1. PM Modi launches multiple development projects worth over Rs 32,000 cr in Jammu
2. Farmers Protests: Promise peaceful protest as Delhi braces for 1200 tractors, bulldozers
3. Sandeshkhali Row: ‘1 man can’t hold all to Ransom’: High Court Grills Bengal
4. Centre eases norms for Indian SIM cards to Nepal, Bhutan citizens
5. Foreign Ministers of Bhutan, Lithuania, Estonia set foot in New Delhi for Raisina Dialogue

What Else

•  Sonia Gandhi, BJP’s JP Nadda Elected Unopposed to Rajya Sabha
• Jaishankar, French Senate Chairman discuss India-France strategic partnership
• France confers ‘Francophone’ Shashi Tharoor with highest civilian honor
• ₹60,000-crore Sukhoi fighter upgrade begins, to involve private sector in big way
• Blow to BJP as SC Declares AAP-Congress Candidate Winner of Chandigarh Mayoral Poll
• Pakistan: Consensus at midnight paves way for ‘PDM 2.0’
• Maldives: Abdullah Shahid appointed president of MDP
• South China Sea: PLA sends forces to monitor US-Philippines air patrols over disputed waters
• China launches nationwide survey on data resources, from AI firms to police

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PM Modi launches multiple development projects worth over Rs 32,000 cr in Jammu

• PM Modi on Tue inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects for education, railway, aviation, and road sectors, worth over Rs 32k crore.
• PM Modi also flagged off the first electric train in the valley and also the train service between Sangaldan station and Baramulla station.
• The PM also distributed appointment orders to about 1500 new govt recruits of J&K.
• This is his 2^nd visit to J&K since the abrogation of Art 370 in 2019 and is crucial ahead of the coming Lok Sabha polls. (here)
• PM slammed the opposition, saying that the region, now a UT, had to “bear the brunt of dynastic politics” for decades.
• Addressing a mass gathering here, PM Modi said that the political parties who have indulged in dynastic politics have only cared about their interest.
• “I am happy that J&K is getting freedom from this dynastic politics,” he said. (here)

Farmers Protests: Promise peaceful protest as Delhi braces for 1200 tractors, bulldozers

• Thousands of farmers from Punjab will resume their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march Wed, to press for their demand of MSP support for all crops.
• The protesting farmers, who are currently camping at the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border, declared the resumption of the agitation on Tue after the 4^th round of talks with the central govt failed.
• The march is ‘expected’ to affect life in Delhi and around because security checkpoints set by the authorities to stop the protesting farmers will trigger traffic chaos.
• Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has said the farmers don’t want to create chaos and will remain peaceful.
• Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said the protest march must be allowed to proceed to Delhi peacefully.
• He appealed to PM Modi to come forward and help him end the protest. [how] “We have told the govt that you can kill us but please don’t oppress the farmers,” 
• Meanwhile, the Haryana police today detained some farmers in Manesar (here)
• ‘Can’t use tractor trolleys on highways’: HC raps protesting farmers: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tue told the protesting farmers that they cannot use tractor trolleys on highways as per the Motor Vehicles Act.
• It also reminded the farmers to follow “constitutional duties” regardless of everyone knowing their fundamental rights.
• “You are traveling from Amritsar to Delhi on trolleys. Everyone knows their fundamental rights, but some constitutional duties need to be followed,” the court said.
• The court also told the Punjab govt to “make sure that people should not collect in large numbers anywhere“.
• “They have the right to protest, but it is subject to reasonable restrictions,” it added. (here)

Sandeshkhali Row: ‘1 man can’t hold all to Ransom’: High Court Grills Bengal

• Coming down heavily on the Mamata Banerjee govt over the situation in Sandeshkhali, the Calcutta HC on Tue said local TMC’s ‘strongman’ Sheikh Shahjahan “cannot be on the run” and the “state cannot support” him.
• Hearing BJP leader’s request for permission to visit, CJ said the court has noted allegations made by women on the island.
• The CJ said “prima facie material” shows that Shahjahan “has done damage to the public”.
• The TMC govt has accused the BJP of fomenting trouble in the area.
• CM has alleged BJP workers were taken to the island to instigate violence.
• The court noted that Bengal police had been unable to arrest Shahjahan despite multiple cases against him and an attack on ED officials. (here)
• A Sikh IPS officer, who was deputed at Dhamakhali to prevent senior state BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari from visiting Sandeshkhali, got agitated after a group of activists of the BJP allegedly hurled the ’Khalistani’ jibe at him.
• BJP MLA accompanying Adhikari claimed that the police officer wasn’t fulfilling his duties and dismissed the allegation that BJP supporters called him a ’Khalistani’.
• Meanwhile, “members of the Sikh community” planned to gherao the BJP’s state hq in Kolkata in protest against the ’Khalistani’ jibe, TMC sources said. (here)
• Adhikari has challenged the ADG (South Bengal) to prove his charge that a slur was hurled at a Sikh police officer, within 24 hours or face consequences. (here)
• [A video shared by Congress on X, showing only the officer shouting “why are you speaking about my religion?”  Ironical is this that an IPS doesn’t know the difference between Sikh and ’Khalistani’]

