1. India-China face-off: Chinese dual-use airport close to Arunachal witnesses buildup
2. Center accepted the Opposition demand for discussion on India-China face-off in House
3. External Reactions on Sino-India Face-off in Arunchal’s Tawang
4. India, US condemn ‘use of terrorist proxies, cross-border terrorism’
5. Clear evidence of India carrying out terrorist activities in Pakistan: Rana Sanaullah

What Else

6. PLA spy ship, Yuan Wang 5, mapping Indian Ocean for Chinese submarine operations
7. National Investigation Agency makes first arrests in Mominpur violence
8. Evidence in Bhima-Koregaon case was ‘planted’ on activist Stan Swamy’s computer, claims US-based report
9. Jaishankar, Iran counterpart discuss bilateral ties over phone call: Iranian foreign ministry
10. Jaishankar holds “good discussion” with Japan’s Foreign Minister Yamada Kenji
11. Surat man caught working as spy for Pakistan’s ISI
12. Pakistan’s diplomatic property for sale in Washington
13. Cracks appear in ruling coalition over Reko Diq
14. Former Chinese lawmaker Yu Zhigang dies in detention while awaiting corruption verdict

In media

India-China face-off: Chinese dual-use airport close to Arunachal witnesses buildup

• A Chinese dual-use Shigatse Peace airport, which is capable of carrying out attacks, close to Arunachal Pradesh is witnessing a buildup.
• This comes amid tensions between India and China following a border clash on Dec 9.
• The airport, approximately 155 km north of the India-China border, is being readied as tensions rise near the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal’s Tawang.
• This comes a day after the Indian Air Force said it will conduct an exercise in the Eastern Sector of the country on Dec 15-16.
• Fighter jets, transport aircraft, helicopters, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) will participate in the exercise.
• However, the IAF has said that the command-level exercise in the eastern sector is a routine exercise planned and has nothing to do with the recent clash. (here)

Center accepted the Oppn demand for Discussion on India-China face-off in House

• Ahead of the day’s proceedings in House, Leader of Opposition in RS, Mallikarjun Kharge on Wed convened a meeting of opposition parties to discuss the Dec 9 faceoff.
• On Tue, both LS and RS were rocked by the issue with the Opposition staging a walkout after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made a statement in both Houses
• ANI-“A total of 17 parties attended today’s meeting and decided to raise the issue for discussion if not allowed it has been decided that parties will walk out from the house”.
• The Opposition has also decided that if a discussion is not allowed, they will boycott the House. (here)
• 17 Opposition parties stage walkout from Rajya Sabha over India-China border clash

External Reactions on Sino-India Face-off in Arunchal’s Tawang

• The US on Tue reacted to the recent Sino-Indian face-off at the Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, and said it is glad to note that there was a quick disengagement of the tension.
• WH said the US is closely monitoring the situation and encouraging India and China to utilize the existing channels to discuss the disputed boundaries. (here)
• “…We do strongly oppose any attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions, military or civilian across the border at the established LAC,” said State Dept.
• Pentagon: USA continues to closely watch developments along the India-China border.
• We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring the security of our partners and fully support India’s ongoing efforts to de-escalate this situation
• “…but I would differ with India in terms of their views, there is a growing trend by PRC to assured itself to be provocative”
• “China urges India to restrain frontline troops, work together to maintain border peace” Chinese state mediaGT writes (here)
• [Chinese painting a different story, and blamed Indian troops for transgressed the LAC]
• “We hope that Indian side will meet China halfway, implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two nations, and strictly abide by the spirit of the relevant agreements signed by 2 sides” twitted Wang Wenbin, China.
• UN “Yeah, we’ve seen these reports. We call for de-escalation and to ensure that the tensions along in that area do not grow.”

