[NEWS OF THE DAY]

PM Modi commissions 1^st made-in-India aircraft carrier INS Vikrant,

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Fri commissioned the first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant at Cochin Shipyard Limited here in Kochi — a significant step of the Central govt towards self-reliance in the defense sector. While commissioning INS Vikrant, the PM termed the event a “tribute” to India’s rising spirits on the world horizon. Designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house Warship Design Bureau and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, a Public Sector Shipyard under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Vikrant is the largest ship ever built in the maritime history of India. It has a large number of indigenous equipment and machinery. With the INS Vikrant, India now has 2 operational aircraft carriers. INS Vikrant, built at a cost of around Rs 20,000 crore, completed its 4^th and final phase of the sea trials last month, with 76% indigenous components. The ship has over 2,300 compartments, designed for a crew of around 1,700 people. Vikrant has a top speed of around 28 knots and a cruising speed of 18 knots with an endurance of about 7,500 nautical miles. The size of the carrier is 262x62x59m. (here) With a displacement of 42,800 tonnes, Vikrant is the largest ship ever designed and built by India, making it the 6^th country to demonstrate the capability to build its aircraft carrier. Powered by four 22 MW Gas Turbine engines, the Vikrant has a range of 7,500 nautical miles, which translates into a maritime journey from India to Brazil in one go without the need to stop for refueling. Capable of carrying a component of 30 aircraft, fighters and helicopters combined, INS Vikrant — which is 262.5 m long and 62.5 m wide — has a top speed of 28 knots and a cruise speed of 18 knots.

New naval ensign unveiled by PM Modi: PM Modi unveiled the New Naval Ensign on Fri, an octagonal design that stands for the Navy’s multi-dimension approach. The new design draws inspiration from Shivaji’s naval force. This is the 5^th change in the naval ensign since 1950. The naval ensign until now was the St George’s red cross set on a white background, with the national emblem placed at the intersection and the Indian flag in the top left quadrant. The patron saint of England, St George lived in the 3rd century and is still identified with ideals of honor and gallantry. (here)

Govt keeps a watch on all developments having a bearing on our security: MEA

The spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs stated during a regular press briefing on Thu on the reports of China’s infrastructure in the Karakoram region that I do not have any information to specifically share about without knowing the details on this issue now. The govt keeps a watch on all developments having a bearing on our security” Border talks: India flags China’s infra push in the Karakoram-India and China held border talks on Wed amidst reports of a heavy road and infrastructure development push by Beijing in the Karakoram region. The talks were held at the Major Gen level, a step lower than the Corps Commander-level discussions that have taken place at regular intervals since border tensions peaked following the bloody clash at Galwan in June 2020. Citing sources ET reported that India raised matters related to infrastructure development by the Chinese side near the border areas that violate pacts and undertakings to maintain peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control. China has been making a strong infrastructure push in and around areas of dispute in the Ladakh region. Such projects are being closely monitored, especially road construction activities in the Karakoram region, which lies near a crucial trijunction of India, China and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). China has also been undertaking infrastructure development activities in the Shaksgam valley, a part of Jammu and Kashmir that was ceded by Pakistan in 1963. While no major incidence of violence has taken place on the LAC since 2020, China has kept the border crisis active with the continued deployment of troops along disputed regions. In the last round of talks in early Aug, India had cautioned China against air space violations and breach of confidence-building measures in Eastern Ladakh, after a series of provocative actions that included sorties by fighter jets close to contested areas. (here)

[NATIONAL]

