[NEWS OF THE DAY]

India-China standoff at Gogra-Hotsprings in eastern Ladakh ends; disengagement at PP-15 complete

The standoff between India and China at Gogra Heights-Hotsprings area near Patrolling Point-15 in eastern Ladakh has finally ended. The armies of India and China on Tue completed the disengagement of troops agreed to and announced last week. TimesNow reported citing sources that the two armies have also verified the disengagement and dismantling of the temporary and allied infrastructure that had come up in the area after the standoff along the Line of Control in several areas in eastern Ladakh started in May 2020. On Monday, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande stated that the disengagement process was “going as per schedule”. The Ministry of External Affairs had on Sept 9 stated that the disengagement at the Gogra-Hotsprings area will be completed by Sept 12. (here) [However, Indian media failed to mention that China vacated the PP15, which it captured in May 2020]

At UN event, India delivers sharp message to Lanka on Tamil minority, economy

India on Mon expressed concern at the “lack of measurable progress” by the Sri Lankan govt on its commitments regarding a political solution to the ethnic issue involving the island nation’s Tamil minority. While outlining India’s position at an interactive dialogue on the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ latest report on Sri Lanka, India’s permanent representative to the UN, Geneva, Indra Mani Pandey, also said the current crisis in Sri Lanka has “demonstrated the limitations of the debt-driven economy and the impact it has on the standard of living”. HT reported quoting officials that the stance adopted by India on the issue was stronger than in the past. This comes against the backdrop of strains in India-Sri Lanka relations caused by a Chinese surveillance vessel’s visit to the Chinese-controlled port of Hambantota. Pandey expressed concern at the “lack of measurable progress by Govt of Sri Lanka on their commitments of a political solution to the ethnic issue” which includes “full implementation of the 13^th Amendment of the Constitution, delegation of powers to Provincial Councils and holding of Provincial Council elections at the earliest”. (here) [However, the reason cited by HT doesn’t appeal much] IMF bailout discussion on Sri Lanka debt restructuring still on the lower pedestal as China keeps mum -Sri Lanka has reached an agreement with the International Monetary Funds (IMF) regarding debt restructuring which will start only after all Sri Lankan creditors agree to restructure their existing loans to the island nation. On the other hand, while China keeps mum over the issue, IMF bailout discussions remain at the staff level of agreement. Sri Lanka has agreed to a $ 2.9 billion deal with IMF officials, but cash will not flow until major progress is made on debt restructuring with China, Japan, and India mainly. The IMF staff and the Sri Lankan authorities have reached a staff-level agreement to support Sri Lanka’s economic policies with a 48-month arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) of about $2.9 bn. The new EFF arrangement will support Sri Lanka’s program to restore macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability while safeguarding financial stability, reducing corruption vulnerabilities, and unlocking Sri Lanka’s growth potential, Colombo Gazette reported. (here)

India to hold over 200 G20 meetings across the country during its Presidency

India will assume the Presidency of the G20 for one year from Dec 1, 2022, to Nov 30, 2023, and during its Presidency, it is expected to host over 200 G20 meetings across the country. The G20 Leaders’ Summit at the level of Heads of State is scheduled to be held on Sept 9 – 10, 2023 in New Delhi, read the Ministry of External Affairs release. The G20 is an intergovernmental forum of the world’s major developed and developing economies including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, UK, USA – and the EU. Collectively, the G20 accounts for 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and 2/3 of the world population. India is currently part of the G20 Troika (current, previous, and incoming G20 Presidencies) comprising Indonesia, Italy, and India. During its Presidency, India, Indonesia, and Brazil would form the troika. This would be the first time when the troika would consist of three developing countries and emerging economies, providing them with a greater voice, added the release. The G20 currently comprises – Finance Track, with 8 workstreams, Sherpa Track with 12 workstreams, and 10 Engagement Groups of private sector/civil society/independent bodies. In addition to G20 Members, there has been a tradition of the G20 Presidency inviting some Guest countries and International Organizations (IOs). Accordingly, in addition to regular IOs and Chairs of Regional Organizations, India will be inviting B’desh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain, and UAE as Guest countries. (here)

