1. PM Modi inaugurates first-ever National Training Conclave in Delhi
2. Manipur Violence: CBI forms SIT to probe Manipur violence, takes over probe
3. Indian Navy’s Multi-Aircraft Carrier Force showcased
4. West Bengal: Midnapore-Howrah local train derails at Kharagpur, no injuries reported
5. Army exposes ISI’s ‘dangerous’ move to involve women, juveniles in terror network

What Else

6. Gujarat anti-terror unit arrest 5, with links to Islamic State, from Porbandar
7. PM Modi discusses cooperation in BRICS with S African President Ramaphosa on telephone
8. G20 delegates from Brazil, Germany, Japan, Indonesia, China arrive in Varanasi for Development Ministers’ Meeting
9. Indian Air Force to hold multinational wargames with 10-12 major global powers in desert
10. 16 Indian sailors detained in Africa are back home
11. US feels pressure to respond to China’s expanding nuclear capability: senior Pentagon official
12. Saudi Arabia seeks cooperation with China, ‘ignores’ Western worries
13. Shootout in northwest Pakistan, along Afghan border, kills 3 soldiers, 3 militants, army says
14. First cargo of discounted Russian crude oil arrives in Karachi: PM Shehbaz
15. Economic Survey 2022-23: Growth rate plunges as political firefighting mars economy
16. UN report finds ‘strong and symbiotic’ links between Afghan Taliban, TTP

PM Modi inaugurates first-ever National Training Conclave in Delhi

• PM Modi inaugurated the 1^st-ever National Training Conclave at the International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Delhi’s Pragati Maidan on Sun.
• Representatives from civil services training institutes from across the country participated in the Conclave.
• It was hosted by Capacity Building Commission to foster collaboration among civil services training institutes and strengthen the training infrastructure. (here)

Manipur Violence: CBI forms SIT to probe Manipur violence, takes over probe

• The CBI has formed a special investigation team under a DIG-rank officer to probe 6 Manipur violence cases referred to it by the state govt, officials said on Fri.
• During his visit to the northeastern state, Home Minister Amit Shah announced a CBI probe to investigate 6 FIRs — 5 on alleged criminal conspiracy and one on general conspiracy behind the violence in Manipur.
• Acting on a reference from the state routed through the Centre, the CBI has formed the SIT and taken over the investigation in the cases, they said. (here)
• Internet ban in Manipur extended till Jun 15: Manipur Govt has extended the ban on internet services in the crisis-hit state for another five days till June 15. (here)
• Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma visited Imphal on Sat — his first visit to Manipur since the violence began on May 3.
• Calling it a “goodwill visit”, he met his Manipur counterpart N Biren Singh and other stakeholders.
• spox of COCOMI — an umbrella body of Meitei society— said that dialogue would be contingent on stopping the “shooting and attacking from the hills’ side”.
• Kuki groups also referred to the recent incidents of violence as an obstruction to dialogue. Early Fri morning, three people were killed in a Kuki village. (here)
• “No untoward incident in Manipur in last 24 hours“: State Minister– Manipur Minister on Sat said that no untoward incident has been reported from any part of the state in the last 24 hours indicating the return of normalcy in the state. (here)
• Security forces conduct Joint Combing Operations, recover 22 weapons: Security Forces conducted Joint Combing Operations for the 4^th day in sensitive areas both in the hills and valleys following violence and ethnic clashes in the state.
• The officials recovered 22 weapons, mostly automatics in the past 24 hours. (here)

Indian Navy’s Multi-Aircraft Carrier Force showcased

• The Indian Navy showcased its tough maritime capabilities on Sat with a display of multi-carrier operations and the coordination of 35+ aircraft in the Arabian Sea.
• This demo underscores India’s commitment to protecting its national interests, maintaining regional stability, and fostering cooperative partnerships in the maritime.
• The exercise involved the integration of 2 Aircraft Carriers INS Vikramaditya and the INS Vikrant- along with a fleet of ships, and submarines.
• The exercise serves as “floating sovereign airfields”, providing a launch platform for a wide array of aircraft, including MiG-29K fighter jets, MH-60R, Kamov, Sea King, Chetak, and Dhruv helicopters.
• Besides safeguarding national interests, they provide our friends with an assurance that the Indian Navy is capable and ready to support our ‘collective’ security needs. (here)

[However, unannounced exercise might have some message probably to neighbor]

West Bengal: Midnapore-Howrah local train derails at Kharagpur, no injuries reported

