[NEWS OF THE DAY]

SCO: Suspense remains on bilateral meeting between India’s Modi and China’s Xi on sidelines

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Uzbekistan’s cultural capital Samarkand will be the first time both Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will be under the same roof since the Galwan Valley incident. As of now, there is no confirmation over the face-to-face meeting. Any meeting will be significant given how ties have been faring, but a breakthrough looks less likely, especially in the wake of the Galwan. From Delhi, the message has been clear as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has several times said that the ties have been going through a “difficult phase”. But a week before the SCO, India, and China announced disengagement at Gogra-Hot Springs (also known as Patrolling Point 15) at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh. (here) PM Modi will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. Both leaders will discuss Russian-Indian cooperation within the UN and G20 during the SCO summit, Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters Tue. It is reported that India will lead the SCO and will also chair the G20. The PM would also have other bilateral meetings during the summit. The Indian Ambassador to Uzbekistan Manish Prabhat had said earlier “PM Modi would attend the summit and hold bilateral meetings with several leaders. When we are meeting with central Asian countries, we discuss connectivity which will promote trade, investment and other exchanges between Indian and central Asian countries,” he told ANI. Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi are also expected to attend the summit. (here)

PM Modi meets King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wed met the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Wangchuck also met Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and will also meet National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval today. Bhutan on Tue ratified the International Solar Alliance Framework Agreement. The basic framework of India-Bhutan bilateral relations was the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949 between the two countries. It called for peace between the two nations and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs. The Treaty was revised in 2007. However, Bhutan agreed to let India guide its foreign policy and both nations would consult each other closely on foreign and defense affairs. The diplomatic relations were established in 1968 with the establishment of a special office of India in Thimphu. There are several institutional and diplomatic mechanisms between India and Bhutan in areas such as security, border management, trade, transit, economic, hydro-power, development cooperation, water resources, etc. Bhutan shares its border with 4 Indian states – Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, and Sikkim with a length of 699 km and serves as a buffer between India and China thus it acts as a buffer state against China, by protecting the sensitive chicken neck corridor as narrow as only 22 km and connect 7 northeast states. (here)

India, France, and Australia ministerial trilateral later this month in New York

India, France, UAE trilateral to be upgraded to ministerial level, says EAM Jaishankar said on Wed, in a joint press conference after bilateral meet with his French counterpart Catherine Colonna. Colonna on Wed said India and France have strong strategic partnership for the last 25 years and want to bring peace and stability to the world. “…. But I wanted to choose India as my first visit as a minister in the Asian zone. So, that’s a deliberate choice. ….We’ve achieved a lot. We want to bring some peace and stability to this world,” Colonna told ANI. French FM elaborated that India and France work together not only on defense, and security but also on global issues and would like to do more. “We work together not only on defense security but also on global issues”. She also revealed that a meeting between President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Modi can take place soon. She is on a 3-day visit from Tue, during which she will meet PM Modi, EAM, and NSA Ajit Doval and discuss bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest. “People-to-people contacts are essential… We want 20,000 Indian students in France by 2025” she added. (ANI)

Twitter whistleblower reveals employees concerned China agent could collect user data

The FBI informed Twitter Inc of at least one Chinese agent working at the company, US Senator Chuck Grassley said during a Senate hearing on Tue where a whistleblower testified, raising new concerns about foreign meddling at the influential social media platform. Peiter “Mudge” Zatko, a famed hacker who served as Twitter’s head of security until his firing in Jan, said some Twitter employees were concerned the Chinese govt would be able to collect data on the company’s users. Twitter has come under fire previously for lax security, most notably in 2020 when teenage hackers seized control of dozens of high-profile accounts, including the verified profile of former US President Obama. On Tue, Zatko’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee revealed Twitter’s security issues could be far more serious, alleging for the first time that the company was informed of agents of the Chinese govt working at the social media firm. The number of documents was limited compared with those provided by Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, who released thousands of pages of internal material. (here) [There is at least one MSS (CCP intelligence) on the payroll inside. The agent from India is placed to see twitter’s plan, and how it negotiation going in or against their party. And 4k employees have to assess all personal information and can dox users]

President Droupadi Murmu to visit London to attend funeral of Queen Elizabeth II

President Droupadi Murmu will visit London to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. “President Droupadi Murmu will be visiting London, United Kingdom on Sept 17-19 to attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and offer condolences on behalf of the govt,” a statement said. (here)

