In a Gist

Pick of the Week

Besides, Afghanistan crisis, other picks are:

PM Modi is likely to visit the US later this month, no official word on it yet
Intel alert issued on possible terror attack during Jewish holidays in India
India-Russia friendship has stood the test of time: PM Modi at Eastern Economic Forum
Study Suggests Ways to Integrate Lessons from Arthashastra, Gita in India’s Military Training
J&K: Army foils infiltration bid in J-K’s Poonch; search operation underway
Jaishankar speaks to newly-appointed Iranian counterpart, agrees to strengthen bilateral ties
Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to undertake a maiden visit to India in December
Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani dies at 91
Want solution through dialogue, won’t compromise: Rajnath Singh on border row with China
RBI Governor Das Says Global Economy Has Recovered But Is ‘not Out Of Woods’ Amid COVID
US prez Carter knew about Pak’s nuclear program in 1979, didn’t push too hard: Declassified documents
Pakistan Air Force reopens bases near LoC, barely 100 km from Srinagar
China trying to take over Bagram air force base in Afghanistan, use Pakistan against India: Nikki Haley
Nepal Govt forms committee to study border issue with China
China opens first road-rail transport link to the Indian Ocean

PM Modi is likely to visit the US later this month, no official word on it yet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit the United States at the end of September.
There is no official confirmation as of now but ANI has learned that preparations for the visit are underway.
A source familiar with developments said the schedule is yet to be finalized and is at a premature stage.
According to the tentative plan, the expected dates for PM Modi’s visit to the US that are being worked out are Sept 23-24, after he last visited the US in 2019.
Afghanistan, which has plunged into crisis following the Taliban takeover, will be the key topic at the UNGA this time.
It is learned that UNGA will be in a hybrid format this year. There is no official confirmation of the visit so far, however, if it materializes, it will be PM Modi’s first physical overseas visit and a first in-person meeting with US president Joe Biden.
PM Modi and Biden have met virtually at various multilateral meetings like the Quad and G7 meetings.
In Washington, while talking to reporters, foreign secretary Shringla indicated that there is a possibility of a Quad meet. “I mean, look, I can’t comment on that, but the fact of the matter is that if there is a summit, Prime Minister has already said that he would, he would be happy to attend that summit.
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has said he will not run for party re-election as a leader this month.

Intel alert issued on possible terror attack during Jewish holidays in India ANI

Intelligence agencies have issued a country-wide terror alert ahead of the Jewish holidays in Sept, which has been conveyed to all police heads in the country for the safety and security of Jewish citizens.
It clearly mentioned that Israeli citizens are on the hit list of a terror organization.
“Jewish holiday to start on September 6 onwards as per intel input terror groups can again target Israeli citizens or Jewish sites which holds religious value,” read the alert.
According to an official, they have ordered Delhi Police to be on alert.
Security personnel deployed at Israeli sites like the Israeli embassy, consulate staff and residences, Kosher Restaurant, Synagogues Chabad house, and Jewish community center, have been asked to be vigilant.
On Jan 29, a ‘low-intensity bomb’ blast took place near the Israel Embassy in New Delhi.
Last month, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has re-registered the case into the matter.
The case was earlier being probed by the Special Cell of Delhi Police under charges of 427 of Indian Penal Code and Section 3 of Explosive Substances Act, 1908, relating to the IED blast.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) handed over the case to the NIA on Feb 2 this year. (ANI)

AFGHANISTAN CRISIS: NO END APPEARS IN RECENT TIME

Latest Update:

Taliban again postpone Afghan govt formation announcement: The fate of Afghanistan’s Panjshir Valley – the final holdout against Taliban control – hangs in the balance as heavy fighting continues. Even as the Taliban claimed that it has taken ‘full control’ of Afghanistan by capturing Panjshir, the Resistance fighters they are battling have denied this.

Former Afghan Minister Ready To Return & Support Taliban If They Respect Women’s Rights: Ex-Afghan deputy interior minister said that he is ready to return and support the Taliban if they promise to respect national symbols and women’s rights.

Women-led 2^nd protest in Kabul turns violent; Taliban resorts to tear gas: A protest led by women rights activists in Kabul turned violent after Taliban forces prevented them from marching towards the presidential palace.

According to Tolo News, the Taliban prevented the demonstrations from continuing by spraying tear gas.
The women in Kabul are staging protests, demanding their rights and representation in the new government should be significant.
A group of Afghan women activists staged a protest in Kabul on Friday, seeking equal rights and ensuring decision-making roles for them in political life in the country that has been taken over by the Taliban.
Amid reports of the formation of a new government in Afghanistan to be headed by Taliban co-founder Mullah Baradar, a group of women’s rights activists in Kabul asked the outfit to ensure decision-making roles for women in the future government.

