1. Manipur Violence: Ex-Army Chief’s “China Aid” Hint Over Manipur Violence
2. Balochistan PM-in-exile seeks support of India’s Modi at UN for freedom from Pakistan
3. ISRO launches PSLV-C56 rocket carrying 7 Singaporean satellites from Sriharikota
4. India’s 1st domestically built 700 MW nuclear reactor starts commercial operations in Gujarat
5. India, US collaboration has extended to new initiative: EAM Jaishankar

What Else

6. NEP will shape foundation of education in India: Pradhan
7. Indian Army jawan goes missing in Kashmir’s Kulgam, reports claim blood found in his car
8. At least 35 [40] killed, 200 injured in blast at JUI-F convention in KP’s Bajaur district
9. Chinese vice premier to visit Pakistan on Jul 30
10. Italy defense minister: joining China’s belt and road plan was ‘atrocious’ decision
11. Nepal to change projects whose power will be sold to Bangladesh

Manipur Violence: Ex-Army Chief’s “China Aid” Hint Over Manipur Violence

[FIR filed against ITLF spox; Oppn MPs meet governor; claim ‘situation is worsening’; Mammoth rally held against narco-terrorism; Biometric capture and negative listing of Myanmar migrants begin; SC to hear Manipur assault video matter Mon]

• Ex-Army Chief Gen MM Naravane said that the connection of foreign agencies “cannot be ruled out,” as he stressed the role of “Chinese aid to insurgent groups” in the NE.
• In an indirect mention to China, he on Fri said “If there is instability not only in our neighboring country but in our border state, then that instability is bad for our overall national security“.
• The former army chief expressed confidence that the govt is taking steps to restore peace in the restive state. (read this article for claimed Chines role)
• Gen expressed concern that instability does not help the country in the “overall national security construct.” (here)
• FIR filed against ITLF spokesperson Ginza Vualzong for allegedly promoting enmity: FIR has been filed on Jul 29 against Indigenous Tribal Leader Forum spox Ginza Vualzong for promoting enmity between groups, circulating rumors and reports.
• He has been making defamatory statements that have caused enmity and flowing reports with the intent to cause fear or alarm and create or promote hatred (here)
• 21 Opposition MPs meet governor; claim ‘situation is worsening’: The Opposition MPs from I.N.D.I.A bloc met Governor Anusuiya Sunon the 2^nd day of their 2-day visit.
• A day after visiting relief camps and meeting victims, the delegation presented a memorandum to the governor and appealed to restore peace in the state
• Meanwhile, Congress MP alleged substandard arrangements in the relief camps for the violence-affected people. (here)
• Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma has urged political parties to take a keen interest in the NE region and address the challenges faced by its communities.
• Speaking about the recent violence, CM emphasized the importance of peace in the state for the overall well-being of the Northeast. (here)
• The ITLF, an umbrella gr of tribals, on Sat, wrote to the I.N.D.I.A., seeking its support for the demand of a separate administration and implementation of the President’s rule
• A rally was taken out in Imphal on Sat to protest against the demand for a ‘separate administration’ for areas inhabited by the Kuki community. (here)
• Mammoth rally held against narco-terrorism: Thousands throng the streets across Imphal in a rally organized under the banner of COCOMI denouncing narco-terrorism
• Even the famous slogan “Manipur gi Ngamkhei Kaiba Yaroi” (Manipur’s territorial integrity should be intact) echoed on Sat. (here)
• The protesters held various placards that read, “No separate administration in Manipur”, “Save India from Kuki-Zo Narco Terrorist”, “Abolish Narco-terrorism”, “No more atrocities to women”, “Update NRC immediately” and others.
• Governor Anusuiya Uikey on Sat paid her 2^nd visit to relief centers in Churachandpur with a message to work together for the restoration of peace, normalcy, and harmony
• She also met the 2 ‘sisters’ who were paraded naked in public by an unruly mob on May 4 and handed a cheque of Rs 10 lakh each to their families. (here)
• Biometric capture and negative listing of Myanmar migrants begin: India has taken a step to address the issue of illegal immigration from Myanmar by commencing the collection of biometrics of the illegal migrants on Sat.
• This move aims to identify potential immigrants who will be placed on a ‘negative biometric list’, preventing them from acquiring Indian citizenship in the future. (here)
• Supreme Court to hear Manipur assault video matter today: The SC on Mon will consider the Union govt’s request to transfer the trial of the case relating to the May 4 assault of 2 women, outside Manipur and direct for its conclusion within 6 months of the filing of the charge sheet by the Central Bureau of Investigation. (here)

