INDIA: Week at a Glance:

Sino-Indian Standoff: China constructs another village near Arunachal, more in Bhutan, heliports along LAC
- India, China to discuss ‘complete disengagement’ in next Senior Commanders meeting at an early date.
- Jaishankar says India-China going through a ‘bad patch’ due to Beijing’s actions, violation of agreements.
- Redrawing army’s command boundaries along the China border step towards creating theatre commands.
Navy firepower to get a major boost with the new submarine, destroyer induction
India places orders for French HAMMER missiles to boost Tejas capabilities
US travel advisory flags rape in India, asks American to exercise ‘increased caution’
India, Singapore in talks to resume commercial flights soon
US today is a much more flexible partner than in past, says Jaishankar
India, France discuss Afghanistan, threats posed by LET, JEM, Daesh, other UN proscribed terror outfits
Australian PM announces new Consulate General in Bengaluru
Cryptocurrencies, digital crowdsourcing enabling terror groups, said India at UN
Top Harkat-ul-Mujahideen terrorist killed in encounter in J-K’s Kulgam
Jharkhand: Blast on railway tracks in Dhanbad division derails diesel locomotive; 2 trains canceled, several diverted
Back on track in Punjab, on pole again in UP: Political dividend of decision to repeal farm laws in ‘National Interest’
PM Modi laid the foundation stone of the Defence Corridor project worth Rs 400

Also:

Rajnath Singh inaugurated revamped Rezang La war memorial on Thursday;
Centre to provide 4G mobile services in over 7,000 villages across 5 states: Minister
PM Modi on Tuesday landed on Purvanchal Expressway in a C-130 Hercules plane on the airstrip constructed on the National Highway.
Israel PM, Naftali Bennett likely to visit India next year, says envoy: External Affairs Minister (visited Israel recently), while Indian Army Chief is currently visiting Israel.
Indian and French Air Force carried out Exercise Desert Knight 2-IAF officials.
India is once again ready to deliver humanitarian aid consisting of food grains, medicines to the people of Afghanistan.

Neighborhood: Week at a Glance

China’s military looks to J-20 jet-drone match-up for combat edge
Coronavirus origin: scientist says there is ‘strong evidence’ pointing to the Wuhan market
Biden asks Xi not to undermine peace, stability across Taiwan Strait
Russia detects Pakistan move to illegally procure dual-use material, halts export
Pakistan passed a law that allows Jadhav to appeal against conviction, India said it codifies shortcomings of the previous ordinance
Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan chief Rizvi released from jail
Pakistan, Taliban violators of religious freedom: US

[ INDIA ]

Sino-Indian Standoff: China constructs another village near Arunachal, more in Bhutan, heliports along LAC

China has constructed a 2^nd village near Arunachal Pradesh (AP), which is outside India’s perception of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) but ‘appears’ to be within the McMahon Line, as said by the Detresfa_ “appears to be within the survey of India and McMahon line”.

“China has constructed a second enclave or cluster of at least 60 buildings after 2019, but a year later, in AP”.

“It lies 93 km east of a China-constructed village in AP,” adding that the 2^nd enclave lies approx 6 km “within India in the region between the LAC and the International Boundary”.

In response to the location of the new Chinese village, “The coordinates of the village lie north of the LAC and on the Chinese side of the LAC”.
There is a gap between the LAC and the McMahon Line, and the Army defends the LAC.
However, refused to comment on whether the village fell in an area that is claimed by India, adding that the issue of the McMahon Line is not for them to deal with.
The McMahon line was drawn at the Simla Convention of 1913-14 between British India, Tibet, and China, which China treats the line as illegal.

The first village that China constructed near Arunachal Pradesh last year was on land occupied by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) by over-running an Assam Rifles post in 1959.

The area has been under the control of the Chinese since then and is outside the Indian perception of the LAC, but within the McMahon Line.
Eastern Army Commander Lt General Manoj Pande had recently red-flagged the Chinese construction of villages near the LAC.

China builds more villages in Bhutanese territory

@Detresfa_ said the disputed land between China and Bhutan shows at least 4 new Chinese villages being set up since last year, spread through an area of roughly 100 km², close to Doklam, which saw a stand-off between Indian and Chinese forces in 2017.

Satellite images of China constructing its first village on Bhutanese territory had come out last November even as Thimphu denied any such development.
ThePrint (sources)-However, India had later said that the construction did happen on Bhutanese territory which is now claimed by China.

China builds more heliports near LAC

China is developing a network of large heliports across the Tibetan plateau and LAC that can be of major use in a crisis.

