Newsletter 16 December

Sino-Indian Standoff: Both side Military talks deadlocked

Six new 'eyes in the sky' for IAF to be built by DRDO on Air India planes

In a major boost for the indigenous defense industry, India is going to make six new Airborne Early Warning and Control planes to be developed by Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) on aircraft from Air India to further improve Air Force’s surveillance capabilities along borders with China and Pakistan.
ANI reported that as per the discussions on the AEW&C Block 2 aircraft to be developed by the DRDO under a Rs 10,500 cr project, the 6 aircraft would be acquired from the Air India fleet and modified to fly with a radar that will give 360^o surveillance capability to the forces.
The project to build the AEW&C system on existing aircraft from the Air India fleet may also mean that India may not buy the 6 Airbus 330 transport aircraft planned to be acquired earlier from the European firm.
Block-I of the project was delayed beyond the scheduled timelines but with the prior experience under its belt, the Centre for Airborne Studies lab of DRDO is planning to complete it in a shorter timeframe.
The IAF has 3 PHALCON AWACS systems bought by it from Israel and Russia under which the radar is provided by the Israelis whereas the platform used is the Russian Ilyushin-76 transport aircraft.
The 2 NETRA aircraft provided by the DRDO have also performed very well in the recent conflicts where they have flown extensively to keep an eye on the enemy.
The 6 new ‘eyes in the sky’ would be stationed at different places in the countries for effective surveillance long both the borders, the sources said.

No intrusions, major face-offs in Eastern Command area since Ladakh crisis: Lt. Gen. Anil Chauhan

Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Anil Chauhan on Wed said there have been no intrusions or major face-offs in the area of responsibility of the Eastern Command since the Ladakh standoff between Indian troops and China’s PLA.
He said that post the Galwan Valley incident, bonhomie and mutual trust on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China evaporated, and it will take time for things to stabilize.
Lt Gen Chauhan, GoC-in-C Eastern Command, said the Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army had undertaken some precautionary deployment during the Ladakh crisis, which is now witnessing a gradual deduction in the eastern sector, due to the winter.

Indian Navy to acquire 38 extended range BrahMos missiles for new warships

In a bid to enhance the firepower of its warships, the Indian Navy has moved a proposal to acquire 38 extended range BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles which would be able to hit targets at around 450 km.
The missiles are to be fitted on the under-construction Vishakhapatnam class warships of the Indian Navy which are going to join active service in the near future.
“A Rs 1,800 crore proposal for acquiring 38 extended range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile is with the Defense Ministry and is expected to be approved soon,” Govt sources told ANI.
The Indian Navy had also carried out the test firing of the Brahmos missile from its warship INS Chennai to showcase its capability to strike targets at ranges more than 400 km in high seas.
India is also working on finding export markets for the supersonic cruise missile which has been indigenised to a large extent by the DRDO under its project PJ 10.

PM Modi pays tribute at National War Memorial on Vijay Diwas

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and home minister Amit Shah on Wed extended their wishes to countrymen on the occasion of the Vijay Diwas.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wed paid tribute at the National War Memorial in New Delhi on the 49^th anniversary of the 1971 that made Bangladesh an independent country. The day is celebrated as ‘Vijay Diwas’.
‘Swarnim Vijay Mashaal’ – a symbol of victory – was also lit by the Prime Minister. There are four such mashaals or torches which will be carried to various parts of the country, including to villages of Param Vir Chakra and MahaVir Chakra Awardees of 1971 war.

Farmer Protest 21st day

SC intends to set up committee comprising farmers' unions, Centre to resolve issues of protestors

The Supreme Court on Wed while observing that farmer’s issue “will soon become a national issue” said that it intends to set up a committee comprising representatives of farmers unions across India, Govt and other stakeholders to resolve the issues of protesting farmers.
A Bench of Chief Justice SA Bobde and Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for Centre.
The Bench also issued notice to Centre and State Govts on a batch of pleas seeking a direction to authorities to immediately remove the farmers who are protesting at several border points of Delhi against 3 new farm laws.
The top court also granted permission to implead farmer orgs and posted the matter for hearing on Thu.
At the outset of hearing advocate OP Prihar, appearing for one of the petitioners Rishabh Sharma a law student, argued that his plea seeks direction to open borders in view of Shaheen Bagh judgement where the apex court had said that roads can’t be blocked.
He said during the protest in Shaheen Bagh there were 3-4 lakhs protestors, the same situation is now in farmers protest. To this Chief Justice of India said, “There can’t be any precedent in law and order situation.“

47.43% votes polled till 1 pm in 7th phase of J&K DDC elections

In Jammu division, Kishtwar has recorded voting percentage of 61.01%, Udhampur 58.69%, Jammu 58.81%, Kathua 59.35%, Ramban 57.93%, Doda 50.13%, Samba 64.90%, Poonch 69.92%, Rajouri 61.38% and Reasi 58.89% till 01:00 pm.
Moreover it was informed that the Kashmir Division recorded an overall polling percentage of 32.41% while Jammu Division recorded 59.90% up to 01:00 pm.
Moreover, 1852 polling stations have been setup in this phase, 1068 in Kashmir division and 784 in Jammu division for smooth conduct of elections.

