1. PM Hosts SCO, talk tough on Terrorism, Reiterates Opposition to China’s BRI
2. India summons Canadian, Australian and US envoys over Khalistani extremists threatening Indian diplomats
3. Manipur Violence: Attempt to loot weapons from an IRB at Khangabok in Thoubal
4. Lapses in signaling, repairs led to Odisha train tragedy: Railways report
5. For many Kashmiris like me, Article 370 is thing of past: IAS officer Shah Faesal

What Else

6. Pak-sponsored narco-terror case: NIA attaches house of two brothers in Punjab
7. China cancels planned trip by EU’s foreign policy chief; gives no reason
8. Beijing will keep up intimidation, but little chance of a full economic blockade, Taipei official says
9. China-US ties: Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has ‘frank and productive’ discussion with diplomat Xie Feng ahead of Beijing visit
10. Pakistan: IMF boosts rupee, Eurobonds rally, and gold prices decline
11. Bilawal, Kishida vow to enhance bilateral relations
12. Nation to observe Holy Quran Day on Fri to denounce Sweden incident

PM Hosts SCO, talk tough on Terrorism, Reiterates Opposition to China’s BRI

• India virtually hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation on Tue chaired by PM Modi, where China’s President Xi and Russian President Putin also participated.
• It will be Putin’s first appearance at an international event since he crushed a mutiny.
• Addressing the summit virtually, PM Modi said that the “SCO has emerged as a key platform for peace, prosperity, and development of Eurasia.”
• PM Modi slams cross-border terrorismand said that the countries “need to cooperate to stop terror financing”, in the presence of Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif.
• SCO must not hesitate to criticize countries supporting terrorism: PM Modi
• PM Modi said India has established 5 pillars of cooperation within the SCO such as startup and innovation, traditional medicine, youth empowerment, digital inclusion, and shared Buddhist heritage.
• Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that SCO member nations are expected to discuss Afghanistan, terrorism, regional security, climate change, and digital inclusion.
• The theme of the SCO was SECURE: Security, Economic Development, Connectivity, Unity, Respect for Sovereignty and territorial integrity, and Environment.
• The summit comes barely two weeks after PM Modi was hosted by US President Biden for a state visit, and the two called themselves “among the closest partners in the world”.
• All the SCO Member States, besides, Iran, Belarus, and Mongolia have been invited as Observer States. (here)
• Shortly after PM Modi’s message – ‘use cross-border terrorism as an instrument… and give shelter to terrorists’ – PM Sharif warned against the use of terrorism as a ‘bat for diplomatic point-swearing’. (here)
• Leaders of the SCO said the Eurasian security and political grouping is not directed against any other states and is open to broad cooperation with all.
• A joint declaration by the leaders said the SCO opposes the resolution of international and regional issues through “collectivization, ideology, and confrontational thinking”.
• Iran became the 9^th member to join the grouping on Tue. (here)
• President Xi on Tue warned against the external attempts to foment a new “Cold War” in the region and called on the SCO member countries to safeguard regional peace.
• India’s support for China’s BRI was once again visibly absent at the declaration issued at the end of the SCO, becoming the only country not to support the project. (here)
• Connectivity is crucial but essential to respect the sovereignty, and regional integrity of member states, PM Modi said at the Summit.

India summons Canadian, Australian and US envoys over Khalistani extremists threatening Indian diplomats

• India has summoned Canadian HC in New Delhi over propaganda material [as reported yesterday] and has served a demarche to the Justin Trudeau govt.
• India on Mon raised concerns over threats to its diplomats in posters being circulated in three countries with information on a pro-Khalistan rally to be held on July 8.
• The posters contained threats to the Indian ambassadors and the consulate general.
• Earlier today, Canadian FM Melanie Joly said that her country is in close contact with Indian officials in light of some “unacceptable” posters that have appeared in Canada.
• In her statement, Joly said, “Canada takes its obligations under the Vienna Conventions regarding the safety of diplomats very seriously.” (here)
• Australian High Commission states Khalistani threats to Indian diplomats: Amid Khalistani threats, the Australian Govt says it takes seriously its obligations under the Vienna Convention to ensure the security of foreign missions and their staff.
• Australia points out that it does not tolerate hate speech, violence, or threats of violence. Any threat to accredited officials residing in Australia will be investigated.
• US State Department condemns the incident of Khalistani extremists vandalizing the Indian consulate in San Francisco.
• The U.S. strongly condemns the reported vandalism and attempted arson against the Indian Consulate in San Francisco on Sat. Vandalism or violence against diplomatic facilities or foreign diplomats in the U.S. is a criminal offense: State Dept.

