1. Jaishankar, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Meet At SCO Dinner, First High-Level Interaction In Years
2. Maharashtra, Jharkhand election 2024 dates LIVE: Maharashtra Election to be held on Nov 20
3. Hoax bomb threats on 7 Indian flights, US-bound Air India plane lands in Canada
4. US Backs Canada’s Charge Against New Delhi on Nijjar Killing as India Holds Ground
5. Sikh group offers $500K bounty for Indian diplomat

What Else

1. Canada to impose sanctions on India? Experts say ‘sick man’ shouldn’t punch above its weight
2. Kuki-Zo-Hmar, Meitei, Naga MLAs met; ‘unanimously resolved’ to call for peace: MHA
3. Samsung employees strike: Govt announces withdrawal of strike; union says final decision on Oct 16
4. Beijing calls for urgency as Pakistan boosts security for Chinese projects
5. Pakistan: Students in Pakistan continue protests against alleged Lahore campus rape
6. Bangladesh: Army chief off to USA, Canada on 11-day official visit
7. Dominic LeBlanc calls notion of traitors in Parliament an irresponsible exaggeration
8. China says it will not renounce use of force over Taiwan

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Jaishankar, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Meet At SCO Dinner, First High-Level Interaction In Years

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Islamabad to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, marking the first high-level visit from India.
• Jaishankar met Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif briefly during a dinner reception.
• The visit comes amid strained ties between India and Pakistan over Kashmir and cross-border terrorism.
• Jaishankar emphasized India’s commitment to SCO and desire for good relations with Pakistan, but stressed the need for an environment free of terror and hostility.
• Key Points: First high-level visit from India in nearly nine years.
• India and Pakistan have strained ties over Kashmir and cross-border terrorism.
• Jaishankar emphasized India’s commitment to SCO and desire for good relations with Pakistan.
• No bilateral talks scheduled between Jaishankar and his Pakistani counterpart Dar.
• Pakistan hosting the SCO summit, with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Russian PM Mikhail Mishustin attending.
• Background: India-Pakistan relations deteriorated after India’s 2019 airstrike in Balakot.
• Ties were further strained after India revoked Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Pakistan downgraded diplomatic ties with India.
• Security Measures: Strict security arrangements were made in Islamabad.
• Over 9,000 police personnel and Army troops deployed in the capital. (more)
• PTI postpones D-Chowk protest on SCO summit eve after govt assures Imran’s medical checkup: The PTI late on Mon night called off its announced D-Chowk protest for Oct 15 on the eve of the SCO summit. (more)

Maharashtra, Jharkhand election 2024 dates LIVE: Maharashtra Election to be held on Nov 20

• Assembly polls for Jharkhand and Maharashtra is being announced by the Election Commission on Tue.
• While the term of the Maharashtra Assembly ends on Nov 26, that of Jharkhand ends on Jan 5, 2025.
• The upcoming election will feature a 2-way contest between the MVA coalition, comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Congress, and the ruling MA, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), and NCP (Ajit faction).
• The elections for Maharashtra were not held along with J&K and Haryana earlier this month, due to the security requirements for the J&K, according to top poll body.
• Besides the general elections to the two assemblies, the EC could announce bypolls to three Lok Sabha and at least 47 assembly seats which are lying vacant. (more)

Hoax bomb threats on 7 Indian flights, US-bound Air India plane lands in Canada

• Seven Indian flights received bomb threats on Tuesday, leading to emergency landings for 2 planes. The threatened flights included:
• Air India (Delhi-Chicago, diverted to Canada)
• Air India Express (Jaipur-Bengaluru, Ayodhya airport screening)
• IndiGo (Dammam-Lucknow, emergency landing in Jaipur)
• SpiceJet (Darbhanga-Mumbai)
• Akasa Air (Siliguri-Bengaluru)
• Alliance Air (Amritsar-Dehradun-Delhi)
• Air India Express (Madurai-Singapore)
• This follows similar bomb scares on Monday targeting three international flights from Mumbai. Authorities are investigating to trace the culprits.
• A similar bomb scare occurred on Mon, targeting 3 international flights from Mumbai.
• All the messages on Mon declared a hoax after security, intelligence agencies, airlines and airport operators carried out anti-terrorist security drills. (more)

US Backs Canada’s Charge Against New Delhi on Nijjar Killing as India Holds Ground

