1. Narendra Modi govt 3.0: Narendra Modi took the oath as the Prime Minister of India along with 72 Ministers
2. Terrorists open fire on bus carrying pilgrims in Jammu-Kashmir; 10 dead, 33 injured
3. China-Pak joint statement opposes ‘unilateral actions’ on Kashmir issue
4. Canada reacts to posters of Indira Gandhi’s killing: ‘Violence not acceptable’
5. TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu to take oath as Andhra Pradesh CM on June 12

What Else

1. Section 144 imposed in Manipur’s Jiribam district
2. Security forces destroy explosives in boxes found under plum orchards in J&K
3. Philippines accuses Chinese coast guard of ‘barbaric’ blocking of medical evacuation
4. Vietnam demands China halt illegal survey activities in Vietnamese waters
5. Long jail terms for Chinese Gang in a cybercrime case in Zambia
6. ‘Bullying’ China spurs US to limit advanced tech exports: American ambassador
7. Pakistan: Talks with IMF end without agreement
8. Pakistan: Seven soldiers martyred in IED Blast in Lakki Marwat: ISPR
9. PM Shehbaz may dissolve National Assembly within three months, claims PPP leader

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Narendra Modi govt 3.0: Narendra Modi took the oath as the Prime Minister of India along with 72 Ministers

• BJP leader Modi took the oath as the PM of India for the 3^rd consecutive term on Sun.
• This is historic as no PM other than Nehru has returned for a third term as the PM.
• On this historic day, a total of 72 leaders are set to be sworn in
• The new Cabinet includes 30 Cabinet ministers, 5 Ministers of State with Independent Charge, and 36 MoS.
• Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, JP Nadda, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Nirmala Sitharaman, Dr S Jaishankar, Manohar Lal Khattar, HD Kumaraswamy, [JD(S)], Piyush Goyal, Dharmendra Pradhan, Jitan Ram Manjhi, Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh, (JDU), Sarbananda Sonowal, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, (TDP), Dr. Virendra Kumar, Jual Oram, Pralhad Joshi Ashwini Vaishnaw, Giriraj Singh, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Bhupendra Yadav, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Annapurna Devi, Kiren Rijiju, Mansukh Mandaviya, Hardeep Singh Puri, GK Reddy Chirag Paswan (LJP-RV), and CR Patil took oath as cabinet ministers. [Collision impact 72 Ministers, against 58 in 2019, 46 in 2014]
• Minister of State with IC: Rao Inderjit Singh, Jitendra Singh, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Prataprao Jadhav, (SS); Jayant Chaudhary
• MoS: Jitin Prasada, Shripad Naik, Pankaj Chaudhary, Krishan Pal Gurjar, Ramdas Athawale, Nityanand Rai, Anupriya Patel, V Somanna, Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, SP Singh Baghel, Shobha Karandlaje, Kirti Vardhan Singh, BL Verma, Shantanu Thakur, Kamlesh Paswan, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, Ajay Tamta, Dr L Murugan, Suresh Gopi, Sanjay Seth, Raksha Khadse, Bhagirath Choudhary, Satish Chandra Dubey, Sukanta Majumdar, Savitri Thakur, Tokhan Sahu, Raj Bhushan Choudhary, Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma, Harsh Malhotra, Nimuben Bambhaniam, Murlidhar Mohol, and Pabitra Margherita, (here)
• 20 BJP heavyweights of Modi 2.0 missing in Modi 3.0: Ajay Bhatt (won), Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti (lost), Meenakshi Lekhi, RR Singh, Gen VK Singh (R), RK Singh (lost), Arjun Munda (lost), Smriti Irani (lost), Anurag Thakur (won), Rajeev Chandrasekhar (lost),  Nisith Pramanik (lost), Ajay Mishra Teni (lost), Subhas Sarkar (lost),  John Barla, Bharti Pawar (lost), Ashwini Choubey, Raosaheb Danve (lost), Kapil Patil (lost), Narayan Rane (won), and Bhagwat Karad. (here)
• Sworn in with focus on ‘Neighbourhood First’ foreign policy plank: Hours before the scheduled swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi, PM Modi, PM-elect and NDA leader, paid tributes to Gandhi at Rajghat.
• Modi also paid tributes to the BJP’s founding father and former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his memorial ‘Sadaiv Atal’, located less than two km away from Rajghat.
• India has invited the heads of state and govt from Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Seychelles for the swearing-in.
• The spotlight will be on Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, who rose to power on an anti-India plank and persisted with that rhetoric until a few weeks ago. (here)
• I am confident that the visit to India by the President will enhance our relationship and provide further momentum to the Maldives-India partnership says Maldives’ Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer.
• Pakistan holds back from congratulating Modi on his third tenure as India’s PM, calls it ‘premature’ talks.

