[NEWS OF THE DAY]

SCO: ‘Will apprise as schedule unfolds’: Govt on PM Modi’s bilaterals with leaders of China and Pakistan

Amid speculations over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s likely meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Pakistani counterpart Shahbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the SCO Summit beginning in Uzbekistan on Thu, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said that the PM will have ‘several bilaterals’ in Samarkand but refused to disclose further details. Speaking at a press briefing ahead of PM Modi’s departure, the Kwatra said the PM will meet the President of Uzbekistan for a bilateral meeting and he will have other bilaterals as well on the sidelines of the summit. “… The Summit usually has 2 sessions – restricted session, only for the SCO member states, and then an extended session, which likely includes participation by observers and special invitees,” Kwatra said. “We expect the discussions of the SCO Summit to cover topical, regional and international issues, reform and expansion of SCO, the security situation in the region, our cooperation in the region, including strengthening connectivity and boosting trade in the region,” he added. (here)

Connectivity with Eurasia to be PM Modi’s big pitch at SCO, says ambassador to Uzbekistan

ThePrint- India is planning to give a major thrust on a mega connectivity plan for Eurasia at the upcoming summit meeting of the China-led SCO, with Iran’s Chabahar port being one of the major focal points, said Manish Prabhat, India’s envoy to Uzbekistan. Prabhat said India, which is going to take over the chairmanship of SCO from Uzbekistan in this summit, is likely to push not just the Chabahar Port project, but also the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). Besides, India has also been making efforts to ensure that within the Central Asian countries, Uzbekistan plays a key role with India, Iran, and Russia in the promotion and operationalization of the Chabahar project as well as the INSTC, the envoy said. India has been giving a massive thrust to making the Chabahar Port project and the INSTC the main focal points when it comes to inclusive and mega connectivity between Eurasia and South Asia because New Delhi wants this to become a rival to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. As a result, within the SCO too, an India-China rivalry can be seen in terms of enhancing connectivity and transforming them into mega trade routes. (here)

Issue of legitimacy, international recognition — why Taliban was not invited to SCO summit

ThePrint-Despite Afghanistan being high on the agenda of the Shanghai Organisation Cooperation’s (SCO) meeting of the Council of Heads of State, the Taliban leadership in Kabul was not invited to the conference owing to opposition from certain member countries. Under the chairmanship of Uzbekistan in the past year, the SCO has had several deliberations on how to deal with the Taliban, which took control of Afghanistan in Aug 2021. However, when the main summit happened with Uzbekistan as the host, it was decided that none of the Taliban representatives would be invited. (here)

Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin speak in person for first time since Russia invaded Ukraine

Chinese President Xi Jinping met Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Thu in Uzbekistan for their first in-person talks since they declared in Feb – before the invasion of Ukraine – that their countries enjoyed a “no-limits” friendship. The meeting was on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in the city of Samarkand in Uzbekistan, Chinese and Russian media reported. “In the face of a changing world, changing times, and historic changes, China is willing to work with Russia to demonstrate the responsibilities of big powers and lead, to instill stability and positive energy in a world of chaos,” Xi said, according to footage aired by Russian media. He also told Putin that he was interested in sharing views on bilateral ties and matters of regional and international importance. Neither side has released an official agenda of the meeting but the Kremlin said on Wednesday that the leaders were expected to discuss the war in Ukraine and issues involving Taiwan. (here)

Iran signs memorandum on joining Shanghai Cooperation Organization: Report

Iran on Thu signed a memorandum on joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Russian state-owned news agency TASS reported. Founded in 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a security bloc comprising Russia, China, India, Pakistan, and many post-Soviet states. Iran was previously an observer member. (HT)

US equipment package for Pak’s F-16 fleet: Rajnath conveys to Austin India’s concern