• The diplomatic row between India and Canada has escalated over the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
• Canadian PM Justin Trudeau accused Indian govt officials of involvement in Nijjar’s assassination, citing “clear and compelling evidence” of Indian agents’ activities that pose a significant threat to public safety.
• India denied the allegations, stating that Canada has not provided any concrete evidence to support its claims.
• In response, India recalled its High Commissioner and other diplomats from Canada and expelled six Canadian diplomats from New Delhi.
• The US has weighed in, with State Dept spox saying that India is not cooperating with Canada’s investigation, calling the allegations “extremely serious”.
• However, the US has refrained from commenting further on the diplomatic tensions.
• This diplomatic standoff is the latest development in strained relations between India and Canada, which have historically been complicated by issues related to Sikh separatism. (more)

Sikh group offers $500K bounty for Indian diplomat

• Sikhs for Justice, a banned secessionist group in India, has offered a $500,000 reward for Indian High Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma.
• This comes amid allegations by the Canadian govt that Indian officials were involved in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.
• The situation escalated when Canadian police linked Indian officials to criminal activities, leading to the expulsion of diplomats from both countries.
• India rejected Canada’s allegations, citing a lack of evidence and concerns about the safety of its diplomatic staff.
• Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, head of Sikhs for Justice, praised Canadian PM Justin Trudeau for his commitment to delivering justice and called for Verma’s expulsion.
• Pannun, a pro-Khalistan leader with US and Canadian citizenship, was designated a terrorist by India in 2020. (here)

Canada to impose sanctions on India? Experts say ‘sick man’ shouldn’t punch above its weight

• Canada’s threat of sanctions against India may ultimately harm Canada itself, considering its significant economic investments in India.
• Canadian pension funds have invested over CAD 75 billion in India, and more than 600 Canadian companies have a presence in the country, with over 1,000 companies actively pursuing business there.
• Economists warn that sanctions could backfire, particularly in the agriculture sector, where Canada risks losing its market share for lentils to competitors like Australia.
• Canada’s contribution to India’s FDI is also minimal, at just 0.57%.
• Canada’s own economy is struggling, with 9 quarters of less than 1% GDP growth and two close calls with recession in the last three years.
• Experts argue that Canada needs India to diversify its energy buyer base and cannot afford sanctions.
• Key concerns for Canada: Loss of market share: Canada may lose its share of the Indian lentil market to Australia.
• Economic instability: Canada’s already struggling economy cannot afford sanctions.
• Limited leverage: Canada’s contribution to India’s FDI is minimal.
• Energy diversification: Canada needs India to expand its energy buyer base. (more)
• What cards does India have? Prevent students from studying, cancel OCI cards, and suspend property rights, for those who were involved in Anti Indian acts, while India is one of the top 10 trading partners.
• While unlikely, it remains a possibility as tensions escalate.

Kuki-Zo-Hmar, Meitei, Naga MLAs met; ‘unanimously resolved’ to call for peace: MHA

• A meeting was held in New Delhi on Tue, between legislators from Manipur’s Kuki-Zo-Hmar, Meitei, and Naga communities, facilitated by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• However, the Kuki-Zo MLAs clarified that they met separately with Central govt officials and BJP leaders, not with the Meitei and Naga MLAs.
• The meeting aimed to address the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, which has claimed 237 lives and displaced over 60,000 people since May 3, 2023.
• The Kuki-Zo MLAs demanded a separate administration in the form of a Union Territory with a Legislature before engaging in joint talks with other communities.
• Ethnic Violence: 237 killed, over 60,000 displaced since May 3, 2023.
• Dialogue Required: Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasizes dialogue between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities to resolve the situation. (more)

Samsung employees strike: Govt announces withdrawal of strike; union says final decision on Oct 16

• The Samsung workers’ strike in Tamil Nadu has been a long-standing issue, with over 1,000 workers protesting since Sept 9, demanding better wages and recognition of their newly formed union, Samsung India Workers’ Union (SIWU).
• On Tue, conciliation talks were held between the management and striking workers, resulting in four key decisions:
• Immediate Return to Work: Striking workers will return to work immediately.
• No Victimization: Management will not victimize workers for participating in the strike.
• Full Cooperation: Workers will cooperate with management and refrain from harming the company’s interests.
• Written Reply: Management will provide a written reply to the workers’ charter of demands.
• Although the Tamil Nadu govt announced that the strike had been called off, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) leaders stated that the decision to withdraw the strike would be made on Wed.
• The strike’s outcome will be confirmed after CITU’s meeting today. (more)