It said – that the Chinese have been carrying out massive military construction activities during the stand-off with India.
Just weeks after the tensions first began along the LAC last year, ThePrint had reported that China was building a heliport in Ladakh and near Doklam.
The expansions fit into a South China Sea-like strategy, which suggests Beijing plans to aggressively pursue its western territorial claims.

“While India remains mired in partisan politics, China is changing facts on the ground by building artificial villages in disputed or captured Himalayan areas. …. In July, Xi visited a close-by area” – Brahma Chellaney

India, China to discuss ‘complete disengagement’ in next Senior Commanders meeting at an early date

India and China held the 23^rd meeting of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) on Thursday.

“…discussions on the situation along the LAC in Western Sector of India-China Border Areas and also reviewed the developments since the last meeting of the Senior Commanders of both sides, which was held on Oct 10, 2021,” External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

The Indian delegation was led by an Additional Secretary (East Asia) from the MEA.

The Director-General of the Boundary & Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs led the Chinese delegation.

It was agreed that both sides should hold the next (14^th) round of the Senior Commanders meeting at an early date to achieve the objective of complete disengagement.
There is a stalemate on complete disengagement from friction points along the LAC following the actions of the Chinese Army last year.
India has said that the standoff is affecting the bilateral ties while accusing Beijing of unilaterally altering the status quo along the LAC.
China so far has taken a rigid position over complete disengagement.

Jaishankar says India-China going through a ‘bad patch’ due to Beijing’s actions, violation of agreements

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said that India and China are going through a bad phase in their relationship because of Beijing’s actions and violation of agreements between the two ‘neighboring nations’ and for which it still doesn’t have a “credible explanation”, in response to a question at a panel “Greater Power Competition: The Emerging World Order” at the Bloomberg New Economic Forum in Singapore.

Jaishankar said that it is for the Chinese leadership to answer where they want to take the bilateral relationship.
“I don’t think that the Chinese have any doubt on where we stand on our relationship and what’s not gone right with it.”
There is a stalemate on complete disengagement from friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) following the actions of the Chinese Army last year.

Redrawing Army’s command boundaries along the China border step towards creating theatre commands

The redrawing of the boundaries of the Indian Army’s commands looking after the China border is a step towards the creation of theater commands and this will help in better management of the resources.

The Indian Army recently brought the entire border along the China border in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand under the Lucknow-based Central Command.
The Chandimandir-based Western Command has now been asked to focus mainly on the Pakistan front, the sources said.
As we move towards the creation of new theater commands, this referring to boundaries and responsibilities of the operational commands was important.

The Department of Military Affairs headed by Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat has been asked by the govt to create theater commands to improve the jointness among the three services for war-fighting.

The China border was earlier looked after by the Northern, Western, Central, and Eastern commands of the Indian Army but it will now be managed by 3 commands only.
(Sources)-when the theater commands are created, the western command would also be taken out from J&K where it looks after a small portion of the Jammu sector.

The current Central Army Comdr Lt Gen Y Dimri is also conducting the study for the creation of the eastern theatre which would look after the entire China border from Himachal to Arunachal Pradesh.

The highly sensitive UTs of J&K and Ladakh would continue to be looked after by the Northern command and would be brought under theater commands gradually.
The 3 defense forces have been asked to submit their respective study reports by Apr
The Indian Army nominated Lt Gen Dimri and southwest Army Comdr Lt Gen AS Bhinder.

The Indian Army has also increased the allocation of forces for the northern and eastern fronts with China as an additional corps with armored division has been given responsibility in the Ladakh area.

The eastern front has also been provided with a full-fledged Mountain Strike Corps to thwart any misadventure in the Arunachal sector by the Chinese Army.
The corps has also been exercising with other services to war-game the offensive operations in the eastern sector.

Navy firepower to get a major boost with the new submarine, destroyer induction

ANI – In a major boost to its firepower, the Indian Navy would see the commissioning of its new destroyer INS Vishakhapatnam and Kalvari class submarine INS Vela in this fortnight.

“The 1^st stealth guided-missile destroyer ship INS Vishakhapatnam would be commissioned in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Nov 21^st in Mumbai while on Nov 25, the 4^th submarine of Project-75 Vela is also scheduled to be commissioned on by the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh,” Navy Vice Chief said at a press conference.

ThePrint-The Indian Navy will commission the 1^st of 4 indigenous Visakhapatnam-class stealth-guided missile destroyers, and the 4^th of 6 Scorpene submarines, by this weekend.

