Newsletter 21 September

Sino-Indian Standoff: Meeting going on in Moldo…

As Generals meet, MEA tries to keep talks political

The Foreign Ministry will have a representative at the next meeting between senior commanders of Indian and Chinese armies, locked in a stand-off in eastern Ladakh.
Meeting held at the Chinese side of the Chushul/ Moldo meeting point in the Eastern Ladakh sector to address the ongoing military standoff there.
Naveen Srivastava, joint secy, East Asia in MEA has joined the commanders meeting going on, for the first time. This will be the first meeting of senior commanders after Aug 2^nd.
PLA deployed large number of combat forces with advance quick attack boats in Pangong Tso in last 3 days. They are quickly constructing steel bunkers near Finger 5 to 8. Countermeasures taken by Indian armed forces.
The issues to be raised by the Indian side were discussed and finalized during a high-level meeting attended by Ajit Doval, General Bipin Rawat and General MM Naravane last week.
India is likely to press for simultaneous disengagement and de-escalation by the Chinese side in the Eastern Ladakh sector during the meeting of two Corps Commanders.

Army bolsters presence at key heights; Rafales to scan airspace

Despite of talks, India further bolstered its dominance in over 20 mountain heights around the friction points- ANI. They also said the IAF is set to use the newly-inducted Rafale jets to carry out sorties in Ladakh.

Double hump camel soon to be inducted into Indian Army to help patrol India-China border

The famed double-humped camels of Ladakh are soon going to be inducted in the Indian Army to help troops patrol the India-China border in Eastern Ladakh.

The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in Leh has conducted research on the double hump or Bactrian camels which can carry load of 170 Kg at an elevation of 17,000 feet height in the Eastern Ladakh region.

Inappropriate for New Delhi to hype Rajeev Sharma’s ties with Global Times-GT

The Indian police recently arrested freelance journalist Rajeev Sharma on charges of spying and passing sensitive information to Chinese intelligence agencies.
Interestingly, both the information release and Indian media’s coverage of the case highlighted that Sharma had written for Global Times, which is enough to create a negative association against Global Times.
The Indian side alleged that Sharma came to the attention of Chinese intelligence agents after observing his columns in the Global Times and he gradually began to pass Indian defense intelligence to the Chinese side.
Ladakh Villagers Sent Ethnic Special Dry Food For Indian Army Troops Posted At LAC.

The Indian Journalist Rajeev Sharma, Chinese National Qing shi and Nepalese National Sher Singh arrested by special cell on espionage charges under the Official Secrets Act (OSA). Damning evidence and confession given to Delhi Police by all accused in the case. However, what he leaked or shared was not in media.

Pakistan violates ceasefire in three sectors along LoC at J-K's Poonch

ANI reported, Pakistan on Mon violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Shahpur, Kirni, and Qasba sectors of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district around 2.30 pm, with small arms and intense shelling with mortars.
Amid increasing tension along LAC, Indian Army deploys additional brigade on LoC to counter any misadventure from Pakistan side.
Pakistan is quickly increasing deployment along the LoC and IB. Unusual movement observed opposite Samba and Hiranagar.
Air defense systems also deployed by Pak forces at many places. Indian Armed forces are on high alert to face both at a time.

Army Chief deputes Senior Officer to look into differences of opinion in South Western Command

Chief of Army Staff, General MM Naravane has deputed a senior Lt General to look into the differences of opinion between the Army Cmdr, SW Command and his Chief of Staff on the role, charter and duties of various appointments within the Command Headquarters.
The South Western Army Command is headquartered in Jaipur and looks after the border with Pakistan from Rajasthan to parts of Punjab.
This action is consequent to representations made to the COAS by both the Army Commander as well as the Chief of Staff, SW Command highlighting certain functional difficulties in the Command Headquarters, hampering day-to-day work.

The nominated Lt General has been asked to submit a detailed report including suggested remedial measures to streamline the functioning of the Headquarters.

