1. IAF jet crashes in Jaisalmer, pilot ejects safely; PM Modi witnesses tri-service ‘Bharat Shakti’ exercise
2. Nayab Singh Saini takes oath as Haryana Chief Minister, ML Khattar blesses him
3. PM Modi flags off 10 new Vande Bharat trains, lays foundation stone of railway projects
4. PM Modi, Rishi Sunak discuss early conclusion of “mutually beneficial” FTA
5. “Securing shared Indian Ocean waters, sharing Covid vaccines…”: President Murmu hails India-Mauritius relations

What Else

• China sends research ship to allegedly spy on India’s Agni-5 missile launch: Reports
• Top poll official meets political parties in Kashmir amid demands of joint elections
• India, China may engage in ‘armed conflict’ amid strained ties, claims US intel assessment
• Pakistani boat with 6 crew members apprehended off Gujarat coast, drugs worth Rs 480 cr seized
• EAM S Jaishankar holds discussions with Belarusian FM on defense partnership
• CAA Protest: LDF protests against implementation in Kerala
• Election 2024: SBI submits electoral bonds data to poll body day after SC rap
• India still world’s largest arms importer with Russia being its top supplier: Report
• Israeli PM Netanyahu apprises India’s National Security Advisor Doval about Gaza war
• Pakistan: Protest to continue through Ramazan, could be staged outside Adiala: PTI’s Ali Zafar
• China: Huge blast kills 1, injures 22 in northern China
•  ‘Watch yourself’: Beijing warns South Korea after remarks on South China Sea clashes

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IAF jet crashes in Jaisalmer, pilot ejects safely; PM Modi witnesses tri-service ‘Bharat Shakti’ exercise

• A Light Combat Aircraft Tejas fighter jet of Indian Air Force fighter jet crashed Tue near Jaisalmer in an operational training sortie.
• Fortunately, the pilot ejected safely in time, and a Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.
• The incident took place in the region where PM Modi was witnessing ‘Bharat Shakti’, the integrated tri-service firepower and maneuver exercise.
• A 50-minute mega exercise was held to demonstrate the prowess of indigenous defense equipment of the three services. (here)
• PM Modi was accompanied by delegates from 30 nations.
• PM Modi pushes the ‘Make in India’ agenda- Modi set out big ambitions last year to more than triple the value of annual defense exports to $5 billion by 2025 from 2023 levels and his govt has been making diplomatic efforts to export the Tejas.
• The govt in 2021 gave a $6 billion contract to state-owned HAL for 83 Tejas jets.
• The crash breaks the jet’s safety record since its first test flight more than 2 decades ago, an Air Force officer told Reuters. (here)
• It was not immediately known if the ejection was by mistake or if there was an engine failure. (here)
• Roar of aircraft in the skies, bravery on ground portend ‘Naya Bharat’, says PM Modi in Pokhran: PM Modi on Tue said that the roar of aircraft mid-air and the valor displayed on the ground during the Bharat Shakti exercise conducted in Rajasthan’s Pokharan portend the new India. (here)

Nayab Singh Saini takes oath as Haryana Chief Minister, ML Khattar blesses him

• BJP’s Nayab Singh Saini was sworn in as the new CM of Haryana on Tue, succeeding Manohar Lal Khattar, whose 2^nd term as the CM was bound to end in Oct 2024.
• Nayab Singh Saini, a low-profile OBC leader of the BJP, took oath in the presence of the outgoing CM at the Raj Bhawan at around 5 pm.
• BJP’s Kanwar Pal Gujjar, Jai Parkash Dalal, Banwari Lal, and Mool Chand Sharma also took oath as Cabinet ministers, along with Independent MLA Ranjit Singh Chautala.
• In short order, Nayab Singh Saini, 54, was unanimously elected the BJP’s Legislative Party leader in the presence of Khattar and Haryana-in-charge Biplab Dev.
• The development capped a day marked by rampant speculation regarding fissures within the ruling BJP and JJP coalition, particularly concerning seat-sharing.
• The outgoing Cabinet consisted of 14 ministers, including the CM and 3 members from the JJP led by Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala.
• Saini, 54, is the MP representing Kurukshetra — the president of the BJP’s Haryana unit in Oct last year and comes from the OBC community.
• He began his political career in 1996 with the BJP, starting in the Haryana BJP’s organizational structure and gradually rising through the ranks. (here)

