1. PM Modi Lands in US U.S. after wrapping up France visit
2. PM Modi, US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard discuss various aspects of India-US friendship
3. ‘Terror threat’ to PM Modi’s aircraft, Mumbai Police receives warning call, probe on
4. Self-reliance in defence production only achievable with satisfaction of armed forces, says Rajnath
5. Indian refiners work to build sanctions-proof supply chain for Russian oil

What Else

1. Maha Kumbh: More than 2 cr people took bath on ‘Maghi Purnima’, more than 48 cr so far
2. 1984 Anti Sikh riots: Court convicts former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar in murder case
3. JD Vance supports PM Modi’s view that AI won’t replace humans
4. Pakistan: Turkish President Erdogan arrives in Islamabad
5.  Imran Khan raises election fraud issue in third letter to Army Chief
6. Bangladesh: Chief Adviser reaches Dubai to attend World Government Summit
7. UN rights chief suggests pursuing ICC, universal jurisdiction to bring back offenders

—————-

PM Modi Lands in US U.S. after wrapping up France visit

• PM Modi landed in the United States after concluding his visit to France, where he held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron.
• Modi was conferred with France’s highest honor during his visit, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour.
• The two leaders outlined “bold, ambitious goals” for the India-France strategic partnership, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
• They launched a 25-year vision roadmap for bilateral relations, focusing on three pillars: partnership for security and sovereignty, partnership for the planet, and partnership for the people.
• Key outcomes of the visit include:
• Defence Cooperation: Agreement on the acquisition of 26 Rafale-M fighters for the Indian Navy and co-production of three more Scorpene-class submarines.
• Climate Change: Joint commitment to eliminate single-use plastic product pollution and cooperation on green hydrogen initiatives.
• Development Finance: Allocation of 100 million Euros for city investments and 50 million USD for climate projects and women’s empowerment.
• The visit marked a significant milestone in the India-France strategic partnership, which has been strengthened over the years through cooperation in defense, climate change, and development finance. (more)
• 3 outcomes on Civil Nuclear Energy announced by India, and France during the visit.
• It includes the establishment of partnerships on Advanced Modular Reactors and Small Modular Reactors
• Modi pitches Pinaka rockets to Macron: PM Modi made a sales pitch for the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers (MBLR) during bilateral discussions with President Macron Wed, as the two countries sought to deepen and broaden defense ties.
• The Pinaka MBLR has been exported by India to Armenia and has been under consideration of the French military for a while, as reported by ThePrint. (more)
• Modi’s US visit agenda is packed with significant engagements.
• Strengthening Bilateral Ties: PM Modi will meet with US President Joe Biden to bolster the India-US strategic partnership, focusing on mutual challenges and opportunities.
• Economic Cooperation: The two nations will discuss ways to strengthen economic cooperation, promote trade relationships, and address shared global challenges.
• International Day of Yoga: On Jun 21, PM Modi will lead the commemoration of the International Day of Yoga at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
• Tribute to Mahatma Gandhi: During the yoga event, PM Modi will pay tribute to the bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the UN Headquarters.
• These engagements aim to further strengthen the India-US relationship, promoting cooperation in various areas. (more)

PM Modi, US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard discuss various aspects of India-US friendship

• PM Modi met with Tulsi Gabbard, the new US Director of National Intelligence, in Washington, DC, to discuss various aspects of India-US friendship.
• This meeting was significant, coming just hours after Gabbard’s swearing-in ceremony at the White House.
• PM Modi congratulated Gabbard on her confirmation and appreciated her role in strengthening India-US ties.
• Their discussion marked a significant moment in the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, which was elevated during President Trump’s visit to India in Feb 2020.
• This meeting was part of PM Modi’s two-day visit to the US, his first visit after Donald Trump assumed office for the second term.
• India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, and other officials welcomed PM Modi at the airport. (more)

‘Terror threat’ to PM Modi’s aircraft, Mumbai Police receives warning call, probe on