In New Rs 1,350 Crore Package for Jammu and Kashmir, 50% Discount in Electricity and Water Bills

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha possibly struck a right cord with the “awam” (people) of JnK as he announced a Rs 1,350-crore economic package to give a much needed boost to tourism and other sectors hit by the economic slowdown caused due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the security scenario.
As a part of the package, the government has waived 50% of the electricity and water bill amounts for a year across JnK with an aim to bring a huge relief to farmers, families and businesses.
The stamp duty has been exempted in case of all borrowers up to March next year.
The LG said under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan, Rs 1,400 crore have already been provided to people through the JnK Bank.

House in Session Singh calls oppn conduct in RS 'shameful', assures farmers on MSP

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Sun condemned the “unruly conduct” of opposition members in Rajya Sabha during the passage of two key farm bills and said that such scenes were “embarrassing and painful”.
The BJP leader also sought to assuage farmers’ concerns on Minimum Support Price, saying it will continue.
Farmers Bill passed from Rajya Sabha: Unprecedented ruckus in RS as MPs tear papers, heckle staff on Sun, as it is already passed from Lok Sabha.
8 Rajya Sabhs MPs suspended for one week for unruly behavior with the Chair. They are Dola Sen and Derek O Brien (TMC) Sanjay Singh (AAP), Syed Nazir Hussain and Raju Satav, Ripun Bora, (INC) KK Ragesh and Elamaran Karim (CPI).
The Chairman, MV Naidu, rejected the no confidence motion moved by the 46 opposition members against the Dy Chairman citing that the notice was not in the proper format. They are protesting in Parliament premises, today.

Will take BJP, its allies to court over ‘unconstitutional’ farm laws: Punjab CM, Capt Amarinder Singh.

Indian citizenship granted to 2,120 Pakistanis, 188 Afghans, 99 Bangladeshis in last 4 years

Union MoS, Home Nityanand Rai said a total of 2,729 people of 44 nationalities were granted Indian citizenship from 2017 till Sept 17, 2020, RS was informed on Mon.

Farmers’ bills need of 21st century, MSP will continue like before: PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Mon said that the two agriculture reform bills passed by Parliament on Sun were the “need of the 21^st century” and also assured the farmers that the Minimum Support Price (MSP) will continue as before.

“This change in the farming sector is the need of the present hour and our Govt has brought this reform for the farmers,” the PM said during his virtual address.

9-projects over ₹ 14,000 Crore have been inaugurated today which include making six-lane highways, and three bridges on rivers.

“Today is not only important for Bihar but for the whole country, today India is taking a big step to make its villages a basis of Atmanirbhar Bharat and I am happy that it is starting from Bihar,” Modi said.

The PM also asserted:

The business in Mandis will run as usual and the passing of these two legislations will not have an impact on it. “On the contrary, the NDA Govt has always strived for the modernization of these mandis“.
After these legislations, the farmers can freely trade their produce anywhere.
The farmers are already getting a better price for their produce in several states after his government brought farm ordinances.
No Govts has done as much to boost MSP and Govt procurement of farmers’ produce than his dispensation.

Despites of various assertion coming from various Govt sources, demonstration of farmers and their organization is going on in various part of Punjab Haryana. Actually 66000 brokers are also supporting the protest who usually purchase the farmers’ products and sell it at higher cost. So main profits which should go farmer, saved with brokers.

12 opposition parties to meet President Ram Nath Kobind at Rashtrapatibhvn over assent to farm bills.

How logjam with China has hit Indian startups

Rarely have two words in an obscure document like IPO prospectus raised as many eyebrows as the use of “significant influence” by Ant Group.
A part of the Chinese Alibaba Group, Ant used the term to describe its 30% stake in the Noida-based One97 Communications, Paytm’s parent company.
Paytm said ‘Significant influence’ is an accounting term and doesn’t imply firm’s nationality.

Government’s version of Amazon helps it save $1 billion

The Indian govt’s move to shift a part of its $400 billion public procurement to an online market platform has already saved the administration about $1 billion so far at a time when it’s trying to rein in its fiscal deficit, according to officials.
The 4-year-old Government e-Marketplace (GeM), often referred to as the govt’s Amazon.com helps ministries connect with sellers.

