1. Some leaders, foreign powers mocking religion: Modi
2. EAM says attacks on minorities in Bangladesh ‘impact’ Indian thinking, urges clarity in ties
3. USAID funded 7 projects in India in FY24 unrelated to ‘voter turnout’: Fin Ministry report
4. PM Modi to be guest of honour at Mauritius National Day: PM Ramgoolam
5. Indian Army chief departs on four-day visit to France

What Else

1. Maha Kumbh: 13 FIRs registered against 140 social media handles for misleading content
2. EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen and Commissioners to visit India Feb 27-28
3. Won’t give in to ‘blackmail’, Centre makes it clear to Tamil Nadu
4. Demonetisation, GST, RBI legacy—The importance of being Shaktikanta Das, Modi’s new principal secy
5. Delhi-bound American Airlines flight diverted to Rome after bomb threat
6. Bangladesh: Country risks civil war if trial of AL delayed: Nasir Uddin Patwary
7. Muhammad Yunus invites Elon Musk to launch Starlink in Bangladesh in ’90 days’
8. Growing unease in the city amid crime spree
9. Pakistan: For the first time since 1971, Pakistan, Bangladesh resume direct trade
10. Pakistan: US releases $397m for Pak F-16s monitoring
11. More convoy attack, looting suspects held from Kurram

—————-

Some leaders, foreign powers mocking religion: Modi

• PM Modi accused some leaders of mocking Hinduism and working to divide India, also alleging foreign powers support these efforts.
• His comments came amid controversy over US President Donald Trump’s statement on a $21 million USAID grant to increase voter turnout in India.
• Modi made these remarks in Madhya Pradesh, where he laid the foundation for a cancer hospital and research institute.
• He also praised sanitation workers and police at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh.
• The PM is on a 2-day visit to MP, where he’ll inaugurate the Global Investors Summit, aiming to attract investment and boost infrastructure development. (more)

EAM says attacks on minorities in Bangladesh ‘impact’ Indian thinking, urges clarity in ties

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has expressed concern over the recent attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, stating that these incidents impact Indian thinking and necessitate clarity in ties between the two nations.
• He emphasized that the primary responsibility for protecting the life and liberty of all citizens, including minorities, rests with the Bangladesh govt.
• He added that India has taken serious note of incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities, their homes, business establishments, and attacks on temples and religious places.
• New Delhi has called upon Bangladesh to take all necessary steps for the protection of minorities.
• Spox for the Ministry of External Affairs, expressed concern over the surge of extremist rhetoric, increasing incidents of violence, and provocation, emphasizing that these developments cannot be dismissed as “mere media exaggeration”.
• The situation has been escalating, with reports of attacks on temples and puja mandaps during the Durga Puja festival in Bangladesh.
• The Bangladesh government has since issued instructions for providing special security, including deployment of the army and border guards, to ensure peaceful celebrations
• EAM’s statement highlights the need for clarity in India-Bangladesh ties, emphasizing that the protection of minorities is a critical aspect of their relationship. (more)

USAID funded 7 projects in India in FY24 unrelated to ‘voter turnout’: Fin Ministry report

• USAID funded 7 projects in India in FY24, with a total budget of $750 million.
• These projects focused on various areas, including:
• Agriculture and Food Security: USAID partnered with India to develop, test, and transfer Indian agricultural innovations to strengthen food security in India, Africa, and Asia.
• Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene: USAID improved health by advancing access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene in India’s growing cities.
• Renewable Energy: USAID collaborated with the Govt to advance the country’s transition to a green, energy-secure economy through clean energy and sustainable forestry programs.
• Disaster Management: USAID worked with India to improve disaster management and response.
• Health: USAID supported programs to eliminate preventable child and maternal deaths, create an AIDS- and TB-free generation, and achieve universal health coverage.
• Sustainable Forests and Climate Adaptation: USAID committed funds for sustainable forest management and climate adaptation programs.
• Energy Efficiency Technology Commercialization and Innovation: USAID supported projects to promote energy-efficient technologies and innovation.
• These projects were implemented in partnership with the Government of India, with a total obligation of $97 million (approximately ₹825 crore) for FY24. (more)

PM Modi to be guest of honor at Mauritius National Day: PM Ramgoolam

• PM Modi will be the guest of honor at Mauritius’ National Day celebrations on March 12, marking the country’s 57^th anniversary of independence from British rule.
• This visit highlights the strong bilateral ties between India and Mauritius, with India providing over $1 billion in credit lines and $400 million in grants for development projects over the past decade.
• Mauritius PM Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam announced Modi’s visit, expressing his pleasure at the Indian PM’s acceptance despite his busy schedule.
• The visit is seen as a testament to the close relations between the two nations.
• India has been instrumental in supporting Mauritius’ development, funding projects like the Metro Express and community initiatives.
• The foreign minister of Mauritius, Dhananjay Ramful, acknowledged India’s assistance, citing the metro project and the upcoming inauguration of the civil service college, financed by the Indian govt. (more)

