1. In Doklam Standoff, Bhutan PM’s China Comment Raises Concern In India
2. PM inaugurates BJP’s Central Office Extension
3. Opposition likely to move no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla: Sources
4. Centre looks to push 3 key bills this Parliament session
5. Amritpal Singh’s Aide Had Links With Ex Pak Army Chief’s Son: Sources

What Else

6. India to host SCO-NSAs meeting today; Pakistan, China likely to join virtually
7. Indian exports crossed record $750 bn-mark: Piyush Goyal
8. US: In Seattle, law banning caste-based discrimination comes into effect
9. Radical preacher Zakir Naik to return to Malaysia, no word on India’s extradition request yet
10. Govt cancels licenses of 18 pharma companies over spurious medicines: Report
11. Medicine prices to go up by 12%, will it change the way we buy drugs
12. Indian govt-run shipyard CSL begins construction of six vessels for German firm
13. ‘We are all Chinese’, former Taiwan president says while visiting China
14. Pakistan: Cabinet approves bill aimed at curbing CJP’s powers to take suo motu notice, constitute benches
15. Pakistan: ECC defers handing over airports to foreign country
16. Gilgit-Baltistan govt is dead and will be buried after the holy month of Ramadan, says Husain
17. Nepal: Book on Nepal-India spiritual circuit launched
18. Bangladesh urges UN to declare March 25 as World Genocide Day

In Doklam Standoff, Bhutan PM’s China Comment Raises Concern In India

• Six years after Indian and Chinese soldiers faced off in Doklam, Bhutan’s PM has said Beijing has an equal say in resolving the dispute, which New Delhi believes has been illegally occupied by China. ”It is not up to Bhutan alone to solve the problem,”.
• ”There are 3 of us. There is no big or small country, there are three equal countries, each counting for a third,” said PM Lotay Tshering in an interview.
• This is likely to be problematic for New Delhi, which is entirely opposed to China extending its footprint in Doklam as plateau lies close to the sensitive Siliguri corridor.
• Now, Bhutan’s PM says, ”We are ready. As soon as the other two parties are ready too,”
• It is an indicator that Thimphu is willing to negotiate the status of the tri-junction in Doklam between India, China, and Bhutan, which lies at the heart of the dispute.
• Tshering’s statement is in stark contrast with what he had told in 2019, that ”no side” should do anything near the existing trijunction between the 3 countries ”unilaterally”.
• China wants that tri-junction to be shifted approx 7 km south of Batang La to a peak called Mount Gipmochi.
• If that were to happen, the entire Doklam plateau would legally become a part of China, a move not acceptable to New Delhi. (here)

PM inaugurates BJP’s Central Office Extension

• PM Modi on Tue, after inaugurating the newly constructed BJP Office, said that the party’s journey from 2 LS seats in 1984 to 303 seats in 2019
• The PM also inaugurated the presidential campus and auditorium in New Delhi.
• Addressing the inaugural event, PM Modi said, “When I inaugurated the party office in 2018, I had said that our workers are the soul of our office,”.
• The PM said that even during the Emergency period, BJP was ready to sacrifice itself to save Democracy.
• He further said that BJP is the only pan-India political party across the length and breadth of the country (here)
• The PM also attended the BJP parliamentary party meeting and asked the leaders to be ready for a “strong fight” stating that the more the party rises and succeeds, the more will be attacked. (here)

Opposition likely to move no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla: Sources

• The opposition parties may bring a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, IT reported citing sources, that Congress is leading the effort.
• It has been reported that the no-confidence motion may be moved next Mon.
• To move the motion, the opposition parties need the support of at least 50 MPs.
• However, it is important to note that for the no-confidence motion to be moved, it requires the functioning of the House. (here)

Centre looks to push 3 key bills this Parliament session

• The govt will try to seek parliamentary approval for 3 key Bills: the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control, and Discipline) Bill, 2023; the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2022, and the Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
• The defense legislation aims to empower the commanders of the tri-services to take action against service personnel of the tri-services amid a push for theaterisztion.
• These bills are already cleared by the Lok Sabha, but there are only 4 more working days left in the current session.
• In this tumultuous budget session, the govt has transacted limited legislative business and cleared only the budget proposals in both Houses.
• It has introduced just one bill related to defense services.
• The Finance Bill and demand for grants were cleared without any debate. (here)

Amritpal Singh’s Aide Had Links With Ex Pak Army Chief’s Son: Sources

• As the hunt for Amritpal Singh continues, intelligence agencies claim to have found a new Pakistan link to the separatist.
• Amritpal’s financier Daljit Kalsi is close to the son of former Pakistan army chief QJ, NDTV reported citing sources.
• Kalsi was associated with the Dubai-based company of Saad Bajwa, they said, and is believed to have gone to Dubai for two months.
• Kalsi’s stay in Dubai was allegedly arranged by Khalistani terrorist Landa Harike.
• There is evidence that he was in contact with the Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence.
• Kalsi is allegedly also associated with a gangster close to the Bambiha gang and is close to gangster Neeraj Bawania, who is in Delhi’s Tihar Jail. (here)