[NATIONAL]

Military Secrecy Gets in the Way of French Judges’ Rafale Sale Probe: Report

The two French judges who have been investigating France’s sale of 36 Rafale fighter jets to India have come across a roadblock – military secrecy. According to a report by French platform Mediapart, a discreet search of Dassault Aviation (makers of Rafale) offices was carried out in Feb this year. However, since then, the judicial investigation has been unable to get much further. Judges Virginie Tilmont and Pascal Gastineau have been investigating the sale for the last year, focusing on suspicions of “corruption”, “influence peddling” and “favoritism” in the euro 7.8 billion sales. In Feb this year, according to Mediapart, a team from OCLCIFF, the anti-corruption unit of the French police, searched Dassault’s headquarters in Saint-Cloud, in the western suburbs of Paris, on the judicial panel’s request. When the publication asked Dassault about this, the company refused to respond. (here)

Foreign secretaries of India, Nepal hold talks on bilateral cooperation

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on Tue held talks with his visiting Nepalese counterpart Bharat Raj Paudyal and took stock of the entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation, also covering trade, connectivity, culture, and people-to-people relations. Paudyal is on a two-day visit to India from Sept 13. The Ministry of External Affairs said the two secretaries noted with appreciation the progress on many projects. Kwatra and Paudyal also reviewed the implementation of initiatives announced during Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s visit to India in Apr and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi’s trip to Lumbini in May. The MEA said the recent progress in bilateral cooperation in the power sector, including the export of power from Nepal to India, was appreciated by the two foreign secretaries. Both sides also welcomed the recent signing of the MoU between India’s NHPC and Investment Board Nepal (IBN) on the development of the West Seti and SR-6 projects. The MEA said both sides agreed to expeditiously progress on project proposals for the Ramayana Circuit to further strengthen people-to-people links. (here) [However, the Nepal embassy’s statement added that the two also discussed boundary matters. “In this regard, they exchanged views on completing the boundary work in remaining segments through established bilateral mechanisms”.]

Air India Express pax on Muscat-Kochi flight evacuated after reported fire

Over 151 people, including four infants, were evacuated from an Air India Express Muscat to Kochi flight on Wednesday following a reported fire in one of its engines. The aircraft was taxiing for take-off when the emergency occurred. According to sources, all passengers have been safely evacuated. (here)

Pakistani boat carrying drugs worth Rs 200 crore caught off Gujarat coast

In a joint operation, the Indian Coast Guard and Gujarat Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) apprehended a Pakistani boat with 40 kg of drugs worth Rs 200 crore on Wed morning. According to Indian Coast Guard officials, the Pakistani boat was apprehended 6 miles inside Indian waters. “Two fast attack boats of ICG caught a Pakistani boat 33 nautical miles off the Jakhau coast in Gujarat,” said the officials. Pakistani crew along with boat are being brought to Jakhau for further investigation. Further details are awaited. (here)

India’s wholesale inflation eases further in August but still in double-digit

India’s wholesale inflation declined further during Aug to 12.41% from 13.93% the previous month but continues to remain in double digits, official data released on Wed showed. Notably, the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) based inflation has been in the double-digit for 17 months in a row now. The index of primary articles increased by 0.62% to 178.6 (provisional) in Aug 2022 from 177.5 (provisional) in July 2022. Prices of Non-food Articles (1.98%) and Food Articles (1.57%) increased in Aug 2022 compared to July 2022. Prices of Minerals (-1.90%) and Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas (-7.34%) declined in Aug 2022 as compared to July 2022. The RBI is mandated to keep inflation in a range of 2-6%. The RBI is deemed to have failed in its mandate if the average inflation remains outside the tolerance band for three consecutive quarters. (here)

India narrows thermal coal imports gap with top buyer China

India is fast catching up with China in its thermal coal imports, as the world’s two biggest overseas buyers of the power generation fuel adjust purchases to align them with the varying trajectories of their economic growth. India’s thermal coal imports are expected to rise 7% on year to 158 million in 2022, and a further 3% to 163 million tonnes in 2023, consultancy Wood Mackenzie said. (here)

