1. PM on historic first visit to Brunei today (Tue), then to Singapore to boost ties
2. MiG-29 fighter jet crashes in Rajasthan due to technical snag, pilot safe
3. 3 Coast Guard members missing after chopper’s emergency landing in Arabian Sea
4. Cabinet’s 7 big decisions: Approves Rs 14,000 crore for agriculture sector initiatives
5. Navy’s Rs 70,000-crore warship project, Army’s 1,700-tank proposal to be approved

What Else

1. 3 Injured in 2nd Drone Bomb attack in Manipur in 2 Days; Security Forces Deployed
2. President sanctions constitution of the 23rd Law Commission for 3 years term
3. ‘IC 814’ row: Why Netflix India content head has been summoned today
4. India reaffirms cooperation on flood forecasting in Bangladesh
5. ‘Beginning of the End:’ Bengal Governor on arrest of ex-RG Kar principal
6. RSS backs caste census but warns against its use for ‘political advantage’
7. Bangladesh: No relief for us, being Hindu is our crime, says flood-hit Bangladeshi man
8. B’desh’s interim govt aims to resolve 1971 war ‘issues’ with Pakistan in effort to rebuild ties
9. Meeting between Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus and extremist leader sparks row’
10. Bangladesh students’ movement ‘coordinators’ met ISI, US handlers in Pakistan, Dubai and Doha between Apr and Sept 2023

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PM on historic first visit to Brunei today (Tue), then to Singapore to boost ties

• PM Modi departed on a historic visit to Brunei on Tue, marking the 1^st-ever visit by an Indian head of state to the island nation despite 40 years of diplomatic relations.
• Following his visit to Brunei, PM Modi will head to Singapore for a 2-day visit from Sept 4 – 5, during which he will hold talks with Singaporean PM Lawrence Wong.
• PM’s visit to Brunei follows an invitation from Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including defense, trade etc.
• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that India and Brunei are working towards establishing a “joint working group in defense.”
• Singapore Agenda: The MEA said the visit comes at a crucial time, with a new leader in Singapore, offering an opportunity to further enhance bilateral relations.
• The ties between the two have “evolved,” citing steady growth in trade and investment, robust defense cooperation, and increasing cultural and educational exchanges.
• Singapore is India’s largest trade partner within the ASEAN and a major source of FDI.
• During the last FY, Singapore was India’s largest source of FDI, valued at $11.77 bn.
• Dialogs are expected to touch on regional issues, comprising the South China Sea and Myanmar (more)

MiG-29 fighter jet crashes in Rajasthan due to technical snag, pilot safe

• An Indian Air Force MiG-29 fighter jet on Mon crashed in Rajasthan’s Barmer after it developed a “technical snag”.
• The MiG-29 jet pilot managed to safely eject before the crash.
• The fighter jet, which was on a training mission from an Air Force base in the Barmer sector, met with a snag and burst into flames soon after it crashed into a field.
• A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the accident. (more)

3 Coast Guard members missing after chopper’s emergency landing in Arabian Sea

• 3 members of the Indian Coast Guard were missing after their Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) was forced to make an emergency landing in the Arabian Sea late last night during a rescue operation off the coast of Porbandar, Gujarat.
• The helicopter had four members on board and one of them had been rescued.
• The incident happened when the helicopter was dispatched at 11 pm on Sept 2, to evacuate an injured crew member from the Motor Tanker Hari Leela off the Porbandar coast in Gujarat.
• The aircraft wreckage has been located.
• The incident happened whilst the helicopter was approaching the vessel for the evacuation, the statement by the ICG said (more)

Cabinet’s 7 big decisions: Approves Rs 14,000 crore for agriculture sector initiatives