Defense Minister, Rajnath Singh on Wed conveyed to US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin India’s concerns over Washington’s decision to provide a sustenance package for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet with an equipment package worth $450 million, during a telephonic conversation. Indian officials had also conveyed their concerns last week to US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu as well. “…. We discussed growing convergence of strategic interests and enhanced defense & security cooperation,” Singh said. A readout by the US Defence Department said Secretary Austin congratulated Singh on the commissioning of the INS Vikrant, noting the significance of the event for India’s role as a security provider in the Indo-Pacific. The ministry said Austin expressed support for India’s defense modernization program and looked forward to strengthening India-US defense industrial and technology collaboration. (here) [Indian experts see the deal of the US with Pakistan not as a sustenance package but as a ‘modernization package’ which may have an impact on New Delhi in due course of time.] US State Department in response to a question said that the new program aims only at building Pakistan’s strength in counter-terrorism and should not be seen in the India-Pakistan context. [Interestingly, it is full of paradoxes, firstly, no country bombard its citizens by using F16, at least no record in the case of Pak. Secondly, Pak may use it in all likelihood against TTP but that too is in Afagan]

[NATIONAL]

Jaishankar takes dig at China, says countries blocking UNSC listings of terrorists a threat to Int’l community

In a veiled dig at China, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wed said the UNSC listing of terrorists is done as they are a threat to the entire international community but some countries block these listings “at peril to their own interests and their own reputation.” Jaishankar made these remarks at a media briefing following his talks with French counterpart Catherine Colonna. While replying to a question on UNSC proposals being blocked to designate Pakistan-based terrorists, Jaishankar said the listing is done as terrorists are a threat to the entire international community. This comes in the backdrop of China blocking a move at the UNSC last month to designate Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) deputy chief Abdul Rauf Azhar as a global terrorist. China put a technical hold on the joint proposal by India and the US to designate the JeM leader. All other 14 member states of the top UN body supported the proposal. The Chinese action came less than a month after Beijing blocked a similar joint proposal by India and the US to blacklist Pakistan-based deputy leader of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba Abdul Rehman Makki. (here) Jaishankar on disengagement on the Patrolling Point 15, says, “disengagement at PP15 completed, that is one less problem“.

Centre, Assam government sign tripartite peace accord with state’s eight tribal outfit

The Centre and Assam government on Thu signed a tripartite peace accord with eight tribal outfits of Assam. The accord was signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The eight rebel groups include Birsa Commando Force (BCF), Adivasi People’s Army (APA), All Adivasi National Liberation Army (AANLA), Adivasi Cobra Military of Assam (ACMA), and Santhali Tiger Force (STF) and the remaining three outfits are splinter groups of BCF, AANLA, and ACMA. The accord was signed 10 years after the peace process started. Birsa Commando Force (BCF), Adivasi People’s Army (APA), All Adivasi National Liberation Army (AANLA), Adivasi Cobra Military of Assam (ACMA), and Santhali Tiger Force (STF) have been in a ceasefire with the government since 2012 and since then the cadres of the militant outfits are staying in designated camps. On Jan 27 this year, a total of 246 insurgents of two militant groups of the state laid down their arms and returned to the mainstream. In an arms-laying ceremonial function held at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati, 169 insurgents of the United Gorkha People’s Organisation (UGPO) and 77 insurgents of the Tiwa Liberation Army (TLA) laid down their arms before Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. (here)

India protests vandalization of temple in Toronto

The Indian govt formally protested the vandalization of Toronto’s largest temple on Tue night, after it was spraypainted with pro-Khalistan graffiti. The incident occurred in the late hours between Tue and Wed and the defacement was discovered in the morning by workers and volunteers at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Toronto. A senior Indian official told the HT that a formal protest note over the vandalization has been conveyed to Global Affairs Canada, by India’s High Commission in Ottawa. The mission has sought an expeditious investigation into the episode and described it as a “hate crime”. In a tweet on Wed night, India’s High Commission in Ottawa said, “We strongly condemn defacing of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir Toronto with anti-India graffiti. Have requested Canadian authorities to investigate the incident and take prompt action on perpetrators.” (here)

Taliban prevents 60 Sikhs from leaving Afghanistan; SGPC asks Centre to intervene

Sixty Afghan Sikhs who were scheduled to arrive in India on Sept 11 were stopped by the Taliban regime from leaving the country as they were carrying holy scriptures with them. Following the incident, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Thu condemned the Taliban move and asked the Centre to intervene and ensure that the community’s sentiments were not hurt or disrespected in landlocked Afghanistan. SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami strongly condemned the ban on taking the “holy body of Sri Guru Granth Sahib” out of Afghanistan by the Taliban regime, according to a statement issued by the committee. He said that according to the information received by the committee, a group of 60 Afghani Sikhs was supposed to come to India on Sept 11, but they could not arrive because they were prevented from bringing the “holy image of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji“. (here)

