Tag Archives: FATF

Neighborhood News Digest – 27 February 2023

Afghanistan
Afghan Assets Made $70 Million in Interest: Mehrabi – Tolo News

Shah Mohammad Mehrabi, Central Bank supreme council member and board member of the Afghan Trust Fund in Switzerland, said that the $3.5 billion fund–including $36 million and $34 million in interest–should be used for achieving monetary stability and reducing volatility in the Afghan currency exchange. Click here to read…

Taliban Seeks Iranian Foreign Ministry’s Approval after Appointing Envoy to Tehran – News18

The Iranian foreign ministry could hand over the administration of the Afghan embassy in Tehran to the Taliban, news agency Khaama Press reported citing an Afghan diplomat. The Khaama Press also said that the handover process will be completed in the next few days. The development comes shortly after the Taliban-run foreign ministry stated in a letter that Mohammad Afzal Haqqani has been appointed as a designated ambassador to Tehran. The letter said that Haqqani will be in charge of the diplomatic mission in Iran as the first secretary of the embassy. Click here to read…

Pakistan Reopens Border Crossing With Afghanistan That It Shut Over Shelter To Terrorists – Outlook

Pakistan on Saturday reopened a border crossing with Afghanistan that it closed earlier over a tussle with the Afghan Taliban over terrorism. Earlier, Pakistan closed the Torkham border for vehicular traffic for the last six days amidst bilateral tensions. It was opened on Saturday, allowing the movement of over 7,000 trucks stranded. Click here to read…

Afghan women launch Women’s Revolution in Kabul to fight for fundamental human rights – Devdiscourse

According to one of the organizers, Donya Safi, the movement aimed to “protect the basic rights of citizens, particularly women, as access to basic rights is a serious requirement for the citizens.” We started this campaign to fight the injustice and inequity against women, reported Amu TV, according to Khaama Press. Click here to read…

Enrollment Drops By 70% in Universities, Educational Centers – Tolo News

The union of universities and educational centers said that the recent restrictions on female education has severely affected the universities. The media director of the union, Mohammad Karim Nasiri, said that the number of participants has dropped by 70 percent. “If we speak generally, enrollment has dropped from 60 to 70 percent in the universities. Prior to this many people were registering,” he said. Click here to read…

Bangladesh
Severe dollar crisis hobbles Bangladesh businesses – Aljazeera

There is a severe shortage of greenbacks in Bangladesh due to its dwindling foreign reserves and a sharp drop in the value of its taka currency against the dollar. In the past six months, Bangladesh’s foreign reserves have dropped below $32bn from $39bn while the value of the taka has fallen by 27 percent from 84 to the dollar to 107. Click here to read…

Russia thanks Bangladesh for abstaining in UNGA on Ukraine resolution – India Today

Russia on Saturday thanked Bangladesh for abstaining from voting in the UN General Assembly on a resolution that underscored the need to reach “comprehensive and lasting peace” in Ukraine, days after Moscow protested Dhaka’s decision not to allow the docking of Russian ships under Western sanctions. Click here to read…

US, India, and the election in Bangladesh – Daily Star

In recent months, there have been quite a few visits from countries that are deemed to have the potential to wield significant influence on Bangladesh politics, especially around elections. A number of top US officials visited Bangladesh for talks with government officials, civil society members and senior journalists over the last few years. The Indian foreign secretary visited on February 15. The Chinese foreign minister, on his way to Africa, stopped by in Dhaka in January for a brief meeting with his Bangladeshi counterpart at the airport. Usually, newly appointed Chinese foreign ministers begin their stint with a tour of Africa. This time, however, the minister seemed to consider Bangladesh important enough for a brief stopover on his first trip abroad. Click here to read…

Bhutan
India pledges to invest Rs 2 billion in Bhutan’s Gyalsung Infra Project – Economic Times

On Saturday, the first tranche of the grant that was presented will be used for the DeSuung for Gyalsung (DFG) programme as a special India-Bhutan Friendship Project. The DFG seeks to engage about 11,000 DeSuups in the Gyalsung infrastructure construction project through a hybrid skilling and on-the-job training program over the next two years. Click here to read…

To Woo Indian Tourists, Bhutan to Sell Gold at Duty-Free Rates – the Wire

According to the latest prices, 10 grams of 24-carat gold in India costs Rs 57, 490 while it costs around Rs 40,200 in Bhutan. However, tourists will have to pay the sustainable development fee and stay at least one night at a hotel certified by Bhutan’s department of tourism. Click here to read…

Bhutanese economy, moving forward – Kuensel

The Water Male Tiger Year 2022 was challenging for the Bhutanese economy. As the economy was getting better from the headwinds from two years of the pandemic, the new variant of Omicron threatened the economy once again at the beginning of last year. This was followed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on March 24 last year marking one year as of yesterday. This dimmed the global economy including Bhutan’s forecast, coupled with the persistent inflation, particularly for food and energy. Click here to read…

Bhutan to implement “Health in all policies” strategy to ensure public well-being – ANI

‘policies”>health in all policies’ is an approach where impacts on health are considered in all decision-making and across all sectors and policies, the Bhutan live reported. according to the centres for disease control and prevention of Bhutan, the approach considers potential health outcomes when making policy decisions about transportation, education, housing and other areas that affect communities. Click here to read…

Impact of War in Ukraine: Perspective from Bhutan – Friedrich Naumann Foundation

Its economic lifeline dependent on India, Bhutan is vulnerable to any repercussion the war has on its immediate neighbour. The shortage of fuel was the first of these repercussions, causing long lines of motor vehicles to form at fuel stations even as the government sought to allay public concerns. India’s announcement of halting its wheat exports created fear of a potential shortage of food. At the same time, Bhutan’s close relations with India and the latter’s strategic relations with Russia made for a delicate situation. Eventually, Bhutan learned some invaluable lessons. Click here to read…

Maldives
MATI launches two books to commemorate Golden Jubilee of Maldives tourism – Raajje

The Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) has launched two books to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Maldives Tourism. The books were launched at the 33rd Annual General Meeting of MATI held at Kurumba Maldives on 19th February 2023. Minister of Tourism Abdulla Mausoom, Chairman of MATI, Mohamed Umar Maniku, Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem, Secretary General of MATI, Ahmed Nazeer, CEO and MD of MMPRC, Thoyyib Mohamed took part in the launching ceremony. Click here to read…

Maldives-UAE discuss ways to strengthen defense cooperation – Raajje

Maldives and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have explored expanding defense cooperation. Maldives Defense Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi has met with the UAE’s Chief of Staff of Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Engineer Issa Saif bin Ablan Al Mazrouei. She met with the UAE’s Chief of Staff of Armed Forces, on the margins of the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX 2023) on Friday. Click here to read…

Myanmar
Japan to ‘Appropriately Handle’ Project Benefiting Myanmar’s Military – HRW

During a televised parliamentary budget session on Wednesday, February 22, Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said his government will “appropriately handle” a development aid project in Myanmar that is benefiting the country’s abusive military. Yoshimasa Hayashi, the Japanese foreign minister, echoed the prime minister’s public pledge to take appropriate action. Click here to read…

Myanmar continues to be in FATF Black List; UAE, Turkiye in Grey List – India Today

