Mon handed over 21,000 tonnes of fertilizer to the crisis-ridden neighbor Sri Lanka. “High Commissioner formally handed over 21,000 tonnes of fertilizer supplied under India’s special support to the people of Sri Lanka,” tweeted the High Commission of India in Colombo, Sri Lanka. India has been at forefront of extending economic assistance to Sri Lanka as per their requirements and is one of the countries that have provided the maximum amount of assistance in time of need. (here)

[NATIONAL]

Russia detains IS suicide bomber plotting a terrorist attack in India

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) on Mon said that its officers had detained a suicide bomber, Azamov Mashahont, a member of the IS terrorist group, who was plotting a terrorist attack against one of India’s leadership elite, Russian news agency Sputnik reported. “Russia’s FSB identified and detained a member of the IS terrorist organization banned in Russia, a native of a country in the ‘Central Asian’ region, who planned to commit a terrorist act by blowing himself up against one of the representatives of the ruling circles of India,” the statement read. The detained was recruited by one of the IS leaders as a suicide bomber in Turkey, Apr to Jun. In the release, the authorities explained that his “indoctrination was carried out remotely through the accounts of the messenger “Telegram” and during personal meetings in Istanbul by a representative of the terrorist organization.” This story is still developing and more information is awaited in this regard. According to Home Ministry, IS is using various internet-based social media platforms to propagate its ideology. Cyberspace is being closely watched in this regard by the agencies concerned and action is taken as per law. Russian media has also released a 57-sec video of the terrorist. In India, he was to meet “someone” in preparation for an attack (here)

‘Tomorrow, we could be left out of our assembly’: Farooq Abdullah on J&K electoral roll row

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Mon said all opposition parties are against the new law (inclusion of non-locals as voters in Jammu and Kashmir) and they are thinking of moving the court on the matter. “We will invite the leaders of all national parties to J& K in Sept and keep our issues before them,” Abdullah told reporters during an all-party meeting at his residence. Abdullah also said he had requested L-G Manoj Sinha to call an all-party meeting to discuss the developments. However, it was not considered. “… We have differences but all parties present here have come together realizing that tomorrow we could be left out of our assembly,” Abdullah added. ‘Will sit on hunger strike in Delhi if…’: Sajad Lone: The J&K People’s Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone, however, did not participate in the meeting. “We as a party neither accept the clarification given by the government in totality nor do we reject it,” Lone said (here) BJP party meeting is being held here. The propaganda that Congress, National Conference & PDP leaders are doing in J&K is a very big conspiracy. People of congress, PDP & NC wants that the situation in J&K should be disturbed, said the state BJP Chief said.

Indian defense forces to get emergency powers to acquire critical weapon systems through a fast-track route

Seeking to further strengthen operational preparedness, India is likely to allow defense forces to buy critical weapons systems under emergency acquisition powers which would allow them to buy any system or equipment under the fast-track route. The powers, which were first granted to defense forces post-Uri surgical strikes in 2016 during heightened tensions with Pakistan, have helped tackle the military standoff with China going on since May 2020. The case for granting emergency acquisition powers to defense forces is expected to come up for discussion in a high-level defense ministry meeting planned to be held next week. The emergency powers allow forces to acquire any new or in-service equipment on a fast-track basis to improve preparedness for conflict situations. In the previous approvals, the defense forces had the power to sign deals for equipment worth Rs 300 crore and the products had to be delivered within 3 months to 1 year, the sources said. (here) To remain vigilant and counter any challenges on the northeastern border of the country, the Aviation Corps of the Indian Army has been strengthening its capacity and preparedness. Given the friction between Indian and Chinese forces in Apr-May 2020 along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, the preparation of the army became imperative. ANI citing a Captain reported that Army Aviation Corps has been the backbone, especially for the ground operation. We are carrying on the operation with the aircraft Cheetah and LAH. There are challenges including altitude, weather conditions, and different terrain conditions in the northeast. (here)

India’s $3 bn Predator drone deal with the US at advanced stages, certain issues being sorted out: Report

