[NEWS OF THE DAY]

Jaishankar says the conversation with Russian FM Lavrov on the sidelines of SCO useful

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Fri held a conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Jaishnkar said he had a useful talk on the sidelines with Lavrov. Jaishankar visited Tashkent on Jul 28-29 to take part in the meeting of the SCO meeting. Apart from India, the Foreign Ministers of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan also participated. “The meeting discussed the preparations for the forthcoming SCO Summit of Heads of State scheduled to be held in Samarkand on Sept 15-16 and witnessed a dialogue on international and regional issues,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. Jaishankar also held bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the SCO foreign ministers with counterparts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan and with the Secy Gen of the SCO. (here) [As speculated in Indian media, no meeting was reported with the Chinese counterpart]

Parliament passes bill to ban funding of WMDs

Parliament on Mon passed a bill, which seeks to ban funding of weapons of mass destruction and also empower the Centre to freeze, seize or attach financial assets and economic resources of people engaged in such activities. The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill, 2022, piloted by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, was passed with a voice vote even as opposition parties continued their protest on various issues, including against the arrest of Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut. The bill was approved by the Lok Sabha in Apr. The Act, passed in 2005, only banned the manufacture of weapons of mass destruction. The Bill seeks to insert a new Section 12A in the existing law which states that “no person shall finance any activity which is prohibited under this Act, or under the UN (Security Council) Act, 1947 or any other relevant Act for the time being in force, or by an order issued under any such Act, concerning weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems.” (here)

Tibetans being forcibly moved to Indian border by Chinese officials to increase influence: Report

To end their traditional way of life and strengthen their grip over border regions, particularly India, the Chinese govt has declared plans to uproot over 100,000 Tibetans from their homes by 2030. According to the Tibet Press, this is a part of China’s strategy to aggressively build new villages in disputed border regions to extend or cement its control over these areas, which India, Bhutan, and Nepal insist are part of their national territory. China plans to construct 624 border communities in contested Himalayan regions, according to a recent claim in a Hong Kong-based journal that cited a Chinese govt document. This new action is a component of China’s larger strategy, which was unveiled in 2018 by the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) Communist Party Committee and aimed at relocating Tibetans who resided in areas of Tibet that were classified as being at or above 4,800 m in elevation as part of its purported “very high-altitude ecological relocation plan”. According to the relocation plan, up to 130,000 residents in the TAR’s autonomous prefectures of Shigatse (Rikaze), Nagchu, and Ngari (Ali) could be uprooted between 2018 and 2025. (here)

Maldives President Solih arrives in Delhi at 3 pm

External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar calls on Maldives President Solih at 7 pm, while he will meet with PM Modi on Tue. The groundbreaking ceremony of Maldives’ biggest infrastructure project, the Greater Male Connectivity Project ​(GMCP) will be done during President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s visit to India this week. The project is supported by New Delhi with a grant of $100 million and a $400 million line of credit, totaling $500 million. Under the project, a 6.74 km long bridge and causeway link will be built that will connect the national capital Male with three adjoining islands viz. Villingli, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi. During the visit, the focus will also be on other major projects that India is helping the Maldives govt build. Reportedly, India is supporting 45 projects in the country with grant assistance of $16.88 million or 260 million Maldivian rufiyaas. Of these 45 projects, 17 have been completed and inaugurated already. India has replaced China: Before GMCP, Sinamalé Bridge, built by the Chinese was the biggest infrastructure project in the Maldives. The bridge is 1.39 km long and connects the capital city of Male with Hulhule. The construction of the bridge was started in 2014 under Abdulla Yameen, the then President who was close to Beijing. Currently, Yameen is leading an anti-India campaign in the country. (here)

Chinese giants committing fraud in India? Why Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, Huawei are under fire

