1. Israel-Hamas War: Israel calls for resignation of UN chief over remarks on action in Gaza
2. ‘Jativaad’ Jibe, Ram Temple, 10 Pledges: PM Modi’s Top Quotes at Dussehra Event in Delhi
3. Canadian Diplomats misusing Powers to give Visas to Khalistan Supporters: Top Govt Sources
4. Told India to remove troops from Maldives: President-elect Mohamed Muizzu
5. Centre constitutes tribunal under Delhi HC judge to adjudicate if JKDFP should be banned

What Else

• Manipur violence: Security Forces arrested 2 cadres of non-SoO group CKLA from Chaljang
• Mizoram CM refuses to share stage with PM Modi for election campaign, says ‘better if he comes alone’
• Rajnath Singh was in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, for two-day visit to
• Disney nears deal to sell $10-bln valued India business to Reliance -Bloomberg News
• Bhutan and China Conclude 25^th Round of Boundary Talks, Sign “Cooperation Agreement”
• China ousts defense minister, the second senior leader to leave in three months
• Sri Lanka announces free tourist visa for India, China, 5 other countries till Mar 31, 2024

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Israel-Hamas War: Israel calls for resignation of UN chief over remarks on action in Gaza

• Israel has demanded the resignation of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres from his position over his remarks against the Israeli counteroffensive in Gaza after terror attacks by Hamas on Oct 7.
• The Israeli envoy to the UN, Gilad Erdan called Guterres “unfit” to lead the UN and called for his resignation.
• “I will not meet with the UN Secy-Gen. After October 7^th there is no room for a balanced approach. Hamas must be erased from the world!” Cohen posted on X. (here)
• “Sent 38 tons of humanitarian goods to Palestinian people: India at UNSC
• India’s Deputy Permanent Representative (DPR) to the UN, on Wed, underlined New Delhi’s efforts to send humanitarian assistance to civilians in the Gaza Strip. (here)
• “182 Kids” Among 436 Killed in Israeli Strikes on Gaza; PM Modi Speaks to Jordan King
• Israel bombarded Gaza with air strikes early on Mon and its aircraft struck southern Lebanon overnight, as Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu convened a meeting of his top generals and his war cabinet to assess the escalating war.
• The Israeli Air Force also attacked military targets of the terrorist organization Hezbollah.
• Netanyahu on Sun had given a stern warning to Hezbollah, saying that joining the war would be “its biggest mistake ever” and that they will be crippled with unthinkable force.
• IDF warplanes on Sun killed the dy head of Hamas’s regional artillery array, Muhammad Katamash. (here)
• PM Modi speaks to Jordan’s king, both share concerns on terrorism, loss of civilian lives: PM Modi spoke to Jordan’s King Abdullah II as the two leaders shared concerns regarding terrorism, violence and the loss of civilian lives.
• Modi said on X that concerted efforts are needed for an early resolution of the security and humanitarian situation. (here)
• In a significant development, Russia’s FM Sergey Lavrov has arrived in Iran to take part in the Ministerial Meeting of the Consultative Regional Platform “3+3” for the South Caucasus.
• Biden reportedly told Netanyahu: “US prefers” no ground op in Gaza; Israel’s response: We have no other way to achieve our objective.
• Israel Says Gaza Won’t Be Ruled By Hamas After War; Biden, Putin Press for Humanitarian Aid to Gaza
• “One thing is clear: the Gaza Strip will not be ruled by Hamas once this war is over,” Israeli govt spokesman Eylon Levy told AFP.

