1. PM Modi in Singapore: How the island nation became India’s top FDI source; signed 4 MOUs
2. Roadmap for theatre commands to be unveiled at Lucknow military commanders conference
3. Intel agencies flag Chinese components in drones procured, Army to formulate new policy
4. “Historic” peace pact signed with two insurgent groups in Tripura
5. Russia built a secret trade channel with India, leaked documents show

What Else

1. Kharge lashes out at govt for ‘miserably failing’ to protect Manipur people
2. New medical texts label ‘lesbianism’ and ‘sodomy’ as unnatural sex offenses; redefine virginity and hymen’s importance
3. Amid long road to normalcy, trade between India and Bangladesh resumes from land port
4. Nepal plans to issue new banknotes featuring disputed territories with India within a year: Report
5. Beijing returnee Indian caught running cyberfraud gang for Chinese boss
6. I have become everyone’s favorite target: Kangana Ranaut after HC order on ‘Emergency’
7. Pakistan: Opposition alliance demands APC over deteriorating security in Balochistan
8. US warns Pakistan of potential consequences over gas pipeline project with Iran
9. Pakistan: World Bank greenlights $1b loan for Dasu project
10. Pakistan: IMF pours cold water on Punjab’s cheap power plan

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PM Modi in Singapore: How the island nation became India’s top FDI source

• PM Modi arrived in Singapore on Wed met his Singapore counterpart Lawrence Wong and received a warm welcome from members of the Indian community.
• Not only is Singapore New Delhi’s largest trade partner in the ASEAN – and 6^th largest overall, it is also India’s top source of FDI.
• Singapore’s FDI in India: The cumulative FDI inflow into India stands at $159.94 billion since Apr 2000, accounting for 24% of India’s total FDI inflow.
• ET-DPIIT: FDI in India grew 47.8% YoY to $16.17 billion in Apr-Jun this fiscal
• Singapore led the way this quarter with $3.9 billion in FDI – followed by Mauritius at $3.2 billion.
• Singapore has consistently been the largest source of FDI for India since 2018.
• The two countries are seeing tremendous opportunities in each other, in the fields of value chain, digital technology, and semiconductors. (more)
• India-Singapore signed 4 MOUs: India and Singapore signed four MoUs on digital development, health, and family welfare, electronics and IT, and skill development.
• The digital development MoU is aimed at facilitating closer cooperation between the two in the areas of technology.
• The MoU also enables cooperation for upskilling and reskilling of workers relating to the digital domain.
• With the health and family welfare MoU, the two aim to join efforts on research and innovation, as well as cooperation in the areas of human resource development.
• The Indian govt aims to promote Indian healthcare professionals in Singapore.
• The electronics MoU pertains to cooperation in the areas of semiconductor cluster development and cultivation of talent in semiconductor design and manufacturing.
• Singaporean companies are keen to invest in India, and this MoU would facilitate their investments in the country. (more)

Roadmap for theatre commands to be unveiled at Lucknow military commanders conference

• Def min Rajnath Singh and Chief of Def Staff Gen Anil Chauhan will sensitize the 3 military chiefs and all the CnCs about the impending change in military structures with theatre commands expected to kick in as early as this year.
• While Gen Chauhan will address the 1^st-ever Joint Combined Commanders Conference on Wed at Lucknow, Singh, and the local MP will address Thu.
• After detailed discussions with the tri-services from top commanders to the cutting-edge level, CDS has the blueprint of the 3 theatre command ready and is waiting for the central govt to give final approval.
• The NTC will be based in Lucknow to see principal adversary China; the WTC will be based in Jaipur to see Pakistan and the MTC will be based in Thiruvananthapuram with a role in the IOR and littoral territories.
• The theatre commanders will be equal in rank to the military chiefs and will take direct orders from the political leadership rather than a bureaucrat. (more)

Intel agencies flag Chinese components in drones procured, Army to formulate new policy

• Agencies have flagged the use of Chinese components, including electrical, in drones purchased by the armed forces from domestic private players, most of which are deployed in border areas in the northern and eastern sectors.
• The Defence Ministry has put on hold an order placed by the Army with a company for logistics drones that were intended for deployment along India- China’s borders.
• The force along with the ministry is now formulating an “appropriate methodology” to ensure the elimination of Chinese components in military drones.
• They said that there was a significant risk associated with Chinese components, especially electronics, in the transfer of data.
• “It is a very live issue. Even the govt has also taken some action in this in the recent past,” said Maj Gen C.S. Mann, Addl Director General, Army Design Bureau (ADB).
• He was referring to a letter from the ministry to industry bodies—FICCI, Assocham, and CII’s Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM)—in Jun. (more)

