1. Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh was raising his army, family moves HC as manhunt continues
2. MEA lodges ‘strong protest’ with UK after Indian mission is vandalized by Khalistani extremists
3. Amid global economic turmoil, PM says India’s economic and banking systems are strong
4. Foundation stone of J&K’s first FDI project laid, ‘Mall of Srinagar’ to be built by UAE’s EMAAR
5. Japanese PM Kishida arrives in India for bilateral talks: Focus on Indo-Pacific, Bodhi Tree visit and strengthening partnership

What Else

6. Jaishankar: Situation in Ladakh ‘very fragile and dangerous’ with troops deployed close at some points
7. New paradigm in India-Bangladesh ties: PM Modi, Sheikh Hasina to inaugurate cross-border energy pipeline
8. Xi Jinping to meet ‘best friend’ Putin in Moscow: What to expect from China-Russia talks
9. Pakistan: PTI chief claims ‘assassins’ were positioned at Judicial Complex
10. Pakistan: Shehbaz must issue policy statement on nuclear program, says PTI
11. Pakistan discusses bilateral cooperation with China during third BPC talks
12. Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front holds protest against census in PoK [Azad Kashmir]
13. Cabinet approves salary, perks equivalent to SC judge for NAB chief
14. Saudi Arabia tells Pakistan: No more easy money

Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh was raising his army, family moves HC as manhunt continues

• On the run, after Punjab Police launched a crackdown against him and his aides, the chief of Waris Punjab De, Amritpal Singh, was trying to raise his own army – the Anandpur Khalsa Force (AKF) – on the lines of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF).
• The Amritsar police on Sun recovered some jackets with the AKF logo.
• A visit to Amritpal’s ancestral home at Jallupur Kheda revealed that he had also printed AKF on the entrance of his house beside a wall facing the house.
• Sources within the police said that Amritpal’s aides, arrested from various places, were being questioned in this regard.
• Meanwhile, Jallupur Kheda wears a deserted look following the police crackdown.
• Meanwhile, his father, Tarsem Singh (61), told that the police have arrested his son but were not disclosing it. He said he has not been contacted by the police so far.
• Amritpal Singh’s family has filed a habeas corpus petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court to trace Singh, who, according to the police, is on the run.
• While the police have already arrested over 100 supporters, he is also facing arrest after charges were filed under various sections of the IPC and the Arms Act. (here)
• Amritpal Singh was allegedly using drug rehabilitation centers and a gurdwara for storing weapons and giving training to youths to carry out suicide attacks- intel inputs.
• However, the manhunt operation to nab Amritpal is still on with police stepping up security across Punjab and extending curbs on mobile internet and SMS services. (here)

MEA lodges ‘strong protest’ with UK after Indian mission is vandalized by Khalistani extremists

• The ministry of external affairs has lodged a “strong protest” with the UK Govt after Khalistani extremists vandalized the Indian High Commission in London on Sun.
• The British diplomat in New Delhi was summoned to explain the “complete absence of British security that allowed these elements to enter the High Commission premises”,
• India reminding the UK Govt of its “basic obligations under the Vienna Convention”, according to the MEA statement.
• In a statement, MEA pointed out that “India finds unacceptable the indifference of the UK Govt to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK.”
• Social media handles mostly backed by Pakistani and Khalistani elements shared visuals of the incident, showing Khalistani extremists trying to climb to the top of the HC.
• The British HC in Delhi was quick to condemn the incident. (here)

Amid global economic turmoil, PM says India’s economic and banking systems are strong

• Indian economic and banking systems are strong and won’t be affected by the turmoil currently rocking global markets, said PM Narendra Modi on Sat during a conclave.
• His comments were made amid global economic turmoil after the recent collapse of two American banks—Signature Bank and Silicon Valley Bank.
• The authorities have rescued lenders on the edge but the collapse caused a sharp decline in banking stocks worldwide and also led to concerns over the global financial system.
• In a veiled reference to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his criticism during a lecture in the UK, PM said that the success of India’s democracy and its institutions is hurting some people and that is why they are attacking it.
• The Indian prime minister also hailed the strength of the country’s various institutions.
• During the conclave, he said, “Whatever India is achieving today, it is due to the power of our democracy, the power of our institutions.” (here)

Foundation stone of J&K’s first FDI project laid, ‘Mall of Srinagar’ to be built by UAE’s EMAAR

• The first Foreign Direct Investment project of building a mall in Srinagar was kick-started on Sun, by the Lt Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha.
• The foundation stone was laid for “Mall of Srinagar” which is to be built by UAE-based construction company EMAAR Group at the Sempora area on the outskirts of Srinagar.
• The Rs 250-crore project will be built on 1 million² feet of area and be ready by 2026.
• The Mall and allied projects with the govt in Dubai are expected to fuel the economic growth of J&K and strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties between the two.
• In Jan 2022, during the investor meets in Dubai, J&K Govt entered into a bilateral agreement with stakeholders and Govt of UAE to deliver over $1 worth of projects.
• These include the development of industrial parks, a medical college, a specialty hospital, logistics centers, IT towers, and multipurpose towers, besides Mall. (here)

