1. India bolsters defense along China border with fighter deployments, enhanced infra, and real-time monitoring
2. Bills to replace IPC, CrPC and IEA tabled on Lok Sabha on Sat
3. “If You Raise A Finger…”: Despite Warning, Hate Speech at Haryana Meet
4. Why are three former Indian service chiefs attending a security conference in Taipei?
5. Over 250 retired judges & officials write to President, seek action against ‘traitors’ NewsClick

What Else

6. GT Voice: China won’t be a cover-up for India’s trade barriers
7. Chinese engineers’ convoy attacked in Pakistan’s Balochistan, 2 terrorists killed
8. Pakistan: Bid to divide army, people bound to fail: COAS
9. Nepal: PM Dahal plans 11th reshuffle of cabinet after coming to
10. China ‘winning lion’s share’ of construction projects in Africa, study finds

—————–

India bolsters defense along China border with fighter deployments, enhanced infra, and real-time monitoring

• Amid concerns over China’s activities along the Line of Actual Control, India has taken decisive measures to enhance its defensive capabilities, especially in Ladakh.
• Radars and a fleet of fighter aircraft, including the formidable Rafales, SU 30 MKI, and agile MIG 29s, have been strategically deployed at forward positions.
• These aircraft are not only on high alert for immediate action but are also conducting combat air patrols to ensure heightened surveillance of the region.
• The deployment serves as a clear deterrent against any potential provocations from the Chinese side.
• Complementing this fighter deployment, India has significantly increased its transport operations, particularly focusing on enhancing its strategic airlift capabilities.
• Beyond strengthening its military readiness, India is prioritizing the development of infrastructure and connectivity along its border with China. (here)
• In a mega capability boost, the Air Force has inducted its latest Heron Mark 2 drones, which have strike capability and can carry out surveillance along both borders (here)
• 2 teams of Garud Special Forces of the Air Force have been deployed in Kashmir for counter-terrorism operations along with specialist operations in Eastern Ladakh.
• Garud special forces carried out multiple operations in Kashmir Valley practicing counter-terrorism operations. [ment for highly specialized operation] (here)
• “Peace, tranquillity along LAC necessary if China wants good relation with India”, says security expert on 19^th round of talks on Mon:
• Expert Lt Gen Sanjay Kulkarni (R) said that the friction points of Demchok and Depsang remain a high priority and expressed hope that the talks result in success which he said would be good for both nations. (here)
• China has made no indications of appointing an Ambassador to India even after a record 10-month gap without an envoy, a delay described by observers as “unusual” ahead of key possible meetings between the leaders of the two and the upcoming G-20. (here)

Bills to replace IPC, CrPC and IEA tabled on Lok Sabha on Sat

• The Central govt, on Fri (the last day of the session), introduced 3 important bills – replacing the Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, and Evidence Act
• This will change the architecture of the crime and punishment system, referred to a select committee will take a while to come into effect
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 to replace the IPC, the CrPC, and the IEA respectively.
• The BNSB has been introduced and new offenses of terrorist acts and organized crime added with deterrent punishments.
• BNSB has 356 sections instead of the earlier 511 sections, 175 sections have been changed, 8 new sections have been added and 22 sections have been repealed.
• The govt has introduced sections 145 to 156 related to offenses against the state. (here)
• BNSS Bill has 533 sections, 160 sections of old law have been changed, 9 new sections have been added and 9 sections have been repealed.
• BS Bill will now have 170 sections instead of the earlier 167, 23 sections have been changed, 1 new section has been added and 5 have been repealed. (here)

“If You Raise A Finger…”: Despite Warning, Hate Speech at Haryana Meet

• Despite the “no hate speech” condition for permission to a big gathering by a Hindu group in Haryana, some speakers issued open threats with the police on guard.
• Organizers claim speakers were warned not to indulge in hate speeches, but some speakers ignored it.
• A speaker was heard saying, “If you raise a finger, we will cut off your hands,” while another demanded licenses for rifles.
• The gathering is being held after 6 people were killed in communal violence in Nuh over two weeks ago.
• A mahapanchayat (large gathering) was planned there by a Hindu group on Sun to discuss “completing” the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s religious march that was attacked last month in Nuh, triggering a communal riot. (here)

Why are three former Indian service chiefs attending a security conference in Taipei?

