1. “Pakistan Hasn’t Learned Anything From History”: PM Modi In Kargil
2. PM Modi expected to visit Ukraine in August
3. One soldier killed, several injured in Kupwara as Army neutralizes Pak intruder
4. Central Govt orders deployment of 2000 BSF personnel to hunt Pakistani terrorists in J&K
5. EAM Jaishankar meets US Secretary Blinken,  Australian counterpart, ahead of Quad meeting

What Else

1. EAM S Jaishankar calls ASEAN cornerstone of India’s Act East Policy
2. Nearly 30 Nepalese men rescued from forced labor in India: Nepal Govt
3. Maldives President thanks India for strengthening country’s fragile economy
4. Delhi coaching center flooding: 3 UPSC aspirants dead, institute’s owner and coordinator arrested
5. Massive data breach hits BSNL: Government confirms sensitive information exposed
6. S-400 system ‘shoots down’ 80% ‘enemies’ in exercise, the rest forced to retreat
7. US, Japan overhaul security alliance amid China’s strategic challenge
8. Myanmar ethnic armed group moves into strategic northern town
9. Italy’s Meloni vows to ‘relaunch’ cooperation with China
10. Philippines says China ‘mischaracterized’ South China Sea resupply mission deal
11. Bangladesh: Govt thankful for global support amidst propaganda, misinformation: FM
12. Pakistan: Opp rallies call for Imran’s release

—————-

“Pakistan Hasn’t Learned Anything From History”: PM Modi In Kargil

• PM Modi, while paying tribute to soldiers who died in the 1999 Kargil War, said that Pakistan has not learned anything from the loss and continues to harbor terrorists.
• “Pakistan faced defeat whenever it has carried out any misadventure. It has not learned any lessons from history,” PM Modi said at the Kargil War memorial.
• The PM said that their sacrifice for the nation is immortal and will always be remembered in the form of Kargil Vijay Diwas.
• On Jul 26, 1999, the Indian Army declared the fruitful culmination of ‘Operation Vijay’, declaring victory after a nearly 3-month-long battle on the icy heights of Kargil, Ladakh
• Earlier, PM carried out the “first blast” for the construction of the Shinkun La tunnel, which aims to provide all-weather connectivity between HP and UT of Ladakh (here)
• Pakistan rejects PM’s ‘belligerent remarks’: Pakistan has rejected what it labeled PM Modi’s “belligerent remarks” made in Drass, Ladakh on Fri.
• The neighbors share an uneasy relationship and India has, for decades, ‘accused’ Pakistan of backing militants in J&K.
• Pakistan denies the accusations, saying it only provides diplomatic and moral support to Kashmiris seeking self-determination in the Muslim-majority IIOJK/J&K.
• Pakistan’s desire for peace should not be misconstrued, FO responds to the Indian defense minister.
• “The Indian leaders’ rhetorical statements cannot deflect international attention from India’s heavy-handed approach to suppress the Kashmiri people’s just struggle for realization of their fundamental rights and freedoms, particularly their inalienable right to self-determination,” the FO added. (here)

PM Modi expected to visit Ukraine in Augt

• PM Modi is expected to visit Ukraine in Aug against the backdrop of renewed global efforts to find a negotiated settlement to the conflict with Russia, (sources) said on Sat.
• The visit, expected to coincide with Ukraine’s National Day (Aug 24), could be clubbed with a trip to Poland given the complex logistics involved with a visit to a warzone.
• The visit is yet to be formally announced by the two sides, though diplomats from several countries, said New Delhi and Kyiv are engaged in arrangements for it.
• This would be Modi’s first visit to Ukraine.
• The last visit to Poland by an Indian premier was in 1979.
• India hasn’t publicly criticised Russia’s invasion of Ukraine though Modi reminded Putin at their recent meeting that a solution can’t be found on the battlefield and peace talks can’t succeed under the shadow of the gun. (here)

