[ NATIONAL ]

Ukraine Crisis: Amid Lavrov’s visit, huge diplomatic traffic in New Delhi

• Russian FM Lavrov was called on by PM Modi, after bilateral talks with S Jaishankar in Delhi. After the talk, Lavrov categorically stated that US pressure will not affect the partnership between India and Russia. India can mediate between Moscow and Kiyv
• Dy NSA (Economics) US said that there would have ‘consequences’ if energy import by New Delhi accelerates, adding that Russia will not support India if China transgresses.
• While the US State Department stated that the US not seeking to change India-Russia ties, it can’t put any red lines.
• The similar, voice also echoed UK foreign Secy, in soften words.
• However, Jaishankar lashes the west’s duplicity; he called a “campaign” against India for buying Russian oil at discounts in the past few weeks.

Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba arrives in India for a 3-day visit

Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba accompanied by a high-level delegation arrived in New Delhi here on Fri for his 3-day visit to the country. The visit of PM Deuba is his first one since assuming office in July last year. Deuba will meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today. While on the 2^nd day he will meet PM Narendra Modi, besides other engagements. Besides official engagements in New Delhi, PM Deuba will visit Varanasi. The MEA stated that India and Nepal enjoy age-old special ties of friendship and cooperation. The last Head of State-level visit from Nepal was in May 2019, when then PM K P Oli visited India for the swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi. Before that PM Modi had visited Nepal in Aug 2018 for the 4^th BIMSTEC in Kathmandu, which was preceded by a State Visit to Nepal in May 2018. PM Modi had extended a congratulatory message to PM Deuba soon after he won the Vote of Confidence.

India continues to bar Canadians from getting e-visas,10-year tourist visas

While easing travel restrictions, India will continue to maintain some procedures for Canadian citizens as a measure of “reciprocity” related to hurdles before Indians seek to go to Canada. While electronic travel authorization or e-visas are being issued to citizens of 156 countries, Canada has been excluded from this facility. Canadians will also not have access to longer-term 10-year tourist visas, even though those are available to travelers from countries like the US. A senior Indian official said the e-visa is not being revived, as a reciprocal measure as there are “long delays in issuing visas to Indian nationals”, some taking as long as 9 months, along with a large number of rejections. The status quo concerning be e-visas may remain in place “until this is resolved”, the official said.

72^nd anniversary of China-India ties: Chinese envoy calls for ‘long term perspective, win-win mentality’

Chinese ambassador to India, Sun Weidong on the occasion of the 72^nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and India called for keeping bilateral relations between the two countries on the “right course”. The envoy said both the countries should stick to a “long-term perspective, win-win mentality, and a cooperative posture.” Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was in New Delhi with the key objective of restarting physical engagement between the two countries.

Centre reduces AFSPA from Nagaland, Assam, Manipur

In a major step taken after decades, the Centre on Friday reduced disturbed areas under Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the states of Nagaland, Assam, and Manipur; and kept it effective in a few districts and areas falling within the jurisdiction of some police stations in these states for next 6 months. In a gazette notification, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced that the AFSPA will be effective in nine districts of Nagaland including Dimapur, Nuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren, and Zunheboto; and the areas falling within the jurisdiction of 15 police stations comprising Khuzama, Kohima North, Kohima South, Zubza and Kezocha police stations in Kohima District; Mangkolemba, Mokokchung-I, Longtho, Tuli, Longchem and Anaki ‘C’ police stations in Mokokchung District; Yanglok police station in Longleng District; and Bhandari, Champang, Ralan and Sungro police stations in Wokha District.

GST collection soars to an all-time high of Rs 1.42 lakh crore in March

The gross revenue collection from Goods and Services Tax (GST) soared to an all-time high of Rs 1,42,095 crore in Mar 2022 surpassing the earlier record of Rs 1,40,986 crore reached in Jan 2022, the Union Fin Ministry said on Fri. The gross GST revenue collected in Mar 2022 is Rs 1,42,095 crore of which Central GST is Rs 25,830 crore, State GST is Rs 32,378 crore, Integrated GST is Rs 74,470 crore (including Rs 39,131 crore collected on import of goods) and cess is Rs 9,417 crore (including Rs 981 crore collected on import of goods), the Ministry said.