Chief of Pak’s ISI Lt Gen Faiz Hamid in Kabul; 17 Killed in Taliban’s ‘Celebratory’ Firing

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed Beijing was ‘ready to invest in and reconstruct’ Afghanistan as he set out hopes that China would provide a gateway into global markets.
At least 17 people were killed and 41 injured during celebratory firing by the Taliban in Kabul on Friday, local Afghan news agency TOLO News reported.
The firing occurred after the Taliban said that they had taken control of the Panjshir, a claim rubbished by Ahmad Massoud, who is holding the Valley.

Rebels hold out in Panjshir; Taliban set up gov’t in Kabul: Taliban forces and fighters loyal to local leader Ahmad Massoud fight in Afghanistan’s Panjshir Valley, as Taliban leaders work to form the government.

Taliban forces and fighters loyal to local leader Ahmad Massoud have fought in Afghanistan’s Panjshir Valley, as Taliban leaders in the capital Kabul worked on forming a government. Each side said it had inflicted heavy casualties.
Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on Thu claimed Beijing was “ready to invest in and reconstruct” Afghanistan as he set out hopes that China would provide a gateway into global markets, reported UK publication Express.

“China is our principal partner and for us represents a fundamental and extraordinary opportunity because it’s ready to invest in and reconstruct our country. We hold in high regard the One Belt One Road project that will serve to revive the ancient Silk Road. Beyond that, we have rich copper mines which thanks to the Chinese can be brought back into production and modernized,” Mujahid was quoted.

Google locks Afghan government accounts as Taliban seek emails: Source

Google has temporarily locked down an unspecified number of Afghan government email accounts, according to a person familiar with the matter, as fears grow over the digital paper trail left by former officials and their international partners.

‘Proofs’ Show Pakistan Fighting Alongside Taliban. So, What Does Insurgents’ Rise Mean for Neighbours?

TTP has been proven dangerous against Pakistan as its main objectives included implementing Sharia law, fighting US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, and engaging in jihad against the Pakistani Army.
Pakistan and Afghanistan share a unique relationship. The two countries have been neighbors separated by a 2,570 km border. There are religious, cultural, and ethnic relations. Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai even described the two countries as “inseparable brothers”.
However, Pakistan’s support to Taliban, the Threat of TTP to Pakistan, and ISIS remain some of the contesting issues between the two countries. However, with the rise of the Taliban, the relations between the two countries have taken a new turn.

In This Week

With Kabul airport closed, fearful Afghans rush for the border; Taliban celebrating the Exit of US troops, The US completes Afghanistan withdrawal; Taliban’s newly appointed Kabul mayor imposes Sharia law; Pakistan needs to coexist with and have a ‘realistic’ approach to the Taliban: Qureshi; Pakistan: Taliban’s backer & broker; India can’t use Afghan soil anymore: Pak cabinet

India Amid the Crisis:

Indian envoy, Taliban leader meet in Doha, talks on evacuation, terrorism: In a significant development, the chief of the Taliban’s political office in Doha, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai met the Indian envoy to Qatar Deepak Mittal, an official announcement was made by the Ministry of External Affairs, which added the meet happened at the request of Taliban side.
So far, India has evacuated 565 people, of which 175 are embassy personnel, 263 are other Indian nationals. The number of evacuees also includes 112 Afghan nationals, including Hindus and Sikhs.
In the meeting, Ambassador Mittal also raised India’s concern that Afghanistan’s soil should not be used for anti-Indian activities and terrorism in any manner, the MEA said.
India has often expressed its concerns publically over Pakistan-based terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed finding a safe haven in Afghanistan.
The statement by the MEA said the Taliban representative assured the Ambassador that these issues would be “positively addressed.”
Mittal had earlier served as joint secretary of the Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran division in the MEA.
While this is the first-ever public acknowledgment of talks between the Indian govt and Taliban leaders, New Delhi has been engaged with them ever since the intra-Afghan dialogue began in Sept 2020.
According to top sources, this meeting is “not an acknowledgment” by India of the Taliban dispensation; New Delhi is waiting to see what kind of govt is formed in Kabul, now that all foreign forces have left the country.
Stanekzai — Sheru to the Class of 1982 at Dehradun’s Indian Military Academy — has become as much the face of the Taliban’s India outreach as he is the radical regime’s pointsman for the political transition.

Back in the 1970s, when the older generation of Afghans experienced the last stretch of peace, Stanekzai and two others who would go on to become central figures in the troubled nation’s history — deposed President Ashraf Ghani and Afghan-American peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad — were all busy finding themselves while studying on scholarships abroad.

