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Over 100 world leaders including Modi, Biden to address UNGA in person next week (↓)

PM Modi will address the general debate of the 76^th UNGA session on 25 September, a day after the Quad summit. Biden will also deliver his maiden address as US President this time.

US senator introduces bill to boost India-US cooperation in clean energy & climate change

A top American senator has introduced legislation to boost cooperation between India and the US in the areas of clean energy and climate change, emphasizing that he has firsthand witnessed the positive results that come when the two nations work as a team to tackle common challenges.

PM Modi to attend first in-person Quad Summit to be hosted by Biden on 24 September

The White House said the Quad Leaders will be focused on deepening their ties & advancing practical cooperation on areas such as combating Covid and promoting free and open Indo-Pacific.

India will stand by Afghans as it is passing through the ‘critical’ phase, says Jaishankar (↓)

Speaking at a high-level UN meeting on Afghanistan, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar also said that the international community must come forward to help the country.

Non-Contact warfare doctrine, local languages in Military & more: Task Force to track work on PM’s directives (↓)

The task force comprising top officers from the defense ministry, armed forces and National Security Council Secretariat will meet to discuss charting a road map for the timely implementation of the PM’s directives.

Lekhi meets Portugal’s Secretary of State for International Affairs, Portugal (↓)

Union MoS for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi on Monday met Portugal’s Secretary of State for International Affairs and Cooperation Francisco Andre and signed an agreement on Labour Mobility facilitating recruitment of Indian citizens to work in Portugal.

After houses, Aligarh will now secure the country’s borders: PM Modi

PM Modi said on Tuesday that Aligarh, which was known to manufacture locks for securing houses, will now play an important role in securing the country’s borders.

Inaugurating the defense corridor, PM Modi said that it will help in making the country self-reliant in the field of defense production and promoting ‘Make in India’.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

Taiwan wants its US office to be renamed; China retaliates: Report (↓)

Taiwan had earlier renamed its office in Vilnius as “Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania”. China had hit back by imposing sanctions against Lithuania while recalling its envoy.

International community pledges $1 Billion for Afghan-TOLONews

The meeting was held at the request of Guterres to provide humanitarian aid for the people of Afghanistan. The international community at the UN meeting in Geneva on Monday, which was attended by more than 90 states, pledged over $1 billion in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan, said UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

Taliban deny their deputy Prime Minister, Mullah Baradar, is dead

The Taliban have denied that one of their top leaders has been killed in a shootout with rivals, following rumors about internal splits in the movement nearly a month after its lightning victory over the Western-backed government in Kabul. Sulail Shaheen, a spokesman, said Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, former head of the Taliban political office who was named deputy Prime Minister last week, issued a voice message rejecting claims he had been killed or injured in a clash.

Afghan Taliban close Torkham border for pedestrians

Afghan Taliban suspended the return of Afghan nationals to their country through the Torkham border on Monday. Security officials on the Pakistani side of the crossing point, however, said vehicular traffic continued as loaded vehicles from both sides crossed the border, Dawn reported.

Taliban killing civilians in Panjshir Valley, says report

Reports coming in paint a different picture than the claims made by the Taliban saying that they were in Panjshir to protect people. However, reports have suggested that they have been on a continuous killing stride.

Myanmar’s Suu Kyi dizzy and drowsy, skips court appearance

The popular Nobel Peace Prize winner has spent about half of the past three decades in various forms of detention over her non-violent struggle against dictatorship and her health is closely watched.

Pakistan involved In “Harbouring Members Of Taliban”: US Secretary of State (↓)

Antony Blinken told the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee that Pakistan has a “multiplicity of interests some that are in conflict with ours.”

