1. Rekha Gupta takes oath as Delhi CM; Parvesh Verma, Kapil Mishra to be part of Delhi Cabinet, six MLAs to join as Ministers
2. Surrender looted weapons within seven days, says Manipur Governor
3. NGOs aligned with Congress tried to influence polls claims BJP, while Congress Demands White paper
4. Modi and Yunus likely to meet in April in Bangkok on sidelines of BIMSTEC summit
5. India to allow ambassador-level Taliban post to counter China

What Else

1. Target Was to Assassinate Hindu Side Lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain: Sambhal Riot Accused Big ‘Confession’
2. Sonia Gandhi admitted to Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi: Report
3. Myanmar adopts law for foreign firms to provide armed security
4. Bangladesh: Operation Devil Hunt: 492 more arrested across the country
5. Don’t create anarchy anymore on pretext of reforms: Fakhrul
6. ‘Miscreants’, facilitators held in Kurram action

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Rekha Gupta takes oath as Delhi CM; Parvesh Verma, Kapil Mishra to be part of Delhi Cabinet, six MLAs to join as Ministers

• Rekha Gupta has made history by becoming Delhi’s fourth woman chief minister, taking oath today at Ramlila Ground in a grand ceremony attended by PM Modi, and other top BJP leaders.
• Gupta’s journey to the top is a remarkable one.
• Born in Haryana’s Julana, she graduated from Delhi University’s Daulat Ram College and later earned a law degree from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut.
• She began her political career with the ABVP at Delhi University and rose through the ranks, becoming the national vice-president of BJP Mahila Morcha.
• Six other BJP leaders sworn in as ministers: Parvesh Sahib Singh, Ashish Sood, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Ravinder Indraj Kapil Mishra, and Pankaj Kumar Singh took oath as ministers in Gupta’s cabinet
• Gupta’s vision for Delhi: She has promised to work tirelessly for the development of Delhi and address the city’s pressing issues (more; more)

Surrender looted weapons within seven days, says Manipur Governor

• Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has issued an ultimatum, urging all communities, especially the youth, to surrender looted weapons within 7 days.
• This move comes after the Centre imposed President’s Rule in Manipur on February 13, following Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s resignation amid tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities.
• The Governor assured that no punitive action would be taken against those surrendering weapons within the stipulated time.
• Instead, he encouraged the people to voluntarily come forward and surrender looted and illegally held weapons to the nearest police station or security forces camp.
• Bhalla’s appeal aims to restore peace and normalcy in the state, which has been affected by ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May last year, resulting in over 250 deaths and thousands displaced. (more)

NGOs aligned with Congress tried to influence polls claims BJP, while Congress Demands White paper

• The controversy surrounding USAID funding in India has sparked a heated debate, with the BJP claiming that a canceled $21 million program aimed at boosting voter turnout in India is proof of “external interference in India’s electoral process.”
• The program, which was canceled by the US Department of Government Efficiency led by Elon Musk, has been at the center of the controversy.
• BJP MP Dubey has demanded a probe into organizations funded by USAID in India, alleging that they work to create unrest and have links with the opposition Congress.
• Former US President Donald Trump’s remarks on USAID have further fueled the fire, with Trump stating that USAID “could have had a role in Indian elections.
• Bad things happened in 2020 and 2024.” The BJP has seized on Trump’s comments to establish a link between the Congress and attempts to influence Indian elections.
• In response, the Congress party is demanding a white paper on past USAID funding in India, seeking transparency on USAID’s financial support to governmental and non-governmental institutions in India over the decades.
• The party has dismissed Trump’s comments as “nonsensical” and emphasized the need for transparency in foreign funding.
• The controversy has sparked a debate on international financing and foreign aid efficacy, with the Congress party’s demand for a white paper to uncover the details of USAID’s funding in India, including its purpose and beneficiaries. (more, more)

Modi and Yunus likely to meet in April in Bangkok on sidelines of BIMSTEC summit

• PM Modi is expected to meet Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh’s interim govt, in April at the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok.
• This meeting comes amid a diplomatic chill between the two nations, with India accusing Yunus’ administration of persecuting minorities and Bangladesh seeking the extradition of former PM Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India.
• Despite these tensions, high-level interactions have continued, including meetings between Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Bangladeshi Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain.
• The two nations have also maintained cooperation in areas like trade, connectivity, and energy.
• The BIMSTEC Summit provides an opportunity for Modi and Yunus to discuss pressing issues, including border security, minority welfare, and economic cooperation.
• The meeting may also help to ease tensions and restore warmth to the bilateral relationship. (more)

