Newsletter 7 January

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

Stay off Sino-Indian border row, China hits out at US

Responding to the outgoing US envoy Kenneth Juster’s remarks on the LAC stand-off, the Chinese ambassador to India Sun Weidong on Wed hit out at the US asking it to not meddle in the Sino-Indian border dispute.
In his farewell address, US envoy, Juster had brought up the border stand-off while making the point that no country had contributed to the security of India and Indians as much as the US and also confirming that there had been India-US cooperation on the military situation in Ladakh.
Sun accused the US of targeting China through its relations with India. “We have noticed recent remarks with reference to China by the US side. We oppose any third party meddling in China-India border issue and hope the US relations with others do not target any specific country,” Sun stated in a tweet.
Juster had refused to elaborate on the nature of military cooperation with India on the LAC issue.
“If the Govt of India wants to comment, that’s for the GoI. Suffice it to say that we have cooperated,” he had said.

Army plans to keep 2 strike corps for mountains facing China amid Ladakh crisis

I Corps, deployed on western border with Pakistan, is being realigned to focus on northern theatre, while 17 Corps will focus on eastern theatre.
Amid the continuing stalemate with China in eastern Ladakh, and with the proposal for Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) yet to come into effect, the Army is looking to keep two strike corps for the mountains facing China as part of a larger restructuring plan, ThePrint has reported.
Defense sources said two existing strike corps — I Corps and 17 Corps — will be slightly restructured to focus on the northern and eastern theatres respectively, to tackle any threat from China. The restructuring is likely to be implemented by this month.
ThePrint reached the Army for an official comment via email, but it said details and implications of force structures cannot be shared.
Current structure and realignment: The Army currently has 4 strike corps — the Mathura-based I Corps, the Ambala-based II corps, the Bhopal-based 21 Corps and the partially-raised 17 Corps.
The primary role of a strike corps is offensive trans-border action against an adversary.
Sources said the Army is also planning to realign a division from an existing corps to focus exclusively on the central sector with China.
This division is likely to be under the central command and will focus on the central theatre, thereby strengthening the offensive options in case of any protracted conflict with China.

Around 400 terrorists in launch pads across LoC waiting to infiltrate, Pak planning to push them in winter: Officials

Around 400 terrorists are currently in launching pads across the Line of Control (LoC), waiting to sneak into Jammu and Kashmir during the winters, after a tight anti-infiltration grid frustrated attempts by Pakistan to push them into the Indian side, according to officials.
A top police official said that Pakistan is trying to infiltrate terrorists along the LoC in JnK even during the winters when most of the passes and mountainous areas along the border are covered in heavy snow.
There have been reports of infiltration by 44 terrorists in 2020 as compared to 141 in 2019, while 143 in 2018.
Rattled by the success of India’s anti-infiltration grid with the blocking of several key routes, the Pakistan Army carried out 5,100 ceasefire violations in 2020, the highest since the 2003 truce came into effect, in its attempt to push in more terrorists in JnK under the cover of mortar shelling and firing, the officials said.
While 175-210 terrorists are in launch pads along the LoC on the other side of the north of Pir Panjal (Kashmir valley), there are 119-216 terrorists opposite to the LoC area south of Pir Panjal (Jammu region).
Pakistani agencies are using tunnels to push in armed terrorists, weapons, ammunition and explosive in JnK.

JnK Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has launched an industrial development scheme amounting to Rs 24,800 crore for the Union Territory on Thu.

After a landslide was reported on the Udhampur district’s Samroli area here, restoration work has been initiated at National Highway, the JnK Traffic Police informed on Thu.

Freight corridors will help in development of new growth centers in India: PM Modi

The eastern and the western dedicated freight corridors are being seen as a game-changer for India and will help in the development of new growth centers in different parts of the country, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.
The PM said while inaugurating the 306 km long Rewari-Madar section of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC).
PM Modi also flagged off the Double Stack Long Haul container train on electric traction from New Ateli-New Kishangarh during the virtual event.
The train is 1.5 km in length.
The Prime Minister said that the emergency use approval to two ‘made in India’ COVID-19 vaccines has instilled a new confidence in the people of the country.
As per an official statement, the dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India (DFCCIL) will run freight trains at the maximum speed of 100 km/h as against the current max speed of 75 kmph on Indian Railway tracks whereas the average speed of freight trains will also be increased from the existing speed of 26 kmph on Indian Railways lines to 70 kmph on DFC.

