1. Manipur Violence: At least 1 killed, 2 injured after fresh violence erupts Curfew relaxation canceled
2. After over 50 engagements, travel across 3 nations, PM Modi returned home
3. 20 opposition parties boycott inauguration of new parliament, by PM on 28th
4. Tibetans, foreign followers offer long-life prayers for the Dalai Lama
5. India, U.S. discuss possibilities of co-producing jet engines, long-range artillery and infantry vehicles

What Else

6. ‘They will not let you go until you hold a press conference’
7. Former ISI chief biggest beneficiary of £190m corruption: Vawda
8. Pakistan ‘will absolutely not default’, asserts Dar
9. Rs4bn approved to meet expenses of Defence Ministry
10. International rights orgs called on Islamabad to end the crackdown on political opponents
11. US may restrict visa for Bangladeshis believed to be responsible for undermining elections
12. US House panel on countering China urges actions on Xinjiang and Taiwan

Manipur Violence: At least 1 killed, 2 injured after fresh violence erupts Curfew relaxation canceled

• At least 1 person has been killed and 2 others have been injured as fresh violence rocked India’s northeastern state of Manipur, on Wed.
• This comes after miscreants had torched abandoned houses and cars and also shot 3 people, earlier this week.
• In light of these incidents, the district authorities have canceled the curfew relaxation.
• A man was shot dead after armed youths had raided a few villages in Bishnupur, he was critical and transferred to the hospital where he succumbed to injuries. (here)
• Hundreds of women from Meitei villages Wed blocked the entry of central armed forces to Bishnupur, where a man was killed and another was injured (here)
• 3 held as Army recovers huge cache of arms, ammunition: 3 persons were apprehended, as the Indian Army intercepted a vehicle in Senapati, Manipur on Tue night.
• 5 shotguns, 5 improvised local grenades, and 3 cartons of shotgun ammunition were recovered during the check. (here)
• The protestors included the Kukis, one of the larger tribal communities in Manipur.
• They have been at odds with the state govt, and, in particular, the CM who the community claims harbors Meitei “majoritarian” sentiments.
• The clashes started on the 3^rd of May and have left at least 74 persons dead and over 35k displaced. (here)
• The spate of ethnic violence that has so far claimed 73 lives and left thousands homeless in Manipur has also triggered an exodus in the small state of 3.6 million people.
• As many as 7472 Meiteis have migrated from the hill to the Imphal valley while 5200 Kukis have left Imphal and surrounding areas, according to the COCOMI. (here)

After over 50 engagements, travel across 3 nations, PM Modi returned home

• PM Modi on Wed wrapped his visit to Japan, Papua New Guinea, and Australia and will be in Delhi in the wee hours of Thu morning.
• PM Modi left Delhi for Japan last Fri (May 19), From there he reached PNG on Sun and then went on to his final destination Sydney in Australia.
• PM talks straight on the vandalism of Hindu temples: The recent incidents of attacks on Hindu temples in Australia have raised quite a few eyebrows in India.
• “It is not acceptable to us that anyone hurt the friendly and cordial ties between India and Australia by their actions or ideology,” he said.
• Quad and China: Despite Japan and USA missing from action, India and Australia managed to hold a serious discussion on the issue.
• Trade relations:To significantly expand bilateral trade ties, the two PMs decided to focus on shoring up a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).
• Defense ties: PM Modi in his speech pointed out the increased military relations between the 2 nations and referred to “AUSTRA HIND 22” – a bilateral training exercise that took place last year.
• Opening of the consulate in Bengaluru and Brisbane: The PM on Tue announced that New Delhi will soon open its consulate in Brisbane. (here)
• This was an eventful visit through all of its legs in all 3 nations: In Japan, PM Modi met several world leaders during the G7 Summit and discussed various issues with them.
• This included US President Joe Biden and Ukraine President Zelenskyy and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak amongst others. Prime Minister Modi also participated in the 3^rd in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit in Japan on May 20.
• 2 top honors followed as PNG conferred the Companion of the Order of Logohu to PM Modi for championing the cause of unity of PIC and leading the cause of Global South. (here)

20 opposition parties boycott inauguration of new parliament, by PM on 28^th

• A political tsunami descended upon the new Parliament building even before it is officially inaugurated.
• India is getting a brand new Parliament (on May 28^th), designed to accommodate more members and the latest technologies.
• However, a political crisis has broken out over whether PM should inaugurate it or not.
• Major parties boycotting are Congress, DMK, AAP, TMC, Shiv Sena (UT), JD(U), NCP, SP, CPI(M), CPI, RJD, JMM, VCK, RLD, RSP MDMK Muslim League, NC and KC.
• So far, a total of 20 parties have declared they will boycott the event, and the number is expected to rise since several parties are yet to decide on the matter. 
• The joint statement read, “When the soul of democracy has been sucked out of parliament, we find no value in a new building.”
• We should not politicize this issue, let people think and react however they want to, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah. (here)
• An ancient symbol depicting a state of growth and transfer of power will be prominently installed in parliament.
• Sengol’s origin can be traced back to the Chola dynasty of South India, one of the longest-ruling dynasties in the world.
• It has also been described as a symbol of achieving independence, and a sign of the shift of power from the British to the people of India. (here)
• The govt termed the boycott to be “another feather in their cap of disregard for democratic processes.” (here)
• PM Modi to accept the ceremonial Scepter during the inauguration and install it in Parliament

Tibetans, foreign followers offer long-life prayers for the Dalai Lama

• Tibetan spiritual leader the 14^th Dalai Lama attended a Long Life Prayer offered to him by the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition at the Main Tibetan Temple Dharamshala on Wed.
• Thousands of Tibetans including monks and nuns and followers from across the world overflowing into the monastery to pray for the long life of the spiritual leader.
• Roger Kunsang, CEO of the FPMT said, “We requested his holiness to accept this long life pooja and his holiness very kindly accepted and that’s what we offer here.” (here)