Terrorists open fire on bus carrying pilgrims in Jammu-Kashmir; 10 dead, 33 injured

• At least 10 people are feared dead as a bus rolled down a gorge in the Reasi district of J&K on Sun (Jun 9).
• The bus, carrying pilgrims was returning from Shivkhoda temple to Katra.
• The incident took place as terrorists opened fire on the bus.
• Security personnel are deployed at the site and an investigation is underway.
• A police official said 33 people got injured in the accident and the rescue operation has been completed.
• “Initial reports suggest that terrorists fired upon the passenger …Due to the firing, the bus driver lost balance of the bus and it fell into gorge. 33 people were injured in the incident. Rescue operation has been completed,” said SSP Reasi Mohita Sharma.
• According to sources, the terrorists are believed to be hiding in the upper reaches of Rajouri, Poonch, and Reasi.
• PM Modi, who took oath as the PM, took stock of the situation and directed that all the injured are provided the best possible medical care, Lt Guv Manoj Sinha said on X.
• President Droupadi Murmu condemned the attack and said the dastardly act is a crime against humanity.
• Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also condemned the attack and urged the govt to provide immediate assistance and compensation to the victims.
• National Conference Chief Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Omar Abdullah condemned the incident. (here)
• Anti-terror agency to probe J&K bus attack, massive search op on for assailants: A massive search operation has been launched to trace the terrorists.
• Security forces have been strengthened in the area, with Home Ministry sources – the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will probe the attack.
• No contact has been established with the terrorists so far.
• According to sources, the terrorists have fled the Reasi district. (here)

China-Pak joint statement opposes ‘unilateral actions’ on Kashmir issue

• China and Pakistan on Sat opposed any “unilateral action” for the resolution of all outstanding issues in South Asia as the visiting PM Shehbaz Sharif briefed the Chinese leadership on the situation in Kashmir.
• Sharif concluded his 4-day visit, the 1^st after his 2^nd stint started in Mar, focussing on shoring up investments and assistance as his country faces an acute economic crisis
• Beijing reiterated that the J&K dispute is left over from history, and should be properly and peacefully resolved by the UN Charter, UNSC resolutions, and bilateral agreements
• India has previously rejected such joint statements by China and Pakistan.
• MEA – “All parties concerned are well aware of our clear position on these matters.”
• “The Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh are and always will be integral and inalienable parts of India. No other country has a locus standi to comment on the same,” the MEA had said previously.
• During his 4-day visit, which coincided with the formation of the new govt headed by PM Modi, Sharif met Chinese President Xi Jinping besides Premier Li Qiang and others
• The two sides underscored that stronger strategic defense and security cooperation play an irreplaceable and critical role in maintaining peace and stability and ensuring the strategic balance of the region. (here)
• 23 MoUs signed: During the visit, Pakistan and China inked 23 MoUs aimed at enhancing collaboration across various sectors- transport infra, industry, energy, agri, media, healthcare, water management, socioeconomic development, etc (here).
• Pakistan to send 1,000 students to China for training, announces PM Shehbaz: The PM decided that the govt would bear their expenses and directed the embassy in China, to give a final shape to this decision in consultation with the Chinese authorities.
• The PM also invited the NW Agriculture and Forestry University to open its campus in Pakistan and in this regard, assured it of all possible support from the govt. (here)
• COAS Gen Asim Munir meets China’s Xi Jinping during visit: A picture of Gen Munir shaking hands with the Chinese president, with PM Sharif standing next to them, has been circulating on social media since the end of the Pakistani delegation’s visit.
• The govt machinery went overboard to promote the visit. (here)

Canada reacts to posters of Indira Gandhi’s killing: ‘Violence not acceptable’

• Promotion of violence is never acceptable in Canada, Dominic A LeBlanc, the Minister of Public Safety has said [on X] after posters depicting the assassination of India’s former PM Indira Gandhi were “reportedly” put up by Khalistan supporters in Vancouver.
• An Indian-origin Canadian MP also expressed concern over the issue, saying by doing so, the Khalistan supporters are trying to instill fear of violence in Hindu Canadians.
• “The promotion of violence is never acceptable in Canada,” he said. [What did he do?]
• Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards in 1984.
• Pannun is one of the main leaders of the Khalistan movement and the legal advisor and spox for Sikhs for Justice, which aims to promote the idea of a separate Sikh state.
• Arya called on law enforcement agencies in Canada to take immediate action.
• India has been asserting for a long that its “core issue” with Canada remained that of the space given to separatists, terrorists, and anti-India elements in that country. (here)

TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu to take oath as Andhra Pradesh CM on June 12

• TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu will take oath as Andhra Pradesh CM for the 3^rd time on Wed (Jun 12) at 9.27 am, the CM office informed on Sat.
• The oath ceremony is scheduled to take place near Kesarapalli IT Park, Gannavaram, Krishna District.
• Naidu first became the CM in 1995 and went on to rule till 2004.
• He was replaced by the late YS Rajasekhar Reddy.
• Naidu will become the chief minister again after a gap of five years.
• The assembly election’s results, which were held along with Lok Sabha polls,  were announced on June 4.
• TDP registered an emphatic win, with the party along with its partners of the NDA, JSP, and BJP winning 164 out of 175 assembly seats in the state.
• YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) won 11 seats. (here)

Section 144 imposed in Manipur’s Jiribam district:

• The district administration has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 in Manipur’s Jiribam citing a likelihood of imminent danger to human lives and properties due to the ‘unlawful activities of some anti-social elements’, an order said on Thu.
• As per the order, due to the present prevailing situation, all the DLOs of the district are directed to keep vigil and safeguard respective govt offices/properties
• Further, it is also informed that section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 has been enforced vide this office order dated Jun 6, 2024.
• The government agencies involved in the enforcement of law and order and other essential services including media have been exempted. (here)
• Huge arms cache seized in Bishnupur, Imphal East: In a series of meticulously planned and executed operations by security forces in Bishnupur and Imphal East districts.
• The Intelligence Based Operation led to the recovery and seizure of significant quantities of arms, ammunition, and explosive devices.
• Forces recovered one Carbine Machine Gun, one .303 Rifle, 1 Pompi (country-made mortar), 5 Grenades, 1 Rifle Grenade, 2 Mortar Bombs, an IED, ammunition etc.
• Another joint operation was conducted in the fringe areas of Imphal East District.
• Utilizing the expertise of an Explosive Detection Dog from the Army, the team uncovered a concealed arms cache. (here)
• NIA arrests Kuki terrorist commander from Imphal, exposes transnational conspiracy to exacerbate Manipur violence: The NIA on Thu arrested a key accused from Imphal airport in a case relating to a transnational conspiracy by insurgents and terrorist gangs to exacerbate the Manipur violence and spread terror in the north-eastern states.
• Thongminthang Haokip alias Thangboi Haokip alias Roger (KNF-MC) has been arrested under various sections in a case, which was registered suo moto by the NIA on July 19 last year.
• As per the NIA, the conspiracy had been hatched by Kuki and Zomi insurgents backed by terrorist organizations based in the NE states and neighboring Myanmar to exploit the current ethnic unrest and wage war against the GoI through violent attacks. (here)

Security forces destroy explosives in boxes found under plum orchards in J&K

• Security forces discovered explosives under the ground in plum orchards in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama on Sun and destroyed those.
• Upon receiving information, the Special Operations Group – also known as the anti-militancy task force in J&K – of Kakapora along with the Central Reserve Police Force arrived at the location in Nihama village.
• The security forces began digging the area in the plum orchards and were soon joined by the Rashtriya Rifles of the Indian Army.
• They found two boxes deep inside the ground inside which the IED was kept.
• The bomb disposal team of State Police and the Army was called to the spot and defused the explosives. (here)

 [Neighborhood]

Philippines accuses Chinese coast guard of ‘barbaric’ blocking of medical evacuation

• The Philippine Coast Guard on Fri accused its Chinese counterpart of blocking to evacuation of a sick member of its armed forces in the SCS, calling its actions “barbaric and inhumane.”
• The incident, which the Philippines said took place last month, involved a member of a small contingent of marines posted to guard the BRP Sierra Madre, a Philippine vessel grounded at the disputed 2^nd Thomas Shoal
• 2^nd Thomas Shoal is the site of repeated confrontations with China this past year.
• Footage from the altercation off the waters of the Second Thomas Shoal on May 19.
• Coast Guard spox said coast guard and navy boats were harassed by Chinese vessels, despite having informed them the operation was of a medical nature.
• The Chinese foreign ministry said Fri that it would allow the Philippines to deliver supplies and evacuate personnel if Manila notified Beijing ahead of a mission.
• “However, the Philippines may not use this as an excuse to transport materials of construction to its naval vessels in an attempt to permanently occupy Ren’ai Jiao,” the Chinese foreign ministry said in a briefing.
• China refers to the Second Thomas Shoal as Ren’ai Jiao. (here)

