1. Bangladesh unrest: Clash erupts between army, Hindu protesters in Bangladesh over missing persons
2. India, Singapore working on PM Modi’s visit, key 3+3 ministerial dialogue
3. Modi to visit Poland next week, 1st Indian PM to do so post 1979. Focus on defense, strategic alignment
4. Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim to visit India next week
5. Maiden test of long range glide bomb Gaurav from Su-30 MKI successful

What Else

1. Indian Army awaiting batch delivery of Apache attack helicopters from US
2. India hosts largest air exercise Tarang Shakti, showcases global aerial prowess
3. Congress’s mega protest on August 22 over Hindenburg’s Sebi-Adani nexus charge
4. Pakistan shocked at recurring theft of nuclear material in India
5. Erstwhile royal family objects to Karnataka’s claim on Chamundeshwari Temple
6. MP Saket Gokhale framed in money laundering case, says Enforcement Directorate
7. Head of Bangladesh’s interim govt Muhammad Yunus acquitted in bribe case
8. Chinese foreign minister visits Myanmar amid fresh fighting between junta and rebel groups
9. Beijing’s spy agency ‘destroyed large number’ of Taiwan intelligence networks
10. Pakistan: Six terrorists killed, 4 jawans martyred in South Waziristan
11. 3 Baloch youths “forcibly disappeared” by Pakistani security forces in Kech

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Bangladesh unrest: Clash erupts between army, Hindu protesters in Bangladesh over missing persons

• A clash occurred on Tue between Bangladesh Army personnel and members of the minority Hindu community protesting with posters of their family members who went missing during the violence in the country.
• The members were protesting outside Jamuna State Guest House in Dhaka, where Bangladesh interim govt chief Muhammad Yunus is residing.
• Bangladesh is experiencing a volatile political situation, with Sheikh Hasina resigning from the post of PM on Aug 5 amid mounting protests.
• Earlier in the day, ‘Nobel laureate’ Muhammad Yunus, chief advisor of the interim govt of Bangladesh, visited the historic Dhakeshwari Temple in Dhaka on Tue, where he assured the minorities in Bangladesh of their safety and security in the country. (here)
• 16 Bangladeshi nationals arrested at Agartala Railway Station: At least 16 Bangladeshi nationals, including 13 men and 3 women, were detained at Agartala Railway Station.
• The incident took place on Tuesday evening.
• Among those arrested, three individuals have been identified as Bangladeshi touts involved in illegal activities.
• The authorities are investigating the matter to determine the extent of illegal activities and any possible connections to broader networks. (here)
• Indian Coast Guard deploys aircraft, hovercraft for surveillance: The Indian Coast Guard’s aircraft and hovercrafts along with other vessels are carrying out surveillance along the maritime boundary to prevent an illegal influx into India.
• Bangladesh is experiencing a volatile political situation, with Sheikh Hasina resigning from the post of Prime Minister on August 5 amid mounting protests.
• The protests, led mainly by students demanding an end to a quota system for govt jobs, evolved into anti-govt demonstrations. (here)
• Sheikh Hasina urges Countrymen to observe National Day of Mourning on Aug 15 After Interim Govt Cancels Public Holiday: Hours after the interim govt canceled the public holiday marking the National Day of Mourning on Aug 15, Sheikh Hasina, the nation’s ousted ex-PM on Tue exhorted citizens to observe the day as a public holiday.
• Aug 15 is observed as the National Day of Mourning in Bangladesh to pay respects to the founding father of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who is also the father of Hasina and was assassinated on that day in 1975 by Bangladesh Army personnel.
• Sheikh Hasina issued a statement where she also demanded that people who took part in violence in the recent protests should also be arrested.
• Hasina also lamented that the Dhanmondi 32 residence was subjected to loot and arson.
• Her father was assassinated in the Dhanmondi 32 residence which was later turned into the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum.
• Hasina urged citizens to head to the memorial and pay their respects to the father of the nation on Thu. (here)

