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Africa Now – Weekly Newsletter (Week 41, 2022)

October 10, 2022 vd@admin

Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent – news that matters.
Week 41, 2022

COMMENTARY

Coups d’état as Instrument of France Non-grata in Africa: The Cases of Mali and Burkina Faso

Very few African countries had an independent status before 1960. These countries included Ethiopia in East Africa, Liberia and Ghana in West Africa. When many of the dependent countries began to accede to both national and international sovereignty in the 1960s, coup-making was generally presented as an instrument to achieve better governance and not necessarily for good governance. Click here to read…

For the second time this year soldiers stage a coup in Burkina Faso

At first glance the images of soldiers in a television studio on September 30th, some of them masked and bristling with guns were almost indistinguishable from those broadcasts in Burkina Faso in January, when the army overthrew an elected president, Roch Kaboré. Click here to read…

vWho is Peter Obi, and why is he making the Nigerian establishment so nervous?

It is not easy to get 2 000 Nigerians to sing the national anthem as if they mean it. On a Monday evening earlier this month, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, Peter Obi did exactly that. He was there to give a speech on the role of the Nigerian diaspora in civic leadership, as part of his global tour. Click here to read…

NEWS

Ibrahim Traore declared Burkina Faso president after coup

Captain Ibrahim Traore has been appointed as president of Burkina Faso after Paul-Henri Damiba was removed in the West African country’s second coup in less than nine months. Click here to read…

Who is Ibrahim Traore, the soldier behind Burkina Faso’s latest coup?

As a heavily armed convoy drove through a cheering crowd in Burkina Faso’s capital on Sunday morning, the boyish face of the country’s latest military ruler, Captain Ibrahim Traore, emerged from the turret of an armored personnel carrier. Click here to read…

Pro-Russia demonstrators rally in Burkina after coup

Several dozen protestors waving Russian flags rallied in Burkina Faso’s capital Ouagadougou on Tuesday as West African delegates arrived on a fact-finding mission following the country’s second coup in less than nine months. Click here to read…

Protesters attack French Embassy in Burkina Faso after coup

Protesters in Burkina Faso’s capital have attacked the French Embassy after the military junta in charge accused France of sheltering the ousted interim president. Click here to read…

Burkina Faso coup supporters gather near regional mediation

Protesters waving Russian flags gathered in Burkina Faso’s capital where West African regional envoys were meeting on Tuesday to press the country’s latest coup leaders to swiftly return the country to civilian rule. Click here to read…

Burkina Faso’s new military government meets West Africa bloc

Burkina Faso’s new military leaders met with representatives of West Africa’s main political and economic bloc ECOWAS on Tuesday to discuss plans for a democratic transition after the country’s second coup this year, the interim presidency said. Click here to read…

vOusted Burkina Faso Leader Leaves Country for Togo

Burkina Faso’s ousted coup leader Lt. Col. Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba left the country for Togo Sunday two days after he himself was overthrown in a coup, while the new junta urged citizens not to loot or vandalize. Click here to read…

AU invites Tigray, Ethiopia leaders for peace talks in South Africa

Ethiopia’s government on Wednesday said it has accepted an invitation from the African Union to take part in peace talks aimed at ending a nearly two-year-long ongoing civil war in the country’s northern Tigray region. Click here to read…

Junta set to stay in power after Chad delays elections by two years

Chad has adopted resolutions that push back democratic elections by two years and allow interim leader Mahamat Idriss Deby to stay in power and be eligible to run for president in the eventual vote. Click here to read…

Lesotho votes in election with political crisis still unresolved

Lesotho citizens were due to vote in an election on Friday, after years of political instability that the southern African mountain kingdom’s lawmakers have yet to resolve. Click here to read…

Gabon Takes the UN Security Council Hot Seat, Sticking to African Views

Naturally enough, Gabon is focusing on Africa as the country leads the United Nations Security Council this month. Gabon’s UN ambassador, Michel Xavier Biang, detailed his country’s plans for the rotating presidency, elaborating on a climate change agenda as well as counterterrorism, alignment of UN and African Union interests plus strengthening women’s resilience in conflicts. Click here to read…

Uganda president apologizes to Kenya for son’s ill-advised invasion tweets

President Yoweri Museveni has apologized to Kenyans over tweets posted by his son Muhoozi Kainerugaba that had repeatedly threatened to invade Uganda’s East African neighbor. Click here to read…

Two Including Russian Pilot Killed in Mali Plane Crash

A Russian pilot and a member of ground crew staff died Tuesday when a plane that Russia recently delivered to Mali’s armed forces crashed near the northern city of Gao, an official and the military said. Click here to read…

Sudan’s democracy groups approve charter opposing army rule

More than 50 Sudanese pro-democracy groups have agreed on a new draft constitution, in one of the largest shows of unity from the country’s opposition since the 2019 popular uprising. Click here to read…

Malawi: Political crisis looms as VP Chilima graft scandal unfolds

A report by Malawi’s anti-corruption body has landed Vice President Saulos Chilima in hot water. With pressure from President Lazarus Chakwera, his second-in-command might be tried in court at some point, a scenario that could lead to a political deadlock. Click here to read…

DR Congo appoints new army chief as part of military reforms

The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi has replaced the head of the country’s armed forces as part of broader military reforms aimed at boosting efficiency. Click here to read…

Lawmakers in breakaway Somaliland extend president’s term

The House of Elders in Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland has extended the term of office of President Muse Bihi Abdi by two years, a decision expected to cause more unrest by opposition groups. Click here to read…

Tunisian labour union warns of strikes as IMF talks loom

Tunisia’s powerful UGTT labour union has no deal with the government on reforming subsidies and publicly owned companies and will lead street protests over any “painful” changes, it said on Monday, potentially complicating foreign bailout talks. Click here to read…

Nigeria Discovers Huge Pipeline Used for Oil Theft

The head of Nigeria’s petroleum company told a legislative committee this week that a 4-kilometer pipeline from the Forcados export terminal has been used to steal oil for nine years, resulting in the theft of hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil per day. Click here to read…

Ghana Cedi is worst performing currency against US dollar – World Bank report

The World Bank has ranked the Ghana cedi as the worst-performing currency in Africa since the beginning of the year with a depreciation of 60 per cent against the United States dollar. Click here to read…

Somalia, Ethiopia sign deal to strengthen ties

Somalia and Ethiopia say they will work together to protect each other’s territories, including requesting the UN Security Council to lift an age-old arms embargo on Mogadishu. Click here to read…

South Africa’s phoenix president Zuma wants to rise from the ashes

Popular wisdom dictates that you will not die as long as you stay in politics, which means that every leading politician does their best to remain in the local political landscape, just like 86-year-old Silvio Berlusconi, who was seen during Italy’s election weekend. Click here to read…

Cameroon’s Biya Orders Enforcement of Bilingualism Law

Cameroon’s president has ordered officials to enforce a 2019 law on bilingualism and make life easier for English speakers in the French-speaking majority country. Click here to read…

Youth are vital for Sudan’s post-coup stability

Sudanese youth drove the demonstrations and uprising that toppled former president Omar al-Bashir’s nearly 30-year-long rule. They were instrumental in mobilising and creating a social movement urging the military to eventually step in to remove al-Bashir from power in a popular coup in April 2019. Click here to read…

US airstrike killed an al-Shabaab leader in Somalia on Saturday

A US airstrike in Somalia killed an al-Shabaab militant leader on Saturday in coordination with the Somali government, US Africa Command said in a statement. Click here to read…

‘Ma’awisley’ Militias in Central Somalia Mobilizing Against al-Shabab

For years, Somali clans and villages have tried to resist demands from the Islamist group al-Shabab, which can include taxes called “zakat,” plus livestock, weapons and boys they can turn into fighters. Click here to read…

Blast in Central African Republic kills 3 Bangladesh UN peacekeepers

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “conveys his deepest condolences to the families of the peacekeepers and the people in government of Bangladesh,” he added. Click here to read…

Mozambique Marks Five Years of Extreme Violence in Cabo Delgado

Mozambique marks five years since extreme violence erupted in northern Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, forcing nearly 1 million people to flee during that time in October. Click here to read…

Regional court dismisses Maasai eviction case against Tanzania government

A regional court on Friday dismissed a case brought by a group of Maasai villagers claiming the Tanzanian government used violence to evict them from their ancestral lands in the north of the country. Click here to read…

Rwanda, IMF agree on $310m deal on climate financing

Rwanda has secured $310 million (approximately Rwf318 billion) loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) to tackle climate change. Click here to read…

In Kenya, green parties struggle for votes

In August, Kenya held its fifth general elections since the introduction of multiparty politics in 1991. Four of the 93 registered political parties were green parties. Click here to read…

Amid climate politics, Uganda presses on with oil pipeline

Uganda’s ambitions of joining the oil producer’s club almost entirely rest on a pipeline being built between the oil fields in the Lake Albert region and the Tanzanian port of Tanga on the east African coast. Click here to read…

Zimbabwe is poised to become Africa’s largest steel producer

Zimbabwe is poised to become Africa’s largest steel producer and one of the biggest steel players in the world. A multi-billion steel plant is being constructed in Manhize, central Zimbabwe, that has the potential to meet all of the country’s requirements plus that of most countries in Africa and beyond. Click here to read…

Namibia, Zambia sign deal to develop oil, gas pipeline

Namibia and Zambia on Thursday inked an agreement in Swakopmund, Namibia, to facilitate a private sector-led infrastructure development project. Click here to read…

Nigerians mark independence anniversary ahead of key poll

Nigerians celebrated the 62nd anniversary of their independence Saturday with the country’s leader acknowledging the economic and security hardships citizens are facing as they prepare to vote for a new president in four months. Click here to read…

Botswana turns 56: From one of the poorest countries to an upper middle-income economy

Botswana celebrates 56 years of independence on Friday after attaining self-government in 1965, following 80 years as the British protectorate Bechuanaland. Click here to read…

INDIA IN AFRICA

MoS Muraleedharan meets Gabon FM, conveys wishes on UNSC Presidency

On the sidelines of the UNSC High-Level debate at New York, MoS for External Affairs V Muraleedharan met with the foreign minister of Gabon Michael Adamo and held discussions on various aspects of bilateral relations. Click here to read…

‘Terror outfits enhancing their finances and presence by exploiting natural resources in Africa’: Indian minister V Muraleedharan at UNSC

V Muraleedharan said terrorist organisations were exploiting resources to bolster their finances. “These regions have remained vulnerable to money laundering and terrorist financing. Click here to read…

India and Nigeria hold Foreign Office Consultations

New Delhi played host to the second round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between India and Nigeria on 29 September 2022. Click here to read…

INS Tarkash visits Namibia’s Port Walvis Bay

Indian Navy warship, INS Tarkash visited Port Walvis Bay at Namibia from Oct 3-6 as a part of an ongoing extended-range operational deployment, the Indian Navy said in an official statement. Click here to read…

INS Sunayna participates in combined maritime forces exercise in Seychelles

The Indian Naval Ship Sunayna participated in the capacity-building exercise Operation Southern Readiness conducted by Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) at Seychelles during September 24-27, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. Click here to read…

India in talks with Angola, Algeria for LNG supplies

India is in talks with Angola and Algeria to procure liquefied natural gas (LNG) on long-term contracts, said two officials aware of the development, amid concerns of a global gas shortage fuelled by the Ukraine crisis. Click here to read…

Togo govt plans to sign MoU with Andhra University on IT, space

Togo’s minister of education and research, Dr Wateba said that they will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Andhra University and will work in various fields. Click here to read…

‘A Hell Of A Fighter’ – Why India’s Joint Collaboration With Egypt Failed To Develop A Supersonic Warplane – The Helwan 300?