Myanmar along with Iran and North Korea continue to be on the ‘Black List’ of the FATF with the global watchdog on terror financing and money laundering on Friday terming the three countries as “high-risk jurisdictions”. In a statement, issued after the second plenary of the FATF in Paris under the presidency of T Raja Kumar of Singapore, the Financial Action Task Force also said the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Turkiye, Jordan, South Africa and 20 other nations will be in its ‘Grey List’ and they will be under increased monitoring. Pakistan was removed from the ‘Grey List’ in October last year. Click here to read…

No Myanmar refugees involved in drugs trafficking in Mizoram, says minister Lalchamliana – Times of India

None of the Myanmarese refugees in Mizoram have been found to be involved in drugs and narcotics trafficking to date, home minister Lalchamliana said on Saturday. Lalchamliana said barring 10 or 20 people, 31,050 displaced Myanmar nationals taking refuge in the state have been profiled and temporary identity cards have been issued to them. Click here to read…

Nepal
‘Prachanda’ government in danger in Nepal: 4 ministers including deputy-PM resign – Sangri Today

Four ministers of Rashtriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), including Deputy Prime Minister Rajendra Singh Lingden, have resigned from Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s government formed two months ago in Nepal. Actually, Prachanda’s government has announced going out of the coalition and supporting Ramchandra Poudel of the opposition party Nepali Congress for the post of President. Angered by this, the RPP ministers decided to quit the government on Saturday. Click here to read…

Nepal reports lowest growth in 7 years in Q1 – Dajji World

23 fiscal year which began in mid-July 2022, the lowest year-on-year growth in the past seven years, the National Statistics Office (NSO) has reported. The country logged a growth of 3 per cent over the same period of the 2021-22 fiscal year and has targeted an 8-per cent growth for the current fiscal year, Xinhua news agency reported. Click here to read…

China’s ambassador steps up political engagements ahead of crucial presidential elections in Nepal – Dajji World

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, has stepped up his high-level political engagements in Kathmandu as political parties in parliament stepped up their dialogues on who should be elected the next president of the country. Nepal is electing its new president on March 9 and political parties in parliament will have to file their nominations by February 25. Ahead of nominations for the crucial presidential elections, parties have started their internal debates to see potential nominees. Click here to read…

A potential debt trap in Nepal – Devi Discourse

The risk here is that a country’s national debt could become too high when Nepal needs heavy investment in quality infrastructure. When that happens, spending without proper calculation of income or direct contribution to the national output can be disastrous. As a result, increased interest payments can divert funds from other much-needed government projects, or there is a less private investment because of high-interest rates. Budgets are tightened and confidence in the economy weakens. For the fiscal year 2022–2023, Nepal’s government is only permitted to raise a maximum of 256 billion Nepalese Rupees (about USD 2 billion) in internal loans. The decision to limit external borrowing comes at a time when several countries, including Sri Lanka, were facing debt distress. Click here to read…

Pakistan
Pakistan govt halts clearance of bills, salaries amidst economic crisis – Deccan Herald

The cash-strapped Pakistan government has directed the accountant general to cease the clearing of bills, including salaries, owing to the current economic crisis, according to a media report on Saturday. The Ministry of Finance and Revenue also instructed the Accountant General of Pakistan Revenues (AGPR) to halt the clearing of all the bills of the federal ministries/divisions and attached departments until further notice, The News International quoted official sources as saying. Click here to read…

Imran faces 36 cases in ECP, Lahore & Islamabad – The Express Tribune

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan faces a whopping number of 36 cases currently pending against him in various courts of Islamabad, Lahore and in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). These include disqualification, pre-arrest bail, criminal proceedings, protective bail and defamation cases. One case pertains to terrorism as well and the PTI chief is yet to be granted pre-arrest bail in that one. Click here to read…

Pakistan economic crisis: Now country’s healthcare system gets hit, medicines supply deteriorate – Mint

Amid Pakistan’s external debt servicing obligation for the ongoing fiscal year 2022-23 rovers over $23 billion, of which $6 billion has been repaid and $4 billion rolled over, reports are arriving that country’s healthcare system has been badly hit and its struggling for essential medicines. Click here to read…

Pakistan’s Weekly Inflation Crosses 40 Percent For 1st Time In 5 Months – NDTV

Consumer prices rose significantly in the outgoing week on the back of onions, chicken, eggs, rice, cigarettes and fuel, official data showed on Friday, driving the weekly inflation to over 40 per cent for the first time in over five months, the Dawn reported. Though week-on-week inflation eased slightly, it still remained high as bananas, chicken, sugar, cooking oil, gas and cigarettes became costlier, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported. Click here to read…

China, Iran, Uzbekistan come to Pakistan’s rescue from economic crisis – Mint

Amid this unstable economic situation, Iran is promoting trade with Pakistan, while China has granted a new $700 million loan to the country. This week, Pakistan has received a new $700 million loan from China to help shore up its foreign exchange reserves, in another step to help the South Asian nation recover from an economic crisis, according to Reuters. Iran has established six border markets to promote trade with crisis-hit Pakistan, said Iranian Consul General Hasan Noorain as quoted by pkrevenue. Uzbekistan has also inked a $1 billion deal to increase bilateral trade with Pakistan at the 8th meeting of the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Inter-governmental Commission on Trade-Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation (IGC) held in Tashkent on Friday. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka
India & Sri Lanka review defence & security cooperation at annual defence dialogue – Economic Times

Top defence officials of India and Sri Lanka have held the seventh edition of their annual dialogue during which the two sides reviewed the bilateral defence and security cooperation and identified new avenues for engagement. The two-day meeting of the 7th edition of the Annual Defence Dialogue (ADD) between India and Sri Lanka, which began in New Delhi on Thursday was chaired by Defence Secretary Giridhar Armane and his Sri Lankan counterpart General Kamal Gunaratne. Click here to read…

Sri Lankan opposition-led protest march comes under police tear gas water cannon attack – The Week

Sri Lankan police on Sunday fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse a protest march organised by the country’s main opposition coalition here against the delay in local body polls. The Election Commission on Friday formally announced that the local body elections would not be held on March 9 as planned, and a fresh date will be notified on March 3. Click here to read…

VIF Neighbourhood News Digest – November 24, 2022

Afghanistan
Blinken: Qatar Continues to Be Main Transit Point for Afghans: Tolo News

US Secretary Antony Blinken at a press conference said that after the Islamic Emirate took power in Afghanistan Qatar played an indispensable role in helping them relocate tens of thousands of at-risk Afghans, aid workers, diplomats, and others. Click here to read…

US Providing $327 Million In Aid to Afghanistan, Blinken Says: Tolo News

The United States will provide an additional $327 million in aid to Afghanistan to shore up humanitarian assistance, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday. “This assistance from the United States will continue to support the scaled-up humanitarian response in Afghanistan and neighboring countries through international humanitarian organizations,” Blinken said in a statement. Click here to read…

Taliban Requests Afghan Refugees to Abstain from Protesting in Pakistan and Iran: The Khaama Press

Afghan refugees were urged not to participate in the protests since they were Pakistani and Iranian domestic affairs, according to Abdul Rahman Rashid, the Taliban’s deputy minister for refugees and repatriation. Click here to read…

