1. Manipur Violence: Tension in hills after May 4 video of women being paraded naked surfaces
2. Seema Haider a Pakistani agent? Senior UP police official responds
3. Indian Navy espionage: NIA chargesheet against absconding suspected Pak national among 2
4. 5 Suspected Terrorists Arrested In Bengaluru For Plotting Attack: Cops
5. Indian Navy strengthens maritime cooperation with Africa

What Else

6. India begins manufacturing C-295 aircraft for IAF, more orders to be placed
7. German Vice Chancellor arrives in New Delhi for three-day visit
8. White House says there is still strong future with I2U2, relationship with India “stronger than ever”
9. Bangladesh to launch 3 major infrastructures with Indian aid in September
10. SC grants bail to Teesta Setalvad, reverses Gujarat HC’s ‘perverse, contradictory’ order
11. Sanaullah sees Azam Khan’s alleged statement on cipher controversy as ‘charge sheet’ against Imran
12. Afghanistan: Badakhshan residents express concern about military personnel without
13. uniforms
14. Nepal: China launches five “Silk Roadster” projects under Belt and Road Initiative
15. Top China Diplomat Says It Is “Impossible To Contain” The Country
16. China says it can work with US to fight climate change as Kerry visit ends with ‘frank conversations’

Manipur Violence: Tension in hills after May 4 video of women being paraded naked surfaces

• Tension mounted in the hills of Manipur after a May 4 video surfaced on Wed showing 2 women 1 out of warring communities being paraded naked from the other side, officials said here on Wed.
• The video was doing the rounds on the eve of a planned protest march announced by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) on Thu to highlight their plight.
• As per ITLF, the “despicable scene, which happened on May 4 in Kangpokpi”, shows men constantly molesting the helpless women, who cry and plead with their captors.
• The Kuki-Zo tribals are planning to raise this issue as well during a proposed protest march in Churchandpur on Thu. (here)
• The Wire reported, “Manipur: Shocking Video Shows Two Kuki Women Paraded Naked; One Was Allegedly Gang-Raped” (here)
• ‘If you don’t take off your clothes, we will kill you’: Kuki women paraded naked in Manipur- (here)
• “All out efforts to arrest culprits”, says Manipur police: In the first official response to the alleged video the Police issued a press note.
• The press note stated, “A case of abduction, gangrape, and murder was registered against unknown armed miscreants. The investigation has started and the state police is making an all-out effort to arrest the culprits at the earliest“. (here)
• [76 days, 160 murders, and now this video from Manipur of May 4^th, just a day before the Monsoon session of Houses]
• Opposition demands debate on Manipur: A debate on violence in Manipur is a “non-negotiable” demand, Oppn told the govt in no uncertain terms during an all-party meeting on the eve of the monsoon session of Parliament on Wed, insisting that they would not settle for anything less than a detailed answer from PM Modi.
• In response, Parliamentary Affairs Minister said that the govt was willing to discuss every issue permitted under the rules and approved by the respective Chairs.
• He also informed legislators that the govt has listed 32 legislative items for the session. A total of 44 leaders from 34 parties attended the meeting. (here)

Seema Haider a Pakistani agent? Senior UP police official responds

• The mystery around Pak national Seema Ghulam Haider, who along with her 4 kids crossed over to India via Nepal to be with her partner Sachin Meena, continues.
• The Uttar Pradesh Anti Terrorist Squad grilled her and Meena for the 2^nd consecutive day for 8 hours before being allowed to return home.
• UP police refused that it is going to Nepal.
• During the grilling by UP ATS on Tue, Seema is said to have failed to answer questions regarding her intention behind entering India illegally.
• The Intelligence officials were also present during the questioning. [why are they waiting to be questioned by the UP ATS?]
• The IB has sought a report from the Sashastra Seema Bal, the central force that guards the Indo-Nepal border in UP and Bihar.
• Seema Haider was questioned about her kin in Pakistan and claims of her uncle and brother being in the Pakistan Army but she denied the claims. (here)
• A hotel owner in Kathmandu has claimed that Pakistani national Seema Haider and her boyfriend Sachin Meena stayed at his hotel.
• Sachin reached the hotel 1^st and booked the hotel. Seema came the next day…At the time of leaving, Seema left 1^st and Sachin left the next day…Only the two had come, they didn’t have the children with them (here).
• ATS has recovered 2 cassettes, 4 mobile phones & 5 passports including an unused one.