Japanese PM Kishida arrives in India for bilateral talks: Focus on Indo-Pacific, Bodhi Tree visit and strengthening partnership

• Japanese PM Fumio Kishida is on a 2-day India visit starting Mon morning that will focus on strengthening the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between the two.
• Kishida’s itinerary includes crucial talks with PM Modi, delivering the 41^st Sapru House Lecture on Indo-Pacific, and visiting the Bodhi Tree at Delhi’s Buddha Jayanti Park.
• He is expected to lay out his vision of the Indo-Pacific during his lecture.
• The 81-acre Buddha Jayanti Park, located in Delhi’s central ridge, is a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike.
• The Bodhi Tree is of significant importance, as it is a sapling from the Holy Bodhi Tree, under which the Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.
• It was gifted by the then-prime minister of Sri Lanka Sirimavo Bandarnaike, and planted by India’s then-PM Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1964.
• The sapling of the Bodhi Tree in Sri Lanka was planted in 288 BC by King Asoka’s daughter Sanghamitra.
• She had taken a branch of the original tree in Bodh Gaya with her to Sri Lanka where it is growing to this day, while the original tree, which was in Bihar, decayed.
• India and Japan share a Special Strategic and Global Partnership, which has been elevated over the years to signify the growing importance of the relationship.
• Annual Summits and 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meetings are held to discuss various areas of cooperation, including defense and security, trade and investment, etc.
• Japan is a significant investor in India, and the two countries have set up Japan Industrial Townships to promote economic partnership, investment, industry, etc.
• The two countries also have a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement that covers various areas, including trade in goods and services, movement of natural persons, investments, and intellectual property rights. (here)

Jaishankar: Situation in Ladakh ‘very fragile and dangerous’ with troops deployed close at some points

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the situation in Ladakh remains very fragile and dangerous as there are places where deployments of troops are very close.
• Jaishankar categorically said ties between India and China cannot go back to normal unless all outstanding border issues are resolved in line with the Sept 2020 agreement.
• Over bilateral ties, the Indian foreign minister said the relationship has entered a “challenging and abnormal phase” due to the increased tensions at LAC.
• In Sept 2020, Jaishankar and his then-Chinese counterpart Wang Yi agreed on a 5-point course of action to disengage and ease tensions.
• However, tensions continued as troops clashed again in Dec 2022 close to the Tawang area in Arunachal Pradesh.
• India at the time said that Chinese tried to unilaterally change the status quo. (here)

New paradigm in India-Bangladesh ties: PM Modi, Sheikh Hasina to inaugurate cross-border energy pipeline

• The 1^st energy pipeline between India and Bangladesh was opened on Sat by PM Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart, Sheikh Hasina via video conference.
• This pipeline, which is expected to cost Rs 377 crore, will be the 1^st cross-border pipeline between the two nations.
• The sum of the costs includes the Rs 285 crore spent on paving the section on the Bangladeshi side, reported PTI.
• According to the MEA, the pipeline can move 1 million MMTPA of high-speed diesel. It would initially provide high-speed diesel to seven districts in northern Bangladesh.
• This most recent endeavor is in keeping with India’s Neighbourhood First Policy, which has been a cornerstone of its foreign policy during this time. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Xi Jinping to meet ‘best friend’ Putin in Moscow: What to expect from China-Russia talks

• Looking for a show of solidarity after being accused by an ICC of war crimes in Ukraine, Russian President Putin is set to welcome his Chinese counterpart Xi in Moscow on Mon.
• With his 1^st trip after securing an unprecedented 3^rd term this month, Xi will become the 1^st world leader to shake Putin’s hand.
• Russia is expected to use Xi’s trip as evidence that it has a powerful friend prepared to stand with it against a hostile West.
• As Russia’s army struggles in Ukraine and the US warns China against supplying Moscow with weapons, Beijing faces a choice it had hoped to avoid.
• In an article for a Chinese paper, published in the Kremlin on Sun, Putin said he had high hopes for the visit by his “good old friend” Xi, with whom he signed a “no limits” strategic partnership last year.
• The two leaders are expected to sign an agreement on “deepening the comprehensive partnership” and embrace the idea of a “multi-polar world” devoid of US domination. (here)

