[NEWS OF THE DAY]

UNGA: Day 4^th: Jaishankar exchanged perspectives on global situation at BRICS ministerial meeting

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thu participated in the BRICS FMs meeting and exchanged perspectives on the global situation, international economy, and regional issues. Jaishankar interacted with his counterparts from Mexico, Paraguay, and Moldova. “Exchange of perspectives on the global situation, international economy, and regional issues, he said. Made the case for Reformed Multilateralism. He met the FM of Paraguay. Apart from that, the EAM also met the Dy PM and Foreign Affairs Minister, Nicu Popescu, and his Mexican counterpart Marcelo Ebrard. While meeting with Ebrard, Jaishankar and Ebrard discussed the Ukraine conflict and the need for a cessation of hostilities. (here) Later, the Russian Ambassador, Denis Alipov holds a presser in Delhi. Calls SCO Samarkand Summit “successful”. Adding, “Dialogue” between India, and China will “promote an atmosphere of trust, understanding“.

UNGA:End conflict in Ukraine, return to negotiating table: Jaishankar at UNSC

Noting that the trajectory of the Ukraine conflict is a matter of profound concern for the entire international community, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thu said the world has experienced its consequences in terms of higher costs and shortages of foodgrains, fertilizers, and fuel. Speaking at the UNSC briefing on Ukraine’s “Fight against impunity”, the minister said that the need of the hour is to end the conflict in Ukraine and return to the negotiating table. This was the first direct encounter between US Secy of State Antony Blinken, Russian FM Sergey Lavrov, and Ukraine’s Dmytro Kuleba, who attended the meeting as his country is the subject of discussion. Referring to the specific topic before the Council, Jaishankar emphasized that even in conflict situations, there can be no justification for violation of human rights or international law. Jaishankar said the fight against impunity is critical to the larger pursuit of securing peace and justice. Regrettably, we have seen this of late in this very Chamber, when it comes to sanctioning some of the world’s most dreaded terrorists. (here) China blocking the listing of Pak-based terrorists at UNSC: Sept: Sajid Mir, 26/11 mastermind Aug: Abdul Rauf, involved in the hijacking of IC 814, brother of Masood Azhar, behind Parliament, Pathankot attack June: Abdul Rehman Makki, Deputy head of Lashkar e Taiba.

I2U2 Sherpas meet on sidelines of UNGA, express commitment to bolster economic ties

Sherpas of four countries of the I2U2 grouping consisting of India, Israel, UAE, and the USA held a meeting on the sidelines of UNGA and expressed their commitment to deepening the economic partnership. In the Tue meeting, India was represented by Secy (ER), Ministry of External Affairs; US side by Jose W. Fernandez, Under Secy of State; Israeli side by Alon Ushpiz, Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and UAE side by Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, an MEA press release read. The group took stock of the projects identified under I2U2 – setting up of food parks in India and a hybrid Renewable Energy /battery storage project in Gujarat. It agreed to continue to work closely in line with the outcome of the Leaders’ Summit in July 2022. I2U2 was initially formed in Oct 2021 following the Abraham Accords between Israel and the UAE, to deal with issues about maritime security, infrastructure, and transport in the region. At that time, it was called the ‘International Forum for Economic Cooperation.’ That was referred to as the ‘West Asian Quad’. (here)

Pak FM rakes up Kashmir in New York even as floods wreak havoc in Pakistan

Despite devastating floods in Pakistan, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thu again raised the Kashmir issue in New York rather than seeking funds for his own country. Zardari said that Islamabad hasn’t seen any signs of rebuilding relations with India. While replying to a query about rebuilding the relationship with India amid the flood situation in Pakistan, Zardari said, “…. India is not one of the countries that have offered assistance. As far as .. PM’s party is concerned, we are trying to create a peaceful environment with India, and we have consistently strong advocacy for engagement with India. But India has fundamentally changed.” Zardari is in New York for the high-level UNGA meeting. He further claimed that it has become incredibly difficult for Pakistan to engage with India. While speaking at the UN high-level meeting on the Rights of Minorities, an Indian diplomat said, “It is ironic that Pakistan is speaking about the rights of minorities. For a country that has even stopped publishing its data to hide its same shameful record, it is amazing that they have even brought up this subject.” (here) [He has done his homework for Kashmir only, while his Deputy was preparing for Education while PM went for the Funds]

