[NEWS OF THE DAY]

1. Authorities conducting raids in Mysuru over Mangaluru auto blast
2. Within a week of Modi-Xi shaking hands at G20, India-China defense ministers to meet in Cambodia.
3. Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice offers $100,000 for “advance” info on Bhagwant Mann’s foreign visit
4. With Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar in Doha, calls grow for release of 8 ex-Navy men
5. US-India “among the most consequential relationships,” says deputy NSA Jon Finer

What Else

6. India, Russia Hold Wide-Ranging Discussions On UN Security Council Agenda
7. Indian Army issues tenders to buy 62,500 bulletproof jackets for lethal steel core bullets
8. India stood with us in difficult times: Syrian foreign minister Fayssal Mekdad
9. UAE Foreign Minister arrives on 2-day India visit
10. Budget 2023-24: Sitharaman chairs first consultation with industry leaders, experts
11. China denies using force to retrieve rocket debris in South China Sea
12. China’s spending on Russian energy nears $60 billion since Ukraine war
13. Pak army chief Bajwa’s family became billionaires in last six years: Report
14. Pakistan to name new army chief by Friday: Defence minister
15. Nepal elections 2022: Current political scenario, electoral violence and road ahead

Media

Authorities conducting raids in Mysuru over Mangaluru auto blast

• The police investigating the explosive blast at an autorickshaw in Mangaluru have penetrated its roots in Mysuru.
• A fire that broke out in an auto rickshaw in the Kankanadi police station area is “not accidental” but an “Act of Terror”, said the DGP Karnataka on Sun.
• The auto driver and a passenger sustained injuries and were admitted to the hospital on Sat.
• State’s Home Minister Araga Jnanendra also suspected it to be a terror-related incident.
• Earlier on Sat, at around 5 pm, an auto rickshaw caught fire in the Kankanadi Police Station area.
• The reason behind the fire was a bag being carried by a passenger riding in the auto.
• Further investigation is underway. (here)
• The premises were examined, and a large amount of explosives material, matchboxes, nut bolts, and circuits were discovered.
• We know where it came from since some purchases were made online and some were made offline.
• The key accused in the auto blast case was identified as Shariq, who is a serial offender and was earlier booked under UAPA but granted bail.

Within a week of Modi-Xi shaking hands at G20, India-China defense ministers to meet in Cambodia.

• Barely within a week when PM Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping shook hands at the G20 Summit in Bali, the meet is proposed on Tue and Wed.
• On, Phnom Penh will host a gathering of the DMs of the 10 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries as well as the bloc’s 8 dialogue partners
• Dialogue partners are India, China, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Australia, Russia, and the United States.
• The Indian and Chinese DMs, Rajnath Singh and Wei Fenghe will also join the ‘ADMM Plus’ (ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus) conclave.
• The ADMM Plus will also bring the DMs of the Quad grouping to confront China in the Indo-Pacific area – to Phnom Penh.
• A bilateral meeting between Singh and Wei is likely however neither confirmed nor denied explicitly by the defense ministry or the ministry of external affairs. 
• PM Modi and President Xi had not had any formal bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the recently concluded G20 summit.
• Singh will also meet with his ASEAN counterparts separately.
• New Delhi’s decision to expand maritime security cooperation with the ASEAN comes amid China’s increasing belligerence in the Himalayan border and Indo-Pacific. (here)

Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice offers $100,000 for “advance” info on Bhagwant Mann’s foreign visit

• Banned Khalistani outfit, Sikhs For Justice announced a reward of $100,000 for “advance” info on the foreign visits of Punjab CM,  Mann, raising security concerns.
• SFJ blamed Mann for the alleged mistreatment of Haryana-based shooters and the arrest of gangster Raj Hooda following an encounter in Rajasthan.
• These people were held responsible for gunning down the 2015 Bargari sacrilege case accused Pardeep.
• SJF said that such blasphemous incidents on the holy Sikh book, Guru Granth Sahib can only be stopped in a separate Khalistan and can’t be fixed under Indian rule.
• The SJF is conducting ‘Khalistan referendums’ across the globe as a part of its secessionist agenda, except where they need it.
• The next step on this referendum, Sikhs For Justice said will be in Melbourne, Australia, after in Canada.
• The Pakistan-backed separatist group has over a dozen criminal cases registered against them being pursued by the NIA, Punjab Police, and Uttarakhand Police. (here)

With Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar in Doha, calls grow for release of 8 ex-Navy men

• Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar arrived in Doha on Sun to represent India at the inauguration of the FIFA World Cup
• Meanwhile, the family members of the 8 retired Indian naval officers imprisoned for 80 days in Qatar, have stepped up calls for the govt to intervene in their release.
• The ex-officers have had some contact with their families and an MEA official traveled to Doha for consular access in Oct, but there is no official word yet. (here)
• Zakir Naik, banned in India for hate speech, to preach Islamic sermons at FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar
• Zakir is also a wanted person in Bangladesh.

