[NEWS OF THE DAY]

1. India shedding colonial mindset, says PM Modi at 400th birth anniversary celebration of Lachit Barphukan
2. India expresses displeasure over comparing PM Modi with Saudi leader Mohammed bin Salman
3. IAF set to place Rs 1,400 cr order for new age missiles to destroy enemy radars
4. India should strive for win-win situation for all: Rajnath Singh at Indo-Pacific dialogue
5. ‘Have agreed to pursue free trade deal with Gulf Cooperation’: Piyush Goyal

What Else

6. French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu set for India visit, to board INS Vikrant on 27 Nov
7. On NSA Doval’s invitation, top minister and Ulema from Indonesia to attend conference on interfaith harmony
8. India, UAE in talks for rupee-dirham-denominated bilateral trade
9. India’s Adani to invest $4 billion in petrochemical complex – FT
10. India slams USCIRF report on religious freedom in India, says it ‘misrepresents facts’
11. Pakistan: Shehbaz Sharif leaves for Turkiye on two-day official visit
12. State Bank raises policy rate by 100bps to 16pc
13. China resumes strategic naval partnerships with foreign counterparts, aims to ‘deepen cooperation’
14. CCP creating ‘iron curtain between those within and outside Tibet’: Report
15. Oli reaches out to Dahal as jockeying begins to cobble together a coalition
16. Turkey’s paramilitary SADAT meeting discussed deploying foreign fighters to Kashmir, Palestine

India shedding colonial mindset, says PM Modi at 400th birth anniversary celebration of Lachit Barphukan

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Fri that India is leaving behind the colonial mindset and is filled with a sense of pride for its heritage.
• He said while addressing the 400^th birth anniversary celebrations of Lachit Barphukan
• He further said that Assam’s history is a matter of great pride in India’s journey.
• “Today, India has broken the shackles of colonialism and is moving forward, celebrating our heritage and remembering our heroes with pride“, said the PM.
• The Prime Minister said that India has always valued its rich and cultural heritage and has always protected its spiritual and cultural principles.
• Born on Nov 24^th, 1622 in Charaideo, Barphukan was known for his extraordinary military intelligence in defeating the Mughals, and halting the ambitions of Aurangzeb in the Battle of Saraighat. (here)
• Stressing the need to rewrite India’s history, PM said that despite the country’s rich history of victory and sacrifice, colonial-era history is taught in educational institutes.
• On the line, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asked historians to rewrite history in the Indian context and assured them that the govt will support their efforts. (here)
• The Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) has launched a project to “rewrite” India’s history – from the time of the Indus Valley civilization till the present day — using sources available in vernacular languages and scripts, to give “due credit” to dynasties who have been “missed out” and “correct” texts that have been written in a “Euro-centric” way, officials said on Mon. (here)

India expresses displeasure over comparing PM Modi with Saudi leader Mohammed bin Salman

• India has expressed its displeasure after a US state department official referred to PM Narendra Modi while talking about immunity to the Saudi Crown Prince accused of ordering the killing of a journalist in Turkey.
• Last week over defending immunity to the Saudi Crown Prince, the US state department cited examples of immunity given to several heads of state including the PM.
• MEA in the regular briefing said, “Frankly, I fail to understand how the comment on PM Modi was either relevant, necessary, or contextual”.
• The MEA also clarified that no proposal for a visit by PM Modi to the US in Dec has been made by the Indian side.
• Bagchi also dismissed reports attributed to External Affairs Minister and White House spokesperson about the meeting between PM Modi and US President Biden.

IAF set to place Rs 1,400 cr order for new age missiles to destroy enemy radars

• The Indian Air Force has moved a proposal worth Rs 1,400 cr to the govt for Rudram next-generation anti-radiation missiles to search and destroy enemy radar locations.
• The next-generation anti-radiation missiles have already been tested by the IAF from its Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft fleet and can destroy radar locations during conflicts.
• It is accurate and can even track a radar system even if it is not operating.
• NGARM is India’s first indigenously developed anti-radiation missile that has a speed of Mach 2.
• The tactical, air-to-surface anti-radiation missile is equipped with a passive homing head that tracks sources of radiation of a wide range of frequencies.
• It can lock into a target before and after launch. (here)

India should strive for win-win situation for all: Rajnath Singh at Indo-Pacific dialogue

• Espousing the idea of multi-alignment and a “win-win situation” for all, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Fri.
• He underlined the importance of the Indo-Pacific region and voiced the country’s intent for constructive engagements in the region for shared prosperity and security.
• Delivering a keynote address at the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue-2022 in New Delhi, Singh said the Indo-Pacific region remains important for economic development.
• Speaking in favor of the multi-alignment approach, the minister argued that a strong and prosperous India would not be built at the cost of others.
• Furthermore, the Defence Minister said India has also been espousing the idea of multi-alignment. (here)

