1. PM Modi in Dubai for climate action summit, gets welcome from Indian community
2. Deal to purchase 97 more Tejas aircraft, 156 Prachand attack helicopters gets Defence Ministry’s approval
3. Nijjar-Pannun effect: RAW downs shutters in North America 1st time since inception in 1968
4. India says high-level panel to look into allegations after US charges Indian in ‘plot’ to kill SFJ’s Pannun
5. India and China hold fresh talks on LAC disengagement

What Else

• UN leaders hail India as champion of South-South cooperation, highlight ‘exemplary leadership’ in addressing global challenges
• The 14th edition of the Indo-US Joint Special Forces exercise, kicked off at the Joint Training Node, Meghalaya, on Tue
• Terrorist Rinda’s father, brother arrested by Nanded police in extortion case under MCOCA
• 4th Round of Pakistan-China Maritime Dialogue Highlights Bilateral Cooperation
• Bangladesh: Kissinger should have apologized for 1971 war role: FM A.K. Abdul Momen
• China says Canada is distorting facts over jailing of ‘Two Michaels’
• China, Turkmenistan vow to strengthen cooperation on energy and security
• Balochistan Governor visited the Dharna Committee at Chaman DC Complex
• Home Minister Bugti claimed, Afghan involvement in most of the terrorist incidents
• AJK JeI Chief Khan also announced support for the protests by the AAC

——————-

PM Modi in Dubai for climate action summit, gets welcome from Indian community

• PM Modi on Thu landed in Dubai where he will attend the World Climate Action Summit that will be held alongside the UN ‘Conference of the Parties’ on climate, known as COP28.
• He was received by UAE’s Interior Minister and Dy PM Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the airport.
• The PM will hold meetings with global leaders and participate in special events aimed at furthering climate action, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
• As PM Modi arrived at the hotel, he greeted the Indian community members, who chanted slogans such as ‘Modi, Modi’, ‘Ab Ki Baar Modi Sarkar’, and ‘Vande Mataram’.
• The World Climate Action Summit is the high-level segment of the COP28.
• Several world leaders are set to attend the meeting to discuss ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and effectively combat climate change.
• PM is scheduled to participate in three other high-level side events as well.
• The COP28 is taking place from Nov 30 to Dec 12 under the presidency of the UAE.
• PM Modi, who is on a one-day visit to the UAE, has a packed schedule on Fri.
• PM Modi will speak at 5 events as part of the COP28 summit. (here)

Deal to purchase 97 more Tejas aircraft, 156 Prachand attack helicopters gets Defence Ministry’s approval

• India will soon get more than 97 Tejas aircraft and 156 Prachand helicopters, as the Defence Acquisition Council has approved the purchase for a Rs 1.40 lakh crore deal.
• The Ministry has approved a Rs 1.40 lakh crore deal which also includes 1 aircraft carrier.
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is the domestic supplier of Tejas and Prachand aircraft, and IAF has an existing fleet of 83 Tejas jets
• The value of the 97 Tejas aircraft is expected to be around Rs 65,000 crore, making it the largest-ever fighter aircraft deal in the country.
• The development comes ahead of a crucial meeting scheduled to be held by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
• Earlier the new carrier, which can hold at least 28 fighter jets and helicopters and displaces 45,000 tons of water will be flying the French Rafale jets. (here)
• Defence Acquisition Council approved the Indian Air Force’s Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft’s Indigenous upgrade program.
• Under a 64,000 crore program, 84 aircraft will be upgraded with indigenously made radars and weapon systems. (here)

Nijjar-Pannun effect: RAW downs shutters in North America 1^st time since inception in 1968

• ThePrint (source)- 2 senior RAW officers were asked to leave their stations in San Francisco earlier this summer,  ahead of a decision by US prosecutors to initiate criminal charges in the wake of the spy agency’s alleged role in an assassination campaign targeting pro-Khalistan activists, [who threatened to blow airline].
• RAW was also blocked from replacing its station head in Washington, DC, ThePrint reported.
• Expelling the officers was part of a series of moves intended to signal anger against what US, Canada, and UK saw as violations of the unwritten conventions, that govern the operations of RAW in those countries.
• The officers were the head of the RAW station and the 2^nd-in-command of its operations in London, the sources said.
• The officers are a 2013-batch Tamil Nadu cadre IPS officer and a 2001-batch IPS officer of the Telangana cadre. (here)
• No case against Gupta in records: Gujarat cops: After the US on Wed announced the filing of “murder-for-hire” charges against Indian national Nikhil Gupta for allegedly plotting to kill Pannun in New York, the Gujarat Police on Thu scanned their records to find if Gupta was involved in any offense, and said they did not find any case.
• The US law enforcement authorities had alleged that Gupta, 52, agreed to the plot after being assured by the Indian govt official directing him – whom they referred to as CC-1 – that a criminal case registered against him in Gujarat would be taken care of. (here)

India says high-level panel to look into allegations after US charges Indian in ‘plot’ to kill SFJ’s Pannun

