1. Indian government blocks more than 200 apps linked to China: Reports
2. India, US officials chalking out plans for PM Modi’s visit to White House: Report
3. Spurt in China’s DWF vessels in high seas on radar of Indian security set-up
4. ‘Special gesture’: Rishi Sunak joins Ajit Doval-UK NSA meeting in London
5. India hands over 50 more buses on SL’s 75^th Independence anniversary

What Else

6. Pakistani drone carrying contraband shot down by BSF along Rajasthan border
7. NIA receives terror threat letter on ‘orders’ of Taliban’s Haqqani; Mumbai and other cities on alert
8. Terror group TRF issues death threat to officials amid demolition drive in J-K
9. IAF to acquire new transport aircraft under ‘Make in India’ initiative
10. Western Air commander reviews security scenario along northern borders
11. Calicut-bound Air India Express flight catches fire mid-air, lands back at Abu Dhabi
12. Canadian FM Melanie Joly Begins 2-day Visit to India, to Hold Talks With EAM
13. New Zealand FM Nanaia Mahuta off to India to promote education, trade, tourism
14. Supreme Court issues notice to govt over blocking BBC’s documentary on Gujarat riots
15. US downs Chinese surveillance balloon, China threatens repercussions
16. Pakistan, IMF at odds over Rs 900 billion fiscal gap
17. Pakistan: Largest refinery shuts down
18. Tharoor calls Musharraf ‘real force for peace’, minister reminds him of Kargil War
19. ‘Kashmiris’ will unbreakable’: Pakistan observes Kashmir Solidarity Day
20. At least five injured in Quetta blast
21. Bangladesh asks Pakistan to apologize for 1971 atrocities
22. Miscreants vandalize idols at 12 Hindu temples in Bangladesh’s Thakurgaon
23. Nepal: RSP withdraws from coalition government of PM Prachanda

Indian government blocks more than 200 apps linked to China: Reports

• The Modi govt banned blocked 232 (138 betting apps and 94 loan lending apps) with Chinese links.
• An official familiar with developments told the news agency PTI on Sun that these apps were blocked for gambling and unauthorized loan service.
• The names of these apps have not been revealed yet.
• Earlier, the Indian home ministry recommended the ministry of electronics and IT (MeitY), and the latter ministry initiated the process as per communication.
• These apps attracted Section-69 of the IT Act as they contained material, which was prejudicial to the country’s integrity and sovereignty.
• The decision was based on multiple complaints of extortion and harassment of common people who had availed small amounts of loans through mobile apps.
• These apps were the brainchild of Chinese nationals who hired Indians and made them directors in operation. (here)

India, US officials chalking out plans for PM Modi’s visit to White House: Report

• The Indian officials are currently in talks with their US counterparts to finalize the schedule of Indian PM Modi’s visit to the White House later this year, (Reuters).
• The dates have not yet been decided.
• The possibility of the visit to the US gained ground following the meeting between NSA Doval and his counterpart Jake Sullivan and Secy of State Antony Blinken.
• During the meeting, both countries pledged to deepen ties on military equipment, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence.
• US President Joe Biden is expected to visit New Delhi in Sept for the G20 meetings hosted by India.
• The American president is also expected to meet with Modi during a mid-year meeting of the Quad countries, which is hosted by Australia and also includes Japan.
• The visit takes place in the backdrop of growing Chinese influence and the import of Russian oil by India.
• Moreover, in the wake of a potential threat from China, India on Wed hiked its military expenses for the upcoming year by 13% to $72.6 billion. (here)
• PM Modi has been pegged as the world’s most popular leader with an approval rating of 78% as per a survey by a US-based consulting firm ‘Morning Consult.’ (here)

Spurt in China’s DWF vessels in high seas on radar of Indian security set-up

• India is closely monitoring a sudden spurt in China’s distant water fishing vessels in the high seas, including IOR and India’s immediate neighborhood, as the vessels could be used for espionage activities.
• China’s extensive use of DWF vessels on the high seas has increasingly become an environmental hazard, especially in the Northern Indian Ocean region.
• There has been a surge in the activities of unregistered Chinese fishing vessels near India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Iran, and Oman.
• More than 392 Chinese illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing incidents occurred in the Indian Ocean in 2021, compared to 379 in 2020.
• Further, the Maldives and Sri Lanka have reported the presence of Chinese DWF vessels such as squid jiggers, trawlers, and longliners in their waters.
• Iran faces a similar challenge as Chinese trawlers are taking close to 46,000 tonnes of commercial fish. (here)