Taliban Says “Have Right To Raise Voice For Muslims In Kashmir”: Report

In an interview, Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen said: “We have this right, being Muslims, to raise our voice for Muslims in Kashmir, India, and any other country.”
“We will raise our voice and say that Muslims are your own people, your own citizens. They are entitled to equal rights under your laws,” he added, according to Geo News.
India is concerned that Afghanistan may become the epicenter of Islamic terrorism, a first-of-its-kind that has a state. In the past, ISIS and Al Qaeda also tried to establish a state but failed. There are fears that Sunni and Wahabi terrorist groups will turn the Taliban into their haven.
Citing sources, NDTV reported that Pakistan spy agency ISI, which shares good relations with Taliban leadership, will try to influence the Taliban but it will not be able to have an effect since the Taliban this time is in a position of strength and only weak Taliban can be influenced by ISI.
Recently, a leader of Pakistan’s ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has said that the Taliban would help the country in ‘liberating’ Kashmir from India. Speaking at a television news debate, leader Neelam Irshad Sheikh said, “Taliban have said that they are with us and they will help us in [liberating] Kashmir.”

Modi discusses Afghan situation with European Council president Charles Michel

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tue discussed the evolving situation in Afghanistan with European Council President Charles Michel.

Taking to Twitter, Modi said they reiterated the commitment to strengthen the relationship between India the European Union during the phone conversation.
An official statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office said that the two leaders discussed the recent developments in Afghanistan and their implications for the region and the world.
“They unequivocally condemned the horrific terror attack at the Kabul International Airport that resulted in many casualties. They emphasized the importance of a stable and secure Afghanistan and discussed the potential role India and the EU could play in this context,” the statement read.

S Jaishankar meets Croatian PM; discusses bilateral ties and Afghanistan

External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Fri met Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenkovic and discussed opportunities to further expand bilateral cooperation, including in pharma, digital, and infrastructure. Jaishankar thanked Plenkovic for receiving him at Zagreb and said that they also discussed “pressing global issues”, including the situation in Afghanistan.

During his visit to Croatia, Jaishankar held bilateral talks with foreign minister Gordan Grlic Radman, and call on the Croatian leadership.
A statement by the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said that Jaishankar’s visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen the multifaceted relationship with the European Union (EU).
He has received a special invite from Slovenia, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union from July to December, for an informal meeting of the ministers of foreign affairs.
The informal meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council has held at an estate near the city of Kranj on Sept 3, under the “Gymnich” format, HT reported based on anonymous sources.

From Slovenia, a special invite for Jaishankar to the EU foreign ministers’ meeting

External affairs minister S Jaishankar will also travel to Croatia and Denmark after he visits Slovenia.
Mr. Jaishankar has been invited to join an informal meeting of foreign ministers of European Union states in Slovenia on Sept 3^rd that is expected to focus on the situation in Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific.
“The focus of the discussions is likely to be on developments in Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific,” a person familiar with developments said on condition of anonymity.
The informal meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council will be held at an estate near the city of Kranj on Sept 3, under the “Gymnich” format.
The EU is also expected to unveil its Indo-Pacific strategy in Sept. Jaishankar is expected to speak on India’s Indo-Pacific policy at the Bled Strategic Forum, an annual international conference, during his visit to Slovenia.

Jaishankar speaks to newly-appointed Iranian counterpart, agrees to strengthen bilateral ties

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wed spoke to his newly-appointed Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian and discussed the situation in Afghanistan as well as bilateral issues.

Iran’s parliament last week approved the appointment of Hossein Amirabdollahian as foreign minister. He had earlier served as Iran’s deputy foreign minister between 2011-2016.
It is learned that the current situation in Afghanistan figured in the conversation between the two foreign ministers.
Last month, Jaishankar represented India at the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected Iranian President Raisi in Tehran, in reflection of the importance India attaches to its ties with Iran.
Raisi, a hardliner and known to be close to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, won the presidential election in June by a landslide.
Iran has been playing a key role in the Afghan peace process and hosted intra-Afghan peace talks in Tehran.

‘Challenge for us’, said defense minister Rajnath Singh on Taliban takeover in Afghanistan

Union defense minister Rajnath Singh on Sun said that the situation in Afghanistan has emerged as a challenge for India, with the Taliban set to take charge after the complete drawdown of the US troops. Singh also said that the changes have led to the rethinking of strategy.

“The changing equation in Afghanistan is a challenge for us. These situations have forced our country to rethink its strategy. We are changing our strategy and the formation of QUAD underlines this strategy,” news agency ANI quoted him as saying while delivering his keynote address at the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington, Tamil Nadu.