World “more multipolar” with key positions for powers like UAE: Jaishankar

The UAE has a key role in a world that has become more multipolar with global politics, economics, and demographics, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on his visit to Abu Dhabi. Jaishankar also noted that India has immensely benefited from its close ties with the UAE. The EAM who is on an official visit to the UAE was speaking at an event at Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA) in Abu Dhabi. In the next 25 years one huge factor of change is going to be demography, which will favor India as it is likely to be the most populous nation in the world, the minister said. Point out that the many established powers of today will go through an enormous demographic change in the next 25 years, Jaishankar said: “So, if I were to look at the economy, if I were to look at the demographic, if I were to look at the technology, I think a lot of these trends point for us in a good direction.” However, he does not support the argument on the declining power of the US, a global superpower. Talking about the Quad grouping, which includes UAE and India, and the I2U2 Group, where too both the countries are integral members, EAM said he believes that this form of diplomacy is going to stay. Further, Jaishankar expressed his confidence in the future of the I2U2 Group, highlighting the latest developments such as the recent top-level Leaders’ Summit, and launching 2 important projects on food corridor and green energy. The minister also talked about how globalization had created a fragile world. Earlier, Jaishankar co-chaired the 14^th India-UAE Joint Commission with his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Inked an MoU to establish the India-UAE Cultural Council to deepen the cultural partnership and reinforce age-old people-to-people ties. Also an agreement to work towards conservation of the endangered Great Indian Bustard and the Lesser Florican. (here)

India, UAE working on joint health projects in Kenya and Tanzania

India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are working on a joint initiative to establish health projects in Kenya and Tanzania and taking forward cooperation in food security within the I2U2 framework that includes the US and Israel. A team comprising representatives of the Indian and UAE govts recently visited Kenya and Tanzania to identify opportunities for joint projects in the health sector, the external affairs ministry said in a statement on Fri. (here)

Kashmiri Pandits’ rehabilitation: SC asks NGO to withdraw plea, make representation before Centre

The Supreme Court on Fri asked an NGO, ‘We the Citizens’, to withdraw its petition seeking rehabilitation of Kashmiri Hindus and Sikhs who had migrated from the Valley due to terrorism. The top court asked the petitioner to make a representation before the Central govt in connection with the matter. The plea had also called for a probe by a special investigation team (SIT) into the targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley in the 1990s, which had triggered their exodus from J&K. The petitioner had asked for the SIT probe so that those who “aided and abetted the genocide” of the Hindus and Sikhs communities in Kashmir from 1989 to 2003 could be identified. Roots in Kashmir had moved to the SC in March this year and challenged a 2017 order of the top court dismissing an earlier plea. The top court had then said: “The instances referred in the petition pertaining to the year 1989-90, and more than 27 years have passed by since then. No fruitful purpose would emerge, as the evidence is unlikely to be available at this late juncture.” (here)

‘Platforms like Twitter can’t decide what is free speech’ — Centre defends blocking orders in HC

Twitter’s petition challenging action against multiple handles is not maintainable, the central govt told Karnataka HC Thu. Declaring Twitter’s content management policies “a failure”, the Centre said the micro-blogging site is “not taking effective steps to prevent the spread of fake news or deliberate misinformation”. The govt, dubbing Twitter a “habitual non-compliant” platform, reiterated that the IT Act, 2000, is the law of the land, adding that “foreign platforms providing services in the country shall not be entitled to claim that Indian Laws and Rules are not applicable upon them”. “It is not for the intermediary platform to define what free speech is and what is not,” the govt told the court against Twitter opposing 10 orders passed by the Centre last year. In its petition, Twitter had termed these orders — aimed at blocking 39 handles — “arbitrary, excessive and disproportionate”, arguing that most of these orders were not supported by reasons. According to the law, such measures can only be taken “in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defense of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offense”. Challenging the claims made by Twitter, the central govt said Twitter complied with blocking orders “only after reminders and show cause notices”. (here)

Migrant laborer shot by terrorists in J&K’s Pulwama

Terrorists on Fri morning fired upon a migrant laborer in the Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said. The victim identified as Muneerul Islam, a resident of West Bengal, was rushed to a nearby hospital where his condition is currently stable, Jammu and Kashmir Police said. The police have cordoned off the area for safety purposes. More detail is awaited. (ANI)

K’taka Muruga Mutt Chief Arrested: CM Says ‘Not Right to Comment Yet’; Shivamurthy Facing ‘Cardiac Issues’ After Arrest