The US has very close defence relationship with India: Pentagon

The US has a very close defense relationship with India, the Pentagon has said as it dismissed questions about the latest multinational military exercises involving Russia, India, and China. “We have a very close partnership and defense relationship with India. We obviously will continue to work with India and further develop that relationship,” Pentagon spokesman Brig Gen Patrick Ryder said. (here)

EC delists 86 ‘non-existent’ unrecognized political parties; 253 declared inactive

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has delisted 86 “non-existent” Registered Unrecognized Political Parties (RUPPs), the poll body said on Tue. An additional 253 RUPPs were declared inactive. As per statutory requirements under section 29A of the RP Act, every political party has to communicate any change in its name, head office, office bearers, address, and PAN to the Commission without delay. 86 RUPPs were found to be non-existent either after a physical verification carried out by the respective Chief Electoral Officers of concerned states/UTs or based on the report of undelivered letters/notices from the Postal Authority sent to the registered address of the concerned RUPP. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Pakistan writes to Afghanistan seeking arrest of JeM chief Masood Azhar: Report

According to Pakistani media outlet Bol News, Maulana Masood Azhar is located in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Kanhar areas. A letter demanding his arrest was written to the Afghanistan authorities by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The report comes at a time when the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has mounted pressure on Islamabad to take action against terror funding emanating from its soil. The FATA watchdog has also hinted at a possibility of Pakistan being taken off the grey list if it acts effectively against terror groups. Action against Lashkar e Taiba commander following FATF pressure: Most recently, Pakistan convicted and sentenced 26/11 Mumbai attack planner and Lashkar e Taiba commander Sajid Mir – following mounting pressure from the FATF. Meanwhile, Pakistan has vehemently claimed that Azhar is not present in Pakistan and likely to be in Afghanistan. Interestingly, however, Azhar frequently publishes articles on Pakistani social media networks asking JeM cadres to take up jihad and claiming that an Afghanistan-like Taliban victory would open avenues for Muslim victories elsewhere in the world. (here) [Meanwhile, the Taliban has refused to receive any such letter. Also, some Indian media citing Indian intelligence agencies claimed that the current location of Azhar is in Bahawalpur Pakistan, secured by Pak Army]

Gilgit Baltistan residents protest against state-backed exclusion, corruption

A protest rally was held by residents of Gilgit Baltistan on Wed against state-backed exclusion and corruption in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The deferral and non-payment of salaries continue to remain an issue of concern in the illegally occupied regions of Pakistan. Anti-government sit-ins have become a recurring phenomenon. One day it is the teachers, the next the doctors, and on other occasions, the employees of one or the other govt department. They lament that the Pakistani govt deliberately deprives them of their rights and remunerations. And with a corrupt system in place, they have no option but to take to the streets. The employees from the electricity department protested against the govt, saying that their employers–in this case, the govt–have not paid them their full salary even once in the last two years. (here) Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly minister in a joint press conference said that Gilgit-Baltistan neither had any tax nor it will have in the future. The locals should relax because even if there is any tax it will be only for those outsiders who come here for business. It was also said that yearly 1.5 million tourists come to GB, and would it not be fair to take some tax from them? It was said that an APC will be called on the issue of withdrawing subsidy on Wheat and the Opposition will also be invited. (Daily K2)

Pakistan Navy criticizes Chinese-made helicopters over maintenance

Pakistan purchased the Chinese Z-9EC helicopters in 2006, an ASW variant specifically produced for the Pakistan Navy and Air Force, however it is marred by the poor maintenance capabilities of the Chinese supplier. Pakistan purchased these helicopters equipped with pulse compression radar, low-frequency sonar, radar warning receiver, and doppler navigation system to counterbalance India, however, it has little chance of harming New Delhi, reported Difesa Online, an independent newspaper specialized in the defense sector and related industry. The problem would mainly concern the poor maintenance capabilities of the Chinese supplier (the helicopters were produced by the Harbin Aircraft Industry), as they would not be able to repair damaged helicopters, thus compromising the operational capabilities of the anti-submarine aircraft. It is certainly not the first time that Chinese weapons systems have been the subject of harsh criticism from Pakistani naval circles. Many countries that militarily depend on low-cost supplies from Beijing complain of major deficiencies, especially from the point of view of maintenance, reported the Italian publication. (here)

The US says it expects Pakistan to take ‘sustained action’ against all terrorist groups

