1. Dhaka asks Delhi to inform Sheikh Hasina, it doesn’t like her speeches from there: Foreign secy
2. Opposition to move notice to remove Vice-President Dhankhar, 1st time in history
3. Govt may introduce Bill on simultaneous polls, refer it to joint committee for consultation
4. Russia: Navy commissioned stealth frigate Tushil, to be part of India’s Western Fleet
5. ‘Sonia Gandhi linked to George Soros-funded group supporting Kashmir independence’: BJP

What Else

1. ‘Don’t think we’ll be eating lollipops when you come’: Mamata on reports of threats from Bangladesh to ‘take’ West Bengal
2. Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra appointed governor of India’s central bank RBI
3. Bangladesh: 4 AL leaders dead in Bogura jail custody in less than a month
4. China’s military activity near Taiwan reaches record high, 47 aircraft spotted in 24 hours
5. Pakistan: PM Shehbaz orders urgent plan for safe evacuation of Pakistanis from Syria
6. Nepal: Donald Lu urges transparency in BRI deal

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Dhaka asks Delhi to inform Sheikh Hasina, it doesn’t like her speeches from there: Foreign secy

• Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s meeting with Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Mon marks the first senior-level visit from India to Dhaka since the new regime took over in Aug.
• This visit is part of the Foreign Office Consultations (FOC). It aims to discuss bilateral issues, trade, and cooperation, as well as contentious topics like attacks on minorities and the jailing of a Hindu monk.
• Misri will also meet with Foreign Adviser Touhid Hussain and talk with his counterpart, Foreign Secretary.
• The agenda includes discussions on the security of diplomatic missions, the future of Indian projects in Bangladesh, and trade relations, which have seen a slowdown in recent months.
• Despite growing tensions, India-Bangladesh ties have been maintained, with both sides emphasizing the importance of bilateral engagement.
• However, Bangladesh has expressed concerns over India’s perceived interference in its internal affairs and the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh. (more)
• Professor Yunus described relationships between  Bangladesh and India as “very solid” and “close”: Bangladesh readout. [But Yunus’s gesture is not advocating the same]
• “Our people are concerned because she (Hasina) makes many statements from there. It creates tensions,” Yunus told the foreign secretary, says Bangladesh readout.
• Asked about the objections of Dhaka about former PM Sheikh Hasina’s activities from Delhi, Foreign Secy said, “We have drawn their attention to the speeches the former prime minister is giving while staying in India; the incumbent govt does not like this. They said her presence won’t affect the bilateral relations.” (more)

Opposition to move notice to remove Vice-President Dhankhar, 1^st time in history

• Opposition parties in India have decided to move a notice to remove Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Jagdeep Dhankhar from his office.
• The notice will be submitted under Article 67(b) of the Constitution, which allows for the removal of the Chairman through a resolution passed by a majority in the Rajya Sabha and agreed to by the Lok Sabha.
• The immediate provocation for this move was Dhankhar’s decision to disallow Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge from speaking after Leader of the House J.P. Nadda accused the Congress of destabilizing the country with the help of U.S. billionaire George Soros.
• To remove the Chairman, a resolution must be introduced in the Rajya Sabha with at least 14 days’ advance notice.
• The resolution must be passed by an effective majority in the Rajya Sabha and agreed to by a simple majority in the Lok Sabha. (more)

Govt may introduce Bill on simultaneous polls, refer it to joint committee for consultation

• The Indian govt is planning to introduce bills to implement simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and local bodies.
• These bills may be brought up in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, to hold wider consultations on the proposed legislation.
• The govt plans to introduce three bills, including two constitutional amendment bills.
• The first bill would amend Article 82A to allow for simultaneous elections, while the second bill would require ratification by at least 50% of State Assemblies, as it deals with matters related to state affairs. The bills propose several key changes:
• Amending Article 82A: to allow for simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
• Amending Article 83(2): to insert new sub-clauses related to the duration and dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
• Amending Article 327: to insert the term “simultaneous elections”.
• Aligning electoral rolls: for elections to local bodies, through consultation between the Election Commission and State Election Commissions.
• These changes aim to implement the “One Nation, One Election” plan, which seeks to hold simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and local bodies in a phased manner (more)

Russia: Navy commissioned stealth frigate Tushil, to be part of India’s Western Fleet

• Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the commissioning ceremony of INS Tushil, a state-of-the-art stealth-guided missile frigate, at Russia’s Kaliningrad on Mon
• INS Tushil is an upgraded Krivak III class frigate, built as part of Project 1135.6.
• It’s the seventh in the series and the first of two upgraded additional follow-on ships.
• Key Features of INS Tushil:
• Length and Tonnage: 125 meters long, 3,900 tonnes
• Speed: Over 30 knots
• Indigenous Content: 26% with 33 made-in-India systems
• Stealth Features: Enhanced stealth capabilities and better stability characteristics
• The ship’s name, Tushil, means “the protector shield,” and its crest represents the “Abhedya Kavacham” (impenetrable shield).
• Upon commissioning, INS Tushil will join the Western Fleet of the Indian Navy and rank among the most technologically advanced frigates globally. (more)

‘Sonia Gandhi linked to George Soros-funded group supporting Kashmir independence’: BJP

