[NEWS OF THE DAY]

India’s role critical to Middle East-Indo-Pacific ties: US on PM Modi joining I2U2 summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined his Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and US President Joe Biden for the virtual I2U2 Summit. The meeting was held during Biden’s visit to Israel as part of his first tour of West Asia since becoming president. I2U2 is aimed at encouraging joint investments in 6 mutually identified areas — water, energy, transportation, space, health, and food security. “The new I2U2 Summit will bring Israel, the United States, the UAE together, and India as well — to deepen economic cooperation between the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific“, US President Biden comments as he begins his Israel visit. Commenting on India’s participation in multiple inter-government groupings, American National Security Advisor Jacob Sullivan said: “India plays a critical role in the Indo-Pacific. And it’s one of the largest, most significant, most strategically consequential countries in the Indo-Pacific, and so it should play a central role in our strategy, including through the Quad.” (here)

USD 2 billion agricultural park project in India to be announced at I2U2 summit

A USD 2 billion project for agricultural parks in India is likely to be announced at the first I2U2 Leaders’ Summit, which begins on Thu with a focus on food security challenges. The project will be funded partly by the UAE with technical expertise provided by Israel and with support from the US private sector, a senior White House official said. The proposed virtual summit of India, Israel, UAE, and the USA dubbed “I2U2” is being projected as the Quad for West Asia. I2U2 is aimed to encourage joint investments in six mutually identified areas such as water, energy, transportation, space, health, and food security. The I2U2 Grouping was conceptualized during the meeting of the FMs of the 4 countries held on Oct 18 last year. “Each country also has Sherpa-level interactions regularly to discuss the possible areas of cooperation,” the MEA said. (here) Israel PM talks about how I2U2 emerged at a dinner in Washington and during EAM Jaishankar’s Israel visit it was taken forward. Biden says “India is a major food producer in the world” as he points to the 2 projects I2U2 has announced in India. Food security: food parks to be established in India with UAE funding; Clean Energy: Renewable energy project to be established in India’s Gujarat

Dalai Lama reached Jammu for a visit to Jammu, Ladakh

Not Chinese people, but some Chinese hardliners consider me a separatist. Now, more and more Chinese are realizing that Dalai Lama not seeking independence but within China meaningful autonomy and to preserve Tibetan Buddhist culture, said Dalai Lama in Jammu. Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on Thu embarked on a 2-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, marking his first official tour outside his base in Dharamshala since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. This visit is also taking place just 3 days before the 16^th round of Corps Commander-level meetings between India and China, which according to sources is expected to start on Jul 17. During his tour, the Dalai Lama is expected to visit the famous Thiksay monastery in Leh. The trip is likely to irk China as Beijing had recently criticized PM Modi, for extending wishes to the Dalai Lama who recently celebrated his 87^th birthday, stating that India should stop using Tibet-related issues to interfere in China’s internal affairs. The External Affairs Ministry slammed China’s criticism and said that it has been a consistent policy of the govt to treat the Dalai Lama as a guest in India. Beijing has always had an issue with Dalai Lama since he took shelter in India. (here)

Sri Lanka Crisis: Oppn likely to Propose a name for PM on Fri, Ex-Army Chief Sarath Fonseka ‘Ready to Take Presidency’

Sri Lanka Army deployed tanks near Parliament on Thu to prevent protesters from entering the Parliament. Army Chief requests citizens to support the armed forces to maintain law and order –Amid ongoing protests, Sri Lanka’s Chief of Defence Staff Gen Shavendra Silva requested all citizens to give their support to the armed forces to maintain law and order in the crisis-ridden country. Meanwhile, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka has appealed to security forces not to implement unconstitutional and unlawful orders given by the acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The Sri Lankan Army declined instructions of acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe to use force against the protestors after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled to Male to escape public wrath over the present economic crisis in the Island nation. Further, party leaders decided to request Wickremesinghe to resign forthwith and allow the Speaker to take charge of the country, PTA Leader Mano Ganesan said. At the party leaders’ meeting held a short while ago, security forces discussed if force should be used to protect the Parliament, however, this request was turned down by the leaders present. (here)

