1. PM Modi pens letter to Muhammad Yunus, refers to Bangladesh Liberation War, ‘shared history’
2. Vertical launch short range SAM for Navy test fired
3. ‘We have a harder job…’: Jaishankar says West built up China while running India down at BT Mindrush
4. Now Speaker pulls up Rahul Gandhi, adjourns LS; Congress says Birla can’t explain reason
5. Defence Ministry inks Rs 6,900-cr deal to buy towed artillery guns, vehicles

What Else

1. After long wait, Kashmir to finally get rail link to rest of the country: Sources
2. PM Modi to travel to Rameswaram from Sri Lanka
3. Uber, Ola’s new competitor. Government’s ‘Sahkar Taxi’ that will benefit drivers
4. Taking cue from India & Brazil, Trump to overhaul US electoral system with new citizenship checks
5. Centre slams ‘biased’ report by U.S. commission on religious freedom
6. Pakistan: UN experts demand release of Baloch activists and end to crackdown on peaceful protest
7. Bill seeking sanctions on Pakistani officials lands in US Congress
8. ‘Resign Or Face The Reckoning’: Junior Officers Warn Pakistan Army Chief To Step Down
9. Several killed, vehicles torched in Balochistan
10. Bangladesh: China executive vice premier meets Yunus

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PM Modi pens letter to Muhammad Yunus, refers to Bangladesh Liberation War, ‘shared history’

• PM Modi recently penned a letter to Muhammad Yunus, referencing the Bangladesh Liberation War and the shared history between India and Bangladesh.
• This gesture highlights the strong bond between the two nations, forged during the 1971 war that led to Bangladesh’s independence.
• Modi’s letter mentions “sensitivity” over “concerns”, and is a testament to India’s continued commitment to its relationship with Bangladesh.
• Earlier, in Aug 2024, Modi congratulated Yunus on assuming his role as chief advisor to Bangladesh’s interim govt, reaffirming India’s dedication to working together for peace, security, and development. (more)

Vertical launch short range SAM for Navy test fired

• India has successfully test-fired the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) on March 26, 2025.
• The test was conducted by the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha.
• The VL-SRSAM is a short-range surface-to-air ballistic missile designed to neutralize close-range aerial threats.
• It’s equipped with an indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) Seeker, Multi-Function Radar (MFR), and Weapon Control System, making it a cutting-edge Indian technology.
• During the test, the missile was fired from a land-based vertical launcher and successfully intercepted a high-speed aerial target flying at low altitude.
• The successful test has validated the missile’s operational readiness and its ability to engage targets close.
• Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh praised the DRDO, Indian Navy, and Indian defense manufacturing ecosystem for the successful test.
• He emphasized that the VL-SRSAM system is proof of India’s strong design and development capabilities in defense R&D. (more)

‘We have a harder job…’: Jaishankar says West built up China while running India down at BT Mindrush

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s recent speech at BT Mindrush highlighted the long-standing global dynamics shaping perceptions of China and India.
• He noted that China has historically been a strategic objective of the West, with Western powers praising China’s achievements and history while downplaying India’s
• Jaishankar traced this perception gap back to the 19^th century, when the British colonial powers undermined Indian history while promoting Chinese history to counter the threat of Zarist Russia.
• This historical context has contributed to the different starting points for India and China globally.
• Jaishankar emphasized that India faces a harder job in making its presence felt, but is determined to work harder to achieve its goals.
• His comments underscore the importance of narratives in shaping power and India’s need to promote its own story to counterbalance the dominant Western narrative (more)

Now Speaker pulls up Rahul Gandhi, adjourns LS; Congress says Birla can’t explain reason

• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla abruptly adjourned the House on Wed, sparking a face-off with the Opposition.
• Birla noted that members, especially Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, should conduct themselves “in a manner that maintains the high standards and dignity” of Parliament.
• Gandhi was not allowed to speak when he rose to reply, and a Congress delegation met Birla in his chamber to seek clarification.
• However, Birla reportedly had no answer to their questions and told them to meet him later.
• The Congress party suspects that Birla’s remarks were triggered by their questioning of his “failure to keep the House in order” whenever PM Modi makes an appearance in Parliament and is greeted by BJP MPs with slogans.
• Gandhi later told reporters that the House “was not being run as per democratic norms” and that he had not been allowed to speak despite being the Leader of the Opposition. (more)

Defence Ministry inks Rs 6,900-cr deal to buy towed artillery guns, vehicles

• The Defence Ministry has finalized plans to procure artillery guns and vehicles worth ₹11,000 crore, in a bid to enhance the Indian Army’s artillery capabilities and replace older equipment.
• The procurement includes 100 units of the 155mm/52 Calibre Mounted Gun System, valued at ₹4,600 crore, which will provide the army with a state-of-the-art gun system with advanced features and precision strike capability.
• Additionally, the ministry plans to procure 200 units of the upgraded 130mm Self-Propelled Gun, worth ₹2,500 crore, which will offer improved range and accuracy.
• The procurement also includes 300 units of the Towed Artillery Gun System, valued at ₹2,900 crore, which will provide the army with a reliable and versatile gun system.
• Furthermore, 500 High Mobility Vehicles, worth ₹1,000 crore, will be procured to enhance the army’s logistics and transportation capabilities. (more)