One soldier killed, several injured in Kupwara as Army neutralizes Pak intruder

• One Indian Army soldier was killed while several others were injured during an infiltration bid in N Kashmir’s Kupwara.
• Additionally, one Pakistani intruder was also killed following a gunfight.
• The Army said that taking advantage of bad weather and poor visibility along the LoC in the Machhal sector, 2-3 armed personnel crossed the LoC and fired on a forward army post from proximity.
• The Indian Army’s alert troops responded promptly, leading to an exchange of fire that resulted in the killing of one Pakistani intruder.
• The Indian forces also recovered weapons, ammunition, and war-like stores.
• Meanwhile, the identification and affiliation of the Pakistani national are being ascertained. (here)

Central Govt orders deployment of 2000 BSF personnel to hunt Pakistani terrorists in J&K

• The Indian govt has decided to deploy 2 battalions of the Border Force, comprising over 2,000 personnel, from the eastern state of Odisha to the terror-hit UT of J&K.
• The decision has been taken in the wake of increased terror attacks in the region.
• The 2 units will be ‘immediately’ moved from the anti-Naxal operations grid to Jammu.
• “Two recent meetings, one in Delhi and one in Jammu, of the top security brass, necessitated bolstering BSF deployment in Jammu,” (an officer was quoted)
• Currently, BSF guards 2,289 km of the international boundary in Jammu, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, Jammu accounts for 485 km of this border which is replete with dense forests and treacherous terrain, making counter-terrorist operations difficult. 
• The fresh deployment comes in the backdrop of 500 Special Forces, para-commandos being stationed in Jammu, earlier this month.
• According to the Police, there are around 70 to 80 active foreign terrorists in the UT and a fresh batch of 25-20 terrorists have recently infiltrated the region. (here)

EAM Jaishankar meets US Secretary Blinken ahead of Quad meeting

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sun in Tokyo ahead of the Quad FMs’ Meeting.
• Jaishankar said that they had a wide ranging discussion on regional and global issues.
• Our bilateral agenda progressed steadily, and also had a wide-ranging discussion on regional and global issues.
• Earlier on Sun, EAM S Jaishankar unveiled the bust of Mahatma Gandhi at Freedom Plaza in Edogawa, Tokyo on the sidelines of the Quad FMs meeting.
• Jaishankar said that through this gesture, Japan wishes to deepen its ties with India.
• Quad is a diplomatic partnership between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States committed to supporting an open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient, according to Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. (here)
• US senator introduces bill to enhance defense ties with India, calls it vital to counter China: Marco Rubio, a Republican senator from Florida, has introduced a bill in the US House of Reps to strengthen the US-India defense ties.
• Calling the India-US partnership crucial to counter “influences from Communist China”, Rubio has sought an enhancement in relations with India — strategic, diplomatic, economic, and military.
• The US-India Defense Cooperation Act seeks that India be treated like any other US ally like Japan, Israel, Korea, and NATO members regarding technology transfers.
• It further proposes a “limited exemption” for India from CAATSA sanctions for purchases of Russian equipment currently used by the Indian military. (here)
• EAM Jaishankar meets Australian counterpart ahead of Quad meeting: Jaishankar on Mon met his Australian counterpart Penny Wong shortly before the Quad Meeting and talked about intensifying the bilateral ties between the two nations.
• Jaishankar said that he and Wong also discussed deepening practical cooperation across the Indo-Pacific. (here)

