[ NATIONAL ]

With dragon in the room, India & Australia set to boost economic ties at Modi-Morrison meet

Amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Mon said that the focus must be to ensure that the events of Europe do not occur in the Indo-Pacific region.

Quad countries accepted India’s position on the conflict in Ukraine: Australia

Separately, diplomatic sources said India’s position on the Russian invasion appeared to be driven by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s policy in 1957 that India was not in the business of condemnation and it focusses on creating a space for resolution of conflicts.

Jaishankar discusses with Austrian counterpart on tapping new economic possibilities

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sun held a one-on-one meeting with his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg and had a wide-ranging discussion on identifying new economic possibilities for cooperation besides regional security issues and implications of the Russia-Ukraine war. The two discuss several contemporary issues including the ongoing Ukraine situation, Indo-Pacific and Afghanistan. Earlier, on Fri, India, and Austria held the 6^th round of Consultations virtually and discussed various aspects of bilateral relations including political, economic, commercial ties as well as cultural and academic linkages. Regional and global issues including developments in the Indo-Pacific, neighborhood policy, terrorism, and India-EU Relations, amongst others, were discussed.

It’s an individual vote, not India’s, MEA says after Indian judge at ICJ votes against Russia

Justice Dalveer Bhandari, the Indian judge in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, was among the 13 judges who asked Russia to immediately stop its military offensive in Ukraine Wed. Bhandari was one of the two judges at the world court whose vote is contrary to their respective countries’ stance at the UNGA. Justice Bhandari’s stance is being seen as contrary to India’s neutral stand on the conflict. India had abstained from voting on UN resolutions against Russia. Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, said at a media briefing Thu that “ICJ judges vote in their individual capacities and they vote on the merits of that”.

Israel PM Naftali Bennett to visit India on ‘friend’ Narendra Modi’s invitation

Israel announced Sun that PM Naftali Bennett will pay his first official visit to India on April 2 at the invitation of his counterpart Narendra Modi. The 3-day visit will mark the establishment of 30 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The visit will also take place against the backdrop of the Ukraine crisis in which Bennett reportedly is playing a peacemaker and which has also seen Modi having regular contacts with both President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

India’s dependence on Russian weapons tethers Narendra Modi to Vladimir Putin

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s govt is facing more pressure from fellow members of the Quad — the U.S., Japan, and Australia — to help push Russia toward a cease-fire. After meeting Modi in New Delhi on Sat, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called for more cooperation between democracies while noting Putin’s war has “shaken the global order.” Modi, by contrast, only spoke on economic issues.

Amit Shah says the security grid should be tightened to ensure zero cross-border infiltration in J-K

The Home Minister hailed the officials over the improvement in the security situation in the union territory. He appreciated the reduction in terror incidents from 417 in 2018 to 229 in 2021 and the decrease in the number of security forces personnel killed from 91 in 2018 to 42 in 2021, a Home Ministry release said.

IAF plans to cut downtime of fighter jets?

THE HINDU – The Indian Air Force which is facing a shortage in its fighter squadrons, is hopeful that increasing the low availability rates of Su-30 and other fighters in service will offset some of the shortfalls, it informed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on defense. However, that delivery schedule could be potentially impacted due to the Russian offensive in Ukraine and the Western sanctions on which officials said they are assessing the situation.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

Accidental fire triggers powerful explosions at a military depot in Pakistan’s Sialkot

Pakistan Army’s media wing – the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) – issued a statement, saying “due to short-circuiting, accidental fire broke out in ammunition shed near Sialkot Garrison. No loss of life. The effective and timely response contained damages and fire has been extinguished.”

Imran Khan-led government faces a tough task ahead of Pakistan’s no-confidence vote

In the 342-member National Assembly, the Opposition needs 172 votes to remove Khan. Currently, PTI has 155 members and they also have the support of 23 members from at least 6 other parties.