Bangladesh
IORA Council of Ministers meet today – The Daily Star

Bangladesh today hosts the 22nd Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers meeting in the capital aimed at boosting cooperation among the regional countries to ensure a free, open and secure Bay of Bengal and Asia-Pacific. Ministers, state ministers and assistant ministers from the 23 IORA member states are already in Dhaka to attend the meeting. “We want free, inclusive, secure and peaceful navigation for all without any encumbrance in the region,” Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told reporters following bilateral meetings with ministers of Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Tanzania and Japan at the Hotel InterContinental yesterday evening. Click here to read…

Jessore rolls out the red carpet for PM Hasina – Dhaka Tribune

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman addressed a public meeting in this stadium on December 26, 1972. Jessore, one of the oldest cities in the country, is ready to receive Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday as she is set to attend the first massive political rally of the ruling party outside Dhaka in the lead up to the next general election. People of Jessore and southern parts of the country are enthusiastic about attending the grand rally, as this will be Sheikh Hasina’s first visit to the city in almost five years. Click here to read…

3 binding conditions for IMF loan – The Daily Star

The International Monetary Fund is set to tag three binding conditions and a host of structural reforms for the prospective $4.5 billion loan to Bangladesh, as the Washington-based multilateral lender looks to bring in lasting reforms in the country. The mandatory conditions — which are specific, measurable targets called quantitative performance criteria (QPC) — would be a minimum level of net international reserves and domestic revenue collection and a ceiling on the government’s budget deficit, The Daily Star has learnt from people involved in the negotiations with the IMF staff mission to thrash out the terms for the loanClick here to read…

Bhutan
State set to tie up with Bhutan to develop Buddhist circuit – The Hindu

Bhutan is set to join the league of nations that are setting up monasteries near the Buddhavanam project being executed by the State near Nagarjunakonda. A delegation of Buddhist monks from Bhutan on Wednesday interacted with Minister for Culture V. Srinivas Goud and evinced interest in taking the project to the next level. “Maharashtra, Bihar and other states have a Buddhist circuit. But they don’t have what Telangana has. You have Acharya Nagarjuna,” said Khenpo Ugyen Namgyel, Secretary of Central Monastic Body of Bhutan leading a delegation of 24 monks. Click here to read…

Bhutan joins the seed-sharing initiative – Kuensel Online

Bhutan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Nepal, The Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam signed an agreement to foster cross-country seed-sharing and empower the region’s seed sector yesterday in Thimphu. Called Seeds Without Borders, the agreement aims to speed up the distribution of modern, climate-resilient rice varieties across nations to help vulnerable farmers establish a secure food supply for their families and earn a higher income. Bhutan joined the Seeds Without Borders agreement on June 13, 2018. Click here to read…

Maldives
EU Ambassadors call on pres. ahead of sixth Maldives – EU Policy Dialogue – Raajje

The delegation called on President Solih at the President’s Office, on Wednesday and was headed by The EU Ambassador to Maldives, Denis Chaibi. The delegation included Ambassador of Italy to Maldives Rita Manella, Ambassador of Austria to Maldives Katharina Wieser, Ambassador of Germany to Maldives Holger Seubert, Ambassador of Netherlands to Maldives Bonnie Horbach, Chargé d’affaires at the Embassy of Romania Victor Chiujdea, and Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of France Aurélien Maillet. Click here to read…

Maldives Foreign Affairs Minister thanked Indian Govt for its contributions to enhance skills, competence of civil servants of Maldives – News On Air

Maldives Foreign Affairs Minister Abdulla Shahid has thanked the Indian Government for its contributions to enhance the skills and competence of civil servants of Maldives. He expressed his gratitude during a meeting held with Director General of the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG), Mr. Bharat Lal. Click here to read…

Myanmar
Hun Sen: Myanmar sliding into full-fledged civil war – Phnompen Post

Myanmar is moving towards a full-fledged civil war, Prime Minister Hun Sen warned while addressing senior military leaders from many countries including China and the US at the opening ceremony of the 9th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) in Siem Reap on November 23. He said the civil war was already underway in some parts of Myanmar. “Cambodia, as the victim of more than three decades of civil war, has useful experience to share in making, building and maintaining peace and building a post-war nation,” he added. Click here to read…

Restoration of democracy in Myanmar is crucial for ‘sustainable’ repatriation of Rohingya, says Japan – UNB

Japan is banking on restoration of democracy in Myanmar for the sustainable repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingya in Bangladesh. “Sustainable repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingya would be possible after the resumption of democracy in Myanmar,” visiting Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs TAKEI Shunsuke. Click here to read…

Myanmar Regime and Russia Sign Nuclear Power Plant Memorandum – The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s junta signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Tuesday with Rosatom, Russia’s state-run nuclear corporation, according to a Rosatom press release. The military regime’s Ministry of Electricity and Energy (MOEE) and Rosatom signed the MOU on Tuesday on the sidelines of the ATOMEXPO-2022 in Sochi, Russia. The proposed nuclear power plants will be based on Russian small modular reactor technology. Click here to read…

US, China defence chiefs meet in Cambodia – Mizzima

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe in Cambodia on Tuesday, with both sides describing the talks as productive without backing away from their core positions. The rival powers have clashed over a host of issues including Taiwan, security and human rights, but there have been attempts to lower the temperature since a rare summit between the leaders of both countries last week. Click here to read…

ANZ will become first international bank to withdraw from Myanmar – Mizzima

The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) said it will withdraw from Myanmar by early 2023, making it the first international bank to withdraw from the country. The withdrawal follows the October 2022 blacklisting of Myanmar by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog. Click here to read…

Nepal
China Encroaches On 36 Hectares of Nepal’s Land At 10 Places: Report – NDTV

China’s salami-slice strategy on Nepal’s northern border has resulted in the encroachment of 36 hectares of Nepal’s land at 10 places on the northern border by China. According to the survey document issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, China encroached on 36 hectares of Nepal’s land at 10 places on the northern border. Similarly, the study conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs has concluded that it is necessary to include border issues in the “state policy” of Nepal, reported Meta Khabar. Click here to read…

Vote count update: NC wins 25 seats; UML 15 and Maoist 7 – Khabarhub

Nepali Congress (NC) is still leading as the counting of votes is underway throughout the country. In the initial vote count of the election held on Sunday, Nepali Congress (NC) has taken the lead, followed by CPN-UML so far. Till now, NC has won in 25 constituencies and the UML in 15 constituencies. As of now, NC is still leading in 31 constituencies followed by UML, which is leading in 29 constituencies. The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which has already won five seats, is leading in four constituencies. Click here to read…

Aid or political interference? China finances NGO with links to Nepal former PM Oli’s party ahead of polls – Times Now

China has begun helping political organisations in Nepal. High-level sources speak of financial help from the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu to an NGO with political links. The payout is believed to be about one crore Nepalese Rupees. This is being seen by some as interference with the country’s political process. The NGO has strong links with former Prime Minister K.P.Sharma Oli, president of the Communist Party of Nepal, the CPN-UML Some members of the NGO are contesting the polls as candidates of Oli’s party. The Chinese have good reason to support Oli for Nepal signed a crucial Transit and Transport agreement with China in 2015 when Oli was the PM. Click here to read…

