1. Joe Biden believed to have invited PM Modi for state visit to US
2. PM expresses anguish at loss of lives due to fire in J’khand’s Dhanbad
3. Economic Survey: Capital expenditure in India rises 63% in 2022-23
4. NSA Doval highlights need to convert intentions, ideas into actions at USIBC roundtable
5. Canada, New Zealand’s foreign ministers to travel to Delhi in February

What Else

6. Vishakhapatnam to be new Andhra Pradesh capital: CM Jagan Reddy
7. ISIS in India: NIA chargesheets Bihar man to raise funds and send it to Syria-based handlers
8. “Good talk” on Indian subcontinent, Indo-Pacific with US Under Secy of State Nuland: EAM
9. India to open embassy in Lithuania as early as Feb
10. India Announces Support To Bhutan To Establish Third International Internet Gateway
11. Indira Gandhi allowed Bhindranwale to become Frankenstein monster, claims Op Comdr
12. Apple Supplier in India Begins Making Components for AirPods
13. Top military brass vows to bring Peshawar blast perpetrators to book
14. Peshawar Attack: National Assembly rues plan to resettle militants
15. Govt rolls out first measures as IMF mission begins talks
16. Iran dangles threat of $18bn penalty over pipeline project
17. Former Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena to contest next Presidential elections
18. IMF board approves $4.7 billion support program for Bangladesh

Joe Biden believed to have invited PM Modi for state visit to US

• US President Joe Biden is understood to have invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a state visit this summer, PTI has learned.
• The invitation has been accepted in principle and officials on both sides are now working on mutually convenient dates, they noted that it is currently in the early stages
• Given that India is hosting a series of events this year related to G-20 leading to a summit in Sept, which among others would be attended by Biden
• The officials from the two sides are looking for appropriate dates in Jun/Jul when not only both the US House of Representatives and the Senate are in session but Modi has a couple of days at his disposal.
• At least a couple of days are required for the state visit, which among other things includes an address to the joint session of the US Congress and a state dinner.
• Besides, G-20, Modi has packed domestic and international commitments till the fall, before he hits the campaign trail for a series of crucial state assembly elections.
• Biden believes the partnership between India and the US, which are the world’s leading knowledge economies, is essential to address major global challenges. (here)

PM expresses anguish at loss of lives due to fire in J’khand’s Dhanbad

• PM Narendra Modi expresses anguish at the loss of lives due to a fire in Jharkhand’s Dhanbad.
• “An ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased in the fire in Dhanbad. The injured would be given ₹50,000” he tweets.
• At least 14 people died and several others have been injured, when a major fire broke out in a multi-storied building in Jharkhand’s Dhanbad today.
• Among those who died are 10 women and 3 children.
• The blaze erupted late in the evening at Ashirwad Tower – a 13-storied building in Joraphatak, a busy area in the city that’s around 160 km from the state capital Ranchi.
• Around 40 fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the flames.

Economic Survey: Capital expenditure in India rises 63% in 2022-23

• Capital expenditure spending in India increased by 63.4% in the first eight months of 2022-23 according to the ES document for 2022-23, which was tabled in House on Tue.
• India could effectively steer through the global economy recovering from the Covid pandemic setback through its dedicated support to infrastructure creation.
• Union Fin Min N Sitharaman tabled the ES for 2022-23 in Parliament on the first day of the Budget Session.
• The Capital Expenditure (Capex) of the central govt, which increased by 63.4% in the first 8^th months of FY 2023, was another growth driver in the current year, massing in the private Capex since the Q1 2022.
• Total capital expenditure grew at an average rate of 13% during FY12 and FY22.
• The Centre’s Capex has steadily increased from a long-term average of 1.7% of GDP (FY09 to FY20) to 2.5% of GDP in FY22 PA. (here)
• ES has forecast India’s economy to grow at 6-6.8% for the next FY starting Apr 1, lower than the 7% (in real terms) projected for the current financial year ending Mar. (here)

