Possesses roughly 500 nuclear warheads

Modernisation of China’s nuclear arsenal has both accelerated and expanded in recent years. It is now believed to have one of the fastest-growing nuclear arsenals among the nine nuclear-armed states, says the latest issue of ‘Nuclear Notebook’ produced by the ‘Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists’.

China now possesses roughly 500 nuclear warheads, with more in production to arm future delivery systems. The details have been researched by the Federation of American Scientists’ Nuclear Information Project, the report said.

“China has significantly expanded its ongoing nuclear modernisation programme by fielding more types and greater numbers of nuclear weapons than ever before,” it said.

The report said since its previous edition on China in March 2023, the country has continued to develop its three new missile silo fields for solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), expanded the construction of new silos for its liquid-fuel DF-5 ICBMs, has been developing new variants of ICBMs and advanced strategic delivery systems, and has likely produced excess warheads for eventual upload onto these systems once they are deployed.

China has also further expanded its dual-capable DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missile force, which appears to have completely replaced the medium-range DF-21.

SKM groups to hold separate meets today

Mobilising support from farmers and bringing key farm unions of Punjab and Haryana together is the biggest hurdle for Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leaders, who are leading this protest and have failed to cross even the first line of barricades put up by the Haryana Police at Shambhu border.

At the core of the differences between the two farm factions — SKM and SKM (Non-political) — is the issue of whether to get into a direct confrontation with the Centre. While SKM leaders wished to build momentum before launching a larger stir, the SKM (Non-political) went ahead with the ‘Dilli Chalo’ protest, with both camps indirectly accusing each other of launching a stir with the motivation of taking credit.

Despite the death of a young protester, Shubhkaran Singh, and injuries to hundreds of farmers from Punjab, the only achievement of the 15-day agitation is that the Centre has agreed to procure five crops at the MSP for five years, if these crops were grown instead of paddy and wheat. Now all eyes are on the February 29 meetings of farmers.

SKM (Non- political) leaders Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Sarwan Singh Pandher, Surjeet Singh Phul, Manjeet Singh Rai, Amarjeet Singh Mohri and Guramneet Singh Mangat are of the view that the kisan leaders who had contested elections or have political inclinations should stay away from the protest.

SKM’s founding leaders Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Dr Darshanpal, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Harinder Singh Lakhowal are laying emphasis on a structured protest, with an emphasis on keeping anti-social elements at bay.

Some leaders blamed the SKM (Non-political) for initiating ‘Dilli Chalo’ protest to take credit and accused Pandher and others of breaking away to gain popularity.

BKU (Ugrahan) chief Joginder Singh Ugrahan even went on to claim that they were not consulted before the march was launched.

Mahesh Choudhary, spokesperson of SKM (Non-political), maintained, “We have taken a position that this protest is non-political and those who had decided to break away and participated in the electoral exercise should refrain from participating in the protest.”

Leaders blame each other

• SKM (Non-political) leaders Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Sarwan Singh Pandher and Surjeet Singh Phul are of the view that former kisan leaders, who had contested elections, should stay away from the farmers’ protest
• SKM leaders Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Dr Darshanpal and Balbir Singh Rajewal are laying emphasis on structured way of protest with an emphasis on keeping anti-social elements at bay

Shubhkaran Singh (21), a native of Bathinda, was killed and 12 police personnel were injured in clashes at the Khanauri border on Wednesday

PTI

Chandigarh, February 23

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore and a government job for the sister of farmer Shubhkaran Singh who died at the Khanauri border.

Singh (21), a native of Bathinda, was killed and 12 police personnel were injured in clashes at the Khanauri border on Wednesday. The incident took place when some protesting farmers were trying to head towards barricades.

“The family of Shubhkaran Singh, who got martyred during the farmer’s movement on the Khanauri border, will be given financial assistance of Rs 1 crore by the Punjab government and a government job will be given to his younger sister. Due legal action will be taken against culprits,” Mann said in a post in Punjabi.

Farmer leaders were demanding financial compensation for the kin of Singh and a government job for a member of his family, besides registration of a case against those who were responsible for his death.

They had also demanded “martyr” status for Singh, who hailed from Ballo village in Bathinda.

The post-mortem of Singh, whose body was kept in a mortuary of Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, was delayed as the farmers pressed for acceptance of their demands.

The chief minister on Wednesday said he was saddened by the death of the young farmer and asserted that stringent action would be taken against those responsible for it.h”After the post-mortem, a case will be registered. Those officials responsible for his death will have to face stringent action,” Mann had said.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha are spearheading the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march to press the government to accept their demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP for crops and a farm loan waiver.

The officer had sustained fracture as result of ejection from a Gnat fighter from a height of 25,000 feet

Vijay Mohan

Chandigarh, February 22

About 32 years after an IAF officer was ‘removed’ from service, he has been granted disability benefits for an injury that he had sustained during an ejection from a fighter aircraft in 1965 following judicial intervention by the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT).