• The Cabinet on Mon took several steps to bolster agriculture, approving a total of around Rs 14,000 crore for various initiatives aimed at enhancing farmers’ welfare.
• In a series of decisions, the govt-approved 7 major projects focusing on digital agriculture, food security, education, and sustainable farming.
• One of the key approvals is for the Digital Agriculture Mission, which will receive an allocation of Rs 2,817 crore.
• This mission is expected to modernize the agriculture sector by leveraging technology to improve efficiency and productivity. (more)
• Cabinet approves India’s 5^th semiconductor unit worth Rs 3,300 crore in Gujarat
• The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Modi, has given the green light to Kaynes Semicon Pvt Ltd’s proposal to establish a semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat.
• This investment, amounting to Rs 3,300 crore, aims to produce 60 lakh chips/day to serve several industries including automotive, electric vehicles, electronics, and mobile
• This aligns with the broader goal of creating a robust semiconductor ecosystem.
• The Program for Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem in India, unveiled on Dec 21, 2021, has a total outlay of Rs 76,000 cr. (more)
• Cabinet Committee on Security approves procurement of 240 aero-engines for IAF’s Su-30 MKI aircraft from HAL worth Rs 26,000 crore: The CCS on Mon approved the proposal for procurement of 240 aero-engines (AL-31FP) for Su-30 MKI aircraft of the Air Force (IAF) under Buy (Indian) category from HAL at a cost of over Rs 26,000 crore.
• The delivery of these aero-engines will start after 1 year and be completed over 8 years.
• The engines will have Indigenous content of over 54%, enhanced due to the indigenization of some key components of aero-engines.
• Su-30 MKI is one of the most powerful and strategically significant fleets of IAF. (more)

Navy’s Rs 70,000-crore warship project, Army’s 1,700-tank proposal to be approved

• The govt is set to clear mega projects including the Indian Navy’s Rs 70k crore plans for building 7 new warships and the Army’s project to induct 1,700 new tanks to replace T-72 battle tanks.
• (sources) the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is expected to clear projects worth over Rs 1.3 lakh crore in the meeting scheduled to be held on Tue.
• The main contenders for the Navy’s Project 17 Bravo to build the seven most advanced warships include the MDL and GRSE.
• The two yards are currently constructing frigates under Project 17A (Nilgiri class).
• The MDL is making 4 of the frigates while the GRSE is executing an order for 3 of them.
• However, other shipyards in category 1 would also be allowed to take part in the tender. (more)

3 Injured in 2^nd Drone Bomb attack in Manipur in 2 Days; Security Forces Deployed

• 3 people were injured in a suspected militant drone attack in Manipur’s Imphal West district on Mon, police said.
• The attack, which took place in the Senjam Chirang area, is the 2^nd drone-related incident in the past 2 days.
• Security forces were deployed to the scene to repulse the attack, police said.
• At least 2 explosives were dropped from the drone, in which 3 people, including a 23-year-old woman, were injured, they added.
• She was taken to a hospital, where her condition is said to be stable.
• Suspected militants carried out a gun-and-bomb attack, which injured 2 policemen and 3 other civilians as well, police said.
• According to officials, the militants fired indiscriminately from hilltop positions towards the low-lying areas of Koutruk and neighboring Kadangband.
• Manipur BJP MLA Rajkumar Imo Singh urged the Centre on Mon to consider removing central forces from the state if they cannot effectively control the violence.
• In a letter, he argued that state security forces should be given the responsibility to restore peace if central forces are unable to do so. (more)
• Meitei Heritage Society claimed that foreign hands behind Kuki Militants drone bomb attack in the Meitei villages in Imphal valley.
• [A Myanmar-like condition is emerging in the North East, aiming to erode the state’s control. Foreign-backed terror groups, self-funded through the drug trade, may exploit B’desh as a new narcotics exit point, gaining strength and evading accountability.]

President sanctions constitution of the 23^rd Law Commission for 3 years term

• President Murmu has sanctioned the constitution of the 23^rd Law Commission of India, which will serve from Sept 1, 2024, to Aug 31, 2027.
• According to the notification issued on Mon, the commission will comprise a full-time Chairperson, 4 members, and additional ex-officio and part-time members.
• The commission’s role will be to review and recommend legal reforms to improve the Indian legal system.
• The 22^nd Law Commission of India’s term ends on Sat.
• The commission has been functioning without a chairperson for several months, and crucial reports, including those on the UCC and simultaneous elections, are pending.
• Although the report on simultaneous elections is ready, it cannot be submitted to the ministry due to procedural requirements stipulating the need for a chairperson. (more)