Boeing 737 passenger jet carrying 133 people crashes into mountains in rural China: Plume of smoke is seen billowing from the wreckage

A Boeing 737 passenger jet carrying 133 people has crashed in rural China – causing an unknown number of casualties. The China Eastern plane smashed into the countryside near Wuzhou city, Guangxi region, and ’caused a mountain fire’, state broadcaster CCTV said. CCTV said a ‘China Eastern Airlines Boeing 737 plane carrying 133 people has crashed in Teng county, Wuzhou, Guangxi, and caused a mountain fire.’ Local media reported China Eastern flight MU5735 had not arrived at its scheduled destination in Guangzhou after it took off from the city of Kunming shortly after 1 pm (5 am GMT) Mon.

Chinese minister draws Ukraine parallel to Indo-Pacific, rejects ‘Bloc politics’

ANI – China’s Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng has drawn a comparison between the ongoing Ukraine crisis and geopolitical theatre of the Indo-Pacific which it calls as Asia-Pacific region. At the 4^th International Forum on Security and Strategy, Yucheng said the Ukraine crisis provides a mirror for us to observe the situation in the Asia-Pacific. Underlining that Asia-Pacific now faces two opposite choices, Le asked, “Should we build an open and inclusive family for win-win cooperation or go for small blocs based on the Cold War mentality and group confrontation?” Since the crisis in Ukraine started, China has worked actively to promote dialogue for peace, voicing its support for peace and doing its best for talks, Le said.

China envoy says Beijing not sending arms to Russia at the moment

China’s ambassador to the US Qin Gang said Sun (Mar 20) his country was not sending weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine, but he did not definitively rule out the possibility Beijing might do so in the future. In a lengthy phone call Fri, US President Joe Biden warned his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping that there would be “consequences” if Beijing provided material support to Moscow as it prosecutes its war against Kyiv. Asked Sun on CBS whether China might send money or weapons to Russia, Qin spoke about the present, saying: “There is disinformation about China providing military assistance to Russia. We reject that.”

India, Japan Discuss Rs 3.2 Lakh Cr Investment Plan, Clean Energy, Ladakh Standoff With China

News18-Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s first visit to India brought with it an investment plan of Rs 3.2 lakh crore in the next 5 years, indicating that the India-Japan partnership will only deepen.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India was committed to providing “all possible support to Japanese firms“.
• Part of Quad, Kishida, and Modi, in their bilateral meeting on Sat, also discussed China’s presence in the South China Sea as well as India’s standoff with China in eastern Ladakh.
• The two leaders agreed that strong India-Japan ties will encourage peace, prosperity, and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
• On the Ukraine situation, Kishida described Moscow’s actions against the eastern European country as a “serious matter that has shaken the basis of international norms“.
• The two sides inked 6 agreements providing for the expansion of bilateral cooperation in a range of areas, besides a separate clean energy partnership.

Japan Investment Plans

• Kishida said his $42-billion investment plan will bring massive benefits for several industries in India, especially to the development of urban infra to green energy.
• The announcement follows the investment promotion partnership of 2014 when both sides had agreed for a Japanese investment of 3.5 trillion yen ($29.3 bn) from 2014-19.
• Following the talks, Japan also announced a sustainable development initiative for the Northeastern region.

Ladakh situation, China’s role- India conveyed that its ties with Beijing cannot be business as usual until peace and tranquility are restored in the high-altitude region.

At a press briefing, Foreign Secretary HV Shringla said that the Indian side informed the Japanese delegation about the situation in eastern Ladakh as well as China’s amassing of troops and earlier attempts of multiple transgressions in the region.

India and China have been holding military talks to resolve the eastern Ladakh standoff. “…the issue of China did come up. We did inform the Japanese side about the situation in Ladakh…also the fact that we were holding talks with China on the border-related issues,” Shringla said.

Discussion on Indo-Pacific-A joint statement said the two PMs emphasized that India and Japan, as two leading powers in the Indo-Pacific region, had a shared interest in the safety and security of the maritime domain, freedom of navigation, and overflight, and peaceful resolution of disputes.

• Japan has maritime disputes with China in the East China Sea while India has been concerned over Beijing’s increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea region.
• The statement said Modi and Kishida emphasized the importance of non-militarisation and self-restraint.