‘Special gesture’: Rishi Sunak joins Ajit Doval-UK NSA meeting in London

• It was a “special gesture” by British PM Rishi Sunak to join National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his UK counterpart Tim Barrow for the annual strategic dialogue.
• The high commission of India in London wrote on Twitter that the govts of countries value strengthening strategic partnerships in trade, defense, science, and technology.
• The Meet comes in the backdrop of BBC trying to rake up the 2002 Gujarat riots and target PM Modi.
• India and the UK share a comprehensive strategic partnership.
• The two nations have also concluded 6 rounds of negotiations for a trade deal and will begin the next round very soon. (here)

India hands over 50 more buses on SL’s 75^th Independence anniversary

• Marking the island nation’s 75th Independence anniversary, India has handed over another 50 buses to strengthen the rural transport services in Sri Lanka.
• The latest fleet of vehicles is part of the 500 buses to be handed over to Sri Lanka, and the relevant documents were officially given to President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
• In January, India gave 75 buses as part of its support to strengthen the transport of its southern neighbor which is going through its worst economic crisis. (here)
• Indian Dy FM V Muraleedharan on Sat held a meeting with Bangladesh’s FM AK Abdul Momen and held discussions on areas of mutual interest.
• V Muraleedharan held the meeting with AK Abdul Momen in Colombo during his visit to attend the Independence Celebrations of Sri Lanka.
• Muraleedharan also met with Nepal’s FM Bimala Rai Paudyal.
• Muraleedharan met Sri Lanka’s FM Ali Sabry and conveyed greetings on their 75^th Independence Day and assured him of India’s continued commitment to assist the island nation in its economic recovery.
• Earlier in the day, he also met President Wickremesinghe and conveyed PM Modi’s greetings on 75^th Independence Day. (here)

Pakistani drone carrying contraband shot down by BSF along Rajasthan border

• A Pakistani drone carrying about 6 kg of narcotics has been shot down by the Border Security Force along the International Border in Rajasthan on Sat, a senior officer said.
• The drone was brought down during the intervening night of Feb 3-4 in Srikaranpur sector of the state.
• A similar drone carrying about 5 kg of drugs was shot down by the border force in Punjab on Fri. (here)

NIA receives terror threat letter on ‘orders’ of Taliban leader Haqqani; Mumbai and other cities on alert

• The National Investigation Agency has received a terror threat letter in its email.
• Taking note of the threat letter, Mumbai and other cities have been put on alert.
• The threat mail was received on the email ID of NIA, after which different cities of the country have been alerted.
• Sources – the e-mailer introduced himself as a Taliban and claimed that this was going to happen on the orders of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the main leader of the Taliban.
• The govt has proposed a USD 25 million development aid package for Afghanistan in the Union Budget that was presented by Union Fin Min N Sitharaman. (here)
• NIA conducts searches at 8 locations in Phulwarisharif Patna PFI case to disrupt conspiracy hatched by PFI cadres to carry out targeted killing in East Champaran, Bihar; arrests 2 from Motihari.
• The 2 arrested accused had arranged weapons and ammunition for the killing, says NIA

Terror group TRF issues death threat to officials amid demolition drive in J-K

• Terror outfit The Resistance Front outfit of LeT has issued a 7-point warning against the ongoing demolition drive in Jammu and Kashmir.
• TRF threatened it would “kill and target anyone” who “owns or drives” the bulldozers or JCBs being used in the anti-encroachment drive and anyone working in the revenue dept.
• In the threat letter, the terror group said the properties of its supporters were razed and the officials remained “mute spectators”.
• The terror outfit said it would “target and kill” anyone working for the revenue department or whose machinery was used in the demolition drive.
• TRF even urged the general public to ‘burn down’ the houses of perpetrators, who, according to the TRF, are officials of the govt. (here)

IAF to acquire new transport aircraft under ‘Make in India’ initiative

• The Indian Air Force has initiated the process of acquiring a Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA), which is to be manufactured in the country under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
• The MTA, to be used for various roles of a transport aircraft, would have a cargo carrying capacity of between 18 to 30 tonnes, the IAF said on Fri.
• India has embarked on a massive transformation of its defense sector through the ambitious ‘Make in India’ program. (here)

Western Air commander reviews security scenario along northern borders

• Western Air Comdr Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha on Sat visited forward areas on the northern borders and lauded the strong counter-infiltration grid along the LoC.
• The defense spokesman said the IAF has kept almost all its air bases at a “very high level of readiness” to meet any eventuality relating to China and Pakistan.
• Air Marshal Sinha was briefed on the prevalent security situation and operational preparedness along the northern borders, the spokesman said
• He remarked that the synergized approach will be the way ahead to address the dynamic requirements of modern-day warfare. (here)

Calicut-bound Air India Express flight catches fire mid-air, lands back at Abu Dhabi airport

