1. 18 killed in panchayat poll violence in West Bengal
2. U.S. sends its top human rights official to Delhi
3. Chinese want to contact me: Dalai Lama says open to talks on Tibetan problems
4. Indian diaspora in Toronto waves Tricolour to counter pro-Khalistani protesters
5. Amid ruckus over Hague court’s intervention, govt panel ‘seriously’ reviewing IWT

What Else

6. Ex-JKLF terrorists, erstwhile separatists detained: Police
7. Piyush Goyal to visit UK for free trade agreement negotiations
8. Two Bangladeshi banks introduce Indian rupee trade transactions to bolster foreign reserves
9. Manipur Violence: Centre holds back-door talks with Kuki groups in New Delhi
10. Honey-trapped DRDO scientist shared details of India’s missile, drone programs
11. Two Chinese living illegally detained, to be deported
12. Twitter ‘relocates’ users in GB to held Kashmir
13. Make India, Bangaldesh, Nepal, Bhutan…”Borderless”: What Sri Lankan President Said
14. Philippines raises alarm over increase in Chinese boats in disputed South China Sea
15. PTI rejects Ahsan Iqbal’s ‘irresponsible’ statement about China, CPEC
16. Pakistan: EU paying attention to ‘crackdown on PTI’: envoy
17. Pakistan: Govt okays policy to woo foreign investors

18 killed in panchayat poll violence in West Bengal

• At least 18 people died across 8 districts of WB on Sat as the 3-tier panchayat elections in 20 districts were marked by extensive violence, looting of ballot papers, and rigging.
• Polling was peaceful only in Darjeeling and Kalimpong, the 2 hilly districts that have 2-tier panchayats.
• The violence raised the death toll to 37, question the role of the state poll body over its failure to ensure smooth conduct of polling.
• The poll body was initially opposed to the idea of deploying additional forces and was even pulled up by the Calcutta high court.
• In the last 2018 panchayat polls 23 people died across Bengal, with 12 of them losing their lives on the day of polling. (here)

U.S. sends its top human rights official to Delhi

• A delegation comprising the U.S. Under Secy Uzra Zeya and Asstt Secy Donald Lu senior U.S. to visit Sat, a region close to PM Modi’s visit to Washington
• To meet MEA officials and civil society organizations
• The official will also meet the Tibetan Buddhist leader the Dalai Lama, in a visit loaded with messaging for the region.
• This is the first senior U.S. delegation to travel to India after Mr.
• Zeya is expected to meet Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and other MEA officials.
• “.. advancing shared solutions to global challenges, democracy, regional stability, and cooperation on humanitarian relief,” the State Department press statement
• Zeya’s visit to India also follows comments by U.S. Envoy Eric Garcetti, who expressed concerns last week over the continuing ethnic violence in Manipur.
• Bangladesh: Zeya’s visit is likely to spark criticism as it is her 1^st visit since the imposition of a new visa policy on May 25, which threatens sanctions and visa bans against officials if the U.S. determines [?] they are “obstructing” the democratic process. (here)
• [Lu, infamous for his regime change appetite is accompanying Zeya in the countries where elections are due next year, can’t be a rights issue.]

Chinese want to contact me: Dalai Lama says open to talks on Tibetan problems

• Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama said that he is open to talks with China over the problems of Tibetans, “officially or unofficially” wanted to contact him.
• “Now China also realizes that the spirit of the Tibetan people is very strong. So, to deal with Tibetan problems they want to contact me. I am also ready”, he said.
• The Dalai Lama made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Dharamshala before embarking on a visit to Delhi and Ladakh.
• Responding to a question on whether he wishes to resume talks with China, he said, “We are not seeking independence, we have decided since many years that we remain the part of People’s Republic of China…Now China is changing. The Chinese, officially or unofficially want to contact me”. (here)

Indian diaspora in Toronto waves Tricolour to counter pro-Khalistani protesters

• Members of the Indian community, holding the Tricolour, on Sat, gathered outside the consulate office in Canada’s Toronto to counter a pro-Khalistan protest.
• In the video members of the Indian diasporas were seen raising slogans like “Bharat Mata ki jai“, “Vande Mataram“, “Long Live India” and “Khalistan Murdabad“.
• A member among them told: “Canada is a peaceful country and we wanted to remain peaceful and we should”.
• Pro-Khalistani elements had announced rallies on Sat outside Indian Missions in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia after the killing of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Najjar.
• Canada’s PM Trudeau earlier said his govt has always taken “serious action” against terrorism and will continue to do so as he asserted that it is “wrong” to believe his govt is soft on Khalistan supporters and terrorists in the country. (here)
• Khalistani designated terrorist “Paramjit Singh Pamma” was seen leading the gang of 30 Khalistani radicals and terrorists outside the Indian HC in London.
• No action against Pamma was taken by the British authorities.
• NSA Ajit Doval on Fri urged his British counterpart, Tim Barrow, to take strong action against extremists, (Khalistanis), and ensure the safety of the Indian HC. (here)

Amid ruckus over Hague court’s intervention, govt panel ‘seriously’ reviewing IWT

