Agencies gather irrefutable proof of TRF’s ‘origin’

Irrefutable electronic intelligence collected by the intelligence agencies and seen by The Sunday Guardian have established beyond doubt that the social media handlers of the so-called “The Resistance Front” or TRF , who have got the responsibility to market it as a new indigenous Kashmiri terrorist group, are operating from Islamabad, Pakistan.The Sunday Guardian had written earlier that TRF was nothing but a new name devised by officials at GHQ, Rawalpindi, for Lashkar-e-Tayyaba (Kashmir’s Resistance Front is Lashkar with a new name).

This has been done by GHQ and Pakistan’s spy agency ISI to carry out terror attacks in Kashmir, especially against the security forces, while escaping the eyes of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the resultant crippling economic sanctions. These attacks, as per the brain behind TRF’s birth, will be attributed to TRF, an “indigenous” group.

Indian intelligence agencies have painstakingly generated leads and solid evidence that they are going to present to the international agencies concerned at the right time which will prove that Pakistan was continuing to sponsor and protect individuals and groups that are promoting and carrying out terror attacks in India from its soil.

A prominent Twitter handle “Resistfront” which was at the forefront of building TRF’s online presence on the popular social media presence, as per intelligence inputs generated by the agencies and seen by The Sunday Guardian, was being run from Islamabad through an iPhone. The IP address of the system, from which the handle was being operated, has been tracked by Indian agencies to a pin-pointed location of Islamabad.

After this ID was suspended by Twitter, a new ID—“valleyresisting”—was made. This, too, was traced to Islamabad and the user was accessing this ID by using internet service provided by Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited, commonly known as PTCL. Interestingly, the same ID was used from Ludhiana, Punjab, through Telnet, to hide its real location. Telnet is a network protocol used to virtually access a computer by sitting at a different location.

The handler of this ID was also active on Telegram messaging application through the ID Mark Anderson@greenwalur, which he was operating on an android phone. The handler was using a virtual number (to hide his real location and identity), but the Indian agencies were able to pinpoint his location to Islamabad and his real identity.

Another Twitter ID was then created by the name of “valleyresisit313” which was traced to Karachi; this too was suspended after a few days.
The recent developments have also led to concerns among the intelligence agency community on Twitter’s inability to stop its platform from being used for anti-national purposes.It is pertinent to mention that in an RTI response to The Sunday Guardian, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY) had indirectly stated that it had “no control” over Twitter’s operation in India.

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Nepal map controversy is about Oli trying to consolidate own position

SOURCE: SUNDAY GUARDIAN LIVE

India-Nepal relations have always witnessed an element of positive atmosphere in their bilateral approaches towards each other. There have always been more convergences than divergences in their bilateral perceptions. Sometimes, the divergences in India-Nepal relations have become more visible to the rest of the world. The China factor remains the fulcrum of Nepal’s foreign policy. Balancing both India and China becomes an arduous task of Nepalese foreign policy establishment, despite knowing that tension with India will derail the Nepalese economy and the consequences will be challenging in every sphere.

No two countries in the world are culturally as close to each other as India and Nepal are. Yet, it has been a chequered relationship since India’s Independence in 1947. Various dispensations in the former Himalayan kingdom have never ceased to surprise New Delhi, with as many different reactions as there are differing political hues.

The latest in the series is the Nepal Communist Party Chairman and Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli’s statements on subjects ranging from Covid-19 to Kalapani. According to K.P. Oli, who is Prime Minister for the second time, Covid-19 has spread in Nepal because of people pouring in from India. He has also brought up the issue of taking back Kalapani from India.

As for Covid-19 cases in Nepal, the Prime Minister’s statement blaming India does not pass the truth test. It was unethical on the part of the Leader of the House to make such an irresponsible statement without verifying the facts. In the first week of April, Nepal reported just 12 cases of Covid-19 and promptly extended the 24 March lockdown until 15 April. The last time Nepal reported new Covid-19 cases was on 11 April, which resulted in placing the entire Birgunj as a strict “no go zone” and a hotspot. The total cases due to poor contact tracing crossed 83 in a month’s time and the national tally rose to 217, still a manageable number. As of 21 May, Nepal media reported 444 cases, with all additions traced to locals none of whom could have travelled to and from India. Incidentally, in the Birgunj Covid cases, three Indian nationals out of 21 staying in a mosque in Chhapkaiyanear Raxaul Border Post were present there for the last four months, long before the Wuhan virus pandemic was announced. But the larger question is what were these Islamic clerics doing in Nepal for four months?

India has raised the issue of madrasas and mosques mushrooming all along the porous Indo-Nepal border, some of which were being used as transit hubs for ISI sleeper cells and centres for illegal and anti-India activities. The “Country Report on Terrorism 2018”, released in 2019 by the US State Department said that the Indian Mujahideen (IM) had developed close ties with Pakistan based terrorist groups like LeT, JeM, Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami and is using Nepal as a hub to carry out terrorist activities against India. Taking advantage of the political instability, weak political institutions and continued violence by Maoist groups, a number of anti-social elements had infiltrated the political institutions. The Nepal Police (Counter Terrorism Cell) arrested several Pakistani nationals with deep links to ISI allegedly staying illegally and closely working with Yunus Ansar, son of a former Tourism Minister of Nepal and Nepal Communist Party leader, Salim Miya Ansari.

While the security situation in Nepal is deteriorating, there seems to be no end to the political squabbles within the ruling coalition comprising Communist parties and the erstwhile (violent) Maoist groups now part of the political mainstream. The Nepal Communist Party, which met early in May this year, showcased the internal fissures and decided to meet again, but did not. The party Chairman and Prime Minister, Oli came in for strong criticism for two controversial ordinances and other unilateral decisions. Twenty out of the 44 members of the Standing Committee of the party are said to have demanded the exit of Prime Minister Oli, whose ruling alliance has 174 seats in the 275-member Parliament, including 121 of CPN-UML and 53 of the Maoist Centre who are also said to be very critical of Oli’s leadership.

To placate his detractors and please the Maoists, who have strong links with Beijing, Oli brought out a new map of Nepal which included the Indian territory at the trijunction of India-Nepal-Tibet (now under Chinese occupation), referred to in the 200-year-old Sugauli Treaty. The immediate provocation for the new map and controversy ostensibly seems to be the inauguration by the Indian Defence Minister of the newly constructed 80 kilometre long Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). The new all-weather road connects Dharchula in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand to Lipulekh. The road, constructed under the supervision of the China Study Group and funded by India-China Border Road (ICBR), was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) of the UPA government under Dr Manmohan Singh in 2005.

Besides handing over a protest “diplomatic note” to the Indian ambassador, slamming the construction of the link road in what Kathmandu claims as disputed territory, Nepal is said to be considering putting up a security post in the area so as to prevent the pilgrims from moving ahead. This is clearly a prescription for a further rift leading to unnecessary tension.

Meanwhile, the map issue has widened the schism within the Communist Party, with Prime Minister Oli’s bête noire, Bamdev Gautam, Vice Chairman of the Nepal Communist Party issuing a statement warning the Prime Minister not to hog the limelight and appropriate the entire credit for the new map.

Incidentally, Nepal desk in the foreign office in Beijing was well aware of the fissures in the ruling coalition and began parleys to pressurise the warring coalition partners not to pull down the government. It is no secret that some days before the crucial meeting of the Nepal Communist Party, Chinese ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi held a series of meetings with senior Nepal Communist Party leaders. Beijing had reasons to be concerned over the ongoing strife within the ruling coalition as it is not in the interest of China, which has invested heavily in Nepal’s Left parties and needs a stable government in Kathmandu to create as many pinpricks for New Delhi as possible. All said and done, the present truce seems to be temporary. Sooner or later, the parties supporting the government will demand a change in leadership, which will then bring down the Oli government in order to form a new government under a new leader.

India will have to closely watch the emerging conflict in the ruling party and wait for the outcome. The present map controversy seems more of Oli’s one-upmanship to consolidate his own position. Soon after both countries overcome the present crisis of Covid-19 pandemic, there can be a meeting at the diplomatic level to sort out the differences. It would be prudent on the part of both New Delhi and Kathmandu to avoid knee jerk reactions.

India has strongly objected to Nepal’s new map move map. Such action by Nepal will lead to mistrust and irritate India-Nepal relations greatly.

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Parsing Pakistan’s green books 2020

SOURCE: SUNDAY GUARDIAN LIVE

‘I know, you won’t believe it”, despaired a dejected Ayub Khan to President Lyndon Johnson three months after the Second Indo-Pak war in December 1965, “that India are going to gobble us up.” Johnson’s forebears and successors never wore this Pakistani plaint—Americans aren’t that “naive”. Condoleezza Rice was not having any of it at an unannounced visit in the aftermath of Mumbai 26/11 with Pakistan’s National Security adviser, Mahmud Durrani.

