Newsletter 4 February

Sino-Indian Standoff: India ready to ‘defeat any Misadventure’: DM

Have given appropriate response to China: MEA

The Chinese military attempted to transgress the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in several areas since May last year but these efforts were invariably met with an appropriate response from the Indian side, the Govt said in Lok Sabha on Wed.

To address the issues arising out of such attempts, minister of state for external affairs V Muraleedharan said, the two sides have held 9 rounds of senior commander-level talks and six meetings of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination. The minister also mentioned the dates when military and diplomatic talks took place since the border row began.

Rafale has caused worries in China’s camp, said IAF Chief ANI

Asserting that India has made adequate deployments at the China border to deal with the ongoing conflict with Beijing, IAF Chief RKS Bhadauria on Thu said that the induction of Rafale aircraft has caused worries in the Chinese camp as they had deployed J-20 fighter jets close to Indian territory as soon as the French-origin jets joined the Indian air fleet.
“All depends on how the talks go. A lot of attention is being given to that and if de-escalation and disengagement start, it would be good. If it does not happen or some new situation happens, we are fully prepared for that,” IAF Chief Bhadauria told ANI.
Over the reports of a pullback by the Chinese side in the Ladakh sector, Bhadauria said, “From China’s side, there have been some pullbacks from air deployment view and changes in deployment.
..But there have some other actions which have been contrary like strengthening their air defense capability. These deployments have not reduced and are being strengthened.”
“We alter our deployments or readiness level as per what we see on the ground.”
Noting the actions and capabilities of the Chinese side, the IAF Chief said, “They had brought their J-20 fighter aircraft (to areas close to Eastern Ladakh) and they go off from there but that is the flexibility of airpower.
The moment Indian Rafales were brought in, their J-20 was there.
On how LCA Tejas induction will help squadron strength of Air Force, he said.
“With LCA induction, we have arrested the slide of the number of squadrons depleting and we’ve now reversed it to start increasing back. We are going to start upwards 30 squadrons now.”
Furthermore, the IAF Chief called the increase in the capital outlay of Defense budget “a huge step”, which will provide adequate budgetary support amid the COVID-19 pandemic (Rs 20,000 crores).
“Last year also, additional funds of Rs 20,000 crores were provided. That helped the emergent procurement plans of the three forces and that really helped us. I think it is adequate for our capability building,” he added.
This statement comes after defense forces received an overall hike of around 7.4% over last year as Rs 3.62 lakh crores were provided to them excluding pensions amid the China military standoff.
Additionally, the defense forces received more than 18% hike over last year in capital outlay meant for acquisition of new weapon systems as Rs 1.35 lakh crores have been provided over the Rs 1.13 lakh crores last year. (ANI)

India can take on the role of being net security provider in Indian Ocean Region: Rajnath Singh

Highlighting that India can take on the role of being the net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Wed said that the Central government is looking forward to cooperate with friendly countries for the prosperous environment in the region.
Addressing the inaugural session of Chiefs of the Air Staff Conclave at Aero India 2021 in Bengaluru, he said it is imperative for India to strengthen relations with the countries with whom it shares converging views on key global issues.
The Minister said that India’s unique disposition in the IOR complemented by a potent airlift capability of the Indian Air Force (IAF) enables India to contribute significantly in Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief missions.
Singh said that the futures of countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) are interlinked and dependent on how effectively and efficiently the region tackles present and emerging challenges and leverages opportunities.
He added that India is ready to supply various types of missile systems, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and other weapons systems including missiles, helicopters, tanks and artillery guns to friendly foreign countries in IOR.
The 13^th edition of the Aero India international air show, organized by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) started today and will continue till Feb 5 at Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bengaluru. (ANI)
Singh also met with Maldives Defense Minister Mariya Didi in a bilateral meeting in Bengaluru and also met with a delegation from Madagascar.

PM Modi releases postage stamp to mark beginning of centenary celebrations of Chauri Chaura incident

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thu released a postage stamp dedicated to mark the beginning of centenary celebrations of the Chauri Chaura incident in Uttar Pradesh, via video conferencing.
Addressing the people at the event in Chauri-Chaura, PM Modi said, “Incident of Chauri Chaura was not limited to a police station being set on fire. The message of the incident was huge. Due to various reasons, it was treated as a minor incident, but we should see it in context. The fire was not just in the station but in the hearts of people.”
“It is unfortunate that martyrs of Chauri Chaura incident have not been discussed as much as they should have been. Although, they have not been given significance in pages of history but their blood is in the soil of the country and keeps inspiring us,” he said.

