1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit UAE this week
2. NIA raids 5 locations in 3 districts in Kashmir against newly floated Pak-backed terror outfits:
3. Muslim World League chief Al-Issa meets PM Modi, discusses wide-ranging issues
4. In rare meet with foreign envoy, Home Minister Shah interacts with U.S. Ambassador to India
5. Jaishankar, Maldivian FM Shahid share perspectives on stability, Sign 9 MoU, prosperity of IOR

What Else

6. SC invalidates two extensions granted to ED director, tells govt to find replacement in 15 days
7. A finance ministry contractual employee held for passing on official secrets to a woman
8. Govt tightens screws on pharma MSMEs, stresses GMP, self-regulation
9. Pakistan, China to speed up ML-1, SEZs implementation
10. Pakistan-IMF deal: Dar says Saudi Arabia has deposited $2bn in SBP account
11. Pakistan: Potential Pak-Russia oil deal runs into Hitches
12. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa govt asks for army help to end Kurram conflict
13. Xi Jinping, meeting Russian parliament leader, vows further Beijing-Moscow cooperation
14. Nato leaders slam China for Russia ties and Taiwan threats in sternest rebuke to date

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit UAE this week

• PM Modi is all set to embark on a ‘crucial’ visit to the UAE this week as part of his broader diplomatic tour that will see him travel to France.
• The PM will be in France on Jul 13 and will be the chief guest at the Bastille Day parade.
• The UAE visit marks PM Modi’s 5^th trip since assuming office in 2014 and underscores the growing significance of the bilateral relationship between the two nations.
• He has been to UAE in Jun 2022, Aug ‘19, Feb ‘18, and Aug ‘15.
• The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between India and the UAE last year has played a pivotal role in boosting bilateral trade.
• The trade has reached historic highs, surging from $72.9 billion in FY 2021-22 to $84.5 billion in FY 2022-23, marking a remarkable YoY increase of 16%. (here)

NIA raids 5 locations in 3 districts in Kashmir against newly floated Pak-backed terror outfits:

• The federal anti-terror agency NIA on Tue cracked down once again on the newly-floated offshoots of proscribed Pak-backed terrorist outfits operating in J&K by conducting raids at five locations in the three districts.
• The locations searched included Anantnag, Shopian, and Pulwama.
• The agency claimed to have seized several digital devices containing massive incriminating data in these raids.
• The newly floated terror outfits under investigation include TRF, ULFJ&K, MGH, JKFF, Kashmir Tigers, PAAF, and others.
• These outfits are cosmetic faces of major banned terrorist organizations like LeT, JeM, HM, Al-Badr, and Al-Qaeda. (here)
• 10 ex-ultras held for bid to revive JKLF, Hurriyat: 10 former terrorists were formally arrested on Mon in a case related to the conspiracy of reviving the banned JKLF and the HC in the Valley. [reported on Mon]
• More arrests are likely as the investigation in the case is in full swing.
• A case has been registered against them at the Kothibagh police station.
• Police said that they were in touch with entities abroad.
• A few of them were even members of secessionist groups, like the KGC, headed by Farooq Siddiqui and Raja Muzaffer of the JKLF. (here)
• J-K: Indian Army foils major infiltration bid in Naushera, neutralizes 1 terrorist: In a deliberate and massive search operation lasting over 48 hours, the Army has recovered the body of 1 terrorist who was neutralized with weapon and war like stores in the Naushera Sector of Rajouri.
• The official statement read that after neutralizing 1 terrorist, the Army recovered weapons and war-like stores. (here)

Muslim World League chief Al-Issa meets PM Modi, discusses wide-ranging issues

• Muslim World League Secy Gen Mohd Bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa on Tue met PM Modi and discussed a wide range of issues, including Indian diversity within the framework of its national constitution. (here)

• ‘India has infinite capacity to absorb dissent’: NSA Doval at event with Al-Issa: The “incredibly low” Indians who joined global terrorism shouldn’t lead to a sense of complacency and India will not shy away from actions, NSA Ajit Doval said on Tue.
• Addressing a gathering that included religious leaders, academics and diplomats, Doval and Al-Issa highlighted the importance of India’s unity in diversity in relations between different communities, and in the country’s stability and progress. (here)

In rare meet with foreign envoy, Home Minister Shah interacts with U.S. Ambassador to India

