INDIA: Week at Glance:

On Sino-Indian Standoff, developments are not ‘cool’ to India (↓),
On (LoC), Ino-Pak Front, infiltrations bids and its consequences continue (↓),
In Bangladesh, fringe elements destroyed the Hindu’s idols (↓),
In the Bay of Bengal, QUAD’s Malabar wargame concluded (↓),
EAM concluded 3 nations visit Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, and Armenia (↓),
PM met Danish Counterpart on her 1^st State Visit (↓),
India re-elected to UN Human Rights Council for the 6^th time
India plans own conference on Afghanistan in November, may invite Pakistan too (↓),
Army Chief on a 4-day visit to Sri Lanka to boost defense ties, (↓)
Centre’s 7 new defense companies will be a huge base for military power: PM (↓)
BSF jurisdiction increased to ‘curb crime’, Opposition cries ‘attack on federalism’
PM Gatishakti to bring together 16 ministries, to end silos, (↓)
Over 10 crore Indians own cryptocurrency, highest in the world: Report

Rate of Muslim population rise fell more than Hindus’ in 20 years;

Also:

EAM S Jaishankar To Visit Israel Next Week;

Indian envoy Abhay Kumar met Patrick Rajoelina, Foreign Min, Madagascar, on Friday;

India slips to 101^st rank in Global Hunger Index 2021; behind Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal,

Govt of India issued rebuttal as process adopted is not scientific;

Adani’s Mundra port to not accept cargo from Pakistan, Iran & Afghanistan Post Drug Haul;

Some people look at human rights with political calculations: PM Modi;

Domestic flights allowed to operate at full capacity from October 18;

A 1985-batch IAS officer from the Jharkhand cadre, Amit Khare has earlier served as I&B secretary and higher education secretary. He retired in September.

Neighborhood: Week at Glance

China-Taiwan tensions: Upgrades for Chinese military airbases facing Taiwan hint at war plans –SCMP (↓)
Two questioned over deadly Taiwan blaze which killed 46 people (↓)
Tsai Ing-wen’s remarks incite confrontation, distort facts: Beijing (↓)
Blasts hit Mosque in Kandahar, 16 Killed (↓)
Kristalina Georgieva to remain IMF chief gets support from the board (↓)
China-Pakistan military relations are under strain due to substandard servicing (↓)
Taliban will be judged on its actions, not only its words: the US after Doha talks (↓)

[ NATIONAL ]

As India-China talks fail & tensions rise, Delhi is concerned about another ‘Galwan-like flare-up’

With the last round of India-China corps, commander-level talks doing little to ease tensions, sections of India’s strategic community are concerned that the confrontation could likely get worse at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, and that Beijing may not continue with the regular lines of communication.

Condition as of Now:

Though New Delhi didn’t expect any development on disengagement plans, China recently deployed more troops at the LAC, and Beijing’s stance becoming gradually harder.
While Beijing officially said “India had made unreasonable demands”, but its mouthpiece (GT) indulged in information warfare and warcry in various forms.
ThePrint (sources)- the coming winter may be difficult for Indian troops, by Mar-Apr next year, there could even be a fresh bout of violence, including the possible use of firearms.
….. the Chinese had even hinted at “changing their approach” on lines of communiqué.
…..this time the talk failed as the Chinese have replaced Gen. Wang Haijiang with Xu Qiling, (4^th Commander, since the clash, promoted in July), and that as a result a “comfort level” had not been achieved.
Chinese have built up almost 03 infantry divisions and 6-8 combined arms brigades with around 450 tanks & artillery guns each, close to LAC in Ladakh.
d-atis (@detresfa_): 59: Imagery of Ngari Gunsa Airport, Tibet reveals a new deployment of UAVs ongoing since Aug 2021, a similar deployment was observed in 2019, fielding the Long Endurance UAV here considerably boosts the PLA’s ISR activities in the region
Mocking on failed dialogue, GT tweeted on Oct 11^th, “India had proposed returning to the pre-April 2020 positions in the western section along the LAC, Chinese experts asked, “Why doesn’t India ask to throw the border situation back to after the 1962 China-India war?“
On the next day, GT via OpEd, “….A quad is essentially a group serving the US’ selfish geo-strategic interests, while India is a pawn. India will gain no actual gain from Quad except lip service.”

Ever since the LAC stand-off began in April-May 2020, both sides have mainly followed a 3-tier approach — regular talks at the diplomatic and military levels, along with a dialogue track between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

To top all of this, talks were also held between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and top Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi. It was Doval and Yang who agreed to a disengagement plan in 2020.

The sticky issues: While disengagement has taken place in the Pangong Tso area and at the Gogra Post, a stand-off continues over Patrolling Point 15 (PP15) in Hot Springs, the Depsang Plains, and in the Demchok area.

India and China have 6-7 hotlines but there has been little progress in the talks. A larger plan to resolve the issue with the establishment of a hotline at the DGMO level remains unfulfilled.
According to a source, both sides will be on edge this winter but India is well-prepared to face any kind of challenge.

“Hot Springs and Demchok continue to pose challenges. The Chinese have now made it an irksome sovereignty issue. Earlier they were saying this is just a territorial issue. This should be noted,” said Lt Gen. Rakesh Sharma (R), a Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS).

India talks tough with China: The last round (13^th round) of military-level talks on Oct 11, saw both sides exchange some strong words (ThePrint).

While India said – the Chinese side was “not agreeable and also could not provide any forward-looking proposals”. In short, China was not in the mood to talk.
On Wednesday, India also slammed China for its comments on the visit of Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu to Arunachal Pradesh.

Ministry of External Affairs– “….Objecting to the visit of Indian leaders to a state of India does not stand to reason and understanding of Indian people.”

“…. the current situation along the LAC has been caused by unilateral attempts of the Chinese side to alter the status quo in violation of the bilateral agreements. Therefore, we expect the Chinese side to work towards early resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC.”

While MEA was reacting to Chinese Foreign Ministry comments that the Chinese govt has never recognized the “so-called Arunachal Pradesh established unilaterally and illegally by the Indian side and is firmly opposed to the Indian leader’s visit to the area concerned”.

