1. PM Modi speaks with US President Biden over phone, discusses situation in Ukraine, B’desh
2. NC leader Omar Abdullah meets US diplomats, calls for relook at travel advisories for J&K
3. NPR investigates harassment accusations against former top aide of Eric Garcetti
4. Pentagon pushes F-15EX to break USfighter Jet Staelment in India
5. Balochistan rocked by violence as multiple attacks claim more than 50 lives; 21 terrorists killed [More than 70 dead -Reutre]

What Else

1. PM Modi likely to visit Singapore, Brunei in September
2. Ministry of External Affairs rejects reports of Farraka barrage’s link with Bangladesh floods
3. Tripura: Communal tension flares up after Kali idol’s defacement
4. Congress, NC finalise seat-sharing pact for Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections
5. MHA announces five new districts in Ladakh
6. India to raise plight of stranded Indian migrants with Brazil foreign minister Mauro Vieira during his visit
7. “There can’t be any divisions among people…” B’desh Chief Advisor says on attacks on Hindus
8. Myanmar junta set to lose restive state to ethnic armed group

—————-

PM Modi speaks with US President Biden over phone, discusses situation in Ukraine, B’desh

• PM Modi held a telephone conversation with US President Joe Biden on Mon and discussed views on regional and global issues, including the situation in Ukraine.
• The two also discussed the situation in B’desh and stressed the need for early restoration of normalcy, and ensuring the safety and security of minorities, especially Hindus.
• Biden and Modi, in their 1^st discussion since Hasina’s overthrow, “expressed their shared concern over the situation in Bangladesh. They emphasized restoring law and order and ensuring safety and security of the minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh.” Indian readout
• The White House’s readout of the talk between Biden and Modi doesn’t acknowledge the plight of Bangladeshi Hindus, as the Indian PM’s readout does.
• The conversation took place days after PM Modi’s visit to Poland and Ukraine.
• PM Modi reiterated India’s full support for the early return of peace and stability.
• “Spoke to @POTUS @JoeBiden on phone today. We had a detailed exchange of views on various regional and global issues, including the situation in Ukraine. I reiterated India’s full support for early return of peace and stability,” PM Modi posted on X. (here)
• US statement is 1^st govt mention of PM Modi’s US visit in Sept.

NC leader Omar Abdullah meets US diplomats, calls for relook at travel advisories for J&K

• National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Mon called for a relook at travel advisories for J&K to ease restrictions over visiting the UT.
• Abdullah raised the issue at a meeting with US diplomats at his residence.
• “Discussions covered a wide range of issues pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir and the region in general,” the party said.
• “He also invited the diplomats to visit Kashmir with their families as a 1^st step to inspire confidence among tourists from the US and other parts of the world,” the NC said.
• Several countries have travel advisories in place, asking their citizens to not visit J&K.
• In its latest travel advisory issued in July this year, the US govt asked its citizens to exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism. (here)
• US Embassy Invited Farmer Leaders for Tea: Last week, the US Embassy in India invited the country’s leading farmer leaders for tea.
• This claim comes from highly reliable sources.
• It’s worth noting that the farmers’ protests against the new agricultural laws are ongoing, with farmers firmly entrenched at Delhi’s Shambhu border, continuing their fight against the central govt’s proposed agrarian policies. (here)
• [Though, on Mon we ignored this news because no other media picked it up. However, in current context, it seems something not well with New Delhi]