We will see again: Dalai Lama’s parting words to Ladakhis irked China

Tibetan spiritual guru Dalai Lama’s recent visit to the remote Himalayan region of Ladakh has irked China, which identifies him as a controversial figure, a “wolf in monks’ clothing”, or “splittist”, but this is not his last visit, as Dalai Lama said “we will see again”, in his parting words to Ladakhis. Every visit Dalai Lama makes either to Ladakh or Arunachal Pradesh, it never fails to irk China and relapse their old wounds. This time it carries such a significant subtle poke to China, which might not be his intention, but in the background, lies the Galwan valley clash in 2020, a Tibet Rights Collective report said. In 2017, when the 14^th Dalai Lama visited Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh for religious purposes, China summoned India’s then-envoy in Beijing, to file a formal protest, citing that India is trying to undermine the bilateral relationship. This was surprising because Arunachal is under the direct jurisdiction of New Delhi and Beijing has no say whatsoever in the internal matters of India. China claims Arunachal as southern Tibet, putting a heavy burden of proof of the sixth Dalai Lama being born in Tawang as one of the tall claims over the region, the report said. (here)

[NATIONAL]

CBI raids at multiple locations in J&K sub-inspector recruitment case

The Central Bureau of Investigation carried out searches at around 33 locations, including in Uttar Pradesh, Jammu, Srinagar; Haryana; Gujarat; Delhi, and Karnataka on Tue in an ongoing investigation linked to the Jammu and Kashmir sub-inspector recruitment case. Among the places that were searched included premises linked to the former chairman, controller of examination of JKSSB, some officials of the J&K Police, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force. Khalid Jehangir, the former chairman of the JKSSB, and Ashok Kumar, controller of examination, JKSSB are under the radar. In July, amid public outcry, J&K Lt governor Manoj Sinha canceled the SI recruitment drive and recommended a CBI probe. This was followed by an inquiry report by a 3-member panel. These searches are not the first since the probe was ordered. Last month, around 25 locations were reportedly searched in Jammu. (here)

Bangladesh approves project for upgradation of Cumilla-Brahmanbaria to 4 lane highway with Indian LOC support

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) of Bangladesh on Tue approved the upgradation project of the Cumilla (Mainamati)- Brahmanbaria (Dharkhar) National Highway into 4 lanes. Briefing media in Dhaka after the ECNEC meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, State Minister for Planning Dr. Shamsul Alam said that out of the total project cost of Taka 7188 crore, Taka 2810 crore will come from the Indian Line of Credit (LOC). The Roads and Highways Department under the Road Transport and Highways Division will implement the project by June 2026. (here)

Assam: Over 1500 youths joined miltancy, nearly 8000 surrendered since 2016

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said 1561 youths of Assam have joined different militant organizations since 2016. In a written reply to a query by Congress MLA Debabrata Saikia, Sarma said that 811 youths have joined NDFB from 2016 to 2022 while 164 youths joined NLFB (Bodo), 351 youths joined PDCK, 203 youths joined ULFA and 32 youths joined UPRF during the period. “During the period 7935 cadres of 23 different militant outfits surrendered and joined in the mainstream. Out of the 4516 cadres of NDFB, 465 cadres of NLFB, 915 cadres of KPLT, 388 cadres of PDCK, 378 cadres of UPLA, 246 cadres of KLNLF, 181 cadres of DNLA, 178 cadres of ADF, 169 cadres of UGPO, 105 cadres of ULFA, 87 cadres of NSLA, 77 cadres of TLA, 60 cadres of KLF have surrendered,” Sarma stated. He also said that a total of 84 persons have been arrested for Jihadi activities in the state since 2016 when the BJP came to power in the state. The arrested persons were part of Islamic terror groups like Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh, Hizbul Mujahideen, and Ansarullah Bangla Team. (here)