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Fri said police have been given a free hand to investigate the sexual abuse case against the chief pontiff of Muruga Math Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, following the law. He did not wish to comment on allegations regarding the “delay” in the arrest. “There is no need to respond to all these talks. I have already said that everything will happen by law. It is not right to comment on the case at the present situation,” Bommai said in response to a question on the delay in his arrest. Speaking to reporters here, he said police have been given a free hand and they are at work. The mutt chief was arrested by police on Thu night, 6 days after the case of alleged sexual harassment of two minor girls staying in a hostel run by the Math was filed under the POCSO Act against him. Sharanaru was produced during the early hours of Fri before the first additional district and sessions judge, who remanded him to 14 days’ judicial custody. Earlier this morning, the 64-year-old was taken to the district hospital, after he complained of some health complications in jail, police sources said. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

US welcomes UN report on China’s actions in Xinjiang, Canada seeks China must be held accountable

The United States on Thu welcomed a UN report that said China may have committed crimes against humanity in Xinjiang, saying it deepened Washington’s concerns about what it calls a genocide there against Uyghurs and other ethnic groups. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that the report authoritatively described China’s “appalling treatment” of ethnic and religious minority groups. U.N. on Wed released the report, which found China’s “arbitrary and discriminatory detention” of Uyghurs and other Muslims in the western Chinese region may constitute crimes against humanity. China has vigorously denied any abuses in Xinjiang and issued a 131-page response to the 48-page U.N. report, calling it “completely illegal and void.” Chinese officials initially denied the existence of any detention camps, but later admitted the govt had set up “vocational training centers” necessary to curb what it said was terrorism, separatism, and religious radicalism in Xinjiang. The Canadian govt wants China to be held to account for its actions in the province of Xinjiang after a damning report from the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. “…This report makes an important contribution to the mounting evidence of serious, systemic human rights abuses and violations occurring in Xinjiang,” Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly said, in a statement released on Thu. Indian Ministry of External Affairs, during the weekly press briefing, on Thu stated that Our understanding is that the report is about the serious maltreatment of minorities in Xinjiang. Since this is a UNHRC report, so I don’t have any comment on that. UN Chief Antonio Guterres urged China to follow the recommendations of a UN report that found credible allegations of torture and forced labor in Xinjiang. (here)

Tech war: US tightens export rules with the ban on Nvidia, AMD selling advanced AI chips to China

The US ban on Nvidia and AMD selling some advanced chips to China is set to crimp the ability of Chinese tech companies in areas such as facial recognition and data centers, according to Chinese analysts and industry insiders. The ban on selected chips, which China is still unable to make itself, marked an escalation from current trade sanctions targeted at specific companies and sales restrictions on advanced chipmaking equipment. The impact of the new ban could be widespread for downstream users of chips in applications such as the metaverse, AI, cloud computing, and even facial recognition, industry experts warned. Nvidia said that US officials instructed it to stop selling its powerful A100 and H100 graphics processing units (GPU) to customers in China, while AMD said it has received new license requirements that will prevent its MI250 AI chips from being exported to China, Reuters reported. The US Department of Commerce has not officially announced the new restrictions. (here)

Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi sentenced to three years in prison for electoral fraud

Myanmar’s ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi was on Fri sentenced to 3 years in prison after a court found her guilty of electoral fraud. Suu Kyi is already serving a 17-year sentence in Myanmar for several offenses which included corruption and incitement, according to Reuters. The trial took place behind closed doors in Naypyitaw and a gag order was imposed on Suu Kyi’s lawyers. Aung San Suu Kyi came to power in 2020 after winning the elections with a huge margin but a military coup in 2021 brought an end to her regime. The military also accused her of electoral fraud in the 2020 polls. There are still several cases against Suu Kyi in Myanmar and the junta said that all of them will be looked into as soon as possible. Considering the charges brought against the former leader, the combined sentence for Suu Kyi can exceed 190 years. 