[NATIONAL]

PM Modi speaks to Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte, discusses bilateral ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wed spoke to his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte, according to an official statement. During the phone call, both the leaders discussed bilateral ties in various fields including Strategic Partnership on Water, cooperation in the key area of agriculture, and potential for bilateral cooperation in high-tech and emerging sectors. Modi and Rutte also exchanged views on India-EU relations and regional and global issues including convergence and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The two countries are jointly commemorating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic ties. This special milestone was celebrated with the state visit of the President of India to the Netherlands from 4-7 Apr. (here)

Described as a terrorist: PAU to remove ‘Bhindranwale content’ after SGPC objects

After Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) took strong objection to a part of the Punjabi University’s MA political science syllabus which mentions Sikh leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale as a terrorist, the university immediately swung into action to make amends for the mistake by deciding to remove the content and launching a probe into it. The syllabus-based book is published by the university’s Distance Education. Hundreds of youths associated with Dal Khalsa, and others, carried pictures of Bhindranwale and Hawara and marched towards the Jalandhar bus stand, where they were stopped by a heavy police contingent. (here) After a protest by Dal Khalsa, PRTC withdraws the poster ban: Conceding to the demand of the protesting Dal Khalsa and other Sikh organizations, the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) has withdrawn its earlier order to remove the pictures of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and Jagtar Singh Hawara from government buses. (here)

Uncovers PFI And SDPI’s Vision To Make India Islamic Nation

Times Now-News, coming in from Bihar where 2 persons were arrested in Patna for ‘anti-India activities’. Cops have also seized an 8-page long document that they shared amongst themselves titled ‘India vision 2047’. This booklet aimed to ‘establish Islamic rule in India by 2047’. The booklet has a lot of content that is divisive and anti-India, which we are sharing with you. “PFI confident that even if 10% of the total Muslim population rally behind it, PFI would subjugate coward majority community and bring back the glory,” reads an excerpt from the booklet, they shared. The two have been identified as Athar Parvez, a former SIMI member who is currently a member of PFI and the Social Democratic Party of India, and Mohammad Jalaluddin, a retired Jharkhand police officer (SDPI) Patna Police said that in the name of martial arts, locals were taught to use swords and knives. He said the accused instigated others toward religious violence and that the police have CCTV footage as well as witness accounts. “Parvez also raised funds in lakhs, the ED is being involved for the same,” he said. (here)

ISIS claims fatal attack on J&K cop in Srinagar, releases footage shot using body camera

The Islamic State (ISIS) terror group has made fresh a fresh attempt to make its presence felt in Jammu and Kashmir and has claimed responsibility for the murder of an assistant sub-inspector of police. The attack took place in Srinagar on Tue evening. As per reports, ISIS released a purported video of the attack to claim responsibility. The video was released by the propaganda arm of the terror group, Amaq, which showed grainy video filmed using a body camera. The terrorists managed to escape due to relaxed security restrictions given the Eid-ul-Azha festival. So far, ISIS and al Qaeda have tried to make inroads in the valley using their local affiliates Wilayat-e-Hind and Ansar Ghazwat ul Hind, respectively. But, due to the sustained efforts of the forces, neither group has managed to gain a foothold in J&K. (here)

CRPF seizes huge cache of arms, ammunition of Naxals from Bihar

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition from Naxals, Gaya in Bihar last week, the force said on Wed. The CRPF’s 205 CoBRA Battalion made the recoveries during various operations conducted in the jungles of Gaya. The seized arms and ammunition includes 1 AK series of rifle, 250 ammo, 65 pressure Improvised Explosive Device (IED), 446 Series IED, 101 Can IED, and 495 detonators. The CRPF last month also seized a huge cache of ammunition from the Lohardaga district in Jharkhand in 3 separate joint search operations. The seized ammunition includes 6 IEDs (2 kg each), 2 bundle wires and 40 pieces of MSeal packets, and 421 rounds of live cartridges. (here)

