1. Damascus embassy open, in touch with Indians; Assad, family in Moscow, given asylum
2. More than 40 schools in India’s national capital receive bomb threats, children sent back
3. Rajnath Singh arrives in Moscow, to hold talks with Putin
4. Three pro-BNP bodies march towards Indian mission
5. India’s push for faster internet in Northeast hit as Bangladesh cancels bandwidth supply agreement

What Else

1. NIA arrests three in Mizoram for involvement in arms trafficking syndicate
2. India sends 2200 MT rice to Myanmar
3. Congress demands full discussion on India-China relations in Parliament after EAM’s statement on disengagement
4. Farmers suspend march to Delhi after Haryana Police use tear gas
5. MEA slams Pakistan’s ‘duplicity’ over Masood Azhar’s public speech vowing war with India
6. ‘Disappointing,’ says US on BJP’s accusations of Washington trying to ‘target Modi, destabilize India’
7. China’s loans worth $48.1 bn to South Asian nations 5 times that of India’s, Pakistan largest recipient
8. Bangladesh: Idols burnt in another attack on Hindu temple in Bangladesh, complaint filed 
9. POK/AJK: Mass protests force AJK govt to withdraw controversial law

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Damascus embassy open, in touch with Indians; Assad, family in Moscow, given asylum

• The Indian embassy in Damascus, Syria, is operational, and officials are in touch with around 90 Indian nationals in the country, ensuring their safety and security.
• The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the embassy remains available to assist Indian nationals in Syria.
• India has been closely following the developments in Syria, with official Spox stating that the Indian mission remains in close contact with Indian nationals for their safety and security. (more)
• Ousted Syrian President Assad, family in Moscow, given asylum: Russian media: Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Russia after Damascus fell to Islamist rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.
• Russia has granted them asylum on “humanitarian grounds,” according to Russian state media agency Ria Novosti.
• Assad fled Syria after rebel group HTS swept into the capital, and rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani addressed cheering crowds at a mosque in Damascus.
• Russia, a key ally of Assad’s regime, had provided military assistance to help him stay in power.
• However, the fall of the Assad regime is seen as a significant blow to Russia’s prestige.
• It’s worth noting that Russia has been advocating for a political solution to the Syrian crisis and is in touch with representatives of the armed Syrian opposition.
• The Kremlin source also emphasized the need to resume negotiations under the auspices of the UN. (more)
• With Assad out of the picture, here’s how Middle East battle lines are redrawn: This sudden turn of events has significant implications for the Middle East, as Assad’s downfall marks a major blow to Iran’s influence in the region.
• The rebels, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have been making rapid gains in Syria.
• The HTS, which originated from Al-Qaeda, has been designated as a terrorist organization by the US and Western countries.
• The fall of Assad’s regime also poses challenges for other countries in the region.
• Iran, which has been a key supporter of Assad, will likely face increased pressure.
• Russia, which has a significant military presence in Syria, may also be forced to re-evaluate its position.
• The implications of Assad’s downfall are far-reaching, with potential consequences for the entire region.
• As Aron Lund, a specialist at the Century International think tank, noted, “It is not just Assad’s regime falling, it is also the question of what comes in its place?” (more)

More than 40 schools in India’s national capital receive bomb threats, children sent back

• Over 40 schools in Delhi, including Delhi Public School in RK Puram and GD Goenka Public School in Paschim Vihar, received bomb threats via email on Mon morning.
• The emails, sent to school authorities on Sun night, claimed that multiple bombs were planted inside school buildings and demanded $30,000 to prevent detonation.
• The emails read, “I planted multiple bombs inside (school) buildings. The bombs are small and hidden very well. It will not cause much damage to the building, but many people will be injured when the bombs detonate. If I do not receive $30,000 I will detonate the bombs”.
• The police are investigating the IP address and tracking the sender.
• As a precautionary measure, students were sent back home, and the schools informed the Delhi Fire Department (more)

Rajnath Singh arrives in Moscow, to hold talks with Putin

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has arrived in Moscow for an official visit, where he’ll witness the commissioning of the stealth warship INS Tushil into the Indian Navy and attend the 21^st meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military Technical Cooperation.
• During his visit, Singh will hold crucial discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and co-chair the IRIGC M&MTC meeting with Russian DM Andrei Belousov.
• He’ll also pay tributes at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow and interact with the Indian community.
• The visit aims to deepen India-Russia defense cooperation, with a focus on expediting the delivery of the S-400 Triumf missile defense systems and addressing delays in the delivery of Russian-built Krivak-III-class frigates. (more)

