Newsletter 15 January

Sino-Indian Standoff: Don’t test our patience: Army Chief

Don’t test our patience: Army Chief to China on LAC row

In his customary Army Day address at the Parade Ground in Delhi Cantt, Army Chief, Gen MM Naravane said that the morale of the soldiers deployed in forward areas in the Ladakh sector was higher than the mountains they were defending.
Naravane on Fri said while India was committed to resolving the row through military and diplomatic talks, “no one should commit the mistake of testing our patience.”
Naravane said India had given a fitting response to the (Chinese) conspiracy of attempting to unilaterally change the status quo along the contested Line of Actual Control (LAC) where India and China have been locked in a standoff for over eight months.
“I want to assure the country that the sacrifice of the Galwan braves will not go in vain,” he said.
On the situation along the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan, the Army Chief said 300 to 400 terrorists are present in camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and waiting to sneak into India.
Earlier this week, Naravane said the Army was prepared to hold its ground in eastern Ladakh “for as long as it takes” to achieve national objectives in case the ongoing military and diplomatic talks with China to reduce tensions in the sensitive sector are “prolonged,” even as he described a joint threat from China and Pakistan as “very potent.”
He said India should not read too much into the recent withdrawal of Chinese Troops from depth areas on the Tibetan Plateau as there has been absolutely no reduction of troops by either side at friction points in the Ladakh sector.
HT reported on Mon that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) have moved back at least 10,000 soldiers from depth areas in the Ladakh theatre to rear positions but the PLA’s frontline deployments remain unchanged.
The two Armies are due to hold the ninth round of military talks between their senior commanders to resolve the lingering border dispute that has brought chill to ties between India and China.

India, China in constant communication for next round of senior commanders meeting: MEA

India and China continue to maintain close communication through diplomatic and military channels with the objective of ensuring complete disengagement in all friction points along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh, Ministry of External Affairs said on Thu.
MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said at the regular media briefing that the two sides are in constant communication through diplomatic and military channels for holding the next round of senior commanders meeting.
Srivastava said the last round of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China border affairs was held on Dec 18, in which both sides agreed to maintain close consultations at the diplomatic and military levels “
India and China are in a standoff in Eastern Ladakh as a result of actions by the Chinese Army.

Anguished over targeted killings in Afghanistan, says India

Stating that the people of Afghanistan longed for a peaceful future, the government called for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire that will lay the ground for a meaningful peace process to establish a peaceful, prosperous and progressive Afghanistan.
“India stands with the people of Afghanistan in their journey towards peace,” said MEA.
Asked about NSA Ajit Doval’s two-day visit to Afghanistan, Srivastava said that his discussions with Afghan leaders focused on bilateral relations and the peace process.

India, US have common interest in promoting security in Indo-Pacific: MEA

India and the US have a common interest in promoting security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and their ability to work together has a positive impact in effectively addressing regional and global challenges, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thu.
“A question on the US Govt report should be asked to the US government spokesperson.

However, I will state that India and the US share a comprehensive strategic global partnership and given our substantial bilateral agenda, our growing economic engagement and a convergence on strategic and security interests, both countries have a common interest in promoting security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond,” Srivastava said.

Nepal Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali meets External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at Hyderabad House in Delhi

Ministry of External Affairs, said, India and Nepal during the 6^th meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Commission discussed several areas of cooperation including in the areas of connectivity, economy and trade, power, oil and gas, water resources, political and security issues, border management:
During the Joint Commission, Nepal expressed support for India’s permanent membership of an expanded UN Security Council to reflects the changed balance of power.
Addressing leaders and cadres of his faction at the Nepal Academy Hall in the capital, Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda said that Prime Minister Oli had in the recent past accused that “some leaders of NCP were hatching conspiracy to topple his Govt at the behest of India.“

India aims to win wars with homemade weapons: CDS

Chief of Defense Staff Gen Bipin Rawat on Thu said that India’s ultimate objective is to reach a stage where it can win future conflicts with homemade weapon systems.
His statement comes a day after the Govt cleared the purchase of 83 indigenously-developed Tejas fighter jets for the Indian Air Force in a boost to the Centre’s ‘Atmnanirbhar Bharat’ vision.