He said the commissioning of these warships would soon be followed by the launch of the first ship of the Survey Vessel Large project, Sandhayak in early Dec.
He added that the maritime environment is complex, only increases with more players involved.
“The ship has a significant indigenous content of approximately 75% contributing towards AtmaNirbhar Bharat,” he said.
The ship is a potent platform capable of undertaking multifarious tasks and missions spanning the full spectrum of maritime warfare.

Visakhapatnam – equipped with supersonic surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, medium and short-range guns, anti-submarine rockets, and advanced electronic warfare and communication suits.

‘Sandhyak’ is the first of the 4 Survey Vessels (Large) projects being built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata for the Indian Navy.

The Survey ships are envisaged to replace the existing Sandhayak Class survey ships are equipped with new generation hydrographic equipment including AUVs, ROVs, 11m survey boats, and advanced indigenous data acquisition systems to collect and analyze for collecting oceanographic and geophysical data in the Indian Ocean Region, Navy said.

The development comes at a time when 39 submarines and surface ships are under construction, besides the 2 frigates being built for the Indian Navy in Russia.
Also, his statement comes in the backdrop of the rapid expansion of the Chinese Navy, which is now the world’s fastest-growing naval force.

Project 15B

Project 15B is a Rs 35,000-crore program of the Indian Navy, under which 4 follow-ons of the Kolkata class of destroyers are being built.
The 4 ‘Visakhapatnam’ class destroyers have been indigenously designed and constructed by the Mazagon Dock Limited, Mumbai.
Each of the ships is 163 x17 m, with a displacement of 7,400 tonnes, and is propelled by 4 powerful gas turbines, and is capable of achieving speeds above 30 knots.
The Visakhapatnam is packed with sophisticated ‘state-of-the-art’ weapons and sensors such as surface-to-surface missiles and surface-to-air missiles.

India places orders for French HAMMER missiles to boost Tejas capabilities

In a step towards further strengthening the capabilities of the indigenous LCA Tejas fighter aircraft, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has placed orders for HAMMER missiles from France which would allow it to take out any hardened bunkers or ground targets at stand-off ranges of more than 70 km.

The capability enhancement of the LCA Tejas fighter aircraft is being done in the middle of a military stand-off with China using the emergency procurement power granted by the govt to the defense forces.

“The HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) missiles are in the process of being integrated with the LCA Tejas and it will significantly enhance its capability to take out hardened targets from stand-off distances.”

The IAF had acquired the 1^st lot of these HAMMERs for the Rafale at the time when the aircraft had started coming to enhance the air to ground targeting capabilities.
Due to the urgency at that time given the Chinese aggression, the French authorities had agreed to supply them at a short notice for our Rafale combat aircraft.
HAMMER is a medium-range air-to-ground weapon designed and manufactured for the French Air Force and Navy initially.

ThePrint (sources)-The HAMMERs would give the capability to target bunkers or hardened shelters in any type of terrain including mountainous locations.

Indian armed forces have extensively utilized the emergency procurement powers granted by the govt to equip themselves with the necessary weaponry.
The Indian Air Force is strongly supporting the indigenous LCA Tejas fighter aircraft program by adding more and more capabilities to the aircraft.
The IAF has already operationalized 2 of its squadrons in the initial operational clearance and final operational clearance versions
A contract has been signed for the 83 Mark1As set to be delivered in a couple of years.
The IAF has also its eyes set on the LCA Mark 2 and the AMCA being developed by the DRDO for it.

The Indian plane is already considered to be far more capable than the Pakistani and Chinese joint venture JF-17 fighter jet and with additions like the HAMMER, the Indian plane would be in a much higher category than them, an Indian fighter pilot said.—ANI

India, Singapore in talks to resume commercial flights soon

Singapore is in talks with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of External Affairs to restart scheduled commercial services with two daily flights each from Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai.

As of now, only repatriation is taking place through Air India, under the Vande Bharat mission.

Singapore has announced that from November 29 it will open up its Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTL) for India and once the program is in place there will be no need for quarantine for vaccinated passengers as this was huge pent-up demand for travelers from both sides.

Technically, repatriation flights cannot be included under Singapore’s VTL arrangement and only scheduled commercial flights are included in this program.
Singapore is keen that Singapore airlines should restart partial operations to India.
(Sources)-talks for resumption of commercial flights between Singapore and India are moving in the right direction and there can be a decision soon.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is currently in Singapore and holding talks with top leadership, resumption of connectivity also came up during his talks.
Yesterday, Jaishankar met the Singapore transport minister and discussed enhancing travel arrangements between the two countries.

US today is a much more flexible partner than in past, says Jaishankar

“I have been dealing with the US for close to 40 years now. US today is a much more flexible partner, much more open to ideas, suggestions, working arrangements, than in the past,” Jaishankar said on Fri, in response to a query during the panel discussion ‘Greater Power Competition: The Emerging World Order’ at the Bloomberg New Economic Forum event in Singapore.