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah met US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Tue and discussed terrorism, drug, and security.
• Both reiterated their commitment to building upon the positive outcomes of PM Modi’s recent visit to the USA.
• The meeting was significant as Shah has rarely met foreign ambassadors during his tenure as Home Minister.
• It also came days after the U.S. envoy set off a controversy over his comments on Manipur, which the MEA suggested “foreign envoys” should avoid.
• In a presser in Kolkata, Garcetti had said that “you don’t have to be Indian to care when children or individuals die in the violence”, and offered U.S. support if required.
• Shah’s meeting with Garcetti coincided with the visit of a senior U.S. delegation to Delhi, led by the US Under Secy of State Uzra Zeya. (here)

Jaishankar, Maldivian FM Shahid share perspectives on stability, Sign 9 MoU, prosperity of IOR

• During his meeting with Maldives FM Abdullah Shahid on Tue, EAM Jaishankar shared perspectives on the stability and prosperity of the Indian Ocean region.
• “A good day for Neighborhood First and SAGAR outlook,” Jaishankar tweeted
• Maldives is India’s key maritime neighbor in the IOR and occupies a special place in the PM’s vision of ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’.
• India and Maldives’ relationship is not limited to political affairs but also they have a strong military alliance. (here)
• Maldives has special relationship with India, its “immediate next-door neighbor“: Shahid: Shahid said that the island nation has a special relationship with India.
• Delivering the 43^rd Sapru House lecture at the Indian Council of World Affairs in New Delhi on Tue, he said, “Our partnership is with everyone. We have a special relationship with India.” (here)
• Shahid informed via Twitter that Maldives and India exchanged 9 new MoUs under Phase II of the High Impact Community Development Projects Scheme.
• Various MoU on the development of a Volley Court, Mental Health Unit, School Digitalization Project, upgrading Hospitals and schools and preserving culture were signed between India and Maldives on Tue. (here)

SC invalidates two extensions granted to ED director, tells govt to find replacement in 15 days

• The apex court Tue invalidated 2 extensions given to the present chief of the federal money policing body ED, Sanjay Mishra, holding that they were against its Sept 2021 direction to the central govt.
• Restraining the govt from granting Mishra further extensions, a 3-judge bench however, permitted him to continue as director, ED, till 31 July.
• In its verdict, the bench further ruled that though the legislature can take away the basis of a judgment, it cannot annul a mandamus.
• A mandamus is a judicial writ issued to a lower court or order issued to a party, asking it to perform a statutory duty. (here)

415 million people exited poverty in India in 15 years: UN report

A finance ministry contractual employee held for passing on official secrets to a woman

• A contractual employee, Naveen Pal (27) with the Union Fin Min has been arrested for allegedly possessing and passing on official secrets to a contact, police said on Tue.
• He said a 61-page official document and a mobile phone were seized.
• During the investigation, police found a suspicious mobile number saved as “Anjali of Kolkata” in the cell phone.
• It is suspected that Pal was passing on official secrets to this number through WhatsApp, the DCP said.
• Pal did this for money and some bank transactions have been verified (here)

415 million people exited poverty in India in 15 years: UN report

• Around 415 million people exited poverty within a span of just 15 years between 2005 to 2021 in India, according to the latest Global MPI.
• India is also one of the 25 countries that have successfully halved their global MPI values within 15 years.
• Some of the other countries that have achieved this include China, Cambodia, Congo, Honduras, Indonesia, Morocco, Serbia, and Vietnam.
• According to the UNDP statement, this analysis is based on trends from 2000 to 2022 covering 81 countries with comparable data over time.
• The global MPI monitors both poverty reduction and how people experience poverty in different aspects of their daily lives — from access to education and health to living standards such as housing, drinking water, sanitation, and electricity. (here)

Govt tightens screws on pharma MSMEs, stresses GMP, self-regulation

• Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya Tue declared the govt’s intent to strictly enforce Schedule M of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
• Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 deals with Good Manufacturing Practices for pharma, including specific requirements about premises, plants, and equipment.
• He also underlined that “it is important for MSME pharma companies to be alert to the quality of drugs and expeditiously move towards GMP through self-regulation”.
• “Schedule M has already been compulsory since 2005,” pointed out a co-convener of the AIDAN- an independent network of NGOs – hinting that its implementation is where authorities have been found lacking. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Pakistan, China to speed up ML-1, SEZs implementation