After banning more than 200 Chinese apps since Jun 2020, the Modi govt is cracking the whip on several Chinese companies, right from top multi-crore players like Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, and Huawei, to smaller fintech firms. Various central agencies — including the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Income Tax Department, and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) — as well as the local police of different states, have begun investigations against these firms, on allegations ranging from income tax evasion and customs violations to fraud and money laundering. ThePrint reported citing sources that though these companies were registered in India as separate entities from their parent firms, they were taking “direct directions from China” and “routing substantial amounts of money” back to the neighboring country. While in some cases there are accusations that money was being ‘laundered’ as royalties or license fees, in others, it is alleged that sales books were manipulated to show losses to save income tax, while channeling profits to shell companies. In the case of some smaller fintech companies, it has been alleged that they ‘duped’ thousands of people by giving short-term loans at high-interest rates, and then hounded them using personal data mined through phone apps. (here)

The China Link: How an Intel Agency’s Report, Letter from MHA Triggered Ban on BGMI

It was a report by a central intelligence agency and communication from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) that triggered a ban on the popular battle royale game Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI). The report talked about violations that can create cyber threats by harvesting user data for profiling to carry out targeted cyber-attacks on Indian users. News18 (official)- the app has various issues but most importantly, it is communicating with servers directly or indirectly located in China. It is also confirmed that other apps which have “rebranded” are also communicating with servers in China and are under scrutiny. The move to ask Google to remove the application from the Play Store was taken after multiple rounds of analysis by agencies. (here)

Navy monitoring Chinese research vessel headed for Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port

ThePrint (sources) -The navy is monitoring the movements of a Chinese research vessel (Yuan Wang 5) that is bound for Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port. The vessel is scheduled to dock at Hambantota port on Aug 11, which exact purpose of the vessel is unclear. It remains to be seen whether it is going to the port for a turnaround, replenishment, logistics, or signaling. Such vessels start their movement when China or any other country is carrying out missile tests, adding: “It is not a military vessel though. Such Chinese vessels have operated in the area before, and we have always monitored their activity.” (here)

[NATIONAL]

NIA conducts raids at 13 premises in six States over ISIS links

National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sun conducted searches at 13 premises of suspects in 6 States in connection with activities of ISIS. The raids are conducted in 6 states including Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. The case was registered suo-moto by NIA on Jun 25^th, 2022, under sections 153A, and 153B of IPC and sections 18, 18B, 38, 39 & 40 of UA (P) Act. The searches conducted today have led to the seizure of incriminating documents/material. Further investigations in the case are in progress. Also, NIA has been conducting raids at multiple locations in Bihar including the Nalanda district since Thu morning in connection with the Phulwari Sharif case having links with extremist outfit Popular Front of India (PFI). ANI citing sources reported that these raids were conducted almost a week after the NIA registered a case and started a thorough probe into the case. It is being told that the places where these raids are being carried out, all these places belong to people associated with the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI). The NIA registered the case on Jul 22 night under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code following an order issued by the Counter Terrorism and Counter Radicalisation division of the Ministry of Home Affairs directing the agency to take over the investigation from Bihar Police. (here)

Interfaith conference: Muslim clerics call for a ban on PFI, say no space for hate against any religion in India

Muslim clerics unanimously supported the demand for a ban on the Popular Front of India (PFI) at the interfaith conference organized by the All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council (AISSC) here on Sat and called for steps against any misuse of social media to promote hatred. The conference was attended by National security Advisor Ajit Doval who said some elements are trying to create an atmosphere that’s vitiating the progress of India and every sect of India should feel that “we are a country together“. Syed Naseeruddin Chishty, Chairman of All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council, said that slogans like ‘sar tan se juda’ are anti-Islamic. Another cleric Syed Salman Husaini Nadwi, president of Jamiat Shabab-il-Islam, said Islam stresses religious tolerance. (here)