With the recent visit of the Indian defense minister to Egypt, the two nations are boosting their security cooperation. However, their defense ties stretch back to the 60s, when India played a pivotal role in Egypt’s attempts to develop a supersonic aircraft. Click here to read…

Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal: India’s export restrictions complicate rice supply

New Delhi’s rice export restrictions herald higher prices for many West African countries, including big rice importers Nigeria, Senegal and Ghana. Click here to read…

Tunisia runs out of sugar, to import from Algeria and India

Tunisian sugar reserves have run out, according to the secretary general of the Ben Arous regional office of the tourism, trade and industry federation of the UGTT trade union Souhail Boukhris. Click here to read…

Gambia deaths: 4 states had red-flagged Maiden Pharma

Several Indian states and at least one foreign country have red-flagged the quality of medicines manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceutical, whose contaminated cough syrups has reportedly led to the deaths of more than 60 children in The Gambia, in west Africa, prompting the WHO to issue an alert. Click here to read…

India-made cough syrups and deaths in Gambia: what we know so far

The World Health Organisation has issued an alert about four Indian-manufactured cough syrups that it said could have caused 66 deaths in Gambia. What do we know about the cough syrups? Are they sold in India? Should you be worried? Click here to read…

Why Bhagwat brought up East Timor, South Sudan & Kosovo in speech about ‘population imbalance’

In his annual Vijayadashmi speech in Nagpur, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat called for a comprehensive population control policy, citing “religion-based population imbalance”. Click here to read…

India Community in Ghana commemorates Gandhi’s 153 anniversary

The India Community in Ghana has commemorated the 153 anniversary of Mohandas Mahatma Gandhi, late leader and the foremost campaigner for India’s independence, in Accra. Click here to read…

Neighbourhood News

VIF Neighbourhood News Digest- October 10, 2022

October 10, 2022 vd@admin

Afghanistan

Intelligence Head Wasiq Meets Deputy CIA Head in Doha: Source: Tolo News

A source from the Islamic Emirate confirmed that a delegation of the Islamic Emirate met with US officials in Doha on Saturday. The source said they discussed the issue of US drones in Afghan airspace and drone strikes in the country, violations of the Doha agreement and its fulfillment, restrictions on Afghan banks and the recent transfer of Afghan assets to the Swiss bank. Click here to read…

Islamic Emirate Urges US to Engage in ‘Positive’ Way with Kabul: Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid called on the US to engage in good relations with the current Afghan government. Speaking at a gathering held to mark the US attack on Afghanistan, Mujahid said that the way of force has not been successful. Click here to read…

Taliban Meets Members of Afghan Sikh and Hindu Community: The Khaama Press

The Taliban administration’s Kabul mayor, Mawlawi Abdul Rashid, met with some Afghan Hindu and Sikh community members. The Hindu and Sikh participants at this meeting demanded that usurpers be driven off their land. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s first 6-lane bridge over Madhumati River set to be inaugurated Monday morning: Dhaka Tribune

In a fillip to residents of the country’s north-western districts, the long-awaited Kalna Bridge, the first six-lane bridge in Bangladesh is set to be inaugurated on Monday morning, bridging the Madhumati River in Narail. Click here to read…

Brunei envoy puts direct air connectivity on table ahead of Sultan’s visit: Dhaka Tribune

Ahead of the Sultan of Brunei’s much-anticipated maiden visit to Bangladesh, the High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam Haji Haris Bin Othman has called for direct air connectivity between the two friendly Muslim countries to boost tourism and trade.

“Bangladesh tourists are most welcome to Brunei,” he said while speaking to reporters on Sunday at the High Commission, ahead of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah’s state visit scheduled for October 14-16. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Traditional pilgrims extended SDF waiver – Kuensel Online

The government has approved the exemption of USD 200 daily sustainable development fee (SDF) for foreigners visiting Bhutan under 22 categories other than tourists. SDF will be waived for pilgrims to Gomkora, Hindu pilgrims to Jayanti Mahakal temple, near Phuntsholing, only if the pilgrims stay within Trashi Yangtse and the pilgrimage site for the duration of the festival. According to the list of waivers, nationals of Thailand and Switzerland with diplomatic and official passports will be exempted from the SDF only if the purpose of the visit is for official business. If the purpose of the visit is tourism, then SDF would be imposed and collected at the port of entry. SDF is to be waived only if the purpose of the visit is for nationals of member states of SAARC entitled to SAARC visa exemption scheme. If the purpose of the visit is tourism, then SDF would be imposed and collected at the port of entry. Click here to read…

Bhutan all geared up to host the first-ever Snowman Race – Times of India

Bhutan is all set to host the Snowman Race, which is touted to be one of the most ultra-challenging ultra-marathons. This event will be hosted on October 13 and 17, 2022 in Bhutan.

As per the reports, the competition will witness 29 endurance athletes, nine Bhutanese runners, who will compete with each other for more than 203 km across five days at an oxygen-sparse average of 14,800 ft with the highest point of 17,946 ft. Click here to read…

Maldives

Tourist arrivals from India and Russia see increase – Avas

Statistics shared by the Tourism Ministry show that 166,030 tourists from India and 83,369 tourists from Russia visited the Maldives in 2019. However, these numbers increased this year, with the tourism-dependent archipelago seeing 172,911 tourists from India and 146,806 tourists from Russia by October 5 this year. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Myanmar army brutally arrest civilians in Mandalay – Mizzima

A civilian in Yanbetlon village (Yepyit), Kyuakse Township of Mandalay was shot and arrested by the Military Council at around 11 am on 5 October. According to local people, Kyaw Min Lwin, a male in his 40s, was shot and arrested by junta troops after 30 soldiers arriving in five vehicles raided his residence. Click here to read…

PDFs attack Myanmar junta vessels on the Chindwin River – Mizzima

On the morning of 4 October, six Military Council vessels traveling to Kalewa from Alon Sit Pin port were ambushed by the Daung Lu Lin-LPDF and other local PDFs near Pann Sai village in Kanni Township, Sagaing region. Daung Lu Lin-LPDF claimed that heavy artillery and light weapons were used in the battle by the local people’s defense forces before gunfire was exchanged. Military Council troops were reportedly injured but the exact details of the damage were not clear at the time of reporting. Click here to read…

Why Are Myanmar Resistance Offensives Yielding Limited Success – The Irrawaddy

While resistance raids on Myanmar junta outposts and police stations continue, their limited firepower means they struggle to occupy targets. The increasing availability of proper firearms among resistance groups has increased their ability to attack junta targets, forcing regime troops in some areas, especially Sagaing and Magwe regions, to retreat into defensive positions. Click here to read…

UN Mission in Myanmar is Lending Legitimacy to Genocidal Military Regime – The Irrawaddy

The traditional approach to humanitarian aid embraces principles like impartiality, neutrality, independence, and humanity. United Nations agencies and international non-profits cherish these ideals, and yet they also empower the legitimacy of a genocidal military regime. The failure to criticize military atrocities and name the junta as perpetrator tells us they fear the regime more than bereaved mothers, fathers and loved ones across the country who courageously speak out. Click here to read…

Nepal

Nepal loses Rs200 million in Dashain power spillage – Kathmandu Post

Even though the country’s sole distributor had long been seeking India’s approval to sell the power generated by the 456MW Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project, India refused to give its nod citing the involvement of Chinese contractors in the project, which is currently Nepal’s largest. Amid reduced domestic demand and India not buying more electricity, the Nepal Electricity Authority saw massive spillage of power during the Dashain festival. The authority said spillage reached as high as 800MW at times with domestic demand falling as low as 700MW against the peak demand of around 1700MW. Click here to read…

As Nepal puts Agniveer recruitment on the back burner, India must tread cautiously – Indian Express

The 200-year-old British Gorkha connection with Nepal, Indianised after Independence, is the unspoken lynchpin of bilateral relations, resulting in a big ex-servicemen community which, properly nurtured, acts as a pro-India constituency in times of political choices, especially when China’s competitive zeal is growing. General Pandey’s visit to Nepal in September to be made Honorary General of the Nepal Army (the Nepali Army Chief is similarly recognised by India) is part of a unique post-Independence tradition. He made the avoidable remarks after a successful visit. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Govt will not seek Paris Club debt restructuring: Dar: Dawn

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday said Pakistan will not seek debt restructuring from Paris Club creditor nations, as he seeks to restore market confidence after a credit rating downgrade. The new rating from Moody’s raised concerns that Pakistan could default on its foreign debt as the country contends with economic turmoil and a balance of payments crisis. Click here to read…

UNDP vows to build disaster-resilient Pakistan: Dawn

The United Nations Development Programme on Saturday said Pakistan was ranked eighth among nations most vulnerable to extreme weather, it was working to build a disaster-resilient nation through the glacial lakes outburst flood (Glof-II) project. Click here to read…

Why were five precious years of our lives wasted? asks Nawaz Sharif: The News

Terming the cases lodged against him “fabricated”, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif Sunday asked why “five precious years” of his life were wasted. Nawaz made the remarks while addressing a ‘heart-to-heart’ press conference, flanked by her daughter PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, in London. Click here to read…

Bilawal thanks UN for reiterating support for flood-hit Pakistan: The News

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Sunday expressed his gratitude to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and Secretary General Antonio Guterres as the international body adopted a resolution that expressed solidarity with the flood-hit Pakistani people. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

CMTA raises concerns on importing used electric vehicles into Sri Lanka: Daily Mirror

The Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA), the most senior automotive association in South Asia, has raised serious concerns about the importation of used electric vehicles to Sri Lanka. In order to minimise the negative impact on the consumer, environment, society, and economy, it is imperative that the country imports EVs which are directly shipped by the manufacturer with the recommendation for this tropical climate, the Association said in a statement to the media. Click here to read…