India’s negotiations with the US for the procurement of 30 MQ-9B Predator armed drones are in the advanced stages and negotiations are on to sort out certain issues, PTI reported citing sources, on Sun. The planned acquisition of 30 drones, at a proposed cost of $3 billion is expected to crank up India’s overall surveillance apparatus along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and in the Indian Ocean. Notably, the MQ-9B drone is a variant of MQ-9 “Reaper” that was reportedly used to fire a modified version of the Hellfire missile which eliminated al-Qaida leader in the heart of Kabul last month. The talks between India and US are underway for the govt-to-govt procurement of the drones manufactured by US defense major General Atomics. They rejected reports that the deal is off the table. The MQ-9B drones, with their cutting-edge avionics and ground control systems, have COMCASA-protected equipment like an advanced Global Positioning System, Identification Friend or Foe receiver, and VHF system, which are immune to jamming and spoofing from enemies. (here)

Intruder held by Indian Army in Jammu’s Rajouri while trying to cross LoC for suicide attack

Indian Army troops on LoC in the Sehar Makri area of town Nowshera shot at and apprehended an intruder who was allegedly coming for a suicide attack. The intruder identified as Tabarak Husain (26) was at first noticed to be involved in suspicious activity and was confronted by the army troops in the Sehar Makri area of town Nowshera in the Rajouri district of Jammu. The infiltrator attempted to escape from the army troops but was shot at and intercepted in injured condition, said the Rajouri district police. Earlier, on Apr 25, 2016, 2 Pakistani intruders were apprehended by Jhangar Batallion, Nowshera Sector. The troops observed 3 suspects trying to intrude across the LoC but only 2 suspects could be apprehended. (here)

India and Netherlands share strong, socio-economic and cultural ties: Lok Sabha speaker

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who is leading an Indian Parliamentary Delegation to the 65^th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference being held at Halifax in Canada, arrived in the Netherlands on the first leg of the visit. On this occasion, Birla called on the President of the Senate of the Netherlands, Prof. Jan Anthonie Bruijn. The two leaders exchanged views about enhancing parliamentary cooperation and expanding economic and cultural relations between India and the Netherlands and several other issues of mutual interest. Birla also addressed Members of the Surinamese-Indian community. Speaking on the occasion, he said that India and Netherlands share strong political, economic, and cultural ties. Later, speaking at the dinner hosted by Indian Embassy at India House, Birla highlighted India’s growing stature in the comity of nations. He also spoke of the socio-economic progress in India and the relevance of start-ups and innovation. Shri Birla urged the Indian diaspora to take advantage of India’s growth story. He also gifted a Ganesha idol to the temple in Seva Dham Hindu Centre as a mark of reverence. The Delegation proceeded to Canada onwards to Halifax, today. (here)

High-level security meet to address the rise in terror activities in Rajouri-Poonch

A high-level security meet was held in Rajouri on Sat to discuss an action plan for countering the emerging threat in the wake of a spurt in terror activities in J&K’s Rajouri and Poonch districts. The meet comes after Aug 11’s pre-dawn fidayeen attack on an Army establishment in Parghal, Rajouri, in which 2 terrorists killed 4 soldiers. Intelligence agencies briefed all present about the recent trends in terror activities. A detailed discussion was held about the same and an action plan was devised to counter the threat, said the spokesperson. (here)

Delhi Police bust extortion racket providing user databases to servers based in China, HK

Delhi Police’s special unit Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) on Sat busted an alleged extortion racket involved in providing user databases to servers based in China and Hong Kong, ANI reported citing police. It was found that all the apps were seeking malicious permissions from the user and after obtaining the access permissions, the contacts, chats, messages, and images of the user were uploaded to the servers based in China and HK. The analysis of the money route also revealed that the money is being routed to China through Hawala and Cryptocurrencies. Further, these more than 100 apps were being hosted from AWS servers and Ali Baba servers, which were hosted in India but do not comply with American Companies. IFSO carried out 2 months of operations after which several raids were conducted in 6 states. Police arrested 22 accused in the case including 6 Chinese nationals. In the raids, police recovered 9 laptops, 25 Hard disks, 51 mobile phones, and 19 debit cards. Police also informed that after the crackdown on recovery agents, a new trend of shifting call centers to Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh was noticed. (here)

