1. Pakistan going ‘balle-balle’ over Congress-National Conference manifesto: PM Modi
2. Modi U.S. visit: Foreign Secy outlines PM’s schedule; gives no confirmation on Trump meeting
3. Pannun’s lawsuit against India ‘Ridiculous’, Timing suggests malafide intention, Say Top Govt Sources
4. Major disaster averted in Manipur; Indian Army recovers seven IEDs
5. Kolkata Horror: Protesting Doctors End Strike After 42 Days, To Resume Essential Duties Tomorrow

What Else

1. Animal Fat In Prasadam? Lab Report Stirs The Tirupati Ladoo Plot After Andhra CM Naidu’s Charge
2.  ‘Hasina should remain in India’: Ranil Wickremesinghe
3. FATF praises India’s anti-money laundering, terror financing system; calls for better prosecution
4. EAM S Jaishankar holds phone talks with Ukrainian counterpart
5. Bangladesh urges UK to probe overseas wealth of Sheikh Hasina allies
6. Bangladesh: Govt to seek extradition of Hasina
7. Pakistan: Ready to discuss India’s concerns on Indus Waters Treaty, says FO
8. Pakistan: Ties with Pakistan vital for global stability: Biden

—————-

Pakistan going ‘balle-balle’ over Congress-National Conference manifesto: PM Modi

• PM Modi has criticized the Congress-NC alliance in J&K, stating that Pakistan is supporting their manifesto for the Assembly elections.
• At a rally in Katra, he mentioned that Pakistan’s Def Min, Khawaja Asif, has openly backed the alliance, saying their agenda aligns with Pakistan’s regarding Article 370 restoration.
• Modi highlighted that while the alliance is being celebrated in Pakistan, it lacks importance domestically.
• The National Conference has pledged to restore Article 370, which was revoked in 2019, granting special autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir.
• However, the Congress has remained silent on the issue in its manifesto but promises to restore full statehood status.
• The J&K NC has a history of advocating for the region’s autonomy and has been a key player in the state’s politics since 1932.
• The party’s current leader, including Omar Abdullah, has reiterated their commitment to pursuing statehood and autonomy through legal and political channels (more)

Modi U.S. visit: Foreign Secy outlines PM’s schedule; gives no confirmation on Trump meeting

• PM Modi’s visit to the U.S. from Sept 21-23 will include the Quad Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, and bilateral meetings with leaders such as U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese PM Fumio Kishida, and Australian PM Anthony Albanese.
• A meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump has not been confirmed, despite Trump stating at a rally that Modi would meet him.
• Scheduling difficulties and political considerations are factors in arranging such a meeting.
• Modi will also attend a special “Cancer Moonshot” event in Delaware, aimed at enhancing U.S.-India collaboration on cancer research.
• In New York, he will address the UN Summit of the Future and hold business meetings, focusing on U.S.-India economic progress.
• India is set to formalize its role in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, excluding the trade pillar due to concerns over labor and human rights standards. (more)
• Biden to host Quad leaders at Delaware home: President Joe Biden is set to host the Quad leaders from Japan, India, and Australia at his Delaware home, emphasizing the importance of the Indo-Pacific region.
• The summit focuses on reinforcing strategic alignment among the Quad nations, advocating for a free and open Indo-Pacific, and addressing regional concerns, such as illegal fishing, particularly by Chinese fleets in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
• While the main discussions focus on broader cooperation like health and infrastructure, managing China’s influence remains a key underlying theme.
• Biden’s approach contrasts with Trump’s more aggressive stance on China. (more)
• US Vice President Harris will not attend Quad meetings Sat, WH says: Vice President Kamala Harris will not attend meetings Sat with leaders of the Quad countries who are gathering at President Joe Biden’s home in Wilmington, Delaware, the WH said on Thu
• The White House also said there will not be a news conference after this weekend’s summit of leaders from Australia, India and Japan. (more)

Pannun’s lawsuit against India ‘Ridiculous’, Timing suggests malafide intention, Say Top Govt Sources

• Gurpatwant Pannun, wanted in India for promoting Sikh separatism and terrorism, filed a lawsuit in a US federal court against the Indian govt and NSA Ajit Doval.
• India’s Response: Calls the lawsuit “ridiculous” and “malafide”
• Labels Pannun a “terrorist” and “criminal” supported by foreign agencies
• Demands extradition to face trial in multiple cases, including sedition and promoting enmity
• Ministry of External Affairs dismisses allegations, citing Pannun’s links to unlawful organization Sikhs For Justice (SFJ)
• Background: Pannun is accused of orchestrating attacks on Indian consulates and diplomatic missions worldwide
• Multiple cases filed against him in India, including under UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act)
• Non-bailable warrants and Interpol Red Corner Notice issued against him (more)