[So far, No news in the media regarding action taken by any host country]

Manipur Violence: Attempt to loot weapons from an IRB at Khangabok in Thoubal

• In intense violence that erupted in Thoubal, a Meitei civilian was killed and left several others injured in a firing by IRB after an irate mob stormed the 3^rd IRB, Camp, Khangabok in Thoubal at around 11 am on Tue.
• The mob demanded access to arms and ammunition to protect themselves from attacks by militants, alleging failure on the part of security forces.
• In the intense scuffle, the IRB personnel resorted to firing several rounds of tear gas shells, smoke bombs, and blank firing to control the mob.
• The additional police force from Thoubal district headquarters rushed to the area.
• In the wake of the tense situation, Thoubal District Magistrate curtailed curfew relaxation till 2 pm on Wed and from 5 am to 12 noon on Jul 5. (here)
• The ethnic clashes which started 2 months back between the majority of Meitei and Kuki-Zo minorities are not seeing an end despite all efforts.
• Security concerns mount as 4 apprehended UNLF insurgents released on bail: 4 suspected cadres of the banned insurgent group United National Liberation Front, were released on bail, hours after they were apprehended from violence-hit Manipur.
• The recovery of stolen weapons from the police armory remains incomplete, exacerbating the gravity of the ongoing conflict.
• The efforts to address the situation are being severely undermined by the blatant misuse of the law, particularly the rapid release of suspected insurgents. (here)
• Modi govt ‘silent’ on aid pleas, Mizoram asks MPs, MLAs & public to donate for incoming Manipuris.
• The Mizoram govt, looking to support the Internally Displaced Persons from violence-hit Manipur who have sought refuge in the state, has decided to raise funds from legislators, local administration employees, and the public.
• The move came after the state’s repeated pleas to the central govt for financial help of Rs 10 crore to help the displaced people went “unheeded”. (here)

Lapses in signaling, repairs led to Odisha train tragedy: Railways report

• Faulty signaling due to two botched repair works, including one in 2018 and the other hours before the accident, led to the Odisha train tragedy, the Railway report says.
• The findings of the Railway Safety Chief, attribute the cause of the Balasore train accident to “lapses” at multiple levels of the signaling and telecom (S&T) department.
• It added that the Jun 2 tragedy – the deadliest in the country in 3 decades – could have potentially been avoided had the repeated glitches with the local signaling been flagged
• To be sure, the report, submitted by the CRS to the Railway Board, may be accepted or rejected by the railway ministry.
• The CBI is carrying out the main criminal investigation into the incident that killed 288 people, with at least 5 more succumbing to injuries later taking the toll up to 293.
• CBI is also investigating whether the accident was the outcome of sabotage. (here)

For many Kashmiris like me, Article 370 is thing of past: IAS officer Shah Faesal

• With the SC fixing Jul 11 to hear pleas challenging the abrogation of Article 370, IAS officer Shah Faesal, a petitioner has said that the matter now is a “thing of the past”.
• Faesal said that he has withdrawn his petition challenging the Presidential Order to scrap Article 370 a long time back.
• Faesal was the lead petitioner challenging the abrogation of Article 370 nearly 4 years after it was implemented on Aug 5, 2019.
• Faesal is one of the main petitioner, among many. (here)

Pak-sponsored narco-terror case: NIA attaches house of two brothers in Punjab

• The National Investigation Agency has attached the Amritsar-based house of 2 brothers accused in a Pak-sponsored narco-terror case being probed by NIA since 2020.
• The property has been attached under section 25(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 after its designation as ‘proceeds of terrorism’.
• The 2 were earlier arrested in the case, which relates to a conspiracy hatched by a narco terror module to smuggle large amounts of drugs in India from Pakistan.
• 6 vehicles and Rs 6,35,000 in cash were also seized. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