Further, Singh said that the ministry is seriously considering the formation of Integrated Battle Groups. “These ‘Integrated Battle Groups’ will be new groups to fight against the enemies. Under this, extremely lethal, brigade-sized agile and self-reliant fighter formations will be made,” he said.
Union minister of external affairs S Jaishankar on Sat spoke with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding the situation in Afghanistan.
Also, Prime Minister Narendra Modi too had said that the country would stand by its citizens during times of crisis. So far, more than 550 people have been airlifted by India out of Kabul, according to the last update.

Indian military to brain-storm over Taliban in Afghanistan

With the US leaving behind billions of dollars worth of military hardware in Afghanistan, India is worried about the proliferation of conventional weapons and night vision devices among Taliban and Haqqani Network affiliated jihadists in Pakistan.
The Indian military brass led by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat is expected to brainstorm on the impact of a Taliban regime in Afghanistan and its security ramifications on India and the sub-continent this week.
Given the ideological and operational affiliation of the Taliban, an UN-designated global terrorist group, with Pakistan-based terror groups like Tehreek-e-Taliban, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Haqqani Network, the military brass including all the 3 service chiefs will study and assess the security imperatives due to Taliban in Kabul.
The topic is a matter of concern as for the first time there will be no US forces on the ground in Afghanistan.

‘India & US Are Closely Watching Pakistan’s Actions In Afghanistan’: HV Shringla At UNSC: The Foreign Secretary also revealed that the US was watching the situation very closely and that Pakistan’s role in the Taliban takeover could not be overlooked.

After the conclusion of India’s UNSC presidency for Aug, Shringla addressed the key resolutions adopted under India’s leadership and the international community’s outlook towards the Afghanistan crisis.
Interacting with the media in Washington, HV Shringla stated that the resolution adopted by the UNSC on Afghanistan was very important and said that India was in touch with every country that had an interest in the deteriorating situation there.
After the end of the UNSC session in New York, the Foreign Secretary is expected to interact with senior officials from US President Joe Biden’s administration in Washington.
As per sources, the Quad summit is expected to be one of the main points of discussion between India and the US.

Under India’s presidency and Shringla’s chairmanship, the UNSC adopted a strong 7-point resolution on Afghanistan demanding that the Afghan territory ‘not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists.’ It also called for the safe passage of foreigners and Afghans and placed importance on strengthened efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the war-torn nation. The UNSC resolution was adopted after 13 countries voted in favor of it while China and Russia, both permanent members of the council, chose to abstain from voting.

India-US Hold 2+2 Intersessional Dialogue; Review Prevailing Afghanistan Situation: India and the United States held a bilateral 2+2 Inter-sessional meeting at the official level on 1 Sept 2021 in Washington DC. As per the official release, they reviewed the progress made since the last 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Oct 2020 and preparations for the forthcoming dialogue later this year.
The Indian delegation was led jointly by Vani Rao, Joint Secretary (Americas) in the Ministry of External Affairs, and Somnath Ghosh, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) in the Ministry of Defence.
The U.S. delegation was led by Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Affairs Dr. Ely Ratner alongside Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs in the Department of State, Ervin Massinga.
As per the official release, both sides took stock of the progress and developments in the bilateral agenda under the India-US strategic partnership, including defense, global public health, economic and commercial cooperation, science and technology, clean energy, and climate finance, and people to people ties.
They explored opportunities for enhancing ongoing cooperation in these fields based on mutual interests. Cooperation in contemporary areas such as space, cyber security, and emerging technologies was also discussed.
Unverified sources claimed that India’s Min of Defense and US Deptt of Defense have signed a project agreement for Air-Launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (AL-UAV) under Joint Working Group Air Systems in the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI). Indian DRDO’s ADE & USAF Aerospace Systems Directorate to lead it. It will have three targeted uses, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief, “cross-border operations,” and cave and tunnel inspection

India to engage with all 27 EU members, said EAM

External Affair Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, during the meeting of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council on Thu, assured that India will engage with all the 27 European Union members on Indo-Pacific.

“I’ve tried to make it a point to make sure that we engage with all 27 EU members. We do realize that Europe is a collective enterprise and you need that to have all stakeholders as much as possible, Jaishankar said EAM’s remarks came at the Bled Strategic Forum panel discussion that took place in Slovenia on “Partnership for a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific”.