NSA Doval highlights need to convert intentions, ideas into actions at USIBC roundtable

• National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Mon highlighted the need to convert intentions and ideas into actions and specific deliverables at the inaugural launch of the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET).
• He was at the Chamber of Commerce’s US-India Business Council (USIBC) roundtable conference hosted by US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and US NSA Sullivan.
• Doval also met General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US where both of them held a “fruitful discussion.” (here)
• The US and India on Tue formally established a high-level initiative on defense and emerging technologies — what Sullivan called “a strategic bet” on the relationship between democratic partners.
• The iCET follows on a commitment last May by President Biden and PM Modi, and will, among other things, promote joint production of defense equipment — including military jet engines, long-range artillery, and armored infantry vehicles. (here)

Canada, New Zealand’s foreign ministers to travel to Delhi in February

• Canada’s FM Mélanie Joly will be on an India visit in the first week of Feb.
• The visit will focus on how Ottawa-Delhi can work together, especially in the Indo-Pacific.
• In Nov last year, Canada issued its first-ever Indo-Pacific strategy that emphasized increasing trade and people-to-people ties with India.
• The strategy said, “India’s strategic importance and leadership—both across the region and globally—will only increase as India—the world’s biggest democracy—becomes the most populous country in the world and continues to grow its economy.”
• But of course, some thorny issues as well
• Under the strategy, Canada will seek to expand market access by concluding an Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA), bolster Canada’s visa-processing capacity in New Delhi and Chandigarh and accelerate cooperation in the fight against climate change.
• New Zealand’s foreign minister Nanaia Mahuta will be also visiting Delhi.
• The visit comes, even as EAM Jaishankar visited the country last year in Oct and held talks with his counterpart and the then PM of the country, Jacinda Ardern.
• Both sides have been in touch with each other for a mobility partnership.
• The country hosts a large Indian community. Of the 175,000-strong Indian Diaspora about 140,000 persons are estimated to be of Indian origin, while 35,000 persons are estimated to be of Fijian Indian descent. (here)

ISIS in India: NIA chargesheets Bihar man to raise funds and send it to Syria-based handlers

• The NIA on Tue filed a chargesheet a resident of Bihar in a case linked to a conspiracy hatched by a member of ISIS for the spread of the ideology and to raise funds and send them to his Syria-based handlers through cryptocurrency channels.
• Mohsin Ahmad, a resident of Patna in Bihar, has been charge-sheeted under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 17, 18, 39, and 40 of the UPAP 1967.
• The NIA filed the chargesheet in a special court in Delhi. (here)

Vishakhapatnam to be new Andhra Pradesh capital: CM Jagan Reddy

• Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tue announced Vishakhapatnam as the new capital city of Andhra Pradesh during the International Investors meet in Delhi.
• Addressing the meeting, the CM stated that he would start governing the state from Vishakhapatnam in the coming days.
• CM Reddy stated that Vishakapatnam also known as Vizag will also serve as the governor’s residence.
• The legislature will operate from Amaravati. (here) [His vision is to develop 2 cities parallely]

“Good talk” on Indian subcontinent, Indo-Pacific with US Under Secy of State Nuland: EAM

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishnakar on Tue met with visiting US Under Secy of State V Nuland and discussed the Indian subcontinent and the Indo-Pacific.
• During her visit to India, Nuland will lead the US-India annual FO Consultations which cover the full range of bilateral, regional, and global issues.
• Nuland is on an official visit to India, Nepal, Lanka, and Qatar from Jan 28 to Feb 3.
• In Nepal, the top US official engaged with the new govt on the broad agenda of the US partnership with Kathmandu.
• Nuland in Nepal said, “US plan to invest over $1 bn over next 5 years in everything from green energy, electrification of this country to small & medium-sized enterprise particularly investing in the women-led business.” [to counterbalance to China]
• Nuland, on reaching Sri Lanka will mark the 75^th anniversary of US-Sri Lanka relations and offer continued US support for Sri Lanka’s efforts to stabilize the economy, protect human rights, and promote reconciliation, the official release added.
• Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra met the Nuland on Tue (here)