India, US condemn ‘use of terrorist proxies, cross-border terrorism’

• India and the US on Tue condemned the use of terrorist proxies and cross-border terror and called for the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai and 2016 Pathankot attacks to be “brought to justice”.
• A statement issued after a meeting of the India-US counter-terrorism joint working group in New Delhi didn’t name any countries.
• However, there was little doubt the two sides were referring to the activities of Pak-based terror groups, which were behind the 2 attacks referred.
• The two countries described terrorism as a serious threat to international peace and security and reaffirmed their strategic partnership.
• They exchanged views on the threats posed by UN-designated terrorist entities and “emphasized the need for concerted action against terrorist networks.
• The name includes Al-Qaeda, IS/Daesh, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Al-Badr. (here)

PLA spy ship, Yuan Wang 5, mapping Indian Ocean for Chinese submarine operations

• The PLA ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship Yuan Wang 5 entered the IOR on Dec 5 and exited through Sahul Banks, north-west of Australia, on Dec 12
• Yuan Wang 5 was apparently on a mission to track Chinese space activity.
• While Yuan Wang 5 is heading towards Sanya Port on Hainan Island, which harbors China’s ballistic missile nuclear submarine base.
• The frequent activity of Yuan Wang ships indicates that PLA Navy is mapping the Sunda and Lombok Straits for future submarines operations in the Indian Ocean.
• Last month, Yuan Wang 6 was surveying around the Lombok Straits and went down to the 5000 km long 98 ridge—from the Bay of Bengal to SE Indian Ridge– of the IOR.
• Sister ship Yuan Wang 5 docked at China-leased Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka in Aug and then proceeded south to prospect the same ridge before going back. (here)

Clear evidence of India carrying out terrorist activities in Pakistan: Rana Sanaullah

• Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said [claimed] on Tue that there was “clear evidence” of India carrying out terrorist activities in Pakistan,
• The govt has decided to present the matter before the international community.
• “We have decided to bring our stance before the world and unveil India’s face of terrorism,” he said in a press conference.
• “For decades, Pakistan has been burning in the fire of terrorism. Our mosques, imambargahs, important buildings, and gatherings have been targeted.
• “Today, the matter that we are putting before you […] we have evidence of India’s involvement in it,” Sanaullah said, referring to the Johar Town blast in Lahore last year.
• The minister added that the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban had support from the RAW for terrorist activities in Pakistan. (here) [No evidence has however mentioned]
• A day later, Dy FM Hina Rabbani also addressed the presser on a ‘dossier’ developed by govt containing evidence of India’s involvement in terrorist activities in Pakistan.

National Investigation Agency makes first arrests in Mominpur violence

• The NIA made the first arrests in the Mominpur violence within months after taking over the probe and 2 suspects have been arrested after prolonged questioning.
• The suspects were not cooperating with the investigation, sources said. Earlier, 18 people were arrested by the Kolkata Police in the same case.
• (Sources)- NIA recorded statements from at least 10 active witnesses and 5 people were identified as suspects in the same case.
• On Oct 9, vehicles were vandalized and people hurled stones in Kolkata’s Mominpur area after the Durga Puja celebrations.
• According to the police, the violence ensued after religious flags put up for Milad un-Nabi were allegedly torn down.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs later directed the NIA to probe the violence. (here)

Evidence in Bhima-Koregaon case was ‘planted’ on activist Stan Swamy’s computer, claims US-based report

• A new report by a US-based forensic firm- hired by Swamy’s lawyers -claimed that digital evidence was planted in the computer of Father Stan Swamy.
• The ‘activist-priest’, Swamy was arrested for alleged involvement in inciting a mob to violence in Bhima Koregaon near Pune in 2018.
• The Jesuit priest, an accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, was arrested in 2020 for alleged terror links.
• Swamy, 84, died in custody a year later while waiting for interim bail on medical grounds.
• the firm claimed that an unknown hacker allegedly infiltrated the activist’s device and “planted” several incriminating documents to establish fabricated links
• The Elgar case pertains to alleged provocative speeches given by members of Elgar Parishad at a conclave, in Pune on Dec 31, 2017, which the police claimed sparked violence the next day (here)

