Newsletter 11 September

Sino-Indian Standoff: Despite FMs talk, MEA yet to say Anything on Talk GT continue Warning to New Delhi. Troops deployment doubled on all along LAC

Jaishankar-Wang (150 Min) Talks: Provocative behavior of PLA at LAC shows disregard for bilateral agreements, India told China.

In the S Jaishankar and Wang Yi met in Moscow on the sidelines of SCO, the Indian side highlighted its strong concern at the massing of Chinese troops with equipment along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The presence of such large concentration of troops was not in accordance with the 1993 and 1996 Agreements and created flashpoints along the LAC. The Chinese side hasn’t given an explanation yet.

The EAM conveyed to his Chinese counterpart that the recent incidents in eastern Ladakh inevitably impacted the development of the bilateral relationship.

He added an urgent resolution of the current situation was in the interest of both the nations, the sources said.

The EAM vehemently rejected China’s allegation that Indian troops crossed LAC on the night of 29/30 Aug.

Meanwhile, Chinese Embassy in New Delhi releases statement on Jaishankar-Wang Yi Moscow meet at 2:59 am on Fri.

‘The two sides reached a five-point consensus regarding the current situation after a full, in-depth discussion. Looks like no major headway in talks”.

The five points broadly speak about continuation of dialogue, disengagement at the border, not allowing differences to become disputes, respecting past border agreements and new trust-building measures.

Amid, tension on LAC, Russian FM, Sergei Lavrov said on Fri, while speaking alongside his Chinese counterpart “India and China have made a useful decision on de-escalating tensions on their disputed Himalayan border”.

Pengong’s Finger-4 increased tension, India increased troops after Chinese mobilization – Bofors deployed

The Indian Army is increasing its strength in Pengong area. The Indian Army has now started deploying a 155 mm howitzer cannon in view of the Chinese mischief on the LAC. After unprecedented suspicious activities of PLA observed at 3 places along the Indo-China border, Highest Level Alert Issued to Indian Armed Forces.

However, core commander level talks is also expected but date yet to final. Meanwhile, Brigadier level talk is going on, which too don’t appears to come with any conclusion.

However, the number of Indian troops forward deployed in eastern Ladakh has been doubled in the past few days.

Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat appeared before the Standing Committee on Defense inside the Parliament.

Earlier in the day Defense Minister Rajnath Singh had met CDS and all three services chiefs to discuss India-China border developments and road ahead.

Meanwhile in evening, Chines states media, Global times published in editorial “We must increase the cost of risky gambles of India on the border issue. While making diplomatic efforts, we need to be prepared to completely defeat India’s illusions through military actions when those efforts fail.”

Joint Statement on U.S.-India Counter Terrorism Joint Working Group and Designations Dialogue

India and the US have asked Pakistan to act on the perpetrators of 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks and make sure its soil is not used by terror groups.

The key issues:

two sides underlined the urgent need for Pakistan to take immediate, sustained, and irreversible action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for terrorist attacks“
“Expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of such attacks, including 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot.”
US “reiterated” its support for the “people and government of India in the fight against terrorism.”
The both sides denounced “use of terrorist proxies and strongly condemned cross-border terrorism in all its forms“
Emphasized the need for “concerted action” against all terrorist networks including al-Qa’ida, ISIS/ Daesh and Pakistan based terror groups like Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizb-ul Mujahideen.

The talks were led by Joint Secretary for Counter Terrorism in the MEA, India Mahaveer Singhvi and the US State Department Coordinator for Counterterrorism Ambassador Nathan A. Sales.

“Pakistan made tremendous efforts, sacrifice in fighting terrorism”

While addressing a press conference in Beijing, An all-weather-friend of Pak, extended Its support.

On Fri, the spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry, Zhao Lijian, “Terrorism is a common challenge faced by all countries. Pakistan has made tremendous efforts and sacrifice in fighting terrorism.”

“The international community should recognize and respect that. China opposes all kinds of terrorism,” he added.

UN listed cross-border terrorists impacting child rights: India

Slamming Pakistan at United Nations Security Council, India on Thu highlighted how UN listed cross-border terrorists are impacting child rights.

Speaking at the UN Security Council Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict, India without taking Pakistan’s name in a statement said, “Terror networks spread their tentacles across borders threatening peace and stability. Children are worst affected as they live with a looming sense of fear and uncertainty and are often deprived of their right to education.”

The number of Pakistani nationals listed on the UN list are among the maximum.

Alert along LoC after ISI uses drones to drop Weapons for Terrorists

A quadcopter used by Pakistani spy agency ISI in JnK has necessitated alert along the LoC in the valley as the Army believes it could be used for dropping weapons for terrorists.

He said the terrorists holed up in the Kashmir valley have been facing acute shortage of arms and ammunition and they are desperately looking for some help from across the border for the same.

Militant killed by security forces in J-K's Budgam

A terrorist was killed by hitting at neck in a joint operation in Kawoosa Khalisa area of Budgam, the Indian army said on Fri, said the Northern Command, Indian Army.
Earlier in the day, the body of another terrorist was recovered from the Suknag Nala in the district.
As per the Army, the terrorist had opened fire at the security forces and had tried to escape from the cordon on Sept 7^th, by jumping into the Suknag Nala.