• Pakistan and China have agreed to fast-track work on the implementation of the main line (ML-1) railway project and special economic zones (SEZs).
• An agreement in this regard was reached between Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal and National Development and NDRC Chairman Zheng Shanjie during a meeting held in Beijing on Tue.
• Iqbal is on a 4-day official visit to China to commemorate 10 years of the CPEC.
• During his visit, the minister co-chaired a special Joint Cooperation Committee meeting with the NDRC vice chairman, besides holding several meetings
• During a one-on-one meeting with the NDRC chairman, Iqbal conveyed felicitations of PM Sharif to Zheng on assuming his new role and assured him of full support in the smooth implementation of CPEC projects.
• The NDRC chairman offered to share Chinese expertise and knowledge to enhance Pakistan’s export earnings and accelerate SEZs development. (here)

Pakistan-IMF deal: Dar says Saudi Arabia has deposited $2bn in SBP account

• Fin Min Ishaq Dar said Tue that Saudia deposited $2 bn in the Central Bank days after Islamabad reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF on a $3 bn Stand-By Plan.
• Ishaq Dar thanks “true brother” Saudi Arabia.
• Pakistan also seeks other friendly nations.
• IMF’s board meeting to approve a loan on July 12.
• The inflows came after Islamabad signed the short-term IMF deal on June 30 under a standby arrangement that will disburse $3 billion over 9 months.
• In the plan sent to the lender, Pakistan arranged $3.5 billion in bilateral funds from China, $2 billion from Saudi Arabia, and $1 from the UAE. (here)

Pakistan: Potential Pak-Russia oil deal runs into hitches

• Pakistan and Russia are unlikely to strike a long-term oil supply deal as talks between the two sides have run into hitches.
• (Sources)- Pakistan and Russia had agreed that a special-purpose vehicle would be set up with the specific task of importing oil from Russia.
• However, Pakistan has not yet initiated a process while the current coalition govt has little time left in office as elections are due later this year.
• There is another bottleneck as well.
• Pak has asked Russia to execute a long-term oil transportation deal with a high discount, but Moscow is reluctant.
• In a recent consignment, Pakistan received Urals crude directly from Russia. (here)

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa govt asks for army help to end Kurram conflict

• As the death toll from a bloody dispute in the Kurram tribal district reached 11 with 2 more on Tue, the KP govt requested the federal govt to deploy additional military and paramilitary troops under Article 245 to put an end to the bloody conflict.
• The clash, which started on Jul 7 between inhabitants of Dandar Sehra and Boshehra, has left more than 70 people injured.
• The fighting has created fear in the area as well as a shortage of essential goods, including edibles, due to road blockades.
• On Tuesday, clashes continued in Pewar, Gido, Bali­shkhel, Khar Killay, Sadda, Para Chamkani, Muqbal, and Kunj Alizai areas.
• Qaiser Abbas of the Parachinar District HQ Hospital told Dawn that Tue’s clashes left two people dead and 25 injured. (here)

Xi Jinping, meeting Russian parliament leader, vows further Beijing-Moscow cooperation

• China will continue to deepen its partnership with Russia, President Xi Jinping told the speaker of the Russian parliament’s upper house in Beijing on Mon.
• “To develop China-Russia relations is a strategic choice made by both countries based on the fundamental interests of their respective countries and peoples,” Xi said.
• China is willing to continue to work with Russia to develop their comprehensive strategic partnership, “to promote the building of a prosperous, stable, fair and just world”, Xi added.
• The meeting with Matviyenko came just after a visit by US Treasury Secy Yellen, who met a host of senior Chinese finance officials in Beijing – but not Xi – in her 4-day trip.
• Russia would continue to cooperate with Beijing and could count on China’s “firm and reliable friendly shoulder”.
• Matviyenko, council chairwoman since 2011, is Russia’s third-highest governmental official, behind only President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
• China’s state media reports did not mention any discussions of the Ukraine war during the meeting. (here)

Nato leaders slam China for Russia ties and Taiwan threats in sternest rebuke to date

• Nato issued its strongest rebuke of China to date on Tue, lashing out at its “coercive policies” and “deepening strategic partnership” with Russia.
• A joint communique addressed Beijing at length, accusing it of opaquely building up its military power, “amplifying Russia’s false narrative”, and using its economic might to “create strategic dependencies and enhance its influence”.
• Published midway through a leaders’ meeting in Lithuania, dominated by discussions about Ukraine’s future chances of Nato, the statement’s sections on China ran to 322 words, compared with 304 last year across two statements and 225 in 2021. (here)