Top Headlines

  1. Pakistan approaches China for intel on Indian Air Force bases
  2. Complete shutdown in Poonch, protests across Jammu region
  3. India: the Rafale Marine close to embarking on the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant
  4. India helped in grain deal between Moscow and Kyiv, says EAM Jaishankar
  5. Green hydrogen plan gets nod from Cabinet

What Else

  1. Walmart gets $1 billion in tax bill for shifting PhonePe base to India: Report
  2. US issued nearly 1,25,000 student visas to Indians in 2022: Ned Price
  3. Islamabad hits back at Indian minister’s remarks about Pakistan being ‘epicenter’ of terror
  4. 165k schools apply for PM-SHRI upgrade
  5. Arrested ISI Spy In Bengal Was Tasked With Honey-Trapping Defence Officers
  6. Pakistan to ‘drain the swamp’ of Taliban-linked militants in US-backed offensive
  7. Pakistan Taliban threatens to target top leaders of ruling coalition
  8. Dar expects Saudi Arabia, China to beef up forex reserves by Jan-end
  9. Several Blasts Heard In Afghanistan’s Kabul: Report
  10. China losing grip in Indo-Pacific, resorts to false claims: Report

Pakistan approaches China for intel on Indian Air Force bases

  • Pakistan wants to know what the Indian Air Force is up to and has asked China’s CNSA for detailed satellite images of at least 6 frontline bases.
  • The request for info on 22 “targets’ in India was recently made through the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission, (SUPARCO) associated with Dr. Salam
  • SUPARCO has requested, the Chinese Agency, with which it has a 10-year agreement.
  • Among the 22 targets in the northern and western sectors like Srinagar, Adampur, Ambala, Bathinda, Sirsa, and Bhuj.
  • What Pakistan has sought is sub-meter resolution, a technical ability it may not have.
  • 1-m-resolution images are commercially available but remain expensive, but 0.6-m-resolution are less easy to access.
  • SUPARCO, expectedly enough, is headed by a Pak Army and has an annual budget of over $US 30 million.
  • Meanwhile, Pakistan continues to expand its air force and is strengthening its Mirpur base. (here)

Complete shutdown in Poonch, protests across Jammu region

  • A complete shutdown was observed in Poonch, about 235 km from Jammu, on Wed to protest the terror attacks in Rajouri that left 6 persons, including 2 children, dead and 15 others injured.
  • Sanatan Dharam Sabha, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, and Hindu Jagran Manch had given the bandh call.
  • Security was beefed up in the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri given the bandh, officials said. (here)
  • Rajouri killings: CRPF to send 1,800 more troops for anti-terror ops in J&K: The Central Reserve Police Force will send additional 18 companies to J&K.
  • The additional 1,800 troops will be deployed largely in Poonch and Rajouri districts to intensify anti-terror operations in the region.
  • Nine companies have already reached Rajouri and the remaining troops will reach by tonight, according to people aware of the matter. (here)

India: the Rafale Marine close to embarking on the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant

  • After 3 Rafale contracts implemented in 2022 (80 in the UAE, 6 in Greece, and 6 in Indonesia), Dassault Aviation is almost certain to land a new contract in 2023.
  • New Delhi will most likely confirm the acquisition of the Rafale Marine from the French aircraft manufacturer during Macron’s visit to India scheduled for next Mar.
  • While the date is yet to be decided, everything would be ready on the Indian side to announce.
  • Especially since in 2023, India and France will also celebrate the 25th anniversary of their strategic partnership.
  • “France is one of India’s most reliable strategic partners,” the Indian Ministry of Defense recently said.
  • This device will allow the Indians to have a homogeneous fleet between the Rafale Air and the Rafale Marine. (here)
  • India, France to hold strategic dialogue today: National Security Advisor will lead the Indian delegation while the French delegation will be led by Diplomatic Advisor to the French.
  • “The two sides will hold discussions on wide-ranging bilateral and global issues. Bonne will also call on other Indian dignitaries.”