Farmers Protest Row

Farmers Protest Row SC asks Centre: What steps have you taken to prevent Covid spread at farmers’ protest site

Expressing concern over large gatherings of farmers at Delhi borders, Supreme Court asked Union of India as to whether they (farmers) were protected from COVID.
SC asked SG Tushar Mehta, “You must tell us what’s happening? I don’t know if farmers are protected from COVID.” The SC cited a gathering at Tablighi Jamaat’s headquarters in Delhi in March that was blamed for a jump in Covid-19 infections and asked the Centre what guidelines were in place to prevent a similar situation at the farmer protest sites. It issued a notice seeking the Centre’s reply within two weeks.

Farm unions say their march is just “rehearsal” for their proposed Jan 26 tractor parade during which they will attempt to move into the national capital from different parts of Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wed ordered withdrawal of charges under Indian Penal Code’s Section 307 (attempt to murder) against farm laws protesters who dumped cow dung outside an ex-BJP minister’s house.

PM Modi assures German Chancellor of India's commitment to deploy vaccine capacity for world

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wed held a video-teleconference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and discussed key issues of mutual importance including India’s commitment to deploy its capacities for the benefit of the world. (ANI)
The two leaders discussed key issues of mutual importance including the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, bilateral ties, regional and global issues, particularly India-EU relations.
He also thanked her for guiding the growth of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, as per PMO.
Taking to Twitter, the PM said: “As we celebrate 70^th anniversary of our diplomatic relationship and 20^th anniversary of our Strategic Partnership with Germany this year, Chancellor Merkel and I had a fruitful video call today.“
The two leaders agreed to hold the 6^th Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) at an early date in 2021 and to set an ambitious agenda for the same.

It is in Sri Lanka's 'own interest' to meet expectations of Tamils, says Jaishankar

India on Wed called on Sri Lanka to meet the expectations of its minority Tamil community for equality, justice, peace and dignity within a united country for its “own interest”, as part of the reconciliation process.
During a joint media interaction with his counterpart Dinesh Gunawardena, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is in the island nation for his first overseas visit of the year, underlined India’s backing for Lanka’s reconciliation process and an “inclusive political outlook” that encourages ethnic harmony.
Our support for the reconciliation process in Sri Lanka is longstanding, as indeed for an inclusive political outlook that encourages ethnic harmony, he said.
That applies equally to the commitments made by the Sri Lankan Govt on meaningful devolution, including the 13^th Amendment (provides for devolution of power to the Tamil community, to the Constitution,” Jaishankar added.
India has been pressing Sri Lanka to implement the 13^th amendment which was brought in after the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement of 1987.
His remarks assume significance in the backdrop of moves by the ruling Sri Lanka People’s Party (SLPP) allies to mount a public campaign for abolition of Sri Lanka’s provincial councils system.
The SLPP’s Sinhala majority hardliners have been advocating a total abolition of the island’s provincial council system established in 1987.
While expressing India’s commitment to help enhance Lanka’s capability to deal with growing maritime challenges, Jaishankar said New Delhi also looked forward to the early return of the Indian fishermen detained in the island nation.

Embassy of India in Thimphu (Bhutan): Standing shoulder to shoulder with Bhutan during times of COVID19. Nine consignments containing RT-PCR test kits, a portable X-Ray machine, medical supplies and PPE equipment were handed over during Mar-Dec 2020:

Supreme Court dismisses Abu Salem's petition claiming his 'extradition illegal ‘India

Abu Salem, an accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, had been extradited from Portugal on Nov 11, 2005, after a prolonged legal battle.
The Supreme Court on Thu declined to entertain a petition by gangster Abu Salem, who claimed his extradition was illegal and liable to be cancelled because of breach of terms by Indian authorities.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde asked Salem to approach the Bombay High Court with his plea. The plea also sought a direction to transfer Salem from Taloja jail to Tihar jail so that amicus curiae can speak to him and procure some documents.
The gangster is serving a life sentence in jail after being convicted in the 1993 Mumbai blasts that had killed 257 and injured 713 people.
He has also been sentenced to 7 years rigorous imprisonment in 2002 extortion case by Delhi Court.

NIA conducts raids in J-K, Punjab in connection with narcotics, weapons cases

The National Investigation Agency on Thu has conducted raids at 6 locations in Jnk and Punjab in connection with narcotics and weapons cases. The raids were conducted in some areas in Jammu and Tarn Taran in Pub.

