1. India to deepen collaboration with EU in tech, green energy: MEA officials
2. Govt. questions plea for life ban on convicted politicians, says penal punishments are finite
3. CIK Cracks Down on Terror Funding, Key Suspect Held in Delhi
4. Disguised veto: India calls out secrecy over rejection, putting on hold listing bids at UNSC subsidiary bodies
5. BJP likely to get new party president by March 15: Reports

What Else

1. Mazagon Dock to build six advanced German ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems submarines
2. UK launches awareness campaign in Punjab ‘Visa Fraud Ton Bacho’
3. Protests in Pune seeking action against rape case accused; police step up search
4. Sensex Crashes 900+ Points, Rs 6 Lakh Crore Wiped Out – Why Investors Are Panicking Today?
5. Bangladesh: If elected, BNP to sign Teesta water management deal with China: Moyeen
6. Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad: 2 senior leaders resign just a day after launch
7. Austerity takes a back seat as cabinet swells
8. Pakistan, UAE deepen economic cooperation

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India to deepen collaboration with EU in tech, green energy: MEA officials

• India is set to deepen its collaboration with the European Union (EU) in technology and green energy, according to officials from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
• This move is part of India’s efforts to strengthen its strategic partnership with the EU and promote sustainable development.
• The India-EU Strategic Partnership: A Roadmap to 2025 outlines the key areas of cooperation, including Foreign Policy and Security Cooperation, Trade and Investment, Sustainable Modernisation Partnership, and Research and Innovation.
• In the field of technology, promoting an open, free, stable, and secure cyberspace
• Cooperating on artificial intelligence, blockchain, and other emerging technologies
• ICT Cooperation: working together on sustainable digital infrastructure and services
• India and the EU will enhance cooperation on climate change, renewable energy, and sustainable transportation to promote sustainable development. (more)

Govt. questions plea for life ban on convicted politicians, says penal punishments are finite

• The Union govt has opposed imposing lifetime bans on convicted politicians, stating that such decisions lie solely within Parliament’s jurisdiction.
• This stance was conveyed to the Supreme Court, emphasizing that the current six-year disqualification period is reasonable and proportionate to the offense.
• The govt argued that imposing lifetime bans would be equivalent to rewriting the statute or directing Parliament to frame a law in a particular manner, which is beyond the powers of judicial review.
• Instead, the Centre suggested that Parliament has the exclusive power to define the duration and grounds for disqualification.
• Currently, Section 8 (1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, stipulates a 6-year disqualification period from the date of conviction or, in case of imprisonment, six years from the date of release.
• The govt believes that this provision balances deterrence and undue harshness.
• It’s worth noting that the Election Commission and the Centre have been asked by the Supreme Court to respond to a challenge to the constitutional validity of Sections 8 and 9 of the Representation of People Act. (more)

CIK Cracks Down on Terror Funding, Key Suspect Held in Delhi

• The Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) unit, along with the CID Cell Delhi and Delhi Police, arrested Parvez Ahmad Khan, a suspected terror financier, in Delhi.
• Khan, a resident of Srinagar, was wanted in connection with an ongoing terror funding investigation.
• He allegedly facilitated financial and logistical support to banned terrorist organizations operating in Jammu and Kashmir.
• The arrest marks a significant breakthrough in efforts to dismantle terror funding channels in the Valley.
• Khan was under surveillance for months, and his financial transactions, electronic communications, and movements were closely monitored.
• The operation was launched following a warrant issued by a court in Srinagar.
• Khan’s arrest is expected to lead to further arrests as the investigation progresses. (more)

Disguised veto: India calls out secrecy over rejection, putting on hold listing bids at UNSC subsidiary bodies