Chen Song to be China’s Nepal envoy – The Kathmandu Post

China has proposed Chen Song, one of its senior diplomats, as the new ambassador to Nepal. Chen is currently deputy director general at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He will replace Hou Yanqi, who has already returned to China after completing her four-year tenure in October. The Chinese side informally communicated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about its decision to appoint Chen as the new envoy but no official communication has yet been made, according to a foreign ministry official. Click here to read…

Pakistan
Imran insists Alvi will consult him on chief’s selection: Dawn

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has claimed that President Dr Arif Alvi will “definitely” consult him as soon as the summary for the appointment of next army chief reaches his office. Click here to read…

Army role in politics is unconstitutional, says Gen Bajwa: The Express Tribune

Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Bajwa said on Wednesday the military had started “its catharsis” and would remain apolitical in the future, emphasising that political parties should also reflect on their behaviour so that there was an “elected” government in the country instead of “selected” or “imported” one. Click here to read…

Pakistan continues talks with IMF on flood expenditures: The News

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Pakistani authorities are continuing talks for finalising reprioritizing expenditures on floods, including BISP spending and rehabilitation needs besides accelerating reforms to preserve fiscal stability. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka
No room for another ‘aragalaya’ – Daily News

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday emphasized that any attempts to create another Aragalaya (struggle) aiming at changing the government will not be allowed in the country. He said that military will be deployed and Emergency Law will be enforced to prevent such attempts as there is no room for Dinh Diems in this country. “The military will be deployed. Emergency Law will be enforced. Another Aragalaya will not be allowed. I won’t let Dinh Diem’s rule in this country. There is no room for Dinh Diems in this country.” he said. Click here to read…

President calls for All-Party meeting to discuss national issue – Daily News

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday called for an All-Party meeting to discuss and solve the national issue. Speaking in Parliament yesterday, President Wickremesinghe said the meeting can be held during the second week of December. The President noted that once the 2023 Budget process is complete on December 8, all parties can convene for the decisive meeting. President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the matter has been discussed on various occasions and various opinions have been expressed and therefore it is imperative that all parties convene and come to a consensusClick here to read…

Towards a new election culture – Daily News

The long-awaited law to limit election campaign funding is to become a reality at last. Cabinet approval was received on Monday for the enactment of the Campaign Finance Bill that will bind all candidates contesting elections, of whatever variety, for their campaign spending to be done under the strict supervision of the National Elections Commission (NEC). In fact, it was formulated in 2016 and was awaiting approval of the Attorney General, which has been finally obtained. Accordingly, the Draft Bill will be gazetted following which it will be presented to Parliament. Once the Bill becomes law, all candidates shall bear responsibility for funding his/her election campaign. In addition he/she will also have to disclose the source(s) of such funding. A ceiling will also be placed on the amount spent on a single electorate while the candidates will also be required to open a Special Elections Account (SEA) which will be the only source from which candidates can withdraw funds for their campaign funding. The new law is a revolutionary step and will go a long way in changing the present election culture which is reeking of corruption. Click here to read…

China: Daily Scan, October 25, 2022

Chinese ‘artificial sun’ marks new breakthrough: Global Times
October 21, 2022

The new generation of artificial sun HL-2M in the Southwestern Institute of Physics Photo: Courtesy of the Southwestern Institute of Physics. A new breakthrough has been made in the scientific research of the new generation of “artificial sun” in China with its HL-2M plasma current exceeding 1 million amperes, creating a new record for the operation of controllable nuclear fusion device in the country, the Global Times learned from Southwestern Institute of Physics under the state-owned China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) on Thursday. Click here to read…

‘Party’s self-reform being a journey to which there is no end’ added to amended CPC Constitution: Global Times
October 22, 2022

A resolution on the revised Constitution of the Communist Party of China (CPC) approved on Saturday agreed to add statements on the Party’s self-reform being a journey to which there is no end, and on making integrated efforts to ensure that officials do not have the audacity, opportunity, or desire to become corrupt. Click here to read…

(CPC Congress) List of members of 20th CPC Central Committee: Xinhuanet
October 22, 2022

The following is a list of the 205 members of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) elected at the closing session of the 20th CPC National Congress in Beijing on Saturday (listed in the order of the number of strokes in their surnames):
Ding Xuedong, Ding Xuexiang, Wan Lijun, Xi Jinping, Ma Xingrui, Ma Xiaowei, Wang Ning, Wang Kai (Henan), Wang Kai (PLA), Wang Yong, Wang Hao, Wang Qiang, Wang Peng, Click here to read…

(CPC Congress) List of alternate members of 20th CPC Central Committee: Xinhuanet
October 22, 2022

The following is a list of the 171 alternate members of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) elected at the closing session of the 20th CPC National Congress on Saturday (listed in the descending order of ballots and, if their ballots are the same, the number of strokes in their surnames): Ding Xiangqun (f.), Ding Xingnong, Yu Lijun, Yu Jihong (f.), Yu Huiwen (Manchu), Ma Hancheng (Hui), Wang Jian, Wang Xi, Wang Liyan, Wang Yonghong, Wang Kangping, Wang Tingkai, Wang Xinwei, Wang Jiayi, Wei Tao (Zhuang Click here to read…

(CPC Congress) Full text of resolution on 19th CPC Central Committee report: Xinhuanet
October 22, 2022

The following is the full text of the Resolution of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on the Report of the 19th Central Committee adopted at the closing session of the 20th CPC National Congress Saturday. Resolution of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China on the Report of the 19th Central Committee Click here to read…

(CPC Congress) Full text of resolution on Party Constitution amendment: Xinhuanet
October 22, 2022

The following is the full text of a resolution on an amendment to the Constitution of the Communist Party of China (CPC) adopted Saturday at the closing session of the 20th CPC National Congress. Resolution of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China on the Revised Constitution of the Communist Party of China. Click here to read…

(CPC Congress) Full text of resolution on work report of 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection: Xinhuanet
October 22, 2022

The following is the full text of the Resolution of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on the Report on the Work of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection adopted Saturday at the closing session of the 20th CPC National Congress. Click here to read…

Xi presents new CPC central leadership: Xinhuanet
October 23, 2022

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, presented the Party’s new central leadership when meeting the press Sunday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. He presented the other six newly elected members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the 20th CPC Central Committee: Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi.Click here to read…

Xi stresses self-reform of Party: Xinhuanet
October 23, 2022

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Sunday said the Party should always press forward with self-reform on the journey ahead. “A political party can only become invincible if it remains committed to self-reform, even though it has had a glorious past,” Xi made the remarks when meeting the press at the Great Hall of the People. Click here to read…

China’s GJ-11 stealth drone on display in Beijing, ‘capable of seizing air superiority’: Global Times
October 23, 2022

At a time when China’s latest armed reconnaissance drone, the stealth-capable GJ-11, is on display at an ongoing expo in Beijing, official media reported that the uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) is capable of conducting missions to size air superiority. Military analysts said that while the report seems counter-intuitive, it might indicate some new combat concepts. Click here to read…

China, India should move ahead amid positive momentum in challenging intl landscape: Chinese envoy to India: Global Times
October 23, 2022

China and India should bring benefit to the two countries’ 2.8 billion people and properly handle divergence and sensitive issues amid positive momentum of the bilateral relations in the current challenging international landscape, said Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong as his more-than-3-year unforgettable tenure came to an end. Click here to read…

