1. PM Modi holds talks with Polish PM; India, Poland elevate ties to Strategic Partnership
2. Al-Qaeda Inspired Terror Module Aiming To Create ‘Khilafat’ In India Busted By Delhi Police
3. India successfully conducts night user trial of Nuclear-capable Prithvi-II ballistic missile
4. India, US “destined” to be strong partners, says Rajnath Singh
5. ‘Pak-published books’: NCPCR chief raises alarm over ‘radical’ curriculum in Bihar madrasas

What Else

1. Kolkata doctor Case: CBI allowed to conduct polygraph test on R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital ex-principal Sandip Ghosh, 4 other doctors
2. Film director Sanoj Mishra reported missing amid controversy surrounding ‘The Dairy Of West Bengal’
3. Flood situation in B’desh not due to release of waters from Indian dam on Gumti River: MEA
4. “Representation of J&K people and their statehood the most important thing,” says Rahul Gandhi in address to state cadre
5. Sri Lanka announces visa-free access to Indians, including 34 other nations from Oct 1st
6. Nepal: Electricity export agreement with Bangladesh paused due to political overhaul: PM Oli
7. Maldives central bank warns of zero usable reserves in August
8. Pakistan: 12 policemen martyred in bandits’ rocket attack in Rahim Yar Khan
9. Pakistan: ‘What goes around comes around’: PM Shehbaz on Sheikh Mujib’s statue demolition
10. Pakistan: PTI reschedules Islamabad rally for Sept 8 after NOC cancellation, road closures
11. Pakistan: Imran Khan to face ‘open trial’ if held in military court: defense minister

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PM Modi holds talks with Polish PM; India, Poland elevate ties to Strategic Partnership

• India and Poland on Thu decided to elevate their bilateral relations to a ‘Strategic Partnership’ with PM Modi stating that the relations between the two countries are based on shared values like democracy and the rule of law and they have identified several initiatives to give a new direction to the relations.
• In a joint pc with the Polish PM Donald Tusk, PM Modi said that close cooperation in the field of defense is a symbol of deep mutual trust between the two countries.
• PM Modi said a Social Security Agreement has been agreed upon between the two sides for the welfare of the skilled workforce and to promote mobility.
• The two are also moving forward in close coordination on the international platform.
• The PM thanked PM Tusk for a warm welcome. (here)
• India can play essential, constructive role in resolving Russia-Ukraine war: Tusk: Tusk on Thu expressed his belief that India could play a crucial role in resolving the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. (here)
• Defense Cooperation: Defence industry collaboration was a key focus, with discussions centered around Poland’s ability to repair and refit India’s Soviet-era military equipment, such as T-72 tanks.
• This is particularly relevant as India seeks to diversify its defense supplies beyond its historical reliance on Russia.
• Reopening of Defence Wing: India recently reopened the defense wing at its embassy in Warsaw, reflecting the renewed focus on defense ties between the two countries.
• Diplomatic Engagement on Global Conflicts: Modi expressed India’s willingness to mediate in global conflicts, including the war in Ukraine and the conflict in West Asia.
• Broader Areas of Cooperation: Beyond defense, discussions also included cooperation in agriculture, food processing, urbanization, water treatment, green hydrogen, and AI.

Al-Qaeda Inspired Terror Module Aiming To Create ‘Khilafat’ In India Busted By Delhi Police

• The Delhi Police has dismantled a terror module allegedly inspired by al-Qaeda in coordination with police forces from JH, Raj, and UP, 14 individuals suspected of being connected to a terrorist group were arrested.
• The group was allegedly planning a series of high-profile attacks aimed at establishing a ‘Khilafat’ in India.
• Authorities disclosed that the members of the group had received training at various locations, including instruction on handling weapons.
• The operation was initiated after a crucial input revealed the plans and locations.
• 6 suspects were apprehended in Bhiwadi, where they were undergoing weapons training, while 8 were detained in JH and UP for further investigation. (here)

India successfully conducts night user trial of Nuclear-capable Prithvi-II ballistic missile

• At 7:46 pm on Thu, India conducted a successful night user trial of its nuclear-capable Prithvi-Il ballistic missile from a defense facility off the coast of Odisha.
• The launch marked another significant milestone in strategic defense capabilities.
• Developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, the Prithvi-ll missile is designed to destroy targets at a range of up to 350 km, playing a crucial role in India’s nuclear deterrence strategy.
• The night trial was part of a series of tests aimed at validating the missile’s performance under various operational conditions.
• The user training launch was conducted by the Strategic Forces Command, which is responsible for managing India’s nuclear arsenal.
• The test successfully demonstrated the missile’s ability to strike its intended target with high accuracy, thereby validating all operational and technical parameters.
• With a payload capacity of up to 500-1,000 kg, the missile is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads. (here)

India, US “destined” to be strong partners, says Rajnath Singh

• Lauding the progress in India-US ties, Def Min Rajnath Singh told the Indian diaspora that New Delhi and Washington are “destined” to be strong partners.
• Singh is on an official visit to the US from Aug 23 – 26 at the invitation of the US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin
• The Minister further elaborated on India’s economic progress in the last 10 years, emphasizing that India has brought 25 crore people out of poverty and is poised to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2027. (here)
• The minister posted on X that two important documents have been signed in Washington DC as DM’s visit to the US begins.
• Senior defense officials from both sides concluded the Security of Supplies Arrangement (SOSA), and MoA regarding the Assignment of Liaison Officers.