Central Bank pushes back against widespread calls for lower rates : Daily Mirror

Pushing back on growing calls by many to cut rates to ease the pain on households and businesses and thereby kick start growth in the economy, the Central Bank last week defended its tight monetary policy as necessary until it sees a meaningful deceleration in the inflation which has spiraled out of control this year. Click here to read…

China Digest

China: Daily Scan, October 10, 2022

October 10, 2022 vd@admin

China’s internet watchdog vows another crackdown against Covid-19 rumours amid anger over pandemic policies: South China Morning Post
October 6, 2022

China’s top internet regulator has pledged to keep cracking down on misinformation and rumours related to Covid-19 and other social issues, as the country continues to tighten its control over online speech. The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), which has in recent years established itself as an authority over the veracity of online information, said on Wednesday that fake information on social media and short video platforms has sowed panic, anxiety and anger over the government’s Covid policies, among other issues. Click here to read…

Former president of China Merchants Bank expelled from CPC, public office: Xinhuanet
October 8, 2022

Tian Huiyu, former president of China Merchants Bank, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and dismissed from public office over serious violations of Party discipline and laws, the country’s top anti-graft body announced on Saturday. Click here to read…

China criticizes strengthening of US military alliance in Asia Pacific, says dialogue is only way to resolve Korean Peninsula issue: : Global Times
October 6, 2022

China has reaffirmed that dialogue and consultation are the only way to resolve the Korean Peninsula issue, urging the US side to take action, show sincerity, and create conditions for the resumption of dialogue. Click here to read…

China’s surveillance state grows stronger under Xi: Taipei Times
October 7, 2022

When Chen picked up his phone to vent his anger at getting a parking ticket, his message on WeChat was a drop in the ocean of daily posts on China’s biggest social network. However, soon after his tirade against “simple-minded” traffic cops in June, he found himself in the tentacles of the communist country’s omniscient surveillance apparatus. Click here to read…

Former head of China’s state railway operator arrested for bribery: Xinhuanet
October 8, 2022

China’s Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP) announced its decision to arrest Sheng Guangzu, former secretary of the leading Party members group and general manager of the previous China Railway Corp., for suspected bribe-taking. Click here to read…

Xi Jinping’s ‘final purge’ ahead of CCP congress: Taipei Times
October 8, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping has embarked on a “final round of purges” ahead of a major Chinese Communist Party (CCP) National Congress, using his long-running anti-corruption campaign to cement his grasp on power, analysts said. Click here to read…

Disciplinary body approves work report: People’s Daily
October 8, 2022

A plenary session of the 19th Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection — the Party’s top disciplinary watchdog — on Friday approved a work report to be submitted to the upcoming 20th CPC National Congress, which is expected to open on Oct 16 in Beijing. Click here to read…

China says U.S. abusing trade measures with chip export controls: Reuters
October 8, 2022

New U.S. export controls targeting Chinese chip manufacturers are an abuse of trade measures and designed to maintain the country’s “technological hegemony”, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Saturday. Click here to read…

People’s congresses elections see increases in turnout, representation: Global Times
October 9, 2022

More than 2.6 million new deputies have been directly elected to people’s congresses in townships and county-level regions across China, nearly 150,000 more than the previous election, the country’s top legislature said on Sunday. Click here to read…

410,000 people punished for formalism and bureaucracy over past 5 years: China’s top disciplinary authority: Global Times
October 9, 2022

Since the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was held in 2017, the discipline inspection and supervision authorities across the country have busted 273,000 cases of formalism and bureaucracy, which leads to the punishment of 410,000 people. Click here to read…

China promotes the standardization of non-fossil energy as the country strives to achieve ‘dual carbon’ goal: Global Times
October 9, 2022

By 2025, a relatively complete energy standard system that can effectively support and lead the green and low-carbon transformation of energy will be initially established, China’s National Energy Administration (NEA) stated in a notice on Sunday, as the country works toward its “dual carbon” goal. Click here to read…

Central Bank seeks local currency settlements with ASEAN, neighboring countries as yuan globalization gains pace: Global Times
October 9, 2022

China’s central bank has set its sights on streamlining overseas investors’ access to yuan-denominated financial assets while seeking local currency settlements with ASEAN economies and neighboring countries, as part of a broad push to globalize the Chinese currency, according to an official article on Sunday. Click here to read…

Authorities summon solar panel makers to meetings to avert price gouging, other irregularities: Global Times
October 9, 2022

Chinese authorities recently summoned key polysilicon producers to meetings, in a bid to avoid price gouging and promote the overall healthy development of the domestic photovoltaic (PV) industry. Click here to read…

China grants 59,000 patents for integrated circuit layout-designs over decade: IP administration: Global Times
October 9, 2022

The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) announced on Sunday that the administration has granted a total of 59,000 integrated circuit layout-design certificates patents as of the end of September and the country ranks 11th in the Global Innovation Index 2022, compared with 34th in 2012. Click here to read…

China’s Xi Jinping briefs Communist Party inner circle in countdown to landmark national congress: South China Morning Post
October 9, 2022

China’s twice-a-decade leadership reshuffle has entered the final stage of preparation with hundreds of senior Communist Party officials gathering in Beijing on Sunday for their final briefing before the national congress. At the start of the so-called seventh plenum, President Xi Jinping briefed all of the roughly 370 full and alternate members of the Central Committee – the party’s inner circle of power – on the work report he will deliver when the congress gets under way next weekend. Click here to read…

Chinese state media highlights PLA role in intercepting foreign warplanes as activity in East and South China seas shows little sign of letting up: : South China Morning Post
October 10, 2022

Foreign military aircraft are expected to continue flying over Chinese-claimed waters in the East and South China seas, observers said after state media released details of a close encounter. A documentary about the People’s Liberation Army aired by state broadcaster CCTV during the National Day holiday included a section about the role of navy pilots shadowing foreign planes. Click here to read…

Chinese tech shares tumble after U.S. publishes new export rules: Reuters
October 10, 2022

Shares in Chinese tech giants Alibaba Group (9988.HK) and Tencent (0700.HK) as well as in chipmakers slumped on Monday, following the latest U.S. crackdown on China’s chipmaking industry to slow Beijing’s technological and military advances. Click here to read…

Beijing issues language code for government service staff: Global Times
October 10, 2022

The Beijing Government Service Administrative Bureau recently released its newly crafted draft of the Ability Specification for Government Service General Counter Staff, and is seeking public comments through email and fax until October 26 to further improve the working ability and service attitude for frontline Beijing government service staff at all levels. Click here to read…

Highly contagious Omicron variant BA.5.1.7 identified in Chinese mainland for first time: Global Times
October 10, 2022

A new Omicron variant that has caused multiple infections in Shaoguan, South China’s Guangdong Province, has been identified as the subvariant BA.5.1.7. It’s the first time the variant has been detected in the Chinese mainland. Click here to read…

Defense, National Security and Terrorism

VIF News Digest: National Security – Defence Studies & Terrorism, 16-30 September 2022

October 7, 2022 vd@admin

DEFENCE

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh visit to Egypt.
MOD signs a deal for dual role Surface-to-Surface BrahMos missile with BAPL.
Mehar Baba Competition –II.
Preparations for Def-Expo 2022.
Participation in Combined Maritime Forces Exercise.
INS Tarkash at Port Gentil, Gabon.
5thAnnual Session of Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM).
Successful Flight Tests of Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) Missile by DRDO.
Multinational Maritime Exercise Kakadu 2022.
Government appoints Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Indian Navy visited Australia.
Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy Cruise Training Task Group arrived in Chennai on a three-day visit.

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

Africa

Somalia

At least 27 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed in a US airstrike in the Hiran region of Somalia.

Burkina Faso

Islamist terrorists attacked an aid convoy in the northern province of Soum.

Nigeria

Security forces killed 07 Boko Haram terrorists in a CT operation in Borno State.

Afghanistan

The US raised terrorism concerns in Afghanistan and is ready to engage “pragmatically” with the Taliban.
Three people were killed and many injured in an explosion in Kabul.
At least 07 people were killed in a blast near Mosque in Kabul.

DOMESTIC TERRORISM

Jammu and Kashmir

Security forces eliminated three JeM terrorists in Kulgam.
SIA filed a chargesheet against three accused, including a former minister, in a terror-funding case.

Left-Wing Extremism

Security forces arrested a ‘most-wanted’ Maoist from Maharashtra.
Around 700 Maoist supporters surrendered before Odisha police and BSF.

Islamic Extremism (excluding J&K)

NIA searched several locations across India and arrested PFI leaders and members concerning the registered case.
“PFI members have connections with SIMI and Indian Mujahideen”, claimed NIA.

Khalistan-inspired Extremism

NIA filed suppl. Chargesheet in a “conspiracy of targeted killing by KTF” case.
India raised concerns over the ‘Khalistan Referendum’ and pressed Canada for action against the same.

Narcotics Trafficking

NIA arrested 26th accused in Heroin seizure case at Mundra Port.

DEFENCE

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh visited Egypt from September 19-20, 2022

Raksha Mantri (RM) was on an official visit to Egypt from September 19-20, 2022. RM called on President of Egypt Mr Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo. President El-Sisi expressed appreciation that military-to-military cooperation between both the countries has reached a new level and that signing of MoU on defence cooperation is a major achievement. Both leaders agreed to further develop military cooperation and focus on joint training, defence coproduction and maintenance of equipment.

RM also held bilateral talks with Egyptian Defence Minister General Mohamed Zaki in Cairo on September 19, 2022. During the meeting, both sides discussed steps to strengthen defence ties and reached a consensus to enhance conduct of joint exercises and exchange of personnel for training, especially in the field of counter-insurgency. Signing of MoU by the two Defence Ministers on cooperation in the field of defence was a milestone event during the visit, which will pave the way for enhancing defence cooperation across all sectors of mutual interest. The RM also invited his Egyptian counterpart to the India-Africa Defence Dialogue and IOR Defence Ministers’ Conclave, scheduled to be held as part of 12th DefExpo in Gandhinagar, Gujarat from October 18-22, 2022. Click here to read…

MOD signs a deal for dual role Surface-to-Surface BrahMos missile with BAPL.

Providing further impetus to Aatmanirbharta in defence production, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) signed a contract with M/s BrahMos Aerospace Pvt. Ltd. (BAPL) for acquisition of additional dual-role capable Surface to Surface BrahMos missiles at an overall approximate cost of ₹ 1700 Crore under “Buy-Indian” Category. Induction of these dual-role capable Missiles is going to significantly enhance the operational capability of Indian Navy (IN) fleet assets.