Three pro-BNP bodies march towards Indian mission

• Three pro-BNP organizations in Bangladesh submitted a memorandum to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, expressing concerns over recent events that could strain relations between the two countries.
• They demanded an end to misinformation about Bangladesh, safety for Bangladeshi missions in India, and investigations into the recent attack on Bangladesh’s Assistant High Commission in Agartala.
• The memorandum, addressed to Indian HC, criticized the Indian govt’s reaction to the arrest of an expelled ISKCON leader and accused Indian media of spreading aggressive misinformation about minority issues in Bangladesh.
• It also urged the Indian authorities to ensure the safety and security of minorities, including Muslims, and their religious establishments in India.
• The organizations emphasized the importance of a stable and mutually respectful partnership between Bangladesh and India, based on the UN Charter principle of sovereign equality.
• They also affirmed BNP’s commitment to safeguarding minority rights in Bangladesh. (more)

India’s push for faster internet in Northeast hit as Bangladesh cancels bandwidth supply agreement

• India’s push for faster internet access in the Northeast has hit a roadblock.
• The Yunus-led interim-installed govt in Bangladesh has reversed a decision that would have allowed private telecom operators to use Bangladesh as a transit point for supplying bandwidth to the region.
• This comes just before Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visits Dhaka, and it’s seen as a move to undermine India’s interests while strengthening ties with Pakistan.
• The Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission (BTRC) claims that the arrangement would have weakened Bangladesh’s potential to become a regional internet hub.
• The proposal would have used the Akhaura border as a transit route from Singapore to connect the Northeast with Southeast Asia via Bharti Airtel’s network.
• However, critics argue it would have benefited Indian telecom providers more than Bangladesh.
• This development also comes amid growing scrutiny of Summit Communications, a major telecom player in Bangladesh, and its political connections.
• The company’s leadership has ties to the Awami League, and concerns about potential political influence in the sector exist. (more)

NIA arrests three in Mizoram for involvement in arms trafficking syndicate

• The National Investigation Agency has arrested 3 men from Mizoram – Lalrinchhunga, Vanlaldailova, and Lalmuanpuia – for their involvement in a trans-border arms and ammunition trafficking syndicate.
• The arrests were made following extensive searches at six locations in the state, including a gunhouse in Mammit, Serchip, and Aizawl districts.
• A large number of weapons, ammunition, explosives, and other incriminating articles were seized during the searches.
• The NIA had started investigating the matter in December 2023, based on inputs that some Mizoram-based entities were engaged in illegal arms trafficking.
• Two other accused, Lalngaihawma and Solomona, were charge-sheeted in Jul and Nov 2024, respectively (more)

India sends 2200 MT rice to Myanmar

• India has sent 2,200 metric tonnes of rice to Myanmar as part of its humanitarian assistance, in line with the country’s ‘Act East’ and ‘Neighbourhood First’ policies.
• This move reaffirms India’s commitment to providing aid to the people of Myanmar, who are facing a dire situation.
• Myanmar has become the world’s deadliest country for landmine casualties, with over 1,000 victims in 2023 alone.
• The situation is particularly severe for children, who account for over 20% of the casualties.
• The UN has reported that the military’s extensive use of landmines is exacerbating the crisis, with civilians being forced to walk through minefields and denied access to life-saving aid. (more)

Congress demands full discussion on India-China relations in Parliament after EAM’s statement on disengagement

• The Congress party is demanding clarity on India’s border negotiations with China. Jairam Ramesh, the party’s communication chief, claims that the govt’s statements suggest a shift in India’s official position on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
• He points out that the Ministry of External Affairs’ statement after the 32^nd meeting of the WMCC implies that India has accepted a new status quo on the LAC, rather than returning to the pre-April 2020 position.
• Ramesh also questions why China has not confirmed details about disengagement in Depsang and Demchok, and whether traditional grazing rights and access to patrolling points have been restored.
• The Congress party is pushing for a parliamentary debate on the India-China relationship to reflect a collective national resolve. (more)

Farmers suspend march to Delhi after Haryana Police use tear gas

• The Haryana Police used tear gas to disperse farmers attempting to enter Haryana as part of their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, injuring around half a dozen farmers.
• The march was suspended for the day, with farmer leaders meeting with Haryana administration officials to decide on the next course of action.
• The farmers are demanding a legal guarantee for purchasing their crops at a Minimum Support Price (MSP) and farm loan waiver.
• They also want a monthly pension for farmers and farm laborers above 58 years, withdrawal of the Electricity Amendment Bill, and protection of land, forests, and water sources belonging to tribal communities.
• The situation escalated after police fired tear gas shells, causing skin burns and breathlessness among the farmers. The farmers collected empty shells and lodged complaints with human rights agencies.
• Delhi Police have tightened security at the borders, with a skeletal deployment at the Singhu Border. The farmers are determined to press for their demands, despite the government’s reluctance to engage in dialogue. (more)

MEA slams Pakistan’s ‘duplicity’ over Masood Azhar’s public speech vowing war with India

