1. At least 13 killed, many injured in Jalgaon Pushpak Express accident
2. India always open to legitimate return of undocumented Indians: Jaishankar
3. India welcomes Neutral expert’s decision on Indus waters treaty dispute
4. India, China should jointly maintain peace and tranquility in border
5. SC notice to M.P. govt. in suspicious death of Dalit woman, murders of two family members

What Else

1. Maha Kumbh Mela: ISRO shares ttunning before-and-after satellite images of Maha Kumbh from space
2. UN human rights experts urge China to address human rights violation
3. Pentagon appointments suggest Trump scepticism about Ukraine and Taiwan impact
4. Bangladesh Airport on high alert after bomb threat
5. B’Desh: Protests disrupt city life again

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At least 13 killed, many injured in Jalgaon Pushpak Express accident

• A tragic train accident occurred in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district on Wed, resulting in the loss of 12 lives and injuring 10 others¹.
• The incident happened when passengers of the Pushpak Express train stepped outside their coaches due to a suspected fire on the train and were subsequently hit by the Karnataka Express train passing on the adjacent track.
• According to reports, a false fire alarm was raised at Jalgaon’s Paranda Railway Station, causing panic among passengers.
• The passengers, mostly from the general compartment, jumped out of the train, fearing it had caught fire.
• Unfortunately, the Karnataka Express train, traveling at over 130 kmph, ran over the passengers on the tracks, resulting in the tragic loss of lives.
• Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh for the kin of the passengers killed in the accident.
• The Railway Ministry has also announced an ex-gratia of ₹1.5 lakh each ¹. An investigation into the incident is currently underway. (more)

India always open to legitimate return of undocumented Indians: Jaishankar

• The Indian govt has expressed its willingness to facilitate the return of undocumented Indian citizens living abroad.
• According to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, India is always open to the legitimate return of its citizens living abroad without proper documentation.
• This stance is likely driven by humanitarian concerns, as the government seeks to protect the welfare and safety of its citizens who may be vulnerable to exploitation.
• The Indian government’s decision to facilitate the return of undocumented citizens is also motivated by a desire to strengthen its diplomatic ties with other countries and demonstrate its commitment to cooperating on migration issues.
• Furthermore, the government may be concerned about the potential security risks posed by undocumented citizens, particularly if they are involved in illegal activities.
• Implementing this policy will require careful planning and coordination with other countries.
• India may work with other countries to develop agreements and protocols to return undocumented citizens, which could involve cooperation on issues such as border control and immigration enforcement. (more)

India welcomes Neutral expert’s decision on Indus waters treaty dispute

• India has welcomed the Neutral Expert’s decision on the Indus Waters Treaty dispute, which supports India’s stance on the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects.
• The Neutral Expert ruled that it has the authority to resolve disputes related to these projects, affirming India’s position that such matters fall under its jurisdiction rather than a Court of Arbitration.
• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized India’s commitment to preserving the sanctity and integrity of the Indus Waters Treaty and stated that it would continue to participate in the Neutral Expert process
• However, India does not recognize or participate in the parallel proceedings initiated by Pakistan through a Court of Arbitration, which it argues are inconsistent with the treaty’s stipulations.
• The dispute resolution process under the Indus Waters Treaty involves a graded mechanism, with the Neutral Expert appointed by the World Bank being the second level of dispute resolution.
• The MEA noted that the govts of India and Pakistan remain in touch regarding the modification and review of the Indus Waters Treaty under Article XII (3) of the Treaty. (more)
• Pakistan govt told not to ‘play with fire’ on Indus water issue: Pakistan’s govt is facing criticism for its plan to divert water from the Indus River for corporate farming, sparking concerns about water scarcity and its impact on the country’s agricultural productivity.
• The proposal to construct six new canals without consulting relevant stakeholders was criticized by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Vice President Sherry Rehman, who argued that it could lead to the desertification of Sindh’s fertile lands and displace up to 20 million people.
• Lawmakers from both sides urged the matter to be resolved at the Council of Common Interests (CCI), with some warning that unilateral decisions could have serious repercussions.
• The Minister for Water Resources, Musadik Malik, however, dismissed the opposition’s claims, stating that the Cholistan Canal is being built on the Sutlej River using Punjab’s allocated water share under the 1991 Water Accord.
• The issue highlights the complexities of water management in Pakistan, where provinces have competing interests and claims over water resources. (more)

India, China should jointly maintain peace and tranquility in border

• China’s Charge d’Affaires in India, Wang Lei, has emphasized the importance of jointly maintaining peace and tranquility in border areas between India and China.
• This statement was made during a reception in New Delhi for the Chinese New Year, where Wang Lei highlighted the need for cooperation and collaboration between the two nations.
• Wang Lei’s remarks come as India and China celebrate the 75th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties. He noted that India was one of the first countries to recognize New China and establish diplomatic relations.
• The diplomat expressed China’s willingness to work with India, investing resources into development and revitalization, and placing the border issue in an appropriate position within bilateral relations.
• The comments also follow a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Russia’s Kazan in October.
• During the meeting, both leaders agreed to step up strategic communication, safeguard peace and tranquility in border areas, and strive to bring the bilateral relationship back to the track of stable development. (more)

SC notice to M.P. govt. in suspicious death of Dalit woman, murders of two family members