This is an informal meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council which is being held in Slovenia’s capital city.
EAM is on an official visit to Slovenia, Croatia, and Denmark from Sept 2-5, as part of a tour to boost bilateral ties and further strengthen India’s cooperation with the Central European Countries.
An MEA statement also informed that this visit will provide an opportunity for reviewing the progress in India’s bilateral ties with these three countries, and strengthening multifaceted relationships with the EU.
Meanwhile, during the discussion, Jaishankar also said that it is important that “It is not India’s responsibility or capability to solve EU’s problems.
Jaishankar also said that India sees to strengthen its relations with the European Union while refuting “the Western-Non-Western binary”.
He also welcomed Slovenia’s Presidency of EU and meeting his counterpart Dr. Anze Logar. “Excellent meeting with Foreign Minister of Slovenia @AnzeLog. Agreed to deepen our political and economic relationship.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar is on an official visit to Slovenia, Croatia, and Denmark from Sept 2-5, as part of a tour to review the bilateral relationship with the three Central European countries. (ANI)

Reports claimed that Taliban co-founder Mullah Baradar to lead new Afghanistan govt

The Taliban, which seized Kabul on Aug. 15 after sweeping across most of the country, have faced resistance in the Panjshir Valley, north of the capital, with reports of heavy fighting and casualties.
Taliban co-founder Mullah Baradar will lead a new Afghan govt that could be announced soon, sources in the Islamist group said on Friday, as it battled rebel fighters while striving to ward off economic collapse.
Baradar, who heads the Taliban’s political office, will be joined by Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, the son of late Taliban founder Mullah Omar, and Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, in senior positions in the govt, sources said.
Pakistan ISI Chief Faiz Hameed has reached Kabul with the list of ministers who will be sworn in the new Islamist Taliban regime of Afghanistan. Reportedly, on the invitation of the Taliban.

Taliban sources claim control over Panjshir, Resistance says still holding out The Taliban sources are claiming that they have seized control over Panjshir valley, the last standing province that the Taliban has not been able to capture, according to a Reuters report. However, a Resistance leader denied that the province had fallen. Panjshir Valley is the only province that had resisted the first Taliban rule from 1996 to 2001.

US likely to fund humanitarian aid for Afghanistan, but not its Taliban-led govt: The US Congress is likely to provide humanitarian aid for internally displaced Afghans and refugees but not to the Taliban-led government itself, according to congressional aides.

Will return and support Taliban-led govt if…: Former Afghan minister: General Khoshal Sadat, former police chief, and Afghan deputy interior minister has said he would support the Taliban if they promise to respect national symbols and women’s rights.

Why Afghan women are skeptical over the Taliban’s promise on education: Even as the Taliban have allowed women to continue their education, a new decree issued to private universities by the militant group suggests many restrictions, which many fear would stop the women from pursuing studies.

An Afghan woman was beaten by Taliban during a protest in Kabul: Reports: Rabia Sadat, a woman protester in Afghanistan who participated in a protest seeking rights under the Taliban rule, was allegedly beaten by the militants, according to reports.

UN resumes humanitarian flights to Afghanistan: The UN has resumed Humanitarian Air Service flights to Afghanistan with three planes arriving in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif since Sun, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Thu.

The flights, operated by the World Food Programme (WFP), link Pakistan’s Islamabad to Mazar-i-Sharif and the southern Afghan city of Kandahar. The program aims to deliver humanitarian aid to areas that are difficult to reach.

Blinken discusses Afghanistan in calls with counterparts: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has discussed the situation in Afghanistan in separate phone conversations with his Saudi, Italian, Spanish and German counterparts.

The UK will not recognize the Taliban but sees scope for dialogue: Raab

The foreign secretary’s comments in Doha come as he remains under fire over his handling of the crisis.
The United Kingdom will not recognize the Taliban but sees scope for dialogue, the British foreign secretary has said, adding that he is monitoring closely whether the hardline group lives up to its promises to maintain peace.
During a diplomatic mission to Qatar to ensure the safe passage of the Britons and Afghans left behind, Dominic Raab said on Thu that he was attempting to build a regional coalition to “exert the maximum moderating influence” on the Taliban as they “adjust to the new reality” of the group in power.

Germany sets conditions for Kabul’s presence: Germany is ready to resume a diplomatic presence in Kabul if the Taliban meets certain conditions, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said.

“We want to see an inclusive Govt [in Kabul], the respect for fundamental human and women’s rights – and Afghanistan must not again become a breeding ground for international terrorism,” Maas told reporters in Slovenia, where he met his EU counterparts to discuss Afghanistan.

Italy’s Draghi says still hopes to hold a G20 summit on Afghanistan: Italy still hopes to hold an ad hoc summit of the Group of 20 chief economies on Afghanistan, Prime Minister Mario Draghi said, adding that any such meeting would take place after this month’s UN General Assembly.

