1. Election 2024: The fifth phase Poll; Collector to probe booth capturing claims; EC censures BJP candidate Abhijit Gangopadhyay
2. Vice president to represent India at official ceremony for Iranian leaders
3. India’s submarine project battles hurdle amid rising China, Pakistan pressures
4. Manipur:  Security Forces Rescue 75 Women From Armed Miscreants After ‘Heavy’ Gunfight
5. ‘We will not allow anyone to harm India’s security’: Sri Lankan Foreign

What Else

• Army exploring India’s military heritage under project Udbhav
• South China Sea: India sends warships as ‘subtle reminder’ to Beijing
• India must create 115 million jobs by 2030 to sustain economic growth, study finds
• Kyrgyzstan violence: Parents urge Modi govt to ensure safe return of students
• Pune Porsche crash victim’s mother wants teen’s parents punished; Rahul Gandhi reacts
• Dalai Lama congratulates newly elected Taiwanese president Lai Ching-te
• Pakistan: Jeenbek Kulubaev meets with Pakistani Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar
• Putin and Xi to meet again in July after Russian president’s recent visit to China

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Election 2024: The fifth phase, considered the most urban among the 7 phases, saw voting in several high-profile constituencies, such as Amethi, Rae Bareli, and Lucknow in UP, along with six in Mumbai, Hajipur in Bihar, and Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir.

• According to data from the Poll body, Bihar recorded a voter turnout of 54.85%, while J&K recorded 56.73% by 11:30 pm.
• Similarly, Jharkhand saw a turnout of 63.07%, Ladakh 69.62%, Maharashtra 54.29%, Odisha 67.59%, Uttar Pradesh 57.79%, and West Bengal 74.65%.
• Mon’s voting saw participation from over 53 mn people across 49 seats in 6 states and 2 UTs.
• The voter turnout of 60.5% marked a slight decrease compared to the 62.4% in 5 years ago, yet it indicated increased participation compared to the earlier phases. (here)
• Collector to probe booth capturing claims in Maharashtra’s Beed: Sources: After MVA alleged booth capturing and bogus voting in Maharashtra’s Beed, officials stated on Tue that the allegations will be investigated by the district collector.
• Following the voting on May 13, several purported videos of booth capturing and malpractices emerged from Beed.
• (sources)- the Beed collector will investigate the entire matter and submit a report in a day or two. (here)
• EC censures BJP candidate Abhijit Gangopadhyay, a former HC judge, over undignified remarks on Mamata Banerjee: Gangopadhyay is contesting elections on a BJP ticket, was prohibited from campaigning for 24 hours on Tue by the Election Commission for making disparaging statements against WB CM Banerjee during an election rally.
• At a public assembly in Haldia on May 15, Gangopadhyay said in Bengali, “Mamata Banerjee, how much are you being sold for? Your rate is Rs10 lakh; why? Because you are having your makeup done by Keya Seth. Mamata Banerjee: is she even a woman? I keep wondering sometimes.” (here)
• Amit Shah jabs Naveen Patnaik, accusing him of ‘strangling’ dignity, pride of Odisha: Union home minister Amit Shah on Tue hit out at Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, accusing his govt of corruption.
• “The Odisha govt is erasing the memory of the glorious Paika struggle, but Modi Ji has honored it by issuing postage stamps and a coin commemorating it,” Shah said
• Continuing his attack on the Biju Janata Dal-led dispensation, Shah alleged that the govt is ruining the traditions of Lord Jagannath in the name of tourism.
• “They are trying to convert our religious centers into commercial centers. Temples and shrines are being broken, all 4 doors are not being opened,” he added. (here)
• BJP already got 310 seats, and will cross 400 in the remaining two phases, claimed Shah
• BJP’s Sambit Patra fasts in atonement after calling Lord Jagannath ‘bhakt’ of PM Modi:
• BJP leader Sambit Patra, in an apparent slip of the tongue, said the revered Hindu god Jagannath is the “bhakt” (devotee) of PM Modi.
• While interacting with media after the roadshow of PM in Odisha’s Puri on Mon, Patra made the gaffe which triggered a fierce backlash from the opposition, especially Odisha CM Patnaik’s Biju Janata Dal (BJD).
• “….. Jagannath is Modi’s bhakt and we are all PM Modi’s family. I cannot control my emotions and I think today is a momentous day for all Odias,” Patra said in haste
• Opposition launches attack on Patra’s comment: The comment was immediately condemned by CM Patnaik who is planning a 6^th consecutive term in the Indian state.
• Taking to X, Patnaik wrote, “Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannatha is the Lord of Universe. Calling Mahaprabhu a bhakt of another human being is an insult to the Lord. ” (here)