“It is natural to think of the US, China as the big one, but there are other countries, not just India, which have come much more into play,” he added.

Jaishankar called on Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong “Emerging from Covid, we work towards an even stronger partnership. Our shared interests and convergent views help us cooperate closely in a changing world,” EAM tweets

India, France discuss Afghanistan, threats posed by LET, JEM, Daesh, other UN proscribed terror outfits

ANI – In the 15^th Meeting of their Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism in Paris, India, and France on Tue shared their assessment of the evolution of the terrorist threat on their respective territories and in their regional environment.

They also stressed that Afghan territory does not become a source of radicalization and terrorism and is never again used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter, recruit or train terrorists, or to plan or finance terrorist attacks following the UNSC Resolution 2593.

They also exchanged views on threats posed by UN-sanctioned terrorist entities and emphasized the need for taking concerted action against all terrorist networks – al-Qa’ida and ISIS/Daesh, as well as Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizb-ul Mujahideen, etc.

Both stressed the need for all countries to ensure those territories which are under their control cannot be used by the terrorist.

The two sides also exchanged views on the proscription of terrorists and entities as a tool to combat terrorism.
The MEA-Both sides shared information about their priorities and procedures for pursuing sanctions and designations against terrorist entities and individuals.

Mahaveer Singhvi, Joint Secretary (Counter Terrorism), MEA, and Philippe BERTOUX, Director for Strategic Affairs, Security and Disarmament at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, led respective inter-Agency delegations.

The next meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism shall be held in India in 2022.

Australian PM announces new Consulate General in Bengaluru

Terming Bengaluru as the world’s fastest-growing technology hub, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wed, at Sydney Dialogue announced a new Consulate General in the capital city of the Indian state of Karnataka.

He also stated that Australia’s new mission in Bengaluru would expand their diplomatic presence in India to 5 posts.
He also expressed resolve to strengthen relations with India, adding that it will deepen its ties to “India’s innovators, to your technologists and entrepreneurs – as well as India’s Govts at all levels.”

Announcing Australia’s 1^st-ever Blueprint for Critical Technologies at that event, Morrison stated that this signals country’s firm commitment to shaping the development, including by working with trusted partners like India.

He said that there is so much to do with India in the field of technology, besides both countries are already cooperating on cyber security, critical and emerging technologies, critical minerals, digital economy.
He also informed the forum that he will be speaking at the Bengaluru Tech Summit, India’s biggest technology summit today.

Cryptocurrencies, digital crowdsourcing enabling terror groups, said India at UN

Emphasising that the new financial and payment technologies methods including cryptocurrencies and digital crowdsourcing are enabling terror groups for collecting and transferring funds, India at UN on Thu (local time) urged member states to strengthen counter-financing structures at par with international standards to curb terrorism.

Speaking at UNSC special joint meeting, on Terrorist Financing Threats and Trends and the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 2462, Rajesh Parihar, First Secretary, India’s Permanent Mission said: “Misuse of blockchain technology, virtual/ cryptocurrencies, digital crowdsourcing, prepaid phone cards, etc have posed new risks to Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) efforts.

The proliferation of fake charities and fake non-profit organizations (NPOs) during the COVID pandemic has further exacerbated this risk.”
India also asked the international community to call out the States who wilfully provide financial assistance, safe havens to terrorists and hold them accountable.

India-The global implementation survey of resolution 1373, adopted by the CTC on Nov 4^th, and FATF’s latest report (Oct 2021) on “Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring”, highlights the continued terror-finance risk due to lack of action by a country in our neighborhood.”

Underlining that India is steadfast in its commitment to CFT and has developed over the last few decades the necessary capabilities, legal frameworks, institutions, Parihar said that India took measures to bring its financial sectors to international standards including those of FATF.

On Wed, PM has urged democracies in the world to ensure that crypto-currencies or bitcoin do not end up in the wrong hands and spoil the youth.
Delivering a keynote address at The Sydney Dialogue, PM said that it is essential for democracies to work together to create standards and norms for data governance.

US travel advisory flags rape in India, asks American visitors to exercise ‘increased caution’

ThePrint In its latest travel advisory for American travelers coming to India, the US has highlighted “rape” as a major concern, thereby putting India in the ‘Level 2’ category of travel destinations. (?) See link 1

The advisory, which was issued by the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the US State Department on Nov 15, has asked Americans to exercise “increased caution” while traveling to India, as it said, “Violent crime, such as sexual assault, has occurred at tourist sites and in other locations”.

