1. ‘Last-minute platform change, train mix-up’: New Delhi railway station stampede that killed 18
2. Elon Musk-led DOGE cancels $21 million intended for ‘voter turnout in India’, BJP responds
3. India pledges collective action at Indian Ocean Conference in Oman
4. Iran FM Abbas Araghchi says India in touch with US on Chabahar
5. Good relationship with India, No loans under BRI planned: Nepal FM Deuba

What Else

1. Another US flight carrying third batch of 112 Indian deportees lands in Amritsar
2. Qatar Amir to visit India from Mon
3. Pakistani troops opened small arm fire on Indian post at LoC in Poonch: Army
4. India reduces bourbon whiskey import duty to 50%, no change for other liquors
5. FM Sitharaman announces Rs 20,000-cr Nuclear Energy Mission to boost clean power, energy transition
6. B’desh: Operation Devil Hunt: 477 more arrested across Bangladesh
7. B’desh: Demand to bring Sheikh Hasina to the country and bring her to justice for crimes against humanity
8. Pakistan’s skilled labour can support Saudi Vision 2030: Finance minister
9. Pakistan: Attempts to divide army, people to fail: COAS
10. Pakistan: Four security men martyred in Balochistan attacks
11. US drops website wording on not supporting Taiwan independence

—————-

‘Last-minute platform change, train mix-up’: New Delhi railway station stampede that killed 18

• At least 18 people lost their lives in a tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Sat night.
• The incident occurred due to overcrowding caused by delayed trains and the arrival of a special Express train for Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.
• Victims: 11 women and 4 children among the deceased
• Injured: Several others sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals
• Theories: Eyewitnesses claim an unexpected platform change caused panic
• Confusion between 2 ‘Prayagraj’ trains: Passengers may have mixed up 2 trains with similar names
• Passenger slipped on stairs: A senior railway official suggests a passenger slipping on a stairway triggered the stampede
• Investigation: A two-member high-level committee has been set up to investigate
• The committee will review CCTV footage to determine the exact cause of the disaster. (more)
• PM’s Response: PM Modi expressed distress over the New Delhi Railway Station stampede that killed 18 people.
• Opposition Reaction: The opposition has slammed the center over the incident, asking “who will take responsibility” for the tragedy.
• Railway Operations: Normal operations have resumed at the New Delhi Railway Station, according to the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Northern Railway.
• All special trains in the direction of Prayagraj will be run from platform number 16: A day after the tragic stampede incident at New Delhi railway station, Northern Railway enforced several measures to avoid any such untoward incident in the days to come.
• The Ministry of Railways has announced that all special trains in the direction of Prayagraj will be run from platform number 16. (more)
• [This fuels the debut of platform change at the last moment]

Elon Musk-led DOGE cancels $21 million intended for ‘voter turnout in India’, BJP responds

• So, Elon Musk’s organization, DOGE, has canceled a whopping $21 million that was meant to boost voter turnout in India.
• This move has got the ruling BJP party reacting, with them claiming that the initial funding from USAID was proof of external interference in India’s electoral process.
• It’s worth noting that this decision is part of a broader effort by the Donald Trump administration to cut back on govt spending.
• The US President has previously expressed concerns about foreign aid, arguing that it should be used to prioritize domestic issues instead.
• Elon Musk seems to be on the same page, having warned that America would go bankrupt without significant federal budget cuts.
• Overall, this development has added a new layer of complexity to the already intriguing relationship between India and the US, with the BJP pushing back against what they see as external interference in the country’s electoral process. (more)
• PM Modi’s advisor Sanjeev Sanyal said he would “love to find out who received the US$21mn spent to improve voter turnout in India.” (more)

India pledges collective action at Indian Ocean Conference in Oman

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized the importance of countries across the IO coordinating policies and working jointly to ensure security and stability, especially amid the current geopolitical churn from West Asia to the Indo-Pacific.
• He highlighted India’s crucial role in stabilizing economies, acting as a first responder in emergencies, and helping forge connectivity across the region.
• Jaishankar also listed the ways India is forging partnerships with Indian Ocean neighbors, such as spearheading connectivity initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and the International North-South Transport Corridor.
• He noted that India has emerged as a first responder in the Indian Ocean and is contributing to efforts to build trusted communications in a digital era. (more)
• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Bangladesh Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain have acknowledged the challenges facing bilateral relations and stressed the need for joint efforts to address them.
• They discussed the importance of renewing the Ganga Water Sharing Treaty and convening the SAARC Standing Committee meeting.
• Border-related issues are expected to be addressed during the upcoming BGB-BSF talks in Delhi from Feb 18 to 20.
• The two leaders also exchanged views on other bilateral issues, including energy cooperation and regional connectivity. (more)
• Jaishankar recently met with the foreign ministers of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and other South Asian countries, discussing a range of issues related to mutual interests and regional cooperation.
• He emphasized India’s commitment to advancing bilateral cooperation based on its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and SAGAR outlook.
• Jaishankar also reiterated India’s support for the aspirations of all communities in Sri Lanka, including Tamils, for equality, justice, dignity, and peace, while maintaining the unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of Sri Lanka.
• These meetings highlight India’s active engagement in global diplomacy and its efforts to reassure its neighbors of its continued support. (more)
• China’s special envoy for Middle East Zhai Jun to address Indian Ocean Conference in Muscat, Oman.
• This is the 1^st  time in several years that China Representative at the Indian Ocean Conference.

