INDIA: Week at Glance:

• PM Modi to be in Rome from Oct 29 to 31; PM Modi arrives at Convention Centre in Rome for G20 Summit
• Sino-Indian Standoff: Army turns to focus on tech as China looks to test India ‘every fortnight’ at LAC in Eastern sector;India criticizes China for ‘unilateral’ move to bring new land border law (↓)
• Jammu & Kashmir: 20^th days, still encounter on in Poonch forest, 3 security men, Pak terrorist injured in fresh firing by militants in J&K’s Poonch (↓)
• India Successfully Tests Agni-5 Ballistic Missile With a range of 5000 Km
• Indian Navy’s stealth frigate Tushil launched in Kaliningrad, Russia; CBI arrests Navy officers in the information leak case, Navy orders high-level investigation; Gujarat ATS arrests BSF man for spying for Pakistan

• India and ASEAN have a vibrant relationship: PM Modi
• India underlines the need to address implications of terrorist exploitation of cyber domain at UNSC
• Need rules-based order for Indo-Pacific that respects sovereignty, territorial integrity: EAM
• The deliberate weaponization of dangerous pathogens is a serious concern: NSA
• Bangladesh invites President Kovind for the 50^th anniversary of liberation from Pakistan
• ‘National Security Can’t be Bugbear…’ What SC Said on Pegasus Snooping Row | Top Quotes
• Additional clarifications needed for Emergency Use Listing of COVAXIN, assessment to reconvene on Nov 3: WHO

Also: US senators urge Joe Biden to avoid India sanctions over Russian missile systems deal; Centre extends RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das’ term for three years; Govt focused on enhancing combat capability, ensuring the welfare of soldiers: Rajnath Singh; Security beefed up in North Tripura’s Panisagar following violence

Neighborhood: Week at Glance

• Talks underway between govt and TLP chief Saad Rizvi to call off march: Sheikh Rashid
• Rupee rebounds on $4.2 billion Saudi support package, gains Rs2.27 in intraday trade
• Tajikistan Approves Construction of New Chinese-Funded Base As Beijing’s Security Presence In Central Asia Grows
• Biden vows to stand with Asia on freedom, hits at China on Taiwan;
• Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen confirms US troops training soldiers on the island
• China continues to bully its neighbors, not conducive to free & open Indo-Pacific: Pentagon
• The US bans China Telecom over national security concerns

[ INDIA ]

PM Modi is in Rome from Oct 29 to 31

PM Modi arrives at Convention Centre in Rome for G20 Summit

ANI – Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Roma Convention Centre to take part in the highly anticipated Group of 20 (G20) Summit, which is his 8^th meet kicked off on Sat in Rome. PM was received by Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi here.

The heads of state and govt of the world’s major economies, with invited countries and representatives of international and regional organizations, will address several key topics of the global agenda.

On Friday, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla had said that PM Modi will discuss the global economic situation, COVID-19 pandemic, sustainable development and climate change with G20 leaders.

PM Modi is scheduled to have meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Sat and also expected to meet with Singapore PM Lee Hosein Loong as well

The G-20 Summit represents the culminating moment of the intense work carried out during the whole year of the Italian G20 Presidency through Ministers’ Meetings, Sherpa meetings, Working Groups and Engagement Groups. More than 170 events were held throughout the country that made it possible to highlight many of the extraordinary realities scattered throughout its territory.

Afghanistan crisis cannot be seen in isolation, says PM Modi in Italy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Fri said here that the situation in Afghanistan could not be seen in isolation and that the international community would have to watch out very carefully against any form of intimidation or threat emerging out of the war-torn country.

PM Modi, in his first in-person meeting with his Italian counterpart Mario Draghi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, pointed out that the root causes of the problems in Afghanistan were really had to be looked into, which are essentially radicalism, extremism and terrorism, and the consequence of this had to be very, very carefully examined, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said during a press conference.

• The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan on Aug 15, two weeks before the US’ complete troop withdrawal on August 31 after a costly two-decade war.
• The PM was quite categoric that the situation in Afghanistan could not be seen in isolation, he said.
• The failure and inability to provide good governance, the failure to be able to deal with the situation as it stands had to also be a subject of introspection, Shringla said.
• The any form of intimidation or threat that would emerge out of Afghanistan is something that the international community would have to watch out very carefully for, the official said.

There was a strong sentiment on Afghanistan which is fully understood both by partners in the European Union and in Italy, Shringla said, adding that both the PMs reciprocated those sentiments and felt that this is something that needed to be looked into.

Shringla-the emphasis is also on the humanitarian situation and the Italian PM referred to his efforts during the G20 Summit in Afghanistan to mobilize support to ensure that the people of Afghanistan did not suffer as a consequence of the current situation.

PM Modi also pointed out that there should be a distinction between those who govern and those who are people in Afghanistan and that people had to be offered humanitarian assistance, Shringla said.

He further said that there is a need to ensure that there is direct, unimpeded access of that humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, the official added.

PM Modi also met Pope Francis in Vatican, said Shringla

The upcoming G20 summit in Italy is expected to come out with a “very concrete outcome” in combating the COVID-19 pandemic and similar challenges in the future besides deliberating on a global health architecture, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Thursday.

China’s Xi to attend G-20 leader’s summit via video link

Straits Times-China’s President Xi Jinping will attend the Group of 20 (G-20) leaders’ summit in Rome on Oct 30 – 31 via video link, according to a notice from China’s foreign ministry on Fri (Oct 29), the notice said

Xi has not left China since early 2020 when the gravity of the Covid19 pandemic became clear.

• The other 3 key leaders, from G-20 nations including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will not attend in person.
• Host Italy had hoped the summit would see all leaders meet face-to-face, while US President Joe Biden has confirmed he will attend.
• The G-20 (liable for 80% of global C-emissions) is considered an important stepping stone before the UN COP26 climate summit in Scotland,  which begins on Sun. 
• Xi is also not expected to attend COP26 in person, which could indicate that the world’s biggest CO₂ producer has already decided that it has no more concessions to offer at the UN COP26 climate summit in Scotland after 3 major pledges since last year, climate watchers said. 
• The G-20 also aims to underline that rich countries should stump up US$100 billion per year to help poorer nations adapt to climate change. 
• This goal was supposed to be achieved by 2020, according to an agreement reached in 2009, but has not been met. 

Sino-Indian Standoff

Army turns to focus on tech as China looks to test India ‘every fortnight’ at LAC in the Eastern sector

ThePrint-It is not just in eastern Ladakh that China has become aggressive, but also in the Eastern Sector where the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) seeks to test India’s ability to defend the Line of Actual Control (LAC) “almost every fortnight”. However, due to India’s increased focus on technology-backed surveillance techniques.

• (Sources)- also said India is keeping track of Chinese build-up in-depth areas as well as at LAC and fine-tuning its operational plans accordingly.
• However, the Indian defense establishment is concerned over China’s speeding up its infrastructure development activities close to the LAC across the Eastern Sector.

Eastern Sector heavily defended: (Sources) – unlike Eastern Ladakh, (Wild West) where the near impossibility to deploy soldiers on every piece of land, the Eastern Sector is more heavily defended since the troops are sitting right at the LAC at many locations.

The northern sector (1,500-km-long LAC) is taken care of by a single division, the Leh-based 14 Corps which takes care of border areas with both Pakistan and Tibet, while Eastern Sector (1346 km), is looked after by 3 Corps plus 17 Mountain Strike Corps (offensive operations).

• In Arunachal Pradesh itself: 2 Corps— the Tezpur-based 4 Corps (the western part of Arunachal) and the Dimapur-based 3 Corps (eastern Arunachal).
• Source- “The area of the 3 Corps is wider and many of their locations are several km away from the LAC since the infrastructure is still being made”.
• Sources- It is not as if the areas under the 4 Corps are calm, as there are about 15-16 places under the 4 Corps (the Gajraj Corps), where the Chinese attempt to transgress.
• The 4 Corps is in charge of the areas between Bumla to Yangste (3807) and some of these points see transgression attempts by the Chinese every fortnight.

Sharp rise in Chinese activity after Galwan clash: (Sources) – “There was a sharp increase in Chinese patrolling activities in number (from 12 & 20 to 60) and size in the Eastern Sector, after the Galwan clash. There were also visits by senior PLA officers including by the Western Theatre Commander.”

• The increase in patrolling activities by the PLA has more or less stabilized and is “almost back to pre-Galwan” days.
• Area domination patrols entail a larger number of PLA troops backed by armored personnel carriers.
• Such an increase in PLA activities was observed across sectors-sources said.

Tech helps to counter Chinese transgression: The Estern Command is focusing on technology for surveillance rather than more boots, at not just the LAC but also in-depth areas.

• The immediate advantage that India has got because of the greater deployment of technology and their integration with the chain of command is that Indian soldiers are now aware of the movement of the PLA troops.
• Rather than calling it face-off points, the Army prefers to call it the “meeting point” where both sides carry out banner drills once they come face to face.
• While the usual strength of the Chinese patrol units is about 12-20, the number has, at times, going up to over 60.
• There have also been occasions where there has been some “pushing and shoving” but “nothing dramatic has happened” –(source).