BAPL is a Joint Venture (JV) between India and Russia making crucial contribution to augment the new generation Surface-to-Surface Missiles (SSMs) with enhanced range and dual role capability for land as well as anti-ship attacks. Click here to read…

Mehar Baba Competition –II

To provide a boost to the growing indigenous drone industry, RM had launched the “MEHAR BABA COMPETITION-II”. The competition is aimed at developing technology for a “Swarm Drone Based System to Detect Foreign Objects on Aircraft Operating Surfaces”. The competition is named after the legendary Air Commodore Mehar Singh, MVC, DSO – affectionately also known as Mehar Baba. The first edition of the competition was launched in October 2018 and had culminated in October 2021.

All aircraft operators face a challenge in keeping the aircraft operating surfaces clean and clear of Foreign Object Debris (FOD). Very often, this is a labour-intensive task that needs to be repeated over a day. This manpower could be more gainfully employed if personnel could focus solely on their core tasks. Furthermore, visual spotting of FOD in low light conditions becomes rather challenging. Hence, the IAF is seeking innovative solutions towards detection of FOD without physical employment of manpower on the aircraft operating surfaces. Click here to read…

Preparations for Def-Expo 2022.

The 12th edition of DefExpo is scheduled to be held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat between October 18-22, 2022 in a first ever four-venue format which promises to engage the public and inspire them to join the Aerospace and Defence manufacturing sector; for ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in Defence. The Def-Expo 2022 was earlier scheduled from March 10-14, 2022 and was postponed due to logistical challenges being faced by participants at that stage. The new dates (October 18-22, 2022) were announced on August 08, 2022. The forthcoming edition is the first-ever edition exclusively for Indian companies.

The theme of DefExpo 2022 is ‘Path to Pride’. The expo will also mark the celebration of one year of the formation of the seven new defence companies, carved out of the erstwhile Ordnance Factories. All these companies will be participating for the first time at DefExpo.
The exhibition will also host the 2nd edition of the India-Africa Defence Dialogue (IADD), with invites extended to 53 African countries. A separate Indian Ocean Region plus (IOR+) conclave with participation of approximately 40 countries is also on the anvil. Click here to read…

Participation in Combined Maritime Forces Exercise.

INS Sunayna entered Port Victoria Seychelles on 24 Sep 22 to participate in the annual training exercise Operation Southern Readiness of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). This marks the maiden participation of an Indian Navy ship in CMF exercise. The ship is scheduled to participate as associate partner in the capacity building exercises being conducted by CMF. The joint training exercise is being attended by representative delegations from USA, Italy, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and ship participation from UK, Spain & India. Click here to read…
For more information: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1862198

INS Tarkash at Port Gentil, Gabon.

INS Tarkash made a port call at Port Gentil, Gabon as part of her ongoing deployment in the Gulf of Guinea for anti-piracy patrol. This marks the first visit by any Indian Naval Ship to Gabon. Click here to read…

5thAnnual Session of Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM).

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has called upon the Indian defence industry to identify and manufacture state-of-the-art cost-effective products/technologies to realise Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘New India’ that not only caters to its own needs, but also fulfils international requirements. He was addressing the 5thAnnual Session of Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) in New Delhi on September 27, 2022.The theme ‘India@75: Shaping for India@100’, with the aim to position India as one of the top countries in defence manufacturing. Click here to read…

Successful Flight Tests of Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) Missile by DRDO.

DRDO conducted two successful test flight of Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missile from a ground based portable launcher at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. VSHORADS is a Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD) designed and developed indigenously by DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and Indian Industry Partners.
VSHORADS missile incorporates many novel technologies including miniaturized Reaction Control System (RCS) and integrated avionics, which have been successfully proven during the tests. The missile, meant for neutralizing low altitude aerial threats at short ranges is propelled by a dual thrust solid motor. The design of the missile including launcher has been highly optimized to ensure easy portability. Both the flight tests have completely met the mission objectives. Click here to read…

Multinational Maritime Exercise Kakadu 2022

A P8I Patrol Aircraft of the Indian Navy participated in the Multinational Maritime Exercise Kakadu 2022 hosted by Royal Australian Navy in Darwin from 12 to 25 Sep 22, along with INS Satpura. The exercise had the participation of 34 aircraft from over 20 nations. Click here to read…

Government appoints Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)

General Anil Chauhan, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM assumed office as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) on September 30, 2022. General Chauhan will also be the Principal Military Advisor to the Raksha Mantri on all Tri-Service matters as well as head Department of Military Affairs as Secretary. He will also be Permanent Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC). Click here to read…

Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Indian Navy visited Australia.

Admiral R Hari Kumar, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Indian Navy visited Australia from 26 Sep – 28 Sep 22. This was his first official visit to Australia upon assuming the office of the CNS. During the visit, he held meetings with Chief of Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Vice Chief of Australian Defence Forces, Secretary of Defence, Chief of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Deputy Chief of Joint Operations. The CNS interacted with the prominent members of Australian Think Tanks to understand and develop new maritime cooperation opportunities. The discussions also highlighted the need for raising the level of synergy and focused efforts for overcoming the challenges of the maritime environment. Click here to read…

Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy Cruise Training Task Group arrived in Chennai on a three-day visit.

Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy Cruise Training Task Group consisting of two naval ships, arrived in Chennai on a three-day visit on 28 Sep 22.Commander of Cruise Training Task Group and other officials of the consulate of Korea had discussions with the Flag Officer Commanding Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area on matters of common interest. Click here to read…

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

Africa

Somalia

At least 27 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed in a US airstrike in the Hiran region of Somalia.

On 21 September 2022, at least 27 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed in a US-led airstrike in Somalia’s central Hiran region. According to the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), the airstrike was the sixth recorded strike in 2022. “The defensive strikes allowed the Somali National Army (SNA) and African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (AUTMIS) forces to regain the initiative and continue the operation to disrupt al-Shabab in the Hiran region of central Somalia,” said AFRICOM. Click here to read…

Burkina Faso

Islamist terrorists attacked an aid convoy in the northern province of Soum.

On 27 September 2022, Islamist terrorists attacked an aid convoy of 150 vehicles, military-escorted and killed 11 security personnel; more than 50 civilians went missing. The attack will likely aggravate shortages of basic supplies, such as food and fuel in Djibo, which has been under a de-facto siege for months by Islamist terror groups. In Burkina Faso, around two million people are displaced due to conflict and climate change. Click here to read…

Nigeria

Security forces killed 07 Boko Haram terrorists in a CT operation in Borno State.

On 21 September 2022, the Nigerian troops of “Operation Desert Sanity and Operation Hadin Kai” reportedly killed 07 Boko Haram terrorists in a counter-terrorism operation in Kayamla village near Maiduguri in Borno State. Boko Haram terrorists usually come to areas to terrorise farmers and kidnap them for ransom money. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

The US raised terrorism concerns in Afghanistan and is ready to engage “pragmatically” with the Taliban.

On 28 September 2022, speaking at the Centre for International and Strategic Studies (CISS), Thomas West— the US special representative for Afghanistan, said that al-Qa’ida’s former leader— Ayman al-Zawahiri had the freedom to operate in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan before we eliminated him. However, we have concerns about al-Qa’ida in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Ansarullah, and other terrorist groups that still have an active presence/connection in Afghanistan.

Over the matter, “we have been in contact with the Taliban leadership since the strike which eliminated al-Zawahiri, even in the wake of this event, we [US] are prepared to engage pragmatically with the Taliban regarding terrorism concerns,” said West. Click here to read…

Three people were killed and many injured in an explosion in Kabul.

On 21 September 2022, at least three people were killed, and 13 others were wounded in an explosion in Kabul city. According to the Taliban-appointed spokesperson for the Kabul police chief— Khalid Zadran, the explosion occurred in a restaurant in Kabul’s western Dehmazang neighbourhood. At the time, police were uncertain if the blast was an accident or a terror attack. However, Islamic State (IS)’s affiliated branch— Islamic State Khurasan Province (IS-KP), has increased attacks on mosques and minorities across the country since the Taliban seized political power in August 2021. Click here to read…

At least 07 people were killed in a blast near Mosque in Kabul.

On 23 September 2022, at least 07 people were killed, and 41 were injured in an explosion outside a Mosque in the Wazir Akbar Khan neighbourhood after Friday afternoon prayers in Kabul. “The bomb was planted in a vehicle parked in front of the mosque, and an investigation was underway to bring the perpetrators to justice,” said the Taliban-appointed spokesperson of Kabul Police chief— Khalid Zadran.

The bombing was the most recent in a string of deadly attacks that have targeted places of worship in Afghanistan and well-known clerics linked to the country’s ruling Islamist Taliban. The Islamic State’s affiliate group— Islamic State Khurasan Province (IS-KP), has claimed responsibility for several attacks. Click here to read…

DOMESTIC TERRORISM

Jammu and Kashmir

Security forces eliminated three JeM terrorists in Kulgam

On 26-27 September 2022, security forces killed three Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists, including a Pakistani national, in two separate counter-terrorism (CT) operations in Kulgam district of the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

In the first incident, during the search operation in the Ahwatoo area, terrorists fired upon the security forces, which led to the exchange of fire. Two local JeM terrorists— Mohammad ShafiGanie and Mohammad Asif Wani, were eliminated. On 26 September 2022, a search operation in Batpora village of Kulgam district led to an exchange of fire and the elimination of a Pakistani JeM terrorist— Abu Hurarah. Security forces recovered incriminating materials, arms and ammunitions, including an AK-56, two AK-47s, a pistol, a grenade, four magazines, and a pistol magazine, from operation sites. Click here to read…

SIA filed a chargesheet against three accused, including a former minister, in a terror-funding case.

On 24 September 2022, the State Investigation Agency (SIA) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) police filed a chargesheet against three accused, including a former minister— Jatinder Singh, in a terror-funding case. “SIA Kashmir continued its action against narcotics dealers by conducting searches at multiple locations across the valley. The SIA conducted extensive searches at different locations in the districts of Srinagar, Budgam and Kupwara,” said a J&K police spokesperson.

In a statement released by the SIA, it was revealed that “Jatinder Singh was in touch with Hizbul-Mujahideen (HM) terrorists and separatists of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), which is an unlawful and proscribed association. These inimical entities had sent this terror fund from Pakistan through their associates for Jatinder Singh’s political party. The vision of Jatinder’s political party was to make J&K, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit Baltistan as one independent country by making a condominium of Pakistan and India, for having joint control over currency, external affairs and finance.” Click here to read…

Left-Wing Extremism

Security forces arrested a ‘most-wanted’ Maoist from Maharashtra.