Pak F-16 Package Not “A Message To India” Over Its Russia Stand: US

The Biden administration’s green light for key spares for Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jets “is not designed as a message to India”, a top American defense official has said. The previous Trump administration had blocked the $450 million program for maintenance of the F-16s, which Pakistan bought decades ago. In a phone call last week with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also conveyed India’s concerns over Washington’s decision to provide a sustenance package for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet. (here)

India issued Advisory for Indian Nationals and Students in Canada

Ministry of External Affairs issued an advisory on Fri. There has been a sharp increase in incidents of hate crimes, sectarian violence, and anti-India activities in Canada. MEA and our High Commission/Consulates General in Canada have taken up these incidents with the Canadian authorities and requested them to investigate the said crimes and take appropriate action. The perpetrators of these crimes have not been brought to justice so far in Canada. Given the increasing incidences of crimes as described above, Indian nationals and students from India in Canada and those proceeding to Canada for travel/education are advised to exercise due caution and remain vigilant, read the statement. Yesterday’s press briefing MEA stated in response to a question on a ‘referendum on Khalistan’, “The farcical exercise was held by the extremists and radical elements supporting the so-called Khalistan referendum in Canada and elsewhere I think. … However, we find it deeply objectionable that politically motivated exercises by extremist elements are allowed to take place in a friendly country. You’re all aware of the history of violence in this regard.”

Pak diplomatic fly in Canada Sikh referendum soup:

On the day the so-called Sikh Referendum was held in Brampton, Ontario, the Pakistani Consul General Janbaz Khan visited 2 pro-Khalistan Gurudwara in Vancouver ostensibly to thank the office-bearers for sending donations for flood relief in Pakistan. Khan, who has done two stints in India in the Pakistani High Commission, visited pro-Khalistan Sri Dashmesh Darbar and Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara in Surrey on Sept 18 along with 2 officers of his consulate and held secret meetings with the separatist office bearers. The President of Nanak Sikh Gurudwara is Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who carries a ₹10 lakh bounty on his head as he is wanted in 4 NIA cases of Sikh radicalism including the conspiracy to kill a Hindu priest at Phillaur in Punjab. The Darbar temple is also run by pro-separatist elements and friends of Nijjar. (here)

World cannot afford a nuclear catastrophe: UN Secretary amid concerns over Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thu expressed concerns over the situation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in conflict-ravaged Ukraine and said that any damage to nuclear infrastructure could have terrible consequences for people in the area and beyond. Further speaking of the Black Sea Grain deal, UN Secretary-General said that since the signing of the deal, global food prices have dropped sharply. He asked the states to provide clear passage to the export of Russian fertilizers, warning that if the fertilizer market is not stabilized, the world may face a food crisis, next year. (here)

[NATIONAL]

Ministry of defense signs Rs 1,700 crore deal for dual role Surface-to-Surface BrahMos missiles with BAPL

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Thu signed a contract with BrahMos Aerospace Pvt. Ltd. (BAPL) for the acquisition of additional dual-role capable surface-to-surface BrahMos missiles at an approximate cost of Rs 1,700 crores under the “Buy-Indian” category. Induction of these dual-role capable missiles is going to significantly enhance the operational capability of the Indian Navy (IN) fleet assets, Ministry stated. Notably, the BAPL is a joint venture (JV) between India and Russia, making a crucial contribution to augmenting the generation of the new surface-to-surface missiles with enhanced range and dual role capability for land as well as anti-ship attacks. BrahMos is the main weapon system of the IN warships and has been deployed on almost all of its surface platforms. An underwater version is also being developed which will not only be used by the submarines of India but will also be offered for export to friendly foreign nations. (here)

Indian Navy evaluating trial report of Rafale, F-18 for USD 5 billion fighter jet deal

