[ NATIONAL ]

We are witnessing trailers of future conflicts: Army Chief

“Our adversary shall continue with their efforts to achieve their strategic aims…sort of conflict by use of grey zone activities in the political, military and economic domains, and do so in a collusive manner,” he said.

On Rahul Gandhi’s ‘China-Pakistan are closer’ remarks, the US says ‘won’t endorse’

Union ministers on Wed hit out at Rahul Gandhi’s remarks that the Modi govt brought China and Pakistan together. The Congress leader made the comments during the debate in the Lok Sabha on the motion of thanks on President Ram Nath Kovind’s address. “I’ll leave it to Pakistanis and PRC to speak to their relationship,” Price further said at a press briefing.

Gandhi’s remarks were slammed by external affairs minister S Jaishankar saying he needs some “some history lessons”. Jaishankar also said that Pakistan illegally handed over the Shaksgam Valley to China in 1963, when a Congress govt was in office.

In a heated meeting, India seeks strict action from Twitter, Facebook on fake news

HT-Indian officials have held heated discussions with Google, Twitter, and Facebook for not proactively removing what they described as fake news on their platforms, sources told Reuters, the govt’s latest altercation with Big Tech.

BSF kills Pak intruder in Punjab’s Ferozepur sector

The Border Security Force (BSF) killed a Pakistani intruder in Punjab’s Ferozepur sector as he did not stop and continued moving ahead in an aggressive manner crossing International Border, the force said on Thu. The intruder was moving ahead of the International Border fencing from the Pakistan side in the area of responsibility of BSF at Border Outpost KS Wala in the Ferozepur sector on Wed evening. The BSF personnel fired upon the intruder as he crossed International Border and entered into Indian territory.

Have always encouraged Gulf countries for ex gratia payments: EAM Jaishankar on monetary aid to NRI kin

External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar in Rajya Sabha, on Thu, said that there is a provision in the Indian Community Welfare Fund for responding to situations like deaths. Jaishankar who was commenting on commented on the monetary aid to the kin of NRIs who died abroad due to Covid-19 and said that the usage of the fund was expanded in 2017. Notably, the 2022 Budget Session began earlier on Jan 31 with President Ram Nath Kovind’s addressing both the Houses of Parliament.

Pro-Khalistan elements in Canada spreading anti-India feelings: MoS for External Affairs

ANI – A small fringe group of pro-Khalistan elements in Canada is spreading anti-India feelings through its extremist statements and activities, said second top diplomate V Muraleedharan on Thu. “Govt of India remains closely engaged with the Govt of Canada to address our concerns relating to anti-India activities by the extremist elements. Both the govts have recognized the fundamental principle of respect for sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of India and Canada as the basis of bilateral relations.”, he said. He further stated that the Indian Govt maintains close contacts with the Indian community in Canada, and its policy is to make continuous efforts to strengthen the bond with the community.

The Quad Foreign Ministers last met virtually in Feb 2021.

The next meeting is expected to be held later this month in Melbourne. We hope to share an update on this soon: MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi

Indian envoys and mission officers to be judged on 3Ts

Keeping up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s target of achieving USD 400 billion in merchandise exports, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) has directed all its missions abroad to evaluate all the officers only on basis of 3Ts. Foreign secretary Harsh Shringla has written to all mission heads that all officers will be judged on parameters of enhancement of trade, procurement of technology, and selling India as a tourism destination. India has already crossed USD 334 billion in mercantile exports, the highest ever on an annualized basis. It is also higher compared to past achievement in any 12 months. The MEA has also decided to bring in changes to the criteria for an assignment abroad with preference given to language speakers and expertise of the respective country. In the future, the chances of an officer getting postings all over the world will be less as priority areas have been identified and experience will be the key to future postings. A classical example is the posting of Pradeep Rawat to China.