Out of jail in 2030 — how Abu Salem pushed India to honor its promise to Portugal

The Indian govt is “required” to ensure that gangster Abu Salem’s life sentence is commuted to 25 years, the Supreme Court has held. This means that Salem, convicted for his role in the 1993 Mumbai blasts and a 1995 murder, will likely walk free by Nov 2030. The basis for the SC’s judgment was a 2002 extradition agreement between India and Portugal, where Salem had been trying to hide out. India had assured Portugal that if Salem were extradited, he would not be given the death penalty or imprisoned for more than 25 years. However, in 2015, Salem was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Mumbai court in connection with the 1995 murder case, and again in 2017 by a special court in the 1993 blasts case. Salem petitioned the Supreme Court in 2015 and 2018, contending that the trial court order breached the “solemn sovereign assurance” given to Portugal on Dec 17, 2002, by the then Deputy PM L.K. Advani. This matter was finally decided by the apex court Mon. Given the extradition agreement, the SC directed the central govt to “advise the President of India” to exercise powers under Article 72(1) of the Constitution to commute Salem’s remaining sentence. (here)

Indian rupee set to depreciate further, to breach 80 per US dollar

With the Indian rupee plunging to historic lows against the dollar, analysts have predicted that the local currency is all set to touch the 80-rupee barrier against the US$. For the past 4-5 days, the Indian currency has been facing severe blowbacks as foreign institutional investors have continued to dump Indian equities in search of haven US$, putting further pressure on the local currency. At the start of the year, the rupee-dollar exchange rate was 74. But recession fears, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the resultant spike in oil and gas prices have put tremendous pressure on the rupee. As per Bloomberg, the currency has slumped to a new record low level of 26 times since the Ukraine crisis in Feb. On Thu, the local currency opened trading at a lifetime low of 79.71 (provisional)/ US$ compared to its previous 79.63. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Pakistan opposes the grant of permanent membership of UNSC to India

Pakistan has opposed the awarding of permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to India, whereas, New Delhi also lacks the support of even half of the required number of states at the global forum, citing sources. India’s dream of becoming a permanent member of the UNSC as Pakistan’s stance was accepted by the global forum for the continuation of debate on the criteria of the membership. Pakistan has opposed the awarding of UNSC’s permanent membership to India. Pakistan has insisted on a definite period of UNSC permanent membership and its election after every 2 or 5 years. India needs the support of 129 member states for becoming permanent members. Diplomatic sources said that New Delhi has even failed to get the support of even half of the required number of states. (here) Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari tweeted the quoting news “Pakistan thwarts India’s bid for a permanent seat in UNSC”. [UN’s Intergovernmental negotiations take place in an informal plenary, where no voting or bids or candidature is put up. So the question of Pak thwarting bids never arises.] PKR gains Rs1.6 in interbank as govt secures deal with IMF- Analyst says dollar to see further decline once executive-level agreement reached.

Petrol price to go down today, IMF has no objection, says Miftah Ismail

Finance Minister Muftah Ismail has said that petrol will be made cheaper today (Thu) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has no objection to it. The Pakistani authorities and the IMF finally reached a staff-level agreement over the release of $1.17 billion to support the country’s fragile economy, the international money lender revealed Thu. Talking to the media in Islamabad, Miftah said that the prices of petroleum products will be lowered instead of waiting till July 15 as PM Shehbaz Sharif wants to give immediate relief to the people. He said that the finance ministry has received a summary from the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) recommending a cut in prices and the Fund has no objection to it. (here)

A soldier was martyred in an exchange of fire in which six terrorists were killed

One soldier was martyred in an exchange of fire in which 6 terrorists were killed during a security operation in North Waziristan. According to ISPR, the security forces conducted a successful operation against the terrorists in the Datta Khel district of North Waziristan, 6 terrorists were killed during the operation. Arms and ammunition were also recovered from the terrorists, the killed terrorists were active in operations against the security forces. (Nawai Waqt, Daily Express, Daily Jinnah, Ummat) BLA, in a statement just released to the media, has confirmed that Lt. Col Laeeq Mirza Baig has been “awarded death sentence”. BLA claims Col Laeeq was tracked for days and followed throughout the day on 12 July.