EAM S Jaishankar calls ASEAN cornerstone of India’s Act East Policy

• The ASEAN is the cornerstone of India’s Act East Policy and its Indo-Pacific vision, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Fri, as he sought to expand political, economic, and security cooperation with the bloc.
• Jaishankar is in the Laotian capital, Vientiane to participate in the meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
• It is encouraging to note that the India- ASEAN partnership acquires ever more dimensions with each passing day, he said.
• The visit to Laos is of particular significance that this year marks a decade of India’s Act East Policy, which was announced by PM Modi at the 9^th East Asia Summit in 2014, the MEA said in New Delhi ahead of his visit. (here)
• Jaishankar holds bilateral meetings with counterparts from ASEAN countries: Jaishankar on Thu met his counterparts from the Philippines, Enrique A Manalo; Norway’s Espen Barth Eide; Timor Leste’s FM Bendito Freitas and Dy PM & FM of Cambodia Sok Chenda Sophea.
• In his meetings, the talks were mostly about bilateral relations and the geopolitical situation in the Indo-Pacific, he also discussed the FTA with Norway. (here)
• Jaishankar in his meetings with ASEAN members, raised the issue of trafficking of Indian citizens through cyber scam centers, and sought their early return. (here)
• Laos issues world’s first-ever stamp depicting Shri Ram Lalla of Ayodhya: Lao PDR (People’s Democratic Republic) has issued a postage stamp featuring Shri Ram, making it the 1^st country in the world to issue a stamp depicting the revered deity.
• This release, during India’s external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar’s visit to the country, highlights the deep-rooted civilizational and cultural ties between the two.
• The statue of Shri Ram Lalla, representing the child form of Lord Ram, is a prominent feature in the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
• The commemorative stamp set was unveiled jointly by EAM Jaishankar and Lao PDR’s Deputy PM and FM Saleumxay Kommasith during a ceremony in Vientiane. (here)

Nearly 30 Nepalese men rescued from forced labor in India: Nepal Govt

• The Nepal Govt has rescued 28 of its citizens from forced labor in India, said the country’s Ministry for Women, Children and Senior Citizens.
• A team from the Nepal ministry with the help of the Indian NGO ‘Keen India’ on Fri rescued the men.
• The group of men aged between 24 – 60 years were rescued from J&K, where they were forced to work in unsafe conditions, the ministry said in a statement.
• Lured by promises of high-paying road construction jobs, 7 men from Dhanusha and 21 from Siraha were taken to Kashmir 5 months ago, reported news agency PTI.
• A social worker from Sarlahi, Saroj Ray, uncovered the incident after 2 Nepali workers had managed to escape from the workplace and sought her help. (here)
• [However, no information is available on the internet about the NGO, or persons named herein. The story is also unfounded in KP as well]

Maldives President thanks India for strengthening country’s fragile economy

• President Mohamed Muizzu has thanked India and China for helping strengthen the Maldives’ fragile economy, highlighting the importance of the two countries.
• China and India provide the most assistance in repaying the country’s debt, President Muizzu said on Friday at an official function held to mark the 59th anniversary of the country’s independence.
• “I thank the Chinese govt and the Indian govt on behalf of the Maldivian people for their cooperation with this effort to strengthen the economy, to assure our economic sovereignty,” Muizzu was quoted as saying by the Maldivian news portal.
• Muizzu came to power last year on an anti-India campaign plank seeking the removal of around 80 Indian military personnel operating copters and Dornier donated by India.
• China for its part has scaled up its relations with the Maldives, since Muizzu, widely regarded as a pro-Beijing leader, took over power. (here)
• Maldives Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal is to visit India next week for roadshows in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru to attract tourists to his country and reach Delhi today.

Delhi coaching center flooding: 3 UPSC aspirants dead, institute’s owner and coordinator arrested

• Traumatized students who were inside the library of the coaching institute that flooded on Jul 27 evening in Delhi shared harrowing accounts of their narrow escape — gasping for air, climbing on top of tables and chairs, and getting pulled out by ropes.
• A 20-year-old student left Rau’s IAS Study Circle basement center to eat her food, and just a couple of minutes later, it was flooded with water.
• Around 30 students were inside the library at the time, she said, requesting anonymity.
• The staff of the coaching center threw ropes for students to hold and come out, she said.
• “Last year, due to heavy rains, the gate broke, but it wasn’t a serious matter as water did not enter the library. But yesterday, it was a flood-like situation. All of us felt like a pipe of water had exploded. It was traumatizing,” the student said. (here)
• The MCD crackdown on the properties violating building bylaws comes following massive protests by students in the Old Rajendra Nagar area on Sat night and Sun.
• Shreya Yadav of Ambedkar Nagar in UP, Tanya Soni from Telangana, and Navin Dalwin from Ernakulam in Kerala died after the basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle was flooded following heavy rain on Sat evening. (here)