India, Singapore working on PM Modi’s visit, key 3+3 ministerial dialogue

• India and Singapore are working on high-level engagement with the upcoming visit of PM Narendra Modi and the ministerial level 3+3 dialogue.
• PM Modi is expected to visit Singapore in the first week of Sept, along with his visit to Thailand for the BIMSTEC summit.
• While the summit is scheduled for Sept 4^th, the PM could visit Singapore after that.
• The last visit of PM Modi to Singapore was a bilateral in 2018 visit and later to attend the 13^th East Asia Summit.
• During his visit that year, he also addressed the Shangri La Dialogue, becoming the first Indian prime minister to do so.
• The India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable or the 3+3 dialogue is scheduled to take place around Aug 25^th.
• This will be the 2nd edition of the meetings that take place at the level of foreign, finance, and trade ministers.
• More Indian ministers could join the key meeting as well as focus on signing pacts on several areas, from food safety to digitalization, to semiconductors. (here)
• At the BIMSTEC Thailand summit, Bangladesh will be handed over the presidency of the grouping.
• The last in-person BIMSTEC summit was in Nepal in 2018.
• Sri Lanka hosted a virtual summit in 2022. PM Modi-Yunus meeting on the sidelines could be significant in terms of Delhi-Dhaka ties.

Modi to visit Poland next week, 1^st Indian PM to do so post 1979. Focus on defense, strategic alignment

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a one-day state visit to Poland on 21 August en route to Ukraine, as he seeks to deepen ties with the EU where a Defence Attache was appointed earlier this year after decades.
• This visit will be part of his two-nation trip in which he will be going also to Ukraine.
• This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Poland, after Morarji Desai in 1979.
• (source)- sources – Modi will be in Warsaw and will hold bilateral talks with Polish President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
• Besides the bilateral meeting, he will visit the memorials of the Maharajas of Jamnagar and Kolhapur who provided shelter to thousands of Polish refugees during WWII.
• Poles and Indians were part of the large allied coalition in the 1944 major battles of Tobruk and Monte Cassino.
• Why ties dipped after 1979 & what’s plan now: Poland has a huge manufacturing base, adding that India is interested in holding talks in this sector. (here)

Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim to visit India next week

• Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim will be traveling to India next week and will hold talks with his Indian counterpart PM Modi in New Delhi.
• He will be in the Indian national capital around Aug 20 and this will be his first visit to India since taking charge as Malaysian PM in 2022.
• The last Malaysian PM to visit India was Najib Razak in 2018, while PM Modi had also visited the country in the same year.
• Several pillars cement the ties between India and Malaysia, including defense cooperation alongside growing economic ties.
• Earlier this month, the Indian Air Force participated in Exercise Udara Shakti in Malaysia.
• The country also hosts over 2.95 million large Indian diaspora.
• Malaysia is home to diaspora, which is the 2^nd largest Person of Indian Origin in the world after the US, according to the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.
• In terms of economic ties, Malaysia is the 13^th largest trading partner for India while New Delhi figures among the ten largest trading partners for Kuala Lumpur. (here)

Maiden test of long range glide bomb Gaurav from Su-30 MKI successful

• India on Tue effectively carried out the maiden flight test of a long-range glide bomb Gaurav from a Sukhoi-30 MK-I aircraft, conducted off the Odisha coast.
• Developed by the DRDO, Gaurav is an air-launched 1,000 kg class glide bomb capable of hitting targets at long distances with high accuracy.
• Defence sources said the glide bomb steers towards the target using a hybrid navigation system with a combination of INS and GPS data.
• Gaurav has been designed and developed indigenously by the RCI, a unit of DRDO.
• The flight was monitored by senior DRDO scientists. (here)

Indian Army awaiting batch delivery of Apache attack helicopters from US

• The Indian Army’s Aviation Corps is still awaiting the delivery of the first batch of Apache AH-64E attack helicopters from the United States.
• Originally, 6 helicopters were planned to arrive in batches of 3 between May and June.
• However, the helicopters have yet to reach India, leaving the Army’s 1^st Apache Squadron in anticipation.
• As part of a $600 million deal signed with the US in 2020, the Indian Army is set to receive six Apache helicopters.
• The first batch, however, has already faced a delay of over 3 months.
• Middle East Tensions: (Sources) – indicate that the delay is due to technical issues faced by the US.
• Additionally, there is no clarity on the delivery timeline for the first batch.
• Army’s Aviation Corps raised its 1^st Squadron at Nagtalao, Jodhpur, in Mar (here)
• Eye on China & Pakistan, India fast-tracks deal for 31 US Hunter killer drones: While both bolstering their fleets of armed drones, India is fast-tracking negotiations for the acquisition of 31 weaponized MQ-9B `hunter-killer’ remotely-piloted aircraft from the US, with the somewhat ambitious aim to ink the mega deal by Nov-Dec this year.
• (source)-The discussions for the inter-governmental contract of drones “are in an advanced stage now”, with 15 Sea Guardians earmarked for the Navy and 8 Sky Guardians each for Army and IAF
• This comes at a time when China, which continues the military confrontation in eastern Ladakh for the 5^th year running now, has stepped up supplies of its armed Cai Hong-4 and Wing Loong-II drones to Pakistan. (here)