Pakistan: PTI chief claims ‘assassins’ were positioned at Judicial Complex

• In startling remarks, PTI Chief Imran Khan has claimed that he did not disembark from his vehicle at the Judicial Complex on Sat, as “unknown people” were positioned to kill.
• “..Rangers and unidentified people were making all-out efforts to provoke my party workers to create a battleground and use it as a cover to kill me,” claimed Khan
• The former PM also gave a call for his party’s power show at Minar-i-Pakistan on Wed, which he said will serve as a referendum.
• In a video-link address from his Zaman Park residence on Sun afternoon, Khan warned “the game will get out of hand if the incumbent rulers do not show restraint”.
• Expressing anger over the “police attack” on his home in his absence on Sat, the PTI chief said he felt devastated to see the ransacking and police looting his belongings.
• He wondered whether anyone can tolerate police desecrating the sanctity of the home and women and that too without search warrants and in violation of the court order.
• The PTI chief said: “Things may go out of hand and the people of Pakistan will forget Sri Lanka’s default crisis and may witness the Iran-like revolution.”
• He said he had already been implicated in 96 cases of terrorism, murder, religious hatred, and treason.
• He said he knew the criminals, appointed by an army chief, had executed a murder attempt on him in Nov last year and were facilitated by “a handler”. (here)
• Terror case registered against PTI workers for vandalism at the judicial complex: About 17 leaders including Ali Amin Gandapur, Murad Saeed, Asad Qaiser, Shibli Faraz, Asad Umar were named in FIR (here)
• The electronic media regulator has ban Bol News for the live coverage of clashes between law enforcement personnel and PTI workers in the federal capital.
• As the situation intensified, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority directed all news channels to stop live coverage of the scene of unruly clashes. (here)

Pakistan: Shehbaz must issue policy statement on nuclear program, says PTI

• PTI’s senior vice chairman SM Qureshi on Sun assailed Fin Min Ishaq Dar for speaking on the country’s missile program on the floor of the house and demanded that PM Shehbaz Sharif should issue a policy statement on the matter.
• Last week, Dar, while speaking about the ongoing talks with the IMF in the Senate, had snubbed the demand for abandoning the long-range nuclear missiles program
• Dar also made it clear that nobody had any right to dictate Pakistan as to what range of missiles it can have. [Who is nobody]
• Addressing a presser, Qureshi said that if the prime minister couldn’t give a policy statement then an in-camera session could be held to discuss the issue.
• Qureshi, a former FM, expressed surprise as to why a deal with IMF was not being finalized even though Pakistan has fulfilled all the demands.
• Earlier in a hearing at the US Senate Armed Services Committee, when Centcom Commander Gen Michael E. Kurilla was asked if he was confident of Pakistan’s nuclear security procedures, he said: “I am confident (of) their nuclear security.” (here)

Pakistan discusses bilateral cooperation with China during third BPC talks

• Pakistan and China discussed bilateral relations, agreeing to expand and reinforce political and security cooperation, bilateral trade, economic and financial cooperation.
• The two sides shared their views during the 3^rd round of Pakistan-China Bilateral Political Consultations—a regular institutional mechanism— held in Beijing on Mar 18.
• Foreign Secretary Dr. Asad Majeed Khan led the Pakistan delegation while the Chinese side was headed by Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong.
• As per FO, Pakistan, and China will also enhance high-level engagements and dialogue mechanisms and make the channels of communication even more robust. (here)

Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front holds protest against census in PoK [Azad Kashmir]

• Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front held a protest against the ongoing digital census in Pakistan and said that the census should not include the citizens of PoK and termed it “unconstitutional,” local Kashmir Dharti reported.
• JKLF leaders said that carrying out a digital census in PoK is the worst violation of the Pakistan constitution itself.
• JKLF leaders said that according to Article 1 and Article 257, citizens of PoK are not part of Pakistan, as per the news report.
• The process of the 7^th Population and Housing Census is being conducted digitally in Pakistan.
• The process includes an option for self-enumeration, which is available from Feb 20 till March 10 and field operations of house listing and enumeration began on Mar 1 and will continue till April 4, 2023, Pakistan Today reported. (here)

Cabinet approves salary, perks equivalent to SC judge for NAB chief

• The federal cabinet has approved the salary package, perquisites, and fringe benefits of Lt. Gen (R) Nazir Ahmad Butt as Chairman of the National Accountability Bureau.
• Sources said that after obtaining the cabinet’s approval, Chairman NAB will get Rs 17 lakh/month salary, govt residence, 2 vehicles, and a plot of 2 kanals in the capital.
• NAB chairman will further get 2000 units of electricity per month and 600 liters of petrol each month, they added.
• It is relevant to note here that his (Chairman NAB) predecessor had also enjoyed the same terms and conditions. (here)

Saudi Arabia tells Pakistan: No more easy money

• Saudi Arabia has decided not to provide any further bailouts or interest-free loans to Pakistan.
• It has left Islamabad in shock and has prompted the fin min to complain that even friendly countries aren’t keen on helping Pakistan out of its economic emergency.
• Pakistan is in dire need of sustained US dollar inflows to avoid defaulting on nearly $80bn of international loan repayments over the next three and a half years.
• The country is currently sitting on just $3bn in foreign exchange reserves. (here)