1. Stone pelting in Meerut: 6 injured as members of two communities clash over Holi celebration
2. Indian Navy tests BrahMos precision strike in Arabian Sea
3. Intelligence chiefs from 25 countries met in India this week
4. Twitter Files reveal Hindu nationalists were targeted by US think tank’s ‘disinformation lab’
5. Australian PM to arrive in India next week; Japanese PM plans 3-day visit to New Delhi

What Else

1. ‘Foreign Minister S Jaishankar Doesn’t Understand China Threat’, says Rahul Gandhi in London
2. ‘Insaaf’: Kapil Sibal announces new platform to fight injustice
3. Rupee and Taka to replace Dollar as currency of exchange between India, Bangladesh
4. Turkey Raises Kashmir issue at UNHRC, India hits back
5. Migrant laborers attack: Police book Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai for inciting violence
6. Drug trade money goes back to Pakistan to fund terror activities in J&K: Police chief
7. iPhone-Maker Foxconn Says No ‘Definitive Agreements’ For New India Investment
8. China plans 7.2% defense spending rise this year, faster than GDP target
9. Canada will “never tolerate,” foreign interference, Canadian FM tells China
10. Pak deploys over 1.5k cops in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for security of Chinese nationals
11. No salaries, no food for Pakistan army: Economic crisis hits hard
12. PPP hints at quitting govt over unkept promises
13. Imran dodges arrest after Islamabad Police show up at Lahore residence with court summons

Stone pelting in Meerut: 6 injured as members of two communities clash over Holi celebration

• Holi celebrations turned grim in Meerut after members of Hindu and Muslim communities engaged in clashes and stone pelting on Sun night.
• At least 6 persons were injured in the incident before police reached the spot and took the situation under control.
• A heavy police deployment has been made as tension prevailed in the area under the Brahmapuri police station limit in the Harinagar area of Meerut in Uttar Pradesh.
• Visuals from the scene showed damaged vehicles, broken window panes, and panic-gripped locals running here and there.
• The scuffle started when two men were collecting donations for Holi celebrations.
• They entered into a scuffle with some men of another community over alleged derogatory remarks made by them. (here)

Indian Navy tests BrahMos precision strike in Arabian Sea

• In a boost to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign, the Indian Navy on Sun successfully carried out a precision strike test in the Arabian Sea.
• A ship launched a BrahMos missile with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) designed Indigenous Seeker and Booster.
• The missile test was carried out from a Kolkata-class guided missile destroyer warship.
• BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd is an India-Russian joint venture.
• It produces supersonic cruise missiles that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or land platforms, with speed of 2.8 Mach
• The anti-ship version of the supersonic cruise missile was successfully test-fired jointly by the Indian Navy and the Andaman and Nicobar Command in Apr last year. (here)

Intelligence chiefs from 25 countries met in India this week

• The intelligence chiefs of 25 countries gathered in India’s capital New Delhi this week to discuss the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and its impact on the Global South.
• The intelligence chiefs from France, the UK’s MI6, and several West Asian countries took part in the meeting, which took place on Mar 2^nd.
• An invitation was also extended to Russia as well.
• New Delhi provided an opportunity for participants to exchange views and ideas on how to address this crisis and other geopolitical tensions.
• The meeting was held behind closed doors, and the discussions were kept confidential.
• As the conflict has entered its second year, its impact has been far-reaching, especially in the Global South.
• The conflict has led to tensions between Russia and the West and has also strained relations between Russia and most of its European neighbors.
• The meeting coincided with the G20 FMs meeting and the Raisina Dialogue. (here)

Australian PM to arrive in India next week; Japanese PM plans 3-day visit to New Delhi

• The Australian PM Anthony Albanese will make his 1^st maiden visit to India from Mar 8 to 11 along with several senior ministers from his administration.
• Meanwhile, (source)- Japanese PM Fumio Kishida is also planning a three-day visit to New Delhi and holding talks with his Indian PM Modi, starting on Mar 19. 
• The Australian PM will arrive on Mar 8 at Ahmedabad along with the Min for Trade Don Farrell, Min for Resources, and Northern Australia Madeleine King.​ 
• The next day, he will visit the financial capital, Mumbai before arriving in Delhi on the same day. 
• The leaders from the two countries will also hold an annual summit to discuss the India-Australia CSP, in line with which they will talk about areas of cooperation. 
• Kishida who might visit India for 3 days will talk to Modi about issues stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine as this year’s G7 and G20 presidents. (here)