Centre hopes to hold J&K polls by year-end

With the Delimitation Commission on the verge of completing its exercise in Jammu & Kashmir, the Centre is hoping assembly polls shall be conducted in the Union Territory along with Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh by the end of this year. Assembly polls in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh will be due before Jan next year as the term of the Gujarat assembly is expiring on Feb 18, 2023.

One unidentified terrorist was killed in an encounter between the terrorists and the security forces that started in the Turkwangam area of J&K’s Shopian district, said the police on Fri. “One terrorist killed. The operation is in progress. Further details shall follow,” tweeted J&K police. Pulwama Police along with 55 RR and 182/183 bn CRPF have arrested 3 terrorist associates of terror outfit JeM. They were providing logistical support to terrorists in the district. One AK rifle, three magazines, and 69 AK rounds were recovered from them.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

As Imran Khan’s options fade, Pak summons US envoy over ‘threatening letter’

Pakistan summoned a senior US diplomat here and lodged a strong protest over America’s alleged “interference” in its internal affairs, according to media reports on Fri. The US State Department on Thu firmly rejected embattled Prime Minister Khan’s remarks over Washington’s role in an alleged “foreign conspiracy” to oust him from power. Dunya News quoted sources as saying that the US diplomat was summoned by the Foreign Office over a “threatening letter” that warned of dire consequences if the Opposition’s no-confidence motion against Khan failed.

Sri Lanka president blames ‘extremist’ group for violence amid economic crisis

Sri Lankan President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s office blamed an unidentified ‘extremist’ group for creating the violent situation during the protest near the Jubilee Post in Nugegoda, Colombo, the Colombo Page reported citing President’s media division’s press release. The statement further revealed the police has arrested several people who were involved in the protest and many of them were identified as organized extremists. It further added that they have spearheaded the protest calling for an Arab Spring in Sri Lanka. Protesters in Sri Lanka clashed with the police outside the residence of President Rajapaksa in Mirihana. Curfew in Sri Lankan capital Colombo – Clashes after protesters try to storm president’s residence. Sri Lanka declared an economic emergency in Sept; after a steep fall in currency value.

China’s Shanghai begins the second phase of massive COVID-19 screening amid the largest lockdown in 2 years

Amid the largest lockdown in 2 years, the Chinese city of Shanghai on Fri launched the 2^nd phase of a massive COVID-19 PCR screening, local media reported citing local authorities. With a population of nearly 25 million people, Shanghai detected 358 local COVID-19 cases, and another 4,144 asymptomatic infections over the past day, Sputnik News Agency reported. The first lockdown phase lasted from 5 am (local time) Mar 28 to Apr 1^st in the areas located east and south of the Huangpu River. The 2^nd phase came into effect at 3 am today (Fri) to Apr 5^th in areas west of the Huangpu River. The operation of public and private traffic is shut down, and the bridges over the river are also closed for the lockdown period.

China seeking to impose its narrative on UN, NGOs to rewrite Taiwan references: Study

Beijing is seeking to impose its narrative on UN bodies and NGOs that Taiwan is part of Communist-ruled China, according to the US think tank. Last week, a 50-page study published by the German Marshall Fund of the US warned that Beijing is using its influence at the UN to compel NGOs to rewrite references to Taiwan and revise historical documents, or risk losing access, Nikkie Asia reported. Last Dec, China objected to the participation in the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material of 5 NGOs, including the U.S. think tank, the Stimson Center, which was asked to change references to Taiwan or risk having their attendance blocked.

