[NEWS OF THE DAY]

1. Violence breaks out during Durga idol immersion in Chhattisgarh
2. Accident Due to Shell Burst in Babina Cantt Field Firing Range – Jhansi
3. India abstains from voting in UNHRC over holding debate on rights situation in China’s Xinjiang
4. Rupee falls to record low against US dollar, slips past 82-mark
5. US envoy, during a visit to PoK, refers to the region as ‘Azad Kashmir’, India raised objection

What Else

6. UNHRC adopts resolution over Sri Lanka’s rights situation, India abstains
7. 3-member Commission to look into granting SC status to Dalits converted to other religions
8. UGC launches syllabus of cyber security course at UG and PG level
9. Amit Shah embarks on 3-day visit to Sikkim, Assam today
10. India will pursue its approach of strategic independence, states the Danish policy paper
11. Sri Lanka in talks with China on debt restructuring, president says
12. Sri Lanka top court allows proceedings against former President Rajapaksa, others
13. Pakistan: Will give befitting reply to Moody’s if downgrade not reversed: Dar
14. Pakistan: Latest audio leak allegedly exposes Imran Khan’s narrative on horse trading

Violence breaks out during Durga idol immersion in Chhattisgarh

• A video has surfaced on the internet of a clash that broke out between two groups in Sadar Bazar of Chhattisgarh’ Bilaspur.
• In the video, people in huge numbers can be seen attacking vehicles and its decoration standing in the area.
• The cause that created the situation of violence is yet to be known. Further details are awaited in the matter.

Accident Due to Shell Burst in Babina Cantt Field Firing Range – Jhansi

• Two Army personnel including a JCO lost their lives after the barrel of a T-90 tank burst during a field firing exercise on Fri in Babina Cantonment near Jhansi.
• A Court of Inquiry has been ordered.

India abstains from voting in UNHRC over holding debate on rights situation in China’s Xinjiang

• India was among 11, on Thu abstained from voting on a UNHRC resolution on holding a debate on the human rights situation in China’s Xinjiang, which is rejected by 19/17 out of the 47-membered assembly.
• ANI (sources) “India has never supported country-specific issues in Human Rights Council”.
• Meanwhile, self-proclaimed supporters of Muslim right worldwide, Pakistan voted against the resolution.
• The irony was that 12 out of 17 OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation)countries voted in favor of China, while 4 countries abstained. (here)
• A 48 pages UN report issued on Aug 31, 2022, lauded the suppressed voice of the Uyghur minority, which Beijing called a counter-terrorism operation against “Uyghur terrorists”.
• However, the reports that surfaced in past years claimed that this treatment applies to everyone.
• “Situation still not normal”, says MEA on India-China ties; contradicts what the Chinese envoy to Delhi has been emphasizing –that the situation is getting normal.
• At a first, India says “Human Rights of the people of Xinjiang should be respected” MEA
• Nonetheless, Indian experts are expressing their displeasure over the move.

UNHRC adopts resolution over Sri Lanka’s rights situation, India abstains

• While abstaining to vote on the UNHRC draft resolution on human rights in Sri Lanka, India on Thu said it has always been guided by 2 vital principles — “support to the aspirations of the Tamils for equality” and “peace and sovereignty of Sri Lanka.”
• UNHRC draft resolution on “Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka” was adopted at the 51^st Session of the UNHRC.
• (Source)-“India has never supported country-specific issues in UNHRC”. (here)

Rupee falls to record low against US dollar, slips past 82-mark

• With increasing oil prices weighing on traders’ sentiments, the rupee plunged to an all-time time low of 82.22 against the $ on Fri morning.
• Depending on the US payroll report, the US Federal Reserve’s stance on monetary policy could also be influenced.
• The rupee had closed at 81.88 in the previous session.
• Govt bond yields are expected to open higher on Mon, as concerns over debt supplies may resurface after weaker-than-expected demand at a debt auction on Friday. (here)

3-member Commission to look into granting SC status to Dalits converted to other religions

• The Union Govt has set up a 3-member Commission for Inquiry to look into giving Scheduled Castes status to Dalits who have converted to any religion other than Sikhism or Buddhism, within two years.
• A gazette notification issued on Thu said the Commission will also examine the changes SC persons go through on converting to other religions in terms of their customs, traditions, social and other status discrimination, and deprivation. (here)
• However, the fundamental of the reservation is to combat social injustice, economical inequality, and deprivation of resources.

