Newsletter 19 February

Sino-Indian Standoff: India, China came close to war last year, said Indian Lt-Gen

India-China disengagement complete at Pangong Tso, corps commander-level talks tomorrow (Sat)

The disengagement process of the Indian and Chinese troops on both sides of Pangong Tso has been completed. The move comes after a nine-month long border standoff in Eastern Ladakh. The two armies reached an agreement on disengagement in the North and South banks of Pangong lake that mandates both sides to cease forward deployment of troops in a “phased, coordinated and verifiable” manner.

China officially admits 5 PLA soldiers killed during Galwan clash with India-HT

The Chinese state media outlets blamed India for the clash. India has consistently denied the allegation and said the PLA trespassed across the LAC
China on Fri made public for the first-time details of four People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers killed in a clash with the Indian troops in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley, and a fifth who died during a rescue mission near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between the two countries in June last year.
The rare acknowledgment in a PLA Daily newspaper article comes amid the ongoing disengagement of border troops after several rounds of diplomatic and military talks from near the South and North banks of Ladakh’s Pangong Tso.
After the clash, Indian military planners put a much higher number of Chinese casualties even as China had not disclosed the numbers.
The disengagement and withdrawal are believed to have been caused at least in part by internal factors.
A prominently published article on page one of the daily gives details of the incident leading to the deaths but does not explain the reason why the information was being shared eight months after the clash.
As many as 20 Indian soldiers were killed in the clash.
The article used a Chinese saying as the headline: “Saving tears for Victory”. It claimed the clash as a major victory for the PLA, taken by other media outlets subsequently.
The CMC, headed by President Xi Jinping, awarded Qi Fabao, the regimental commander from the PLA Xinjiang Military Command, the title of “Hero regimental commander for defending the border,” Chen Hongjun with “Hero to defend the border”. Chen Xiangrong, Xiao Siyuan, and Wang Zhuoran were awarded “the first-class merit”.
“The awards process also revisited the whole incident – how the Indian military deployed a large number of soldiers who premeditatedly hid, trying to force the Chinese military to concede. How the Chinese soldiers defended the sovereignty of the country amid attacks of steel tubes, cudgels and stones was also highlighted,” the article said.
It claimed Indian soldiers had outnumbered the Chinese border troops.
“Since April 2020, relevant Foreign Military violated the previous agreement… they trespassed the border line to build roads and bridges and intentionally incited troubles, changing the status quo along the border… they even violently attacked Chinese soldiers that were sent for communication,” PLA Daily report said.
CCP has a record of belatedly releasing information in small pieces, without ever revealing the full truth. US intelligence put China’s death toll at no less than India’s. But Russia’s TASS agency on Feb. 10 said the clashes left “at least 20 Indian & 45 Chinese servicemen dead.”
Meanwhile, Chinese FM spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Fri “China has showed high restraint to deescalate the situation after the Galwan Valley skirmish. It did not unveil its casualties in order to maintain ties between the two militaries”.

Foreign Secretary: No normal India-China ties till border tense

Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla said the two countries could not have a normal relationship if the border areas continued to witness transgressions.
The remark follows comments by Beijing last month that the border problems be delinked from bilateral ties and came in the middle of the disengagement at Pangong Tso.
Addressing a meeting hosted by the diplomatic academy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shringla said the relationship between the two Asian giants was definitely dependent on normal situation at the border.
Shringla described the agreement for disengagement as a step in the right direction and said the process was expected to be completed in the next 2-3 days.
Shringla called on Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and handed over a letter of invitation from Foreign Minister S Jaishankar to visit India at a mutually convenient date. Lavarov accepted the invitation, the Govt said

HELINA anti-tank missiles successfully launched from ALH Dhruv helicopter in Rajasthan sector

As many as 5 HELINA anti-tank missiles were successfully launched from Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv helicopter in Rajasthan sector Fri.
According to reports, four missions were carried out for evaluating missile capabilities in minimum and maximum range of 7 km.
The final mission was carried out with warhead missile against a derelict tank. All the mission objectives were met, the DRDO officials said.
The HELINA anti-tank missiles were test-fired during the joint user trials by the Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF).
Earlier, Imaging Infra-Red (IIR) Seeker Systems were successfully flight-tested in Anti-Tank Guided Missiles Nag, HELINA and MPATGM.
IIR Seekers have also been successfully demonstrated in the Exo-Atmospheric Interceptor PDV and Anti-Satellite Test (ASAT), Mission Shakti.

Army testing new K-9 howitzers in Ladakh

The Army is now testing whether its new K-9 Vajra self-propelled howitzers can be effectively deployed in Ladakh, even as General M M Naravane inducted the last of the 100 such artillery guns ordered for Rs 4,366 crore from a joint venture of L&T and South Korean Hanwha Defense on Thu.