Centre eases norms for Indian SIM cards to Nepal, Bhutan citizens

• The Centre has introduced amendments to the Know Your Customer rules, simplifying the process for citizens of Nepal and Bhutan to acquire SIM cards while visiting India.
• The Ministry of Comm, in a statement on Mon, said that citizens of Nepal and Bhutan visiting India would be permitted to access SIM cards in the country, given that the individuals provide valid proof of their identity.
• Following are the documents needed by citizens of 2 nations to avail a SIM card: Nepalese/ Bhutanese Citizenship Certificate, Voter I Card issued by their Election Commission, or Limited validity photo-identity certificate issued by their Govt.
• However, if a citizen of 2 nations enters India from a location other than their origin country, they must provide a copy of their passport along with a valid visa stamp.
• The govt has also specified that the validity of mobile connections issued to citizens of 2 nations should not exceed the maximum time permitted for their stay in India or the validity of the visa, whichever is applicable. (here)

Foreign Ministers of Bhutan, Lithuania, Estonia set foot in New Delhi for Raisina Dialogue

• As the anticipation of the Raisina Dialogue 2024 grows, more FMs of different countries arrive in the national capital on Tue.
• According to MEA, FM of Bhutan Lyonpo D N Dhungyel, Lithuanian FM Gabrielius Landsbergis, and Estonian FM Margus Tsahkna have touched down in Delhi
• Earlier in the day, FMs of Sweden, Tobias Billstrom; Latvia, Krisjanis Karins;  and Greek, Giorgos Gerapetritis arrived in New Delhi.
• Notably, Greece Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis arrived in New Delhi on a state visit to India.
• Hold talks with PM Modi, will be given Ceremonial Reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan
• He will be the Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker at the Raisina Dialogue, in 2024.
• Raisina Dialogue is set to convene its 9^th edition from February 21 to 23. (here)

Sonia Gandhi, BJP’s JP Nadda Elected Unopposed to Rajya Sabha

• Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and BJP President JP Nadda were on Tue elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan and Gujarat respectively.
• It will be the former Congress President’s first term in the Upper House after serving 5 terms as a Lok Sabha MP.
• She was first elected as an MP in 1999 after taking over as the Congress president.
• BJP’s Chunnilal Garasiya and Madan Rathore were also elected unopposed.
• Tue was the last day for withdrawing nominations.
• As no other candidates had filed nomination papers for the RS from Gujarat on 4 seats
• A total of 56 members of RS from 15 states are retiring in Apr and the election to the seats will be held on Feb 27.
• The last date for filing nominations was Feb 15. (here)

Jaishankar, French Senate Chairman discuss India-France strategic partnership

• EAM S Jaishankar and the visiting Chairman of the French Senate, Gerard Larcher on Tue held “a fruitful discussion on the India-France strategic partnership”.
• The two leaders also engaged in talks over the convergence on several global issues.
• India and France have traditionally close and friendly relations. (here)
• “Western countries have long preferred to supply Pakistan, not India”: EAM reasserts defense cooperation with Russia
• The External Affairs Min on Tue reaffirmed defense and trade cooperation with Russia and said that many Western countries used to supply arms to Pakistan and not India, adding that the trend has changed in the past decade.
• In an interview with Handelsblatt during his visit to the MSC in Germany, Jaishankar highlighted the infrastructural imbalance of supply chains in the world and said that the world’s economic model is unstable and unfair. (here)
• He said that India and Russia have always shared “stable and friendly ties” and Moscow has never hurt the interests of New Delhi. (here)

France confers ‘Francophone’ Shashi Tharoor with highest civilian honor

• Congress MP and former UN diplomat Shashi Tharoor has been conferred with the highest French civilian honour, ‘Chevalier de la Legion d’honneur’ for being a ‘friend’ of France and working for deepening Indo-French ties.
• Tharoor was conferred with honor by Chairman of the French Senate Gerard Larcher, at an event in French Residence.
• “The highest French civilian award comes in recognition of Tharoor’s tireless efforts to deepen Indo-French ties, commitment to international peace and cooperation, and as a long-standing friend of France,” the French Embassy in India stated.
• The statement appreciated the ‘remarkable personality’ of Thiruvananthapuram MP for his range of talents. (here)

₹60,000-crore Sukhoi fighter upgrade begins, to involve private sector in big way