Hu’s dramatic China congress exit fuels speculation, official silence: Reuters
October 24, 2022

In a country where events are planned to minute detail and politics is cloaked in secrecy, former President Hu Jintao’s dramatic escorted exit from the closing of the Communist Party Congress sent speculation among China-watchers into overdrive. As per tradition, Hu, 79, had been seated on Saturday to the left of his successor, Xi Jinping, who was in the process of securing a third leadership term that was confirmed on Sunday. Click here to read…

China’s new political elites and their connection to Xi: Reuters
October 24, 2022

Xi Jinping on Sunday secured a third term as leader of China’s ruling Communist Party and unveiled a new leadership team dominated by his allies, including the entire seven-member Politburo Standing Committee, which he heads. Most of the wider Politburo, made up of 24 members, all of them men, also have some sort of connection to Xi. Since coming to power in 2012, Xi has promoted numerous people who worked for or with him when he held various senior roles in Shanghai and the provinces of Fujian and Zhejiang. Click here to read…

Communique of the first plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee: Xinhuanet
October 24, 2022

The following is the full text of the communique of the first plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China: Communique of the First Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. Click here to read…

China’s State Council appoints, removes officials: Xinhuanet
October 24, 2022

The State Council, China’s cabinet, on Monday announced the appointment and removal of officials. Dong Baotong was appointed deputy head of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and head of the National Nuclear Safety Administration. Dong no longer serves as deputy head of the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence. Click here to read…

China welcomes FATF’s removal of Pakistan from its grey list: Xinhuanet
October 24, 2022

China welcomes the decision of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to remove Pakistan from its grey list, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday. “China congratulates Pakistan on this,” spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a regular news briefing. Click here to read…

Brief introductions of members of CPC central leading bodies: China Military
October 24, 2022

The following are the brief introductions of the members of the central leading bodies of the Communist Party of China: Xi Jinping
Xi Jinping, male, Han ethnicity, was born in June 1953 and is from Fuping, Shaanxi Province. He began his first job in January 1969 and joined the Communist Party of China (CPC) in January 1974. Xi graduated from School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Tsinghua University where he completed an in-service graduate program in Marxist theory and ideological and political education. He holds a Doctor of Law degree. Click here to read…

Xi stresses implementing guiding principles of key Party congress in armed forces: China Military
October 24, 2022

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Monday instructed the armed forces to study, publicize and implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, and strive to achieve the goal set for the centenary of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Click here to read…

Chinese mainland reports 205 new local confirmed COVID-19 cases: Xinhuanet
October 25, 2022

The Chinese mainland on Monday reported 205 locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, the National Health Commission said Tuesday. Altogether 875 local asymptomatic carriers were newly identified. Click here to read…

How the CPC’s new central leadership was formed: Qiushi
October 25, 2022

The new central leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has been elected, as the Party of over 96 million members and the Chinese people it leads embark on a new journey in China’s modernization drive. Xi Jinping was unanimously elected general secretary of the 20th CPC Central Committee at the committee’s first plenary session held on Sunday. He was also named chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission (CMC). Click here to read…

Senior officials explain key report at Party congress: Qiushi
October 25, 2022

The report of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), adopted at the recently concluded 20th CPC National Congress, serves as a political manifesto and a guideline for action to achieve new victories on socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, a senior official said Monday. Click here to read…

Xi urges military to focus on its centenary goals: China Military
October 25, 2022

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, urged the Chinese military on Monday to continue to be focused on the goals set by the CPC Central Committee for the armed forces to accomplish by 2027, the year marking the centenary of the People’s Liberation Army. Click here to read…

China won’t export devt model, opposes imposition on others: Global Times
October 25, 2022

The just-concluded 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) elaborated on Chinese modernization, which offers a path for other countries to seek inspiration, senior Party officials at a Monday press conference reiterated that China will not export its model to other countries, nor will it import models from other countries; every country should explore its own way to modernization that suits its own situation, in response to questions and concerns from the West about whether “China might export its ideology or development model.” Click here to read…

China’s top disciplinary watchdog vows to bar officials from serving as proxies for interest groups: Global Times
October 24, 2022

At a news conference to interpret the report on the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), officials reiterated that the scourge of corruption could wreck the Party if not properly addressed, and they doubled down on the importance of fighting corruption in the future, saying that a high-handed posture on the issue should not be changed, and officials should be barred from serving as proxies for interest and power groups. Click here to read…

China ADRs tumble as Xi’s new team sparks worries over economy’s path: Reuters
October 25, 2022

U.S.-listed shares of Chinese companies slumped on Monday after President Xi Jinping’s new leadership team sparked investor concerns that ideology-driven policies would be prioritized at the cost of private sector growth. Click here to read…

High-quality development given priority: People’s Daily
October 25, 2022

Economic growth to remain at core of policies, say officials and experts. China will prioritize high-quality development and keep economic development at the core of policies in the next five years while refining regulations to narrow income gaps, officials and experts said on Monday. Click here to read…

Chinese lawmakers to deliberate draft revisions to laws: People’s Daily
October 25, 2022

Chinese lawmakers will deliberate a draft amendment to China’s Legislation Law, which highlights strengthened enforcement and supervision of the Constitution, later this week.
The draft amendment also aims to improve the system and mechanism for better cohesion between legislative and reform decisions, Zang Tiewei, a spokesperson for the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, China’s top legislature, said Monday. Click here to read…

China’s top legislature, State Council, top political advisory body study guiding principles of 20th CPC National Congress: People’s Daily
October 25, 2022

Chinese lawmakers will deliberate a draft amendment to China’s Legislation Law, which highlights strengthened enforcement and supervision of the Constitution, later this week.
The draft amendment also aims to improve the system and mechanism for better cohesion between legislative and reform decisions, Zang Tiewei, a spokesperson for the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, China’s top legislature, said Monday. Click here to read…

VIF News Digest: National Security – Defence Studies & Terrorism, 01-15 July 2022

DEFENCE

  • DRDO conducts successful maiden flight of Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator.
  • Indian Army organised the “Suraksha Manthan 2022”.
  • New manufacturing facilities at Bharat Dynamics Limited.
  • Indian Navy ships visit Singapore, Republic of Seychellesand a long range overseas deployment.
  • CEO of French aircraft engine maker SAFRAN Group calls on Raksha Mantri (RM).
  • 6th Deputy National Security Adviser Level Meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave.
  • Indian Navy’s INS Satpura and P8i participate in the RIMPAC Harbour Phase.
  • Indian Air Force contingent participating in a exercise with the Egyptian Air Force (EAF) in Egypt.
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre of Excellence (Coe) launched by IAF.
  • First-ever ‘AI in Defence’ symposium & exhibition in New Delhi.
  • Brazilian Navy delegation on visit to India.
  • Ministry of Defence sets up an Apex Committee for Performance and Efficiency Audit.

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

West Asia
  • “Hizbu’llah used Iranian drones against the Karish gas field”, claimed Israel’s Defence Minister.
Africa
Nigeria
  • Islamist attack freed hundreds of prisoners in Nigeria.
Pakistan
  • Ahead of FATF’s visit, Pakistan doubled the efforts to ‘locate’ JeM chief Masood Azhar.