Iran FM Abbas Araghchi says India in touch with US on Chabahar

• Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has revealed that India is in touch with the US regarding the Chabahar Port project.
• India and Iran signed a 10-year contract for the operation of the Shahid Behesti terminal in May 2024.
• The contract allows India to operate the port for 10 years, with an investment of $120 million to modernize the terminal.
• The port is strategic for India, providing access to Central Asia. Despite US sanctions on Iran, India has downplayed the threat, emphasizing the port’s regional benefits.
• The project is a key part of India’s regional connectivity strategy, and India will continue to work with Iran to develop the port.(more)

Good relationship with India, No loans under BRI planned: Nepal FM Deuba

• Nepal’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Arzu Deuba, has clarified that the country has no plans to take loans under the Belt and Road Initiative framework agreement with China.
• The comments come in the backdrop of her bilateral meeting with EAM S Jaishankar on the sidelines of the Indian Ocean Conference in Muscat, Oman. 
• Instead, the agreement is based on grant assistance, and all projects under BRI will be implemented using aid financing modality.
• This means that Nepal will receive aid and grants from China to support the development of these projects, rather than taking on debt through loans.
• Deuba also emphasized that Nepal’s low GDP makes it difficult for the country to service debt, and therefore, they are only expecting aid and grants from China.
• Both China and India have been assisting Nepal for a long time, and the country expects to continue receiving their goodwill and cooperation in the future. (more)

Another US flight carrying third batch of 112 Indian deportees lands in Amritsar

• A flight carrying Indian deportees from the US has landed in Amritsar, marking the latest in a series of such flights.
• The deportees, who were sent back to India due to various reasons such as visa violations or illegal entry, were received by Indian immigration authorities.
• The flight landed at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar
• The deportees were handed over to Indian immigration authorities
• This is the latest in a series of flights carrying Indian deportees from the US
• The Indian govt has been working with the US to facilitate the return of Indian nationals who are in the US illegally or have violated visa rules. (more)

Qatar Amir to visit India from Mon

• Qatar’s Amir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, is all set to visit India next week, from Feb 17 to 18, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• This will be his second visit to India, with the first one being in Mar 2015.
• The Amir will accompany a high-level delegation, including ministers, senior officials, and a business delegation.
• During his visit, he will discuss with President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi, covering various aspects of bilateral relations.
• He will also be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan on Feb 18.
• This visit is expected to provide further momentum to the growing multifaceted partnership between India and Qatar, which includes strong economic ties, especially in trade and investment, and cooperation in areas like labor laws, defense, and security. (more)

Pakistani troops opened small arm fire on Indian post at LoC in Poonch: Army

• A brief exchange of fire occurred on the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district’s Gulpur sector, with Pakistan troops opening fire from small arms on an Indian post, which was retaliated by the Indian Army.
• Fortunately, no casualties were reported on the Indian side.
• This incident is one of the few ceasefire violations that have taken place since India and Pakistan renewed their ceasefire agreement in 2020.
• Despite these incidents, the situation along the LoC remains stable, with the ceasefire intact, according to the Army.
• It’s worth noting that the Jammu region has witnessed frequent firing incidents and infiltrating militants, but the ceasefire violations have become less frequent since the agreement was renewed on Feb 25, 2021. (more)

India reduces bourbon whiskey import duty to 50%, no change for other liquors

• India has reduced the import duty on bourbon whiskey to 50% from the previous rate of 150%, ahead of upcoming trade talks with the United States.
• This decision aims to boost bilateral trade between the two countries.
• The reduction in import duty applies specifically to bourbon whiskey, while the import duties on other liquors remain unchanged at 100%. (more)

FM Sitharaman announces Rs 20,000-cr Nuclear Energy Mission to boost clean power, energy transition

