Newsletter 21 October

Sino-Indian Standoff: Situation seems ‘Stand-still’ Superficially at least

Indo-Tibetan Border Police deputes first officer to head eastern command along LAC

The command, as per details accessed by PTI, overlooks ITBP battalions posted along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in states like Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Assam with frontiers at Itanagar (northeast) and Lucknow (east) and sector offices at Likabali, Tezpur, Dibrugarh, Gangtok, among others.

The command in Assam’s capital Guwahati also supervises ITBP battalions deployed for anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh.

Some officers, sub-officers and administrative staff were earlier posted by the force to operationalize the command but the posting of the top officer was delayed, official sources said.

The two ADG-rank headed commands were sanctioned by the Union Govt in Oct last year for better operational functioning of the about 35-38 battalions of the force deployed at the LAC, starting from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh along the eastern front.

Indian Army hands over Chinese soldier who strayed into Ladakh

The Indian Army handed over PLA soldier Corporal Wang Ya Long to the Chinese Army on early Wed morning. The PLA soldier was apprehended after he inadvertently crossed over into Indian Territory in the Demchok sector of eastern Ladakh on Mon.
Ya Lon was disoriented when he was taken into custody by Indian troops in the Demchok sector, as reported on Mon. [for detail see yesterday’s edition]

India-Taiwan pact talks: Beijing said respect ‘one-China’ stand

Amid reports that India is looking to start discussions for a trade deal with Taiwan, China asked New Delhi to approach Taiwan-related issues prudently, while insisting that there’s only one China and that Taiwan is its inalienable part.
While reports of a trade deal were not officially confirmed by any Indian agency, that didn’t prevent China from wading into the matter.
The Bloombergreport attributed the information to an unnamed Indian official who was quoted as saying “the hawks in India who want to start trade talks are getting the upper hand”.
The official added that it’s unclear when a final decision would be made on whether to start talks. The report said neither the Indian commerce ministry spokesperson nor Taiwan’s top trade negotiator responded immediately to requests seeking comment.
Yet, asked about the report on Tue, Chinese ministry told a regular media conference in Beijing: “There is only one China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The one-China principle is the common consensus of the international community, including India, and also serves as the political foundation for China to develop relations with any other country.”
Zhao said: “China is firmly opposed to any official exchanges of any form and the signing of any agreement of official nature between Taiwan and any country having diplomatic relations with China.”

Australia should embrace closer defense ties with India: ANI

The deterioration in both India and Australia’s relations with China has inevitably brought the two countries together and as Beijing has threatened to dial back its economic engagement, Canberra have looked to New Delhi as an attractive alternative, said Australia-based professor Salvatore Babones.
India on Mon announced Australia’s participation in the upcoming Malabar exercise along with the US and Japan, effectively making it the first military-level engagement between the 4-member nation grouping – the Quad.
With both countries facing security threats from China, defense co-operation is a great place to start, she added.
Australia and India have signed an agreement on logistical access to each other’s military facilities as part of a broader maritime partnership negotiated at last month’s virtual summit between Scott Morrison and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Meanwhile, tensions between India and China have escalated as troops of both countries are engaged in a standoff along Line of Actual Control (LAC).
In its South Asian neighborhood, Pakistan struggles to overcome military rule, Bangladesh is essentially a one-party state and Sri Lanka still hasn’t come to terms with the legacy of a brutal civil war.
All were once British colonies, but only India seems to have inherited Britain’s tradition of the rule of law.
In fact, The Economist gives India the highest democracy rating of any country on the Eurasian landmass, which stretches from S Korea to Greece.

Ertugrul series, propaganda, money - security agencies flag growing Turkey sway in Kashmir

From shows capturing Kashmiri youth’s imagination to money trickling in via NGOs and businesses, steady increase seen in Turkish influence and projection of President Erdogan as role model.
Security forces and agencies have flagged Turkey’s growing influence in Kashmir and are keeping a close watch on the money coming in from the West Asian country that has increased its focus on the region, ThePrint reported.
Sources in the defense and security establishment said Turkey’s growing influence began over the last few years and increased with the visit of top Pakistani army generals to the country in 2019.
“A number of journalists, including two relatives of separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, are now working for Turkish media organizations or pursuing courses in Turkish universities. Suddenly one finds more and more people getting tied up with Turkey,” a source said.
The source pointed out an effort is being made to increase Turkey’s influence in Kashmir especially with the young population. Multiple sources in the defense and security establishment and the civil society seconded this observation.
Ankara’s influence isn’t restricted to propaganda.
Funds have also started to slowly trickle into Kashmir from Turkey through some NGOs and businessmen, said a 3^rd source in the defense and security establishment.
Civil activist Javaid Beigh said there is no doubt that Turkish influence is growing in Kashmir. “This (is) part of a cleverly planned ploy,” he said.
Bashir Assad, who runs NGO Lehar Foundation and has recently authored a book, K File-The Conspiracy of Silence, highlighting the continuous radicalization of the youth in Kashmir, said Erdogan is the new “role model”.

