1. Election 2024: PM Modi reiterates jibe on ‘Wealth Redistribution’, claims Congress wants to share it among their ‘Special People’
2. Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh: Forces outfoxed booby-trapped road, secured polling teams
3. Agni Prime is the new missile in India’s nuclear arsenal. This is why it’s special
4. New national museum in Delhi: Indian, French officials discuss ‘next steps’ in this cooperation
5. India holds right to River Ravi under Indus Water Treaty, says Pakistan law minister

What Else

• Forced to leave India, alleges Australian journalist, untrue, govt rebuts her
• Germany, UK arrest 3 people on suspicion of spying, supplying sensitive technologies to China
• Middle East conflict: Israeli delegation visits Taiwan in show of commitment to ties
• Qatar Emir in Nepal on 2-day visit
• Beijing wants to deploy own security amid attack on nationals in Pakistan: Report
• Iranian president departs after three-day visit to Pakistan
• 3 terrorists killed in intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Pishin district: ISPR
• Pakistani journalist confuses Modi’s urban naxal as ‘Arab nasal’. Indians teach him Hindi

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Election 2024: PM Modi reiterates jibe on ‘Wealth Redistribution’, claims Congress wants to share it among their ‘Special People’

• Controversy continues to rage following PM Modi’s remarks regarding the Congress party’s wealth redistribution promise.
• Despite the Congress lodging a complaint with the Election Commission over the PM’s assertion that the party aims to redistribute wealth among Muslims, Modi shows no signs of relenting.
• In fact, he is intensifying his criticism of the Congress on this matter while speaking at his rallies on Wed.
• On Mon, the PM returned to Raj, just 2 days after 1^st addressing the issue in the same state (here)
• In MP, Congress struggles to break saffron stranglehold on 6 seats: Madhya Pradesh’s 2024 Lok Sabha elections witness a fierce battle between BJP and Congress in longstanding strongholds.
• The 6 seats — Tikamgarh, Damoh, Khajuraho, Satna, Rewa and Hoshangabad — have incumbent BJP MPs and crisscross MP’s political map — 3 in Bundelkhand and 2 in Vindhyachal and 1 in Narmadapuram. (here)
• Repolling in 8 Arunachal stations for assembly elections today after violence: Arunachal Pradesh is set for repolling in 8 polling stations on Wed, Apr 24, following incidents of violence during the initial phase of voting for the LS election 2024
• State assembly elections on April 19.
• The Election Commission announced in an order on Sun that repolling for 4 assembly seats in 8 stations would commence at 6 am and conclude at 2 pm.
• According to an official reports of violence and damage to EVM emerged during the assembly elections in Arunachal. (here)
• Phase 2 polling on Apr 26. Check full schedule: The 2^nd phase of voting for LS elections is scheduled for Apr 26, following the initial phase held on Apr 19, which saw a turnout of approx 64%.
• This phase will cover 89 constituencies across 13 states, including Assam, Bihar, CG, KT, Kerala, MP, Maha, Manipur, Rajasthan, Tripura, UP, WB, and J&K.
• The 1^st phase of the polling covered 102 constituencies of 21 states and UT.
• Ten states and UTs were fully covered, while 11 states and UTs were partially covered. (here)
• Jaishankar slams western media over elections: ‘It criticises India’s democracy because…’: EAM S Jaishankar hit out at the Western media over its unfair criticism of India saying they act as “political players” in the country’s elections, and not because it lacks information.
• Referring to an article by a foreign media house, Jaishankar said, “I read where some Western media said, it is so hot in India, why are they holding elections at this time? I read that article and I wanted to say, in that heat my lowest turnout is higher than your highest turnout in the best record.” (here)
• “Congress has decided to destroy India”: Amit Malviya on Sam Pitroda’s stand on redistribution of wealth: BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya on Wed commented on the Congress party after Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress Sam Pitroda backed the party’s stand on redistribution of wealth
• He said, “Congress has decided to destroy India.”
• In a post on X, Amit Malviya said, “Now, Sam Pitroda advocates a 50% inheritance tax for wealth redistribution. This means 50% of whatever we build, with all our hard work and enterprise, will be taken away.  (here)

Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh: Forces outfoxed booby-trapped road, secured polling teams

• A last-minute intel input came to the rescue of polling teams and escorting commandos returning from Gadchiroli’s Mendhri polling booth where voting was held on Apr 19.
• Mendhri polling station, a km from Chhattisgarh, was set up for the 1^st time in 77 years.
• With the loss of 29 in cadres Kanker gunfight still simmering, retribution-seeking PLGA militants, whose base at the Maoist HQ at Abujmarh is 17 km away, had booby-trapped and laid IEDs on the anticipated route (here)
• Security forces acted swiftly to thwart PLGA militants’ plot.
• They changed plans to take the designated route and walked 5 km along with polling parties and EVM to reach the closest safe destination in Panawar police post in CG.
• Sweltering heat made the trek more arduous with some among the group suffering sunstroke. (here)