PM Modi flags off 10 new Vande Bharat trains, lays foundation stone of railway projects

• PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various railway projects in Ahmedabad, the capital city of the Indian state of Gujarat on Tue.
• Gujarat Guv Acharya Devvrat, CM Bhupendra Patel, Rail Min Ashwini Vaishnaw, and state BJP chief CR Paatil were also present at the launching ceremony.
• PM Modi also flagged off 10 new Vande Bharat trains from Ahmedabad on Tue (here)
• “Bapu’s ideals illuminate our path…,” PM Modi in Ahmedabad: PM Modi on Tue said that the unveiling of the revamped Kochrab Ashram and the introduction of the Gandhi Ashram Memorial Master Plan will advance Gandhi’s vision, serving as a lasting inspiration for generations of Indians to come.
• Speaking at the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, PM Modi said that the Sabarmati Ashram of Bapu has always been the center of amazing energy.
• Earlier, the PM inaugurated the redeveloped Kochrab Ashram and launched the Master plan of the Gandhi Ashram Memorial, at Mahatma Gandhi Ashram at Sabarmati. (here)

PM Modi, Rishi Sunak discuss early conclusion of “mutually beneficial” FTA

• PM Modi held a conversation with his British counterpart Rishi Sunak and discussed the early conclusion of the FTA between India and the UK.
• The two leaders also affirmed their commitment to further bolster the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations.
• Notably, India and the UK are negotiating a FTA.
• Talks for FTA between India and the UK started in 2022.
• The 13^th round of talks between the two took place from Sept 18 to Dec 15, 2023.
• Meanwhile, India signed a $100 billion Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) bloc on Sun. (here)
• [There is much news floated on social media claiming that Sunak acted against the Khalistani and cease their bank account. However, no mainstream media picked it]

“Securing shared Indian Ocean waters, sharing Covid vaccines…”: President Murmu hails India-Mauritius relations

• President Droupadi Murmu hailed the ties between the two, stating that the relations have grown stronger through the decades while securing the shared waters of the Indian Ocean, sharing Covid vaccines, and supporting others at global stages.
• President Murmu participated as the Chief Guest of the 56^th Mauritius National Day celebrations at the State Banquet hosted by Mauritius PM Pravind Jugnauth.
• Stated that Mauritius is one of the few countries that she has visited on a ‘state visit’, said that it is a “shining beacon of development, democracy, diversity and dynamism“
• She announced a provision for Mauritius under which Mauritians of 7^th-generation Indian origin would now be eligible for OCI – enabling many younger Mauritians to reconnect with the land of their ancestors.
• She also announced that India will support the Mauritius govt in redeveloping the sacred Ganga Talao complex into a religious, cultural, and tourist hub.
• Recalling the age-old roots between the two, she appreciated the ancestors of Mauritius who came from India including the ‘girmitiya’ indentured laborers.
• President Murmu affirmed that India takes ‘great pride’ in the ‘extraordinary’ achievements of Mauritius because both have their roles in building this country. (here)

China sends research ship to allegedly spy on India’s Agni-5 missile launch: Reports

• Days before India was scheduled to test its 5k -km Agni-5 intercontinental ballistic missile, China reportedly deployed a spy ship to Indian waters near the Bay of Bengal.
• This follows the detection of another Chinese vessel near the Maldives and underscores China’s heightened surveillance efforts in the Indian Ocean region.
• The Chinese vessels spying on India: As per data from maritime analytics provider MT, Chinese vessel ‘Xiang Yang Hong 01’ set sail from China’s Qingdao port on Feb 23.
• This curiously coincided with India’s planned missile testing, which was successfully carried out by the DRDO on Mon.
• According to media reports, two weeks ago, another Chinese research vessel, the Xiang Yang Hong 3, visited the Male port for operational purposes, as confirmed by the Male.
• Interestingly, its presence coincided with India’s announcement of NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) or a flight restriction zone over the Bay of Bengal.
• Where are the Chinese spy ships? As per a report citing MT, the Xiang Yang Hong 01 is currently positioned less than 260 nautical miles, off the coast of Visakhapatnam.
• The other vessel, Xiang Yang Hong 3, is located at WCI-West Coast India. (here)
• Chinese mouthpiece GT, “India has reportedly successfully conducted the maiden flight test …. a move widely viewed by Indian and Western media as intended to enhance its nuclear deterrence against China and Pakistan.”