India ‘takes note’ as China, Bhutan ink border talks MoU (text yet to the public) :

Bhutan and China signed an MoU on Thu, 3 days later to failure of 13^th round talk, for what they called a “3-step roadmap” for expediting the Bhutan-China boundary negotiations and which according to Thimphu will provide fresh impetus to talks and can bring the negotiations to a successful conclusion acceptable to both sides.

Like India, Bhutan remains locked in a boundary dispute with China and while the two have held 24 rounds of border talks since 1984, the last time they held these boundary negotiations was in 2016, or before the Doklam dispute involving India in 2017.

India closely follows all boundary engagements between Bhutan and China as Chinese claims over disputed territories have serious security implications for New Delhi.

The MEA was extremely cautious in reacting to the development as it said the govt had noted the signing of the agreement.
For many, it’s inconceivable that Bhutan would not have discussed an MoU on the boundary issue without explaining at least the broad contours to Indian authorities.
Bhutan has so far not accepted the Chinese 1996 “package deal’’ that offered to exchange territory in central Bhutan for Doklam, located dangerously close to India’s Siliguri Corridor. China reiterated this land swap offer last year.

The 2017 Doklam standoff further complicated the border issue as India saw PLA’s construction of a road in the Doklam area as a violation of the 2012 bilateral agreement that tri-junction boundary points between India, China, and third countries will be finalized in consultation with the concerned countries.

Bhutan – the 10^th expert group meeting with China in April this year, the sides had agreed on the roadmap that will build on the 1988 Guiding Principles for the settlement of the boundary and expedite negotiations.

In the media then, it was reported that Bhutan and China had discussed a three-step roadmap.
A month later, there were reports that Bhutan had reservations about the roadmap, one of which related to China’s claim over the Sakteng wildlife sanctuary in eastern Bhutan (close to the Arunachal border), and that Bhutan had suggested certain amendments.
It’s not clear yet to what extent China has taken into account those amendments.
GT- “…the meeting shows Bhutan’s willingness to manage border affairs independently, rebutting India’s claims of the “China threat,” and reducing the risk on its eastern China-India border.
It (GT) warned in an editorial on Fri- India shouldn’t say anything publicly about China-Bhutan border negotiations. It’s time to end its old-fashioned control over Bhutan. India should also curb its desire of exerting abnormal influence on countries like Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Stating that if they continue to stay there through the 2^nd winter, it “.. in a kind of Line of Control (LoC) situation though not an active LoC as is there on the western front,” COAS, Gen MM Naravane added, “So, .. but if they are there to stay, we are there to stay too.”

On (LoC), Ino-Pak Front: infiltration bids and their consequences continue, 11 terrorists, killed in 13 encounters, 7 Security Personals KIA, the encounter underway in Pampore IGP Kashmir V Kumar

An encounter has broken out between the security forces and terrorists in the Drangbal area of Pampore in Pulwama district, where one terrorist has been reportedly killed.

Police Chief, Kashmir Vijay Kumar – Two terrorists are still trapped in a 3- storey building, including LeT commander, Umar Mushtaq Khandey, who has been involved in the killing of two police personnel at Baghat, Srinagar, and other terror crimes, are killed.

J&K Police going after terrorists who targeted civilians and minorities in Kashmir.
In this week itself, 11 terrorists have been killed while 7 security personals lost their life in 2 different encounters, including 2 JCOs (Joint Commissioned Officers).
Five Indian Army soldiers were killed on Mon in an encounter that broke out close to the Rajouri-Poonch border, near Dehra Ki Gali, Poonch sector of J&K on Wed, including 1 JCO.
In last week, 5 civilians had shot dead in the different parts of Kashmir, from point-blank range by the terrorists, thereafter forces started chasing them.
These encounters are taking place in central Kashmir, not on border areas, which underscores the fact that terrorists were entered and settled in Kashmir well before months, and this coincides with the time of the ceasefire agreement with Pakistan in Feb.
A huge cache of Arms and ammunition were smuggled through drones along the international border, since then, as we reported.

ThePrint -Even as the fragile ceasefire agreement holds ground at the Line of Control (LoC) in J&K, “infiltration season” has begun and Pakistan is attempting to push in more hardened and trained terrorists into the Indian side under a new strategy.

In late Sept, the Army had foiled an infiltration attempt by killing 3 heavily-armed terrorists (5 AK rifles, 8 pistols, 2 IEDs, and 69 grenades) at Hatmulla in north Kashmir’s Baramulla.
In another infiltration attempt, 1 of the terrorists was killed (looked 30+), while another was caught alive.
The attempts are being to ensure that “senior” terrorists, who have had previous stints in Kashmir, are sent in rather than recruits because the local terror groups in Kashmir have lost their main leadership.
A Pakistani terrorist, currently identified as ‘Chhota Walid’, who infiltrated the LoC around 20 days back, is said to be the mastermind behind the spate of minority killings in Srinagar.

NIA raids 18 locations across J&K amid the rise in civilian killings

In J&K, National Investigation Agency on Tue raided the Galbugh Kakapora, Parimpora, Chattabal, Chanapora, Solina, and Chattabal in central Kasmir to crack down on the Overground Networks (OGN) of terror outfits, linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen, Al Badr, The Resistance Front (TRF), People Against Fascist Forces (PAFF), Mujahideen Gazwatul Hind (MGH), which have spread in J&K and beyond.

Forces identify 6 LeT militants behind Kashmir minority killings, focus on busting terror network

ANI–The National Investigation Agency, on Sun (Oct 10), said it has conducted searches, along with Central Reserve Police Force and Local Police, at 7 locations in Kulgam, Srinagar, and Baramulla districts of J&K and arrested 2 persons in its probe into the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT)-The Resistance Front (TRF) conspiracy case.

The arrested operatives include Tawseef Ahmed Wani, a resident of Bangdara (Baramulla), and Faiz Ahmed Khan, from Panzat (Anantnag).
The case was initially registered at PS after the recovery of an IED from a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorist in Bathindi, Jammu on June 27 this year for indulging in terrorist acts in the UT.
NIA re-registered the case on July 19 this year. Earlier, 3 LeT terrorists were arrested in this case.

NIA-the Pakistan-based handlers of LeT and their associates based in J&K had conspired to cause extensive terror activities to harm the general public and to assure the deniability, they have ‘planned to transfer responsibility’ would be taken by the pseudo-acronym TRF.

During the searches conducted on Sun, many digital devices including mobiles, pen drives, data storage devices, and other incriminating materials have been recovered.

