1. PM Modi Boards Mumbai Metro After Launching 2 New Lines; Interacts With Youth on Journey
2. Jaishankar discusses cooperation in infrastructure, connectivity, energy, with his Lankan counterpart Sabry
3. ‘Propaganda piece’: MEA slams BBC documentary on PM Modi, says ‘it has no objectivity’
4. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra meets top leadership of Bhutan
5. Pakistan doesn’t see a partner in PM Modi: Pakistan Minister Hina Rabbani Khar

What Else

• PM Modi to distribute 71,000 appointment letters to recruits in govt departments today
• India worried over surge in imports from China, it might hit Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Report
• ‘Sports Ministry Has Called’: Bajrang Punia, Other Wrestlers Rush Out of Protest Site; Panel to Probe Sexual Abuse Charges May be Formed
• Indian government mulls identifying and banning ‘fake’ news on social media platforms
• Cannot deny judgeship due to sexual orientation: Supreme Court collegium
• Sun Pharma to acquire US-based Concert for $576 mn
• 3 cops martyred in terrorist attack on Khyber checkpost
• Balochistan CM says financial crisis of the province has become serious
• China introduces IceBurial technology amid rising number of Covid deaths
• China population: new births to fall to a third of India’s by 2050 without ‘powerful fertility support’
• Nepal: Congress on ‘Mission President’ after its futile Speaker bid

PM Modi Boards Mumbai Metro After Launching 2 New Lines; Interacts With Youth on Journey

• Inaugurating the 2 lines of Mumbai Metro on Thu, PM Modi boarded the new train and traveled in it alongside young people, who he interacted with.
• In one of the clips, the PM is seen using the escalator with Mumbai CM Eknath Shinde to reach the platform and subsequently sit in the newly-launched train.
• Modi has, on most of the project launches — especially railways-related — traveled himself in them, while meeting and chatting with people around.
• Modi was in Mumbai to launch Metro – 2A and 7 – as well as inaugurate several development projects worth around Rs 38,800 crore.
• Metro Line 7 is a 16.5-km elevated corridor with 13 stations with a project cost Rs 6,208 cr.
• The 10.7-km first phase, between Dahisar and Aarey with 9 stations, started in April 2022. The remaining four stations in 5.8 km will start operations from Fri. (here)

Jaishankar discusses cooperation in infrastructure, connectivity, energy, with his Lankan counterpart Sabry

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishnakar on Thu discussed cooperation in infrastructure, connectivity, energy, industry, and health with his Sri Lankan counterpart Ali Sabry.
• He also conveyed India’s commitment to increase investment flows to Sri Lanka to hasten its economic recovery.
• Jaishankar stated that will be discussing the India-Sri Lanka partnership with FM, the Minister of Ports, Shipping & Aviation, and various other ministers.
• During his visit, Jaishankar will pay a courtesy call on President Wickremesinghe, PM Gunawardena, and other dignitaries.
• He will accompany Joint Secy (IOR), and Dy Secy (Sri Lanka) from the MEA, India.
• Under the “Neighbourhood First Policy,” India had extended aid worth USD 3.9 billion to Sri Lanka. (here)
• Jaishankar inaugurates India-funded community centre in Foakaidhoo, Maldives
• Jaishankar on Thu inaugurated the India-funded Community Centre in Foakaidhoo, an island in the Maldives, with the Maldives counterpart, Abdulla Shahid.
• He reached Maldives on Wed on his 4^th visit after assuming office in 2019.
• “Today’s event shows how a good foreign policy transforms people’s lives. Proud to have been part of it,” the Russian foreign affairs minister tweeted.
• Jaishankar paid homage to Sultan Mohamed Thakururufaanu, a revered national hero of the island nation at his Memorial Centre. (here)

‘Propaganda piece’: MEA slams BBC documentary on PM Modi, says ‘it has no objectivity’

• The Ministry of External Affairs today objected to BBC documentary on PM Modi and said that “it has no objectivity.”
• A new two-part documentary takes a critical look at the PM holding him responsible for 2002 Gujarat riots.
• “It makes us wonder about the purpose of this exercise and the agenda behind it. Frankly, we don’t wish to dignify such efforts,” MEA said Thu in regular presser. (here)
• Referring to apparent remarks made by former UK Secy Jack Straw in the documentary series, MEA said “He (Jack Straw) seems to be referring to some internal UK report. How do I have access to that? It’s a 20-year-old report. Why would we jump on it now?“
• Defending PM Modi in the British Parliament, UK PM Rishi Sunak distanced himself from the BBC documentary series, saying he “doesn’t agree with the characterization”.
• Sunak made these remarks on the documentary that was raised in the British Parliament by Pakistan-origin MP Imran Hussain.
• The documentary sparked outrage and was removed from select platforms.
• Prominent Indian-origin UK citizens condemned the series. (here)
• Kanwal Sibal said “I was FS during that period. Am aware of mischief by UK mission. Sent their diplomat to Gujarat & circulated highly slanted “report” to EU envoys in Delhi. Was informed by an EU envoy which prompted me to issue warning to missions in Delhi to not interfere in our internal affairs.”

