[NATIONAL]

India expresses concern over global food insecurity and underlines the need for collective work to alleviate the sufferings of the most affected

Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V Muraleedharan on Wed expressed his concern over global food insecurity while addressing the high-level Ministerial meeting on ‘Global Food Security-Call to Action’ in New York. The ‘Global Food Security-Call to Action’ was chaired by the US Secretary of State in New York. The MoS said that the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing conflict between Russia-Ukraine have impacted the developing countries, with spiraling energy and commodity prices and disruptions in global logistical supply chains. During his speech, MoS pointed out the Global Report on Food Crises and said that according to the 2022 report, 139 million people had suffered across the world from conflict-induced acute food insecurity, up by around 30% reported previously. (here)

India should increase naval capabilities to counter Chinese threat in the Indian Ocean: Expert

China is closing in on India to get greater access to the Indian Ocean from ports in Myanmar, said a keen observer of China-Myanmar relations, who underlined that New Delhi should increase its naval capabilities to counter that. A regional expert, (pseudonym Yan Naing) said the stakes are made even higher by the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC), a portion of the Belt and Road Initiative. The CMEC, the umbrella for a host of infrastructure projects, runs from Yunnan Province to the Indian Ocean port of Kyaukphyu in western Myanmar. Naing pointed out that CMEC will enable China’s navy, PLAN, to encroach on the Bay of Bengal. “It will also allow China’s oil shipments to avoid the Strait of Malacca, which is patrolled by the US Navy’s 7^th Fleet. While the US and India appear to be at odds over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the two have a shared interest in preventing the PLAN from gaining access to the Indian Ocean,” Naing. This concern comes in the backdrop of the US Intelligence, which stated that the PLAN will have 67 new major surface ships and 12 new nuclear-powered submarines by 2030. India will have to decide if gaining US support against China is worth abandoning its relationship with Russia for, he added. (here)

India to ink ‘repeat order’ deal for 73,000 SiG 716 rifles from the US

ThePrint- The defense ministry is in the final stages of approving a repeat order for 73k SiG 716 G2 patrol assault or battlefield rifles from the US to meet the requirements of its frontline troops. (Sources) told that notwithstanding reports of alleged cancellation of the proposed order of SiG 716, the ‘repeat order’ procurement of 73k rifles by the ministry “is at the final stage of approval”. In Feb 2019, 72,400 SiG 716 rifles of 7.62 x 51mm calibre were contracted from SIG Sauer Inc, USA, under the government’s ‘Buy (Global) category’, which refers to the outright purchase of equipment from foreign vendors, over fast track procedure. The reason for the selection of SiG 716is because of a revision in the Indian Army’s operational philosophy in 2016, wherein the 7.62x51mm calibre was chosen over the 5.56 x 45mm calibre, as having the optimum calibre for operations. (here)

We have open communication channels with India, says Taliban’s Abdul Qahar Balkhi

In his first-ever interview with an Indian media organization, Taliban foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi has said that the Taliban have “open communication channels with India’. Balkhi said India can “at least open consular section of the embassy in line with the international practices” in Kabul because “we live in an inter-connected world where world citizens, especially Afghans who have suffered from four-decade war need to address their education, medical, business, and other needs.” On Afghan students keen to go back to India to complete education, the Taliban FM said that they have requested “India to provide them with necessary facilities to help them return to complete their courses.” (here)

Separatist Yasin Malik Pleads Guilty In Case Related To Terrorism

A ‘separatist’ leader from Jammu and Kashmir Yasin Malik pleaded guilty before the NIA court on Tue in a terror funding case. Recently the court had ordered the framing of charges against several separatist leaders including Malik under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and IPC. The court will hear on May 19 the arguments on the quantum of the sentence under which Malik may get a maximum punishment of life imprisonment. Court had also ordered the framing of charges against Kashmiri politician and former MLA, Businessman, Bitta Karate, Aftab Ahmad Shah, Avatar Ahmad Shah, Naeem Khan, Bashir Ahmed Bhat, alias Peer Saifullah and several others under various sections of IPC and UAPA including criminal conspiracy, waging war against the country, unlawful activities, etc. (here)