• India is speaking out against the secrecy surrounding the rejection or holding of listing bids at the UN Security Council’s subsidiary bodies.
• P. Harish, India’s Permanent Rep at the UN, stressed the need for transparency in the working of these bodies, citing that details about rejecting or putting on hold requests to blacklist terror entities are not made public and are only known to a select few, calling it a “disguised veto”.
• Harish emphasized that while listing decisions are made public, the reasons behind rejecting or putting on hold listing requests are not disclosed.
• This lack of transparency has led to concerns that genuine, evidence-based listing proposals for globally sanctioned terrorists are being blocked without justification.
• India has been pushing for reforms in the UN Security Council, including increasing transparency in the working of its subsidiary bodies. (more)

BJP likely to get new party president by March 15: Reports

• The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to appoint a new national president by March 15, according to multiple TV reports.
• This development comes after the tenure of the current party president JP Nadda ended in Jun 2024.
• Initially, the BJP aimed to appoint a new president by Dec 2024, but it seems they’ve pushed the deadline.
• The party has already completed organizational elections in 12 states, and they’re working to finish the process in at least 6 more states before the new president.
• The BJP is reportedly considering factors like internal consensus, ideological alignment, regional priorities, and caste representation in their selection process.
• Some potential candidates for the top post have been mentioned, but the party is known for its unexpected selections, so it’s difficult to predict who will be chosen.
• What’s certain is that the new president will play a crucial role in shaping the party’s future, especially with key state elections on the horizon. (more)

Mazagon Dock to build six advanced German ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems submarines

• Mazagon Docks Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) is set to build six advanced submarines for the Indian Navy in collaboration with Germany-based ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), starting in 2025.
• This project, worth ₹43,000 crore, aims to enhance India’s naval capabilities and aligns with the ‘Make in India’ initiative
• MDL’s existing infrastructure can handle the project without expansion, demonstrating its capacity and expertise.
• The company can construct up to 11 submarines concurrently, including refitting existing Scorpène class submarines with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems.
• The project has a seven-year timeframe, with a completion target of 2032, coinciding with the projected completion of sea trials for the first of the 3 additional enhanced Scorpène class submarines.
• MDL’s involvement in this project reinforces its standing as a key player in global shipbuilding and deepens Indo-German naval cooperation (more)

UK launches awareness campaign in Punjab ‘Visa Fraud Ton Bacho’

• The United Kingdom has launched a campaign titled ‘Visa Fraud Ton Bacho’ to raise awareness about visa fraud in Punjab, particularly targeting Indian citizens.
• The campaign, launched on Feb 27, aims to protect individuals from the physical, financial, and emotional risks associated with visa fraud and irregular migration.
• The campaign includes a dedicated WhatsApp support line (+91 70652 51380) offering guidance in English and Punjabi.
• This line helps identify common visa scam tactics and provides access to official guidance for those seeking legal routes to travel to the UK.
• The campaign was launched at the Lovely Professional University and it’s part of the UK and India’s joint efforts to tackle irregular migration and visa fraud. (more)

Protests in Pune seeking action against rape case accused; police step up search

• Protests erupted in Pune, Maharashtra, demanding action against the accused in a rape case. The protesters, including locals and activists, gathered outside the police station, calling for swift justice.
• In response, the police intensified search operations to apprehend the accused.
• The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many questioning the safety of women in the area.
• The police have assured the public that they are working diligently to bring the perpetrator to justice. (more)
• 28 stitches on private parts: Girl, 5, battles for life after rape in Gwalior: A 5-year-old girl was allegedly raped in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, and the police have arrested a juvenile accused.
• The accused, who was already facing charges in another case, had escaped from a juvenile correction home in 2019.
• The Madhya Pradesh High Court has expressed concern over the leniency shown to juveniles in such cases, citing the Nirbhaya case as an example  (more)

Sensex Crashes 900+ Points, Rs 6 Lakh Crore Wiped Out – Why Investors Are Panicking Today?

