1. Vacate Indian territory: Government blasts Pak for remarks on J&K after PM podcast
2. Raisina Dialogue: Jaishankar reflects on how ‘Pakistan’s Kashmir invasion was made into a dispute’
3. Rajnath Singh tells Netherlands Counterpart to stop arms Supplies to ‘Terrorism Sponsor’ Pakistan
4. Home Ministry Put Soros-Backed Open Society in Prior Reference Category over Undesirable Activities: ED Sources
5. India revs up deployment of 5th-gen stealth fighter jets as Pakistan too gets going with China’s help

What Else

1. New Zealand PM Luxon looks to sign FTA pact with India in 60 days
2. NIA conducts searches at 12 locations in Jammu in terrorist infiltration case
3. Elderly Indian Green Card holders forced to ‘voluntarily’ give up residency at US airports
4. Sunita Williams Smiles, Waves As She Returns Home After 286 Days In Space
5. Voter ID To Be Linked With Aadhaar, Says Poll Body. Congress Welcome
6. Pakistan Civil-military huddle urges unanimous political will to defeat terrorism with ‘full might’
7. China lost $7 billion from Sri Lankan debt restructuring

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Vacate Indian territory: Government blasts Pak for remarks on J&K after PM podcast

• India has strongly rejected Pakistan’s criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks on New Delhi’s attempts to foster peace with Islamabad.
• Pakistan had called PM Modi’s remarks “misleading and one-sided” after he stated that every attempt to foster peace was met with hostility and betrayal during a podcast with American podcaster Lex Fridman.
• Ministry of External Affairs spox responded by saying Pakistan is the “biggest roadblock” to peace and security in the region and accused Islamabad of “spreading lies”.
• Spox emphasized that Pakistan should vacate Indian territory under its illegal and forcible occupation. (more)

Raisina Dialogue: Jaishankar reflects on how ‘Pakistan’s Kashmir invasion was made into a dispute’

• Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently expressed his thoughts on the “old order” of global politics, stating that its virtues are exaggerated.
• He argued that this outdated system has failed to effectively address issues like Pakistan’s invasion of Kashmir in 1947, instead turning it into a dispute between two nations and putting the attacker and victim on equal footing.
• Jaishankar’s comments were made during the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, where he emphasized the need for a more inclusive and fair global order.
• He highlighted the inconsistent application of norms and rules, citing the example of the Taliban’s varying treatment by Western countries.
• The discussion also touched on the need for UN reform, with Jaishankar agreeing on the importance of a strong UN and emphasizing the need for fairness and consistency in its decision-making processes. (more)
• “Main focus is joint development of hydropower, trade”: Nepal FM Deuba: Nepal’s Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba met with Jaishankar to discuss joint development of hydropower and trade.
• They also touched on flood inundation, security, and sharing of water resources.
• Deuba emphasized Nepal’s focus on strengthening ties with India through enhanced trade, energy trade, and collaboration on global issues
• The meeting was part of Deuba’s visit to India, where she also attended the Raisina Dialogue, India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics. (more)
• Jaishankar meets UK NSA, Interacts with counterparts from other Countries: He met with the UK’s National Security Adviser and interacted with counterparts from other countries at the Raisina Dialogue
• UK’s National Security Adviser (NSA): Discussed bilateral and global security issues.
• US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Victoria Nuland: Explored ways to strengthen India-US ties and address global challenges.
• European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell: Discussed India-EU relations, trade, and security cooperation.
• Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Richard Marles: Focused on strengthening India-Australia defence and security ties.
• Canadian National Security and Intelligence Adviser, Jody Thomas: Exchanged views on counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, and global security issues. (more)

Rajnath Singh tells Netherlands Counterpart to stop arms Supplies to ‘Terrorism Sponsor’ Pakistan

• Defence Minister Singh’s request to the Netherlands to stop supplying military technology to Pakistan is driven by India’s concerns about Pakistan’s involvement in terrorism.
• By supplying military equipment to Pakistan, the Netherlands may inadvertently be contributing to Pakistan’s ability to support and sponsor terrorist activities.
• This request is also part of India’s broader efforts to isolate Pakistan diplomatically and economically, in response to Pakistan’s continued support for terrorism.
• India has long maintained that Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies have close ties with terrorist organizations, and that Pakistan’s military equipment is often used to support these groups.
• By asking the Netherlands to stop supplying military technology to Pakistan, India is seeking to limit Pakistan’s ability to support terrorism and to promote regional stability.
• This request is also likely to be part of India’s efforts to build a broader international coalition to counter terrorism and to promote peace and stability in the region. (more)

Home Ministry Put Soros-Backed Open Society in Prior Reference Category over Undesirable Activities: ED Sources

• The Enforcement Directorate has been investigating the Open Society Institute (OSI) and its social impact investment arm, Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF), for alleged foreign exchange violations.
• The ED found that OSI was placed under the Prior Reference Category (PRC) by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2016 due to undesirable activities, requiring prior sanction for sending money to FCRA-registered organizations in India.
• The ED conducted searches in Bengaluru, targeting entities linked to international human rights organizations, and found that SEDF provided funds to 3 Indian companies – Rootbridge Services Pvt Ltd, Rootbridge Academy Pvt Ltd, and ASAR Social Impact Advisors Pvt Ltd – totaling approximately Rs 25 crore between FY 20-21 and FY 23-24.
• These transactions are suspected to be a colorable arrangement violating FDI norms, with the companies allegedly acting as agents to bypass FCRA provisions for funding NGOs in India. (more)

India revs up deployment of 5^th-gen stealth fighter jets as Pakistan too gets going with China’s help