Agni Prime is the new missile in India’s nuclear arsenal. This is why it’s special

• India successfully test-fired Agni-P (Agni Prime), the next-gen nuclear-capable ballistic missile in India’s nuclear arsenal, from Odisha’s Balasore earlier this week.
• The missile comes with its unique technology giving it more accuracy while making it difficult to intercept.
• With a range of 1k-2k km, the deadly missile is capable of covering vital targets all across Pakistan.
• While it is popularly believed that the new missile will replace Prithvi, Agni 1 and Agni 2 series of ballistic nuclear missiles, govt sources said, it will not.
• Sources also said the missile was made using the same technology used in the longer-range Agni 4 and Agni 5 missiles.
• ThePrint – the technology behind the latest ballistic missile, lighter and more agile; new composites, propulsion systems; innovative guidance and control mechanisms; and canisterised system.
• The missile can be launched by rail or road and can be transported to various parts of the country. (here)

New national museum in Delhi: Indian, French officials discuss ‘next steps’ in this cooperation

• France will partner with India for the ambitious new National Museum in Delhi, and a top French official and a team of experts have discussed the “next steps in this cooperation”, the country’s embassy here said on Tue.
• The upcoming Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum — billed to be the largest in the world — will have 8 thematic segments telling the story of India spanning over 5k yrs
• The new museum, to be housed in the North and South Block in the heart of Delhi, will cover an area of 1.17 lakh m² with 950 rooms spread over a basement and 3 storeys.
• French President Emmanuel Macron had hosted PM Modi, on a brief working visit to Paris on May 4, 2022. (here)

India holds right to River Ravi under Indus Water Treaty, says Pakistan law minister

• Federal Law Min Azam Nazeer Tarar has said that India has the right to the River Ravi water under a treaty, which legally binds Pakistan not to move the ICJ against India’s “water aggression”.
• “There is a water treaty between Pakistan and India. The right to water on the River Ravi belongs to India, and we cannot interfere with it,” Tarar said during the proceeding in the National Assembly on Tue.
• “On this issue, recourse cannot be made to the International Court of Justice against India,” he added.
• Under the 1960 Indus Water Treaty signed between the two countries India claims the waters of Rivers Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas. (here)

Forced to leave India, alleges Australian journalist, untrue, govt rebuts her

• Australian journalist Avani Dias claimed on Tue that she had to leave India “abruptly” as the govt told her extension of visa would be denied as her reporting has “crossed a line”.
• Dias, who worked in India as the South Asia bureau chief for the ABC since Jan 2022, left the country last week.
• In a post on X, Dias said, “After Australian Govt intervention, I got a mere 2-month extension…less than 24 hours before my flight.”
• She added, “We were also told my election accreditation ….We left on day one of voting in the national election in what Modi calls ‘the mother of democracy’.” (here)
• (Sources)- Dias was not compelled to leave India, pointing out that she was found to have “violated visa rules while undertaking her professional pursuits”; and Dismiss her claims as “incorrect, misleading and mischievous”
• “Her request, she was assured that her visa would be extended for the coverage of the general elections” and that at the time of her departure, she held a valid visa and her extension of visa stood approved.
• Dias, Meghna Bali, and Som Patidar have authority letters required for access to polling booths and counting stations.

[Neighborhood]

Germany, UK arrest 3 people on suspicion of spying, supplying sensitive technologies to China

• Germany has arrested 3 people suspected of supplying sensitive technologies to China, whereas, the UK has arrested 2, reported Al Jazeera.
• The prosecutors in Berlin said that the 3 German nationals had handed technologies with potential military purposes to Chinese intelligence, with whom they have been working since at least June 2022.
• Also, the UK said the arrested duo were providing “prejudicial information” to Beijing.
• These arrests come as Western states continue to express concern over China’s economic and geopolitical policies.
• Moreover, the trio arrested in Germany is also accused of exporting a special laser without permission, which was highlighted as violating the country’s export laws.
• Reacting to these arrests, the Chinese embassy in Berlin said Beijing firmly rejected accusations that it carried out spying activities in Germany.
• The couple concluded a cooperation agreement with a German university, part of which involved preparing a study for a Chinese contractor on machine parts that can be used for operating powerful marine engines such as combat ships.
• Interestingly, the arrests come just days after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited China, where, he pressed Beijing to guarantee German firms equal market access and also conveyed concerns in Europe about Beijing’s economic policies and support for Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. (here)

Middle East conflict: Israeli delegation visits Taiwan in show of commitment to ties

