News Updates

08 July - 14 July, 2019
  • India president announces $100m loan for Benin. India's president has announced a loan of $100m (£82m) for developmental projects in Benin on a visit to the West African nation. (BBC, 30 July, 2019)
  • Mehbooba Mufti approaches NC for all-party meet. People’s Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti urged National Conference patron and member of Parliament from Srinagar, Farooq Abdullah, to convene an all-party meeting following speculation that the Centre was preparing a plan to revoke Article 35A of the Constitution that empowers the Jammu and Kashmir assembly to define “permanent residents” for bestowing special rights and privileges on them. (Hindustan Times, 30 July, 2019)
  • 2 killed, at least 19 injured due to 'carpet bombing' by Indian troops along LoC. Indian troops resorted to what officials described as “carpet bombing” of several civilian populated areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) from across the restive Line of Control (LoC) on Tuesday, killing two civilians and leaving at least 19 others wounded, including six women and a police constable. (Dawn, 30 July, 2019)
  • India’s Parliament OKs Ending Instant Divorce for Muslims. Indian lawmakers on Tuesday approved a bill to end the Muslim practice of instant divorce two years after the Supreme Court ruled that it violated the constitutional rights of Muslim women. The 99-84 approval was a victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. The opposition had blocked the bill for more than a year, as the ruling party lacked majority support in the upper house. A split in the opposition ranks helped the government cross the line. (The New York Times, 30 July, 2019)
  • Pulwama co-conspirator among 2 terrorists killed in J&K encounter. Two terrorists, including a self-styled 'commander' of Jaish-e-Mohammad, who was a co-conspirator in the February 14 Pulwama terror attack, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district, police said. (The Times of India, 30 July, 2019)
  • PM Modi features in Netanyahu’s election campaign hoardings in Israel. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi features in his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu’s election campaign hoardings that adorn the latter’s Likud party’s headquarters. Israel votes on 17 September. (The Print, 29 July, 2019)
  • India, Myanmar sign MoU on defence co-operation. India and Myanmar signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence co-operation. This was preeceded by talks between the two sides. The talks were aimed at enhancing defence co-operation, review joint exercises and training provided to Myanmar Defence Services, strengthen maritime security by joint surveillance and capacity building, medical co-operation, pollution response and for developing new infrastructure. (The Tribune, 29 July, 2019)
  • Priyanka Gandhi 'Perfect Choice' For Congress President, Says Amarinder Singh. "Priyanka will be a perfect choice to take over the party reins but it will all depend on the Congress Working Committee (CWC), which alone is authorised to take a decision in the matter,” said Amarinder. "India is a young nation, and will respond to a young leader,” he reiterated. (Outlook, 29 July, 2019)
  • Amid walkout, Lok Sabha passes bill to ban individuals too as terrorists. The Lok Sabha passed the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill 2019, intended to allow designation of an individual, wanted for terror-related crimes, as "terrorist" amid strong protests and a walkout by opposition parties like Congress, DMK and Trinamool Congress. The bill, with its amendments to give more bite to anti-terror provisions was passed 287 votes to eight. (The Times of India, 25 July, 2019)
  • Thrust on Make in India weapons: Army chief. Ahead of 20th anniversary of 1999 Kargil war commemoration, Army chief Bipin Rawat said that the thrust on Make in India weapon has begun in full swing, with the joint venture on AK 203 in Amethi and “any world Army would be willing take such weapons” from India. (The Times of India, 25 July, 2019)
  • Time for Pak to Take Credible & Irreversible Action against Terror Groups Working from Its Soil, Says MEA. "It's a glaring admission by the Pakistan leadership. This is not the first time that they have owned up to the presence of militants who are sent to India to create acts of terror. It is in public knowledge," said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar during his weekly briefing. "Since PM Imran has acknowledged it, it is time for them now to take credible and irreversible action against terror camps." (News 18, 25 July, 2019)
  • No question of any mediation on Kashmir: Rajnath Singh in Lok Sabha. There was no discussion on Kashmir in the meeting between US President Trump and Prime Minister Modi in Japan recently and there is no question of any mediation on the issue, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Making a statement in Lok Sabha, Rajnath Singh said mediation on the Kashmir issue is ruled out as it is a question of national pride for India. (India Today, 24 July, 2019)
  • Rajya Sabha passes POCSO (Amendment) Bill, 2019. The Rajya Sabha passed a Bill entailing amendments to the POCSO Act by including death penalty for aggravated sexual assault on children, besides providing stringent punishments for other crimes against minors. The Bill will now be sent to the Lok Sabha for its approval. (The Hindu, 24 July, 2019)