Perspectives on Ukraine situation

• The two leaders discussed the Ukraine situation and expressed the seriousness of the ongoing conflict and resulting humanitarian crisis.
• Kishida has described the Russian invasion of Ukraine as a “very serious” matter, saying it has “shaken” the roots of international order.
• He also told Modi that one-sided efforts to change status quo by force can’t be allowed in any sphere and the Ukraine matter has to be approached with a “strong resolve”.
• A joint statement said that the two called for an immediate cessation of violence in Ukraine.
• And pitched for resolution of the conflict through dialogue besides underscoring the importance of safety and security of nuclear facilities in that country.
• The two sides expressed serious concern over the conflict and assessed its broader implications, particularly to the Indo-Pacific region, and the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

SCMP-Japan’s strong Ukraine response could reshape defense strategy amid China’s moves on Taiwan, Diaoyu Islands

• When Russia pushed into Ukraine in 2014, Japan’s response was seen as lukewarm, but this time it’s in lockstep with the West on unprecedented sanctions and tough rhetoric
• Tokyo’s move comes amid China’s growing ambitions in the region, including Beijing’s desire to ‘reunify’ Taiwan and its claims to disputed islands it calls the Diaoyus

India and Japan signed 6 agreements:

1. Cooperation on cybersecurity;
2. JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) loans worth Rs 20,400 crore for infrastructure, connectivity, biodiversity, healthcare;
3. Amendments to India Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement;
4. Agreement on decentralized wastewater management;
5. India Japan Competitiveness Partnership Roadmap agreement; and
6. A memorandum on sustainable urban development.

Separate clean energy partnership – The two nations agreed to expand the 2007 cooperation under the Japan-India Energy Dialogue to include Electric Vehicles (EV), storage systems including batteries, electric vehicle charging infrastructure (EVCI), development of solar energy including solar PV cells, wind energy, and clean coal technologies.

• An India-Japan Clean Energy Partnership statement was issued, detailing areas of cooperation.
• They also collaborate on green hydrogen and ammonia, LNG, biofuels, and strategic oil reserves.
• Meanwhile, Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor Corporation plans to invest USD 1.26 billion for manufacturing electric vehicles and batteries in India, (a media report).

The Nikkei business daily -The battery plant is proposed to be set up near Suzuki’s automobile manufacturing unit in Gujarat and the total investment is estimated to be around USD 1.26 bn on the new plant, and also in enhancing the production of EVs in India.

‘One team, one project’- Japan has also been supporting infrastructure development in India, including a high-speed rail project.

PM Modi said, “Japan is one of the largest investors in India. India-Japan are working as ‘One team, one project’ on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor,” adding, “today, India presents immense possibilities through ‘Make in India’ for the world.”

Looking ahead at Quad summit- For promoting peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, the PMs affirmed the importance of bilateral and plurilateral partnerships among like-minded countries of the region, including the quadrilateral cooperation among Australia, India, Japan, and the US.

“They welcomed the Quad Leaders’ Summits in Mar and Sept 2021 and renewed their commitment to delivering tangible outcomes on the Quad’s positive and constructive agenda, especially on Covid vaccines, critical and emerging technologies, climate action, infrastructure coordination, cybersecurity, space, and education,” the joint statement said.

It said Modi and Kishida looked forward to advancing Quad cooperation through the next Quad Leaders’ Summit in Japan in the coming months.

Kishida also said, “We’ll hold the next India-Japan talks as soon as possible. We also welcome the agreement of cooperation in cyber security. India’s a very important partner for Japan… I invite PM Narendra Modi for the Quad summit meeting in Tokyo.”

With dragon in the room, India & Australia set to boost economic ties at Modi-Morrison meet

Amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Mon said that the focus must be to ensure that the events of Europe do not occur in the Indo-Pacific region.

• India and Australia are now focused on signing the long-pending trade deal between the two countries.
• It’s aimed at countering China — as is the long-term strategic plan that New Delhi and Canberra already have in place.
• The plans to sign the trade deal will take center stage at a virtual summit-level meeting between PM Modi and his Australian counterpart, held on Mon.

In the first bilateral meeting that took place between Modi and Morrison in June 2020, both sides elevated the relationship to a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ paving the way for enhanced defense and security ties, which was done keeping in mind China’s growing assertiveness in the region.