The officer, then a Wing Commander, was the captain of an AN-32 aircraft that had landed at Jamnagar, along with two other aircraft, after a foreign trip. The Custom authorities confiscated certain dutiable goods from the aircraft and the officer was removed from service in February 1992 and paid 90 per cent of the pensionary benefits as per relevant regulations.

He contended that he had been removed for no fault of his in as much as the only allegations were that someone had been able to bring undeclared household goods worth a few thousand rupees in the aircraft captained by him for which custom duty was not paid, though others who were responsible for getting prohibited items were given censure and the case was closed.

He had sustained an anterior wedge compression fracture as the result of an ejection from a Gnat fighter from a height of 25,000 feet in December 1965 and was subsequently placed in low medical category for a prolonged period.

The release medical board assessed his disability at 20 percent and held it attributable to military service. Subsequently, it was reassessed and reduced to 11-14 percent. He said that was disheartened by the reduction and denial of benefits and at that point did not question the decision then.

He moved the AFT in 2011, questioning the reduction in pension and denial of leave encashment and sought disability pension, which resulted in partial relief. A reassessment medical board was held in 2013, which held his disability to be 20 per cent for life. However, he was denied disability benefits on the contention that persons removed from service are not entitled to such benefits.

The Tribunal’s Bench comprising Justice Anu Malhotra and Rear Admiral Dhiren Vig observed that there was no provision of the Pension Regulation for the Air Force that the respondents have put through to contend that the disability pension cannot be granted to the applicant whose disability was admittedly attributable to service and the percentage of disability has been assessed as 20 percent.

“That the applicant, despite having been removed from service in 1992, has been granted pensionary benefits to the extent of 90 percent is thus clearly entitled to the grant of disability element of pension which was clearly attributable to service,” the Bench ruled.

PIONEER NEWS SERVICE■ NEW DELHI With the objective of further bolstering the Navy’s firepower, the Government has given the nod for a Rs 20,000 crore deal to procure 200 Brahmos supersonic missiles. The contract is likely to be firmed up in next few days. The nod for the mega deal was given by Cabinet Committee on Security(CCS) on Wednesday, sources said here on Thursday. Brahmos is joint venture between India and Russia and the supersonic missiles are manufactured within India. The induction of Brahmos missiles will shore up Indian Navy’s arsenal. The missiles deployed on warships are used for anti-ship and attack operations. This highly sophisticated missile can be launched from ships, submarines, fighter jets and from land. Indian Army and Navy have already inducted the Brahmos missiles over the last few years. Given its proven capabilities, the Philippines has inked a deal for procuring Brahmos missiles from India in a deal worth 375 million dollars. The first set of these missiles will reach the Philippines in March, it was learnt. The Brahmos missile can accurately strike a target at sea and land at a range of more than 300 kms. Specifically designed for naval deployment, this weapon can be launched in a vertical or inclined mode from a stationary or moving maritime platform, engaging targets at stand-off ranges on sea or land. In 2016, as India became a member of the Missile Technology Control Rregime(MTCR), India and Russia are now planning to jointly develop a new generation of BrahMos missiles with 800 km range and an ability to hit protected targets with pinpoint accuracy. Plans are to eventually upgrade all missiles to a range of 1,500 km. Meanwhile, the CCS approval for Brahmos missile acquisition comes days after the defence ministry approved a proposal to procure nine maritime surveillance aircraft for the Indian Navy and six maritime patrol aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard. The proposed acquisition involves the construction of 15 maritime patrol planes, which will be based on C-295 transport aircraft that are being manufactured in India in a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus. The estimated value of these projects stands at Rs 29,000 crore. The transport aircraft would be equipped with the required radars and sensors and turned into a maritime patrol plane by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS)

AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY To enhance the capability of the Indian Air Force in keep ing a watchful eye on the air activity in China and Pakistan and protect its vital assets, the Cabinet Committee on Secu rity has cleared deals worth around Rs 13,000 crore to acquire new high-power radars and close-in weapon systems from Indian manufacturer Larsen and Toubro. The new radars under a project worth around Rs 6,000 crore have been cleared by the CCS for the Indian Air Force, replacing and augmenting the existing chain of radars along both the borders with China and Pakistan, top government sources told ANI. The ambitious Made in India Close-in Weapon System project based on a derivative of air defence guns has also been cleared, which will provide strong protection to vital assets and points against attacks by drones and aircraft. The proj ect is worth around Rs 7,000 crore, they said. The new radars and CIWS are set to be manufactured by Larsen and Toubro in part nership with multiple Indian small and medium enterpris es and would create a signifi cant number of jobs in the defence sector, they said. The radar project has been cleared at a time when India has plans to strengthen its radar coverage all along its borders with both its northern and western adversaries. The Indian Air Force has plans to install a large number of radars and will be installing them in phases. The radars planned to be acquired in the next phase of acquisition would be completely indigenous and would provide strong cover age of the intended areas