Meanwhile in and about the Valley (JnK)

‘Article 370 was discriminatory’ said envoys who were on two days official visit and apprised the Pak’s stance on Jammu and Kashmir. On the same day, two UN experts stated JnK changes risk the undermining minorities’ rights (which is factually incorrect, as in valley, ‘minorities’, about which they are concerned are in majority). This is responded by Indian MEA and questioned the neutrality and objectivity of UN members. However, 3 Lashkar militants are killed in encounter in Shopian, while two policemen killed in Baghat militant attack 2^nd attack in 3 days.

‘Article 370 was discriminatory’: Envoys told and apprised of Pak lies on J&K

In Jammu, the envoys met woman sarpanches, Jammu Mayor, members of West Pak Refugees Action Committee, Valmiki community and others
The foreign envoys on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir were given a first-hand account of the positive impact on people’s lives after the revocation of Article 370 from the erstwhile state in Aug 2019.
The Central Govt has maintained that the revocation of Article 370 was done to end discrimination against people of JnK and the ‘dynastic’ rule which had prevented the growth of the region.
The envoys visit, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thu, was an opportunity to witness, first-hand, “Jammu and Kashmir’s march on the path of inclusive development and the dynamism in the grassroots democratic institutions.”
Jammu Mayor CM Gupta said, “I told them how elections to local bodies could be held and the 73^rd and 74^th amendments to the Constitution could be implemented in J&K only after the revocation of Article 370.”

3 Lashkar terrorists killed in encounter in J&K's Shopian

Three terror associates affiliated with the proscribed terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) were killed in an encounter in the Badigam area of Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said on Fri.
J&K Police SPO Mohammad Altaf also killed in action during an encounter with terrorists in Budgam of Central Kashmir this morning.

Two policemen killed in Baghat militant attack

Suspected militants on Fri fired upon a police party in Baghat Barzulla area of the region’s main city Srinagar, leaving two cops dead.
The area was cordoned off after the attack. Police personal identified as Sohail Ahmad and Mohammad Yusuf, died at Police hospital here.

India: UN experts said Jammu and Kashmir changes risk undermining minorities’ rights

UN Human Rights experts are concerned India’s decision to end Jammu and Kashmir’s autonomy and enact new laws could curtail the previous level of political participation of Muslim and other minorities in the country, as well as potentially discriminate against them in important matters including employment and land ownership.
The state of Jammu and Kashmir was established with specific autonomy guarantees to respect the ethnic, linguistic and religious identities of its people.
“The loss of autonomy and the imposition of direct rule by the Govt in New Delhi suggests the people of Jammu and Kashmir no longer have their own Govt and have lost power to legislate or amend laws in the region to ensure the protection of their rights as minorities,” said Fernand de Varennes, Special Rapporteur on minority issues and Ahmed Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief.
The new legislation overrides previous laws which granted the Kashmiri Muslim, Dogri, Gojri, Pahari, Sikh, Ladhaki and other established minorities rights to buy property, own land, and access certain state jobs.
“These legislative changes may have the potential to pave the way for people from outside the former state of JnK to settle in the region, alter the demographics of the region and undermine the minorities’ ability to exercise effectively their human rights,” the experts said.
They urged the GoI to ensure that the economic, social and cultural rights of the people of JnK are protected, and that they are able to express their political opinions and participate meaningfully in matters affecting them.
The experts are in contact with the Government on this matter.

India slams UN experts over Kashmir concerns

Meanwhile, India responded to the statement, criticizing the UN rights experts for their concerns about constitutional changes made in occupied Kashmir, saying the officials lacked “neutrality“.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Anurag Srivastava said Kashmir was an integral part of India and the changes made in its status were enacted by the Parliament.
One of the changes was that laws that were in force in the rest of India would also apply to the people of occupied Kashmir, allowing them the same legal rights as the rest of India, he said.
“This press release calls into question the larger principles of objectivity and neutrality that the SRs [Special Rapporteurs] are mandated by the Human Rights Council to adhere to,” he said late on Thu night.
MEA said the experts had issued their statement just when India was hosting a group of ambassadors in the valley to show them the ground situation and did not wait for a response from the Indian Govt to their questionnaire.