Top poll official meets political parties in Kashmir amid demands of joint elections

• The Election Commission on Tue held meetings with the political parties in the Kashmir Valley to discuss the preparedness for the parliamentary elections in the UT
• Leaders from political parties like the NC, PDP, and BJP met with Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.
• Most of the political parties demanded that the parliamentary and assembly elections in the Valley be held simultaneously.
• The NC leaders said that they demanded that both elections be held together as holding 2 elections in a year in the UT would lead to massive losses for the tourism industry.
• Meanwhile, the BJP leaders stressed the ease of voting for the people, especially for the Kashmiri Pandit Community while supporting both elections together.
• The PDP said that if the Centre says the security situation in the Valley has improved, then nothing should stop them from holding both elections together.
• The CEC will also be meeting with the J&K Chief Electoral Officer and Nodal officers of the J&K Police.
• He would be interacting with political parties in Jammu on Wed. (here)
• Govt bans JKNF for 5 years under UAPA: The central govt on Tue imposed a 5-year ban on the Jammu Kashmir National Front (JKNF), which is chaired by Nayeem Ahmad Khan, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
• Home Ministry’s release said that JKNF is indulging in unlawful activities, which are prejudiced to the integrity, sovereignty, and security of the country. (here)

India, China may engage in ‘armed conflict’ amid strained ties, claims US intel assessment

• India continues to face the threat of an armed conflict with China and Pakistan, according to an annual threat assessment by the US Intelligence.
• The report, however, does not delve into the threat of a potential two-front conflict with China and Pakistan.
• The US intelligence assessment stated that the shared disputed border between India and China will remain a strain on their bilateral relationship.
• “While the two sides have not engaged in… since 2020, …sporadic encounters between opposing forces risk miscalculation and escalation into armed conflict,” it noted.
• On India-Pakistan ties: The assessment added that New Delhi and Islamabad are “inclined to sustain the current fragile calm in their relationship following their renewal of a ceasefire along the Line of Control in early 2021“.
• However, neither side has used the period of calm to rebuild their bilateral ties. (here)

India still world’s largest arms importer with Russia being its top supplier: Report

• India continues to be the world’s largest arms importer, with Russia being the prime source despite declining share in past years, SIPRI reported on Mon.
• India accounted for 9.8% of the total global imports during 2019-2023.
• India’s arms imports increased 4.7% between 2014-18 and 2019-23, despite the govt’s continued efforts to boost domestic defense manufacturing and procurement.
• In the period under review, Russia accounted for 36% of India’s total arms imports, a first after the 1960-64 term when Russia’s share fell short of the 50% mark.
• The share is further expected to fall as India turns to France and the US for military hardware and Russia gets occupied with meeting its domestic demands
• France accounted for 33% of India’s total arms imports while the figure stood at 13% for the US.
• With the direct acquisition of 31 armed MQ-9B Sky Guardian drones from the US for $3.9 billion as well as 26 Rafale-M fighters from France for $6 billion
• The China factor: Arms imports by Japan and South Korea, two of China’s key neighbors, were also up by 155% and 6.5% respectively.
• The report added that the US emerged as a key supplier to the region during this period.
• China and Pakistan: The military and defense cooperation between two of India’s major rivals China and Pakistan grew deeper during the five years.
• A whopping 61% of China’s total defense exports went to Pakistan, followed by 11% to Bangladesh. (here)

