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India
Weekly Contemporary Developments


Archive

1 - 17 June, 2020

  • India-China clash: 20 Indian troops killed in Ladakh fighting.
    At least 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a clash with Chinese forces in a disputed Himalayan border area, Indian officials say. The incident follows rising tensions, and is the first deadly clash in the border area in at least 45 years. The Indian army initially said three of its soldiers had been killed, adding that both sides suffered casualties. (BBC, 17 June, 2020)
  • India expects to sail through UNSC vote.
    India expects to sail through as the 193-member United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) votes on Wednesday for contenders to five non-permanent seats at the UN Security Council for 2021-22. India is standing unopposed as the nominee for the Asia-Pacific seat, and needs two-thirds of UNGA members, or 129 votes, to be confirmed. (The Hindu, 16 June, 2020)
  • India-China standoff | Colonel, 2 jawans killed in face-off with Chinese troops in Galwan valley.
    In the first such escalation in violence between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in 45 years, a violent clash between their troops left one Commanding Officer and two jawans of the Indian Army dead in the Galwan area of Eastern Ladakh on Monday night. Reports indicating the casualty figures are even higher could not be confirmed officially. (The Hindu, 16 June, 2020)
  • Nationwide COVID-19 tally crosses 3.3 lakh; focus on ramping up testing, treatment infra.
    India's COVID-19 tally rose further to cross 3.3 lakh and the death toll surpassed 9,500 even as the central and state governments stepped up their focus on ramping up testing capabilities and availability of beds for treating those infected with the dreaded virus infection. (The Week, 15 June, 2020)
  • 27 terrorists of JeM, LeT, Hizb killed in past 17 days: J&K DGP.
    Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Dilbag Singh said 27 terrorists have been killed by security forces in the past 17 days, causing frustration among militants who are now targeting innocent people. "Ensuring peace (in Kashmir), we have killed 27 terrorists in the past 16 to 17 days. These terrorists belonged to LeT (Lashkar-e-Taiba), JeM (Jaish-e-Mohammed) and Hizb (Hizb-ul-Mujahideen). They have been frustrated. They are now targeting innocents," Singh told reporters in Doda district. (The Week, 15 June, 2020)
  • India to continue with developmental projects in Nepal despite map row.
    India will wait for Nepal to create an atmosphere conducive to talks even as it would continue to go ahead with its various developmental projects across the Himalayan country. Sources say that Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli hadn't informed his country of India's invite for talks, as recently as before the bill to legitimise Nepal's newly drawn map was tabled in the house of representatives. (The Week, 15 June, 2020)
  • Nepal Parliament passes new map including disputed Indian territory.
    Nepal’s Parliament passed the amendment to include the new political map featuring areas of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura in the Constitution of Nepal. The controversial bill was passed with a majority of 258 votes (out of 275), while no member voted against the bill. A two-third majority of the 275-member Lower House was required to pass the bill. (India Today, 13 June, 2020)
  • MCD claims 2,098 people died of COVID-19; govt says death panel ''working impartially''. Senior leaders of the three BJP-led municipal corporations claimed that over 2,000 COVID-19 deaths have taken place in Delhi, while the official tally stood at 1,085 as on Thursday. The Delhi government, reacting to the claim said, the COVID-19 death audit committee is "working impartially", and this was "not a time for blame-game but to work together". (Outlook India, 12 June 2020)
  • Rethink China line, ramp up Taiwan links.
    As Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen was sworn in for a second term on May 19, messages of congratulations came from dignitaries in 41 countries, including India. In a joint message, BJP MPs Meenakshi Lekhi and Rahul Kaswan emphasized Taiwan’s democratic credentials and noted that “both India and Taiwan are democratic countries, bonded by shared values of freedom, democracy and respect for human rights”. (India Today, 10 June, 2020)
  • Two-star generals meet in eastern Ladakh to ease India, China border tensions.
    In the latest round of military contact between India and China, army delegations from both sides on Wednesday held talks in eastern Ladakh to ease tensions along the contested Line of Actual Control (LAC) where rival soldiers have been locked in a standoff for more than five weeks, two senior officers familiar with the development said. The Indian and Chinese delegations, led by major general-ranked officers, met at Patrolling Point 14 near the Galwan area as part of continuing efforts to resolve the confrontation that has eased slightly with limited disengagement of forces at some LAC hotspots, said one of the two officers, both of whom requested anonymity. (Hindustan Times, 10 June, 2020)
  • Locusts feast on India's woes as swarms spread.
    Swathes of farmland in the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Punjab are being invaded by millions of the pests on a crop-devouring spree, potentially ruining food supplies. (China Daily, 09 June, 2020)
  • LAC row | India, China agree to ease standoff.
    Indian and Chinese troops began partial “disengagement” from the some of the standoff points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh, defence sources said on June 9, in a first sign of moving towards resolution of the month long standoff between the Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army there. A series of ground level military talks are due to be held over the next 10 days, beginning Wednesday, to try and resolve most of the other issues at the local level. (The Hindu, 09 June 2020)
  • UP CM Yogi Adityanath launches power infrastructure projects worth Rs 3,135 crore.
    Unveiling power infrastructure projects worth Rs 3,135 crore on Saturday, chief minister Yogi Adityanath claimed that during nearly three months of corona crisis and peaking summers, there was no shortage of electricity in the state which was a commitment of his government to provide power even in the challenging circumstances. (The Times of India, 07 June 2020)
  • Ahmedabad has India’s highest corona deaths/m population.
    Though Delhi and Mumbai might seem to be worst off with the highest number of Covid-19 cases and deaths each day, Ahmedabad with less than half the population of these metros has the highest deaths per million populations in the country. It also has the highest case fatality rate (CFR) — number of deaths per 100 cases — among the nine megapolises with populations of over 5 million. (The Times of India, 06 June 2020)
  • Farmers protest against proposed amendments to Electricity Act. Protesting against the proposed amendments to the Electricity Act, 2003, office bearers of Tamil Nadu Farmers' Association staged a demonstration in Natrampalli on Friday. The protesters were taken into custody for organizing the protest amidst lockdown, which is in force till June 30. (The Hindu, 05 June 2020)
  • India set to be UNSC non-permanent member, says will bring ‘Five S’ approach to world.
    India said it will seek to address the challenges facing the world today as “frictions have increased” as New Delhi geared up to join the UN Security Council (UNSC) as a non-permanent member. India is the single endorsed candidate for the Asia-Pacific seat in the non-permanent member category. The elections for five non-permanent members will be held by the UN General Assembly on 17 June, in which India is likely to be elected for the eighth time. (The Print, 05 June 2020)
  • 1.06 lakh stranded J&K residents evacuated: Govt.
    J&K government said around 1,06,102 residents stranded in other parts of the country have been evacuated amid strict observance of all necessary guidelines. As per the official data, 40 special trains at Jammu and Udhampur railway stations were received from different states and UTs, with about 31,786 stranded passengers while about 74,316 persons have been evacuated through Lakhanpur. (Greater Kashmir, 02 June 2020)