3rd India-Australia-Japan-USA Quad Ministerial Meeting

S. Jaishankar, Min of External Affairs participated in the 3^rd India-Australia-Japan-USA Quad Ministerial Meeting held on 18 Feb 2021 with his counterparts FM, Australia Marise Payne, FM, Japan Toshimitsu Motegi, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The Ministers highlighted their shared attributes as political democracies, market economies and pluralistic societies.
They recognized that the changes underway in the world makes a strong case for their countries working closely together.
The Ministers emphasized their commitment to upholding a rules-based international order, underpinned by respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, rule of law, transparency, freedom of navigation in the international seas and peaceful resolution of disputes.
Their productive exchange of views on regional issues included a reiteration of their common vision for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, with clear support for ASEAN cohesion and centrality.
It was noted that the Indo-Pacific concept had gathered growing international support, including in Europe.
In the discussion pertaining to recent developments in Myanmar, the upholding of rule of law and the democratic transition was reiterated by India.
Noting that regular Quad consultations hold value, the Ministers agreed to continue these useful discussions.

Pakistan, others back India's 5-point plan to deal with pandemic: Sources

Seeking greater integration between South Asian and Indian Ocean Island countries following the pandemic, PM Narendra Modi Thu proposed a special visa scheme for doctors and nurses to facilitate their quick and unhindered movement.
All countries including Pakistan, which was represented by special assistant to PM on health issues Faisal Sultan, official sources said, supported PM’s proposals.
He also called for a regional air ambulance agreement for medical contingencies.
Modi was addressing a virtual workshop on Covid-19 comprising health officials from India’s South Asian neighbors, including Pakistan, and also from Indian Ocean countries in India’s extended neighborhood Mauritius and Seychelles.
The PM called for the same cooperative and collaborative spirit on the issue of vaccines.
India has so far gifted 2 million vaccine doses to Bangladesh, 1.7 million to Myanmar, 1 million to Nepal, 1 lakh to Mauritius, 50000 to Seychelles, 5 lakhs to Sri Lanka, 1.5 lakh to Bhutan and 1 lakh to Maldives.

Furor over Rahul Gandhi's questions on defense in Parliamentary panel's meeting-ANI

The CDS, Defense Secretary, Director General Military Operations (DGMO) and other several defense senior officials, who were present in the meeting, gave a detailed presentation in connection to budget allocations and their usage.
“Rahul Gandhi has attended the meeting in the 3^rd session and asked several questions related to defense but the chairman of the standing committee intervened and asked him to discuss his questions in a separate meeting which will be called after a few days,” sources, who were presented in the meeting.
A member, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that the meeting was “very storming”.
Rahul Gandhi had been attacking the Central Govt over the India-China border tensions and even alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given away Indian Territory to China.
Rahul is learnt to have asked Chief of Defense Staff Gen Bipin Rawat about the reasons for scaling down the proposal for purchase of Rafale jets from the initial 126 to 36, Indian Express reported
Gen Rawat, it is learnt, replied that the Air Force is procuring indigenous fighter jets from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.

Army rescues tourists stuck in Sikkim’s Nathu-La after snowstorm

In a statement, the army on Fri said the tourists were stranded in 155 vehicles because of the snowstorm over a 15 km stretch. “…..[the vehicles] started skidding after the snowstorm,” the statement said.
The army rescued 447 tourists stuck at Nathu-La near the India-China border in Sikkim following a snowstorm on Thu. Nathu-La, situated at an altitude of over 14,000 feet, is a popular tourist destination.

Kisan Stir Row: In a Panchayat, BKU leader Naresh Tikait says that anyone who invites BJP leaders will have to prepare food for 100 people.

All these ‘fatwas’ are undemocratic. This is showing the level of frustration after a series of failures: Raman Malik, BJP

Delhi court sends Disha Ravi in 3-day judicial custody

Appearing on behalf of the police, public prosecutor told the court that during interrogation, Ravi shifted the blame on co-accused Shantanu and Nikita. Toolkit case: HC allows Police briefings, asks media to publish verifiable info.

Pakistan is the chief exporter of Jihadi terrorism, host of Al Qaeda leadership, D-Company and runs a network of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN), Delhi Police said in its annual press conference on Fri.

Mentioning 7 neighboring countries-Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Myanmar, and Bangladesh – the DP told reporters how India faces consistent terror threat from elements present in these countries.

For Myanmar, the Delhi Police said that it has an active Inter-Services Intelligence cell-network engaged in Rohingya radicalization. The #China and the ISI also supported the Northeast insurgent groups.

NEIGHBORHOOD/ WORLD

Indian concerns about Sikh Yatris rejected

The Foreign Office on Thu rejected Indian concerns about Sikh Yatris visiting Pakistan for pilgrimage and said that they were fully facilitated during the trips.
“Pakistan provides maximum facilitation to the Sikh Yatris from all over the world, including India, for visiting their religious sites in Pakistan,” FO Spokesman Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said at the weekly media briefing.
India had disallowed around 600 Sikhs intending to visit Pakistan from Feb 18 to 25 for the 100^th anniversary of Saka Nankana Sahib. The group was expected to visit five gurdwaras in Pakistan.