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America stands with India against Chinese aggression: US senators

Several US senators slammed China for choosing a soldier involved in the 2020 Galwan clash as a torchbearer for the Beijing Winter Olympics. They asserted that America stands with India against Chinese aggression.

IMF MD terms budget 2022-23 ‘thoughtful’ policy agenda for India

The Union Budget presented by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman is a very “thoughtful” policy agenda for India and puts a great deal of emphasis on innovation in research and development on human capital investment and digitalization, managing director of IMF Kristalina Georgieva has said.

4,984 criminal cases pending against former, sitting legislators before various courts, amicus curiae informs Supreme Court

ANI -The Supreme Court has been told that a total of 4,984 criminal cases against former and sitting Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are pending before various sessions and magistrate courts across the country, an increase of 862 such cases in the last 3 years. “.. as many as 4,984 cases are pending out of which 1,899 cases are more than 5 years old. It may be noted that the total number of cases pending as of Dec 2018 was 4,110 and as of Oct 2020 were 4,859. Even after disposal of 2,775 cases after Dec 4, 2018, the cases against MPs/MLAs have increased from 4,122 to 4,984,” stated the report submitted by amicus curiae and senior advocate Vijay Hansaria, assisting the court in the case.

Omicron: Indian scientists develop self-disinfecting, biodegradable face masks

A team of Indian scientists has developed a self-disinfecting antiviral mask to fight the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, the ministry of science and technology said on Fri. The antiviral mask coated with copper-based nanoparticles exhibits high performance against coronavirus as well as several other viral and bacterial infections, according to the ministry. The mask is biodegradable, highly breathable, and washable. The antiviral mask coated with copper-based nanoparticles exhibits high performance against coronavirus as well as several other viral and bacterial infections.

India deaths surpass 500,000

SCMP- India’s death toll from Covid-19 crossed 500,000 on Fri, a level many health experts say was breached last year but obscured by inaccurate surveys and unaccounted dead in the hinterlands, where millions remain vulnerable to the disease. The country, which has the 4^th-highest tally of deaths globally, recorded 400,000 fatalities by July last year after the devastating outbreak from the Delta variant of the coronavirus, according to official data. Some experts believe the figures were much higher. “Our study published in the journal Science estimates 3 million Covid deaths in India until mid-2021 using three different databases,” Chinmay Tumbe, an assistant professor at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad who co-authored the study, said. Last month, the Indian government dismissed the study as baseless in a notification saying there is a robust system of birth and death reporting.

Controversial JNU Vice-Chancellor, M Jagdeesh is New UGC Chairperson

News18-Jawaharlal Nehru University, Vice-Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar has been appointed as the chairman of the University Grants Commission. Officials gave this information on Fri. Kumar’s tenure in JNU was full of controversies. He is currently taking over as the acting Vice-Chancellor after his term ended last year. Confirming this, a senior education ministry official said, “Jagdesh Kumar has been appointed as the new chairman of the UGC.” On attaining the age of 65, Professor DP Singh’s GC chairman. The post was vacant since December 7 after he resigned from the post. Singh took over as the UGC President in 2018. The post of Vice-Chairman of the Higher Education Regulatory is also vacant.

Modi govt gives a breather to 80 Afghan cadets ‘stuck’ in India — a 1-yr English learning course

Cadets who graduated from military academies in India were earlier given a 6-month visa extension, but since they don’t have permission to work here, they were left with no earnings.

Pakistan’s DG ISPR counters Indian Army chief’s claim

Major Gen Babar Iftikhar, the Director-General of the Pakistan military’s Inter-Services Public Relations, has categorically rejected the Indian Army chief’s claim that the ceasefire along the Line of Control was holding because they negotiated from a “position of strength”, and termed it as “misleading”, Geo News reported. Gen Iftikhar, on Fri from the DG ISPR’s Twitter account, it was agreed only due to Pakistan’s concerns for the safety of the people of Kashmir living on both sides of the LoC. The statement came in response to a comment by India’s top military commander who claimed the credit for maintaining almost a year-long ceasefire along the LOC, the report said.