India has beefed up surveillance: India also has beefed up its presence at the LAC with some formations being deployed ahead of where they were traditionally based as the Eastern Command has also upgraded its firepower with the induction of the Bofors guns last year and the M777 lightweight howitzers this year.

• Along with this, the Eastern Command has also deployed the upgraded L-70 air defense systems this year besides others already in use in the region.
• Specialized missiles have also been deployed besides Smerch and Pinaka rocket systems besides setting up of forwarding helicopter bases.
• The Eastern Command has also set up integrated surveillance facilities which rely on almost 24×7 drone and satellite feeds to keep track of the Chinese build-up.

India criticizes China for ‘unilateral’ move to bring new land border law

India on Wed hit out at China for its “unilateral” decision to bring about a new land border law and said it is a matter of concern as the legislation can have implications on the existing bilateral pacts on border management and the overall boundary question said Arindam Bagchi, Spokesperson, External Affairs Ministry

• Added that India expects that China will avoid undertaking action under the pretext of the law that could unilaterally alter the situation in the India-China border areas.
• He said such a “unilateral move” will have no bearing on the arrangements that both sides have already reached earlier – be it on the boundary question or for maintaining peace and tranquillity along the LAC.
• Last week, China’s national legislature adopted the new law on the protection and exploitation of the land border areas, which could have bearing on Beijing’s border dispute with India.

“China’s unilateral decision to bring about a legislation which can imply our existing bilateral arrangements on border management as well as on the boundary question is of concern to us,” Bagchi said in response to a media query on the matter.

• “Such unilateral move will have no bearing on the arrangements that both sides have already reached earlier, whether it is on the boundary question or for maintaining peace and tranquillity along the LAC in India-China border areas,” he said.
• Xinhua news agency reported last week that the law, which becomes operational from January 1 next year, stipulates that “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the People’s Republic of China are sacred and inviolable”.
• “We have noted that China has passed a new ‘Land Boundary Law’ on October 23. The law states among other things that China abides by treaties concluded with or jointly acceded to by foreign countries on land boundary affairs,” Bagchi said.
• He said the legislation also has provisions to reorganize districts in the border areas.
• The MEA – India, and China have still not resolved the boundary question, and that both sides have agreed to seek a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable resolution to it through consultations on an equal footing.
• He said both sides have also concluded several bilateral agreements, protocols, and arrangements to maintain peace and tranquillity along the LAC in India-China border areas in the interim.
• The spokesperson said India expects that China will avoid undertaking action under the pretext of this law.
• “Furthermore, the passage of this new law does not in our view confer any legitimacy to the so-called China Pakistan ‘Boundary Agreement’ of 1963, which India has consistently maintained is an illegal and invalid agreement,” he said.

China passes new land border law amid military standoff with India

TOI- Asserting that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China is “sacred and inviolable”, the country’s national legislature has adopted a new law on the protection and exploitation of the land border areas, to be enacted from next Jan, which could have a bearing on Beijing’s border dispute with India.

The law- “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the People’s Republic of China are sacred and inviolable“, it said.

• The law calls on the state and military to safeguard the territory and “combat any acts” that undermine China’s territorial claims.
• The Land Borders Law reflects China’s growing confidence in its capability to manage its frontiers.

The text “the state shall take measures to safeguard territorial integrity and land boundaries and guard against and combat any act that undermines territorial sovereignty and land boundaries”.

The Hindu-China has unresolved border disputes with India and Bhutan: (observers) it would formalize some of China’s recent actions in disputed territories with both India and Bhutan, including the PLA’s massing of troops in forwarding areas along the India border, multiple transgressions across the LAC, and the construction of new “frontier villages” along the border with Bhutan.

Security and economic issues: Article 22 of the law says the PLA “shall carry out border duties” including “organizing drills” and “resolutely prevent, stop and combat invasion, encroachment, provocation, and other acts”.

New Delhi Concern: A significant aspect of the new law includes state support for the construction of border towns, improving their functioning, and strengthening supporting capacity for the construction.

• China in recent years has been strengthening border infrastructure, including the establishment of air, rail and road networks.
• It also launched a bullet train in Tibet which extends up to Nyingchi, the border town close to Arunachal Pradesh (AP).
• China also began constructing several villages close to the border with proper infrastructure in Tibet which have become an essential and effective part of border defense, state-run Global Times reported on Oct 19.
• The new law calls for the establishment of trade areas and borders economic cooperation zones at the borders.

While India-China border disputes cover 3,488-km along the LAC, the China-Bhutan dispute covers about 400 km, the new law was adopted amid the continued stand-off

LAC hot, new battalions for ITBP likely: The process of authorizing new battalions of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, (secures the Indo-China Border), is in the final stages and the govt is committed to providing it with full logistical support and modern gadgets to do its job, junior Union home minister Nityanand Rai said on Sun.

Tunnels, roads, bridges, chopper bases: Modi govt gives a big push to Arunachal infrastructure

ThePrint: India is ramping up its infrastructure, though proposed previously in AP to counter an aggressive China — from speeding up work on new tunnels that provide all-weather connectivity to critical border areas to building new roads access, bridges, forward helicopter bases, and underground fortified ammunition storage.

• However, despite the quicker construction, sources in the defense establishment admit that “in terms of infrastructure, we are behind the Chinese by a decade”.
• Sources admit that there is a sense of urgency now which has spread all along the LAC and is not just limited to eastern Ladakh.
• Traditionally, the 832-km-long LAC in Ladakh is looked after by one division of the 14 Corps, and the 1346-km LAC in Eastern Command has 2 corps (3 divisions each) assigned, making it one of the most heavily guarded areas in the country.

However, with tensions mounting at the LAC, multiple changes have been made in the troop deployment patterns, with the induction of more soldiers in eastern Ladakh. Both the eastern and northern commands have also got an additional offensive corps each now.

The authorities are looking at completing the all-important Rs 700-crore Sela Tunnel (1555+ 980m) project ahead of schedule next June: This strategic project along with the Neciphu tunnel on the 317-km long Balipara-Charduar-Tawang (BCT) road, that leads to West Kameng and Tawang districts of AP will ensure that both defense and private vehicles will have all-year mobility, above 13,700 feet at sea level.

• The tunnels are designed in such a way that all Army equipment, including Bofors, tanks can easily travel through it, away from the eyes of the Chinese while also cutting downtime and having year-long access.
• The nearly 180-km-long western axis, which plans to connect Shergaon-Rupa-Tawang, is the other important project for both military and civilian use.

Helicopter bases, underground ammunition storage: Besides the tunnels, nearly 2 dozen bridges are being constructed, some of which have been completed. These will provide crucial connectivity to all kinds of military equipment, sources explained.

• Moreover, the Army is focusing on ensuring that there are forward helicopter bases in higher numbers for swift troop movement when needed.
• The focus in the Eastern Command is on technology rather than more boots on the ground, as ThePrint reported earlier.
• India is also investing in a more technology-driven security grid that monitors the movement of the PLA activities not just at the LAC but also in-depth on a 24×7 basis.
• Sources said efforts are also on to set up fortified underground ammunition storage.
• The underground and fortified tactic is also being extended to the LAC, where the Army has set up integrated localities for both defensive and offensive operations.

Migration from border villages is a concern: Besides larger military infrastructure, China has also been focusing on building new border villages, which will eventually end up having dual military and civil use.

This ongoing project was also flagged by Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Manoj Pande, who said the development has been taken into operational planning.

ThePrint (sources)- In sharp contrast, there is a migration issue in Indian villages close to the LAC: people have moved out from villages close to the LAC to the cities due to the terrain and lack of infrastructure.

• “But things are changing. A lot of development is happening and people are happy with this,” a source explained.
• There are about 600 villages within the 10 km radius of the 1046-km LAC that Arunachal Pradesh shares with China-controlled Tibet, sources said.
• An Arunachal Times column last week highlighted that civilians can’t gain access beyond certain points.
• The issue of border migration in Arunachal Pradesh was flagged even in 2013.
• Besides basic infrastructure like medical and clean drinking water supply being an issue, other necessities like cell phone connectivity are also unavailable in border areas.
• Mobile phones instead pick up Chinese networks in border areas.
• Soldiers on the front lines are strictly directed not to switch on their phones so as not to allow the PLA to know the exact numbers of deployment.

Jammu & Kashmir

Man shot dead in Kashmir as security tight for minister’s visit

AFP: Militants shot dead a civilian in Kashmir on Sun (Oct 24), residents said, as the authorities tightened security across the disputed territory for a visit by a top Indian minister.

• The victim, a milk seller in the southern Kashmir Valley, is the 12^th civilian killed by militants or security forces this month as attacks increase in the Muslim-majority region.
• New Delhi has about 500,000 (?; its at the most 0.1 Mn) troops and paramilitaries in Kashmir seeking to contain a rebel movement agitating for independence or the region’s merger with Pakistan.

However, New Delhi blames Pakistan’s deep state behind the recent civilian killings, which suddenly increased in this month, after cesefire, Since this Feb.