Balochistan PM-in-exile seeks support of India’s Modi at UN for freedom from Pakistan

• Naela Quadri, the PM of the Balochistan govt-in-exile, has appealed to PM Modi to extend support at the UN to its quest for freedom from Pakistan’s “illegal” occupation.
• Quadri requested Modi and the BJP govt to take a stand in favor of Balochistan at the UN recognizing the importance of this moment.
• Quadri is on a world tour to garner support for Balochistan’s freedom.
• She is reaching out to different countries to gather international support for Balochistan’s freedom from Pakistan’s control.
• Her remarks came after she performed a puja at the VIP ghat of the Ganga in Uttarakhand, praying for her cause.
• She expressed concern over the exploitation of Balochistan’s rich mineral resources and the numerous atrocities being inflicted upon its people. (here)

ISRO launches PSLV-C56 rocket carrying 7 Singaporean satellites from Sriharikota

• The Indian Space Research Organisation on Sun successfully launched its PSLV-C56 rocket carrying 7 Singaporean satellites from the SDSC, Sriharikota.
• ISRO said that the rocket separated from the satellites 23 minutes after the lift-off, and deployed them into their “intended orbits” after covering a distance of 535 km.
• “The PS4 stage de-orbiting experiment is successful,” it said.\
• DS-SAR: radar imaging earth observation satellite is a primary satellite for the mission.
• It was developed under a partnership between the Defence Science and Technology Agency (representing the govt of Singapore) and ST Engineering.
• DS-SAR carries a Synthetic Aperture Radar which allows it to provide all-weather day and night coverage.
• This is the 58^th flight of PSLV and 17^th flight of PSLV in Core Alone configuration (here)

India’s 1^st domestically built 700 MW nuclear reactor starts commercial operations in Gujarat

• India’s 1^st indigenously developed 700 MW nuclear power reactor at the Kakrapar Atomic Power Project in Gujarat started commercial operations on Fri.
• Presently, the unit is operating at 90% of its capacity.
• The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited is building two 700 MW pressurized heavy water reactors at Kakrapar, which is also home to two 220 MW power plants.
• Various commissioning activities were underway at KAPP 4, which had achieved 96.92 % progress by May end. The NPCIL plans to build 16- 700 MW PHWRs. (here)

India, US collaboration has extended to new initiative: EAM Jaishankar

• The collaboration between India and US in Micron Technology, LRAM deals with New Delhi extended to a new initiative and additional domains, said EAM on Sun.
• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that during the PM’s visit to the US, specific commitments were made about Micron Technology, LRAM
• On Space collaboration, the EAM said India signed the Artemis Accords and promoted stronger ISRO-NASA collaboration.
• The Innovation Handshake between Indian entities and the NSF holds much promise.
• So too does the INDUS-X innovation bridge in defense technologies.
• Jaishankar said the QUAD group leaders agreed at their meeting in Hiroshima on the Principles of Critical and Emerging Technology Standards.
• This inter-alia supported industry-led, consensus-based multi-stakeholder approaches. (here)

NEP will shape foundation of education in India: Pradhan

• The National Education Policy 2020 will lay a stronger foundation for India, education minister Pradhan said on Sat at the Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam 2023,
• He presided over the signing of 106 MoUs with various organizations and institutions.
• The event celebrated the 3^rd anniversary of the policy.
• The MoUs involve enterprises with both public and private entities to promote novelty and R&D, which would usher in a new era of collaboration in academia and industry.
• Under the CBSC, 15 MoUs were signed with institutes and skill providers to focus on skill development and education, promoting skill assessment and capacity building.
• The partners include Atal Innovation Mission, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, and various sectoral skill councils, according to an official statement.
• PM Modi on Sat inaugurated the Samagam at the Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. (here)