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The Russians bringing gas power to Beijing Olympics side talks

President Vladimir Putin has brought a small but heavy-hitting team with him on his China visit, with up to 15 deals on the table. Putin is also the first world leader to meet Xi Jinping in person since the start of the pandemic in 2020.

China aspires for strategic influence in the Horn of Africa

China is now trying to gain strategic influence in the Horn of Africa, considered one of the most strategically important regions in the world, located on the main shipping route for the transport of oil from the Persian Gulf to Europe and the United States.

ISIS-K blasts Taliban for supporting China on Uyghur repression

The ISIS-K said the Taliban considers the “eradication of the Uyghur Muslims” as an internal matter of China and the “mass murders committed” by the Russian, Iranian regime and its proxies are also considered as something outside their jurisdiction.

Pakistan still a strategic partner, reaffirms the US

For the first time in years, the United States emphasized its strategic partnership with Pakistan, clarifying that Islamabad does not need to strain its relations with China to maintain ties with Washington.

Pakistan, China ink framework agreement on industrial cooperation under CPEC

Pakistan and China on Fri inked the Framework Agreement on Industrial Cooperation under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor following Prime Minister Imran Khan’s arrival in Beijing the previous day.

Newly formed Baloch National Army provides fresh impetus to Balochistan movement: Report

The amalgamation of two banned Baloch groups – United Baloch Army (UBA) and Balochistan Republican Army (BRA) Baloch National Army (BNA)- has provided fresh impetus to the disgruntled people of Balochistan province in Pakistan, as noted by International Forum for Rights and Security.

Pakistan worries about failure to satisfy EU’s compliance of GSP+ criteria

ANI – Pakistan is worried about the European Union’s Generalized Schemes of Preference Plus GSP+ status review proposed to take place this month in Islamabad. Sergio Restelli, an Italian political advisor, author, and geopolitical expert writing in “Inside Over” said that during the 6^th round of the EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue (Brussels: Dec 7, 2021), the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission (HR/VP) Josep Borrell, expressed concern over the human rights situation in Pakistan. The EU had then observed that Pakistan had failed to make meaningful advances in protecting human rights, particularly concerning the country’s controversial blasphemy laws. While its efforts for progress in compliance are slow and inadequate, it would also need to comply with 27 UN Conventions to the satisfaction of the EU for the retention of GSP+ facility, especially in the absence of political patronage from the UK post the Brexit.

America stands with India against Chinese aggression: US senators

WaPo- The United States asserted that it stands with India against Chinese aggression as several lawmakers slammed China for choosing a PLA soldier, who was part of the military command that attacked Indian soldiers in the Galwan Valley in 2020, as a torchbearer for the Beijing Winter Olympics. This came in the backdrop of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs stating that no Indian diplomate in Beijing will attend the opening or closing ceremonies. Also, India’s national broadcaster DD news refused to broadcast of Olympics.

“When it comes to the India-China border situation, we continue to support direct dialogue and a peaceful resolution of the disputes,” State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters at his daily news conference on Thu.

“We have previously voiced our concerns on Beijing’s pattern of ongoing attempts to intimidate its neighbors. As we always do, we stand with friends. We stand with partners and allies to advance our shared prosperity, security, and values in the Indo-Pacific,” he said.

Commenting on the development, an Indian expert, Brahma Chellaney tweeted “Extract from State Department’s.. The spokesman refers to Russia’s “unprovoked potential aggression” against Ukraine, but on China’s aggression and bigger military buildup against India, he suggests dialogue and peaceful resolution.” He further added that Biden is further pushing Russia toward China, compounding America’s challenges.

SENATORS SLAM CHINA-Earlier in the day, two top American senators slammed China for its decision to field Qi Fabao, the regimental commander of the People’s Liberation Army PLA, who was injured during the June 2020 border skirmish with Indian soldiers in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh, as the torchbearer for the Games Torch Relay.