• Police said the man was hit in “crossfire” during “militant action” near a police paramilitary camp in the village of Zainapora and that the incident was being investigated.
• Villagers told AFP the man had been fatally shot without provocation.
• Amit Shah, India’s Home Minister and effective deputy to PM Modi, has been in Kashmir since Sat, adding to security concerns.
• It is Shah’s first trip to the Himalayan region – also claimed by Pakistan – since New Delhi canceled Kashmir’s semi-autonomy in Aug 2019 and placed it under direct rule.
• Police have in recent days impounded hundreds of motorbikes in the city and intensified checks on pedestrians including women and children.
• India’s chief of defense staff General Bipin Rawat said security monitoring was being intensified to thwart attacks by rebels.
• Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since its independence in 1947.
• Rebels launched an insurgency in 1989 and the fighting has left tens of thousands dead, mainly civilians.

In militant attacks, long Poonch ops, concerns, and very few answers

Indian Express: The long-drawn operation in the Poonch heights at Bhatta Durian completed its 20^th day on Sat without success.

• Security forces are grappling with two major situations in J&K — the killings of civilians in Kashmir, and a hunt for the militants who killed 10 soldiers last week in Jammu’s Poonch area.
• Security sources said there was yet no clarity on the number of militants, or if they were in one or several groups. Not one of the militants has been sighted yet.
• All that can be said is they are from Kashmir, across the border, the Pir Panjal range.
• A senior security official said, “nothing can be said with certainty at this point”.
• The Army has laid a cordon in the area, which is about 12 km inside the LoC. (Sources) “technology” was being used in the search.

IE-(citing former officials) – the terrain is tough, with low visibility because of the densely packed trees.

• Drones are reportedly have been deployed over the thick pine forests to detect movement or any hideouts that the militants may be using.
• It remains unclear though, whether the militants are still in the forest or have escaped.
• Army sources said there had been no “contact” with the militants — an exchange of fire — since last Sat.
• The intense firing heard in the area on Friday morning was “speculative” fire by the search teams that got no response.
• There is a curfew in the area, and people have been asked to stay indoors.
• Since the operation began on Oct 11, the Army has made no official statement.

But the concern that this should have happened in an area that has been largely free of militancy for most of the last two decades since the Hilkaka episode of April-May 2003, was evident from the visit of the Army chief to Poonch and Rajouri earlier this week to review the security situation, both in the forward areas at the LoC and other parts of the two districts.

Lt Gen DS Hooda (retd), who served as Northern Army Commander from 2014-16, said the presence of militants in the area was “really worrying”. …the militants managed to evade detection for so long has also raised red flags.

In the Valley, the police are yet to zero in on anyone directly linked to the spate of killings of civilians in Srinagar and South.

Security officials said this was largely due to the Feb 24 renewal of the India-Pakistan ceasefire understanding, as cross-border firing has often provided cover for infiltrators.

• But there have been several infiltration attempts since July, Army sources said. Security officials said between July and the end of Sept, 10-15 militants have crossed over.
• Army chief -….while the renewed ceasefire agreement had worked until July, “from the end of July, these sporadic incidents have started again”.
• A security official acknowledged that there was a change in the mood in the Valley since the victory of the Taliban and that this was “a matter of concern”.
• IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar – that a LeT commander behind the Oct 18 killings of two daily-wage workers from Bihar in Kulgam had been killed.

Home Minister Amit Shah has extended his stay in Kashmir: He will visit Lethpora in Pulwama in South Kashmir today (Mon) to pay tribute to 40 CRPF personal of the 2019 terror attack. He will have also dinner at CRPF camp and stay with jawans tonight.

HM to lay the foundation stone of development projects in Srinagar on Sun: On his final day of the visit to J&K, Union home minister Amit Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various development projects in Srinagar on Sun.

Shah reached out to the youth of J&K on Sat, asking them to join the fight against terrorism and take advantage of the opportunities that have opened up because of the Modi govt’s development push.

Amit Shah spends a night at CRPF camp during 3-day J&K visit, which extended on Mon

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Mon extended his 3-day visit to J&K and decided to spend the night with the CRPF to listen to their grievances and understand the challenges they are facing, he said.

• ”People sleep peacefully because you are here at the border,” Amit Shah said in an address to security personnel at the CRPF camp in Pulwama.
• “I want to spend one night with you people and understand your difficulties. I want to know how they feel at the last border point.”
• While noting that the law and order situation in the UT has “improved drastically”, Shah emphasized that the Modi govt has a zero-tolerance policy towards terror.
• He referred to the civilian killings in recent weeks and the number of security personnel who are martyred and said, “We should not be satisfied till total peace is achieved. The perpetrators behind this will be brought to justice.”
• The minister called on the people of the Valley not to fall prey to the misleading claims and deception being peddled by certain groups for the sake of their own political and personal agendas.

Recalling the Pulwama attack in which 40 jawans lost their lives, Shah said the deadly terror strike had become synonymous with the district, and the people the world over knew about it.

But now, Pulwama will be known for the Rs 2000-crore AIIMS medical college which would be built here soon, he asserted.

Zia Mustafa, LeT militant killed in Poonch, ‘knew of hideouts, radicalized youth inside jail’

Zia Mustafa, who was accused of killing 24 Kashmiri Pandits in Pulwama’s Nadimarg in 2003, was killed in a crossfire while “leading the security forces to the Pakistani terrorists hiding in the forested areas of Poonch”, the J&K Police had said in a statement. 2 J&K policemen and 1 Army soldier were injured in the crossfire.

ThePrint- Mustafa, the Lashkar-e-Taiba “operative” who was killed during an encounter with militants in Poonch Sun, was a “crucial link” and could have “helped conclude the ongoing operation” to identify hideouts of terrorists, sources in the security establishment said.

• Mustafa had been in prison for the last 18 years, was in “constant touch with Lashkar handlers in Pakistan and was also guiding infiltrators hiding in Poonch, using a phone”. (sources)
• He also had information about the terrorist hideouts in Poonch and had guided them, for which security forces picked him along with them.
• The operation is in its last leg, and we were certain that Mustafa will have reliable information on the hideouts of these terrorists. (see the last letter for details)
• As per official words, Mustafa was killed in crossfire, which means firing was done by “hidden terrorists”.

Who was Zia Mustafa: On Mar 23^rd, 2003, gunmen dressed in Army uniform lined up 11 men, 11 women, and 2 children outside their homes in Pulwama’s Nadimarg area and shot them dead and Zia (a resident of Rawalakote, in POK) was arrested on 10 April, Zia Mustafa, as the “mastermind of the Nadimarg massacre” and since then he has been inside the prison as an undertrial.

• Along with Mustafa, 3 other militants were named in the FIR registered after the incident, but they were killed in an encounter in Kulgam by the BSF in April 2003.
• According to the police, Mustafa was a “district commander of the LeT” and was “carrying an AK rifle, ammunition, and a wireless set” when he was arrested in 2003.
• The police filed a charge sheet in the case on 9 June 2003 and charges were framed against Mustafa in Oct that year but out of 38 prosecution witnesses, only 9 could have been examined.

In 2015, the Supreme Court then asked the high court to take up the matter and reconsider the state’s petition, but it was finally dismissed in 2017 after the state failed to appear before the high court for the hearing.

‘Was radicalizing the inmates to join terror ranks’: A second source in the J&K Police said that Mustafa was a “notorious inmate who was radicalizing the inmates to join terror ranks”

• “He continued to motivate people to go to Pakistan for training,” the source added.
• 3 terrorists who supported the Poonch lot of terrorists arrested by Police from Kathmandu, Nepal

6 injured in explosion at Sumo Taxi Stand in Sumbal, as it missed the target, 2 shifted to Srinagar: J-K Police

• 6 persons were injured in an explosion at Sumo Taxi Stand in J&K’s Sumbal on Tue.
• Two of them have been shifted to Srinagar for treatment, police said.  
• It is being said that a convoy of the Army was on target.
• The Bandipora area has been cordoned off after the blast.

NIA raids multiple locations in J-K in Jamaat-e-Islami case

ANI-In its ongoing investigation against the outlawed Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) group in a terror funding case, National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wed carried out searches at the residential premises along with J&K Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) from 6 am against its cadres in Jammu and Kashmir.

A fresh set of searches is conducted on the premises of JeI cadres and their supporters across J&K: These raids are in continuation to the anti-terror agency’s 61 raids conducted by its sleuths on Aug 8-9 in Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, and Rajouri districts.

(Sources)- these searches were carried out after the NIA investigator found “some more leads” in connection with the case during last month’s questioning of over a dozen JeI suspects linked to the banned organization.

• The NIA examined over a dozen JeI suspects for over a week at the agency headquarters here last month.
• Those JeI suspects examined by the NIA sleuths belonged to Ganderbal, Srinagar, Kupwara, Bandipora, Rajouri, and Doda districts, the sources said.
• “We are looking for some more people linked to the JeI case and they will be summoned very soon as the examination is an ongoing process”.

The security forces had conducted searches at 56 locations on Aug 8 at 14 districts of J&K and at 5 locations on Aug 9^th, included the premises of office bearers of the JeI, its members, and also offices of trusts purportedly run by the proscribed organization.

