1. PM Modi Flags off Secunderabad-Tirupati BV; 2nd inaugurated new Terminal Building, foundation stones of many projects
2. Nirmala Sitharaman arrives in US for a week-long official visit
3. India confronts Myanmar over construction of Chinese spy posts in Neighboring Coco Islands: Report
4. India, Korea natural partners, held substantive talks with Jaishankar: South Korean FM Park
5. Ukrainian minister to arrive Mon on first India visit since Russian invasion; seek G20 invite for Zelensky

What Else

6. Special forces of India, US carry out wargames to support fighter aircraft ops
7. Pak intruder killed, 2 held as army foils LoC infiltration bid
8. Bihar Sharif Ram Navami violence: ‘Mastermind’ Bajrang Dal Convenor Surrenders, Police Claimed Conspiracy Hatched Over WhatsApp
9. IT Rules amendment: Govt to appoint organization for fact-checking content
10. India’s longest, highest all-weather tunnel connecting Ladakh to rest of country getting ready
11. In landmark move, India gives nod to LIGO observatory in Maha to study gravitational waves
12. India’s foreign exchange reserves decline 329 mn to USD 578.45 bn
13. PM to attend Bihu celebration in Assam on Apr 14, inaugurate several projects: CM
14. EAM Jaishankar to visit Uganda, Mozambique next week: MEA
15. China’s PLA launches simulated precision strikes on Taiwan as ‘Joint Sharp Sword’ drills enter second day
16. France’s Macron ends trip to China with pact to bolster business, military ties
17. Bangladesh: 8 killed in ethnic clashes and gunfight in Bandarban
18. After president’s refusal, govt to table SC bill in joint session of parliament today
19. Two terrorists killed in North, South Waziristan operations

PM Modi Flags off Secunderabad-Tirupati BV; 2^nd inaugurated new Terminal Building, foundation stones of many projects

• PM Modi, on Sat, flagged off the 13^th Vande Bharat Express train between Secunderabad (Telangana) to Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh).
• This semi-high-speed express train covers the 660 km between the 2 cities in 8 hours and 30 minutes, which will be 200 minutes faster than before.
• Ahead of the launch, PM Modi on Fri said, “Vande Bharat Express is synonymous with pride, comfort, and connectivity”. (here)
• The PM also laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation various projects worth over Rs 11,300 crore related to railways, road connectivity, and health infrastructure development. (here)
• Previously, the PM inaugurated the new Integrated Terminal Building (Phase-1) of Chennai International Airport on Sat.
• The spread across an area of 1,36,295 sq m, will increase the passenger serving capacity from 23 to 30 million passengers per annum. (here)
• To curb poaching and illegal wildlife trade, PM on Sun launched the International Big Cats Alliance in Karnataka.
• PM Modi also inaugurated the ‘Commemoration of 50 years of Project Tiger’.
• During the program, he released the publication ‘Amrit Kaal Ka Vision for Tiger Conservation‘, a summary report of the 5^th cycle of Management Effective Evaluation of Tiger Reserves. (here)
• PM Modi on Sun evening visited the Sacred Heart Church in Delhi’s Connaught Place on the occasion of Easter. (here)

Nirmala Sitharaman arrives in US for a week-long official visit

• Union Fin Min N Sitharaman arrived in the US on Sun for a week-long official visit.
• During her stay, Sitharaman will be attending the 2023 Spring Meetings of the World Bank and the IMF, along with G20 meetings, Investor/ Bilateral meetings, and other associated meetings, which will be attended by Mins and Central Bankers across world.
• Around 350 delegates from G20 members, 13 invitee countries, and various international and regional organizations will participate.
• The 2^nd G20 FMCBG meeting will comprise 3 sessions – global economy and financial architecture; sustainable finance, financial sector, and financial inclusion. (here)

India confronts Myanmar over construction of Chinese spy posts in Neighboring Coco Islands: Report

• The Indian govt recently confronted Myanmar over the reports that China is creating a surveillance military base in its Great Coco Islands, 55 km from Andaman
• Since the 1990s, several intelligence reports have been circulating about China building an intelligence facility on the island in the Bay of Bengal.
• London-based policy research group Chatham House released a report last week claiming that the junta govt was militarizing the island.
• The Indian officials further revealed that Myanmar officials rejected the allegations made by India about Chinese involvement.
• “The Indian govt already knows perfectly well that only Myanmar security forces are based there, and they are doing defense activities for their own country.” (here)

India, Korea natural partners, held substantive talks with Jaishankar: South Korean FM Park

• South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin said that his country and India will “pursue contributive diplomacy, to contribute to freedom, peace, and prosperity of the world”.
• The visiting minister met with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar on Fri to discuss the strengthening of ties between the two countries.
• The meeting comes as both countries celebrate 50^th-anniversary of diplomatic relations, and the two discussed plans for future cooperation in many areas. (here)
• Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Jin on Fri discussed the cultural and people-to-people ties in strengthening the India-S Korea Special Strategic Partnership. (here)