Senator Marco Rubio, and Senator Jim Risch, a Ranking Member of the powerful US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also said the US will continue to support the sovereignty of India.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi alleged that the Chinese Communist Party attempts to use the glitz and glamour of the Olympics to showcase a façade that distracts global attention from egregious human rights abuses in China.

• The chairman of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations also tweeted in support of India.
• 20 Indian Army personnel laid down their lives in the Galwan clashes that marked the most serious military conflicts between India and China in decades.
• In Feb last year only, China officially acknowledged that 5 Chinese military officers and soldiers were killed in the Galwan.

Beijing is hosting the Olympics amidst a diplomatic boycott by the US, European Union, and several western countries over their allegations of human rights violations in Xinjiang, including the incarceration of over a million Uygur Muslims in camps.

‘NO PLA LOOPHOLES ACT’-Meanwhile, Rubio was on Thu joined by several other senators, including Rick Scott, Josh Hawley, Mike Braun, Ted Cruz, and Bill Hagerty, in introducing the ‘No PLA Loopholes’ Act — a bill to close a loophole in the existing law to limit joint military operations and exercises between the United States and the armed wing of the CCP, the PLA.

Chinese President Xi Jinping to launch Beijing Winter Olympics with Vladimir Putin, Imran Khan

ANI – Chinese Xi Jinping is set to launch the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 in a grand ceremony on Fri along with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Xi will declare the fortnight-long games open in a ceremony at the Bird’s Nest National Stadium here which was built for and launched the summer Olympics in 2008 as well. The 2022 Winter Olympics will take place in Beijing from Feb 4 to 20.

Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympics Committee, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus are among the foreign dignitaries attending the event.

Tibetan Youth Congress stage protest in New Delhi against Beijing Winter Olympics

ANI – Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) on Fri staged a protest at Teen Murti Marg Chowk against Beijing Winter Olympics.

• Slogans were chanted by the TYC against Beijing’s perceived human rights violation in Tibet and other parts of China.
• The TYC also welcomed the US and other democratic countries which decided to diplomatically boycott Beijing’s Winter Olympics.
• Further, the TYC demanded International Olympic Committee to ban the present Beijing Winter Olympics owing to the ongoing human rights violation in China.
• The TYC members carried placards “No Beijing 2022.”
• Further, the TYC reaffirmed their patriotic spirit towards India and the cause of Tibet as a part of their protest. The TYC represents the cause of Tibetans in international forums.

Ahead of spring festival, China battles Omicron variant surge in cities

• State-run Global Times reported that the Omicron variant has spread to more cities after a resurgence in Hangzhou.
• Chinese officials are concerned over the spread of the virus to new areas ahead of the Spring Festival as Hangzhou detected 30 new domestically transmitted Omicron variant cases.
• The Chinese newspaper quoting experts reported that the latest outbreak occurred after migrant workers returned home for the spring festival with several put on “collective quarantine”.

Not a pretty picture for China from India ahead of the opening ceremony of the Olympics. All major newspapers headline India’s diplomatic boycott of the controversial games.

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China aspires for strategic influence in the Horn of Africa

ANI – China is now trying to gain strategic influence in the Horn of Africa, considered one of the most strategically important regions in the world, located on the main shipping route for the transport of oil from the Persian Gulf to Europe and the United States.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently completed his 3-country tour of Africa where he visited Eritrea, Kenya, and Comoros in the tradition of sending its foreign minister to visit Africa as his first trip of each New Year, as noted by Hong Kong Post.

Wang first visited Eritrea, a country that has joined the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Nov last year.

Both the countries discussed the situation in the Horn of Africa and both sides expressed opposition to non-regional forces destabilizing and creating conflicts in the region while undermining regional peace and stability.

China has a long history with Eritrea where the East Asian Power supported the Eritrean Liberation Movement in the 1970s and later sold large quantities of military equipment to Eritrea during the conflict with Ethiopia.