Indian Navy espionage: NIA chargesheet against absconding suspected Pak national among 2

• The National Investigation Agency on Wed filed a chargesheet against a suspected absconding Pakistani national among 2 in an espionage case relating to the Indian Navy.
• NIA filed the chargesheet in Andhra Pradesh against absconding Pak operative Meer Balaj Khan and arrested accused Akash Solanki.
• NIA said the 2 along with other Pak agents were involved in the espionage racket in which sensitive information of the Navy was being leaked as an anti-India conspiracy.
• Akash, who was working as an EAC at the Naval Dockyard, Vishakhapatnam, was passing on classified information relating to the Indian Navy Warships and submarines
• He was sharing the info with a suspected Pak operative, operating under the assumed identity of ‘Aditi Chouhan’, as well as other unidentified individuals.” (here)

5 Suspected Terrorists Arrested In Bengaluru For Plotting Attack: Cops

• 5 suspected terrorists were arrested in Bengaluru on Wed by the Central Crime Branch for allegedly planning a terror attack in the Karnataka capital.
• The police are on the lookout for another suspect, Junaid, from Bengaluru’s RT Nagar area, whose current whereabouts are unknown
• However, according to the police, the man is believed to be settled abroad and is the mastermind behind providing arms and explosives to the 5 arrested.
• The 5 in custody – Suhail, Omar, Zahid, Mudasir, and Faisal – from Bengaluru, aged between 25-35, were previously arrested in 2017 and were in jail for 18 months in connection with a murder case before being released in 2019.
• The CCB has also seized explosive materials, guns, and daggers from them.
• The suspects disclosed that they had been in contact with T Nazeer, a terror accused who is currently lodged in Bengaluru Central Jail (Parapanna Agrahara). (here)

Indian Navy strengthens maritime cooperation with Africa

• The Indian Navy has embarked on a series of high-impact engagements with African countries along the east coast and southwestern Indian Ocean region.
• These countries include Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles.
• Over the last 4 months, the proactive approach has seen 16 port visits to 8 African countries, showcasing India’s commitment to the continent.
• Indian naval ships—INS Trishul and INS Sunayna—spearheaded this maritime outreach, conducting independent deployments to key East African nations.
• The focus on interoperability and joint military exercises has been pivotal in enhancing operational capabilities and countering maritime threats effectively.
• The recent surge in support showcases India’s growing presence in the maritime domain and underscores the collaboration between India and Africa. (here)

India begins manufacturing C-295 aircraft for IAF, more orders to be placed

• The Hyderabad-based TATA Gr in association with European aviation Airbus has begun the manufacturing of the C-295 transport aircraft to replace the aging Avro fleet.
• Also, the initial set of 6 pilots have finished their training in Spain and the 1^st lot of aircraft engineers are now being trained to carry out maintenance of the aircraft
• The IAF has also entered into a 5-yr PBL agreement with Airbus, making the company contractually obligated to ensure 85% availability for the fleet at any point in time.
• This means that at any point in time, 85% of the fleet has to be operationally ready and not be in servicing or waiting for spare parts.
• While the IAF has ordered 56 C-295 aircraft (can carry 9 tonnes), officials confirmed that they, along with TATA, are in talks with the Navy and the Coast Guard (here)

German Vice Chancellor arrives in New Delhi for three-day visit

• German Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Economic Affairs, Robert Habeck arrived in the national capital in the early hours of Thu, for his 3-day visit to India.
• During his tour, Habeck will visit 3 Indian cities and will also inaugurate the Indo-German Business Forum in Delhi, said the German Embassy in India.
• Habeck is expected to hold high-level meetings with India’s Minister of Commerce, Piyush Goyal, Minister of External Affairs, S Jaishankar, and Power Minister RK Singh.
• He will also be inaugurating an Indo-German Business Forum in Delhi
• Vice-Chancellor will participate in the G20 Energy Ministers meeting in Goa. (here)

White House says there is still strong future with I2U2, relationship with India “stronger than ever”

• Stating that the India-US relationship is “stronger than ever”, the WH reemphasized that there is still a strong future with the I2U2 framework and that the grouping is deepening partnerships between the member nations.
• I2U2 is a grouping — including India, Israel, UAE, and the US — that aims for bolstering connectivity and cooperation in the Middle East region.
• On Wed, WH said that PM Modi’s state visit to the US was “extremely successful and important”.
• WH further said that the I2U2 framework is already deepening partnerships among the 4 countries and there is still a strong future with I2U2. (here)

Bangladesh to launch 3 major infrastructures with Indian aid in September

• Bangladesh is set to launch 3 major infra projects, including a power plant, under India’s financial assistance in Sept, an official said on Tue after the Indian High Commissioner here called on the country’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
• Indian HC in Dhaka called on PM Hasina and discussed issues such as the Taka-Rupee exchange system between two, connectivity, and ongoing projects.
• During the meeting, both expressed satisfaction over the state of the bilateral relations, Bangladesh premier’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim said.
• Sheikh Hasina wished India will raise voice, particularly for the Global South alongside the entire world, during the upcoming G20 Summit in New Delhi, Karim said. (here)