India to open embassy in Lithuania as early as Feb

• The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi has accorded approval to the opening of a new Indian Mission in Lithuania in 2022.
• Opening of Indian Mission in Lithuania will help expand India’s diplomatic footprint, and deepen political relations and strategic cooperation.
• Indian Mission in Lithuania will also better assist the Indian community and protect their interests.
• Enhancement of India’s diplomatic presence will, inter-alia, provide market access for Indian companies and bolster Indian exports of goods and services.

India Announces Support To Bhutan To Establish Third International Internet Gateway

• The Indian Embassy revealed on Tue that New Delhi has announced its support to Bhutan for the establishment of the third international internet gateway.
• The Embassy in Thimphu released a statement and stated that the Indian govt will be facilitating a “concessional rate to bring down the cost of operations of the gateway.”
• The consulate also announced that the initiative is a part of the expanding India-Bhutan digital partnership.
• This will increase the bandwidth and reduce the cost of Internet connectivity.
• The embassy also informed that the initiative will be taken under Butan’s Flagship Program “Digital Drukyul”.
• The Indian govt is contributing Rs 198 crore to Bhutan’s digital transformation (here)

Indira Gandhi allowed Bhindranwale to become Frankenstein monster, claims Operation commander

• Late PM Indira Gandhi had “allowed” militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale to grow into a sort of Frankenstein monster and decided to “finish him off” when he reached the pinnacle, claims Lt Gen (R) Kuldeep Singh Brar who led the 1984 Operation Bluestar to flush out extremists from the Golden Temple.
• In the recent episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the retired 1971 war veteran, Lt Gen (retd) Brar said, “No one wants an operation, but what do you do? (here)

Apple Supplier in India Begins Making Components for AirPods

• A key Apple Inc. supplier has begun making components for AirPods in India, marking a significant step in the US tech giant’s push to expand production in the country.
• The Indian unit has begun shipping AirPods enclosures, or plastic bodies, to China and Vietnam, where the wireless earphones are assembled.
• Apple is building out production in India to reduce its reliance on China, where US trade restrictions and Covid-related disruptions have made manufacturing riskier.
• Its India output has thus far been limited to the iPhone, making AirPods the second Apple product now partially manufactured in the country. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Top military brass vows to bring Peshawar blast perpetrators to book

• A day after the deadliest terrorist attacks in Pakistan’s history, the country’s top military brass on Tue met and discussed the prevailing and emerging terror threat.
• The corps commanders’ conferences was presided over by COAS, Gen Asim Munir, who on Mon was in Peshawar along with PM Shebhaz Sharif.
• Without naming any country, the statement by ISPR referred to Afghanistan, where Pakistan believes the banned TTP and its affiliates operate.
• In a rare move, the Afghan Taliban condemned the Peshawar suicide bombing, saying the targeting of the places of worship had no justification.
• The public condemnation of the interim Afghan govt is believed to have compelled the TTP to issue a statement denying its involvement, though one of its commanders earlier took the responsibility.
• Moreover, the forum taking notice of human rights violations and Indian design to alter the demographics of India’s Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, reaffirmed the army’s commitment to Pakistan’s principal support to the indigenous freedom struggle of brave Kashmiri people as per relevant UN resolutions and aspirations of the people of the Kashmir. (here)

