1. India, Australia cooperating to make a better world: PM Albanese on Delhi-Canberra ties
2. US intel community fears increased India-Pak, India-China tension: Report
3. The nomination of Garcetti as the US ambassador to India has been approved by the Senate
4. India slams Pakistan foriegn minister Bilawal for raking up Kashmir at UNSC debate
5. Dhankar for the 1st time, attaches staff to 20 House committees

What Else

1. Assam: 5 held for supplying SIM cards to Pakistani agents
2. ‘Don’t fall for rumours’: Stalin reaches out to migrant workers in Tamil Nadu
3. NASA-ISRO imaging satellite arrives in India from US for 2024 launch by Indian GSLV rocket
4. BSF arrest Pak national from Gurdaspur border in 2nd arrest in 2 days
5. India faces high risks of power cuts after years of coal, hydro power neglect
6. China’s Xi Jinping elected president for historic third term
7. Ram Chandra Paudel elected new Nepal President
8. Imran, others charged with terrorism after clashes at PTI rally
9. Honda announces plant shutdown due to ‘severely disrupted’ supply chain
10. President Xi Jinping doubts Chinese military’s ability to invade Taiwan
11. ‘Chinese diplomats must dance with wolves’: FM Qin Gang’s viral remarks on ‘Wolf Warrior’ diplomacy

India, Australia cooperating to make a better world: PM Albanese on Delhi-Canberra ties

• Australian PM Anthony Albanese watched the 1^st day of the final Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat on Thu.
• Comparing the India-Australia match to the ties between the countries, Albanese said that both countries are cooperating to make a better world.
• PM Modi and the Australian PM were present for the 4^th and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to celebrate the “75 years of friendship” between the two countries.
• PM Modi and Albanese took a round of the massive sports stadium on a golf cart before the start of the match.
• Spectators cheered Modi and Albanese as the two went around the cricket stadium. Modi and Albanese handed over Test caps to captains Rohit Sharma and Steve Smith.
• The Australian PM arrived in India on Wed and took part in Holi celebrations along with Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel and Governor Acharya Devvrat at Raj Bhawan.
• At a program in Gujarat, he announced that Australia’s Deakin University would be setting up its branch at GIFT City in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• He said India and Australia have finalized Australia-India Education Qualification Recognition Mechanism. (here)
• Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh held a telephone talk with the Deputy PM and Def Min of Australia, Richard Marles on Thu.
• “India and Australia share a comprehensive strategic partnership and today’s call was an opportunity to … to further strengthen our defense cooperation,” said Singh.

US intel community fears increased India-Pak, India-China tension: Report

• The US intelligence on Wed told lawmakers that it apprehends increased tension between India and Pakistan and India and China with the possibility of a conflict.
• It also noted that under the leadership of PM Modi, India is more likely than in the past to respond with military force to Pakistani provocations. (here)
• This assessment forms part of the annual threat assessment of US intelligence that was submitted to the US Congress by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
• While India and China have engaged in bilateral border talks and resolved border points, relations will remain strained.
• The expanded military postures on Indo-China border elevate the risk of armed clash that might involve threats to US persons and interests and calls for US intervention.
• New Delhi and Islamabad probably are inclined to reinforce the current calm following both sides’ renewal of a ceasefire along the Line of Control in early 2021. (here)
• CCP will continue its efforts to achieve Xi’s vision of making China a “preeminent power” in E Asia and emerge as a “major power” globally by denting US influence.
• As Xi, 69, begins his unprecedented 3^rd term as China’s top leader this week, the CCP will work to press the self-ruled Taiwan island on unification.
• At the same time, China’s leaders probably will seek opportunities to reduce tensions with the US when they believe it suits their interests, it said. (here)

The nomination of Garcetti as the US ambassador to India has been approved by the Senate

• The nomination of Eric Garcetti to serve as the US ambassador to India has been approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
• A Senate committee on Wed voted in favor of former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s nomination to be US ambassador to India, clearing the way for a Senate vote.
• The Senate FRC approved Garcetti’s nomination by a vote of 13-8, with Republicans Todd Young and Bill Hagerty joining Democrats in favor.
• President Joe Biden nominated Garcetti for the job in July 2021, and the Senate committee initially cleared his name in January 2022.
• But the bid was stalled as Republicans and some democrats raised questions about his handling of a sexual harassment case from his time as mayor.
• He never received a full vote of the Senate before the end of this session in Jan, and Biden renominated him immediately at the start of the current session. (here)

India slams Pakistan foriegn minister Bilawal for raking up Kashmir at UNSC debate