Massive data breach hits BSNL: Government confirms sensitive information exposed

• The Union govt has confirmed a data breach in BSNL systems, which was reported on May 20, 2024.
• This revelation came from MoS for Comm. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, in response to a query from Congress MP Amar Singh in the Lok Sabha.
• The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has identified a potential intrusion and data breach at BSNL.
• Minister confirmed that while the breach did not lead to any service outages, it was discovered that a BSNL server contained data similar to the data shared by CERT-In.
• An inter-ministerial committee has been established to conduct a thorough audit of telecom networks and recommend measures to prevent future data breaches.
• A Jun report from London-based, Athenian Tech, revealed that the incident involved a significant amount of sensitive data, including IMSI numbers, SIM card information, and Home Location Register details. (here)

S-400 system ‘shoots down’ 80% ‘enemies’ in exercise, the rest forced to retreat

• India recently put its S-400 air defense missile system, (ADS) acquired from Russia, to test in a war-like scenario, and the results couldn’t be more satisfying.
• In an exercise carried out by the Air Force, the S-400 system ‘shot down’ 80% of the ‘enemy package’ while the other 20% were forced to retreat and abandon the mission.
• Notably, India has deployed 3 squads of ADS on its borders with Pakistan and China.
• The recent exercise was conducted in a theatre where a squadron has been deployed.
• In recent years, China has ramped up investments in its defense capabilities across the Line of Actual Control, the de facto border between India and Tibet.
• India and Russia had signed a $4.2 billion deal for five squadrons of S-400.
• The IAF is yet to receive two more squadrons and they will be delivered by 2026.
• New Delhi has asked Moscow to fast-track the manufacturing and delivery process of the remaining two squadrons. (here)

 [Neighborhood]

US, Japan overhaul security alliance amid China’s strategic challenge

• Japan and its security ally, the US, singled out China as “the greatest strategic challenge in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond” on Jul 28, as they unveiled their “most significant” defense overhaul to foster better interoperability.
• This came as Japanese FM Yoko Kamikawa and DM Minoru Kihara met their US counterparts, Antony Blinken and Lloyd Austin, in Tokyo for so-called “2+2” talks.
• A joint statement accused China of “reshape the international order for its own benefit at the expense of others”, as they criticized its “threatening and provocative” maritime actions and pointed to cooperation between China, N Korea, and Russia.
• In response to what the ministers described as “the profound level of global threats”, Washington said it will revamp its military command structure in Japan.
• The allies vowed to grow bilateral presence on Japan’s Nansei chain of islands, the westernmost of which lies just 110km from Taiwan, including through joint exercises and shared use of facilities. (here)

Myanmar ethnic armed group moves into strategic northern town

• Fighters from Myanmar’s most powerful ethnic minority armed group have moved into a strategic town fought over by the junta and another ethnic armed group for weeks, they and the military said on Jul 28.
• Fighting has rocked Lashio in northern Shan state since early July after the MNDAA renewed an offensive against the military.
• On July 25, the MNDAA claimed it had captured the town of around 150,000 people and the military’s northeastern command there – a claim denied by the junta.
• On Jul 27, the UWSA – another ethnic minority armed group with greater manpower – moved personnel into Lashio to “protect” its properties there, its spox told AFP.
• The UWSA is the best-equipped of Myanmar’s dozen or so ethnic rebel groups, with close ties to China, which analysts say supplies much of its weaponry. (here)
• NSA Doval visits Myanmar, expresses concerns over ongoing violence: NSA Ajit Doval met his Myanmarese counterpart Admiral Moe Aung and is understood to have conveyed New Delhi’s concerns over the impact of violence and instability in Myanmar on its border with India.
• Doval is in Myanmarese capital Naypyidaw to attend a meeting of security chiefs of member nations of the BIMSTEC grouping, according to the Indian embassy in Yangon.
• Myanmar has been witnessing widespread violent protests demanding restoration of democracy since the military seized power in a coup on Feb 1, 2021.
• Several parts of Myanmar have been witnessing intense fighting between the military junta and resistance forces.
• The hostilities between the two sides saw a rapid spike since Nov in several key towns and regions near the border with India as well as fuelling concerns in New Delhi over the possible ramifications for the security of Manipur and Mizoram. (here)