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra meets top leadership of Bhutan

• Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra has met Bhutan’s King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, Prime Minister Lotay Tshering and FM Tandi Dorji, focusing on various aspects of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
• Kwatra, who is on a three-day visit to Bhutan, also held wide-ranging bilateral consultations with his Bhutanese counterpart Pema Choden.
• It said both the foreign secretaries co-chaired the 4^th India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks.
• It said the Bhutanese side shared their plans and expectations about Bhutan’s 13^th 5-Year Plan in the context of ongoing transformation initiatives in Bhutan.
• Kwatra and Choden jointly inaugurated key projects implemented with assistance from India, including the Citizen Service portals, National Single Window portal and Govt Initiated Network Project under the Flagship Digital Drukyul Project. (here)

Pakistan doesn’t see a partner in PM Modi: Pakistan Minister Hina Rabbani Khar

• Pakistan Dy FM Hina Rabbani Khar on Jan 19 said her country does not see a “partner” in PM Modi for working towards peace between the two countries, but it saw a partner in his predecessors, Manmohan Singh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• Speaking at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, Khar said, “When I went to India as FM, I had worked hard to press for better cooperation and we were in a much better position at that time compared to the situation in 2023.”
• Her comments come days after Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif sought “serious” and “sincere” talks for the resolution of the “burning” issues, including Kashmir.
• [Hours later, Pak PMO, clarified it “talk not possible before until 370 will be in place.]
• On the Chinese position, Khar said China is seen as more like a pillar of stability than of chaos in the region except for in India. (here)

PM Modi to distribute 71,000 appointment letters to recruits in govt departments today

• PM Modi will distribute around 71,000 appointment letters to newly-inducted recruits in govt departments and organizations, via video conferencing on Fri, said the PMO.
• PM will also address these appointees on the occasion,
• The recruits, selected from across the country will join various positions or posts under the Govt of India like junior engineers, loco pilots, technicians, inspectors, sub-inspectors, constables, stenographers, junior accountants, grameen dak sevak, income tax inspectors, teachers, nurse, doctor, social security officer, PA, MTS, among others.
• The experience of newly inducted officials in learning from the Karmayogi Prarambh module will also be shared during this Rozgar program. (here)

India worried over surge in imports from China, it might hit Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Report

• An HT report says that the Indian govt is concerned about a surge in imports of Chinese finished goods as they are hurting its Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
• The publication that imports of raw materials and intermediaries are seen as “good imports” since they help in the manufacture of other value-added items.
• However, large-scale imports of finished Chinese goods have become a headache for the govt.
• Meanwhile, India’s exports to China saw a sharp decline, and fell by 35.58% year-on-year in Apr-Dec 2022 to $11.03 billion.
• Imports from China rose by about 12% to $75.87 billion in the same period.
• Importing items under HS Code 85 worth $21.61 billion in Jan-Nov 2021 alone makes no sense.
• The same goes for $17.68 billion worth of imports under HS 84 and $1.97 bn under HS 94, as most of these items could have been produced locally.
• Recent data for Apr-Dec 2022 shows that China is India’s topmost merchandise supplier with a 13.75% share ($75.87 bn) in total imports of $551.70 billion. (here)

‘Sports Ministry Has Called’: Bajrang Punia, Other Wrestlers Rush Out of Protest Site; Panel to Probe Sexual Abuse Charges May be Formed

• Star Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia and a team of protesters on Thu afternoon rushed to meet the sports secretary after they “received a call from the Union sports ministry”.
• “We are going for a meeting as we been called by the sports ministry. There is a meeting with the sports secretary,” Punia told News18.
• The ministry is mulling forming a 3-member committee to look into the allegations of sexual harassment by women wrestlers against the chief of the Wrestling Federation.
• The committee is likely to have two women representatives as it will ensure that women wrestlers are “able to share their concerns better”.
• The ministry said it has taken a ‘very serious view of the matter’ since it concerns the well-being of the athletes. (here)
• WFI president Brijbhushan Sharan Singh to resign after sexual harassment

Indian government mulls identifying and banning ‘fake’ news on social media platforms

