1. Farmers Protest: ‘Delhi Chalo’ march paused for night after chaos-filled day, over 60 injured
2. ‘Ahlan Modi’ in Abu Dhabi: “You have created a new history… Bharat is proud of you”: PM tells Indian diaspora
3. Two killed, JCO among three injured in Manipur district
4. Sandeshkhali: Setback to TMC, HC orders removal of 144 in Basirhat amid BJP agitation
5. ‘Great military-to-military relationship with India’: US

What Else

• India considering indigenous engines for Arjun tanks as German engines getting delayed by 4 years
• Shehbaz-led coalition to comfortably cross simple majority mark to form next govt
• Zardari invites PTI for ‘all-inclusive’ political reconciliation ahead of forming govt
• Nepal’s 10 largest banks to be audited by external experts later this year
• 3 years after Myanmar’s coup, is the clock finally running out on embattled junta as it ‘slowly falls apart’?

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Farmers Protest: ‘Delhi Chalo’ march paused for night after chaos-filled day, over 60 injured

• The farmer unions decided to pause for the night their march to Delhi and said the protest would resume on Wed morning.
• The unions said around 100 farmers were injured throughout the day as they faced water cannons and tear gas at the Punjab-Haryana border.
• A day after around 80 people were injured in a face-off between Punjab farmers and Haryana Police at 2 borders between the states, protesters are set to continue demonstrations on the 2^nd day on Wed.
• Borders Sealed, 9 Metros in Delhi Closed; Congress Promises MSP Guarantee Law
• Iron nails, barbed wires, barricades, and concrete slabs have been erected on Delhi borders to turn Delhi into a fortress ahead of farmers’ ‘Dilli Chalo’ march on Tue.
• Given the agitation call given by farmers’ associations, Delhi Police have invoked Section 144 (prohibitory orders) for 30 days till Mar 12.
• Massive security arrangements have been put in place in the capital and its borders to thwart any unlawful congregation between Feb 13 and Feb 15.
• Anticipating a gathering along the lines of demonstrations in 2020-21, authorities have taken appropriate measures to stop the groups from entering Delhi.
• Farmers’ Demand: A law guaranteeing a minimum support price (MSP) [Aprox-Rs 17 L Cr, 50% of annual budgetary expenditure]
• implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations (here)
• pensions for farmers and farm laborers, [9% of the government’s revenue receipts go towards pension payouts.]
• farm debt waiver,
• India should withdraw from the WTO and freeze all free trade agreements [loss of more than $50 bn, as per 2021-22 data]
• withdrawal of police cases, and
• “Justice” for victims of the Kheri violence, where the accused is on bail. (here)
• Congress leader Rahul Gandhi announced on Tue that the party if voted to power, will give a legal guarantee of MSP to every farmer as per Swaminathan Commission. (here)
• Amid the ongoing farmers’ protest, 50% less diesel and 20% less gas were able to be dispatched to Punjab, govt sources on Tue. (here)
• A group of farmers from Tamil Nadu’s Trichy on Tue extended support to the ongoing ‘Delhi Chalo’ march.
• Showing solidarity with the farmers protesting on the Delhi-Haryana border, farmers from Trichy were seen holding human skeletons and lying on the road. (here)
• 6 months’ ration, gurudwaras, ashrams as hideouts: Intel –as per intel input, the remote and non-motorable borders of Delhi could serve as potential entry points for farmers.
• From Punjab alone, 1,500 tractors and 500 vehicles have been mobilized for the protest, with these vehicles loaded with 6 months’ worth of food, rations, and logistics.
• Ahead of the call, senior leadership and the core committee of Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee visited Kerala, UP, Bihar, CG, Maha, UK, and TN to seek support.
• Tractors have been modified to convert them into shelters and stays, says the report.
• They planned to come in small groups and hide in gurudwaras, dharamshalas, ashrams, and guest houses around Delhi and hold snap protests.
• Security agencies have apprehensions that locations like PM House, and Home Minister House could be potential protest targets. (here)

‘Ahlan Modi’ in Abu Dhabi: “You have created a new history… Bharat is proud of you”: PM tells Indian diaspora