• After flames were detected in one of its engines, a Calicut-bound Air India Express B737-80 aircraft from Abu Dhabi had to make an emergency landing back at Abu Dhabi
• Directorate General of Civil Aviation stated that the flight which had a total of 184 passengers on board landed safely and none of the passengers was hurt in the incident.
• Air India Express told ANI that soon after taking off, the pilot detected a flame when the plane was about 1,000 feet high. (here)

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly Begins 2-day Visit to India, to Hold Talks With EAM

• Canada foreign minister Mélanie Joly arrives in Delhi for a 2-day visit just after midnight; will hold talks with EAM Jaishankar on Mon, and leaves on Tue.
• Joly will begin a visit to India on Mon to hold wide-ranging talks with her Indian counterpart S Jaishankar.
• Besides ways to boost bilateral ties, the two sides are also expected to focus on cooperation in the Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of growing global concern over China’s increasing military muscle-flexing in the region. (here)

New Zealand FM Nanaia Mahuta off to India to promote education, trade, tourism

• Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta flies to India on Waitangi Day as part of a bid to bring the nations’ relationship to a “new phase”.
• Mahuta will visit New Delhi to meet with vice president Hon Jagdeep Dhankar and her Indian counterparts, S. Jaishankar and Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda.
• She will also travel to Mumbai to promote New Zealand’s education, trade, and tourism interests in India’s commercial and industrial capital.
• Last year Stuff published its final 2022 edition of The Monitor, which focused on exploring New Zealand’s future economic relationship with Asia. (here)

Supreme Court issues notice to govt over blocking BBC’s documentary on Gujarat riots

• SC on Fri issued a notice to the central govt on pleas challenging its decision to block the BBC documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots – “India: The Modi Question”.
• A bench on the pleas filed by veteran journalist N Ram, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, and activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan.
• The govt has been asked to file its response within 3 weeks, and the matter has been posted for hearing in April. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

US downs Chinese surveillance balloon, China threatens repercussions

• The US military has downed the suspected Chinese spy balloon over the Atlantic Ocean and recovered its debris in mission mode, drawing a strong reaction from China which on Sun warned of repercussions.
• The US military at 2.39 pm EST on Fri shot down the balloon, the size of 3 buses in the Atlantic Ocean, some 9.65 km away from the US shores in South Carolina.
• “Collection pod equipment and solar panels located on the metal truss suspended below the balloon are a prominent feature of both balloons.” US official said.
• Responding to this, China expressed strong dissatisfaction and opposition towards the US’s use of force to attack China’s civilian unmanned airship.
• The Chinese govt was using the balloon to “surveil strategic sites” in the US, according to the defense secy.
• China has claimed that the balloon was merely a weather research “airship” that had been blown off course. [what if the case would reverse]
• Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and US Northern Command have recommended not to “take kinetic action” because of the potential risk to the safety and security of people on the ground from the possible debris field.
• The Pentagon official told that they took immediate steps to protect against the balloon’s collection of sensitive information mitigating its intelligence value to China.
• It entered Alaska on Jan 28. It then entered into Canadian airspace on Jan 30 and re-entered US airspace over Northern Idaho on Jan 31.
• The balloon was crossing over sensitive sites, including sensitive military sites.
• ABC News- “Over the past several years, Chinese balloons have previously been spotted over countries across five continents, including in East Asia, South Asia, and Europe.”
• US Secy of State Antony Blinken told Beijing it was “an irresponsible act”, He also postponed his trip to China on Feb 5-6. (here)

Pakistan, IMF at odds over Rs 900 billion fiscal gap

• The IMF and the Govt of Pakistan are at a stalemate over Rs 900 billion fiscal gap, a major stumbling block in striking a staff-level agreement, reported Geo News.
• IMF has worked out a larger gap of approx Rs 900 billion, equivalent to 1% of the GDP.
• IMF is asking to jack up the GST rate by 1% from 17 -18% percent or impose 17 percent GST on Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants (POL) products.
• Meanwhile, Pakistan is contesting the fiscal gap in achieving the primary deficit.
• Islamabad has asked the IMF for incorporating a flow of reduction under the revised Circular Debt Management Plan and reduced the amount of required additional subsidy of Rs 605 billion against the earlier target of Rs 687 billion.
• Therefore, the fiscal gap stood in the range of Rs 400 to Rs 450 billion.
• Moreover, top officials have completely ruled out any possibility of IMF condition about the signing of PTI Chairman Imran Khan for reviving the Fund program and said that no such discussions took place with the IMF review mission. (here)