• The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Madhya Pradesh govt regarding the suspicious death of a 20-year-old Dalit woman, Anjana Ahirwar, and the alleged murders of her brother and uncle in Sagar district.
• The court is seeking the state govt’s response on a petition demanding a CBI or SIT investigation into the matter.
• Anjana’s death occurred in May 2024, when she allegedly fell from an ambulance carrying her uncle’s body, who had been thrashed to death just days ago.
• Her 18-year-old brother was murdered in 2023 after refusing to settle a molestation case, and their mother was also allegedly stripped and beaten in August 2023.
• The family has accused the police and authorities of shielding the accused, who are allegedly linked to BJP MLA and former State Minister Bhupendra Singh.
• The petition claims that Singh is influencing and threatening witnesses, making it impossible for the prosecution to proceed fairly within Madhya Pradesh.
• The Supreme Court has asked the Madhya Pradesh government to respond by the third week of March. (more)

Maha Kumbh Mela: ISRO shares ttunning before-and-after satellite images of Maha Kumbh from space

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released stunning before-and-after satellite images of the Maha Kumbh Mela, showcasing the massive transformation of Prayagraj’s landscape.
• The images, captured by ISRO’s EOS-04 (RISAT-1A) satellite, reveal the extensive infrastructure development, including a sprawling temporary tent city, pontoon bridges, and facilities like kitchens and restrooms.
• The satellite images highlight the construction of Shivalay Park, a 12-acre India-shaped park designed to be a major attraction.
• Time-series images shared by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NSRC) also show the transformation of the Triveni Sangam area, with significant changes visible between September 2023 and December 2024.
• These images demonstrate the scale and grandeur of the Maha Kumbh Mela, which is expected to attract over 40 crore people over 45 days.
• The event, held every 12 years, is a significant religious gathering, and the satellite images provide a unique perspective on its magnitude. (more)

[Neighborhood]

Bangladesh Airport on high alert after bomb threat

• Bangladesh’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has been placed on high alert after a bomb threat was made against a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight traveling from Rome, Italy to Dhaka.
• The threat was communicated to the airport through a phone call from an unknown number, prompting immediate action from authorities.
• The flight, BG-356, made an emergency landing at the airport, and its 250 passengers and 13 crew members were evacuated safely.
• The airport’s Executive Director, Group Captain Kamrul Islam, confirmed the incident and assured that the safety and security of everyone involved remain the top priority.
• This incident comes after another bomb threat was made against the airport just a day earlier, targeting an Armed Police Battalion duty officer.
• Authorities have tightened security measures and are working to identify the source of the threats. (more)

B’Desh: Protests disrupt city life again

• Protests in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar and Shahbagh areas brought the city to a standstill yesterday, causing immense suffering to commuters.
• The demonstrations, which lasted for several hours, blocked major thoroughfares and led to severe traffic congestion in areas like Farmgate, Bangla Motor, and Panthapath
• Stranded migrant workers demanding government assistance to return to Malaysia blocked Karwan Bazar for nearly three hours, while students of Medical Assistant Training Schools blocked Shahbagh intersection for over 6 hours to press their demands
• The protests caused significant disruptions, with commuters forced to wait for hours in traffic or walk to their destinations.
• The congestion persisted even after the protesters left the scene, due to the pressure of commuters returning from offices. (more)

UN human rights experts urge China to address human rights violation

• United Nations human rights experts have called on China to address severe human rights violations in Tibet and East Turkestan (also known as Xinjiang).
• The experts expressed deep concern over reports of arbitrary detention, torture, and cultural suppression in these regions.
• Arbitrary Detention: Experts highlighted the widespread use of arbitrary detention, particularly in East Turkestan, where an estimated one million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities are being held in “re-education” camps.
• Torture and Ill-Treatment: There are reports of torture, forced labor, and other forms of ill-treatment against detainees in both Tibet and East Turkestan.
• Cultural Suppression: The Chinese government is accused of suppressing Tibetan and Uyghur cultures, languages, and identities, including the destruction of cultural and religious sites.
• UN seek Immediate Release of Detainees: Experts urged China to immediately release all individuals arbitrarily detained in Tibet and East Turkestan.
• Independent Investigations: China should allow independent investigations into reports of torture, ill-treatment, and other human rights violations.
• Protection of Cultural Rights: The Chinese government must respect and protect the cultural rights of Tibetan and Uyghur communities, including their languages, religions, and cultural heritage.
• The UN human rights experts’ call to action emphasizes the need for China to address the severe human rights violations in Tibet and East Turkestan. The international community must continue to pressure China to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms in these regions. (more)

Pentagon appointments suggest Trump scepticism about Ukraine and Taiwan impact

• US President Donald Trump has made several key appointments to the Pentagon, providing insight into the administration’s approach to China and the Ukraine war.
• Notably, Marine Corps veteran Austin Dahmer, John Noh, a former adviser to the House select committee on China, and Alexander Velez-Green, a former senior policy adviser at the Heritage Foundation, have been appointed to senior roles.
• These appointees, who didn’t require Senate confirmation, are skeptical about aiding Ukraine and believe that Asia is more important to US interests than Europe.
• Dahmer has argued that sending arms to Ukraine would weaken the US military balance with China and that the US should focus on bolstering its defense posture in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Meanwhile, Trump’s nominee for Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, awaits Senate confirmation amid allegations of abuse and criticism about his lack of national security experience.
• Hegseth has expressed concerns about China’s military capabilities, stating that “China’s building an army specifically dedicated to defeating the United States of America”. (more)