1. Parliament Winter Session: Don’t vent frustration of assembly poll defeat inside Parliament: PM Modi to Opposition Ahead Session
2. Mizoram Assembly polls: ZPM set to form govt with majority; PM Modi congratulated
3. ISRO brings back Chandrayaan-3 Propulsion Module to Earth’s orbit
4. Two pilots killed as Indian Air Force aircraft crashes in Telangana’s Medak
5. Senior US official discusses alleged foiled plot to kill Pannun during visit to India

What Else

• India and Maldives core group to discuss usage of Indian military platforms
• Another Insurgent Group Signs Up For Peace Process In Manipur: Centre
• Pakistan: Election Commission is all set to receive Rs17bn in election funds
• Pakistan: Nawaz, Fazl renew pledge to face rivals on Feb 8 together
• A case was registered against 104 PTI leaders and workers in KP
• Pakistan: Key 26/11 plotter Sajid Mir in Pakistan hospital after ‘poisoning’
• China and Belarus renew strategic ties as Xi Jinping and ‘old friend’ Lukashenko meet in Beijing
• Bangladesh: ‘Independents’ will stay in race: PM

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Parliament Winter Session: Don’t vent frustration of assembly poll defeat inside Parliament: PM Modi to Opposition Ahead Session

• PM Modi on Mon said that the Winter Session of Parliament that begins today is a “golden opportunity for Opposition parties to do something constructive” and asked them not to vent anger at their defeat in assembly polls inside the House.
• Addressing reporters outside the Parliament, PM Modi urged for the cooperation of every member in the functioning of the House.
• He called for a productive start with constructive debates throughout the session. (here)
• Rajya Sabha to discuss economic situation of country on Day 2 of Winter Session: The members of the are likely to hold discussions on the prevailing economic situation of the country as the Parliament reconvenes for Day 2 of the Session on Tue. (here)
• Bill to make way for Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University in Telangana introduced in LS: The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023, was introduced in Lok Sabha on Mon, the first day of the Winter Session of Parliament. (here)
• RS panel holds Raghav Chadha guilty of breach of privilege; House approves suspension so far as ‘sufficient punishment’: Rajya Sabha decided to discontinue the suspension of AAP MP Raghav Chadha holding him “guilty of breach of privilege” and noting that the suspension suffered by him so far be taken as sufficient punishment.
• The motion for discontinuing the suspension of Chadha, on the first day of the winter session of Parliament, was moved by a BJP member after asked him to do so. (here)
• Rajya Sabha passes Bill to consolidate, amend laws relating to post offices: Rajya Sabha on Mon passed a Bill to repeal the Indian Post Office Act, 1898, and to consolidate and amend the law relating to the post offices in India.
• The opposition members raised questions over some provisions of the bill and asked if the government wanted to create a “surveillance state”. (here)
• Mahua Moitra should get chance to speak in her defense: Shashi Tharoor: LS member, Shashi Tharoor, speaking about his fellow member Mahua Moitra’s alleged cash-for-query case which the Ethics Committee is looking into, on Mon
• Hesaid the TMC member should be given a chance to speak in her defense.
•  He also suggested a debate, where others can also pitch in with their thoughts (here)

Mizoram Assembly polls: ZPM set to form govt with majority; PM Modi congratulated

• The Zoram People’s Movement has won 26 seats, surpassing the mandatory halfway mark in the 40-seat assembly required to constitute the upcoming govt in the state.
• The ZPM secured victory in 25 seats while leading in two seats at 2:30 pm.
• We want to maintain a positive relationship with the govt of India, regardless of who is in power,” says ZPM leader Lalduhoma.
• Incumbent MNF has marked victory only in 7 seats and leading 3 seats.
• Mizoram’s political landscape has been dominated by the Congress and the Mizo National Front since it attained full statehood in 1987.
• The President of the MNF and Chief Minister, Zoramthanga has stood out as one of the most prominent figures in this election. He became Chief Minister after the 1998 Assembly polls, ending Congress’s 10-year rule. (here)
• Mizoram CM Zoramthanga tendered his resignation to Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati at Raj Bhavan on Mon and accepted the verdict of the people. (here)
• [CM of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot and Bupesh Baghel from Chhattisgarh also tender their resignations to respected state governors.]