India to host SCO-NSAs meeting today; Pakistan, China likely to join virtually

• India, as the current chair of the SCO, is set to host a meeting of National Security Advisors (NSA) and top officials in New Delhi on Wed.
• Pakistan and China are likely to attend the SCO-NSA meeting virtually.
• NSA Ajit Doval will make opening remarks at the meeting.
• The SCO is an intergovernmental org established in 2001 and it comprises 8 members, India, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
• In 2022, India assumed the SCO Chairship for 2023.
• Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Nikolai Patrushev, will attend the annual meeting of the secretaries of security councils of SCO members.
• India became a full member of SCO on Jun 9 in 2017. (here)
• Today: at 3.30 pm onwards: US-led 2^nd summit of democracy, PM Modi to address virtually; At 10.30 am In Person SCO NSA meeting; At 10 am: Russia–India Business Forum in Delhi

Indian exports crossed record $750 bn-mark: Piyush Goyal

• Indian goods and services exports have crossed $750 bn for the first time, ANI reported citing Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal as saying at an event on Tue.
• In 2021-22, the country’s G&S exports touched an all-time high of $422 and $254 billion respectively, taking the total shipments to $676 billion.
• Exports fell 8.82% in Feb from a year ago, while imports dropped 8.21%— the biggest decline in more than 2 years.
• Experts in the past few months have expressed concerns about slowing exports owing to recessionary worries and weak global demand.
• Exports were down by 8.8% at $ 33.88 billion in Feb 2023 compared to $37.15 bn in the same month last year.
• Imports also declined for a 3^rd month on the trot in Feb at $51.31 bn, down by 8.21% compared to $55.9 bn a year ago. (here)

US: In Seattle, law banning caste-based discrimination comes into effect

• A law banning caste-based discrimination came into effect in the US city of Seattle, making it the first city outside India to enforce such legislation.
• The resolution was moved last month by Kshama Sawant, an American politician, and economist, and was approved unanimously by the Seattle City Council by a 6 to 1 vote
• Seattle is not only the first American city to ban caste discrimination but is the first jurisdiction at any level globally outside South Asia to do so.
• Many Indian Americans fear that codifying caste in public policy will further fuel instances of Hinduphobia in the US.
• Over the last 3 years, 10 Hindu temples and 5 statues, including those of Mahatma Gandhi and Maratha emperor Shivaji, across the US as an intimidation tactic.
• According to data from the 2018 Survey, which is conducted by the US Census Bureau, there are 4.2 million people of Indian origin residing in the US. (here)

Radical preacher Zakir Naik to return to Malaysia, no word on India’s extradition request yet

• Radical Islamic preacher Zakir Naik—an Indian fugitive—will reportedly return to Malaysia after completing his programs in Oman.
• Strait Times quoting Naik’s lawyer reported that Zakir still had programs to attend in the Middle Eastern country.
• According to reports, Naik was in Muscat to deliver religious talks.
• MEA spokesperson’s remarks came days after Naik arrived in Oman as a “state guest” to deliver his lecture on “Holy Quran is a Global Necessity” in the country.
• When asked about India’s extradition request, Bagchi said, “I think the list of countries we have an extradition treaty is already in the public domain and Oman is not on the list.” (here)

Govt cancels licenses of 18 pharma companies over spurious medicines: Report

• The central and state regulators conducted joint inspections at 76 pharma companies and canceled the licenses of 18 of them, HT (sources) reported on Tue.
• Besides, 26 firms have been given show-cause notices.
• As part of the special drive, the regulators have identified 203 firms.
• A majority of the companies are from Himachal Pradesh (70), followed by Uttarakhand (45) and Madhya Pradesh (23).
• Recently, questions have been raised over the quality of drugs manufactured by India-based companies. (here)

Medicine prices to go up by 12%, will it change the way we buy drugs

• The prices of essential medicines are set to go up by 12 %
• Prices of painkillers, antibiotics, anti-infectives, and cardiac medicines are among the drugs whose prices are going to go up from Apr 1^st.
• Last year, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) announced a 10.7% change in the Wholesale Price Index (WPI).
• Every year, the NPPA announces a change in the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) following the Drugs (Price Control) Order, 2013, or DPCO, 2013.
• The scheduled drug prices are controlled by the NPPA, while Non-scheduled drugs are outside price control and are allowed an annual increase of 10%.
• Prices of 384 molecules, which correspond to around 900 formulations across 27 therapies, are expected to go up by 12%. (here)

