1. India-Russia friendship higher than highest mountain: Rajnath Singh tells President Putin
2. Amid call for leadership change in INDIA bloc, several Congress leaders want party to fight State polls alone
3. Rahul Gandhi meets families of Sambhal violence victims in Delhi
4. India Evacuates 75 Nationals From Syria, To Return Home Soon
5. BNP associate bodies’ leaders, activists gather to march towards Agartala

What Else

1. Indian Coast Guard seizes 2 Bangladeshi ships engaged in unauthorized fishing
2. ‘Investigation’: Visas have become an Indian foreign interference tool
3. Deadly virus samples went missing from lab in ‘major biosecurity breach,’ say authorities
4. Bangladesh: ‘Hindus Targeted’: Bangladesh Admits to 88 Incidents of Minority Violence Post-Hasina Exit
5.  “Hindu Lives Matter”: Canadian Hindus protest outside Bangladeshi Consulate in Toronto
6. Bangladesh: Promotions recommended for 764 officials deprived during AL rule
7. Pakistan: Former DG ISI Faiz Hameed indicted on charges of ‘engaging in political activities’: ISPR
8. Pakistan: 20 Chinese citizens killed, 34 injured in 14 terrorist attacks since 2021: Nacta

—————-

India-Russia friendship higher than highest mountain: Rajnath Singh tells President Putin

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss bilateral defense cooperation.
• Both leaders recognized the strong and enduring India-Russia relationship, highlighting its immense potential for remarkable outcomes.
• Singh also met with his Russian counterpart, Andrey Belousov, to review defense ties and reaffirm India’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Russia.
• Singh conveyed PM Modi’s warm greetings to President Putin and stressed the deep and enduring nature of the India-Russia relationship.
• He stated, “Friendship between our countries is higher than the highest mountain and deeper than the deepest ocean.”
• The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 21^st session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation.
• Both sides reviewed the full range of bilateral defense ties and discussed ways to deepen cooperation despite geopolitical challenges and great pressure. (more)

Amid call for leadership change in INDIA bloc, several Congress leaders want party to fight State polls alone

• RJD chief Lalu Prasad’s endorsement of Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee as the leader of the Opposition bloc has sparked a debate within the Congress party.
• Some Congress leaders feel that the party should contest elections alone in various states, rather than relying on alliances.
• This sentiment is echoed by Congress leaders in J&K, who believe that the party would have performed better in the Jammu region if it had fought the election alone.
• Similarly, in Bihar, some Congress leaders feel that the party has lost its cadres over the past 20 years due to its alliance with the RJD, without making any substantial gains.
• The RJD’s poor performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, where it won only four seats out of 23 contested, has also raised questions about the alliance.
• With back-to-back losses in Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly elections, INDIA bloc members are now driving a hard bargain in states.Key Players:
• Lalu Prasad: RJD chief who endorsed Mamata Banerjee as the leader of the Opposition bloc.
• Mamata Banerjee: Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Chief Minister.
• Shahnawaz Alam: AICC secretary who asserted that there is no “big brother” or “little brother” in an alliance.
• Key Issues: Alliance Dynamics: The debate within the Congress party about whether to contest elections alone or rely on alliances.
• RJD’s Poor Performance: The RJD’s poor showing in the 2024 Lok Sabha election has raised questions about the alliance.
• INDIA Bloc’s Hard Bargain: With back-to-back losses in Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly, INDIA bloc members are now driving a hard bargain in states. (more)

Rahul Gandhi meets families of Sambhal violence victims in Delhi

• Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, met with the families of victims of the Sambhal violence at his residence in New Delhi.
• He offered them support and assistance in seeking justice. Gandhi was previously denied permission to visit the victims’ families in Sambhal by the Uttar Pradesh govt.
• The violence in Sambhal occurred on November 24 during a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque, resulting in four deaths and several injuries. (more)