• Further, Eritrean President, Isaias Afewerki, the veteran revolutionary who led the independence movement, had received military training in China.
• Recently, in Oct 2020, Eritrea was one of the 54 countries backing China’s Hong Kong policy at the UN General Assembly, as reported by the Hong Kong Post.
• In Nov 2019, the China Shanghai Corporation which is known as “China SFECO Group”, began building a 134-km road marking a new level of cooperation.
• Being a recent recruit to BRI, China is also expected to roll out some big-ticket projects for the region.
• The visit to Eritrea signaled China’s interest to take a more active role in the Horn of Africa’s security issues.
• Hong Kong Post- Wang Yi, during his visit to Eritrea, spoke out against US sanctions as an intervention in the domestic affairs of the country.

Later, during his visit to Kenya, Wang announced the creation of a special envoy post for the region.

• While he did not mention any details about the appointment, the announcement was made as to the US special envoy to the Horn, Jeffrey Feltman, was visiting Addis Ababa.
• While China who otherwise espouses the policy of non-intervention in the domestic affairs of other countries seems to bend its policy especially in the case of East Africa.
• China had also previously mediated in the Sudan/South Sudan conflict.
• The increasing involvement in security issues matches with the overall prominent presence of China in the region.
• Djibouti is the site of China’s first overseas military base and Ethiopia has been among the top five recipients of Chinese investment on the continent.
• Wang also referred to China’s willingness to develop Eritrea’s coast.
• The increasing security and economic engagements of China in the region reflect the wider strategy of cementing Beijing’s presence in the Indian Ocean region.
• Eritrea might be one of the least developed countries, but has considerable reserves of unexploited natural reserves and 2 great natural harbors, Massawa and Assab.
• Meanwhile, China has deployed soldiers throughout East Africa and has even sent peacekeepers to secure Chinese-staffed oil wells in South Sudan.

Hong Kong Post- It has been speculated that China has already deployed soldiers in Eritrea to protect its existing diaspora in the region.

• The projects on the Eritrean coast would also further consolidate China’s dominance on the shipping routes and shows China’s willingness to present itself as an alternative to the US in the region.

ISIS-K blasts Taliban for supporting China on Uyghur repression

Islamic State’s affiliate in Afghanistan, ISIS-Khorasan, blasted the Taliban for maintaining its close links with China despite the “eradication of the Uyghur Muslims” in Xinjiang. In a propaganda magazine titled ‘Voice of Khurasan’, ISIS-K also shared a picture of members of the Taliban praying alongside the ISI chief while highlighting that numerous training camps and religious schools of the Taliban are based in Pakistan.

• The terrorist organization has objected to the numerous meetings and visits by the Taliban to China, Iran, and Russia, calling them the “biggest enemies of Islam.”
• The group has not endorsed the Taliban’s attempt at international recognition, saying they seek to have “political and international recognition for their own thirsty needs.”
• ISIS-K also questioned the Taliban’s exclusivist policies, saying the “extreme nationalist and tribalism” of the group has nothing to do with the “Islamic System”.

“The issue of extreme nationalism and tribalism, which has nothing to do with the Islamic System is ever-present within the group. Love and hate depending on the tribe rather than being a Muslim,” it said.

• The Taliban regained control of Afghanistan last Aug and promised to form an inclusive govt, as demanded by the international community, which has hardly been fulfilled.
• The Sunni Pashtun group expanded its cabinet in Sept to showcase its non-existent inclusivity as it gave some insignificant portfolios to ethnic minority communities such as Hazaras and Uzbeks.

Newly formed Baloch National Army provides fresh impetus to Balochistan movement: Report

ANI – The amalgamation of two banned Baloch groups — United Baloch Army (UBA) and Balochistan Republican Army (BRA) Baloch National Army (BNA)– has provided fresh impetus to the disgruntled people of Balochistan province in Pakistan, as noted by International Forum for Rights and Security (IFRS).