Vietnam demands China halt illegal survey activities in Vietnamese waters

• Vietnam is deeply concerned about and resolutely opposes the illegal survey operations conducted by vessel Hai Yang 26 of China in Vietnam’s EEZ and continental shelf as established under the 1982 UNCLOS, the Foreign Ministry’s spox said on June 6.
• The statement was in response to reporters’ questions regarding the illegal survey conducted by the vessel of the Chinese Navy in Vietnamese waters
• Spox said that Vietnam has repeatedly communicated with China concerning the illegal activities of the survey ship in Vietnamese waters.
• Vietnam demands that China cease the illegal activities and refrain from repeating such actions in the future, the spox said, urging China to fully respect Vietnam’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction, respect international law, adhere to UNCLOS 1982 and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), (here)

Long jail terms for Chinese Gang in a cybercrime case in Zambia

• Lengthy jail terms have been handed to 22 Chinese citizens – and a Cameroonian man – for cyber-related crimes in Zambia.
• The gang’s only female convict, Gu Tianjiao, reportedly cried “papa, papa” as her 7-year sentence was announced in the Lusaka Magistrates Court on Fri.
• Some in the gang – including its mastermind received up to 11 years in prison.
• The group’s members were also fined between $1,500 and $3,000 each.
• Victims as far afield as Singapore, Peru, and the UAE fell prey to their online scams, say Zambian authorities.
• After a trial lasting several weeks, the perpetrators pleaded guilty to 3 charges – computer-related distortion, identity-related crimes, and illegally operating a network or service.
• The 22 people jailed on Fri were among a bigger group of 77 suspects arrested in Apr, in connection with a “sophisticated internet fraud syndicate”. (here)

‘Bullying’ China spurs US to limit advanced tech exports: American ambassador

• US restrictions on advanced technology exports to China are driven by greater evidence of Beijing’s increasingly “aggressive” stance and an analysis of how it would likely use these tools as it “bullies” some neighbors, a senior US diplomat said on Thu.
• Washington’s response to Beijing has included limits on advanced semiconductors, AI processors, semiconductor-making equipment, and even some laptops.
• After vowing to review steep import tariffs and export restrictions introduced by former US president Trump and precipitating a bilateral trade war, the Biden admin has doubled down on such measures.
• Burns cited Beijing’s island-building in the SCS as well as its territorial squabbles with Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, India, Malaysia, and Brunei.
• ‘We’re concerned about the bullying of China’s neighbors in the SCS and the ECS Sea,” said Burns, adding that it was not always easy to read the impetus behind Beijing’s muscular policies and what lies ahead. (here)

Pakistan: Talks with IMF end without agreement

• Another round of discussions between Pakistan and the IMF has ended inconclusively due to disagreement over new income tax rates and the imposition of a standard 18% sales tax on agriculture and health sector goods.
• Discussions revolve around whether to charge a new backbreaking 45% income tax from salaried and non-salaried individuals on a monthly income of just over Rs467k.
• At present, the maximum rate of 35% applies to a monthly income of over Rs500,000.
• However, both sides have converged on the issue of increasing the income tax burden on exporters in the next budget who paid a paltry sum of Rs86 billion this year, which is 280% less than the taxes paid by the salaried people.
• Pakistan and the IMF authorities on Fri held discussions on the outstanding issues related to taxation and the energy sector. (here)

Pakistan: Seven soldiers martyred in IED Blast in Lakki Marwat: ISPR

• An IED detonated on a vehicle of the Security Forces in Lakki Marwat District on Sun, resulting in the death of 7 soldiers, the military’s media wing ISSPR said in a statement.
• According to ISPR, the fallen include Cap, Sub Maj, 2 Lance Naik, and 3 Sepoy
• “Sanitisation of the area is being carried out to eliminate any terrorists present in the area, and perpetrators of this heinous act will be brought to justice,” the ISPR said. (here)

PM Shehbaz may dissolve National Assembly within three months, claims PPP leader

• Known for his bold predictions about the country’s politics, PPP leader Manzoor Wassan on Sun made a bold statement anticipating the incumbent govt’s dissolution in the next 3 months.
• The politician said that the next “trimester is extremely crucial” regarding the political landscape.
• “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif may dissolve the National Assembly within the next three months.”
• Wassan also ruled out the possibility of PML-N President Nawaz Sharif becoming the next premier in the current political scenario.
• He said that it would be seen what kind of setup emerges afterward, but the provincial assemblies will remain intact.
• The politician further stated that he doesn’t see any favorable circumstances for PTI founder Imran Khan or other politicians.

Wassan’s remarks come after the PPP raised concerns about not being consulted on the upcoming federal budget for fiscal year 2024-25. (here)