‘Have agreed to pursue free trade deal with Gulf Cooperation’: Piyush Goyal

• India and Gulf Cooperation Council have agreed to pursue the Free Trade Agreement, said Commerce Minister Goyal, adding that he wants to conclude it at the earliest.
• GCC is already India’s largest trading partner, which contributes almost 35% of India’s oil imports and 70% of our gas imports.
• The bilateral merchandise trade in the year 2021-2022 is valued at $154 billion, while services stood at around $14 billion.
• While India played an important role in food security and contribute to the healthcare of GCC, the GCC is a reliable partner in India’s energy security.
• Goyal said the FTA between India and GCC countries will be a comprehensive economic partnership.
• Nayef Falah M Al-Hajraf, secretary general of GCC said, “We are keen to pursue FTA negotiations. (here)
• In 2023 Indian trade negotiators will engage 4 economies – the UK, the EU, Canada, and the GCC– on trade deals while targeting to close a deal with the UK by the Mar, HT reported. (here)

French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu set for India visit, to board INS Vikrant on 27 Nov

• French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu is set to visit the country this weekend and will go onboard the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant on Nov, 27.
• Lecornu’s visit comes at a time when France is offering more Rafale fighter jets to the IAF at a reduced cost, and higher indigenous content besides the naval version.
• (sources)- Lecornu, who is just 35 and was named France’s defense minister in May, will meet his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh on Nov 28.
• He is also expected to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Sources said the main agenda for Lecornu’s visit is Indo-pacific cooperation and partnership between the two countries.
• India is also keen to work with France on the development of the jet engine and this is a priority project for the Narendra Modi government.
• In the last few years, partnerships between the 2 have deepened and the French have been keen to strengthen defense and strategic cooperation with India. (here)

On NSA Doval’s invitation, top minister and Ulema from Indonesia to attend conference on interfaith harmony

• On the invitation of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, top Indonesian minister Dr. Mohammed Mahfud MD will be in Delhi next week.
• Dr. Mahfud is the Minister for the Political, Legal, and Security Affairs of Indonesia.
• He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation of Ulema.
• On Nov 28, visiting Ulema from Indonesia will also be interacting with their Indian counterparts.
• The discussion will be on the ‘Role of Ulema in fostering a culture of interfaith peace and social harmony in India and Indonesia’.

There will be 3 sessions, 1^st, Islam: Continuity and Change, the 2^nd, Harmonizing inter-faith society: Practice and Experience, and the 3^rd, session will be Countering Radicalization and Extremism in India and Indonesia.

• It is learned that NSA Doval will be making opening and closing remarks and a joint statement will also be issued at the end of the visit.
• Indonesia has the world’s largest Muslim population and India is home to the second-largest number of Muslims in the world. (here)

India, UAE in talks for rupee-dirham-denominated bilateral trade

• India and UAE are in talks for a Rupee-Dirham-denominated bilateral trade, said the Indian Ambassador to UAE, adding that both the countries will find it beneficial.
• The Ambassador said the talks started on Sept 1, 2022.
• This development followed the Reserve Bank of India’s announcement — a mechanism to settle payments for international trade in rupees, especially for India’s exports.
• It is widely believed if the mechanism fructifies then it may go a long way in internationalizing the Indian currency rupee in the long run.
• SBI Research said the RBI should make a conscious effort to internationalize the rupee amid disruptions in payments caused by the ongoing Ukraine war. (here)

India’s Adani to invest $4 billion in petrochemical complex – FT

• Indian billionaire Gautam Adani is planning to invest more than $4 billion in a petrochemical complex in the state of Gujarat, he said in an interview with FT on Fri.
• Adani, Asia’s richest person, plans to launch a “super app” in the next 3-6 months to connect Adani airport passengers with other Adani Gr services, according to the report. (here)

India slams USCIRF report on religious freedom in India, says it ‘misrepresents facts’

• India slammed the US Commission for International Religious Freedom’s (USCIRF) report, which alleged religious freedom is under threat in India, saying that the Congress-appointed body was pursuing a motivated and biased agenda.
• “Given its record, we are not surprised to see that USCIRF continues to be guided by its prejudices and pursues a motivated agenda that calls into question its credibility,” MEA
• The US state department has refused to incorporate the recommendations so far. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Pakistan: Shehbaz Sharif leaves for Turkiye on two-day official visit

• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has left for Turkiye on a two-day official visit this morning, on Fri.
• Shehbaz and Erdogan will jointly inaugurate the 3^rd of the 4 MILGEM Corvette Ships for the Pakistan Navy at the Istanbul Shipyard.
• The two leaders will also hold wide-ranging discussions encompassing bilateral relations, the regional situation, and other issues of common interest, statement of FO.
• During his stay in Istanbul, the president of the ECO Trade and Development Bank (ETDB) will call on the PM, the FO said.
• PM last visited Turkiye in May-June 2022. (here)

State Bank raises policy rate by 100bps to 16pc

• The announcement came after a meeting of the bank’s Monetary Policy Committee.
• The central bank said that the decision was aimed at ensuring that “elevated inflation does not become entrenched and that risks to financial stability are contained, thus paving the way for higher growth on a more sustainable basis”.
• The SBP identified higher food and core inflation as “key contributors” to elevated inflation. (here)

President Arif Alvi approves PM Shehbaz Sharif’s nominees for COAS, CJCSC

PM Shehbaz had proposed Gen Asim Munir as the new army chief, and Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza as CJCSC; PM, president meet new appointees (see the last newsletter)

China resumes strategic naval partnerships with foreign counterparts, aims to ‘deepen cooperation’

• China has restarted its military exchanges with foreign counterparts after the partnerships were suspended for more than a year due to Covid-19.
• As part of its reopening, the PLA Navy sailed the hospital ship, Peace Ark, to Indonesia for a week-long humanitarian aid mission earlier this month.
• The navy will soon send a formal combat vessel to Bangladesh to strengthen strategic partnerships with its Asian neighbors.
• The PLA will send a delegation led by one of its most advanced destroyers to attend the 100^th birth anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding president of B’desh.
• On Fri, the Chinese def min met his counterparts from Indonesia and Singapore in Shaanxi province and promised to resume its long-standing joint military training and exercises with the two Asian members. (here)

CCP creating ‘iron curtain between those within and outside Tibet’: Report

• Tibetans are working for a political cause while facing consistent security challenges from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
• Being intimidated by CCP officials, Tibetans are unable to talk to their families who live in Tibet, as their electronic devices are being hacked and monitored, Inkstick reported.
• As per the report, the Chinese Communist Party’s goal is to create “an iron curtain between those within and outside Tibet.”
• Tibetans who wish to visit Tibet are only permitted to enter with a special permit.
• For visiting Tibet, they need to register themselves in Lhasa and the authorities then monitor their movement.
• If the Tibetans do not agree, these entities start imposing pressure on them by threatening their family members in Tibet as a ‘tactic of intimidation.’ (here)
• “We are not different from India, even though divided by boundaries: Stress India-Tibet close relationship, Penpa Tsering, Sikyong of Central Tibetan Administration on Thu said that even though the two countries are divided by boundaries, they are very much the same.

Oli reaches out to Dahal as jockeying begins to cobble together a coalition

• CPN-UML chair and former prime minister KP Sharma Oli on Thu telephoned CPN (Maoist) chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal and proposed that they work together.
• Dahal reportedly told Oli to wait until the final election results are out.
• Oli also rang up PM and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and congratulated him on the latter’s win.
• According to Malla, Oli suggested that the two top leaders forget their past bitterness and forge a new partnership to lead the country.
• “The second-rung leaders of the Maoist Centre are shocked by the election results, especially as their electoral partnership with the Nepali Congress did not favor them,” the UML leader said.
• NC secures 43 seats as final results of 125 constituencies out: As per the latest update, Congress is leading in 10 constituencies, UML in 12, and CPN (Maoist) in 6 constituencies. (here)

Turkey’s paramilitary SADAT meeting discussed deploying foreign fighters to Kashmir, Palestine

• The idea of sending foreign fighters to Kashmir and Palestine was raised during a meeting in Turkey that was organized by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s secretive paramilitary group SADAT.

• “… But my only point is: Are these volunteers going to be allowed to go to Palestine, to go to Kashmir?” said Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai, a Kashmiri-born convicted felon.
• “Can we ask the world powers why don’t you feel that pain and suffering when it comes from the streets of Palestine or Kashmir?” he added.
• Fai’s remarks were hailed by other participants in the meeting that was held by SADAT’s front organization, the ASSAM, on Nov 12.
• Fai’s US-based organization, the Kashmiri American Council, an outfit that is funded by ISI, has long been a partner of SADAT and its affiliated organizations.
• This is not the first time Fai has appeared at SADAT events but has been working closely with SADAT’s founder, Gen Adnan Tanrıverdi (R). (here)