UN rights chief expresses concern over restrictions on NGOs, arrest of activists in India

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Tue expressed concern over the restrictions on foreign funding for the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in India and the arrest of activists in the country.
She appealed to the Indian Govt to “safeguard the rights of human rights defenders and NGOs, and their ability to carry out their crucial work” on behalf of the many groups they represent.
“India has long had a strong civil society, which has been at the forefront of groundbreaking human rights advocacy within the country and globally,” she said in a statement. “But I am concerned that vaguely defined laws are increasingly being used to stifle these voices.”
Bachelet specifically cited as “worrying” the use of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), which prohibits the receipt of foreign funds “for any activities prejudicial to the public interest.”
She said the Act, which was adopted in 2010 and was amended last month, has been invoked over the years to “justify an array of highly intrusive measures, ranging from official raids on NGO offices and freezing of bank accounts, to suspension or cancellation of registration, including of civil society organizations that have engaged with UN human rights bodies.”
As per the amended FCRA law, furnishing of Aadhaar numbers by office-bearers of NGOs has become mandatory for registration.
The Act also provides for reduction in administrative expenses of any NGO receiving foreign funding, from 50 to 20% of annual funds to ensure spending on their main objectives.
Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai had said in Parliament that the legislation was not against any NGO and was an effort to maintain transparency.
This amendment is in the interest of good NGOs which want to do good work in the country, he had said.
“NGOs are expected to adhere to all our laws including in respect of foreign funding just as they presumably would in other countries including the US and in the European Union,” MEA said last month.
Bachelet said activists and human rights defenders have also “come under mounting pressure in recent months, particularly because of their engagement in mass protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act that took place across the country earlier this year.” However, she failed to mention that arrests were made for Delhi riots, not to protest.
India maintains that the CAA was its “internal matter” and that “no foreign party has any locus standi on issues pertaining to India’s sovereignty”.
“More than 1,500 people have reportedly been arrested in relation to the protests, with many charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act – a law which has also been widely criticized for its lack of conformity with international human rights standards,” she said, adding that charges have also been filed under this law against a number of individuals, including 83-year-old Catholic priest Stan Swamy.
“India is a democratic polity based on the rule of law and an independent judiciary. The framing of laws is obviously a sovereign prerogative,” MEA reacted to the statement.

However, doesn’t it look something illogical, where some international body is annoying for inability to fund in some country, while many other countries are struggling for food to all?

Why PM Modi’s still so popular even as India fails to fight coronavirus

Modi backers blame others for India’s woes, and there is no shortage of targets: Federal bureaucrats, state govts, village leaders, opposition parties and even their fellow citizens. The PM has helped endear himself to India’s poor by meeting their daily needs like cooking gas etc, all while taking measures to bolster the status of the Hindu majority over religious minorities.

PM Modi addressed the Nation at 6 pm yesterday, regarding the carelessness of netizens over Corona virus.

Cabinet approves bonus for central Govt employees

Union Cabinet approves productivity linked bonus and non-productivity linked Bonus for 2019-2020. More than 30 lakh non-gazetted employees will be benefited by the bonus announcement and total financial implication will be Rs 3,737 crores: Union Minister Prakash Javadekar.

Cabinet also approved adaptation of the JnK Panchayati Raj Act, 1989. The move will help establish all the 3 tiers of grass root level democracy like in other part of the country.

"Devendra Fadnavis Destroyed My Life": Eknath Khadse Quits BJP For NCP

Eknath Khadse, who was a minister in the BJP Govt in Maharashtra, had been upset since 2016, when he was made to resign over allegations of corruption.

Billboards in J-K's Srinagar ahead of two-day national symposium focusing on 'memories of 22 Oct 1947'

Billboards have been put at several locations in Srinagar, ahead of the two days ‘National Symposium’ being organized by National Museum Institute of History of Art, Conservation and Museology in collaboration with the Govt of UT JnK on Oct 22-23^rd.
The 2 days ‘National Symposium’ will be focusing on “memories of 22 Oct 1947 (Black Day).”
“A two-day symposium on ‘Memories of 22 Oct 1947’ proposed to be organized in Kashmir by the National Museum Institute will bring forth the historical narrative of 22 Oct 1947.