Digressive Durrani, less interested in discussing the most audacious attack officially arranged and abetted by Pakistani jihadists during peacetime in India, went on to dilate how Pakistan’s “point of view on Jammu and Kashmir was right”. Ambassador Husain Haqqani minuted that meeting and noted how this former Stanford provost, “extremely curt, like a schoolteacher reprimanding her favoured pupil”, admonished Durrani: “Focusing your energies on an Indian threat that does not exist is a colossal mistake” and “What you think and what the whole world thinks are two different things.”
Posturing as an “insecurity state”, ominously described by a Johnson administration official, it has chimed with Pakistan’s contradictory and contumacious managers during and after the Cold War. They have shared no compunctions in being deferential to anyone with more socio-economic cachet than themselves. It has been no mean feat as they set up a state, muddled through six constitutions, witnessed the slaying of one president and three prime ministers, and forfeited more than half of its populace and province in a civil war which conspicuously merits designated as ethnic cleansing of genocidal proportion in the aftermath of the Raj. (British rule had begun in Bengal whose partitions in 1905 and 1947 saw nothing quite like 1971.)

Bangladesh turns 50 in 2021 and nothing could be starker about Pakistan’s dearth in ideological credibility. The calculated enthusiasm of its religio-military-commentariat cabal, who cry hoarse about Kashmir go sullenly silent when reminded that almost a quarter million, second- and third-generation Biharis, Urdu-speaking foot-soldiers who voted with their feet for a Muslim Zion, languish in transit camps across erstwhile East Bengal. So much for partition’s “unfinished business”. That the Muslim denizens of India’s Jammu and Kashmir, to say nothing of other Indian Muslims and non-Muslims, participate just as volubly and robustly as the Hindu majority in an inclusive, composite and genuinely representative at once as substantive democracy, howsoever noisome and messy, is a scholarly given. Ayesha Jalal, dean of Pakistani historians, tersely noted: “The fight for minority rights in Pakistan has a long way to go and will closely parallel the struggle for citizenship rights.”

Pakistan’s espousal of Islamic “nationhood”, anathema to the universalist solidarity which normatively coheres Muslims, is predicated on cultural distinction, calculations of convenience and the politics of difference.That this may be admitted a truism of statecraft anywhere is not disputed so muchas the foreclosing of critical evaluation by its doctrinaires who perorate with unarticulated rage against India and Indians, ideationally and viscerally, and remain flint-faced about the consequences and costs borne by its denizens.

Pakistan’s Green Book 2020 is of a pedigree entirely in keeping with the fragile self-esteem of the refractory ranks of its custodians whose formal self-purpose privileges a pathology of bigotry and mendacity. Successive editions, internally published by the military, propound a worldview moulded by the army’s Doctrine and Evaluation directorate. Vetted civilian intellectuals do proffer discursive ramblings as is evident in this most recent imprint so long as they subscribe to what Lt. Gen. Javed Hassan, force command Northern Areas during the Kargil debacle of 1999, called the “incorrigible militarism” of Hindus. Perhaps Hassan was not privy to the parley in 1966 between ex-foreign minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Oxford graduand, Tariq Ali. When pressed to explain why Pakistan was dragged into an unwinnable war a year earlier, Bhutto wearily replied Kashmir was a bahaana to eject “the bloody dictatorship.” Languid leftists, among irate Indian intellectuals at home or in the diaspora, should not dismiss Ali, a New Left veteran. Senator Mushahid Hussain’s clarion call is written for the perpetually disaffected driven by the drivel of an Arundhati Roy or Pankaj Mishra for he states, “70% of the battle is…promoting a cohesive and credible Pakistani narrative which we can sell at home and abroad.” He also darkly declared Pakistan’s countenance for a “long-term strategy” against “Indian hegemony” by a “united front of all Kashmiris and the linkup of the Kashmiri resistance with other insurgencies inside India”. But there are risible moments when one Farzana Shah, a Peshawari journalist, portends American and Israeli military bases in “Indian-occupied Jammu Kashmir”.

She also rebukes Pakistan’s foreign office not “to be driven by shallow patriotism, but true humanitarian grounds” in establishing a “dedicated and permanent desk” on “human rights violations in India against minorities”.In meandering out of this Wonderland one concludes recalling former Indian Chief Justice, P.B. Gajendragadkar, who would have warmed the cockles of a principled “cold-blooded logician”, the Quaid-i Azam. Jinnah, who denounced Kashmir’s “fraud and violence” accession to India would have revoked his censure. Exactly a year after Ayub belaboured Johnson, Gajendragadkar, then Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bombay, delivered as broadcast talks the “Sardar Patel Memorial Lectures” on All India Radio, December 1966. Gajendragadkar invoked the legally exercisable convention of rebus sic stantibus which New Delhi must pursue as the principle of arrested action to frustrate Pakistan’s disingenuous designs on the province. His legal brief posited India was exonerated from obligations to the UN Security Council, despite Nehru’s implicit “as early as possible” plebiscite pledge. Subsequent evolvements due to Pakistani insincerity and non-compliance of preconditions and standing resolutionsperforceprevented India fulfilling what it initiated, ergo, no plebiscite.

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China’s vulnerabilities are increasing

SOURCE: SUNDAY GUARDIAN LIVE

As if battling a trade war with the United States was not enough, China’s vulnerabilities have increased also because of Covid-19, whose origins are believed to be from the L4 laboratory at the Institute of Virology on the outskirts of Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei province, where a large number of manufacturing plants are located. The World Health Organization, which allegedly played a dubious role initially, probably didn’t release enough data on the infectious virus, even though Taiwan had warned it of the impending pandemic. WHO’s 62 members have demanded an impartial investigation to establish the origins of virus for further research in finding the right vaccine.

In his opening remarks at the commencement of the WHO meeting by video conferencing, Chinese President and Secretary General of Communist Party of China (CPC), Xi Jinping said he would support the investigation after the pandemic ends. This exposed another of CPC’s vulnerabilities: after all, there is no forecast of a timeframe; the end of the pandemic is unlikely until the time everyone is immunized once a vaccine is invented. The suspicion gets compounded by China’s internal dynamics.

At least two journalists, who were reporting live from Wuhan during the initial phase of the infection, have gone missing. Foreign journalists based in Beijing have been harassed to no end. Then a scientist, who retired from the L4 laboratory, has written and suggested to the scientists serving in the laboratory to quickly publish the nature of work they’re engaged in and even when criticised, they shouldn’t be scared. All this adds fuel to the fire when US-China relations are such that any further deterioration could lead to a conflict.

There has been a strong demand from many countries and US allies on restricting bilateral trade with China. Huawei’s 5G entry into the world is facing rough weather. The UK has announced revisiting its bilateral trade with and over reliance on China. During the initial days of the pandemic, China faced the wrath of European and other countriesdue to the substandard test kits, PPEs and F95 masks it supplied. All this impacted China’s reputation.

China has been exposed on the Taiwan front as well. Many countries have openly appreciated Taiwan’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic—its quick communication to WHO and assistance rendered to many countries to mitigate the impact of the Wuhan virus. Recently, the US had authorized sale of F-16 air superiority interceptors to Taiwan. US and many other countries have openly voiced support for Taiwan’s entry into UN bodies like WHO, ICAO, IMO, etc., where Taiwan has made significant contributions. So possibly more for impact on its domestic audience, China sailed its fleet, including its lone aircraft carrier, Liaoning, to the Taiwan straits. But this wassuitably responded to by Taiwan’s Air Force and soon followed by US and Australian warships.

India’s stand on these issues has been well calibrated. India and Taiwan have good bilateral trade relations, projected to go up to approximately $22 billion by 2022. Their respective trade offices in Delhi and Taipei, are headed by very senior and capable diplomats who have ironed out many roadblocks to facilitate trade and commerce between the two partners. There are possibilities of some Taiwan owned manufacturing companies moving out of PRC, and India could be one of their destinations. Indian government has reviewed its policies to attract manufacturers of supply chain components. This was part of a broader policy of “Make in India”, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been proactive on. PRC has lurking suspicions about increasing bilateral trade between India and Taiwan. At WHO, India also supported independent investigation of the corona pandemic.