• New Delhi, on Thu, reiterated that it will be guided by the results of a high-level panel set up as the US charged an Indian national with conspiring to assassinate SFJ chief Pannun, who has been designated as a terrorist in India.
• MEA spox, called linking of 52-year-old Nikhil Gupta, who has been accused of plotting the attempted murder of Pannun, with an Indian govt employee a “matter of concern.”
• He also called the issue a “matter of concern” and “contrary to govt policy.”
• The statement by the MEA comes a day after the 52-year-old was charged with conspiring to assassinate terrorist Pannun. (here)
• US Secretary of State Blinken on Pannu case: -Legal matter; This is something we take very seriously; Raised this directly with the Indian Govt in the past weeks, India announced an investigation; it’s good and appropriate, look forward to seeing the results.
• The WH National Security Council spox, stressed on Fri that the US continues to improve its strategic partnership with India.
• On the other side, he added that the US “takes this very seriously,” referring to the indictment by the US DoJ against an Indian in an alleged foiled assassination plot.
• Canada Foreign Minister, Mélanie Joly said: In contact with EAM Jaishankar; Call on Indian cooperation in our investigation for it to proceed; and “unacceptable” that India expelling Canadian diplomats.
• Canada has consistently given space to anti-India elements says MEA: “So we expect the Govt of Canada to live up to their obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.”
• “We have also seen interference in our internal affairs. This is obviously unacceptable”

[PS: it is a legal matter, and as of now, only allegations have been made. It is easier to blame than proof in court. Though, the damage has already been done]

India and China hold fresh talks on LAC disengagement

• With the disengagement process in eastern Ladakh still incomplete, India and China held another round of diplomatic talks to address the issue.
• While the talks ended without any breakthrough, the two sides agreed to continue dialogue through military and diplomatic channels and hold the next round of the senior commanders’ meetings at the earliest.
• The 28^th meeting of the WMCC on the India-China Border had both reviewed the situation along the LAC in the western sector of the border areas and engaged in an “open, constructive and in-depth discussion of proposals to resolve the remaining issues and achieve complete disengagement in eastern Ladakh”.
• India pressed China for an early completion of the disengagement process to allow the bilateral relationship to return to normal.
• They further agreed on the need to maintain peace and tranquility along the border areas, ensure a stable situation on the ground, and avoid any untoward incident, said the Indian government in a statement. (here)

UN leaders hail India as champion of South-South cooperation, highlight ‘exemplary leadership’ in addressing global challenges

• Top UN leaders and envoys have lauded India’s “exemplary leadership” in addressing global challenges and for being a champion of South-South cooperation.
• They highlighted the country’s G20 Presidency and termed the “enduring” partnership between India and the UN as a “guidelight” within the Global South.
• India assumed the year-long G20 Presidency in Dec last year and is all set to hand over the baton to Brazil.
• UN Dy Secy-Gen Amina Mohammed underscored that the India UN Development Partnership Fund stands as a “testament” to the “extraordinary accomplishments” (here)

The 14^th edition of the Indo-US Joint Special Forces exercise, kicked off at the Joint Training Node, Meghalaya, on Tue

• The 14^th edition of the Indo-US Joint Special Forces exercise, “VAJRA PRAHAR 2023,” kicked off at the Joint Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya, on Tue.
• Representing the US contingent are personnel from the 1^st Special Forces Group of the US Special Forces, while the Indian Army contingent is led by SFG from the Eastern Command.
• The inaugural edition took place in India in 2010, with the 13^th edition hosted at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh.
• The ongoing 14th edition is being held at Umroi Cantonment, Meghalaya, from Nov 21 to Dec 11, 2023. (here)

Terrorist Rinda’s father, brother arrested by Nanded police in extortion case under MCOCA

• The father and brother of terrorist Harvinder Singh alias Rinda were arrested by Nanded Police in an extortion case on Wed.
• They allegedly used to extort money from people, which prompted the police to register a case against them under MCOCA.
• Nanded Cop said on Sept 22, 2023, ransom was demanded from a person in the name of Rinda.
• However, the victim had not filed a complaint in this matter, said the sources.
• The police were arrested after receiving information about the extortion.
• The court sent the duo to police custody for five days.
• Rinda is associated with Babbar Khalsa: Meanwhile, the Home Ministry declared Rinda a terrorist this year.
• Rinda is associated with the terrorist organization Babbar Khalsa International (BKI).
• According to the media reports, he already fled the country, and his last location was said to be Lahore. (here)

 [NEIGHBORHOOD]

4th Round of Pakistan-China Maritime Dialogue Highlights Bilateral Cooperation

• The 4^th round of the Pakistan-China Maritime Dialogue was held in the federal capital Islamabad on Thu.
• DG (China) of the Pakistan Foreign Ministry, and Deputy DG of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Wang Jinfeng co-chaired.
• Following the session, Wang met with Additional Secretary (Asia-Pacific) of the Foreign Ministry.
• The comprehensive exchange of views included discussions on naval exchanges, regional cooperation, maritime infrastructure development, collaboration in fisheries, science and technology, search and rescue missions, maritime disaster management, and combating maritime pollution.
• The 5^th round Maritime Dialogue, the, is scheduled to be held in China next year. (here)

