1. Congress leader Revanth Reddy to be new Telangana CM, swearing-in on Dec 7, while Lalduhoma to take oath as Mizoram’s next CM on Dec 8
2. PM Modi says close ties between Kenya and India will strengthen “all our efforts in the Indo-Pacific”
3. Winter session 2023 Live: Amit Shah to speak on 2 J&K amendment Bills today
4. India for hiking budget for each small project in Nepal to Rs240 million
5. J&K: NIA Raids 8 Places in terror conspiracy case, seizes Incriminating Data, Digital Devices

What Else

• ‘Rajasthan bandh’ today: Karni Sena protests, seeks probe into chief’s killing
• Manipur: Fresh violence leaves 13 dead in gunfight near Myanmar border
• Indian economy to be third largest by 2030: S&P Global
• Apple taps companies in India, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan for critical parts
• US Examined Hindenburg Allegations Before Loan to Adani
• There is Structural Soundness in India-US Relationship: S Jaishankar
• Vice Admiral Dinesh Tripathi to be the new Vice Chief of Naval Staff
• Pakistan: At least 7, including 4 children, injured in Peshawar blast
• Khalistani terrorist Lakhbir Singh Rode, nephew of Bhindranwale, dies in Pakistan
• China to hold 2nd Indian Ocean Region Forum to firm up influence in India

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Congress leader Revanth Reddy to be new Telangana Chief Minister, swearing-in on Dec 7

• Telangana Congress chief Revanth Reddy will be the next CM of the southern state, the party announced on Tue and the swearing-in ceremony will be held on Dec 7.
• Reddy has been credited for the party’s thumping victory in the assembly elections and was the face of Congress’ winning campaign.
• Reddy started his political career with the ABVP, the student wing of RSS.
• The 54-year-old leader earned several critics within the party ranks after he seemingly changed the style of functioning as a state Congress chief.
• Telangana Assembly election result: Congress dethroned the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led BRS govt as it crossed the majority mark by securing 64 seats in the southern state.
• The BRS trailed with 38 seats, while the BJP improved its 2018 tally by winning 8 seats.
• AIMIM won 7 seats, while CPI got 1 seat. (here)
• Lalduhoma to take oath as Mizoram’s next CM on Dec 8: President of the Zoram Peoples’ Movement (ZPM), Lalduhoma, who steered a landslide win, is all set to become the northeastern state’s next CM.
• The opposition party bagged 27 of the 40 seats in the state assembly pushing the ruling MNF, which secured 10 seats, to a distant second spot.
• The other seats were bagged by the BJP (2) and the Congress (2).
• Lalduhoma, a 74-year-old Indian Police Service officer-turned-politician, had already been endorsed last year by the ZPM’s elderly council, called Val Upa Council, (here)

PM Modi says close ties between Kenya and India will strengthen “all our efforts in the Indo-Pacific”

• India Tue announced a $250 million line of credit to Kenya for the modernization of its agricultural sector as PM Modi and visiting Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto agreed to strengthen bilateral ties in defense, trade, energy, digital public infra, etc.
• After the Modi-Ruto talks, the two sides signed 5 pacts providing for cooperation in a range of areas including sports, education, and digital solutions, and unveiled a joint vision document to scale up maritime engagement in the Indian Ocean region.
• India also raised the issue of two Indian nationals who went missing in the East African country in Jul last year.
• Kenyan side offered land for farming to Indian companies under a cooperative model besides showing interest in India’s payment system, UPI. (here)
• Situation in Somalia, and Sudan discussed with PM Modi, says President Ruto

Winter session 2023 Live: Amit Shah to speak on 2 J&K amendment Bills today

• The 2^nd day of the Winter Session saw a debate on the J&K Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the J&K Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023,
• The bill was tabled by Union Home Minister, Amit Shah in the Lok Sabha on Tue.
• While the Treasury Benches defended the repeal of Articles 370 and 35A, the Opposition questioned the constitutional viability.
• Shah is expected to speak on the Bills today (Wed).
• In Rajya Sabha, the discussion on the prevailing economic situation of the country, which began on Tue, is likely to continue today.
•  Union Fin Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is likely to table a statement showing the Supplementary Demands for Grants, 2023-24.
• Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee report in connection with the alleged involvement of TMC MP Mahua Moitra in the ‘cash-for-query’ case has remained one of the key discussion areas on the parliamentary premises, and it is yet to be taken up.
• The winter session is effectively the last window for the govt to clear legislation before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
• The session will be conducted in 15 sittings till Dec 22. (here)
• [J&KRAB-LG can nominate 1 member to the Assembly from the displaced people of PoJK.
• LG can nominate 2 from the Kashmiri migrant community, 1 has to be a woman]