PM Modi has built a reputation for India of reaching out to many countries to tide over healthcare issues during the pandemic. The supply of hydroxychloroquine to many countries has led India to earn the title “pharmacy of the world”. Also, Indian manufacturers responded well during the initial days of the spread of coronavirus by manufacturing quality face masks, PPEs and ventilators to overcome dependence on the PRC. (China was battling the coronaviruscrisis and its Hubei province, where most manufacturing plants are located, was under complete lockdown.)

Even otherwise, China has been irked by the seemingly close India-US bilateral relations, the Indo-Pacific strategy and increasing activities of the Quad (US, Japan India and Australia). And this, in spite of PM Modi’s speech at Shangri La dialogue on 1 June 2019, in which he clearly mentioned that Indo Pacific was an all inclusive strategy and was not aimed at any country.

Later, Government of India issued a trade policy which requires any neighbouring country’s investment in India to be routed through the government. This was done in India’s own interest—to protect the stressed industries due to the lockdown. But the Chinese ambassador in Delhi reacted adversely by stating that it was aimed at PRC and could impact overall bilateral relations.

On 5/6 May this year, Chinese troops with their Indian counterparts at two locations on the northern borders—one in eastern Ladakh in the Galwan valley and the other one in Sikkim near Naku La pass. It resulted in minor injuries on both sides, but subsequently led to reinforcements. India’s Chief of Army Staff visited Ladakh on 22 May to review the security situation.

Around the same time, some Nepalese started protesting against India on the issue of the unresolved border at Kalapani. Later, the Nepal government passed a resolution and published a new map in which a number of locations in Indian territory were shown as Nepalese dominion. India’s Army Chief, during a seminar, when asked why Nepal had claimed ownership of the Kalapani area, said, without naming China, that it appeared to have been instigated by a third country. Nepal’s internal political dynamics is quite messy. PM K.P. Sharma Oli’s popularity has taken a beating and he is facing resignation demands from within his own party.

In the overall context, China has opened itself up on too many fronts, understandably to strengthen President Xi Jinping’s position prior to CCP’s National People’s Congress(a rubber stamp body of 250 representatives). He also has internal challenges such as China’s declining reputation in the world, centenary of the Communist Party in 2021, the full congress meeting in 2022, wherein a successor for a 10-year period is identified, etc. The world will watch closely whether, or not, President Xi Jinping will continue in his position—after all, he has declared himself to be President for life and has strengthened his position by asserting himself, by initiating the BRI and now imposing Chinese laws on Hong-Kong, which has been met with large scale opposition from citizens of Hong Kong and has elicited a warning from the US since it violates the agreement on the one nation two systems. China has opened too many fronts in a short time, and the smoke emitting from there is unlikely to subside soon and will adversely impact China’s trustworthiness as far as following the Rule of the Law is concerned. This is undesirable for a budding superpower.

Indian foreign policy remains committed to one China when it comes to Taiwan. The Ministry of External Affairs maintains strict discipline on Hong Kong and Xinjiang. India has a number of consulates in China (including one in Hong Kong) on the basis of reciprocity. Has the time come to elevate India’s trade office in Taipei to a consulate, given the increasing volumes of trade between the two partners and increasing connectivity? Post Covid, Taiwan’s investments in India are poised for increment and people to people exchange would increase due to trade, commerce, education, etc. There is already a mechanism of exchange visits between Parliamentarians of India and Taiwan. To have a consulate in Taipei doesn’t violate India’s One China policy since there are a number of Indian consulates in various cities of China. This could facilitate stronger economic ties and movement of people between the two democratic partners.

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Border stand-off shifts to social media with video, photo leaks

SOURCE: ENS

The ongoing Sino-Indian tension shifted from land to social media on Sunday with leaks of a video and a photo purportedly of clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in Ladakh on 5-6 May night. “The contents of the video being circulated are not authenticated. Attempt to link it with the situation on the northern borders is malafide,” the Army said. Ever since troops of the Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army clashed on the northern flank of the Pangong Tso Lake, the PLA has entered areas that are inside the Indian claim line.

A video showing a large number of Indian security personnel on the banks of a lake, appeared on Twitter. The personnel were seen shouting and pointing towards a hill with a person, supposedly a PLA soldier, lying on ground and an Indian security person shielding him. In the next sequence people start shouting slogans. Both Indian Army and Indo Tibetan Border Police have presence in the area.

Soon after, two Twitter handles shared a photo of Indian soldiers badly hurt and with legs of some of them tied with rope. Twitter handle @OedoSoldier tweeted it around afternoon, which was picked up by @dafengcao and it went viral. The two handles have contents largely associated with the PLA, China, which led to suspicion.

China has its own local social media platform Weibo as Twitter is not open for public there. Chinese nationals can use it only if they have special permission.The experts feel it is a leak with tacit approval from the government of China.  So, a particular photograph reaching the Weibo first and then appearing on Twitter is part of the psychological warfare.

Social media can be exploited by inimical elements during sensitive and challenging situations and events like the ongoing standoff. Because of the outreach of social media, it has a spiral effect in action reaction situation like this feels Lt Gen (retd) Vinod Bhatia.

“It is to make sure crisis remains and allegations and counter allegations start as part of the information warfare,” Bhatia, director of the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies, said.A few days back a video of movement of armoured vehicles and missile trucks, said to be PLA towards Ladakh, was also released on Twitter handles which release Chinese military videos.

Experts said Chinese aggression is not limited to LAC as it has turned aggressive in South China Sea too. “These acts of aggression could be the reflection of the internal state of the country,” said Debashish Chaudhuri, visiting fellow, Institute of Chinese Studies.

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Oppn On Board, Nepal Govt Tables Bill For Controversial New Map Amid Border Row With India

SOURCE:  CNN-NEWS18

Nepal law Minister Shiva Maya Tumbahamphe tabled the constitutional amendment bill, to update the map of Nepal, in the House of Representatives on Sunday. The tabling of the bill is crucial as it indicates that the KP Sharma Oli government is confident of its passage in the house. A discussion on the bill in Parliament is yet to take place. The bill seeks to modify the Nepal map to include Indian territories of Limpiyadhura, Kapalpani and Lipulekh, which Nepal claims as its own.

The move was made after the central committee of the main opposition party, Nepali Congress, in a meeting on Saturday directed its parliamentary party to vote in favour of the bill. The bill couldn’t be presented in Parliament on Wednesday as the Nepali Congress had sought more time to discuss the matter internally. Since, it’s a constitutional amendment bill and requires 2/3rd majority, the Oli govt put it on temporary hold.

With the crucial support of Nepali Congress, the Oli government will likely be able to pass the bill now even without the support of the Madesh-based parties. The Samajbadi Janata party Nepal and the Rashtriya Janata Party Nepal have been asking the Oli government to also address their long-standing demand and that it be incorporated as well.

On Thursday, the spokesperson for Ministry of External Affairs, Anurag Srivastava, said, “We note this matter is receiving careful consideration in Nepal, taking its seriousness into account. India is open to engaging with all its neighbours on the basis of mutual sensitivity and mutual respect in an environment of trust and confidence.”

A foreign secretary level meeting has been pending between the two sides as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, India had already earlier rejected Nepal’s decision to issue a revised map that included Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani, which are part of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. In a sharp reaction right after the Nepal Ministry of Land Management had unveiled the new map, MEA had said “This unilateral act is not based on historical facts and evidence… Such artificial enlargement of territorial claims will not be accepted by India.”

Interestingly, both India and Nepal are referring to the 1815 Sagauli treaty but the difference of view lies in the point of initiation of Kalinadi. The East of the river is Nepalese territory and the West is Indian territory.

The latest round of dispute started with India inaugurating the 80km long link road from Gatiyabagarh to Lipulekh in Uttarakhand. Nepal objected to the road saying it lies in Nepali territory. India rejected the claim saying it lies in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand.

Some analysts believe Oli government took a nationalistic stand to be able to rally opposition support and strengthen its position in Nepal. Indian army chief General Naravane indicated Nepal was doing so “at the behest” of another country, indicating a China hand in the matter.

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Poor planning leads to chaos at IAF canteen in Bengaluru

Published June 1, 2020

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By admin

SOURCE: ENS

Chaotic scenes were witnessed outside an Air Force canteen on HAL Airport Road in the city where over 100 current and former servicemen and their families gathered for hours to buy subsidised provisions and liquor. Poor arrangements and crowding apparently led to the situation. They were made to wait outside the closed gates and social distancing went for a toss, although many of them were wearing masks. Vehicles parked on the road outside the Air Force 26 Equipment Depot also impacted traffic flow.

Requesting anonymity, a former serviceman who had come with his daughter to buy provisions, said, “There should be some kind of system in place. See how chaotic everything is. It is 11.30 am now and a few have been here since 8.30 am.” The wife of an Air Force official said, “We came here just to buy provisions. Did not expect this rush.” A few senior citizens were spotted jostling for space in the crowd. Many of them had come to buy subsidised liquor.