China: In response to whether China will accept Afghan refugees, the Chinese Foreign Minister said the priority is to ensure no new civil war or humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan. Other countries cannot just pass the responsibility on to Afghanistan’s neighbors and the international community. Is maintaining the Chinese embassy in Kabul a signal that the Taliban are recognized? Chinese FM said that the new Afghan govt is yet to be established, and China is closely following and observing the situation.

The U.S. presses Pakistan as Afghan crisis spirals, leaked docs show

Pakistan’s ambassador questioned reports of Taliban reprisals as U.S. diplomats struggle with refugee arrivals.
The Biden administration is quietly pressing Pakistan to cooperate on fighting terrorist groups such as ISIS-K and Al Qaeda in the wake of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.
In response, Pakistan — long accused by U.S. officials of aiding the Afghan Taliban — has hinted that Islamabad deserves more public recognition of its role in helping people now fleeing Afghanistan, even as it has downplayed fears of what Taliban rule of the country could mean.
These exchanges and others, described in emails, sensitive but unclassified cables, and other written materials reported by POLITICO, offer a glimpse into how tensions between Washington and Islamabad linger after two decades of war in Afghanistan.
They suggest that the two govt are far from lockstep on the road ahead, even now that the US has pulled its troops from Afghanistan.
The Biden administration has been unusually circumspect about revealing its contacts and discussions with Pakistan.
While a nuclear-armed country, Pakistan’s actions often appear at odds with the US, it nonetheless is a nation with links to the Afghan Taliban whose cooperation in fighting terrorism can be helpful, which the US would prefer not to lose entirely to Chinese influence.

Western Union resuming services to Afghanistan: Western Union Co is resuming money-transfer services to Afghanistan, a senior executive told Reuters, a decision he said was in line with a US push to allow humanitarian activity to continue after the Taliban’s takeover.

The U.S. has no plans to release billions in Afghan assets, Treasury says: The world’s largest money-transfer firm and MoneyGram International Inc, another global remittance provider, suspended services in Afghanistan two weeks ago after the group captured Kabul at lightning speed.

The Biden administration has no plans to release billions in Afghan gold, investments, and foreign currency reserves parked in the United States that it froze after the Taliban’s takeover, despite pressure from humanitarian groups and others who say the cost may be the collapse of Afghanistan’s economy.
Much of the Afghan central bank’s $10 billion in assets are parked overseas, where they are considered a key instrument for the West to pressure the Taliban to respect women’s rights and the rule of law.

China is our main partner, we care very much about Silk Road: Zabihullah Mujahid, the official spokesman for the Taliban regime, told an Italian newspaper that China was “our main partner and represents a fundamental and extraordinary opportunity for us as the Chinese govt is ready to invest and rebuild our country”, the Guardian reported. Mujahid told the La Repubblica newspaper that the Taliban “care a lot about the ‘One Belt, One Road’ project. Taliban to rely on Chinese funds, spokesperson says: With the help of China, the Taliban will fight for an economic comeback in Afghanistan, Zabihullah Mujahid tells an Italian newspaper.

Navy signs contract with BEL to procure India’s first indigenous naval anti-drone system

The Indian Navy on Tue sealed a contract with defense PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the supply of the first indigenously developed Naval Anti Drone System (NADS), developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by BEL, is the first indigenously developed anti-drone system to be inducted into the Indian armed forces, the defense ministry said.

The NADS can instantly detect micro drones and uses a laser-based “kill mechanism” to terminate the targets, it said.
Serious concerns over threats from enemy drones first emerged in June when two drones were used by suspected Pakistan-based terrorists to attack the Indian Air Force base in Jammu.
The NADS was first deployed to provide security cover for the Republic Day Parade this year and later during the prime minister’s Independence Day address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort.

“The system, which offers 360-degree coverage, was also deployed in Ahmedabad for the Modi-Trump roadshow,” the ministry said.

RBI Governor Das Says Global Economy Has Recovered But Is ‘not Out Of Woods’ Amid COVID

Speaking at the Fixed Income Money Market and Derivatives Association of India, Annual Conference, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Shaktikanta Das on Tue, highlighted that although the economies are recovering and GDPs were on a positive trajectory, countries have not fully bounced back.
Das warned that the global economy was “not yet out of woods” as COVID contagion continued to infect people.
His statement came as India’s GDP grew by 20.1% in the April-June 2021 quarter as compared to the first quarter of the 2020-21 financial year.

‘RBI completed borrowing program’: Guv Das also stated that through various measures, RBI completed its borrowing program in a non-disruptive manner and also created congenial conditions for other segments of the financial market including the financial bond market.