Vice president to represent India at official ceremony for Iranian leaders

• Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar will represent India at an official ceremony in Iran on May 22 to pay condolences to President Ebrahim Raisi, FM Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and other officials killed in a helicopter crash.
• The Iranian leaders died when their helicopter crashed in East Azerbaijan province in thick fog on Sun, while they were returning from the inauguration of a dam.
• Iran’s state-run media attributed the crash to a technical failure.
• The external affairs ministry said Dhankar will visit Iran on Wed to attend an official ceremony to pay condolences.
• President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi have conveyed their condolences to the govt and people of Iran.
• External affairs minister S Jaishankar visited the Iranian embassy in New Delhi on Tuesday to convey India’s condolences on the tragic loss, the statement said. (here)

India’s submarine project battles hurdle amid rising China, Pakistan pressures

• India’s most critical submarine program Project 75 (India), is running into fresh delays owing to challenges faced by potential foreign vendors in meeting key criteria
• While initial interest from German firm TKMS gave the project a thrust, another contender, Navantia, Spain, is encountering obstacles in fulfilling the criteria, mainly the ‘proven AIP (air-independent propulsion)’ clause.
• Under the Rs 43,000 crore P75(I), India aims to build 6 advanced conventional submarines, equipped with better sensors and weapons and AIP, through a JV.
• The JV requires the Indian bidder to have a technology partnership with a foreign collaborator.
• AIP can a submarine to remain underwater longer, making it more difficult to detect.
• To ensure fairness and avoid legal hurdles arising from a single vendor situation, the GoI may delay acquisition until Navantia develops the AIP technology.
• At the same time, a debate has ensued over the relevance of AIP technology since progress in Li-ion battery tech may potentially offer submarines superior endurance
• P75(I) has strategic implications, especially considering China’s growing submarine presence in the IOR and Pakistan’s accelerated acquisition of these warships. (here)

Manipur:  Security Forces Rescue 75 Women From Armed Miscreants After ‘Heavy’ Gunfight

• The Indian Army along with the Assam Rifles safely rescued villagers from the armed attack by miscreants in Manipur.
• As per a release issued on Sun, the army engaged in a fierce gunfight with the suspected insurgents, saving the lives of 75 Meira Paibis (women activists) in the village of Uyok.
• The Assam Rifles posted about the incident on X and stated that the security forces “brought down heavy fire and repelled the misadventure of the armed miscreants”.
• Meira Paibis is a women-only social and cultural institution of the Meiti community
• Along with the post, the Assam Rifles had also posted a visual of 2 soldiers firing at the suspected insurgents.
• The women were unaware of the approaching militants, while they were guarding the Wariocing area of Bishnupur district, located near the foothills of Kangpoki.
• In the past year, over 220 people have lost their lives and several have been internally displaced. (here)

‘We will not allow anyone to harm India’s security’: Sri Lankan Foreign

• Sri Lankan FM Ali Sabry affirmed his country’s commitment to safeguarding India’s national security interests on Mon, stating that Colombo, as a responsible neighbor, will not allow anyone to harm India’s security.
• The Minister also addressed India’s concerns regarding the visits of Chinese research vessels to the island nation, saying that they would like to work with other countries in a transparent manner but not at the cost of others.
• “I just got to know that recently China has become India’s biggest trading partner. So similarly, like you work with that. We would also like to work with everyone, but that should not come at anyone else, third parties cost,” he added.
• The Chinese research ship had docked at Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port.
• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar while commenting on spy vessel Yuan Wang-5, said that any developments that have a bearing on India’s security are “obviously of an interest to us”. (here)

Army exploring India’s military heritage under project Udbhav

• The Army has explored the epic battles of the Mahabharata, heroic exploits of eminent military figures and India’s rich heritage in statecraft under a project that aims to enrich the nation’s outlook in the defense domain, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande said on Tue.
• The project Udbhav, launched last year, delved deep into ancient texts such as Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads, and Arthashastra, and it has revealed substantial intellectual convergences between eminent Indian and Western scholars, he said.
• The Army chief made the remarks at a conference titled “Historical Patterns in Indian Strategic Culture.”
• The project “Udbhav” aims to promote indigenous discourse in the Army by integrating India’s ancient strategic acumen into a contemporary military domain with a focus on making the force “future-ready.”
• The defense ministry last year said project Udbhav is designed to weave a strategic vocabulary and conceptual framework that is deeply embedded in India’s philosophical and cultural heritage. (here)

South China Sea: India sends warships as ‘subtle reminder’ to Beijing

• India has dispatched warships to the South China Sea this month, in a move engineered to send Beijing “subtle reminders” about the importance of upholding international law, analysts say.
• Though there is a danger that the ships could provoke an “aggressive response” from China, New Delhi-based observers said that the region welcomed India’s presence “with open arms”.
• Indian guided-missile destroyer INS Delhi, fleet tanker INS Shakti, and submarine hunter INS Kiltan arrived in Singapore on May 6 to strengthen “friendship and cooperation”, Indian navy spokesman Commander Vivek Madhwal said at the time.
• The INS Kiltan then sailed on to Vietnam’s Cam Ranh Bay, arriving on May 12 for exchanges and a joint maritime exercise with the Vietnamese navy.
•  That same day, INS Delhi and INS Shakti arrived at Malaysia’s Kota Kinabalu to take part in maritime drills.
• Separately, Germany dispatched two warships on May 7 to show a “presence in the Indo-Pacific in support of the international rules-based order” amid rising regional tensions, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said. (here)