US backs India's new farm laws, says these reforms will improve efficiency of markets

The United States on Wed came out in support of India’s new farm laws, saying it welcomes steps that would “improve the efficiency” of Indian markets and attract greater private sector investment.
Reacting on the ongoing farm protests in India, a State Department spokesperson said that Washington recognizes that “peaceful protests are a hallmark of any thriving democracy”, adding that differences between the parties be resolved through dialogue.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wed said the damage done to India’s global image by the Govt’s “obduracy and undemocratic behavior” can’t be remedied by a cricketer’s tweets. While, another senior leader of his party, P Chidambaram said it is good that Rihanna and Greta Thunberg can wake up the Ministry of External Affairs. Priyanka Gandhi to visit family of farmer who died in R-Day tractor rally violence.

Delhi Police to filed an FIR against Greta Thunberg under IPC section 153 A (Promoting enmity between different groups) and 120 B (criminal conspiracy) over tweets on farmers’ protests, based on documents, she shared. However, it’s not clear that who has uploaded the document. However, she reacted on FIR and tweeted that still stands with farmers.

Farmers protest: Oppn leaders stopped by police at Ghazipur border

Opposition leaders reached the Ghazipur border (Delhi-UP border) on Thu to meet the protesting farmers, however, they have been stopped by the Police. The Shiromani Akali Dal leader posted a video, in which she spoke about the lack of facilities at the protest side and added that they will try to raise it in Parliament.

Former PM and Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) MP HD Devegowda on Thu during Rajya Sabha session condemned the violence on R-Day and said that the Centre’s decision to put concrete walls at farmers’ protest sites won’t help.

CRPF fitting wire mesh on its buses on ‘war footing’ ahead of farmers ‘chakka jam’ on Feb 6

While Delhi Police started repositioning nails installed on the roads at various borders of the national capital, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has asked all units deployed in Delhi to fit their buses with wire mesh.

CRPF in its letter has said that the work should be done on ‘war footing’ and should be completed before Sat.

The deployment of CRPF’s 31 companies have been extended for two more weeks in Delhi-NCR.
The CRPF officials wanted to cover all buses with wires so that no farmer can harm the Jawan as well as the buses. Since the time left for chakka jam is very less, CRPF has asked all units to work on ‘war foot’.

Remove provocative content or be ready for jail, penalty: Govt to Twitter

This came after Twitter refused to comply with the govt’s request to block 257 accounts that had used the hashtag ModiPlanningFarmerGenocide.
“Twitter is an intermediary and they are obliged to obey directions of the Govt. Refusal to do so will invite penal action,” the govt said. The company had initially “withheld” the accounts, but later unblocked them.

The hashtag is still trending on twitter, instead of that it deleted some of tweets of a pro-Govt actress, citing the reason that these tweets were deleted as per tweeter’s law.

India slips two places to 53rd position in EIU's Democracy Index

India slipped two places to 53rd position in the 2020 Democracy Index’s global ranking, according to The Economist Intelligence Unit, which said the “democratic backsliding” by authorities and “crackdowns” on civil liberties has led to a further decline in the country’s ranking.
However, India is ranked higher than most of its neighboring countries.
India’s overall score fell from 6.9 in 2019 to 6.61 in the Index that provides a snapshot of the current state of democracy worldwide for 167 countries.
“With mounting pressure on India’s democratic norms, India’s score fell from a peak of 7.92 in 2014 to 6.61 in 2020 and its global ranking slipped from 27^th (in 2014- When India was flooded with protests all most all part) to 53^rd as a result of democratic backsliding” under the current regime, EIU said.
Among India’s neighbor’s, while Sri Lanka, at 68^th rank, is classified as a flawed democracy, Bangladesh (76), Bhutan (84) and Pakistan (105) are classified in the ‘hybrid regime’ category. Afghanistan is ranked 139th and classified as an ‘authoritarian regime’ in the index.
The EIU is the world’s leading resource for economic and business research, forecasting and analysis, a statement said.

Hardeep Puri MoS, Housing and Urban Affairs performs ‘bhoomi poojan’ ceremony of Central Vista Avenue-ANI

With this ceremony, the work has started for the development and redevelopment of Central Vista Avenue (CVA).
The CVA starting from North and South Block to India Gate, which includes the Rajpath, its adjoining lawns and canals, rows of tree, Vijay Chowk and the India Gate plaza is a 3 km long stretch.
The Govt has decided to refurbish and improve the avenue, as part of comprehensive transformation of CVA with an estimated cost of Rs 608 crores to be completed by the Central Public Works Department.
Puri said Next R-Day parade will be on CVA.
The components of development work under Phase-I include refurbishing of Landscaping and lawns.
Green cover being increased from 0.35 km²to about 0.39 km², proper public amenities with toilets, drinking water facilities and vending area are being provided at 10 locations for visitors and tourists, among others.