• India has demanded that Pakistan take strict action against Masood Azhar, the UN-designated terrorist and founder of Jaish-e-Mohammed.
• Azhar recently addressed his cadre after nearly two decades, promising renewed terrorist attacks against India and Israel to create a new Islamic world order.
• In his speech, Azhar called PM Modi a “weakling” and threatened to send armed individuals to reclaim Kashmir.
• He also raised the issue of the Babri Masjid and made explicit calls to violence against India and Israel.
• Ministry of External Affairs spox stated that Azhar’s actions expose Pakistan’s duplicity, as they have previously denied his presence in the country.
•  Spox demanded strong action against Azhar, who has been involved in cross-border terror attacks against India.
• Azhar has been restricted from making public appearances since 2003 and was designated an international terrorist by the UNSC in 2019 for his association with al-Qaeda. (more)

‘Disappointing,’ says US on BJP’s accusations of Washington trying to ‘target Modi, destabilize India’

• The US Embassy in India has termed the Bharatiya Janata Party’s accusations “disappointing”.
• The BJP alleged that the US State Dept and “deep state” elements were trying to destabilize India, in conjunction with “investigative” journalists and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
• The US Embassy spox claims that the US govt works with independent organizations to support professional development and capacity-building training for journalists, without influencing editorial decisions.
• The BJP’s accusations stem from a French media report claiming that the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project receives funding from the US Agency for International Development and “other deep state figures” like George Soros.
• The US Embassy emphasized its commitment to media freedom worldwide, stating that a free and independent press is essential for democracy. (more)

[Neighborhood]

China’s loans worth $48.1 bn to South Asian nations 5 times that of India’s, Pakistan largest recipient

• China has lent $48.1 billion to countries in India’s neighborhood, accounting for 14.8% of the total $324 billion debt owed by these countries.
• In contrast, India has lent $9 billion, accounting for 2.8% of the total debt.
• Afghanistan: Russia is the largest creditor, accounting for 36% of Afghanistan’s total debt of $3.4 billion.
• Bangladesh: Japan is the largest bilateral creditor, lending $15.2 billion, while China is the second-largest, lending $9 billion. Bangladesh’s total debt stands at $101.4 billion.
• Bhutan: India is the largest creditor, accounting for 66% of Bhutan’s total debt of $3.3 billion.
• Maldives: China is the largest bilateral creditor, accounting for 24% of the Maldives’ total debt of $4 billion, while India accounts for 16%.
• Myanmar: Japan is the largest creditor, lending 36% of Myanmar’s total debt of $12.1 billion, while China accounts for 6%.
• Nepal: Multilateral institutions like the World Bank (48%) and ADB (33%) are the largest creditors, while India and China account for 3% each of Nepal’s total debt of $9.9 billion.
• Pakistan: China is the largest creditor, lending 22% of Pakistan’s total debt of $130 billion.
• Sri Lanka: China is the largest creditor, lending 14% of Sri Lanka’s total debt of $61.7 billion, while India accounts for 10%. (more)

Bangladesh: Idols burnt in another attack on Hindu temple in Bangladesh, complaint filed 

• Another Hindu temple in Bangladesh has been attacked, with idols burnt and the temple damaged.
• The Mahabhagya Lakshminarayan Mandir in Dhor village, north of Dhaka, was set on fire by unidentified miscreants on Friday night.
• Babul Ghosh, the temple supervisor, reported that the attackers poured petrol on the idols and fled when they heard his footsteps.
• Ghosh believes the attackers had ulterior motives beyond just burning the idols.
• This incident is the latest in a series of attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh.
• There have been reports of arson, looting, and vandalism of temples and homes.
• India has expressed concern over the safety and security of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh (more)

POK/AJK: Mass protests force AJK govt to withdraw controversial law

• The Azad Jammu and Kashmir govt has withdrawn a controversial presidential ordinance and accepted several demands of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) coalition, following several days of protests that brought the territory to a standstill.
• The protests, which gained momentum on Sat, saw thousands of people braving harsh weather to converge at several entry points.
• The protesters had demanded the abrogation of the ‘Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Ordinance, 2024’, which barred unregistered organizations from holding gatherings or protests.
• The agreement between the government and the JKJAAC includes:
• Withdrawal of cases: All cases against activists will be withdrawn within seven days to three months.
• Reinstatement and compensation: A dismissed teacher will be reinstated, and compensation will be provided to those injured in a firing incident.
• Electricity and flour: Houses affected by the Mangla Dam upraising will have their electricity meters and bills waived, and flour quality will be improved.
• Local representation: Local representatives will be granted powers and funds.
• Student union elections: A committee will be formed to establish a code of conduct for student union elections.

The JKJAAC has withdrawn its call for a long march, and celebratory rallies were held in various areas. However, some leaders, including PTI’s regional president Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi, have demanded the resignation of the coalition govt. (more)