1. Prime Minister Modi arrives in South Africa to attend 15th BRICS summit; Expansion, currency and Xi-Modi Meet will be the key focus
2. From Armenia to Greece: India’s Geopolitics Unsettles Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan triad
3. 6 Indian ‘smugglers’ arrested from inside Pakistani territory: [claimed] ISPR
4. White House: Biden will travel to India for G20 summit next month
5. Rahul Gandhi to leave for Brussels on Sept 6, to attend several meetings in Paris, and Oslo till Sept 10

What Else

6. Suspicious Object Found, Traffic Diverted On Jammu-Rajouri Highway
7. CDS, top tri-services military commanders meet to discuss Maritime Theatre Command
8. US court stays 26/11 accused Rana’s extradition to India
9. Manipur: Officials brief Amit Shah on rehabilitation, blockades
10. Afganistan: Security Incidents in Pakistan Due to Internal Problems: Haqqani
11. Pakistan: 4 terrorists killed, 6 soldiers martyred in an exchange of fire in S Waziristan: ISPR
12. Australian MPs preparing for trip to Taiwan, with visit to be closely watched by Beijing
13. Chinese submarine crash rumor unsubstantiated: MND
14. US hits China with visa sanctions over ‘forced assimilation’ of Tibetan children
15. US commerce chief Gina Raimondo to visit China for three days seeking ‘constructive discussion’

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PM Modi arrives in South Africa to attend 15^th BRICS summit; Expansion, currency and Xi-Modi Meet will be the key focus

• PM Modi arrived in South Africa on Tue on a 3-day official visit during which he will attend the 15^th BRICS summit and hold bilateral meetings with several world leaders.
• South Africa is hosting the first in-person summit of BRICS comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, since 2019.
• Earlier in his departure statement, PM said BRICS has been pursuing the development imperatives and reform of the multilateral system across various sectors.
• The BRICS bloc represents 41% of the global population, 24% of the global GDP, and 16% of the global trade.
• Over 20 heads of state from Africa and the Middle East have also been invited to attend and a number of them have applied to become members of BRICS.
• From South Africa, the PM will travel to Greece on Aug 25 on his first visit to this ancient land. (here)
• PM Modi called on Brics member states to leverage India’s development for greater benefits to the Global South.
• Modi highlighted India’s infrastructure and digital sectors as key areas for economic cooperation and emphasized the importance of mutual trust and transparency. (here)
• Modi aims at expansion of India’s UPI to BRICS nations at business forum meet: PM Modi hailed the reforms made in India in the past few years, and hailed the ‘ease of doing business’ for investors in the world’s 5^th largest economy. (here)
• Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Lula da Silva have also arrived, while Russian President Putin is expected to participate virtually, due to conflict.
• After arriving at Johannesburg at midnight on Mon, Xi was welcomed with a cultural song and dance performance as well as a military parade by the SANDF (here)
• As Modi & Xi reach meet, militaries focus on LAC de-escalation: Top defense and security brass of India and China have agreed on the need to de-escalate the tensions along the LAC at the earliest with instructions given to tactical commanders to come out with a ‘workable solution’.
• The focus right now is to move forward on the legacy issue of Depsang Plains.
• They said that following the first-ever 2-day CC level talks held on Aug 13-14, 3 days of talks were held at Maj Gen rank and below starting last Fri during which the effort was on to thrash out a workable solution.
• The tensions at Depsang Plains can be traced to China’s 18-km incursion into the area, which is close to the strategic DBO, in 2013, and the 2017 Doklam stand-off. (here)
• BRICS has become the most authoritative organization in the Global South: It cannot be compared to any other existing organization because it is unique regarding norms, representation, and institutional structure.
• It includes countries, which are diverse in terms of political systems, economies, and cultures.
• There are three democracies and two authoritarian systems.
• BRICS is essentially a political and economic forum consisting of the leading powers of the Global South. (here)
• Xi unexpectedly skips his speech at Brics business forum: President Xi failed to show up at the Brics Business Forum on Tue, where he was expected to deliver a speech alongside his counterparts.
• In his place, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao read the speech that criticised the US over its tendency toward “hegemony”.
• Wang said the US tended to fight countries that threaten its dominance in global affairs and financial markets.
• The speech said that every country has a right to development and that people should have the freedom to pursue a happy life.
• But one country, he said in a thinly veiled swipe at the US, is “obsessed with maintaining hegemony, has gone out of its way to cripple the emerging markets and developing countries”.
• Although he had arrived in South Africa on Mon evening, Xi skipped the business forum and no explanation was given, prompting a reaction from China watchers. (here)

From Armenia to Greece: India’s Geopolitics Unsettles Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan triad

• India’s growing ties with Armenia and Greece are unsettling for Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan.
• These 3 countries have been working together to strengthen their military capabilities and to counter India’s influence in the Middle East and Central Asia.
• India’s decision to sell arms to Armenia and to upgrade its strategic partnership with Greece is seen as a direct challenge to these countries.
• Armenia is a traditional ally of Russia, and Greece is a member of NATO.
• By strengthening its ties with these countries, India is sending a strong message to the informal triad led by Turkey.
• It is now looking to build new partnerships with countries that share its interests, such as Greece and Armenia. (here)