India Makes Special Trade Concessions on Export of Wheat, Sugar To Bhutan

In a positive response to requests received from the Bhutanese govt, India has made special trade concessions on the export of wheat and sugar to the country, Indian Embassy in Bhutan said. “…. as per Bhutan’s requirements, i.e. 5,000 MT of wheat and 10,000 MT of sugar, to be imported by the Food Corporation of Bhutan Limited and other leading industries in Bhutan,” the Embassy said. Earlier this year, due to sudden changes in the global market affecting the price and availability of wheat and sugar, India restricted the export of these 2 commodities to strengthen India’s food security. In keeping with the special and friendly relations with Bhutan, New Delhi responded positively to requests. Previously, India had made various trade concessions for Bhutan including lifting the restriction on the import of potato and ginger from Bhutan, supplying Nano Urea/Nano Nitrogen Fertilizer (Liquid) to Bhutan at a special concessional rate, and supplying coal to Bhutan. India and Bhutan share a unique and time-tested bilateral relationship. This relationship becomes even more important because four Indian states, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim, and West Bengal – share a 699-km-long boundary with Bhutan. India is important to Bhutan in multiple ways. It is Bhutan’s largest trading partner – both as a source and a market for its goods. (here)

PM Modi, Sheikh Hasina to inaugurate Maitree Power Project in Bangladesh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina are expected to jointly inaugurate the 1320 MW Maitree Super Thermal Power Station when the latter visits India for a 3-day visit in the first week of Sept (5-7). Touted to be Bangladesh’s largest power plant, the coal-fired station is being set up by Bangladesh India Friendship Power Company Limited, a 50:50 joint venture between India’s NTPC and Bangladesh Power Development Board. The project is worth USD 1.5 bn. The visit has been accorded utmost importance by the Modi govt as Dhaka happens to be one of India’s closest allies. Before PM Hasina arrives in Delhi, trial runs between Kolkata-Chattogram-Mongla ports for India-Bangladesh trade will begin posting a new chapter in the bilateral ties. The first vessel from Kolkata is expected to reach Mongla, on the Pashur River, on Aug 5 carrying 16 tons of iron pipes in a container with destination Meghalaya using the Tamabil-Dwaki border points and 8.5 tons of pre-foam in another container for Assam using the Birbirbazaar-Srimantpur border points, a cheaper and alternative routes for India to reach its North-East region while at the same time carrying export-import containers for Bangladesh. (here)

India continues its Nordic outreach as MoS MEA to visit Iceland, Norway next month

India has continued its Nordic outreach with the Minister of state for external affairs Meenakshi Lekhi is expected to visit Iceland and Norway next month. Other than the two Nordic countries, the minister will also visit Malta. The visit to the two Nordic countries comes in the backdrop of Denmark hosting the second India-Nordic summit. The summit saw the participation of all 5 Nordic countries and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the Nordic region, the focus has been on climate-friendly solutions, innovation, and clean technology. Iceland was the first Nordic country to publicly extend support to India’s candidature for permanent membership of the UNSC and also co-sponsored India’s Resolution at the UN to declare June 21 as the ‘International Day of Yoga’. The last major incoming visit from Iceland was by Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson in 2018. Back then, Thordarson was the foreign minister of Iceland. Currently, he is the minister for Environment and Energy. Indian naval ships have regularly visited Malta on goodwill visits like the visits of INS Darshak in Apr 2002 and INS Tarangini in Feb 2007, Jun 2015, Oct 2015, and May 2018. (here)

GST collections in July second highest ever, rise 28 pc year-on-year

Goods and Services Tax collection for July was recorded at Rs 148,995 crore, which is 28% higher as compared to the same month last year. This is the second highest revenue since the introduction of the GST in 2017. Of the total, CGST was Rs 25,751 crore, SGST was Rs 32,807 crore, IGST was Rs 79,518 crore (including Rs 41,420 crore collected on import of goods) and cess was Rs 10,920 crore (including Rs 995 crore collected on import of goods), the Ministry of Finance stated. In June 2022, total GST collections were at Rs 1.44 lakh crore. For 5 months in a row now, the monthly GST revenues have been more than Rs 1.4 lakh core, showing a steady increase every month. It is important to note that the GST revenue collections crossed the Rs 1.5 lakh crore mark for the first time in Apr at Rs 1.68 lakh crore. (here)