Major disaster averted in Manipur; Indian Army recovers seven IEDs

• The Indian Army, in collaboration with Manipur Police, successfully averted a disaster by recovering 7 IEDs weighing 28.5 kg in the hilly regions near Bongjang and Itham villages, Imphal East district.
• The operation, guided by specific intelligence and aided by explosive detection dogs, was executed swiftly.
• Experts from the Army diffused the explosives, preventing potential harm.
• This was the second major recovery in three months, following a similar seizure of 33 kg of IEDs in July 2024 in Saichang Itham. (more)

Kolkata Horror: Protesting Doctors End Strike After 42 Days, To Resume Essential Duties Tomorrow

• Junior doctors at RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata, protesting the rape-murder of a trainee doctor, will partially resume essential services from Sept 21.
• After 41 days of ‘cease work,’ they decided to rejoin emergency services due to the state’s acceptance of several demands.
• However, they will continue boycotting Outpatient Department (OPD) services. They also plan to end their sit-in protest outside Swasthya Bhawan following a march to the CBI office.
• The doctors warned that if their demands aren’t fully met within a week, they will resume their strike. (more)

Animal Fat In Prasadam? Lab Report Stirs The Tirupati Ladoo Plot After Andhra CM Naidu’s Charge

• The TDP in Andhra Pradesh has claimed that lab tests detected the presence of adulterated oil containing “beef tallow” in the ghee used for making Tirupati prasadam.
• The allegations arose after CM Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous YSRCP govt of using animal fat in the consecrated laddus distributed at the Tirumala Temple.
• The TDP displayed a purported lab report from Gujarat’s NDDB CALF Ltd, confirming the adulteration.
• However, there has been no official confirmation from the government or the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams board.
• The report also claimed the presence of pig fat and fish oil in the ghee samples.
• The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), which supplies Nandini ghee to the TTD, clarified that it has only been involved since the current regime took over and denied any involvement during the previous govt.
• This controversy has sparked significant public outcry, although the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy administration has denied the charges of using substandard ingredients. (more)

‘Hasina should remain in India’: Ranil Wickremesinghe

• In an interview with Firstpost, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressed the situation surrounding former Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India amidst youth protests in Bangladesh.
• Wickremesinghe suggested that Hasina should remain in India if necessary, adding that many leaders live abroad during political crises.
• He emphasized the importance of stability in Bangladesh, advocating for a focus on normalcy and letting the people decide the country’s future.
• His comments come at a time when anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh is rising, and the issue of Hasina’s extradition has sparked debate. (more)
• I look after Sri Lanka’s interests, that includes ensuring no harm to India’s security—Wickremesinghe: He is confident about the upcoming Sept 21 presidential elections, the first since the 2022 economic crisis that led to his presidency.
• He took the role because “no one else was willing.”
• Wickremesinghe has focused his campaign on stabilizing Sri Lanka’s economy, securing agreements with the IMF, and prioritizing the nation’s interests.
• While the race is tight, with Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake as key contenders, there is no clear frontrunner.
• He, as an independent, remains confident in the fairness of the elections (more)

FATF praises India’s anti-money laundering, terror financing system; calls for better prosecution

• The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) released its mutual evaluation report on India’s anti-money laundering (AML) and combating financing of terror (CFT) systems.
• The report highlighted that while India has implemented an effective system in many areas, major improvements are needed, particularly in prosecuting money laundering and terror financing cases.
• The report also noted that India’s main sources of money laundering stem from illegal domestic activities and that the country faces significant terror threats, particularly from ISIS and Al-Qaeda-linked groups in Jammu and Kashmir.
• FATF placed India in the “regular follow-up” category, with its next evaluation scheduled for 2031.
• Improvements were also suggested to protect the non-profit sector from terror abuse. (more)
• FATF red-flags India’s low conviction rate: The FATF has urged India to reduce the number of pending trials in money laundering and increase conviction-based seizures.
• While the Enforcement Directorate seized assets worth ₹16,497 crore between FY19 and FY23, only ₹39 crore was confiscated based on convictions, with just 28 out of 4,163 investigations ending in conviction.
• The FATF recommended boosting resources for the ED and specialized courts to expedite investigations and prosecutions.
• The report praised India’s efforts to deprive criminals of illicit gains but noted a need for increased focus on prosecuting money laundering cases.
• India has been placed in the “regular follow-up” category, shared by only a few G20 nations. (more)