“Indian authorities report rape is one of the fastest-growing crimes in India. Violent crime, such as sexual assault, has occurred at tourist sites and in other locations,” the advisory stated.

This statement had appeared in the report and that’s why is the whole story. Nevertheless, this was one small part of the report, while the entire report is focused on LoC and terrorism issues along with Nuxuls affected acts.

ThePrint-This is the 3^rd time when the US showed its concern after in 2018 and 2019 when the US had asked women, travelers, to exercise caution.

The US State Department follows 4 categories of travel advisories for countries. Level 2 in which they put India denotes “exercise increased caution”, while Level 1 means “exercise normal precautions”.

ThePrint-Apart from sexual crimes, the advisory also refers to the rise in terrorism, insurgency by ethnic groups, and Maoist rebellion as some of the reasons why American travelers should exercise caution while traveling to India.

Terrorist attack, civil unrest in J&K: Apart from sexual crimes, the advisory has also advised American travelers to avoid visiting some popular tourist places in J&K due to the risk of terrorist attacks and civil unrest.

The advisory also talks of “strong military presence” on both sides of the India-Pakistan border.

Caution against travel to the northeast, central and eastern India: The advisory has also cautioned Americans against traveling to the northeastern part of India owing to “incidents of violence by ethnic insurgent groups, including bombings of buses, trains, rail lines, and markets”, which “occur occasionally in the northeast.”

US govt employees are prohibited from traveling to the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Manipur without special authorization from the US Consulate General in Kolkata, the advisory added.

Top Harkat-ul-Mujahideen terrorist killed in encounter in J-K’s Kulgam

ANI – Kashmir Police chief (IGP) on Thu said that top terrorist and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HM) district commander was killed in an encounter with security forces in the Pombai area of Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

Top terrorist and HM’s district commander Shakir Nazar who was active since 2018 killed along with 2 other terrorists.
J&K Police- Earlier on Wed, the Resistance Front (TRF) commander was killed among 5 terrorists in twin encounters with security forces in the Kulgam.
Two of them have were killed in Pombai were identified as Shakir Najar, Deputy District Commander of HM, and Sumair Najar affiliated with a proscribed terror outfit HM and TRF respectively.
In Gopalpora area, 2 terrorists were killed and their bodies were recovered from the site of the encounter, identified as Aafaq Sikander Lone, District commander of TRF, and Irfan Mushtaq Lone.
The police also recovered one AK-47 rifle and one pistol. (ANI)

The J&K police on Wed clarified that PDP, Chief Mehbooba Mufti is not under house arrest.

Jharkhand: Blast on railway tracks in Dhanbad division derails diesel locomotive; 2 trains canceled, several diverted

ANI (Rajesh Kumar, Chief Public Relation Officer, Eastern Central Railway)- A bomb blast took place on the railway line between DEMU and Richughutta railway stations on Dhanbad Division in the early hours of Sat, leading to the derailment of a diesel locomotive.

The official statement- at around 12:55 am today while a diesel loco was on a run in block section as reported by the permanent way inspector of Latehar, a bomb blast on the lines by some miscreant led to the derailment of the loco.

Up line has been cleared whereas work on the down line is still going on.
No casualty has been reported, informed Latehar Police officials.

Thewire (Sources)- this was a Naxal-related incident.

Back on track in Punjab, on pole again in UP: Political dividend of decision to repeal farm laws in ‘National Interest’

News18 (official)-The repeal of the 3 farm laws as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Fri has two big messages — that the govt has put “national interest” above all and that it “listens to the farmers”, be it withdrawing the controversial land acquisition ordinance in 2015 or the 3 farm laws now.

Citing (BJP Sources)- the govt had inputs that the farmers’ movement was being explored by vested interest groups who support the Khalistan or the Pakistan ISI network.

BKU’s Rakesh Tikait refuses to call off protests despite PM’s announcement

The ‘tactical retreat’ could also bring political dividends for the BJP which wishes to get back in the election game in Punjab and also secure its fortress in western Uttar Pradesh.
In Punjab: the road to an alliance with Captain Amarinder Singh is now clear for the BJP as the former CM had put the repeal of the laws as a pre-condition for any understanding.
In UP, the Samajwadi Party and Jayant Choudhary’s RLD were rallying the farmers in the west on the issue of the farm laws, which may be neutralized by it.
Punjab and UP go to polls in less than 3 months and the Opposition is projecting this as their major victory.

System insiders – The govt felt the situation was playing directly into the hands of such elements wanting to create fissures between communities and upset the social fabric of the country.

However, such things are known to the establishment, even before protestors moved to the Delhi border.