• PM Modi was allegedly the target of a terrorist threat while departing for his official visit to France and the United States, according to Mumbai Police.
• The threat was reported on Feb 11, after a call was received at the Mumbai Police Control Room warning of a potential attack on the Prime Minister’s aircraft.
• The police immediately informed concerned security agencies and launched an investigation to assess the situation before Modi’s departure.
• Authorities are still investigating the matter.
• Modi’s visit to France and the US is part of a diplomatic tour.
• He will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump to discuss strategic partnerships, trade, and defense cooperation. (more)

Self-reliance in defence production only achievable with satisfaction of armed forces, says Rajnath

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized that India’s national security is of utmost importance, and nothing less than the best can be allowed.
• He highlighted the significant progress made in Indigenous defense production, with 65-70% of defense equipment now being manufactured in India, up from just 30-40% a decade ago.
• He noted that India is not only producing defense products for its own needs but also exporting to many countries, including fighter jets, missile systems, and naval vessels
• The private sector is playing a crucial role in achieving self-reliance, with a 21% share in total defense production.
• The Minister stressed that the armed forces’ complete satisfaction is essential to achieve self-reliance at a faster pace.
• He appreciated the military’s adoption of Indigenous weapons and equipment, citing the Tejas Mk-1A and Brahmos and Akash missile systems as examples (more)

Indian refiners work to build sanctions-proof supply chain for Russian oil

• Indian oil refiners are working to rebuild supply chains to continue importing cheap Russian crude despite tougher US sanctions. To avoid sanctions, they are:
• Reconfiguring existing networks with new selling entities, tankers, and insurance providers.
• Using Dubai-based trading entities, such as L-Oil and Sccton, which have emerged to replace sanctioned firms.
• Considering options like using onshore storage tanks to camouflage the origin of Russian oil.
• Indian refiners are missing 18-20 cargoes of Russian crude for March loading, equivalent to 14% of India’s monthly imports.
• The govt has stated that any disruption will be temporary. (more)

Maha Kumbh: More than 2 cr people took bath on ‘Maghi Purnima’, more than 48 cr so far

• Over 2 crore people took a holy dip in the Ganga River on ‘Maghi Purnima’ during the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, with a total of over 48 crore people participating since January 13.
• The event, which started on Paush Purnima, will continue until Mahashivratri on February 26, attracting devotees from around the world.
• UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended his wishes on the occasion, expressing his hopes for happiness, prosperity, and good fortune for all participants
• Foreign devotees also joined in, with one Australian visitor describing the experience as “a lifetime opportunity”. (more)

1984 Anti Sikh riots: Court convicts former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar in murder case

• Former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar has been convicted in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case for the murder of a father-son duo, in Delhi’s Saraswati Vihar area.
• Kumar, who is already serving a life sentence in another anti-Sikh riots case, was found guilty of leading an armed mob that engaged in large-scale looting, arson, and destruction of Sikh properties.
• The court found sufficient evidence to prove that Kumar was not only a participant but also a leader of the violent mob.
• The prosecution argued that Kumar incited the mob to kill Sikhs, and multiple witnesses testified against him.
• Kumar’s conviction marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, which resulted in the deaths of over 2,700 Sikhs in Delhi.
• The court has scheduled February 18 for arguments on sentencing (more)

JD Vance supports PM Modi’s view that AI won’t replace humans

• US Vice President JD Vance has expressed support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stance that Artificial Intelligence (AI) won’t replace humans.
• Speaking at the AI Action Summit in Paris, Vance stated that AI will instead make people more productive, prosperous, and free.
• He emphasized that AI is not a replacement for human workers, but rather a tool to facilitate growth and job creation.
• Vance also warned against excessive regulation of AI, stating that it could hinder the industry’s growth.
• He stressed the importance of keeping AI free from ideological bias and ensuring that American AI technology remains a global standard.
• PM Modi, who co-chaired the summit with French President Macron, highlighted AI’s potential to transform millions of lives by improving healthcare, agriculture, education, and other areas.
• He emphasized the need to invest in skilling and re-skilling people for an AI-driven future. (more)