Over 100 world leaders including Modi, Biden to address UNGA in person next week

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden will address the UN General Debate in person next week, as over 100 heads of state and government arrive in New York to attend the annual high-level, 193-members of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session, which had gone virtual in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The theme for this year’s General Debate is Building Resilience through hope to recover from COVID-19, rebuild sustainably, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people, and revitalize the UN’, the MEA statement said.
• Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid will be President of the year-long session.
• Modi will address on the morning of September 25, a day after he participates in the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Washington DC hosted by Biden on Sept 24.

Modi, Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and his Japanese counterpart Yoshihide Suga will participate in the Leaders’ Summit of the Quadrilateral Framework in Washington and review progress made since their first virtual Summit on 12 March 2021 and discuss regional issues of shared interest, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

• As per the second provisional list of speakers for the General Assembly, about 109 heads of state and govt will address the General Debate in person and nearly 60 will deliver speeches through pre-recorded video statements.
• The US is traditionally the 2^nd speaker after Brazil at the General Debate, which this year will run from Sept 21-27.

Afghanistan’s diplomat is listed as the last speaker on the last day of the General Debate.

• Currently, the Afghan envoy at the UN is Ambassador Ghulam Isaczai, who was appointed by former President Ashraf Ghani as Kabul’s envoy to the UN in June 2021.
• The interim Taliban government in power has not yet made any submission challenging Isaczai’s credentials.
• The diplomats of Myanmar and Guinea are also listed to speak on behalf of their countries on the last day of the debate.
• However, following the coup in Myanmar, its military rulers have said the country’s Ambassador at UN Kyaw Moe Tun has been dismissed and they want Aung Thurein to replace him.

In response to a question on who should represent Myanmar at the UNGA, UN Secy-Gen Antonio Guterres had said that it is a matter that is strictly in the hands of the Credentials Committee and, of course, we will abide by what member states decide in the Credentials Committee or eventually, if necessary in the General Assembly. This is an area where the Secretariat has no power whatsoever.

Modi had last addressed the UNGA session in 2019. Last year, world leaders had submitted pre-recorded video statements for the UNGA session in September, for the first time in 75 years’ history, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The other events during the 76^th session of the General Assembly are:

• the meeting to commemorate the 20^th Anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action on September 22.
• Dialogue on energy convened by UN Secretary-General Guterres on September 24, and
• the plenary meeting to commemorate and promote the International Day for the total elimination of nuclear weapons on September 28.

Guterres and UK Prime Minister Johnson will hold an informal, closed-door round-table with a small but representative group of heads of state and government on the sidelines of the General Assembly on September 20th.

India will stand by Afghans as it is passing through the ‘critical’ phase, says Jaishankar

• With Afghanistan facing a grave humanitarian crisis, India on Monday said it will stand by Afghans just as it did in the past.
• Noting that Afghanistan is passing through a “critical and challenging” phase, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also said the international community must come forward to help it.
• In a virtual address at the UN high-level meeting on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, the minister said that India has consistently supported a central role of the global body in the future of the war-torn country.
• “India’s own approach to Afghanistan has always been guided by our historical friendship with its people and this will continue to be the case,” he added.
• A multilateral platform is always “more effective” than small groups of countries in building global consensus, he said.
• There has been a sea change in its political, economic, social, and security situation and consequently, its humanitarian needs, the minister said.
• Jaishankar further said that the issue of travel and safe passage that can emerge as an obstacle to humanitarian assistance be immediately sorted out.
• Those who want to travel into and out of Afghanistan should be granted such facilities without obstructions, he added.
• “As an immediate neighbor, India is monitoring developments with understandable concerns,” he said.
• He said the international community must come together to create the best possible enabling environment to assist the country.

Non-Contact warfare doctrine, local languages in Military & more: Task Force to track work on PM’s directives

A task force headed by Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat will track the implementation of a set of directives by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including drafting a doctrine for non-contact warfare, reforming public sector units in defense, hand holding the domestic defense industry and ensuring greater use of indigenous languages in the military.

