Newsletter 5 January

Sino-Indian Standoff: Next round Talk Occur soon (?)

India-China standoff: China deploys tanks along LAC opposite Indian posts

Amid tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), China has reportedly deployed tanks in front of Indian posts opposite Rezang La, Rechin La and Mukhosri locations.
Reports say at least 30 to 35 tanks have been deployed by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) at the LAC.
The tanks are reportedly lightweight and have been made using modern technology. The Indian Army has also deployed tanks at the hills of above ranges.
However, India’s ministry of external affairs (MEA) had said that India-China commander-level talks had led to “stability on the ground” and that more efforts would be made to restore peace even as tens of thousands of troops have been deployed by both sides in the Ladakh region and the Chinese-held Tibetan plateau.
However, several rounds of talks have failed to significantly ease tensions along the LAC.
According to reports, India had moved its premier T-90 battle tanks to eastern Ladakh in late June in the aftermath of the Galwan clash between Indian soldiers and Chinese troops even as India and Chinese commanders began their long drawn talks to disengage along the LAC.
The Russian-built T-90 Bhishma tanks were acquired by India in 2001. India has already been boosting its T-90 tank capacity for several years keeping in mind the growing security risk along the LAC.
The month of July marked a pivotal time in which the Indian army was able to move the tanks to the LAC putting its best military firepower at the head of its defensive and offensive capabilities to take on the PLA.
India had earlier reportedly made an assessment for up to eight T-90 tank regiments for the LAC with the total number of T90 and its variants going up to at least 4,500, this backed by India’s infantry forces, the Army packs a punch against PLA’s ground forces at LAC.

Xi Jinping orders China’s military to be ready for war ‘at any second’ and that the PLA should be in a state of “full-time combat readiness”. He also said the troops should use “new combat realms into training and combat systems”.

Army well entrenched to counter any misadventure by China in Ladakh, says defense ministry

Defense Ministry said airlift assets proved their mettle by mobilizing huge quantum of war-waging machinery and battle-ready troops in the Northern Sector in quick time frames.
Braving inclement weather, Indian troops are “well entrenched” to counter any misadventure by Chinese forces in eastern Ladakh, the MoD has said, underlining that Army is prepared for any eventuality.
In its annual report, the ministry has added that the unilateral and provocative actions by the Chinese to change the status quo by force, in more than one area along the LAC, were given a response in “a firm and non-escalatory way, ensuring the sanctity of our claims in eastern Ladakh”.
“While the Indian Army is prepared for any eventuality, talks are also progressing to resolve the issue in an amicable manner.”
The Army, it said, has maintained all protocols and agreements between the two countries while the PLA escalated the situation by using “unorthodox weapons” and amassing large numbers of troops.
According to the MoD report, released on Jan 1^st, India has categorically conveyed to China that any attempt to unilaterally alter the status quo at the border is unacceptable and that India is determined to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Talking about the mobilization effort, the MoD added that the Army, with assistance from the Indian Air Force (IAF), mobilized troops, including accretionary forces, in a very short duration, besides heavy equipment like guns, tanks and ammunition, rations and clothing.
Complementing the IAF, the report said heavy-airlift assets proved their mettle by mobilizing huge quantum of war-waging machinery along with battle-ready troops in the Northern Sector in quick time frames, thereby “altering the dynamics of the force posturing”. The IAF, it said, not only deployed its transport fleet but also deployed attack helicopters and fighters in the Ladakh sector.

The concept of Indo-Pacific has been many years in the making: Ken Juster,

It is in the past four years that our countries have shown the ambition to turn it into reality.

In 2017 President Trump described the US vision as for a free and open Indo-Pacific. As one as sovereign and independent nations with diverse cultures can prosper side by side and thrive in freedom and peace.
Indo-Pacific region encompasses world’s largest & fastest-growing economies and most populace nations. More than 50% of international trade passes through its water. Region is rich in natural resources and is fast becoming center of gravity of evolving international system, said outgoing Kenneth Juster, US Ambassador to India in his farewell speech
America’s support to India is clear across political spectrum.
As US and other companies find it increasingly difficult to operate in China or seek to diversify way from Chinese led supply chains. India has strategic opportunity to become an alternative manufacturing destination in Indo-Pacific region.
US Govt is dedicated to not just bilateral relationships but to supporting India’s rise on world stage. US National Security Strategy put it down on paper in 2017, welcoming India’s emergence as a leading power and a stronger strategic and defense partner.