‘Jativaad’ Jibe, Ram Temple, 10 Pledges: PM Modi’s Top Quotes at Dussehra Event in Delhi

• PM Modi on Tue attended Dussehra celebrations at DDA ground in Delhi’s Dwarka where he urged citizens to take 10 pledges including uplifting the socio-economic status of at least one poor family.
• He said ‘Ravan Dahan’ shouldn’t be about only about burning of an effigy but also about forces, which try to divide ‘Maa Bharati’ in the name of casteism and regionalism.
• PM Modi said the construction of Lord Ram Temple on Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya is a sign of victory of patience.
• PM Modi said, “We know the knowledge of Gita and also building INS Vikrant and Tejas. We know “maryada” of Shri Ram and also how to protect our borders.”
• PM Modi urged citizens to take 10 resolutions on Dussehra this year: water conservation, digital transactions, cleanliness, buying Indian products, natural farming, including superfood millets. (here)

Canadian Diplomats misusing Powers to give Visas to Khalistan Supporters: Top Govt Sources

• Canadian diplomats are misusing their powers in different consulates across Chandigarh and other areas of Punjab to grant visas to people with known criminal antecedents who are Khalistani supporters, top govt sources told amid the diplomatic face-off.
• The diplomats have gone “very soft” on visas despite knowing their antecedents.
• They added that the visas are being extended just to support the Khalistan cause so that the momentum can gain maximum strength.
• Yet another bone of contention between the two countries is Canada’s refusal to help India with extradition in certain cases as well as investigations into those who have gone and taken shelter in Canada.
• Sources said the Indian govt has evidence of Canada supporting farmers’ agitation too.
• Recently, external affairs minister S Jaishankar had said India has evidence of the Canadian govt’s interference in India’s affairs. (here)
• Canada has long been home to international fugitives, from Nazis and Khalistan terrorists that bombed an Air India flight to a key assassin of B’desh’s founding father. But now Canada admits that it has lost track of 29,248 foreign fugitives.

[This is not going to end any time soon, nor such sources-based revealations]

Told India to remove troops from Maldives: President-elect Mohamed Muizzu

• Maldives President-elect Mohamed Muizzu, who is known for his strong China leanings, has reportedly told India to remove its troops from the country.
• Speaking to BBC on Sun, Muizzu, who was elected last month and is to be sworn in later in Nov.
• He said he met Indian envoy Munu Mahawar a few days after he won the elections and “told him very clearly that every single Indian military personnel here should be removed“.
• Mohamed Muizzu’s Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) fought this year’s election on the claims that his outgoing predecessor Ibrahim Mohamed Solih allowed India an unchecked presence in the Indian Ocean archipelago.
• Muizzu argues that the presence of Indian troops could put the Maldives at risk in the event of any tensions between India and China along their Himalayan border.
• It is argued that Muizzu’s China leanings stem from significant Chinese loans received by the Maldives during the previous PPM govt’s tenure. (here)

Centre constitutes tribunal under Delhi HC judge to adjudicate if JKDFP should be banned

• The Centre has constituted a tribunal under Delhi High Court judge Sachin Datta to adjudicate if there is sufficient ground for declaring the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) as an unlawful association.
• The Union Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification on Mon announcing the constitution of the tribunal.
• The move comes days after the ministry earlier this month declared JKDFP an unlawful association.
• The MHA on Oct 5 declared JKDFP a banned group under the UAPA for 5 years for its “anti-India” and “pro-Pakistan” activities. (here)

Manipur violence: Security Forces arrested 2 cadres of non-SoO group CKLA from Chaljang

• On Mon, Security Forces arrested 2 cadres of non-SoO group CKLA from Chaljang, Churachandpur along the Indo-Myanmar border and recovered the following items:
• 6 arms (5.56 mmm INSAS Rifle-02, MQ Assault Rifle-01, AK 47 Rifle-01, M16 Rifle-01, Sniper Rifle with telescope-01); 109 ammunitions (7.62mm Ball ammunition- 48, 5.56 INSAS Ball ammunition-57 and 7.62mm Sniper Ball ammunition-04); 1 Binocular, 4 Radio sets and 1Radio set charger etc.; Approx 2.5 kg of opium; cash- Rs 4,86,500
• The above facts put up by Manipur Police on Mon.