• India tore into Pakistan after its FM raised the issue of J&K at a UNSC debate on women, peace, and security, saying it is “unworthy” to even respond to such “malicious and false propaganda”.
• Speaking at the UNSC open debate, India’s permanent representative Kamboj said: “my delegation considers it unworthy to even respond to such propaganda.”
• This comes as Pakistan FM Bilawal Bhutto Zardari referred to J&K as “occupied” and India strongly objected to it. (here)
• In a veiled attack on Pakistan, India said that Afghanistan’s territory should not be used for sheltering, training, planning, or financing terrorist acts, specifically terrorist individuals and entities prescribed by the UNSC and drug trafficking. (here)
• ‘Put own house in order’: India’s stern message to Pakistan at UN: India on Wed delivered a stern message to Pakistan from the platform of the UN 
• India said the neighboring country must put its own house in order before accusing India of human rights violations.
• MEA under secy said Pakistan’s focus has been preaching to the world what is right and wrong while its population is denied democracy.
• “We advise Pakistan …to focus on improving its abysmal record of promotion and protection of human rights,” Secy said rejecting the OIC statement. (here)

Dhankar for the 1^st time, attaches staff to 20 House committees

• Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar has attached 8 officers in his office to various standing committees and other parliamentary committees under the jurisdiction of RS
• Dhankhar’s OSDs, private secretary, additional private secretary, and senior have been attached to 12 committees and all 8 parliamentary standing committees under RS.
• According to the order, OSD has been attached to the Business Advisory Committee, the general purpose committee, and the standing committee on home affairs.
• PS to VP has been attached to the panel of IT management, privileges, and standing committees on commerce and science and technology while other is in transport, tourism, and rules committees.
• The new appointments cover all 12 committees and 8 department-related standing committees of the Rajya Sabha. (here)

Assam: 5 held for supplying SIM cards to Pakistani agents

• Assam police have held 5 persons, belonging to Nagaon and Morigaon, for their alleged involvement in falsely procuring SIM cards from diverse service providers and supplying the same Pakistani agents.
• Prasanta Kumar Bhuyan, IGP (L&O) said that the operation was launched based on the inputs of a Central agency.
• The police team seized 18 Mobile Phones, 136 SIM Cards procured for fraudulent purposes, 1 fingerprint scanner, 1 high-tech CPU, and some related documents.
• So far, it has been revealed that 1 of the accused was using a mobile handset with 2 IMEI numbers from which a WA call was made to share Indian Defense System-related info with a foreign embassy (input shared by IB). (here)

‘Don’t fall for rumours’: Stalin reaches out to migrant workers in Tamil Nadu

• In a bid to dispel fears over alleged fake videos of attacks on migrant workers in Tamil Nadu, CM M K Stalin on Tue reached out to some of them and assured a safe work environment.
• Stalin, who is the chief of the ruling DMK, also alleged that an attempt was being made to pull down the state govt by instigating religious and caste-based violence.
• The CM’s remarks came amid growing apprehensions among the migrant workforce in the wake of the circulation of alleged fake videos of attacks in the state.
• Tamil Nadu has a sizeable migrant worker population, with many from states like Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal being employed in various sectors, including construction.
• The alleged fake videos had even prompted the Bihar govt to depute an official delegation to take stock of the situation. (here)

NASA-ISRO imaging satellite arrives in India from US for 2024 launch by Indian GSLV rocket

• The payload of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) imaging satellite arrived in Bengaluru, on a US Air Force C17 Globemaster III strategic airlift plane.
• The satellite payload that was flown in from California, will be taken to India’s UR Rao Satellite Center in Bengaluru, where it will be integrated into the satellite bus.
• In February, top officials from ISRO and NASA conducted the ceremonial flagging off for the satellite payload from JPL, California.
• NISAR is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) observatory jointly developed by the American and Indian space agencies.
• It is meant to carry L and S, dual-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), a highly powerful, all-weather, around-the-clock imaging from space.
• It can help researchers and scientists observe minute changes in Earth’s land and ice surfaces, down to fractions of an inch. (here)

BSF arrest Pak national from Gurdaspur border in 2nd arrest in 2 days

• The Border Security Force (BSF) on Thu afternoon arrested a Pakistani national near IB in Gurdaspur Punjab.
• Identified as Aamir Raza, a resident of Sialkot, Pakistan, the intruder was held by the BSF ahead of the border fence in the area of Border Outpost Nikka in Gurdaspur sector.
• As per the BSF, the intruder had crossed the International Border and entered into the Indian territory.
• During initial questioning, the intruder revealed his identity as a Bangladeshi national. His questioning is also being carried out and the next course of action will be taken.
• Another Pakistani intruder was held by alert BSF in the Gurdaspur sector of Punjab on Thu afternoon. (here)

India faces high risks of power cuts after years of coal, hydro power neglect

• India faces a high risk of night-time power cuts this summer and in coming years, as delays in adding new coal-fired and hydropower capacity.
• A rapid addition of solar has helped India avert daytime supply gaps, but a shortage of coal and hydropower capacity risks exposing millions to widespread outages at night.
• India’s power availability in “non-solar hours” this Apr is expected to be 1.7% lower than peak demand, an internal note by the federal grid regulator reviewed by Reuters.
• April night-time peak demand is expected to hit 217 GW, up 6.4% on the highest night-time levels recorded in Apr last year. (here)