• As tensions in the Middle East escalated amid the Israel-Gaza war, an Israeli legislative delegation visited Taiwan last week in a show of warming ties with Taipei.
• The cross-party delegation, led by chairman of the Knesset’s Israel-Taiwan friendship association, Boaz Toporovsky, met govt officials and legislators, including President Tsai Ing-wen, FM Joseph Wu, and vice-president-elect Hsiao Bi-khim Legislative Yuan speaker Han Kuo-yu.
• The group – the 2^nd Israeli delegation to visit Taiwan within a year – also visited the Southern Taiwan Science Park and a green energy demonstration site in Tainan.
• “With your support, bilateral interactions have recently been very close,” Tsai said at a meeting with the delegation.
• During their 30-year informal relationship, the two have signed 33 agreements to strengthen exchanges in education, public health and other areas, including a tourism agreement signed last month. (here)

Qatar Emir in Nepal on 2-day visit

• Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad AL-Thani was accorded a warm welcome on Tue as he arrived in the Nepal capital on a 2-day visit with an 80-member entourage.
• Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel received him at the airport and later hosted him at his office and a public holiday was declared on Tue.
• Qatar is home to around 400k Nepalis, mostly laborers, and the Emir’s rescheduled visit comes barely a week before the investment summit being hosted by the govt, in which Nepal wants Qatar’s active participation.
• Nepal and Qatar are likely to sign at least 4 MoUs following a bilateral discussion in which PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal and other top officials are expected to participate.
• (official)- the MOUs will relate to higher education scientific research and sports.
• Qatar is a major contributor to Nepal’s remittance-driven economy (~ 30%).
• “The issue is being raised to ensure that Nepali workers get fair treatment and good working conditions,” the official said. (here)

Beijing wants to deploy own security amid attack on nationals in Pakistan: Report

• Concerned over the deadly attacks on its nationals in Pakistan, China has sought approval from Islamabad to deploy its security personnel in the country to counter the security concerns, a report in Nikkei Asia reported on Tue.
• Sources indicate that Islamabad was close to accepting Beijing’s demand in 2016, during Nawaz Sharif’s tenure as PM.
• However, then Pakistan Army chief Raheel Sharif, intervened and established new military units with around 12k personnel tasked with protecting CPEC projects.
• These units have since failed to prevent attacks against Chinese workers effectively. (here)

Iranian president departs after three-day visit to Pakistan

• Iranian President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi has flown back to Iran after completing his visit to Pakistan, Geo News reported Wed.
• During his 3-day visit to the country, the Iranian President held meetings with the President, PM, CoAS, Chairman of Senate, Speaker of NA, and the CMs and guvs of Sindh and Punjab.
• Iranian President said at a ceremony in Karachi earlier on Tue, “No power in the world can spoil the relationship between Pakistan and Iran.”
• The Iranian president remarked while addressing a ceremony hosted at the Sindh Chief Minister’s House during his visit to Karachi on the 3^rd leg of his trip to Pakistan.
• President Raisi said the bilateral relations between the two states are interconnected via history, culture and religion. “Pakistan-Iran ties are historic,” he added.
• Iranian president conferred honorary PhD degree
• Stressing the need for the ideal relationship among the Muslim countries, the governor said that he wanted to further strengthen ties between Pakistan and Iran. (here)
• Ready to share tech prowess with Pakistan, says Raisi: Tehran is ready to exchange its prowess in industry, science, and technology with Pakistan, President Raisi said after visiting Lahore and Karachi on Tue amid strict security during his 3-day trip.
• Says Israel will be ‘annihilated’ if it attacks Iran, lauds Islamabad’s stance against Tel Aviv
• US warns Pakistan to keep ‘sanctions’ in mind amid trade talks with Iran (here)

3 terrorists killed in intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Pishin district: ISPR

• Three terrorists were killed by security forces in an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Pishin District, the military’s media wing said on Tue.
• A press release from Inter-Services Public Relations said that the operation took place last night on the reported presence of terrorists in the area.
• “During the conduct of [the] operation, after intense fire exchange, 3 terrorists were sent to hell, while one terrorist was apprehended in injured condition, who has been identified as an Afghan national,” the ISPR said.
• It added that a large cache of arms, ammunition, and explosives was also recovered during the operation. (here)

Pakistani journalist “confuses” Modi’s urban naxal as ‘Arab nasal’. Indians teach him Hindi

• Well-known Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir has created quite a stir by confusing ‘urban naxal’ for ‘Arab nasal’ in PM Modi’s speech from Rajasthan’s Barmer.
• In a video criticizing Modi, Mir seems completely unaware that he misunderstood or misheard him.
• Instead, he insists that Modi was referring to the Arab race (nasal).
• In a clip shared on X, which is now being shared widely, Mir calls out Modi for double standards.
• “On one side, Modi is welcomed in Arabic countries, on the other he also calls these same Arabs with disparaging names,” says Mir in the clip.
• When ThePrint reached out to Mir, he stood by his initial assessment.
• “He (Modi) clearly used the word nasal, not Naxalites. Please listen again. It was identified by some Arab diplomats. Their govts are writing letters to your PM,” he said.
• Indian social media users were quick to point out the error.
• They are now busy giving Hindi lessons to Mir on X. (here)