An army man said, “Each defence staffer is allowed four or five bottles of liquor a month. It reached the depot today after two months due to lockdown. Hence the mad rush.” Anger erupted after some time and many started demanding to be let in. An army man, speaking on a portable loudspeaker, appealed to them to remain calm. “Due to the need to maintain distancing, we are permitting only five people at a time. We will extend the time till 6 pm. All will be given tokens and … all will be served,” he said. Asked about the chaos, a defence spokesperson said, “There was some confusion. We had issued norms for distancing and issued slots for veterans and other categories. But people chose to just come over.”

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Jammu and Kashmir: Cop abducted by militants rescued, confirms J&K Police

Published June 1, 2020

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By admin

SOURCE: PTI

A constable was rescued shortly after he was abducted by militants in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, police said. Militants abducted Constable Shakeel Ahmad from near his residence at Thairan Kellar area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district, a police official said.

He said police immediately swung into action and rescued the abducted cop.

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Blocked Manali-Leh road opens - The Tribune India

Blocked Manali-Leh road opens  The Tribune India

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16 pregnant women test +ve - The Tribune

16 pregnant women test +ve  The Tribune

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As India-China tensions continue, communities living near the LAC risk losing their livelihoods - Scroll.in

As India-China tensions continue, communities living near the LAC risk losing their livelihoods  Scroll.in

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Former diplomat Stobdan’s comments on Dalai Lama spark row, Leh markets shut on Monday - ThePrint

Former diplomat Stobdan’s comments on Dalai Lama spark row, Leh markets shut on Monday  ThePrint

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52 fined for violating lockdown norms in Ladakh - Republic World - Republic World

52 fined for violating lockdown norms in Ladakh - Republic World  Republic World

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Backstory of Ladakh’s Galwan Valley and the legend of Rassul Galwan - Kashmir Observer

Backstory of Ladakh’s Galwan Valley and the legend of Rassul Galwan  Kashmir Observer

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India's 'pride' will be defended in new China border flare-up: Minister - CNA

India's 'pride' will be defended in new China border flare-up: Minister  CNA

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Manali-Leh highway blocked after massive landslide - The Tribune India

Manali-Leh highway blocked after massive landslide  The Tribune India

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Highest single-day spike in Covid-19 cases in Jharkhand, tally rises to 594 - Hindustan Times

Highest single-day spike in Covid-19 cases in Jharkhand, tally rises to 594  Hindustan Times

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Once upon a time in Leh, 40 years ago - The Tribune India

Once upon a time in Leh, 40 years ago  The Tribune India

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20 fresh positive Covid-19 cases in Ladakh - Times of India

20 fresh positive Covid-19 cases in Ladakh  Times of India

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Louisiana Poet Laureate John Warner Smith awarded prestigious fellowship - The News Star

Louisiana Poet Laureate John Warner Smith awarded prestigious fellowship  The News Star

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Domestic flight operations resume in Leh - ANI News

Domestic flight operations resume in Leh  ANI News

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China's second aircraft carrier begins sea trials to test weapons, equipment - Greater Kashmir

China's second aircraft carrier begins sea trials to test weapons, equipment  Greater Kashmir

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KP Exodus: Return of the Natives - Scoop News

KP Exodus: Return of the Natives  Scoop News

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Pakistan’s Javed Miandad The Latest To Join Cricketer-turns-‘strategic Expert’ Bandwagon

Published May 31, 2020

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By admin

SOURCE: REPUBLIC

India and China are holding talks at military and diplomatic levels to resolve the stand-off between the armies of two countries in the Ladakh sector. A few days ago, Pakistan tried to defend its “all-weather friend” China by criticizing the Indian government, however, failing to get the due attention.

‘They are taking on a fight with China’

Meanwhile, in Pakistan, news channels are claiming that the Chinese have entered India as far as 35 kilometres and captured the Indian territory. Pakistani journalist Naila Inayat shared a video clip of a news show in which a columnist and analyst called Dr Shahid Masood claimed that the Chinese have unfurled their flag inside the “captured” Indian territory. He said that he came to know about this “from his sources in the Indian Army.”

Surprisingly, former Pakistani cricketer Javed Miandad and a likely “strategic expert” post-retirement also spoke on the Indo-China border escalation. He said, “I would like to appeal to the Indians as a neighbour, that do not trust your government, they will get you killed. India will be broken into pieces. All the states will be separated and there will be around 50 states in India.”

Responding to this, Masood said, “Even Kashmir is calling us Javed Bhai.”

On Tuesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a meeting in which Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, the three Service Chiefs and senior officials of the Ministry of Defence participated. Singh was briefed about India’s response to the Chinese escalation along the LAC and the Ladakh sector. Thereafter, PM Modi met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, the CDS and the three Service chiefs.

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Video on incident on borders are not authenticated: Indian Army

Published May 31, 2020

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By admin

SOURCE:  Prasar Bharati

Indian Army has said, the contents of a video being circulated on social media on an incident on the borders are not authenticated. It said, the attempt to link it with the situation on the Northern borders is malafide and currently, no violence is happening.

Indian Army strongly condemned attempts to sensationalize issues impacting national security. It requested media not to air visuals that are likely to vitiate the current situation on the borders. Differences are being addressed through interaction between military commanders, guided by established protocols on management of borders between the two countries.

 

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Chinese military sends Lights tanks and vehicle-mounted howitzer to address threat on China-India border : Chinese Mouthpiece

SOURCE: GLOBAL TIMES

Since the Doklam standoff with India in 2017, the Chinese military has expanded its arsenal with weapons like the Type 15 tank, Z-20 helicopter and GJ-2 drone that should give China the advantage in high-altitude conflicts should they arise, Chinese analysts said on Sunday.

China’s Type 15 tank made its public debut at the National Day military parade on October 1 last year. With a powerful engine, the Type 15 lightweight main battle tank can effectively operate in plateau regions difficult for heavier tanks, and with its advanced fire control systems and 105 millimeter caliber armor-piercing main gun, it can outgun any other light armored vehicles at high elevations, the experts told the Global Times on Sunday.

China’s most advanced vehicle-mounted howitzer, the PCL-181, also debuted at the parade. At 25 tons, the PCL-181 is lighter, faster and can endure longer than the previous 40-ton self-propelled howitzer on crawler tracks.

It can digitally deploy its gun at the press of a button, with automatic calibration and semi-automatic reloading.

Both the Type 15 tank and the PCL-181 howitzer were displayed in the high-elevation plateau region of Southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region in a China Central Television report on military exercises in January.

Another new weapon which debuted at the parade was a multiple-rocket launcher system, which uses an 8×8 wheeled high-mobility chassis and carries two sets of four 370-millimeter rockets, making it viable for high-altitude deployment, according to publicly available reports.

In the air, China unveiled the Z-20 utility helicopter at the parade. This medium-lift helicopter can adapt to all kinds of terrain and weather and can be used on missions including personnel and cargo transport, search and rescue and reconnaissance.

The Z-20 can operate in oxygen-depleted plateaus thanks to its powerful homemade engine, Chen Guang, vice general manager of Avicopter, the helicopter branch of Aviation Industry Corporation of China that developed the helicopter, told the Global Times previously.

Joining the Z-20 is the modified Z-8G large transport helicopter displayed at the Fifth China Helicopter Exposition held in Tianjin in October.

Focusing on plateau operations, the Z-8G is the first of its kind in China and can take off from 4,500 meters above sea level with a ceiling higher than 6,000 meters.

At Airshow China 2018, the Chinese Air Force unveiled the GJ-2 armed reconnaissance drone, which has a higher ceiling and can carry more payload than the previous GJ-1. Reports said it can be used to patrol the long border in high-altitude areas like Tibet.

These specially designed weapons have boosted the Chinese military’s combat capabilities in high-altitude regions, enabling it to better safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Chinese analysts said.

Border incidents have recently occurred between troops of China and India.

Chinese border defense troops have bolstered border control measures and made necessary moves in response to India’s recent, illegal construction of defense facilities across the border into Chinese territory in the Galwan Valley region in May.

Indian media reports said China recently deployed 5,000 more troops to the border area with India, and diplomats of the two countries have started talks on a peaceful resolution.

Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Ren Guoqiang said Friday at a regular press conference that the Chinese border defense troops are devoted to safeguarding peace and stability in the border regions and that the overall situation along China-India border was stable and under control.

The two countries are capable of resolving border issues through dialogue and negotiations, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday.