• The Union govt will not allow social media platforms to circulate any information that is identified as false, as per the new draft proposal of the IT rules released this week.
• This is the latest step in the many measures introduced by the Modi govt being perceived as efforts to control the big technological firms.
• Any kind of information which has been marked as “fake or false” by the PIB or other authorized agencies for fact-checking by the govt or “by its deptt in which business is transacted”, will not be allowed on social media.
• After the information was identified as fake, “reasonable efforts” would have to be made by social media platforms or other “online intermediaries” it stated.
• The govt had in Oct announced that it would set up a panel to hear users’ complaints regarding social media firms’ decisions related to content moderation. (here)

Cannot deny judgeship due to sexual orientation: Supreme Court collegium

• It would be “manifestly contrary to the constitutional principles” to block the appointment of senior advocate Saurabh Kirpal as a judge in the Delhi HC because of his homosexuality, the SC collegium said to the Center in its resolution, reiterating.
• Collegium strongly backed Kirpal’s candidature, brushing aside the objections raised by the govt, which on November 25 sent back the lawyer’s name for reconsideration.
• The collegium comprises Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, and justices SK Kaul and KM Joseph.
• The resolution, made public by the collegium on Thu, took head on the concerns expressed by the govt regarding Kirpal’s sexuality. (here)

Sun Pharma to acquire US-based Concert for $576 mn

• Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited said on Thu it will acquire US-based Concert Pharmaceuticals for $576 million in cash to gain access to an experimental drug for treating patchy baldness.
• Concert’s lead candidate, deuruxolitinib, is being evaluated as a treatment for the autoimmune condition alopecia areata, which results in patchy hair loss.
• Sun Pharma said it will commence a tender offer to acquire Concert at $8 per share, a premium of 16% to the stock’s last close.
• Concert stockholders will also receive a contingent value right entitling them to an additional amount of up to $3.50/share of common stock in cash. (here)

 [NEIGHBORHOOD]

3 cops martyred in terrorist attack on Khyber checkpost

• Three police constables were martyred in a terrorist attack at a checkpost in Jamrud tehsil of Khyber tribal district on Thursday, police said.
• The banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack.
• Police said that unknown persons attacked the Takhta Beg police checkpost at 7:30 pm, the gunmen, armed with hand grenades, entered the premises and opened fire.
• The police said that after the firing, a suicide bomber blew himself up. (here)

Balochistan CM says financial crisis of the province has become serious

• Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizjenjo has revealed that the financial crisis of the province has become serious there is no money to pay the salaries of employees.
• In a statement, Qadous has demanded the federal govt to immediately release part of the province’s National Finance Commission award.
• The CM says that due to lack of money, the development work has stopped.
• The flood victims are waiting for recovery in severe cold. If the province gets its share, it can take care of its own flood victims.
• The CM says that the PM understands what he is saying but the concerned departments are not taking the matter seriously.
• The Prime Minister is requested to come to Quetta with the concerned departments, and examine the financial crisis himself. (Jang, Qudrat)

China introduces IceBurial technology amid rising number of Covid deaths

• Amid the rising number of deaths in China due to COVID-19, it has introduced IceBurial technology, alleged Inconvenient Truths.
• When the allegations were confronted by a Twitter user that the article related to IceBurial technology was published in Mar 2022.
• Inconvenient Truths by Jennifer Zeng said that the video was made in Sep 2020. “Maybe this started in the first round of outbreaks already,” said Jennifer Zeng. (here)

China population: new births to fall to a third of India’s by 2050 without ‘powerful fertility support’

• Without effective fertility support policies, newborns in China will fall to one-third of India by 2050 and drop to a quarter by the end of the century, demographers say
• Amid concerns about far-reaching economic implications and disappearing labor dividends for the world’s No 2 economy.
• Last year, China’s birth rate fell to a record low of 6.77 per 1,000 people, with the total number of newborns falling to 9.56 million – the nation’s lowest total in modern history
• China’s total population also dropped for the first time in 6 decades by 850,000 people to 1.4118 billion in 2022. (here)

Nepal: Congress on ‘Mission President’ after its futile Speaker bid

• The leaders of Nepali Congress, the largest party, did not take kindly to their then-ally Pushpa Kamal Dahal, chair of the CPN (M), joining hands with the CPN-UML to become PM on Dec 25.
• Since then, the party has been trying to divide the new UML-led 7-party alliance that elected Dahal the PM and also formed govts in all seven provinces.
• With its eyes on top state posts—President and Speaker—Congress has tried to cozy up to Dahal again to create a rift in the ruling coalition.
• The largest party gave a vote of trust to the PM on Jan 10.
• In return, Dahal said he would try his best to accommodate Congress’ concerns in the elections for the top posts. (here)