PM Modi in his address “despite the best efforts of the govt to talk to the protesting section of the farmers and an offer to suspend the farm laws for 2 years, the govt could not convince this section about the three farm laws. He, hence, said the laws will be repealed in the upcoming Parliament session from Nov 29.”

The opposition is now asking who is answerable for the loss of more than 700 lives, while supports said why the laws have been repealed just because of the opposition of the farmers from one state.
BJP MP Varun Gandhi has written to PM “demanding a law on MSP; says “other issues must also be decided upon immediately, so our farmers can return home after ending their agitation.”

PM Modi lays foundation stone of UP Defence Corridor project worth Rs 400 cr in Jhansi

PM Narendra Modi on Friday laid the foundation stone of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (DIC) project worth Rs 400 crores in Jhansi.

The PM laid the foundation stone of the much-awaited significant project on the concluding 3-day ‘Rashtra Raksha Samarpan Parv’ event being organized by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) along with the govt of UP in Jhansi.

The Centre has decided to set up two DICs in the country- one in Tamil Nadu and the other in Uttar Pradesh.
The UP, DIC has nodes at Agra, Aligarh, Jhansi, Chitrakoot, Lucknow, and Kanpur, while for the Jhansi node, the state has acquired nearly 1,034 ha.

Bharat Dynamics Ltd, a Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU), is setting up a plant for the propulsion system for Anti-Tank Guided Missiles in the Jhansi node, which will be spread over 183 acres, with an investment of Rs 400 crores.

The project is expected to provide direct employment to 150 people and indirect employment to nearly 500 people.
The MoD has taken several steps to promote ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ in defense in the last 2 years.
As a demonstration of the thrust on ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and Indian Navy are adopting indigenously designed and developed platforms for their use.
3 platforms were formally handed over by the PM to respective Service Chiefs in the event.

These platforms depict maturing of the Indian defense industry ecosystem with contributions from Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), DPSUs, and Defence industry and startups.

[ NEIGHBOURHOOD ]

China’s military looks to J-20 jet-drone match-up for combat edge

PLA pilot says unmanned aerial vehicles can do what humans cannot – endure extremes for long periods
US military tandem test hints at future warfare with mother ships keeping out of enemy range while drones fly into danger for intelligence and combat missions

SCMP-China has again hinted at a potential pairing of its most advanced aircraft, the J-20, with drones in a tandem strategy that would expand Beijing’s combat capabilities, according to state media.

“The future is a big era for drone development. Important questions are: what role should drones play in future battlefields, how to team up manned and unmanned vehicles, and what tactical goal can be achieved,” Chinese air force pilot Liu Qihong was quoted as saying about the J-20 in an interview with state broadcaster CCTV, as the air force marked its 72^nd anniversary on Nov 11.

“If teamed with four drones during a mission, the manned vehicle can have a wider surveillance area and a clearer sense of danger. What’s more, drones can overcome long-endurance periods, high temperature and a lot of noise, which might become unbearable for human pilots.”

PLA pilot says unmanned aerial vehicles can do what humans cannot – endure extremes for long periods.
US military tandem test hints at future warfare with mother ships keeping out of enemy range while drones fly into danger for intelligence and combat missions
At that time Chinese authorities had not revealed plans to pair advanced fighter jets with drones, a field in which China’s technology leads, for military purposes.
However, the positioning of the two aircraft prompted speculation online that the Chinese air force would marry manned and unmanned vehicles for future training exercises.
China is not the only country actively researching and practicing manned-unmanned teaming, known as MUM-T.
In late Oct, the US military for the first time retrieved a drone in flight and placed it on a plane, making the plane a drone carrier in the air.
The drone was refurbished and flown again within hours, according to the military website Defensenews.com.

The scenario conceived by the US would be an ideal use of MUM-T in which drones are employed on a dangerous mission to augment or extend the surveillance capability of an aircraft.

Russia detects Pakistan move to illegally procure dual-use material for its Chashma nuke plant, halts export

ANI – Pakistan’s attempt to procure dual-use material from Russia got a rude jolt. It is learned that there was a deal between private companies of Pak and Russia for procurement of ‘hand-foot contamination indicator‘ by Pak, while the Russian side backed out after it learned that the items were meant for Pakistan’s nuclear plant at Chashma.

ANI- the Export Control Administration, Federal Service for Technical and Export Control (FSTEC) of Russia, refused to issue a license for exporting six hand-foot-contamination monitors by M/s Tehnocenter Ltd., Mendeleevo (Russia) to M/s Hassan Scientific corporation, Lahore, after realizing that the end-user was Chashma Nuclear Power Generating Station (CNPGS).