  • India says Modi never asked for Trump to mediate over Kashmir. India denied that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked U.S. President Donald Trump to help mediate with Pakistan over the disputed territory of Kashmir, saying there could be no talks until Pakistan ended cross-border terrorism. "I would like to categorically assure the house, that no such request was made by the prime minister to the U.S. president," Foreign Minister Subrahmanyan Jaishankar told parliament as lawmakers demanded clarification of Modi's position. (Reuters, 22 July, 2019)
08 July - 14 July, 2019
  • China for early settlement of boundary dispute with India: Sun Weidong. China has signalled a strong desire to work with India in taking concrete steps towards “early settlement” of the boundary dispute. The signal comes from a senior diplomat ahead of Chinese president Xi Jinping’s visit to India in October. As two neighbours and time-honoured civilizations, I think the two countries have sufficient political wisdom to resolve the boundary dispute,” Sun Weidong said while talking to Indian journalists in New Delhi. (The Times of India, 20 July, 2019)
  • India buying S-400 from Russia is a 'problem' for US: PACOM commander. India acquiring the S-400 missile defence system from Russia is a "problem" for the US, a top American commander has said, asserting that Washington will continue to hold dialogue with New Delhi over the issue. (Business Standard, 20 July, 2019)
  • "No Power On Earth Can Stop" Resolving Kashmir Issue: Rajnath Singh. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserted that the Kashmir issue will be resolved and no power on the earth can stop it. Mr Singh, who was in Jammu and Kashmir to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 'Operation Vijay' during the Kargil War, said Kashmir was in his heart and the government wanted it to become not only paradise of India but tourist paradise of the world. The defence minister inaugurated two strategically important bridges in Kathua and Samba districts of the state that will help in smooth mobility of security forces in the border areas. "If not through talks, then we know how," Mr Singh said. (NDTV, 20 July, 2019)
  • Tribal victims’ kin meet Priyanka, impasse ends. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s stand-off with the Uttar Pradesh government ended on Saturday, about 24 hours after it began, when she finally met the kin of the tribal victims of the Sonbhadra killings. (The Hindu, 20 July, 2019)
  • Include all sections of Afghan society in peace process, India tells major powers. Amid efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan, India made it clear to major global powers that all initiatives and processes for peace in the war-torn nation must include all sections of the Afghan society, including the legitimately elected government. (The Stateman, 19 July, 2019)
  • Indian warships to stay longer in Persian Gulf, but won't join U.S. coalition. Indian warships escorting merchant vessels in the Persian Gulf will remain deployed for the longer term, officials with direct knowledge of the matter said, as tensions between Iran and Western powers rise. But the two ships, backed by surveillance aircraft, will not be part of a military coalition that the United States is assembling to safeguard the waters off Iran near the Straits of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil moves, the two officials said. (Reuters, 18 July, 2019)
  • Chandrayaan-2 to be launched on Monday at 2.43 pm: ISRO. In a tweet on Thursday afternoon, Isro announced: "Chandrayaan-2 launch, which was called off due to a technical snag on July 15, 2019, is now rescheduled at 2:43 pm IST on Monday, July 22, 2019. "This comes days after Isro's last tweet attributing the suspension of the previous launch due to a glitch without elaborating. (Deccan Herald, 18 July, 2019)
  • Navy to buy Rs 1,589 crore satellite from ISRO. The Indian Navy has placed an order of Rs 1,589 crore with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for a new dedicated military satellite for communications between its warships, aircraft and shore-based units, with a launch expected within a year. (The Economic Times, 18 July, 2019)
  • Central panel clears several projects including one for IAF in J&K. A central panel on wildlife, led by environment minister Prakash Javadekar, gave its mandatory clearances to over a dozen projects in six states including one for establishment of air defence and weaponry for Indian Air Force at Gulmarg in Jammu & Kashmir. (The Times of India, 18 July, 2019)
  • With consular access being granted, India to push for civilian trial in Kulbhushan case. After getting a favourable order in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case at the International Court of Justice, India is likely to push for a civilian trial. The ICJ suspended the sentenced and ordered a re-trial apart from directing Pakistan to grant consular access. (One India, 19 July, 2019)
  • Kulbhushan Jadhav Verdict: Will revert to ICJ if Pakistan disobeys verdict, says Harish Salve. Senior advocate Harish Salve expressed delight over the ICJ ruling on Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, and cautioned Islamabad that failure to implement it in any respect will mean another litigation in the apex court and possibly UN sanctions. Addressing journalists in India House, Salve, who represented India in the case, said if necessary, Pakistan will have to amend its military laws to ensure that Jadhav gets a fair trial, as promised by the country’s constitution. (Hindustan Times, 18 July, 2019)