• The newly formed BNA also marks the coming together of the Marris and Bugtis, two of Balochistan’s largest tribes that historically have not always seen eye to eye.
• The UBA is led by Mehran Marri, the son of late Baloch ideologue Khair Bakhsh Marri, who led the Marris for years.
• The BRA, on the other hand, is led by Brahumdagh Bugti, the son of Akbar Bugti, the Baloch Sardar, and leader of the Bugti tribe who was killed in 2006 in a military operation.

Although both Marri and Bugti tribes populate other militant groups, including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) now led by Khair Bakhsh’s other son, Hyrbyair Marri, the UBA-BRA merger underlines how Baloch militant groups are increasingly converging across tribal lines to form a united front against the Pakistan state.

• Meanwhile, there has been a surge in the previous months experiencing violence in the province of Balochistan and assertion of BNA in the nearby provinces.
• On Jan 20, a blast in Lahore’s New Anarkali Bazaar area left at least two people dead and 26 others injured, police and health officials said.
• Deputy Commissioner of Lahore informed that the location falls under the Safe City project and all the available evidence from the surveillance system is being analyzed.

An initial report presented by the Police chief to Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar mentioned that a “planted device” was used in the blast and that it contained 1.5 kg of explosive material.

• Incidentally, the attack is claimed by a newly formed Baloch separatist group- BNA, as reported by International Forum for Rights and Security.
• Also, on Dec 24, 2021, 2 soldiers were killed when terrorists attacked security forces check post in Balochistan’s Kech district, the military’s media affairs wing said.
• Meanwhile, Balochistan is gifted with abundant minerals, oil, natural gas, gold, and copper.
• Pakistan in many ways is dependent on Balochistan for its natural resources.
• Still, the province has the highest rural poverty and deprivation rate with more than 62% of its rural population living below the poverty line, according to IFRS.
• Also, a large number of people in Balochistan live in poor housing conditions with minimum or no access to clean drinking water, hospital, education, and electricity.
• Baloch has been experiencing various forms of atrocities caused due to illegal state activities, resulting in their struggle against brutality and demand for independence.
• Since the late 1990s, the Federal govt of Pakistan became infamous for its kill-and-dump policy in the province.

IFRS -The common people are often kidnapped and killed by military, police, and paramilitary forces, and the state intelligence wing allegedly also plays a nefarious role in torturing the people of Balochistan.

• Independent journalists, doctors, and civil rights activists are often targeted by authorities.
• Apart from state-sponsored murders, Baloch insurgents, sympathizers, activities are also put behind the bars for an indefinite time.
• Earlier, the Baloch people are rampantly charged with sedition, marked as militants, and killed in encounters.
• Significantly, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), acknowledged these criminalities in its report, titled, “Balochistan Still Neglected.”
• Pakistan’s authorities have been accused of not only killing but also disposing of the bodies of suspected Baloch insurgents.

Earlier, the Baloch insurgents have been very categorical about their lack of trust and apathy towards the Federal government, and, in 2019, speaking at UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Baloch activists, displayed banners outside the venue to draw the world’s attention against Pakistani tyranny.

Pakistan still a strategic partner, reaffirms the US

The US-Pakistan relationship came up for discussion at a State Department briefing on Wed afternoon when a journalist referred to a recent statement by Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi who blamed the BJP govt in India for pushing Pakistan into the Chinese camp.

As reported yesterday, the department’s spokesperson Ned Price, however, refused to get involved in an Indian parliamentary debate, saying: “I will leave it to the Pakistanis and China to speak to their relationship. I certainly would not endorse those remarks.”

• “Why do you think Pakistan is working so closely with China? Do you think they feel abandoned by the US?” the journalist asked again.
• This question, however, received a comprehensive response from the US official.
• State Department’s spokesperson says Islamabad does not need to strain its ties with Beijing
• “We’ve made the point all along that it is not a requirement for any country around the world to choose between the United States and China,” Mr Price said.
• “It is our intention to provide choices to countries when it comes to what the relationship with the United States looks like.”
• The US official explained that partnership with the United States brings a series of advantages that China could not offer.
• “Partnership may be the wrong term. The sorts of relationships that China has sought to have around the world do not (include those) typical advantages” that the US offered, he added.
• “Pakistan is a strategic partner of the US. We have an important relationship with the government in Islamabad, and it’s a relationship that we value across several fronts.”