Baramulla wine shop attack: 4 terrorists and one terror associate of LeT arrested

In India, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested 4 terrorists and 1 terror associate of the LeT outfit in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district. Police claimed these terrorists were involved in the recent attack on a wine shop in Baramulla town. In the wine shop attack, 1 person died while 3 others were injured when a grenade was hurled towards the shop on the evening of May 17. Police claimed to have cracked the case and recovered 5 pistols, 23 grenades, and explosives from them. “This terror module was involved in several terror incidents in Baramulla. Investigation going on,” said Vijay Kumar, IGP Kashmir. Police had earlier released a CCTV clip of the incident.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann met with Union Home Minister

To the media, he said, “I met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed several matters including issues of national security and technology infrastructure to enhance border management services. 10 more companies of Security Forces will be provided by the Centre.” We requested anti-drone technology. He said that we will work together regarding national security. Several other matters including the Basmati crop & Punjab quota issue in Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) were also discussed. [looking at the record of his party, this meeting is only a way to transfer the blame to the center in case of any unpleasant event]

Punjab Police apprehend two men, spying for Pakistan’s ISI, from Kolkata

The Punjab Police on Wed arrested a man from Kolkata and his associate for cross-border espionage on behalf of Pakistan’s ISI. The arrested spies have been identified as Zaffar Riaz, a resident of Kolkata’s Entally, and his associate Mohd Shamshad, a resident of Bihar’s Madhubani. They have been booked under sections under relevant sections. During the preliminary inspection of his mobile phone, those photographs and videos (shared) have been found. Zafar introduced Shamshed to Pak’s spy. Shamshad revealed that he runs a lemonade cart opposite Amritsar railway station. He said that he clicked and shared the photographs of the Air Force station and Cantonment area of Amritsar with Zaffar multiple times who further sent those photographs to Awais. (here)

SC directs Varanasi court not to hear the Gyanvapi mosque case till Friday

The Supreme Court on Thu directed the civil court in Varanasi civil court to not proceed with the case related to the Gyanvapi mosque case till it takes up the case on May 20. A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, Surya Kant, and PS Narasimha adjourned the case before it till Fri at 3 pm. It then asked the trial court in Varanasi to desist from taking up the matter today. Advocate appearing for Hindu petitioners before the trial court sought adjournment for the day on account of the medical condition of the leading counsel. Senior advocate Hazefa Ahmadi, appearing for Anjuman Intezamia Masajid objected to the adjournment saying today trial court is hearing today applications seeking to alter the wall of the Wazukhana of the Gyanvapi mosque. To this, Justice Chandrachud told advocate Jain, “We will keep it tomorrow but don’t proceed before the trial court today since they have apprehension.” (here)

GST Council recommendations not binding on Union, State governments, rules SC

Supreme Court on Thu held the recommendations of the Goods & Services Tax (GST) Council are not binding on the Union or state govt. The apex court held that both the Parliament and State Legislatures may legislate on matters related to Goods & Services Tax. The SC bench held that GST Council recommendations only have persuasive value in the spirit of cooperative federalism. The SC further held that since both the Parliament and State Legislatures have simultaneous powers to legislate on GST matters, making GST Council recommendations binding would impact the cooperative federalism structure of the country. (here)

Rahul Gandhi flies to the UK to address ‘India at 75’ at Cambridge

Amid a deepening crisis in Congress with the party’s working president in Gujarat Hardik Patel quitting the party ahead of the Assembly polls, Rahul Gandhi, former Congress chief, on Thu left for London to address an ‘Ideas for India’. He will also interact with the Indian diaspora on what the present and future hold for the country, said the Congress media. On May 23, Gandhi will address and interact at Cambridge University on “India at 75: The challenges and way ahead for a resilient-modern India“. Notably, this is the first such overseas event for Gandhi after the return of travel normalcy following the COVID-19. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Chinese communist party failed to change Tibetan mind, Dalai Lama tells US govt official 