  • ICJ rejects India’s plea for Jadhav's return, grants consular access. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced its verdict on the Kulbhushan Jadhav case, ruling that Jadhav be allowed consular access immediately and asking Pakistan to ensure “effective review and reconsideration of his conviction and sentences”. The ICJ, however, rejected all other remedies sought by India, which included the annulment of the military court decision convicting Jadhav, restricting Pakistani from executing the sentence, securing Jadhav's release and ordering his return to India. (Dawn, 17 July, 2019)
  • Israel Aerospace signs $50 million follow-up deal with Indian navy. State-owned defense contractor Israel Aerospace Industries said it signed a $50 million follow-up contract to provide complementary missile systems to the Indian navy and India’s MDL Shipyard. The agreement involves a range of maintenance and other services for sub-systems of Israel Aerospace’s naval medium range surface-to-air missile. (Reuters, 17 July, 2019)
  • India, China maintaining peace on border: Rajnath Singh. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh informed the Lok Sabha that India and China had been maintaining “peace and tranquillity” on the border by respecting bilateral pacts, and added that the government was “fully alive” to the country’s security needs. Mr. Singh, however, acknowledged that at times some “unpleasant incidents” had taken place because of “differences in perception with regard to the Line of Actual Control (LAC)”. (The Hindu, 17 July, 2019)
  • Amit Shah: Centre to identify illegal immigrants, deport them. The Centre will identify illegal immigrants staying in any part of the country and deport them as per international law, Union home minister Amit Shah said in the Rajya Sabha. The minister was replying to a supplementary query by Samajwadi Party member Javed Ali Khan on whether the National Register of Citizens will be implemented in other states as well. (The Times of India, 17 July, 2019)
  • Samjhauta Express blast case lacked proof, says Amit Shah. Union Home Minister Amit Shah defended the decision not to file an appeal against the acquittals in the 2007 Samjhauta Express blast case, stating that the charge sheets filed under the UPA regime did not have any substantial proof. Replying to a debate in the Rajya Sabha on a Bill extending more powers to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Mr. Shah alleged that the case had been instituted with a political motive. (The Hindu, 17 July, 2019)
  • NHRC: 79 complaints of harassment of minorities in 2018; 19 of them from UP. Five cases of alleged discrimination/victimisation of minorities and 99 cases of similar treatment to scheduled castes were registered across the country by National Human Rights Commission between April 1 and June 15 this year. In 2018, NHRC filed 79 complaints regarding harassment of minorities, with UP reporting 19 cases, and 672 cases of victimisation of scheduled castes, of which 46% were in UP. (The Times of India, 17 July, 2019)
  • Delhi Police Arrests Jaish-e-Mohammed Terrorist from Srinagar. The special cell of the Delhi Police has arrested a Jaish-e-Mohammed or JeM terrorist from Srinagar, officials said. "The terrorist has been identified as Basir Ahmad Ponnu, carrying a reward of Rs. 2 lakh," said Sanjeev Yadav, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special cell. (NDTV, 16 July, 2019)
  • IAF: Ready to fight across spectrum. Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa said the IAF is prepared to fight across the entire spectrum of warfare, be it an all out war, a skirmish like Kargil conflict or retaliation to a terrorist attack. At a seminar to mark 20 years of Kargil conflict (May-July 1999), the Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief recalled the air action during which MiG-21 carried out air-to-ground bombing at night in the mountains for the first time. (The Tribune, 16 July, 2019)
  • Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot proposes law against lynching and honour killings. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, during his reply to the debate on the 2019 Budget, proposed a law against mob lynching and honor killings. He said both the laws would help in the trial of accused properly and ensure stringent punishment to the perpetrator of such heinous crimes. (India Today, 16 July, 2019)
  • Opposition Express Concern Over Farmers Suicide, 'worsening' Agrarian Situation. Concerned over increasing number of farmers' suicide and 'worsening' agrarian situation, Opposition Members suggested the government ensure adequate water, quality seeds and remunerative prices for farm produce in a bid to improve the plight of farmers. (Business Television India, 16 July, 2019)
08 July - 14 July, 2019
  • Unhappy with New Portfolio, Navjot Singh Sidhu Resigns from Punjab Cabinet After Feud with Amarinder Singh. Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu, who has been at loggerheads with Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and was stripped off key portfolios in the cabinet reshuffle in June, has resigned from the state cabinet. "I hereby resign as Minister from the Punjab Cabinet," Sidhu said in the letter to the Congress chief, which he posted on his Twitter handle. (News 18, 14 July, 2019)