J&K, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tripura topped in attacks on journalists in 2021

TheHindu-Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Tripura topped the list of States and Union Territories where journalists and media houses were targeted in 2021, a report by a New Delhi-based rights group said on Wed. At least 6 journalists were killed, 108 were attacked and 13 media houses or newspapers were targeted across the country, according to the India Press Freedom Report 2021 by the Rights and Risks Analysis Group said. “The highest number of journalists or media organizations targeted was in J&K (25), followed by UP (23), MP (16), Tripura (15), Delhi (8), Bihar (6), Assam (5), Haryana and Maharashtra (4 each), Goa and Manipur (3 each), Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal (2 each), and Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Kerala (1 each),” the report stated.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

Putin hails Russia’s ‘stabilizing role’ before meeting with Xi

President Vladimir Putin said Russia and China play an “important stabilizing role” in international politics ahead of a meeting this week with Xi Jinping in Beijing. Putin, who is heading to the Chinese capital to attend the Winter Olympics, said discussion of “relevant international topics” will be a key part of the visit, seemingly a reference to current tensions over Ukraine.  He made the comments in a signed article published by China’s official Xinhua News Agency on Thu.

President wrote, “Our countries play an important stabilizing role in today’s challenging international environment, promoting greater democracy in the system of international relations to make it more equitable and inclusive.”

The Russian leader is the highest-profile guest to attend the Olympics, which has been largely boycotted by political leaders from western democracies led by the U.S. over alleged human rights abuses in China’s western Xinjiang region.

China has politicized Winter Olympics, charge d’affaires in Beijing not to attend the opening, closing ceremonies, says India

Referring to China choosing a PLA commander injured in the Galwan clash for the 2022 Winter Olympics torch relay, India on Thu expressed regret that Beijing has chosen to politicize an event like the Olympics and said its charge d’affaires will not be attending the opening or closing ceremony of the event.

‘Shameful’ that China choose PLA soldier involved in Galwan clash as Olympics torchbearer, says US lawmaker

“It’s shameful that Beijing chose a torchbearer for the Olympics2022 who’s part of the military command that attacked India in 2020 and is implementing genocide against the Uyghurs. The US will continue to support Uyghur freedoms and the sovereignty of India,” said Senator Jim Risch, a Republican who is a Ranking Member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Pakistan-Saudi deal worth USD 20 billion yet to take-off as Imran Khan govt struggles to draw FDI

ANI-Faced with economic stagnation the Imran Khan-led govt which has failed to increase Foreign Direct Investments has been let down by Saudi Arabia too, on whom Islamabad pinned its hopes. A proposed investment agreement worth USD 20 billion with Saudi Arabia signed during the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bid Salman in Islamabad has failed to materialize. Even the construction of US$ 10 bn Saudi Aramco oil refinery, part of the long-term investment, is yet to take off. Khan had in Oct 2021, urged Saudi companies and entrepreneurs to invest in Pakistan. However, they were deterred by inadequate infrastructures and inefficient institutional setup leading to corruption in Pakistan. They were also concerned with delays in departmental approvals & clearances besides the non-availability of local bank financing. Pakistan is trying to push the FDI inflow through a basket of incentives however, despite these, in Jul-Oct quarter FY 2021-22, Pakistan FDI recorded a decline of 12% to US$ 662.5 mn from USD 750 mn during the same period of the previous year. (ANI)

Pakistani billionaire says India-Pakistan back-channel contacts still on

Pakistan’s leading businessman Mian Muhammad Mansha claims that backchannels are working between Pakistan and India that will hopefully yield good results.

PM Imran pays tribute to security forces for fending off terrorist attacks in Panjgur, Naushki

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thu paid tribute to the “brave” security forces for repulsing terrorist attacks in Balochistan the previous night as he acknowledged their “great sacrifices”.

IMF projects Pakistan’s real GDP growth for 2022 at 4pc, approves the waiver request

Pakistan’s economy is set to keep on recovering in the fiscal year 2022, with real GDP growth projected at 4%, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Thu, hours after approving the continuation of an extended loan arrangement. The IMF Executive Board also approved Pakistan’s request for waivers of applicability and nonobservance of performance criteria. The board met in Washington on Wed for further consultations with Pakistan on an extended loan facility (EFF) and completed its sixth EFF review. The completion allows Pakistan to draw about $1 billion from the fund, bringing total budget support under the program to about $3bn, or 106% of Pakistan’s IMF quota.

