1. Indian nationals in Israel asked to ‘stay vigilant’ amid escalated tensions
2. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness is on an official visit to India
3. J-K Assembly elections: 65.48% voter turnout recorded in final phase by 5 pm
4. Chinese seek ‘unreasonable’ patrolling rights at two LAC spots along Arunachal Pradesh
5. Apple may need to turn to China after Indian Tata plant fire, sources say

What Else

1. India-US working to address regional, global challenges: Blinken after Jaishankar meeting
2. Ajit Doval meets French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris
3. Tibetans hold protest outside Chinese embassy in Delhi, call for holding China accountable for atrocities in Tibet
4. 150 police officers search Isha Foundation after Madras HC’s order on 2 sisters staying there
5. GST revenues’ growth slowed in September
6. After 7-year probe, CBI files closure report in cheating case against former NDTV promoters
7. Bangladesh: 15 years of grievances can’t be solved in 15 days, Prof Yunus tells NPR
8. Bangladesh: Foreign ministry recalls six ambassadors, Including India
9. Yunus, Modi may meet at Bimstec summit
10. China, US agree to revive health cooperation after years-long chill
11. Pakistan: Dr Zakir Naik meets Maulana Fazlur Rehman, lauds efforts for Muslim unity

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Indian nationals in Israel asked to ‘stay vigilant’ amid escalated tensions

• The Indian Embassy in Israel has advised Indian nationals to “stay vigilant” and avoid unnecessary travel due to the volatile situation in the region.
• The US has warned of an imminent missile attack by Iran on Israel, and Israel has begun a ground invasion against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
• Indian citizens are advised to exercise caution, adhere to safety protocols, and stay informed about local news and developments.
• Hours after US warning, Iran launches missiles at Israel, ‘At place & time we decide’: Israel vows retaliation: The conflict is ongoing, with both sides trading blows. The US and other countries have been involved in efforts to de-escalate the situation, but so far, a resolution has not been reached.
• Iran launched missiles targeting Israel, triggering air raid sirens across the country.
• Residents were ordered to stay close to bomb shelters, and alerts were sent to mobile phones and announced on TV.
• This comes after the US warned Iran is preparing a ballistic missile attack.
• The situation is complex, with multiple factors at play.
• Israel is trying to defend itself against Iranian aggression, while Iran is trying to assert its influence in the region.
• The conflict has the potential to escalate into a full-blown regional war. (more)
• Israel’s military on Tue intercepted a large number of missiles fired by Iran at the country, the army spox said, adding that there were a few “hits” during the barrage.
• “We have carried out a large number of interceptions. There were a few hits in the center and other areas in the south of the country,” Israeli army spox. (more)

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness is on an official visit to India

• Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness is on the 1^st-ever bilateral official visit to India from Sept 30 to Oct 3^rd.
• PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with Jamaican counterpart Andrew Holness at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Tue.
• The bilateral meeting was followed by delegation-level talks between the two leaders.
• India and Jamaica share strong historical and cultural linkages, reflected in their shared colonial past, values of democracy and freedom, and passion for cricket.
• This visit is expected to bolster bilateral relations, enhance economic cooperation, and solidify the longstanding bonds between Jamaica and India.
• PM Holness will travel to Sarnath and Varanasi and attend Ganga Aarti in Varanasi on Wed. (more)
• India and Jamaica enjoy friendly and cordial bilateral relations, cooperating in areas like Trade (USD 200 million in 2020-21); Investment (energy, mining, IT); Technology (technical assistance and capacity-building); Culture (rich cultural heritage and Indian diaspora); Int’l Cooperation (UN, Commonwealth, CARICOM) and Development Assistance (grants and loans for various projects).