Pakistan: Largest refinery shuts down

• The largest oil refinery has shut down for about a week due to the unavailability of crude oil as the dollar shortfall and rupee devaluation hit its crude import capacity.
• Ministry of Energy dated Jan 31, 2023, said “Cnergyico refinery shall shut down from Feb 2 to 10, 2023 in line with our crude oil vessel arrival timeline”.
• The refinery has installed a processing capacity of 156,000 barrels/day of crude oil for the production of petrol, diesel, furnace oil, and other petroleum products. (TPT)

Tharoor calls Pervez Musharraf ‘real force for peace’, Union minister reminds him of Kargil War

• The four-star general who ruled Pakistan for nearly a decade, Pervez Musharraf passed away at the age of 79 in a hospital in Dubai after a prolonged illness.
• He had been undergoing medical treatment in Dubai since Mar 2016.
• Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Sun called former Pak President Pervez Musharraf a ‘real force for peace’, drawing Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat’s ire.
• Shashi Tharoor shared a tweet to condole the death of the former Pakistan President, who passed away today at a Dubai hospital after a prolonged illness.
• “Pervez Musharraf, Former Pakistani President, Dies of Rare Disease”: Once an implacable foe of India, he became a real force for peace 2002-2007.
• Reacting to his tweet, Shekhawat said that he should read the history of the Kargil War once again. (here)

‘Kashmiris’ will unbreakable’: Pakistan observes Kashmir Solidarity Day

• Pakistan is observing the Kashmir Solidarity Day on Sun with a renewed commitment to support the just struggle of Kashmiris for their inalienable right to self-determination as enshrined in the relevant resolutions of the UNSC.
• The armed forces of Pakistan pay tribute to Kashmiris for their valor.
• PM Shehbaz says no amount of ‘terrorism can break Kashmiris’ will.
• President Alvi urges the world to hold India accountable and reiterates support for Kashmiris.
• All the Pakistani missions abroad would also organize seminars and photo exhibitions to draw the world’s attention toward the worst form of subjugation and human rights violations committed by India in the IIOJK. (here)
• [A letter surfaced on social media allegedly from Pak FO asking its all mission to assure maximum proliferation of data they provided]
• Mahathir Mohamad, former PM of Malaysia said on Sun that the plight of the people of IIOJK had worsened since the abrogation of the valley’s autonomous status. (here)

At least five injured in Quetta blast

• At least 5 people were injured on Sunday after a blast near Musa check post in Quetta.
• The blast was heard throughout the provincial capital, and security and rescue services rushed to the site after the explosion was reported.
• The nature of the blast has not been ascertained yet.
• Last month, at least 8 passengers were injured when a blast targeted the Jaffar Express. Two bogeys of the train were also derailed.
• Train service was suspended after the blast due to which women, children, and elderly people faced difficulties. Security was tightened at the spot to avoid any other untoward incident. (here)

Bangladesh asks Pakistan to apologise for 1971 atrocities

• Bangladesh has asked Pakistan to apologize for atrocities committed by its forces in 1971, which came up during the meeting between Bangladeshi FM AK Abdul Momen and Pakistan’s Dy FM Hina Rabbani Khar in Sri Lanka where the ministers were present to attend the Independence Day celebrations of the island nation.
• A readout released by Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said, “Pakistan should formally apologize for the atrocities perpetrated against unarmed Bangalees in 1971“. (here)

Miscreants vandalize idols at 12 Hindu temples in Bangladesh’s Thakurgaon

• Unidentified miscreants vandalized 14 idols at 12 Hindu temples under Baliadangi upazila in Bangladesh’s northern Thakurgaon district in the early hours of Sunday.
• “The temples are located at Dhantala, Paria and Charul unions in the upazila,” Khairul Anam, officer-in-charge of Baliadangi police station said.
• The police are trying to arrest those involved in the incident, he said.
• Charul Union Parishad chairman Dilip Kumar Chatterjee also confirmed the incident and said, “Upon receiving the information, I reached the spots in the morning and later informed the local administration about the incident,” he added. (here)
• The official data for Crimes against Hindus in Bangladesh in 2022: 154 Hindus were killed; 66 Hindu girls were raped; 128 Hindu temples destroyed; 481 Hindu Deities were broken; 333 Hindus forced fed beef; 8990 acres of land snatched from Hindus.

Nepal: RSP withdraws from coalition government of PM Prachanda

• The Rastriya Swatantra Party on Sun decided to withdraw from Nepal’s ruling coalition after PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” refused to reinstate the party’s flamboyant chairman Rabi Lamichhane as the home minister after he recently re-acquired his citizenship.
• The decision was taken after a joint meeting of RSP’s central members and lawmakers.
• The RSP, floated by Lamichhane, won 20 seats in the federal polls, making its fourth largest force in parliament.
• RSP’s decision to withdraw from the coalition government does not alter Prime Minister Prachanda’s political fortunes. (here)