India: Historic peace pact signed with two insurgent groups in Tripura

• Tripura CM Manik Saha on Wed termed the peace agreement with two insurgent groups – NLFT and ATTF – as a historic moment for the northeastern state.
• The peace pact was signed among the central and Tripura govts and 2 outlawed groups of the state – National Liberation Front of Tripura and All Tripura Tiger Force in Delhi.
• The two groups signed a memorandum of settlement (MoS) with the Centre and the Tripura govt in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Saha.
• The Center allocated Rs 250 crore for the welfare of the returnees, CM posted on X
• The NLFT and the ATTF have agreed to end a 35-year-long conflict and return to the mainstream, renouncing violence and committing to building a prosperous and developed Tripura, reposing their trust in the central govt. (here)

Russia built a secret trade channel with India, leaked documents show

• Russia covertly turned to India to secure critical electronic supplies and sensitive goods, according to leaked documents to the FT.
• In Oct 2022, Russia’s industry and trade ministry made plans to spend around $1 billion worth of INR on trade channels that would operate outside Western scrutiny.
• The project was disclosed in letters sent to a shadowy trade group with ties to Moscow’s secret services.
• The organization — the CFEA and IICI — was asked to develop a plan on how to source critical electronic components in India.
• Central to these efforts was Russia’s massive trove of Indian rupees.
• As Western sanctions bore down on Moscow for its war in Ukraine, Russia was left unable to repatriate rupee profits from its ballooning oil trade with India.
• By the summer of last year, the Kremlin was amassing as much as $1 billion worth of rupees per month without a way to convert or spend the currency.
• Under its scheme, rupees would be spent to secure dual-use components through a “closed payment system” between Russian and Indian firms, the outlet cited.
• This would provide a steady inflow of electronic equipment originally bought in Western markets, the leaked letters said. (more)
• [However, Indian experts indicated that the so-called covert plan is on Wikipedia the North-South international trade corridor]

Kharge lashes out at govt for ‘miserably failing’ to protect Manipur people

• With Manipur being rocked by a fresh wave of violence, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wed criticized out at the Modi govt for “miserably failing” to protect the people of Manipur.
• Criticizing the govt, Kharge said that the turmoil in the state is another stark addition to the long list of his “betrayals” of the people of India.
• In a post on X, Kharge said bombing through drone attacks has taken place in Imphal West district, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah “seems to be asleep at the wheel”.
• Ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities have claimed more than 200 lives in Manipur since May last year. (here)

New medical texts label ‘lesbianism’ and ‘sodomy’ as unnatural sex offenses; redefine virginity and hymen’s importance

• The National Medical Commission has reintroduced ‘sodomy and lesbianism’ as unnatural sexual offenses in the forensic medicine and toxicology curriculum for UG.
• The curriculum has also brought back topics such as the importance of the hymen, the definition of virginity and defloration, and its legitimacy and medico-legal importance, which had been done away with in 2022 when the module was modified by the directions of the Madras High Court.
• The revised curriculum under forensic medicine and toxicology also includes “Describe legal competencies including BNSS, BNS, BSA” besides POCSO, Civil and Criminal Cases, Inquest, cognizable and Non-cognisable offenses”.
• It talks about discussing sexual perversions, fetishism, transvestism, voyeurism, sadism, necrophagia, masochism, exhibitionism, frotteurism, and necrophilia. (more)

Amid long road to normalcy, trade between India and Bangladesh resumes from land port

• It’s been a month since former PM Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh, leading to a change of govt.
• The bilateral ties between the two which was closed resumed on Wed
• Though no official word on the resumption has come from India yet, it is the only affirmative news on India-Bangladesh relations during the past month.
• EAM S Jaishankar had recently said that B’desh is going through a change with the new govt and its relations with India would fructify with time – just like it was Maldives.
• Amid long road to normalcy, trade between India and Bangladesh resumes from land port.
• Turmoil in Bangladesh likely to stall bilateral projects involving India (more)
• One month into Hasina’s fall: Students to hold ‘Shaheedi March’ on Thu: The Anti-Discrimination Students Movement will take out “Shaheedi March” across the country today to mark the one month of the fall of the Hasina regime. (more)

Nepal plans to issue new banknotes featuring disputed territories with India within a year: Report

• Nepal’s central bank is moving forward with plans to print new banknotes featuring a revised map that incorporates disputed territories with India within the next year
• Striving to include areas like Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura, the Nepal Rashtra Bank has started this process, according to joint spokesperson Dilliram Pokharel.
• This effort follows a cabinet decision on May 3 led by then-PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’.
• Pokharel said, “The bank has already forwarded the process of printing the new notes,” and added that the task would be completed in six months to one year.
• Despite the significance of this move, the bank’s primary spokesperson has not been available for additional comments.
• This map was then adopted in all official documents, replacing the previous one, even as India raised objections, asserting its claim over the regions.
• Nepal shares a border stretch of over 1,850 km with 5 Indian states: Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. (here)

Beijing returnee Indian caught running cyberfraud gang for Chinese boss

• A 27-year-old man from Bihar was arrested at International Airport in Bengaluru for his alleged involvement in a cyber fraud case where $92,907 was siphoned from a Gurugram resident, police said on Tue.
• The suspect, who was attempting to flee the country at the time of his arrest, is fluent in Mandarin and had previously studied in Beijing.
• He has been operating a cyber fraud gang in India on behalf of a Chinese national for the past 3 years, according to police.
• Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber) said that evidence found on the suspect’s mobile phone, including WhatsApp and Telegram chats, indicated that he was in regular communication with the Chinese national orchestrating the fraud.
• The suspect, identified as Bharti, had been instructed by another gang member based in Thailand to join him there to further the gang’s operations. (more)