Cops detain 430 overground workers after Jammu and Kashmir killings

In the case of the targeted killing, the suspected OGWs were picked up from across the Valley, prominently Srinagar, Anantnag, Kulgam, and Shopian. One of those detained is a prominent drugs supplier based in Srinagar.

A special team from Delhi in Srinagar: A special team led by a senior counter-terrorism officer from various security agencies, is in Srinagar, working on the case along with J&K Police to unearth the entire network and just to look for those who pulled the trigger.

J-K police unearthed conspiracy behind Shahgund killing, 4 terror associates arrested

J&K Police in Bandipora have busted a LeT module and arrested four terror associates involved in the conspiracy behind the killing of a civilian namely Mohd Shafi Lone alias Sonu a resident of Naidkhai, on Sun.

The arrested terrorists have been identified as Tariq Ahmad Dar, Mohammad Shafi Dar, Mudasir Hassan Lone, and Bilal Ah Dar said police, while one terrorist, Imtiyaz Ah Dar is absconding.
It is claimed by the agency that the killing was carried out at the behest and instruction of LeT (TRF) handler Lala Umar, a resident of Pakistan.

Pakistani terrorist arrested from Delhi’s Laxmi Nagar (ANI)

Delhi Police Special Cell on Tue arrested a terrorist of Pakistani nationality (accused, identified as Mohd Asraf resident of Pakistan’s Punjab) from the Laxmi Nagar area in the national capital. As per information shared by police, the terrorist was living with fake IDs of an Indian.

Delhi Police on Tue claimed that the arrested Pakistani terrorist, Mohammad Ashraf has been living in the country for more than a decade using Indian identity, and got married in Vaishali, Ghaziabad, took cover as peer baba, who was on a mission to carry out blasts during festivals.

One AK-47 assault rifle with one extra magazine and 60 rounds, one hand grenade, two sophisticated pistols with 50 rounds have been seized from his possession.
Relevant provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Explosive Act, Arms Act, and other provisions are being invoked against the man.
Police also conducted a search operation at his present address at Ramesh Park in Laxmi Nagar. More details are awaited. (ANI)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sat greeted the elite National Security Guard (NSG) force on its 37^th raising day, saying it is a “world-class trained force to tackle all facets of terrorism”. The NSG was established in 1984 after the Union Cabinet decided to create a ‘Federal Contingency Force’ that was ‘well trained to tackle various manifestations of terrorism.

Durga idol broken, thrown in a pond as angry mob vandalizes puja pandals in Bangladesh; ‘scandalous’, said Hindu council, on Wed

Multiple incidents of attacks on Durga Puja pandals and idols have been reported from Bangladesh. At least three incidents of vandalism against Durga idols have been reported in various parts of the country in the past 24 hours.

The latest incident took place at Nanua Dighi in Comilla on Wed evening, wherein a Durga Puja pandal was attacked by a mob.
The idol was reportedly thrown into a pond after the mob turned furious over reports that a copy.
Chaos unfurled after an individual reportedly shared inciting photographs on social media, WhatsApp.
As per local journalists, the Hefazat-e Islam, an umbrella organization of radical Islamists was reportedly involved in the chaos, who had spread a photoshopped image of the Holy Quran was placed at the feet of Goddess Durga floated on social media.
The same group was behind the anti-Modi protests in Bangladesh when he was there to attend the country’s Golden Jubilee celebrations of independence.
After Mr. Modi’s visit, violence spread across the country with protesters attacking a train in the eastern district of Brahmanbaria and targeting several Hindu temples.
According to reports, police could not control the angry mob that went on a rampage to vandalize the Durga idol and threw it in a pond.
The photographs of the incident were shared by Bangladesh Hindu Unity Council, which said – “Pujo Done… From : Comilla nanuyar Dighi puja Mandap.

We will never forget the 2021 Durga puja. Maa Durga bless you all.” In response to a question by a Twitter user as to why the idols were immersed on Durga Ashtami, the council replied, “Broken idols cannot be worshipped.”

Roots of Hefazat-e-Islam: literally ‘protector of Islam’, was formed in 2010 when the country was taking gradual measures to undo the Islamisation of its polity by the military rulers in the late 1970s and 1980s.

In the Dec 2008 election, the secular Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s daughter, was brought to power.
The secularists had demanded repealing the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution, which had made sweeping changes to the country’s original secular Constitution during the years of military rule (Later in the year the Supreme Court ruled the amendment was illegal).
The Islamist groups saw these developments, along with the shrinking space of clergy politics, as a threat to their core interests, and came together on one platform to form Hefazat-e-Islam.
In Feb 2010, Hefazat called a demonstration in Chittagong against the Women’s Bill and the bid to cancel the Fifth Amendment.
They clashed with police, injuring over a dozen, and announcing the arrival of a new Islamist group in Bangladesh’s political landscape.

Previously, similar incidents were also reported from Kotwali in Chittagong, Kustia, and Joypurhat.

US, Japan, Australia, India hold Malabar naval exercise in the Bay of Bengal

The naval forces of the United States, Japan, Australia, and India have started a joint exercise, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby confirmed, in the face of China’s maritime assertiveness in the region.

The drill involves two Japanese escort vessels, the US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Carl Vinson, an Australian frigate, and an Indian destroyer
The ‘Quad’ nations say they are working together to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific region and counter China’s growing economic and military clout

Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (SCMP) -The 4 nations (Quad) are holding the Malabar exercise from Tue to Thu in the Bay of Bengal, NE Indian Ocean.

The exercise involves 2 Japanese escort vessels, the US Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Carl Vinson, an Australian frigate, and an Indian destroyer to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific region and counter China’s growing economic and military clout.

The four countries also held a joint drill in late Aug as they bolster security cooperation.

“… recommit to promoting the free, open, rules-based order, rooted in international law and undaunted by coercion, to bolster security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond,” QUAD said in a joint statement released in Sept.

In a press conference on Wed, Seiji Kihara, Japan’s deputy chief cabinet secretary, said, “I would like these exercises to lead to strengthening ties with the US, India, and Australia that share a vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

The Malabar exercises started in 1992 as a bilateral drill involving the US and Indian navies, with Japan joining in 2015, while Australia returned in 2020 after last taking part in 2007.
Speaking to Indian media, the US Navy’s Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael Gilday said the exercise could expand in the future, but it was up to the partners to discuss that.
There were already multiple exercises taking place in the Indo-Pacific annually, he pointed out.
In April, the four nations joined the French navy for a three-day ‘Quad-plus’ La Perouse naval exercise in the Bay of Bengal.