European Union leaders likely to warn China on support to Russia

European Union leaders plan to tell President Xi Jinping in a summit that China will hurt its global stature if it hands Russia an economic or military lifeline, a pointed message that will test Beijing’s commitment to keeping the war from damaging its ties with Brussels. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said China had a “special responsibility” to demand that Russia respect international law and defend Ukraine’s sovereignty. Europe is trying to strike a difficult balance: giving China a stern warning over Ukraine, human rights, and trade issues, while still trying to maintain the EU’s objective of re-engaging with the Asian giant. Beijing, for its part, has sought to keep the conflict from pushing the two sides further into opposing blocs, sparing European officials the criticism it levels at their American counterparts and urging them to assert their strategic autonomy from Washington.

China will recognize Taliban regime ‘when conditions are ripe’: Report

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has reportedly indicated China’s willingness to recognize the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. South China Morning Post has reported that Wang said China would recognize the regime ‘when conditions are ripe’. The Chinese foreign minister was talking at the end of a two-day meeting organized to discuss Afghanistan affairs, said the report. The meeting was organized in China’s Anhui province and was attended by officials from the US, Russia, and ‘several countries neighboring Afghanistan’.

Ukraine Crisis: huge diplomatic traffic in New Delhi Amid Lavrov’s visit

Praising India’s stance on Ukraine, Russia’s Lavrov calls for a ‘balanced world order’

• Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Fri.
• Lavrov, who is on a 2-day official visit to India arrived here on Thu.
• Lavrov’s visit comes soon after China’s foreign minister Wang Yi visits India last week and ahead of the 2+2 dialogue set to be held between India and the US on April 11.
• The Russian Foreign Minister reached New Delhi after his two-day visit to China.
• On Wed, in China, Lavrov held talks with Wang and both sides pledged to strengthen bilateral ties.

Lavrov informed the Chinese side of the Russia-Ukraine talks, saying Russia is committed to easing the tensions, continuing peace talks with Ukraine, and maintaining communication with the international community.

• Russian Foreign Minister participated in two multinational meetings on Afghanistan along with representatives from Pakistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
• Lavrov also held meetings with representatives from China and Pakistan and attended a separate meeting of the “Extended Troika” with special Afghan envoys from China and the US.
• Russian leaders and elites are facing Western sanctions, including an asset freeze and travel ban, over the country’s invasion of Ukraine last month.
• The US in coordination with the EU and the G7 has imposed sanctions on the Russian President and over 400 Russian elites considered close to Kremlin.
• Over 325 members of the Duma have also been targeted with sanctions.

Concluded talks with Russian FM Lavrov, discussed bilateral cooperation and developments in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Iran, Indo-Pacific, ASEAN, and the Indian sub-continent, Jaishankar twitted after meet.

• Jaishankar to Russian FM: India is always been in favor of resolving differences and disputes thru dialogue and diplomacy

• Noting that our Bilateral relations continue to grow in many areas, and we have diversified our cooperation.
• Our meeting takes place in a difficult international environment.

Lavrov on asking how they can support in terms of security challenges, “Talks are characterized by relations, which we developed with India for many decades. Relations are strategic partnerships…This was the basis on which we’ve been promoting our cooperation in all areas”.

• I believe that Indian foreign policies are characterized by independence and the concentration on real national legitimate interests.
• He on rupee ruble payment system: Many years ago we started more and more use of national currencies…A way would be out to bypass unilateral sanctions.. a solution will be found.
• India is an important country….If India is with its position of the just and rational approach to international problems, it can support such a process: he said on the possibility of India becoming a mediator between Moscow-Kyiv

Daleep Singh warns India of ‘consequences’.

TheHindu-There will be “consequences” for any country, including India, that conduct local currency transactions through Russia’s central bank or constructs a payment mechanism that subverts or circumvents the US’ sanctions against Russia, US Dy National Security Adviser for International Economics Daleep Singh said in New Delhi on Thu, hours before Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov landed.

Mr. Lavrov is due to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Fri and is expected to brief them on the war in Ukraine, peace talks, keeping defense supplies running, and alternate payment mechanisms in the face of Western sanctions.

In a first for the U.S. administration, Mr. Singh also publicly stated that India must not expect that Russia, as a “junior partner” of China, would assist India if there were more incursions along the Line of Actual Control.