After long wait, Kashmir to finally get rail link to rest of the country: Sources

• PM Modi will flag off the first train from Katra to Srinagar on April 19, marking a historic milestone in Kashmir’s connectivity.
• The inaugural train will be a special Vande Bharat train, and Modi will also visit the world’s highest Chenab rail bridge and address a public rally in Katra on the same day
• The train will initially operate between Katra and Srinagar/Baramulla, and from Aug, it will run from Jammu to Srinagar/Baramulla after the expansion work at Jammu Railway Station is completed.
• Unfortunately, there won’t be a direct train service from Delhi to Srinagar for now.
• Some notable features of the Vande Bharat Express include:
• Anti-freezing technology: enabling it to operate in extreme cold conditions as low as -20°C
• Advanced heating systems: ensuring passenger comfort in harsh winter conditions
• Enhanced safety features: including CCTV surveillance, Emergency Talk Back Units, and shatterproof windows (more)

PM Modi to travel to Rameswaram from Sri Lanka

• PM Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka from April 4-6 is a significant event, marking his fourth trip to the nation since taking office in 2014
• During his visit, he will be in Colombo and Anuradhapura and then travel to Tamil Nadu’s Rameswaram, where he will pray at the Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple and inaugurate the new Pamban Bridge on Ram Navami, Apr 6.
• This visit highlights the growing connection between Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu, with recent developments including the resumption of ferry services and direct flights between the two regions.
• A proposed land bridge across the Palk Strait is also under consideration.
• PM Modi’s trip is also notable as he will be the first foreign leader hosted by new Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. (more)

Uber, Ola’s new competitor. Government’s ‘Sahkar Taxi’ that will benefit drivers

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced the government’s plan to launch ‘Sahkar Taxi’, a cooperative-based ride-hailing service that will benefit drivers directly
• This initiative, inspired by PM Modi’s vision of ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’ (Prosperity through Cooperation), will allow cooperative societies to register vehicles without intermediaries taking a cut from drivers’ earnings.
• The service, modeled after Ola and Uber, aims to provide a fairer deal for drivers. Shah emphasized that the Ministry of Cooperation has worked tirelessly for three and a half years to implement this initiative, which will launch in a few months.
• This announcement comes amid growing scrutiny of Ola and Uber, who face allegations of discriminatory pricing.
• The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued notices to both companies, and the government plans to investigate pricing strategies in other sectors, including food delivery and online ticketing platforms. (more)

Taking cue from India & Brazil, Trump to overhaul US electoral system with new citizenship checks

• US President Donald Trump has cited India and Brazil’s voter identification systems as a model for his overhaul of the US federal election system.
• Trump’s latest executive order requires proof of American citizenship at the voter registration stage, aiming to combat voter fraud.
• The White House highlighted that India and Brazil tie voter identification to a biometric database, whereas the US relies on self-attestation for citizenship.
• The new order also draws inspiration from Germany and Canada’s paper ballot requirements and Denmark and Sweden’s limitations on mail-in voting.
• However, Trump’s move has sparked controversy, given his history of claiming voter fraud without evidence.
• His attorney general, William P. Barr, found no evidence of large-scale election fraud in 2020.
• The new executive order may face legal challenges due to the complex US electoral registration system, which varies from state to state. (more)

Centre slams ‘biased’ report by U.S. commission on religious freedom

• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has disapproved the US Commission on International Religious Freedom’s 2025 annual report, calling it a “continued pattern of biased and politically motivated assessments”.
• The USCIRF report documents religious freedom conditions in 2024 and recommends policy to the White House, Congress, and State Department to advance freedom of religion or belief abroad.
• The report highlights 16 countries recommended for designation as Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) for severe FoRB violations, 12 countries recommended for the Special Watch List (SWL), and 7 entities recommended for designation as Entities of Particular Concern (EPC).
• The MEA’s criticism comes amid the USCIRF’s 25th-anniversary report, which marks a quarter-century of monitoring international religious freedom.
• The commission’s mandate is to assess religious freedom conditions worldwide and provide policy recommendations to the US government. (more)

[Neighborhood]

Pakistan: UN experts demand release of Baloch activists and end to crackdown on peaceful protest