NPR investigates harassment accusations against former top aide of Eric Garcetti

• NPR uncovered new allegations of sexual harassment against a former top adviser to the U.S. ambassador to India, Garcetti, and new questions about whether Garcetti lied under oath. (here)
• How LA Mayor Garcetti Protected his top Aide from Sexual Misconduct Allegations:
• Back in 2020, journalist and former Democratic fundraiser Yashar Ali accused Rick Jacobs, a top adviser to former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, of sexual misconduct.
• Ali spoke about the allegations on Sun in what is just his 3^rd-ever podcast interview.
• “I sat down with NPR for a two-part investigative podcast series on allegations against Eric Garcetti,” Ali explained in a post.
• “I’ve always turned down interviews in the past.”
• “In 2020, I published a story revealing that then-L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti was aware of and did nothing to stop the repeated sexual misconduct of his top aide, Rick Jacobs,” Ali alleged.
• “As part of that story, I revealed that Jacobs had repeatedly forcibly kissed me without consent over the years.”
• Jacobs has continued to deny ever sexually harassing anyone and denied all wrongdoing.
• He declined to respond to questions for NPR’s investigation and hung up on the reporter who called him, NPR’s Tom Dreisbach, according to the journalist.
• “Garcetti was finally able to get confirmed due to $100,000 spent on a lobbyist by his parents,” Ali charged” (here)

Pentagon pushes F-15EX to break USfighter Jet Staelment in India

• The race for India’s massive Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender is heating up, with the Pentagon making a strong push for Boeing’s F-15EX fighter jet.
• This comes as the US seeks to break into the Indian fighter jet market, which has remained largely elusive for American manufacturers for the past 70 years.
• Pentagon officials are keenly aware of the IAF’s lukewarm reception to the F-21 fighter jet, seen as a minor upgrade of the F-16V.
• Additionally, the recent loss of the F-18 E/F jets in the Indian Navy’s carrier-borne fighter jet contract to the French Rafale M dealt a blow to US aspirations.
• The MRFA program represents a crucial opportunity for the US to finally gain a foothold in the IAF’s fighter jet fleet. (here)

PM Modi likely to visit Singapore, Brunei in September

• PM Modi could visit Singapore and Brunei in the first week of Sept to continue engagement with South-East Asian countries.
• The last visit of PM Modi to Singapore was in 2018 for a bilateral visit and later to attend the 13^th East Asia Summit.
• Ahead of the PM’s visit, Singapore on Mon hosted the 2^nd India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable, which saw the biggest gathering of Indian and Singaporean ministers.
• From the Indian side, Fin min N Sitharaman, EAM S Jaishankar, Trade Minister Piyush Goyal, and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, were present.
• The Singaporean side included Deputy PM Gan Kim Yong, FM Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Home Affairs K.Shanmugam, Digital Development Josephine Teo, Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng and Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat.
• The roundtable focused on 5 areas: food cooperation; digitalization; energy and green economy projects; skills development; and pharmaceuticals and healthcare.
• There has been good progress since the inaugural meeting of the ISMR in 2022 in India.
• In the digital economy, the digital payments linkage between Singapore’s PayNow and India’s UPI was launched in Feb 2023, allowing participating financial institutions to send and receive funds between banks or e-wallets in real-time
• Singapore is India’s top foreign investor and accounted for about 23% of India’s FDI equity inflows since 2000.
• Indian investment in Singapore has also grown from S$481 mn in 2004 to about S$25.3 billion in 2022.
• Singapore has been an active supporter of India’s skills development journey.
• The next leg of the visit will be Brunei Darussalam.
• PM Modi and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah first met on the sidelines of the 25^th ASEAN Summit at Nay Pyi Taw in Nov 2014.
• The two also met on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit in Nov 2017 in Manila. (here)

Ministry of External Affairs rejects reports of Farraka barrage’s link with Bangladesh floods

• The MEA has rejected reports linking Bangladesh floods with the opening of Farakka barrage gates, calling these reports “fake”.
•  It said that the data regarding Farakka barrage was shared with concerned Joint River Commission officials in Bangladesh.
• In a statement, MEA stated, “We have seen media reports of the opening of Farakka barrage gates that will allow the flow of over 11 lakh cusecs of water downstream of the river in its natural course into the Ganga/Padma river.”
• He added, “This is a normal seasonal development that takes place due to increased inflow from heavy rainfall in the Ganga river basin catchment areas upstream.”
• In the statement, Jaiswal noted that Farraka is merely a structure used to divert 40,000 cusecs of water into the Farakka canal.
• 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. (here)