India helped in grain deal between Moscow and Kyiv, says EAM Jaishankar

  • India tried to defuse the situation around Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and quietly helped in the grain deal between Moscow and Kyiv, EAM said.
  • He described the cap on Russian oil as a West decision that was taken without any discussions with India, asserting that Delhi will never automatically sign into what others have cooked up.
  • In an interview with ‘Die Press’, Jaishankar while replying to a question on the Ukraine conflict, indicated India’s readiness to contribute towards defusing the situation.
  • Jaishankar was asked whether he sees a role for India as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine.
  • Jaishankar said the oil market is also driven up by sanctions against Iran or what is happening in Venezuela. (here)

Green hydrogen plan gets nod from Cabinet

  • Improving India’s energy security and reducing CO2 emissions, the Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi on Wed approved an initial outlay of ₹19,744 crore.
  • The National Green Hydrogen Mission up to 2029-30, including incentives to attract investments worth ₹8 lakh crore and create 600,000 direct jobs.
  • The mission is expected to cut around 50 million tonnes of carbon emissions.
  • Hydrogen produced using renewable energy to split water (electrolysis) is termed “green hydrogen” as opposed to “grey hydrogen” produced from fossil fuel.
  • India plans to invest in developing an electrolysis capacity of 60-100 GW as part of the effort to produce green hydrogen, Minister said. (here)

Walmart gets $1 billion in tax bill for shifting PhonePe base to India: Report

  • Walmart Inc. and the rest of the PhonePe shareholders will have to pay nearly $1 billion in tax after the digital payments company shifted its HQ to India from Singapore.
  • Arkansas-based multinational retail chain Walmart Inc. took majority ownership of PhonePe after acquiring its parent company Flipkart Online Services in 2018.
  • PhonePe eyes $12 billion pre-money valuation
  • A report claimed that the fintech firm is raising funds at a $12 billion pre-money valuation from General Atlantic, Qatar Investment Authority, and others.
  • A report by India Briefing states that over 8,000 Indian startups have incorporated themselves in Singapore since 2000. (here)

US issued nearly 1,25,000 student visas to Indians in 2022: Ned Price

  • US embassy and consulates in India have broken their record as nearly, 1,25,000 student visas were issued in the fiscal year 2022, State Department said in a press conference.
  • The US said that it is committed to safeguarding national security while facilitating legitimate travel to non-immigrant travelers.
  • He also said that timely visa processing is important to the US economy and the administration’s goal. (here)

Islamabad hits back at Indian minister’s remarks about Pakistan being ‘epicentre’ of terror

  • The Pak FO on Wed rejected remarks made by Indian FM S. Jaishankar in which he indirectly referred to Pakistan as the “epicenter” of terrorism while on a tour to Austria.
  • Jaishankar made the remarks on Mon during a joint presser with his Austrian counterpart while on a two-nation visit to Austria and Cyprus.
  • Since the epicenter [of terrorism] is located so close to India, naturally, our experiences and insights are useful to others,” Jaishankar had said.
  • He said that he “could use much harsher words [for Pak] than epicenter” during a talk with ORF, when the host said, “epicenter […] doesn’t sound very diplomatic”.
  • In a release issued on Wed, the FO said the “baseless and frivolous accusations” made by Jaishankar and called his “latest tirade […] a reflection of growing frustration over India’s failure to malign and isolate Pakistan”. (here)

165k schools apply for PM-SHRI upgrade

  • A total of 165,382 schools across 29 states and UT have so far applied with the ministry for an upgrade under the PM Schools For Rising India scheme, an official said on Wed.
  • The maximum number of schools that have applied for the selection are from UP (37,065), followed by Raj (21,317), MP (19,508), Maha (16,614), and AP (13,455).
  • On Sept 7, the Union Cabinet approved the ₹27,360-crore scheme for the upgradation of 14,500 schools across the country over the next five years.
  • The scheme is expected to benefit 1.8 million students, ensure schools serve as model institutes, and encapsulate the spirit of the National Education Policy 2020. (here)

