1. Border clashes between India and China ‘regularly covered up’
2. UK, France and UAE support India’s bid for permanent membership at UNSC
3. Central government offers to establish permanent Secretariat for No Money for Terror: MHA
4. Navy chief holds discussions with top political and defense leadership in Sri Lanka to boost bilateral military ties
5. Kerala to skip Governor’s policy address in budget session

What Else

6. High-level government meeting today on Delhi airport rush
7. If someone consumes liquor, they will die, says Bihar CM on Hooch tragedy
8. WHO chief asks China to share requested data to probe origins of Covid-19
9. 6 Chinese diplomats leave UK over Manchester protester attack
10. Philippines concerned over Chinese vessels ‘swarming’ in disputed waters – defense chief
11. Afghan Taliban administration, Myanmar junta not allowed into UN for now
12. One killed, 15 injured as Afghan forces open fire on Chaman border area: officials

Border clashes between India and China ‘regularly covered up’

• India is covering up the true extent of border clashes with China to avoid panicking the public, The Telegraph, claimed to cite sources.
• It adds several incidents are taking place in the Arunachal every month with soldiers engaging in violent hand-to-hand combat, often using nonlethal weapons.
• A clash on Dec 9^th in Tawang, in which at least 20 Indian soldiers were injured, was widely reported, however, the news outlet claimed that such incidents are usual.
• It further claimed that India’s border forces are under strict instructions to keep quiet about the regular clashes between Indian and Chinese troops. (here)
• ‘It began with a buildup from early Dec’: TimesNow (Sources) on Tawang clash
• For nearly a fortnight, Indian soldiers had seen signs of a buildup in the Yangtze area of Arunachal and they had taken precautions.
• On the morning of Dec 9^th, in 2 areas, close to each other, the 200 Chinese PLA tried to cross the line of actual control and enter Indian territory.
• They were intercepted by J&K Rifles soldiers (70-80) [details reported] (here)

India’s Quick Reaction Team commandos conduct training in Tawang:

• The fresh visuals of the training showed Indian forces displaying close-combat skills, bayonet charges, and RPG firing exercises among others.
• The location and timing of the drill are supposed to indicate India’s readiness to thwart any further incursion attempt from the Chinese side. (here)
• Eastern Air Command of the Indian Air Force is conducting a pre-planned routine exercise in its AOR on Dec 15 -16, 22.
• IAF Spokesperson said, “This exercise was planned well in advance of the recent developments in Tawang and is not associated with these events”
• The Border Security forces increased patrolling along the India-Pakistan IB in Samba after the India-China face-off. (here)

UK, France and UAE support India’s bid for permanent membership at UNSC

• The UK, France, and UAE on Wed extended support for India’s permanent membership at the UNSC, as India is holding the presidency of the UNSC for Dec 2022.
• UNSC Open Debate on ‘Maintenance of International Peace & Security: New Orientation for Reformed Multilateralism’.
• Most significantly, India has almost twice the number of peacekeepers deployed on the ground than P5 countries.
• India is the largest democracy and second-most populous country in the world, are the primary reason for it to be granted permanent membership.
• [Yes, but how? Will P5 will lost the privilege they are enjoying?] (here)
• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stressed the need for reforms in the UN while presiding over ministerial signature events of India’s presidency of the UNSC. (here)

“Hosting Osama Bin Laden…”Jaishankar’s sharp response to Pakistan’s Bhutto after ‘Kashmir remark’ in UN

• Without naming, Jaishankar slammed the neighboring state after Pak FM Bilawal Bhutto raised the issue of Kashmir at the UN to discuss multilateralism.
• Speaking in his national capacity, EAM said the credibility of the UN depends on its effective response to the key challenges of our time be it pandemic, climate, conflicts, or terrorism.
• “….Nor can hosting Osama Bin Laden and attacking a neighboring Parliament serve as credentials to sermonize before this council,” he said.
• “Parties to a dispute [India] can not advocate multilateral process one day, multilateral reforms one day and insist on bilateral avenues the next and ultimately impose unilateral actions,” he said. (here)
• China continues its silence on India’s bid for a permanent seat at UNSC during a meeting on reformed multilateralism under Indian Presidency.

Central government offers to establish permanent Secretariat for No Money for Terror: MHA

• The Central govt has offered to establish a permanent Secretariat for the No Money for Terror (NMFT) in the country, Union dy Home Min stated in the parliament Wed.
• He was responding to a question in Rajya Sabha about whether the govt has any proposal to set up a Secretariat to coordinate the global efforts against terror funding.
• Member has asked questions that include the details of the countries cooperating with ‘No Money for Terror’ and whether the country’s agencies will play a role.
• Rai said that the Ministry hosted the 3^rd Ministerial Level Conference on CT Financing ‘No Money For Terror’ during Nov 18-19, 2022 in which delegations from 77 countries and 16 multilateral organizations were in attendance. (here)

Navy chief holds discussions with top political and defense leadership in Sri Lanka to boost bilateral military ties

• Indian Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar has held discussions with senior political and defense leadership of Sri Lanka, including President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
• Kumar, who arrived here on Tue on a 4-day visit, called on President on Wed.
• “Discussions focused on furthering defense cooperation between two towards strengthening bilateral ties.” the Indian High Commission here tweeted.
• He also called on PM Dinesh Gunawardena and also met Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, State Minister of Defence, and Vice Admiral, Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy.
• High Commissioner along with the Navy chief hosted a reception onboard the INS Sahayadri, which was attended by Parliament Speaker and ministers. (here)