J-K Assembly elections: 65.48% voter turnout recorded in final phase by 5 pm

• The polling for the Jammu and Kashmir Phase-3 voting has concluded at 6 p.m.
• Udhampur recorded the highest turnout of 72.91%, followed by Samba (72.41%), Kathua (70.53%), Jammu (66.79%), Bandipora (63.33%), Kupwara (62.76%), and Baramulla (55.73%).
• Among the constituencies, Chhamb in Jammu district was leading with 77.35% polling recorded in the first 10 hours.
• Sopore segment, once a terrorist and separatist stronghold, recorded the lowest turnout of 41.44%, according to EC data.
• In the 3^rd phase, 415 candidates contest for 40 seats across 7 districts.
• The elections are significant as they’re the first in a decade and the first since Article 370 was revoked in Aug 2019.
• The West Pakistan Refugees, Valmikis, and Gorkha communities are casting their votes for the first time, marking a historic moment for those who have long been without political representation. (more)

Chinese seek ‘unreasonable’ patrolling rights at two LAC spots along Arunachal Pradesh

• India and China are engaged in negotiations to resolve their ongoing dispute along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
• Chinese negotiators have made a demand that their troops be allowed to patrol 2 sensitive areas in Arunachal, which have been under Indian control for decades.
• This demand is seen as a counter to India’s concerns about Chinese troops denying access to Indian patrols at certain points in eastern Ladakh.
• The 2 areas in Arunachal Pradesh are the Yangtse area northeast of Tawang, where a deadly clash occurred in Dec 2022, and the Subansiri River valley in central Arunachal.
• Indian troops have been patrolling these areas for decades, and the Chinese demand is seen as an attempt to challenge India’s control.
• The dispute in eastern Ladakh began in Apr 2020, when Chinese troops denied access to Indian patrols at “patrol points” 10, 11, 12, and 13.
• India has suggested a 3-step process to resolve the issue, involving disengagement, de-escalation, and de-induction of troops.
• However, the Chinese demand to patrol in Arunachal has added a new complexity.
• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has stated that the patrolling issue is a significant aspect of the dispute and that the India-China relationship is “significantly disturbed.”
• (sources)-have confirmed that Chinese troops have not allowed Indian soldiers to patrol certain areas in eastern Ladakh since Apr 2020.
• The talks are ongoing, with India firm on its position that the Chinese demands are “unreasonable” and “devoid of logic.” (more)
• Army Chief warns against China’s tactics along LAC, says, ‘situation stable, but not normal’: Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi has warned against China’s “Grey Zone” tactics along the LAC, stating that despite stability, the situation is “not normal”.
• He emphasized the need for India to compete, confront, and coexist with China, highlighting the importance of joint military planning and regional stability.
• He also stressed the need for a common understanding to handle Grey Zone threats, which refer to conflicts that are not full wars, such as Kargil, Galwan, and Doklam.
• The Indian Army is operationally prepared to face any contingency, and trust has become the biggest casualty in this situation. (more)

Apple may need to turn to China after Indian Tata plant fire, sources say

• Apple is likely to turn to China for iPhone components due to a fire at Tata Group’s Apple iPhone component plant in southern India.
• The fire has caused extensive damage and an indefinite production halt at Tata’s Hosur plant in Tamil Nadu, which is the only Indian supplier of iPhone back panels and other parts.
• This could impact production ahead of the festive season sales surge, forcing Apple’s suppliers to arrange critical parts from China or elsewhere.
• Reuters- (Hong Kong-based Research) told it estimates local sales of 1.5 million iPhone 14 and 15 models during the festive season which runs from late Oct to early Nov, with Apple struggling to fulfill as much as 15% of that demand due to fire. (more)
• Felt like a bomb blast, say locals after blaze at Tata’s Hosur plant: The Tata Electronics facility that caught fire on Sat stayed cordoned off on Sun.
• Security persons at the plant didn’t allow this reporter inside the factory.
• The incident has caused minor injuries to 10 people and halted production indefinitely.
• Residents in a sleepy village near Hosur were woken by a loud explosion on Sat morning after a massive fire broke out at the unit.
• Despite the disruption, Tata Electronics has stated that it has enough stock to last the next three months and is working to address the situation. (more)

India-US working to address regional, global challenges: Blinken after Jaishankar meeting