• A group of independent UN human rights experts have expressed growing concern over reports of alleged arrests and enforced disappearances of Baloch activists in Pakistan.
• The experts are calling for the release of detained activists and an end to the crackdown on peaceful protests.
• The concerns were triggered by a series of incidents, including a terrorist attack on a passenger train on March 11, 2025, which killed several people.
• Following the attack, several prominent Baloch human rights defenders from the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) were allegedly arrested or forcibly disappeared.
• On Mar 21, Quetta police stormed a peaceful BYC protest in front of the University of Balochistan, demanding the release of detained and forcibly disappeared activists.
• Three people were reportedly shot and killed, while others were injured, and dozens more were arrested.
• Several BYC activists, including Mahrang Baloch, a woman human rights defender, and Sammi Deen Baloch, were detained and reportedly charged under sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
• The UN experts are urging the Pakistani authorities to immediately release detained human rights defenders, including Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen Baloch.
• They also call on the authorities to refrain from abusing counter-terrorism or public safety measures against human rights defenders and to clarify the fate and whereabouts of all those reportedly subjected to enforced disappearances.
• Furthermore, the experts urge Pakistan to address conditions conducive to terrorism, in line with the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. (more)

Bill seeking sanctions on Pakistani officials lands in US Congress

• US lawmakers Joe Wilson and Jimmy Panetta have introduced a bipartisan bill, the “Pakistan Democracy Act,” calling for sanctions on Pakistani state functionaries over alleged human rights violations, including the “persecution” of former PM Imran Khan
• The proposed legislation seeks to impose sanctions on Pakistan’s army chief within 180 days if the country doesn’t improve its human rights situation.
• It utilizes the US Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, allowing the US to deny visas and entry to individuals accused of human rights violations.
• The bill also calls for identifying key individuals involved in suppressing political opposition in Pakistan and placing them on a sanctions list.
• The US president can lift these sanctions if Pakistan ends military interference in governance and releases all “wrongfully detained political detainees”.
• This move highlights continued engagement of PTI supporters in the US, who have been lobbying American lawmakers since Imran Khan’s removal from office in 2022.
• While the bill’s introduction underscores continued scrutiny of Pakistan’s human rights record in Washington, its prospects remain uncertain. (more)

‘Resign Or Face The Reckoning’: Junior Officers Warn Pakistan Army Chief To Step Down 

• Junior officers in the Pakistan Army have made a shocking call for the resignation of Army Chief Gen Asim Munir, accusing him of turning the military into a tool of political oppression and personal vendetta.
• In a scathing letter, they warn Munir that he must step down immediately or face consequences.
• The officers, including colonels, majors, captains, and jawans, claim that Munir’s leadership has pushed Pakistan into a crisis reminiscent of 1971, when the country suffered a catastrophic defeat leading to the creation of Bangladesh.
• They accuse him of destroying the Army’s reputation by suppressing political dissent, silencing journalists, and crushing democratic forces.
• The letter highlights several key grievances, including:
• Violent crackdowns: The officers condemn the violent crackdown following the removal of Imran Khan in April 2022 and the alleged manipulation of the February 8, 2024, elections.
• Economic decline: They accuse Munir of allowing the country’s economic decline to accelerate while securing his own power.
• Public resentment: The officers note that public anger is at an all-time high, with even children resisting military authority.
• The letter demands that command be transferred to a council of senior officers who would “restore the institution’s integrity” and hold Munir accountable for his alleged crimes.
• With public dissatisfaction at an all-time high and international scrutiny growing, Munir’s future remains uncertain. (more)

Several killed, vehicles torched in Balochistan

• Armed men blocked the main highway in Gwadar district, killing at least five people and torching vehicles loaded with goods from the port.
• The attack occurred late on Wednesday night, with three long-body trailers carrying urea for Afghanistan set on fire in the Tajaban area.
• In addition to the highway blockade, roads were also blocked in Turbat, Panjgur, and Pasni, with reports of roadblocks in the Bolan, Kolpur, and Mastung areas as well.
• A vehicle belonging to Levies personnel was also set on fire in the Mastung area.
• Separately, four people were killed in the Kalmat area after being offloaded from a Karachi-bound passenger bus.
• The victims, all from Punjab, were killed after their ID cards were checked.
• Security forces have moved to clear the blocked highways, and operations were underway at the time of reporting. (more)

Bangladesh: China executive vice premier meets Yunus

• Executive Vice Premier of China, Ding Xuexiang, met with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, in Hainan, China, on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025.
• The meeting took place at the Bo’ao State Guest House, where Energy Adviser M Fouzul Kabir Khan, High Representative Dr Khalilur Rahman, and other officials were present ¹.
• Professor Yunus is set to address the opening plenary of the conference, alongside notable speakers like Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone of Laos, Chairman Ban Ki-moon, and Secretary General Zhang Jun.

Additionally, Chen Huaiyu, Chairman of The Export-Import Bank of China, also met with Professor Yunus at the Bo’ao State Guest House, further solidifying connections between China and Bangladesh. (more)