• Various incriminating documents and electronic devices were seized from the premises of the suspects.
• JeI is an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and was banned by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Feb 28, 2019, after a case was registered against by NIA on Feb 5 this year.

NIA investigation has so far revealed that the members of JeI have been collecting funds domestically and abroad through donations particularly in the form of Zakat, Mowda, and Bait-ul-Mal purportedly to further charity and other welfare activities but these funds are instead being used for violent and secessionist activities.

• The funds raised by JeI are also being channelized to proscribed terrorist organizations such as Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and others through well-organized networks of JeI cadres.
• JeI has also been motivating the impressionable youth of Kashmir and recruiting new members (Rukuns) in Jammu and Kashmir to participate in disruptive secessionist activities.

Meenakashi Lekhi visits J-K’s Baramulla, interacts with public representatives: Continuing the Central Government’s public outreach program in J&K, Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, Lekhi on Tue visited Baramulla, informed J&K govt.

India Successfully Tests Agni-5 Ballistic Missile With Game-changing 5000 Km Range

Republic-India on Wed successfully launched Surface to Surface Ballistic Missile, Agni-5 at 1950 hours (IST) from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha. The successful test of Agni-5 is in line with India’s stated policy to have ‘credible minimum deterrence’ that underpins the commitment to ‘No First Use’.

Features: The Agni-V, the longest range Missile is a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile that uses a 3-stage solid-fuelled engine, which is capable of striking targets at ranges up to 5000 km with a very high degree of accuracy, has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

• Operation range -5500-5800 km
• Weight-50000 Kg
• Length-17.5m
• diameter-2m
• speed -24 Mach (24x time of sound speed)
• warhead-1500 Kg (nuclear)

Uses a 3-stage solid-fuelled engine: Major Gaurav Arya called Agni-5 a formidable strategic missile and said that it can directly trouble China. “This missile has nothing to do with Pakistan, it does not even consider Pakistan as a possible landing target. This is an aim at China, which is very important,” he noted.

• In Aug, India successfully tested the DRDO’s Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM) off the coast of Odisha.
• In July, India had test-fired it’s indigenous developed, Surface to Air Missile defense system, New Generation Akash Missile (Akash-NG), with a target range up to 60 km.
• Also, flight-tested the Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile
• In June, a new missile of the Agni series known as Agni-Prime was test-fired from the Odisha coast. Being a canisters missile, it has a range capability from 1000 to 2000 km.
• News reports last month had said that India would be conducting user trials of the missile soon ie tests before induction of the missile. 

India joins the club of countries with ICBMs: With Agni-V, India has joined an exclusive club of countries, with the others being China, the US, Russia, Britain, and France, to have ICBMs.

• Agni-V can reach almost every part of China, sources had said in 2018 when the missile was tested last by its developer, the DRDO.
• Interestingly, the DRDO is also working on a longer-range version of the Agni series of missiles.

A DRDO official had in 2018 said that Agni-V is programmed in a way that after reaching the peak of its trajectory, it will turn towards Earth to continue its journey towards the intended target with an increased speed due to the attraction of the Earth’s gravitational pull.

Indian Navy’s stealth frigate “Tushil” launched in Kaliningrad, Russia

ANI – The 7^th Indian Navy Frigate of P1135.6 class was launched on Oct 28 at Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad, Russia. During the ceremony, the ship was formally named as Tushil (=Protector Shield in Sanskrit) by Datla Vidya Varma, the Navy said in a statement.

Based on an Inter-Governmental Agreement between the India and Russian Federation for the construction of two ships of Project 1135.6 ships in Russia and 2 ships in India at M/s Goa Shipyard Limited, the contract for construction of 2 ships was signed between the two Govts on Oct 2018.

• The construction of these ships is based on the Indian Navy’s specific requirements to meet the entire spectrum of naval warfare in all three dimensions of Air, Surface, and Sub-surface.
• The ships with a potent combination of state-of-art Indian and Russian Weapons and Sensors are equipped to operate in Littoral and Blue waters, both as a single unit and as consort in a naval task force, the release said.
• They feature “stealth technology” in terms of low radar and underwater noise signatures.
• These ships are being equipped with major Indian supplied equipment such as Surface to Surface Missiles, Sonar system, Surface Surveillance Radar, Communication Suite, and ASW system along with Russian Surface to Air Missiles and gun mounts.
• The stealth frigate was launched in presence of D Bala Venkatesh Varma, Ambassador of India (Moscow) and senior dignitaries of Russia, and Indian Navy officials.
• Ilya Samarin, DG, Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad, in his address dwelt upon the challenges faced by the shipyard in executing the complex shipbuilding project.
• Despite challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic, production of the ships was continued by the utilization of innovative solutions.
• He thanked the Indian Government for their unstinted support and reiterated the shipyard’s commitment to delivering the ships as per contractual timelines.
• Varma highlighted the long-standing tradition of Military-Technical Cooperation between India and Russia and acknowledged the efforts put in by the Yantar Shipyard to ensure the ship was launched as scheduled despite the COVID crisis.

Govt focused on enhancing combat capability, ensuring the welfare of soldiers: Rajnath Singh

ANI -Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wed said that the govt focused on enhancing combat capability and ensuring the welfare of soldiers in the country.

Ministry of Defence– The Army Commanders’ Conference, an apex level biannual event, is being held in New Delhi from Oct 25-28, 2021, in which the Army’s top leadership is comprehensively deliberating upon all aspects of existing security scenarios, situations along with the borders and in the hinterland and challenges for the present security apparatus.

• In addition, the conference is also focusing on issues on organizational restructuring, logistics, administration, and human resource management.
• The main highlight of the 3^rd day of the conference was the address by the Defence Minister, to the senior leadership of the Indian Army preceded by a brief on the present and plans of the Indian Army.

Singh applauded the Indian Army for working towards this goal and remarked that in 2020-2021, in keeping with the Atmanirbhar Bharat, 74% of contracts by the Army were awarded to Indian Vendors which is praiseworthy.

“There are no budgetary constraints for capability development and meeting other requirements of the Army“, he said.

• He complimented the forces for the high standard of operational preparedness and capabilities which he experienced firsthand during his visits to forward areas.
• He complimented the significant contributions made by the Army in military diplomacy to further our national security interests by creating sustainable cooperative relationships with foreign Armies.
• Commenting on the current situation along the Northern borders, the Minister expressed full confidence that while troops are standing firm, the ongoing talks for peaceful resolution of the crisis will continue.
• Singh also complimented the efforts of the Border Road Organisation (BRO) working under difficult conditions to connect far-flung areas.
• Referring to the situation along the Western borders, he complimented the Indian Army’s response to cross-border terrorism.

Theaterisation, new technology important with changing character of wars, says Army Chief Naravane

ANI – Army Chief General MM Naravane on Fri asserted that the theaterization process of the country’s military is underway and new technology is being inducted into armed forces keeping given the changing character of wars while addressing a press conference after attending the passing out parade of the 141^st course at the National Defence Academy in Pune.

• “The theaterisation process is going on…We will go with the process slowly…..But theaterization will happen,” the army chief said.
• “As far as induction of technology in armed forces is concerned…We are no way behind as compared to any country in the world,” he added.
• The chief also shared that Army is buying “most of the technology and equipment from the Indian companies, (Atmanirbhar Bharat).”
• The chief stressed the need to constantly gain knowledge through professional education, in post-academy time to deal with the changing nature of wars.
• Earlier this year, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat while sharing details about the ongoing theaterisation process said that it is going well and making satisfactory progress.
• Amongst the tri-services, we have been able to resolve ‘most of the issues’.

There is a better understanding that if the tri-services integrate, they can bring about jointness and carry out transformation. Then I think, we will ensure better efficiency and utilization of our existing services.

On how the final structure will evolve, General Rawat said it will only be decided after the initial organization is created.

Navy ready to push Predator drone acquisition with Modi govt

HT-Defense minister Rajnath Singh and external affairs minister S Jaishankar will meet their US counterparts, secretary of state Antony Blinken and defense secretary Lloyd Austin, in Dec in Washington with both sides on verge of finalization of dates.

With the India-US 2+2 dialogue scheduled in Dec, all eyes are on the Indian Navy to move the Defence Acquisition Council for a possible announcement of the $3 billion procurement of armed Predator drones from the US to strengthen India’s beyond the horizon capabilities.

While the stabilization of drought facing Taliban-ruled Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific in light of Chinese aggressive postures will be top of the agenda, there is a possibility of the two sides announcing the Predator deal provided the due govt processes are completed.

• It is understood that the Indian Navy is ready to move the DAC for Acceptance of Necessity (AON) for the acquisition of 30 MQ 9A Predator drones from General Atomics with each of the tri-services getting 10 Hell-Fire missile-firing drones.
• As the Indian Navy is already operating 2 leased Predator drones for maritime domain awareness beyond the Straits of Malacca to the Gulf of Aden, the acquisition process is being handled by them for both the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army.
• Despite initial reservations of the Indian Air Force, all services are on board on Predator acquisition.

(Official) -The process is on. It involves the concurrence of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) after DAC clearance.