India Evacuates 75 Nationals From Syria, To Return Home Soon

• India has successfully evacuated 75 nationals from Syria, including 44 ‘zaireen’ from Jammu & Kashmir who were stranded at Saida Zainab.
• All evacuees have safely crossed over to Lebanon and will return to India by commercial flights.
• The Indian government has advised the remaining nationals in Syria to stay in touch with the Indian Embassy in Damascus.
• Evacuation Process: The evacuation was coordinated by the Indian embassies in Damascus and Beirut.
• The evacuees were safely transported to Lebanon and will return to India by available commercial flights.
• Govt Advisory: The Indian government has advised its nationals remaining in Syria to stay in touch with the Indian Embassy in Damascus.
• The government has assured that it will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide necessary assistance to its nationals.
• Syrian Civil War: The evacuation comes amidst the ongoing civil war in Syria, which has resulted in the collapse of the Syrian government.
• The rebels have seized control of the capital Damascus, and President Bashar al-Assad has fled the country.
• The situation in Syria remains volatile, and the Indian government has taken proactive measures to ensure the safety of its nationals. (more)

BNP associate bodies’ leaders, activists gather to march towards Agartala

• Leaders and activists from three BNP-affiliated organizations – Jubo Dal, Swechchasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal – gathered at the party’s Nayapaltan headquarters today to participate in a long march towards Agartala.
• The march, starting from Brahmanbaria’s Akhaura border at 9:00 am, aims to protest “Indian aggression”. [unnecessary stretching of fabricated issues is not purposeless]
• The protest is in response to recent incidents, including an attack on the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh in Agartala, the desecration of the national flag in Kolkata, and an alleged conspiracy to incite communal unrest. (more)

Indian Coast Guard seizes 2 Bangladeshi ships engaged in unauthorized fishing

• The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) intercepted 2 Bangladeshi fishing trawlers, FV Laila-2 and FV Meghna-5, on Dec 9, detaining 78 fishermen for unauthorized fishing within Indian waters.
• The operation occurred during a routine patrol along the International Maritime Boundary Line, where the ICG ship identified suspicious activity and intercepted the trawlers.
• The vessels were found to be involved in illegal fishing activities, with FV Laila-2 carrying 41 crew members and FV Meghna-5 having 37 onboard.
• The ICG escorted the trawlers to Paradip Port in Odisha for further investigation, and the fishermen and vessels were booked under the Maritime Zones of India Act, 1981. (more)

‘Investigation’: Visas have become an Indian foreign interference tool

• Indian Govt Accused of Using Visas to Silence Critics
• Bikramjit Singh Sandhar’s experience is not an isolated incident.
• Several Sikh Canadians have come forward alleging that the Indian govt has been using visa denials to silence critics and punish those who support the Khalistan movement.
• Sandhar was asked to sign a letter renouncing Khalistan and expressing his “deep respect” for India in exchange for a visa.
• He was not the only one; other Sikh Canadians have reported similar experiences.
• The Indian government has denied allegations of foreign interference and transnational repression.
• However, witnesses at a public safety committee hearing on foreign interference testified that India has been using visa manipulation to control the actions of Canadian Sikhs.
• The RCMP has also accused Indian diplomatic and consular officials of using the threat of denying visas to compel community members to conduct tasks, including collecting information on Canadians that was sent to Indian intelligence.
• Maninder Gill, a prominent figure in Canada’s Sikh community, has been accused of pressuring individuals to make pro-India statements in exchange for visas.
• Bikramjit Sandhar, who received such a letter, refused to sign and met with consular officials instead.
• Gill denies wrongdoing, but his actions have raised concerns about foreign interference in Canada. (more)
• [Why does anyone expect that GoI will encourage separatism, that too on behalf of foreign forces? Critical govt is good but not critical to the country]

Deadly virus samples went missing from lab in ‘major biosecurity breach,’ say authorities

• Hundreds of deadly virus samples, including Hendra virus, Lyssavirus, and Hantavirus, have gone missing from a laboratory in Australia.
• The incident occurred in August 2023 at Queensland’s Public Health Virology Laboratory but was only made public recently.
• According to experts, the missing pathogens are high-consequence.
• They could threaten the public, but the risk of an epidemic is very low due to their limited ability to transmit from person to person ¹.
• The Australian government has launched an investigation into the incident.
• Chief Health Officer Dr. John Gerrard has stated that there is no evidence of public risk, as the virus samples would degrade rapidly outside a low-temperature freezer and become non-infectious. (more)

[Neighborhood]