The Russian Govt has been closely monitoring the Pak’s companies to procure critical products from the European market and has been extra cautious.
The attempts to procure such items from Europe have increasingly become puzzling for Pak, which has compelled them to turn to Russian private companies.
Pakistan nevertheless continues to pursue its nuclear agenda using devious channels of procuring such items from other countries.

Despite having come under the radar by the International Atomic Energy Agencies for resorting to the unethical acquisition of technology for the nuclear project, Pakistan continues to devise new tactics for the acquisition of critical items, including Russia.

In Jan 2020 – the US Dept of Justice had announced that a Grand Jury had indicted 5 persons, who were associated with a Rawalpindi-based front company “Business World” which facilitated an international procurement to acquire US products for Pakistan’s.

All 5 individuals were of Pakistani origin based out of Pakistan, Canada, Hong Kong, and the UK.
These individuals were charged for exporting products from the US which, as per US regulations, pose threat to US security by their use in Pak’s weapons program.

In 2019, a German report, prepared by the state of Baden-Wurttemberg mentioned that Germany had become an “important area of operation” for clandestine procurements by Pak, N Korea, Iran, and Syria to obtain nuclear technology from various high-tech firms.

Coronavirus origin: scientist says there is ‘strong evidence’ pointing to the Wuhan market

SCMP-A new analysis of the earliest cases of Covid-19 in China has renewed questions over who the first known patient was, and suggested spillover from a live-animal market was the most likely source of the virus that causes the disease.

Michael Worobey, head of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Arizona, relied on a close analysis of cases flagged by hospitals and reported in medical journals, alongside media reports, to argue that early links to the market were not just the result of a reporting bias.

Instead, they showed most early symptomatic cases from Dec 2019 were linked to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, according to his article published in the journal Science on Thu.

However, Worobey was immediately questioned by Li-Meng YAN, on Twitter “Have you read CCP’s 1^st confidential COVID guidance? Patients without Huanan seafood market history can not get diagnosed!”

Biden-Xi talks: China warns the US about ‘playing with fire’ on Taiwan-BBC

Indian Media’s headlines

Joe Biden Says the US Adheres To ‘One China’ Policy & Not Taiwan’s Independence: Chinese Media
Biden asks Xi not to undermine peace, stability across Taiwan Strait ANI

BBC-Chinese President Xi Jinping has used a virtual summit with US counterpart Joe Biden to warn that encouraging Taiwanese independence would be “playing with fire”. The talks are the most substantial since Biden took office in Jan.

But they could not escape one of the most sensitive topics: the ‘self-ruled’ island of Taiwan.

China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province to be reunified with the mainland one day.
The US recognizes and has formal ties with China. But it has also pledged to help Taiwan defend itself in the event of an attack.

What’s behind the China-Taiwan divide? China’s state-run Global Times said Xi blamed recent tensions on “repeated attempts by the Taiwan authorities to look for US support for their independence agenda as well as the intention of some Americans to use Taiwan to contain China”.

The White House said Biden “strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait“.

Despite the strong words on Taiwan, the meeting began with both leaders greeting each other warmly, with Xi saying he was happy to see his “old friend” Biden.
Biden said the two had “always communicated with one another very honestly and candidly,” adding “we never walk away wondering what the other man is thinking”.

What else was discussed? The world’s two most powerful nations do not see eye-to-eye on several issues, and Biden raised US concerns about human rights abuses in Hong Kong and against Uyghurs in Xinjiang. China accuses the US of meddling in its domestic affairs.

On trade, Biden highlighted the “need to protect American workers and industries from the PRC’s unfair trade and economic practices“.

Xi also appeared to have made a strong comment on the issue, with Reuters reporting that he had told Biden that the US needed to stop “abusing the concept of national security to oppress Chinese companies“.

This was the 3^rd time the two leaders have spoken since Biden’s inauguration in Jan. The talks lasted in more than 200 mins, longer than expected.
Xi has not left China in nearly two years, since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chinese govt plans to force Taiwan to negotiate on Beijing terms by 2027

Meanwhile, an earlier US report, claimed Beijing would force the democratic Island to negotiate on their terms by 2027, Taiwan News reported.

The US Department of Defence released a report titled “Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China” that warned the Taiwanese govt to take “extra care” of its territories.

The report points out that a major new milestone for the PLA is 2027 when China plans to achieve the capability to force Taiwan to accept a negotiated surrender and prevent any military interference from the US forces.

Report- once Beijing achieves its modernization drive, it will render the communist regime with more “trustworthy military” options in Taiwan.
The PLA’s goals for 2027 include gaining the ability to blunt US forces in the Indo-Pacific region and “enforce” Taipei to the negotiating table on Beijing’s terms.