Moody’s projects nominal growth of 17% for next fiscal-ET

The larger-than-expected deficit projections reflected both credible budgetary assumptions and greater transparency, but the government’s weak fiscal position is likely to remain a key credit challenge, Moody’s said.

Global rating agency Moody’s projected India’s nominal growth at 17% for the coming fiscal, a markup from the 14.3% earlier, based on the “pro-growth” budget, but highlighted the weak prospects of fiscal consolidation.

ASSAM ASSEMBLY ELECTION: Newly formed anti-CAA parties to contest Assam elections together

AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi said the regional parties would be able to overthrow the ruling BJP-led combine as well as negate the influence of the Congress
Two parties formed in Assam to oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) plan to contest assembly elections together in the state due in April-May this yr.
The Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) and Raijor Dal (RD) plan to include more parties in their alliance to take on the ruling BJP and Congress-led alliance.

Lithium reserve discovered in Karnataka's Mandya; boon for electric mobility in India?

As a major boost to India’s electric vehicle dreams, researchers have discovered lithium reserves in Karnataka’s Mandya district, a first in India, is confirmed today by Govt sources.
The researchers at the Atomic Minerals Directorate, a unit of India’s Atomic Energy Commission, have estimated lithium reserves of 14,100 tons in a small patch of land surveyed in the southern Karnataka district, reported The Economic Times.
“The present data provides a total estimation of available as Li₂O as about 30,300 tons over an area of 0.5 kmx5 km, which works out to about 14,100 tons of lithium metal,” the report quoted N. Munichandraiah, Emeritus Professor at the Indian Institute of Science.

NEIGHBORHOOD/ WORLD

Amid opposition uproar in Pak, Imran Khan’s Govt passes CPEC Authority bill

Amid ruckus by opposition members, the Khan-led Govt on Mon hurriedly passed 3 bills in the National

Assembly, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority Bill, reported Dawn.
During the passage of the bill, opposition members protested in front of the dais of National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, after he refused to give them the floor to speak on the issue of price hike with particular reference to the recent increase in prices of electricity and petroleum products.
The opposition raised slogans like ‘Sharam karo, haya karo, speaker ko riha karo’ (Be ashamed, release the speaker) and ‘Bijli chor, aata chor aur cheeni chor’ (Electricity thieves, flour thieves and sugar thieves), Dawn reported.
The CPEC Authority Ordinance was promulgated by President Dr Arif Alvi in Oct 2019 before Imran Khan’s visit to China.
Later, the Govt had succeeded in getting another 120-day extension for the ordinance, but it finally lapsed on May 31, 2020, as the Govt failed to get it passed from either of the two houses of parliament.
Later, the Govt reintroduced the ordinance in the National Assembly in the form of a bill in Oct last year, reported Dawn.
The CPEC ordinance gave immunity to the chairman and staff from all legal proceedings, in turn protecting them from National Accountability Bureau, Federal Investigation Agency, and police to institute cases.

Myanmar Military coup: A tightrope walk for India

In the early hours of Feb 1 its military, also known as the Tatmadaw, staged a coup d’etat threatening the country’s democratic transition.
India wants to remain engaged in Myanmar for quite a few reasons.
Many insurgent groups find haven in Myanmar which means India needs its help to counter them.
India wants Myanmar to counter the biggest security threat – Chinese support with arms to Wa army, which undermines its (Myanmar) forces, as well as help arm other insurgent groups in Myanmar and India.
Indians living in Myanmar safe but wary: TOI spoke to Indians working in Myanmar who said people are in a state of panic and feel lost. Internet and telephone lines have been cut-off.

US warship sails by sensitive Taiwan Strait as US navy deploys carrier to Indo-Pacific

The US 7^th Fleet’s guided missile destroyer USS John S McCain transited through the Taiwan Strait on Thu while on a routine mission, the US Navy said.
A frontline US warship sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Thu in a move that’s likely to trigger protests from China even as Washington, under the new Joe Biden administration, and Beijing cautiously test the waters to mend ties.
“The ship’s transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open
Indo-Pacific. The US military will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows,” Lt Joe Keiley, the 7^th Fleet spokesperson said.
The warship is forward-deployed to the US 7^th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, the US Navy said.
Beijing will be closely monitoring the developments. Taiwan has been a major point of dispute between the two countries.
China claims the democratically-run Taiwan as its own territory and has repeatedly expressed anger as Washington stepped-up support for the island, including arms sales and sailing warships through the Taiwan Strait.

Major highlights of this week regarding COVID-19, down pointing backhand index- Secretary, Health

Total cases: 1.07 crore
Active cases: 1.55 lakhs
Deaths: 1.54 lakhs
Tests: 19.9 crores
vaccines doses administered: 45,93,427
Active cases less than 1.60 lakhs and declining
Recovery rate has crossed 97% mark

Cumulative positivity rate 5.42% and declining.