Elaborating upon the central bank’s measures on tacking the pandemic, he asserted that RBI took several “conventional, unconventional and innovative measures” in areas of monetary policy and liquidity.
India’s GDP grows at 20.1%: On Tue, the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation has announced a growth in India’s GDP by 20.1% in the Apr-Jun 2021 quarter as compared to the Q1 of the 2020-21 fin yr.
The gross domestic product (GDP) had contracted by 24.4% in the corresponding April-June quarter of 2020-21, according to data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO).

The govt had imposed a nationwide lockdown at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, compared to which the economy has rebounded. China, which gained profits by exporting COVID equipment and protective gear, has recorded a growth of 7.9% in the Apr-Jun period of 2021.

Want solution through dialogue, won’t compromise: Rajnath Singh on border row with China

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Mon that India wants a solution to the border dispute with China through dialogue and asserted that the govt would never allow the sanctity of borders to be violated and has made it clear to the forces that any unilateral action on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) should not be ignored, while the delivering virtually the third Balramji Dass Tandon Memorial Lecture organized by Panjab University on the issue of national security.

The minister said that there have been perception differences on the border with China. Despite this, there are some agreements, protocols which the armies of both countries follow to conduct patrols. Referring to the clashes in eastern Ladakh last year, Singh said Chinese forces had ignored the agreed protocols and we cannot allow the Chinese Army to act on the LAC unilaterally under any circumstances.

“That is what the Indian Army did that day in Galwan and bravely confronted the PLA soldiers and forced them to retreat, he said while terming it as a “historic” incident.
In the first deadly clash in the border area in nearly five decades, 20 Indian soldiers were killed on June 15 last year in the Galwan Valley in fierce hand-to-hand combat with Chinese troops, triggering a large deployment of troops and heavy weaponry by both armies at the friction points in eastern Ladakh.
In a significant forward movement towards the restoration of peace and tranquility in the region, the Indian and Chinese armies completed the disengagement process and restored the pre-standoff ground position in Gogra in eastern Ladakh after 15 months.
The development came after the 12^th round of military talks between the two sides on July 31 at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point in eastern Ladakh.
Earlier, the Indian and Chinese frontline troops had conducted the first synchronized disengagement at the south and north banks of the Pangong lake in February.
The Army is trained to press the trigger on seeing the movement of the enemy, but the Indian Army has shown both courage and restraint while working with great maturity, Rajnath Singh said.
On improving infrastructure, he said that the Atal Tunnel project in Rohtang, which was on hold for a long time, was completed by the Modi government. This tunnel has strategic importance, he said.
The Border Roads Organisation is developing infrastructure projects and all-weather connectivity was being given to Ladakh, he said, adding work on several alternative roads has started.
He added it will also help the people who live in border areas as these people have strategic importance for us.
Keeping their interests in mind, it is necessary to strengthen the border infrastructure, he said.
Referring to the situation in the Northeast, he said an era of peace has come in this region in the last 7 years.
There was a time when the entire region was in the grip of insurgency, he said and dubbed the restoration of peace in the Northeast as the biggest strategic victory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure.

When the govt was formed in 2014, as many as 160 districts were facing the Naxal problem, which reduced to 50 in 2019.

Rs 14,000 crore ‘Make in India’ boost for Indian Army through Akash (ANI)

In a major boost to ‘Make in India’ in the defense sector, the Indian Army has sent proposals worth around Rs 14,000 crore to acquire two regiments of the Akash-S air defense missile system and 25 ALH.
The proposal is with the Defence Ministry and a decision on the approval is expected soon at a high-level meeting to be chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, govt sources told ANI.
The Akash-S missiles are a new variant of the Akash missile system with a new indigenous seeker which helps in improving the accuracy in taking down enemy aircraft and cruise missiles at distances up to 25-30 kms, they said.
The missiles are capable of performing in extreme cold weather conditions in Ladakh and would meet all the requirements of the Indian Army in mountainous and other regions along the boundaries with China and Pak.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)-developed missile system is already in service with the forces and more upgraded versions are planned to be inducted into the services in coming days.
The DRDO has also recently tested the Akash-New Generation variant of the Akash missile systems which allows the troops to use it for longer range intersection of enemy targets and capability to operate at very high altitude locations along the Northern Borders.
The force is also looking at acquiring 25 ALH Dhruv Mark 3 helicopters for its aviation squadrons.
The Indian Army has been very supportive of the indigenous defense manufacturing capability and has supported the positive list of indigenization by placing important weapons systems such as artillery guns in the import ban list.