India hosts largest air exercise Tarang Shakti, showcases global aerial prowess

• The Indian Air Force is hosting its largest-ever multinational air exercise, Tarang Shakti, at the Air Force Station in Tamil Nadu’s Sulur.
• This ambitious exercise, which is set to showcase the air strength of various nations, holds special significance as it coincides with the Independence Day celebrations.
• The 1^st phase of the Exercise commenced on Aug 6 and will continue until Aug 14, participated by 10 countries, including Germany, France, and Spain participating directly, and other nations attending as observers.
• The fighter aircraft participated including Eurofighter Typhoons, French Rafales, and India’s own LCA Tejas.
• At least 67 fighter aircraft from 10 countries are participating in the exercise
• The 2^nd phase, scheduled to be held at Jodhpur from Aug 29 -Sept 14, will see the involvement of Australia, Bangladesh, the UAE, Singapore, the US, and Greece. (here)

Congress’s mega protest on August 22 over Hindenburg’s Sebi-Adani nexus charge

• The Congress on Tue announced a nationwide agitation on Aug 22 over the Hindenburg report claiming a nexus between the Sebi chairman and the Adani Group.
• The party is demanding the removal of Madhabi Buch from the post of Sebi chairman following the allegations leveled by the US short-seller.
• Party leader Jairam Ramesh announced a meeting, chaired by Mallikarjun Kharge, of party general secretaries, in-charges, and state chiefs.
• He said that the party leadership unanimously decided to agitate nationwide by demanding a joint parliamentary committee probe into the alleged Adani scam. (here)
• Hindenburg Research: A company that produces in-depth research reports, but its website doesn’t reveal much about the company itself, including its location.
• It shares these reports with its partners, who use them to inform their investment decisions, particularly in short selling, or publicly releases them to benefit from the report.

Pakistan shocked at recurring theft of nuclear material in India

• After another Indian gang was arrested with radioactive material, Pakistan on Tue reached out to the international community to seek an earnest disclosure from the Indian authorities as to how a sealed Radioactive Source material, like Californium, was in the possession of apprehended individuals.
• “It is dangerous for such sensitive material in India to be routinely found in the wrong hands. Pakistan reiterates its call for a thorough investigation of these incidents and for adequate measures to prevent their recurrence,” said the FO on asked about the arrest.
• Indian media noted that Bihar Police arrested a 3-member smuggling gang Friday and confiscated from them 50gm of a radioactive and toxic substance called “Cf” that has uses ranging from nuclear power plants to cancer treatment. (here)

Erstwhile royal family objects to Karnataka’s claim on Chamundeshwari Temple

• The erstwhile royal family of Mysuru has objected to the Karnataka govt’s decision to enact the Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra Development Authority Act 2024 and stake claim on the Chamundeshwari Temple, which was built by Wadiyars atop Chamundi Hill on the outskirts of Mysuru.
• Pramoda Devi Wadiyar of the erstwhile Mysore royal family asserted that the Temple, along with several other significant sites, belongs to her family and should be recognized as private property.
• The High Court recently issued a temporary stay against the implementation of the Act after a member of the family moved the court saying it was “illegal and arbitrary”.
• Ms Devi highlighted that the list of private properties includes the Hill Palace, Nandi, Chamundeshwari, and Mahabaleshwar temples, as well as the Devikere area. (here)

MP Saket Gokhale framed in money laundering case, says Enforcement Directorate

• A special PMLA court in Ahmedabad has framed criminal charges, under the anti-money laundering law, against TMC’s RS MP Saket Gokhale on Tue, the ED said.
• The money laundering case against Gokhale stems from a Gujarat Police FIR in connection with the alleged misuse of money he had collected through crowd-funding.
• It said a charge sheet was filed against the MP under the anti-money laundering law last year.
• The ED had informed the court that “huge amounts of money collected through crowdfunding has been splurged on speculative share trading, wining and dining and other personal expenses which appear to be extravagant in nature“.
• Gokhale, however, had denied that he misused these funds. (here)

[Neighborhood]