In a mega boost for the Indian Navy, the Cabinet Committee on Security has cleared the acquisition of over 200 BrahMos extend ed-range supersonic cruise missiles for deployment on its warships. The deal worth around Rs 19,000 crore was cleared in a meeting held on Wednes day evening, top govern ment sources said. The contract is set to be signed in the first week of March between the Brah Mos Aerospace and Minis try of Defence. The BrahMos is the main weapon for anti-ship and

Western Tibet has a rich historical background, particularly in proximity to Mount Kailash, near the trijunc tion between India, Nepal and Tibet. It is the case of Purang/Taklakot and a place called Toyo, located a few kilometres away, which have gone down in history for the epic battle between the Dogras of Gen. Zorawar Singh and the Tibetans troops. In December 1841, the Dogra troops, who had just conquered Western Tibet (known as Ngari), were defeated by the Tibetans — and also by the winter. The great Tibetan historian, Tsepon Shakabpa, thus described the battle of Taklakot/Toyo: “The Tibe tan government quickly dispatched Ü Dapön [Gen.] Shedra Wangchuk Gyelpo and the Ü Tsang [Central Tibet] militia under the leadership of Cabinet min ister Pellhün; when they arrived in Ngari, one regi ment of the foreign army [the Dogras] was stationed at Rutok [near Pangong tso], another was at Tra shigang [near Demchok on the Ladakh border], and a third was at Rupshö [in Ladakh]. Secret prepara tions were made for the Tibetan troops to confront each [Dogra] unit. Zorawar Singh and the most sea soned [Dogra] troops, who were stationed at Tak lakhar [Taklakot] Castle [in fact in Toyo] were con fronted… In the eleventh month [Dec. 1841], during the coldest weather of the year, the Tibetan troops attacked from all direc tions simultaneously.” The fate of Zorawar Singh and his troops were sealed, according to Shakabpa: “Three days after the fight ing began, heavy snow fell. Thus, the Sikh troops who were at Taklakot became frozen solid. Trembling under their difficulties, the Sikhs were attacked by the Tibetans in terrible hand Expectations that the election would put Pakistan on the road to political stability have clearly not been met. The election pro duced a fractured mandate and triggered one controversy after another. Protests against ballot fraud continue to take place across the country and virtually paralysed Balochistan. Claims about rig ging made by the commissioner of Rawalpindi will have to be fully investigated. A hung parliament sent the major parties scurry ing to cobble a majority. Imran Khan’s PTI, which won the biggest share of seats to emerge as the single largest bloc in the National Assembly, wasn’t accept ed as the winner by the other two major parties. Instead, they joined hands to announce that PML-N would form a coalition government headed by Shehbaz Sharif, comprising a motley group of six parties. Initially, PTI pressed its right to form the government and named Omar Ayub as its prime ministerial candidate. But without enough allies, it knew it would not be able to secure the requisite number for a majority. It then announced it would sit as the Opposition in the National Assembly. If all this added up to a confusing picture, there was more to come. To cross the magic number of 134 NA seats in order to stake an initial claim to form the government, PML-N needed the PPP’s backing. It secured this — taking it well over the needed number — but with caveats. The PPP decided not to join the coalition government or Cabinet but declared it to-hand fighting… While Zorawar Singh was riding his horse, rushing back and forth, he was recog nized by a Yasor called Mikmar. He threw a spear and Zorawar Singh fell from his horse. Leaping off of his own horse, Mikmar cut Singh’s head off and carried it into the middle of the Tibetan camp. This was seen by the Sikh [Dogra] soldiers, and they fled in whatever way they could.” A few months later, Maharaja Gulab Singh smashed the Tibetan forces trying to invade Ladakh. Dapön Zurkhang and Dapön Pelzhi were cap tured and taken to Leh, where a peace treaty was signed between the Dogras and the Tibetans, confirm ing once more the tradi tional border between Ladakh and Tibet. The tomb of Zorawar Singh still exists in Toyo, which has recently come in the news, but for different reasons. An article in the Chinese media mentions a newly built village in Toyo: “Chi na continues to promote the improvement of the rural living environment, paying close attention to greening [the area], beauti fication and [water] purifi cation; the changes in Toyo are a concrete manifesta tion of the Ngari region’s efforts to build a beautiful and livable countryside.” During the past three years, in Western Tibet alone, a total of 31 projects have been implemented to build liveable, “industrial” and beautiful villages, a local Communist Party cadre explains; in his jar gon that it will be: “in accordance with the princi ples of beautiful leisure vil lages, happy and liveable villages, clean and tidy vil lages.” But why a new vil lage in Toyo? Says Newsweek: “China appears to have completed the construction of a new dam in the country’s south western border regions, a project that could have far reaching strategic implica