Kazakhstan to hold 6^th CICA Summit in Oct

The focus of the international agenda shifts to Central Asia as Kazakhstan will be hosting the 6^th Conference on Confidence Building Measures and Interaction in Asia (CICA) summit from Oct 12-13, 2022 in the capital city Nur-Sultan. Since the year of Independence in 1991, Kazakhstan, as well as the Central Asian region as a whole, has begun to attract more attention from the international community. The region, not only rich in mineral resources but also pursuing a balanced and multi-vector foreign policy, aroused the interest of all world powers. Seeing the vast potential of Central Asia, including due to its geographical proximity to Afghanistan, the leading international actors have established mutually beneficial platforms for deepening cooperation with these countries. In particular, today there are several dialogue platforms initiated between individual countries and Central Asia: “Central Asia – India”, “Central Asia – Japan”, “Central Asia – USA”, “Central Asia – EU”, etc. It is noteworthy that this Summit, to be held in the year of the 30^th anniversary of the CICA and to which the leaders of all participants and observers, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are invited, should become an important milestone in the consolidation of the countries of the region with the world community in the face of modern challenges and threats. (here)

Vacancies for Nepalese under Agnipath may be withdrawn for time being if Kathmandu does not act soon: Army chief

India may be forced to withdraw vacancies for enlisting soldiers from Nepal under its new Agnipath scheme in the ongoing recruitment cycle if the landlocked country does not decide in time, Army chief Gen Manoj Pande said on Wed. Such a move by India, if it comes to that, could have adverse implications for the already delicately poised relationship with Nepal, where China has systematically made huge strategic inroads over the years. Nepal has put on hold recruitments under the Agnipath scheme, for which rallies were to commence there on Aug 25, in protest against the induction of soldiers for only 4 years without pension and ex-servicemen benefits. The Army is going to induct a total of 40,000 Agniveers in two batches after recruitment rallies and selection process around the country, and in Nepal, with the training of around 25,000 to begin in Dec and 15,000 in Feb. Even before this scheme, the annual intake of Nepalese Gorkhas in the Indian Army had gradually decreased from 4k to 1.5k /year. “As per my sense,” Gen Pande said, Nepal “is unlikely to take any decision before the general elections in the country on Nov 20”, given that certain quarters were opposed to the Indian Army recruiting Nepalese youth. (here) The Nepal Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thu that a decision on the scheme will be taken after the formation of the new govt. (here)

Hybrid terrorist arrested in J-K’s Reasi, was in touch with Pak handlers

Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested a hybrid terrorist, who was in touch with Pakistani handlers, from Reasi and recovered arms and ammunition from his possession. Police received information that a person namely Zaffer Iqbal, a resident of Reasi district was in touch with terrorist handlers in Pakistan. According to Police, Zaffer’s brother namely Mohd Ishaq was a terrorist of the outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and got killed in an encounter with security forces in Rajouri, reportedly one of his relatives namely Abdul Rashid, a resident of Reasi in Pakistan and is also working with terror groups. Jammu and Kashmir Police registered a case under relevant sections and raided followed by his arrest. During interrogation, Zaffar confessed his intimacy with terror organizations and about the commission of the offense. (here)

Trend of oil exports to India will continue, will strike new trade records: Russia

The trend of crude oil supply to India will continue, and bilateral trade will strike new records, said Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, in an interview with ANI. “India being a consumer, quite naturally is looking for the cheapest offers and Russia being deprived of its traditional markets in Europe, for example, is looking for new markets, so this meeting between best available options and best available offers is driving the trade and our relationship in the energy sector, it is natural we think this trend will continue in a structured manner,” the Russian envoy said. “No one knows the situation how energy markets look like by the end of the year, we are looking to further expand our relationship in this area at promoting the ongoing dialogue and cooperation based on long-term arrangements and agreements,” he added. According to an estimate, there is a steep jump in Russian oil export to India, as it has increased 10x this year and Russian crude oil is now fulfilling almost 10% of India’s imported oil consumption. The Russian envoy said that India and Russia are looking to further expand the relationship in the energy sector as the situation in the future is unpredictable. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

