1. Indian and Chinese troops clash at disputed border days after US-India joint war games
2. IAF scrambled jets 2-3 times in past weeks amid Chinese aggression: Report
3. Our Army bravely defended against China’s aggression in Tawang; none of our soldiers seriously injured: Def Min in Parliament
4. Amit Shah condemns ruckus in Lok Sabha over India-China LAC clash
5. Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar arrives in Sri Lanka for 4-day official visit

What Else

6. Indian, Nepal govt sign MoUs for projects in education, healthcare and drinking water
7. Centre bans Pakistani OTT website, apps for showing anti-India content on sensitive historical events
8. India hits out at OIC chief over PoK visit, comment on J&K: ‘mouthpiece of Pak’
9. Jaishankar to visit New York to preside over two high-level ministerial events
10. India’s toy industry poised to challenge China as New Delhi readies new subsidy
11. China sends record wave of bombers into Taiwan defence zone
12. IMF divided over request by Pakistan, other borrowers to suspend surcharges
13. Pak: PM performs groundbreaking of Sukkur-Hyderabad motorway, says project to be completed in 30 months
14. The govts of Pb, KP, GB and AK blamed the Federal govt is not paying their due funds

In media

Headlines in media

• ThePrint: Arunachal clash: Over 200 PLA troops came with spiked clubs, taser guns, Indian soldiers hit back (here)
• The Hindu: Indian, Chinese soldiers injured in clash near Arunachal border (here)
• India Today: Indian, Chinese troops clashed at Arunachal LAC on December 9, suffered injuries (here)

Indian and Chinese troops clash at disputed border days after US-India joint war games

• About 20 Indian soldiers and “a much higher number on the Chinese side” sustained minor injuries as the troops clashed in the highly sensitive Tawang sector, Arunachal.
• The Indian army said in a statement that on “Dec 9, People’s Liberation Army troops contacted the [Line of Actual Control] in Tawang sector”. [Note- it came on Dec 12]
• The encounter led to the Indian troops responding “in a firm and resolute manner”, the statement added, which “led to minor injuries to few personnel from both sides”.
• Afterward, a commander-level flag meeting between the countries took place to “restore peace and tranquillity”, according to the statement.
• At least 3 Indian army units and 600 Chinese soldiers were present at the time of the skirmishes, according to reports.
• Neither the Chinese foreign ministry nor the Chinese embassies in New Delhi and Washington immediately responded to a request for comment.
• The US State Department also has not commented on Fri’s incident.
• The incident happened just days after China criticized joint military exercises involving the US and India a mere 100km from its disputed border with India.
• Beijing called the recent operation a violation of 2 border agreements signed between China and India in 1993 and 1996.
• In response, Elizabeth Jones, the US Charge d’ Affaires in India, said the joint military exercises were “none of their [China’s] business”. (here)
• China reacts to Sino-Indian face-off in Arunachal Pradesh: Says the situation is “stable” as it calls for “unobstructed dialogue on the border issue through diplomatic and military channels”

IAF scrambled jets 2-3 times in past weeks amid Chinese aggression: Report

• Before the clash, Chinese drones had moved very aggressively toward the Indian positions on the LAC in Arunachal forcing the IAF to scramble its fighter aircraft deployed in the region.
• China has been behaving aggressively over issues in the Yangtse in the vicinity of the LAC where the Chinese has been opposing Indian positions.
• “The Su-30MKI jets had to be scrambled to tackle the air violation threat,” defense sources told ANI.
• The Indian Air Force keeps a close watch on Chinese drone activities along the LAC in the northeast.
• The Indian Air Force has a strong presence in the northeast with squadrons of Su-30 fighter jets deployed at multiple locations including Tezpur and Chhabua in Assam.
• The Rafale combat jets have also been deployed very close to Hashimara in West Bengal. (here)

Our Army bravely defended against China’s aggression in Tawang; none of our soldiers seriously injured: Def Min in Parliament

