[NEWS OF THE DAY]

The US wants Taiwan to have freedom with security, Pelosi says as Taipei thanks her for support

The United States wants Taiwan to always have freedom with security and will not back away from that, US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Wed (Aug 3), during a visit to Taipei fiercely criticized by China. While respecting the “One China” policy, US’ solidarity with Taiwan is more important than ever, Pelosi said, during a joint news conference with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen. The US supports the status quo and does not want anything to happen to Taiwan by force, Pelosi added. Asked about the economic consequences Taiwan has to face as a result of her visit, Pelosi said the recently passed Chips and Science Act opens the door for better economic exchanges between the US and Taiwan. Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan came to an end on Wed as she departed from the self-ruled island after a short and gripping trip, which raised tensions in the Taiwan Strait. (here) Risks mount from China drills near Taiwan during Pelosi visit – analysts: (Reuters)As China embarks on an unprecedented six days of military drills surrounding Taiwan, security analysts are warning of mounting risks of escalation even if Beijing seeks to avoid its protests over Pelosi’s visit from sparking full-blown conflict. China announced drills in 6 locations surrounding Taiwan soon after Pelosi – a veteran China critic and the 3^rd most senior U.S. politician – landed in Taipei on Tue night. China’s Eastern Theatre Command said a multi-force exercise involving the Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, Strategic Support Force, and Joint Logistics Support Force, took place in the air and sea to the north, southwest, and southeast of Taiwan on Wed. (here) However, China got the support of Russia and its client state Pakistan. In Taiwan, Pelosi met the Taiwan representative of Dalai Lama Bawa Kelsang Gyaltsen [Also, some fireworks may be seen in the coming days, as Beijing has to do something for face-saving, but won’t be expected something big.]

Jaishankar visits 12^th century Ta Prohm Temple in Cambodia

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited the 12th century Ta Prohm Temple in Siem Reap of Cambodia on Wed. Jaishankar arrived in Cambodia today to attend the ASEAN-India ministerial meeting. The Minister is in Cambodia from Aug 3-4 during the period he will take stock of the ASEAN-India partnership. “External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will be visiting Cambodia from August 3-4, 2022,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. “During the visit, EAM will attend the ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting in Phnom Penh, an annual event that takes stock of the ASEAN-India partnership,” the ministry added. This visit comes more than a month after India hosted ASEAN Foreign Ministers and Secretary General for a Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (SAIFMM) on June 16-17 to commemorate 30 years of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations. (here)

‘Dangerous verdict’: Have deep apprehension over SC upholding PMLA amendments, want a review, says Opposition

At least 17 Opposition parties including, TMC, INC, DMK, AAP, TRS, SP, CPI(M), RJD and Shiv Sena issued a statement and placed on record their “deep apprehension on the long-term implications of recent Supreme Court judgment upholding, in entirety, the amendments to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).” “We are also very disappointed that the highest judicial authority, invited to give an independent verdict on the lack of checks and balances in the Act, has virtually reproduced arguments given by the executive in support of draconian amendments. We hope that the dangerous verdict will be short-lived and constitutional provisions will prevail soon,” the opposition leaders said in their joint statement. In Jul 2022, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, which gives the govt and the Enforcement Directorate. (here)

India-US to hold high-altitude military exercise near LAC amid rising tensions with China

ThePrint- Amid rising tensions with China, India and US will come together for two weeks of a high-altitude military exercise in Uttarakhand’s Auli, less than 100 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Central Sector. The Indo-US joint exercise is known as ‘Yudh Abhyas’ and it will be the 15^th edition this year. (sources)- the joint exercise is being planned from Oct 14 to 31 where the two forces will carry out “maneuvers to exploit the full scope” of high-altitude warfare. Sources also said the location (10,000 feet) where the exercise will take place falls in Stage 1 of acclimatization for high altitude. “This time it is a very important exercise because the Indian side will be showcasing their high-altitude warfare strategies, while the Americans will be showcasing several technologies that can be used in such scenarios. This exercise has been planned in such a way that both sides come together for any scenario,” a source said. The various activities have been planned for both sides to fully exploit the two weeks of focused high-altitude military exercise and to see how the troops can operate together. India-US tensions with China: India and China have witnessed rising tensions at the LAC over the last two years following the stand-off in Ladakh. Meanwhile, tensions have also risen between the US and China over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Taiwan stop Tue. (here)