SC grants bail to Teesta Setalvad, reverses Gujarat HC’s ‘perverse, contradictory’ order

• The Supreme Court Wed granted bail to social activist Teesta Setalvad who is facing charges of falsifying evidence in a 2002 post-Godhra riots case — a move that reverses the Gujarat High Court’s 1 July ruling that ordered her surrender immediately.
• A 3-judge bench quashed HC’s ruling, which it called “perverse” and “contradictory”.
• It also raised questions over the state’s assertion that the activist was facing “serious and grave charges”, saying the use of Section 194 of IPC in the FIR against her is “suspect.”
• Section 194 deals with giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure a conviction of the capital offense. (here)
• The Centre on Wed notified the elevation of 4 judges as chief justices of Telangana, Orissa, Gujarat, and Kerala high courts. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Sanaullah sees Azam Khan’s alleged statement on cipher controversy as ‘charge sheet’ against Imran

• Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said on Wednesday that the reported confession of ex-principal secretary Azam Khan was a “charge sheet” against PTI chief Imran Khan.
• It came as an alleged confession of Azam, Imran’s PS when he was PM, surfaced on social media wherein he claimed that the narrative behind the cipher — which the PTI chief has for long presented as evidence of a “foreign conspiracy” to oust him from the top office — was fabricated.
• It was a day after the Lahore High Court withdrew a stay order against the call-up notice to Imran by the FIA in an inquiry into an audio leak relating to the cipher.
• At the same time, a senior US official also publicly defended Assistant Secy of State Donald Lu, who was blamed by Imran for orchestrating the no-confidence vote
• At the outset of the press conference in Islamabad, Sanaullah said Azam’s statement was a “charge sheet against Imran Khan Niazi”. (here)

Afghanistan: Badakhshan residents express concern about military personnel without uniforms

• Some residents of Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province have said they are worried about military personnel without uniforms in their province.
• Badakhshan residents said it is challenging to distinguish between official military personnel and others due to the lack of uniforms.
• As per residents, the distribution of uniforms is a serious need and officials should pay serious attention to the matter.
• A resident of Badakhshan, said: “They must have uniforms and proper clothes. In every area we go, there is a gun on someone’s shoulder and it stops us.”
• “Soldiers who work illegally are not wearing uniforms and disturb people in the city and market,” said another Badakhshan resident. (here)

Nepal: China launches five “Silk Roadster” projects under Belt and Road Initiative

• In the presence of several political parties and social organizations, the CCP launched the “Silk Roadster” platform last week in Bhaktapur as part of the BRI in Nepal.
• Nepal ratified the BRI’s framework agreement in 2017.
• 6 years later, however, not a single project from the program has begun in Nepal, even though the govt has chosen 9 projects to be carried out under the framework.
• Chinese officials said that the platform was a novel idea introduced to Nepal to honor the 10^th anniversary of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s proposal of the BRI.
• Silk Roadster is a new platform for practical cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between China and Southeast and South Asian countries.
• There are 5 projects under the platform—the Silk Road Embarkment, the Silk Road Empowerment, the Silk Road Enjoyment, the Silk Road Enlightenment, and the Silk Road Enhancement
• Two CPC leaders from Beijing were present at the function. (here)

China says it can work with US to fight climate change as Kerry visit ends with ‘frank conversations’

• US climate envoy John Kerry ended his 4-day visit to China on Wed by meeting Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng, after a series of talks that produced commitments to continue working “intensively” but ended without any agreements.
• Kerry told in a presser that his engagements had “been long and detailed”, adding: “We had very frank conversations. But we came here to break new ground, which we think is important at this stage.”
• “There are a lot of things that we very clearly agreed on after all this time. But some issues are going to have to be resolved that are going to take a little more time.”
• The two countries did not issue a joint declaration at the end of the trip “because we’re not finished finding the pathway”, Kerry said. (here)

Top China Diplomat Says It Is “Impossible To Contain” The Country

• Beijing’s top diplomat Wang Yi told Henry Kissinger on Wed that it is “impossible to contain or encircle” China, hailing the former US secretary of state’s role in opening up relations between Washington and Beijing.
• Hailing China’s “friendship established with old friends”, Wang praised Kissinger’s “historic contributions to the ice-breaking development of China-US relations”.
• “The US policy toward China needs Kissinger-style diplomatic wisdom and Nixon-style political courage,” he added, referring to former US president Richard Nixon.
• Kissinger, then US national security advisor, secretly flew to Beijing in July 1971 on a mission to establish relations with communist China.
• That trip set the stage for a landmark visit by Nixon who sought both to shake up the Cold War and enlist help ending the Vietnam War. (here)