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China’s war on India: Xi is playing for high stakes for another major plank in Chinese nationalism

SOURCE: ENS

What is Xi Jinping up to? While the world is still coping with the pandemic, he has begun a strife on three fronts. He has effectively abrogated the treaty with the United Kingdom wherein China had promised to maintain a special status for Hong Kong under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle. Xi has got the National Assembly of China to agree to his plan. How the UK reacts remains to be seen. He has also, without provocation, called for incorporation of Taiwan back into mainland China after 71 years. Last, and not at all the least, he has hotted up the border war with India.

Why, and why now? The question of Why is relatively easy to answer. All three demands relate to the core programme of Chinese nationalism. Hong Kong was part of China till the British seized it. In 1997, when the time came to give up the long lease on Hong Kong, the British realised that they were now much weaker compared to China than in the past. The UK cannot single-handedly stop Xi from taking over Hong Kong.

The Americans are, however, coming to Hong Kong’s help. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has asked the US Congress to place sanctions on Hong Kong regarding travel and financial transactions with the US. If the Congress agrees, Hong Kong is finished as a global financial centre.

Taiwan was where the defeated regime of Chiang Kai-Shek, China’s last non-communist president, retired when the Communist Party captured Beijing. In the Chinese Constitution there is a pledge to regain Taiwan. Here again, if China makes a decisive move, the US will send its navy to defend Taiwan.

Thus, the two moves are part of the agenda of Chinese nationalism, a desire for Akhand China as it were. But the border war with India which Xi seems to have revived is also a part of the same drive. China takes the view that when it was weak in the last two centuries, Britain took advantage, seized Chinese (or Tibetan) territory and incorporated it in British India. China began to ask for it from independent India in Jawaharlal Nehru’s days. Nehru took the view that territory of British India (Partition apart) was Indian territory.

Xi is playing for high stakes for another major plank in Chinese nationalism. This is the idea that China has to regain its pole position in the world — Middle Earth — as it was till the 17th century. This requires China to be the top economic and military power. In technology, China has already outstripped US as the Huawei controversy shows. US wants to fight China on that front through sanctions in cooperation with Europe.

Hence, this time the China-India confrontation will not be an isolated affair with India friendless as in 1962. It will be part of a global (hopefully) Cold War. Manmohan Singh and George Bush had arrived at a tacit understanding to help each other out if a war with China was to break out for either country. So the US will help India. Donald Trump’s offer to mediate is just his usual Twitter reaction.

But in a land war along the border, the US is not much help. The US has been twice repulsed by China in land wars, in Korea and then Vietnam.

So India on land and US in the seas, hopefully with US air support for India.

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China border row: India won’t let its pride be hurt, says Rajnath Singh

SOURCE: PTI

India will not let its “pride be hurt” in its latest border flareup with China but is determined to settle the dispute through talks between the giant neighbours, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said.

Singh also said in a television interview late Saturday that India has turned down a mediation offer by US President Donald Trump. Hundreds of Indian and Chinese troops are involved in the latest face-off concentrated in India’s Ladakh region just opposite Tibet. The two countries have several disputes along their 3,500-kilometre (2,175-mile) border. They fought a frontier war in 1962 and there have been regular spats, though no shot has been fired since the 1970s.

The latest tensions blew up on May 9 when dozens of Chinese and Indian soldiers were injured in fistfights and stone-throwing in Sikkim state. Many Indian soldiers are still in hospital.

The main showdown is now in Ladakh centred around the Galwan valley which controls access to several strategic points on their Himalayan border.

The two sides have blamed each other but analysts say India’s building of new roads in the region may have been the fuse for the dispute.

Both sides have blamed each other and sent reinforcements and heavy equipment to the zone.

“I want to assure the country that we will not let India’s pride be hurt in any circumstances,” the defence minister told the Aaj Tak television channel.

He referred to a similar 2017 showdown on the Doklam Plateau which he said was “very tense” but “we did not step back”.

“India has been following a clear policy of maintaining good relationship with neighbouring countries. It is not a new approach,” he added.

“At times, situations arise with China. It has happened before,” Singh said while insisting that India was striving to make sure “tension does not escalate”.

“Negotiations are ongoing between the two countries at the military and diplomatic levels,” he said.

A defence ministry on Sunday warned the Indian public about fake social media videos showing fighting on the border. “Currently no violence is happening. Differences are being addressed through interaction between military commanders,” a ministry statement insisted.

The US president this week tweeted an offer to mediate in what he called a “raging” dispute.

Singh said he spoke to US Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Friday to emphasise that India and China have mechanisms to resolve “problems” through talks at diplomatic and military levels.

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Uttar Pradesh ATS, Punjab Police arrest wanted Khalistani terrorist in Meerut

Published May 31, 2020

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By admin

SOURCE: ZEE NEWS

In a joint operation, Punjab Police and Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested a wanted Khalistani terrorist from Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut on Saturday (May 30). According to police, the Khalistani terrorist identified as Tirath Singh is highly radicalised. Singh is connected with the Khalistan movement on social media and police have recovered posters of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and some other suspected materials from his possession. Further interrogation of Singh is currently underway.

The 32-year-old Khalistani terrorist was arrested after Punjab Police provided information about him to UP ATS. It is learnt that Singh was booked by Mohali poilice under in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) act in January 2020.

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UK plans new 5G club: US, India among 10 nations included

SOURCE: ZEE NEWS

The British government has approached the US with the prospect of creating a 5G club of 10 democracies, including India, amid growing security concerns related to Chinese telecom giant Huawei, according to a UK media report. A so-called “D10” club of democratic partners, including G7 countries — UK, US, Italy, Germany, France, Japan and Canada — plus Australia, South Korea and India will aim to create alternative suppliers of 5G equipment and other technologies to avoid relying on China, The Times reported.

The move to speed up such a club comes as the UK launched an inquiry into Huawei’s involvement in the country’s mobile network upgrade in the wake of US sanctions against the company.

“We need new entrants to the market. That was the reason we ended up having to go along with Huawei at the time,” the newspaper quoted a UK government source as saying.

Nokia and Ericsson are the only European suppliers of 5G infra and experts say they cannot provide 5G kit as quickly or as cheaply as Huawei. Britain has labelled Huawei a “high-risk” vendor and its involvement in the UK’s 5G upgrade comes with a 35 per cent market cap, including a ban on its participation in the sensitive “core” of the network.

The review into Huawei, launched last week by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre, followed the announcement of US sanctions to block the sale of American chips to the company.

UK security officials fear that the ban will prompt China to use cheaper, less secure technologies, instead of verified US versions.

Officials are, meanwhile, examining proposals to curb the installation of Huawei kit in the 5G network from 2023.

According to the newspaper, increasing the partnership of like-minded democracies forms part of the ongoing reappraisal of the Chinese firm’s involvement in the UK.

The US in recent months has increased its action against Huawei, China’s first global tech brand and a maker of network equipment and smartphones, preventing it from doing business in the US, as it believes the company known for its technological advancement in 5G is being used by the Chinese leadership to serve their interest.

The Trump administration says Huawei is a security risk, which the company denies, and is trying to persuade European and other allies to shun its technology for the next-generation telecom networks.

China has accused the US of raising phony security concerns to hurt a rising competitor to American tech companies.

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Trump postpones G7 summit, wants to expand it to G10 or G11, including India

SOURCE: PTI

AS President Donald Trump has postponed the G7 Summit till September and expressed his desire to expand the “outdated” bloc to G10 or G11, including India and three other nations to the grouping of the world’s top economies. Trump has been over the weeks suggesting that there is “no greater example” of reopening amid the Covid-19 pandemic than holding an in-person G7 summit in America by the end of June.

The President, in an interaction with reporters travelling with him aboard the Air Force One from Florida to Washington DC on Saturday, said that he is postponing it (the summit) until September and plans to invite Russia, South Korea, Australia and India.

“I don’t feel that as a G7, it properly represents what’s going on in the world. It’s a very outdated group of countries,” he said.

So it might be a G10, G11, and it could be after the election (in the US) is over…, Trump said.

He said the G7 Summit could happen before the UN General Assembly session in September.

“Maybe I’ll do it after the election. I think a good time would be before the election, he said.

The presidential election in the US is scheduled for November 3. Trump is seeking a second term in the White House.

Trump then said the summit could take place the weekend before or after the UN General Assembly, which is currently scheduled to begin on September 15.

Trump said that he has already roughly broached the idea with the leaders of the four countries he’d like to add.

“We want Australia, we want India, we want South Korea. And what do we have? That’s a nice group of countries right there,” he said, not mentioning Russia.