Italy’s Meloni vows to ‘relaunch’ cooperation with China

• Italian PM Giorgia Meloni vowed on Sun to “relaunch” cooperation with China, signing a 3-year action plan during her first official visit to Beijing since taking office.
• Meloni, who has led a right-wing government since 2022, announced during a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, as Rome seeks to improve trade ties with Beijing after it exited President Xi’s flagship BRI investment scheme last year.
• The Italian leader said her 5-day trip was a “demonstration of the will to begin a new phase, to relaunch our bilateral cooperation“.
• The action plan aims to experiment with new forms of cooperation, she added.
• Later, Meloni said that an industrial cooperation memorandum signed by Italy and China includes strategic industrial sectors such as electric mobility and renewables.
• Li Quiang pointed to “mutually beneficial cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises in the fields of shipbuilding, aerospace, new energy, AI,” in a statement released by his office. (here)

Philippines says China ‘mischaracterised’ South China Sea resupply mission deal

• The Philippines’ Foreign Ministry on Jul 28 accused China of “mischaracterizing” an arrangement between them that allowed the unimpeded resupply of Filipino troops stationed on a beached naval vessel in the South China Sea.
• After repeated clashes in the disputed 2^nd Thomas Shoal, the two countries reached a “provisional arrangement” in Jul on resupply missions to soldiers stationed at the Sierra Madre, which Manila grounded in 1999 to reinforce its maritime claims.
• Philippine FM spox said on Jul 28^th that the resupply mission that day was completed without incident while Chinese coast guard vessels were at a “reasonable distance”.
• However, her Chinese counterpart said China’s coast guard was notified ahead of the mission and had “let the vessel through” after an “on-the-scene confirmation”. (here)

Bangladesh: Govt thankful for global support amidst propaganda, misinformation: FM

• The govt has assured all international partners that the overall situation is turning back to normalcy thanks to the timely and appropriate measures taken by the govt and the people, said the Foreign Ministry in a statement on the recent situation.
• The exact human toll during the recent violence and terrorist acts is becoming evident as the govt assesses the tragic loss of lives, casualties, and damages to public properties.
• Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Sun stated that the death toll reached 147 as per available information.
• PM Sheikh Hasina is personally monitoring the treatment and rehabilitation of those injured and has also assured livelihood opportunities for the keens of the deceased.
• The govt has taken note of the concerns expressed by some international partners, including civil society organizations and media, over the recent incidents MoFA said.
• The govt remains sensitized to the need to address the trauma suffered by the victims and their families.
• The same vested quarter now continues with its disinformation campaign, both locally and internationally, to project the lawful measures and responses by the security and law enforcement agencies against their terrorist activities as a “crackdown on student protests,” MoFA said. (here)

Pakistan: Opp rallies call for Imran’s release:

• TTAP Chief and PKMAP Chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai led a rally in Quetta, advocating the release of former pm Imran Khan.
• Addressing a large gathering at Bacha Khan Chowk, Achakzai emphasized the importance of upholding democratic principles and the rule of law in Pakistan.
• He proposed that the federal govt release the founder of PTI on bail and bring him to the assembly, where electoral reforms could be carried out.
• He stressed that transparent elections should be held after 3 months and that the govt should be handed over to the elected representatives.
• He was certain that true democracy would soon prevail.
• He criticized the “engineered elections” and claimed they had been rejected by the public, and argued that political leaders should not be punished for their efforts to establish the rule of law and democracy.
• Meanwhile, another rally for Imran’s release was taken out by PTI and led by party central leader and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser.
• Speaking to the large crowd gathered in the Topi area of Swabi district, Qaiser said Fri’s protest had 3 main objectives.
• The first was the release of PTI prisoners, including founding chairman Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi. (here)
• Pakistan: Over 100 PTI, JI workers arrested to foil protest: The opposition parties had announced a protest and sit-in in Islamabad against soaring inflation and an unprecedented rise in the electricity tariff.
• Their workers were supposed to leave different cities for the federal capital in groups.
• However, the Punjab government on Thursday issued an order of imposition of Section 144 for three days, banning political gatherings. (here)