Arrested ISI Spy In Bengal Was Tasked With Honey-Trapping Defence Officers

  • Guddu Kumar, a local agent for ISI who was arrested last month in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri, had been tasked to honey-trapping top Security Officers STF (sources) said.
  • This revelation was made by Kumar during interrogation and further confessed that he had started the preparatory process on this count, but was arrested before. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Pakistan to ‘drain the swamp’ of Taliban-linked militants in US-backed offensive

  • Pakistan appears to launch a major ground and air offensive against TTP militants that could target hideouts in neighboring Afghanistan, experts say, as a surge in attacks.
  • Dozens of security personnel have been killed and wounded in recent months in near-daily armed assaults by the TTP, in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
  • Pakistan’s civil and military leadership issued a warning late on Mon that “the full force of the state” would “take on all and any entities that resort to violence”.
  • Some 441 people were killed in 254 terrorist attacks in 2022, double the deaths recorded in 2020, it reported by  Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies.
  • There will be a large ground operation for sure. Intelligence-led strikes will be employed to drain the swamp,” said Abdul Basit, a farmer diplomate of Pakistan.
  • Pakistan estimates that 7,000 to 10,000 TTP militants – along with 25,000 of their family members – are based in Afghanistan.
  • At a Dec 19 press briefing, State Department said the US would help Pakistan to address the “increasingly dangerous threat” posed by Afghanistan- based terrorist groups.
  • The US Congress has approved $10 mn to help Pakistan “with border security”, FM Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari told the Dawn on Dec 24. (here)
  • The US has thrown its weight behind the counter-terrorism decisions taken by the NSC in its meeting, saying “Pakistan has a right to defend itself from terrorism”. (here)

Pakistan Taliban threatens to target top leaders of ruling coalition

  • Pakistan govt’s effort to bring the outlawed TTP to the negotiation received a major setback on Wed as the group threatened to target the top leaders of the ruling coalition.
  • The threat was directed at PM Shehbaz Sharif’s Pakistan foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.
  • If these two parties remain firm on their position and continue to be slaves of the army, then action will be taken against their leading people,” the TTP, said in a statement.
  • It warned that “people should avoid getting close to such leading people.”
  • Claiming that the group was only waging what it called “jihad” in Pakistan, the terror outfit said, “our target is the security agencies occupying the country”. (here)

Dar expects Saudi Arabia, China to beef up forex reserves by Jan-end

  • Saudi Arabia and China were set to beef up Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves much before the close of this month, Fin Min Ishaq Dar said on Wed
  • Dar also announced that the govt would be shortly imposing a flood levy on the affluent and a significant gain tax on banks’ foreign exchange earnings to ramp up revenue.
  • He said the IMF program would be completed at all costs, China and Saudi Arabi would enhance their support, G2G disinvestments would be completed, and the current account deficit would be about $3 billion less than earlier projections.
  • The presser had been called in response to a “white paper” a day earlier by the PTI, suggesting that Pak was on the verge of anarchy. (here)

Several Blasts Heard In Afghanistan’s Kabul: Report

  • Several blasts were heard in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul on Wed, TOLOnews reported.
  • The Taliban officials are yet to comment on the explosions in the capital city.
  • The blasts come only 3 days after at least 10 people were killed and 8 others seriously injured in an explosion that rocked the Kabul military airport, on Sun.
  • Taliban Interior Ministry spokesperson Abdul Nafee Takkur said the explosion caused injuries close to the military airport’s main gate in Kabul. (ANI)

China losing grip in Indo-Pacific, resorts to false claims: Report

  • Beijing is now trying to misguide the world by making false claims about the success of its initiatives in the Indo-Pacific region.
  • The cause for the apprehension of Beijing is not difficult to understand as the EU has also come up with an Indo-Pacific strategy that aims to enhance its engagement.
  • The EU sees itself and the Indo-Pacific as “natural partner regions.”
  • To check the aggressive moves by China and ensure a free and open Indo – Pacific, the USA, and the EU are putting their acts together.
  • Anxious to defend democracy around the world, the USA has taken steps to prevent Beijing from imposing its authoritarian model around the globe. (here)

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