US-India “among the most consequential relationships,” says deputy NSA Jon Finer

• US Dy NSA Jon Finer on Sun highlighted India-US bilateral relations developing into a “global strategic partnership”, based on the increasing convergence of interests on bilateral, regional, and global issues.
• Speaking at a lunch reception to celebrate the festive season at India House, Washington, he said, “2022 is a highly accomplished year and having an even bigger year to come”.
• “We at the WH, the entire administration certainly President see this as among the most consequential relationships with the US anywhere in the world.” (here)

India, Russia Hold Wide-Ranging Discussions On UN Security Council Agenda

• On Nov 17, Russian Dy Foreign Min Sergey Vershinin had extensive foreign policy consultations with Secy (W), read the press statement by the Russian FM.
• Issues on the agenda were discussed, with an emphasis on the UNSC activities in light of the completion in Dec the New Delhi’s 2-year presence as a non-permanent member.
• Also, the sides touched upon topical regional issues, such as the situation in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, and Myanmar, as well as the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.
• Special attention was paid to the problems of combating terrorism and UN peacekeeping.
• The program of India’s chairmanship in the UNSC for the coming month was discussed in detail, too.
• This was 3^rd round of such consultations to be held between both sides this year. (here)

Indian Army issues tenders to buy 62,500 bulletproof jackets for lethal steel core bullets

• Amid the threat of the use of steel core bullets by terrorists in India, the Indian Army has issued tenders for acquiring 62.5k bulletproof jackets for its frontline troops
• The Ministry of Defence has issued 2 separate tenders for BPJ under Make in India including 47,627 jackets via normal route and 15000 jackets under emergency procurement, which would be finalized in the next 3-4 months.
• The procurement for 47,627 jackets would be done in phases and is expected to be completed in the next 18-24 months.
• The BPJs should be able to protect a soldier against 7.62 mm armor-piercing rifle ammunition as well as steel core bullets fired from a distance of 10 m.
• In a few of the incidents in the Kashmir valley, terrorists used American armor-piercing bullets in encounters with Indian security forces. (here)

India stood with us in difficult times: Syrian foreign minister Fayssal Mekdad

• Syrian Foreign minister Fayssal Mekdad has appreciated Indian support to his country amid the decade-long crisis it has been facing. 
• Mekdad is on an India visit and held talks with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Fri.
• New Delhi has offered Lines of Credit worth USD 280 million to Syria for building a power plant and a steel plant in the country.
• Mekdad also slammed Türkiye’s involvement in his country, asking Ankara to withdraw from “Syria, and to stop its support to terrorist groups”
• Mekdad said: “You know at a time humanity doesn’t mean anything for western power, we found all human noble concepts prevailing in Indian foreign policy.”
• The remarks come even as Türkiye launched air raids on Kurdish targets in Iraq and Syria days after Istanbul saw a terror attack.
• He also made remarks on Iran protests, his country’s support to Russia in the Ukraine conflict and ties with Israel. (here)

UAE Foreign Minister arrives on 2-day India visit

• UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan is paying an official visit to India starting Mon, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said.
• He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation. During the visit, Sheikh Abdullah will hold talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
• According to MEA, the visit will be part of regular consultations between the two countries on bilateral as well as global issues of mutual interest.
• Earlier, the EAM visited UAE to co-chair the 14^th Joint Commission Meeting and the 3^rd Strategic Dialogue with UAE FM Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed.
• Jaishankar and his UAE counterpart reviewed the gamut of bilateral strategic partnerships between the two nations.
• They also held discussions with the UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the current global situation. (here)

Budget 2023-24: Sitharaman chairs first consultation with industry leaders, experts

• Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Mon chaired her 1^st pre-Budget consultations with the first group of captains from industries and experts in Delhi.
• The meeting was attended by Union dy. Fin Mins; the Fin Secy, and the Chief Economic Advisor Anantha Nageswaran.
• The formal exercise to prepare the annual Budget for the next financial year — 2023-24 – commenced on Oct 10.
• The Budget for 2023-24 is likely to be tabled on Feb 1^st which will be the last full Budget for Modi 2.0 govt before the Lok Sabha elections to be held in Apr-May of 2024. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