The Dalai Lama, Tibet’s spiritual leader, told a visiting US official on Thu that China’s efforts to change the “Tibetan mindset” had failed. US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues Uzra Zeya, who is on an India visit, called on the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, the headquarters of the Tibetan govt in exile. The Tibetan spiritual leader stated, “Chinese communists completely failed to change Tibetan minds.”China is thinking and changing rapidly; socialism and Marxism are no longer in place.” The meeting comes even as top US officials have been engaging with the Dalai Lama and his representatives in India. Last year, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Dalai Lama representatives in Delhi. China, which sees the Dalai Lama and his office as “separatist”, hasn’t been very pleased with such meetings. Beijing was miffed with last year’s meeting of the Blinken with the Dalai Lama’s representatives. (here)

Sri Lanka’s fuel, and gas shortages set to ease, central bank governor says,

Reuters-Sri Lanka’s central bank has secured foreign exchange to pay for fuel and cooking gas shipments that will ease crippling shortages, its governor said on Thu, as the prime minister said supplies had been locked in for at least a month. Most of Sri Lanka’s petrol stations have run dry as the island nation battles its most devastating economic crisis. At some pumps in the commercial capital, Colombo, dozens of people stood in lines holding plastic jerry cans, as troops in combat gear patrolled the streets. Traffic was extremely light. (here)

Sri Lanka economic crisis: CID interrogates 4 MPs over attacks on protesters

Officers from Sri Lanka Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have questioned four Members of Parliament (MPs), including two former ministers, over last week’s violence against protesters at two protest sites in Colombo, the country’s largest city, local media has reported. Among those questioned, two are former ministers. According to reports, a CID team arrived at the Parliament Complex on Wed to interrogate–with the Speaker’s permission–and record the statements of Rohitha Abeygunawardena and CB Ratnayake, Sahan Pradeep, and Sanjeewa Edirimanne. More than 100 protesters were injured at Galle Face Green as a result of the mob attack. (here) India asks its nationals, including students, who are staying in Sri Lanka to register themselves at the High Commission website. High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, Milinda Moragoda met with National Security Advisor of India Ajit Doval today. During the discussion, a comprehensive review of the status of the bilateral relationship was carried out and priority areas for future cooperation were deliberated on.

Blinken, Bilawal meet, hold talks on strengthening ties

US secretary of state Antony Blinken on Wed met Pakistan’s foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at the UN headquarters and their talks focussed on regional security as well as strengthening bilateral economic and commercial ties. Bilawal is on a maiden visit to the US at the invitation of Blinken to attend the ministerial meeting on the “Global Food Security Call to Action” to be held at the UN later on Wed. The two leaders also discussed Afghan stability, support for Ukraine, and democratic principles. State Department, in a readout, said that they discussed expanding partnerships in climate, investment, trade, and health as well as people-to-people ties. They underscored the importance of US-Pakistan cooperation on regional peace, counterterrorism, Afghan stability, support for Ukraine, and democratic principles, the readout said. (here) Islamabad looking to Kabul to help check terror, says Bilawal-In an interview with CNN, FM says Pakistan continues to advocate for engagement on the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

Saddar IED blast attacker received instructions from banned group’s head in Iran: CTD official

Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Deputy Inspector Gen Syed Khurram Ali shared on Thu that the alleged mastermind of the improvised explosive device attack in Karachi’s Saddar area earlier this month was trained in Iran and received instructions and money from the head of the outlawed Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army Asghar Shah, who was residing in the neighboring country. On May 12, an IED blast ripped through the busy Saddar area, killing a passerby and injuring several others. Several vehicles were damaged as well. The banned SRA subsequently claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it targeted the Coast Guards’ vehicle. Yesterday, 2 men, identified as Allah Dino, 28, and his accomplice Nawab Ali, 26, were killed in an encounter with counter-terror police. The CTD said in a statement issued on Thu that officials, found 3 men trying to move explosive material and tools on a motorcycle a day earlier within the jurisdiction of the Mochka PS. (here)

A Security alert has been issued to universities, colleges, and large schools across Punjab