• A day after the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCoA), Hague stated that it has the “competence” to consider matters concerning the construction of projects in J&K, India has toughened its stand
• It “will not accept any ruling” given by the CoA, told govt officials on Fri. (see last newsletter)
• Pakistan has objected to the construction of the two projects on the ground that it violates the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
• India is firm that it now wants to renegotiate the treaty.
• A committee headed by the water resources secy was set up last month to review the treaty and decide on provisions that can be removed or modified in the IWT. (here)

Ex-JKLF terrorists, erstwhile separatists detained: Police

• J&K Police conducted a raid based on credible inputs about a meeting of some ex-terrorists of JKLF and erstwhile separatists in a hotel in Srinagar.
• All of them were brought to Kothibagh Police Station for verification.
• Inquiry has started, prima facie it came out that they were planning to revive JKLF and Hurriyat conference.
• Police officials told GK on Sun evening. “Sustained investigations are underway.”
• Police said those who have been taken to Police Station included the Chairperson of Itehad ul Muslimeen, Moulana Masroor Ansari, Muhammad Yaseen Bhat, who was previously affiliated with JKLF, and Syed Rehman Shamas.
• They had arrived at a hotel located near the Kothibagh Police Station. (here)
• 2 J&K Madrasas Sealed Over Alleged Foreign Funding Violations: 2 Islamic seminaries in Kishtwar were sealed and taken over by the admin for alleged illegal financial transactions.
• Madrasa Taleem ul Quran and Madrasa Asraful Aloom had over 100 students enrolled.
• All these children come from poor families who get free education, food, and accommodation in the seminaries.
• Both seminaries are allegedly linked to Maulana Ali Mia Nadwi Educational Charitable Trust in Jammu.
• The trust is facing allegations of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act violations. (here)

Piyush Goyal to visit UK for free trade agreement negotiations

• Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is set to embark on a visit to the UK from Jul 10-11, to assess the progress of negotiations for a free trade agreement between the two nations
• Goyal will also engage in talks with ministers representing the member countries of the European FTA (EFTA) to review the advancement of a trade pact.
• This visit assumes significance as both India and the UK are committed to strengthening their economic ties and exploring opportunities for enhanced bilateral trade.
• During the visit, he will engage in high-level meetings with his UK counterparts, including the Secy of State for International Trade, besides leaders from various sectors.
• In addition to his visit to Switzerland, Goyal will hold meetings with officials from the EFTA member countries, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. (here)

Two Bangladeshi banks introduce Indian rupee trade transactions to bolster foreign reserves

• Two major banks, including the largest state-owned lender, are planning to introduce trade transactions denominated in Indian rupees, announced officials on Fri.
• This move comes as Bangladesh aims to strengthen its declining FX reserves.
• Traditionally, trade transactions in Bangladesh have been conducted exclusively in US$
• However, Reuters reports that state-owned Sonali Bank and Eastern Bank have recently opened “nostro” accounts in Re with India’s SBI and ICICI, respectively.
• The establishment of these nostro accounts will allow the banks to hold funds in rupees abroad and facilitate international trade and foreign exchange transactions.
• According to Afzal Karim, the managing director of Sonali Bank, “This is just the beginning. More banks will join us in the coming days.” (here)

Manipur Violence: Centre holds back-door talks with Kuki groups in New Delhi

• The Central govt has assured Kuki groups that those guilty of committing violence will face the law but cleared that a political solution can only be achieved after normalcy.
• Members of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum and the Manipur Tribal Forum Delhi met Intelligence Bureau Director on Jul 7.
• The meeting is among a series of back-channel talks that the Centre is pursuing with civil society groups from both the Kuki and Meitei communities.
• A peace committee to be headed by the Manipur Governor, which was announced by Home Minister Amit Shah on June 1, is yet to take off.
• Fresh violence: On Fri, 3 people were killed in Bishnupur district.
• Suspected armed miscreants fired toward the Phougakchao Ikhai Awang Leikai and Kwakta area around 1 a.m. on Fri, killing 1 civilian and injuring another. (here)

Honey-trapped DRDO scientist shared details of India’s missile, drone programs

• The Maha anti-terrorism squad has said that Pradeep Kurulkar shared sensitive details about missile, drone, and robotics programs with a female Pak-based intel operative.
• In its charge sheet, ATS claimed to have unearthed “explosive” chats between the two
• Kurulkar, 60, a Pune-based DRDO scientist was arrested on May 3 on espionage charges and was director of R&D, at DRDO when he shared the info with the woman.
• An alleged Pak agent created multiple fake accounts under different names to engage.
• Two of these names were Zara Dasgupta and Juhi Arora.
• The same operative also set up accounts under these names on messaging apps using 2 different numbers- starting with the +44 London code.
• Kurulkar spoke freely about the Meteor missile which is in the works at DRDO, about the Brahmos, Rafael, Akash, and Astra, and also the Agni-6 missile launcher.
• Kurulkar also discussed DRDO’s ongoing work on the UAV, the Bharat Quadcopter, and Rustom, the medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned combat air vehicle (here)

[What is undigestable here is a researcher is an expert in a particular domain, while a project is an outcome of multiple ones]

