[NATIONAL]

Quad action against ‘illegal fishing’ may also target China’s Indo-Pacific ‘political activities’

At a meeting of Quad leaders in Tokyo Tue, agreed to launch a new maritime initiative to combat illegal fishing in the Indo-Pacific. For this, the leaders jointly committed to the ‘Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness’ (IPMDA). The partnership will use advanced and integrated satellite imagery and technology to combat illegal fishing and “dubious operations” of the Chinese maritime militia, which allegedly acts as an extension of Chinese law enforcement agencies — such as the Chinese coast guard — fulfilling the political objectives of China whilst at sea, though it is said to be operating commercial ships. China is reportedly the source of 80-95% of the illegal fishing in the Indo-Pacific. The Illegal, Unregulated, and Unprotected (IUU) fishing index ranks China as the worst offender vis-à-vis illegal fishing globally. (reported on Mon –more)

India imposes restrictions on sugar exports, and sets a limit of 10 million tonnes

For the first time in 6 years, India seems to have imposed restrictions on sugar exports, limiting 10 million tons from Jun 1 to Oct 31, without Govt order. The move has been taken to keep a check on the prices in the domestic market. The mills of the country have already sold a record volume in the world market. The biggest sugar producer in the world is India. It is also the second biggest exporter after Brazil. (here) Centre allows duty-free import of 20 Lakh MT crude soybean, sunflower oil– The Central Govt on Tue exempted customs duty and agriculture infrastructure development cess on 20 Lakh metric tonnes yearly import of crude soybean and sunflower oil. As per the Fin Ministry notification, the order will come into force from today to Mar 31, 2024. India relies on imports for 60% of its needs. In Feb, the GoI on Mon announced that agri-cess on crude palm oil has been reduced to 5% with effect from Feb 12^th, 2022 from the earlier 7.5%. (here)

New PM would like to accelerate economic ties, Australian Envoy on ties with India

The Australian envoy to India, Barry O’Farrell, has said that under the leadership of new Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Canberra would like to “accelerate the economic partnership” while talking with Wion. He added, “Strong message that despite the change of government within democracies, the commitment can be maintained.” PM Albanese and PM Modi held a bilateral meeting in Tokyo on Tue on the sidelines of the quad summit. This was the first bilateral between the two sides since Albanese’s election victory over the weekend. (here)

Andhra Pradesh: Restrictions imposed after violent protests against renaming Konaseema district after Dr. BR Ambedkar, houses of ministers, and MLA attacked

The Konaseema District Administration on Wed imposed section 144, ceased the movement of public transport, and suspended the internet service after the protesters set ablaze an Andhra Pradesh minister’s house opposing the proposed renaming of the Konaseema district as BR Ambedkar Konaseema district. Not only were the residential properties of the Ministers torched, but the violent protesters also set the police vehicle and an educational institution’s bus on fire. Reportedly, the protest was organized by the Konaseema Sadhana Samiti (KSS) who had demanded the old name of the district be retained. This is after the Andhra Pradesh govt on May 20 announced to rename Konaseema as BR Ambedkar Konaseema district.

Three Pakistani terrorists, J&K cop killed in Baramulla encounter

Srinagar, Three Pakistani terrorists, and a Jammu and Kashmir policeman were killed in an encounter in Baramulla district on Wed, police said. Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition recovered. Further details of the operation are awaited. It’s believed, has more than 60 active Pakistani terrorists underground.

Gujarat: BSF launches search operation after Pakistani fishing boat found abandoned from Creek area near Kutch

The Border Security Force (BSF) on Wed launched a search operation in nearby Creek areas of Gujarat’s Kutch after a Pakistani fishing boat was found abandoned near Harami Nala in the region. “One abandoned Pakistani fishing boat was found near Harami Nala Creek Border (Kutch). BSF launches search operation in nearby Creek areas of Kutch,” ANI quoted BSF PR, Gujarat as saying. Earlier on April 25, the Indian Coast Guard and the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad had apprehended a Pakistani boat with nine crew members on board in the Arabian Sea near the state coast and seized heroin worth Rs 280 crore from the vessel. (here)

China pushing an increasing number of Tibetans to join its Army

In the recruitment program for Tibetans in PLA between Feb 21 to Mar 22, 472 Tibetans have joined the PLA in Lhasa. About 4500 Tibetans were considered, among them 400 women. Some of the recruited youth are also college students with the Chinese govt promising to pay for their education in part. The Chinese have been pressuring locals to join, and the PLA’s approach has been coercive with a few benefits thrown in. Generally speaking, all Tibetans have been asked to provide one family member to the Army. Only those families that have close links with the Dalai Lama or have a history of resisting the Chinese government are not being asked for the same. There are 2 major reasons: First, the Han Chinese recruits who are coming from the plains and coastal areas have had difficulties getting used to the altitude, and also the cold. Secondly, locals will have a better idea of the terrain, the roads, and passes, giving the PLA a better idea when it comes to patrolling near the Line of Actual Control (LAC). (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Germany, Britain and US press China over new ‘shocking’ Xinjiang human rights abuse reports