[NATIONAL]

Indian Ambassador to UN presents credentials to UN chief Antonio Guterres

India’s new permanent representative to the United Nations Ruchira Kamboj presented her credentials to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and said it was a “privilege to be the first Indian woman to be given the honor”. After the recent deaths of peacekeepers in Congo, India has emphasized peacebuilding and sustaining peace at the UNSC. “The Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) should exercise its convening role more effectively. It must involve itself more proactively in the activities of the Peacebuilding Fund to address the financial deficit,” Ambassador R Ravindra, Charge d’affaires, at UNSC had said. India has acknowledged PBC’s significance since its inception and deeply appreciated its advisory, bridging, and convening roles. India has always played a constructive and significant role in the context of peacebuilding through its extensive development partnership with countries of the Global South. Two platoons of the BSF, comprising 70-74 personnel, had been deployed in the area and were inducted in May. (here)

30 Afghan Sikhs arrive in Delhi

At least 30 Afghan Sikhs including children and infants, fleeing from the Taliban are scheduled to arrive in Delhi on Wed as religious persecution escalates in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. A non-scheduled commercial flight from Kabul, operated by Kam Air is set to arrive in Delhi. After their arrival, the entire group will leave for Gurdwara Sri Guru Arjan Dev in Tilak Nagar of the national capital, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) said. Religious minorities in Afghanistan, including the Sikh community, have been repeated targets of violence in Afghanistan after the Taliban took control of the country. SGPC in coordination with the Indian World Forum and the Govt of India evacuating distressed Afghan minorities – Hindus and Sikhs. On Jul 14, a total of 21 Afghan Sikhs, including an infant, were evacuated from Kabul to New Delhi on Kam Air, the largest private Afghan airline. Over the past month, 32 Afghan Hindus and Sikhs have been evacuated from Afghanistan. There were about 700 Hindus and Sikhs in Afghanistan in 2020, but a large number of them left the country following the Taliban’s takeover. (here)

The world’s food supply faces new threat from lack of rain in India

The threat to India’s rice production comes at a time when countries are grappling with soaring food costs and rampant inflation. The total rice planted area has declined 13% so far this season due to a lack of rainfall in some areas, including West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, which account for a quarter of India’s output. (here)

Terror financing from Pakistan via Bitcoin trade: SIA conducts raids across J&K

The Jammu & Kashmir Special Investigative Agency on Wed carried out a series of raids across the Union Territory over terror financing from Pakistan via Bitcoin trade and seized SIM cards, mobile phones, and documents from locations linked to the suspects, police said. “The raids and searches were conducted on the houses of suspects in Mendhar, Poonch, Baramulla, Kupwara, and Handwara in connection with investigation registered in Counter Intelligence Police Station in Srinagar,” a police spokesman said in a statement. “Details that are being investigated, at the initial stage include a mastermind in Pakistan, who with the active support of Pakistani intelligence agencies and in connivance with a proscribed terrorist organization (s) based in Pakistan, has been pumping slush money to their agents in J&K for further distribution among terrorist organization(s), secessionist(s) for fuelling mass violence and terrorist activities in J&K. The Pakistani mastermind has been comprehensively identified. His particulars, however, is being kept confidential because other agents connected with him are not alerted,” the spokesman added. (here)

Workers taken ill after suspected gas leak at apparel plant in Andhra Pradesh

At least 150 garment factory workers, mostly women, fell sick after a suspected gas leak at a special economic zone in Atchyutapuram in Andhra Pradesh’s Anakapalli district around 8.30 pm on Tue. The exact source of the leakage was not immediately known but it is suspected to have emanated from a veterinary drugs lab nearby. On Apr 13, 7 people died and 15 others were injured in an explosion at the lab. He added that the workers complained of nausea and vomiting, some fainted and in all, 400 people were on the shift at the time of the leak. On Jun 3^rd, a similar gas leak in Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam led to the hospitalization of over 170 workers. (here)

Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe thanks PM Modi for India’s support of his country

Newly elected Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wed thanked India which he said under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has provided the crisis-hit island nation “a breath of life” in tough times. President made the remarks while presenting the govt’s policy statement during the third session of Parliament during which he invited political parties to form an all-party govt. The Sri Lankan Parliament met for the first session under President Wickremesinghe after he was sworn in on July 21. His address reiterated the formation of an all-party govt to help the country tide over its economic crisis. (here) Sri Lanka will restart bailout talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Aug, its new president said on Wed to resolve a crippling economic crisis. In a speech in parliament, President said that constitutional amendments were required to curtail presidential powers – indicating he would meet a key demand of protesters who forced out his predecessor, Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2022 passed by Lok Sabha.

The Bill amends the Central Universities Act, 2009, which provides for establishing central universities in various states. Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya: The Bill seeks to convert the National Rail and Transportation Institute, Vadodara (a deemed university) to the Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, which will be a central university. Scope of education: The Bill provides that Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya will take measures to provide quality teaching, research, and skill development in disciplines related to transportation, technology, and management. If required, the University may also establish centers in India and abroad. According to the Statement of Objects and Reasons, the establishment of the Vishwavidyalaya will address the need for trained talent in the transportation sector. Appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor (VC): The existing VC of the National Rail and Transportation Institute will hold office for: (i) six months from when the Act is notified, or (ii) until a new VC for the Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya is appointed, whichever is earlier. (here)

BSP has decided to support Jagdeep Dhankhar in vice presidential poll: Mayawati

As Indian lawmakers seek to appoint the next vice president, Bahujan Samaj Party(BSP) chief Mayawati announced her party’s support for NDA’s vice presidential candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar. “Keeping in mind the larger public interest and the party movement, the Bahujan Samaj Party has decided to support Jagdeep Dhankhar in the vice presidential poll,” the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said. The opposition has reportedly pitched Margaret Alva, 77, for the vice president’s post. The vice presidential elections are slated to take place on Aug 6^th. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu’s term ends on Aug 10^th. However, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha announced the support of the opposition candidate. (here)

Babul Supriyo, 8 others take oath as ministers in Mamata Banerjee govt

Singer-turned politician Babul Supriyo, who crossed over from the BJP to the TMC, was among 9 leaders sworn in as ministers in the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal govt on Wed. Apart from Supriyo, Snehasis Chakraborty, Partha Bhowmick, Udayan Guha, Pradip Mazumder, Tajmul Hossain, and Satyajit Barman took oath as Cabinet ministers. Birbaha Hansda and Biplab Roy Chowdhury were sworn in as state Ministers with independent charge. Supriyo earlier has been a union minister in the Narendra Modi-led central government. However, he left the BJP to join the TMC. This was the first cabinet reshuffle since Mamata Banerjee again stormed to power in West Bengal after the 2021 assembly polls. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

China concerned over South Korea’s remarks on US-made anti-missile systems

China has expressed concern over the remarks of South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin about the US-made anti-missile systems- THAAD, which it said might lead to a gradual shift in Seoul’s foreign policy towards Beijing. Addressing the national assembly, foreign minister Jin said that the principle of the “Three No’s” policy on the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) issue was not a commitment to China or an agreement between the two sides but a statement of South Korea’s position, The Singapore Post reported. The “Three No’s” policy over THAAD refers to no participation in the US missile defense network, no establishment of a trilateral military alliance with the US and Japan, and no additional THAAD deployment, Global Times reported. China was angered in 2017 after North Korea test-fired a few missiles in the direction of US bases in Japan, as a result, the country imposed unofficial economic sanctions on South Korea. The systems were moved by the US to its army base in Osan, South Korea. The economic sanctions were eased after the former President accepted the “Three No’s” agreement. (here)