In a joint operation, on 23 September 2022, Bihar Police, Jharkhand Police and Central Security forces arrested a top Maoist leader— Vinay Yadav aka Guruji, carrying a reward of ₹ 18 lakh and wanted in more than 54 cases, including an ambush in Gaya in 2006 on a CRPF convoy. Security forces arrested Vinay from the house of another Maoist sympathiser— AmrendraPaswan, at Mayapur village under Daudnagar police station limits of Aurangabad district, Maharashtra. Upon arrest, the security forces recovered ₹ 20 lakh hidden by Vinay in a hideout in Chakarbandha forests in the same district. Click here to read…

Around 700 Maoist supporters surrendered before Odisha police and BSF.

On 17 September 2022, around 700 active Maoist supporters from various villages on the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha border surrendered before police and BSF (Border Security Force) personnel in the Malkangiri district in Odisha. These Maoist supporters were involved in assisting violent activities and killing of security forces personnel and civilians and also used to provide logistics to the Maoists.

According to the police, the surrendered militants and sympathisers from Odisha and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh demonstrated their opposition to Maoist ideology by burning Maoist effigies and clothing and shouting slogans— “Maobadi Murdabad Ama Sarkar Zindabad” in front of the media before surrendering. Click here to read…
For more information:

Islamic Extremism (excluding J&K)

NIA searched several locations across India and arrested PFI leaders and members in connection with the registered case.

On 22 September 2022, in a joint operation with the Economic Directorate (ED) and the State police forces, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) searched 93 locations in 15 States across India, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Rajasthan, Delhi, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, West Bengal, Bihar, and Manipur. The searches were conducted on premises and offices of PFI (Popular Front of India) leaders and members in connection with five cases registered by the NIA.

The case— RC-03/2022/NIA/HYD pertains to the involvement of PFI leaders and other members in funding terrorist activities, organising training camps, providing arms training and radicalising people to join terrorist groups/organisations. The joint teams recovered incriminating materials, cash, sharp-edged weapons, and several digital devices during the search. The NIA made 45 arrests in the case, whereas 19 were arrested from Kerala, 11 from Tamil Nadu, 07 from Karnataka, 04 from Andhra Pradesh, 02 from Rajasthan, and 01 each from UP and Telangana. As of 22 September 2022, the NIA is investigating 19 cases related to PFI’s illicit activities.

Earlier on 18 September 2022, the NIA searched 38 locations in Telangana and 02 locations in Andhra Pradesh in connection with the same case. During the search, the NIA seized incriminating materials, digital devices, documents, two daggers, and cash worth ₹ 8,31,500 (Eight lakh thirty one thousand and five hundred Indian rupees). Click here to read…
For more information:

“PFI members have connections with SIMI and Indian Mujahideen”, claimed NIA.

According to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), several PFI (Popular Front of India) members are associated with proscribed organisations, such as the Students’ Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and Indian Mujahideen (IM). The PFI leader— Abdul Rehman, used to be the National Secretary of SIMI and Abdul Sattar— the State Secretary at the PFI, used to be associated with SIMI in the same capacity.

According to news reports citing undisclosed sources, PFI member— Mohammed Sakib allegedly transferred money to the PFI through hawala channels from Pakistan and was in contact with Pakistan-based handlers who wanted to reach out to Pakistani prisoners lodged in different jails. Around 46 PFI members were arrested and convicted in different cases in 2010-2011. Around 355 PFI members have already been chargesheet by the NIA. Click here to read…

Khalistan-inspired Extremism

NIA filed suppl. chargesheet in a “conspiracy of targeted killing by KTF” case.

On 23 September 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a supplementary chargesheet against a Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) operative— Gagandeep Singh, aka Gaggu, in a case related to the conspiracy to kill a Hindu priest— Kamaldeep Sharma at village Bharsinghpur, Phillaur, Jalandhar, Punjab. On 04 July 2022, four other accused were chargesheet in the same case.

According to the investigations, another KTF operative Arshdeep Singh aka Arsh and Hardeep Singh Nijjar, both located in Canada, planned the entire conspiracy to sabotage peace and undermine religious harmony. The terrorist group’s members carried out the targeted attack using weapons that Gagandeep Singh had provided on directions of Arshdeep Singh. Click here to read…

India raised concerns over the ‘Khalistan Referendum’ and pressed Canada for action against the same.

On 22 September 2022, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) raised concerns about ‘Khalistan’-inspired activities in Canada and found it “deeply objectionable” as a politically-motivated exercise by extremist elements in a friendly nation. The MEA’s response resulted from “little action” taken by Ontario on three diplomatic messages from the Government of India to stop the so-called ‘Khalistan Referendum’ in Canada’s Brampton on 19 September 2022, asking whether Indian Punjab should not be an independent country. The Canadian authorities reportedly said that “its citizens had the right to assemble and express their views peacefully and lawfully.” “Nevertheless, the Government of India will continue to press the Government of Canada for action in this matter,” said MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi. Click here to read…

Narcotics Trafficking

NIA arrested 26th accused in Heroin seizure case at Mundra Port.

On 27 September 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested the 26th accused— Sushanta Sarkar, in a Heroin seizure case at Mundra Port, Gujarat. Sarkar was involved in illicit international trade and trafficking of heroin into India for supporting terrorist activities. Reportedly, Sarkar had ordered heroin concealed in semi-processed talc from Afghanistan to India via Iran in November 2021. He used his “Jesus Christ Impex” firm to do such illicit operations. He further transferred the consignment to another firm belonging to KabirTalwar in New Delhi.

The case— RC-26/2021/NIA/DLI pertains to the international drug trafficking network run by two brothers— Hassan Daad and Hussain Daad (both Afghan nationals). Both brothers delivered multiple heroin-laced consignments to India in containers via the maritime route. In Afghanistan, heroin was purified and concealed in materials such as semi-processed talc and bituminous coal. These shipments were then trucked from the Indian ports of Gujarat and Kolkata to New Delhi. Click here to read…

Neighbourhood News

VIF Neighbourhood News Digest – October 7, 2022

October 7, 2022 vd@admin

Afghanistan

University Entrance Exams Held Around Country: Tolo News

University entrance exams were begun on Thursday in 33 provinces of the country. The Ministry of Higher Education said that the university entrance exams will continue for three days. “University entrance exams were held in 33 provinces of the country and this exam will continue for three days,” said Ahmad Taqa, a spokesman for the MoHE. Click here to read…

Requirement of dams on Kabul river for the better management of Afghanistan’s water: Opinion: The Khaama Press

Afghanistan has abundant water resources. 80% of such resources come from surface water that flows from snowfields and glaciers in the Hindu Kush and Himalayan mountains. The country with a total of 75 billion cubic meters of water per annum, surface water capturing 55 billion cubic meters, and groundwater making 20 billion cubic meters, is able to consume 27% of its water and the remaining 73% flows to the neighboring countries. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

PM Hasina on way to her village home in Tungipara: Dhaka Tribune

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana have started for Tungipara by road from her official residence Ganabhaban. They left Ganabhaban at 7:15am on Friday, according to a message from PM’s press wing. Click here to read…

Dhaka, Tokyo launch cooperation for improved sewerage services: Dhaka Tribune

To promote improved sewerage services, the Asian Development Bank facilitated a high-level dialogue between Bangladesh and Japan, and launched a new partnership between Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (DWASA) and Bureau of Sewerage, Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Assam’s advantage in Bhutan-Bangladesh trade – Sentinel Assam

Bangladesh opening six new ports of call for using its waterways and seaports by Bhutan is good news for Assam as it will make the Brahmaputra River route a growing hub of trade and commerce between India’s two neighbouring countries. The development of multimodal transport facilities along the Brahmaputra will attract more Bhutanese traders to make optimal use of the improved connectivity through Assam for the expansion of their export-import business. The amended Standard Operating Procedure signed by Bangladesh and Bhutan on September 15 in Dhaka on the use of inland waterways designates Aricha, Chilmari, Sirajganj, Mongla, Chittagong and Payra Port as the new ports of call for use by Bhutan. Click here to read…

Bhutan fee funds happiness – TTR Weekly

A daily USD200 sustainable development fee is being tagged onto the cost of visiting Bhutan following the reopening of the mountain kingdom’s borders last month. It’s all about funding Gross National Happiness. Click here to read…

Maldives

Maldives: the legacy of Islamic State – Lowly Institute

From 2014 to 2018, more people departed the Maldives to join with Islamic State than from any other country. In total, this figure is estimated at 250 men and women from a country of only 500,000. Most who went died. The surviving women and children, around 50, are today detained in the Al Hol and Roj camps in northeast Syria. Click here to read…

MoUs signed between Maldives, Bahrain, prove commitment to further solidify bilateral ties – Raajje

He said this during a joint press conference held alongside Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain. He reaffirmed that the Maldivian government is committed to solidifying the relationship between both countries, to new heights. The foreign minister also thanked the respective dignitaries for bringing the two countries together. The key agreements signed between the government of Maldives and the Kingdom of Bahrain have proved the commitment of both countries to further solidify bilateral ties, says Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid. Click here to read…

Myanmar

US Announces Sanctions on Myanmar Military-Linked Arms Broker – The Diplomat

The United States has announced a further round of sanctions on Myanmar’s military government, targeting three individuals and one entity “for their roles related to the procurement of Russian-produced military arms from Belarus for the Burmese regime.” Click here to read…

Indonesia told to prioritise Myanmar, Indo-Pacific: Analysts – Asia News Network

Amid preparations for November’s ASEAN Summit less than 40 days away, when the baton of the chairmanship is set to pass from Cambodia to Indonesia, calls are mounting for Jakarta to take decisive steps to address the Myanmar political crisis while juggling an abundance of other challenges that will test the Southeast Asia bloc’s unity. Click here to read…

Nepal

Nepal faces constitutional crisis – Greater Kashmir

Nepal has a history of the Rana regime (1901-1948), coup d’état led by King Mahendra who dismissed the elected government of B.P. KoiralaiIn 1960 and then imprisoned him which had been responsible for the launch of the democracy movement thereby finally restoring the parliament in 1991. Click here to read…

16 killed, 35 injured as bus falls into river in Nepal’s Bara – India Today

A bus skidded off the road and fell into a river in Nepal’s Bara district, killing 16 people, PTI reported, quoting media reports. As many as 35 people were also injured in the mishap in Nepal’s Madhesh province. The bus was heading towards Birgunj from Narayangadh when the incident happened. An initial probe conducted by the police revealed that the accident took place due to high speed. About 50 people were on board, police said. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Govt to use ‘full force of law’ to counter PTI march: Dawn