‘Pak-published books’: NCPCR chief raises alarm over ‘radical’ curriculum in Bihar madrasas

• National Commission for Protection of Child Rights chairperson Priyank Kanoongo on Sun voiced serious concerns over the “radical” curriculum being taught in govt-funded madrasas in Bihar.
• Kanoongo said that certain books, including “Talimul Islam,” are being used in these institutions, which allegedly label non-Islamic individuals as “Kafirs” (infidels).
• He also expressed alarm over the reported enrollment of Hindu children in these madrasas, accusing the Bihar govt of withholding official data
• The Bihar Madrasa Board said that the curriculum has been prepared with the involvement of UNICEF India, which he described as the “height of appeasement” by both bodies.
• “It is not UNICEF’s job to create a radical curriculum using money received as donations and grants from govts in the name of child protection,” Kanoongo posted in Hindi
• He argued that this misuse of funds for activities outside the scope of the Right to Education Act is a violation of both the Indian Constitution and the UNCRC. (here)

Kolkata doctor Case: CBI allowed to conduct polygraph test on ex-principal Ghosh, 4 others

• A special court in Kolkata on Thu allowed the CBI to conduct a polygraph test on former R.G. Kar Medical College principal Sandip Ghosh and 4 others in connection with the alleged rape and murder of a PG trainee at the hospital, officials said.
• The CBI took Ghosh and 4 other doctors, who were on duty on the date of the incident on Aug 9, to a special court to seek its permission to conduct the lie detection test.
• The lie detection test can only be conducted after permission from the court and the consent of the suspect, they said. (here)
• ‘Have not come across in 30 years’: SC raises concern over state govt’s role in Kolkata rape-murder case: As the Supreme Court on Thu resumed hearing on the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on Thu, Justice JB Pardiwala said that he has not come across the kind of procedure followed by the state govt of West Bengal in his 30 years of life.
• Meanwhile, as hearing proceeded, Chief Justice, DY Chandrachud, urged the protesting doctors to return to work, assuring that no action would be taken against them. (here)

Film director Sanoj Mishra reported missing amid controversy surrounding ‘The Dairy Of West Bengal’

• Known for his movie ‘The Dairy of West Bengal’, film director Sanoj Mishra has been reported missing.
• Mishra’s film, which explores the violent incidents in West Bengal, has sparked intense controversy and debate, leading to numerous threats against the filmmaker.
• The situation escalated following the release of the film’s trailer, which prompted the West Bengal Govt to file a legal case against Mishra.
• In response, Mishra traveled to Kolkata on Aug 14 to attend a court hearing related to the case. (here)

Flood situation in B’desh not due to release of waters from Indian dam on Gumti River: MEA

• The Ministry of External Affairs on Thu clarified that the opening of the Dumbur dam upstream of the Gumti River in Tripura has not caused the current flood situation in districts on Bangladesh’s eastern borders.
• It also mentioned that the catchment areas of the Gumti River that flows through India and Bangladesh have witnessed the heaviest rains of this year over the last few days.
• The flood in Bangladesh is primarily due to waters from these large catchments downstream of the dam.
• The Ministry also asserted that the Dumbur dam is located quite far from the border – over 120 Km upstream of Bangladesh.
• It is a low-height (about 30m) dam that generates power that feeds into a grid from which Bangladesh also draws 40 MW of power from Tripura.
• It also pointed out that data showing a rising trend has been supplied to Bangladesh up to 1500 hrs on Aug 21.
• At 1800 hrs, due to flooding, there was a power outage leading to problems in communication. (here)
• Bangladeshi Minister of Liberation of War Affairs- Faruk Azam has said that he has no information regarding the Flood being caused by an Indian Dam in Tripura.

“Representation of J&K people and their statehood the most important thing,” says Rahul Gandhi in address to state cadre

• LoP in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi along with Mallikarjun Kharge held a meeting with the party workers of J&K on Thu.
• While addressing the event, Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said that the representation of the people of J&K and their statehood is the most important thing.
• “In the history of India, after independence, many UTs have been converted into states but there is only one example when statehood was taken away and a UT was created”, he added further.
• Kharge mentioned that Gandhi is related to J&K by blood and appealed to voters saying that their votes are needed to save the country and the culture and rights of the citizens. (here)
• Congress Seals Poll Pact with NC.  NC Manifesto says: We strive to restore 370; ‘Encourage dialogue with Pakistan’ [As reported earlier]
• The meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere.
• The alliance is on track, and it will go on well. This alliance has been made on all 90 seats: Farooq Abdullah, NC President.  