6 Indian ‘smugglers’ arrested from inside Pakistani territory: [claimed] ISPR

• The Pakistan Rangers deployed along the IB with India have apprehended 6 Indian inside Pakistani territory between Jul 29 and Aug 3, the ISPR claimed on Aug 22.
• According to the statement, the Indians were trying to smuggle “narcotics, weapons and ammunition” into Pakistan.
• “It shows likely complicity of BSF troops in narco and weapons smuggling,” the military’s media wing, ISPR said.
• “In addition, it is also surprising that Indian BSF troops have so far failed to report six missing citizens.”
• Violating the ceasefire, again: On Mon, the Indian army violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control for the 2^nd time in as many months.
• ISPR further stated that Indian troops martyred a villager in AJK while he was working in his field.
• The ISPR had said the attack was “blatant Indian aggression” and in clear violation of the existing ceasefire understandings. (here)
• Pak Foreign Ministry summoned top Indian diplomat in Islamabad on Tue to register a protest on Indian action along LoC. In Jun, Indian Army resorted to unprovoked firing on a group of shepherds along the LoC.
• Two civilians embraced martyrdom while one other was critically injured in the Sattwal sector along the LoC, the ISPR had said. (here)
• Indian side claimed-Army foils infiltration bid along LoC, 2 Terrorists Killed: 2 Pakistani intruders were killed with the Indian Army scuttling an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Mon.
• The bodies of the terrorists could not be retrieved as they managed to flee across the LoC before succumbing to their injuries, suffered during a gunfight with the Army.
• 1 AK-47 rifle, 2 magazines, 30 rounds, 2 hand grenades, and some medicines of Pak origin were recovered from the scene of the gunfight in the Balakote sector.

White House: Biden will travel to India for G20 summit next month

• U.S. President Joe Biden will visit India from Sept. 7-10 for a G20 summit while VP Kamala Harris will travel to Jakarta Sept. 4-7 to attend summits of SE Asian leaders.
• WH NSA Jake Sullivan announced the trips as the BRICS group of major emerging economies held a summit in Johannesburg.
• Biden was unlikely to attend summits of the 10-nation ASEAN in Jakarta, citing several diplomats saying it would be a significant disappointment if Biden did not go.
• Asked about criticism due to Biden’s absence, Sullivan argued that U.S. engagement with the Asia-Pacific has been pronounced since 2021. (here)

Rahul Gandhi to leave for Brussels on Sept 6, to attend several meetings in Paris, and Oslo till Sept 10

• Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi will kick start his trip to 3 European nations on Sept 6 and will participate in several programs including his visit to EUP and interaction with the Indian diaspora among many others.
• Incidentally, the program collides with the G20 meeting in India on Sept 8 and 9, when he will be holding discussions in France’s Paris.
• Rahul Gandhi will be visiting France, Belgium’s Brussels, and Norway’s Oslo.
• On Sept 9, Rahul Gandhi will arrive in Paris at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. he will participate in a University program. (here)

Suspicious Object Found, Traffic Diverted On Jammu-Rajouri Highway

• Hours later IED was reported on NH Jammu Srinagar NH, a suspicious object was found along the NH in Rajouri and the authorities diverted the traffic at Niali Majjakote area.
• The diversion of the movement of vehicles on a 7 km road stretch on Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch NH after the suspected presence of the material.
• The technical teams as well as the bomb disposal squad of the police and army have been called in. (here)
• Tragedy averted as security personnel destroy IED planted on J-K highway

• An IED planted by suspected terrorists on the Jammu-Srinagar National highway was detected and defused on the outskirts of Jammu thereby averting a major tragedy.
• The traffic was suspended on the highway.
• The suspicious object, which was found at the Panjgrain area, was an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), police said.
• Traffic was restored on the highway. (here)

CDS, top tri-services military commanders meet to discuss Maritime Theatre Command

• Working towards the creation of 3 new Theatre Commands, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan on Tue began discussions with top Commanders from the tri-services about nuances of Maritime Theatre Command and the related issues.
• ​This comes a few weeks after he had held a similar meeting with Military Commanders responsible for securing the borders with China.
• ​The Maritime Theatre Command is envisaged to tackle threats and security tasks from all sides encompassing the entire Indian Ocean and Pacific region. ​
• The 3 new Theatre Commands, which will look after threats from the Northern front, the Western front, and the maritime domain. ​
• ​The Department of Military Affairs has been mulling over multiple issues including the one that whether the heads of new formations should be 3-star or 4-star ones. (here)

US court stays 26/11 accused Rana’s extradition to India

• A US court has allowed Pak-Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana’s plea seeking a stay on his extradition till his appeal is finalized by it, New Delhi described as a normal
• Rana, 62, is wanted in connection with the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, and his extradition was ordered by a US district court in May.
• He had approached the 9^th Circuit Court against the extradition.
• District Judge in central California said in his order on Aug 18 that Rana’s “ex parte application” seeking a stay on his extradition was granted.
• “It is a normal legal process ….It doesn’t mean that his extradition has been forever stayed,” an official in New Delhi said (here)