CAA Protest: Opposition calls for state-wide shutdown in Assam against CAA

• Assam was rocked by protests Mon as the federal govt officially implemented the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA).
• The act paves the way for granting citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
• The protests were led by an opposition bloc of 16 political parties, called UOFA, which is led by the Congress party.
• The UOFA also called for a state-wide shutdown on Tue.
• AASU declared it will challenge the legislation ‘in and outside court.’
• It said its members will also travel to New Delhi to urge the central govt to withdraw.
• Arguments against CAA: It will dilute the indigenous to a significant number of Hindu Bengali migrants who came from neighboring Bangladesh during the 1971 war.
• They also fear that the law would challenge their culture and undermine their languages and communities. (here)
• LDF protests against implementation in Kerala: The ruling CPM-led LDF launched protests against the CAA in Thiruvananthapuram on Tue.
• Earlier, UDF Chairman and Opposition Leader VD Satheesan said that the Congress and the UDF will resist the efforts of the Sangh Parivar forces to reap political gains by creating division and fear among the people.
• “The law will not be allowed to be enforced under any circumstances,” he added (here)
• “Congress kept opposing CAA due to appeasement and vote bank politics”: Amit Shah: Union Home Minister Shah on Tue said that Congress always opposed the CAA due to appeasement and vote bank politics.
• At the time of Freedom, our constitution drafters had promised that refugees coming from 3 countries who come here after oppression would be granted citizenship.
• Shah further stated that due to the greed of the vote bank of certain sections, Congress even boycotted the Ram Temple inauguration ceremony. (here)
• US, UN express concern about India’s religion-based citizenship law: The U.S. govt and the UN on Tue expressed concerns about a contentious CAA in India
• The UN called the legislation “fundamentally discriminatory in nature.”
• Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International say it discriminates against Muslims.
• “As we said in 2019, we are concerned that India’s CAA is fundamentally discriminatory in nature and breach of India’s international human rights obligations,” a spox of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights [chaired by Volker Türk] told Reuters.
• “We are concerned about the notification …We are closely monitoring how this act will be implemented,” a U.S. State Deptt spox told via email to Reuters separately. (here)

Pakistani boat with 6 crew members apprehended off Gujarat coast, drugs worth Rs 480 cr seized

• The Coast Guard apprehended a Pak boat with 6 crew possessing narcotics worth Rs 480 crore some 350 km off the Porbandar in the Arabian Sea on Mon/Tue night.
• Almost 80 kg of narcotic drugs were seized and are being brought to Porbandar for further investigation, a statement from the ICG said on Tue.
• The operation was jointly carried out by the ICG, the Anti-Terrorist Squad, and the Narcotics Control Bureau based on specific intelligence.
• A Dornier aircraft was deployed to “scan and locate the boat in likely areas”, following which ICG ships with teams of NCB and ATS Gujarat identified the boat that was “moving suspiciously in the dark”.
• The ICG said, “On being challenged, the boat started evasive maneuvering.”
• It added that the boat was chased and forced to stop.
• The ICG seized 517 kgs of narcotics worth Rs 3135 crore in similar joint operations with the ATS and the NCB in the past 3 years. (here)

EAM S Jaishankar holds discussions with Belarusian FM on defense partnership

• External Affairs Min. S Jaishankar on Tue held discussions with Belarus counterpart Sergei Aleinik on bilateral ties including expansion of partnership in the field of defense
• The meeting, held in New Delhi, saw both leaders delving into various facets covering political, trade, and economic dimensions.
• Both the leaders took stock of the cooperation between India and Belarus.
• The leaders also exchanged views on regional dynamics and cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the NAM, SCO, and UN.
• Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs arrived in Delhi to hold meetings with prominent leaders and ministers and discuss India-Belarus bilateral ties. (here)
• EAM Jaishankar thanks outgoing UK envoy Alex Ellis for strengthening ties with India: Jaishankar, on Tue, warmly welcomed and bid farewell to the outgoing UK High Commissioner, Alex Ellis, while thanking him for strengthening bilateral relationship.
• EAM Jaishankar expressed his gratitude for the dedicated service and contributions made by the outgoing UK High Commissioner during his tenure in India. (here)

Election 2024: SBI submits electoral bonds data to poll body day after Supreme Court rap

• The State Bank of India on Tue submitted the data of Electoral Bonds to the Election Commission, complying with the SC’s stern order issued on Mon, the poll panel said.
• (Sources)- details of the sale and purchase of electoral bonds shared are in a raw form that reveals who bought bonds worth how much and in favor of which political party.
• The data is being uploaded in a phased manner, with plans to release it all together on the evening of Mar 15.
• A SC bench, headed by CJI, rejected SBI’s plea seeking an extension and ordered it to disclose the details of electoral bonds to the ECI by close of business hours on Mar 12.
• The Supreme Court has also directed the poll panel to publish the details of the electoral bonds on its official website by 5 pm on Mar 15.
• The introduction of electoral bonds was aimed at replacing cash donations to political parties, seeking to improve transparency in political funding.
• Notably, SBI has issued Electoral Bonds worth Rs 16,518 crore in 30 tranches since the inception of the scheme in 2018. (here)
• Congress veterans Ashok Gehlot, Kamal Nath’s sons in 2^nd poll list: The Congress on Tue released its 2^nd list of 43 candidates.
• The list features names of sons of senior Congress leaders, including Kamal Nath and Ashok Gehlot.
• The Congress’s 2^nd list features 12 candidates from Assam, 7 from Gujarat, 10 from Madhya Pradesh, 10 from Rajasthan, and 1 from Daman and Diu.
• 76.7% of candidates in the list belong to the minority, SC, ST, and OBC (here)
• Dushyant Chautala’s JJP to fight all Haryana seats amid break-up talk with BJP: As Khattar resigned as the Haryana CM, the BJP and JJP appeared headed for a split amid differences over seat-sharing negotiations.
• The JJP said it will contest all 10 LS seats and 90 assembly constituencies in the state.
• Speaking on ties with the BJP, JJP spox said, “We will issue an official statement soon. The JJP is all set to contest all 10 seats and 90 Assembly seats.” (here)