Major among two army officials injured in mine blast along LoC in J-K

Two army men, including a Major, and a Subedar were injured in a land mine blast along the LoC in JnK’s Rajouri district, on Friday.

The blast at an anti-personnel mine took place in Khori Dhaba area on Thu’s night during a routine patrolling of the forward areas along the LoC, sources said.

PM Modi speech on NEP: I urge all stakeholders to come together to implement NEP by 2022, says PM

Prime Minister Modi addressing students at the School Education Conclave, on Fri talked about the changes the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 will bring.
“The New education policy will sow the seeds for starting a new era, will give new direction to 21st century India,” said Modi
The PM added that the focus needs to be on the implementation of the policy. “Our work has just begun; NEP has to be implemented equally effectively,” he said.
Within the past one week, the Education Ministry has received over 15 lakh suggestions on its implementation, said PM while addressing the conclave on ‘School Education in 21^st Century’ organized by the Ministry of Education as a part of Shiksha Parv (festival of education).
The PM had earlier talked about the higher education part of the NEP during a conclave on ‘transformational reforms in higher education’.
The Shiksha Parv is being celebrated from September 8-25.
Several webinars and conferences are taking place to discuss the action plan of the NEP 2020.

Election Commission favors 10% hike in poll spending cap in Covid time

As per the EC recommendations sent to the law ministry recently, the maximum limit for Lok Sabha by-polls may be raised to Rs 77 lakh from the current Rs 70 lakh, while candidates in state polls may be allowed to spend up to Rs 30.8 lakh instead of the existing Rs 28 lakh.

Moody's projects Indian economy to contract 11.5% this fiscal

Moody’s Investors Service on Fri slashed India’s growth projection for the current fiscal to (-) 11.5%, from (-) 4% estimated earlier.
It said India’s credit profile is increasingly constrained by low growth, high debt burden and weak financial system. These risks have been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.
Moody’s action follows another global rating agency Fitch, which earlier this week, projected a 10.5% contraction in Indian economy this fiscal.
Domestic agencies Crisil and India Ratings and Research have projected contraction of 9% and 11.8%, respectively.

Our masjid will be modern: Ayodhya mosque architect

The weight of history behind it, the mosque coming up at Dhannipur to take the place of Babri Masjid is unlikely to resemble its progenitor.
The design will be contemporary, S M Akhtar, founder faculty of Jamia Millia Islamia’s school of architecture who is designing the mosque, told TOI.
The 5-acre plot will be occupied by the mosque, a hospital and a cultural research Centre.

When Centre plans to take back land from Chinese? Or is that also being left to an Act of God: Rahul Gandhi

“The Chinese have taken our land. When exactly is GOI planning to get it back? Or is that also going to be left to an ‘Act of God’?”

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet. India recently outflanked China by taking control of strategic heights near Pangong Lake’s southern bank and thwarted an attempt by the Chinese soldiers to transgress into Indian areas near the lake.

WORLD/ NEIGHBORHOOD

Do not extend mandate of Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances: ICJ
ANI: The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) said the mandate for the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearance’s (COIED) should not be extended beyond Sept 14, as it has proven to be a failure in holding perpetrators accountable.
In an editorial published by Dawn quoting the paper ‘Entrenching Impunity, Denying Redress’, the COIED has only focused on determining the whereabouts of the missing persons.
Of the 6,752 cases it handled since March 2011 (when it was established) 4,642 have “been disposed of” while the remaining 2,110 are still pending.
“Do not extend the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances beyond 14 Sept 2020, when its current tenure expires.
Make public the final report of the Commission and make public the report of the judicial commission that preceded the COIED,” the paper read. This also appears to be true for the COIED.
While the Commission has made some progress in documenting cases of enforced disappearances and “trace the whereabouts” of a number of disappeared people, it has failed in holding perpetrators accountable.
“In its follow up report to its mission to Pakistan, Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID), there is a climate of impunity in Pakistan with regard to enforced disappearances and the authorities are not sufficiently dedicated to investigate cases of enforced disappearance and hold the perpetrators accountable,” it added.
“The Commission, however, has not “fixed responsibility” on any person or organization, or directed the registration of FIRs against those responsible for concealing the whereabouts of the disappeared people who were eventually traced in detention centers,” the paper stated.

India: During Covid 19

India may see 7 million Covid-19 cases by Oct, says study by BITS Pilani

India may witness over seven million Covid-19 cases by the first week of Oct, surpassing the US and emerging as the country with the highest number of infections, a team of researchers from BITS Pilani, Hyderabad said on Friday.

The study indicates that India is likely to become the top Covid-19 country in the world, surpassing the US by about the first week of Oct.

Health ministry to document data on post-Covid complications

With the highest single-day spike of 96,551 new cases and 1,209 deaths reported in the last 24 hours India’s Covid-19 count crossed the 45-lakh mark today. According to the health ministry, the Covid-19 case tally stands at 45,62,415 in the country.