Vedanta-Foxconn chooses Gujarat to set up semiconductor plant worth Rs 1.54 lakh cr

To create a robust manufacturing base in India, Vedanta-Foxconn has chosen Gujarat as the destination for their semiconductor plant, Vedanta group chairman Anil Agarwal said. An MoU was signed with the state govt for setting up the semiconductor plant costing around Rs 1.54 lakh crore. This project, which is expected to reduce India’s electronic imports besides providing 1 lakh direct skilled jobs, will help the country’s manufacturing sector, he said in a tweet. “…India’s tech ecosystem will thrive, with every state benefiting via the new electronics manufacturing hubs.” India’s own Silicon Valley is a step closer now, the Vedanta Chairman tweeted. “India will fulfill the digital needs of not just her people, but also those from across the seas. The journey from being a Chip Taker to a Chip Maker has officially begun…Jai Hind!,” he tweeted. (here)

Prakash Chand appointed as Indian Ambassador to Eritrea

Prakash Chand (2004 IFS) on Tue was appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the State of Eritrea. Chand is the Consul General, India” Consulate of India, in Indonesia. Before his current assignment in Bali, he was working as Director in the Consular, Passport & Visa Division in the Ministry of External Affairs. He also served as First Secretary (Consular) in the Philippines from 2010 to 2014. Before that, he served in various capacities in the MEA, as well as in the Indian Missions in Uganda, the UK, Egypt, China, and Austria. (here)

Central bank crackdown throws digital lenders into a panic in India

The Indian central bank’s ban in late August on easy credit given by fintech firms has led to a crash in an industry that had raised US$700 million in the past year and registered millions of users. Digital payment firms such as LazyPay, Slice, Uni Cards, Ola Postpaid, and MobiKwik had ventured into digital lending, tying up with banks or non-banking financial institutions to offer credit against their prepaid cards or digital wallets. (here)

‘Utter Ignorance’: Parliamentary Panel Recommends Audit of Deaths ‘Due to Oxygen Shortage’ in Covid-19 Patients

A parliamentary committee has recommended the Union Health Ministry “audit deaths due to oxygen shortage”, especially during the Covid 2^nd wave, in coordination with states to enable robust documentation of the mortalities. The committee said it was “disturbed” by the ministry’s “unfortunate denial” of COVID-19 deaths due to oxygen shortage. The Committee on Health, in its 137^th report presented to Rajya Sabha on Mon, said the increase in the number of Covid cases had put severe pressure on the health infrastructure. There were several instances of patients’ families pleading for oxygen and waiting in queues for cylinders and the media reported stories of hospitals running out of life-saving gas and making desperate appeals when they were reportedly left with only a few hours of supply, it said. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Six points MoU inked between Nepal, China during Xi’s confidant’s visit to Himalayan nation

Nepal and China on Mon signed a 6-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Kathmandu during the top Chinese official Li Zhanshu’s official visit to Nepal on Mon. Nepal House of Representatives Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota, Chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s NPC Li Zhanshu signed the agreement at an event held at the Federal Parliament. As per to MoU, both sides would exchange information on each other’s legislative, supervisory, and governance practices. The MoU also mentions the Belt and Road Initiative, an ambitious project promoted by China. As per the MoU, the two govts would accord priority and facilitate the promotion of mutual benefits and commitments between the two countries, including through the BRI, the 5^th point of the MoU read. Similarly, both parties have agreed to strengthen cooperation under the framework of international and regional parliamentary organizations, including the Inter-Parliamentary Union, on matters of common interest. Li’s visit is happening ahead of the 20^th National Congress of the CCP in Oct, which will likely give another term extension to Chinese President Xi, [but more significantly], ahead of the general and provincial elections scheduled to be held in Nepal on Nov 20. (here) Nepal and China signed up for the BRI in May 2017. Besides ensuring Nepal’s firm commitment to the “One-China policy”, Sapkota requested Li to facilitate the upgrade of the Araniko Highway that connects Nepal and China and sought China’s support for reopening the two main trading border points at the earliest, according to one participant. Li assured that China will clear all containers destined for Nepal at the earliest. In response, Li expressed China’s commitment to taking forward the feasibility study of the Kerung-Kathmandu rail and resuming the trading points before the Nepali festival season. Li, head of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People’s Congress, arrived in Kathmandu on Mon afternoon on a 4-day visit. (here)