DOMESTIC TERRORISM

Jammu and Kashmir
  • NIA searched multiple locations in Kashmir in “Sunjwan terrorist attack” case.
  • Security forces eliminated two terrorists, including a JeM commander, in Pulwama.
  • “In last four years, 700 local youths were recruited by terror groups in UT of J&K”: MHA.
Left-Wing Extremism
  • Police arrested a Maoist wanted in SP’s killing case.
  • Over 600 explosives and 495 detonators recovered in anti-Maoist operation in Bihar.
  • 50 IEDs seized from Aurangabad in Bihar.
Islamic Extremism (excluding J&K)
  • NIA Special Court (Ernakulam) convicted three Islamic State members in “ISIS Valapattanam case”.
  • NIA searched multiple locations in Rajasthan in “Udaipur killing” case.
  • NIA conducted search at multiple locations in Maharashtra in “Umesh Kolhe’s killing” case.
Khalistan-inspired Extremism
  • NIA filed chargesheet against four KTF associates accused of conspiring the killing of a Hindu priest in Jalandhar.
  • MEA raised concerns over the participation of Australian Sikh soldiers at pro-Khalistan event in New South Wales, Australia.
  • Pro-Khalistan elements vandalized Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in Canada.
  • Police arrested a pro-Khalistan supporter from Jalandhar.

DEFENCE

DRDO conducts successful maiden flight of Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator.

Maiden flight of the Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator was carried out successfully by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Operating in a fully autonomous mode, the aircraft exhibited a perfect flight, including take-off, way point navigation and a smooth touchdown. It is powered by a small turbofan engine, the airframe, undercarriage and entire flight control and avionics systems used for the aircraft were developed indigenously.This flight marks a major milestone in terms of proving critical technologies towards the development of future unmanned aircraft.
For more information: Click here to read…

Indian Army organised the “Suraksha Manthan 2022”.

The Desert Corps of the Indian Army organised the “Suraksha Manthan 2022”, on aspects of Border & Coastal Security at Jodhpur (Rajasthan). During the course of the discussions, aspects of interoperability, operational cohesion and logistics were ironed out in order to enhance overall security along the International Boundary (IB) and coastal sectors. A joint training calendar was also formulated to achieve a higher degree of interoperability and jointness amongst the security forces. Current security threats and challenges, along with joint mitigation response, were deliberated upon and such scenarios would now form part of the forthcoming exercises. It was further decided to create an enabling security environment and develop a tangible capability development road map to achieve the same.
Reference: Click here to read…

New manufacturing facilities at Bharat Dynamics Limited

Raksha Mantri dedicated to the Nation a number of new manufacturing facilities set up by the Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU). These include a Warhead facility at the Bhanur Unit and a Radio Frequency (RF) Seeker facility at Kanchanbagh Unit. The RF Seeker Facility, which was virtually inaugurated by the Raksha Mantri, is an integrated Centre for production & testing of RF seekers. This facility has been established by BDL with an investment of Rs 50 crore.
For more information: Click here to read…

Indian Navy ships visit Singapore, Republic of Seychelles and long range overseas deployment

As part of their deployment to South East Asia, Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri and Kadmatt under the Command of Rear Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, NM, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, visited Singapore from 01 – 03 July 2022. INS Sahyadri is an indigenously built multi-role stealth Frigate and INS Kadmatt is an indigenously built ASW Corvette.
For more information: Click here to read…

INS Kolkata, an indigenously built Stealth Guided Missile Destroyer of the Indian Navy, was deployed to Port Victoria, Seychelles to coincide with the Independence Day of Seychelles on 29 June 22. During the port call, INS Kolkata delivered two engines of Dornier Aircraft of the SDF, which were overhauled at Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Hyderabad. A set of engineering spares were also delivered to Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) for sustenance of SCG ships.
For more information: Click here to read…

As a part of the Long range overseas deployment, Indian Navy’s stealth frigate INS Tarkash, visited Djibouti as part of her long range overseas deployment followed by Maritime Partnership Exercise with Sudan Navy. The ship is on a deployment to Rio de Janerio, Brazil, which is intended to coincide with the Independence Day enabling her to hoist the tricolour in South America on the occasion as part of AzadikaAmritMahotsav.
For more information: Click here to read…

CEO of French aircraft engine maker SAFRAN Group calls on Raksha Mantri (RM)

A high-level delegation of French company Safran Group led by its CEO Mr Olivier Andries called on Raksha Mantri in New Delhi on July 05, 2022. During the meeting, the CEO of Safran briefed the Raksha Mantri of their company’s plans to set up a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India for overhaul of LEAP-1A & LEAP-1B engines in use by Indian and foreign commercial airlines. The MRO facility through direct foreign investment of $US 150 million in Hyderabad is expected to create 500-600 highly skilled jobs. The facility will be able to overhaul over 250 engines per year in the beginning.

The CEO also briefed Shri Rajnath Singh of their plan to inaugurate this week Safran Aircraft Engines and Safran Electrical & Power India Pvt Ltd. – both to come up in Hyderabad and Safran-HAL Aircraft Engines as a joint venture in Bengaluru. Safran aircraft engine, Hyderabad, with an investment of Euro 36 million and located on 10 acres land in the Hyderabad SEZ, will produce parts and components for advanced aircraft engines including rotating seals. Safran Electrical & Power India Pt Ltd will produce harness for civil and fighter jets. The joint venture between Safran and HAL is for production of rigid piping for aircraft engines including helicopter engines. The joint venture is expected to hire 160 new highly skilled personnel.

The CEO of Safran outlined his company’s long-term plan in co-development and co-production of advanced jet engines and transfer of technology as per existing policy of Government of India. He briefed Shri Rajnath Singh on capabilities of Safran in areas of technology beyond aircraft engine.
For more information: Click here to read…

6th Deputy National Security Adviser Level Meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave

The Member States of the Colombo Security Conclave comprising India, Maldives, Mauritius and Sri Lanka, successfully concluded the 6th Deputy National Security Adviser level meeting held on 7 July 2022 hosted by the National Security Council Secretariat of India in Kochi. Delegations from Bangladesh and Seychelles participated as Observers.
For more information: Click here to read…

Indian Navy’s INS Satpura and P8i participate in the RIMPAC Harbour Phase

Indian Navy’s indigenous Frigate INS Satpura and P8I LRMRASW aircraft are at Pearl Harbour in Hawaii taking part in one of the largest multilateral Naval Exercises, the Rim of the Pacific exercise, also known as RIMPAC. INS Satpura and one P8I maritime patrol aircraft are participating in the exercise which spans over six weeks of intense operations and training aimed at enhancing interoperability and building trust among Navies of friendly foreign countries. 28 countries, 38 warships, 09 land forces, 31 unmanned systems, 170 aircraft and over 25,000 personnel are participating in the multi-dimensional exercise. The sea phase commences on 12 Jul 22 and will culminate with the closing ceremony on 04 Aug 22.
For more information: Click here to read…

Indian Air Force contingent participating in an exercise with the Egyptian Air Force (EAF) in Egypt

Indian Air Force contingent is reaching the midway point of the Tactical Leadership Programme (TLP) at Egyptian Air Force (EAF) Weapon School in Egypt (Cairo West Airbase). The programme commenced on 24 Jun and will culminate on 23 Jul 22. IAF is participating with three Su-30 MKI aircraft. Two C-17 aircraft were used for induction of the contingent. IAF Su-30 MKI aircraft undertook a non-stop ferry of six hours from Jamnagar airbase (India) to Cairo West airbase (Egypt), overflying four countries enroute. Tactical Leadership Program is a unique exercise, wherein IAF is participating with its aircrew as instructors. This exercise provides a good opportunity to showcase the reach and capability of the IAF. It will also assist in enhancing defence cooperation between the two countries and exchange of best practices.