Indian govt-run shipyard CSL begins construction of six vessels for German firm

• The govt-run shipbuilding firm, CSL began the construction of 6 multi-purpose vessels for its German client HS Schiffahrts group.
• A ‘steel cutting’ ceremony was performed on Mon at the CSL, commencing the construction of HS Eco freighter 7,000 DWT Multi-Purpose Vessels for the Germans.
• It has received orders to build a total of 8 vessels.
• This marks the foray of CSL into European shortsea shipping, where these vessels are an integral part of the logistics from N Sea ports to the S Mediterranean ports.
• The Ice Class Vessels measure 110m x16.5m and are equipped for the carriage of project cargo, heavy cargo, steel coils, dry cargo, timber, paper, bulk cargoes, etc. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

‘We are all Chinese’, former Taiwan president says while visiting China

• Reuters – People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are ethnically Chinese and share the same ancestor, former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou said on Tue at the start of a historic visit to China that Taiwan’s ruling party has criticized.
• Ma, in office from 2008-2016, is the 1^st former or current Taiwanese president to visit China, since the defeated Republic of China govt fled to Taiwan in 1949.
• He is visiting amid heightened tension as Beijing uses political and military means to try and pressure democratically governed Taiwan into accepting Chinese sovereignty.
• Taiwan’s ruling DPP has questioned his visit as China took away another diplomatic ally, Honduras, on Sun, leaving Taiwan with diplomatic ties with only 13 countries.
• “People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are Chinese people, and are both descendants of the Yan and Yellow Emperors,” Ma said, in comments provided by his office.
• Most Taiwanese no longer identify as Chinese, according to polls.
• Ma’s visit is part of an outreach by Taiwan’s main opposition party, KMT, to China in hopes of reducing tensions.
• The KMT traditionally favors close relations with China but strongly denies being pro-Beijing. (here)

Pakistan: Cabinet approves bill aimed at curbing CJP’s powers to take suo motu notice, constitute benches

• A bill aimed at curtailing the chief justice’s powers to take suo motu notices and constituting benches was presented in the NA after being approved by the cabinet on Tue.
• The SC (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023, said the exercise of original jurisdiction by the apex court under Article 184(3) of the Constitution was a “subject of discussion”
• A day ago, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail had called for revisiting the power of the “one-man show” enjoyed by the CJP
• The two had made the remarks in a detailed dissenting note — released on Mon hours after the SC took up the PTI’s plea challenging the postponement of elections in Punjab.
• The two judges said the suo motu proceedings regarding the provincial elections stood dismissed by a majority of 4-3 and contended that the CJP did not have the power to restructure benches without the consent of the respective judges. (here)

Pakistan: ECC defers handing over airports to foreign country

• The govt on Mon did not endorse an advisory service agreement with the WB Group for handing over 3 international airports to a foreign country due to objections raised by some cabinet members.
• The Economic Coordination Committee, which deferred the approval of the agreement, cleared Rs 6.2 billion payment as part of the Reko Diq mines settlement.
• It was also authorized to take a Rs 65 billion loan to make share payments by the govt on behalf of the Balochistan govt.
• Finance Minister Ishaq Dar presided over the ECC meeting.
• In 2019, Qatar had shown interest in taking over the management, operation, and development of the New Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi Airports. (here)

Gilgit-Baltistan govt is dead and will be buried after the holy month of Ramadan, says Husain

• The leader of the opposition in the Gilgit-Baltistan assembly Ahmed Husain has said that the GB govt is dead and will be buried after the holy month of Ramadan.
• These people move with the baton, they can’t stand against the baton.
• If the federal govt provides security to the heads of GB, then it will reduce the expenses of the state.
• The funds will not be spent on Zaman Park and Imran Khan.
• You don’t have money to give subsidies on flour to the people of GB, but you have money to give duty to Zaman Park.
• Our Chief Minister does not live in GB and comes here only on visits. (Himalaya Today)

Nepal: Book on Nepal-India spiritual circuit launched

• The Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry, on Mon, unveiled a book titled ‘Religious and Spiritual Circuits Nepal and India’, to promote religious tourism.
• The book mainly describes 5 religious pilgrims—Shiva Shakti Circuit, Mahabharat Circuit, Ramayan Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, and Shikh Circuit.
• It also showcases the immense richness of these sites found in the two countries and their significance to 3 major religions– Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sikhism.
• Addressing the ceremony, the Minister for Culture and Tourism Sudan Kirati, said Nepal-India relations date back to the times of ancient rishis and sages. (here)

Bangladesh urges UN to declare March 25 as World Genocide Day

• The Deputy High Commission of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in Kolkata observed Genocide Day on Mar 25.
• The day was observed in remembrance of the 1971 Genocide committed by the Pakistan Army, which carried on unarmed Bangladeshi on the night of Mar 25, 1971, under “Operation Searchlight”.
• “It was one of the most brutal genocides in the history of the world. At the decision of the Govt of Bangladesh, since 2017, we have been observing this day as Genocide Day.”
• We have been pursuing to declare this day as the International Genocide Day by the UN and recognition of the 1971 genocide in Bangladesh as genocide by UN,” Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata Andalib Elias told ANI. (here)