“I come here in a spirit of friendship to explain the importance of joining us, to express a shared resolve, and to advance shared interests. And yes, there are consequences,” Singh told pressers between his official meetings.

Bank of Russia, RBI officials meeting

This week, officials of the Bank of Russia, the country’s central bank, met Reserve Bank of India officials to discuss alternative payment mechanisms and routing through banks that are immune to international sanctions, and Jaishankar stated in House that a special inter-ministerial group led by the Finance Ministry had been tasked with resolving the payment issues for import and export with Russia caused by the sanctions.

When asked how India’s ties with Russia could affect its partnership with the U.S. in the Quad, Mr. Singh said there was a “shared recognition in the Quad that China is a strategic threat to a free open, and secure Indo-Pacific.”

“Russia is going to be the junior partner in this relationship with China. …if China once again breached the Line of Actual Control, that Russia will come running to India’s defense.” He observed.

Singh declined to comment on the “consequences” and said if the exchange takes place in a “rupee-rouble” then it will eligible for the new sanctions as well as previous sanctions under the CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act).

He would rather keep those discussions with the government “private”, he added.

European official visits-

TheHndu-While Singh’s message was put more plainly, his words mirror comments by European Union and German officials in Delhi this week, who said that India must not take “economic advantage” of western sanctions, nor seek to dilute them during the war. U.K. Foreign Minister Liz Truss also arrived in India with a similar message on Thu.

Singh said the US “stands ready” to help India diversify its energy and defense hardware requirements if it chose to reduce its “dependence” on Russia, nor did India’s intake of Russian oil at present violate the U.S.’s sanctions.

“What we would not like to see is a rapid acceleration of India’s imports from Russia as it relates to energy or any other any other exports that are currently being prohibited by us,” he noted.

According to news agency Reuters, Indian oil refiners have bought more than 13 million barrels of Russian oil since the Ukraine war began on Feb 24, a steep rise from last year, when India bought 16 million barrels of Russian oil in all of 2021.

The US not seeking to change India-Russia ties, says Ned Price on Lavrov’s visit to New Delhi

As Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is on a two-day official visit to India, the US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price on Thu (local time) said that every country has its relationship with Moscow and Washington is not seeking any change in that.

• Price said amid Lavrov’s visit, “What we are seeking to do .. is to do all we can to see to it…calling for an end to the violence using the leverage that countries including India, have to those ends.”
• While answering India working out any rupee-rouble conversion for trade, Price said, “I would refer to our Indian partners when it comes to any such rupee-ruble conversion that may have been discussed.”
• Price further said, “When it comes to the Quad, one of the core principles of the Quad is the idea of a free and open Indo Pacific.., but these are principles. These are ideals that transcend any geographic region.”

The US encourages India to participate in the country’s strategic petroleum reserve

The US has been in touch with several countries including India on the release of strategic reserves as President Joe Biden announced to release of 1 million barrels of oil per day from the nation’s strategic petroleum reserve for the next 6 months as part of his efforts to keep the oil prices under control which have been spiraling in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, said Brian Deese, White House Director of the NEC said on US Conversations with India on Russian oil.

Jaishankar sees a ‘campaign’ against India for buying Russian oil

External Affairs Minister says the European countries remain the biggest buyers of oil and gas from Russia

Criticizing what he called a “campaign” against India for buying Russian oil at discounts in the past few weeks, Jaishankar on Thu said the European countries remained the biggest buyers of oil and gas from Russia despite announcements that they would cut down.

Speaking at an event organized by the Ministry of External Affairs’ think tank, Indian Council for World Affairs, where he discussed with visiting U.K. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, Jaishankar said it was “natural for countries to go out in the market and look for good deals” when oil prices go up, as they had in the past month since Russia’s war in Ukraine and the U.S., U.K., and EU sanctions were placed on Russia.

• Ms. Truss responded that it would take European countries some time to end their dependence on “cheap” Russian energy, but that Europe had already made drastic cuts to its energy import plans from Moscow.
• Britain respects India’s decision to buy discounted oil from Russia, Truss said on Thu, even as she pursued more sanctions against Moscow.