China denies using force to retrieve rocket debris in South China Sea

• China denied on Mon that one of its coastguard ships used force to retrieve a piece of a rocket floating in the ocean that was being towed by a Philippine vessel in the South China Sea.
• A Philippine military commander said earlier the Chinese coastguard ship “forcefully retrieved” the object by cutting a line attaching it to a Philippine boat.
• China’s foreign ministry told a that the object was debris from a rocket’s payload fairing – casing that protects the nose-cone of a spacecraft – launched by China.
• “It was not a situation in which we waylaid and grabbed the object,” Mao said.
• Commander of the Philippine Western Command stated authorities sent a vessel to examine the object after it was spotted early on Sun about 730 m west of Thitu island
• The incident occurred as U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris arrived in the Philippines on Sun for talks aimed at reviving ties with the Asian ally. (here)

China’s spending on Russian energy nears $60 billion since Ukraine war

• China’s purchases of natural gas, coal, crude oil, and oil products increased to nearly $60 billion since the invasion of Ukraine, from about $35 billion a year ago.
• Russian sales grew despite a broad weakening in China’s imports in Oct.
• Oil imports from Russia rose 16% to 7.72 million tons last month, a volume topped only by Saudi Arabia, according to Chinese customs data.
• The increase comes as China’s refiners seek Beijing’s help to keep Russian cargoes flowing after new sanctions are imposed early next month.
• From Dec. 5, the EU is set to ban the financing, insuring, and shipping of Russian crude, which will force importers to find workarounds.
• Coal imports from Russia increased 26% to 6.4 million tons. 
• Russian sales of LNG expanded by more than half from a year ago to 756,000 tons in Oct, despite a 34% decline in China’s overall purchases of the super-chilled fuel.
• That left total purchases of Russian energy at $7.7 billion last month, slightly higher than the revised $7.6 billion for Sept, but well above last year’s $5.4 billion.
• It brings the total to about $59.5 billion since Russia began its war in Ukraine. (here)

Pak army chief Bajwa’s family became billionaires in last six years: Report

• Less than 10 days before Pakistan army chief Gen Bajwa’s tenure is to end, a report has shed light on the sharp rise of the wealth of family members in the country in 6 years.
• This is claimed by Pakistani journalist Ahmad Noorani, Writing for Fact Focus, who has unearthed how Bajwa’s immediate and extended family members, became rich.
• The report is supported by a lot of data that looks into the financial dealing of Bajwa’s family including other close family members.
• Based on tax returns and other financial statements, the Pakistani journalist noted how between 2013 and 2017, Bajwa revised the wealth statement for 2013 3 times, after being appointed country’s army chief.
• “FactFocus website being blocked in Pakistan. We will fight censorship. Please use VPN. Free VPNs are available in app stores. (here)
• Finance Minister Dar on Mon took notice of the “illegal and unwarranted” leak of the tax records of COAS Gen Bajwa’s family members.

Pakistan to name new army chief by Friday: Defence minister

• PM Shehbaz Sharif will announce the new chief of Pakistan’s army by Nov. 25, days before the incumbent Gen Bajwa retires, defense minister Khawaja Asif said.
• The ministry will send Sharif a list in a day or two of names of 5/6 top generals to be promoted as the chief, he told reporters on Monday.
• The premier will choose the new chief after consultations, he said.
• The appointment of Pak’s army chief is watched keenly because the institution exerts outsized influence over the country’s politics — particularly its foreign and defense.
• The army has also directly ruled the nuclear-armed nation for about half of its history since its creation in 1947. Bajwa retires on Nov 29. (here)
• PTI chief Imran Khan urges supporters to reach Rawalpindi on Nov 26, set to announce next strategy
• Says if the establishment wasn’t behind regime change, should have stopped the conspiracy

Nepal elections 2022: Current political scenario, electoral violence and road ahead

• Nearly 61% of eligible voters cast ballots in Nepal’s elections for the federal parliament and provincial legislatures on Sun.
• The Nepalese elections were in danger due to sporadic violence and unrest.
• One fatality and various voting-related disturbances were caused by these instances.
• Voting was held in over 22,000 polling locations from 7 am local time till 5 pm.
• Compared to the last 2 elections, which were held in 2013, and 2017, where 78% of voters turned out, the voter turnout is much lower.
• There will be direct elections for 330 seats in total, with proportional representation used to fill the remaining 220 seats in the seven provincial legislatures.
• A party must win at least one seat in the federal parliament under the FPTP system and at least 3% of the vote share to be recognized as a national party.
• Election Commission chose to hold a single-day election as it considered it to be practical and cost-effective. (here)