Kabul, February 22

The Taliban carried out a double public execution at a stadium in south-eastern Afghanistan on Thursday. Thousands watched the killing of two convicted men, as their victims’ relatives fired the gunshot. The Taliban’s Supreme Court had ruled that the pair were responsible for the stabbing deaths of two victims in separate attacks.

It identified the two as Syed Jamal from central Wardak province and Gul Khan from Ghazni. Meanwhile, the United Nations criticised the Taliban and called on the country’s rulers to halt such practices. — AP

Dutch original equipment manufacturers to be encouraged to integrate Indian vendors into their supply chains

Tribune News Service

Ajay Banerjee

New Delhi, February 23

India and Netherlands are keen to encourage interaction between the defence industries, and in high-tech sectors of semi-conductors and clean energy, said the Ministry of Defence following a bilateral meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his counterpart from Netherlands Kajsa Ollongren today.

The semi-conductor push comes from the fact that the Dutch company ASML is a global leader in making cutting-edge machines used in making semi-conductor chips. India is looking at having its own chip making process for the military, civilian, and space sectors.

The Ministry of Defence said the ministers discussed the possibilities for expanding their bilateral defence cooperation, particularly in maritime and industrial domains.

“They noted the increased interaction between the two Navies and expressed keenness to work together to enhance maritime security in the Indian Ocean region,” the ministry said. 

Rajnath Singh suggested that the Dutch original equipment manufacturers could be encouraged to integrate Indian vendors into their supply chains. India has developed a vibrant innovation and industrial ecosystem given the Indian and Dutch complementarities in skills, technology, and scale.

Kajsa Ollongren later attended the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi where she spoke on the use of unconventional technology in future wars and how protecting under communication cables and gas pipelines had been achieved in Europe.

New Delhi, February 22

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday raided the Delhi house of former J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik in connection with the Kiru hydropower project corruption case. The agency conducted searches at more than 30 locations in eight states in an ongoing investigation of a case pertaining to allegations of irregularities in the award of civil works of Kiru hydroelectric power project in J&K, being executed by Chenab Valley Power Projects (P) Ltd (CVPPPL), sources said.These searches took place in various locations, including Jammu, Srinagar, Delhi, Gurugram, Mumbai, Baghpat, Noida, Patna, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Barmer, Nagaur and Chandigarh, the agency stated. The case was registered on February 20, 2022 against officials of the CVPPPL, a private company, and a few unidentified. It was alleged that in the award of civil works relating to the Kiru hydroelectric project, guidelines regarding e-tendering were not followed. It was also alleged that though a decision was taken in the 47th board meeting of the CVPPPL for re-tender through e-tendering with reverse auction, after cancellation of ongoing tendering process, the same was not implemented and the decision of 47th board meeting was reversed in the 48th board meeting. During searches, evidence of huge cash deposits, investment in fixed deposits, investment in properties in various cities, digital and documentary evidence have been seized. The investigation is going on in the matter. The J&K administration had in 2022 asked for a CBI probe into alleged malpractices — flagged earlier by Satya Pal Malik — in the award of two government contracts, for which he had last year claimed that he was offered Rs 300 crore as bribe during his stint as J&K Governor.

Meanwhile, the senior leader, in a series of tweets in the morning, said he was unwell and hospitalised, yet his residence was being raided by central agencies on the order of a “dictator”. Even his driver and assistant were raided, Malik said further.

He however added that he was a son of a farmer and he won’t be fazed by the raids, while reiterating his support to the ongoing farmers’ agitation. Malik further said that instead of investigating those whom he had named in the matter, the CBI was raiding his premises. “Apart from a few pairs of kurta pyjamas, they will not find anything. The dictator is trying to pressurise me by misusing central agencies, but I am a farmer’s son and I will not be afraid,” he said.

Malik ‘Unfazed’

• Former Governor Satya Pal Malik posts on X that he is hospitalised, yet his residence is being raided by central agencies on the order of a “dictator”.
• Claiming that he is unfazed, he adds that even his driver and assistant have been raided.
• Apart from a few pairs of kurta pyjamas, they will not find anything, Malik asserts.

30 locations in eight states searched

• The central agency searched more than 30 locations in eight states in connection with the probe into a case pertaining to “irregularities” in the award of civil works of Kiru hydroelectric power project in J&K.
• Evidence related to cash deposits, investment in properties, etc. have been seized.