Bangladesh: ‘Hindus Targeted’: Bangladesh Admits to 88 Incidents of Minority Violence Post-Hasina Exit

• The Muhammad Yunus-led Bangladesh govt has officially acknowledged incidents of violence against minorities, primarily Hindus, following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina
• This admission comes after India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri expressed concerns over the safety and welfare of minorities in Bangladesh.
• Incidents of Violence: According to Dhaka, a total of 88 incidents of violence related to minorities were reported from Aug 5 to Oct 22.
• These incidents resulted in the arrest of 70 people.
• The govt has stated that the number of cases and arrests is likely to increase as new incidents of violence have been reported in various areas, including NE Sunamganj and central Gazipur.
• Nature of Attacks: The Bangladesh govt has claimed that “many of the attacks were not solely motivated by religious hatred”.
• Instead, some attacks targeted individuals who were former members of the ruling party or were the result of personal disputes.
• However, the government has acknowledged that violence did occur and that the police are taking appropriate action.
• International Concerns: The incidents of violence against minorities in Bangladesh have triggered strong concerns in India, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri flagging the issue during his meetings with the Bangladeshi leadership.
• The Indian govt has expressed its concerns over the safety and welfare of minorities in Bangladesh and has called for prompt action to prevent such incidents. (more)

 “Hindu Lives Matter”: Canadian Hindus protest outside Bangladeshi Consulate in Toronto

• Canadian Hindus protested outside the Bangladeshi Consulate in Toronto, seeking justice and protection for Hindus and minorities in Bangladesh.
• Protesters chanted slogans like “Hindu Lives Matter” and “Stop Hindu Genocide,” urging the Canadian and Indian governments to intervene.
• The protest was held on World Human Rights Day, with demonstrators condemning recent attacks on Hindus and minorities in Bangladesh, including arson, looting, and vandalism of temples.
• They also expressed concern over the arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das and the lack of protection for minorities in Bangladesh. (more)

Bangladesh: Promotions recommended for 764 officials deprived during AL rule

• A committee reviewing applications of retired officials who were denied promotions during the last 15 years of the ousted Awami League govt has recommended promotions for 764 individuals.
• These promotions range from deputy secretary to secretary levels, including retrospective promotions for retired and deceased officials.
• The committee, headed by Zakir Ahmed Khan, reviewed 1,527 applications and held 28 meetings before submitting their report to Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The report includes recommendations for promotions, as well as specific reasons for not recommending promotions for 763 officials.
• The promotions include: 119 officials recommended for the position of secretary
• 41 officials recommended for Grade-1 (equivalent to secretary-level pay)
• 528 officials recommended for additional secretary
• 72 officials recommended for joint secretary
• 4 officials recommended for deputy secretary
• Of the 764 officials recommended for promotion, 9 are recommended for a 4-step promotion, 34 for 3 steps, 126 for 2 steps, and 595 for a 1-step promotion. (more)

Pakistan: Former DG ISI Faiz Hameed indicted on charges of ‘engaging in political activities’: ISPR

• Former Pakistan intelligence chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed has been formally indicted on charges of engaging in political activities, violating the Official Secrets Act, and misusing govt resources.
• The indictment comes almost four months after his arrest and the initiation of Field General Court Martial (FGCM) proceedings against him.
• Hameed is also being investigated for his alleged involvement in inciting violence on May 9, 2023, during countrywide protests that damaged around 40 public buildings and military installations.
• The development has sparked reactions from various political leaders, with a PML-N Senator alleging that the charge sheet is not only against Hameed but also the “Imran-Faiz Nexus.”
• PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has reiterated that Hameed’s trial is the military’s internal matter and has nothing to do with the party. (more)

Pakistan: 20 Chinese citizens killed, 34 injured in 14 terrorist attacks since 2021: Nacta

• Twenty Chinese citizens have been killed and 34 injured in 14 terrorist attacks in Pakistan since 2021, according to the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta).
• These attacks have taken place in Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) being one of the main groups involved.
• The Pakistani govt has taken measures to improve security for Chinese citizens, including revising standard operating procedures and deploying two army corps for CPEC security.

 The government has also decided to compensate the families of Chinese victims with $250,000 each. (more)