How cheap oil is helping government battle Covid headwinds

The historic oil price crash in April and a protracted spell of subdued market reduced India’s oil import bill since Jan by 40%, giving the cash-strapped Govt some headroom as it battles Covid-induced headwinds.

India paid Rs 2.6 lakh crore for 115.5 million tons (mt) of oil imported in the Jan-July period against Rs 4.2 lakh crore for 130.8 mt in same period 2019.

Railways to run special clone trains from today

The 40 clone trains will run in addition to the 310 special trains already in service and will be fully reserved with their stoppages being limited to operational halts
The national transporter will run 20 pairs, or 40 clone locomotives, in the wake of huge demand for travel on specific routes.
These clone trains will run two-three hours prior to departure of the corresponding parent train, Indian Railways had said earlier.

NIA busts al-Qaeda terror module in West Bengal, Kerala; arrests 9 operatives with incriminating materials

As many as 9 terror operatives have been arrested from Murshidabad in West Bengal and Ernakulam in Kerala as part of 11 raids across the country conducted by the National Investigating Agency.
The NIA recovered several incriminating materials from the terrorists, including firearms, body armor and explosive devices.
The NIA had received inputs about an inter-state module of Al-Qaeda at various locations across the country and had registered a case on 11 Sept 2020.
“As per the preliminary investigation, these individuals were radicalized by Pakistan-based al-Qaeda terrorists on the social media and were motivated to undertake attacks at multiple places including the National Capital Region,” the NIA’s statement.
“The module was actively indulging in fundraising and a few members of gang were planning to travel to New Delhi to procure arms and ammunition.
These arrests have pre-empted possible terrorist attacks in various parts of the country,” the NIA said.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Murshid Hasan, Iyakub Biswas, Mosaraf Hossen (all from Ernakulam), and Najmus Sakib, Abu Sufiyan, Mainul Mondal, Leu Yean Ahmed, Al Mamun Kamal, and Atitur Rehman (from Murshidabad).
“Four out of the nine al-Qaeda terrorists were planning to go to Kashmir for weapons delivery on the instruction of their Pakistani handlers. The terrorists were directly in contact with Pakistani handlers,” an NIA official said, as per ANI.
More people in West Bengal working for al-Qaeda. “There are more members spread in other districts of WB as well as other states having links to al-Qaeda. In fact, the 2 from Malda were present at a meeting at the Murshidabad house on Thu night. They had left the place early on Fri morning and the 6 were arrested by the NIA on Sat.

SC on Shaheen Bagh: Right to protest must not hamper right to mobility of others

The bench agreed with Centre’s contention that people can’t claim absolute right to hold protest but said that people have right to hold peaceful protests.

The Supreme Court on Mon said Right to Protest of one section has to be in balance with others’ Right to Mobility on a public road, as everyone has the right to move from one place to another and this right cannot be prejudiced by blocking a public road to hold protests.

A bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Krishna Murari and Aniruddha Bose after nearly a gap of seven months took up the pleas against the anti-CAA protesters blocking the public road at Shaheen Bagh in Delhi.

However, Shaheen Bagh protest, which is somehow culminated in to Delhi Riot, Fab this yr has eliminated by local police due to pandemic, months back.

NEIGHBORHOOD/WORLD

Amid rising tensions, China air force video appears to show simulated attack on US airbase on Guam

Guam is home to major U.S. military facilities, including the airbase, which would be key to responding to any conflict in the Asia Pacific region.
China’s air force has released a video showing nuclear-capable H-6 bombers carrying out a simulated attack on what appears to be Andersen Air Force Base on the U.S. Pacific island of Guam, as regional tensions continue to rise.
The video, released on Sat on PLA Air Force Weibo account, came as China carried out the second day of drills near Chinese-claimed Taiwan, to express Beijing’s anger at the visit of a senior U.S. State Department official to Taipei.
On Mon, FM spokesperson Wang Wenbin said “Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory and the so-called “middle line” in the Taiwan Straits does not exist.”
19 Chinese jets cross midline of Taiwan Strait despite warnings on Sat
For the second consecutive day, Taiwan’s air force scrambled jets after as many as 19 Chinese aircraft crossed the midline of the Taiwan Strait.
Despite the Taiwan Ministry of Def urging the PRC to exercise restraint and refrain from escalating tensions, China’s 2, H-6 bombers, 8, J-16 fighters, 4, J-10 fighters and 4, J-11 fighters had crossed the midline.
China will hold live-fire military exercises in the southern part of the Yellow Sea from Mon to Wed, the country’s Maritime Safety Admin announced on Sun.

