[NEWS OF THE DAY]

1. One foreign terrorist killed during infiltration bid near LoC in North Kashmir
2. Russian Defence Minister dialed Indian counterpart to discuss Ukraine conflict
3. Kashmiri politicians brief EU parliamentarians over developments in the UT
4. Tamil Nadu govt recommends NIA probe in Coimbatore car blast
5. US appoints another new interim envoy for India, but no full-time ambassador for past 22 months

What Else

6. India, China should not interfere in each other’s internal affairs to avoid ‘miscalculation’: outgoing Chinese envoy
7. Army issues emergency procurement tender for 750 drones for Para Special Forces
8. India, UAE can work together and increase trade footprint world over: UAE minister
9. Pakistan: PM Shehbaz to embark on maiden official China visit on Nov 1-2
10. Arshad Sharif’s body arrives in Pakistan
11. Indonesia rejects any negotiations, says China’s ‘nine-dash line’ puts economic interest at risk
12. Saudi Arabia reaffirms energy ties with China amid US fears over oil cuts
13. Former US military pilot who worked in China arrested in Australia, faces extradition

One foreign terrorist killed during infiltration bid near LoC in North Kashmir

• One foreign terrorist was killed near the Line of Control in North Kashmir’s Kupwara sector Tue (25/26 Oct) by a joint operation of the Indian Army along with J&K Police.
• As per the army, the terrorist belonging to PoK, while arms and ammunition, like 1 AK series rifle, 2 pistols, and a large quantity of ammunition, and war-like stores recovered.
• Security forces had received input regarding the infiltration of a group of LeT terrorists through Forward Sudpura in Karnah Tehsil of Kupwara District.
• However, taking advantage of darkness the other terrorist managed to flee to PoJK side.
• Before the arrival of winter in the Kashmir region, the number of infiltration attempts on the LoC increased. (here)

Russian Defence Minister dialed Indian counterpart to discuss Ukraine conflict

• Russian Embassy, on Wed, stated that Russian Defence Min Sergei Shoigu, had a telephone conversation with Indian Defence Min Rajnath Singh; discussed the situation in Ukraine.
• Sergei Shoigu conveyed his concerns about possible provocations by Ukraine with the use of a ‘dirty bomb’:
• Indian Defence Ministry release read Singh held a telephonic conversation with the Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu at the latter’s request.
• During the telecon, both Ministers discussed bilateral defense cooperation as well as the deteriorating situation in Ukraine.
• Min Singh reiterated India’s position on the need to pursue the path of dialogue and diplomacy for the early resolution of conflict.
• He pointed out nuclear option shouldn’t be resorted to as the prospect of usage of nuclear/ radiological weapons goes against basic tenets of humanity.
• Meanwhile, the Indian Mission in Ukraine issues its 3^rd advisory in 10 days; Asks its nationals to leave the country, and lists out assistance numbers.

Kashmiri politicians brief EU parliamentarians over developments in the union territory

• 2 Kashmiri politicians on Mon briefed members of the EU Parliament over the political and social developments in the UT, the first such briefings since the abrogation of 370 in 2019.
• The Kashmiri politicians–Chairman District Development Council Baramulla and President of J&K Workers Party, briefed 12 EUPs.
• During the meeting, the Kashmiri politicians highlighted the ongoing reforms in local governance and the importance of grassroots representation.
• Earlier this month, Kashmiri victims of cross-border terror addressed the UNHRC at the event, a development that was welcomed by the Ministry of external affairs.
• [However, why any big politicians from UT didn’t interact.] (here)

Tamil Nadu govt recommends NIA probe in Coimbatore car blast

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wed recommended a National Investigation Agency probe into Oct 23 Coimbatore LPG cylinder explosion in a car considering the possibility of cross-state developments and international relations in the investigation.
• Coimbatore police arrested 5 people after a 29-year-old man was killed in a car explosion in front of a temple in the city on Sun.

• While cops said the blast was possibly triggered by an LPG cylinder, a search at the residence of the deceased, led to the detection of a huge quantum of explosives.
• The police on Mon intensified its investigation into the car explosion incident in the city, even as CCTV footage showed a group of men carrying a bag from the house of the killed person.
• Police are also questioning 7 people in this connection, based on the contact they made with decreased including auto-rickshaw driver from Coonoor for interrogation. (here)

US appoints another new interim envoy for India, but no full-time ambassador for past 22 months

• The US Tue appointment of yet another Chargé d’Affaires for India, while sending a full-time ambassador to the country continues to remain stuck at the Senate.
• Elizabeth Jones will act as Chargé d’Affaires (CDA), ad interim, the statement read.
• The statement also said that the US-India partnership is one of the “most consequential in the world”, though failed to translate into the action by the Biden administration.
• However, the same administration has appointed its envoys across the entire South Asian region, but as yet not in India.
• In the past 22 months, since the last US Ambassador to India left the post following Biden’s assuming office in Jan 2021, Washington has posted 5 CDAs. (here)