• Defence Minister Rajanath Singh on Tue stated the Indian Army bravely defended against China’s aggression during Dec 9 clash in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang sector.
• Speaking at Parliament, Singh said that the defense forces are fully capable of defending Indian territory.
• He further said that the Indian govt has raised the issue with Chinese authorities.
• He also informed the Parliament that the Indian and Chinese sides held a flag meeting on Dec 11 over the face-off. (here)
• Ahead of the start of proceedings today, the Minister was briefed by the Chief of Defence Staff, and the service chiefs about the security situation.
• Earlier in the day, Members of both Houses gave notices under Rule 267 and Rule 176 of the Rules of Procedure for the suspension of business to conduct the discussion.
• Opposition parties raised the issue of the India-China clash along the LAC in Arunachal
• Amid the ruckus, Congress chief Kharge demanded tough action over the same.
• Opposition walkout in both houses of Parliament after Rajnath LAC’s statement
• No doubt that China has its eyes on Tawang. …I told Def Min that they should show the world that India is one & every member of every party is with Army on this: Shashi Tharoor from congress.
• Former JK CM Omar Abdullah criticizes the BJP govt over its hostile relationship with neighboring countries

Amit Shah condemns ruckus in Lok Sabha over India-China LAC clash

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tue condemned the uproar by Opposition members in Parliament.
• “The opposition raised the issue of India-China face-off to avoid question being raised in Lok Sabha on FCRA violation by the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation,” Shah alleged.
• The Union home minister said, “.. after seeing question no 5, I understood the anxiety (of Congress). The question was regarding the cancellation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act license of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.” Shah highlighted that the sanction was struck off given the Home Ministry’s regulations.
• Earlier Speaker Om Birla adjourned the Lok Sabha till noon on Tue amid a ruckus by the Opposition during Question Hour over the clash.
• Shah alleged that Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF) accepted Rs 1.35 crore from the Chinese Embassy during 2005-2007.  (here)

Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar arrives in Sri Lanka for 4-day official visit

• Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar has arrived in Sri Lanka on an official visit from Dec 13-16.
• He has been invited as the Chief Guest and Reviewing Officer for the Commissioning Parade at the Naval and Maritime Academy scheduled to take place on Dec 15.
• Indian Embassy in Sri Lanka shared pictures of Admiral R Hari Kumar’s arrival in the island nation on Twitter.
• As part of the visit, Admiral Kumar will hold meetings with senior political and defense leadership of Sri Lanka.
• He will also visit other defense establishments of Sri Lankan armed forces and review the progress of activities related to various bilateral defense cooperation.
• Ministry stressed that Admiral R Hari Kumar’s visit will further strengthen the bilateral defense cooperation with Sri Lanka, particularly in the maritime domain.
• It further stated that the Indian Navy supports several capacity-building measures of the Sri Lanka Navy. (here) [Notably, a Chinese spy ship entered in Indian ocane]

Indian, Nepal govt sign MoUs for projects in education, healthcare and drinking water

• The Indian Embassy and Nepal govt’s Ministry of Federal Affairs and Admin on Mon signed an MoU for 3 projects in Nepal under the grant assistance of the Indian govt.
• One each in the education, healthcare, and drinking water sectors.
• The 3 projects include the construction of the Shree Janata Belaka Secondary School building in the Udayapur, the construction of Ngonga Thenchowk Chholing meditation center and the construction of Lisnekhola Tikasung Dangchet Jharlang water supply project in Dhading shall be implemented at a cost of NRs. 101.79 million.
• The Embassy stressed that India and Nepal share wide-ranging and multi-sectoral cooperation. (here)

Centre bans Pakistani OTT website, apps for showing anti-India content on sensitive historical events

• The govt on Mon issued directions for blocking a Pak-based OTT platform’s website, 2 mobile apps, 4 social media accounts, and Smart TV app for anti-India content.
• The OTT platform Vidly TV released a web series titled “Sevak: The Confessions” on the anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks which was found to be detrimental to national security, the Ministry I&B said.
• Three episodes of the web series have been released to date, it said.
• The ministry said that the web series portrayed an anti-India narrative on sensitive historical events and subjects of national importance.
• The series has distorted versions of sensitive historical events about India, it said. (here)

India hits out at OIC chief over PoK visit, comment on J&K: ‘mouthpiece of Pak’

• India on Tue strongly condemned the Organization of Islamic Cooperation secy gen Hissein Brahim Taha’s visit to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and his comments on J&K.
• Responding to queries on Taha’s visit to PoK, the spokesperson for the external affairs ministry said in a statement that the OIC has “no locus standi in matters related to J&K”.
• “Any attempt of interference and meddling in India’s internal affairs by OIC and its Secretary General is completely unacceptable,” MEA said.
• Hitting out at the OIC, the MEA said OIC has “already lost its credibility by taking a blatantly communal, partisan and factually incorrect approach to issues.” (here) [see yesterday’s post]