In the $5 billion tenders to buy 26 combat aircraft, the report of the extensive trials of the French Rafale and American F-18 planes is being evaluated by the Indian Navy headquarters. The aircraft is planned to be acquired under a G2G deal by the Navy for operations from its latest aircraft carrier INS Vikrant commissioned recently by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kochi. ANI reported citing sources, that the extensive trial was held by a naval team in Goa for both the fighter aircraft Rafale and F-18. The report is with the headquarters and is being eventuated for final shortlisting. The evaluation is to see whether the aircraft has met the technical specifications of the naval requirements or not, they said. The American aircraft are built for carriers weighing around one lakh tonnes while the French Rafale is made for 60k tonne-size carriers. The last time these two planes took part in an Indian tender, the Rafale had emerged as a winner but that deal could not be completed due to technical issues. (here)

Indian Army set to float tender for carbines, bulletproof vests

The Indian Army has expressed a fresh demand for carbines and sought information from domestic arms manufacturers for the possible supply of more than 425,000 guns of prescribed specifications ahead of floating a tender for the purchase in Nov, officials familiar with the matter said on Fri. The close-quarter carbines will be for frontline soldiers, including the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China where the 2 countries have been locked in a tense standoff since May 2020, the officials said. The force is looking to acquire 5.56mm carbines with an effective range of at least 200 m, the army said in their request for information (RFI). The document, published on Thu, also spells out other desired parameters of the weapon, including accuracy and reliability. The development comes months after the defense ministry cleared indigenous defense purchases worth ₹28,732 crores, including carbines, armed drone swarms, and bullet-proof jackets. The army has also issued an RFI for 47,627 bulletproof jackets. (here)

Commerce meets with UAE counterpart on sidelines of G20 ministerial meet

Union Minister for Commerce Piyush Goyal Thu met with the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi and held discussions to bolster the trade and investment ties between the two countries. The meeting occurred on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) nations’ trade, investment, and industry ministerial meeting. Goyal also held a meeting with the Saudi Arabia Minister of Commerce Majid Alkassabi and held talks to strengthen economic ties between India and Saudi Arabia. Earlier, Piyush Goyal met with the US trade representative Katherine Tai and held discussions on WTO Dispute Settlement Reforms and exchanged ideas on ways to strengthen the mechanism making it more efficient. The meeting came ahead of the G20 Summit which will be hosted by Indonesia in Bali in Nov. India’s G-20 Presidency next year (Dec 1, 2022-Nov 30, 23) will be a golden chance for the country to correct the long-standing anomalies that go against the developing countries, especially in the domain of agriculture and food subsidies, SBI. Goyal also held a meeting with the Executive Vice President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis and discussed expediting FTA negotiations which will benefit both sides. (here)

Rupee breaches 81 mark for a new lifetime low

The rupee tasted yet another lifetime low on Fri morning after the US$ index strengthened to a 2-decade high this week, on hopes that demand for safe-haven currency such as the dollar would pick up. This morning, the Rupee opened 25 paise lower from the previous session to touch a record low of 81.09 versus the US$, against Thu’s close of 80.86. Thu’s depreciation was the biggest single-day fall for the rupee since Feb 24. The US Federal Reserve had raised the repo rate by 75 basis points – which is the 3^rd consecutive hike of the same magnitude, in line with expectations, which essentially means that investors will move towards the US markets for better and stable returns amid the monetary policy tightening. The Fed also hinted that more rate hikes were coming and that these rates would stay elevated until 2024. The US central bank seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2% over the long run and it anticipates that the ongoing hikes in the target range will be appropriate. Consumer inflation in the US though declined marginally in Aug to 8.3% from 8.5% in Jul but is way above the 2% goal. (here)

Assam: One more PFI leader arrested, total 11 held

The Assam Police on Fri arrested one more leader of the Popular Front of India (PFI), it informed. According to the Police, this arrested PFI leader has been identified as Dr. Minarul Seikh who hailed from West Bengal and was arrested from Delhi. Seikh is the PFI’s state president in West Bengal. The police further informed that so far 11 PFI leaders and workers have been arrested under sections 120B, 124 (A), 153(A), and 353 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Earlier on Thu, the Assam Police arrested 10 PFI leaders for allegedly making efforts to foment communal strife throughout the state. According to Police, the aforesaid 10 arrested persons were indulging in whipping the communal passion and sentiments of the religious minority by criticizing every policy of the govt with communal overtones which include the CAA, NRC, and ‘D’-Voter, the new state Education Policy, Cattle Protection Act, an extension of AFSPA, TET examination, Agnipath scheme, eviction of encroached govt lands with a view to term these actions of the Govt as an attack on the Muslim community. (here)

