1. PM Modi, Mallikarjun Kharge share millet lunch after Congress chief’s ‘dog’, ‘mouse’ jabs
2. ‘Nothing to worry about, India has hybrid immunity’: NTAGI chief amid rising fears over China’s COVID spike
3. National Investigation Agency files charge sheet in recruitment of young girls by Maoists
4. J-K encounter: Three terrorists neutralised by security forces in Shopian district
5. Fifth Scorpene submarine ‘Vagir’ delivered to Indian Navy

What Else

6. Indian forces acquiring ‘Pralay’ ballistic missile for striking targets at 150-500 Km
7. ‘If China chooses next Dalai Lama, we will never accept’: Indian Buddhist Org
8. No alternative to two-state solution between Israelis, Palestinians: India
9. Banks wrote off more than ₹10 trillion in loans over five years: Report
10. Beijing braces for surge in severe Covid-19 cases as world watches with concern
11. 25 militants killed as forces secure CTD compound in Bannu
12. China raises concern over security of its workers with Sindh
13. Terrorists attacked a check post in South Waziristan

PM Modi, Mallikarjun Kharge share millet lunch after Congress chief’s ‘dog’, ‘mouse’ jabs

• PM Modi on Tue attended a lunch along with Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge, both house’s Chairmans, and other MPs in Parliament where millet dishes were served.
• “As we prepare to mark 2023 as the International Year of Millets, attended a sumptuous lunch in the house. Good to see participation from across party lines,” PM tweeted
• Interestingly, this came after ruling and opposition members in RS on Tue sparred over certain remarks made by Kharge, with treasury members seeking an apology. (here)

‘Nothing to worry about, India has hybrid immunity’: NTAGI chief amid rising fears over China’s COVID spike

• Amid an alarming surge in COVID-19 cases in China and other countries, a top health expert said that the Indian population is largely protected through hybrid immunity.
• Hybrid immunity against the virus is produced in individuals who have been infected with the disease earlier and administered the COVID-19 vaccine.
• The chairman of the COVID-19 working group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI), said the country’s system is “vigilant”.
• The Centre on Tue urged all states and Union territories to gear up the whole genome sequencing of positive samples to keep track of emerging variants.
• “China was following the so-called zero COVID policy and … they have relaxed this policy and after that, we are hearing that there is widespread COVID infection in that community with associated severe disease and deaths also,” he said to ANI.
• Union health minister to chair a meeting today on Covid. (here)

National Investigation Agency files charge sheet in recruitment of young girls by Maoists

• The NIA has filed a charge sheet against 5 Maoist cadres for alleged radicalization and recruitment of young girls into the ranks of CPI (M), the agency said on Tue.
• The case was registered based on the complaint filed regarding the recruitment of one Radha to the cadres of CPI (Maoist).
• The NIA probe revealed that Dongari Devendra, Dubasi Swapna, and Chukka Shilpa “had indeed attracted gullible young girls to CMS, and depending on their dedication to the org, and sent to the proscribed organization, CPI (M),” the statement added.
• (source) NIA is probing half a dozen other cases in Assam, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh related to the activities of Maoists.
• Meanwhile, in a response Home Ministery stated in the Lok Sabha on Tue, such violence has reduced by 77% from 2,213 in 2010 to 509 in 2021. (here)

J-K encounter: Three terrorists neutralised by security forces in Shopian district

• Three terrorists have been killed in an ongoing encounter with security forces in the Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tue.
• The encounter broke out in the wee hours and the J&K Police have identified the terrorists involved as members of the terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba.
• The encounter ensued between the terrorists and the security forces at the Munjh Marg area of the Shopian district in the Kashmir region.
• One AK-47 rifle and two pistols were recovered from the terrorists, said the Additional Director General of Kashmir Police. (ANI)

Fifth Scorpene submarine ‘Vagir’ delivered to Indian Navy

• The fifth submarine of the Project – 75, Kalvari Class submarines, Yard 11879 was delivered to the Indian Navy on Tue.
• Project – 75 includes the construction of 6 submarines of Scorpene design, at Mazagon Shipbuilders Mumbai, under collaboration with Naval Group, France.
• Launched on Nov 12, 20, Vagir commenced the sea trials on Feb 01, 22 and it is a matter of great pride that she has completed all major trials. (here)

Indian forces acquiring ‘Pralay’ ballistic missile for striking targets at 150-500 Km

• Amid the ongoing conflict, the Indian armed forces are now going to acquire the ‘Pralay’, a surface-to-surface ballistic missile, which can hit targets from 150 to 500 Km.
• The proposal moved by the Indian defense forces is at an advanced stage and is scheduled to be taken up for clearance during a high-level meeting this week.
• The proposal comes at a time when the forces are working on the creation of a rocket force, which has been in discussion at the highest levels in the Ministry. (ANI)