India must create 115 million jobs by 2030 to sustain economic growth, study finds

• Natixis SA report released on Mon, India will need to produce 115 million jobs by 2030 to meet its rising workforce.
• The report emphasizes the critical need for Asia’s 3^rd-largest economy to increase growth in both services and manufacturing to maintain current economic progress.
• India will need to produce 16.5 million jobs every year, up from 12.4 million in the previous decade.
• The research emphasized the necessity for 10.4 million of these jobs to emerge from the formal economy.
• While India’s economy is expected to develop by more than 7% this year, this pace may be insufficient to offer employment for the country’s 1.4 billion people. (here)

Kyrgyzstan violence: Parents urge Modi govt to ensure safe return of students

• Parents of students from MP studying in Kyrgyzstan have appealed to the central govt to ensure the safe return of their children amid reports of conflicts between locals and foreigners in Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek.
• As many as 15,000 Indian students are reportedly studying in Kyrgyzstan.
• India had earlier asked its students in Bishkek to stay indoors after fights broke out between some locals and foreigners in the country’s capital.
• External Affairs Min S Jaishankar also advised students to stay in touch with the embassy, while embassy said it was in touch with the students, and the situation is calm.
• The Foreign Ministry of Kyrgyzstan also said that the situation is under control.
• Kyrgyzstan, a popular destination for education in the medical field, attracts a large number of students from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
• In the past few days, Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, has been experiencing mob violence with foreign students, including those from India and Pakistan, facing threats.
• According to local reports, the violence erupted following a brawl at a hostel between foreign students and locals, including Pakistanis and Egyptians. (here)

Pune Porsche crash victim’s mother wants teen’s parents punished; Rahul Gandhi reacts

• The grieving parent of 1 of the 2 victims of the Pune Porche accident has said that the parents of the drunk teen whose road rampage killed her daughter must be punished.
• Mamata Koshta, mother of Ashwini Koshta said that the 17-year-old’s parents must be punished “for the way they brought up their child”.
• Anis Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta, both 24-year-old IT professionals from Madhya Pradesh state in central India,  were killed on the spot after a Porsche driven by a 17-year-old drunk teen hit their bike in Pune’s Kalyani Nagar area.
• Ashwini’s body was brought to the family’s home in MP’s Jabalpur on Tuesday.
• The Juvenile Justice Board granted bail to the teenager hours later after asking him to write an essay on road accidents and assist traffic police for the next few days.
• His father, a real estate developer, reportedly changed cities within Maharashtra and used a different SIM Card before finally being arrested. (here)

 [Neighborhood]

Dalai Lama congratulates newly elected Taiwanese president Lai Ching-te

• Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama has congratulated Taiwan’s new President Lai Ching-te, who was sworn in as the president of the democratic nation on May 20.
• The Dalai Lama expressed his admiration for the Taiwanese people’s determination to uphold democratic values, stating, “It is wonderful to see how firmly rooted democracy has become in Taiwan”.
• Further, Dalai Lama wished Lai success in overcoming the challenges and fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people of Taiwan.
• The newly-elected president of Taiwan, Lai Ching-te of the DPP, was sworn in as the 5^th popularly elected president of Taiwan on May 20, reported Focus Taiwan.
• The DPP will be the first ruling party to govern for a 3^rd consecutive 4^th-year term, with Lai, 64, and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim taking office since Taiwan held its first direct presidential election in 1996. (here)

Pakistan: Jeenbek Kulubaev meets with Pakistani Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar

• FM of Kyrgyzstan Jeenbek Kulubaev met with Dy PM and FM of Pakistan Muhammad Ishaq Dar, press service of the F Ministry of Kyrgyzstan reported.
• The meeting took place in Astana (Kazakhstan) as part of a meeting of the Council of FMs of the SCO member countries.
• The parties discussed the development of a mutually beneficial partnership between the Kyrgyz Republic and Pakistan in the areas of trade, investment, textile industry, tourism, education, healthcare, and other areas.
• Particular attention was paid to an intensification of economic diplomacy, cultural and humanitarian ties between the two states (here)

Putin and Xi to meet again in July after Russian president’s recent visit to China

• Russian President Putin is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi again in Jul, said Moscow’s top diplomat during a meeting with China’s FM, on Mon
• During a meeting with Chinese FM Wang Yi, Russia’s FM Sergey Lavrov said that the leaders of the two countries will meet on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in July.
• “Our schedule of contacts is very, very intensive. We look forward to welcoming you, Mr. Minister, dear friend, at a session of the BRICS FMs in Nizhny Novgorod in less than a month,” Lavrov told Wang during a meeting,
• He added, “Our leaders will meet during an SCO summit here in Astana in July.”

The upcoming meeting with the two world leaders would be the 2^nd one in around two months. (here)