• This time, the focus of the meeting will be on securing economic and business ties between the two countries.
• Speaking to the media on the eve of the summit, the high commissioner said that India and Australia now plan to sign an interim deal by the end of March.
• However, he refused to divulge any further details about what the deal will comprise.

“We are expecting to secure a Phase I agreement by the end of this month … The text covering much of the agreement is being concluded, and market access offers have been exchanged. We, of course, remain hopeful that an interim agreement will be concluded by the end of this month, keeping in mind the expectations of both sides,” O’Farrell said.

• Australia and India launched negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) in May 2011.
• There were 9 rounds of negotiations before the talks stalled in Sept 2015.
• However, with the Modi govt’s renewed efforts at reviving the congress-era pending trade deals, the talks for an India-Australia CECA were revived in Sept 2021, when both sides decided to sign an interim deal by Dec 2021.
• According to O’Farrell, India will soon begin procurement of critical rare earth minerals such as lithium from Australia, while coal imports will also see some enhancement.
• Australia, which is part of the Regional Comprehensive Partnership Agreement (RCEP) with China and 13 other Asia-Pacific countries, has been hoping to conclude the CECA with India to reduce its dependence on Beijing.
• China remains Australia’s largest trade partner in goods and services.
• However, recent geopolitical tensions between the two have adversely impacted bilateral trade, while Australia and India have grown much closer strategically.

“Our meeting today is set at the very distressing backdrop of the war in Europe which must never happen in our region. … Our focus is very much on what is occurring in the Indo-Pacific and ensuring that those events do not occur here,” Morrison said in his opening remarks at the second India-Australia Virtual Summit.

“Our region is facing much change and I think our Quad leaders in their teleconference recently discussed Russia’s unlawful invasion of Ukraine and also implications and consequences of the terrible event,” he added.

• During the summit, the two are expected to lay the grounds for new initiatives and enhance cooperation in a diverse range of sectors between the two countries.

• The Summit follows the historic first Virtual Summit in June 2020 when the relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
• During the upcoming virtual summit, the leaders will take stock of progress made on various initiatives under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
• The leaders are expected to commit to closer cooperation in trade, critical minerals, migration and mobility, and education, among others.

Foreign Secretary HV Shringla also spoke about PM Modi’s virtual summit with his Australian counterpart where the two leaders discussed the ongoing conflict and humanitarian situation in Ukraine.

• Shringla said both the leaders laid equal emphasis on the fact that international orders stand on the UN Charter on the rule of law and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states.
• He said the two PMs also agreed that they would be increasing cooperation between India’s National Investment and Infrastructure Fund and Australia’s Pension and Sovereign Fund.
• Shringla further said India will offer the same tax benefits for Australia’s Pension and Sovereign Fund here as is given in Australia.

Quad has accepted India’s position on the Ukraine crisis, says Australia

The comments by Australian High Commissioner to India Barry O’Farrell came a day before a virtual summit between Modi and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison during which they are set to discuss the situation in Ukraine. O’Farrell, on Sun, said that the Quad countries have accepted India’s position on the crisis in Ukraine.

Ahead of PM Modi’s virtual summit with his Australian counterpart on Mon, Australia has handed over as many as 29 antiquities to India, which is seen as a boost to New Delhi’s bid to get back the country’s heritage from across the world.

The antiquities range in six broad categories as per themes – Shiva and his disciples, Worshipping Shakti, Lord Vishnu and his forms, Jain traditions, portraits, and decorative objects from different periods, with earlier ones dating to 9-10 century CE.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

Accidental fire triggers powerful explosions at a military depot in Pakistan’s Sialkot

ET- An accidental fire caused by short-circuit triggered a series of powerful explosions at a military depot in Pakistan’s Punjab province on Sun morning, sparking rumors that the key army installation was targeted by terrorists.