UGC launches syllabus of cyber security course at UG and PG level

• As part of Cyber Jaagrookta Diwas-2022, the Chairman of the University Grants Commission launched the syllabus of cyber security courses at Under and Post Graduate levels.
• The syllabus aims to create more aware, responsive, and responsible digital citizens, thereby contributing effectively to an overall healthy cyber security posture and ecosystem. (here)

Amit Shah embarks on 3-day visit to Sikkim, Assam today

• Union Home Minister, Amit Shah has left for his 3-day visit to Sikkim and Assam on Thu, where he is scheduled to inaugurate a Dairy Cooperative Conclave 2022 at Gangtok.
• Meanwhile, ruling BJP president JP Nadda will also arrive in the Northeast today to inaugurate the party’s biggest office in the region Basistha area of Guwahati on Sat.
• ANI (sources)- Shah will attend a series of official meetings on Sat-Sun, including the Conference at the Police Training College at Dergaon on Sun. (here)

US envoy, during a visit to PoK, refers to the region as ‘Azad Kashmir’

• The US envoy to Pakistan, Donald Blome, this week traveled to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which is still disputed for 3 days.
• The US Embassy used Twitter to promote the visit throughout the 3 days.
• However, what is not expected to go down well with India is the fact that during his visit to PoK, Blome kept referring to the region as AJK (Azad Kashmir).
• India considers PoK as its territory, which is currently under the control of Pakistan and does not refer to the region as Azad Kashmir kindly. (here)
• The Ministry of External Affairs has objected to the US envoy’s visit to PoK, adding that the same has been conveyed to the US side.
• Also US special envoy Thomas West met with Pak’s dy FM on Wed and “reaffirmed commitment for a peaceful, prosperous and stable Afghanistan” and the need to “uplift Afghan economy,” said Pak’s FO. [by siting in Islamabad]

India will pursue its approach of strategic independence, states the Danish policy paper

The policy paper (Danish Security and Defence Toward 2035) acknowledged that in terms of foreign and security policy, India will maintain its approach (i.e., strategic independence) and will not join treaty-based partnerships. In this context, it referred to India’s position on the Russia-Ukraine crisis. India’s broader security policy focus is on the Indo-Pacific, where it wants to minimize Chinese influence and presence, claimed the Danish govt document. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Sri Lanka in talks with China on debt restructuring, president says

• Sri Lanka’s president says his govt has started debt restructuring discussions with China, an important step towards finalizing an IMF rescue of Lanka from its worst economic crisis.
• President Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament on Thu that the initial talks would continue after the CCP congress meeting that begins on Oct 16.
• President, who recently returned from a trip to Japan, also said the Japanese authorities agreed to mediate the talks with China.
• [Yesterday, Japanese authorities refused the claim of any settalment]
• “China has been supporting us from ancient times and we believe they will do the same in these difficult times,” he said.
• Sri Lanka is nearly bankrupt and has suspended repaying its $51 bn foreign debt, of which it must repay $28 bn by 2027.
• China has not committed to any restructuring, but it offered an additional loan. (here)

Sri Lanka top court allows proceedings against former President Rajapaksa, others

• Sri Lanka’s top court has granted permission for proceedings against former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the rights group which filed the case against him said in a statement on Fri.
• The case, filed by the rights group Transparency International, calls for accountability for the island nation’s leadership for its worst financial crisis in more than 7 decades.
• The court also agreed to allow proceedings against the country’s former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, its former fin min, and two of its former central bank governors. (here)

Pakistan: Will give befitting reply to Moody’s if downgrade not reversed: Dar

• Fin Minister Ishaq Dar warned Moody’s Investor Service on Fri that he would give a “befitting” reply in a meeting with its officials next week if the agency did not reverse the downgrade of Pakistan’s sovereign credit rating.
• A day earlier, Moody’s cut Pak’s sovereign credit rating by 1 notch to Caa1 from B3, citing increased govt liquidity and external vulnerability risks, following the floods.
• Debt affordability, a long-standing credit weakness for Pakistan, will remain extremely weak for the foreseeable future.
• Moody’s should have consulted Pakistan before the downgrade, the minister said, adding that there was “no cause for worry”. (here)
• The Pakistani rupee’s recovery streak continued on Fri with a gain of Rs2.24 against the dollar during early trade in the interbank market.
• “Reconsider travel to Pakistan due to terrorism and sectarian violence”, US updates travel advisory to Pakistan

Pakistan: Latest audio leak allegedly exposes Imran Khan’s narrative on horse trading

• The hacker, claiming to hold audios of the PM House, has leaked another soundbite that suggests Imran Khan was involved in horse-trading during his tenure.
• PM Shehbaz denies govt’s role in audio leaks, lambastes ‘fraudster’ Imran Khan
• ISI, IB DGs included in the high-level committee to probe PM House audio leaks
• State secrets with enemies say Imran Khan after PM House audio leaks
• The audio mentions 48 hours and it matches with the SC order that was issued on Apr 7. (here)