• BSF employee was sending intelligence to Pakistan, Gujarat ATS arrested: The Gujarat ATS has arrested BSF personnel Nilesh Badia from Bhuj in the Kutch district.
• He is accused of sharing India’s intelligence with Pakistan.
• Nilesh is working as a class IV employee in the Kutch, was in contact with the Pakistani handler, and used to send secret information to get more than 25k rupees. (here)

Two Chinese living illegally detained, to be deported

• Two Chinese nationals have been detained for allegedly living in Greater Noida with expired visas, police officials said on Fri.
• The foreigners, identified as Deng Chonckon and Meng Shouguo and aged around 30, were living in the Greenwoods Society in Sector Omega 1 of Greater Noida.
• The duo worked at the Chinese phone maker Oppo’s facility here.
• After this, the foreigners were detained and legal proceedings were initiated.
• The two have been sent to a detention center in Delhi’s R K Puram for further proceedings for their deportation, the police added. (here)

Twitter ‘relocates’ users in GB to held Kashmir

• Twitter seems to have bloc­ked access to the govt of Pakistan’s official account in Gilgit-Baltistan and changed the region’s location to parts of India, it has emerged.
• In addition, when users turn on the location feature on the app, tweets sent from the region are marked as originating from India-held Kashmir.
• The issue came to light after several Twitter users in GB complained they were unable to access the govt’s official account from the region.
• When users tried to access the account, a message was displayed stating the “account has been withheld in India in response to a legal demand”. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Make India, Bangaldesh, Nepal, Bhutan…”Borderless”: What Sri Lankan President Said

• Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has suggested making the BIMSTEC region, comprising the 7 member nations, one “borderless” tourism area.
• He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the 67^th annual convention of the TAAI – one of India’s oldest travel-related associations – BIMCH on Thu.
• The theme of the TAAI convention is ‘Transcending Borders, Transforming Lives’.
• The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation is a regional grouping that comprises India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan. (here)

Philippines raises alarm over increase in Chinese boats in disputed South China Sea

• The Philippine military on Fri reported an “alarming” increase in the no of Chinese fishing vessels in disputed SCS, which it said threatens the security of the oil and gas.
• From only a dozen in Feb, the number of Chinese fishing vessels “swarming” in Iroquois Reef, just south of the Reed Bank, has risen to 47 as of last month (WESCOM).
• “China must cease its swarming of vessels to respect our sovereign rights,” Ariel Coloma, spokesperson for the Western Command, said in a statement.
• The Philippines won a landmark arbitration case in 2016 that invalidated China’s expansive claims in the SCS, where about $3 tn worth of sea-borne goods pass every yr.
• U.S. told the Philippines, on Thu that the U.S. ‘commitment’ to the defense of its ally was “ironclad,” including in the SCS
• China accused the US of “sowing discord” [or interfering in its incrochment] between countries in the region, while maintaining the actions of the Chinese Coast Guard were legitimate and lawful, and therefore “beyond reproach”. (here)

PTI rejects Ahsan Iqbal’s ‘irresponsible’ statement about China, CPEC

• Reacting to Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal’s statement regarding China and the CPEC, the PTI on Sun said that the insinuation that “our iron brother would interfere in our domestic affairs is baffling and insulting”.
• A day earlier, the minister accused the former PTI-led govt of “harming” the CPEC and revealed that Beijing had warned the then-establishment against any “new experiment”
• In a Geo News program, the Iqbal said: “China had tried to convey [a message] to the then establishment to avoid any new experiment as it would derail CPEC.”
• Later, Ahsan Iqbal in a statement on social media said that his statement about China in a TV interview is out of context and needs clarification. (here)
• The then establishment, however, assured Beijing that whoever would come into power will not create obstacles in CPEC.
• Beijing had asked not to interfere in elections as “any experiment of change will not be beneficial for Pakistan and will destroy the CPEC”, the minister added. (here)

Pakistan: EU paying attention to ‘crackdown on PTI’: envoy

• EU Envoy to Pakistan Dr Riina Kionka has said that the EU is paying a lot of attention to the “crackdown on the PTI and [its] supporters in the aftermath of May 9”.
• The EU ambassador’s comment came in a video statement regarding the extension of Pakistan’s GSP (Generalised Scheme of Preferences) Plus status.
• Kionka said that “the proposed extension of the current regulation for GSP Plus in effect … country enjoys the same trade preferences and access to the market [as before].”
• However, she added that Pakistan also “has the same obligations … in terms of implementing the 27 international human rights conventions”
• Added that the EU will “continue to monitor progress and report to the European Parliament”. (here)

Pakistan: Govt okays policy to woo foreign investors

• In a move to boost foreign and domestic investments, the govt has approved a new investment policy for 2023 to attract investors by adopting best practices and providing an optimal investment climate.
• The policy was created as per PM Sharif’s formation of the Special Investment Facilitation Council, an apex body that includes the army chief and provincial CMs.
• The Pakistan Investment Policy (PIP) 2023 has been given the go-ahead by the federal cabinet through the circulation of a summary.
• It is anticipated that the new policy will attract $20-25 billion in investment over the next few years. (here)