India, U.S. discuss possibilities of co-producing jet engines, long-range artillery and infantry vehicles

• India and U.S. are exploring prospects of co-producing jet engines, long-range artillery and infantry vehicles under the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies
• Some high-technology initiatives are expected to be announced during PM Modi’s upcoming visit to the U.S. next month.
• Ahead of the visit, the launch of INDUS-X under the iCET to promote partnerships between the two countries’ defense innovation ecosystems is scheduled in Washington.
• These were discussed at the 17^th meeting of India-U.S. Defence Policy Group chaired by the Defence Secy from India and Under Secy of Defence for Policy last week.
• The Defense Ministry said that considerable focus was given to the ways and means to enhance defense-industrial cooperation, including tech partnership, long-term R&D, and improving supply chain security. (here)
• The US has said its partnership with India is one of its most consequential relationships and the country works closely with India on vital priorities. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

‘They will not let you go until you hold a press conference’

• Asad Umar’s press conference comes hours after Justice Aurangzeb, during a hearing on bail plea, had remarked: “They will not let you go until you hold a press conference”.
• The comments appeared to be a reference to how multiple PTI leaders announced their decision to quit the party while also condemning violence in the country on May 9.
• After May 9, it is not personally possible for me to fulfill the responsibilities of leadership in these circumstances.
• So I will be resigning as the secretary general of the PTI and members of its core committee.
• “If nothing good is transpiring for any of the stakeholders, it means that what is happening in the country today is not right. It means that something different needs to be done” he said. (Dawn)

Former ISI chief biggest beneficiary of £190m corruption: Vawda

• Former PTI leader Faisal Vawda accused on Wed ex-chief of the ISI Lt-Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed of having benefited the most from the corruption case involving £190 million.
• During the PTI govt, Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) seized assets worth £190 million belonging to a Pakistani property tycoon.
• The agency said the assets would be passed to the Pakistani government.
• It added that the settlement with the Pakistani property tycoon was “a civil matter, and does not represent a finding of guilt”.
• Later, then-PM Imran Khan acquired the approval of the settlement with Britain’s crime agency from his cabinet on Dec 3, 2019, without disclosing the details. (here)

Pakistan ‘will absolutely not default’, asserts Dar

• Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Wed asserted that the country was not on the verge of a financial crisis and “will absolutely not default”.
• Dar’s remarks come amid growing fears of default, propelled by the country’s declining remittances and FX, as well as a prolonged delay in accord with the IMF
• Dar commended his team for its “efforts and hard work”, and added that the country had a current account surplus for Mar and Apr at $750 m and $18m, respectively.
• Regarding the ongoing negotiations with the IMF, Dar said his team had completed all the technical work and prior actions required for the completion of the 9^th review.
• Dar said the country had repaid $5.5 billion of its commercial loans.
• China had rolled over $2bn once it “understood” that Pakistan had completed the IMF requirement while the rest of the $3.5bn from non-Chinese commercial banks (here)

Rs4bn approved to meet expenses of Defence Ministry

• A meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet was held under Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.
• The ECC approved the operationalization of 2 fertilizer plants- Fatima Fertilizer and Agritech- till Aug 31.
• These plants will be provided local gas without subsidy, according to the Fin Min.
• The ECC also approved two Indus Delta Mangroves projects.
• The Climate Change Ministry said that until 2043, these projects will generate profits worth $220 million.
• The meeting also approved Rs20 billion for lawmakers’ development schemes.
• A grant of Rs4 billion was also approved to meet the expenses of the Defence Ministry.
• Earlier, a 10-point agenda was to be taken up in the ECC meeting.
• A technical supplementary grant of Rs10.5 billion is likely to be approved by the Ministry of Health. (here)

International rights orgs called on Islamabad to end the crackdown on political opponents

• International human rights organizations have called on the Pakistani authorities to end the crackdown on political opponents.
• Amnesty International, Equidem, CIICUS, and Forum Asia issued a joint statement calling for an end to mass arrests of PTI leaders and activists, and Journalists.
• Stop harassing them through terrorism cases.
• The immediate release of all those involved in the peaceful protest, including the recovery of Imran Riaz, has been demanded.
• According to the statement, the caretaker Info Min of Punjab has compiled a list of 25k people with the help of CCTV footage, geo-fencing, and WhatsApp surveillance, and 5k people will be arrested for their direct involvement.
• Those who attacked govt and military property will be prosecuted in military and CT courts, which is inappropriate and raises serious human rights concerns. (Dunya Daily)

US may restrict visa for Bangladeshis believed to be responsible for undermining elections

• The US has announced on Wed a new visa policy for Bangladesh to promote free and fair elections.
• The US will impose visa restrictions on individuals and their immediate family members if they are found responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh.
• The US notified the Bangladeshi government of this decision on May 3, 2023.” (here)

US House panel on countering China urges actions on Xinjiang and Taiwan

• The House select committee released its first set of policy endorsements on Wed – intent on acting against the “ongoing genocide” in Xinjiang and deterring military aggression in the Taiwan Strait.
• The recommendations – which range from sanctions on Chinese tech companies to improving military coordination with Taiwan – formed the core of 2 reports.
• The first – “The CCP’s Ongoing Uygur Genocide: Policy Recommendations” – was adopted unanimously by voice vote.
• The second, “10 for Taiwan: Policy Recommendations to Preserve Peace and Stability in the Taiwan Strait”, was adopted with one “nay” vote.
• The panel, whose formal name is the HSC on the Strategic Competition Between the US and the CCP, was formed in Jan and has no authority to draft or amend laws. (here)