EAM S Jaishankar holds phone talks with Ukrainian counterpart

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba had a phone conversation to strengthen bilateral ties between India and Ukraine.
• This conversation comes less than two weeks after PM Modi’s visit to Moscow, which was criticized by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
• Jaishankar described the conversation as “good” and focused on further developing their bilateral relationship.
• Kuleba also emphasized building on his previous visit to New Delhi and the meeting between President Zelenskyy and PM Modi in Italy to enhance Ukrainian-Indian bilateral relations.
• India and Ukraine have a long-standing friendship, with diplomatic relations established in Jan 1992.
• Their bilateral trade has been growing, with a volume of $1.07 billion in the first half of 2024.
• Key areas of cooperation include science and technology, space research, and trade, with Ukraine being India’s largest export destination in the Asia-Pacific region (more)

 [Neighborhood]

Bangladesh urges UK to probe overseas wealth of Sheikh Hasina allies

• Bangladesh’s interim govt, led by Prof Muhammad Yunus, is intensifying its investigation into corruption linked to former PM Sheikh Hasina and her allies.
• The govt has sought assistance from the UK and other nations, such as the US, Singapore, and the UAE, to trace approx £13 bn allegedly siphoned out of Bangladesh.
• Ahsan Mansur, the new Central Bank Governor, is focusing on a £150 million UK property portfolio owned by a former land minister under Hasina’s administration.
• Authorities suspect this portfolio may involve funds illicitly transferred abroad. The UK government has offered technical support to aid the investigation.
• Yunus’ administration is determined to recover stolen wealth, and Transparency International UK has flagged the property acquisitions for further investigation.
• However, the former land minister, Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, has denied any wrongdoing. (more)

Bangladesh: Govt to seek extradition of Hasina

• The interim govt will seek extradition of former PM Sheikh Hasina, who took shelter in India after the fall of the AL govt through a “students-led mass upsurge” on Aug 5, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said on Thu.
• Prosecutors of the International Crimes Tribunal have already been appointed and the authorities have made other visible progress for the trial of the ones accused of crimes against humanity during the Jul students protest.
• “Soon, the trial process will begin and then we will seek extradition of former prime minister from India,” he said.
• Hasina and dozens of other leaders of her cabinet and Awami League are facing cases that accused them of murders during the July-August protests.
• A UN fact-finding mission also started working in Bangladesh to investigate all the human rights violations between Jul 1 and Aug 15. (more)

Pakistan: Ready to discuss India’s concerns on Indus Waters Treaty, says FO

• Pakistan has agreed to discuss modifications to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with India within the treaty’s existing framework. This comes after India formally requested changes to the treaty due to “fundamental and unforeseen changes in circumstances”.
• According to Pakistan’s FO Spox, the Permanent Indus Commission is the ideal platform for addressing concerns related to the treaty.
• The commission comprises officials from both India and Pakistan and oversees the treaty’s implementation.
• The IWT, signed in 1960, allocates water rights from the Indus river system to both nations. India has rights over the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej), while Pakistan controls the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab).
• Key Points: Pakistan’s Commitment: Pakistan reaffirms its commitment to the IWT and expects India to do the same.
• Discussion Framework: Discussions to take place within the treaty’s existing framework.
• Permanent Indus Commission: The commission to address concerns related to the treaty.
• Treaty Significance: The IWT has served both nations well for decades and is considered the “gold standard” of bilateral water-sharing treaties. (more)

Pakistan: Ties with Pakistan vital for global stability: Biden

• US President Joe Biden has emphasized the importance of a lasting partnership between Pakistan and the US for global and regional stability.
• While accepting the letter of credence from Pakistan’s new envoy, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Biden reaffirmed the US’s commitment to working with Pakistan on major challenges like climate change, security threats, and health issues.
• Biden praised the US-Pakistan cooperation in combating terrorism and stressed building on shared interests in security, trade, investment, and economic growth. This commitment comes after the US imposed sanctions on three Chinese and Pakistani firms for allegedly aiding Pakistan’s missile program.
• Ambassador Sheikh highlighted the deep-rooted cooperation between the two nations, emphasizing investments in climate change, energy, health, trade, and investment.
• He noted the US is Pakistan’s largest export destination and expressed readiness to expand economic ties through investments in alternative energy, green technology, and higher education.

The ceremony marks a renewed focus on deepening ties and addressing mutual challenges through increased collaboration and strategic dialogue. (more)