Newsletter 20 January

Sino-Indian Standoff: New Delhi and Beijing are Watching Upcoming US Administration

Is India led astray by radical scholars? Chinese State Media warns India through op-ed

Some Indian scholars recently suggested that India should play the “Tibet card,” cooperate with the US on the Tibet question and use it to contain or publicly oppose China.
For example, Indian geostrategic Brahma Chellaney on Jan 13 said that “America’s Tibet law should spur New Delhi to reclaim lost leverage on China,” suggesting that New Delhi should “stop endorsing China’s stance on Tibet.”
Former Indian diplomat Deepak Vohra on Jan 9 even wrote in an article that “If Tibet goes its own way, China will either break up or dump Communism, and the world will be a safer place.”
Tibet is a part of Chinese territory, and the Indian Govt has recognized this for a long time. If New Delhi follows the advice of these scholars, China-India relations will be completely broken.
New Delhi will be instigating a war. In fact, India has not given up playing the “Tibet card” to make troubles for China, or gain benefits for itself. The so-called Tibetan Govt-in-exile is hosted in India, and the Tibet question is a major crux of China-India relations.
But currently, even some top Indian strategic elites do not have a profound understanding of the actual Tibet question.
By playing the “Tibet card,” some Indian people want to force China to recognize Kashmir as a part of India.
They have never realized how sensitive the Tibet question is for China-India relations.
These people are playing with fire.

US, India have 'very strong' potential to work together: Blinken

India and the United States have “very strong” potential to work together and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a “very strong” advocate of renewable energy and different technologies, said US Secretary of State nominee Antony Blinken on Tue.

France, India, Japan trilateral workshop on the Indo-Pacific

On Jan 19, 2021, the Observer Research Foundation held the very first India-Japan-France workshop on the Indo-Pacific. Organized jointly by the 3 countries, the workshop aimed to explore new opportunities for trilateral collaboration, especially in the context of maritime security and digital connectivity.

The workshop was opened by Foreign Secretary Harsh V. Shringla, Ambassador of Japan to India, Satoshi Suzuki, and Ambassador of France to India, Emmanuel Lenain, and ORF President Samir Saran.

‘Indo-Pacific’ locus of political, security concerns in 21st century: Foreign Secretary

India has not just mainstreamed the expression “Indo-Pacific”, but has also encouraged others to perceive and define the region in its full extent, said Foreign Secretary Harsh V. Shringla on Tue.
In a recorded message to the ‘India-France-Japan Workshop on the Indo-Pacific’, organized by the Observer Research Foundation, Mr. Shringla said it was an indisputable fact that the Indo-Pacific is the 21^st century’s locus of political and security concerns and competition, of growth and development, and of technology incubation and innovation.
“India, France and Japan are leading stakeholders in the region and with other like-minded countries, it is upon us to ensure that the Indo-Pacific remains peaceful and open, taking into account needs and concerns of all its inhabitants,” Mr. Shringla said.
Referring to the SAGAR – Security and Growth for All in the Region – doctrine advocated by PM Modi in 2018, Mr. Shringla said this aspiration depends on “securing end-to-end supply chains in the region; no disproportionate dependence on a single country; and ensuring prosperity for all stakeholder nations.”

Maritime cooperation

Referring to unilateral non-cooperative policies by certain nations in the region, French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain called for greater Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) and monitoring of the Exclusive Economic Zone.
He also stressed the need for interoperability and support to regional organizations like the Indian Ocean Rim Association.
Stating that it takes a while for the new order to settle down, Mr. Lenain said their common goal is to find this new balance as soon as possible and France was ready to work on that.
Stressing that Japan’s commitment for an Indo-Pacific vision remains unwavering, Japanese Ambassador Satoshi Suzuki said, “The vision for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific cannot be achieved a nation alone. It requires collective efforts of like-minded countries like India and France.”

Ties with ASEAN

Stating that there was “tremendous potential” for trilateral cooperation towards this end, Suzuki said.
Both Mr. Lenain and Mr. Suzuki called for trilateral cooperation in the area of digital connectivity.
On the bilateral front, Mr. Suzuki said India and Japan are increasing cooperation in maritime security, connectivity and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).
Japan unveiled its Indo-Pacific vision in 2017 while France was the 1^st European country to come out with an Indo-Pacific policy in 2018.
India has bilateral logistics agreements with both France and Japan and both countries have deployed Naval Liaison Officers at the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre for Indian Ocean Region.