China opens unofficial police stations in Britain to hunt down people for their return

China has opened unofficial police stations in London as part of a growing network of Communist Party-linked offices accused of hunting down and blackmailing Chinese citizens to force them to return home. A family member of the man was asked to sit next to the Chinese authorities in China during the call – a move that can be interpreted as a thinly veiled threat. Other examples of possible blackmail listed by Safeguard Defenders are authorities threatening to cut electricity to the homes of families back home, or restricting access to public schools for relatives. (here)

President Bhandari asks China to implement past agreements

President Bidya Devi Bhandari has drawn the attention of the visiting Chinese National People’s Congress Speaker Li Zhanshu to the past promises made by China and called on the northern neighbor to make good of them. During her meeting with Li, the President said the implementation of the past agreements by China including one on the Belt and Road Initiatives are intrinsically linked to Nepal’s development. Tika Dhakal, expert advisor to President, quoting the President said, “China is positive about implementing the agreements reached between the two countries.” During the meeting, Li also reiterated China’s commitment to reopen the Tibet border, which remains closed since the start of the pandemic, according to Dhakal. On Wed morning, Li visited Bhaktapur Durbar Square and appreciated the ongoing post-earthquake reconstruction projects there. (here)

Street vendors protest in front of Kathmandu Metropolitan City office

Street vendors from across the Valley came together to protest in front of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City office in Sundhara on Thu. Hawkers and street vendors have been demanding the City allow them to run their businesses. Mayor Balendra Shah has taken a strong stance against street vendors for encroaching on footpaths and pedestrian walkways along the City roads. The City under the leadership of Shah has removed street vendors from their usual place of business and banned their fiscal activities. (here)

US senate’s 1st step to direct military aid to Taiwan amid ‘existential crisis’

A Senate committee took the first step Wed toward the US directly providing billions of dollars in military aid to Taiwan and making ties more official, ramping up support following soaring tensions with Beijing. The US for decades has sold weapons to Taiwan but the new legislation will go further by providing US security assistance of $4.5 billion over four years, a step sure to infuriate Beijing. It also lays out sanctions on China if it uses force to try to seize the island. With support from both parties, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the Taiwan Policy Act, billed as the most sweeping upgrade of the relationship since the US switched recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979. Lawmakers moved ahead on the act amid heightened worries for Taiwan after Russia invaded Ukraine and following a visit to Taipei by House Speaker, which prompted China to stage major military exercises seen as a trial run for an invasion. Senator Bob Menendez, a member of Biden’s Democratic Party who leads the committee, said that the US “does not seek war or heightened tensions with Beijing” but needed to be “clear-eyed.” (here)

China’s fury over US bill on Taiwan: ‘Will have serious consequences’

China said Thu that a US bill that would send direct military aid to Taiwan “sent serious wrong signals to Taiwan independence and separatist forces“. If the bill continues to move forward, “it will greatly shake the political foundation of China-US relations, and will have extremely serious consequences for … peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a briefing. (here)

China’s offshore yuan breaches key level of 7 per US dollar for the first time since July 2020

China’s currency broke through the psychologically important level of 7 yuan per US dollar on Thursday, amid a souring outlook for the world’s second-largest economy due to its strict zero-Covid policy and a property crisis. The yuan traded in the offshore market weakened about 0.5% to 7.009 against the US dollar. In the onshore exchange market, the currency is held at 6.9950 against the US$. Wang Chunying, deputy director of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE), said the performance of the yuan exchange rate had been relatively stable despite the fast depreciation of other currencies against the US dollar. Chinese banks reported a US$ 25 bn surplus in foreign exchange settlements last month, according to SAFE data released on Thu afternoon. Central bank data also showed that foreign investors trimmed their holdings of Chinese bonds by 30 bn yuan (US$4.2 bn) in Aug. (here)

Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah condemned the discovery of bodies of missing persons and said that an independent investigation will be conducted into the incident. Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq met MQM leaders Federal Minister Aminul Haq and Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui. He said that he will investigate the incident together with the Sindh government, bring those responsible to book, and take strict action against them. (Nawai Waqt, Daily Express, Daily Jinnah, Ummat)