India for hiking budget for each small project in Nepal to Rs240 million

• At a time when China and the US are expanding their influence in Nepal by increasing financial assistance and aid, India, is set to increase the budget for each “small development project” from the current Rs50 million to Rs240 million.
• Fin Min Prakash Sharan Mahat confirmed to the Post that his ministry has given a nod to increasing the grant disbursed under the Indian small development project scheme.
• A MoU on the increase will soon be signed, said Mahat.
• India had initially proposed a grant of IRs150 million or NRs240 million for each project, but now the Ministry of Finance has trimmed it to Rs200 million.
• Nepal proposed slashing the aid amount as it has to bear 20% of the project cost, a financial burden the govt currently lacks funds to cover, sources said. (here)

J&K: NIA Raids 8 Places in terror conspiracy case, seizes Incriminating Data, Digital Devices

• The National Investigation Agency conducted raids at 8 locations in J&K on Tue.
• The raid was related to a terrorist conspiracy orchestrated and executed by factions related to banned Pak-backed terrorist organizations, including LeT, JeM, HM, Al-Badr, and Al-Qaeda.
• NIA said, that extensive searches were also conducted at the premises of the cadres and sympathizers of these newly floated organizations, which included TRF, ULFJ&K, MGH, JKFF, KT, PAAF, among others.
• The searches led to the seizure of several digital devices containing large volumes of incriminating data and documents, which has been investigating the conspiracy of the recently launched offshoots of the banned terror outfits
• The NIA investigations so far have revealed that Pak-based operatives were using social media platforms to promote terror and were also using drones to deliver arms/ ammunition, explosives, narcotics, etc. (here)

‘Rajasthan bandh’ today: Karni Sena protests, seeks probe into chief’s killing

• Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena and other community outfits sat in protest as they called for a state-wide bandh in Rajasthan on Wed, over the killing of their chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi on Tue.
• The community demanded a judicial probe into the matter.
• Speaking amid the protests, Bhawani Singh Kalvi, son of Karni Sena founder Lokendra Singh Kalvi today said, “The administration also had some letters and proof that something like this could happen to him.”
• Gogamedi was shot dead in the living room of his house in Jaipur by 3 men.
• One of the assailants was also gunned down by his accomplices
• On Wed, the police said they identified 2 of the accused who opened fire on Gogamedi.
• The first accused was identified as Rohit Rathore, a native of Makrana Nagaur.
• The second accused was identified as Nitin Fouji, a native of Mahendragath, Haryana.
• Rajasthan Chief Cop Umesh Mishra said the Rohit Godara gang has claimed responsibility for the murder and searches have been launched. (here)

Manipur: Fresh violence leaves 13 dead in gunfight near Myanmar border

• Manipur witnessed fresh violence in a series of violent since May 2023.
• (source)- 13 people were killed in a gunfight between two groups of militants in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district, PTI reported on Mon
• Security forces reaching the spot found 13 bodies so far, he said, adding their identities were yet to be ascertained but they appeared not to be locals.
• Notably, the Tengnoupal district shares a porous border with Myanmar.
• Manipur administration in Manipur has repeatedly mentioned the nuisance of anti-social elements in border areas with Myanmar. (here)

Indian economy to be third largest by 2030: S&P Global

• India is set to become the 3^rd-largest economy by 2030 and is expected to be the fastest-growing major economy in the next 3 years, S&P Global Ratings said in its report.
• India’s growth path to become the third largest economy will depend on the “paramount test” of whether it can become the next global manufacturing hub moving away from being a services-led economy.
• As per S&P, India is expected to grow at 6.4% in 2023-24 compared with 7.2% in the previous financial year.
• The rating agency said the growth rate will remain at 6.4 in 2024-25 before rising to 6.9% next year and 7% in 2026-27.
• In Nov, before the release of India’s GDP data, the agency had revised the country’s growth forecast for the financial year 2023-24 to 6.4% from 6% earlier and lowered the growth projection for financial year 2024-25 to 6.4% from 6.9% earlier. (here)

Apple taps companies in India, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan for critical parts

• Apple is scouting for new suppliers — Indian, Japanese, and S Korean — which can provide crucial components to its contract manufacturers in India, ET reported on Tue.
• This comes on the back of delayed govt approvals for imports from existing suppliers — primarily Chinese— of batteries, camera lenses, chargers, etc.
• In Jan, about 17 Chinese companies that supply components for Apple’s devices applied for govt clearances to set up manufacturing facilities in India, of which 14 were granted.
• Among them, the applications of 4 companies have been indefinitely delayed, while 6 have indicated to the govt that they are no longer interested in making in India. (here)

US Examined Hindenburg Allegations Before Loan to Adani

• The US govt concluded that short-seller Hindenburg Research’s allegations of corporate fraud against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani didn’t apply to his conglomerate’s ports subsidiary before extending his firm as much as $553 million for a container terminal in Sri Lanka, a senior US official said.
• Allegations in a scathing report by US-based Hindenburg Research, which erased around $100 billion from the Adani Group’s market value earlier this year, were front and center as the International Development Finance Corp., or DFC, conducted a due diligence investigation, the official, from the US agency, Bloomberg reported. (here)