China hopes Australia can take actions to promote trade relations -commerce ministry

Reuters- China hopes Australia can take pragmatic actions to create favorable conditions for the healthy and stable development of bilateral trade relations, China’s commerce ministry said on Thu. China expects Australia to adopt the principle of mutual respect and mutual benefit, ministry spokeswoman Shu Jueting told a news conference. The comment came after Australia’s foreign minister Penny Wong had earlier said the new govt in Canberra was “willing to engage” with China, but added it wanted the trade blockages that China has taken against Australia to be lifted. China has imposed trade sanctions on Australian products ranging from coal to seafood in response to policies and decisions including Australia’s call for an investigation into the origins of COVID-19 and its 5G network ban on Huawei. (here)

Hong Kong banks face higher risks on mainland lending as China’s economy slows, property woes deepen, Moody’s says

Hong Kong banks face higher asset risks in their mainland lending portfolios as China’s economy slows amid continued coronavirus disruptions and financial pressure in the nation’s property sector deepens, according to Moody’s Investors Service. A slowdown will be particularly acute for lenders in Hong Kong, with lending in the mainland accounting for as much as 35% of some banks’ loan portfolios, according to Moody. “China’s economy grew 4.8% in the first quarter, well below the govt’s full-year gross domestic product growth target of 5.5% as the nation continues to pursue a “zero Covid” policy to try to control the Covid-19. Last month, the World Bank cut its full-year forecast for China’s economic growth to 4.3%, from 5.1% in Dec. (here)

Congress’ Pushpa Bhusal and UML’s Bidya Bhattarai to contest for deputy Speaker

CPN-UML lawmaker Bidya Bhattarai and Nepali Congress whip Pushpa Bhusal (Gautam) will be contesting for the deputy Speaker. Voting has been scheduled for Fri. Bhusal is a common candidate of the 5-ruling parties—Congress, CPN (Maoist Centre), CPN (Unified Socialist), Janata Samajbadi Party, and Rashtriya Janamorcha. Maoist Centre’s chief whip Dev Prasad Gurung proposed Bhusal’s nomination while Unified Socialist lawmaker Laxmi Kumari Chaudhari seconded the proposal. While UML’s whip Shanta Chaudhari proposed Bhattarai’s nomination, another UML lawmaker Krishna Bhakta Pokhrel supported the proposal. The ruling alliance holds a majority in the 271-strong House, making Bhusal’s victory comfortable. (here)
Maoist Chair Dahal to travel to Delhi on Friday

CPN (Maoist Centre) chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal is traveling to India on Fri on a political visit. At the invitation of the President of BJP, Jagat Prakash Nadda, the party chairman is traveling to New Delhi on Fri where he is expected to hold some high-level meetings, said Ramesh Malla, an aide to Dahal. Dahal’s visit to the south is taking place 2 days after a high-level Chinese delegation wrapped up its Nepal visit. Liu Jianchao, the head of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the CCP, returned to Beijing on Wed night. The Chinese delegation, while in their stay in Kathmandu, paid courtesy calls on President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. The Chinese team also held talks with Maoist leaders including Dahal and CPN-UML leaders including chair KP Sharma Oli. The Chinese delegation, according to multiple leaders who participated in the meetings, did not explicitly push for unity among the communist forces but wished they should come together. Dahal’s trip to New Delhi is also taking place at a time when Nepal is set to announce general and provincial elections. (here)

US ambassador nominee for Nepal Thompson says he is well prepared to take up an assignment in Kathmandu

Dean R Thompson, the United States ambassador nominee for Nepal, has said he is well prepared to take up his assignment in Kathmandu. In his opening statement before the Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate on Wed, Thompson said: “I feel well prepared to serve in this capacity if confirmed.” Thompson was nominated as the US ambassador to Nepal by President Joe Biden in Mar. (here)