Manipur: Officials brief Amit Shah on rehabilitation, blockades

• Manipur govt and paramilitary officials briefed Union home minister Amit Shah on Tue about relief and rehabilitation measures, informing that the 1^st batch of around 1,000 people will move from relief camps into prefabricated houses on Wed
• A second issue that was discussed during the meeting was the road blockades and plans by forces to ensure that essentials reached the people
• The discussion came a day after a prominent Kuki group announced the blockade of two arterial national highways that serve Imphal.
• The ministry and the state govt didn’t comment on the meeting but the state administration was constructing 40000 pre-fabricated houses across the state. (here)
• Six arsonists held in ethnic violence-hit Manipur: Police late on Mon said they have arrested 6 people for their alleged involvement in arson in Imphal West a day earlier.
• In a statement on X, police said the six, who were not named, set afire four abandoned homes, a hut, and one community hall. (here)
• Organic produce worth ₹100 crore damaged due to Manipur crisis: Official-Organic produce worth more than ₹100 crore has been damaged and lost in Manipur due to the ongoing unrest.
• The most affected state’s organic produce of the season includes pineapple (both kew and queen), ginger, turmeric, and king chilies. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Afganistan: Security Incidents in Pakistan Due to Internal Problems: Haqqani

• The acting Interior Minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani, said that the recent incidents in Pakistan are due to its internal problems, which Islamabad itself should address.
• He warned that if Pakistan seeks to solve its issues by force through Afghanistan, the interests of the citizens of both countries will be harmed.
• Speaking at a gathering in Uruzgan, where he arrived on Sun, Haqqani accused the international community of not fulfilling their promises of “humanity.”
• He said that the Islamic Emirate has been able to solve its problems even if it has not been recognized by the international community. (here)

Pakistan: 4 terrorists killed, 6 soldiers martyred in an exchange of fire in S Waziristan: ISPR

• 4 terrorists were killed and 6 soldiers embraced martyrdom in an exchange of fire on Tue in South Waziristan, the military media wing ISPR stated on Tue
• According to ISPR, the armed forces effectively engaged with the terrorists’ location, and consequently, “4 terrorists were sent to hell, while 2 terrorists were injured”.
• The armed forces are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism, adding that “such sacrifice of our brave soldiers further strengthen[s] our resolve”. (here)
• [Unverified sources, citing TTP claimed that 18 soldiers attained martyrdom]

Australian MPs preparing for trip to Taiwan, with visit to be closely watched by Beijing

• A bipartisan group of Australian parliamentarians is preparing to visit Taiwan next month, another sign both major parties remain determined to resist China’s demand they cut off political contact with Taipei.
• Under its One China policy, the Australian govt does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign country but maintains informal political connections
• The trip by the Australian delegation will be closely monitored by China
• The visit to Taiwan comes as Australian officials engage in delicate negotiations with their Chinese counterparts over a series of high-level meetings (here)

Chinese submarine crash rumor unsubstantiated: MND

• There is no evidence to corroborate a rumor that a Chinese submarine has crashed in the Taiwan Strait, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said on Tue.
• In recent days, a rumor has been circulating online that a Type 093 (Shang class) Chinese PLA nuclear-powered attack submarine crashed in the Taiwan Strait, killing everyone aboard.
• Addressing a regular news conference in Taipei, MND spokesman Sun Li-fang said that the nation’s joint intelligence and surveillance apparatus has not detected any evidence.
• Ministry of National Defense spokesman Sun Li-fang speaks to reporters in Taipei in an undated photograph. (here)

US hits China with visa sanctions over ‘forced assimilation’ of Tibetan children

• The US said on Tue it was imposing visa sanctions on Chinese officials pursuing “forced assimilation” of children in Tibet, where UN experts say 1 million children have been separated from their families.
• In the latest of a series of moves on Beijing despite a resumption of high-level dialogue, Secy of State Antony Blinken said the US would restrict visas to Chinese officials behind the policy of state boarding schools.
• “These coercive policies seek to eliminate Tibet’s distinct linguistic, cultural, and religious traditions among younger generations of Tibetans,” Blinken stated.
• The US 2021 has accused China of waging genocide in Xinjiang, through what US officials, rights groups, and witnesses say is a vast network of forced labor camps.
• China denies the charge. (here)

US commerce chief Gina Raimondo to visit China for three days seeking ‘constructive discussion’

• US Commerce Secy Gina Raimondo will visit China for 3 days from Sun in the latest attempt by Washington and Beijing to put a floor under their deteriorating relationship.
• Raimondo will travel to Beijing and Shanghai and meet with Chinese officials and business executives.
• The visit materialized from an invitation by Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, ministry officials said, without providing additional details.
• This trip makes it increasingly likely that President Xi will meet President Biden in San Francisco on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Nov. (here)