[Neighborhood]

Beijing calls for urgency as Pakistan boosts security for Chinese projects

• Pakistan has agreed to boost security for Chinese citizens and projects in the country following a surge in militant threats. This comes after a suicide bombing in Karachi killed two Chinese engineers, the second such attack this year.
• Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s 4-day visit to Islamabad, the first in 11 years, aimed to address these concerns. Key Takeaways:
• Enhanced Security: Pakistan vows to ensure the safety and security of Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions.
• Urgent Measures: China seeks targeted security measures to create a safe environment for cooperation.
• Economic Cooperation: Both nations reaffirm their commitment to the $65 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.
• The CPEC project, part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, has faced attacks from separatist militants in Balochistan.
• Pakistan has committed to strengthening security measures and coordination to protect Chinese interests. (more)

Pakistan: Students in Pakistan continue protests against alleged Lahore campus rape

• Protests continue in Lahore, Pakistan, after allegations of rape at the Punjab College for Women campus.
• Reports claim a security guard committed the assault, but the college and police initially dismissed the allegations due to lack of evidence and no formal complaint.
• A security guard is now in custody and an investigation is underway.
• The provincial govt has shut down the college temporarily.
• Students demand justice, accountability and improved campus safety.
• They vow to continue protesting until their demands are met.
• At least 28 students were injured in clashes with police on Mon. (more)

Bangladesh: Army chief off to USA, Canada on 11-day official visit

• Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman on Tue left Dhaka for the USA and Canada on an 11-day official visit, according to a release from the Inter-Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR) this morning.
• “During the visit, he will participate in meetings with high-ranking military and civilian officials of the UN Headquarters, the USA, and Canada to discuss matters related to the UN peacekeeping mission, increasing the capacity of the army, developing bilateral relations and determining the future course of action and discuss various issues of cooperation,” it said.
• The army chief will return home on 25 October, the release added. (more)

Dominic LeBlanc calls notion of traitors in Parliament an irresponsible exaggeration

• Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc has dismissed claims of traitors or treasonous individuals in Parliament as “partisan exaggeration” and “criminal phrases” not supported by evidence.
• This statement was made during a federal inquiry into foreign interference, where LeBlanc emphasized that the allegations are unfounded and irresponsible.
• The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) had previously suggested that some parliamentarians may have knowingly or unknowingly participated in foreign interference in Canadian politics.
• However, Nathalie Drouin, advisor to the PM on intelligence matters, found no evidence of MPs engaging in espionage or sabotage after reviewing relevant intelligence.
• Foreign Interference: NSICOP’s report highlighted vulnerabilities in party nominations that foreign actors could exploit.
• Safeguarding Nominations: Elections Canada proposed changes, such as barring non-citizens from participating in candidate selection and requiring parties to publish contest rules.
• Party Leader Accountability: LeBlanc stressed that party leaders have the ultimate say in whether a nominated candidate can stand in an election.
• Security Clearance: Telford and LeBlanc emphasized the importance of party leaders having security clearance to receive sensitive information about potential issues with candidates.
• The inquiry is ongoing, examining the flow of sensitive information among officials and the complexities of regulating candidate nomination processes. (more)

China says it will not renounce use of force over Taiwan

• China’s Taiwan Affairs Office has made it clear that they won’t promise to renounce the use of force over Taiwan, but this stance is specifically aimed at external interference and a small minority of separatists, not the Taiwanese people as a whole.
• This comes after China staged large-scale drills around the island on Mon, which they claim were a warning to “separatist acts” following Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s National Day speech. Key Points:
• China’s Stance: No promise to renounce force, but targeted at external interference and separatists.
• Taiwan’s Response: Govt rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, emphasizing the island’s people decide their future.
• International Reaction: China’s drills generated international condemnation, increasing support for Taiwan.
• Future Tensions: China’s military may conduct more drills, and Taiwan remains on alert for further actions.
• Taiwan’s National Security Bureau DG Tsai Ming-yen noted that China’s drills have backfired, increasing international support for Taiwan, especially from Washington.
• The situation remains tense, with China sending warships and warplanes to the waters and skies around Taiwan almost daily over the past five years. (more)