Trump has already talked about re-inviting Russia back to the group, which was kicked out of the bloc which was originally G8 countries during the previous Obama administration.

In 2014, Russia was disinvited from gatherings of the former G8 after the country’s annexation of Crimea.

Alyssa Alexandra Farah, White House Director of Strategic Communications, said that this is bringing together our traditional allies to talk about how to deal with the future of China.

The tension between the US and China is escalating over the coronavirus pandemic, with America accusing Beijing of not divulging timely information about the disease and demanding a probe into the origins of the virus.

However, China has rejected all US allegations of a cover up regarding the Covid-19 outbreak.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s office said on Saturday that she would not attend the summit unless the course of the coronavirus spread had changed by then.

According to the Johns Hopkins University data, the Covid-19 has infected over 6 million people and claimed more than 369,000 lives worldwide.

The US is the worst-hit country in the world with more than 1.7 million confirmed Covid-19 cases and over 103,000 deaths.

G7 is the group of top seven developed economies. These include the US, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Canada. Heads of States of these countries meet annually on international economic and monetary issues.

The US currently holds the annual presidency of G7 countries. In view of the coronavirus pandemic, there were talks of the summit being held virtually. However, Trump had been suggesting that it be held in person.

During the summit, the G7 president normally invites heads of states of one or two countries to attend the meeting as a special invitee. Last year, French President Emanuel Macron had invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 Summit.

Trump talking about inviting India to the next G7 Summit is reflective of the growing international stature of the country.

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New Video shows, PLA Troper being trashed, and their Dongfeng 4×4 damaged by Indian forces

Published May 31, 2020

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By admin

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The latest Video probably shot in early May shows, Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBPF) personals damaging PLA’s Dongfeng 4×4 Light Tactical Vehicle and holding one of the regular PLA personal to the ground. In the video, Indian forces can be heard saying ” Beat them ” in Hindi and Dongfeng CSK131 which comes equipped with digital map software, and Beidou satellite communication and positioning system were seen being damaged by the Indian forces.

Contrary to some reports in Indian media that, which claim they that Chinese PLA Troops are sitting 3km inside the Indian side of the LAC, Latest Satellite images acquired by the Multiple OSINT Community does confirm that PLA Troops are sitting near LAC on their side and not on the Indian side.

Above Satellite images shows ” Buffer Zone ” which are claimed by both and patrolled by both sides. Can see the claimed areas, the controlled areas, bases, and the new de facto border on the finger 4 area. Chinese PLA Troops want India to stop road building activities at the Indian side so that Indian troops won’t be able to move inside areas that Chinese claims as to their own in case of war on other fronts.

Anti-Government Veterans and Pakistani bots have been spreading disinformation of the positions on the PLA Troops in the LAC. People with a better understanding of the LAC positions have dismissed any intrusion inside Indian areas, Both Armies are camping near LAC to prevent each other from intruding and both have reinforced with additional manpower and in another video, two IAF’s Mirage-2000 was seen flying CAP missions over the disputed areas of Pangong Tso Lake in Ladakh after Chinese PLAAF Su-27 was sported earlier in the day in the same area.

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MoD approves procurement of 156 BMP vehicles from OFB

Published May 31, 2020

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By admin

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian MoD has approved the procurement of the Infantry Combat Vehicle (BMP-2/Sarath) manufactured by the state-owned Ordnance Factory Medak (OFMK) which is Indian license-produced variant of the BMP-2 developed by the Soviet Union.

BMP-2 Sarath is a second generation, amphibious infantry fighting vehicle introduced in the 1980s in the Soviet Union and license-produced in India from 1987 by OFMK. BMP-2 is still active with more than 30 operator countries and since 1987, OFMK has manufactured over 1250 BMP-2 for the Indian Army in various variants.

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‘India should move beyond cartographic assertions, weather bulletins’

SOURCE: THE WEEK

As China is busy playing aggressor on the India-China border, the Indian security establishment is not only defending its geographical borders but also firming up its next step post abrogation of Article 370. Tilak Devasher, a member of the National Security Advisory board, spoke to THE WEEK on how India should move beyond cartographic assertions and weather bulletins of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan, and Aksai Chin, the disputed border between India and China, to developing an understanding of these regions, of their history, culture and language.

Q/ What is the strategic significance of the region stretching from the Gilgit-Baltistan to east Ladakh to Kalapani and beyond?

Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) is strategically an important part of the sub-continent. It allows Pakistan land access to China via the Karokaram Pass and highway and denies India land access to Afghanistan and Central Asia. It is through GB that China was able to transfer nuclear weapons and technology to Pakistan. GB also has vast fresh water reserves and is home to many of the glaciers, which provide water to the Indus River System. It is also enables China to link Xinjiang with Tibet. Of late, it is the entry point of the CPEC, the flagship project of President Xi Jinping—the BRI. Without GB, China will not have access to the Arabian Sea.

Q/ While India has claimed PoK and GB through its map, Pakistan President Arif Alvi has promulgated an order to form a caretaker government and conduct elections in Gilgit-Baltistan province. The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly will complete its five-year tenure on June 24.

There are two aspects to this. First is the internal. The current government is headed by the PMLN whose term expires next month.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is keen that its own government comes to power in the region. A key demand of the PTI in Gilgit-Baltistan is that the region be made a provisional province of Pakistan. By instituting a caretaker government, it will be ensured that such a development does take place and the farcical elections will return a PTI government.

The external aspect concerns India. The MEA has already gone on record to state that Pakistan or its judiciary had no locus standi on territories illegally and forcibly occupied by it, as the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and the areas of Gilgit-Baltistan were an integral part of India by virtue of its fully legal and irrevocable accession. Thus, our objection to any Pakistani move has already been recorded.

Q/ How can India move beyond cartographic assertions to territorial assertion and addressing people’s issues?

This has to be a process. The first steps have been taken through cartographic assertions. This has been followed up by the weather bulletins showing this area, as also so-called AJK, as part of India. In my view, a critical next step would be to develop an understanding of the region, of its history, culture and language. There are very few in India who would know what languages are spoken in the region, let alone have the ability to speak them. Many would not even know the districts or what religious group dominates what district. For this purpose, we need to set up several language and culture centres on a war footing to be able to impart an understanding of the region. We also need to look at our own constitutional provisions about providing seats in our legislatures to the people of these areas. A beginning could be made of nominating members of the diaspora. Then, a point person could be appointed who would focus full-time on this region. In this manner, we need to, first of all, build our sinews before we can think in terms of territorial assertions.

Q/ Has India progressed in taking up human rights issues of GB population in last few years?

From media reports, it would appear that the people of GB have raised their voices about the actual state of affairs at various international fora, including the Human Rights Council in Geneva and the European parliament. This would need to be made more forceful. For example, the poor handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region needs to be highlighted.

Q/ When India conducts its census exercise post abrogation of Article 370, does it leave out this region within Indian territory?

Census is a physical exercise. Hence, since we, at present, do not have physical presence in the area, this may have to be left out.

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Not ‘India’, but ‘Bharat’ or ‘Hindustan’: Supreme Court to hear plea on amending Constitution

Published May 31, 2020

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By admin

SOURCE: PTI

The Supreme Court will hear on June 2 a plea which has sought a direction to the Centre to amend the Constitution and replace the word India with ‘Bharat’ or ‘Hindustan’, claiming it will “instill a sense of pride in our own nationality.” The plea has sought a direction to the government to take appropriate steps to bring amendment in Article 1 of the Constitution, which deals with name and territory of the Union, to the effect that “the same refers to the country as Bharat/Hindustan, to the exclusion of India”.

The petition was listed for hearing on Friday before the apex court but it got deleted from the list as Chief Justice of India (CJI) S A Bobde was not available. As per a notice uploaded on the top court website, this matter would be listed for hearing on June 2 before a bench headed by the CJI. The plea, filed by a Delhi-based man, has claimed that such an amendment will “ensure the citizens of this country to get over the colonial past”.

“The removal of the English name though appears symbolic, will instill a sense of pride in our own nationality, especially for the future generations to come. Infact, the word India being replaced with Bharat would justify the hard fought freedom by our ancestors,” the plea claimed. Referring to the 1948 Constituent assembly debate on Article 1 of the then draft constitution, the plea said even at that time there was a “strong wave” in favour of naming the country as ‘Bharat’ or ‘Hindustan’.

“However, now the time is ripe to recognize the country by its original and authentic name i.e. Bharat especially when our cities have been renamed to identify with the Indian ethos,” it said.