ISRO brings back Chandrayaan-3 Propulsion Module to Earth’s orbit

• The Propulsion Module of the Chandrayaan-3, which was initially intended for lunar operations, was returned to Earth’s orbit after exceeding its lunar mission objectives, proving India’s ability to bring them back.
• This was another triumph that shows that ISRO can restart engines on the moon and operate equipment, both of which were unforeseen, the National Space Agency stated.
• The objective of the Chandrayaan-3 was to demonstrate a soft landing near the lunar south polar region and perform experiments onboard the lander ‘Vikram’ and rover ‘Pragyaan’.
• The spacecraft was launched on July 14, 2023, on board the LVM3-M4 vehicle from SDSC, SHAR.
• On August 23, Vikram Lander made its historic touchdown on the Moon and later, the Pragyan rover was deployed to survey the uncharted lunar south pole. (here)

Two pilots killed as Indian Air Force aircraft crashes in Telangana’s Medak

• 2 Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots were killed in action when their Pilatus trainer aircraft crashed at Toopran town in Telangana’s Medak district on Mon morning, officials said.
• According to IAF officials, the crash took place at around 8:55 am during training at the Air Force Academy near Dindigul district.
• The pilots include an instructor and one cadet.
• District Police Chief, Medak, said that the aircraft crashed near Toopran.
• The reason for the accident is yet to be known. (here)
• [No reason has been evaluated so far, the court of inquiry has been ordered.]

Senior US official discusses alleged foiled plot to kill Pannun during visit to India

• WH deputy NSA Jon Finer on Mon led a US delegation to New Delhi where he discussed forming an investigative panel to probe an alleged foiled plot to assassinate Khalistani separatist, Gurpatwant Pannun of the banned SFJ.
• “Mr Finer acknowledged India’s establishment of a Committee of Enquiry to investigate lethal plotting in the US and the importance of holding accountable anyone found responsible,” the WH said in a statement.
• This comes after New Delhi last week reiterated that it will be guided by the results of a high-level panel set up to probe the alleged assassination attempt.
• During a presser, spox for India’s MEA called the situation a “matter of concern”. 
• State Dept spox on Mon said “We oppose transnational oppression no matter where it occurs or, who might be conducting it. That’s not a comment specific to India.”
• The charges come after a senior Biden administration official earlier released a statement saying that the US had thwarted a plot to kill a Sikh separatist.
• EAM S Jaishankar wrote on X “…Useful exchange of views on the global situation. Discussed taking our bilateral cooperation forward.” (here)
• Indian police accused of harassing Sikh activist in UK before his sudden death, the Guardian Claimed: A Sikh activist in Birmingham complained that Indian police were verbally harassing him by phone and threatening his family in Punjab months before his sudden death in June, a Guardian investigation has found. (here)

India and Maldives core group to discuss usage of Indian military platforms

• India and Maldives have agreed to form a core group to deliberate on the continued usage of Indian military platforms in the island nation.
• This initiative follows a key meeting between PM Modi and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu in Dubai, where they discussed various aspects of cooperation, including development, economic relations, and climate change.
• (sources) During the Dubai meeting on Dec 1, the leaders briefly discussed the issue of Indian platforms in the Maldives, emphasizing that the “continued usefulness of the Indian platforms….needs to be looked at in a proper perspective.” (here)

Another Insurgent Group Signs Up For Peace Process In Manipur: Centre

• A week after Manipur’s oldest valley-based armed group UNLF signed a peace contract with the Centre, another Meitei group – the NRFM – has now joined the peace process.
• As many as 25 leaders and cadres of the NRFM – a Meitei underground outfit led by Maj Boicha (Vice Chief of NRFM) with 25 weapons – are working to bring peace
• As per the home ministry, the NRFM (earlier called the URF) was formed on Sept 11, 2011, by cadres of 3 factions of the Kangleipak Communist Party, a Meitei UG outfit.
• The peace deal with the UNLF, the oldest insurgent group in the region, was signed last Wed, ending a six-decade-long armed movement. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Pakistan: Election Commission is all set to receive Rs17bn in election funds