• PM Modi on Tue told a gathering of the Indian diaspora in UAE that he has brought with him the fragrance of the soil where they were born and a message of 140 crore citizens of India that “Bharat is proud of you“.
• Speaking at the ‘Ahlan Modi’ event at Zayed Sports Stadium, PM Modi said people from various regions of the UAE and different states of India have gathered at the venue, and “everyone’s hearts are connected”. (here)
• Before the event, he had met and interacted with the Indian community in Abu Dhabi.
• Modi arrived in the UAE on Tue for a 2-day visit during which he will be inaugurating Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu temple.
• Modi was greeted by the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and was accorded the Guard of Honour.
• While in the UAE, the PM will also inaugurate the BAPS Mandir, the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi.
• This will be the PM’s 7^th trip to the UAE since 2014, and the 2^nd to Qatar.
• In his statement before his departure to the UAE, Modi said he is looking forward to further advancing India’s comprehensive strategic partnership with the UAE. (here)
• PM Modi says UPI is about to begin in UAE “soon”: “Digital India is appreciated across the world. To ensure that people in UAE also get its benefit, we are making all efforts. We shared RuPay card pack with the UAE…UPI is about to begin in UAE soon. …” said PM Modi at the ‘Ahlan Modi’ event.
• PM Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also held a bilateral meeting on Tue.
• India and the UAE on Tue signed 8 pacts to bolster cooperation in key areas such as investments, electricity trade, and digital payment platforms, as PM Modi and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed new fields of collaboration.
• The UAE is one of India’s closest strategic and energy partners in West Asia, and trade was boosted by the signing of a free trade agreement (FTA) in 2022.
• In a special gesture, Modi was received at the airport by Mohamed bin Zayed and accorded a ceremonial welcome.
• At their subsequent meeting, the leaders witnessed the exchange of 8 agreements, including a bilateral investment treaty, which the MEA said would be a “key enabler” for further investments in both countries. (here)

Two killed, JCO among three injured in Manipur district

• At least 2 people died while 3 others, including a JCO of the army, were injured in day-long firing that broke out along the Imphal East- Kangpokpi buffer zone area in Manipur on Tue said people aware of the matter.
• Until late Tue evening, intermittent firing from the areas along the Khamenlok ridge, Saikul, and Satang, confirmed personnel from security forces and residents.
• The buffer zone around Kangpokpi-Imphal East has witnessed multiple bursts of firing since Sat.
• Two bodies found over the weekend by Manipur Police are also suspected to be casualties of firing in the area.
• An officer aware of Tue’s incident said that around 11.30 am, fresh firing broke out in parts along Khamenlok and Saikul between Meitei and Kuki groups, prompting soldiers from the Assam Rifles and Indian Army to move towards the area. (here)

Sandeshkhali: Setback to TMC, HC orders removal of 144 in Basirhat amid BJP agitation

• In a major setback to the WB govt, the state top court ordered the removal of prohibitory orders (Section 144) in the vicinity of the SP’s office in Basirhat given the agitation by the BJP over allegations of sexual harassment by women in Sandeshkhali.
• Clashes broke out between the police and BJP workers who marched to North 24 Parganas’ Basirhat Police Chief office on Tue, a day after the police prevented them.
• BJP workers, including state party president Sukanta Majumdar who arrived in Basirhat railway station by train, were seen marching towards the SP’s office.
• The BJP is protesting against Superintendent of Police Hossain Mehedi under whose watch the violence took place.
• Police personnel were seen charging party workers as the latter broke through barricades and entered the village.
• The TMC countered by posting a video of the protesters pelting stones saying that the purpose of the BJP’s visit to Sandeshkhali was to unleash “hooliganism”.
• Earlier, locals, particularly women, marched through various sections of Sandeshkhali, carrying slippers in their hands, demanding the arrest of TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh in an alleged land ration allotment scam and the alleged rape incidents. (here)

‘Great military-to-military relationship with India’: US

• Pentagon Dy Press Secy, during a press briefing on Tue, stressed the strong military-to-military relationship and effective communication between India and the US.
• Singh said, “We’re going to continue to monitor what’s happening in the region, but I don’t have more to share on any updates.”
• Addressing the anticipation of a high-level visit from India, she said, “I don’t have any visits to read out from officials from the Indian Govt. At least here at the department. I can’t speak for other officials across the interagency.”
• The comments regarding the military ties between India and Pakistan coincide with the official announcement from the MoD stating that Chief of Army Staff Gen Manoj Pande commenced a 4-day official visit to the US on Feb 13.
• MoD stated During his visit, the COAS will engage in high-level discussions and interactions with Gen Randy George, US Army, and other senior military leaders.
• The discussions between the two armies will “Global Threat Perception”, “Transformation in the Indian Army”, “Transformation to Army-2030/40”, “Future Force Development and Modernisation”, “Human Resource Challenges” and “Co-Production and Co-Development Initiatives”.
• Furthermore, Gen Pande will engage with units renowned for military innovation and strategy, including the Stryker Unit, the 1^st Special Forces Group at Seattle, the 1^st Multi-Domain Task Force, and the Defence Innovation Unit in San Francisco. (here)