China cancels planned trip by EU’s foreign policy chief; gives no reason

• China has canceled a trip by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell scheduled for next week, an EU spokesperson said on Tue, without giving any reason.
• This comes as Europe seeks to reduce the risks created by its close economic connection with China, as the EU has named it an “economic competitor and a systemic rival”.
• The Chinese foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
• Borrell was due to visit Beijing on Jul 10 to meet his Chinese counterpart and discuss “strategic issues” including human rights and Russia’s war in Ukraine.
• This is the second time this year that Borrell’s trip was canceled, as he could not come in Apr after testing positive for COVID-19. (here)

Beijing will keep up intimidation, but little chance of a full economic blockade, Taipei official says

• Taiwan sees little chance of a full economic blockade by Beijing, despite the threat of a war amid heightened cross-strait tensions, the vice-FM, Roy Chun Lee said on Tue
• He added that there also seemed to be no chance of revising a cross-strait service trade agreement reached by Beijing and Taipei a decade ago.
• Speaking to overseas journalists, Lee said Beijing was not likely to impose an extensive economic blockade against Taipei because such a move would also hurt the mainland.
• That would be the “cheapest way” for Beijing to suggest intimidation against Taiwan, Lee said. (here)

China-US ties: Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has ‘frank and productive’ discussion with ambassador Xie Feng ahead of Beijing visit

• US Treasury Secy Janet Yellen had a “frank and productive discussion” with Xie Feng, China’s envoy to Washington, ahead of her trip to Beijing to ease economic tensions.
• Yellen and Xie met in Washington on Mon in support of “ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication and responsibly manage the US-China bilateral relationship”, which was also the stated objective of Yellen’s trip from Thu.
• “Secretary Yellen raised issues of concern while also conveying the importance of the two largest economies working together on global challenges, including on macroeconomic and financial issues,” the Treasury Department stated. (here)

Pakistan: IMF boosts rupee, Eurobonds rally, and gold prices decline

• The Pakistani currency witnessed a strong rebound as the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s new loan program defended its value, causing speculators to suffer losses.
• The rupee gained a significant 3.83%, or Rs10.55, reaching a 4-month high at Rs 275.44 against the US dollar in the inter-bank market on Tue.
• In the open market, the currency also experienced a jump of 3.57%, or Rs10, reaching Rs280 against the greenback.
• However, the closing price was significantly lower compared to Fin Min Dar’s claim of Rs 270-272 against the dollar in the retail market just a day ago. (here)

Bilawal, Kishida vow to enhance bilateral relations

• Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Mon called on Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo and discussed with him matters of mutual interests.
• During the meeting, both leaders expressed the desire to further enhance bilateral engagement and cooperation in different fields.
• Separately, speaking at the ADBI on the topic ‘Pakistan and Japan in the Asian context’, Bilawal said that Pakistan and Japan can create a robust and efficient infrastructure.
• Bilawal said that they regarded the CPEC as an important part of this vision for enhanced connectivity.
• He added that the occasions created in Pakistan’s industrial, agricultural, and energy sectors as a result of CPEC and other Chinese projects were not exclusive to any country
• “Japanese firms have experience working successfully and profitably in Pakistan. Their expertise in building infrastructure is second to none,” he added. (here)

Nation to observe Holy Quran Day on Friday to denounce Sweden incident

• In a meeting chaired by PM Shehbaz Sharif, the govt has decided to celebrate Fri, Jul 7 as Holy Quran Day across Pakistan.
• The decision comes in response to the recent desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden, which has sparked outrage and condemnation around the world. (here)
• “This urgent debate will be convened following a request of Pakistan, sent on behalf of several members of the OIC,” says spokesman Pascal Sim.

Police Object to persons from Ahmadiyya community performing sacrifice

• A resident of Gujranwala, who belongs to the Ahmadiyya said that he had taken a goat for sacrifice, but the police asked him not to do it, or else FIR will be filed.
• He told VoA that they had sent their goat to the home of a close relative who lives in a village near Narowal.
• The majority in that village belong to the Ahmadiyya community and the people living there have no objection to the sacrifice of Ahmadis.
• He says that we have to sacrifice whether we do it in Gujranwala or Narowal, it doesn’t matter.
• Another similar incident took place in the Noorakot area of Gujranwala where a citizen belonging to the same community brought two goats to his house and some people in the area attacked him outside the house. (VoA)