2 suspected terrorists with Al-Qaeda links arrested in Assam’s Goalpara

Two suspected terrorists linked with the Al-Qaeda Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) terror groups were arrested by the Assam police in the Goalpara district on Sat. The arrested persons have been identified as Abdus Subhan, Imam of Tinkunia Shantipur Mosque, and Jalaluddin Sheikh, Imam of Tilapara Natun Mosque under Matia police station in Goalpara, after they were grilled by the police for several hours. The district police chief said that both the aforesaid persons were arrested after they were grilled for hours. “During the house searches of the accused persons, several incriminating materials related to the Al-Qaeda, Jihadi elements, posters, books among other documents were seized along with the mobile phones, SIM cards, and ID cards,” he added. ANI reported citing top Assam cop further said that they (accused) have also given logistic support to the Jihadi terrorists who came here from Bangladesh. He further disclosed that these arrested persons were involved in providing logistic support as well as sheltering the Bangladeshi nationals, who are currently absconding. (here)

Indian trade minister Goyal to take part in IPEF Ministerial in the US

India’s Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will take part in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) Ministerial that will take place in Los Angeles from Sept 8^th to 9^th. This will be the first in-person ministerial meet of the IPEF since the initiative’s launch on the sidelines of the Tokyo Quad summit in May of this year and is expected to take forward the negotiations on trade and other related issues. Indian PM took part at the time of the launch, along with leaders of the US, Australia, and Japan. While this is the first in-person ministerial meeting that will take place, meetings at the official level have taken place to prepare the groundwork for negotiations. The first meeting of IPEF senior officials and experts took place in Singapore from Jul 13-14. It was followed by another meeting in the same month of the grouping that took place virtually. The initiative has 4 pillars on which future negotiations will take place–Trade, Supply Chains, Clean Energy, Decarbonization, and Infrastructure & Tax, and Anti-Corruption. (here)

‘Rapists Being Celebrated Like They Are Heroes’: Husband of Bilkis Bano

“And just like that our 18-year-long fight for justice has been reduced to nothing,” said 45-year-old Yakub Rasool, from an undisclosed location near Gujarat’s Godhra. On Aug 15, 2011, men – convicted of gang-raping Rasool’s wife Bilkis Bano, killing their three-year-old daughter and 13 other relatives during the 2002 Gujarat riots – walked out of the sub-jail in Gujarat’s Godhra. The Gujarat govt allowed their release under its 1992 remission policy. The 11 men returned to Singvad village in Dahod, where they were greeted and garlanded by their families as well as right-wing groups. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

‘Toxic trend’: China fumes as another US official visits Taiwan

China has expressed its outrage after Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb landed in Taiwan on Sun to hold talks with the leadership of the self-ruled island amid increasing tensions in the Strait. This is the second such visit by the US delegation after the short trip of US House Speaker that angered China and set off military tensions in the Taiwan Strait. “I landed in Taipei to kick off an economic development trip in Taiwan & South Korea. …This week marks my 2^nd trip to South Korea as Governor & I’m proud to be the first governor to visit Taiwan since before the pandemic,” Holcomb tweeted. “Our delegation will spend this week meeting with govt officials, business leaders, and academic institutions,” he said in another tweet. Chinese state media outlet said this visit “shows a toxic trend of US politicians using Taiwan as a pawn after Pelosi’s provocative visit to this island earlier this month.” According to Global Times, China will keep its own pace in solving the Taiwan question, to perfect the already normalized operations across Taiwan to prepare to launch operations at any possible time. (here)

Chinese military rockets used in live-fire drills around Taiwan may change face of war, observers say

Recent Chinese military exercises around Taiwan highlighted the role of long-range rocket launchers that could change the future of war in the region, state media reports and observers said. The People’s Liberation Army held several days of large-scale live drills earlier this month after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits Taipei, which was slammed by Beijing as a “provocation”. The PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command, which is oriented towards Taiwan, Japan, and the East China Sea, said the drills included the launch of a new long-range, box-type rocket with precise hits on targets east of the Taiwan Strait. Military mouthpiece PLA Daily also said a new type of rocket was used in the Taiwan drills, the long-range fire force indicating the stronger combat capability and hi-tech advances achieved in the latest round of armed forces reform. Neither the Eastern Theatre Command nor PLA Daily identified the missiles used in the Taiwan Strait drills. However, footage from state broadcaster CCTV showed PCL-191 rockets landing in waters near Pingtan, an island off Fujian province marked as the closest point to Taiwan. (here)