Because of security concerns, a threat alert has been issued to universities, colleges, and large schools across Punjab. The Department of Higher Education has directed all colleges and universities to take precautionary security measures. (Daily Express, Nawai Waqt). The administration of Karachi University has declared that the presence of foreign delegations in the Karachi University is a big threat to its safety and it has started to cancel all previously scheduled international programs. The present Registrar of the University Professor Maqsood Ansari has issued a letter declaring that an international conference scheduled for the last week of July is postponed till further announcement. Under present circumstances, the conference cannot be held because the lives of the foreign delegates will be in danger. (Intekhab Daily)

Biden’s upcoming Asia visit to focus on Indo-Pacific

US President Joe Biden is set to travel to Asia this week to reaffirm vital security alliances with S Korea and Japan and participate in the 2^nd in-person Quad Summit to reaffirm commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. US National Security Advisor said in a press briefing that this is his first trip as President to the Indo-Pacific region, which he will use to assert American leadership in this vital region of the world. “President Biden has rallied the free world in defense of Ukraine and in opposition to Russian aggression…… to assert bold and confident American leadership in another vital region of the world: the Indo-Pacific,” said NSA. He will engage with technology and manufacturing leaders in Korea and consult on the challenge posed by N Korea’s nuclear and missile programs. In Japan, US President will meet with PM Fumio Kishida and his team. “And we believe that this summit will demonstrate, both in substance and in vision, that democracies can deliver and that these 4 nations working together will defend and uphold the principles of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” he said. (here) Reuters – U.S intelligence shows there could be an N Korean nuclear test, or missile test, or both, before, during, or after President’s trip to South Korea and Japan starting this week, the NSA, said on Wed. NSA said the US was coordinating closely with S Korea and Japan on the issue and had also discussed N Korea with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi about North Korea in a phone call on Wed. (here)

US, China discuss security issues, Ukraine

The United States and China held a high-level discussion on “regional security issues and non-proliferation” on Wed, in what marks a continuation of the dialogue between the two sides that began in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. According to a White House, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan spoke with his Chinese counterpart, Yang Jiechi – a Chinese Communist Party politburo member and director of the foreign affairs commission. In Rome, during a 7-hour-long conversation, Sullivan had conveyed Washington’s “deep concerns about China’s alignment with Russia”, and warned Yang of “significant consequences” should China choose to support Russia. At the same time, the US has also kept open its channels of communication with China to what it calls “responsibly manage competition” and install guardrails to ensure competition did not descend into conflict. (here) China’s Yang Jiechi warns US security adviser Jake Sullivan about Washington’s Taiwan moves China’s top diplomat, Yang, warned Sullivan on Wed that the US was “on the wrong path” regarding Taiwan and that its moves could lead to “dangerous situations”-Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. “The recent actions taken by the US on Taiwan-related matters have been a huge contrast from their pronouncements. If the US continues to play the Taiwan card and head further on the wrong path, this will certainly lead to dangerous situations,” Yang said. Separately, the US State Department expresses Washington’s support for Taiwan to join the WHO as an observer (here)

UN human rights chief’s China visit confirmed, including Xinjiang

The UN human rights chief will imminently visit China for “6 to 7 days”, with her Geneva office confirming the trip after years of negotiations. Michelle Bachelet’s trip will include a visit to Xinjiang, the far western region where the Chinese government has been accused of widespread persecution of Uygurs and other ethnic Muslims. While a spokeswoman in the office said no exact date had been officially confirmed, Bloomberg earlier reported that it will take place next week. She will not have to undergo quarantine due to ‘special arrangements for high-level visits by foreign dignitaries’. (here)

PLA Navy sends a destroyer and frigate on a first escort mission, targeting pirates off Somalia

Chinese navy destroyer the Suzhou and frigate the Nantong have begun their first escort mission in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia. They are sailing with the 41^st fleet of the People’s Liberation Army Navy that set out from Zhoushan, in east China’s Zhejiang province, on Wed, according to a statement from the social media of the Eastern Theatre Command. The fleet is composed of the Suzhou, an improved version of the Type 052D guided-missile destroyer, the guided-missile frigate the Nantong, and the supply ship Chaohu, with 2 helicopters and dozens of special-operations soldiers on board, the statement said. (here)