Tripura: Communal tension flares up after Kali idol’s defacement

• The defacement of a Kali idol sparked communal tension in Tripura’s Jirania, prompting the authorities to enforce prohibitory orders under section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita in the entire Jirania subdivision.
• The idol was desecrated at a temple in Koitorabari village of Jirania and it led to violence on Sun night.
• The miscreants torched 9 houses and 11 vehicles while 4-5 persons also sustained minor injuries during clashes.
• In an order, local admin said that they received input that there was an apprehension of a breach of peace due to violent activities of a group of people under the Jirania sub-division. (here)

Congress, NC finalize seat-sharing pact for Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections

• Congress and the National Conference have finalized an agreement for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.
• As per the arrangement, Congress will contest 33 out of the 90 Assembly seats, while the National Conference will field candidates in 52 constituencies.
• The two parties will engage in a “friendly fight” on the remaining 5 seats.
• Additionally, one seat has been allocated to the CPI (M) and another to the PP. (here)
• “Should focus on setting its house in order”: JKNC Vice President Omar Abdullah after BJP withdraws list of candidates: After the BJP reportedly withdrew the list of candidates for the J&K elections, Omar Abdullah on Mon said that for the 1^st time, he saw that the BJP deleted its list within 10 minutes of releasing it and suggested the party to focus on setting its house in order.
• Earlier, the BJP released the 2^nd list of 1 candidate for the upcoming elections.
• BJP has fielded Choudhary Roshan Hussain Gujjar to contest from Konkernag.
• Earlier, the party reportedly announced a list of 44 candidates for all three phases of the assembly polls but later withdrew it.
• The revised list, released hours later, was limited to only 15 candidates for the 1^st phase.
• Polling will be conducted in 3 phases on Sept 18, 25, and Oct 1 while counting on Oct 4^th (here)

MHA announces five new districts in Ladakh

• The Union Ministry of Home Affairs on Mon announced the creation of 5 new districts – Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra and Changthang – in the UT, Ladakh to have better governance penetration in remote areas.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah in one of his ‘X’ posts said, the Modi govt is committed to creating abundant opportunities for the people of Ladakh.
• The MHA said that along with giving “in-principle approval” for the formation of 5 new districts, the govt has asked the Ladakh admin to form a committee to assess various aspects, such as HQ, boundaries, structure, creation of posts and any other aspect related to the formation of district and submit its report within 3 months. (here)

India to raise plight of stranded Indian migrants with Brazil foreign minister Mauro Vieira during his visit

• Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira is on a visit to India.
• During his visit, may raise the plight of hundreds of men and women, many of them Indian, who are stranded at an airport in Sau Paulo, Brazil.
• The hundreds of stranded people are suspected to be undocumented immigrants.
• Vieira is in India to hold the 9^th India-Brazil Joint Commission meeting with the Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar — scheduled for Aug 27.
• Vieira and Jaishankar, as per a press briefing, will also discuss the agenda for the G-20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro on Nov 18 and 19.
• “With Brazil holding the G20 Presidency this year, the Ministers will also discuss how the two countries as Troika can take 4^th key G20 outcomes from the Indian Presidency last year,” added the statement.
• Stranded in Brazil: The topic of the 660 stranded people — including 100 Indians waiting to enter Brazil, and the nation’s new crackdown on illegal immigration routes is not on the agenda during the Brazilian FM’s visit. However, it is expected to be raised.
• Reuters – 666 migrants without visas are stuck in limbo at Sao Paulo’s airport.
•  Stranded for weeks in alarming conditions, as per the Public Defender’s office, they have been sleeping on the floor as they wait to enter Brazil. (here)

 [Neighborhood]

Balochistan rocked by violence as multiple attacks claim more than 50 lives; 21 terrorists killed [More than 70 dead -Reutre]