  • Bihar floods: NDRF deployed in nine districts, nearly 18 lakh affected. A total of 45,053 people have taken shelter in 152 camps and are being served at 251 community kitchens being run by the state government, PTI reported. The floods have affected nearly 18 lakh people across nine districts. (The Financial Express, 14 July, 2019)
  • Karnataka crisis: Coalition leaders in hectic parleys on future course of action. Leaders of the crisis-hit ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition in Karnataka were locked in hectic parleys to discuss the future course of action to save the government that is on the brink of collapse, even as efforts to mollify rebel Congress MLA M T B Nagaraj failed. (The Times of India, 14 July, 2019)
  • India's Chandrayaan-2 moon mission called off minutes before launch. India’s moon mission, destined for the uncharted south pole, has been put on hold less than an hour before takeoff, following a technical glitch. The mission, which was scheduled to launch at 02:51 local time from Sriharikota space centre, north of Chennai, is India’s most ambitious to date. (The Guardian, 14 July, 2019)
  • ’80pc and beyond agreed upon,’ says Dr. Faisal following Kartarpur Corridor talks with India. Following the second round of talks between India and Pakistan regarding the Kartarpur Corridor, Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said over 80 per cent has been agreed upon between the two sides. The second round of talks were held today at Wagah.The FO spokesperson said that he could not share details until a final agreement was reached. (Dawn, 14 July, 2019)
  • Kartarpur Corridor: Punjab CM welcomes 'Pak decision' to 'remove requirement of separate permit system'. Punjab CM Amarinder Singh welcomed Pakistan's "decision" to remove the requirement of a "separate permit system" for pilgrims to travel through the Kartarpur corridor. There was no announcement on the permit system in the talks between India and Pakistan, however, Islamabad "in-principle agreed" to allow visa-free travel for Indian passport holders and OCI card-holders. (The Times of India, 14 July, 2019)
  • India-US trade talks end without major progress; all eyes on Piyush Goyal's US visit next month. US and Indian trade negotiators ended talks without making major progress on a range of disputes over tariffs and other protectionist measures imposed by both sides that are straining bilateral ties, according to officials with knowledge of the discussions. Many tough questions on agricultural commodities, e-commerce, and steel and aluminum, have been put off until Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal goes to Washington for talks with United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer next month. (Business Today, 13 July, 2019)
  • Indian government dismisses al-Qaeda threat. Al-Qaeda chief Ayman Al-Zawahiri in a video message called for “liberating the jihad in Kashmir from the clutches of Pakistan’s intelligence agencies” and asked militants in Kashmir to focus on “unrelenting blows” against India. Raveesh Kumar, spokesman for External Affairs Ministry, said during a media briefing in New Delhi, “Our security forces are well equipped and capable of maintaining our territorial integrity and sovereignty.” (Anadolu Agency, 11 July, 2019)
  • India ‘Clearly’ Conveyed Its Requirement for S-400 to US. A day ahead of tough trade negotiation with the US, the Indian Foreign Ministry stated that it will proceed with the purchase of S-400 air missile defence systems from Russia. He was replying to the threat of sanctions issued by the Donald Trump administration over the $5.43 billion deal with Russia. The agreement was signed during Russian President Vladimir Putin's two-day visit to India. (Sputnik News, 10 July, 2019)
  • Centre bans pro-Khalistan fringe group Sikhs for Justice, Punjab CM welcomes move. The Centre banned pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) for a period of 5 years. The fringe organization was founded in 2007. It is known to push for the Sikh Referendum 2020 as part of its separatist agenda. (India Today, 10 July, 2019)
  • S Jaishankar takes oath as member of Rajya Sabha. Union Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar took oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha from Gujarat in bye-elections held for two seats. (Scroll.in, 08 July, 2019)
02 July - 09 July, 2019
  • Karnataka government teeters as 12 MLAs submit their resignations. In a day of dramatic developments that brought the Congress-JD(S) government in Karnataka to the brink of collapse, 12 MLAs of the ruling coalition submitted their resignations to the Assembly Speaker’s office. (The Hindu, 07 July, 2019)
  • PM Modi launches BJP's membership drive in Varanasi, says will achieve $5 trillion economy goal. Prime Minister Modi launched the BJP's countrywide membership drive in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi. Speaking at the drive's launch, PM Modi said his government will fulfil the dreams of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh, as the day marks his birth anniversary. PM Modi mentioned in his speech that earlier he had the honour to unveil a statue of former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri in the city. (India Today, 06 July, 2019)