ITBP DG Sanjay Arora appointed Delhi Police Commissioner

Sanjay Arora IPS (TN: 1988) was appointed as Delhi Police Commissioner, as incumbent Rakesh Asthana retires today. Arora is currently serving as DG of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). An official notification on Sun was released by the Ministry of Home Affairs. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. After joining the IPS, he served in various capacities in Tamil Nadu Police. He was SP, Special Task Force, where he achieved significant success against the Veerappan gang, for which he was awarded CM’s Gallantry Medal for Bravery and Heroic Action. In 1991, Arora, after being trained by NSG, had a pivotal role in forming the Special Security Group (SSG) to provide security to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu during the heyday of LTTE activity. He has been awarded the Police Medal in 2004, President’s Police Medal in 2014, Police Special Duty Medal, Antrik Suraksha Padak, and UN Peacekeeping Medal among others. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

What US-China game of chicken over Pelosi and Taiwan means for Southeast Asia

As a possible Taiwan visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sparks explosive rows between Beijing and Washington, the reaction from Southeast Asian nations has been more muted, including calling upon the two rival powers to defuse tensions. International relations and defense experts say it is understandable that Beijing sees Pelosi’s likely trip as a “provocation”, a move to support “Taiwan independence” in violation of the US’ avowed one-China policy. Washington, however, says the visit aims to stop mainland China from trying to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait by force. (here)

Pelosi sets off on Asia tour, no mention of Taiwan on the list

Pelosi has begun her anticipated trip to Asia, with her office naming four destinations but making no mention of Taiwan. The release of her itinerary comes amid more warnings from Beijing over her possible visit to the island. Pelosi, No 3 in the line of US presidential succession, is leading a 6-member congressional delegation to Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan, according to a statement released by her office on Sun. The statement ‘skipped’ any mention of Taiwan, after days of intense speculation about a likely stop there fuelled tensions, with Beijing calling it a “provocation” and warning Washington against “playing with fire”. But the careful wording of the statement did not rule out the possibility of a visit either. (here)

Xi Jinping urges CCP to step up efforts to ‘win hearts and minds’ in Hong Kong and Taiwan

Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged the Communist Party to find innovative ways to cultivate “patriotic forces” and supporters in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and overseas. Analysts said Xi’s call shows CCP is trying to update its playbook to ensure it remains effective and relevant. State media reported on Sat that Xi had addressed a conference for senior officials in the United Work Front Department – the body responsible for dealing with non-party individuals and groups both inside and outside China. “[We] must strengthen the building of overseas patriotic forces, cultivate and expand the strength of those who know China and are willing to befriend China, and promote exchanges and mutual learning of Chinese and foreign cultures and civilizations,” he said, according to state news agency Xinhua. (here)

Could PLA logistics sustain an invasion of Taiwan?

Social media has been carrying videos of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) equipment such as rocket launchers moving across China by train, with many suggesting this is part of PLA exercises designed to display Beijing’s displeasure at the planned Taiwan visit of Nancy Pelosi. It is too early to say whether the PLA is concentrating troops at locations opposite Taiwan, but it does raise the interesting topic of the capability of Chinese military logistics. In any potential PLA invasion of Taiwan, can China sustain its war efforts? McCauley is not one of them, for he perceives that the PLA’s logistics could never support such a bloody endeavor. “At this time,” he said, “PLA logistics capabilities likely cannot support a large-scale invasion of Taiwan. The PLA would have to initiate a significant effort to improve the multiple areas limiting logistics support. Depending on the pace and scale of efforts to improve logistics capabilities, the project would likely take at least several years once started.” And what if China continues moving at its current pace? “…If the PLA maintains a slow methodical approach to logistics modernization, it could take at least a decade to achieve a capability to logistically support a large-scale amphibious landing on Taiwan.” (here)

Myanmar’s junta chief wins approval to extend the state of emergency 

Myanmar’s junta chief has won approval to extend a state of emergency for six more months, state media reported on Mon. Min Aung Hlaing, who led last year’s coup, requested the military govt to “allow him to serve for an additional 6 months,” according to a report in the Global New Light of Myanmar. Members of the junta’s National Defence and Security Council “unanimously supported the proposal,” it said. The junta had declared a state of emergency after its coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s govt in Feb last year and plunged the country into turmoil. It has previously said elections would be held and a state of emergency lifted by Aug 2023 – extending the initial 1-year timeline it announced days after the coup. The army has justified its power grab by alleging massive fraud during the 2020 elections won by Suu Kyi’s party. International observers said the voting was largely free and fair.