Oppn parties in Pak launch alliance to oust PM Imran Khan

Demanding Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s immediate resignation, the country’s major Opposition parties have launched an alliance to hold a countrywide protest movement to oust his govt.
A 26-point joint resolution was adopted on Sun by the All Parties Conference, which was hosted by the Pakistan People’s Party and attended by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl.

Ahead of crucial FATF meet, Pakistan continues to treat 21 dreaded terrorists as VIPs

In a revelation exposing the double standards of Pakistan, the country, despite the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) sword hanging over its head.

Sources said that the international community is concerned about the hypocrisy of Pakistan which is pretending to take action against terrorists but is funding them.
The Pakistan Govt is giving VIP security to 21 dreaded terrorists including those sanctioned last month, which includes underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, Wadhwa Singh, Chief of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), Indian Mujahideen (IM) chief, Riyaz Bhatkal, terrorist Mirza Shadab Baig and Afif Hassan Siddibapa.
India has repeatedly exposed Pakistan who is sponsoring the terrorist groups and training and arming them to wage war against India From last few weeks, experts believe that the Pakistan Govt is creating an illusion that it is acting against terrorist groups to prevent the wrath of Paris based watchdog FATF.
Last month, Pakistan had imposed more restrictions on 88 leaders and members of terrorist groups, in compliance with the new list, issued by the United Nations Security Council.

China's expansionism continues to haunt Nepal-Media

- In recent times, the world has witnessed an escalation in China’s territorial aggression on all sides of its border.
- China’s expansionist designs continue to haunt all-weather ally Nepal too, as it has encroached on yet another part of the country.
- China has constructed nine buildings in a Nepal territory without the country’s consent or permission (?). Its bit tough to believe in the way, KP Sharma Oli behaving softly towards Beijing.
- China has secretly built the structures in the Humla district in Nepal, and has also stopped the Nepalese.
- This issue came into light when the president of the local village council, Vishnu Bahadur Lama, went on a visit to this territory.
- He revealed that China soldiers had completed the building construction in the Limi village of Lapcha village, who even prevented from going to the side of the village where the construction had taken place.
- Lama then took a few pictures with his mobile phone — which show the buildings have been built nearly 2 km into the Nepal territory. It should also be noted that while Nepali citizens are forbidden to visit the region, the Chinese are freely roaming inside the area.

How Nepal is helping China and Iran to deceive US sanctions

Some banks and companies in Nepal are allegedly involved in transferring money obtained suspiciously from oversees, an investigation revealed.
The investigative report released on Sun shows the involvement of Nepali companies and banks attempting to deceive US sanctions on trade especially on Iran and China.

INDIA COVID UPDATE

Feluda, first desi gene-based Covid test, gets approval

An indigenously developed test that uses the cutting-edge CRISPR gene-editing technology to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus accurately, cheaply and quickly has been approved for commercial launch by the Drugs Controller General of India. “The Tata CRISPR test is the world’s first diagnostic test to deploy a specially adapted Cas9 protein to successfully detect the virus,” govt said.

PM Modi to meet CMs of 7 worst-hit states

More than one crore migrant workers returned to their home states during the lockdown and Pandemic-Union Minister, Santosh Gangwar.

ICMR Was Blocked From Sharing Sero-Survey Data From Hotspots: Researchers

Researchers who conducted and analyzed results of India’s first national sero-prevalence survey, to estimate the prevalence of COVID-19 in the population in May 2020, have alleged that they were not allowed to include data from disease hotspots in 10 cities in the paper they published describing the survey.

India’s first CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) COVID19 test, developed by the Tata Group and CSIR-IGIB, approved for use in India: Min of S&T.