Israeli PM Netanyahu apprises India’s National Security Advisor Doval about Gaza war

• Amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu met India’s NSA Ajit Doval and updated recent developments
• PM released a statement saying that both sides also had a discussion surrounding the efforts for the release of hostages in Gaza and the issue of humanitarian assistance.
• “The Director of the National Security Council, the PM’s Foreign Policy Advisor, and the Indian Ambassador to Israel also participated in the meeting,” the statement said.
• Netanyahu says at least 13,000 ‘terrorists’ killed: The Israeli PM on Sun said that at least 13k “terrorists” were among Palestinians killed during the ongoing war (here)
• US intel report raises concerns over Netanyahu’s political “viability” as leader of Israel: The US intelligence has highlighted concerns over the political future of Netanyahu, indicating that his “viability as a leader” is “in jeopardy,” CNN reported. (here)

[Neighborhood]

Pakistan: Protest to continue through Ramazan, could be staged outside Adiala: PTI’s Ali Zafar

• PTI leader Ali Zafar says his party has decided to continue its protest against the alleged rigging in the general elections throughout Ramzan.
• Speaking on Geo News show, Zafar stated that a party meeting reviewed the treatment of peaceful protestors across the country and decided that it would not wait for Eidul Fitr and would instead continue the current series of demonstrations.
• “We saw today that they did not allow people to meet Imran Khan, so it could be decided that the protest is taken to [outside] the Adiala Jail.” (here)

China: Huge blast kills 1, injures 22 in northern China

• A huge suspected gas explosion at 8 am (0000 GMT)killed 1 person and injured 22 more in northern China’s Hebei province (<50km east of Beijing) on Mar 13, state media CCTV reported, with social media videos showing severe damage to buildings.
• One person died and 22 were left injured, the broadcaster said, adding the explosion was suspected to have been caused by a gas leak at a fried chicken shop.
• “The current situation of casualties is unknown,” CCTV added.
• An AFP reporter at the scene observed police officers waving oncoming traffic away from an entrance to the neighborhood where the explosion occurred.
• Footage online circulated by state media showed a huge explosion that sent plumes of smoke and fire across a busy road during morning rush hour.
• Explosions and other deadly accidents are common in China due to lax safety standards and poor enforcement.
• And the country has seen a spate of deadly accidents in recent months, often caused by official negligence – prompting calls from President Xi Jinping for “deep reflection” and greater efforts to “curb the frequent occurrence of safety accidents”. (here)

‘Watch yourself’: Beijing warns South Korea after remarks on South China Sea clashes

• Beijing on Tue warned Seoul to “behave cautiously and in a neutral manner” over disputes between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea.
• China’s foreign ministry expressed “serious concerns” in response to comments from its South Korean counterpart about a collision between Chinese and Philippine coastguard vessels near the Second Thomas Shoal last week.
• Ministry spox said S Korea was not a party in the SCS disputes, but in recent years had “either insinuated or explicitly blamed China” over the matter several times.
• “South Korea has shifted from the cautious and neutral stance it had maintained for many years,” Wang said.
• China had “always made timely representations and stated opposition” to South Korea’s criticism, he said.
• Lim Soo-suk, a spox for S Korea’s foreign ministry, said last Thu that Seoul was “deeply concerned about the dangerous situation” and “use of water cannons against the Philippine vessels in the South China Sea”.
• “We support the maintenance of peace, stability, and a rules-based order in the SCS, as well as the freedom of navigation and overflight, based on the principles of international law, including the UNCLOS,” Lim said. (here)