China announces military exercise opposite Taiwan

China said it was conducting military exercises Sat off its coast opposite Taiwan after warning Speaker Nancy Pelosi of the U.S. House of Representatives to scrap possible plans to visit the island democracy, which Beijing claims as part of its territory. The ruling Communist Party’s military wing, the People’s Liberation Army, was conducting “live-fire exercises” near the Pingtan islands off Fujian province from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., the official Xinhua News Agency said. The Maritime Safety Administration warned ships to avoid the area. Such exercises usually involve artillery. The one-sentence announcement did not indicate whether Sat’s exercise also might include missiles, fighter planes, or other weapons. China says Taiwan has no right to conduct foreign relations. It sees visits by American officials as encouragement for the island to make its decades-old de facto independence official. (here)

Chinese booster rocket makes an uncontrolled return to Earth: US officials

A Chinese booster rocket made an uncontrolled return to Earth on Sat, US Defense Department officials said, as they chided Beijing for not sharing information on the potentially hazardous object’s descent. US Space Command “can confirm the PRC Long March 5B (CZ-5B) re-entered over the Indian Ocean at approx 10:45 am MDT on 7/30,” the US military unit said on Twitter, referring to China’s official name. The Long March 5B rocket was used last Sun to launch an uncrewed spacecraft, named Wentian, carrying the second of three modules China needed to complete its new Tiangong space station. NASA administrator Bill Nelson criticized Beijing on Twitter Sat, saying that the failure to share the details of the rocket’s descent was irresponsible and risky. (here)

IMF board may meet earlier than expected to approve Pakistan’s tranche: report

The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Executive Board meeting to approve the release of the tranche for Pakistan is expected to take place before Aug 20,  Dawn reported. The board’s approval is a prerequisite for the release of the seventh and eighth tranches of a $6 billion loan program for Pakistan — that the country had signed with the IMF in 2019. The disbursement of the latest tranches, which amount to $1.7 billion has been pending since earlier this year after the lender objected to Pakistan’s economic policies. The IMF and Pakistan had reached a staff-level agreement that revived the $6 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program for the country in July — but the loan release is subject to the board’s approval. (here)

UKPNP chief protests against land grab by Pak Army in PoK

Human rights activist and chairman of United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) Shaukat Ali Kashmiri has highlighted the land grabbing by the Pakistan Army in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and urged environmentalists to take note of its adverse impact on the environment. Attaching a statement issued by the office of the commissioner, Muzaffarabad Division, the activist raised concern over the deforestation in PoK. The statement further read that the survey of the proposed land may be carried out and a No Objection Certificate for the allocation of the land for defense purposes may be issued. Several Kashmiri activists have knocked on the door of the international community to intervene in the rapidly worsening human rights situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. (here)

Former Maoist commander reinstated as Nepal’s finance minister

Reuters – Nepal has reinstated its finance minister, the president’s office announced on Sun after an internal investigation found no evidence to prove he was involved in making illegal changes to the budget. Janardan Sharma resigned in early July after the speaker of parliament ordered investigations into allegations from opposition lawmakers that Sharma had allowed “unauthorized” changes in tax rates a day before presenting spending plans. Details of the reported tax rate changes have not been made public but local media reports said the tweaks allegedly permitted by Sharma, a former Maoist commander, were aimed at favoring some businesses. (here)

ISIL-K seeks to recruit members from other terror groups; to develop threat capability from Afghanistan, says UN report

The 15^th report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to international peace and security and the range of United Nations efforts in support of member states in countering the threat said on Saturday that the militant group views Afghanistan as a base for expansion in the wider region for the realization of its “great caliphate” project. (here)