Nepal: Government mulls removing Q40 requirement for hydropower projects

With India opening its market for Nepali electricity, the govt is mulling over relaxing an existing provision that requires hydropower developers to design their projects in a way to produce electricity in full capacity for at least 4.8 months. Nepal’s hydropower projects—almost all of which are run of the river type—produce electricity at full capacity in the summer (wet season) while their production decreases significantly in the winter season (dry season) when water levels in the rivers decrease. A hydropower project that can produce electricity at full capacity for 4.8 months is also known as the Q40 project. Relaxation of this requirement means hydropower projects can optimize their installed capacity enabling them to produce more power in the summer when water levels in the rivers grow. India has allowed Nepal to sell 364MW of electricity through India Energy Exchange Limited, an electronic power market platform. The two sides also agreed to expand cooperation in the power sector by including their partner countries under the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal (BBIN) framework, subject to mutually agreed upon terms and conditions between all involved parties. (here)

Nepal: Oli bids to couple his nationalist rhetoric with the Hindu constituency

CPN-UML chair and former prime minister KP Sharma Oli on Mon evening visited Pashupatinath Temple and observed the “aarati”. Mondays in the Nepali month of Shrawan are considered auspicious by Hindus and devotees throng Shiva temples. The communist leader sat among the crowd as he observed the aarati, a ritual involving the offering of incense and light to gods. Oli joined the communist movement in the 1970s as a “secular” politician. By being a “communist,” he was not considered a religious leader, at least a Hindu leader. Observers and experts say Oli is already in campaign mode for the upcoming elections, and his visit to Pashupati does carry some underlying meanings. He is trying to cash in on the Hindu votes, according to them. (here)

Pakistan: PKR sees a massive recovery of over Rs10 in interbank

The rupee made a strong recovery in the interbank market on Wednesday, rising by more than Rs10 against the dollar. According to the Forex Association of Pakistan (FAP), the rupee gained 88 paise by 9:50 am to reach Rs 237.5 compared to yesterday’s close of Rs 238.38. Later, the local currency recovered further and was being traded at Rs 228 around 12:50 pm, up Rs10.38 compared to yesterday’s close, according to Mettis Global — a web-based financial data and analytics portal. FAP Chairperson Malik Bostan said that the lower import bill for July had helped reduce the country’s trade deficit, which in turn had eased the pressure on the rupee. Business and economy journalist Khurram Husain said the rupee’s recovery was due to a sharp drop in import payments after all letters of credit for oil in July were cleared and exporters rushed to close their open positions. (here)

Pakistan: 2 cops killed in a grenade blast at police headquarters in Karachi’s Garden

Two policemen were martyred while two others were critically injured in a grenade explosion inside the police headquarters located in Karachi’s Garden area on Wed. Senior Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) official Raja Umer Khattab, who visited the site of the incident, told Dawn that the explosion took place outside the armory in-charge’s office, where arms are stored and handed out to officials on duty. He said that one of the deceased officials was carrying the hand grenade when it exploded. Khattab said another grenade “miraculously” did not explode. The CTD officer said it appeared to be a case of “mishandling” rather than a terror incident. (here)

Pakistan: Govt considers placing PTI leaders on the no-fly list, moving SC after ECP’s prohibited funding ruling

The coalition government has decided to request Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial to constitute a full court to hear the reference it is going to file in the wake of the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) ruling on PTI’s prohibited funding case as it also considered placing the name of the party’s rulers on the Exit Control List (ECL). ECP’s 3-member bench, in a unanimous ruling, said that the PTI received prohibited funding and decided to issue a show-cause notice to the party asking why its funds should not be confiscated. In a meeting after the ruling, The News, quoting sources, reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting of coalition partners that decided to move the Supreme Court. (here)

Changing the status of Azad Kashmir through the 15^th Amendment would strengthen India: Shaikh Aqeelur Rahman

AJK JI Interim ChiefShaikh Aqeelur Rahman said that changing the status of Azad Kashmir through 15^th Amendment would strengthen Indian PM Modi’s stance on the State of Jammu & Kashmir. He added that changing the status of AJK is not acceptable in any case and JI will hold talks with other political groups to decide the future strategy in this regard. Adv. Aqeel further said that rulers sitting in Islamabad should refrain from making the Kashmir freedom base camp a playground and there would be a storm if the rights of Kashmiris are violated. (Siasat)