India's Defense Deal with Russia May Trigger US Sanctions, Warns Congressional Report

In Oct 2018, India had signed a USD 5 billion deal with Russia to buy 5 units of the S-400 air defense missile systems, despite a warning from the Trump administration.
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) – an independent and bipartisan research wing of US Congress – in its latest report to Congress said India is “eager for more technology-sharing and co-production initiatives, while the US urges more reforms in India’s defense offsets policy and higher Foreign Direct Investment caps in its defense sector”.

United Kingdom PM Boris Johnson canceled visit to India later this month: Reuters

UK Deputy National Security Advisor Alex Ellis CMG has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of India in succession to Philip Barton KCMG OBE. Ellis will take up his appointment during Jan 2021.

In boost to ties, Nepal foreign minister’s visit likely this month

The ministry of external affairs is working with Nepal’s foreign ministry to schedule a visit by Nepal foreign minister Pradeep Gyawali later this month. While India was ambivalent initially about high-level contact with Kathmandu in the middle of the political uncertainty in Nepal, the govt is now going ahead with the 6^th foreign minister-level joint commission meeting.
Reaching out last week, Nepal’s ambassador to India Nilambar Acharya had told TOI that the upward trend in bilateral ties was going to continue and that preparations were on even for a visit by Gyawali to India for the joint commission meeting.
Gyawali was quoted as saying in Kathmandu a few days later that he was going to visit India in Jan.
During his visit to Nepal in Nov, foreign secretary Harsh Shringla had conveyed an invite from foreign minister S Jaishankar to Gyawali for the visit.
The joint commission meeting is meant to review progress in bilateral ties with focus on economic partnership, trade and transit connectivity, power and water resources.

With eye on China, India looks at lithium reserves in Argentina, Chile and Bolivia

Currently, India is heavily dependent on import of these cells and the move to ink sourcing pacts for lithium is seen as another salvo in the front against China, a key source of both the raw material and cells.
Just as it was stepping up its economic offensive against China, India, through a newly-floated state-owned company, inked a pact with an Argentine firm mid-last year to jointly prospect lithium in the South American country that has the third largest reserves of the silver-white alkali metal — a crucial building block of the Li-ion rechargeable batteries that power electric vehicles (EVs), laptops and mobile phones.
The new company, Khanij Bidesh India Ltd – incorporated in Aug, 2019 by 3 state-owned companies, NALCO, Hindustan Copper and Mineral Exploration Ltd, with a specific mandate to acquire strategic mineral assets such as Li and Co abroad – is also learnt to be exploring options in Chile and Bolivia, two other top lithium-producing countries.
India is seen as a late mover as it attempts to enter the lithium value chain, coming at a time when EVs are predicted to be a sector ripe for disruption.
And 2021 is likely to be an inflection point for battery technology, with several potential improvements to the Li-ion technology, and alternatives to this tried-and-tested formulation, under advanced stages of commercialization.

Punjab Govt Allows Farmers From Other States To Sell Produce Amid Opposition To Agri Laws

As the impasse between the farmers and the Centre continues over the 3 contentious farm laws, the Punjab Govt has allowed farmers from other states to sell their produce in Punjab, therefore implementing the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020.
This comes despite CM Amarinder Singh-led administration’s stern opposition to the 3- farm laws. The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020 (one of the three farm laws being opposed by farmers) aims at freeing farmers from the constraints of the state Agriculture Produce Market Committees whereby they would be able to sell their produce anywhere.

WHO Chief Praises India's "Decisive Action, Resolve" To End COVID-19

India has one of the largest vaccine manufacturing capacities in the world and has secured authorization to mass-produce the AstraZeneca, Novavax and Gamaleya Research Institute vaccines.
Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Tue praised India’s action and its resolve to end the COVID-19 pandemic as the largest vaccine producer of the world.

US business magnate, philanthropist, and co-founder of Microsoft Bill Gates on Tue applauded India’s effort in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. He also hailed India’s leadership in scientific innovation and vaccine manufacturing capability.

Central Vista project gets Supreme Court go-ahead

The 3-judge bench of the Supreme Court, by a 2:1 majority on Tue, however, insisted that the clearance of the Heritage Conservation Committee will be mandatory and the same should be obtained by the project consultant before proceeding with the development work.
The Bench also directed installation of smog guns at the project site as a measure to curb pollution and asked the Min of Env to consider having smog guns while carrying out any such development work in future.
Apart from a new Parliament building, the Central Vista project involves constructing a common Central Secretariat along with residences of Prime Minister and vice-president, and a revamp of the 3-km-long Rajpath, from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate.