Ukrainian minister to arrive Mon on first India visit since Russian invasion; seek G20 invite for Zelensky

• Ukraine’s 1^st deputy foreign minister Emine Dzhaparova will make a 4-day visit starting Mon, making it the 1^st official visit of a minister from Kyiv since the Russian invasion.
• The visit will focus on bilateral relations, exchanging views on the current situation in Ukraine, and global issues of mutual interest, officials said.
• Dzhaparova is also expected to meet dy FM, Meenakshi Lekhi, and Dy National Security Adviser, Vikram Misri.
• The Ukrainian minister is expected to invite the Indian PM to Kyiv and suggest New Delhi to invite President Volodymyr Zelensky to the G20 Summit.
• Additionally, the minister will also request more humanitarian aid and energy equipment. (here)

Special forces of India, US carry out wargames to support fighter aircraft ops

• Amid an ongoing military standoff with China, the Special Forces of the US and India are carrying out wargames on supporting fighter aircraft operations in forward areas.
• The wargames are being carried out at Special Forces training centers.
• The troops of both sides including their fighter and transport aircraft at Kalaikunda codenamed Ex CopeIndia.
• The US Air Force is scheduled to bring in F-15 Strike Eagle fighter jets but there may be some changes to the drill which was planned to begin on Apr 10. (here)

Pak intruder killed, 2 held as army foils LoC infiltration bid

• 1 intruder was killed and 2 others were apprehended along the LoC J&K as the army foiled an infiltration bid by the armed insurgents during the Sat/Sun night
• The forces have also recovered 3 bags with 14 packets of narcotics weighing nearly 17kg, notes of Pakistan currency, some documents, and eatables.
• “During questioning, the 2 intruders claimed that they (all three) are residents of POJK,” said the defense spokesperson. (here)

Bihar Sharif Ram Navami violence: ‘Mastermind’ Bajrang Dal Convenor Surrenders, Police Claimed Conspiracy Hatched Over WhatsApp

• The Ram Navami procession violence that rocked Bihar Sharif looks well-planned, the Bihar Police said.
• A Bajrang Dal office bearer has surrendered for masterminding the violence over social media.
• A WhatsApp group with as many as 457 people has formed ahead of the Ram Navami.
• This group was used to plot and execute the violence, the police said.
• Several parts of Bihar, mainly Nalanda and Rohtas districts, witnessed incidents of communal clashes and vandalization last week during Ram Navami celebrations. (here)

IT Rules amendment: Govt to appoint organization for fact-checking content

• The Centre announced amendments to the IT Rules on Apr 6 that would mandate a govt-appointed organization for fact-checking content relating to the govt.
• “…It is not mandatory that one has to take down what notified organization says but then you have to deal with it in the court of law,” the ministry explained.
• In Jan, the ministry introduced draft amendments to the IT Rules that said that news identified as fake or false by the PIB needed to be removed.
• Internet Freedom Foundation termed it an ‘unconstitutional exercise’.
• “… rules cement the chilling effect on the fundamental right to speech and expression,” [means, right to propaganda and fake news peddling?] it added. (here)
• The Minister said, “we have yet to decide on whether it will be a new organization that has trust and credibility associated with it, or do we take an old organization...” (here)

India’s longest, highest all-weather tunnel connecting Ladakh to rest of country getting ready

• India’s longest and highest motorable Zojila tunnel getting ready will strengthen the armed forces deployed on the LAC on China and IB on the Pakistan Border.
• The all-weather tunnel will connect the Ladakh region to the rest of the country throughout the year.
• Ladakh generally is disconnected from the rest of the country during the winter season.
• The Zojila Pass gets covered under several feet of snow and frequent landslides leave the Ladakh region cut off from the rest of the country.
• Zojila tunnel is a 9.5 m wide, 7.57 m high, and 13.145 km long, horseshoe-shaped single-tube, 2-lane road tunnel. (here)

In landmark move, India gives nod to LIGO observatory in Maha to study gravitational waves

• The govt gave a go-ahead to Rs 2,600-crore project on Thu for setting up a Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory-India in Maharashtra.
• It is designed to detect gravitational waves, which are ripples in the fabric of spacetime caused by the acceleration of massive objects, such as plants and stars.
• The 1^st detection of gravitational waves was made by US-based LIGO on Sept 14, 2015.
• These detections have confirmed some of the predictions of Einstein’s theory of general relativity and provided a new way to study the universe.
• The set-up is expected to be completed by 2030. (here)

India’s foreign exchange reserves decline 329 mn to USD 578.45 bn

• India’s foreign exchange reserves fell to USD 578.45 billion as of Mar 31, down from USD 578.78 billion a week earlier, according to the RBI’s release on Fri.
• During the prior week that ended on Mar 24, they rose sharply to $5.977 billion to $578.778 billion, hitting an over eight-month high.
• According to RBI’s latest data, India’s foreign currency assets, the biggest component of the forex reserves, fell by $4.38 billion to $509.691 billion.
• Gold reserves during the latest week fell by $279 million to $45.200 billion. (here)