[Neighborhood]

Pakistan: Turkish President Erdogan arrives in Islamabad

• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Pakistan for a two-day visit and was warmly received with a grand welcome at Nur Khan Airbase.
• He was greeted by high-ranking officials, including President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
• During his visit, Erdogan will co-chair the 7^th Session of the Pakistan-Turkey High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) with PM Shehbaz Sharif, aiming to strengthen bilateral relations ¹. He will also attend bilateral meetings and address the Pakistan-Turkey Business and Investment Forum.
• The visit highlights the warm diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Turkey, with the two countries seeking to enhance cooperation in various sectors. (more)
• Strengthened bilateral ties: The visit will likely strengthen Pakistan-Turkey relations, with potential agreements on trade, defense, and culture.
• Economic cooperation: The two countries may discuss investments, trade, and economic cooperation, which could benefit Pakistan’s economy.
• Defense cooperation: Turkey and Pakistan may discuss defense cooperation, including the potential sale of Turkish defense equipment to Pakistan.
• Concerns about defense cooperation: India may be concerned about potential defense cooperation between the two, as it could impact the regional security dynamics.
• Impact on Kashmir issue: Turkey has been vocal about its support for Pakistan on the Kashmir issue.
• Regional geopolitics: The visit may also have implications for regional geopolitics, as Turkey and Pakistan may discuss cooperation on issues like Afghanistan and Central Asia, which could impact India’s interests in the region.
• Islamic solidarity: The visit may be seen as a demonstration of Islamic solidarity between Turkey and Pakistan, which could have implications for regional politics and diplomacy.
• Counterbalance to Western influence: Turkey and Pakistan may also discuss ways to counterbalance Western influence in the region.

 Imran Khan raises election fraud issue in third letter to Army Chief

• Imran Khan, PTI founder, has written his third open letter to Army Chief General Asim Munir, raising concerns about alleged electoral fraud in the 2024 general elections.
• Khan’s lawyer, Faisal Chaudhry, revealed that the letter will cover six main points, including:
• Need for deep structural reforms
• Damage to democracy by government policies
• Alleged election fraud
• Rising terrorism due to lack of rule of law
• Mass exodus of people and capital from Pakistan
• Security sources denied receiving the letter, calling the allegations baseless (more)

Bangladesh: Chief Adviser reaches Dubai to attend World Government Summit

• Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser, arrived in Dubai to participate in the World Governments Summit.
• He was received by UAE’s Minister of Sports, Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, who thanked Yunus for his participation and briefed him on the summit.
• The two discussed mutual interests, including potential cooperation in sports and culture between their countries.
• Also present at the meeting were Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain, Bangladesh Ambassador to the UAE Tareq Ahmed, and UAE Ambassador in Dhaka Abdulla Ali Khaseif AlHamoudi. (more)

UN rights chief suggests pursuing ICC, universal jurisdiction to bring back offenders

• The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has accused the former Bangladesh government of using a “calculated and well-coordinated strategy” to suppress the student-people movement in July and August last year.
• The government’s actions led to hundreds of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, torture, and gender-based violence.
• The UN’s fact-finding report found that these human rights violations were committed with the knowledge and direction of the former political leadership and senior security officials.
• The report also suggests that certain crimes against humanity were committed, and directed against protesters and their supporters.
• To hold those responsible accountable, Türk mentioned that international avenues such as universal jurisdiction and referral to the International Criminal Court can be explored.
• Coup PM Hasina, who is accused of human rights violations, is currently in India, and Bangladesh may pursue her trial through the ICC or universal jurisdiction mechanisms. (more)

If Hasina or her Govt responsible for the violence, which has proven that this was not the case, then who is responsible for post-Hasina violence in Bangladesh?