LCA Tejas far better than China-Pak JF-17 fighters, said IAF Chief

Asserting that the made in India light combat aircraft Tejas is far better and advanced than the Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 fighter jets, Air Force chief RKS Bhadauria on Thu said the latest Indian jet would be better equipped to carry out Balakot-type airstrikes.
In an interaction with ANI, the Air Chief said the 83 indigenous fighter jets to be inducted into the force would also be equipped with homegrown weapons such as the Astra beyond visual range air to air missiles and other standoff weapons.
To a query on whether the Tejas would be able to carry out Balakot-type airstrikes, the Air Chief said: “In terms of strike capability, it will have the capability of a standoff weapon which will be even beyond the capability we used that time.”
Noting the approval of the largest indigenous defence procurement deal to buy 83 LCA Tejas, he said that the deal is a huge step for IAF capability building, adding that the current strength of the two squadron plan of LCA will now increase to six.
“Order of 83 aircraft is huge. When this kind of order takes shape in the next 8-9 years, the entire ecosystem will get set up.
The current strength of the two squadron plan of LCA will now increase to six. Essentially the deployment will be frontline.

Pakistani Intruder Shot Dead by BSF Along International Border in Punjab

Pakistani intruder was shot dead by the BSF along the International Border in Punjab’s Amritsar district, an official said on Fri.
The force personnel noticed suspicious activity near the border fence on Thu evening, said the BSF official.
Sensing threat, troops shot him dead at around 8:30 pm, the official further said.

Farmers Protest

The 9th Round of talks between farmers and the Central Govt concluded in Delhi, with the conclusion that the next round of talks to be held on 19th Jan. Farm Laws Potentially Significant, those Affected Must Be Protected: IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) weighing in on the three new farm laws comes on a day when Union Ministers and farmers are set to meet for a 9^th
India’s new farm laws have “potential to represent a significant step forward” for reforms in the agriculture sector, the IMF has said.
The international body, however, said people who could be affected the most due to the transition to the new system should be adequately protected.
“We believe the farm bills do have the potential to represent a significant step forward for agricultural reforms in India,” IMF communications director Gerry Rice told reporters in Washington on Thu, news agency PTI reported.
“In his opening remarks, Agriculture Minister NS Tomar said you keep saying that the Govt is adamant and making it an issue of ego, even though, we have accepted several demands. Don’t you think you should be flexible and not stick to one single demand of repealing the laws,” said Baljit Singh Bali of Punjab Kisan Morcha.
Farmer leader Darshan Pal said there was good discussion on all three laws. “There is possibility of some resolution. We are positive,” he added.

Bengaluru: A conglomerate of around 28 Muslim groups appeals to Muslim shop owners to close their shops on Jan 22 in support of ‘innocents’ who are jailed in the DJ Halli & KJ Halli case. They say the bandh is also in support of agitating farmers.

NEIGHBORHOOD/ WORLD

Task Force on virus origin deadlocked

An inter-agency group of scientists and medical experts formed to study the origin of the coronavirus is deadlocked over how to report their conclusions in the waning days of the Trump administration.
According to people familiar with the dispute within the task force, 70% of the experts want to report publicly that the virus behind the pandemic leaked accidentally from the high-security medical research laboratory at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
This conclusion is supported despite Chinese scientists’ refusal to cooperate in studying the genetic makeup of the virus and to explain where it comes from.
China‘s Govt also has issued disinformation, including spurious claims that the U.S. Army brought the virus to China.
The behind-the-scenes debate has been underway for 3 weeks and includes a number of outspoken anti-Trump scientists.
At issue is whether the U.S. government can formally designate China as the cause of the COVID-19 outbreak and hold Beijing accountable.
China has launched a worldwide public relations campaign to deflect criticism for its handling and deception related to the pandemic.
China blocked two WHO investigators from arriving as their tests revealed antibodies against Covid (which is what vaccines are seeking to achieve). Thanks to China’s stonewalling, WHO is probing the 2019-originating virus in 2021.
WHO officials come to investigate source of virus in Wuhan themselves put in quarantine! China putting them in their place, implying they could bring virus again into China! Their propaganda already has it, China first to “discover” virus that originated elsewhere!