Indian Army chief departs on four-day visit to France

• General Upendra Dwivedi, India’s Chief of Army Staff, has embarked on a four-day official visit to France to strengthen military collaboration between the two nations.
• The visit, from Feb 24 to 27, aims to explore new avenues of cooperation and enhance strategic partnerships between India and France’s armed forces.
• During his visit, Gen Dwivedi will meet senior French military personnel, including General Pierre Schill, the French Army Chief.
• He will also visit prestigious institutions like the École Militaire and the Battle Lab Terre at Versailles. The itinerary includes:
• Feb 24: Meeting with French military leadership at Les Invalides, Paris
• Feb 25: Visit to the 3^rd Division of the French Army in Marseille
• Feb 26: Witnessing a dynamic demonstration of the Scorpion Division in Carpiagne
• Feb 27: Laying a wreath at the Neuve Chapelle Indian War Memorial and delivering a talk at the École de Guerre (more)

Maha Kumbh: 13 FIRs registered against 140 social media handles for misleading content

• The Uttar Pradesh Police has registered 13 FIRs against 140 social media handles for sharing misleading content related to Mahakumbh 2025.
• The action was taken after the police’s social media monitoring cell detected fake news and misleading information being spread on various platforms.
• Some of the fake content included:
• A video of a 2022 train fire being shared as a recent incident at Mahakumbh
• False information about stampedes and deaths at the event
• Misleading claims about the COVID-19 situation at Mahakumbh
• The police have warned of strict action against those found spreading fake news and misleading information. (more)

EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen and Commissioners to visit India Feb 27-28

• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, accompanied by the European Union College of Commissioners, will visit India on Feb 27-28, 2025, at the invitation of PM Modi.
• This will be von der Leyen’s third visit to India, following her previous visits in April 2022 and Sept 2023.
• The visit highlights the strong momentum in EU-India relations, with the College of Commissioners visiting India early in their new mandate
• During her visit, von der Leyen will meet with Indian leaders in New Delhi, marking an important step in strengthening ties between the EU and India. (more)

Won’t give in to ‘blackmail’, Centre makes it clear to Tamil Nadu

• The Indian govt has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the 3-language policy as part of the National Education Policy 2020, despite opposition from the Tamil Nadu govt.
• Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized that the policy allows states to choose their languages and doesn’t impose any language on any state or community.
• Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed the policy, arguing it undermines the state’s two-language formula and threatens linguistic identity.
• However, the Centre maintains that the policy aims to enhance educational outcomes and foster multilingual proficiency without infringing on regional linguistic preferences.
• Pradhan noted that several non-BJP states, including Assam and Odisha, have successfully implemented the three-language formula, which has been part of India’s education framework since 1968. (more)
• [TDJ Edit –The decision to establish Hindi as the national language appears to have been made hastily. Considering Sanskrit, the mother language of many Indian languages, as the national language could have been a more technically suitable choice, potentially avoiding controversies and resistance].

Demonetisation, GST, RBI legacy—The importance of being Shaktikanta Das, Modi’s new principal secy

• In a historic move, the Modi govt has appointed former Reserve Bank of India governor Shaktikanta Das as Principal Secretary-2 to the Prime Minister.
• This is the first time there will be two principal secretaries to the prime minister, with P.K. Mishra continuing in the role since 2019.
• Das’s appointment is seen as a signal that economic policy-making will be a key focus of the govt in this tenure.
• With his extensive experience in finance and economics, Das is expected to bring valuable expertise to the role.
• Das has had a distinguished career, serving as RBI governor for six years, finance secretary, and member of the 15^th  Finance Commission.
• He played a crucial role in navigating India’s monetary policy through the COVID-19 era and ensuring post-pandemic recovery.
• Das’s legacy at RBI has been praised, with him being awarded the best central banker of the year in 2023 by the Central Banking Awards. (more)
• It’s worth noting that the PMO has 2 PS now, with Dr. Das being the second one. This is an unusual arrangement, and it will be interesting to see how the two Principal Secretaries work together to shape the govt’s policies.