• Commission summons finance secretary
• Seeks army’s deployment at polling stations for Feb 8 polls, points out the shortfall of over 277,000 policemen
• The Commission on Mon requested the federal govt for the deployment of the Army and civil armed forces at the polling stations during the elections, scheduled to be held on Feb 8.
• The request, made through a letter addressed to the Federal Interior Secy, invoked Article 220 of the Constitution
• Caretaker information minister rules out ‘financial crisis’. (here)

Pakistan: Nawaz, Fazl renew pledge to face rivals on Feb 8 together

• JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Mon held a 2^nd meeting with PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif in 2 weeks, where both pledged to move ahead together in the Feb 8 polls
• The PML-N is largely banking on JUI-F in KP, which is considered a stronghold of Imran Khan’s PTI, and believes its position will be stronger in Balochistan if the JUI-F is at its side.
• The PML-N has also forged an anti-PPP alliance in Sindh in which JUI-F, MQM-P, and GDA are with it.
• Mon’s meeting was held against the backdrop of a recent statement by a JUI-F spox that Maulana Fazl is a presidential candidate. (here)
• PPP leader Asif Zardari rules out ‘seat adjustment’ with any party: Former President and the co-chairman of the PPP, Asif Ali Zardari, ruled out the possibility of seat adjustment with any political party in the 2024 general elections, ARY reported on Tue.
• His remarks came during a meeting with the party’s Punjab province leadership in Lahore, which was focused on the PPP’s strategy for the upcoming elections. (here)

A case was registered against 104 PTI leaders and workers in KP

• According to local police, a case has been registered against PTI leaders and workers for violation of Section 144, in which 104 leaders and workers, including the senior VP of the PTI, Sher Afzal Marwat, have been named.
• In the case, the provisions of obstructing the polio campaign and road closure are included, while the case has been registered in the complaint of a local police officer.
• On the other hand, a case has been registered against 21 leaders of PTI, including Sher Afzal Marwat, for holding a workers’ convention in Swabi.
• According to Swabi Police, the case has been registered in the police complaint for violation of section 144. (here) 

Pakistan: Key 26/11 plotter Sajid Mir in Pakistan hospital after ‘poisoning’

• Amid persisting mystery about the killings of LeT operatives, a cascading buzz about the well-being of global terrorist and LeT commander Sajid Mir
• Mir was one of the key plotters of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, which appears to have further deepened the uncertainty in Pakistan’s jihadi circles.
• Mir, who is being held in a Kot Lakhpat jail since his sentencing by an anti-terrorism court in June last year, was suddenly admitted to hospital.
• This comes in the wake of reports that threat inputs had prompted his transfer to a Dera Gazi Khan prison.
• However, appeared to be wary of the reports suspecting that these could very well be a ruse by Pakistan’s military-ISI complex to dodge foreign insistence to take tough action against the Lashkar commander. (here)

China and Belarus renew strategic ties as Xi Jinping and ‘old friend’ Lukashenko meet in Beijing

• China and Western-sanctioned Belarus have pledged to strengthen “strategic coordination”, as their heads of state met in Beijing on Mon.
• Referring to President Alexander Lukashenko as “an old friend”, Chinese leader Xi said the two countries would improve relations in a range of areas, from industrial cooperation to cross-border transport.
• China would also strengthen coordination with Belarus on multilateral mechanisms, including the UN and the SCO, of which Belarus is expected to become a permanent member next year.
• Lukashenko arrived in China’s capital on Sun for a 2-day visit, aiming to discuss “trade, economic, investment and international cooperation” with its major partner in Asia.
• The trip comes amid Western criticism about Belarus’ involvement in Russia’s war with Ukraine and Western skepticism about China’s role in the conflict.
• According to the state-owned Belarusian Telegraph Agency, Lukashenko told Xi Belarus was “a reliable partner” and would “remain so”. (here)

Bangladesh: ‘Independents’ will stay in race: PM

• Awami League President Sheikh Hasina has ruled out the possibility of its leaders running as independents withdrawing from the race.
• She expressed her determination in this regard when the top leaders of the 14-party alliance requested her to give them an easy run in seats the ruling party would share with its allies
• Hasina had a meeting with the partners of the AL-led alliance at the Gono Bhaban last night to discuss seat-sharing for the Jan 7 national election.
• The PM assured the partners that her party would contest the election under the banner of the 14-party combine.
• She questioned the alliance leaders why they could not make their parties stronger even though they have been elected lawmakers several times and were ministers (here)