In Aug, the US launched a large-scale, all-domain military exercise in the Indo-Pacific region with Britain, Australia, and Japan, the first of its kind in more than four decades.

EAM concluded 3 nations visit Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, and Armenia:

Armenia supports India’s bid for a permanent seat at UNSC

Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan said at a joint press conference with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar in Yerevan that the latter’s visit is a testament to the deepening and enhancing relations between the two friendly countries and peoples, and that the visit will boost the Armenian-Indian ties in all sectors.

Armenia and India are enhancing cooperation in various areas, and the FMs of the two countries reached concrete agreements over the effective implementation of several projects.

Mirzoyan was pleased to note the agreements reached during the meeting and reiterated Yerevan’s readiness to swiftly implement all agreements.
This year marks the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and India, and the Mirzoyan attached importance to taking steps in the defense, political, economic, and cultural sectors to elevate the relations.
Mirzoyan reiterated Armenia’s support to India in the issue of becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

The Armenian side also offered to hold bilateral political consultations and the meeting of the inter-governmental commission.

Cross-border terrorism isn’t statecraft: Jaishankar

Addressing foreign ministers’ at the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Kazakhstan, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said the world no longer tolerates the use of terrorism by one state against another, who is on the visit of Kazakhstan.

Jaishankar -“Cross-border terrorism is not statecraft; it is simply another form of terrorism…. Any calculation that extremism, radicalization, violence, and bigotry can be used to advance interests is a very short-sighted one” (pointed towards Pakistan & Taliban)

Peace in South Asia is not possible without resolution of the Kashmir issue, said Pakistan Foreign Minister SM Qureshi on Tue while addressing the 6^th Ministerial Meeting of the CICA through a video statement.

He raked up the Kashmir issue at a multilateral meeting in Kazakhstan, saying that sustainable peace in South Asia was not possible without the resolution of the “core dispute” with India.

While India has repeatedly told Pakistan that Jammu and Kashmir “was, is and shall forever” remain an integral part of the country.

Jaishankar took a jibe at China too, saying while connectivity was essential in the modern-day, it needed to follow certain rules.
“…it is essential that the most basic principles of international relations … Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations rank foremost among them,”

Dr. Jaishankar on Tue met his Mongolian counterpart, Battsetseg Batmunkh, and discussed “development partnership“. He assured that India will always remain a strong spiritual neighbor.

On Mon, Jaishankar had arrived at Nur-Sultan and participated in Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures (CICA) Ministerial.
Jaishankar began his Kazakhstan visit with a bilateral meeting with Uzbek foreign minister Abdulaziz Kamilov.

CICA was established in 1999 as a forum aimed at enhancing cooperation through elaborating multilateral approaches towards promoting peace, security, and stability in Asia.

It currently has 27 member states and 9 observer states and 5 observer organizations.
India is a member of CICA since its inception in 1999 and has been actively participating in various activities conducted under the aegis of CICA.

Dr. Jaishankar also met FM of Bahrain and tweeted, “On the 50^th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, a great pleasure to meet my counterpart FM Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani of Bahrain.”

India closely following developments in Afghanistan, it concerns all of us: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Mon during a joint press appearance with his Kyrgyz counterpart Ruslan Kazakbaev after a “constructive” meeting at Bishkek that India is closely following the developments in Afghanistan and underscored the importance of the Taliban regime meeting the expectations of the international community as elaborated in a UNSC resolution.

Jaishankar said that discussion on developments in Afghanistan and its implications for the peace and security of the region occupied some time in his talks with Kazakbaev. He said “India and the Kyrgyz Republic have a shared approach to developments in Afghanistan”

The UNSC resolution 2593 – Afghan territory not be used for sheltering, training, planning, or financing terrorist acts; and specifically refers to terrorist individuals proscribed by the UNSC, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad

India & Afghanistan Crisis: India including the west are in “Wait and watch Mode” at least officially, while China, Russia, Turkey, and Pakistan, though not officially recognize, are optimistic about relations with the Taliban.

Nevertheless, every country, especially Big-Powers is looking for the option, where they can play in Afghanistan, or at least want to assure that it won’t go against them.
India’s main concern is about the terror network especially the Haqqani Network, which secured the top-level position with help of Pakistan in the system, as India suffering from cross-border terrorism for decades.
Last month, PM Modi had called for ensuring that no country tries to take advantage of the delicate situation in Afghanistan and use it for its selfish interests.
Jaishankar arrived here on Sun as part of his 4-day visit to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Armenia intending to further expand bilateral ties with the 3 Central Asian countries.

Minister of State of External Affairs, Meenakashi Lekhi at a yoga session with Ms. Tamara Vucic, First lady of Serbia: she tweeted “It was a pleasure to have the first lady at a yoga session, this morning. These pictures exhibit the incredible global appeal of yoga and the enduring bond of India-Serbia friendship”

India, Kyrgyz Republic agree on 200 million US Dollar Line of Credit to support development projects

Dr. Jaishankar had talked with Foreign Minister Ruslan Kazakbaev of Kyrgyz. In a tweet, he said, they agreed on a 200 million US Dollar Line of Credit to support development projects.

He also said that they are agreed on executing high-impact community projects, early travel of Indian students, and a more liberal visa regime.
The two leaders reviewed defense and security cooperation positively, while they have a shared approach to developments in Afghanistan.
External Affairs Minister reached Kyrgyzstan as part of his four-day visit to the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, and Armenia on Sun.
In a tweet, Dr Jaishankar said, he is delighted to arrive in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan at the invitation of Foreign Affairs Minister of Kyrgyzstan Ruslan Kazakbaev. Dr Jaishankar will also be calling on the President of Kyrgyz Republic.
He has attended the 6^th Ministerial Meeting of the Conference of Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, (CICA) in Nur-Sultan, chaired by Kazakhstan.
Dr. Jaishankar held bilateral talks with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan and call on the Kazakh leadership.

PM Modi met Danish counterpart on her first state visit to India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in New Delhi on Sat who is on her first state visit to India. she also met her counterpart S Jaishankar, who also visited Denmark earlier this year.