India, Singapore reaffirm bilateral ties in 5th Defence Ministers Dialogue- ANI

The 5^th India-Singapore Defense Ministers Dialogue between Def. Min. Rajnath Singh and his Singaporean counterpart Dr Ng Eng Hen on Wed reaffirmed their bilateral ties between the two nations in this sector.

Both the Ministers also expressed satisfaction at the growing defense ties between the two countries.

India Dispatches 1st Consignment Containing 1.5 Lakh Doses Of Covishield Vaccine To Bhutan

India dispatched the first consignment of 1.5 lakh doses of COVID-19 vaccine ‘Covishield’ to Bhutan from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

Indian vaccines reached the Maldives, reflects our special friendship: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar

India to provide one million dosages of COVID19 vaccine to Nepal: This is an example of the relationship between Nepal and India. This has been named ‘Vaccine Maitri’. The vaccine will land in Kathmandu tomorrow: Nepal Health Minister Hridayesh Tripathi

Modi gets SOS message from Caribbean nation that stood by India, needs vaccine

The Dominican Republic, a small country of Island had backed India at the UNSC when China and Pakistan tried to get innocent Indians working in Afghanistan listed as global terrorists under the 1267 resolution.
With India flying the much-needed Covid 19 vaccine to Bhutan and Maldives today, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of the Dominican Republic has written to PM Modi to seek 70,000 doses of Covaxin to shield his country from the coronavirus disease.
The small Caribbean Island nation had come to India’s support when Pakistan, through its all-weather ally China, was targeting India on Kashmir and trying to get innocent Indians working in Afghanistan listed as global terrorists under the UNSC’s 1267 resolution.
PM Modi has already tweeted that India is committed to meeting the health care needs of the global community. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said India, the pharmacy of the world, will deliver vaccines to overcome the pandemic challenge.
In his letter, PM Skerrit said: “I draw your kind attention to the enormous challenge faced by our people in obtaining a vaccine for Covid-19.”
Notwithstanding the pledge by Oxford-AstraZeneca to provide more than half of its doses to the world’s developing nations, as it currently stands, the large number of Dominicans will not be able to obtain a vaccine for a very long time.
He reminded PM Modi that his country has often been the fortunate recipient of assistance from India.

PM releases financial assistance to over 6 lakh recipients in UP under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana ANI

PM Narendra Modi on Wed released financial assistance of around Rs 2,691 crores to 6.1 lakh beneficiaries in Uttar Pradesh under PMAY-G via video conferencing.
The assistance includes the release of 1^st installment to 5.30 lakh beneficiaries and the second installment to 80,000 beneficiaries who have already availed first installment of assistance under PMAY-G, PMO said.
The PM had given the clarion call of “Housing for All by 2022”, for which a flagship program of PMAY-G was launched on Nov 20, 2016.
So far 1.26 crore houses have already been built across the country under the scheme, PMO said.
Under PMAY-G, each beneficiary is given a 100 per cent grant of Rs 1.20 lakh in plain areas and Rs 1.30 lakh in hilly states, North Eastern States, difficult areas, Jammu, and Kashmir, and Ladakh, among others.
The beneficiaries of PMAY-G, in addition to the unit assistance, are also provided support of unskilled labor wages under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and assistance of Rs. 12,000 for construction of toilets through Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G).

Farmers Protest

10th round talks going on between Framers’ and center

SC's panel sets up portal to get views of individual farmers

The Supreme Court appointed a 4 members committee for deliberations on the 3 farm laws on Tue, but farmers have refused to appear before panel.
However, SC notified a dedicated portal, allowing even individual farmers to submit views on the contentious legislations, and decided to hear at least 20 organizations on the 1^st day of consultations on Jan 21.
It also said repeal of laws, as demanded by protesting agri unions, was “not on the cards”.

CJI Bobde upset at ‘maligning’ of court-appointed panel of four members

The 8 farmer unions represented by Dushyant Dave and Prashant Bhushan tell the court that the protesting farmer unions will not appear before any SC-appointed committee and that they would not participate any further in the proceedings.
SC asks protesting farmers to end the blockade as the court has stayed its operation and set up committee to hear grievances of farmers.
SC on Wed asked the Centre to withdraw its plea against the tractor rally on Republic Day and reiterated that it will not pass orders against the protest march.
Farmer unions will hold the 10^th round of talks with the Centre on Wed in Delhi, a week ahead of the mega tractor rally planned by the protesting farmers on Republic Day.
The SC has meanwhile refused to stop the Jan 26 tractor rally and said the decision has to be taken by the Centre and Delhi Police.