Bangladesh: Kissinger should have apologized for 1971 war role: FM A.K. Abdul Momen

• Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen has expressed strong criticism of the late Henry Kissinger, the former US Secy of State, for his role in the 1971 war.
• Momen asserted that Kissinger supported the Pakistani military junta during the war and failed to apologize to the people of Bangladesh for his actions.
• Also, Momen did not shy away from pointing out Kissinger’s actions in 1971, stating, “But unfortunately, in 1971, he was dead against the people of the then East Pakistan.”
• Momen highlighted his role in violating “all American laws, international laws to support Pakistani military junta and also supplied weapons to illegally occupying forces of Pakistan”.
• The Nixon administration, under which Kissinger served, had taken a strong anti-India stance during the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war and supported Pakistan.
• Kissinger, a key figure in the Cold War, passed away at the age of 100 on Thu (here)
• China: President Xi Jinping has conveyed his condolences on the passing of Kissinger, marking the highest level of tribute from China for its “old friend”. (here)

China says Canada is distorting facts over jailing of ‘Two Michaels’

• China has accused Canada of distorting the facts over the jailing of 2 of its citizens after recent reports that 1 of the men said he had been arrested after unwittingly passing on intelligence about North Korea.
• Michael Spavor, a businessman who had dealings with North Korea, and former diplomat Michael Kovrig were detained in late 2018 following Canada’s arrest of the Huawei Technologies executive Meng Wanzhou on a US warrant.
• Michael Spavor claims he was used by Ottawa for intelligence gathering in China
• Kovrig and Spavor were freed in September 2021 – hours after Meng was permitted to leave Canada following a plea deal with the US authorities.
• The case prompted accusations in Canada and other Western countries that China was engaging in “hostage diplomacy”. (here)

China, Turkmenistan vow to strengthen cooperation on energy and security

• China and Turkmenistan have pledged to expand strategic cooperation, including on energy and security, as Beijing looks to boost its influence in resource-rich Central Asia.
• Speaking in Ashgabat on Wed, Chinese Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang said bilateral relations took a “significant leap” when Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov visited Beijing in Jan, and ties were elevated to a “comprehensive strategic partnership”.
• Ding told a meeting of the China-Turkmenistan Cooperation Committee that the countries had complementary strengths and mutual interests.
• In May, President Xi hosted the leaders of the 5 Central Asian countries in Xian at the 1^st China-Central Asia Summit, with Beijing stating support worth $3.7 billion. (here)

Balochistan Governor visited the Dharna Committee at Chaman DC Complex

• The Governor of Balochistan Malik Abdul Wali Kakar visited the Dharna Committee at Chaman DC Complex.
• The Dharan Committee presented their demands and said that after declaring passports and visas compulsory by the Pakistan govt a human crisis has been born.
• People are starving in their homes, and if the government of Pakistan does not accept their demands, it may create a more severe situation in the area.
• The leaders of the Dharan said that the people on the Chaman border used to do hard work in any form, but after Pakistan introduced the passport visa system on the border for these poor people, their employment stopped.
• It is alleged that the border trade is used for smuggling.
• The fact is that more than 100% of smuggling is done from Karachi port.
• If there is any smuggling from these areas, it is only the smuggling of food items, which does not cause much damage to the national treasury. (here) 

Home Minister Bugti claimed, Afghan involvement in most of the terrorist incidents

• Caretaker Federal Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti claimed the involvement of Afghan citizens in most of the terrorist incidents in Pakistan and said that the recent suicide blast on a convoy of security forces in Bannu was done by an Afghan citizen.
• Briefing the Committee of Home Affairs of the Senate, Bugtisaid that he is sure that the Afghan citizens will be involved in the tragic incident of Mianwali.
• He further said that of the 26 incidents of terrorism, 14 were done by Afghan citizens.
• He said that 400k people living illegally have gone from Pakistan, and 296K have left Pakistan on their own, but the impression was given that we are arresting and ‘sending them back to Pakistan’. We want to work according to a system. (here) 

AJK JeI Chief Khan also announced support for the protests by the AAC

• AJK Jamaat-e-Islami Chief Dr. Mushtaq Khan has also announced support for the protests by the Awami Action Committee in AJK.
• He also invited the AAC to participate in Palestine and Kashmir Marches.
• Jamaat-e-Islami AJK has decided to hold the Solidarity with Palestine and Kashmir March on 2nd of December.
• Khan and Pasban-e-Hurriyat Chairman Uzair Ahmad Gazali decided to join the march and to raise their voice for the oppressed Muslims of Kashmir and Palestine. (here)
• Women took to the streets in Rawalakot against electricity outages and inflated bills.
• Many females burnt electricity bills and demanded free electricity without any disruption. (here)