In Trump Administration’s Last Swipe At China, Xiaomi, Others Blacklisted

The moves will further increase tensions with China, Washington’s strategic rival in Asia, days before President-elect Joe Biden takes office on Wed.
The Trump administration in its waning days took another swipe at China and its biggest firms on Thu, imposing sanctions on officials and companies for alleged misdeeds in the South China Sea and imposing an investment ban on 9 more firms.
The Biden transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Executives of state-owned enterprises, officials of the Chinese Communist Party and Military, along with oil giant CNOOC will face new restrictions for allegedly using coercion against states with rival South China Sea claims.
Nine Chinese firms were added to the Pentagon’s list of companies with alleged ties to the Chinese Military, including plane maker Comac and phone maker Xiaomi Corp.
China will take necessary measures to safeguard justified, legitimate interests of Chinese firms, and support them in protecting rights according to law, Chinese Foreign Ministry responded on above action.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is the biggest rumor discriminator and I don’t want to waste any time on refuting him, FM spokesperson Zhao Lijian responded to US’ latest sanction on Chinese officials over South China Sea issues.

FM Wang’s trip to the Philippines focuses on deepening trust ahead of Biden’s inauguration

China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has reached in the Philippines during his Southeast Asian visit, and aside from talking about cooperation on vaccines and regional recovery, South China Sea issues would also be important topics as the incoming Biden administration of the US may make more efforts to draw Southeast Asian countries, especially the Philippines, to challenge the waters, analysts said.

US retains Lashkar’s terror tag, casts a shadow over Pak’s chances at FATF

The US administration has reviewed and retained the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designation for the Lashkar-e-Tayyiba along with 7 other groups including the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, a US State Department statement has said.
The Lashkar-e-Tayyiba was first notified as a terror group by the United States in Dec 2001.
The US State Department order comes ahead of the Financial Action Task Force meeting next month that will assess the progress made by Pakistan to curb terror financing.
The Global Watchdog didn’t seem to agree with Islamabad’s pitch that it was taking concrete steps to fix gaps in its laws to check terror financing and should be taken off the grey list.
At the end of the last review in Oct, FATF President Marcus Pleyer cautioned that Pakistan could not take forever to deliver on its commitments and repeated failure to deliver would result in the country being put in the blacklist.
Pakistan was put in FATF’s grey list in 2018 after the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog pointed out failing to control terror financing and money laundering.
But Islamabad is yet to take any concrete action and the Pakistani deep state continues to support terrorist activities in India and Afghanistan. Over the last month, however, Pakistan has gone on an overdrive to impress the FATF.
Last week, a Pakistani court sentenced Lashkar-e-Tayyiba commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi to 15 years jail in a terror-financing case. Another judge issued arrest warrants for Jaish-e-Mohammed Chief Masood Azhar, who Pakistan has claimed for years was not in Pakistan.
New Delhi has, however, pointed out that neither of the two designated terrorists had been charged for terrorist acts.
Pakistan’s “farcical actions” appeared to be aimed at an upcoming review by the FATF of the country’s efforts to counter terror financing, India’s MEA Anurag Srivastava said in response, pressing for “credible action” against Pakistan against terror groups.

UK MPs call for Britain to ‘use its influence’ for Human Rights in Kashmir

The 10 MPs who took part in the “political situation in Kashmir’ debate, which was allocated by a ballot arranged by the Speaker’s office, were drawn equally from Labor and the Conservatives, most of whom represent constituencies with large numbers people of PoK origin.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said the recent statements of UK lawmakers about grave situation in Indian Illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir is a manifestation that Kashmir is not an internal matter of India but an International dispute.

COVID-19

India took ‘very decisive’ steps to deal with coronavirus pandemic and its economic consequences: IMF Chief

IMF Chief Kristalina Georgieva has praised India for taking “very decisive” steps to deal with the pandemic and its economic consequences and asked the country to do more this year to support an accelerated transformation of the economy.
80% Indians ready to take vaccines, said Health Minister, Harsh Vardhan, praised PM, scientists
India’s Covid-19 tally reaches 10.52 million, day before vaccination starts

Indians come first: Govt signal to world on vaccine

India is rolling out the world’s largest Covid-19 vaccination drive on January 16 in several phases. Sources said, the Govt is currently being deluged by International requests, which is coming into conflict with two things — production and delivery of vaccines by the two companies, Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech; and India’s own needs.
India, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of inoculations, plans to offer 20 million doses of coronavirus vaccine to its neighbors as it draws up a policy to supply vials to countries across the globe, people with knowledge of the matter said.