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POK PM Raja Farooq recalls being Called ” Coward ” after India annexed Kashmir

SOURCE: ASIA TIMES

Raja Farooq Haider Khan is the current prime minister of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, officially known as Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He is one of the founding members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party in Kashmir and a close aide of former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Haider is known for his bold and outspoken statements on different political and geopolitical issues. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he has not only successfully implemented a strict lockdown in Kashmir to save the lives of his people, but has been openly critical of the slowness of the national government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to respond to the outbreak.

This correspondent had the opportunity to interview him for Asia Times on different regional and local issues. Always ready to discuss any issue, he spoke in detail, but because of the constraints on space we are not able to publish the entire exclusive interview. A few excerpts appear below.

Imad Zafar: How do you view the standoff between India and China in Ladakh, and can Pakistan publicize the Kashmir issue in light of this new confrontation or derive any benefit from it?

Farooq Haider: In the year 1962 when India and China went into a full-fledged war, there was an opportunity for Pakistan to take [advantage] and liberate Kashmir. However, when the then-president of Pakistan and army chief General Ayub Khan asked then-US president John F Kennedy, the latter told Ayub Khan not to intervene and remain neutral [on the] Indo-China war.

It is 2020 now and I don’t think that India and China will go to war like 1962 as the standoff in Ladakh is not that serious. Besides, India has a different position as far as China is concerned and they avoid confrontation with China.

In Pakistan’s case, New Delhi has a different approach and always threatens to attack our side of Kashmir. I don’t see any war between India and China; however, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has created a warmongering mindset there and he is facing an economic crunch due to Covid-19 while lots of his political and economic reforms have backfired, so my concern is that in order to save face and to satisfy the warmongering mindset, Modi [could] launch an attack on us.

IZ: After the annexation of Jammu and Kashmir, we have seen Pakistan fail on the diplomatic front to highlight the plight of Kashmiris. This has frustrated the Kashmiris on both sides of the border. How do you handle the wrath of Kashmiri youth living in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, and what are the feelings of those living on the Indian side of Kashmir?

FH: I would like to [cite] an incident. After the annexation of J&K by New Delhi, a young man came to my office and asked me, “Are you a coward? They have annexed J&K and on this side of Kashmir you are sitting in an air-conditioned office and doing nothing.”

The emotions of people in Pakistan-administered Kashmir are hurt as they have divided families living on both sides of the border in Kashmir. Even my mother belonged to Srinagar, and I have many paternal relatives on the other side of the Line of Control.

To be very honest neither the masses of Kashmir nor I are satisfied with the efforts from the state of Pakistan after the annexation of J&K by India. The US is backing New Delhi, and Europe, other than occasionally highlighting human-rights abuses in J&K administered by India, has done nothing. So I believe we have done very little to highlight this issue.

Even though Pakistan’s prime minister told me that after his speech in the United Nations his government was not able to follow up on the case of Kashmir annexation, I believe this issue needs more than speeches and follow-up and needs a solid foreign policy and diplomatic efforts.

IZ: Pakistan used non-state actors in order to help Kashmiris in Indian-administered Kashmir. Don’t you think if Pakistan had let people living in the Indian side of Kashmir run a peaceful movement for their rights or freedom, it could actually have benefited them, and the world would not have declared this dispute a bilateral issue?

FH: See, in 1988 when the Muslim United Front was all set to win the elections in Indian-administered Kashmir, the results were rigged. Now peaceful movements are of course run through public gatherings, slogans, and finally elections. When even the results of the elections are not accepted, then what option is left for the people, who are already oppressed?

During the Afghan war and after the fall of the USSR, yes, many factions of the outfits involved in the Afghan war went to Kashmir, but even after that leaders like Yasin Malik left militancy and offered the option of dialogue to New Delhi, but when they are not ready for a dialogue even then there is no other option left but to resist.

You just tell me, if my sister or daughter gets raped, what would you [expect] me to do? Do you expect me to stand there and deliver a speech? Of course, I will take action instead of speech or slogans.

I [have] received messages from Indian-administered Kashmir and women there are still waiting for [us to help]. They keep asking to have the Pakistan Army arrive to rescue [them]. I can [assure you] that even if Pakistan ditches Kashmiris and New Delhi keeps oppressing them, they will continue to struggle for freedom and eventually will get it on their own, but in that case, our side of Kashmir or Pakistan will get nothing.

I have told Imran Khan that the nations who struggle for their freedom never surrender their freedom to others.

IZ: What about foreign policy? How come Pakistan was not able to garner support for Kashmiris in Indian-administered Kashmir?

FH: Pakistan does not have a dynamic foreign policy. You look at the statements of the Foreign Office from the eras of the ’80s or ’90s and of today, you will find the same statements regarding the Kashmir conflict with only changes of names. Mere statements or speeches are not enough. Political leadership has to take ownership, and it has to devise a mechanism and strategy to lobby for this particular cause.

Islamabad could have done much better in highlighting the plight of Kashmiris in Indian-administered Kashmir, but as I told you, we are dissatisfied with the diplomatic efforts of the government in Pakistan.

IZ: How is your administration dealing with Covid-19?

FH: We have compiled data about the fatalities and we keep it updated on a daily basis so we have the record of the deaths and their causes. We also have imposed a much stricter lockdown than Pakistan and traced and tested every suspect.

Almost 24,000 people returned from foreign countries to Kashmir and we not only checked them at the entry points of Kashmir but also traced and tested them through the Education and Health Departments.

We have distributed money among laborers, rickshaw and bus drivers and other downtrodden sections of society to help them meet their needs during the lockdown. However, I have not advertised this nor have we given this relief package a name, as I believe that this is not the occasion to take political mileage or benefit.

We also have given a one-month bonus salary to all the staff of the Health Department in order to acknowledge their services in the fight against Covid-19.

IZ: Being an outspoken person, can you tell us how you are confident that next year’s general elections in Kashmir will not be rigged or manipulated like the 2018 general elections of Pakistan? 

FH: I am hopeful that there will be no rigging or manipulation in the Kashmir elections. If the next elections are manipulated, then no difference will remain [between] Indian-administered Kashmir and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, as the masses will resist such a move. The old times have gone, and now any electoral rigging will result in agitation. So I hope in the next year if this government of PTI remains or any other government comes, no interference will be made in Kashmir elections, as it will not serve Pakistan’s interest.

IZ: Do you think that the narrative of Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz regarding civilian supremacy is politically correct?

FH: Yes, I think that is the right narrative, as ultimately it is the elected leadership that has to run the affairs along with other institutions. I heard many statements like “the government and establishment are on the same page,” and I cannot understand what that means. Of course, they always are on the same page as they are of the same country, but the institutions of the establishment are subservient to the elected government.

In sensitive matters, yes, the output of the military establishment is needed, as they are part of state organs, but ultimately it is the political leadership that has to make decisions. So yes, their narrative is correct, and because of Sharif and Maryam taking a firm stance on the narrative, the party has not split into factions despite the hostile atmosphere.

I think if both Sharif and Maryam hold [their] ground and persist with this narrative the PML-N will emerge as the party with the largest majority in the next general elections in Pakistan.

IZ: You said PML-N did not split. Is that not due to the fact that the incumbent government of PTI has failed to deliver, leaving doubt in the players of constituency politics?

FH: The PTI government now ruling in Pakistan came with promises which never can be fulfilled, as they were not realistic. So it is natural that they are not able to fulfill the expectations. Then the PTI government lacks the experience of governance, and with a team of media representatives who only are good at abusing opponents, the government is only adding more difficulties for itself.

I once told Imran Khan that if I was your adviser I would have fired your advisers and your spokespersons who only accuse past governments and in return bring criticism on you. I mean to say, look at his adviser Dr Shahbaz Gill, who has no political background and is busy all the time accusing Sharif or [Asif Ali] Zardari instead of focusing on the Covid-19 situation, the Kashmir issue and the other problems faced by the government.

IZ: What is the future of  Maryam Nawaz in the PML-N?

FH: She has a very right future as a leader. When she was facing the joint investigation team before the general elections and used to address the press and workers, I saw a glimpse of a fearless leader in her. In fact, I wrote a letter to Nawaz Sharif congratulating him for turning Maryam into a vibrant leader. She has the leadership capabilities; I hope she will use her qualities with wisdom.

IZ: Do you think Modi would have not annexed J&K if Sharif was the prime minister because of his influence on New Delhi and other global players?

FH: Had Nawaz Sharif not been sent packing and the elections not engineered, Pakistan would not have been facing economic turmoil. Modi is junior in terms of political experience to Nawaz Sharif, and even Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee respected  Sharif. Then Sharif also enjoys good relations with Beijing, Istanbul, and a few of the Gulf countries. So I don’t think that Modi would have taken such a drastic step of annexing J&K if Sharif was sitting at the helm of affairs.