• Amid China’s flexing its military muscles around Taiwan, hoping to intimidate it, which it regards as its territory, Delhi is weighing its options to deal with a crisis.
• Though the Indian establishment has traditionally adopted a cautious approach to the China-Taiwan issue, New Delhi is now considering a deep dive into the conflict.
• Former chiefs of India’s tri-services are in Taipei to engage with various sections of the leadership and express India’s views.
• Admiral Karambir Singh, General M.M. Naravane, and Chief of Air Staff R.K.S. Bhadauria—the former Navy, Army, and Indian Air Force chiefs respectively. (here)

Over 250 retired judges & officials write to President, seek action against ‘traitors’ NewsClick

• Branding digital news portal NewsClick as ‘traitors’, over 250 retired judges, bureaucrats, and veterans have written to President Droupadi Murmu seeking action.
• Friday’s letter comes in the wake of an NYT report alleging that the portal received funding from China-linked American millionaire Neville Roy Singham in the week. 
• With the controversy continuing to blow up, social media platform X (formerly Twitter) suspended the portal’s official account Saturday. 
• Meanwhile, the letter claims that the NYT report detailing the extent of Singham’s funding network shows how too much leverage is being given to “inimical forces”.
• Copies of the letter, seen by ThePrint, have been doing the rounds on social media. 
• It makes numerous references to the NYT report, arguing that the link between Singham and the CCP is “crystal clear”. (here)

GT Voice: China won’t be a cover-up for India’s trade barriers

• CCP mouthpiece, GT has written in OpEd that India’s recent move restricting the imports of electronics gadgets triggered worries among big Western manufacturers, and new voices have emerged, pointing out that the import curb is aimed at China.
• As a display of India’s eagerness and anxiety to boost local manufacturing, the changeable and market-distorting measures that seemingly came out of nowhere may be just the beginning. But China won’t be a cover-up for India’s trade barriers.
• While the Indian govt did not openly explain the intention, anonymous Indian officials justified the move through several media outlets, revealing the hope of reducing the country’s trade deficit with China, German newspaper Handelsblatt reported.
• More than half of India’s computer imports, worth about $10 billion each year, come from China, it said. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Chinese engineers’ convoy attacked in Pakistan’s Balochistan, 2 terrorists killed

• A convoy of Chinese engineers was attacked in Pakistan’s Balochistan by armed rebels on Sun.
• According to local media, Pakistani security forces killed 2 terrorists in a gunfight.
• Two Pakistani security personnel were also injured when a convoy of engineers working for a Chinese construction company came under attack on Faqeer Bridge in Gwadar.
• Explosions and gunfire can be heard across the port city of Gwadar, where all roads remain closed to traffic, The Balochistan Post reported.
• The officials said that the attack on the convoy of Chinese engineers happened at around 9:30 am and an intense gunfight is underway for nearly 2 hours (here)
• According to BLA claims, 4 Chinese nationals, and 9 Pakistani soldiers were killed, while 2 BLA attackers killed themselves.
• Chinese consulates in Pakistan have issued orders for its citizens in Balochistan and Sindh to remain inside their residences till further orders, the report said.
• However, Global Times denied any injuries because of bulletproof vehicles.
• Chinese Consulate General in Karachi issued a safety warning following the Gwadar incident and urged to maintain high vigilance and strictly control large-scale gathering activities due to the severe security situation

Pakistan: Bid to divide army, people bound to fail: COAS

• Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir Sun said the Army took pride in its unwavering commitment to the people and any attempt to drive a wedge between the army and nation would never succeed.
• He said this while addressing the I-Day parade at the Pakistan Military Academy.
• The COAS said Pakistan was passing through a watershed era, fraught with challenges, geo-political wrangling, increasing power contestation, hegemonism, and jingoism.
• He said the country continued to withstand the evil designs of the inimical forces; instability and chaos, which are eager in their failed attempts to undo Pakistan.
• Addressing the Kashmiris, the COAS said the people of IIOJK will also get freedom from the clutches of brutal occupation forces
• “To all Kashmiris, I reiterate the assurance and full backing of your brothers in arms and the complete Pakistani nation.” (here)
• People across Balochistan, Sindh and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir to mark Aug 14 as Black Day in protest against atrocities and human rights violations by the Pakistan Army and ISI.

Nepal: PM Dahal plans 11^th reshuffle of cabinet after coming to

• PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal is aiming to reshuffle the cabinet for the 11^th time as he plans to call back one of the ministers from his party and induct a new one from Janamat Party back onboard the cabinet.
• As per PM officials, a ministerial post will be vacated by Sun evening to pave the way for inducting a new minister on board.
• PM Dahal has been in consultation and discussions with several ministers on board the govt from Maoist Center to convince them to step down from the post.
• The leaders to whom PM Dahal has reached out include Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration and Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, who has also been promised a comfortable position in the cabinet. (here)

China ‘winning lion’s share’ of construction projects in Africa, study finds

• In the 1990s, about 8 out of 10 contracts to build infrastructure in Africa were won by Western companies.
• That started to change when China made an aggressive push, with a “going out” strategy that encouraged the Chinese to venture overseas in search of markets and raw materials.
• By 2013, when Xi Jinping became China’s president, Western firms were running 37% of African infrastructure projects versus 12% for Chinese companies.
• Now, the tables have turned.
• Chinese companies accounted for 31% of infra contracts valued at US$50 million or more in 2022, compared with 12% for Western firms, the study found.
• Chinese companies have built multi-billion projects across the continent, including ports, railways, highways, bridges, and hydroelectric dams – fuelled by BRI. (here)