Indian Army jawan goes missing in Kashmir’s Kulgam, reports claim blood found in his car

• An Indian Army soldier, Javed Ahmad Wani, 25, reportedly went missing from J&K Kulgam, on Sat police officials said on Sun.
• Wani, posted in the Ladakh region, was on leave.
• His car was found in Paranhall later around 8 pm, they said.
• Security forces have launched a massive hunt to track down the missing soldier.
• Some reports, citing his family, claimed that Wani was kidnapped from his vehicle in Kulgam district.
• The police, however, were yet to confirm the abduction claims. (here)
• ‘Hybrid’ Al Badr terrorist arrested in Srinagar with arms, ammunition: An Al-Badr hybrid terrorist, who was planning terror activities here, was arrested with arms and ammunition on Sat, police said.
• Hybrid terrorists are those who carry out attacks and then slip back into their routine lives.
• He identified him as Arfat Yusuf, from Rajpora Pulwama, adding that incriminating material such as arms and ammunition including a pistol, 20 live rounds, 2 magazines have been recovered from his possession. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

At least 35 [40] killed, 200 injured in blast at JUI-F convention in KP’s Bajaur district

• At least 35 people were killed while over 200 were injured in a blast at a Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) convention in the Khar tehsil of Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur on Sun.
• KP caretaker Minister confirmed the death toll and the number of injuries.
• On the other hand, AFP put the death toll at 39 citing Governor.
• The minister said hospitals across Bajaur and adjacent areas had been put on high alert.
• “We are trying to move critical patients to Peshawar and other hospitals through helicopters.”
• Separately, District Health Officer said more than 150 injured people had been brought to the Bajaur while those in critical condition were being moved to Peshawar.
• No one has claimed responsibility for the blast yet. (here) [hours later, BLA has claimed responsibility for the attack]

Chinese vice premier to visit Pakistan on Jul 30

• Chinese Vice Prime Minister He Lifeng will visit Pakistan on Jul 30 to attend the 10^th anniversary of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, said the FM spox on Sat.
• A member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, the vice premier will also call on President Arif Alvi and PM Shehbaz Sharif during his visit.
• He will be the chief guest at an event celebrating the decade of CPEC during his visit from July 30 to August 1, added the spokesperson.
• China invested close to $30 billion in 10 years mainly focusing on energy and infrastructure projects.
• The second phase of CPEC envisaging special economic zones could not move ahead primarily because of the PTI government’s policy to slow down the project. (here)

Italy defence minister: joining China’s belt and road plan was ‘atrocious’ decision

• Italy made an “improvised and atrocious” decision when it joined China’s BRI 4 years ago as it did little to boost exports, Italian Def Min Guido Crosetto said on Sun.
• Italy signed up to the plan under a previous govt, becoming the only major Western country to have taken such a step.
• Crosetto is part of an admin that is considering how to break free of the agreement.
• The scheme – China’s plan to grow global trade – envisions rebuilding the old Silk Road to connect China with Asia, Europe, and beyond with large infrastructure spending.
• Critics see it as a tool for China to spread its geopolitical and economic influence.
• “The issue today is: how to walk back (from the initiative) without damaging relations. Because it is true that China is a competitor, but it is also a partner,” Crosetto added (here)

Nepal to change projects whose power will be sold to Bangladesh

• Nepal is preparing to change projects whose electricity will be exported to Bangladesh once a tripartite agreement involving India gets signed.
• Earlier, the state-owned NEA had requested the Indian authorities to allow it to sell the power generated from the 52.4 MW Likhu-4 project to Bangladesh.
• Earlier, Nepal and B’desh had agreed to make efforts for trade up to 50MW, but India notified that it would allow the transmission of up to 40MW only. (here)