• Indian markets witnessed a sharp decline on Friday, with the Sensex plummeting over 900 points and the Nifty dropping below 22,300.
• This downturn comes ahead of the release of GDP data and fresh comments from US President Donald Trump on tariffs.
• Key Reasons Behind the Market Sell-Off:
• Nervousness Ahead of GDP Data: Investor sentiment weakened due to concerns over slowing growth, earnings pressure, and continued foreign investor selling.
• IT Stocks Under Pressure: Technology stocks faced renewed pressure after Nvidia’s earnings miss, triggering a sell-off in AI-driven stocks globally. The Nifty IT index fell 3.2%, with top losers declining up to 4.5%.
• Stronger Dollar: A stronger dollar added to concerns, making foreign investments costlier and prompting capital outflows from Indian equities.
• The market capitalization of all BSE-listed companies fell by Rs 5.8 lakh crore to Rs 387.3 lakh crore, with the Nifty IT index dropping up to 4% (more)

[Neighborhood]

If elected, BNP to sign Teesta water management deal with China: Moyeen

• BNP Standing Committee member Abdul Moyeen assured China that if his party comes to power, they will sign an agreement to implement the Teesta River water management project.
• Khan committed during a meeting with CPC Deputy Secretary Xing Shanping in China.
• He expressed gratitude for China’s willingness to assist Bangladesh in developing the project, which will benefit thousands of people living along the riverbanks.
• The project aims to modernize Bangladesh’s agriculture by improving the irrigation system.
• Khan hopes it will be a model for future cooperation between the two nations.
• He also highlighted the historical ties between B’desh and China, adding that an increasing number of Bangladeshi students are pursuing higher education in China (more)

Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad: 2 senior leaders resign just a day after launch

• Two senior leaders of the newly formed Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad have resigned, just a day after the organization’s launch.
• Rifat Rashid stepped down as senior joint member secretary, citing personal reasons, while Mehedy Sajeeb quit as joint convener, alleging DU’s dominance in the organization.
• The resignations come amid protests from students of private universities and other institutions, who feel excluded from the organization’s leadership.
• The protesters have expressed frustration over Dhaka University’s dominance in politics and have staged demonstrations, including a road blockade in Banglamotor.
• The organization’s convener, Abu Baker Majumdar, has accepted the internal conflicts and announced the formation of a 3-member committee to investigate the incidents.
• He emphasized that the organization will move past the current issues and work towards uniting students for national politics (more)

Austerity takes a back seat as cabinet swells

• Pakistan’s federal cabinet has more than doubled in size, growing from 21 to 43 members, despite claims of austerity.
• The new appointees include 12 federal ministers, nine ministers of state, three advisers, and four special assistants to the prime minister.
• This expansion brings the total number of Premier’s team members to 51.
• Notable inductees include: Pervez Khattak: Former PTI leader and KP’s chief minister from 2013 to 2018.
• Dr. Tauqir Shah: Close confidant of PM Shehbaz and former principal secretary to the prime minister.
• Khalid Magsi: President of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and the only member of his party to hold a cabinet position.
• Mustafa Kamal: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader and federal minister.
• The expansion has raised concerns about the govt’s commitment to austerity, with the total cabinet size exceeding 11% of the total parliamentary membership. (more)

Pakistan, UAE deepen economic cooperation

• Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates strengthened their bilateral ties on Thu by signing five agreements to boost cooperation in various fields. These fields include:
• Banking: An agreement to promote bilateral cooperation was signed by Secretary Finance Imdadullah Bosal and CEO & MD of IHC Syed Basar Shueb.
• Mining: An agreement to boost cooperation was signed, with details on how the two countries will work together in this sector.
• Railways: Two MOUs were signed for cooperation in the field of railways
• Infrastructural Investment: An MOU was signed for cooperation in this field, exchanged by Secretary Board of Investment Nadeem Chaudhary and CEO AD Ports Capt. Muhammad Juma Al Shamisi.
• These agreements were signed during the first official visit of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Pakistan, at the invitation of PM Sharif

The visit aimed to strengthen bilateral ties and transform their excellent political relationship into a mutually beneficial economic partnership. (more)