Fin Min extends deadline to implement reform-linked benefits till Feb 15

States to get additional borrowing permission on completion of reforms; they will also get additional financial assistance for capital expenditure.
The finance ministry has extended the deadline for states to complete citizen-centric reforms in various sectors to Feb 15 from Dec 31 earlier.
Now the states will be eligible for reform linked benefits if the finance ministry receives a recommendation from the nodal ministry concerned about the implementation of the reform by Feb 15, ‘21.
This year the country will produce 310 lakh tons of sugar, while domestic consumption is 210 lakh tons, therefore Govt decided to export 60 lakh tons, and 5 crore farmers will benefit from the subsidy obtained from export” Union Minister Prakash Javadekar
Today the Cabinet has resolved that the spectrum will be auctioned. The notice inviting applications will be sent and auctions will be held in March 2021. Cabinet approves Auction of spectrum in 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz frequency bands, for validity period of 20 years. A total of 2251.25 MHz is being offered with total valuation of Rs. 3,92,332.70 crore.
The last auction was held in 2016. A National Security Committee on Telecom has been formed to enhance the security of telecom equipment being procured from designated trusted sources: Union Min RS Prasad.

SC agrees to hear plea on uniform grounds of divorce for women of all faiths

In a remarkable development, SC on Wed agreed to entertain PILs seeking uniform grounds of divorce and uniformity in grant of alimony for women irrespective of their religious affiliations.
Hearing the matter, Chief Justice S A Bobde said, “We are entertaining the PILs with great caution.”
Senior advocates Pinky Anand and Meenakshi Arora argued for the PILs filed by lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay.
The petitioner said long back the SC had impressed upon the Govt to strive for bringing in the Uniform Civil Code, but nothing has happened so far.
The SC bench headed by CJI was initially reluctant to entertain the petition saying it is for the Govt to act on the issue.
Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, and Jains have to seek divorce under the Hindu Marriage Act 1955 but Muslim, Christian, and Parsis have their own personal laws.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on Wed where he discussed the India-UK partnership in the post-Covid and post-Brexit world. Discussions covered various facets of our strategic partnership,” read a tweet from Anurag Srivastava, spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs.

India, UK talk free trade ahead of Boris Johnson’s visit

Trade and investment with UK pushing India for a free trade agreement – along with Indo-Pacific, defense and security and cooperation for early recovery from Covid-19 – dominated the agenda for the meeting Tue between visiting UK secretary of state for foreign affairs Dominic Raab and his counterpart S Jaishankar.
Both countries agreed on a 10-year, 360^o roadmap for upgrading India-UK partnership to the next level with Raab listing enhanced trade partnership next year and a future free trade agreement as the top priority.
India said in a statement that both sides recognized the importance of fast tracking the discussions on a trade deal as well as concluding a “comprehensive migration and mobility partnership agreement” that can facilitate swifter movement of students and professionals in both directions.
Raab also reaffirmed the HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier Strike Group will visit the Indo-Pacific region next year.
On Tue, Raab met Min of Environment, Prakash Javadekar where he said that the UK will be working closely with India to tackle climate change.

Muslim voters are not your 'jagir': Owaisi to Mamata

A day after West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee alleged that the BJP is giving money to a party from Hyderabad to divide votes in the ensuing assembly elections, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi hit back at her saying the Muslim voters were not her “jagir (property)”. Rubbishing the allegation by Banerjee, Owaisi commented that nobody can buy him with money, ahead of Bengal Assembly poll.

NEIGHBORHOOD/ WORLD

Interior Minister says govt ready to negotiate with oppn

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad has said the Govt is ready to negotiate with the opposition on all matters of national interest except corruption cases.
Talking to media in Islamabad today, he said that opposition’s announcement regarding resignation from the parliament is a Drama.
He said some elements of PDM want to take a dangerous course against democracy and put it in a closed street.

India’s hegemonic designs intoxicate its relationship with South Asian neighbors: President

The Pakistan President, Arif Alvi has said “India does not enjoy good relations with any of its neighboring countries including Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal because of its hegemonic designs” He was addressing a seminar titled “Understanding Hindutva Mindset and Indian Hegemonic Aspirations” in Islamabad on Wed.

Hindutva mindset of Indian Govt endangered peace in region: Shibli

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz says the Hindutva mindset of the Indian Govt has endangered peace in the region.

Indian troops have again committed ceasefire violations in Bagsar Sector along the Line of Control-Pak Radio

Two soldiers killed in Indian ceasefire violation along LoC. According to ISPR, Pakistan army troops responded befittingly and inflicted heavy losses to Indian troops in men and material.

Covid-19

India needs up to 11m cold chain equipment for vaccination: Govt report

India would need to augment its cold chain equipment of different types required to handle vaccines by 5.2 million to 11 million, the latest short and medium-term projections made by the ministry of health and family welfare under the universal immunization program shows.

Adverse event can take place after any immunization. Some adverse events are mild like fever, pain. Some can be severe like toxic shock syndrome, anaphylactic shock: Dr Sanjay Rai, Professor, Centre for Community Medicine, AIIMS & principal investigator for Covaxin trials at AIIMS