ATS arrests Myanmar native living in UP on fake papers for 19 years

Acting on intelligence inputs from the central and international agencies, Uttar Pradesh anti-terror squad arrested one Azizul Haq from Sant Kabir Nagar on Wed.
The ATS sleuths claim that Haq was a Rohingya from Myanmar and was living on forged Indian documents in the east UP district for the past 19 years.
The agency conducted simultaneous raids at, Mumbai, Hyderabad and multiple locations across 5 Distt of UP.
ADG, law and order, Prashant Kumar, said that ATS if other persons like Haq of Myanmar were staying in UP on fake identities, they would be nabbed soon.

Currency in circulation up by Rs 5 lakh crore in 2020

Currency in circulation (CIC) went up by a record Rs 5 lakh crore in 2020 as Indians joined the global dash for cash in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
With gross domestic product (GDP) expected to shrink by 7.5% in FY21, currency-to-GDP ratio could cross 15%.
According to data released by the Reserve Bank of India, currency in circulation grew by Rs 5,01,405 crore between Jan 1, 2019, and Jan 1, 2020.
Overall, it has gone up to Rs 2770315 crore, up 22% from the previous year. This is the sharpest increase to date, if the post-demonetization surge due to banknote replacement is excluded.

NEIGHBORHOOD/ WORLD

Joint session of US Congress certifies victory of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris in Nov 3 election

Electoral count resumes after Trump supporters storm US Capitol.
Congress gaveled back into session late Wed to resume the process of certifying Joe Biden’s presidential election victory after a mob protesting Donald Trump’s defeat violently invaded the US Capitol and plunged Washington into chaos.
The clashes left four dead and Mayor of Washington imposed a curfew. Protesters barged into the Capitol and roamed in the hallways.
Video of Indian flag spotted in pro-Trump rally at US Capitol goes viral

‘Democratic process cannot be allowed to be subverted through unlawful protests,’ PM Modi tweets on violence at US Capitol.

Naval Chief, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia discuss issues of mutual interest

Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Maliki called on Naval Chief Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi in Islamabad on Thu.
According to Spokesperson FO, Pakistan Navy, issues of mutual interest were discussed in the meeting.
They also discussed the security situation of the region and further enhancement of bilateral maritime cooperation between the two countries.

Pakistan today conducted a successful test flight of indigenously developed Fatah-1, Guided Multi Launch Rocket System, capable of delivering a conventional Warhead upto a range of 140 km. The Weapon System will give Pak Army capability of precision target engagement deep in enemy territory, as per DG ISPR

Karachi: Hazaras intensify protest against Machh killing

Pakistan’s Hazara community, on Thu, continued to mount pressure on the Govt through mega sit-in protest in Karachi, demanding action against the killing of 11 coal miners in Machh in Balochistan province.
The protests spilled out into the neighborhoods of the port city, including Shahrah-e-Faisal, Malir 15 and Teen Talwar, disrupting rail, road traffic and even forcing some airlines to reschedule their flights, Dawn reported.
“The protests have been joined by people from all walks of life and beyond their sectarian or political association. They all are united in these testing times for the Hazara community. We demand the Govt and Prime Minister Imran Khan play their due role before it`s too late,” Dawn quoted a spokesperson for the Majlis-i-Wahdatul Muslimeen as saying.

Pakistan’s minority commission team visits vandalized Hindu temple

A delegation of Pakistan’s National Commission for Minorities led by its chairman Chela Ram Kewlani on Wed visited the Hindu temple that was vandalized and set on fire by a mob in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province last week.

Attacks in southern Afghanistan kill at least 11: HT Report

In southern Uruzgan province, a suicide car bomber detonated a vehicle full of explosives early Thu near a military base, killing 6 security forces, said a provincial council member who was not authorized to speak with the media.

US warns of restrictions against Hong Kong authorities

Washington may sanction those involved in the arrest of over 50 people in Hong Kong and will send the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations to visit Taiwan, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, drawing anger and the threat of retaliation from Beijing.

COVID-19

Govt finalizes COVID-19 vaccine transport module

“For vaccine transportation across the country, a common draft has been made. It will shortly be shared with stakeholders. The transportation of vaccines is likely to begin by today or tomorrow,” Govt sources told ANI.

Haryana: A World Health Organization (WHO) team visits a COVID vaccination center in Gurugram for inspection. “Arrangements are satisfactory & all recommendations have been followed to the letter. The center is ready to conduct a vaccination drive,” says one visiting WHO official