Jaishankar, Iran counterpart discuss bilateral ties over phone call: Iranian foreign ministry

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian held a phone conversation on Tue.
• In a press statement, the Iranian Ministry said the two top diplomats emphasized the necessity to expand bilateral cooperation in various areas.
• Amirabdollahian stressed the need to follow up on bilateral agreements on further expansion of Tehran-New Delhi ties.
• Last month, Iranian Deputy FM Ali Bagheri paid a visit to India as part of political consultations between the two countries.
• During his visit, he said Iran is ready to fulfill the energy needs of India. (here)

Jaishankar holds “good discussion” with Japan’s Foreign Minister Yamada Kenji

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed with Japan’s State Foreign Minister Yamada Kenji in New York and said both countries as G4 members work toward multilateralism.
• Intergovernmental Negotiations or IGN on UNSC reform is a group of nation-states working within the UN to further reform.
• Jaishankar who arrived in New York for a two-day visit also held a meeting with the 77^th UNGA President Csaba Korosi. (here)

Surat man caught working as spy for Pakistan’s ISI

• Acting on inputs from intelligence, the city’s detection of crime branch arrested a 33-year-old man on the charges of spying for ISI and handling its financial module.
• The accused, Dipak Salunke, was in touch with Pak-based ISI handlers Hamid and Kashif through Whatsapp and Facebook chat.
• The handlers developed contact with Salunke by posing as a woman on his FB sometime in May this year and offered him money instead of information.
• Sources-these handlers had honey-trapped 4-5 serving military personnel. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Pakistan’s diplomatic property for sale in Washington

• Pakistan has put one of its diplomatic properties in the US capital — a building on the prestigious R Street NW — for sale.
• Officials insist that neither the new nor the old embassies are up for sale.
• The building housed the embassy’s defense section from the mid-1950s to the early 2000s.
• “This building is in the market,” Dawn reported citing an official from Pak Embassy.
• “We are following the proper procedure for sale.”
• The embassy advertised the proposed sale in newspapers and has received several bids.
• “It is still in the market, no final decision yet,” the official added. (here)
• The employees of Pakistani Missions in foreign countries have not received their salaries for the last 4 months, Islam Daily reported citing sources.
• Many missions said that they are facing many difficulties in performing their duties.
• The missions have not received a total of 50 lakh dollars during the last four months.
• It is learned that funds are not being issued due to the shortage of foreign exchange.

Cracks appear in ruling coalition over Reko Diq

• Amid the fragile political situation in the country, some cracks appeared for the 1^st time in the ruling coalition on Tue when two allied parties boycotted the cabinet meeting
• The meeting is called for the Foreign Investment (Promotion and Protection) Bill, 2022 regarding the revival of the Reko Diq copper and gold mine project in Balochistan.
• Dawn (Sources)- two of the allies — Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam and Balochistan National Party-Mengal — boycotted that meeting to register their protest, but later joined it.
• Sensing the gravity of the situation, the PM formed a cabinet committee to remove grievances of JUI-F and BNP-M
• He assured that an amendment bill would soon be tabled in the parliament after consulting the two allies.
• The annoyed parties believed that the recently passed Reko Diq-related bill was against the rights of the people of Balochistan. (here)

Former Chinese lawmaker Yu Zhigang dies in detention while awaiting corruption verdict

• A prominent former Chinese lawmaker has died of a brain hemorrhage in a northeastern detention center, Chinese authorities announced on Tue.
• Yu Zhigang, 49, a former member of top legislature and a former VC of the China University of Political Science and Law, the country’s top legal university, died in May.
• He pleaded guilty to taking US$976,000 in bribes in a trial last Nov, but his case was terminated after his death.
• The decision to end the case was made by the Shenyang Intermediate Court in Liaoning province and announced on its official WeChat account on Tue. (here)