India, China should not interfere in each other’s internal affairs to avoid ‘miscalculation’: outgoing Chinese envoy

• Outgoing Chinese envoy to India, Sun Weidong Tue said that India and China should not interfere in each other’s internal matters as the same could lead to miscalculation.
• China and India also need to respect each other’s political systems and development paths, he added, whose tenure seen the Galwan 2020.
• Sun said being neighbors, it is natural for China and India to have some differences.
• He went on to invoke Rabindranath Tagore and said we cannot borrow the mentality and temperament of the West.
• Sun called on External Affair Minister, S Jaishankar, for a farewell met, where the minister emphasized that Peace and tranquillity in the border areas is essential. (here)

Army issues emergency procurement tender for 750 drones for Para Special Forces

• For helping special forces to carry out special missions behind enemy lines, the Indian Army is looking to procure 750 remotely piloted aerial vehicles under fast-track procedures.
• The Indian Army said the Special Forces are mandated to execute special missions behind enemy lines and hence, should be equipped with state-of-the-art equipment.
• The Army wants these RPAVs to provide a processed 3D scanned image of the target to execute special missions.
• This force multiplier would enable the SF to execute pinpoint precision strikes during direct action tasks such as raids, elimination of high-value targets, and command and control elements including enemy leadership. (here)

India, UAE can work together and increase trade footprint world over: UAE minister Omar Sultan Al Olama

• Now is the time to dominate the world through commerce and countries like India and the UAE can work together to substantially increase the footprint world over, said the minister.
• The UAE minister of AI, made the remarks while virtually speaking at the event called CyFY2022, organized by Observer Research Foundation (ORF).
• The minister said that there are ingrained roots between India and the UAE and in multiple possible areas for cooperation, particularly in collaboration between startups.
• Olama, the world’s only AI minister, said that his job is to regulate the bad and promote the good while utilizing technology to create a better future for everyone.
• Further, talking about the use of AI in crude oil production, he said that the country wants to apply AI to increase efficiencies to reduce the cost of each barrel. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Pakistan: PM Shehbaz to embark on maiden official China visit on Nov 1-2

• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, including Foreign Minister, will visit China at Premier Li Keqiang’s invitation on Nov 1-2, the Foreign Office said on Wed.
• It will be the PM’s 1^st official visit to China since assuming office in Apr this year, and he will also be 1^st head of state, who will be visiting post 3^rd term of Xi Jinping.
• During his visit, PM Shehbaz will meet President Xi Jinping and hold delegation-level talks with his Chinese counterpart.
• PM made a similar 2-day visit this week to Saudi Arabia where he met Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and attended the Saudi Future Investment Summit. (here)

Arshad Sharif’s body arrives in Pakistan

• Interior minister says team constituted by govt to probe killing will depart for Kenya immediately, submit a report to the ministry.
• The body of slain journalist, Arshad Sharif — who was killed reportedly at the hands of the Kenyan police three days ago — arrived in Islamabad early on Wednesday.
• Judicial commission to probe Arshad Sharif’s death
• Arshad Sharif was a victim of targeted killing, claims Imran Khan (here)
• The UN has demanded a thorough investigation from the Kenyan authorities into the death of Arshad Sharif.

Indonesia rejects any negotiations, says China’s ‘nine-dash line’ puts economic interest at risk

• The Chinese govt said it has “overlapping claims” with Vietnam over maritime rights in parts of the East Sea.
• Indonesia rubbished the statement, rejected China’s offer for any negotiations, and said that Jakarta’s economic interests are threatened by China’s Nine-Dash Line.
• China’s permanent mission to the UN in a letter said, “China and Indonesia have overlapping claims on maritime rights and interests in some parts of the SCS.”
• Reacting to this, Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told BenarNews, that there is no relevance in holding any dialogue on maritime boundary delimitation. (here)

Saudi Arabia reaffirms energy ties with China amid US fears over oil cuts

• Saudi Arabia is expected to further strengthen ties with China as it looks to rebalance relations with the US, according to observers.
• The assessment follows a video conference between Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman and the Chinese National Energy Administration.
• In the meeting, the two officials agreed to deepen cooperation in the energy supply chain by establishing a “regional hub” for Chinese manufacturers in the kingdom to take advantage of Saudi’s access to 3 continents.
• They also discussed cooperation and joint investments under China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
• Riyadh’s relations with Washington have long been unbalanced and the kingdom has more options now, a Chinese analyst says. (here)

Former US military pilot who worked in China arrested in Australia, faces extradition

• A former US military pilot and flight instructor who worked in China was arrested in Australia and faces extradition to the United States.
• Australian Police arrested on Fri in the rural town of Orange in New South Wales.
• He appeared in court there on the same day, court records showed and two police sources and his lawyer confirmed.
• His lawyer appeared by videoconference, however, the pilot was denied bail and taken to the nearby Bathurst jail, two of the sources said. (here)