• The Bharatiya Janata Party has accused former Congress president Sonia Gandhi of having connections with an organization funded by the George Soros Foundation.
• This foundation has allegedly supported the idea of Kashmir as an independent nation.
• Sonia Gandhi’s role as co-president of the Forum of Democratic Leaders in Asia Pacific (FDL-AP) Foundation connects her to a group backed by the George Soros Foundation.
• This has raised concerns about the influence of foreign entities in India’s internal affairs
• The BJP has also alleged that Gandhi’s chairmanship of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation resulted in a partnership with the George Soros Foundation, showcasing the influence of foreign funding on Indian organizations. (more)

‘Don’t think we’ll be eating lollipops when you come’: Mamata on reports of threats from Bangladesh to ‘take’ West Bengal

• West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has issued a strong warning to Bangladesh leaders who are allegedly threatening to “take” WB, Bihar, and Odisha.
• Banerjee stated, “When you come to acquire, don’t think we will sit and eat lollipops.”
• She emphasized that India will not tolerate any attempts to instigate communal violence or acquire its territory.
• Banerjee also condemned Bangladesh’s alleged atrocities on minorities, saying, “We are not taking it well.” (more)

Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra appointed governor of India’s central bank RBI

• Sanjay Malhotra, the current Revenue Secretary, has been appointed as the next Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), replacing Shaktikanta Das.
• Malhotra, a 1990 batch IAS officer from the Rajasthan cadre, will serve as the RBI governor for 3 years starting from Dec 11.
• Malhotra has an impressive educational background, with a degree in Computer Science Engineering from IIT Kanpur and a Master’s in Public Policy from Princeton University.
• As Revenue Secretary, he played a crucial role in formulating tax policies for both direct and indirect taxes.
• With over 3 decades of experience in public policy, Malhotra has worked in various sectors, including power, finance, taxation, information technology, and mines.
• He will be the 26^th governor of the RBI, taking over at a time when the Indian economy is facing challenges, including slowing growth and inflation concerns. (more)

[Neighborhood]

Bangladesh: 4 AL leaders dead in Bogura jail custody in less than a month

• 4 Awami League leaders have died in Bogura jail custody over the past 28 days.
• The deaths have raised concerns about the conditions and ‘treatment” of prisoners
• The Deceased Leaders: Abdul Mithu: A 65-year-old former chairman of Durgahata Union Parishad and organizing secretary of the upazila AL unit’s proposed committee.
• He died of a sudden cardiac arrest after falling ill inside the jail.
• Shahidul Islam Ratan: General secretary of AL’s Bogura town ward 14 unit. He died in jail custody on November 11.
• Abdul Latif: Treasurer of AL’s Shibganj upazila unit. He died in jail custody on Nov 25.
• Shahadat Alam Jhunu: Organizing secretary of Bogura district AL and former principal of Bogura Police Lines School and College.
• He died in jail custody on Nov 26.
• Concerns and Criticisms: The deaths have raised concerns about the conditions and treatment of prisoners in the jail. Critics have pointed out that the jail lacks a permanent medical officer, which may have contributed to the deaths. (more)

China’s military activity near Taiwan reaches record high, 47 aircraft spotted in 24 hours

• Taiwan has detected 47 Chinese military aircraft near the island in the past 24 hours, the highest number since Beijing launched large-scale war games two months ago.
• This development comes amid intense speculation about China’s potential military response to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s recent visits to the United States.
• The Taiwanese defense ministry has put its forces on high alert after spotting Chinese warships and coast guard vessels near the island.
• China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has also reserved airspace off China’s east coast
• Taiwan considers itself a sovereign nation with its own govt, military, and currency.
• However, Beijing claims the island as part of its territory and hasn’t ruled out using force to bring it under control. (more)

Pakistan: PM Shehbaz orders urgent plan for safe evacuation of Pakistanis from Syria

• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to create an action plan for the safe evacuation of Pakistanis from Syria amid escalating tensions.
• The plan should be implemented “as soon as possible,” prioritizing the safety of Pakistani citizens.
• During a high-level meeting, PM Shehbaz emphasized that all possible steps should be taken to ensure the safe evacuation of Pakistanis from Syria.
• The safety of Pakistani lives and property in Syria is the top priority.
• The PM instructed officials to utilize all available resources to facilitate the evacuation process.
• The Pakistan Embassy in Damascus will establish an information desk and helpline to assist Pakistanis.
• The Foreign Ministry Crisis Management Unit and information desks at Pakistani embassies in Syria and neighboring countries will remain operational 24/7.
• Lebanon has agreed to issue visas to all Pakistanis stranded in Syria, and PM has directed Pakistani ambassadors in Syria and Lebanon to assist in the evacuation. (more)

Nepal: Donald Lu urges transparency in BRI deal

• US Assistant Secretary of State for SC Asian Affairs Donald Lu has emphasized the need for transparency in the recent BRI agreement between Nepal and China.
• Lu stated that the US would wait until the text of the new agreement is made public before making any comments.
• During his visit to Nepal, Lu met with various officials, including Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and Dy PM and Minister for Finance Bishnu Poudel.
•  He discussed topics such as US priorities in Nepal, the ongoing transitional justice process, and climate change.
• Lu also expressed his excitement about the progress in MCC-funded projects, which aim to create jobs, export clean energy to India, and upgrade road infrastructure.
• He praised Nepal’s recent achievements in getting a sovereign credit rating and expressed his expectation of more high-level engagements with Nepal under the new Trump administration. (more)