During the first two weeks of the exercise IAF aircraft participated in missions by day and night, involving air to ground & air to air combat scenarios and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) activity alongside Egyptian F-16, Rafale and Mig 29 aircraft.
Reference: Click here to read…

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre of Excellence (Coe) launched by IAF

The IAF Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence under the aegis of UDAAN (Unit for Digitisation, Automation, Artificial Intelligence and Application Networking) was inaugurated by Air Marshal Sandeep Singh, Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS).

A Big Data Analytics and Al Platform has been commissioned in the IAF’s Al Centre, for handling all aspects of Analytics, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Neural Networks and Deep Learning algorithms. The high-end compute requirements would be undertaken by the latest Graphical Processing Unit powered servers.Addressing the gathering, VCAS said that IAF has taken proactive steps to embed Industry 4.0 and Al based technologies in its war fighting processes. He reiterated that the AI COE with high end compute and big data storage capabilities, coupled with full spectrum Al software suites, would substantially enhance operational capability of IAF.
For more information: Click here to read…

First-ever ‘AI in Defence’ symposium & exhibition in New Delhi

RakshaMantri launched 75 newly-developed Artificial Intelligence (AI) products/technologies during the first-ever ‘AI in Defence’ (AIDef) symposium and exhibition, organised by Ministry of Defence in New Delhi. The products, launched as part of ‘AzadiKaAmritMahotsav’ celebrations, fall under various domains. These includeAI Platform Automation; Autonomous/Unmanned/Robotics systems; Block Chain-based Automation; Command, Control, Communication, Computer & Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance; Cyber Security; Human Behavioural Analysis; Intelligent Monitoring Systems; Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems; Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Operational Data Analytics; Manufacturing and Maintenance; Simulators/Test Equipment and speech/voice analysis using Natural Language Processing.

The RakshaMantri added that several MoUs have been signed with the industry for faster promotion of AI applications in the Services. Many AI-related challenges under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiatives have also been given. The challenges are under various domains, including Radio Frequency Spectrum Management, Underwater Domain Awareness, Satellite Image Analysis and Friend or Foe Identification System. He urged the industry and start-ups to explore newer avenues and work hand-in-hand with the Government to ensure complete self-reliance in the field of AI technology.

Delivering the welcome address, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar lauded the proactive efforts of the three Services, DRDO, DPSUs & the Industry in developing these 75 products and contributing to strengthen national security. He added that over 100 more projects are in various levels of development.
For more information: Click here to read…

Brazilian Navy delegation on visit to India

A Brazilian Navy delegation led by Vice Admiral Liberal Enio Zanelatto, Director of Industrial Production & Engineering, visited New Delhi on 15 Jul 22 and held discussion with senior officers of the Indian Navy. The head of the Brazilian delegation also called on Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani, Chief of Materiel, Indian Navy. Earlier, Brazilian delegation also visited Headquarters Western Naval Command and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd at Mumbai on 11 and 12 Jul 22 respectively.

Extensive discussions between Brazilian and Indian Navy leadership, on areas of mutual cooperation, with special focus on submarine maintenance, in addition as general maintenance philosophy, upgradation of weapons and sensors, and Indian Navy’s indigenisation efforts for achieving self-reliance.
Reference: Click here to read…

Ministry of Defence sets up an Apex Committee for Performance and Efficiency Audit

The Ministry of Defence has set up an institutional mechanism comprising of an Apex committee with Defence Secretary as Chairman to conduct a Performance and Efficiency Audit into various aspects of its activities. This kind of audit is expected to provide valuable inputs to the top management of the Ministry of specific shortcomings, if any, in planning and execution of projects, and suggest systemic improvements in internal controls, soundness of financial procedures, identification of risk factors, etc. It is a major shift from the existing transaction-based compliance audit to carry out an outcome-based Performance/ Efficiency Audit aimed at enhancing overall efficiency.The members of the committee include Vice Chiefs of the three Services, Secretary Defence (Finance), Chief of Integrated Staff Committee (CISC), Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA), Director General (Acquisition) and other senior officials of Ministry of Defence and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The broad areas that have been identified for the conduct of Performance and Efficiency Audit include Defence Capital Procurements, provisioning, logistics, inventory levels, Maintenance of platforms/ assets, role and performance of Authority Holding Sealed Particulars (AHSP) etc. the Apex committee can also recommend any other specific area for Performance and Efficiency Audit.

The committee chaired by Defence Secretary will identify specific areas for the conduct of performance and audit by CGDA and monitor performance audit reports and action taken thereon. It also shall advise Raksha Mantri on remedial measures to be adopted as well as measures for overall improvement in strengthening of internal oversight and Risk Management Framework.
Reference: Click here to read…

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

West Asia
“Hizbu’llah used Iranian drones against the Karish gas field”, claimed Israel’s Defence Minister.

In a briefing to military reporters, on 07 July 2022, Israel’s Defence Minister Benny Gantz confirmed the use of Iranian drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) against the Karish gas field. “It should be said that the attack was carried out by Hizbu’llah on behest of Iran, and its weapons are made in Iran, whether it is manufactured there or knowledge acquired by them.
On 02 July 2022, the Israel Defence Force (IDF) shot three UAVs by Hezbollah toward Karish rig, which is located within Israel’s economic waters but disputed by Lebanon.
For more information: Click here to read…

Africa
Nigeria
Islamist attack freed hundreds of prisoners in Nigeria

Suspected Islamists gunmen, armed with explosives, attacked on Kuje medium security prison, on the outskirts of Abuja and freed nearly 900 of prison’s 994 inmates, including number of terrorists. “They [gunmen] came in numbers, gained entrance into the prison, and released ‘some’ of the inmates,” said Nigeria’s Defence Minister— Bashir Magashi during a press briefing on 06 July 2022.

Prison breaks have become more common in Nigeria, where in 2021, more than 1,800 prisoners escaped from Owerri prison in South-Eastern Imo state, after heavily armed men attacked with explosives.
For more information: Click here to read…

Pakistan
Ahead of FATF’s visit, Pakistan doubled the efforts to ‘locate’ JeM chief Masood Azhar

Ahead of the visit of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) officials to assess Pakistan’s commitment to carried out task list actions, Pakistan has doubled its efforts against Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief and founder— Masood Azhar, and his brother Rauf Asghar. While Rauf Asghar was taken into custody along with 44 JeM terrorists in 2019, the establishment is assessing Masood Azhar’s whereabouts, including his doubtful presence in Pakistan.