PM Modi to attend Bihu celebration in Assam on April 14, inaugurate several projects: CM

• Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sun shared the details of PM Modi’s upcoming visit to the state and informed that the PM would be attending the mega Bihu celebration which is scheduled to be held in Guwahati on Apr 14. (here)

EAM Jaishankar to visit Uganda, Mozambique next week: MEA

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be in Uganda and Mozambique visit from Apr 10-15 to further strengthen India’s “strong bilateral relations”.
• The EAM will visit Uganda from Apr 10-12 and during the visit, he is expected to hold delegation-level talks with his Ugandan counterpart Gen Jeje Odongo and call on the leadership of the country and meet other Ministers.
• While from Apr 13-15, Jaishankar will visit Mozambique, where he will meet top leadership and co-chair the 5^th Session of the Joint Commission Meeting with FM (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

China’s PLA launches simulated precision strikes on Taiwan as ‘Joint Sharp Sword’ drills enter second day

• PLA simulated strikes against key targets in Taiwan and nearby waters as “combat readiness” exercises entered their second day, Chinese state media said.
• The PLA announced the launch of 3-day drills as Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen returned from a 10-day US trip that included a meeting with Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
• PLA said on Sun that the multiple postures of advancement maintained while encircling Taiwan in the “Joint Sharp Sword” drills under the E Theatre Command.
• The military drills were “necessary action” to safeguard the territorial integrity and a warning against “joint provocations by Taiwan secessionist forces and foreign forces”.
• The American de facto embassy said the US was monitoring the drills closely and was “comfortable and confident”. (here)
• Taiwan will fight to defend and protect the home together, the country’s Defence Ministry said as it detected multiple China aircraft encircling the island country. (here)
• US urges ‘restraint’ as China launches Taiwan military drills: The US on Sat called on China to show restraint, stressing that Washington was ready to meet its security commitments in Asia. (here)

France’s Macron ends trip to China with pact to bolster business, military ties

• President Emmanuel Macron signed a sweeping 51-point joint declaration on his last day in the country.
• The statement, published as Macron was touring sites in Guangdong province with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, capped off a trip on which he sought to expand economic ties with China, even as geopolitical eddies continued to swirl.
• It did not contain any commitment from Beijing to use its influence over Russia to end war, even as it pledged to “support all efforts to restore peace in Ukraine”.
• Instead, the statement reiterated Xi’s oft-stated opposition to nuclear war.
• The two sides said they opposed “armed attacks on nuclear power plants”, mentioning the Zaporizhzhia facility in Ukraine that has been occupied by Russian forces. (here)
• Europe must reduce its dependency on the US and avoid getting dragged into a confrontation between China and the U.S. over Taiwan, Macron said in an interview during a state visit to China. (here)

Bangladesh: 8 killed in ethnic clashes and gunfight in Bandarban

• 8 people were killed during a “shootout” between two armed groups at Rowangchhari upazila in Bandarban on Thu night.
• Officials suspect the UPDF (D) and KCNA, the military wing of KNF, were engaged in the gunbattle.
• Locals said they heard on-and-off gunshots from Thu evening till Fri morning.
• After Thu’s incident, some 175 families in the neighborhood have taken refuge in Rowangchhari Govt High School
• Since Nov 15 year, at least 548 people from 132 families have taken refuge in Mizoram.
• On Jan 28, some 140 Marma women, men, and children took refuge in Ruma Sadar from Mulpi Para, but they returned to their homes on Feb 5. (here)

After president’s refusal, govt to table SC bill in joint session of parliament today

• National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf convened a joint sitting of parliament on Mon, as President Arif Alvi returned the SC Bill, 2023, unsigned a day earlier.
• The president returned the bill to parliament stating that the bill prima-facie travels beyond the competence of parliament and can be assailed as colorable legislation.
• The bill was aimed at curtailing the powers of the chief justice, including the suo motu and the formation of benches.
• The joint sitting of parliament was scheduled to be held on Apr 10 at 2pm.
• ‘Most unfortunate’: A day earlier, PM Shehbaz Sharif castigated the president for returning the top court bill, unsigned and called him a worker of the PTI. (here)

Two terrorists killed in North, South Waziristan operations

• 2 terrorists were gunned down in two different operations in KP’s North and South Waziristan districts on Sat, the military media wing ISPR said in a statement on Sun.
• In North Waziristan’s, own troops effectively engaged the terrorists’ location amid an intense fire exchange with militants, leaving 1 dead as a result, the statement read.
• The ISPR added that the security forces also recovered weapons and ammunition from the killed terrorist.
• However, Naik Fazal Janan — a 32-year-old resident of Hangu District — fought gallantly and embraced martyrdom during the shootout.
• Sanitization of the area, according to the ISPR, is being carried out to eliminate any other terrorists found in the location. (here)