Danish Prime Minister said she sees her New Delhi’s visit as a milestone for the relations between the two nations.
Speaking after the ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Frederiksen added that she sees an ambitious Indian govt taking responsibility for the issue of green transition in India and the rest of the world.
Danish PM arrived in New Delhi in the early morning hours of Saturday. She was received by the Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi, at Delhi airport.
External Affairs Ministry – the Danish PM’s visit is an opportunity to review and further the India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership.

List of MoUs/Agreements exchanged during the visit of PM of Denmark

MoU between Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)- National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, Aarhus University, Denmark and Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland on mapping of groundwater resources and aquifers.
Traditional Knowledge Digital Library Access Agreement between CSIR and Danish Patent and Trademark Office.
MoU between Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, and Danfoss Industries Private Limited to establish a Centre of Excellence towards natural refrigerants for tropical climates with potential applications.
Joint Letter of Intent between Min of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, India, and The Govt of Denmark

Commercial agreements: –

MoU between Reliance Industries Limited and Stiesdal Fuel Technologies on the development of the Hydrogen Electrolyzer and the subsequent manufacturing and deployment of the Hydrogen Electrolyzer in India.
MoU between Infosys Technologies and Aarhus University to establish a ‘Center of Excellence for Sustainability Solutions’ based in Denmark.
MoU between the ‘Observer Research Foundation’ and ‘The State of Green’ on strategic cooperation to promote knowledge-sharing on solutions and facilitate research on the green transition of the economy.

Army Chief Naravane met Sri Lankan PM Rajapaksa to boost defense ties

Indian Army Chief (COAS) General MM Naravane met with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Wednesday to strengthen bilateral defense ties. COAS is on a 4-day visit to Sri Lanka (1^st visit) from Oct 12-16, during which he will be meeting the country’s senior military and civil leadership to enhance defense cooperation between the two nations.

The COAS called on Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, in which PM expressed his appreciation for the assistance provided by the Indian Armed Forces to Sri Lanka throughout the years.
The two delegations also discussed regional concerns over growing fundamentalism and terrorism, boosting defense ties, and the importance of caring for veterans, after they served to the country.
The COAS called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and discussed mutual and strategic cooperation issues.
Earlier, he laid a wreath at the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) War Memorial in Colombo, paying tribute to the soldiers of the Indian Army who laid down their lives during the Peace Keeping Operations in Sri Lanka’s civil war.
On Thursday, the Chief has witnessed the final demonstration of the ongoing bilateral Exercise ‘Mitra Shakti’ at Maduru Oya Special Forces Training School in the eastern part.
Gen Naravane arrived in Sri Lanka on Tue on a 4-day visit at the invitation of his Sri Lankan counterpart, General Shavendra Silva.

This visit comes a week after Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla visited Sri Lanka and met the country’s top leadership and underscored the importance India attaches to expeditiously taking forward mutually beneficial projects.

Commenting on the Indian Army chief’s visit, the Indian High Commission earlier said, “during the visit, areas of mutual interest and avenues for enhancing existing bilateral defense cooperation will be discussed, with Sri Lanka being ‘Priority One’ partner of India”.

BSF jurisdiction increased to ‘curb crime’, Opposition cries ‘attack on federalism’

Expansion of the Border Security Force jurisdiction from 15 km to 50 km inside the international border along with Punjab, West Bengal, and Assam by the home ministry has been done to curb trans-border crime and is not an intrusion into the autonomy of states, BSF officers said.

In a notification Mon, the MHA said it was amending a 2014 notification related to the jurisdiction of the BSF to exercise its powers in states that touch the international border.
Earlier, the limit was fixed to 80 km in the case of Gujarat and 15 km in Punjab, West Bengal, and Assam. While the limit has now been increased to 50 km along with Punjab, West Bengal, and Assam, it has been reduced from 80 km to 50 km in Gujarat.
However, the move has been criticized by opposition-ruled states Punjab and West Bengal, with Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Channi calling it a “direct attack on federalism”.

What changes for BSF: BSF’s jurisdiction now comprises “whole of the area in the States of Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya and Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh and so much of the area within a belt of 50 km in the States of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, West Bengal, and Assam, running along the borders of India”.

Meanwhile, the earlier notification, issued on 3 July 2014 and amended by the MHA Mon, defined BSF jurisdiction as the “whole of the area comprised in the States of Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya and so much of the area comprised within a belt of 80 km in the State of Gujarat, 50 Km in the State of Rajasthan and 15 Km in the States of Punjab, West Bengal, and Assam, running along the borders of India”.

Centre’s 7 new defense companies will be a huge base for military power: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Fri that the 7 new defense companies, which have been launched by the Centre, will be a massive base for India’s military power while addressing the launch event of these companies on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami.

PM Modi said, “… The decision to revamp 41 ordnance factories and the launch of these 7 companies is a part of this resolution journey. This decision had been pending for the last 15-20 years.”

The seven companies—Munitions India Limited (MIL); Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVANI), Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWE India), Troop Comforts Limited (TCL), Yantra India Limited (YIL); India Optel Limited (IOL) and Gliders India Limited (GIL).

They will have 66 firm contracts worth ₹65,000 crores from the 3 services and paramilitary forces.
Pointing that India’s ordnance factories were the most powerful globally at one period of time, PM Modi said that these factories had the experience of more than 100 to 150 years.
As reported earlier, according to a release from the PM Office on Thu, the Centre decided to convert the Ordnance Factory Board from a govt department into 7, 100% govt-owned corporate companies to improve self-reliance in the defense.
The release added that the above move will bring about enhanced functional autonomy, efficiency and will unleash new growth potential and innovation.

India re-elected to UN Human Rights Council for the sixth time with an overwhelming majority

India was re-elected to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2022-24 term on Thu with 184 votes in the 193-member assembly, in the General Assembly, with New Delhi’s envoy here describing the election as a “robust endorsement” of the country’s strong roots in democracy, pluralism and fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution.

The 76^th UN General Assembly held elections on Thu for 18 new members of the UN Human Rights Council who will serve for three years, starting in Jan 2022. And shall not be eligible for immediate re-election after 2 consecutive terms.

India’s current term was set to end on Dec 31, 2021. For election to the term 2022-24, there were 5 vacant seats in the Asia-Pacific States category – India, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Qatar, and UAE.