‘IC 814’ row: Why Netflix India content head has been summoned today

• Netflix India content chief Monika Shergill, who has been summoned amid a row over the depiction of hijackers in the streaming platform’s series ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack’, is expected to appear before the govt on Tue.
• The Ministry of I&B directed Shergill to appear before it on Tue to explain the allegedly contentious aspects of the web series, top govt sources said on Mon.
• ‘IC 814’, which dramatizes the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814 by Pakistan-based terror outfit Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, sparked controversy on social media after two hijackers were only referred to by their Hindu codenames in the series.
• Asked about the reason behind the govt’s move, sources said, “Nobody has the right to play with the sentiments of the people of this nation. India’s culture and civilization should always be respected. You should think before portraying something in the wrong manner. The govt is taking it very seriously.” (more)

 India reaffirms cooperation on flood forecasting in Bangladesh

• Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Kumar Verma has reiterated India’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh on flood forecasting and security issues.
• During a courtesy meeting with the Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam at the Secretariat on Mon, Verma also announced that Indian visa centers are now issuing a limited number of visas for Bangladeshi nationals
• The meeting addressed a range of bilateral issues, including police reforms, border security, and the safety of Indian nationals in Bangladesh.
• Both sides agreed on the importance of reducing border killings to a minimum or zero by enhancing border security measures.
• Jahangir Alam emphasized the need for the two to work closely on this issue. (more)

‘Beginning of the End:’ Bengal Governor on arrest of ex-RG Kar principal

• West Bengal Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose on Mon described the arrest of ex-principal of Kar Medical College and Hospital Sandip Ghosh as the beginning of the end.
• The CBI on Mon arrested Ghosh and 3 others in connection with the alleged financial misconduct at the establishment
• Incidentally, the arrest of Ghosh happened days after Bose met Union Home Minister Amit Shah with the petition of the parents of the deceased woman medic at the hospital
• According to an official at the Raj Bhavan, the parents had written a letter to Shah, through Bose, urging him for a speedy investigation of their daughter’s death. (more)

RSS backs caste census but warns against its use for ‘political advantage’

• The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on Mon backed the demand for caste census, emphasizing that it should be approached with utmost seriousness rather than being used for electoral or political purposes.
• RSS Spox, said, “In our Hindu society, we have the sensitive issue of our caste and caste relations. .. It should be dealt with very seriously, not based on electioneering or election practices or politics.”
• He added that while the govt may require accurate caste data to better support these communities, the RSS believes this practice must be approached with care.
• Congress’ demand for caste census: Meanwhile, the Congress party has been actively advocating for a caste census, having included it in its poll election manifesto. (more)
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[Neighborhood]

Bangladesh: No relief for us, being Hindu is our crime, says flood-hit Bangladeshi man

• What began as a protest against a quota system for govt jobs turned into a nightmare for the Hindu community.
• From looting and assaults, the situation for the minority has worsened as the interim govt allegedly neglects the minorities who are trapped in the flood-affected areas.
• Several districts in Bangladesh have been severely impacted by floods, prompting relief efforts led by the army, local police, and various organizations.
• However, videos on social media have put the administration’s alleged partiality under the spotlight. (more)
• 30 garment factories in Ashulia closed amid protests: At least 30 garment factories in Ashulia announced closure amid protests by job-seeking workers demanding “relative” hiring of men and women at the factories, according to Industrial Police.
• Since morning, job-seekers in Ashulia have blocked the Nabinagar-Chandra and Baipail-Abdullahpur roads at different points.
• They gathered in front of various factories along these routes, demanding employment and proportional hiring of men and women at the factories, among other demands.
• At one point, the protesting workers erected barricades at various points on the two roads and started throwing stones at different factories. (more)
• [This is destined when you grab power with the help of anarchy]
• IMF positive about lending additional $3b: IMF is positive about lending an additional $3 billion to Bangladesh but the multilateral lender wants to know what reforms the interim govt is planning to take.
• The topic came up during Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed’s maiden meeting with the Washington-based lender on Thu.
• Chris Papageorgiou, chief of the IMF staff mission that is overseeing the $4.7 billion loan program for Bangladesh, led the IMF team at the virtual meeting, which was also attended by Finance Secretary Khairuzzaman Mozumder.
• The IMF has so far released $2.3 billion under the $4.7 billion loan program since it was approved in Jan last year.
• The interim govt took charge amid high inflation and depleting foreign currency reserves, issues that have been prevalent for almost two years.
• Inflation remained high in Jul, with the consumer price index rising by 1.94 basis points to 11.66% while food inflation crossed 14% in July for the first time in 13 years.
• Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s FX reserves, which stood at more than $40 billion in Jul 2022, almost halved to $20.5 billion on Aug 21, according to the IMF’s BPM6. (more)
• [Pakistan in making; See how things become easier, when economist Nobel laureate becomes head of state]