• A comprehensive upgrade of the mainstay Su 30MKI fighter jet fleet that will see the aircraft get new radars, mission control system, electronic warfare capabilities, and integration of new weapon systems will see heavy participation from the private sector.
• The ₹60,000-cr upgrade, approved by the defense ministry last year, will be done by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, with support from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and several major partners (here)

Blow to BJP as SC Declares AAP-Congress Candidate Winner of Chandigarh Mayoral Poll

• The SC during a resumed hearing on the controversial Chandigarh mayoral election declared the AAP’s Kuldeep Kumar the validly elected mayor of the local body on Tue.
• This comes after the bench headed by CJ ruled that the election’s presiding officer, Anil Masih, made a deliberate attempt to deface 8 ballots that were cast in favor of the BJP.
• As per the bench, the conduct of the presiding officer has to be deprecated at two levels.
• 1^st, he has unlawfully altered the course of the mayoral election.
• 2^nd, in making a solemn statement before the court on Mon, the presiding officer expressed falsehood for which he must be held accountable. (here)

[Neighborhood]

Pakistan: Consensus at midnight paves way for ‘PDM 2.0’

• After multiple rounds of talks spanning more than a week, a consensus was reached between the PML-N and the PPP to share power to form the next govt.
• They are claiming a comfortable majority in the lower house of parliament to clinch the slot of the PM.
• Zardari named as next president, Shehbaz to be premier; PPP steers clear of federal cabinet
• PML-N to get National Assembly speaker slot, PPP will have its deputy speaker
• Senate chairmanship to go to PPP; deputy chairman to come from N-League
• Yet, the PPP would not join the federal cabinet, and the NA speaker slot would go to the PML-N as per the deal reached between the two parties, Dawn posted citing source.
• They claimed that the Senate chairmanship would go to the PPP, with Senator Yousaf Raza Gilani being tipped as the next chairman.
• The governorships in KP and Punjab will also go to the PPP.
• Sources said that the PML-N and the PPP would jointly form a govt in Balochistan, and Sarfaraz Bugti “is so far” the likely contender for the CMship.
• In the Senate, the PML-N will get the slot of the deputy chairman whereas in the lower house, the deputy speaker will be from the PPP. (here)

Maldives: Abdullah Shahid appointed president of MDP

• The former Maldivian foreign minister, Abdullah Shahid was appointed as the president of the country’s largest opposition party, the MDP on Tue.
• This comes after former party president Mohammed Nasheed left the party on Jun 21 last year, reported by Adhadhu, a local media outlet
• According to the report, the party presidential post was temporarily held by former President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih.
• Shahid served as the speaker of the Parliament and President of the 76^th session of the General Assembly
• Earlier, the MDP and The Democrats issued a joint press statement, labeling the shift in foreign policy against India as ‘extremely detrimental’ to the country’s long-term development.
• The opposition further underscored that “stability and security in the Indian Ocean is vital to the stability and security of the Maldives.”
• Both the MDP and The Democrats emphasized the critical need for consecutive govts to maintain the ability “to work with all development partners for the benefit of the people of the Maldives, as the Maldives has traditionally done”. (here)

South China Sea: PLA sends forces to monitor US-Philippines air patrols over disputed waters

• The PLA said it sent forces to the SCS to monitor the latest US-Philippines joint air patrol on Mon as the two allies launched their 2^nd drill in the disputed waters this month.
• The air forces of the two countries conducted a patrol over the western Philippines as part of what they have called a “maritime cooperative activity”.
• In response, China accused the Philippines of “roping in non-regional countries to stir trouble in the South China Sea” and “publicly hyping up a so-called joint air patrol”, though it did not directly refer to the US.
• The Southern Theatre Command, the PLA division that oversees the SCS, said on Mon night it had sent its naval and air forces to closely watch the situation.
• The command said it had kept the situation “under control” and that it would “maintain a high level of vigilance” to defend national sovereignty and preserve regional stability.
• The Philippine Air Force sent 3 FA-50 combat aircraft while the US Pacific Air Forces sent a B-52H bomber to patrol the area, the Philippine Air Force said on Meta. (here)

China launches nationwide survey on data resources, from AI firms to police

• China has begun the first nationwide survey of data resources, with all related entities – from companies to the police – asked to provide information about their data assets.
• According to one expert, the inclusion of police data in the survey suggests it has the support of the top leadership, which is pushing digitalization as part of efforts to drive economic growth and technology development.
• The new National Data Administration (NDA) is conducting the survey.
• It has asked entities how they produce, store, circulate, trade, develop, and use data, and also about data security, according to a statement released on Monday by the NDA, CAC, Ministry of Industry and IT, and the Ministry of Public Security.
• Entities required to take part in the survey include provincial data bureaus and public security departments, state-owned enterprises, internet platforms, AI firms, national laboratories, data exchanges and industry federations.
• They will have to fill out online questionnaires, to be submitted by Mar 5. (here)