  • Budget 2019 updates | Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrives at North Block. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the maiden budget of Narendra Modi 2.0 government in Lok Sabha on Friday, July 5, 2019. It is a tight rope walk for India’s first full time woman Finance Minister who has to contain fiscal deficit target and lay the roadmap for the ambitious $5 trillion dollar economy dream of the country. (The Hindu, 05 July, 2019)
  • India set to play key role of security guarantor in Indian Ocean region: Maldives def forces chief. India has been providing swift help to its neighbours at times of natural calamities and security threats, and it is all set to play the key role of a "security guarantor" for peace and stability within the greater Indian Ocean region, Maldivian Defence Forces Chief Abdulla Shamaal said. (Business Standard, 05 July, 2019)
  • United States Senate passes provision to give India status of NATO ally. The United States Senate has passed a legislative provision that brings India on par with America’s allies like South Korea, Australia, Israel and Japan in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. This will increase cooperation between the United States and India in the areas of humanitarian assistance, counter-terrorism, counter-piracy and maritime security in the Indian Ocean. (Scroll.in, 04 July, 2019)
  • India says its relations with Iran not influenced by any third country. "India's bilateral relations with Iran stand on their own and are not influenced by India's relations with any third country," Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said in a written reply. After six-month-long exemptions from US sanctions to buy oil from Iran ended in May, India said it will deal with the issue based on three factors: the country's energy security, commercial consideration and economic interests. (Press Tv, 04 July, 2019)
  • Amit Shah solution for J&K peace: Jobs for youth, exposé of corrupt Separatists. The Centre considers President’s rule in Jammu & Kashmir as ‘golden opportunity’ to win the hearts of people. With BJP chief Amit Shah at the helm of the crucial home ministry, the government is working on a two-pronged strategy — a strong push to development projects for generating employment opportunities and “expose” local politicians involved in scams and serving their vested interest. (The Times of India, 04 July, 2019)
  • Rahul Gandhi resigns as India's Congress party leader after crushing defeat. India's main opposition Congress Party is preparing to choose a new leader after Rahul Gandhi stepped down as president in the wake of his party's crushing defeat in the country's recent elections. "It is an honor for me to serve the Congress Party, whose values and ideals have served as the lifeblood of our beautiful nation. I owe the country and my organization a debt of tremendous gratitude and love," Gandhi tweeted alongside a four-page letter. (CNN, 03 July, 2019)
  • Second meeting on Kartarpur Corridor to be held on July 14. Pakistan has conveyed to India that the second meeting to discuss the draft agreement for finalising the modalities of Kartarpur Corridor and related technical issues will be held on July 14 at Wagah border crossing. (Daily Times, 03 July, 2019)
  • 800 terrorists killed in Jammu and Kashmir between 2014-18, says Modi government. The security forces have killed 800 terrorists since 2014, of which 249 were in 2018, the Centre told the Parliament. In a written response to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State in the Defence Ministry Shripad Naik said 104 terrorists were killed in 2014, 97 in 2015, 140 in 2016 and 210 in 2017. (The New Indian Express, 03 July, 2019)
  • ISRO Chooses Russia to Train Astronauts for Gaganyaan. India signed a deal with a Russian organisation to help train the astronauts for its major Gaganyaan mission. In this mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation aims to send three astronauts in a spacecraft into low-Earth orbit, keep them there for seven days before bringing them back home. The US and France had also offered training support, but ISRO eventually picked Russia’s Glavkosmos. (The Wire, 02 July, 2019)
  • IAF to get Rafale fighter jets in September, flight to India next May. India will get its first Rafale fighter jets in September this year with a ceremony being planned in France to officially hand over the cutting-edge combat jets to the air force. (The Economic Times, 02 July, 2019)
  • If Article 370 is temporary, so is our (J&K) accession: Farooq Abdullah. On a day when the Rajya Sabha passed two key proposals regarding the state of Jammu and Kashmir in the first session of the 17th Lok Sabha, former J&K chief minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah fiercely defended Article 370. “If Article 370 is temporary then our accession is also temporary. When Maharaja acceded, it was temporary,” Abdullah told media persons in Kathua. (Times Now, 01 July, 2019)
  • 'Jal Shakti Abhiyan': Govt launches water conservation campaign. With some parts of the country reporting water shortage, Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched a conservation campaign, with a focus on five aspects — water conservation and rainwater harvesting, renovation of traditional and other water bodies, reuse of water and recharging of structures, watershed development, and intensive afforestation, Drinking Water sanitation secretary Parmeswaran Iyer said. (Times of India, 01 July, 2019)