Twitter Files reveal Hindu nationalists were targeted by US think tank’s ‘disinformation lab’

• American journalist Matt Taibbi, who is releasing the “Twitter Files” in collaboration with Twitter owner Elon Musk, has revealed that in 2021 at least 40,000 Twitter accounts were sent to Twitter by the US think tank’s “disinformation lab”
• The think tank accused these accounts of “engaging in inauthentic behavior in support of Hindu nationalism”.
• Twitter checked the accounts of the 40,000 names and found them to be “real people”, mostly Americans who had not stepped foot in India and were not Hindu.
• The revelation has sparked anger amongst India’s twitterati, especially as the entity to send the accounts was the Atlantic Council’s DFRLab, which aims to expose fake news and falsehoods and document human rights abuses
• The Atlantic Council is funded by, among others, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the US Department of Defence. (here)
• The dataset was part of an investigation into alleged coordinated disinformation and online harassment in India, conducted in parallel with the Indian outlet The Wire.
• One of their reporters at the time collected the dataset and shared it with our team; he attributed the tweets to the BJP, but his analysis failed to meet our research standards.
• The DFRLab, therefore, decided not to publish that investigation, terminating our collaboration with The Wire in Oct 2021, stated DFR Lab.

‘Foreign Minister S Jaishankar Doesn’t Understand China Threat’, says Rahul Gandhi in London

• Attacking the NDA govt, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar “does not understand the China threat,”.
• PM Modi’s statement that “nobody has entered Indian territory” is an invitation to the Chinese that they can do it again.
• Gandhi said, “With regards to an invasion, we have already been invaded. We have got 2000 square km of our territory that is in the hands of the PLA”
• Speaking about Congress`s China policy, Rahul Gandhi said that Congress`s policy was that they would not allow anyone to enter Indian territory. (here)
• Rahul Gandhi claimed that for the past 9 years, journalists who don’t toe the govt’s line have been intimidated and attacked while speaking about the tax surveys at the BBC.
• As per Gandhi, India is not a democracy anymore and so-called keepers of democracy (US and Europe) are silently watching because of trade and business.

‘Insaaf’: Kapil Sibal announces new platform to fight injustice

• Kapil Sibal, a Rajya Sabha leader on Sat announced a new platform to fight injustice in the country under the BJP-led govt.
• Calling on everyone, including opposition leaders, to support him.
• Sibal is also launching a website ‘Insaaf ke sipahi’.
• On Ma 11, Sibal will hold a meeting of the initiative at Jantar Mantar where he will put forward a vision for India.
• “RSS shakhas have also been spreading their ideology in every locality which gives rise to injustice. We will fight that injustice too,” he said. (here)

Rupee and Taka to replace Dollar as currency of exchange between India, Bangladesh

• India and Bangladesh may soon do away with the dollar as the currency of exchange between two South Asian neighbors.
• The development is expected to reduce the cost of trade as well as losses due to Rupee-Dollar and Taka-Dollar differences.
• The latest development took place on the sidelines of the G20 finance chiefs meeting held in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru on Feb 24-25.
• The report, while citing Dhaka estimates, adds that every year, Bangladeshi nationals spend about $2 billion on treatment, tourism, and education in India.
• India is among the top 3 import destinations for Bangladesh.
• The exchange rate would be derived from the two currencies and not be worked backward from the exchange rate of the dollar. (here)
• India and Sri Lanka are exploring the possibility of using the Indian Rupee for economic transactions and have discussed the initiative through trade and investment-led.
• The High Commission of India here organized a discussion on the use of the Indian Rupee (INR) for transactions between India and Sri Lanka on Thu.
• The banks also outlined the benefits of settlements denominated in INR which includes shorter timelines, lower exchange costs, and easier availability of trade credits.
• Sri Lanka’s fin min Shehan Semasinghe appreciated the close economic relationship between the two countries and the financial support extended by India.
• India extended assistance worth over USD 3.8 billion to Sri Lanka last year to help it deal with the economic crisis. (here)