Mizoram CM refuses to share stage with PM Modi for election campaign, says ‘better if he comes alone’

• In a clear sign of tensions in the BJP-led NEDA, Mizoram CM Zoramthanga said that he will not share the stage with PM during his campaign for the Nov 7 assembly polls.
• The remarks come as PM Modi is expected to visit Mizoram around Oct 30 to campaign for BJP in the northeastern state.
• Zoramthanga’s Mizo National Front (MNF) is an NDA ally at the Centre, however, both parties work separately in the state.
• The Centre and Mizoram govt also differed on the issue of refugees from Myanmar, who were arriving in the state to escape the crackdown from the military regime of the country.
• Centre has repeatedly asked northeastern states to register the biometrics of refugees coming from Myanmar- a direction, Zoramthanga has chosen to ignore. (here)

Rajnath Singh was in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, for two-day visit to

• Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Mon arrived in Tezpur for a 2-day visit to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
• During his 2-day visit, Rajnath Singh engaged with the security personnel deployed in the strategically vital Tawang sector located in Arunachal Pradesh
• Meanwhile, the Minister celebrated Dussehra with the soldiers in Tawang.
• Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande is accompanying the Minister.
• Earlier this year, the Minister visited the Tawang sector to review security preparedness in the sector.
• The Tawang sector is a sensitive area given the Chinese Army has multiple times tried to intrude into the sector. (here)

Disney nears deal to sell $10-bln valued India business to Reliance -Bloomberg News

• Disney is nearing a deal to sell its India operations, which it values at around $10 billion, to Reliance Industries, its biggest rival in the country, rather than sell the business in parts, Bloomberg News reported on Mon.
• Disney has been exploring options to sell or find a partner for its India assets and has held talks with billionaires Adani and Sun TV Network Kalanithi Maran as well as private equity firm Blackstone.
• However, Disney may now sell a controlling stake in the business to Reliance, the Ambani-controlled conglomerate whose streaming platform’s success has weighed on the U.S. company’s Indian business, Bloomberg reported. (here)

 [NEIGHBORHOOD]

Bhutan and China Conclude 25th Round of Boundary Talks, Sign “Cooperation Agreement”

• Following their discussions at the 25^th round of border talks, China and Bhutan inked a “Cooperation Agreement” that delineates the responsibilities and functions of the Joint Technical Team regarding the demarcation and delimitation.
• On the sidelines of these border talks, Bhutan’s FM Dr Tandi Dorji, currently visiting Beijing, engaged with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Tue and held discussions with Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Mon.
• During these meetings, they expressed a shared desire for Bhutan to establish diplomatic relations with China and promptly address the boundary matter. (here)
• The establishment of the JTT was significant stemming from the 13^th Expert Group Meeting, aimed at facilitating the implementation of the MoU on the 3-Step Roadmap.
• Additionally, both sides explored opportunities to enhance bilateral relations and discussed matters of mutual interest, as highlighted in the press release.
• Han reiterated China’s respect for Bhutan’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, expressing a willingness to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields to bring mutual benefits to both nations and their people.
• Minister Dorji affirmed Bhutan’s dedication to the development of its relationship with China, firmly adhering to the one-China principle. (here)

China ousts defense minister, the second senior leader to leave in three months

• China removed its defense minister on Tue, the 2^nd in 3 months, raising questions about the stability of the leadership team around Chinese President Xi Jinping.
• General Li Shangfu, who has been absent from public view for 2 months, was dismissed as defense minister and state councilor, according to state media.
• China also announced that Qin Gang, who was removed as foreign minister in July, was stripped of his state councilor position.
• China’s top legislators, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, approved the removal, state media reported, without giving any elucidation.
• No replacement for Li was named, leaving the country without a defense minister as it prepares to host foreign defense officials at the Xiangshan Forum on Oct. 29-31.
• Li, 65, was under investigation for suspected corruption related to equipment procurement and development. (here)

Sri Lanka announces free tourist visa for India, China, 5 other countries till Mar 31, 2024

• The Sri Lankan cabinet on Tue approved a proposal to grant free visas to travelers from 7 countries for five months.
• These countries are India, China, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan and Indonesia.
• Sri Lanka Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry said that the free visa travel has begun with immediate effect as a pilot project till Mar 31, 2024.
• The development comes almost a week after the Sri Lankan Ministry of Tourism said that it had presented a Cabinet paper during the previous Cabinet meeting.
• Besides free tourist visas, the Cabinet also proposed an e-ticketing system for most of the tourist sites in Sri Lanka. (here)