• India is speeding up the development of its fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), amid rising security concerns.
• A high-level committee, led by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, is working on a comprehensive strategy and production-business model to accelerate the project.
• The move is driven by Pakistan’s plans to acquire 40 J-35A fifth-generation stealth jets from China and China’s deployment of its J-20 jets near the Indian border.
• India’s current fighter fleet is under strain, with only 30 squadrons operational, compared to the authorized 42.5.
• Key Features of the AMCA:
• Stealth Capabilities: Advanced sensor fusion, internal weapons bay, and serpentine air intake.
• Engines: Indigenous 110-kilonewton thrust-class engine, with potential foreign collaborations.
• Production Timeline: Expected to be ready for production by 2035.
• The committee aims to submit its report next month, focusing on shrinking timelines, improving efficiency, and increasing private sector participation.
• Companies like General Electric, Safran, and Rolls-Royce are competing for the engine contract. (more)

New Zealand PM Luxon looks to sign FTA pact with India in 60 days

• New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, is on an official visit to India from March 16-20, 2025, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• This visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations.
• Key Takeaways from the Visit:
• Trade and Investment: Both countries will explore opportunities to expand bilateral trade, encourage businesses to build links, and enhance two-way investment.
• Defence and Security: India and New Zealand will strengthen defence cooperation, including military exercises, staff college exchanges, and defence delegations.
• Education and Research: The two nations will promote educational links, encourage academic partnerships, and support student exchanges.
• Science & Technology: Cooperation in science, technology, and innovation will be enhanced, focusing on areas like climate change, disaster management, and renewable energy
• Regional and Multilateral Fora: India and New Zealand will work together in regional and multilateral forums, such as the United Nations, to address global challenges.
• The visit highlights the growing bilateral relationship between India and New Zealand, with a focus on mutual benefit and cooperation in various areas. (more)

NIA conducts searches at 12 locations in Jammu in terrorist infiltration case

• The National Investigation Agency on Wed conducted searches at multiple locations across Jammu in connection with a terrorist infiltration case, officials said.
• The searches are underway at 12 locations, they said.
• According to the officials, the case was registered last year based on information about the infiltration of active terrorists belonging to proscribed outfits LeT and JeM into India through the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC).
• These infiltrations were facilitated by overground workers (OGWs) and other terror associates based in villages in the Jammu region, who were engaged in providing logistical support, food, shelter and money to the terrorists, the official said. (more)

Elderly Indian Green Card holders forced to ‘voluntarily’ give up residency at US airports

• Elderly Indian Green Card holders are facing intense scrutiny at US airports, particularly those who spend winters in India.
• US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers are pressuring them to sign Form I-407, voluntarily surrendering their permanent residency.
• Those who resist are met with threats of detention or removal.
• This crackdown follows immigration-related executive orders by US President Trump.
• US Vice-President JD Vance emphasized that holding a Green Card doesn’t grant an indefinite right to remain in the country.
• However, only an immigration judge can revoke a Green Card. (more)

Sunita Williams Smiles, Waves As She Returns Home After 286 Days In Space

• NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have safely returned to Earth after a 9-month mission on the International Space Station (ISS).
• They splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, near Florida’s coast, aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.
• During their time on the ISS, they contributed to various scientific experiments and performed spacewalks to maintain the station’s equipment.
• Williams, a veteran astronaut, holds the record for the most spacewalks performed by a female astronaut. (more)

Voter ID To Be Linked With Aadhaar, Says Poll Body. Congress Welcome

• The Election Commission of India has announced plans to link voter IDs with Aadhaar numbers to combat voter fraud and ensure the integrity of electoral rolls.
• This move aims to eliminate duplicate and bogus voter entries, improve electoral integrity, and enhance administrative efficiency.
• The Congress party has welcomed this decision, acknowledging that it addresses their long-standing allegations of duplicate voters, while also emphasizing the need for robust safeguards to protect citizens’ right to vote and privacy. (more)

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Pakistan Civil-military huddle urges unanimous political will to defeat terrorism with ‘full might’

• Pakistan’s Parliamentary Committee on National Security met on Tue to address rising terrorism incidents, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
• The meeting, convened by NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, was attended by top officials, including PM Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir.
• Key Takeaways from the Meeting: The committee strongly condemned recent terrorist incidents and expressed solidarity with affected families.
• Unified Commitment: The meeting emphasized the need for consensus and unified political commitment to combat terrorism with full force.
• Eliminating Terrorism: Pakistan reiterated its resolve to eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
• National Action Plan: The committee stressed the need for immediate implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) and Operation Azm-e-Istehkam.
• Social Media Regulation: The meeting expressed concern over terrorist groups using social media to spread propaganda and recruit followers.
• Notable Absences: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members skipped the meeting, demanding a meeting between their leaders and PTI founder Imran Khan.
• Other Opposition Parties: Some opposition parties, including the Balochistan National Party-Mengal and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, also boycotted the meeting. (more)
• COAS calls for shunning ‘soft state’ approach, improving governance for lasting stability: COAS emphasized shedding the country’s “soft state” image and improving governance for lasting stability.
• By improving governance, Pakistan can strengthen its institutions, enhance stability, and ultimately reduce its reliance on the military. (more)

China lost $7 billion from Sri Lankan debt restructuring

• China has incurred a significant loss of $7 billion due to Sri Lanka’s external debt restructuring
• Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong revealed that China was the first bilateral creditor to agree to a restructuring deal in Oct 2023.
• Despite this substantial financial setback, Ambassador Qi expressed optimism about future collaborations between China, India, and Sri Lanka, particularly in developing Sri Lanka’s northern province. (more)