PFI office bearers were recruiting Muslim youth to join proscribed organizations like ISIS: NIA

Office bearers, members, and cadres of the Popular Front of India (PFI) along with others were involved in radicalizing and recruiting Muslim youth to join proscribed organizations like ISIS, the Nationa Investigation Agency revealed while seeking remand of the accused arrested a day ago in its first-ever mega operation against the outfit. The counter-terror agency also accused the PFI leaders and cadres of “conspiring and raising or collecting funds from within India and abroad for committing or getting committed terrorist acts in various parts of India including states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, UP, and Delhi“. “In pursuance to the conspiracy, the accused persons are also involved in acts preparatory to the commission of terrorist acts using weapons, to strike terror in the minds of the general public,” the NIA informed a special court in written citing its First Information Report it registered Apr 13 this year as per direction of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The case was registered by the Delhi branch of the NIA. The NIA categorically mentions in the remand copy of the accused how “in pursuance to the conspiracy, they (PFI leaders, office bearers and others) were involved in radicalizing and recruiting Muslim youth to join proscribed organizations like ISIS“.

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

China expands submarine base near South China Sea, satellite images show

China has been expanding a military submarine base off the SCS, new satellite images show. Two new piers around 240 m long are under construction at the Yulin Naval Base off Yalong Bay in China’s southern Hainan province, according to Sentinel-2A satellite imagery taken on Mon. Yulin is a major base for the People’s Liberation Army and home to the navy’s advanced submarine fleet. Its location not only allows the PLA South Sea Fleet to access the SCS, but also the busy shipping route stretching from the Middle East, through the Strait of Malacca, to East Asia. SCMP reported citing sources, that the base has been expanding for years, including works to build a dry dock for Type 002 aircraft carriers. To date, the Shandong is the only Type 002 aircraft carrier in the fleet. Works began in Mar with what appeared to be land reclamation, according to satellite imagery from that period. By late July, the 2 new piers – one to the north of the existing four and the other to the south – had largely taken shape. Submarines continued to use the Yulin base while construction was underway. (here)

China targeted scientists working in US labs to advance military technologies: Report

The Chinese govt recruited scientists, who worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, for assisting China to advance key military and dual-use technologies in areas such as hypersonic, deep-earth penetrating warheads, unmanned autonomous vehicles (UAV), and jet engines, according to a report released by Strider Technologies. ST is a security and intelligence firm located in Salt Lake City, Utah in the US. The intelligence think tank enables clients to proactively identify, manage, and respond to nation-state-directed IP theft and supply chain vulnerabilities. The report highlighted that in 3 decades over 160 researchers returned to China to help nuclear and other advanced weapons programs. “Between 1987 and 2021, at least 162 scientists who had worked at Los Alamos returned to China to support various domestic R&D programs. And 15 of those scientists worked as permanent staff members at Los Alamos,” the report revealed. Of those 15, 13 were recruited into Chinese govt talent programs; some were responsible for sponsoring visiting scholars and researchers from the PRC, and some received US govt funding for sensitive research. (here)

China goes ‘its own way’ on Ukraine as EU pushes for pressure on Russia

China reiterated that it will “play its role in its own way” in the Ukraine conflict as the European Union urged Beijing to use its influence on Russia to end the war. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the statement while meeting EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell on the sidelines of the UNGA in New York. He said China supported the EU and major European countries to “continue to actively mediate and make every effort to strive for peace” in the Ukraine war. “China will neither stand by nor add fuel to the fire, but will continue to play its role in its own way,” Wang said, according to state news agency Xinhua. Borrell said he hoped China would use its influence on Russia to end the war in Ukraine and raised concerns over the possibility of nuclear proliferation, according to an EU statement. (here)