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met on Tue in Washington DC to discuss cooperation on regional and global challenges.
• They covered topics such as deepening bilateral cooperation, the situation in West Asia, recent developments in the Indian subcontinent, the Indo-Pacific, and Ukraine.
• The discussion also focused on promoting regional security and prosperity, addressing the climate crisis, and advancing cooperation on critical and emerging technologies.
• Also, they talked about expanding collaboration on clean energy initiatives to address the global climate crisis and the importance of a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.
• US State Dept – the two “discussed the US and India’s enduring commitment to deepening bilateral ties, coordinating closely on regional and global challenges, and advancing cooperation on critical and emerging technologies”. (more)

Ajit Doval meets French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris

• National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met French President Emmanuel Macron and reiterated India’s commitment to the ‘Horizon 2047’ roadmap, a long-term strategic plan to strengthen bilateral partnership.
• They discussed cooperation in defense, security, space, and clean energy.
• Doval also met French officials to deepen defense cooperation, advance space collaboration, and discuss the Rafale deal for India’s naval arsenal.
• According to sources, Doval is in Paris to discuss the Rafale deal after France submitted the final detailed offer for the Indian Navy’s fighter aircraft fleet. (more)

Tibetans hold protest outside Chinese embassy in Delhi, call for holding China accountable for atrocities in Tibet

• Tibetans protested outside the Chinese Embassy in Delhi, demanding accountability for atrocities in Tibet.
• The protest coincided with China’s national day and resulted in police detaining protesters.
• The Tibetan Youth Congress organized a cycle rally from Dehradun to Delhi to raise awareness about cultural genocide in Tibet.
• The EU also expressed concerns over human rights in Tibet, highlighting obligatory boarding schooling, mass DNA sampling, and the closure of Tibetan schools. (more)

150 police officers search Isha Foundation after Madras HC’s order on 2 sisters staying there

• Search Operation: A battalion of 150 police officers, led by an Addl Superintendent of Police rank officer from Coimbatore, launched a search operation at the ashram.
• Allegations of Brainwashing and Converting People into Monks: The search operation came after the Madras High Court sought a report on all criminal cases registered against the foundation.
• Court Orders Enquiry: The court had ordered the Coimbatore Rural Police to conduct an inquiry and file a report while hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by Dr S Kamaraj, a retired professor.
• Isha Foundation’s Response: The foundation said that they “do not ask people to get married or take up monkhood; these are individual choices”.
• Court’s Doubts: The court questioned the apparent contradictions in the life of Jaggi Vasudev, the founder of the Isha Foundation.
• Next Hearing: The court will hear the matter further on Oct 4^th. (more)
• [The only question that should be asked is whether the two females are minors or not?]

GST revenues’ growth slowed in September

• India’s GST collections for September showed a 10% year-on-year growth, reaching  $20.38 billion, with a 14% increase in domestic transactions.
• However, the growth rate slowed to 6.5%, the lowest in 40 months, with gross revenues of $21.73 billion, slightly lower than August’s collections.
• Despite this, net GST receipts saw a 3.9% growth, and refunds to taxpayers rose by 24.3%. (more)

After 7-year probe, CBI files closure report in cheating case against former NDTV promoters

• The CBI has closed a case against NDTV’s former promoters, Prannoy and Radhika Roy, due to a lack of legally tenable evidence regarding a ₹48 crore loss incurred by ICICI Bank in a loan settlement in 2009.
• The case was initiated in 2017 based on a complaint that the Roys had taken a ₹500 crore loan from India Bulls to acquire a 20% stake in NDTV and allegedly pledged their entire shareholding as collateral without reporting it to SEBI.
• NDTV has consistently maintained that the loan was repaid in full and that the allegations were “incorrect and false”.
• The CBI could not find sufficient evidence to proceed with the case, and a special court will now decide what to do in this case. (more)

 [Neighborhood]

Bangladesh: 15 years of grievances can’t be solved in 15 days, Prof Yunus tells NPR