Turkey Raises Kashmir issue at UNHRC, India hits back

• Just days after India concluded its ‘Operation Dost’, an initiative to help Turkey in rescue and relief operations after earthquakes, Turkey raked up Kashmir at UNHRC.
• Not only this, the country even slammed India and backed Pakistan.
• India silences Turkey: Exercising its right of reply at the High-Level Segment of 52^nd session, the First Secy, Permanent Mission, dismissed the reference to the statement made by Turkey and the OIC representative.
• “Turkey must refrain from making unsolicited comments on our internal matters,” Secy said in a statement on Fri. (here)
• India summoned the Swiss envoy on Sun to express New Delhi’s displeasure over the “malicious anti-India” posters that were up in front of the UN building in Geneva.
• The Swiss envoy informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that he would convey India’s concerns to Berne and will treat it with “all the seriousness it deserves.”
• As India raised its concerns with Switzerland, the Swiss envoy said that the anti-India posters in Geneva are not endorsed by the Swiss Govt. (here)

Migrant laborers attack: Police book Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai for inciting violence

• A day after TN BJP chief K Annamalai held the ruling DMK party responsible for the ongoing stir over alleged attacks on migrant laborers, the police have booked him on charges of inciting violence and promoting enmity between groups.
• As per officials, a case is also registered against the BJP Bihar Twitter account holder over the incident.
• Annamalai on Sat stated that migrants are safe in TN but the CM Stalin-led-DMK and its alliance are the reason for the hate against them.
• Hitting out at the state govt, he said, “DMK’s MPs’ vile comments on North Indians, DMK minister calling them Panipuri Wala, and their alliance partners demanding their exodus has triggered what we see today.”
• Taking cognizance of the panic, Tamil Nadu’s Police Chief released a statement, saying that the video doing rounds of social media was “false” and “mischievous”. (here)

Drug trade money goes back to Pakistan to fund terror activities in J&K: Police chief

• The profits obtained through the narcotics trade are sent back to Pakistan and then channeled to finance terrorist activities, J&K’s Police Chief said
• This comes 2 days after the J&K Police recovered 7kg of heroin, over Rs 2 crore cash, and a pistol from the house of a drug peddler along the Line of Control in Poonch.
• “The proceeds (from the drugs trade) are being utilized to keep terrorism alive (in J&K),” the police chief told reporters on the sidelines of the Jammu Marathon.
• Responding to a question about the drug recovery in Poonch, Singh said several major peddling rackets had been busted recently.
• This was the second time such a huge recovery of cash was made near the LoC following the earlier seizure of Rs 1.50 crore in Poonch. (here)
• The State Investigation Agency, Kashmir presented a charge sheet against 4 accused in NIA Court in a terrorist-OGW nexus in J&K.
• SIA, charge sheeted 4 terror accused of hatching a criminal conspiracy with members of prescribed terrorist organizations operating in UT and created new modules of over-ground workers, for harboring and providing a variety of logistic support to terrorists.
• These modules have been created not only for providing support but also to fight a proxy war in J&K with a larger objective of secession by waging war against GoI (here)
• J-K: Administration to hold serial programs to listen to PoK refugees’ problems: The special camps will start on Mon from Sports Stadium Bhor Camp in Chatta which will be inaugurated by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha.
• The J&K administration has decided to hold special 14-day serial programs to listen to the problems of refugees who migrated from PoK in the years 1947, 1965, and 1971 and settled in different areas of Jammu province.
• These programs are being organized with the support of PoK Visthapit Sewa Samiti which will continue till Mar 19 (here)

iPhone-Maker Foxconn Says No ‘Definitive Agreements’ For New India Investment

• Taiwanese tech giant Foxconn confirmed on Sat that its chairman had visited India, but denied it had “entered into any binding, definitive agreements”.
• Also known by its official name, Hon Hai Precision Industry, Foxconn is the world’s biggest contract electronics manufacturer and a principal assembler of Apple iPhones.
• Both are seeking to diversify away from China, where much of their production is based, after Covid policies last year and diplomatic tensions with the US.
• “Negotiations and internal review are ongoing. Financial investment sums discussed in media are not the information being released by Foxconn,” the release said. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

China plans 7.2% defense spending rise this year, faster than GDP target

• China will boost defense spending by 7.2% this year, slightly beating last year’s increase and faster than the govt’s modest economic growth forecast, as Premier Li Keqiang called for the armed forces to boost combat preparedness.
• The national budget released on Sun showed $224 billion allocated to the military.
• The budget will be closely watched by China’s neighbors and the US, who are concerned by Beijing’s strategic intentions and development of its military.
• In his report to the annual session, Li said military operations, capacity building, and combat preparedness should be “well-coordinated in fulfilling major tasks”.
• This year’s hike in defense spending marks the 8^th consecutive single-digit increase.
• As in previous years, no breakdown of the spending was given, only the overall amount and the rate of increase.
• The spending increase outpaces targeted economic growth of around 5%, which is slightly below last year’s as the 2^nd-largest economy faces domestic headwinds.
• China investing in new hardware including aircraft carriers (here)
• Taipei responded that Beijing should respect its commitment to democracy & freedom.