B’desh’s interim govt aims to resolve 1971 war ‘issues’ with Pakistan in effort to rebuild ties

• The interim govt appears to be moving quickly to reshape the country’s historical narrative, including efforts to strengthen ties with Pakistan, a long-standing rival.
• Nahid Islam, an advisor in the country’s interim govt, stated on Mon that the admin seeks to address the “issues” surrounding the 1971 B’desh liberation war with Pakistan.
• Islam, a 26-year-old student activist, currently serves as the advisor for I&B in the interim govt led by Muhammad Yunus.
• (sources)- Islam met with Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Syed Ahmed Maroof, on Mon to convey the intent to resolve the longstanding dispute with Pakistan.
• “For the Awami League, 1971 was considered ‘the last chapter of history.’ However, we (the interim govt) view it as a continuation of history. We want to resolve the 1971 issue with Pakistan,” Islam said.
• The interim govt is also reportedly considering changes to the foundational principles of the AL, which may explain their lack of response to the recent vandalism. (more)

Meeting between Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus and extremist leader sparks row’

• Pictures of Bangladesh interim govt’s chief adviser Yunus meeting with Mamunul Haque, a leader of the extremist group Hefazat-e-Islam and his group members in Dhaka, have sparked a huge controversy.
• The meeting between Muhammad Yunus and Hefazat leaders, held on Sat, was on election reforms and the need to hold polls on time.
• The images of the meeting have been doing the rounds on social media.
• The meeting raised several concerns, given Hefazat-e-Islam’s notorious reputation for having made provocative statements and maintaining an anti-India stance.
• Mamunul Haque was arrested during the Sheikh Hasina-led tenure under various charges, including instigating violence. (more)

Bangladesh students’ movement ‘coordinators’ met ISI, US handlers in Pakistan, Dubai and Doha between Apr and Sept 2023

• Batches of B’deshi students handpicked as “coordinators”, visited Pakistan, Dubai, and Qatar where they met a host of intel and security officials, including some from US, over more than a year, the Indian security network has learned after piecing together assorted strands of information within and outside Bangladesh.
• Acting in coordination, albeit after the massive students’ protest and the accompanying deadly violence that claimed around 1,000 lives, Indian agencies traditionally focused on Bangladesh have been able to “work out” the means and ways employed and deployed by the US security establishment and the State Department.
• The “conspiracy” to enlist a “compact number” of students, aimed at dislodging the Sheikh Hasina regime began in Apr 2023 when a student (identity is being concealed for security reasons) visited Pakistan and met with an ISI officer.
• One of these students is Mohammad Mahfuz Alam who was appointed as a special assistant to interim govt Chief Adviser Yunus on Aug 28.
• Besides Alam, a host of Bangladeshi students who led the movement to unseat Hasina underwent madrassah education before they enrolled themselves in different colleges and universities across the country and in Dhaka particularly.
• In the latter months, this was followed by a visit to that country by 3 more students.
• Each of the students left Dhaka’s Shah Jalal International Airport on separate dates so that no suspicion would be aroused among Bangladeshi intelligence agencies.
• A retired ISI Lt Gen was assigned the task of liaising with the Bangladeshi students who returned to Dhaka on separate dates.
• Both B’deshi and Indian security agencies had little clue about the students’ visits to Pakistan and the ISI officers they met with between Apr and Sept 2023. (more)