China’s ambitions loom as US-led Pacific group prioritises climate change

China’s ambitions in the Pacific are a concern for some Pacific Island leaders, White House Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell said on Thu, but a growing US partnership with allies in the region aims to address issues such as climate change, health, and technology links. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier hosted a meeting with FMs from the Partners in the Blue Pacific – a group formed in June that includes the US, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and Britain. US officials briefing reporters on the meeting said Canada and Germany intended to formally join the initiative, which seeks to coordinate help to the strategically vital region in the face of competition from China. “I think as we’ve seen in some instances, clearly China has ambitions in the Pacific, some of which have caused concern among Pacific Island leaders,” Campbell said. But he said the group’s agenda would be guided by Pacific Island countries’ needs. (here)

Global response to flood devastation ‘commendable but not enough’: PM Shehbaz

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Fri that the world’s response to the flood devastation in Pakistan was “commendable” but added that it was far from meeting the country’s needs. In an interview with Bloomberg TV, the premier outlined the challenges the country is facing due to catastrophic floods which have displaced more than 33 million people. “We are among the top ten most vulnerable countries [to climate change],” he said, adding that around 1,500 people had died in the disastrous deluge. Standing crops on four million acres have been washed away and thousands of houses have been damaged, PM Shehbaz said. Highlighting the meetings he had held on the sidelines of the UNGA, the premier said that he had spoken to several world leaders. (here) Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, Bangladesh PM Hasina, and Palestine’s Abbas at dinner hosted by US Prez Biden on the occasion of UNGA.

IMF has informally agreed to ease program conditions: Miftah

Finance Minister Miftah Ismail said on Friday that International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has “expressed agreement” with Pakistan’s request to ease the conditions imposed on the country under the Extended Fund Facility (EEF) program. Speaking to Geo News, Ismail said the IMF official had also agreed to increase the amount Pakistan would receive in the next tranche. He added, however, that a “lot of negotiations” were yet to be held with the international lender. Separately, while speaking to Dunya News, the finance minister said he had informed the IMF of Pakistan’s changed economic situation after the floods, the destruction of cotton crops, and the difficulties the country would face in ensuring adequate wheat supplies. (here)

Afghanistan: Explosion heard near Wazir Muhammad Akbar Khan Mosque in Kabul

A powerful explosion was heard on Fri near Kabul at Wazir Muhammad Akbar Khan Grand Mosque. According to initial reports, the explosion occurred when the worshipers were leaving the mosque, reported Tolo News. So far, there are no numbers available about casualties. Notably, the explosion comes days after a blast was heard near the Russian Embassy southwest of Kabul city. The blast resulted in the death of 2 Russian Embassy staff and the injury of several locals, the Taliban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a tweet. This explosion happened days after at least 20 people were killed in a blast that rocked a mosque in northwestern Afghanistan during Fri prayers. In recent months, several blasts have been reported in the capital city of Kabul, claiming dozens of innocent lives. (here)

Two Nepal projects selected under China’s GDI

At a time when not a single project under the Beijing-led Belt and Road Initiatives has commenced in Nepal, 2 projects from Nepal have been selected under China’s other initiative called, the Global Development Initiative (GDI). According to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, out of the 50 projects that are listed as 1^st-batch projects in the GDI projects pool, 2 projects have been selected for Nepal. The list of projects was released on Wed following the Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of the GDI in New York. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also the State Councilor of China, chaired the meeting where he outlined how Beijing-led GDI will move forward and how it will help achieve the sustainable development goals by 2030. (here)

The ball is now in Supreme Court as Sheetal Niwas and Baluwatar face off

The constitutional confusion that has arisen after President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s refusal to authenticate the amendment bill on the Citizenship Act will now be settled by the Supreme Court. The court will start hearing on five writ petitions that challenge the President’s refusal to authenticate the bill within the 15-day constitutional deadline. According to court officials, the hearings on all the petitions will be conducted by a single bench on Fri. “The bench will decide on whether the petitions will be sent to the Constitutional Bench or decided from a regular bench,” Bimal Poudel, spokesperson for the apex court, told the Post. (here)