• In an exclusive NPR interview, Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus emphasized the need for time to address the long-standing grievances of the people, stating that resolving issues stemming from 15 years of dissatisfaction cannot happen overnight.
• He acknowledged the challenges of restoring normalcy and highlighted that many protests focus on job losses and pay demands due to political affiliations under the previous regime.
• Yunus remarked on the ongoing debate about the timeline for elections, noting the desire for reform before moving forward.
• He expressed optimism, viewing the current situation as a significant opportunity for change, with widespread support among the populace for transformation.
• Reflecting on his unexpected rise to leadership after former PM Sheikh Hasina’s departure, Yunus recounted his initial concerns about returning to Bangladesh.
• However, he felt compelled to serve the people, especially given the sacrifices made by young protesters during the recent unrest. (more)
• Prof Yunus: “People are in the mood for revolution. So this is a revolutionary situation. They were killed. So they are looking for people who made their colleagues die. So people were attacking the followers of the party headed by Sheikh Hasina. When you say minority community being attacked, that minority community, particularly the Hindu community, was associated with her.” (more)
• [Targeted killing, arson, mob lynching is choice of MOOD: a Nobel Peace laruate]
• Meanwhile, Former Kushtia-4 lawmaker arrested in Mirpur; Former EXIM Bank chairman Nazrul Islam Mazumder arrested; Industrial unrest: 36 arrested over attacks on joint forces

Bangladesh: Foreign ministry recalls six ambassadors

• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recalled six Bangladesh envoys from six important missions, on Mon and Tue.
• Those recalled include Bangladesh Permanent Rep to the UN in New York Mohammad Abdul Muhith, Ambassador to Belgium Mahbub Hasan Saleh, High Commissioner to India Mustafizur Rahman, High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem, Ambassador to Australia M Allama Siddiky, and Ambassador to Portugal Rejina Ahmed.
• They were asked to return to Dhaka immediately.
• The letter, signed by Mohammad Nazmul Haque, director general (administration) of the foreign ministry, said all the travel and other benefits will be provided to them as per the rules. (more)

Yunus, Modi may meet at Bimstec summit

• Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are likely to meet in November on the sidelines of the Bimstec summit in Thailand.
• “The date is yet to be fixed, but it is possibly in Nov. There, the two sides may further discuss our bilateral relationship,” Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain said on Tue.
• “Besides, we will try to establish contacts with India at various other levels and try to address the problems in the bilateral relationship.”
• Yunus-Modi meeting remains uncertain: He briefed the media on the outcomes of the chief adviser’s attendance at the UNGA in New York on Sept 23-27.
• On the sidelines of the event, Prof Yunus held meetings with several dignitaries, including US President Biden.
• Noting his meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, the adviser said they discussed the situation in Bangladesh and both sides agreed that Dhaka and New Delhi need to establish good relationships for the sake of the two countries.
• Touhid said they also discussed the security situation in Bangladesh.
• Asked if Dhaka raised the issue of 1971 and formal apology during the meeting between Prof Yunus and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Touhid said it was not.
• “We have not given any hint to Pakistan that we will advance our relations ignoring the events of 1971. While we want good relations, it does not mean that we will ignore 1971.”
• The adviser said he personally thinks that normalizing relations with Pakistan would be easier if Pakistan could show courage and sincerely apologize for the events in 1971.
• “There would not be anything wrong in it [Pakistan’s seeking apology]. Japan has apologized for its military’s atrocities during World War II.” (more)

China, US agree to revive health cooperation after years-long chill

• The US and China have agreed to improve coordination on global health affairs.
• This includes cooperation in areas like cancer prevention, chronic disease management, and medical research.
• The two countries aim to restore ties and increase engagement in economics, climate change, and military defense policy coordination.
• This is a significant step forward as the relationship between the two countries has been strained since the pandemic. (more)

Pakistan: Dr Zakir Naik meets Maulana Fazlur Rehman, lauds efforts for Muslim unity

• Dr. Zakir Naik, a renowned Islamic scholar, [wanted in India] visited Pakistan and met with Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), to discuss religious unity and global challenges facing the Muslim community.
• Naik was welcomed warmly and praised for his contributions to defending Islam.
• He also expressed his gratitude and admiration for the hospitality and efforts to unite the Muslim Ummah.
• Additionally, Naik will be giving a series of lectures in Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore. (more)
• Naik will deliver speeches, meet with top govt officials, and engage in private meetings.
• Strict security measures have been put in place for renowned Islamic scholar and preacher Dr Zakir Naik in Karachi.
• Police officials have stated that his security has been assigned to the Special Security Unit (SSU). (more)