US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Wed that Washington expected Islamabad to take “sustained action” against all terrorist groups and that a recently proposed $450 million military sale package for the maintenance of Pakistan’s F-16 fleet would help serve this purpose. “Pakistan’s F-16 program, it’s an important part of the broader US-Pakistan bilateral relationship, and this proposed sale will sustain Pakistan’s capability to meet current and future counterterrorism threats by maintaining the F-16 fleet,” Price said during a press briefing on Tue. “This is a fleet that allows Pakistan to support counterterrorism operations, and we expect Pakistan will take sustained action against all terrorist groups,” he added. Price made these remarks when asked to share some details about the proposed package, about which the US govt has already notified Congress. During the briefing, Price was also asked to comment on media freedom in Pakistan, particularly concerning restrictions on ARY News in recent days and the arrest of the channel’s head of news, Ammad Yousuf. (here)

3 soldiers were martyred in the firing at Army Check Post

According to ISPR, terrorists from Afghanistan opened fire at a check post of the Pakistan Army in Kharlachi area of Kurram district, as a result of which 3 soldiers were martyred. While the terrorists faced heavy loss of life due to the heavy retaliatory action of the Pakistan Army. ISPR said that Pakistan strongly condemns the use of Afghan territory by terrorists. It is expected that the Afghan government will not allow any such activity in the future. (Daily Express, Nawai Waqt, Daily Jinnah, Ummat)

U.S. considers China sanctions to deter Taiwan action; Taiwan presses EU

CNBC (sources) – The United States is considering options for a sanctions package against China to deter it from invading Taiwan, with the European Union coming under diplomatic pressure from Taipei to do the same. In both cases, the idea is to take sanctions beyond measures already taken in the West to restrict some trade and investment with China in sensitive technologies like computer chips and telecom equipment. “The potential imposition of sanctions on China is a far more complex exercise than sanctions on Russia, given U.S. and allies’ extensive entanglement with the Chinese economy,” said a former senior U.S. Commerce Department official. Taiwan had already broached sanctions with European officials after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but China’s recent military exercises have seen Taiwan’s position harden, 6 sources briefed on the Taiwan-Europe discussions told Reuters. But there is a growing concern in the German govt over its economic dependence on China, with the economy minister pledging a new trade policy and “no more naivety” on Tue. (here) Germany drawing up a new China trade policy, vows ‘no more naivety’: Germany’s economy minister said on Tue the govt was working on a new trade policy with China to reduce dependence on Chinese raw materials, batteries, and semiconductors, promising “no more naivety” in trade dealings with Beijing. (Reuters)

Taiwan looks to Ukraine for how to get message to the world during conflict

Taiwan is looking at Ukraine’s ways of communicating its message to the outside world at a time of conflict, by making use of tools such as satellites and deploying humor, the digital minister said on Wed. Beijing’s war games and blockade drills around Taiwan last month, following a visit to Taipei by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have heightened concerns on the island about the prospect of an attack by the People’s Liberation Army. “We look at the experience of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in Feb. We found that the whole world can know what is happening there in real-time,” said Audrey Tang, head of Taiwan’s new digital affairs ministry. Ukraine had effectively conveyed its message to the world, said Tang, adding that keeping up high-quality communication in real time was critical to its effort. (here)

In China’s rice-growing heartland, farmers fight to save the autumn harvest

Like generations before them, Zhang Yue and her husband rely on the health of China’s largest lake for their livelihood. The couple typically earns about US$8,700 per year farming rice, corn, and sesame on the edge of Poyang Lake, just enough to eke out a living for a family of six. But this year, their income is likely to be cut in half due to a record summer heatwave and drought that has smothered more than 20 provinces across the country. Poyang Lake and surrounding wetlands are an important source of irrigation for Jiangxi province, one of China’s rice-growing heartlands. Though the lake’s size fluctuates annually between wet and dry seasons – but is shrinking overall – the lack of rain across southern China since July has seen water levels fall at the fastest pace on record, reaching a low of 8m early in Sept. “10-20% loss rates for this year’s middle-season rice in the seven most affected provinces could potentially reduce China’s annual rice output by 3-6%, or 7 mn-14 mn metric tonnes,”  Fitch Ratings said. “China’s food problem is a structural issue. It is mainly a lack of feed grain, with a surplus of rice, so the current drought has a limited impact on domestic food security or the overall food prices,” Li Guoxiang, a researcher said. (here)