Decoding the Indian-American story with Ro Khanna

Ro Khanna, the elected representative from California’s 17^th district in the House of Representatives argued that the US was not asking India to cut off all its oil imports or defense ties, but censure Vladimir Putin, and this should be an ‘easy call’ for India since it had never entertained territorial expansionist ambitions itself.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

China seeking to impose its narrative on UN, NGOs to rewrite Taiwan references: Study

Beijing is seeking to impose its narrative on United Nations bodies and non-governmental organizations that Taiwan is part of Communist-ruled China, according to the US think tank.

Nikkie Asia -Last week, a study published by the German Marshall Fund of the US warned that Beijing is using its influence at the UN to compel NGOs to rewrite references to Taiwan and revise historical documents or risk losing access.

• China claims full sovereignty over Taiwan although the two sides have been governed separately for more than 7 decades.
• The resolution, the report pointed out, does not include the words “Republic of China” or “Taiwan.”
• Nor does it present an institutional position on the status of Taiwan, even though the PRC claims it does, and it just states that the PRC will represent “China” at the UN.
• The report said that Beijing has moved to twist the original text of Resolution 2758 in ways that construe it as equivalent to its “One China” principle.

That position states that “there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is a part of China and the govt of the PRC is the sole legal govt representing the whole of China.”

“China’s distortion of Resolution 2758 has made it exceedingly difficult for Taiwan to participate in UN-affiliated agencies in any way,” commented the director of the Asia Program at the Marshall Fund and the report’s co-author.

• Citizens from Taiwan cannot even visit UN buildings unless they have a travel permit issued by China,” said Glaser, a renowned Taiwan expert.
• “If democracies stood firmly against these PRC efforts, they would have a great deal of leverage.”
• Commemorating the 50^th anniversary of the vote, Chinese President Xi Jinping last Oct hailed the resolution as a “victory of the Chinese people.”

The study claimed that PRC officials pushed authorities to suspend Wikimedia Foundation’s application for observership to the World IP Organization because content on Wikipedia, which was hosted by the foundation, was at odds with Beijing’s Taiwan position.

Last Dec, China objected to the participation in the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material of 5 NGOs, including the U.S. think tank, the Stimson Center, which was asked to change references to Taiwan or risk having their attendance blocked.

Such moves hamper coordination on transnational issues that pose threats to the safety and well-being of the global community, according to the study.

Sri Lankan President blames unidentified ‘extremist’ group for violent protest in Colombo

Sri Lankan President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s office blamed an unidentified ‘extremist’ group for creating the violent situation during the protest near the Jubilee Post in Nugegoda, Colombo, the Colombo Page reported citing President’s media division’s press release.

The mob armed with iron clubs, sickles and clubs marched towards the Sri Lankan President’s residence at Mirihana Pangiriwatta, to provoke the protesters and create a riot-like situation in the city, according to the statement.

• The statement further revealed that the police has arrested several people who were involved in the protest and many of them were identified as organized extremists.
• It further added that they have spearheaded the protest calling for an Arab Spring in Sri Lanka.
• The detainees revealed that the riots were carried out using social media to provoke the people and destabilize the country, the statement added.
• The protest was staged on Thu over the govt’s failure to address the existing issues in the island nation.
• The protesters clashed with the police outside the residence of President Rajapaksa in Mirihana.
• A bus attached to the Sri Lanka Army and a jeep were set on fire by protesters.
• Moreover, police have imposed a curfew in several areas in Colombo.
• After the protest, at least 10 people were injured including journalists.
• Sri Lanka’s economy has been in a free fall since the COVID-19 pandemic due to the crash of the tourism sector.
• Sri Lanka is presently facing a foreign exchange shortage which has led to a food, fuel, power, and gas shortage, and has sought the assistance of friendly countries for economic assistance.
• Sri Lanka is witnessing at least 10-hour daily power cuts. Sri Lanka’s currency has been also devalued by almost SLR 90 against the US dollar since March 8.