I have become everyone’s favorite target: Kangana Ranaut after HC order on ‘Emergency’

• Actor Kangana Ranaut on Wed said she has become “everyone’s favorite target” and she is paying the price for awakening a “sleeping nation” as the release of her film “Emergency” continues to be in limbo in the wake of MP High Court order.
• The political period drama, also directed, written, and co-produced by Ranaut, didn’t get any relief from the Bombay HC which refused to pass any order in the wake of a directive by the MP HC directing the CBFC to consider objections before certifying it.
• “Emergency”, stars Ranaut in the role of former PM Indira Gandhi, was scheduled for a Sept 6 release after multiple delays but is yet to get a clearance from CBFC
• The actor and BJP MP from Mandi reacted to the HC order in an X post. (more)

 [Neighborhood]

Pakistan: Opposition alliance demands APC over deteriorating security in Balochistan

• The Opposition Alliance –TTAP – has called for an All Parties Conference to address the worsening security situation in Balochistan, expressing deep concern over the province’s current state of affairs.
• During a presser in Islamabad on Wed, PTI leader Asad Qaiser stated, “Our alliance is seriously concerned about the situation in Balochistan. We will meet with the National Assembly speaker and urge him to take action, including convening an APC on Balochistan.”
• Qaiser stressed the need to address the grievances of “our estranged Baloch brothers,” noting that despite raising the issue in the assembly, the govt has shown little interest.
• He also lamented Akhtar Mengal’s resignation from the National Assembly, calling it “a regrettable development.”
• He stressed the importance of a serious discussion on Balochistan, warning, “Our enemies are exploiting this situation. We are planning nationwide protests and rallies, including a day of countrywide demonstrations.” (more)
• Imran Khan warns of protest movement if attempts made to undermine Supreme Court Khan, the founding leader of PTI, has warned of a nationwide protest movement if any attempts were made to undermine the authority of the Supreme Court.
• Speaking informally with journalists at Adiala Jail after attending a hearing in the 190 million pound reference case, Imran criticized efforts to weaken national institutions, stating, “The institution belongs to everyone, not just the army chief.”
• He expressed concern over the appointment of “corrupt and incompetent individuals” to key positions, arguing that such decisions were damaging the nation. (more)

US warns Pakistan of potential consequences over gas pipeline project with Iran

• The US has issued a cautionary warning to Pakistan regarding its involvement in the Pak-Iran gas pipeline project while reaffirming its commitment to assist Pakistan with its energy challenges.
• US State Dept Spox addressed concerns related to the pipeline project during a recent press briefing.
• “We will continue to enforce our sanctions against Iran. And as a matter of course, we also advise anyone considering business deals with Iran to be aware of the potential ramifications of those deals,” Spox stated.
• The Pak-Iran gas pipeline project, which aims to extend an 80-km pipeline from Gwadar in Pakistan to Iran, has faced significant delays.
• Initially scheduled for completion by Dec 2014, the project has experienced nearly a decade of setbacks.
• However, work has resumed, and the project is now expected to be finished in 24 months at an estimated cost of Rs44 billion.
• However, spox assured that addressing Pakistan’s energy shortages remains a priority for Washington.
• “We continue to discuss energy security with the Govt of Pakistan,” he noted. (more)

Pakistan: World Bank greenlights $1b loan for Dasu project

• The WB has approved an additional $1 bn loan for the Dasu hydropower project but at the same time sees a whopping $18 billion energy sector circular debt as a barrier to future investment in Pakistan.
• The WB’s board of executive directors on Mon approved $1 billion in a 2^nd round of additional financing for the project, according to a statement issued by the local office.
• The additional financing was critical for ensuring uninterrupted work on the scheme, which began a decade ago.
• With the fresh lending, the WB’s exposure in the project has increased to 45% of the total cost.
• The China Gezhouba Group Company serves as the contractor for the Dasu Project, funded by the World Bank and a consortium of commercial banks. (more)

Pakistan: IMF pours cold water on Punjab’s cheap power plan

• IMF has slapped Pakistan with a slew of new conditions regarding energy subsidies and provincial budgets after Punjab took a “fiscally reckless” decision to give Rs45 to Rs90 billion electricity subsidies for two months.
• (sources)- the IMF imposed at least three critical-nature conditions on the Punjab government after the province gave Rs14 per unit electricity subsidy for two months.
• The IMF also asked for an end to this temporary subsidy by Sept 30^th and made it clear that no provincial govt would give any such new subsidy during the 37-month EEF program.
• The new conditions may jeopardize Punjab’s plan to dole out Rs700 billion for giving solar panels to consumers having up to 500 monthly consumption. (more)