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China’s Xi Jinping so nervous, he’s risking Cold war: Hong Kong’s last governor

SOURCE: REUTERS

Chinese President Xi Jinping is so nervous about the position of the Communist Party that he is risking a new Cold War and imperilling Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s pre-eminent financial hub, the last British governor of the territory told Reuters. Chris Patten said Xi’s ‘thuggish’ crackdown in Hong Kong risked triggering an outflow of capital and people from the city which funnels the bulk of foreign investment into mainland China.

The West, he said, should stop being naive about Xi, who has served as General Secretary of the Communist Party since 2012. “We have long since passed the stage where, without wanting another Cold War, we have to react to the fact Xi seems to want one himself,” Patten said. Patten cast Xi as a dictator who was “nervous” about the position of the Communist Party in China after criticism of its early handling of the novel coronavirus outbreak and the economic impact of its trade disagreements with the United States.

“One reason Xi Jinping is whipping up all this nationalist feeling about Hong Kong, about Taiwan and about other issues, is that he is more nervous than any official would allow about the position of the Communist Party in China,” he said.

The Chinese embassy in London did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Patten, now 76, watched as the British flag was lowered over Hong Kong when the colony was handed back to China in 1997 after more than 150 years of British rule.

Hong Kong’s autonomy was guaranteed under the “one country, two systems” agreement enshrined in the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration. But thousands of Hong Kong protesters have defied Beijing in recent months.

HONG KONG

China’s parliament this week approved a decision to create laws for Hong Kong to curb sedition, secession, terrorism and foreign interference.

“Xi Jinping hates the things which Hong Kong has been promised under the ‘one country, two systems’ treaty lodged at the United Nations which he is wilfully breaking,” Patten said. “What he hopes he can do is to bash Hong Kong into shape.”

Patten said Xi’s actions had placed Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s premier international financial hub under question.

“What does it mean? It means serious question marks not just about Hong Kong’s future as a free society but also about Hong Kong’s ability to continue as probably the premier international financial hub in Asia,” Patten said.

“A lot of people will try to leave Hong Kong,” Patten said, adding that he feared capital would also flow out. “It is going to be pretty rough over the next few months.”

The autonomy of Hong Kong has, until now, given investors faith in the territory’s legal and governance systems. China’s legal system is accountable to the Communist Party.

“What you have coming into conflict is a dictatorial idea of what the law is with the common law which is undoubtedly going to cause a constitutional clash,” Patten said

He added the West had been even more naive with Xi’s China than it had with post-Soviet Russia.

“What Xi has demonstrated so far is that unless you stand up to bullies they go on bullying you,” he said.

Patten said the West should stand together when allies – such as Australia – were targeted by Beijing and be cautious with companies such as Huawei which Britain has allowed to help build its 5G network.

“Huawei is an agent of an unpleasant Chinese state,” Patten said. Huawei has repeatedly denied claims that it is an agent of the Chinese state.

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Inside details of failed Pulwama attack: Pakistan suspected of utilizing services of JeM chief

SOURCE: TIMES NOW

Failing to mobilize international opinion against India following the abrogation of Article 370, Pakistan has no arrow left in its quiver, except the use of terror to destabilize peace in Jammu and Kashmir. Recent failed attempt to trigger a car bomb in Pulwama is seen as a step in that direction. The evidence available with security agencies on the ground once again points the needle of suspicion towards Pakistan for utilizing services of Jaish-e-Muhammad chief, Masood Azhar and his gang to bleed India.

Investigations expose the role of the Jaish module – comprising commanders from Pakistan – for orchestrating re-run of Pulwama bombing to inflict maximum casualty of security forces.

Who are the key Jaish players behind this failed attempt?

Security agencies have identified Jaish Commander, Muhammad Ismail Alvi alias Fauji Bhai – a close relative of Jaish chief Masood Azhar – as the mastermind behind this failed terror attack.

He along with other Jaish commanders, Waleed Bhai – also from Pakistan’s Multan – fabricated a car bomb that was to be triggered to target security installation or passing by security convoy in Pulwama.

But their nefarious design was thwarted by credible intel inputs that helped security force personnel intercept the explosive-laden vehicle at Naka point on Rajpura road and later same was detonated by bomb disposal squad (BDS).

The information available with the security agencies reveals that Alvi is also known as Lambu Bhai, because of tall height and has taken part in several recruitment rallies organized in past by Jaish leader Rauf Asghar – brother of Masood Azhar – in PoK.

It was in early 2019 that Alvi was pushed into the Indian side of Kashmir with clear cut instructions to carry out well-coordinated suicide attacks to give a fillip to terror-related activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

A few days later, Jaish infiltrated another commander, Waleed Bhai, along with a group of four other terrorists to assist Ismail in his terror mission. The duo is IED expert and for the last one year, they are operating in South Kashmir. Two weeks back, Waleed Bhai managed to flee from one of encounter site leaving behind Pika rifle.

As per the intel report, both Ismail and Waleed were sent to Kashmir with a mission to carry out fidayeen (suicide) attack on the same lines as that of the Pulwama attack which had killed 40 personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

It has also been learnt that ISI officials, soon after infiltrating them into Kashmir, had held a meeting with the top brass of JeM, including commander Mufti Asghar Rauf, in Rawalpindi. Directions were given that the terrorists should wear Army outfits and not be concerned about possible civilian casualties in the attack.

This may be a direct fallout of Pakistan being anxious due to the peace that has prevailed in Jammu and Kashmir since Article 370 was revoked. The country has had a notorious habit of waging proxy wars in Jammu and Kashmir by using terrorist organizations, often providing covering fire by violating ceasefire across the Line of Control

What intel inputs led forces to thwart Jaish’s killer mission? 

Ismail and his gang had first planned to carry out car bombing on February 14 – the first anniversary of Pulwama attack – but alertness of troops had led them to call off their deadly mission at the last moment.

A few weeks back, security agencies intercepted chatter between mentors sitting across and Jaish commanders operating in Kashmir. They were given a green signal to go ahead with their plans.

Intelligence inputs reveal that last week, the Jaish commanders, led by Ismail, a meeting had in one of their hideouts in Pulwama. During the meeting, they gave the final shape to their car bombing mission. Adil Hafiz, who was indoctrinated and brainwashed to be suicide bomber was tasked to drive car bomb to its target.

Role of Jaish commander Ashiq Nengroo under scanner

There are inputs that Jaish Commander, Ashiq Nengroo, who is presently in Pakistan also was in touch Alvi and gang. Two years back, Nengroo of Kakapora,  Pulwama went off the radar of security agencies after the Jhajjar Kotli incident, in which he and his associates were transporting three Pakistani terrorists to the Kashmir Valley.

His name shot into prominence when the police intercepted a truck at Lakhanpur carrying large quantities of arms and ammunition. There are reports that the wife of Nengroo has also managed to exfiltrate to Pakistan.

Nengroo has got good network of over ground workers in South Kashmir. He is believed to have provided logistic support to Pakistani Jaish cadre to keep intact eco system of terror and help them in their suicidal mission aimed to spill blood on streets of Kashmir valley.

WHY CAR BOMBING PLANNED NOW?

After lying low for several months, once again Pakistan has turned on terror tap against India. Following factors are believed to be reason behind same:

• To avenge killing of Reyaz Naikoo, top Hizbul commander, who was recently eliminated by security forces.

• By carrying out attacks of such high magnitude, Pakistan is trying to boost sagging morale of terror outfits in Kashmir valley. Intelligence -led counter terrorism operations has broken back bone of many terror outfits. Many a top brains of Hizbul, Lashkar and Jaish been eliminated. As per data available with security, of 144 fatalities in J&K this year, 104 are terrorists, 31 are             security force personnel and nine civilians.

• Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has failed to effectively deal with killer Corona crisis. For which he had to face lot of criticism back home. Often during TV debates he is being compared with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is leading from front to flatten Corona curve. By carrying out such attacks Pakistan is trying divert attention from problems back home and also send a message loud and clear that his proxies are around.

• Recent mobilization of Chinese troops in eastern sector Ladakh to have emboldened them to great extent. They feel this is right to plan terror attacks in Kashmir, while focus of troops in Ladakh sector.

• Pakistan is trying to take advantage of covid crisis to turn on terror tap against India.

• Pakistan feels emboldened by its role in the US Taliban peace process.

• For time being Financial Action Task Force (FATF) sword is no more hanging on Pakistan’s head. Pakistan is on their watch list for financing terror groups. Postponement of FATF pressure because of pandemic has given Pakistan a breather to once again shift their focus on terror targeting India.

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