The 193-member General Assembly elected by secret ballot Argentina, Benin, Cameroon, Eritrea, Finland, Gambia, Honduras, India, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Montenegro, Paraguay, Qatar, Somalia, UAE, and the USA for the 2022-2024 term on the UNGA.

The membership is based on equitable geographical distribution, and seats are distributed among regional groups Group of African States (13), Group of Asia-Pacific States (13), Group of Eastern European States (6), Group of Latin American and Caribbean States (8) and Group of Western European and other States (7).

India plans own conference on Afghanistan in Nov, may invite Pak too

India is likely to host its conference on the developing situation in the country next month. The govt is in touch with Russia, China, the US, and several regional countries for the conference which is likely to take place here in the second week of Nov.

According to sources, India has proposed that the conference be held on Nov 10 or 11. While there are no plans yet to invite the Taliban to the conference, an invite to Pakistan is not ruled out.

ToI– India had planned a similar conference in May this year with the participation of the then Afghanistan govt and also Pakistan but the Covid-19 second wave put paid to the plans.

The situation is a lot more complex now of course with the Taliban have taken over the country.
The conference in India will follow the Moscow Format talks on Oct 20 for which Russia, like it has in the past, has also invited India.
Just before the Moscow Format, Russia’s extended troika that includes the US, China and Pakistan will also have a meeting.
The conference in India is likely to carry forward the agenda of the Moscow Format talks and will look to ensure a more inclusive govt while emphasizing the need for the Taliban to ensure that the Afghan territory is not used for cross-border terrorism.
PM has himself said that the govt in Afghanistan is not inclusive and that the international community should not rush into recognizing it.
The conference will also provide India an opportunity to underline the significance of the Aug 30 UNSC 2593 resolution that the government believes should shape the world’s agenda in Afghanistan.
Senior government officials are expected to participate in the meeting which will also underscore the need for Afghanistan to have unhindered access to humanitarian assistance.

Need to ensure Afghan territory does not become a source of terrorism: PM Modi at G20 summit on Afghanistan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tue, while participating in the virtual G20 summit on Afghanistan called for urgent humanitarian assistance for Afghan citizens.

PM also asserted that Afghanistan’s territory should not become “the source of radicalization and terrorism”.
The PM emphasized the need to enhance the joint fight against the nexus of radicalization, terrorism, and smuggling of drugs and arms in the region (PMO).
“A unified international response based on UNSC Resolution 2593 is necessary to improve the situation in Afghanistan,” PM said.
PM Modi also called for an “inclusive administration” in Afghanistan.
He also called on the international community to forge a unified response to Afghanistan’s situation.

The meeting was convened by Italy which currently holds the G20 presidency and chaired by Italian PM Mario Draghi.

PM on Indo-Afgan Ties: underscoring the centuries-old people-to-people ties between India and Afghanistan, PM mentioned that over the last 2 decades, India has contributed to promoting socio-economic development and capacity building of youth and women in Afghanistan.

He also recalled that over 500 development projects have been implemented in Afghanistan by India. PM noted that the Afghan people have a great feeling of friendship with India.

Over 10 crore Indians own cryptocurrency, highest in the world: Report

Indians are outpacing the rest of the world when it comes to cryptocurrency adoption even as investors are still awaiting the official verdict on cryptocurrency exchanges in the country.

India has the 5^th-highest rate of crypto owners at 7.3% just lower than Ukraine (12.73%), Russia (11.91%), Kenya (8.52%), and the US (8.31%).

In the last year, India had the 2^nd-highest number (nearly 36 lakh) of total crypto searches, while the US was the highest number (69 lakh), out of 154 countries in 2021.

India’s market grew 641% over the past year.

“Large institutional-sized transfers above $10 million worth of cryptocurrency represent 42% of transactions sent from India-based addresses,” said the report, adding that the numbers suggest that India’s cryptocurrency investors are part of larger, more sophisticated orgs.

Point to note:

The world’s biggest cryptocurrency, bitcoin, has already gained more than 50% since the start of the year.
The one-year gain stands at around 400%, which is promoting more and more Indians to opt for crypto exchanges.
A survey conducted by consulting firm Kantar shows that 19% of urban Indians intend to invest in virtual tokens in the next 6 months.
And when it comes to crypto ownership, Bitcoin rules the roost with a preference of 75%, followed by Ethereum at 40%, Binance coin at 23%, and XRP at 18%.
One major attraction is the chance to earn high profits by investing in small amounts.
WazirX allows investments into bitcoin with as little as Rs100-500.
Indians who own cryptocurrency are mostly in the age bracket of 21 to 35 and live in metro cities.
Crypto exchange Zerodha has over 7 mn users against 11 mn at CoinSwitch Kuber, while 8.3 mn at WazirX.
Last week, CoinSwitch Kuber raised over $260 mn in a Series C funding round from a clutch of investors, valuing the company at $1.9 bn.
A 19% of urban Indians intend to invest in virtual tokens in the next six months- consulting firm Kantar.

The company tracks the movement of cryptocurrencies on blockchain to help financial crime compliance. Earlier in May, a Brazilian money management firm focused on cryptocurrencies raised about $26 million from investors including SoftBank Group Corp and in July the SoftBank Latin America fund invested $200 million in the Series B funding of 2TM Group, the digital asset group that owns cryptocurrency exchange Mercado Bitcoin.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

Upgrades for Chinese military airbases facing Taiwan hint at war plans -SCMP

Satellite images show work began last year to expand and reinforce three PLA air force bases in Fujian province
The improvements will give air combat support but also strengthen defenses against a potential strike from Taiwanese forces
The PLA is hoping to foster a better military-to-military relationship with its US counterpart, according to a Chinese military source.

Satellite images have revealed China is upgrading and reinforcing its airbases closest to Taiwan along its southeastern coast, indicating Beijing may be stepping up its plans to take the island by force.

The upgraded infrastructure at three air bases in Fujian province will give long-term logistical air combat support to the PLA air force, which mounted a record 149 sorties into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone over four consecutive days from October 1.

