1. ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill introduced in LS, Oppn invokes ‘Basic Structure’ & federalism to oppose
2. In Manipur, Army seizes Starlink device made by Elon Musk’s SpaceX
3. Meghalaya police inform BSF of UAV sightings along India-Bangladesh border
4. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake visits Mahabodhi temple in Bihar
5. Doval in Beijing to attend India-China Special Representatives’ talks to restore ties after Ladakh standoff

What Else

1. Coimbatore serial blast mastermind S.A. Basha dies
2. Pakistan Govt rejects negotiations with PTI under civil disobedience threat
3. Pakistan urges solutions to long-standing global disputes such as Palestine, Kashmir at CICA
4. Pakistan: Court extends interim bail of Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi until January 7
5. Bangladesh: National polls by 30 June, 2026 as per chief adviser’s roadmap: Shafiqul

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‘One Nation, One Election’ bill introduced in LS, Oppn invokes ‘Basic Structure’ & federalism to oppose

• The BJP-led NDA govt has introduced two bills to implement ‘One Nation One Election’ in the Lok Sabha, with 269 MPs voting in favor and 198 opposing it.
• The bills aim to synchronize elections, but opposition parties claim they’re “anti-federal” and tamper with the Constitution’s basic structure.
• The two bills are: The Constitution (129^th Amendment Bill), 2024, which requires a two-thirds majority to pass.
• The Union Territories Law (Amendment) Bill, 2024, an ordinary bill that can be passed by a simple majority.
• Opposition MPs have demanded that the bills be sent to a joint parliamentary panel for further scrutiny.
• The bills have been introduced separately but will be clubbed for discussion.
• The proposal has been met with criticism from various opposition parties, including the Congress, TMC, and DMK, who argue that it’s “an assault on federalism” and the basic structure of the Constitution. (more) [previously, it was only like this]
• The BJP is set to issue notices to around 20 of its Lok Sabha MPs who skipped voting: on the bill despite a 3-line whip to ensure their presence.
• The bill was introduced in the lower house after a nearly 90-minute debate, with 269 members voting in favor and 198 against it.
• The bill has been referred to a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) for further discussion. (more)
• The Bill proposes changes:
• Simultaneous Elections: The Bill seeks to synchronize elections for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, allowing voters to cast ballots for both tiers of govt on the same day.
• Constitutional Amendments: The Bill proposes amendments to Articles 82A and 324A of the Constitution to facilitate simultaneous elections.
• Term of State Assemblies: The Bill suggests that the term of all state legislative assemblies will end on the expiry of the full term of the House of the People.
• Election Commission Powers: The Bill confers power upon the ECI to recommend to the President to hold the election to a particular legislative assembly at a later date.
• Mid-term Elections: The Bill introduces the concept of a mid-term poll, which will be held when the House of the People is dissolved sooner than the expiry of its full term.

In Manipur, Army seizes Starlink device made by Elon Musk’s SpaceX

• Indian security forces have seized a Starlink satellite internet device in Manipur, which is significant because Starlink doesn’t have a license to operate in India.
• The device, manufactured by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, was recovered along with 29 weapons and ammunition during a joint operation by the Army, Assam Rifles, and Manipur police.
• The seized device had inscriptions of RPF/PLA, a militant group, and is believed to have been smuggled into India from Myanmar.
• This raises concerns about militant groups and criminal outfits using satellite internet to bypass conventional internet restrictions.
• This is the second time a Starlink device has been recovered by Indian security agencies in less than a month. (more)
• The seized device included a satellite internet antenna, a satellite router, and a 20-m-long FTP cable, highlighting the increasing use of advanced satellite technology by militant groups to bypass conventional internet restrictions.
• It’s also worth noting that Starlink devices are being used in Myanmar for illicit activities, including defrauding victims globally.
• In India, Starlink is still awaiting approval to launch its services, but despite the ban, orbiting satellites continue to enable connectivity for illicit activities.

Meghalaya police inform BSF of UAV sightings along India-Bangladesh border

• The Meghalaya police have informed the Border Security Force about sightings of unmanned aerial vehicles, specifically the Bayraktar TB2, near the India-Bangladesh border.
• The Bayraktar TB2 is a Turkish-made medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UAV.
• It’s designed for reconnaissance, surveillance, and combat missions.
• The TB2 has a range of over 150 km and can stay airborne for up to 24 hours.
• The presence of UAVs near the India-Bangladesh border raises several concerns:
• Security threat: UAVs can be used for surveillance, espionage, or even to drop explosives or other payloads.
• Border security: The India-Bangladesh border is a sensitive area, and the presence of UAVs could indicate attempts to breach border security.
• Terrorism: UAVs can be used by terrorist organizations to gather intelligence, transport explosives, or carry out attacks.
• The BSF and other security agencies will likely investigate the sightings and take necessary measures to enhance border security. (more)
• BSF has been instructed to shoot down any aerial object flying near the India-Bangladesh border after the TB-2 attack drone of Bangladesh military was spotted

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake visits Mahabodhi temple in Bihar

• Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake paid a visit to the revered Mahabodhi Temple in Bihar’s Bodhgaya.
• Dissanayake is currently on a 3-day state visit from December 15-17 to India.
• President Dissanayake’s recent visit to India marks a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.
• Economic Partnership: India and Sri Lanka aim to foster a closer bilateral economic partnership, leveraging their unique civilizational ties, geographical proximity, and cultural connections.
• Connectivity: The two nations will promote maritime, air, and energy connectivity.
• Defence Cooperation: India and Sri Lanka will advance maritime and security collaboration, including cooperation in hydrography, provision of defense platforms, and joint exercises.
• Cultural and Tourism Development: The two countries will promote cultural and tourism links, including enhancing air connectivity, developing tourism infrastructure, and establishing a facilitatory framework for religious and cultural tourism.
• These initiatives aim to transform the India-Sri Lanka relationship into a new standard for friendly and neighborly ties, promoting mutual benefit, sustainable development, and regional stability.
• Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has welcomed the joint statement issued by India and Sri Lanka, highlighting the strengthening of bilateral ties between the two nations.(more, more)
• In Delhi, Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath announces that the President will travel to China next month; and reaffirms the One China policy.

Doval in Beijing to attend India-China Special Representatives’ talks to restore ties after Ladakh standoff

• National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has arrived in Beijing to attend the 23^rd round of India-China Special Representatives’ talks.
• The meeting, scheduled for Wed, aims to restore bilateral ties that have been stalled for over four years due to the military standoff in eastern Ladakh.
• Doval will hold talks with his Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, to discuss various issues, including the management of peace and tranquility in border areas and exploring a mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question.
• China has expressed its readiness to work with India to implement commitments based on common understandings reached between PM Modi and President Xi Jinping.
• The meeting is significant, as it’s the first structured engagement between the two countries to restore relations after a five-year gap. (more)
• China is ready to work with India to implement the important common understandings between the leaders of China and India, respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, and strengthen mutual trust: China Mofa ahead of Wang-Doval talks.
• Wang says India and China, “strive to bring the bilateral relationship back to the track of stable development at an early date”.

Coimbatore serial blast mastermind S.A. Basha dies

• S.A. Basha, the mastermind behind the 1998 Coimbatore serial blasts, has passed away at the age of 84.
• Basha was the founder of the Islamic fundamentalist group Al Ummah and was serving a life sentence for his role in the blasts that killed 58 people and injured over 200 others.
• The 1998 Coimbatore serial blasts were a series of 12 explosions that occurred on Feb 14, 1998, in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
• The blasts were targeted at disrupting commercial activities in the town and were planted in areas with a Hindu majority population.
• Basha was convicted of hatching a criminal conspiracy to trigger the blasts and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
• He had been granted parole for medical treatment before his death.(more)
• His funeral procession with thousands of people glorifies Islamist terrorism in Coimbatore, TN.

[Neighborhood]

Pakistan Govt rejects negotiations with PTI under civil disobedience threat

• The Pakistan government has rejected negotiations with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by Imran Khan, amid threats of civil disobedience.
• The PTI has threatened civil disobedience if its demands, including fresh elections and the resignation of the govt, are not met.
• The govt has accused the PTI of attempting to create chaos and instability in the country.
• The PTI has been holding protests and rallies nationwide, calling for the government’s resignation.
• The govt has warned of strict action against anyone involved in violent protests or civil disobedience.
• The situation remains tense, with many fearing a further escalation of protests and violence. (more)

Pakistan urges solutions to long-standing global disputes such as Palestine, Kashmir at CICA

• Pakistan has called for resolving long-standing global disputes, including the Palestine and Kashmir issues, at the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA).
• This move highlights Pakistan’s commitment to solving these pressing conflicts peacefully.
• Pakistan’s stance on Palestine is rooted in its historical support for the Palestinian cause, with the country consistently advocating for a two-state solution.
• Pakistan’s relations with Israel are complex, with Pakistan maintaining a firm stance against recognizing Israel due to its strong support for Palestine.
• The Kashmir dispute remains a significant point of contention between Pakistan and India.
• Pakistan has long advocated for a resolution to the dispute through diplomatic means, while India maintains that Kashmir is an integral part of its territory.
• By raising these issues at CICA, Pakistan aims to promote regional stability and security through dialogue and cooperation. (more)

Pakistan: Court extends interim bail of Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi until January 7

• Islamabad’s District and Sessions Court has extended the interim bail of Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, until January 7 in the Toshakhana case 2.0.
• The case involves allegations that Imran Khan and his wife illegally obtained a valuable jewelry set gifted to them during a visit to Saudi Arabia in 2021.
• The court has adjourned the hearing until January 7, with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) set to present its first four witnesses in the case.
• Imran Khan and his wife have denied the allegations against them. (more)

Bangladesh: National polls by 30 June, 2026 as per chief adviser’s roadmap: Shafiqul

• Bangladesh’s next general elections are scheduled to take place by June 30, 2026, as announced by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.
• This timeline was reiterated by Press Secy Shafiqul Alam during a press briefing, stressing that the Election Commission will finalize the specific date and time (more)