Uyghurs, Turks in Istanbul demonstrate against ‘Hunger Genocide’ in China

Uyghur NGOs in Istanbul on Mon demonstrated near the Chinese Consulate in Sariyer district against China’s ‘Hunger Genocide’ under the pretext of controlling the Covid-19 pandemic while forcing a lockdown in areas of East Turkestan as a precaution against the surge in Covid. According to local media reports, around 3,000-3,500 protestors including women and children gathered outside the Chinese Consulate in the Sariyer district at around 11 am despite the rain. The speakers at the protest included the President of East Turkestan National Assembly, Vice-Chairperson of Uyghur Religious Scholars, East Turkestan Federation leader, an activist lawyer, some educationists, and journalists. Nearly 6-7 Uyghur NGOs came together in a show of solidarity toward their brothers, local media reports said. The NGOs also plan to have a press release on Wed in front of the Chinese Embassy and the UN office in Ankara. They also intend to address a letter to NATO which had intervened against the genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the past. (here)

UN prepares vote on Xinjiang persecution, China says it’s ‘doomed to fail’

China faces being censured by the UNHRC for the first time in its history, after a UN report detailed mass detention and persecution in Xinjiang. The HR Council will begin almost a month of meetings in Geneva on Tue AEST and is expected to debate a resolution that would formally condemn China’s actions against the Uyghur Muslim minority in the north-western Chinese region. The meetings will escalate pressure on Western govts, including Australia, to expand their sanctions against China in a febrile global environment. US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield  has been pushing for China to be made accountable for its actions “as soon as possible” but any formal majority vote against China is likely to be one of the closest fought resolutions since the council was formed in 2006. (here)

China promoting Taliban 2.0 for better business deals in Afghanistan

China is currently engaged in pampering the Taliban, which finds itself in a state of diplomatic isolation, with its focus on business with hopes of a better deal. It is towards this end that China is walking the extra mile to offer a helping hand to the Taliban regime firstly in the matter of travel ban exemptions, and secondly, in grappling with its economic and humanitarian crisis, reported Al Arabiya Post. China’s recent efforts to promote and support the Taliban 2.0 regime indicate that it is getting ready to recognize the govt currently in place in Afghanistan. On the one hand, it is building a case for international recognition of the Taliban and the continuance of the waiver of the travel ban on Taliban leaders. On the other hand, it is engaged in what is much more than business and cultural diplomacy to broaden its footprint in Afghanistan. The state-run media has, in recent months, run a concerted campaign to show how the Taliban 2.0 have fairly handled the security situation and taken steps to improve the economy in Afghanistan. These media report also highlight the contribution of China and its companies in bringing prosperity to the country. Business activity combined with cultural diplomacy suggests that China is getting ready to recognize Taliban 2.0. (here)

Chinese ports at a standstill as Typhoon Muifa heads for eastern coast

China’s eastern Zhejiang province ordered ships to return to port, asked schools to close, and evacuated tourists on nearby islands, with one of the strongest typhoons this year making landfall imminently. Muifa intensified into a strong typhoon on Tuesday as it barrelled towards the twin port cities of Ningbo and Zhoushan, which share the second-busiest port in China by cargo handled. The storm is expected to make landfall between Wenling and Zhoushan on Wed, state media reported. It will bring torrential rains as it sweeps through eastern and southern coastal areas, including commercial hub Shanghai which is just north of Ningbo and Zhoushan, the official Xinhua news agency reported. Waves of up to 5 m are expected near Shanghai, China’s busiest container seaport. The Central Meteorological Administration said Muifa’s center was around 490km southeast of Xiangshan in Zhejiang. (here)