needs to be noticed: the closure of the Kailash Yatra to Indian pilgrims. The 6,638-metre-tall diamond-shaped mountain is also a most sacred place in the Jain, Buddhist and Bon religions. tions for its southern neighbours India and Nepal.” Built on the Map cha Tsangpo (or Peacock river, also known as Gha ghara or Saryu in India and Karnali in Nepal), it is a perennial source of fresh water water supply to the downstream populations. What is strange is that the existence of this hy dropower plant, located close to the Indian border, has not appeared in any published Chinese plan earlier. Though satellite imagery only shows a medium river-of-the-river dam, without a large reser voir, India downstream should be concerned. But there is more. A new airport is coming up a couple of kilometres north of the hydropower plant and the “model” vil lage. In June 2018, the Civil Aviation Administration of China had announced that Tibet would soon have three new airports. The Chinese-language press had given some informa tion about the location of these three airports: one was to be located in Lhun tse, north of Arunachal Pradesh, the second north of a border post with Nepal and the last in Purang. Chinese website seetao .com explained: “These three airports can be for civilian use in peacetime, military aircraft training on the plateau; direct mili tary use in wartime, hold ing military operations, will be able to play a very important role.” Though many in India had forgotten about this announcement, the airport is now functional; on Nov. 10, 2023, videos of the newly-built airfield appear ed on the Chinese social media. These three devel opments (model village, hy dropower station and air port) should be seen as one, undoubtedly all are for du The void created by the passing of Fali S. Nariman and Ameen Sayani cannot be filled. The Centre could consider suitable awards for them. al (civil and military) use. A separate occurrence needs to be noticed: the clo sure of the Kailash Yatra to Indian pilgrims. The 6,638 metre-tall diamond-shaped mountain is considered to be the abode of Lord Shiva and also one of the most sacred places in the Jain, Buddhist and Bon reli gions. For centuries, pil grims from India have vis ited the holy site; since the 1990s, they could cross into Tibet via Lipulekh Pass in Pittoragarh district and later enter Tibet via Nathu la in Sikkim. After the Doklam incident in 2017, the Indian yatris were not allowed to use these routes anymore. As Beijing ignored Kathmandu’s request to permit the aerial sightsee ing of Mount Kailash, Nepali tour operators decided to offer the yatris an alternative and a large number of devotees started using the Nepal route from Simikot to Purang by char tered helicopters; unfortu nately, the scheme was subsequently closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. After the scheme reopened for Nepalis in 2022, the Chinese authori ties did not allow Indian visitors to fly to Purang, though last year alone, Nepali tour operators received over 50,000 book ings from Indian pilgrims for the sacred pilgrimage. According to the Kathmandu Post, a new alternative has been found: a flight could remain in Nepalese territory and have a “remote” darshan of the sacred mountain: “Shree Airlines operated a first-of-its-kind aerial pil grimage tour of the holy places, making the pil grims’ dream come true without a Chinese visa” — explained a communiqué last week. It is clear that China does not want Indians to have a real dar shan of the holy mountain, or even come close to the place where Zorawar Singh is buried; and these latest developments in the area explain why. Claude Arpi is Distinguished Fellow at the Centre of Excellence for Himalayan Studies, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence (Delhi), and writes on India, Tibet and Indo-French relation

Major step towards strengthening bilateral ties

IN the first-ever acknowledgement of American assistance amid the prolonged standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane said the US provided critical intelligence and situational awareness information that helped India effectively counter Chinese ‘bullying’. Aramane said India expected its friend to be at hand whenever it needs support in the future. This appreciation of cutting-edge American help exemplifies how the India-US relationship, redefined by the emergence of Chinese regional hegemony, has evolved over the past 25 years.

The lure of the market — defence, digital and manufacturing — prompts the US to keep ties with India on an even keel. But it is also India’s rising economic and strategic heft that enables closer association with the US. Last week, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande visited the US and held discussions with his American counterpart Gen Randy George on bilateral issues and ways to enhance mutual commitment towards global peace and security. Earlier this week, US Ambassador Eric Garcetti called on the two allies to explore co-development of military hardware.

For India-US ties to grow stronger, it is necessary to remove the suspicion that either side is inching closer to China behind the other’s back. It is a sign of maturity in the India-US relations that though Washington has started a series of high-level engagements with Beijing, New Delhi has not expressed its resentment. This is because there has been no slacking of American help on the LAC, and talks on co-production of defence items have made steady progress. While irritants such as the Gurpatwant Singh Pannun case will remain, the wide array of collaborations has led the two sides to realise the importance of sticking together.