Sino-India Standoff: Top Army leadership carrying out an operational review of China, Pakistan border situation

ANI – Amid the ongoing military standoff with the Chinese military, the top brass of the Indian Army, led by Army Chief Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane, is carrying out an operational review of the situation along the borders with China and Pakistan on Wed given the recent changes in the leadership in Northern and Eastern Commands.

(officials)- “This would be Lt Gen Manoj Pande’s first meeting as the Vice Chief of Army Staff while Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi is the new Northern Army Commander. Lt Gen RP Kalita also took over as the Eastern Army Commander on Feb 1”.

• India and China have been engaged in a military standoff for almost two years now and efforts are being made to resolve the issue amicably.
• However, the forces are ready for any eventuality and recently the Army Chief had stated clearly that in case of a war, India will emerge victoriously.
• The top Army brass would also look into issues related to the Military Secretary’s branch in the meeting today.

We are witnessing trailers of future conflicts: Army Chief

India is witnessing trailers of future conflicts and its adversaries will continue with efforts to achieve their strategic aims, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane said on Thu delving into national security challenges emanating from China and Pakistan, online seminar.

He said India is facing “unique, substantial and multi-domain” security challenges and that developments on the northern borders have adequately underscored the requirement of ready and capable forces.

• The COAS said that the disputed borders with nuclear-capable neighbors coupled with state-sponsored proxy war were stretching the security apparatus and the resources.
• “It is for us now to visualize the battlefield contours of tomorrow based on these trailers. If you look around, you will realize the reality of today,” he said.

The COAS said the developments on the northern borders have adequately underscored the requirement of ready and capable forces with an optimal component of boots on the ground backed by modern technology to preserve the country’s sovereignty and integrity.

• Our adversary shall continue with their efforts to achieve their strategic aims…sort of conflict by use of grey zone activities in a collusive manner.
• The events of 2020 have been testimony to the diversity of security threats in all domains and this has brought the spotlight towards non-contact and grey zone warfare.
• We need to augment capabilities in both non-contact and contact modes of warfare,”
• In an oblique reference to China, he also said that some nations are challenging the globally accepted norms and the rules-based order.
• This (standoff) has manifested in various forms that included aggression and opportunistic actions to change the “status quo” keeping the threshold below all-out war.
• Gen Naravane said the developments in Afghanistan have again brought to focus the use of proxies and non-state actors to decisive effect.

“These actors thrive on local conditions, innovatively exploit low-cost options to devastating impact and create conditions that limit the full use of sophisticated capabilities which are available to state,” he said.

• The process of integration of three services through theaterisation is already moving ahead under a time-bound.
• Gen said the Army is focusing on restructuring, rebalancing, and reorienting its forces and the process has already been initiated.
• We are further consolidating our operational experiences to these changes and this shall remain a work in progress.

In a heated meeting, India seeks strict action from Twitter, Facebook on fake news

HT-Indian officials have held heated discussions with Google, Twitter, and Facebook for not proactively removing what they described as fake news on their platforms.

The govt had said the channels were promoting “fake news” or “anti-India” content and that the disinformation was being spread by accounts based in neighboring Pakistan, sources told Reuters, the govt’s latest altercation with Big Tech.

The Ministry of I&B officials strongly criticized Google, Facebook, and Twitter and said their inaction on fake news was forcing the Indian govt to order content takedowns, which in turn drew international criticism that authorities were suppressing free expression.