[This time Reuters, last year BBC expressed the same alarm but no difference was noticed by netizens]

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

China’s Xi Jinping elected president for historic third term

• XiJinping was elected as the President of China for the consecutive term on Friday.
• China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) endorsed the appoint of Jinping’s appointments as the president of the country.
• Notably, Jinping is the the most powerful leader in China.
• He appointed his supporters at the top posts of the National People’s Congress sidelining his rivals.
• The 69-year-old Chinese leader came to power in 2012.
• Notably, in Oct last year, the Chinese President had himself named him as party general secretary for a 3^rd term so the on Fri was largely ceremonial.
• Earlier in 2018, a two-term limit on the presidency was removed from the Chinese constitution clearing the way for Jinping to remain in power for life. (here)

Ram Chandra Paudel elected new Nepal President

• Paudel secured 33800 and 2 electoral votes while his rival Subash Chandra Nembwang secured 15500 and 18 electoral votes, according to Nepal’s Election Commission.
• Further, according to EC, 313 members of the federal parliament took part in the voting while 518 members from the Province assemblies.
• The voting took place at the Parliament building in New Baneshwar, Kathmandu.
• The EC had set up 2 separate polling stations for federal parliamentarians and the Province Assembly members at the Hall.
• A total of 884 members make up the Electoral College, including 275 members of the House of Representatives, 59 of the National Assembly, and 550 of the 7 assemblies.
• Paudel was supported by 8 parties while Subash Chandra Nembang, the sole candidate from CPN-UML, was tipped to be backed by independent lawmakers. (here)

Imran, others charged with terrorism after clashes at PTI rally

• Pakistan PTI chief Imran Khan along with other party leaders were booked in a case on Thu following Wed’s clashes at the PTI rally, which claimed the life of a PTI worker.
• The first information report was registered at the Race Course police station under the anti-terrorism act (ATA), murder, attempt to murder, and other offenses.
• PTI leaders, including Fawad Chaudhry, Farukh Habib, and others, were accused of “threatening national security agencies” and “destroying the govt and its institutions brick by brick“.
• Police forms committee: The Punjab IG issued orders to form a 2-member committee consisting of DIG Elite Police Force and SSP IAB Lahore to conduct an inquiry.
• The order was issued to “ascertain facts, ensure transparency and find out the reason for loss of life and property” during the incident.
• The incident: A day earlier, the Lahore police had used force to break up a PTI rally, killing one supporter while dozens of others were injured. (here)

Honda announces plant shutdown due to ‘severely disrupted’ supply chain

• Honda Atlas Cars, the official partner for Honda Cars in Pakistan, on Wed announced the complete shutdown of its plant for March due to supply chain challenges.
• The automaker mentioned in a notice sent to the Pakistan Stock Exchange that its supply chain has been “severely disrupted”.
• The notification also added that the company is “not in a position to continue” its manufacturing due to which its plant will remain closed from Mar 9^th to 31st, 2023.
• Apart from Honda, Toyota Motors, and Pakistan Suzuki, are other key OEMs that have announced the shutdown of plants on several occasions, affecting sales.
• Car prices in Pakistan have shot up in the last few months as OEMs have raised the prices of their CKD models.
• This has also severely dented buyers’ purchasing power. (here)

President Xi Jinping doubts Chinese military’s ability to invade Taiwan

• The US Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns claimed that Beijing is still determining whether its potential invasion of Taiwan would be successful.
• He said that US intelligence shows that Chinese President Xi Jinping has instructed his nation’s military to “be ready by 2027” to invade Taiwan.
• In a TV interview that aired on Feb 26, Burns said, “we do know… the Chinese military leadership, to be ready by 2027 to invade Taiwan, but that does not mean that he has decided to invade in 2027 or any other year as well“.
• Burns said the support from the US and EU allies for Ukraine following the Russian invasion could be a potential deterrent to Chinese officials.
• Burns believes that since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the aid of the US and Europe to Ukraine shows the solidarity of the West, which the CCP may also consider. (here)

‘Chinese diplomats must dance with wolves’: FM Qin Gang’s viral remarks on ‘Wolf Warrior’ diplomacy

• Chinese FM Qin Gang has become the talk of the town on Chinese social media for his remarks on the “Wolf Warrior diplomacy discourse trap” and that the “Chinese diplomats must dance with wolves,” reported What’s on Weibo.
• Gang made the remarks while addressing the annual parliamentary meetings in China, known as the “Two Sessions,” that are in full swing this week.
• They began this weekend at China’s capital’s Great Hall of the People and are scheduled to end on Mar 13.
• Qin, China’s new FM, attended the event.
• Qin Gang held a press conference on Mar 7^th to answer questions about foreign policy and Sino-American relations. (here)