India to allow ambassador-level Taliban post to counter China

• India is set to allow an ambassador-level Taliban representative in the country, marking a significant shift in its policy towards the Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.
• This move is largely seen as an attempt to counter China’s growing influence in the region.
• The Taliban has identified two potential candidates for the ambassador-level role in New Delhi: Najib Shaheen, a diplomat in his early 30s at the Afghan embassy in Doha, and Shawkat Ahmadzai, who works at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• India’s decision to engage with the Taliban is driven by its strategic interests in the region.
• With China’s increasing presence in Afghanistan, India wants to ensure that its interests are protected.
• By allowing a Taliban representative in the country, India hopes to gain leverage in its dealings with the Taliban and counterbalance China’s influence.
• This development is significant, given India’s historical reluctance to engage with the Taliban.
• However, with the changing geopolitical dynamics in the region, India is adopting a more pragmatic approach to its foreign policy. (more)

Target Was to Assassinate Hindu Side Lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain: Sambhal Riot Accused Big ‘Confession’

• Sambhal SP Krishna Kumar Bishnoi revealed that accused rioter Ghulam confessed the Nov 24 riots were pre-planned to assassinate Hindu lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain.
• Ghulam said they were given weapons and Jain’s photo to incite nationwide violence. The riots killed four youths, and 27 people have been arrested.
• Another accused, Warris, named Shariq Satha and Mulla Afroz as conspirators. Warris claimed Jain insulted the prophet, but there’s no evidence to support this.
• The violence broke out after an Archaeological Survey of India team visited a Mughal-era mosque.
• The UP administration has taken action against 123 houses and shops damaged in the riots (more)

Sonia Gandhi admitted to Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi: Report

• Sonia Gandhi was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital due to a viral infection, but she was discharged on Tue.
• Recently, she demanded that the Centre conduct a population census at the earliest, as 14 crore people are being deprived of benefits under the food security law.
• There have been some controversies surrounding Sonia Gandhi, including a privilege notice filed by BJP MPs over her remarks on President Draupadi Murmu
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi also criticized the Congress, accusing its “shahi parivar” of insulting the President. (more)

[Neighborhood]

Myanmar adopts law for foreign firms to provide armed security

• Myanmar’s military govt has passed a law allowing foreign companies to provide armed security services, which is expected to benefit China’s extensive economic interests in the region.
• This move may lead to former Chinese military personnel protecting Chinese projects, including oil and gas pipelines, in Myanmar.
• The new law requires foreign security companies to register under Myanmar’s Companies Law and obtain approval from the National Defence and Security Council.
• At least 75% of the security personnel must be Myanmar citizens.
• China has significant economic interests in Myanmar, including a planned economic corridor between Yunnan Province and Myanmar’s coast.
• This corridor is part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which includes infrastructure projects such as pipelines, mines, and hydroelectric plants.
• Analysts believe that Chinese security firms will be given priority to provide security services for these projects, particularly the oil and gas pipeline between Kyaukphyu and Kunming.
• However, the ongoing civil war in Myanmar has delayed some of these projects, and it remains to be seen how the new law will impact the security situation on the ground. (more)

Bangladesh: Operation Devil Hunt: 492 more arrested across the country

• In the latest update on “Operation Devil Hunt”, a total of 492 people were arrested across the country in just 24 hours till Thu afternoon.
• Additionally, 1,260 others were arrested in connection with various warrants and ongoing cases during the same period
• The operation, launched on Feb 9, aims to curb unrest and ensure public safety. It was triggered by an attack on students and civilians in Gazipur on Feb 7.
• The joint forces also recovered weapons, including two locally made pipe guns, during the operation. (more)

Don’t create anarchy anymore on pretext of reforms: Fakhrul

• BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has urged the interim government to arrange for the next parliamentary elections soon.
• He emphasized that the people prioritize their basic needs, such as food, clothing, and shelter, over reforms.
• Alamgir stressed the need for a quick election to stabilize the nation, calling for an electoral roadmap to end uncertainty.
• He also urged political parties to act responsibly, avoiding statements that confuse the nation.
• Alamgir noted that Bangladesh is going through a transitional phase, and fascism has destroyed everything.
• The BNP leader spoke at a rally in Cumilla, where he promoted the party’s 31-point reform agenda. (more)

‘Miscreants’, facilitators held in Kurram action

• A recent ambush on a convoy in Kurram, Pakistan, has left several people dead and many stranded.
• Fortunately, security forces have rescued the stranded drivers and recovered looted food supplies.
• The attack, which occurred on Feb 17, targeted a convoy of 63 vehicles carrying goods to Parachinar.
• Militants from the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan looted goods and set fire to 19 vehicles, killing 5 security personnel and one driver.
• In response, a large-scale operation was launched by the police and security forces in Lower Kurram, resulting in the arrest of allegedly 18 miscreants and 12 facilitators.
• A case has been registered against 57 unidentified miscreants for their alleged involvement in the attack.
• The incident has sparked widespread concern, with traders appealing to the government to provide an emergency relief package for the affected population.

The govt has been urged to take instant action to prevent a humanitarian crisis (more)