• (sources)- described the conversation as tense and heated, signaling a new low in ties between American tech giants and PM Modi’s administration.
• Tech website Comparitech in Oct said India made 97,631 content removal requests in 2020, the second-highest in the world after Russia, mostly to Facebook and Google.
• However, this report didn’t add that India has the highest population after China, where they can’t operate.
• The government has been tightening tech sector regulations but wants companies to do more on content moderation.
• The meeting was a follow-up to the I&B ministry’s use of “emergency powers” in Dec and Jan to order the blocking of 55 channels on YouTube platform, and some Twitter and Fb accounts.
• The govt had said the channels were promoting “fake news” or “anti-India” content and that the disinformation was being spread by accounts based in neighboring Pakistan.
• Facebook, now known as Meta, Twitter, and ShareChat declined to comment.
• Koo said it complies with local laws and has strong content moderation practices in place.
• Google said in a statement it reviews the government’s requests and “where appropriate, we restrict or remove the content in keeping with local laws.”
• The officials told Google to review its internal guidelines to remove fake content automatically, said the sources.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

13 terrorists killed during clearance operation after attacks in Naushki, Panjgur: ISPR

Security forces killed 13 terrorists in Balochistan’s Panjgur and Naushki areas after successfully repulsing separate attacks last night, the military’s media wing said on Thu. In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that after fending off the attacks, “security forces carried out a clearance operation to hunt down terrorists hiding in the area.”

ISPR – In Naushki, the security forces encountered and killed 5 more terrorists, bringing the number of total killings to 9.

• 4 soldiers, including an officer, embraced martyrdom while repulsing the attack.
• Meanwhile, in Panjgur, 4 terrorists have so far been killed while at least 4-5 are encircled by security forces, the statement said.
• The ISPR said the operation in Panjgur to eliminate fleeing terrorists “is continuing”.
• “As per the initial analysis, intelligence agencies have intercepted communications between terrorists and their handlers in Afghanistan and India,” the statement added.

PM Imran pays tribute to security forces for fending off terrorist attacks in Panjgur, Naushki

Terrorists had attempted to attack security forces’ camps in Balochistan’s Panjgur and Naushki in two separate attacks late on Wed evening, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The attacks had been “successfully repulsed” while dealing heavy damage to the terrorists, although one soldier was martyred in the Panjgur incident, the military’s media wing had reported.

• Last night’s attacks were claimed by the banned Baloch Liberation Army.
• The incidents are the latest in a string of attacks in Balochistan and come a week after 10 soldiers were martyred in a terrorist attack on a security forces’ check-post in the province’s Kech district.
• According to the ISPR, the “fire raid” by terrorists in Kech had occurred on the night of Jan 25-26.
• Two days after the attack, three Levies Force personnel along with a Bugti clan elder were martyred and eight others injured in twin bomb blasts in the Sui area of Dera Bugti.
• On Jan 30, 17 people, including two policemen, were injured in a grenade attack in Dera Allahyar town of Jaffarabad district.

Since Inghimasi attacks have usually caused heavy casualties, the Pakistani Army is likely hiding the real numbers of soldiers it has lost in yesterday’s attack. BLA claims 95 soldiers were killed (45 in Noshki and 50 in Panjgur) while ISPR has so far confirmed the death of only one soldier and that another soldier has suffered injuries.

Backdoor diplomacy with India ongoing may bear fruit: Mian Mansha

Dawn -“If things improve between the two neighbors, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi could visit Pakistan in a month,” the chairman of Nishat Group told a gathering of businessmen at the Lahore Chambers of Commerce and Industry on Wed.

He advised the two countries to resolve their disputes and start a trade to fight poverty in the region.

“If the economy does not improve, the country may face disastrous consequences. Pakistan should improve trade relations with India and take a regional approach to economic development. …. There is no permanent enmity.”

• Trade relations have been suspended since August 2019 when New Delhi revoked the law providing special status or autonomy to occupied Kashmir.
• There have been reports of backchannel talks last summer between the two economies of the region brokered by a Gulf state.
• However, the Pak govt said the talks were discontinued due to Indian repression of the people of held Kashmir.
• He further said that in no other country gas was supplied through pipes and resources wasted on such a large scale.
• Mian Nauman Kabir, the LCCI president, congratulated Mian Mansha on his appointment as chairman of the advisory council of the British Asian Trust in Pakistan.