The Army is the largest operator of the ALH Dhruv helicopters in the country and has also helped in bringing in improvements in the choppers produced by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

Reject ‘baseless’ allegations of infiltration via LoC, says Pakistan

A senior security official in India recently said that the Army has been noticing the continued presence of around 140 terrorists at the launch pads across the LoC, likely waiting to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir, but the robust counter-infiltration grid has so far desisted them from making any such attempts.

“We categorically reject the baseless allegations that Pakistan wanted to infiltrate so-called terrorists’ via the Line of Control (LoC),” Foreign Office spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said in a statement.
He said that in Feb this year Pakistan had reiterated adherence to the 2003 ceasefire understanding with India in the interest of regional peace and security and alleged that India was using “baseless and misleading allegations of so-called infiltration attempts to find excuses to scuttle the ceasefire understanding.
India and Pakistan agreed February agreed to the strict observance of all agreements, understandings, and ceasefire along the LoC and all other sectors with effect from Feb 24-25 midnight 2021.
Contending that the ceasefire agreement was more important for Pakistan as it is desperately trying to come out of the “grey list” of the Financial Action Task Force.
ThePrint citing an anonymous Indian official reported that Pakistan is using the ceasefire window to strengthen its infrastructure along the LoC that was damaged in cross-border shelling last year in response to their troops’ firing at civilian areas on the Indian side of the LoC.

Army foils infiltration bid along LoC in J&K’s Poonch, 1 terrorist killed

Army troops detected the infiltration bid by use of the integrated surveillance grid in the Poonch sector early Mon, defense spokesman Lt Col Devender Anand said. Added that an operation is still in progress in the area.
On being challenged by Army troops, a fierce firefight ensued and one terrorist was killed. His body along with an AK-47 rifle has been recovered.

“This action by alert Army troops displays the resolve of the Indian Army to thwart any misadventure along the LoC, Lt Col Anand said.

NEIGHBORHOOD

4 Chinese vessels enter Japanese waters off Senkaku island

Four Chinese vessels entered Japanese territorial waters off Senkaku islands, said Japan’s coast guard on Mon, a day after Tokyo and Taipei held the first-ever security talks.
According to the Japan coast guard, the vessels were reportedly approaching a Japanese fishing boat.
The Coast Guard said the four Chinese ships entered Japan’s waters off Uotsuri Island and Minamikojima Island, two of the Senkaku Islands, one after another starting at around 2:40 am, Japanese broadcaster NHK reported.
It said that as of 3:30 am, 3 of the vessels were sailing 12 to 17 km south of Uotsuri Island, while other was traveling about 15 km south-southwest of Minamikojima Island. Japan controls the Senkaku Islands, however, China and Taiwan continue to claim them.
Tokyo maintains the islands are an inherent part of its territory as per history and international law.
On Fri, the ruling parties of Taiwan and Japan held their first diplomatic and defense policy discussion, with representatives of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) pledging to support Taiwan’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, Global Times reported.
China, which considers Taiwan as its integral part, lodged a strong opposition to the security talks and urged Tokyo to stop interfering in China’s internal affairs.
China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea and has overlapping territorial claims with Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan.
Beijing has been increasing its maritime activities in both the SCS and the ECS over the past few months, partly in response to Beijing’s concerns over the increasing US military presence in the region because of escalating Sino-US tensions.
Beijing’s rising assertiveness against counter claimants in the East and South Sea has resulted in unprecedented agreement across the Indo-Pacific.

Bombers will add to China’s growing nuclear triad

The People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, which controls China’s nuclear arsenal, has attracted much attention recently with the discovery of no fewer than 250 intercontinental ballistic-missile silos in three separate installations deep inside China. However, one other arm of China’s nuclear triad is yet to appear – the H-20 strategic bomber.

Little is known about the H-20, although speculation abounds.
Since WWII, bombers have been widely used in conflicts such as Afghanistan, Chechnya, the Gulf War, Iraq, Korea, Libya, Syria, Vietnam, and Yugoslavia.
The fielding of bombers stagnated in the latter stages of the Cold War, primarily because they were expensive to develop and also because their role in delivering nuclear weapons could be taken over by ICBMs.
It is relevant that Fu mentioned “reliable engines,” for sophisticated military jet engines have proved notoriously difficult for China to master. At this stage, it is unclear what engines will power the H-20.
Although it is making progress with engines like the WS10, now installed on the indigenous J-10 single-engine fighter, China still imports quantities of engines from Russia.
The Pentagon’s 2020 report on China’s military said “the PLAAF is seeking to extend its power projection capability with the development of a new stealth strategic bomber”.

The Pentagon added that it should have the following features: “a stealthy design, employing many fifth-generation technologies; a likely range of at least 8,500km; a payload of at least 10 metric tons; and a capability to employ both conventional and nuclear weaponry.”