A meeting of the party leaders was chaired by PM Sharif wherein the participants termed the PTI’s plan of the long march a “conspiracy” against the state and decided that the government would crush its designs through the power of law, said a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s House. “It will not be a political long march of PTI but a march for a conspiracy,” the PML-N leaders agreed as they gave full authority to Prime Minister Sharif to take appropriate measures to tackle the situation. Click here to read…

Govt unveils big power relief for exporters: The Express Tribune

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday struck a deal with exporters under which subsidised electricity at nearly Rs20 per unit would be provided to them in a move that will restore the trader community’s confidence in the government but would not stop misuse of the subsidy for domestic production. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

New resolution on SL adopted at HR Council with 20 votes in favour: Daily Mirror

The new resolution on ‘Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka’ A/HRC/51/5, that was presented at the 51st regular session of the Human Rights Council has been adopted with 20 voting in favour while 7 voted against the resolution and 20 abstained from voting. Click here to read…

Debt Restructuring and Implementation of Deep Reforms Critical for Sri Lanka’s Economic Stabilization: Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka’s economic crisis is deepening with unsustainable debt and a severe balance of payment crisis on top of lingering scars of the COVID-19 pandemic. Debt restructuring and the implementation of a deep reform program are critical for Sri Lanka’s economic stabilization, says the World Bank in its twice-a-year update, underscoring the need for Sri Lanka to build resilience. Click here to read…

Neighbourhood News

VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: October 06, 2022

October 6, 2022 vd@admin

Afghanistan

University Entrance Exams Held Around Country: Tolo News

Requirement of dams on Kabul river for the better management of Afghanistan’s water: Opinion: The Khaama Press

Bangladesh

PM Hasina on way to her village home in Tungipara: Dhaka Tribune

Dhaka, Tokyo launch cooperation for improved sewerage services: Dhaka Tribune

Bhutan

Assam’s advantage in Bhutan-Bangladesh trade – Sentinel Assam

Bhutan fee funds happiness – TTR Weekly

Maldives

Maldives: the legacy of Islamic State – Lowly Institute

MoUs signed between Maldives, Bahrain, prove commitment to further solidify bilateral ties – Raajje

Myanmar

US Announces Sanctions on Myanmar Military-Linked Arms Broker – The Diplomat

Indonesia told to prioritise Myanmar, Indo-Pacific: Analysts – Asia News Network

Nepal

Nepal faces constitutional crisis – Greater Kashmir

16 killed, 35 injured as bus falls into river in Nepal’s Bara – India Today

Pakistan

Govt to use ‘full force of law’ to counter PTI march: Dawn

Govt unveils big power relief for exporters: The Express Tribune

Sri Lanka

New resolution on SL adopted at HR Council with 20 votes in favour: Daily Mirror

Debt Restructuring and Implementation of Deep Reforms Critical for Sri Lanka’s Economic Stabilization: Daily Mirror

China Digest

China: Daily Scan, October 6, 2022

October 6, 2022 vd@admin

Xi encourages geological workers to play greater role in mineral exploration: Xinhuanet
October 4, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping has encouraged a team of geological workers in east China’s Shandong Province to carry forward fine traditions and play a greater role in mineral resource exploration. Click here to read…

China’s bond market further deepens opening-up: Xinhuanet
October 4, 2022

As of the end of August, overseas institutions held 3.55 trillion yuan (507.14 billion U.S. dollars), or 2.5 percent, of the outstanding bonds in custody in China’s bond market, according to the central bank. Specifically, their holdings in the interbank bond market amounted to 3.48 trillion yuan. Click here to read…

China Everbright Bank enhances loan support for agricultural sector: Xinhuanet
October 4, 2022

As of the end of August, China Everbright Bank, a national joint-stock commercial bank, had steadily increased its loans to support the agricultural sector, poverty alleviation and rural revitalization in the country. The bank’s outstanding agriculture-related loans amounted to 411.9 billion yuan (about 58 billion U.S. dollars) as of the end of August. Click here to read…

Steps set for more stability in real estate: People’s Daily
October 4, 2022

China’s real estate sector is expected to be further stabilized in the coming months thanks to supportive policy measures, which will also help to shore up overall economic expansion, experts said on Monday. Click here to read…

Food delivery order from campsites surge 500% during National Day holidays: : Global Times
October 4, 2022

Fresh food delivery order from camping sites saw a weekly increase of 500 percent during the seven-day National Day holidays, or the Golden Week, as camping emerging as a popular holiday choice nationwide. Click here to read…

China likely to boost oil products exports into early 2023, support economy: Reuters
October 4, 2022

Chinese refiners are likely to boost refined oil products exports in the last two months of 2022 and into early 2023 after receiving the biggest allocation from Beijing this year, trade sources and analysts said on Monday. Click here to read…

Chinese yuan becomes most traded foreign currency on the Moscow Exchange, surpasses the US dollar: Global Times
October 5, 2022

The Chinese yuan became the most traded currency on the Moscow Exchange for the first time on Monday, with trading turnover in the yuan-ruble pair reaching 70.3 billion rubles ($1.17 billion), surpassing the 68.2 billion rubles for the dollar-ruble pair, according to a report from Russian informational agency RosBiznesConsulting (RBC) on Wednesday. Click here to read…

Trains leaving Xinjiang suspended as region’s latest epidemic becomes most difficult major public health emergency in local history: Global Times
October 5, 2022

The latest epidemic outbreak has become the most difficult major public health emergency to prevent and control in local history, during which the nucleic acid testing has become the biggest weakness, said officials in Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region as 91 new local asymptomatic cases were recorded on Tuesday, bringing the total to 354 in the region. Click here to read…

Chinese Embassy in Solomon Islands urges certain Westerners to stop spreading disinformation, refuting false narratives by Australian think tank: Global Times
October 5, 2022

The Chinese Embassy in the Solomon Islands on Wednesday urged certain Westerners to abandon ideological bias, stop fabricating rumors to slander China and spreading disinformation but do more to benefit the people of Pacific Island countries after an Australian think tank accused China of running “a coordinated disinformation campaign in Solomon Islands.” Click here to read…

Chinese mainland reports 183 new local confirmed COVID-19 cases: Xinhuanet
October 6, 2022

The Chinese mainland on Wednesday reported 183 locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 37 in Guangdong and 36 in Sichuan, according to the National Health Commission’s report Thursday. A total of 1,005 local asymptomatic carriers were newly identified. Click here to read…

China sees further rise in international influence, ability to inspire, power to shape: People’s Daily
October 6, 2022

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2012, socialism with Chinese characteristics has crossed the threshold into a new era. Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, China has overcome many obstacles and challenges, accomplished a great number of big, important undertakings, and scored ground-breaking historic achievements on all fronts. Click here to read…

China criticizes strengthening of US military alliance in Asia Pacific, says dialogue is only way to resolve Korean Peninsula issue: Global Times
October 6, 2022

440 families receive Chinese humanitarian aid in north Afghanistan: People’s Daily
October 6, 2022

A total of 440 families received China-donated humanitarian assistance in Shiberghan city, the capital of northern Afghanistan’s Jawzjan province on Wednesday. “Today we distribute the aid, including flour and rice, assisted by China to 440 needy families,” provincial head for Disaster Management and Humanitarian Affairs Mawlawi Sarajudin Saraji told reporters before the distribution. Click here to read…

US defence department adds drone maker DJI and BGI Genomics to blacklist it links to Chinese military: South China Morning Post
October 6, 2022

The US defence department on Wednesday added Shenzhen-based DJI Technology Co, the world’s largest maker of consumer drones, to a list of Chinese companies that it deems to be connected to Beijing’s military, along with a dozen other hi-tech firms. The move – which clears the way for the US Commerce Department to enact restrictions on US business transactions with the companies, including investments – follows the publication of an initial blacklist last year. The list was required by last year’s National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA), annual must-pass legislation that guides funding for the US military. Click here to read…

Consulates in Hong Kong faced with ‘unusual’ request from Beijing for information on their city properties: South China Morning Post
October 6, 2022

Several diplomats based in Hong Kong have said they are still considering how to comply with what one called an “unusual” request by China’s foreign ministry to provide details about properties their consulates own in the city. The Commissioner’s Office of China’s Foreign Ministry sent out a reminder, seen by the Post, saying “the Chinese side is carrying out registration of properties of consular missions and representative offices of international organisations in [Hong Kong]”. Click here to read…

Africa Now

Africa Now – Weekly Newsletter (Week 40, 2022)

October 3, 2022 vd@admin

Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent – news that matters.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Vivekananda International Foundation launches “Connect Africa”

The Vivekananda International Foundation unveiled its latest “Connect Africa” programme on September 22, 2022. This initiative’s primary goal is to invite prominent African and Indian figures, such as academics, diplomats, practitioners, and journalists, for conversations on various emerging African issues. click here to read..

COMMENTARY

Ethiopia’s conflict: Politics of nationalism and federalism without a federation

In a statement made on Sunday September 11, 2022, the African Union Commission welcomed the announcement by the Regional Government of Tigray of its commitment for a peaceful resolution of the civil war as well as its willingness to participate in a robust African Union-led peace process. click here to read..

Japan’s Africa policy: Power struggle in ‘the rising star’

After the 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) held recently in Tunisia, all eyes turned to Japan’s activities as an actor in the resource-rich African continent. click here to read..

Africa – where is the good news?

A sombre mood has dominated the discourse around Africa this year. At a recent investor roundtable in London, there was a sheepish silence when attendees were asked where the good news was to be found. click here to read..

NEWS

Heavy gunfire, soldiers on the streets in Burkina Faso capital

Soldiers are on the streets and heavy gunfire has been heard near the main military camp and residential areas of Burkina Faso’s capital. click here to read..

Ethiopia civil war raging again in Tigray region, satellite images appear to confirm

New satellite images have shed some light on the world’s most hidden conflict. The images released by Maxar Technologies appear to confirm that fighting in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region has resumed after a five-month humanitarian ceasefire. click here to read..

Sudan coup leader bids to co-opt pro-democracy movement

Mohamad Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemeti, has tried to reach out to Sudan’s pro-democracy movement, despite his involvement in October’s coup against the country’s civilian government. click here to read..

Lesotho reforms hang in the balance ahead of elections

Lesotho citizens are going to the polls on 7 October amid uncertainty over the future of much-needed reforms that were declared null and void at the eleventh hour. Violence and brutality by security forces also threaten the elections, which over 50 political parties are contesting. click here to read..

Mali says it will not respect regional sanctions on Guinea

Mali does not respect and will not apply sanctions imposed by West Africa’s main political and economic bloc on neighbouring Guinea in the wake of last year’s coup, Mali’s interim prime minister said on Wednesday. click here to read..