• Pakistan was a close US ally during the cold war that began in the sixties and remained so till the collapse of the former Soviet Union.
• Pakistan played a key role in the war against the Soviets in Afghanistan and partnered with the United States in the war against terrorism as well.
• The relationship soured when Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was found in Abbottabad and the Obama administration took him out without informing Pakistan.
• Their relationship has remained strained since then, although bilateral consultations, even high-level visits by Pakistani rulers to Washington, have continued.
• In July 2019, Prime Minister Imran Khan made an “official working” visit to Washington where he met the then-president Donald Trump at the White House.
• He had another meeting with Trump in New York during the UN General Assembly in Sept 2019.
• Since then, there has been no face-to-face meeting between the leaders of the 2 countries and the current US President is yet to make a courtesy call to the Pakistani PM
• Despite these tensions, the relationship has continued, minus the fanfare of a summit.

Pakistan extended full support to both the Trump and Biden administrations during their talks with the Taliban and facilitated the evacuation of US personnel from Afghanistan after the Taliban captured Kabul in August last year.

• In recent years, China has emerged as the key factor in US foreign policies as Washington seeks to contain Beijing’s growing influence.
• US policymakers see India as a key player in containing China’s influence and in their efforts to please India, they often ignore Pakistan’s interests, even on issues like Kashmir.
• The United States, however, still recognizes Kashmir as a disputed territory and not as an integral part of India, as New Delhi desires.

Some recent developments — such as India’s decision to abstain from a UN Security Council vote on Ukraine and a missile deal with Russia — apparently have also softened the US attitude towards Pakistan.

Pakistan, China ink framework agreement on industrial cooperation under CPEC

Pakistan and China on Fri inked the Framework Agreement on Industrial Cooperation under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) following Prime Minister Imran Khan’s arrival in Beijing the previous day.

• The prime minister is in China to attend the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics and meet the Chinese leadership.
• State Min and Chairman Board of Investment Mohammad Azfar Ahsan and Chairman National Development & Reform Commission, “He Lifeng signed the accord.”

The objective of the Joint Working Group on Industrial Cooperation is to attract foreign direct investment, promote industrialization and development of economic zones, and initiate, plan, execute, and monitor projects, both in the public as well as the private sector.

The engagement with China under JWG is envisaged to increase labor productivity in Pakistan, enhance industrial competitiveness, increase exports, and sustain diversification in the exports basket.

During the 8^th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting of CPEC held in 2018, both sides had signed an MoU that formed the basis for future engagements between the parties under the ambit of industrial cooperation.

• As CPEC entered its 2^nd phase, which primarily revolves around the development and industrialistion of Special Economic Zones, the need for a comprehensive framework agreement became imperative.
• Similar agreements have also been signed for Early Harvest CPEC Projects on energy and infrastructure.
• With continuous efforts of the Board of Investment, both sides reached the consensus to elevate the existing MoU into a Framework Agreement in 2020.
• After extensive stakeholder consultations and with the approval of the prime minister, BoI shared the draft framework with NDRC in Nov 2020, which has been formulated keeping in consideration the needs of CPEC Phase II.

• The signing ceremony of the framework agreement is a significant outcome of the PM’s visit and a top agenda from the Chinese side as a testimony to their interest in CPEC.

PM holds meetings with Chinese businessmen

• Later in the day, Prime Minister Imran Khan held a series of meetings with officials from China’s leading state-owned and private companies.
• “The corporate leaders briefed the prime minister on the progress of their ongoing projects in Pakistan,” the PMO statement said.
• In his remarks, PM Imran appreciated the keen interest of the Chinese companies to invest in Pakistan.