 [neighborhood]

Sri Lanka announces visa-free access to Indians, including 34 other nations from Oct 1^st

• Sri Lanka has decided to provide free visa access to 35 countries including India from Oct 1, a local reported citing Harin Fernando, the advisor to the Ministry of Tourism.
• The list of nations includes 34 other nations besides India.
• Some of the major names include the US, the UK, China, Israel, New Zealand, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, and Australia.
•  Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, Ali Sabry appreciated the development and called it the first step towards a visa-free regime.
• In a post on X, Sabry shared data from the Sri Lankan Tourism Authority showing a rise in tourism in the country: pre-Covid tourism stood at 2,333,796 in 2018 and 1,913,702 in 2019 while the recent data show that tourism in Sri Lanka has resurged to 1,487,303 in 2023 and 1,315,884 in 2024 so far. (here)

Nepal: Electricity export agreement with Bangladesh paused due to political overhaul: PM Oli

• A power trade agreement between Nepal and Bangladesh has been paused for a while due to the political overhaul back there, Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli said.
• Following the formation of a new interim govt, a deal to export 40 MW of electricity to Bangladesh through India will also be signed at the earliest, Oli said.
• Answering the queries of the lawmakers on Thu, PM Oli claimed that most of the tasks relating to power trade have already been concluded and there was a plan to sign the pact in the presence of the ministers of Nepal, India, and B’desh last month.
• Stating that the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation has prepared an Energy Development Roadmap and Action Plan 2080, Oli said Nepal’s total electricity generation capacity will be 28,500 MW by the fiscal year 2034-35.
• Currently, Nepal’s electricity generation capacity stands at around 3,240 MW. (here)

Maldives central bank warns of zero usable reserves in August

• Maldives central bank has forecast that the usable reserves of the country will be exhausted this month.
• The purpose of the reserve is to import essential commodities such as oil and medicines.
• A country’s foreign currency reserves are a measure of the country’s economic and financial situation.
• A copy of a letter sent by the Maldives Monetary Authority to the finance ministry late last month expressed concern over the depletion of Maldives’ usable reserves.
• The MMA letter said that as of Jul 24, the official reserves stood at $365.44 million, while the usable reserves stood at $21.97 million. (here)

Pakistan: 12 policemen martyred in bandits’ rocket attack in Rahim Yar Khan

• Bandits in kacha area of Rahim Yar Khan carried out a fierce rocket attack on police vans in a riverine area on Thu, leaving at least 12 policemen martyred and 6 injured.
• The attack occurred in the Machka area located in 1 of Rahim Yar Khan’s riverine areas.
• Police officials told the media that 2 police vans with more than 20 cops were trapped in rainwater in the locality when bandits launched rockets at them.
• Police said that the wounded cops were immediately shifted to the hospital where one of the wounded officials succumbed to his wounds, taking the death toll to 12.
• According to the police, the missing five policemen were safely rescued. (here)

Pakistan: ‘What goes around comes around’: PM Shehbaz on Sheikh Mujib’s statue demolition

• PM Shehbaz Sharif on Wed pointed out the demolition of Bangladesh founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s statues during recent protests, saying that the individual who led the movement against Pakistan was now facing consequences.
• “What goes around comes around”, the premier said while addressing the National Youth Convention in Islamabad.
• Infuriated people vandalized several statues, pictures, and murals of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman following an end to the Sheikh Hasina-led govt who fled to India on board a military helicopter along with her sister.
• The Hasina govt collapsed on the back of riots — one of the worst in the country’s history of 50-odd years.
• Almost 300 people were killed and thousands of others injured in the recent violence that started in early Jul. (here)

Pakistan: PTI reschedules Islamabad rally for Sept 8 after NOC cancellation, road closures

• PTI postponed its public meeting in Islamabad on Thu and rescheduled it for Sept 8 following the city admin’s rescinding its NOC.
• PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan announced that the rally had been postponed and would now take place on Sept 8 per PTI founder Imran Khan’s directive.
• “After meeting with the PTI founder in Adiala jail, we decided to postpone the jalsa,” he stated.
• PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub also confirmed date for the rally was changed on the instruction of Imran.
• “We have received information that the govt is conspiring to spread anarchy, under the cover of the jalsa,” he maintained.
• Upon the opposition party’s announcement of a new date for the rally, the Islamabad administration issued a notification granting it permission in this regard. (here)

Pakistan: Imran Khan to face ‘open trial’ if held in military court: defense minister

• Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wed hinted at PTI founder Imran Khan’s “open trial” in military court after the latter demanded the same for ex-Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Faiz Hamid earlier today.
• The minister’s statement came hours after the former premier called for an open trial of Gen (retd) Faiz who was taken into custody by the military over alleged abuse of power and the Army Act violation earlier this month.
• “We don’t have any precedent that any general’s military trial held in an open court in the country’s history,” said Asif while speaking on Geo News program’

“If the PTI founder faces any trial in a military court, then I can assure you that it would be open to the public and media because he is a civilian.” (here)