Delhi-bound American Airlines flight diverted to Rome after bomb threat

• American Airlines Flight 292 from New York to Delhi was diverted to Rome, Italy due to a bomb threat.
• Flight diversion: American Airlines Flight 292 departed from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and was diverted to Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport.
• The diversion was due to a bomb threat, which is currently being investigated.
• All passengers and crew members are reported to be safe.
• Italian authorities are investigating the incident, and the flight is expected to continue to Delhi after the investigation is complete.
• This incident highlights the importance of airline safety and security protocols in responding to potential threats. (more)

[Neighborhood]

Bangladesh: Country risks civil war if trial of AL delayed: Nasir Uddin Patwary

• Nasir Uddin Patwary, the convener of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, has issued a stern warning to Bangladesh’s interim govt.
• He stated that if the govt fails to address the Awami League issue, the public may take matters into their own hands, potentially leading to a civil war.
• Patwary criticized the advisory council, calling its members “thick-skinned” for their slow response to concerns raised six months ago.
• He emphasized that the people of B’desh have placed their trust in the govt, expecting accountability and action. (more)
• The latest figure under “Operation Devil Hunt”, is 8,079 [officially] arrested in total on the 14^th day of the crackdown for their suspected link to destabilize the country.
• [TDJ’s Edit: the statement can be interpreted as a way to create a narrative that justifies authoritarian actions.]

Muhammad Yunus invites Elon Musk to launch Starlink in Bangladesh in ’90 days’

• Bangladesh has invited Elon Musk to launch his Starlink satellite internet service in the country.
• Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus has extended an invitation to Elon Musk to launch Starlink in Bangladesh.
• The invitation is part of Bangladesh’s “Digital Bangladesh” initiative, which aims to provide internet access to the entire population.
• Starlink, with its satellite internet technology, can provide fast and reliable internet access even in remote and rural areas.
• If Starlink is launched in Bangladesh, it could provide internet access to millions of people, bridging the digital divide and contributing to the country’s economic growth. (more)
• [There were reports of Yunus facing scrutiny from the Bangladesh govt, and some sources suggested that he might be seeking to leave the country.]

Growing unease in the city amid crime spree

• It seems like there’s growing concern about a crime spree in Bangladesh, but I couldn’t find specific information on the current situation.
• However, I did come across a report of a similar issue in Bedford, where there’s been a significant rise in break-ins and vandalism targeting local taxis.
• In that case, the local MP, Mohammad Yasin, wrote to the police chief, calling for urgent action to address the issue and ensure thorough investigations.
• He highlighted the financial and emotional burden these crimes place on taxi drivers, who rely on their vehicles for income.
• While this isn’t directly related to the situation in Bangladesh, it does show how communities can come together to address concerns about crime and safety. (more)

Pakistan: For the first time since 1971, Pakistan, Bangladesh resume direct trade

• Pakistan and Bangladesh have made a historic move by resuming direct trade on an official level, for the first time since their separation in 1971.
• This development comes after Bangladesh agreed to purchase 50,000 tonnes of Pakistani rice through the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP), with the first 25,000-tonne consignment already en route and the second batch scheduled for early March.
• This trade deal is expected to strengthen economic ties between the two nations and facilitate direct shipping routes.
• For the first time, a Pakistan National Shipping Corporation vessel carrying govt cargo will dock at a Bangladeshi port, marking a significant milestone in maritime trade relations.
• This move is seen as a positive step in fostering economic cooperation and reopening trade channels that remained dormant for decades. (more)

Pakistan: US releases $397m for Pak F-16s monitoring

• The Trump administration has released $5.3 billion in previously frozen foreign aid, with a focus on security and counternarcotics programs.
• This move is part of Trump’s “America First” priorities, which aim to cut aid for programs not considered vital to US national security.
• Key exemptions include: $30.4 million for the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons
• $397 million for a US-backed program in Pakistan to monitor the use of F-16 fighter jets
• $4.1 billion for programs administered by the US State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs
• $293 million for programs run by the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs to combat drug trafficking and illicit migration
• However, humanitarian aid waivers have been limited, with USAID programs receiving less than $100 million in exemptions, compared to roughly $40 billion in annual funding before the freeze. (more)

More convoy attack, looting suspects held from Kurram

• Police and law-enforcement agencies have arrested 20 more individuals, including suspected terrorists and their facilitators, in Kurram district.
• This brings the total number of detained militants to 85.
• The arrests were made during an ongoing operation in response to a convoy attack on Feb 17, which resulted in the looting of over 30 trucks carrying food supplies and the deaths of several people, including security personnel and drivers.
• The operation has also led to the recovery of heavy weapons, including submachine guns, heavy machine guns, and Kalashnikov rifles, as well as looted items such as medicines and daily use items.
• Many of the arrested insurgents are listed in the FIRs of 57 individuals held by the Counter-Terrorism Department.
• The police and security forces are making efforts to secure the Kohat-Parachinar road and have been conducting door-to-door searches in various areas of Lower Kurram.

The provincial government is also carrying out operations in the mountainous regions to arrest terrorists with bounty rewards on their heads. (more)