Botswana turns 56: From one of the poorest countries to an upper middle-income economy

Botswana celebrates 56 years of independence on Friday after attaining self-government in 1965, following 80 years as the British protectorate Bechuanaland. click here to read..

South Africa’s Beleaguered Zuma Open to Return to Politics

Beleaguered former South African President Jacob Zuma has said he is ready to make a surprise return to politics by standing for a top position when the ruling African National Congress holds a conference in December. click here to read..

Can scandal-hit Ramaphosa survive as South Africa’s president?

Ramaphosa’s opponents want him impeached over a growing scandal, but he still retains significant support in the African National Congress. click here to read..

Algeria Requests to Join BRICS

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi welcomed Algeria’s request to join the BRICS economic group, as an effort to join major powers. click here to read..

IMF chief pledges support for Malawi President’s aid request

IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva met with Malawi’s President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera on Thursday and committed to provide support to the country, as it faces economic challenges and “unsustainable” public debt. click here to read..

Egypt urges world to ‘act now’ as it sets out COP27 vision

Egypt has set out a vision for the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which aims to make it an “implementation COP” by pushing for actions across prior agreements through all areas of climate change needs, according to a press release by Egypt’s COP27 Presidency. click here to read..

Mozambique, Tanzania reach deal to fight terrorism

The leaders of Mozambique and Tanzania have signed defense and security agreements aimed at fighting terrorism and crime along their shared border. click here to read..

Tanzania and Mozambique join hands to create a hydrocarbon empire in Africa

Mozambique and Tanzania have recently signed many agreements in the fields of security, resources and infrastructure development. The high point of these agreements is the one on cooperation with respect to ‘Exploration and Extraction of Hydrocarbons’. click here to read..

Ex-Guinea military ruler goes on trial for 2009 stadium massacre

Moussa Dadis Camara and 10 others are accused of responsibility in the killing of 150 people and mass rape by Guinean security forces. click here to read..

Félicien Kabuga: Rwanda genocide suspect goes on trial at The Hague

One of the alleged masterminds and financiers of the 1994 Rwandan genocide has gone on trial at a UN tribunal in The Hague. click here to read..

Author Dangarembga found guilty in Zimbabwe rights protest

World-renowned author Tsitsi Dangarembga was found guilty Thursday of promoting public violence in her home country of Zimbabwe for participating in a largely peaceful antigovernment protest in 2020 that called for reforms. click here to read..

France vows ‘full’ support for Ivory Coast in spat with Mali

France on Tuesday offered its “full” support to the Ivory Coast in its bitter spat with Mali over 46 Ivorian soldiers detained by Bamako since July. click here to read..

Al-Shabab Fighters Kill Crew Drilling Well in Southern Somalia

Islamist militants from al-Shabab on Friday killed 12 people drilling a well in drought-ravaged southern Somalia, a local resident and official said. click here to read..

Niger halts oil product deliveries to Mali on security grounds

Niger has decided to suspend the transit of petroleum products destined for neighboring Mali for security reasons, in the face of the threat of jihadist groups. click here to read..

Nigeria squanders oil price bonanza as gasoline subsidies soar

Nigeria has failed to capitalise on an oil price boom that has helped cushion other exporters from the impact of inflation, with millions more Nigerians now facing poverty. click here to read..

After Anti-China Campaign, Kenya’s Ruto Does About-Face

Kenya’s newly elected President William Ruto, who talked tough on China while campaigning, has reversed his stance on Beijing since taking office. click here to read..

Wang Yi Meets with Foreign Minister Michael Moussa-Adamo of Gabon

On September 24, 2022 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Gabonese Foreign Minister Michael Moussa-Adamo on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. click here to read..

China’s capture of Ghana’s fishing industry threatening food security

Usually under cover of darkness, fishing vessels take to the waters off Ghana’s coast close to Togo. Chinese-owned vessels proliferate and now appear to control Ghana’s waters and the fishing industry. click here to read..

The United States and Tunisia Sign the 35th Annual Joint Military Commission

Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Dr. Celeste Wallander and Tunisian Minister of National Defense Imed Memmiche, co-chaired the 35th U.S.-Tunisia Joint Military Commission September 27-28, 2022 at U.S. Africa Command headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. click here to read..

Japan PM Reaffirms Non-Recognition of Algeria-Backed Polisario Front

The statement is part of a series of remarks and press releases from the Japanese government to reassure Morocco about its traditional stance with regards to the Polisario Front. click here to read..

Germany to help Togo make its private sector more competitive

Germany will support investment projects in Togo as part of its new partnership framework with the West African country. Recently, GIZ Resident Director Inge Baumgarten and Togo’s Minister of Investment Promotion, Rose Kayi Mivedor-Sambiani, discussed the upcoming implementation of the Promotion of Private Sector Competitiveness in Togo (ProComp) program. click here to read..

International Court of Justice says Equatorial Guinea starts proceedings against France

Equatorial Guinea has started proceedings against France at the International Court of Justice, said the Dutch-based court body on Friday, adding it related to charges that France had not followed up its obligations over fighting corruption. click here to read..

Morocco and Mauritania reinforce their exchange of information and intelligence

Morocco and Mauritania are once again showing a cordial understanding in their security relations with a meeting between the two police chiefs. click here to read..

DRC declares end to latest Ebola virus outbreak

The country’s 15th outbreak comes to an end as neighbouring Uganda races to tackle virus outbreak of its own. click here to read..

What is Ebola and why is Uganda’s outbreak so serious?

An outbreak of Ebola in Uganda is proving more difficult to deal with than more recent epidemics, but the president has rejected calls for a lockdown. click here to read..

Algeria opts for English Elementary Classes

Algerian president Abdelmadjid Tebboune has announced that the former French colony and overseas territory will start teaching English in elementary schools later this year. click here to read..

Egypt’s state universities impose new student dress code

Activists in Egypt have criticised a new dress code at a number of state universities before the new academic year. click here to read..

Why Senegal is investing in air quality in stadiums

Senegal wants to push for sustainable sports in Africa, by installing air cleaning devices in stadiums and running tracks. click here to read..

INDIA IN AFRICA

India, Nigeria hold second round of Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi

The Second round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between India and Nigeria was held on Thursday in New Delhi, where the delegations of both sides discussed various ways to strengthen the multifaceted relations between the two countries. click here to read..

What stakeholders said at India-Nigeria LPG Summit

During presentations and panel sessions at the India-Nigeria liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) summit that took place on Wednesday, September 28 in FCT, Abuja. click here to read..

India, Nigeria, Pakistan discuss sustainable financing for digital ID schemes with ID4Africa

Designing identity authorities based on business models which can generate funds for the proper functioning and sustainability of their systems was the focus in Part 2 of ID4Africa’s 34th Livecast, click here to read..

Bandaru Wilsonbabu appointed Indian Ambassador to Madagascar

IFS officer Bandaru Wilsonbabu, presently joint secretary in the ministry of external affairs, has been appointed as the next ambassador of India to the Republic of Madagascar, the MEA said on Monday. click here to read..

Shri G. Balasubramanian concurrently accredited as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Benin

Shri G. Balasubramanian (IFS: 1998) presently High Commissioner of India to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has been concurrently accredited as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Benin, with residence in Abuja. click here to read..

INS Tarkash at Port Gentil, first-ever visit by an Indian Navy ship to Gabon

INS Tarkash made a port call at Port Gentil, Gabon as part of her ongoing deployment in the Gulf of Guinea for anti-piracy patrol, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Monday. click here to read..

INS Tarkash Departs Port Gentil, Gabon

Continuing her deployment in Gulf of Guinea, INS Tarkash departed Port Gentil, Gabon after her visit from 24 to 27 September 2022. Port call included professional interactions and courtesy calls by ship’s crew on various senior government and military officials of Gabon. click here to read..

Bharatiya warship anchors in Seychelles, key to New Delhi’s foothold in western Indian Ocean

Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sunayna entered Port Victoria in the capital city of the archipelago of 115 islands which lies northeast of Madagascar on Saturday to participate in CMF’s annual training exercise ‘Operation Southern Readiness’. click here to read..

Senegal to seek talks with India over rice export ban

Senegal plans to hold talks with India to secure a much-needed rice supply after India banned exports of broken rice globally and imposed tariffs on some other types. click here to read..

Egypt seeks to attract Chinese mobile companies fleeing India

Egypt is trying to take advantage of the crisis between Chinese smartphone companies and India by providing incentives to such companies to lure them into investing in the Egyptian market. click here to read..

Indian Sailor Returns Home After Being Stuck In Libya For 19 Months

The seafarer, Roshan Raj, spent 19 months on the ship in breach of Maritime Labour Convention, 2006. He was abandoned at the Misrata Port in Libya for nine months. click here to read..

PODCAST

Russia Africa Relations

In this episode of VIF podcast, Steven Gruzd from the South African Institute of International Affairs discusses with Samir Bhattacharya, Research Associate at the Vivekananda International Foundation on the current contours of Russia-Africa relations, tracing the past experiences, new expectations and perceptions. There is a strong historical connection between Russia and Africa throughout the Cold War, when these two continents came close for the first time. Despite the temporary rupture in the relations, Russia seems to be back in the continent, particularly since the 2019 Sochi summit. click here to read..

Neighbourhood News

VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: October 03, 2022

October 3, 2022 vd@admin

Afghanistan

Students in Herat, Bamyan Hold Protests, Demand Rights: Tolo News

Dozens of students in the western province of Herat and the central province of Bamyan held demonstrations in the wake of Friday’s attack on the Kaaj educational center. Click here to read..

Twitter Storm: ‘#StopHazaraGenocide’ Twitter Campaign after Explosion in Kabul: The Khaama Press

Many social media users have started a campaign with the hashtag “#StopHazaraGenocide” in reaction to the deadly attack on the Kaaj education center’s students in the Hazara neighborhood of Kabul, the Afghan capital. Click here to read..

Bangladesh

Bagerhat UNO seizes boring dredger that destroys the environment: Dhaka Tribune

The Sharankhola upazila administration of Bagerhat has destroyed a boring dredger that is very harmful to the environment. Sand was being lifted from a government canal at Hogalpati village with the banned dredger, putting several nearby settlements and garden houses under threat. Click here to read..

PM Hasina leaves Washington DC for Dhaka: Dhaka Tribune

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has left Washington DC en route to Dhaka wrapping up her 18-day official visit to the UK and the USA. A VVIP chartered flight carrying the premier and her entourage members took off from Washington DC around 6:30pm on Sunday local time (Bangladesh time 4:30am Monday). Click here to read..