From 28 August-02 September, a team of senior FATF officials expected to visit Islamabad and other cities for an ‘on-site visit’, to verify if Pakistan has carried out all the actions mentioned on its 34-point task list. Pakistan is expected to be taken-off of ‘grey list’, during the FATF’s next plenary session in October 2022.
For more information: Click here to read…

DOMESTIC TERRORISM

Jammu and Kashmir
NIA searched multiple locations in Kashmir in “Sunjwan terrorist attack” case

On 13 July 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials carried out a search operation at three locations in Kashmir— 01 location in Pulwama district, and 02 locations in Anantnag district, in the case (RC-03/2022/NIA/JMU) related to indiscriminate firing upon security personnel on 22 April 2022, during a joint search operation in the area of Sunjwan, Jammu, in which an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) attained Veergati(fell in the battle), and several others were injured.
For more information: Click here to read…

Security forces eliminated two terrorists, including a JeM commander, in Pulwama

On 11 July 2022, security forces killed two terrorists, including a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) commander, in an operation in Wandakhpora village in Awantipora in Pulwama district. The JeM commander was identified as Kaiser Koka and was active in South Kashmir for the last four years.
For more information: Click here to read…

“In last four years, 700 local youths were recruited by terror groups in UT of J&K”: MHA

According to the data available with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), as on 05 July 2022, a total of 82 foreign terrorists were operating in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), while there were 59 local terrorists. In last four years, terrorist groups managed to recruit 700 local youths into their fold, while 141 terrorists, are currently active in the Valley. Such large number highlighted the unabated infiltration from terror launch pads across the border. Mostly, terrorists belong to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its offshoot— The Resistance Front (TRF), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizbul-Mujahideen (HM).
For more information: Click here to read…

Left-Wing Extremism
Police arrested a Maoist wanted in SP’s killing case, from Jharkhand

In a joint operation, Jharkhand Police and CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) arrested a Maoist— Nandlal Soren aka Hitesh, a member of the Special Area Committee of the CPI (Maoist), from Giridih district in Jharkhand. Nandlal Soren was carrying a bounty reward of ₹ 25 lakh.

Soren was wanted in the killing of then-Superintendent of Police (SP) Amarjeet Balihar, and other police personnel in an ambush in 2013.
For more information: Click here to read…

Over 600 explosives and 495 detonators recovered in anti-Maoist operation in Bihar

In an anti-Maoist operation carried out during 04-11 July 2022 in Bihar, more than 600 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and around 500 detonators have been recovered by CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), a special jungle-warfare commando unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The recoveries were made from the jungles of Gaya district in Bihar.
For more information: Click here to read…

50 IEDs seized from Aurangabad in Bihar

On 11 July 2022, the CRPF’s CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), the Special Task Force (STF), and the district police carried out a joint operation on Ajnawa mountain range in Aurangabad district and recovered 50 IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) and other equipment. Other equipment included over two dozen gelatin rods, electric wires, batteries, pipes used in manufacturing of bombs were recovered.
For more information: Click here to read…

Islamic Extremism (excluding J&K)
NIA Special Court (Ernakulam) convicted three Islamic State members in “ISIS Valapattanam case”

On 12 July 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court, Ernakulam convicted three Islamic State (IS) members— i) Midlaj, ii) Abdul Razak, and iii) Hamsa, for providing support and conspiring a plan to travel out of India to join the terrorist organisation in Syria.

After thorough investigation, the case— RC-02/2017/NIA/KOC was taken over by the NIA for further investigation by the NIA on 16 December 2017. A chargesheet was filed by the NIA on 21 April 2018 against the IS members.
For more information: Click here to read…

NIA searched multiple locations in Rajasthan in “Udaipur killing” case

On 12 July 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials searched nine locations in Udaipur district in Rajasthan in “Udaipur killing case”. The case— RC-27/2022/NIA/DLI pertains to the killing of Shri Kanahiya Lal Teli in Udaipur, Rajasthan, by two Islamic extremists armed with sharp weapons at his shop located in Maaldas street, Udaipur, Rajasthan. On 29 June 2022, the NIA re-registered the case and taken over the investigation. During the search at the premises of both Islamic extremists, digital devices, including mobile phones, laptop and SIM cards, and other indiscriminating material was seized.
Earlier, on 09 July 2022, the NIA arrested Farhad Mohammad Sheikh aka Babla, in relation to Shri Kanahiya Lal Teli’s murder conspiracy. Farhad Mohammad was a close associate of one of the main perpetrator— RiyazAttari.
For more information: Click here to read… ; Click here to read…

NIA conducted search at multiple locations in Maharashtra in “Umesh Kolhe’s killing” case

On 06 July 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials searched 13 locations in Amravati district in Maharashtra in the case of killing of Shri Umesh Kolhe in Amravati on 21 June 2022.

The case— RC-02/2022/NIA/MUM relates to the killing of a pharmacist— Shri Umesh Kolhe allegedly on account of certain social media posts. The NIA re-registered the case on 02 July 2022 and taken over the investigation. During the search, the officials recovered digital devices, including mobile phones, SIM cards, memory cards, and DVRs), pamphlets spreading hate messages, knives, and other incriminating documents and materials.
For more information: Click here to read…

Khalistan-inspired Extremism
NIA filed chargesheet against four KTF associates accused of conspiring the killing of a Hindu priest in Jalandhar

On 04 July 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a chargesheet at the NIA Special Court (Mohali) against four Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) associates— i) Kamaljeet Sharma, ii) Arshdeep Singh, iii) Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and iv) Ram Singh, for conspiring the killing of a Hindu priest in Jalandhar, Punjab.
The case— RC-27/2021/NIA/DLI pertains to an attack on a Hindu priest— Kamaldeep Sharma, native of Bhar Singh Pura village in Phillaur, Jalandhar district. According to the investigation, the conspiracy was hatched by Arshdeep Singh and Harshdeep Singh Nijjar, both based in Canada, to disturb peace and communal harmony in Punjab by killing a Hindu priest. The arrested duo, Kamaljeet Sharma and Ram Singh, had shot the victim (Kamaldeep Sharma), on behest of Arshdeep Singh.
For more information: Click here to read…

MEA raised concerns over the participation of Australian Sikh soldiers at pro-Khalistan event in New South Wales, Australia

As the reports about Australian Army Sikh delegation’s participation in pro-Khalistan event in New South Wales, Australia, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), on 07 July 2022, has taken up the concern over the matter with the Australian government.

“We came to know that there had been an instance in Australia. We have taken up the matter with the Australian government,” said MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.
For more information: Click here to read…

Pro-Khalistan elements vandalized Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in Canada

On 13 July 2022, allegedly pro-Khalistan supporters vandalised the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Vishnu temple in Toronto, Canada. The statue had existed at the Vishnu temple in the area of Yonge Street and Garden Avenue for over three decades.
“We are deeply anguished by this hate crime that seeks to terrorise the Indian community. It has led to increased concern and insecurity in the Indian community here. We have approached the Canadian government to investigate and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice swiftly,” observations made by the High Commission of India in Ottawa.
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Police arrested a pro-Khalistan supporter from Jalandhar

On the intervening night of 14-15 June 2022, police arrested Manjeet Singh, resident of Patiala, for reportedly writing pro-Khalistan slogans on the walls in Jalandhar. According to police, similar cases had been registered against Manjeet in Karnal, and other districts in Punjab. During the probe, Manjeet revealed that an unknown person approached him through social media and offered money for writing pro-Khalistan comments on Facebook (now Meta), YouTube and other channels.
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