The images, captured by Planet Labs and first published by American tech and military site The Drive, showed work on aircraft shelters and reinforced munitions storage started early last year and continued uninterrupted during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Taiwan won’t start a war with the mainland but ‘will meet the enemy full on’, defense minister says
Taiwanese Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng acknowledges recent PLA sorties into the island’s air defense zone constrained by limited mid-air refueling capacity
China’s Washington embassy complains to the US government over the meeting between Taiwan’s de facto ambassador and senior US diplomats

Taiwan will not start a war with Beijing but will defend itself “full-on”, Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said on Thu, amid a spike in tensions across the Taiwan Strait that has raised concern internationally.

Taiwan, a major semiconductor producer, has repeatedly said it would defend itself if attacked, but that it would not “advance rashly” and wanted to maintain the status quo with the mainland.

Military tensions with Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its territory, are at their worst in more than 40 years, Chiu said last week, adding that Beijing would be capable of mounting a “full scale” invasion by 2025.

He was speaking after the People’s Liberation Army mounted 4 consecutive days of mass air force sorties into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone beginning on Oct 1, part of a pattern of what Taipei views as stepped-up military harassment by Beijing.

Russian hypersonic nukes capable of wiping out US cities ‘on alert’: Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has bragged that his country’s new hypersonic nuclear missiles capable of annihilating US cities are “on alert,” raising concerns of a World War 3 outbreak. The Russian leader revealed his country has developed a weapon that flies more than five times faster than those being developed in the US. While addressing an energy forum, Putin said nowhere is directly under threat.

China-Taiwan tensions: Tsai Ing-wen’s remarks incite confrontation, distort facts, says Beijing spokesperson

China stated on Sunday that Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s statements provoke hostility, distort facts, and mislead the people in the name of so-called unity and consensus, according to local media.

According to CGTN, Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for China’s State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, Tsai’s statements “incite hostility, distort facts, and mislead the public in the name of so-called unity and consensus while cooperating with external forces to pursue independence.”

Tsai, who spoke on Taiwan’s National Day (on Sun), pledged to preserve Taiwan’s sovereignty in the face of “new difficulties” posed by China’s military aggression.
Ma- Tsai’s statements were a provocation, and that “they are the core cause of stress in cross-Strait ties and the greatest danger to regional peace and stability.” He reiterated that Taiwan is a part of Chinese territory.
China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity have never been and will never be divided.
Earlier Tsai stated that the country will not “bow to pressure” and will “fight annexation,” speaking amid growing tensions with China and a day after Chinese President Xi Jinping promised to achieve “complete reunification.”
During her National Day speech in Taipei, Ms. Tsai stated that Taiwan’s “stance on cross-strait ties is unchanged: neither our goodwill nor our pledges will alter.”

Facts about Taiwan-China: Taiwan was self-governing before the 1600s, During the 17^th century, China gained control of Taiwan and ruled the island for two centuries.

Japan gained control of Taiwan in 1895 after the First Sino-Japanese War, making Taiwan a colony.
China and Taiwan were split during the 1940s civil war, but Beijing believes that the island will be recovered at some time, by force if necessary.

Taiwan has its constitution, democratically elected authorities, and a military force of around 300,000 active personnel.
Taiwan is only recognized by a few very small nations, while most people recognize the Chinese government in Beijing.
The United States has no formal relations with Taiwan, but a law mandates it to equip the island with the tools to defend itself.
The United Nations has recognized Taiwan as “China” since 1971.

‘Rock solid’: White House says the US committed to supporting Taiwan

The United States has said that it is committed to supporting Taiwan, as per a statement issued by the White House.
Calling the US’ commitment ‘rock-solid,’ White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said ”we will continue to support Taiwan’s self-defense.”
The statement comes amid a spike in tensions between Taiwan and China.

Earlier, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby had said ”The PRC (People’s Republic of China) has stepped up efforts to intimidate and pressure Taiwan and other allies and partners, including increasing their military activities conducted in the vicinity of Taiwan, the East China Sea in the South China Sea, which we believe are destabilizing and only increase the risk of miscalculation.”

Two questioned over deadly Taiwan blaze which killed 46 people

A man and a woman are being interviewed by Taiwanese prosecutors in Kaohsiung after a fire destroyed a dilapidated building
The former department store was home to some of the southern city’s most underprivileged residents

Prosecutors are questioning a woman and her boyfriend over the cause of a fire that killed 46 people in southern Taiwan. The couple did not answer questions from the press on Fri morning when they were brought to the prosecutor’s office in Kaohsiung city on suspicion of endangering the public and negligence resulting in death.

The deadly blaze broke out in the early hours of Thu, destroying several floors of the dilapidated 40-year-old Cheng Chung Cheng building that housed some of the more underprivileged residents of Kaohsiung. The fire also injured 41 people.

The former department store fell into disuse after an economic downturn in the area and had been poorly maintained for years.
The prosecutors said on Thursday that two people suspected of causing the fire were being questioned by police, as well as four eyewitnesses.

TVBS (Local TV)- the police investigation found the man had brought his girlfriend to the building on a motorcycle late on Wed night, about 3 hours before the blaze. He then left the building alone after they argued, it said.

Eastern Television (Another TV)- the woman had told police she had burned some sandalwood powder in her residential unit, behind an antique shop on the ground floor of the building, but denied committing arson, while the man said he knew nothing about the fire.

Footage from nearby CCTV and evidence collected at the site indicated “some suspicion” over how the fire began, according to Kaohsiung police chief Huang Ming-chao. He was speaking at a funeral home, where relatives of the deceased were identifying their loved ones.

State broadcaster CCTV reported that one of the residents who died in the fire was originally from mainland China and had gone to Taiwan to marry.

Blasts Hit Mosque in Kandahar, 16 Killed

A bombing attack occurred at Imam Bargah mosque in the southern province of Kandahar on Fri, local officials told TOLOnews.

The targeted mosque is in Kandahar city’s police district one (PD1) which is visited by members of the Shia community.
Eyewitnesses said 3 back-to-back explosions hit the mosque, one of the biggest in Kandahar city, causing high casualties.
TOLOnews -16 people were killed and nearly 40 others wounded, while no group has yet claimed responsibility.

This attack follows a similar attack that hit a Shia mosque in Kunduz last Fri, which also occurred during Fri prayers and killed nearly 50 worshipers, injuring 150 people, responsibility claimed by Daesh.

Kristalina Georgieva to remain IMF chief gets support from the board

Fingers were raised at IMF chief Georgieva after a previous report that said that she had manipulated data in favor of China when she was at the World Bank. IMF board on Mon expressed its confidence in her.