News18 reported citing the source, that the task force featuring top officers from the defense ministry, the armed forces, and the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) will meet at South Block to discuss charting a road map for the timely implementation of the PM’s directives that came during the Combined Commanders’ Conference (CCC-2021) at Gujarat’s Kevadia in March.

CCC is a brainstorming event for top military commanders of the army, navy, and air force.

• An instruction to set up the task force to monitor work on the PM’s directive came from his office in April.
• The task force will also look into the implementation of a set of directives by defense minister Rajnath Singh over the last two years.
• The task force has held its first meeting. It will submit a quarterly report to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the defense minister’s office on the progress.

Area of Interest

India’s top defense officials have agreed in the past that there is an increased need to bolster capabilities and prepare for non-contact warfare, which has been emerging as a bigger challenge than conventional warfare.

• Non-contact warfare comprises all non-kinetic forms, including those related to information, cyberspace, and psychological domains, even though the military aspect of such warfare could involve drones and other such munitions.
• A single doctrine is needed to coordinate and synergise all constituents of non-contact warfare, which could intimidate the adversary without any physical contact, Report says.
• At present, tri-services bodies such as the defense cyber agency and the defense space agency are working together on these areas.

MORE ON THE AGENDA: Some of the other directives by the PM, which are being reviewed by the task force, relating to plans for celebrating 75 years of independence next year. This, among others, involves identifying several obsolete laws and practices in defense that can be done away with, and a greater focus on the use of indigenous languages in the Indian military to mark the occasion.

Military personnel arrested from Agra over suspected links with foreign spies

India Today reported citing sources that a few military personnel have been arrested in Agra over suspected links with foreign spies.

Several military personnel have been arrested from Agra over suspected unauthorized links with foreign spies. They were alleged, using unauthorized communication with undesirable elements was recently discovered based on proactive actions by our intelligence agencies. The arrests were a result of strict surveillance maintained by authorities over military installations across the country.

• Some of the suspected individuals have been taken into custody and are being questioned to verify details and probe the possible involvement of others.
• Constant surveillance is being maintained to monitor the activities of such agents, particularly in the vicinity of military areas and garrisons.
• The report further said the attempts are being made by our adversaries to obtain information about activities undertaken by the military. Service personnel are regularly briefed and updated on the modus operandi of agents working for adversaries.

On July 16, Punjab: Two Indian army sepoys held for spying for ISI: The two army men had already shared photos of over 900 classified documents — about the defense of the country and national security — over four months between Feb and May 2021

On July 15^th Pokhran spy case: Kingpin in Pakistan high commission, blackmailed arrested agent: Intel sources

Intelligence sources have said that the Pokhran espionage case has a connection with Pakistan’s high commission. Habeeb Khan alias Habibur Rahman, who was arrested in the espionage case, was being blackmailed by one Kamal posted with Pakistan’s high commission, according to intelligence sources.

In February of last year, 13 Indian Navy personnel were apprehended in connection with an espionage case.

Lekhi meets Portugal’s Secretary of State for International Affairs, signs agreement on recruiting Indians to work in Portugal

Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi on Monday met Portugal’s Secretary of State for International Affairs and Cooperation Francisco Andre and signed an agreement on Labour Mobility facilitating recruitment of Indian citizens to work in Portugal.

• Lekhi and Andre discussed a complete range of bilateral relations focusing on key areas of mutual interest like Science and Technology, IT, Migration, Mobility, and Trade.
• She also met her Portuguese counterpart Augusto Santos Silva and Secretary of State for Internationalization Eurico Brilhante Dias and discussed matters of mutual interest.
• Lekhi is on a visit to Portugal and Spain from Sept 12-17, informed the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement.
• She will also inaugurate ‘The Beatles and India’ exhibition at Casa de la India, Valladolid, and deliver a talk on India’s Development Cooperation at the Spain India Council Foundation.