Bhutan

Gagging the Bhutanese media – Kuensel Online

Even as Bhutan jumped to 33rd place in the global press freedom ranking this year from last year’s position of 65 among 180 countries, editors from media houses expressed their deep concerns over the recent stonewalling of information from government agencies and constitutional bodies. The same concern was conveyed to all the main agencies by the Media Council of Bhutan in writing based on the submission from the editors, the Journalists’ Association of Bhutan (JAB) and the media community over access to information. Click here to read..

Trans Bhutan Trail revives ancient trail – The Statesman

Trans Bhutan Trail (TBT), an ancient 403 kilometres trail that passes through Haa, Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Wangduephodrang, Trongsa, Bumthang, Mongar, and Trashigang was launched yesterday. The paths connecting western to eastern Bhutan that served as Zhunglam from the 15th century and that remained untrodden for 60 years are revived today. His Royal Highness Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck inaugurated it at Simtokha yesterday. Click here to read..

Maldives

India, Maldives ink $100-mn line of credit agreement – Tribune India

Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, who is on an official visit to the Maldives, on Sunday witnessed the exchange of a $100 million Line of Credit agreement and handing over of a speed launch to the Maldives Correctional Services, under Indian grant assistance. Kawtra called on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and assured him of the firm commitment to the growth of India-Maldives ties. Click here to read..

World Bank Supports Maldives to Improve Secondary Education – Modern Diplomacy

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved a $9 million project to improve the performance of the education system, schools, and teaching and learning outcomes at the secondary education level in Maldives. Maldives has achieved almost universal enrolment at early childhood, primary and lower secondary education levels, but low net enrolment and high gender disparity are the major challenges at the higher secondary level. Click here to read..

Myanmar

Myanmar Military Unable to Fight Without Air and Artillery Support – The Irrawaddy

The Myanmar military is going through the worst days in its history. The combat capability of individual battalions has declined substantially, the ratio of old to young soldiers is increasing and morale is declining. Military regime forces are barely able to fight now without artillery and air support. The military is also struggling to recruit both officer cadets and privates, forcing the junta to field firefighters, police and administrative employees as security personnel, as well as the pro-regime Pyu Saw Htee militia. Click here to read..

Junta Watch: Coup Leader Woos Tourists; TV Censorship Revived; and More – The Irrawaddy

Few normal people would want to spend their vacation in a volatile country routinely rocked by armed clashes and explosions. So when someone begins touting the potential of the tourism industry in such a place, it would be wise to take their claims with a grain of salt. Speaking at an event to mark World Tourism Day on Tuesday, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing claimed that the domestic travel and inbound tour industries are developing in Myanmar. The Russian and Japanese ambassadors and the heads of the diplomatic missions of a number of other countries including India attended the event. Click here to read..

Elon Musk Asked to Provide Satellite Internet for Myanmar Fight Against Junta – The Irrawaddy

Activists in Myanmar have asked SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk to provide uncensored internet across the country amid the junta’s shutdowns in anti-regime strongholds. Musk’s satellite internet firm, Starlink, began operating in Iran this week, amid protests that have caused more than 40 deaths, and it provides services in Ukraine after communications were disrupted by Russia’s invasion. According to Access Now, at least 54 of Myanmar’s 330 townships have internet blackouts, while the junta blocks access to websites and social media platforms, including Facebook, a primary channel for communication. In resistance strongholds, the junta has also cut mobile phone communications. Click here to read..

EU Failing to Sanction Myanmar Junta Arms Suppliers: Activist Group – The Irrawaddy

The European Union has not imposed sanctions on 30 companies arming Myanmar’s junta, according to rights group Justice for Myanmar (JFM). JFM identified 31 companies, including firms with links to Europe, that have procured weapons for the regime since the 2021 coup and only the Htoo Group of Companies is facing EU sanctions. Click here to read..

Nepal

Huge avalanche hits Nepal’s Manaslu base camp on Sunday – Live Mint

A huge avalanche left dozens of tents destroyed after in Nepal’s Manaslu Base Camp on Sunday. However, no casualty was reported. Within a week of an avalanche injuring dozens in Nepal, another huge avalanche struck Nepal’s Manaslu Base Camp on Sunday, reported ANI. The news agency confirmed the incident by sharing a video recorded by Tashi Sherpa who was trying to climb the eighth-highest mountain in the world at 8,163 meters. Click here to read..

Can Nepal afford an ‘$8 billion’ rail line from Lhasa to Kathmandu – Kathmandu Post

On September 9, Zhang Jiadong, a professor at Fudan University in China said the proposed Nepal-China cross-border Lhasa-Shigatse-Kerung-Kathmandu railway could cost around $8 billion. The railway will be more than 500 kilometers long and the cost, even by Chinese standards, is not cheap, the professor said, citing a preliminary study. “This cost is only a preliminary estimate as a large-scale survey is yet to be done. Once the project construction begins, the cost could rise further,” Zhang wrote on the university’s website while discussing the railway project cost. Click here to read..

India urges Nepal to check entry of Chinese, Pak nationals through border – Siasat

India’s Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has requested Nepal to stop the entry of Pakistani and Chinese nationals into India through the Nepal-India border points. SSB Director General Sujoy Lal Thaosen, who is on a five-day visit to Nepal, made this request during his meeting with Raju Aryal, Inspector General of the Armed Police Force (APF), Nepal, according to Nepali media reports. The concerns were raised during the sixth Nepal-India meeting on border security, management, and coordination, which started on Tuesday. Click here to read..

Pakistan

Floodwaters in Sindh recede, food insecurity on the rise: Dawn

With floodwater levels in 18 out of 22 districts of Sindh receding 34 per cent and in some districts up to 78pc, a latest UN report says that the situation is expected to exacerbate food insecurity in the flood-hit provinces. Click here to read..

Cabinet green-lights action against Imran over audio: The News

In a major development, the federal cabinet Sunday formally approved legal action against the PTI Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan over his recent audio leaks about the US cipher. Click here to read..

Sri Lanka

Many areas may receive 100mm of rain: Daily Mirror

Heavy rains exceeding 100 mm is expected in Sabaragamuwa Province and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts, the Department of Meteorology said today. They said heavy showers could be expected in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts. Click here to read..

‘India’s Sri Lanka funding and humanitarian aid example to the world’: Mint

Colombian ambassador to India Mariana Pacheco Montes said Sri Lanka is a learning experience for developing countries with respect to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. “You have to be very, very careful about where you put your eggs,” she said in an interview. Click here to read..

China Digest

China: Daily Scan, October 3, 2022

October 3, 2022 vd@admin

Former court official in China’s Inner Mongolia expelled from CPC: Xinhuanet
September 30, 2022

Hu Yifeng, former president of the Higher People’s Court of north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and secretary of the court’s leading Party members group, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) for severe violations of Party disciplines and laws. click here to read..

India enforcement body says $682 mln block on Xiaomi’s bank assets upheld: Reuters September 30, 2022

An Indian appellate authority has confirmed a seizure order against Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi Corp (1810.HK) that froze $682 million in an investigation related to illegal remittances to foreign entities, authorities said on Friday. India’s federal financial crime fighting agency, the Enforcement Directorate, seized 55.51 billion rupees in April, saying a probe found the company had made illegal remittances to foreign entities by passing them off as royalty payments. click here to read..

China’s factory, services surveys suggest economy struggling to rebound: Reuters
September 30, 2022

China’s factory activity eked out growth in September, but a slowdown in services sector growth and a downbeat private manufacturing survey pointed to further cooling as the economy grapples with COVID-19 curbs and softening global demand. China’s official manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) rose to 50.1 in September from 49.4 in August, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Friday, beating expectations. click here to read..

Xi Jinping meets with representatives of airliner C919 project team, visits achievement exhibition, stresses mobilizing national resources, calls for persistent endeavors to make more breakthroughs in China’s high-end equipment manufacturing Han Zheng attends: Xinhuanet
October 1, 2022

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, president of the People’s Republic of China and chairman of the Central Military Commission, met with representatives of the airliner C919 project team and visited the achievement exhibition on September 30 at the Great Hall of the People, during which he gave high praises to the important staged progress scored by the team of the C919 research and manufacture project. Xi stressed, having Chinese airliners fly in the sky embodies the will of our country, the dream of our nation and the expectations of our people. click here to read..

China’s policy bank lends billions more to agriculture: Xinhuanet
October 1, 2022

The Agricultural Development Bank of China, the country’s rural policy bank, has issued 2.14 trillion yuan (about 301.5 billion U.S. dollars) of loans in the first three quarters of this year, up 373.9 billion yuan over the same period last year. The loans were issued to support agricultural production, ensure the well-being of the farmers, and improve the rural areas to help underpin the country’s economic fundamentals, said the bank. click here to read..

China to provide convenient conditions for foreign talent: People’s Daily
October 1, 2022

China will provide convenient conditions and quality services for foreign talent to work in China and give more support to their research environment and innovation platform, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Friday. click here to read..

China thwarts AUKUS-related amendment attempts on legitimizing nuclear sub marine deal at IAEA conference: Global Times
October 1, 2022

The Chinese mission to the UN in Vienna on Friday fully thwarted an amendment advocated by the three countries which form the AUKUS alliance which aimed at legalizing their nuclear-submarine cooperation at the 66th annual International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference held in Vienna from Monday to Friday, the Global Times learnt from the Chinese mission to the UN. click here to read..

Premier confident of healthy growth: China Daily
October 1, 2022

China has the confidence and capacity to maintain its major economic indicators within a proper range and ensure sustained healthy growth this year, Premier Li Keqiang said on Friday. During a meeting in Beijing with foreign experts who are recipients of the Friendship Award of the Chinese Government, Li said the Chinese economy, despite downside pressure, has now taken on a general momentum of steady recovery. click here to read..

China’s financial leasing sector posts steady expansion: People’s Daily
October 2, 2022

China’s financial leasing sector registered a steady expansion in 2021 despite COVID-19 shocks, a report from the China Banking Association showed. As of the end of 2021, total assets of the country’s financial leasing sector hit 3.58 trillion yuan (about 504.24 billion U.S. dollars), up 3.69 percent from a year ago, according to the report. click here to read..

Chinese billionaire Richard Liu settles 4-year US rape allegation case two days before court opens: Global Times
October 2, 2022

Richard Liu Qiangdong, founder and former CEO of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com, has agreed to settle a lawsuit brought by a former University of Minnesota student who accused him of raping her, attorneys from both sides announced late Saturday, ending nearly four years of legal battle. Details of the settlement was not disclosed. click here to read..

Chinese mainland reports 189 new local confirmed COVID-19 cases: Xinhuanet
October 3, 2022

The Chinese mainland on Sunday reported 189 locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 80 in Inner Mongolia and 45 in Sichuan, according to the National Health Commission’s report Monday. A total of 466 local asymptomatic carriers were newly identified. click here to read..