Centre starts Sagarmala Seaplane Services project with potential airline operators ANI

Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on Mon kicked off the ambitious project of Sagarmala Seaplane Services (SSPS) with potential airline operators.
The Ministry is initiating the process of commencing operations of the seaplane services, on the select routes, under a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) framework through prospective airline operators, as per official release by the Min.
The project execution and implementation would be through Sagarmala Development Company Ltd (SDCL), which is under the administrative control of the Min.
Several destinations are envisaged for seaplane operations. To run more such services in the coastal areas or proximity to water bodies, SDCL is keen to associate with the interested scheduled/ non-scheduled airline operators.
It will generate employment opportunities and stimulate tourism on these new locations, which will consequently contribute to the country’s GDP in the long run,” the release added.

Kochi-Mangaluru gas pipeline will boost economic growth in Kerala, Karnataka: PM

Prime Minister’s office said the 450km long Kochi-Mangaluru natural gas pipeline built by GAIL (India) Ltd marks an important milestone towards the creation of “One Nation One Gas Grid”.
The 450km long pipeline project, which cost Rs 3,000-crore built by GAIL (India) Ltd marks an important milestone towards the creation of “One Nation One Gas Grid, PMO said in a statement.
This will carry natural gas from the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Regasification Terminal at Kochi to Mangaluru, has the transportation capacity of 12 million metric standard m³/day: PMO.

MEA OK with proposal to give NRIs e-ballots

The ministry of external affairs has written to the Election Commission favoring its recent proposal to allow non-resident Indians to vote remotely through electronically-transmitted postal ballot system (ETPBS) from their country of residence. However, it has suggested that the poll body hold consultations with all stakeholders before rolling out the facility.

Vietnam buys Indian rice for first time in decades: Report

Vietnam, the world’s third-biggest exporter of rice, has started buying the grain from rival India for the first time in decades after local prices jumped to their highest in nine years amid limited domestic supplies. The purchases highlight tightening supplies in Asia. Further price hike in 2021 could force traditional buyers to switch from Thailand and Vietnam to India.

NEIGHBORHOOD/ WORLD

China opposes US’ insidious attack on civilian-military integration: FM

China firmly opposes the US Govt’s insidious attacks against China’s civilian-military integration drive, its penchant for politicizing commercial issues and cracking down on Chinese companies by abusing its state power, Hua Chunying, a spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, said on Tue during a news briefing, in response to the Global Times’ report that China could ask US companies to disclose their connections to US military.

There will be no Jack Ma era, the People’s Daily says

China’s most famous entrepreneur and one of its richest men has disappeared and is reportedly ’embracing supervision’, while top officials order a restructuring of the financial operations of Ant, to a format preferred by the country’s banking regulators.

Meanwhile, online vitriol towards Ma has heated up (or been ramped up) dramatically. Usually known as “Uncle Horse” – as his Chinese surname ‘Ma’ means horse – he has recently been damned as a money-grabbing ‘vampire’ who exploits the poor, in state media outlets strongly criticizing him, even the People’s Daily.

Start reconstruction of vandalized Hindu temple within 2 weeks: Pakistan Supreme Court

The SC of Pakistan on Tue gave authorities 2 weeks to start the reconstruction of the Hindu temple demolished by a mob in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Karak.
The temple was demolished and set on fire by hundreds of people on Dec 30.
The court directed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Govt and Auqaf department to start the work immediately and submit a progress report in two weeks.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmed said that the people, who vandalized the temple, should pay for its restoration.

COVID-19

End of speculation as Govt announced COVID-19 vaccine roll out date

India will begin administering coronavirus vaccine by Jan 13, the Union Health Ministry announced at a press briefing on Tue. “There are 4 primary vaccine stores called GMSD located in Karnal, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata and there are 37 vaccine stores in the country. They store vaccines in bulk and distribute further, Ministry said.

20 fresh cases of UK mutant Covid strain reported in India, total 58 cases
Serum Institute of India-Bharat Biotech come out with a joint statement, committing to a smooth rollout of COVID-19 vaccine.
Moderna to produce at least 600 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in 2021