• The announcement can be done provided the process is complete before the 2+2 dialogue or else it will be announced later, confirming that the US had clarified to their satisfaction.
• Incidentally, PM Modi had met the CEO of General Atomics, which is the leading US manufacturer of armed drones, during his visit to Washington on Sept 23.
• In the context of the US getting permission to use Pakistani air space for maintaining beyond the horizon capabilities to target terrorists in Afghanistan, India also needs to strengthen its drone capabilities as the indigenous development of armed drones has miles to go.
• The Indian requirement for Predator armed drones has grown with China not only acquiring the capability but selling the Wing Loong armed drone to Pakistan, which can launch up to 12 air to surface missiles.
• Islamabad’s close ally Turkey has also acquired the armed drone capability with Bayraktar series of drones being used in Libya and Syria theatres and by Azerbaijan against Armenia in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.

CBI arrests Navy officers in the information leak case, Navy orders high-level investigation

ANI-In a significant development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a serving Indian Navy officer along with 2 retired ones in connection with the leakage of confidential information related to the modernization of a Kilo-class submarine going.

(Sources)- after the developments took place last month, the Indian Navy also ordered a high-level probe under a Vice Admiral and a Rear Admiral to probe the leakage of information and look for ways to prevent any such incident in the future.

• CBI questioned several other serving officers who were in touch with the arrested officers.
• The top brass of the government including the agencies looking after national security has also been given a briefing on the status of the investigations.
• As soon as the matter was brought to the notice of the top Naval brass, they formed a 5-member team headed by a Vice Admiral also started a parallel probe to investigate the matter and plug any other possible information leaks in the force and suggest ways to prevent them in future.
• Sources said the probe agencies have been monitoring the activities of a large number of ex-servicemen officers from tri-services which lead to the arrests in the case.
• More arrests are possible as some more inputs have been received.
• The central agency is also checking the hardware and date accessed by the arrested officer in his official capacity and the possibility of it getting leaked.
• Several cases in the recent past have come up where defense personnel has been found compromised for leaking information to the suspected Pakistani agencies virtually.

Gujarat ATS arrests BSF man for spying for Pakistan

TOI-A Border Security Force personnel deployed in Gujarat’s Bhuj battalion was arrested by the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) for allegedly from the BSF headquarters in Bhuj working as a spy to Pakistan for money and passing on secret and sensitive information to the neighboring country over WhatsApp, the ATS said on Mon.

• The arrested BSF man, identified as Mohammad Sajjad, (native of Sarola village, Rajauri district, J&K), was deployed in the 74 BSF Battalion at Bhuj in July 2021, the ATS said in a release.
• He was getting money for providing the information which was getting deposited in the accounts of his brother Wajid and colleague Iqbal Rashid, the ATS added.

ATS-Sajjad traveled to Pakistan for 46 days from Dec 1, 2011, to Jan 16, 2012, went via train to visit Pakistan, got a passport from Regional Office at Jammu.

• Sajjad used 2 phones. On one of his phones, he had last activated a SIM card on Jan 14-15, 2021.
• CDR (Call Data Record) of that number revealed that the SIM card, (belonging to Satyagopal Ghosh from Tripura), was first activated on Nov 7, 2020, and he (Sajjad) received two calls on the number, which remained active till Nov 9 before being deactivated till Dec 25, 2020, and was reactivated on Dec 26, 2020.
• On Jan 15, 2021, when the number was activated, an SMS (Probably OTP for W/A, used to send information) was received at 12:38:51 hours, and the number was deactivated thereafter, but W/A was active and used by some person in Pakistan who was in touch with Sajjad.
• Sajjad had misled the BSF by providing the wrong birth date.
• As per his Aadhaar card, he was born on Jan 1, 1992, but his passport details showed his date of birth as Jan 30, 1985.

Sri Lanka, Maldives Cite Major Threats In Region, Laud India’s Response

• Terrorism and the threat of radicalization remain major threats to nations in the Indo-Pacific, Maldives Defence Minister Mariya Didi said at a virtual address during the Defence Conclave organized by the BharatShakti web portal in Delhi.
• “Whether it has been the Christchurch attack, the Easter Sun bombing in Sri Lanka, or the terror attack in the Maldives (on former president Mohamed Nasheed) terrorism and the threat of radicalization remain key concerns,” said Mariya Didi.
• “The Colombo Security Conclave (a new mini-lateral between India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives) has made a beginning. But the momentum needs to be kept up” she added.
• She noted -“India’s constant bid to robustly promote security and growth for all under PM Modi’s SAGAR initiative had helped to push forward a free and open Indo-Pacific under the grouping of the Quad.”
• The Maldives and Sri Lanka have welcomed the revival of the trilateral NSA-level meeting last year to discuss maritime security, followed up more recently by another meeting at the deputy NSA level this Aug, focussing on marine security, human trafficking, counter-terrorism, and cyber security.
• Kamal Gunaratne, Sri Lanka’s defense secretary, said close coordination between the 3 capitals and the efforts of the strategic and academic community, had helped provide a “stable platform by which sound assessments on defense and security of the IOR could be maintained.”

The Indian Ocean Region: from the Malacca Straits in the East to the Straits of Hormuz in the West, is home to 3 billion people and the main artery through which 40% of the world’s oceanic trade, 2/3 of the world’s oil trade, and around 1/3 of global cargo trade pass.

• This makes it essential that security and stability are maintained and for that India can and should take a leadership role.

Six Indian naval ships arrive in Sri Lanka to boost bilateral defense cooperation

• For the first time, the 6 ships of the Indian Navy’s 1^st training squadron have arrived in Sri Lanka on a 4-day visit to further bolster the bilateral defense cooperation and to enhance the interoperability of the two forces, officials said. The ships arrived in the ports of Colombo and Trincomalee on Sunday to conduct training with their Sri Lankan counterparts.
• Training has been one of the strongest and most enduring pillars of India – Sri Lanka bilateral defense cooperation and this visit will provide further impetus to the same.
• In line with the vision of both PM Modi and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to increase people-to-people connections between both countries, this visit will positively contribute towards strengthening the existing bonds of camaraderie and friendship between defense personnel of both the countries,” the statement said.
• The deployment is aimed to broaden the horizons of young officers and officer-trainees by exposing them to the socio-political and maritime facets of different countries in the Indian Ocean Region.
• The deployment will also expose the trainees onboard towards the conduct of IN warships in various evolutions at sea, port familiarisation, and above all, foster the bridges of friendship with foreign nations.
• The visit of the six Indian naval ships to Sri Lanka comes amidst China’s increasing forays in this island nation and Beijing’s efforts to step up defense ties with it.
• Sri Lanka is expected to play an important role under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), an ambitious global infrastructure development strategy adopted by Beijing to enhance its influence and also promote inter-regional connectivity.
• The ships are part of Southern Naval Command (SNC), which is the Training Command of the Indian Navy and is headed by Vice Admiral AK Chawla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command (SNC).
• The Indian Navy has been imparting training to international trainees for more than four decades now.
• A large number of officers and sailors from Sri Lanka are undergoing various ab-initio to advanced courses at the SNC.
• The ships are scheduled to leave on Oct 27 and 28.
• Meanwhile, Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay met Vice-Admiral Chawla, whose visit to Sri Lanka coincides with the visit of the six ships of the Indian Navy’s 1st Training Squadron, the High Commission tweeted.

Bangladesh invites President Kovind for the 50^th anniversary of liberation from Pakistan

• ThePrint – Amid bilateral tensions over communal violence in Bangladesh, the Sheikh Hasina government has invited President Ram Nath Kovind for the 50^th Victory Day celebrations to be held in Dhaka later this year. 
• Bangladesh celebrates Victory Day on 16 Dec every year to celebrate the country’s liberation from Pakistan in 1971.
• The invitation comes amid tensions between Delhi and Dhaka over the communal violence in Bangladesh during Durga Puja this month. India hasn’t confirmed the visit.
• (Source)-Dhaka believes Kovind’s visit, as a follow-up to PM Modi’s trip in Mar, will further deepen ties between the two as both sides are keen to take the relationship to the next level.

(sources)-this visit was discussed during a meeting between Foreign Secretary HV Shringla and Bangladesh High Commissioner Muhammad Imran earlier this week, while the visit yet to confirm but likely to.

• Currently, the Chief of Naval Staff of Bangladesh, Admiral M. Shaheen Iqbal, is on a week-long visit to India, considered significant amid the golden jubilee celebration.
• Iqbal met his counterpart, Karambir Singh this week and on Thu, he visited the Western Naval Command headquarters in Mumbai.
• The two sides discussed the strengthening of coordinated patrol along the International Maritime Boundary Line and bilateral exercise ‘Bongosagar’, diplomatic sources said.

Bangladesh orders judicial probe into Durga Puja violence: Meanwhile, the situation continues to remain tense between Dhaka and New Delhi in the wake of the communal violence in Bangladesh on the occasion of Durga Puja earlier this month, in which the minority Hindu community was targeted.