Kerala to skip Governor’s policy address in budget session

• The Kerala govt has decided to skip the Governor’s address in the inaugural assembly session of 2023.
• The move was effected after the 7^th session of the Assembly was adjourned sine die on Tue.
• It is customary for the Governor to make an address at the start of each year’s assembly session.
• Since the seventh session was adjourned sine die, the Speaker can convene it again after giving a 10-day notice to legislators.
• The move comes amid ongoing tension between Governor Mohd Arif Khan and the state govt.
• Khan has attacked the state govt for alleged irregularities in appointments in universities, and the govt has attacked the Governor over alleged attempts to saffronise higher education in the state.

High-level government meeting today on Delhi airport rush

• A crucial govt meeting is set to be held at 11 am on Thu in the rush at Delhi’s Airport.
• Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla chaired the high-level meeting.
• The rush and chaos at the airport in the national capital and flaring temperaments have raised major concerns over the last few days.
• Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Mon visited the airport for a review.
• Among the steps listed by Scindia was the addition of 4 X-Ray machines at the security hold area, display boards showing wait times, and the security condition (here)
• The Airports Authority of India has asked the Delhi airport operator, for a status report on the services they provide.
• The communication was sent under the agreement signed between AAI and DIAL in 2006 when the airport was privatized. (here)
• Air India flights operating in the domestic sector are reportedly witnessing delays due to a shortage of cabin crew. (here)

If someone consumes liquor, they will die, says Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Hooch tragedy

• Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Thu told media on the 39 deaths so far in the Chhapra hooch tragedy that if “someone consumes spurious liquor, they will die”.
• Defending the liquor ban, he said that the state’s prohibition policy has benefitted several people and a large number of people have given up alcohol.
• “I have told officers that they shouldn’t capture the poor. People manufacturing liquor & carrying on liquor trade should be caught,” Kumar said. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

WHO chief asks China to share requested data to probe origins of Covid-19

• WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wed called on China to share the requested data concerning Covid-19 in a bid to understand the origins of the virus.
• “We continue to call on China to share the data and conduct the studies that we have requested, to better understand the origins of this virus,” the chief told the media.
• “As I have said many times, all hypotheses remain on the table,” he added.
• 3 years after its emergence in Wuhan, exactly how SARS-CoV-2 1^st emerged as a respiratory pathogen capable of sustained human-to-human transmission. (here)

6 Chinese diplomats leave UK over Manchester protester attack

• In yet another low in UK-China relations, China has removed 6 officials from the UK – including most senior diplomats – 2 months post violence at its Manchester consulate.
• 6 Chinese diplomats based in Manchester, including Consul-General, are returning to China in the wake of an incident in which a protester was dragged campus and attacked.
• The police told the govt last week to interview diplomats but as per protocol, the govt requested to Beijing waive diplomatic immunity to allow officers to proceed.
• The British side gave the Chinese a deadline of Wed to respond and allow the police investigation to continue, but instead, the 6 are now on their way back to China.
• The diplomats’ departure was announced by UK Foreign Secy James Cleverly on Wed and expressed disappointment that none of the 6 would now face justice. (here)

Philippines concerned over Chinese vessels ‘swarming’ in disputed waters – defense chief

• The Philippines’ defense chief on Wed said the reported presence of dozens of Chinese vessels in disputed SCS was an “unacceptable” action that violates the sovereignty.
• Chief added there was “great concern” over the “reported swarming of Chinese vessels in Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.”
• Manila refers to the part of the South China Sea that it claims as the West Philippine Sea.
• Last week a Philippine military commander confirmed the presence of Chinese vessels believed to be manned by militias in the reef and shoal since early this year.
• “Our lines remain open to dialogue,” Faustino said.
• “.. activities which violate our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction, and undermine the peace and stability of the region, are unacceptable.” (here)

Afghan Taliban administration, Myanmar junta not allowed into UN for now

• A decision on whether the Taliban admin and the Myanmar junta can send a UN envoy has been postponed for the 2^nd time but could be reconsidered in the next 9 months.
• The 193-member UNGA is on Fri due to approve the report, which also deferred a decision on rival claims to Libya’s UN seat.
• The 9-member UN credentials committee includes Russia, China, and the US.
• The deferment of the decisions leaves the current envoys in the seats for their countries, diplomats said. (here)

One killed, 15 injured as Afghan forces open fire on Chaman border area: officials

• A person was killed and 15 were injured when Afghan border forces opened indiscriminate fire on a civilian area in Pakistan, on Thu.
• According to local administration, the border area is being evacuated after clashes and an emergency has been declared in DHQ Chaman.
• The medical chief said that at least 12 people are under treatment at the health facility.
• Officials reported that multiple artillery rounds were fired around the Boghra Road and Custom House areas from the Afghan side.
• They added that the Pakistani forces have given a befitting response to Afghan shelling.
• An emergency has been declared at the hospital, adding that the citizens have been asked to evacuate from Mall Road, Boghra Road bypass, and Border Road.
• Authorities have said that the clashes broke out over the intervention of Afghan forces during the repair of the fence in the Sheikh Lal Muhammad sector of the border. (here)