NHRC issues notice to Centre, 4 states over farmers’ protest

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to the Centre, and state governments of Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh on Monday, seeking reports on farmers’ protests. The commission said that it has received several complaints regarding the ongoing protest.

The commission also requested the Institute of Economic Growth to examine the impact of the farmers’ agitation on industrial and commercial activities and submit a comprehensive report by Oct 10.

In a statement, the NHRC said there are claims of the stir impacting at least 9,000 micro, medium and large companies. Traffic is also allegedly impacted, it said.

Accordingly, the commission issued notices to the chief secretaries of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan, Government of NCT of Delhi; director-general of police, UP, Haryana, and Raj; and Delhi police commissioner, calling upon them to submit their action taken reports.

Pakistan involved In “Harbouring Members Of Taliban”: US Secretary of State

The United States will be looking at its relationship with Pakistan in the coming weeks, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday, to formulate what role Washington would want it to play in the future of Afghanistan.

In the first public hearing in Congress about Afghanistan since last month’s collapse of the US-backed Afghan government, Blinken told the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee that Pakistan has a “multiplicity of interests some that conflict with ours.”

• “It is involved hedging its bets constantly about the future of Afghanistan, it’s one that’s involved harboring members of the Taliban… It is one that’s also involved in different points cooperation with us on counter-terrorism,” he said.
• Asked by lawmakers if it is time for Washington to reassess its relationship with Pakistan, Blinken said the administration would soon be doing that.
• The USA withdrawal from Afghanistan culminated with a hastily organized airlift that left thousands of US-allied Afghans behind and was punctuated by a suicide bombing outside Kabul’s airport that killed 13 US troops and scores of Afghans.
• The US and its allies are in a difficult balancing act in the aftermath of the Taliban’s victory – reluctant to recognize the Islamist group while accepting the reality that they will have to engage with them to prevent a looming humanitarian crisis.

Pakistan has had deep ties with the Taliban and has been accused of supporting the group as it battled the US-backed government in Kabul for 20 years – charges denied by Islamabad.

It is also considered as one of the two countries, along with Qatar, with the most influence over the Taliban, and a place where many senior Taliban leaders were thought to have escaped to after the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.

Taiwan wants its US office to be renamed; China retaliates: Report

Taiwan had earlier renamed its office in Vilnius as “Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania“. China had hit back by imposing sanctions against Lithuania while recalling its envoy.

• Wion reported that the Biden administration is considering a request from the Taiwan govt to change the name of its mission in Washington from Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office to Taiwan Representative Office.
• China has reportedly hit out at the move and warned the US govt not to intervene in the One-China policy.
• Reports added that the US Govt is “seriously considering” allowing Taiwan to use its name which is being widely seen as a symbolic gesture amid tensions with China.
• The US had repeatedly stressed its support for Taiwan maintaining that it is “rock-solid”. Taiwan had earlier opened a  representative office in Lithuania and named it “Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania”. 
• China reacted angrily as it recalled its envoy from the country and imposed sanctions on Lithuania, however, the country’s foreign minister backed the move amid tensions with China although he added that Lithuania is keen on finding a diplomatic solution to the tussle with China.
• The US government had recently approved howitzers and munitions kits worth $750 million and given advanced jets to the country.
• Amid tensions with Taiwan, Chinese jets have repeatedly entered Taipei’s airspace in the past year raising tensions between the two countries. 
• Meanwhile, Taiwan began its five-day military exercise on Mon with live-fire drills. The drill involved fighter jets and Naval ships. Taiwan also deployed the C-130 transport aircraft as it conducted a simulated Chinese attack. 

On Monday, Chinese state media Global Times published an OpEd that said the Sending PLA fighter jets over the island of Taiwan is a step we must take. The move will pose a fundamental warning to the Taiwan authorities and bring about the reconstruction of the situation across the Taiwan Straits. It will be a clear declaration of China’s sovereignty over Taiwan island and create unprecedented conditions for us to further implement this sovereignty.