“Contrary to all ongoing ‘propaganda’, only 6 people died during recent violence of which 4 were Muslims, killed during encounters with law enforcing authorities and 2 were Hindus,” reads a statement issued on Fri, by Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen on recent violence incidents

The Daily Star– On Thu, a Bangladeshi High Court ordered a judicial probe into the violence that took place in the six districts of Cumilla, Feni, Noakhali, Chattogram, Chandpur, and Rangpur.

India shelves Bangladesh artist Rokeya Sultana’s exhibit, cites ‘anger’ over Durga Puja riots

A solo art exhibition by Bangladeshi artist Rokeya Sultana in India has been indefinitely postponed over “safety and security” reasons in light of the Durga Puja communal violence against the country’s Hindu minority.

• The exhibition has been canceled for the time being over concerns that her work could be vandalized, official sources told ThePrint.
• The exhibition, which was an initiative of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) — an autonomous body under the Ministry of External Affairs — was scheduled to take place in Delhi and Kolkata, from Oct 23 to Dec 11.

ASEAN’s unity, centrality always an important priority for India: PM Modi

The 10-nation ASEAN is considered one of the most influential groupings in the region, and India and several other countries including the US, China, Japan, and Australia are its dialogue partners

ASEAN’s unity and centrality have always been an important priority for India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thu and announced that the year 2022 would be celebrated as the ‘ASEAN-India Friendship Year’ to mark 30 years of their partnership.

Addressing the India-ASEAN Summit virtually, Modi said India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and ASEAN’s Outlook for the Indo-Pacific are the framework for their shared vision and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

“…… time was also a test for India-ASEAN friendship. In the Covid era, our mutual cooperation, mutual sympathy, will continue to strengthen our relationship in the future,” he said.

This special role of ASEAN is embedded in India’s Act East Policy and Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), he said.

• He said India is committed to further deepening ties with the grouping under the next president Cambodia and country coordinator Singapore.
• He also congratulated the Sultan of Brunei for his successful presidency of ASEAN.

The 10-nation ASEAN is considered one of the most influential groupings in the region, and India and several other countries including the US, China, Japan, and Australia are its dialogue partners.

ASEAN- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is a regional grouping that promotes economic, political, and security cooperation among its 10 members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

• ASEAN countries have a total population of 650 mn and a combined GDP of $2.8 T.
• The group has played a central role in Asian economic integration, spearheading negotiations among Asia-Pacific nations to form one of the world’s largest free trade blocs and signing six free trade agreements with other regional economies.

India underlines the need to address implications of terrorist exploitation of cyber domain at UNSC

ANI-India on Fri (local time) emphasized the need for Member States to address and tackle the implications of terrorist organizations exploiting the cyber domain to counter hate speech and prevent incitement to discrimination, hostility, and violence on social media at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Speaking at the virtual Arria Formula meeting, an informal meeting of members of the UNSC, on addressing and countering hate speech and preventing incitement to discrimination, hostility, and violence on social media Pratik Mathur, Counsellor in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN highlighted,

• An “Arria formula” meeting is an informal meeting, which must be convened by a member of the UNSC for the meeting to take place.
• Information and communication technologies have played a major role in bringing societies closer and transforming the world into a ‘global family’.
• “New media, especially social media, is increasingly being used by various actors, including terrorists, for amplifying discriminatory ideas and promoting violent radicalization,” said Mathur at UNSC.
• He called out for the member states that willfully allow their territory to be used for committing illegal acts using Information and communications technologies (ICTs) including cross-border cybercrime and cyber-terrorism.
• India co-authored the Cross-Regional Statement on “Infodemic” in the context of COVID-19, a first of its kind statement by any Member State.

Mathur further said that the only way to counter hate speech and prevent incitement to discrimination is to promote an environment that guarantees pluralism, democracy, and freedom. He stressed the role of the private sector.

‘National Security Can’t be Bugbear…’ What SC Said on Pegasus Snooping Row

A bench of Supreme Court, comprising Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli on Wed, appointed a committee of experts headed by former apex court judge RV Raveendran to inquire into the alleged use of Israeli spyware Pegasus for surveillance of Indian citizens.

News18-An international media consortium (Shutterstock) had reported that over 300 verified Indian mobile phone numbers were on the list of potential targets for surveillance using Pegasus spyware.

(For details Pls see newsletter dated Sat, July 25^th 2021)

Citing national security, the Centre had refused to file a detailed affidavit in the matter.

The pleas are related to reports of alleged snooping by government agencies on eminent citizens, politicians, and scribes by using Israeli firm NSO’s spyware Pegasus.

“We issued notice to the government. We gave ample opportunity to the govt to give details of all action taken by it. But despite repeated chances, they gave a limited affidavit that does not give clarity. If they had clarified they would have reduced the burden on us. But that does not mean state gets a free pass every time national security is raised,” the Supreme Court said.

Supreme Court said:

• National security cannot be the bugbear that the judiciary shies away from, by its mere mentioning.
• If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself. [CJI Ramana quoting George Orwell]
• The attempt of the court is to uphold constitutional principles and steer clear of the political narrative. Some petitioners have been directly affected, the privacy of citizens important.
• In the age of technology, protecting the privacy of citizens is important.
• Despite multiple opportunities to the center, only limited information was shared. If the center had shared detailed information, the burden on the court would have been less.
• The center cannot get a free pass every time by raising national security concerns.
• No clear denial by the Centre on the use of Pegasus.
• The center should have justified its stand here and not rendered the court a mute spectator
• This is of particular concern when it relates to the freedom of the press, which is an important pillar of democracy. Such chilling effect on the freedom of speech is an assault on the vital public watchdog role of the press, which may undermine the ability of the press to provide accurate and reliable information.
• Privacy is not just for journalists and politicians but also about the rights of individuals. All decisions should be under Constitutional process.”

TOI-The Pleas filed before the court

• There were many pleas filed before the top court by senior journalists N Ram and Sashi Kumar, Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas of Communist Marxist Party of India (Marxist) and advocate ML Sharma, former Union minister Yashwant Sinha, and RSS ideologue KN Govindacharya.
• Journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, SNM Abdi, Prem Shankar Jha, Rupesh Kumar Singh, and Ipsa Shatakshi, who are reported to be on the ‘potential list’ of snoop targets, had also approached the top court along with The Editors Guild of India (EGI) among others.
• The pleas sought inquiry headed by a sitting or retired judge of the top court to investigate the alleged snooping.
• The plea said that the targeted surveillance using military-grade spyware is an unacceptable violation of the right to privacy which has been held to be a fundamental right under Articles 14, 19, and 21 by the Supreme Court in the KS Puttaswamy case.

Additional clarifications needed for Emergency Use Listing of COVAXIN, assessment to reconvene on Nov 3: WHO

ANI-The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that additional clarifications from the manufacturer are needed to conduct a final Emergency Use Listing (EUL) risk-benefit assessment for global use of India-made COVAXIN.

• The vaccine is India’s indigenous COVID-19 vaccine by Bharat Biotech.
• WHO- the TAG expects to reconvene for the final risk-benefit assessment on Nov 3. “TAG expects to receive these clarifications from the manufacturer by this week
• Bharat Biotech has been submitting data to WHO on a rolling basis and submitted additional information at the UN health body’s request on Sept 27.
• Earlier this month, WHO chief scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan had said that the UN health body’s technical advisory group will meet on Oct 26 to consider EUL for Covaxin.
• Last week, WHO had said a vaccine recommended by it for emergency use must be evaluated thoroughly.

[ NEIGHBOURHOOD ]

Pakistan TLP Protest Continue

Pakistan: TLP workers remain in Wazirabad awaiting instructions from their leaders

Thousands of workers of the proscribed Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) continued their sit-in in Wazirabad for a second day on Saturday as they waited for instructions from their leaders to move ahead.

• The workers, who reached Wazirabad from Gujranwala on Fri, spent the night at the Zafar Ali Khan Bypass.
• Meanwhile, traffic and internet services remained suspended in the city while businesses also remained closed.

Talks underway between govt and TLP chief Saad Rizvi to call off march: Sheikh Rashid

Dawn-PM Imran is likely to address the nation on Sat to explain “the entire situation”, the interior minister says. TLP marchers on the move again, Rangers draw ‘red line’ near Wazirabad

Briefing the media after a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) convened by Prime Minister Imran Khan, Ahmed said the government wanted to “amicably” resolve the matter of the protest march, which has disrupted life in several Punjab cities for two weeks.

Rashid – PM Khan would address the nation on Sat about the current security situation, saying “he will present the entire situation before the nation and his speech will explain the narrative of the govt.”

• 4 policemen had been martyred in clashes with TLP workers, while more than 80 had been injured, 8 of them critically.
• it was also expected that Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri would talk to the TLP leadership again.
• Referring to one of the TLP’s demands, the expulsion of the French ambassador, Rashid said the govt had taken the matter to the parliament, added, the opposition wouldn’t vote in favor.
• TLP protesters were heading to Islamabad for the 7^th time. People are facing difficulties, the demonstrators should review their stance.
• The meeting was attended by key members of the federal cabinet, the services chiefs, and the intelligence agencies’ heads.

Dawn-TLP marchers on the move again, Rangers draw ‘red line’ near Wazirabad: Protestors march spent the night near the General Bus Stand on the Grand Trunk Road and resumed their rally in the morning, despite Rashid’s Thu night warning to the TLP to call off its march or face “consequences”.