Head of Bangladesh’s interim govt Muhammad Yunus acquitted in bribe case

• Bangladesh Chief Advisor, Muhammad Yunus was acquitted in a bribe case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission over the misappropriation of funds from the GTWTE.
• Justice Md Rabiul Alam of the Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-4 on Sun pronounced the verdict after the ACC sought to withdraw the case filed under the CrPC.
• This move comes four days after Yunus was acquitted in another case of a labor law violation. (here)
• Meanwhile, on Sat, the Chief Justice stepped down as the head of the Judiciary
• Bangladesh’s ousted PM Sheikh Hasina to face trial on murder charges: Deposed PM Sheikh Hasina and six others, including 2 senior ministers of her cabinet and the sacked police chief, would face trial on murder charges, court officials said on Tuesday.
• The murder case filed against 76-year-old Hasina is the 1^st so far against her since she resigned and fled to India on Aug 5. [but not last]
• While Hasina fled to India, the 2 ministers are believed to have secretly left the country hours before her resignation. (here)
• During recent protests ‘Setu Bhaban’ set ablaze in Dhaka, vehicles worth crores charred: Officials at Ministry of Transport and Bridges, which is housed in the Setu Bhaban in Dhaka’s Mohakhali are fearful of entering the building that was targetted and suffered severe damages during the recent student-led protests in the country.
• This ministry, led by an AL minister, has been at the center of controversy, facing intense backlash during the quota demonstrations.
• During the protests, angry students set fire to the ministry building and vandalized govt property and vehicles parked inside its premises.
• An estimated Taka 65 crore worth of vehicles were reduced to ashes, including 57 cars ranging from SUVs to motorcycles, all of which were used for ministry operations and official engagements (here)

Chinese foreign minister visits Myanmar amid fresh fighting between junta and rebel groups

• China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Myanmar on Wed after heavy fighting near the Chinese border saw rebel groups making a series of gains that prompted suggestions it marked a “fundamental change” in the situation.
• Recently Beijing has stepped up its efforts to mediate between the junta and a loose alliance of ethnic minority rebel groups with which it also maintains relations.
• Wang’s visit to Myanmar, the highest-level Chinese visit since May last year, follows special envoy Deng Xijun’s trip to Naypyidaw last week to meet junta chief Min Aung Hlaing and the arrival of China’s new ambassador Ma Jia on Mon.
• In a statement ahead of Wang’s visit: “China …. supports Myanmar’s effort to uphold stability … and provides constructive help for parties in Myanmar to properly address differences through political consultation within the framework of the constitution”
• In a rare admission of failure, Maj Gen Zaw Min Tun confirmed last week that 3 senior military commanders, including a Maj Gen in the NE command in Lashio, had been “captured by terrorist insurgents”.
• Yin said: “After the occupation of Lashio, an important town in Shan state, the situation in Myanmar has undergone a fundamental change.” (here)

Beijing’s spy agency ‘destroyed large number’ of Taiwan intelligence networks

• Beijing’s top spy agency, MSS says it has uncovered more than 1,000 cases of Taiwanese espionage during a crackdown and vowed to keep up the pressure on the island’s pro-independence forces.
• In a post on WeChat on Tue, the MSS said the cases were revealed in a series of special operations launched in recent years and that it had continued to “strike hard” against spying activities.
• It said the cases involved espionage and the theft of state secrets, and it had destroyed “a large number of spy intelligence networks” set up by Taiwanese in mainland China.
• It made specific mention of the arrest of Taiwanese political activist Yang Chih-yuan, which it called “an innovation in the law enforcement and judicial practice” of holding Taiwan independence elements criminally responsible for their suspected acts of secession. (here)

Pakistan: Six terrorists killed, 4 jawans martyred in South Waziristan

• According to ISPR, on the night of Aug 12/13, a fire exchange took place between the security forces and Khawarij in the S Waziristan district.
• Resultantly, six Khawarij were sent to hell due to effective engagement by the troops.
• However, during an intense fire exchange, four brave sons of soil fought gallantly and embraced Shahadat.
• A sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Khawarij found in the area. (here)

3 Baloch youths “forcibly disappeared” by Pakistani security forces in Kech

• Amid the deteriorating situation in Balochistan, where Pakistani forces are reportedly abducting Baloch individuals, 3 Baloch youths have been “forcibly disappeared” by the military in the Kech district, The Balochistan Post reported.
• The report states that Pakistani forces, along with intelligence agencies, conducted a house search operation in Askani Bazaar of Turbat and “forcibly disappeared” 2 youths.
• Another person, Javed Ali, a resident of the Mehnaz area of Buleda, went missing while traveling from Buleda to Turbat on July 31.
• The victim’s family has accused Pakistani security forces of forcibly disappearing the youth. (here)