• A wheel of the last bogie of the Midnapore-Howrah local train derailed in West Bengal at Kharagpur yard on Sat.
• However, no injuries were reported.
• No major accident took place due to the slow speed of the train and no casualty has been reported. (here)
• Coach of Tiruvallur-bound train derails in Chennai: A coach of a Tiruvallur-bound train derailed near Basin Bridge railway station in Chennai on Sun.
• The second last compartment of the Electric Multiple Unit, the ladies’ compartment combined with 1^st class, derailed at 9.38 am, just 8 minutes after it left Chennai.
• This resulted in the delayed arrival of a few trains while no one was injured. (here)

[ 3 days back a goods train also derailed in Orissa. Such frequent derailment is serious, especially after Balasore train claemity]

Army exposes ISI’s ‘dangerous’ move to involve women, juveniles in terror network

• A ‘dangerous move’ by Pakistan’s ISI and heads of terror groups to rope in women and juveniles to carry weapons and messages have come to light amid a decline in the use of traditional means of communication by terrorists in Kashmir valley.
• So far, the army has detected some cases highlighting an emerging trend which in itself is a dangerous move that Pakistan’s ISI and heads of terror groups have adopted.
• We, along with other agencies, are jointly working out on this,” Lt Gen Aujla, GoC Chinar Crop.
• Asked if it means that terror groups have stopped using mobile communication, the army officer said the technical intelligence signatures have reduced considerably.
• Also, many Over Ground Workers who acted as conduits for them have been picked up. (here)

Gujarat anti-terror unit arrest 5, with links to Islamic State, from Porbandar

• The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad has arrested 5 persons, including a woman from Porbandar, with alleged links to proscribed international terror outfit the ISKP
• State police said on Sat that the arrests were made as part of a special operation and raids are still underway.
• Gujarat Police chief said that the officials had received information that 3 terrorists linked to the ISKP were planning to leave India via Gujarat.
• Based on questioning the detained trio, the Gujarat DGP said that 2 more people also linked to the ISK were held from Srinagar and Surat.
• The accused were interrogated throughout Fri night in connection with their terrorist activities, the DGP said.
• It was ascertained that they were preparing to flee outside India to join the ISKP and were in contact with each other for the past year. (here)

PM Modi discusses cooperation in BRICS with S African President Ramaphosa on telephone

• PM Modi and South African President Matemala Cyril Ramaphosa had a telephone conversation on Sat and discussed bilateral cooperation including in BRICS.
• The two leaders reviewed bilateral, regional, and global issues, including cooperation in BRICS.
• The two leaders reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation, which is anchored in historic and strong people-to-people ties, the PMO said in an official release.
• PM Modi was briefed by President Ramaphosa on the African Leaders’ Peace Initiative.
• The PM reaffirmed India’s persistent demand for dialogue and diplomacy, noting that India supported all efforts to secure long-lasting peace and stability in Ukraine (here)

G20 delegates from Brazil, Germany, Japan, Indonesia, China arrive in Varanasi for Development Ministers’ Meeting

• G20 delegates from Brazil, Germany, Japan, Indonesia, and China on Sun arrived at the Varanasi to participate in the G20 Development Ministers’ Meet to be held from Jun 11-13.
• Awadh’s Faruwahi dance and Kashi Vishwanath Damru Vadan Samiti gave a grand welcome to the foreign guests at the airport.
• The foreign guests also performed Damru Vadan and Indian dance at the airport.
• Among others, Australian politician, Brazil’s Envoy, EU commissioner for International partnerships, German and Japanese ministers, etc. were present.
• The meeting, to be held as part of India’s G20 Presidency will also see a special video address by PM Modi. (here)
• Jaishankar met with Rebeca Grynspan, Secy-Gen of the UNCTAD, and concurred on G20’s important role in voicing concerns of Global South. (here)
• Jaishankar, EU Commissioner discusses how to synergize Global Gateway with development initiatives (here)

Indian Air Force to hold multinational wargames with 10-12 major global powers in desert

• The IAF is going to hold a big multinational aerial exercise over its western desert which will include forces from countries including the US.
• The multinational exercise is being planned to be held around the last quarter of 2023 where the air forces of around 10 to 12 countries are expected to participate.
• The exercise would see the participating air forces carry out complex aerial missions involving a large number of aircraft from these countries.
• The IAF has just returned from a multinational exercise in France where a huge number of NATI members including host France and other countries had taken part.
• The exercise would be one of the largest exercises to have ever been held in the country by the IAF. (here)

16 Indian sailors detained in Africa are back home

• 16 Indian crew members of an oil tanker have returned after being in detention in Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria after 9 months of negotiations by Indian authorities

• The Indians were part of the 26-member crew of MT Heroic Idun, which was detained in international waters in August 2022 by the navy of Equatorial Guinea.
• The detention was made on the basis of a request from Nigeria.
• After being held in Equatorial Guinea for some time, the crew were taken to Nigeria.
• The crew were accused of various crimes, including oil theft and falsely accusing the Nigerian navy of piracy.
• Besides the 16 Indians, the ship’s crew included 8 Sri Lankans, a Polish national and a Filipino. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