Why Taiwan suddenly needs 400,000 foreign workers for critical sectors, including hi-tech

Taiwan will try to attract 400,000 mostly white-collar foreign workers over the next decade to support the island’s pillar industries, including hi-tech, as the domestic population gets smaller. National Development Council head Kung Ming-hsin said at a forum in Taiwan on Tue that the island needed that many foreign workers to fill all of the jobs created by changing industry demands amid a shrinking talent pool due to low birth rates and an aging population. “This sounds like the right direction,” said David Chang, secretary general of the Taipei-based non-profit organization Crossroads, which arranges events for new arrivals to Taiwan. “There is a talent shortage that’s growing in urgency,” he added. “This is even a question about national security and where our soldiers are going to come from if we have a shrinking population.” A total of 792,401 foreigners held Taiwan residency permits as of late 2020, as many expats were lured by the island’s lack of a Covid-19 outbreak. But as cases crept up, that total dropped by 5% in 2021, to 752,900 foreigners, according to official figures. (here)

Blast at Afghanistan mosque kills pro-Taliban cleric, civilians: Report

A blast outside a mosque in the city of Herat in Western Afghanistan on Fri killed a high-profile pro-Taliban cleric as well as civilians, police said. “Mujib Rahman Ansari, with some of his guards and civilians, have been killed on their way toward the mosque,” said Herat’s police spokesperson Mahmood Rasoli. Rasoli did not say how many casualties the blast caused. The Taliban say they have improved security in the country since taking power around a year ago, but there have been several blasts in recent months, some of them targeting busy mosques during prayers. (here)

Aid pours into Pakistan; deaths from floods cross 1,200 mark

At least 1,186 [dawn -1200] people have died from the floods in Pakistan, leaving affected residents angry at the lack of help being provided to them as this natural disaster disrupts life and pose threat to food security and the economy. Affected people have criticized the Islamabad govt over their inept response to the floods. Various residents took to the street and staged a protest over the lack of help as everything they had including their homes vanished in the floods. The floods have affected over 33 mn people and have destroyed farms, infra projects, and villages. The federal govt blamed climate change for the ongoing situation and has sought international aid. To help Pakistan in such a situation, many international agencies and countries came forward to help the country. The inflation rate has reached 44.58% thanks to declining forex reserves and flood-caused disruptions in commodity markets. Essential food items such as onion, tomato, and potato have seen a weekly hike of 43.9%, 41.13%, and 6.23% respectively. While many parts of the country are reeling under tremendous inflation, farmers claimed 90% of their standing crops were destroyed due to floods, rains, and road inaccessibility. According to JS Global Research, floods will cause USD 4 bn loss to the economy. Islamabad too has predicted bad days for the economy ahead. (here)High food, petrol prices can trigger protests in Pakistan, warns IMF: The International Monetary Fund has warned against protests and instability in Pakistan amid rising inflation — which just hit a 47-year-high in Aug. The inflation measured by the consumer price index (CPI) has hit a 47-year high, accelerating to 27.3% in Aug 2022, the level last seen in May 1975. The full impact of massive flooding on the prices of food items and other commodities is yet to come. (here) The armed forces have rescued a further 2,000 people stranded by rising floodwaters.

Sri Lanka’s deposed president to return home: Top defense official

Bankrupt Sri Lanka’s deposed former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa is set to end his self-imposed exile in Thailand and return home Sat, a top defense official told AFP on Fri. “He has been living in a Thai hotel as a virtual prisoner and was keen to return,” the official, who asked not to be named, told AFP. “We are told he will return very early on Sat.” (here)

Chinese Speaker Li Zhanshu arriving on Sept 12

At the invitation of Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota, Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, the Chinese Speaker, is arriving on a 3-day official visit to Kathmandu on Sept 12, multiple Kathmandu Post reported sources said. Li, who is Chinese President Xi Jinping’s close ally, is a No. 3 member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, the top decision-making body of China, after President Xi and Premier Li Keqiang. The visit is taking place just ahead of the 20^th National Congress of the CCP in Oct that is likely to give another term extension to Chinese President Xi and general and provincial elections in Nepal on Nov 20. The Chinese leadership has been encouraging the Nepali communist leaders, particularly CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Centre), for allying in the elections. In Mar, Chinese FM Wang Yi, who is also the State Councilor of China, visited Kathmandu and discussed a wide range of bilateral issues with the top political leadership. Then in July, the Foreign Department Chief of the CCP, Liu Jianchao, arrived in Kathmandu and held talks with all major political stakeholders including communist party leaders. (here) [Worth recalling that CPN (Maoist Centre) was very much vocal against Indian recruitment in the Agniveer scheme and could manage to force coalition govt accordingly]