• The rally comprises around 5,000 participants, is heading towards Wazirabad via Aziz Cross, and will make a stop for Fri prayers.
• Dawn (official) the next TLP-police encounter was expected at 2 major security points that had been established at Chenab and Jhelum rivers, the only route for the march to reach Islamabad.
• The hundreds of Rangers would lead the command, while the Punjab Police would assist them as per the SOP issued since the govt deployed Rangers in the province as per notification issued on Wed, was deployed at the Chenab toll plaza to counter the marchers.
• The security personnel also have armored vehicles with them and are equipped with riot gear, according to police sources.
• About 500 m from the Chenab toll plaza, the Punjab Rangers marked a ‘red line’, and put up a notice nearby warning the protesters not to breach the line or face consequences.

The warning notice put up by Punjab Rangers, read –Attention: Beyond this line, the responsibility for law and order lies with Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), who have been given the authority to open fire at the miscreants. All the people are strictly warned to return to their homes,” the banner installed by the paramilitary force reads.

• In Rawalpindi, the authorities have blocked the entry and exit points to the city due to a feared disturbance in the law and order situation in the wake of the TLP march.
• A heavy contingent of Frontier Constabulary, Elite Force, and Rangers have been deployed at Faizabad Interchange to deal with any untoward situation.
• Similarly, Rangers have also been stationed along the Metro Bus track and Murree Road.
• Several areas have been sealed with containers to stop the marchers from creating a law and order situation.

32 suspects arrested: Meanwhile, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry announced that 32 members of a “proscribed organization” had been arrested in a nighttime operation.

• Although Chaudhry did not divulge the arrested suspects’ affiliation, he during a presser about the TLP on Wed had lashed out at “fake news” on social media and called on those spreading misinformation to mend their ways.
• He said TLP activists were receiving “social media help” from India and some other countries, adding that the govt was contacting these countries to have such people expelled and the PTA had been issued directions in this regard.
• The TLP had earlier said that it would resume its journey after Friday prayers in Gujranwala. It plans to reach Wazirabad and Chenab toll plaza by the evening.
• All 3 bridges over Chenab between Gujrat and Wazirabad towns have been filled with containers and at least 100 containers have been placed throughout the pathway of the bridges.
• These fresh arrangements to prevent the TLP march were made on Thu in addition to the already dug-up trenches near the toll plazas on Wazirabad and Gujrat sides as the area was already blocked for the last one week.

Undeterred, thousands of TLP workers head for Gujranwala as protest continues for 2^nd week

Dawn- Some 4,000 TLP workers traveled on the Grand Truck Road in large trucks and buses along with their supplies, as stick-wielding activists of the group guarded the procession against all sides. The TLP demonstrators have blocked the GT Road in Gujranwala district from both sides since Wed, causing hardship to the area residents in their commutes. From Kamoke tehsil to Jhelum, cellular services have been suspended for 24 hours.

• The rally was expected to continue its journey towards Islamabad after crossing the Qila Chand bypass.
• Educational institutions along GT Road have also been closed because of the uncertain situation.
• Meanwhile, Rangers and police personnel took positions near the Chenab river and Wazirabad border.
• Security officials plan to stop the TLP activists near the Wazirabad-Chenab river area instead of Gujranwala city.
• At a high-level meeting held to review the security situation, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar directed officials to “take every step possible” to establish peace in the province.
• He said nobody could be allowed to disturb people’s daily lives, stressing that “the protection of people’s lives and properties is the state’s foremost responsibility.”
• Pakistan Railways announced that 3 trains between Lahore and Rawalpindi would remain suspended today for both inbound and outbound services.
• The Peshawar-Quetta Jaffar Express will also be suspended for the Peshawar-Lahore leg today,
• The Green Line will remain suspended between Lahore and Rawalpindi.
• All other trains will function according to their schedule and route, a PR spokesperson said.

‘Sheer chaos’: Meanwhile, PML-N president and opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif criticized the govt’s handling of the situation arising out of the TLP rally, saying “federal ministers are giving contradictory statements on the prevailing situation.”

But Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari denied his allegation, calling Shehbaz a “confused soul” and saying “There is absolutely no confusion in the govt led by the PM as the cabinet decision yesterday made abundantly clear the position on TLP!” she wrote.

The developments come a day after the govt decided inthe federal cabinet in its meeting presided over by Prime Minister Imran Khan, to crush the TLP by all means and resolved that the army, Rangers, and police would stop participants of its long march from entering the federal capital.

• Following the decision which Rangers were requisitioned in Punjab for 60 days to maintain law and order in the province.
• The govt categorically announced that it could not meet the TLP’s demand of closing down the French embassy in Pakistan and revealed that there was no French ambassador in the country.

TLP-police clashes: The govt’s announcement had come after at least 4 police officials were killed and another 263 wounded, many of them seriously, when violent activists of the TLP clashed with police near Muridke and Sadhuke on Wed.

• On its part, the TLP claimed that two workers of the organization had died in the clashes with police, and 41 had been wounded.
• A TLP spokesman said police had used excessive force against their peaceful rally. However, the group’s claim of the deaths of its workers could not be confirmed independently.

TLP denies it was behind cops’ deaths: In a statement on Thursday, the TLP Central Shura claimed that it was being held responsible for the deaths of three policemen but that they had died in a collision between a police van and a Mazda truck.

Sheikh Hasina desires stronger trade ties between Bangladesh, Pakistan

Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina on Mon reiterated her govt’s desire for stronger trade ties and economic collaboration with Pakistan while talking to Pak­istan’s envoy Imran Ahmed Siddiqui during their meeting in Dhaka. It was 2^nd meet in the lat 11 months.

• The Foreign Office, in a statement issued here, said the two sides agreed to promote relations between the two countries.
• The meeting came amid a warming of ties between the two countries after remaining in deep freeze for over a decade.
• It is important to note that the meeting took place at a time when both countries have begun to prepare for Hasina’s first visit to Pakistan.
• The Bangladeshi PMO has recently conveyed in writing to Pakistan the acceptance of the invitation, which was extended last July, while the date is yet to fix.
• Hasina has also invited Khan to visit Bangladesh.
• The Pakistani side has proposed to Bangladesh to prepare a road map for the PM’s trip so that it is fruitful.
• Moreover, Islamabad is seeking the revival of bilateral mechanisms like the foreign secretaries’ dialogue, which halted for nearly 13 years.

The Pakistan-Bangladesh relationship– it should be recalled, took a nosedive after Hasina started her second tenure as PM in 2009 as she resumed the so-called 1971 ‘war crimes’ trial.

• Pakistan has always considered the bitter 1971 dismemberment of the country as a closed chapter given the tripartite agreement signed in April 1974 for the repatriation of war prisoners.
• Relations, however, started improving last year.
• The developments in the Pak-B’desh ties came in the backdrop of Delhi-Dhaka ties turning lukewarm following the enactment of the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act by India last year.
• Moreover, growing Chinese influence in Dhaka has also brought Pakistan and Bangladesh closer.

The Pak FO said – Siddiqui conveyed Khan’s message of goodwill and friendship to Hasina and the people of Bangladesh.

He also presented a photo album of the late prime minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s visit to Pakistan in 1974 to attend the OIC Summit; videos of his engagements in Pakistan during the summit; a photograph of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s portrait in Lahore Museum, as well as Bangla version of a coffee table book “Alla’ma bil Qalam” containing calligraphy-art rendered by Pakistani artists.

Rupee rebounds on $4.2 billion Saudi support package, gains Rs2.27 in intraday trade

The currency market bounced back on Wed to gain Rs 2.27 against the US dollar in intra-day trading in the inter-bank market after Saudi Arabia announced a support package of $4.2 billion for Pakistan, traders and bankers said. The Saudi money will help shore up the country’s foreign reserves, which have been shrinking. The dollar was being quoted at Rs 173.00/173.11 around midday. On Tue, it was being traded at a record Rs175.27 in the inter-bank market. The local currency has depreciated around 13.6% since May.

China: Tajikistan Approves Construction of New Chinese-Funded Base, As Beijing’s Security Presence In Central Asia Grows

RadioFreeEurope-Tajikistan has approved the construction of a new Chinese-funded base near the country’s border with Afghanistan as Tajik officials warn of growing threats emanating from its southern neighbor. (1)

In a separate development, the Tajik govt has offered to transfer full control of a pre-existing Chinese military base in the country to Beijing and waive any future rent in exchange for military aid from China, according to a communique sent from the Chinese Embassy in Dushanbe to Tajikistan’s Foreign Ministry and seen by RFE/RL’s Tajik Service.

The two developments paint a picture of a growing Chinese military footprint in the Central Asian country as Beijing and its neighbors in the region turn their attention toward an increasingly tenuous security situation in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s mid-Aug takeover.