Jaishankar to visit New York to preside over two high-level ministerial events

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be visiting New York to preside over 2 High-Level Ministerial signature events under India’s G20 presidency, the MEA stated.
• During his three-day visit starting from Dec 13 -15, Jaishankar, on Dec 14, will preside over the High-Level Ministerial Open Debate on the theme of ‘New Orientation for Reformed Multilateralism’ [NORMS].
• And, on the very next day, Jaishankar will preside over the High-Level Briefing on ‘Global Approach to Counter Terrorism — Challenges and Way Forward’.
• Both these themes have been key priorities for India during its current tenure at the UNSC.
• The focus of the Debate on Reformed Multilateralism is to encourage all member states to seriously address the pressing need for reforms in global governance.
• The meeting will also witness briefings by the Secretary General of the United Nations and the President of the 77^th UNGA, according to the statement. (here)

India’s toy industry poised to challenge China as New Delhi readies new subsidy

• A new govt initiative promises to help Indian toymakers scale up production capacity to compete internationally, further shrinking China’s share in the domestic market.
• The govt will “very soon” announce a Production Linked Incentive scheme for the toy industry, with a proposed outlay of US$424 million, said, the president of the TAI.
• “We have appointed a committee for consultation with the government to finalize the PLI draft,” he added.
• The scheme would last for five years and subsidize the sale of toys by manufacturers in the country. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

China sends record wave of bombers into Taiwan defence zone

• China sent a record 18 nuclear-capable bombers into Taiwan’s air defense zone, Taipei said Tue, just days after Beijing banned more Taiwanese imports.
• Democratic Taiwan lives under the constant threat of invasion by China, which sees the self-ruled island as part of its territory to be seized one day.
• Beijing has ramped up military, diplomatic and economic pressure since the 2016 election of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who rejects its stance.
• The defense ministry said on Tue that 21 aircraft entered the island’s SW air defense identification zone over the last 24 hours, including 18 nuclear-capable H-6 bombers.
• That represents by far the largest daily sortie by H-6 bombers since Taipei first began releasing daily incursion data in Sept 2020. (here)

IMF divided over request by Pakistan, other borrowers to suspend surcharges

• The IMF on Mon discussed the surcharges it collects from mostly middle- and lower-income countries on larger loans that are not repaid quickly, but failed to launch a formal review.
• Pak is pushing the IMF to drop the surcharges, which the IMF estimates will cost affected borrowers $4 billion on top of interest payments and fees since COVID-19
• The US, Germany, Switzerland, and other economies oppose a change, arguing that the fund should not change its financing model.
• “Overall, views on changes to the surcharge policy continued to diverge, including on the merits of a temporary waiver of surcharges,” the IMF said.
• Stalemate persists between IMF and Pakistan (here)

Pak: PM performs groundbreaking of Sukkur-Hyderabad motorway, says project to be completed in 30 months

• PM Sharif on Tue performed a groundbreaking of the 306-km Sukkur-Hyderabad section of the M6 motorway, saying that the project would be completed in 30 months.
• The estimated cost is Rs 307 billion, which was announced by the then PM Imran Khan in Apr 2021 as part of a “historic development package” for Sindh.
• The incumbent PM, while speaking at the ceremony in Sukkur today, discussed the construction quality he expects.
• “I will accept something better than other motorways of the country in terms of quality but nothing less,” he said. (here)

The govts of Pb, KP, GB and AK blamed the Federal govt is not paying their due funds

• The governments of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir have blamed the Federal government is not paying their due funds.
• CMs of KP, and GB, Fin Ministers AK, and KP held a joint press conference in Islamabad on Mon and warned that if the Federal govt does not release our funds, then we will stage a dharna
• We don’t have money to pay the salaries of our employees.
• We did not receive the funds of the former FATA or the flood relief fund.
• How can we do development work when we are not receiving our funds?
• All of our PSDP projects are washed out.
• We have total dues of 189 bn rupees to the Federal Govt. (Dunya Daily, Tribune, The News, Jehan Pakistan)