• In short
  • Most widespread assault by ethnic insurgents in years
  • Pakistan’s largest province is home to China-run projects
  • Coordinated attacks target police outposts, transport links
  • Rail traffic with Quetta suspended following bridge blast (here)
• Nearly 2 dozen civilians traveling from Pakistan’s Punjab province were pulled from their vehicles and shot dead by gunmen, as a series of at least 6 deadly attacks battered Balochistan on Aug 26/27.
• At least 43 people were killed in the attacks that marked an escalation in violence even for Balochistan, a region where a decades-long armed separatist movement has meant frequent clashes between fighters and security forces.
• The separatist group BLA, which claimed responsibility for the latest attacks, stated that it targeted security forces and took control of highways across the province.
• The deadliest of the attacks occurred in the Rarasham area of Musakhel district, located near the border between Balochistan and Punjab. (here)
• Baloch insurgencies, and repression by Pakistani state: Since the birth of Pakistan, Balochistan has witnessed a series of bloody insurgencies, brutal state repression, and an enduring nationalist movement.
• The first insurgency began in 1948, after the forced accession to Pakistan of the chiefdom of Kalat, the largest and strongest of four chiefdoms that made up what would become the province of Balochistan.
• The ‘Khan’ of Kalat had long advocated for an independent Baloch state.
• British fears of Soviet expansion in the region, and Pakistan’s eagerness to consolidate as much territory as possible post the “losses” of the Partition spilt water on his dreams.
• The Khan signed the instrument of accession on Mar 27, 1948, a day after the Pakistan Army entered Baloch land to force his hand. (here)
• 21 terrorists [Miletents] killed in Balochistan operations after deadly attacks: ISPR: At least 21 terrorists were killed in clearance operations across Balochistan after a series of deadly attacks on civilians and security forces, the military said on Mon.
• The attacks, which took place on Sun night, resulted in the deaths of 14 security personnel, including 10 soldiers and 4 law enforcement officers.
• The ISPR further stated that the attacks were conducted at the behest of “inimical and hostile forces” aiming to disrupt the peace and development of Balochistan.
• The attacks were focused on targeting innocent civilians, particularly in Musakhel, Kalat, and Lasbela districts, where numerous civilians lost their lives. (here)
• [Too fast response]

“There can’t be any divisions among people…” B’desh Chief Advisor says on attacks on Hindus

• Dhaka Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus said that he wants to build a Bangladesh where everyone can fearlessly practice their faith and no temples need to be guarded.
• Speaking to Hindu leaders on the occasion of Janmashtami, on Mon, Yunus said that Bangladesh is a large family and the govt has to uphold every citizen’s rights.
• The report stated that a Hindu leader informed Yunus that they sought the blessings of Lord Krishna for prosperity and harmony for all.
• He added that they suspended the celebration in the flooded areas and sent relief and food for the people.
• The leaders praised the Chief Advisor’s visit to Dhakeswari Mandir, a temple in Old Dhaka and his comments there. (here)
• The director of Ba’desh ISKCON temple said – “For the first time we are not celebrating Janmashtami, we are celebrating it by hiding in the house, no rally, no music-Jagran, the devotees are scared. From lakhs of visits to temple every year to zero.-(Zee)

Myanmar junta set to lose restive state to ethnic armed group

• Myanmar’s junta is on the verge of being expelled from a westernmost state bordering Bangladesh, marking one of the biggest military losses since a 2021 coup.
• The Arakan Army has made rapid advances across Rakhine state since Nov 2023 and is set to create the single largest area controlled by an ethnic armed group since the coup
• Formed in the borderlands of China, the armed group is responsible for some of the military junta’s most decisive battleground losses over the past year.
• Their victories are rallying other ethnic armed groups and pro-democracy fighters to dislodge the military regime led by coup leader-turned-President Min Aung Hlaing.
• “The Arakan Army is in the process of carving out a proto-state of over a million people on the Myanmar-Bangladesh border,” International Crisis Group said in the report.
• “Although the Myanmar military has countered with indiscriminate attacks and a blockade that is causing huge economic distress, the armed group” has pushed on.
• Other reports show the military has lost control over most of the nation’s townships, and in Jul it extended emergency rule again as the security situation deteriorated. (here)
• Why does China continue to support Myanmar’s junta despite its losses to resistance forces? China has signaled its continued support for Myanmar’s military regime, even as the latter’s hold on power looks increasingly uncertain.
• On Aug 14, China’s top diplomat Wang Yi met Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw.
• This came days after resistance forces captured the N city of Lashio – a major regional command – in early Aug, in another significant defeat for the beleaguered junta. (here)