Xi prepares for a high-stakes meeting with Putin on his first trip abroad since the pandemic

Much is at stake for Beijing when President Xi Jinping travels to Central Asia, with Xi expected to meet Vladimir Putin on the Chinese leader’s first trip abroad since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and Kyiv pushing back hard on Russian troops in its biggest victory for months. Beijing confirmed on Mon that Xi will start a 3-day trip to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan on Wed, and will then attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Uzbekistan. The visit to Central Asia and meeting with Putin were earlier confirmed by the Russian leader and his hosts in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Analysts said Xi’s visit was part of Beijing’s efforts to shore up ties with its neighbors while positioning itself as an alternative to the US on the global stage. The stakes are also high for the Chinese leader, who has been under intense scrutiny both at home and abroad over the intensifying US-China feud, the fallout from his zero-Covid strategy, and his bid to secure a norm-breaking third term in office. (here) Reuters-China’s foreign ministry declined to say whether Xi will meet Putin or Indian PM Narendra Modi during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation regional security bloc summit this week.

Pakistan lacking ‘effectiveness’ on four FATF-linked goals

The Asia-Pacific Group (APG) on Money Laundering has rated Pakistan’s level of effectiveness as ‘low’ on 10 out of 11 international goals on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terror (AML/CFT), even though the country is now compliant on 38 out of 40 technical recommendations. The Sydney-based regional affiliate of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) released an update, as of Sept 2, on the rating of its regional members suggesting that Pakistan had a ‘moderate level of effectiveness’ on only one out of 11 outcomes. Under this ‘immediate outcome’, Pakistan extends international cooperation on appropriate information, financial intelligence, and evidence, and facilitates action against criminals and their assets. A 15-member joint delegation of FATF and APG paid an onsite visit to Pakistan from Aug 29 to Sept 2 to verify the country’s compliance with a 34-point action plan committed with FATF at the highest level in June 2018. However, this has no direct bearing on an expected exit of Pakistan from FATF’s grey list during its Oct plenary in Paris. (here)

Imran meets ex-US diplomat Robin Raphael

Former US diplomat and CIA analyst Robin Raphael Sun called on PTI Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan at Banigala. It was learned that both discussed matters of mutual interest, mainly in the backdrop of Pakistan-US relations. Opposition Leader in the Senate Dr. Shehzad Waseem was also present in the meeting. PTI’s senior vice president and former minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain also met US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome at the American Embassy on Sept 8. Back in 1993, Robin Raphel was appointed by then President Bill Clinton as Assistant Secy of State. The PTI leadership’s interaction with the US officials is being seen as an attempt to promote good relations with Washington. A few weeks back, it was widely reported in the media that the PTI had hired American lobbying and PR firm for $25,000/month to manage its public and media relations in the United States. (here)

Sri Lankan ‘white elephant’ Chinese tower to open

Huge green and purple communications tower in Sri Lanka financed with Chinese debt that has become a symbol of the ousted Rajapaksa clan’s closeness to Beijing will finally open this week, its operator said on Mon. The 350m Lotus Tower – visible from all over Colombo and built for an estimated $113 mn has been plagued by corruption claims since construction began in 2012 under former president Mahinda Rajapaksa. It is one of several “white elephant” projects built with Chinese loans under Mahinda Rajapaksa, elder brother of Gotabaya Rajapaksa who was ousted from the presidency in Jul after months of protests over Sri Lanka’s dire economic crisis. The state-owned Colombo Lotus Tower Management Company said they had decided to open its observation deck to visitors from Thu and earn ticket sales to minimize losses. The company hopes to rent out office and shop space, including a revolving restaurant just below the observation deck offering views of the congested capital and Ocean. (here)