US feels pressure to respond to China’s expanding nuclear capability: senior Pentagon official

• As China and N Korea dramatically increase their nuclear weapons capabilities, the US has come under pressure to respond by modernization, a Pentagon official said on Thu.
• China, which has declined to join non-proliferation talks, could have 1,500 nuclear warheads by 2035, up from some 400 managed by the PLA.
• However, its total is still a fraction of the estimated 5,977 held by Russia or the 5,428 held by the US, according to the SIPRI.
• “It’s no secret the PLA is in the midst of a major nuclear modernization,” said Ely Ratner, assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs.
• “Ensuring that we have the capabilities we need to maintain deterrence remains a top priority for the US as it relates to our allies and partners.” (here)

Saudi Arabia seeks cooperation with China, ‘ignores’ Western worries

• Riyadh wants to collaborate, not compete, with China, the kingdom’s energy minister declared on Sun, saying he “ignored” Western suspicions over their growing ties.
• As the world’s top oil exporter, Saudi Arabia’s bilateral relationship with the world’s biggest energy consumer is anchored by hydrocarbon ties.
• But cooperation between Riyadh and Beijing has also deepened in security and sensitive tech amid a warming of political ties — to the concern of the US.
• Chinese entrepreneurs and investors have flocked to Riyadh for the conference, which came days after a visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
• In March, state oil giant Saudi Aramco announced 2 major deals to raise its multi-billion dollar investment in China and bolster its rank as China’s top provider of crude. (here)

Shootout in northwest Pakistan, along Afghan border, kills 3 soldiers, 3 militants, army says

• Militants attacked a security checkpoint in NW Pakistan, along the Afghanistan border, triggering a shootout that left 3 soldiers and 3 militants dead, the army said Sun.
• 4 militants were also wounded, the military said in a statement.
• The overnight shootout early Sat took place in the Miran Shah tribal area of N Waziristan, KP, a former stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban, TTP.
• The Pakistani army carried out search operations to hunt down those responsible for the attack.
• They seized a cache of ammunition from the dead militants.
• The military said it was “determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism.”
• Although the army says it has cleared North Waziristan of militants, occasional attacks and shootouts continue, raising concerns that the TTP is regrouping in the area. (here)

First cargo of discounted Russian crude oil arrives in Karachi: PM Shehbaz

• PM Shehbaz Sharif on Sun said that the 1^st cargo of discounted crude from Russia has arrived in the country, adding that the discharge of oil will commence Mon.
• He stated that the arrival of the first-ever Russian oil cargo in Pakistan was the beginning of a “new relationship between Pakistan and the Russian Federation”.
• Last year, Fin Min Dar announced that the country was considering buying discounted Russian oil, pointing out that neighbor India had been purchasing oil.
• In April, Malik had said Pakistan had placed its first order for discounted Russian crude oil under a deal struck between Islamabad and Moscow. (here)

Economic Survey 2022-23: Growth rate plunges as political firefighting mars economy

• Fin Min Dar Thu took the wraps off the Economic Survey 22-23, a document that sums up the govt’s act, to the utter dismay of economists as none of the targets was met,
• The GDP growth rate crashed to 0.3%, which can be chalked up to natural and political disasters.
• Real GDP posted a growth of 0.29% in FY23.
• GDP at current market prices stood at Rs84,657.9 billion in FY23, showing a growth of 27.1% over last year (Rs 66,623.6 billion).
• Per capita income stood at $1,568 as compared to $1,765 last year.
• The investment-to-GDP ratio stood at 13.6% in FY23 compared to 15.6% in FY22.
• Growth of the agriculture sector was estimated at 1.55% in FY23.
• The industrial sector posted a negative growth of 2.94% in FY23.
• The services sector witnessed meager growth of 0.86%. (here)

UN report finds ‘strong and symbiotic’ links between Afghan Taliban, TTP

• The link between the Afghan Taliban and proscribed militant outfits Al-Qaeda and TTP remains “strong and symbiotic”, a report published by the United Nations said.
• The 14^th report of the UNSC’s 1988 Taliban Sanctions Committee, on Fri, said, “range of terrorist groups has greater freedom ..under the Taliban de facto authorities”.
• Pakistan’s stance: Pakistani security officials have long been saying that the TTP and other anti-Pakistan armed groups operate from Afghan soil.
• The Taliban govt [Imaran Khan Govt] hosted peace talks between the TTP and Pakistani security officials to put an end to the violence in Pakistan.
• However, the talks collapsed last year over tough conditions from both sides. (here)