The investigation by law firm WilmerHale concluded that Georgieva had manipulated data in favor of China while at the global body, which she has denied.

Drawn out uncertainty over whether Georgieva would keep her job ended Monday when the IMF board said it “reaffirms its full confidence in the Managing Director’s leadership and ability to continue to effectively carry out her duties.”

The board added it would “meet to consider possible additional steps to ensure the strength of institutional safeguards.”
WilmerHale’s controversial findings center on the drafting of the 2018 and 2020 editions of the World Bank report that ranks countries according to their ease of doing business.
The push came while bank leadership was engaged in sensitive negotiations with Beijing over increasing the bank’s lending capital.

IMF: Established in 1944, has now 190 member countries with the capability to lend is $1 trillion. The Executive Board (the Board) is responsible for conducting the day-to-day business of the IMF, composed of 24 Directors, who are elected by member countries or by groups of countries, and the Managing Director, who serves as its Chairman.

The Board usually meets several times each week. It carries out its work largely based on papers prepared by IMF management and staff.
Following the entry into force of the Board Reform Amendment on Jan 26, 2016, members who have consented to their quota increases can pay their quota increases under the 14^th General Review of Quotas.
Quota and voting shares will change as members pay their quota increases.
The largest borrowers: Argentina, Egypt, Ukraine, Pakistan (gray list)

China-Pakistan military relations are under strain due to substandard servicing, maintenance

Recently in a display of cooperation, three armed drones, designed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group of China and sold by China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC), were inducted into the Pakistan Air force (PAF) in January 2021, reported Al Mayadeen.

Pakistani officials have now asked the Chinese firm to send a better-trained group of professionals to tide over the serious crisis, wrote Ahmed.
Ties between China and Pakistan, fostered with Beijing supplying a range of modern armaments to Islamabad’s defense forces, have come under strain over unreliable Chinese military hardware and poor, substandard servicing and maintenance.
Writing in a blog post in Al Mayadeen, Nisar Ahmed says that China and Pakistan often extend and express their support for each other’s stance in areas of disputed/occupied territories.
Recently in a display of cooperation, three armed drones, designed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group of China and sold by China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC), were inducted into the Pakistan Air force (PAF) in January 2021, reported Al Mayadeen.
But, the purchase of unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) and its addition to Pakistan’s growing range of military equipment has entered a deadlock.
The Chinese-made Wing Loong II Unmanned Aerial Systems (UCAVs) have been grounded due to crippling defects within days of induction, said Ahmed.
Amader Shomoy, in its report ‘Pakistan Air Force has nightmares about Chinese drones’, relates that what has added to the Pak Air Forces’ misery is the dismal service and maintenance provided by the Chinese firm.
CATIC has so far been indifferent to desperate calls for repair and maintenance of the grounded drones.
The spares supplied by the firm were substandard and mostly unfit for use.
The engineers dispatched to Pakistan to make the grounded aerial vehicles operational at the earliest proved to be incompetent.
Pakistani officials have now asked the Chinese firm to send a better-trained group of professionals to tide over the serious crisis, wrote Ahmed.
Equally, the most serious problem was the leakage of nitrogen from Electro-Optical / Infra-Red (EO/IR) cameras mounted on the UAVs, which rendered EO/IR systems useless.
These imaging systems provide total situational awareness, both day and night, and in low light conditions.
Given its importance, Pakistan Air Force officials wanted an immediate replacement of the EO/IR pods. The Chinese firm was yet to respond to the urgent plea.

The UAV’s rear fuel pump also failed, and the spares supplied by the Chinese firm with the drone were a mismatch.

Similarly, the refueling equipment supplied with the drones was found to be unserviceable due to contamination.

Taliban will be judged on its actions, not only its words: the US after Doha talks

US interagency delegation traveled to Qatar to meet senior Taliban representatives from Kabul and discussed issues of vital national interest, said State Department’s spokesperson Ned Price on Sun (local time).

According to Price, the US delegation reiterated that the Taliban will be judged on its actions, not only its words.

“On Oct 9 and 10, an interagency delegation traveled to Doha, Qatar to meet with senior Taliban representatives. The U.S. delegation focused on security and terrorism and safe passage for U.S. citizens, other foreign nationals and our Afghan partners, as well as on human rights, including the participation of women and girls in all aspects of Afghan society,” the statement said.

The two sides also discussed the United States’ provision of robust humanitarian assistance, directly to the Afghan people.
The delegations of the Taliban and the US have held their first meeting in Qatar’s capital Doha, in a bid to turn the “new page on their relationship.
This is the first in-person meeting between the two sides since the US drawdown from Afghanistan in mid-August.

“The delegations of the Afghan govt and the US discussed turning the page on their relationship in Qatar as well as humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and the implementation of the Doha peace agreement,” Sputnik quoted Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi as saying.

Since the Taliban’s take over of Afghanistan, there are a handful of nations like China and Pakistan who have shown interest in establishing ties with the outfit.
Other members of the international community are adopting a wait and watch policy.

The US will provide aid but not recognition, say Taliban after Doha talks

The United States would not be formally recognizing the Taliban but would be providing humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, announced Taliban following talks in Qatar, reported international media.

Citing statement, the Taliban said that their discussions “went well.”

The statement said the US agreed to provide humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, while the Taliban also said that they would “facilitate principled movement of foreign nationals”, The Hill reported.
Despite promises from the Taliban that it would not allow for terrorism to fester in the country, the spokesperson remarks followed a deadly suicide bombing at a mosque in Afghanistan’s Kunduz that killed over 40 people and injured many others on Fri — an attack that ISIS-K later took responsibility for. (ANI)

Security chief endorses a $169m theft charge against Ghani-As a US government agency probes claims that former Afghan president Ashraf Ghani took with him $169 million while fleeing Kabul, a senior member of his security staff said on Sunday that he has video proof of the alleged theft.

Brigadier General Piraz Ata Sharifi, who headed Mr. Ghani’s bodyguard, said in an interview that he not only saw huge bags of cash being transferred but also acquired a video clip from a CCTV camera.

US, UK warn citizens of threat to Kabul hotels: The United States and Britain warned their citizens on Monday to avoid hotels in Afghanistan, days after dozens were killed at a mosque in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group

In a Gist