• The accidental fire broke out in an ammunition shed near the Sialkot garrison, some 100 km from Lahore.
• Pakistan Army issued a statement, saying “due to short-circuiting, an accidental fire broke out in an ammunition shed near Sialkot Garrison.“
• No further details were shared by the army.
• As per reports, a large fire and explosions rocked the military depot near the cantonment area at 6 am, while the fire brigade and Rescue 11.22 reached and fire reportedly after several hours.
• When asked about damages and any casualty or injuries in the wake of the Sialkot explosions, a Rescue spokesperson told that only the military is authorized to talk on the matter.
• The videos of the explosions and fire were uploaded on social media, making a top trend on Twitter in Pakistan.
• The videos show that a series of blasts were taking place and fire erupting.
• An eyewitness told PTI that explosions were so powerful that nearby residents took it as a terror attack.
• He said it was very confusing as the blasts were happening one after another.

Imran Khan-led government faces a tough task ahead of Pakistan’s no-confidence vote, scheduled on Mar 25^th

The country’s National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser announced to convene the assembly session on that day after around 100 lawmakers from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) submitted the no-confidence motion.

• The Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) govt has come under a lot of pressure for the ongoing economic crisis and major inflation in the country.
• After the opposition submitted the motion, the speaker summoned the session under the power given to him by Articles 54 (3) and 254 of the Constitution of Pakistan.
• PTI- the delay, in this case, is due to the high-profile 48^th summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) starting from Mar 22 at the Parliament House.

In OIC meet, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi of the People’s Republic of China will attend as a Special Guest. However, Nepal also announced the visit of Chinese FM to Nepal from Mar 25^th to 27^th.

• Earlier, the opposition parties threatened to stage a sit-inside the parliament if the session was not called on time regarding the proposed no-confidence motion.
• The announcement resulted in a softening of tone on the oppositions who made it clear that there would be no disruptions in the proceedings of the OIC Conference of FMs.
• According to The Guardian, Imran Khan has also increased his attack on the West ahead of the vote.
• The ruling party issued show-cause notices to all its dissident lawmakers for defection and asked for an explanation regarding their actions within Mar 26.
• It will allow them to try to disqualify the dissidents as members of the NA on grounds of defection.
• Imran Khan is currently heading a coalition govt and once the no-confidence motion is formally accepted, the voting should be completed between 3-7 days.
• On the opposition side, the PPP held its core committee meeting and also held meeting with the leaders from PML-N and JUI-F at a lunch hosted by PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif.

Pakistan Army asks Imran Khan to resign after OIC conference, say reports

Wion-The Pakistan Army’s top brass, Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa has reportedly asked PM Khan to resign after the conference of the OIC scheduled for this month.

Pakistani media reports stated that the decision to oust Imran Khan was taken by Gen Bajwa and 3 other senior Lt Gens in a meeting that took place after Bajwa and the country’s spymaster, Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum, met Imran Khan.

• It was reported that all 4 military leaders decided not to give any escape routes to Imran Khan.
• PTI incidentally, is hoping that its trump card of former COAS Raheel Sharif’s meeting Bajwa at the behest of Imran Khan will save the govt, which is failed as per the report.

Amid the looming no-confidence motion against his govt, Khan met Gen Bajwa on Fri.

The meeting is being speculated to have revolved around the recent political developments in the country, with the local media reporting that the agenda could have included the upcoming OIC summit in Pakistan, the ongoing unrest in Balochistan, and the no-confidence motion against the Imran Khan govt.

• Pakistan’s Capital TV – The majority of PTI leaders are waiting for the outcome of this meeting amidst the fragile political situation in the country.
• The meeting is also being seen as an attempt by Imran Khan to get back in the good books of the Pakistani establishment, which is the Pakistani Army, to save his govt.

PM Imran praises India for having an ‘independent’ foreign policy??

• PM Khan on Sun lauded India for following an “independent foreign policy”, saying it imported crude oil from Russia despite American sanctions.
• Khan, a fierce critic of the ruling NDA govt led by PM Narendra Modi, spoke highly of the Indian foreign policy.

In his address to a public rally in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, he told his supporters that he would like to praise the neighboring country India as it was having an “independent foreign policy”.

Reacting to PM Khan’s statement, Foreign Secy said “To say that one person (praised our foreign policy) would be wrong. We’ve received praise across the world for many of our foreign policy initiatives at the level of the PM. I think our record speaks for itself”

1. https://www.news18.com/news/world/modi-kishida-discuss-rs-3-2-lakh-cr-investment-plan-clean-energy-ukraine-highlights-from-india-japan-summit-4890347.html