India to undermine Afghanistan’s participation in CPEC

As Pakistan is internally focused on its political situation and economic revival, less attention is being paid to what India is doing to undermine Islamabad’s vital interest. The proposition has to be consumed in the context of the recent Indian reaction to China and Pakistan’s common resolve to extend CPEC/BRI towards Afghanistan. It precedes the latest visit of an Indian high-level delegation to Iran’s Chabahar Port in a bid to expand what India believes is the North-South Trade Corridor – linking Central Asia with the South Asian region via Chabahar Corridor. The two officials met in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on the sidelines of the SCO summit of FMs. Wang said Beijing “supports the extension of CPEC to Afghanistan and shares China’s development opportunities”. Indian Defence Minister had also stated on the “Pak Occupied Kashmir” a day before which was responded to by Pak Foreign Ministry calling it “provocative” and “completely unacceptable”. The Taliban regime may reach an understanding with Delhi for exchange of other incentives i.e. market access, the Chabahar transit route, and other benefits like trade and investments in Afghanistan. (here)

IMF tech team in Colombo on Wed, total debt to be assessed before restructuring

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) technical team is arriving in Colombo this Wed to assess the total external and internal debt of the bankrupt nation before the exercise of restructuring of debt begins after a discussion with the World Bank next month in Washington. The IMF team will be in Sri Lanka from Aug 24 -31. It is understood that the total external and internal debt of the Island Nation is around US$ 97 bn, out of which more than $51 billion is owed to foreign creditor nations like Japan, China, India, and Asian Development Bank. While the loan package sought by President Ranil Wickremesinghe is around $2-3 bn, the disbursement from the Bretton Woods Institution is not coming immediately as the Fund is looking for restructuring both domestic and external debt rather than be sufficed with the latter. According to officials based in Washington, only after the total debt of Sri Lanka is assessed, the creditor nations will be sought for assurances that debt sustainability will be restored. However, this political play will come later after the issue is discussed with the multilateral lending institutions. (here)

IHC grants Imran protective bail till Thursday in a terrorism case

The Islamabad High Court on Mon granted PTI chief Imran Khan protective bail till Thu (Aug 25) in a terrorism case registered against him for “threatening” a female judge and senior police officers at a public rally. The ex-PM was booked on Sun under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (punishment for acts of terrorism) regarding his comments at his Islamabad rally on Sat. Earlier today, Imran’s lawyers Babar Awan and Faisal Chaudhry filed a petition seeking pre-arrest bail on his behalf in the IHC. A two-member bench took up the petition and asked about the objections raised by the registrar’s office. Meanwhile, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said that the govt was now well aware of the public sentiment if they attempted to take any “illegal step” against Imran Khan. The petition, Dawn reported, states that Imran was a “target of the ruling PDM (Pakistan Democratic Movement) for his fearless criticism, and extremely bold and blunt stance against corruption and corrupt politicians”. (here)

Tensions soar in Pak as hundreds protest against Imran Khan’s arrest, vow to ‘Take Over’ Islamabad

Political tensions are escalating in Pakistan as the former PM Imran Khan faces eminent arrest under anti-terrorism charges over comments he made at a rally in Islamabad last week. Just as the news broke, hundreds of supporters backing Imran Khan and his PTI party thronged the street of Islamabad. They camped outside the Ex-PM’s home, vowing to “take over” the capital if cops try to arrest him. Meanwhile, Islamabad High Court has now granted pre-arrest bail to Imran Khan until 25^th Aug, baring authorities from arresting him in the ATA case. Videos posted on PTI’s Twitter account showed hundreds of people marching in support of Khan. Protesters were seen chanting “Imran Khan is our RED LINE… don’t think about crossing it.” Cops who were present at the scene, but claimed they were not there to arrest the former leader, but to maintain the law and order situation. (here)

PM to leave for a maiden visit to Qatar tomorrow (Tue)

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will leave for his maiden visit to Qatar tomorrow at the invitation of Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. This will be the premier’s first visit to Qatar since assuming office in Apr 2022. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including key members of the cabinet. During the 2-day visit, PM will hold in-depth consultations with the Qatari leadership. The two sides will review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, with a particular focus on advancing energy-related cooperation, deepening trade and investment ties, and exploring greater employment opportunities for Pakistanis in Qatar. They will also exchange views on a range of regional and international issues of mutual interest. The PM will also engage with leading Qatari and Pakistani business leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs. (here)