Peshawar Attack: National Assembly rues plan to resettle militants

• A day after 100 people perished in Peshawar, lawmakers at the federal legislature regretted the decision to enter into dialogue with militants and resettle them
• NA called it a “faulty” move, which was “never endorsed” by parliament.
• In their policy statements, Def Min Asif and Interior Min Sanaullah referred to legislators by the military leadership during the tenure of the PTI govt, following the fall of Kabul.
• The minister also criticized the decision to become part of the Afghan Jihad in the 1980s, and later, the US-led ‘War on Terror’ post 9/11.
• He said: “We ourselves sowed the seeds of terrorism when the Russian troops entered Afghanistan and we provided our services to the US on rent.”
• “We were very fond of launching a jihad,” quipped Asif.
• He regretted that Pakistan had always acted as a “stooge” for the world powers, but today the country was standing alone in the fight against terrorism.
• ‘8,000 militants’: Sanaullah said the previous regime told them that there were some 8,000 militants and that they should be allowed to surrender before the law.
• He said the military leadership should place facts and figures before the house and added that the PM and the army chief would “certainly” come to the house and brief this house which would provide them a “way forward”.
• ‘Revisit counter-terrorism policy’: The bombing resonated in Senate as well where lawmakers urged the need to revisit the counter-terrorism and Afghan policies. (here)
• Asif said worshippers were not killed during prayers even in India.
• India extended condolences to the families of the victims of the deadly terror attack.

Govt rolls out first measures as IMF mission begins talks

• On the opening day of make-or-break talks with the IMF, the govt on Tue increased LPG prices by 30% and finalized a minimum of Rs 6/unit average increase in electricity rates between now and Aug.
• This was on top of an earlier hike in fuel rates by up to 16%, a rise of 1% point in the central bank’s policy rate, and the removal of an exchange rate cap that led to over 14% depreciation.
• Still, the visiting IMF mission, led by Mission sounded adamant on upfront, calibrated, and strong measures to bridge the daunting fiscal gap — between Rs2 trillion to Rs2.5tr.
• “You don’t have any other option” was the critical message, as members of the mission engaged with the finance and power ministries led by Ishaq Dar. (here)

Iran dangles threat of $18bn penalty over pipeline project

• In a new development, Iran has asked Pakistan to construct a portion of the Iran-Pakistan gas line project in its territory till Feb-Mar 2024, or pay a penalty of $18 bn.
• The authorities in Tehran communicated this to the visiting Pakistan official delegation some 3 weeks ago.
• Iran had already completed part of the pipeline in its territory from the gas field to the Pakistan border.
• The Inter-State Gas Systems of Pakistan and the National Iranian Gas Company inked a revised agreement in Sept 2019 for the construction of a pipeline between the two.
• Pakistan would be able to construct its pipeline by 2024 after which it would have an intake of 750 million cubic feet of gas from Iran daily. (here)

Former Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena to contest next Presidential elections

• Former Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena said on Tue that he will contest the next Presidential elections with the support of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).
• Sirisena served as Sri Lanka’s President from 2015-2019.
• The Presidential elections in Sri Lanka are due to take place in Sept 2024.
• Sirisena announced while speaking at a media briefing at the SLFP HQ.
• The former Lankan President said that he is not afraid of any conspiracy against him.
• On Jan 12, the SC ordered Sirisena to pay a sum of Sri Lankan Rupee 100 million as damages to the victims of the Easter Sun attacks that took place in 2019. (here)
• EAM Jaishanker met Milinda Moragoda, Lankan HC to India, reviewed the recent visit to Sri Lanka and took the understanding forward.

IMF board approves $4.7 billion support program for Bangladesh

• The IMF on Mon said its executive board approved a support program for Bangladesh worth $4.7 billion at current exchange rates, making the B’desh the first to access RSF.
• The funding includes $3.3 billion under the IMF’s Extended Credit Facility and Extended Fund Facility programs and $1.4 billion under the new RSF.
• The board approval of a staff agreement reached last Nov allows the immediate disbursement of about $476 million to Bangladesh, the IMF said.
• The IMF said the 42-month borrowing package “will help preserve macroeconomic stability, protect the vulnerable and foster inclusive and green growth.” (here)