Pakistan passed a law that allows Jadhav to appeal against conviction, India said it codifies shortcomings of the previous ordinance

ANI -Pakistan has passed a bill in a joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate, to comply with the judgment of the International Court of Justice, which may enable Kulbhushan Jadhav, an Indian prisoner on death row, to appeal against his conviction.

The MEA-“We have seen reports of Pakistan enacting into law the earlier ordinance that was ostensibly enacted to bring into effect the judgment of the in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case.”

India also said there is nothing new in the law and it codifies the shortcomings of the previous ordinance.
Pakistan has denied unimpeded consular access to Jadhav.
The MEA said Pakistan continues to deny unimpeded and unhindered consular access to Jadhav and “has failed to create an atmosphere in which a fair trial can be conducted”.
Jadhav, 51, a retired naval officer is on death row.
Pakistan claims that Jadhav was arrested from Balochistan in 2016 on charges of espionage and terrorism.
India has rejected Pakistan’s allegations and said he was kidnapped from the Iranian port of Chabahar.
India approached ICJ in 2017 against the death sentence and denial of consular access to Jadhav.

Dawn-Federal Minister for Law and Justice, Dr Farogh Naseem has said that the govt has averted the Indian move to file a contempt petition before the International Court of Justice against Pakistan for non-compliance with the ICJ decision on Indian spy Jadhav while addressing a press conference on Fri.

Pakistan, Taliban violators of religious freedom: US

Dawn- The Trump administration first placed Pakistan on this list in Dec 2018 and retained it in 2020 as well. The Biden administration has retained the old list with 2 changes, adding Russia and removing Sudan from the CPC category.

Countries are listed in this category for allegedly engaging in or tolerating “systematic, ongoing, (and) egregious violations of religious freedom”.

“I am designating Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, the DPRK, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as Countries of Particular Concern for having engaged in or tolerated systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom,” Secretary Blinken said in a statement issued by his office.

Blinken also designated al-Shabab, Boko Haram, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Houthis, ISIS, ISIS-Greater Sahara, ISIS-West Africa, Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin, and the Taliban as Entities of Particular Concern.

Each year the Secretary of State identifies govt and non-state actors, who, he believes, merit designation under the US International Religious Freedom Act.
“We will continue to press all govt to remedy shortcomings in their laws and practices and to promote accountability for those responsible for abuses,” Blinken said.

TLP chief Saad Hussain Rizvi released from jail

Dawn citing TLP spokesperson Mufti Abid confirmed the development and said Rizvi had reached the party’s headquarters, Rehmatul Lil Alameen Mosque, where he was greeted by hundreds of the party’s jubilant workers and supporters.

The mosque will also host a urs to commemorate the death anniversary of the TLP chief’s father and the group’s founder, Khadim Hussain Rizvi, from November 20-21.

Rizvi has been released after the withdrawal of a reference filed in the Supreme Court’s federal review board regarding his detention and the removal of his name from the 4^th Schedule — a list of proscribed individuals who are suspected of terrorism or sectarianism under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997 — last week.

Rizvi’s name was removed from the 4^th Schedule after the Punjab Home Department issued a notification dated Nov 10.
It noted that the govt had removed the TLP from the 1^st Schedule of the Act as a proscribed organization on Nov 7.
Police had arrested Rizvi on April 12 this year ahead of planned protests by the TLP.
The next day, police registered a first information report (FIR) against the TLP chief under sections of the Anti-Terrorist Act (ATA).
Rizvi was detained by the Punjab govt for “maintenance of public order (MPO)”. He was initially detained for 3 months and then again under the ATA on July 10.
His name was placed on the Fourth Schedule on April 16.

TLP protest: Rizvi’s release follows another round of a days-long protest by the TLP and an agreement reached with the govt last month.

The protest launched to exert pressure on Govt for Rizvi’s release and the expulsion of the French ambassador over blasphemous sketches of Prophet Muhammad started on Oct 20 in Lahore and soon turned violent.
Later, the protesters began a march toward Islamabad but were stopped in Wazirabad, where the protest was called off after a ‘deal’ with the govt.

(Sources) – the TLP was assured that the govt would not pursue minor cases against the TLP leadership and workers, but the cases registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act would be decided by courts and it would unfreeze the accounts and assets of the group and take steps to lift the ban on it.

Khadim Hussain Rizvi’s death anniversary: While the younger Rizvi was released from jail, arrangements were underway for a urs at the Rehmatul Lil Alameen Mosque to commemorate his father’s death anniversary.

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