Top German and British diplomats have called for an investigation into fresh reports of alleged human rights violations in Xinjiang just as UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet begins a trip to the region. In a virtual meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tue, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said there were “shocking reports and new evidence of very serious human rights violations in Xinjiang” and called for a transparent investigation. State Department spokesman says the US will work with allies to seek accountability after the release of thousands of photos and documents from official Chinese databases. Beijing says the material is ‘the newest example of a smear campaign by anti-China forces’. (here) ‘Unprecedented’ material on Uyghur detainment in China in leaked Xinjiang police files – A trove of files obtained by hacking into China’s Xinjiang police computers contain first-ever image material from inside camps that “implicates top leadership” and has camp security instructions that describe heavily armed strike units with battlefield assault rifles, according to a Washington-based researcher. (here) President Xi Jinping met via video link with Bachelet on 25 May in Beijing.

Biden on Taiwan: don’t read too much into defense pledge, analysts say

Beijing and Taipei should not read too much into US President Biden’s latest suggestion that the US would be willing to use force to defend Taiwan against attack from Beijing, according to analysts. The assessment comes after Biden prompted a diplomatic flurry when he was asked in Tokyo on Mon whether the US was willing to get involved militarily to defend the self-ruled island. “Yes, that’s the commitment we made,” he said. “We agree with the one-China policy. We signed on to it. All the attendant agreements [were] made from there”. ‘Military involvement does not mean troops’ on the ground. (here)

BRI’s westward expansion of China looks bleak amid the Russia-Ukraine war

Changes in the geopolitical situation due to the Russian invasion will have an increasing impact on China’s strategic and economic projects as Beijing needs to examine major strategic issues of the westward expansion of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), peripheral security, and strategic competition between China and the US. The progress of Chinese projects in Ukraine valued at USD 6.64 billion is also significantly halted. Chinese think tanks think that China’s economic security in the BRI might also get affected. Transport risks along the BRI route are likely to be increased as well. (here)

Wang Yi: Asian countries should play an active role in regional, world peace

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi Wed called on Asian countries to play an active role in peace, stability, and development in the region and the world at large to address the turbulent international situation. Wang made his remarks during a phone conversation with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi at the latter’s request, reported state media CGTN. (here)

Tensions high as PTI marchers attempt to force through roadblocks, face shelling

With the day of PTI’s Azadi March here, tensions in Punjab rose on Wed after videos of police shelling PTI marchers on the Bati and Bhatti Chowks of Lahore emerged on television and social media as workers attempted to remove the shipping containers in between them and Islamabad. It came after PTI chairman Imran Khan exhorted his supporters yesterday to embark on their march for “true freedom” towards Islamabad, just a day after the govt said it would not allow the march. In response, Imran called on the youth to remove the obstacles themselves. (here) SC directs Islamabad chief commissioner to provide an alternate site to PTI for Azadi March by 2:30 pm. Judge asks whether the country will be shut down for every protest; AGP says permission was denied because of a ‘threat’ to Imran’s life. Pakistan Muslim League’s (Nawaz) leader Maryam Nawaz Sharif claimed that the Punjab Police has recovered a large number of weapons from the PTI leaders.

Saudi Arabia says finalizing extension of $3 billion deposit to Pakistan

Saudi Arabia is finalizing the extension of the kingdom’s $3 billion deposit to Pakistan, Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed al-Jadaan told Reuters. “We are currently finalizing extending the $3bn deposit to Pakistan,” he said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Last year, Saudi Arabia deposited $3bn in the State Bank of Pakistan to help support its foreign reserves. Jadaan did not offer further details, but on May 1 the two countries said in a joint statement that they would discuss the possibility of supporting the deposit by extending its term “or through other options”. (here)

Tedros Ghebreyesus, re-elected as WHO chief: Official

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the first African, non-medico to head the World Health Organization, was re-elected Tue with overwhelming support (155/160-sources) after running unopposed for a second term. The DG had received more than two-thirds of secret-ballot votes cast, as needed to be appointed, but the WHO did not provide a precise breakdown. Tedros has become a familiar face and center at the WHO’s annual assembly taking place in Geneva this week. (here) [Is it merely a coincidence that he was Chief when the Covid outbreak occurred, and didn’t restrict international travel ban till Jan 2020, and at present cases of monkeypox are increasing]

Sri Lanka PM Ranil Wickremesinghe sworn-in as finance minister

Sri Lankan PM Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the country’s finance minister on Wednesday. He will now lead talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a loan program to find a way out of a devastating economic crisis, the president’s office announced. Sri Lanka has been hit by its worst economic crisis since independence in 1948.