Don't wear medals, ribbons at public functions, Indian Army advisory for ex-servicemen- ANI

At a time when a number of veterans have been seen attending political rallies, the Indian Army has issued an advisory regarding wearing of ribbons and medals by ex-servicemen at public functions.
An advisory has been issued by the Army which cites where all these ribbons and medals can be worn by veterans as per the Army regulations.
The Army rules do not permit the wearing of uniforms, ribbons and medals in political rallies, sources said.

Ministry of Home Affairs writes to the Chief Secretaries of all States/UTs, issuing instructions laid down for observance of Martyrs’ Day on 30^th Jan. Silence should be observed and work and movement stopped for 2 minutes throughout the country at 11 am on 30^th.

NEIGHBORHOOD/ WORLD

Outgoing US President Donald Trump pardons 73 people: White House

US President Donald Trump on Wed pardoned 73 people and commuted the sentences of an additional 70 individuals, including his former aide Steve Bannon, the White House said, just before he was due to leave office.

Trump on Tue amended an executive order to deal with the national emergency related to significant malicious cyber-enabled activities. The amended order closes an old, critical, security loophole for US Infrastructure as a Service products, one abused by those seeking to harm the US.

IaaS products provide persons with the ability to run software and store data on servers offered for rent or lease without responsibility for the maintenance and operating costs of those servers.

Biden’s pick for Pentagon Chief put a balanced view Regarding Asia related issue

At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Tue, Lloyd Austin also said that if he is confirmed for the post, he will work to continue elevating the defense partnership with India and work to “further operationalize India’s ‘Major Defense Partner’ status”.
Gen Austin, President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to head the Pentagon, has described China’s “increasingly aggressive actions” across the Indo-Pacific as key concern for the US and said that Pakistan’s actions against anti-India terror groups such as LeT and JeM are “incomplete”.
Austin, 67, would be the 1^st African American to run the department of defense but needs to be granted a waiver by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. In his testimony to the Senate Committee, Austin said on the global stage, Asia must be the focus of the US effort, and that he sees “China, in particular, as the pacing challenge for the Department”.
“Globally, I believe the most significant challenge I will face will be to ensure the Department of Defense’s continued efforts to prepare and strengthen the US military for a dynamic, future security landscape driven by accelerating competitions with China and with Russia – with China as our pacing threat in most areas – while still ensuring our ability to deter today’s range of threats,” he said in written replies to advance policy questions from the committee.
He said he assessed the “rapid development and operational focus” of China and the modernization of the People’s Liberation Army, including its ability to conduct information, cyber and space operations, “constitutes a significant and long-term security threat to the United States and to our allies and partners”.
He added that he intended to “press Pakistan to prevent its territory from being used as a sanctuary for militants and violent extremist organizations”.
Continuing to build relationships with Pakistan’s military will “provide openings for the United States and Pakistan to cooperate on key issues”, he said.

Outgoing US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declares China’s actions against Uyghur Muslims as ‘genocide’

On his last full day in office on Tuesday, the US Secretary of State announced that the People’s Republic of China is committing “genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang, China, targeting Uyghur Muslims and members of other ethnic and religious minority groups.” Lawmakers, officials and diplomats weighed in on the significance of the decision.
Responding to this, Chinese FM Spokesperson, Hua Chunying said, “This top US diplomat who pride himself on “lying, cheating and stealing” is determined to explore every corner of his “Lying Diplomacy”. What and extraordinary show of “Last-day Madness“

Pakistan desires to enhance cooperation with European countries: FM- Pak Radio

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said Pakistan desires to enhance cooperation with the European countries in different spheres.
He made the remarks at a luncheon hosted in honor of European envoys at the foreign office in Islamabad.
Qureshi said Pakistan desires cordial relations with the neighboring countries on the basis of equality.
He said India is endangering the regional peace and stability through its state terrorism. He said we have provided irrefutable evidence regarding Indian support to the terrorists. He said the EU Disinfo Lab has unmasked the true face of India.
Referring towards the change in the South Asian region, he added that US President-elect Joe Biden has a clear perspective about Pakistan & other countries.

Appointment indicates military’s desire to take control of bilateral ties that have lately been hit by turbulence.

The Pak, Govt has nominated retired Lt. Gen. Bilal Akbar as the new ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
Appointment indicates military’s desire to take control of bilateral ties that have lately been hit by turbulence.