‘If China chooses next Dalai Lama, we will never accept’: Indian Buddhist Org

• For the first time, an Indian Buddhist organization (IHCNBT) on Tue passed a resolution calling for no interference when it comes to the succession of the 14^th Dalai Lama.
• The IHCNBT in a resolution said, “If the govt of the PRC, for political ends, chooses a candidate for the Dalai Lama, the people of the Himalayas will never accept it“.
• The resolution said, “System of recognizing reincarnated spiritual beings is a religious practice unique to Nalanda Buddhism and the philosophy of the principle of life after death.“
• “No govt or any individual has the right to interfere in this matter,” it added.
• The resolution pointed out that the sole authority on the reincarnation of his holiness the Dalai Lama is Gaden Phodang’s institution. (here)

No alternative to two-state solution between Israelis, Palestinians: India

• India stressed that no alternative to the two-state solution can guarantee peace between Israel and Palestine and said that direct negotiations are the only path to peace.
• Addressing the UNSC, the Indian envoy to the UN, said, “No alternative to the two-State solution to guarantee lasting peace between Israel and Palestine and direct negotiation the only path that can lead us there.”
• Kamboj reiterated India is deeply concerned with development in the West Bank, Jerusalem, and Qazi. (here)
• India supports the full and effective implementation of resolution 2231, which terminates the UN resolution on Iran’s nuclear policy,
• India encouraged the concerned parties to continue dialogue and diplomacy toward an early resolution of differences and return to full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). (here)

Banks wrote off more than ₹10 trillion in loans over five years: Report

• Indian banks have written off loans worth over 10 trillion rupees ($121.05 billion) in the last 5 FY in an attempt to clean up their balance sheets, as per the federal govt.
• SBI, the country’s largest lender, leads the list with the biggest write-off of Rs2.04 trillion, the ministry of fin said in a written reply in the parliament.
• Punjab National Bank, another state-owned lender, ranked second with a cumulative Rs 923.39 billion in write-offs.
• Two other public sector banks, Oriental Bank of Commerce and United Bank of India, were amalgamated into PNB in April 2020. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Beijing braces for surge in severe Covid-19 cases as world watches with concern

• Beijing faces a surge in severe Covid-19 cases over the next 2 weeks, amid global concerns over possible mutations, and the world economy after the surprise ditching of China’s tough virus policies.
• Following widespread protests, the people this month began dismantling its “zero-Covid” regime of lockdowns and testing that had largely kept the virus away for 3 years, at great economic and psychological costs.
• The easing coincided with a jump in Covid-19 cases that experts say will likely gather pace through winter, with projections suggesting China could face more than a million deaths next year. (here)
• The US on Tue offered to share vaccines with China to stem soaring Covid-19 cases, saying that containing the outbreak was in the interest of the world.
• It is unlikely that China would accept the offer, its frequent adversary after Beijing invested heavily in Covid-19 diplomacy that included shipping its home-grown vaccines around the world. (here)

25 militants killed as forces secure CTD compound in Bannu

• At least 3 security officials were taken hostage by militants holed up inside the CTD building in Bannu, and were martyred as security forces secured the facility seized by TTP.
• Speaking to Geo News late on Tue night, ISI, media wing said that 33 terrorists were under investigation in the CTD compound on Dec 18.
• “One of them snatched a weapon from a CTD officer and got his allies freed.”
• He said two terrorists were killed in the ensuing exchange of fire while three who tried to escape were arrested and two security personnel were injured as well.
• “In the last 48 hours, there were all-out attempts for an unconditional surrender from the terrorists who were demanding safe passage to go to Afghanistan.” (here)

China raises concern over security of its workers with Sindh

• A Chinese company has written to the Sindh govt that its workers are being threatened by armed persons and has requested security for them, reported Intekhab Daily.
• The company is working in Malir on upgrading the grid station and the transmission lines.
• The law and order in Sindh are far from satisfactory.
• The conditions point out neglect at the administrative and law-keeping machinery’s end, reported Pahenji Akhbar.
• Amid the safety and security of the Chinese working on the CPEC projects, Pak China had earlier agreed to use bullet-proof vehicles for all outdoor movement. (here)

Terrorists attacked a check post in South Waziristan

• According to police sources, more than 50 terrorists attacked the city police station Wana and Baghicha check post last night.
• Sources said that a terrorist was killed in the clash, whose body has been taken into police custody.
• Police sources say that an official has also been injured in the attack. Sources also said that the terrorists escaped after police and FC retaliated. (Jang)