• The Indian govt is making a significant push for nuclear energy with the announcement of a $2.5 billion Nuclear Energy Mission, aiming to increase the country’s nuclear energy capacity to at least 100 GW by 2047.
• This mission will focus on developing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which are more efficient, cost-effective, and safer than traditional nuclear reactors.
• The plan is to set up and operationalize at least 5 indigenously developed SMRs in the next 8 years, by 2033.
• To achieve this, the government will collaborate with the private sector and invest in research and development (R&D) for SMRs.
• The Budget also proposes amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act to facilitate private sector participation and address concerns around nuclear safety.
• Additionally, the govt plans to improve the financial health of electricity companies by pushing states to enact distribution reforms and increase their borrowing capacity.
• There will also be a renewed focus on clean tech manufacturing under the National Manufacturing Mission, with plans to indigenize products like electrolyzers, lithium-ion batteries, solar photovoltaic cells, and wind turbines. (more)

[Neighborhood]

B’desh: Operation Devil Hunt: 477 more arrested across Bangladesh

• The joint forces have arrested 477 people across the country under Operation Devil Hunt in the last 24 hours until Sat afternoon, according to the police headquarters.
• This brings the total number of arrests under the operation to 4,401, it said.
• Some 870 of the arrests were in connection with different cases, it said.
• During the operations, the joint forces also recovered arms and ammunition including one foreign-made pistol, 2 magazines, 20 rounds of bullets, 2 hammers, and 5 sharp weapons.
• Earlier, the government launched a nationwide security operation on Feb 8, reportedly aimed at curbing unrest and ensuring public safety. (more)
• By arresting thousands of people without any specific allegation simply for their political beliefs, the Yunus Govt is acting in clear contravention of the Constitution of Bangladesh and multiple human rights treaties the country is a signatory to.

B’desh: Demand to bring Sheikh Hasina to the country and bring her to justice for crimes against humanity

• The Democratic Bangladesh Network has demanded the trial of those responsible for crimes against humanity during the July mass uprising, including Sheikh Hasina.
• They have called on the Indian govt to hand her over to the Bangladesh govt.
• The demand was made in a press conference, where they discussed the UN report on human rights violations in Bangladesh.

Pakistan’s skilled labour can support Saudi Vision 2030: Finance minister

• Pakistan is eyeing a huge opportunity to export skilled labor to Saudi Arabia, aligning with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 development framework.
• With over 2 million Pakistanis already working in Saudi Arabia, the country is looking to meet the increasing demand for skilled workers to modernize its economy.
• To achieve this, Pakistan’s Education and Professional Training Ministry is working on a new education policy to train at least 1 million young people annually with technical skills suited for employment in the Gulf region.
• The Saudi Fund for Development has also proposed a partnership to provide training programs for Pakistani youth, equipping them with modern and relevant skills required by the Saudi job market. (more)

Pakistan: Attempts to divide army, people to fail: COAS

• Gen Syed Asim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to its religion, culture, and traditions, stating that Pakistanis will never allow the Khawarij to impose their outdated ideology on the nation.
• He emphasized that the Pakistani people, particularly the youth, have a deep bond with the Pakistan Army and that attempts to create a divide between the army and the public have always failed.
• The COAS also highlighted the bravery of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan in standing against terrorists and stressed that the army will continue to fight against the Khawarij, who misinterpret Islam and violate its teachings. (more)

Pakistan: Four security men martyred in Balochistan attacks

• Four security personnel were martyred and eight others injured in armed attacks on the Frontier Corps and Levies’ check posts in Kalat and Kech districts of Balochistan over the past 24 hours.
• The attacks occurred in three different locations, including the Togho Chpeer area of Kalat, the Kech district, and a police station in Noshki.
• In the first incident, unidentified men opened fire at a Levies check post in Kalat, killing one Levies personnel, Ali Nawaz Langove, and injuring two others.
• In the second incident, three soldiers of the Frontier Corps were martyred and six others were injured in a gun battle with unknown armed men in the Kech district.
• The martyred FC personnel were identified as Naik Gul Sanat, Lance Naik Rana Zakir, and Sepoy Lakhmir.
• In the third incident, a police station in Noshki came under attack when unidentified motorcyclists threw a hand grenade into the station.
• However, no casualties were reported, and the assailants fled after police personnel returned fire. (more)

US drops website wording on not supporting Taiwan independence

• The US State Department has revised its website, removing a statement that explicitly opposed Taiwan’s independence.
• The updated fact sheet retains Washington’s opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo from either Taiwan or China, but omits the phrase “we do not support Taiwan independence.”
• Additionally, the revised website expresses support for Taiwan’s membership in international organizations “where applicable” and highlights Taiwan’s cooperation with a Pentagon technology and semiconductor development project.
• Taiwan’s government welcomed the changes, viewing them as a positive development in US-Taiwan relations.

However, China’s foreign ministry has not commented on the revisions, and Beijing continues to claim Taiwan as its territory. (more)