There is Structural Soundness in India-US Relationship: S Jaishankar

• There is structural soundness in the India-US relationship and it is certainly proven against political check, EAM S Jaishankar said on Mon, in comments that came against the backdrop of Washington alleging an Indian link to a foiled plot to kill a Sikh separatist on its soil.
• Both Mr Jaishankar and Finer made the comments at a technology conference in Delhi. (here)
• Key comments by Jaishankar on ties with the US amid the Nikhil Gupta case & Khalistani concerns.
• US confirms Dy NSA raised Pannun issue with Indian officials: Confirming that the alleged plot to assassinate Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Pannun was discussed in meetings between its visiting Principal Deputy NSA Jonathan Finer and top Indian officials, the WH said he “acknowledged India’s establishment of a committee of enquiry”.
• In the first meeting between Indian and US officials after US federal prosecutors alleged that an Indian official was involved in a foiled plot to assassinate Pannun
• Finer met NSA Ajit Doval and EAM S Jaishankar on Mon.
• The MEA had said on Mon that the two Deputy NSAs “reviewed key bilateral issues and exchanged views on regional and global developments”.

Vice Admiral Dinesh Tripathi to be the new Vice Chief of Naval Staff

• Vice Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, as per reports, has been appointed as the new Vice Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy.
• Hindustan Times reported that Vice Admiral Tripathi will ascend to the crucial role in early Jan 2024.
• Vice Admiral Dinesh Tripathi is currently serving as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command.
• Previously, he served as the Chief of Personnel (COP) and Director General of Naval Operations (DGNO) at Naval Headquarters.
• Vice Admiral Tripathi was commissioned into the Indian Navy in July 1985. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Pakistan: At least 7, including 4 children, injured in Peshawar blast

• At least 7 people, including 4 children, were injured in an explosion on Peshawar’s Warsak road early on Tue, hospital and rescue officials said.
• According to the details of the injured admitted to Lady Reading Hospital, 8-year-old Ihsanullah was said to be in critical condition.
• The condition of the rest of the 6 injured was said to be stable.
• Emergency rescue services said an IED went off on a busy road in Peshawar at 9:10 a.m.
• He said 5 people, including four children, were injured.
• Warsak Police said that around 4 kg of explosives were used in the IED, disguised as a “cemented block”.
• The police official also said that an investigation into the blast is underway and Khan said it would be “premature” to say who the target was. (here)

Khalistani terrorist Lakhbir Singh Rode, nephew of Bhindranwale, dies in Pakistan

• Khalistani terrorist Lakhbir Singh Rode, nephew of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, died reportedly suffered a heart attack, in Pakistan on Dec 2.
• (Sources) – Rode’s last rites were secretly performed in Pakistan following Sikh customs and traditions.
• Bhindranwale was an erstwhile leader of the Khalistan movement.
• Lakhbir Singh Rode was involved in terrorist activities against India in Punjab at the behest of Pakistan’s ISI, according to signals from Pakistan’s secret agency ISI.
• In Oct, the NIA had confiscated the properties of Rode following a raid by the anti-terror agency.
• The raids were carried out in Moga, Punjab.
• The anti-terror agency’s action came as it was investigating six cases against Rode for his active involvement in terror-related activities between 2021 and 2023.
• Rode was the head of the banned outfit International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) and was designated as a terrorist by the government. (here)

China to hold 2^nd Indian Ocean Region Forum to firm up influence in India

• China this week will hold the 2^nd conference of its Indian Ocean Region Forum to bring together several countries in the region in an attempt to solidify its influence.
• Last year the China International Development Cooperation Agency, an organization part of the ruling CCP Leadership, held a meeting of the China-IOR Forum on Development Cooperation in Kunming,
• CIDCA is headed by Luo Zhaohui, the former Vice Foreign Minister and ex-Ambassador to India.
• The CIDCA claimed 19 countries including Indonesia, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, B’desh, Maldives, Nepal, Afghanistan, Iran, Oman, S Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Seychelles, Madagascar, Mauritius, Djibouti, Australia took part in the conference.
• Australia and Maldives subsequently denied participation, while India was not invited.
• The Chinese forum is aimed at countering India’s strong influence in the IOR where India-backed organizations like IORA, which has a membership of 23 countries
• Besides IORA, PM Modi proposed Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) in 2015 for active cooperation among the littoral countries of the IOR.
• An official press release said VP Hussain Mohamed Latheef will take part in the CIOR Forum on Development Cooperation and hold talks with Chinese officials.
• The previous Maldives govt headed by Ibrahim Mohammad Solih, which pursued an India-first policy, skipped last year’s meeting of the Forum. (here)
• [Latheef leaves for China to attend the ‘CIOR Cooperation’]