With EVMs used for first time, Leh council polls to ensure ‘no voter is left behind’

Bihar Polls: Congress manifesto focuses on farmers, education and employment

The Congress party on Wed released its manifesto for the upcoming 3-phased Bihar Assembly Polls. Referred to as “Badlav Patr“, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala, All India Congress Committee (AICC) Bihar in-charge Shakti Singh Gohil, presented manifesto of the party that promises loan waiver for farmers and providing 50% subsidy in electricity bill to the farmer’s up to 100 Units. The manifesto also promised that it will reject the Centre’s farm laws if voted to power.

Assam seizes locomotive for ‘murdering’ elephants

Assam forest officials “seized” on Tue the engine of a goods train that had mowed down a mother elephant and her calf inside Lumding Reserve Forest through which the tracks pass, the first time such action has been taken by the authorities. Assam environment and forests minister Parimal Suklabaidya said that they will take a tough stand against the Railways.

Jio, Qualcomm Join Hands to Bring 5G Network to India, Achieve Super Speed of Over 1 Gbps During Trials

In the latest round of trials, the duo announced they achieved over a 1 Gbps speed, taking India into the Gigabit 5G network portfolio.
Chipset maker Qualcomm Technologies, Inc and telecom major Reliance Jio on Tue came together to announce that they are finally on the path to fast-track the development and rollout of indigenous 5G network infrastructure and services in India.
In the latest round of trials, the duo announced they achieved over a 1 Gbps speed, taking India into the Gigabit 5G network portfolio.

NEIGHBORHOOD/ WORLD

3 killed, 15 injured in Karachi explosion

At least 3 people were killed and 15 others suffered injuries in an explosion near Maskan Chowrangi in Karachi’s Gulshan-i-Iqbal area on Wed, according to officials from the Edhi Foundation.
All injured and deceased have been taken to Patel hospital, the officials added, Dawn reported
Nature of the blast has not yet been ascertained.
However, Mubina Town police SHO said that it “seems to be a cylinder blast“, adding that the bomb disposal squad is arriving to verify the cause of the explosion.

'Demoralized, shocked' Sindh Police in open revolt against Pak Army over IGP 'kidnapping', jittery Bajwa orders inquiry

It is not just political parties in Pakistan who are protesting against the ‘deep state’ in the country, police officers in the Sindh province are also revolting against the atrocities of the powerful army.
Recently, political parties under the banner joint opposition alliance-Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) – protested against the ‘puppet’ Govt of PM Imran Khan and demanded his resignation.
Thousands of people participated in the rally in Karachi. Following the rally, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Maryam Nawaz’s husband Safdar Awan was arrested from his hotel room.
Almost all police officers in Sindh Police applied for leave in protest against the humiliation meted out to the Sindh IGP Mushtaq Mehr, during the PML-N leader Safdar Awan’s arrest saga, ANI reported.
PML-N leader, spokesman for Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz’s and former Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair that the IGP Sindh was ‘kidnapped’ by Rangers who forced him to file an FIR for Safdar’s arrest.
The development caused extreme bitterness among the police officers who retaliated by submitting leave of absence.
Almost the entire top brass of the police, including three Additional IGs, 25 DIGs, 30 SSPs and dozens of SPs, DSPs and SHOs across Sindh, tendered leave applications, as a protest against the “resentment and heartache caused to all ranks of the force” by the unfortunate incident of Oct 18/19.
The incident sent shockwaves in top Army brass with Army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa himself stepped in and order an inquiry into the ‘Karachi incident’.
In a tweet, the Sindh Police termed their reaction of filing leave application “as a spontaneous and heartfelt reaction and made on an individual basis rather than on a collective basis.” Lower level officers also going on protest leave.
Pak Army is under tremendous pressure after Sindh Police shows united resistance against the Army. Bajwa calls up Bilawal Bhuttoo assuring transparent probe.

FATF needs to take hard look at Pakistan to ensure it comply with terror-related obligation: Report

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) needs to take a hard and objective look at Pakistan’s attempts to leverage “nuisance value” to ensure that the country fully complies with terror financing and money laundering obligations before it can be de-listed, Global Watch Analysis reported.
The FATF, the global money-laundering and terror-financing watchdog, is holding its plenary session from Oct 21 where it will decide the fate of Pakistan.
Early this month, the FATF’s Asia Pacific Group (APG) on Money Laundering has kept Pakistan on “Enhanced Follow-up List” for its slow progress on the technical recommendations of the FATF to fight terror financing.
Pakistan’s progress has remained unchanged -non-compliant on four counts.

COVID-19

US teenager wins prize for discovery potentially leading to COVID-19 cure

A US teenager from Texas has won the 2020 3M Young Scientist Challenge and a 25,000-US-dollar-prize for a discovery that could provide a potential therapy to COVID.
The winning invention of Anika Chebrolu, a 14-year-old girl, uses in-silico methodology to discover a lead molecule that can selectively bind to the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.