India considering indigenous engines for Arjun tanks as German engines getting delayed by 4 years

• India is considering the development of an indigenous plant for the Arjun Mark 1A tanks, as the delivery of German engines crucial for these tanks is expected to face a delay of approximately 4 years.
• In response to this delay, the relevant agencies are utilizing the time to work on an indigenous engine for the Arjun Mark 1As.
• Some engines already in possession of development agencies will be employed to manufacture the initial tanks for the 118-tank order placed by the Defence Ministry in 2021, amounting to Rs 7,523 crore with Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi.
• Delays in the supply have also affected India’s plans to develop a light tank, prompting L&T and the DRDO to opt for an American Cummins engine.
• The Arjun Mk-1A represents an upgraded version of the Arjun Mk-1 main battle tank currently in service with the army. (here)

 [Neighborhood]

Shehbaz-led coalition to comfortably cross simple majority mark to form next govt

• As per the Election Commission of Pakistan’s tally, the total number of general seats won by the 6 parties, which announced their plans to form a coalition led by Shehbaz Sharif — PML-N, PPP. MQM-P, PML-Q, IPP, and BAP — come to 152.
• This clearly shows that these parties will easily achieve the min required number of 169 to form the govt after the addition of 60 women and 10 minority seats in their tally.
• However, it is yet to be seen if these parties will be able to get to the next magic number of 224, which is required to obtain the elusive 2/3 majority in a 336-member NA
• If the PTI-backed candidates decide to join the Majlis-i-Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM), as announced by the party, it will get a share in the women and minorities seats as well.
• However, since the MWM has only won a seat from KP, the PTI would only be entitled to a share in the 10 reserved seats allocated to women from that province. (here)
• PML-N optimistic about PPP’s inclusion in next federal govt: Amid ongoing efforts of major parties to forge alliances ahead of forming the next govt, PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal expressed hope that the PPP would join the next federal cabinet.
• Ahsan’s statement came hours after Bilawal had announced supporting the PML-N candidate for the PM’s slot, however, he clarified that his party would not be part of the next govt in the Centre nor it would accept any federal ministries. (here)

Zardari invites PTI for ‘all-inclusive’ political reconciliation ahead of forming govt

• Amid prevailing political uncertainty and polarisation, PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari has invited the Imran Khan-founded PTI to join the process for political reconciliation ahead of the formation of the new federal govt.
• Stressing the need for political reconciliation during a multi-party news conference in Islamabad on Tue, Zardari — flanked by former PDM leadership including PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, MQM-P Convener Dr. Khalid Maqool Siddiqui, PML-Q Chief Chaudhry Shujaat as well as IPP President Abdul Aleem Khan among others — said that he wanted the PTI to be a part of the reconciliation process as “everyone has to be on board on the ‘economic agenda’ for the broader interest of the nation”. (here)

Nepal’s 10 largest banks to be audited by external experts later this year

• The IMF says Nepal is expected to launch a review of the loan portfolios of the 10 largest banks in the country later this year as preparatory works are underway.
• In-depth on-site inspections of 10 such banks, assisted by a 3^rd-party to review their loan portfolios with special attention to loan and collateral valuation.
• The IMF has promised to provide credit amounting to $395.9 million under the ECF facility.
• Dy div chief of the IMF’s Asia and Pacific led a staff visit to the IMF to discuss recent macroeconomic developments and the implementation of the IMF-supported program.
• He said that the IMF was providing its inputs on the ToR that the central bank was supposed to finalize in Dec last year.
• The IMF had earlier warned that the bank asset quality [in Nepal] has deteriorated, reflecting a decline in the repayment capacity of borrowers. (here)

3 years after Myanmar’s coup, is the clock finally running out on embattled junta as it ‘slowly falls apart’?

• 3 years after the coup, the walls are closing in on Myanmar’s junta and its leader Min Aung Hlaing.
• Humiliated and overrun across an arc of territory running east to west, his once unassailable military is slowly shrinking back into a central Myanmar heartland, harried by battle-hardened ethnic armed groups of young pro-democracy rebels.
• A “spring revolution” is the buzzword almost being willed into existence over Myanmar’s vituperative anti-junta social media. (here)