• China already operates a military base in Tajikistan in the Murghab region near the Afghan border in a remote stretch close to the Wakhan Corridor.
• The collection of facilities and outposts is believed to have been in operation for at least 5 years and was the subject of a recent investigation by RFE that showed Chinese personnel taking on a growing role in the area.
• Both the Chinese and Tajik govt have officially denied the base’s existence and few details about its ownership and operation are known.
• The documents seen by RFE say that Chinese personnel are operating at the base in Tajikistan, but that it currently is owned by Dushanbe.

Chinese FM Wang Yi meets Taliban’s acting Deputy PM Baradar in Doha

Taliban’s delegation led by First Deputy of Afghanistan’s Prime Minister Mullah Baradar on Mon met Chinese delegation led by Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Doha, said Islamic Emirate spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

Both sides discussed the ongoing situation in Afghanistan and political and economic relations between Afghanistan and China. This was the first face-to-face talk since the Afghanistan takeover.

Wang, – Afghanistan is facing quadruple challenges, namely the humanitarian crisis, economic chaos, terrorist threats, and governance difficulties, and overcoming these challenges requires more understanding and support from the international community (Xinhua).

Wang hoped that the Taliban will further demonstrate openness and tolerance, unite all ethnic groups and factions in Afghanistan to work together for peaceful reconstruction, and effectively protect the rights and interests of women and children.

• On the current situation in Afghanistan, Baradar briefed Wang. He said it is under control and improving.
• The leader said govt decrees are being carried out effectively.
• The Afghan leader added their govt is working hard to meet the needs of the people.
• It will continue to learn from its historical experience to take the path of development in line with its conditions.
• In Doha, Wang will also meet the Taliban’s Acting Foreign Min Amir Khan Muttaqi.

The US expresses concern over the Myanmar junta’s brutal violence

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Mon (local time) virtually met with Duwa Lashi La and Zin Mar Aung representatives of Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) and underscored continued Washington’s support for the pro-democracy movement in the country.

• Sullivan also expressed concern over the recent arrest of pro-democracy activist Ko Jimmy and noted the U.S. will continue to advocate for his release and the release of all those unjustly detained.
• Myanmar has been in turmoil since the coup, on Feb 1^st, when the Myanmar military led by Senior General Ming Aung Hlaing overthrew the civilian govt and declared a year-long state of emergency.
• The coup triggered mass protests and was met by deadly violence, which claimed the lives of more than 1,000 civilians in Myanmar, with thousands more detained, many tortured or beaten, according to the United Nations, citing activists.
• Sullivan reiterated U.S. support for ASEAN efforts to hold the Burmese military regime to its obligations under the Five-Point Consensus.
• Myanmar junta to free 5,000 anti-coup protesters after Military’s exclusion from ASEAN Summit
• The Myanmar Military on Mon (Oct 19) announced that more than 5,000 people who were arrested for opposing the coup will be freed under a grant of amnesty

Myanmar Coup and India:

• Myanmar is the only ASEAN country with which India shares a land border, extending to 1643 kms, most of which is not fenced.
• Myanmar borders 4 North East Indian States – Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram, and its help is critical to countering insurgency in India’s North East.
• Peace in the Chin and Rakhine states of Myanmar is essential for the completion of the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project and the Trilateral Highway project.
• The India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway will provide connectivity from Moreh (Manipur) to Mae Sot (Tak province, Thailand) and the Kaladan project would link Mizoram to the Bay of Bengal.
• The political instability in the post-coup period is expected to divert the attention of the Myanmar Army from its periphery and its borders.
• The Arakan Army on the Myanmar side of the border continues to be a source of concern.
• It must be remembered that it was the Myanmar army that was assisting the Indian Army in dealing with the Arakan Army and the National-Socialist Council of Nagaland Isak-Muivah (NSCN (IM) in the period before the coup.
• Second, the refugee influx from Myanmar to Manipur and Mizoram (due to common ethnic links and family ties) is a matter of concern for New Delhi.
• In sum, closer coordination between the central govt and borders states is essential for the successful attainment of critical national objectives.
• The growing international isolation of Myanmar led by the Army could once again push the country into dependence on China.
• When Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Myanmar in Jan 2020, 33 important agreements were signed, including the Kyaukphyuyu Special Economic Zone and Kyaukphyu deep-sea port.
• Earlier in 2018, Myanmar and China had signed an MoU to establish the China Myanmar Economic Corridor, a length of 1700 km to connect Kunming to Myanmar’s economic hubs, from Mandalay to Kyaukphyu.
• A framework agreement on Kyaukphyu was also signed in Nov 2018, also when Xi visited Myanmar in 2018 related to the New Yangon City project.

New Delhi’s Position: Developments in Myanmar pose a serious policy challenge to India. Myanmar is an important element for the success of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’, ‘Act East’, and ‘Indo-Pacific’ policies.

• It was from Naypyitaw that Prime Minister Modi launched India’s Act East policy in 2014. India’s initial response to the Feb 1 coup expressing “deep concern” was moderate.
• India, however, upped the ante as the death toll kept on rising.
• India does not support sanctions against Myanmar as sanctions have not worked in the past and are not likely to work now.

Earlier, India’s envoy to the UN in Geneva, Indra Mani Pandey told the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Feb 12, 2021, that the rule of law and democratic processes in Myanmar must be upheld and the detained political leaders released.

China continues to bully its neighbors, not conducive to free & open Indo-Pacific: Pentagon

Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said China bullies its neighbors in an attempt to coerce them into behavior more in keeping with its security & economic interests. “China continues to bully its neighbors to try to coerce them into behavior that is more in keeping with China’s national security or economic interests. And we don’t believe that that is conducive to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Kirby said.

The US bans China Telecom over national security concerns

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) found that China Telecom “is subject to exploitation, influence, and control by the Chinese government and is highly likely to be forced to comply with Chinese government requests without sufficient legal procedures subject to independent judicial oversight.”

China’s Global Times editorial says the US is opening ‘new offensive’ on Taiwan

China rebuked US efforts to boost Taiwan’s participation in UN organizations, saying the self-ruled island has “no right” to join the world body a half-century after it was booted out. “The United Nations is an international governmental organization composed of sovereign states,” Mr Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office in Beijing, told a regular news briefing on Wed (Oct 27). “Taiwan is a part of China. The People’s Republic of China is the sole legal govt representing the whole of China. Taiwan has no right to join the UN.”

Laboratory blast kills 2 and injures 9 at China’s top aerospace university

• Investigations have started to find the cause of the explosion at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
• University is China’s top defense research institution and is known for producing cutting-edge aerospace technology.
• Two people were killed and nine injured in a laboratory explosion at China’s top national aerospace university on Sunday.
• The explosion happened shortly before 4 pm at the Jiangjun Road campus of the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, known as the cradle of the country’s cutting-edge aerospace technology.
• “Two people died and nine were injured. The reason for the explosion is under investigation and rescue work has ended,” the city’s fire service said on its official Weibo page.

China does not have any right in choosing next Dalai Lama: Head of Tawang monastery

China has no authority at all to get involved in choosing the next Dalai Lama as it does not believe in religion and the succession plan is entirely a spiritual matter and not a political issue for the Tibetan people, the head of the Tawang monastery in Arunachal Pradesh has said.

Gyangbung Rinpoche, the Abbot of the nearly 350-year-old monastery near India’s border with China, also said that it is important to counter Beijing’s “policy of expansionism” and New Delhi must maintain a strict vigil over the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with that country, in an oblique reference to the eastern Ladakh standoff.

• Rinpoche said though India believes in peace and prosperity, its approach in dealing with such belligerence has to be based on the ground reality.
• “It is important to counter China’s growing assertiveness. India must keep a strict vigil over the border (with China),” he told PTI in an interview.
• The head of the second largest monastery in the world after the Potala Palace in Tibet’s Lhasa said only the current Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people have the right to decide about the successor to the Tibetan spiritual leader and China has no role to play.
• The comments by the Abbot of the monastery that is located in a region claimed by China came amid strain in ties between the 2 countries following the eastern Ladakh border standoff.
• India maintains that its state of Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of the country.

Rinpoche said the Tibetan people will never accept any decision on the issue by China and that Beijing’s attempt to get involved is part of efforts to “capture” the Tibetan heritage and “hold control” over the Tibetan people.

• The issue of a successor to the 14^th Dalai Lama, who has been living in exile in Dharamshala in India since 1959, gained traction as he turned 86 in July.
• The Dalai Lama is believed to be a living Buddha who is reincarnated after his death.
• China has been insisting that the selection of the next Dalai Lama has to be decided within Chinese territory and that it has to have a say in the matter.
• The religious leader said it is important to counter China’s policy of expansionism.
• The monastery headed by Rinpoche is located in Tawang at an altitude of around 9,000 feet, a region that has significant political, spiritual, and strategic dimensions.
• After a failed anti-Chinese uprising in 1959, the 14th Dalai Lama fled Tibet and came to India where he set up a government-in-exile.
• Beijing has in the past accused the Dalai Lama of indulging in “separatist” activities and trying to split Tibet and considers him as a divisive figure.

However, the Tibetan spiritual leader has insisted that he is not seeking independence but “genuine autonomy for all Tibetans living in the three traditional provinces of Tibet” under the “Middle-Way approach”.

The Chinese government officials and the Dalai Lama or his representatives have not met for formal negotiations since 2010.