Canada will “never tolerate” foreign interference, Canadian Foreign Minister tells China

• Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly met with her Chinese counterpart Qin Gang on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in New Delhi.
• During the meeting, Joly told Qin that Canada will never tolerate any form of foreign interference in its internal affairs and democracy, according to the statement.
• During the meeting, Melanie Joly was “direct, firm, and unequivocal.”
• She told Qin Gang that Canada will never accept any breach by Chinese diplomats of the Vienna Convention on Canada’s territory
• Meanwhile, Qin Gang has refuted allegations that Chinese embassies and consulates in Canada were trying to interfere in Canadian elections, CBC News reported.
• He has termed the allegations “completely false and nonsensical.”
• Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has been facing pressure from his political opponents to launch an inquiry after media reports said the Chinese communist govt has co-opted some Canadian politicians. (here)

Pak deploys over 1.5k cops in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for security of Chinese nationals

• More than 1,500 police personnel from Pakistan’s Special Security Unit have been deployed to provide security to Chinese professionals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
• Along with SSU, several district police personnel and members of the Elite Force and FRP have also been deputed in the northwestern province of Pakistan.
• IG of Police confirmed the development at a function at China Window in Peshawar.
• IG said he has already visited some of these projects to inspect the security after assuming charge as IG.
• The IGP has also revealed that there were 495 terrorist attacks in KP last year and that the CTD has been reformed and activated in the former tribal districts.
• In Feb, Rana Sanaullah, the federal Interior Minister, committed to providing flawless security for Chinese nationals in Gwadar, according to The Balochistan Post. (here)

No salaries, no food for Pakistan army: Economic crisis hits hard

• Amid an ongoing economic crisis, Pakistan’s external debt and liabilities have almost reached $130 billion — 95.39% of its GDP.
• As per the latest data, inflation is at its highest in 48 years, currently sitting at 27.6%.
• While in Jan 2023, food inflation reached 42.9% compared to 12.8% last year, bringing the country into a severe economic crisis.
• With high inflation, Pakistan’s central bank has raised the policy interest rate and the price of petroleum in Pakistan was notified by the country’s fin min Ishaq Dar on Tue.
• Now, the economic woes have hit its army too.
• Based on reports, senior commanders on the ground have notified the Quarter Master General (QMG) Office at the GHQ of the severe cuts in food supply to soldiers.
• Pakistan’s total defense budget in 2022–23 stands at $7.5 billion.
• Despite the early indications, the defense allocation was raised by 12% over the original military expenditure in 2021–22 and a 3% increase over the revised expenditure.
• The new defense budget makes up 16% of the total govt outlay for the year. (here)

PPP hints at quitting govt over unkept promises

• PPP’s Chairman, and FM Bilawal Bhutto has said it will be too difficult for his party to remain part of the federal govt if the center does not fulfill its promises of giving relief to flood victims of Sindh.
• Bhutto also objected to the manner the digital census exercise was being conducted, saying it was unacceptable that elections in one province take place based on a different census, and other provincial polls are held based on a ‘flawed’ digital census.
• Bilawal says the center is yet to provide Rs 4.7bn share for flood-hit farmers
• Objects to ‘inconsistent’ census in different provinces
• Transfers Rs8.39bn from Sindh budget to BISP for growers (here)

Imran dodges arrest after Islamabad Police show up at Lahore residence with court summons

• PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Sun dodged arrest as Islamabad Police showed up at his Zaman Park residence in Lahore with a court summons to take him into custody.
• The 70-year-old former PM, who has been recovering from a gunshot injury from an ‘assassination attempt’ in Wazirabad last year, has thrice skipped indictment hearings.
• When the Islamabad Police along with their Punjab Police arrived at his residence, they found a crowd of party leaders, and informed them that Imran was “unavailable”.
• The Islamabad police left Imran’s residence at around 1:30 pm.
• As Imran’s whereabouts were debated upon, he ended the hours-long mystery by addressing a TV party event right from the Zaman Park residence a little before 5 pm.
• Imran’s speech: Addressing the crowd of PTI loyalists, Imran said he had never “bowed before any man or institution, and will never let you do so as well”. (here)
• An order from Pakistan’s Media Regulatory Authority stated on Sun that Imran Khan’s speeches and/or press conferences, (recorded/live), are immediately prohibited.