Meanwhile President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Ukraine’s summer counteroffensive. “But this is not like a feature
movie, where everything happens in an hour and a half.” Seasons have changed, and it is no longer summer, all that
the offensive has achieved is to advance just 7.5 KMs reaching the tiny village of Robotyne. Does this reflect a
substantial density of Russian fortifications and mines in the 1500 KMs front or the lack of resources with Ukraine?
The West would like to blame it on inexperienced troops (after two years of war?), new tactics (Mechanised warfare),
Russian fortifications ……. in that order.
However, during this period, Russia has been able to capture two strategic cities of Bakhmut and now Avdiivka. At the
heart of Avdiivka city is the once-thriving Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Plant, once one of the largest producers of
coke, a coal-based fuel, in Europe.
“We are taking measures to stabilise the situation and maintain our positions. The life of military personnel is of the
highest value.” Newly appointed Ukrainian military Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi after the loss.
Brave words by a Military Commander to cover up for political snafus……a worldwide phenomenon! The truth is a
that a lack of military supplies from Western Patrons has a direct impact on the loss of Avdiivka. The Ukraine Army is
rationing its Artillery due to acute shortage of ammunition – OMG, Ukraine has been dumped!!!
2024 is the ‘Global Elections Carnival’ – More voters than ever will vote in at least 64 countries (plus the EU).
Hopefully the intelligent populations are fed up with these ‘wars by proxy’ happening around the world and they are
now prepared to punish their smug political leadership.
Avdiivka is a key to Russia’s aim of securing full control of the two Donbas provinces – Donetsk and Luhansk. Avdiivka
was protecting several key Ukrainian military positions farther west and putting the nearby Russian-controlled city of
Donetsk under constant threat. Seizing Avdiivka could boost Russian morale and demoralise Ukrainian forces further.
A few days ago, US Defence Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III, told the defence ministers meeting in Brussels that the
United States would maintain its support for Ukraine, making no mention of a multibillion-dollar aid package
awaiting congressional approval.
The $95 billion emergency aid package remains blocked in Congress since its introduction in Oct 23. After the
Senate has passed the package, which included aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with bipartisan support. It has
moved closer to a final vote, …… which could still be days away. Ukraine and the other proxies will have to wait –
consensus is likely to remain fractured with American elections around the corner.
Conventional wisdom is that wars end in negotiations – however they often end or freeze at the ballot box, e.g
America’s war in Vietnam, the French in Algeria, Slobodan Milosevic’s defeat in Yugoslavia – outcomes of the 2024
elections will shape the next international order and perhaps many communities across the world will be freed from
travails of violence ……….. we can only hope.
For Joe Biden and his European allies to win elections, Ukraine needs some wins on the battlefield. The Republicans
know that well. As far as Vladimir Putin is concerned, it will take a lot of imagination to see him losing elections. And
Zelenski for obvious reasons is doing his best to avoid them – any ways, with most of the population exiled or
internally displaced elections in Ukraine will be a monumental logistical challenge.
Conclusively: Ukraine has every reason to fear that Democrats (in the US) may lose the presidency and support for
them (Ukraine) could soften. A new standard for 21st Century – to win wars, you also need to win elections, and not
just in your own country.

The 21st round of India-China corps commander-level meeting was held at Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on February 19, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) says

PTI

New Delhi, February 21

India and China held a fresh round of high-level military talks to resolve the over three-and-half-year-old border row in eastern Ladakh that saw both sides agreeing to maintain “peace and tranquillity” on the ground but there was no indication of any breakthrough.

The 21st round of India-China corps commander-level meeting was held at Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on February 19, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday.

The Indian side strongly pressed for resolution of the lingering issues at Depsang and Demchok, people familiar with the matter said, adding there was no tangible forward movement in the talks.

The MEA said the two sides agreed to maintain communication on the way ahead through the relevant military and diplomatic mechanisms.https://0ead7acb584acdd12c11f8211a543390.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

“The discussions built on the previous rounds, seeking complete disengagement in the remaining areas along the LAC (Line of Actual Control) in Eastern Ladakh as an essential basis for restoration of peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas,” it said in a statement.

The MEA said the two sides shared their perspectives on this in the talks held in a “friendly and cordial” atmosphere. 

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announces this at a press conference

Tribune Web Desk

Shambhu border, February 21

Farmers will suspend the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march for two days, and will decide the next course of action on Friday evening.

This was announced by farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher while addressing a press conference here.

There were clashes between the farmers and police at Shambhu and Khanauri borders on Wednesday.

One young farmer died and a few others were injured at the Khanauri border.

Farmers have been protesting at the Punjab-Haryana borders for the past few days to press the Centre into accepting their demands on MSP and other issues. With PTI

A GSI forum on the lines of the Belt and Road Initiative forum may be in the offing.

Lt Gen SL Narasimhan (Retd)

Adjunct Distinguished Fellow, Gateway House

THE Global Security Initiative (GSI) is third in the Chinese series, after the Global Initiative on Data Security (GIDS) and the Global Development Initiative. It was announced by President Xi Jinping at the Boao Forum for Asia in April 2022. However, the roots of this initiative lie in Xi’s speech at the fourth summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) on May 21, 2014, wherein he outlined the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security in Asia. He advocated a regional security architecture and indivisible security. Indivisible security, which originated in the Helsinki Accords of 1975, meant that the security of one nation is inseparable from that of other countries in its region.

When President Xi proposed the GSI, it contained six commitments: maintaining common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security; respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries; respecting purposes and principles of the UN Charter; peacefully resolving differences and disputes between countries; maintaining security in traditional and non-traditional domains; and upholding indivisible security. Thus, there is continuity in China’s approach to security. The difference in the two articulations by Xi is that the earlier one was regional, while the GSI is global.

China’s foreign office mandarins explained the GSI soon after it was announced. It was followed by a concept paper on the initiative, then Foreign Minister Qin Gang’s speech at the Lanting Forum, titled ‘The Global Security Initiative: China’s Proposal for Solving Security Challenges’ on February 21 last year and Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s keynote address during the Munich Security Conference the same month. In the 10th Xiangshan Forum held in Beijing last October, Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong mentioned that more than 100 countries and international organisations had expressed support for the GSI, and it had been written into a large number of documents between China and them.

The concept paper proposed 20 priorities and mechanisms of cooperation and ‘suggestions’ for platforms. The priorities included measures in traditional and non-traditional security domains. The concept paper also suggested action plans.

China has claimed to have worked on four broad lines of action towards the implementation of the initiative. The first is active participation in and promotion of multilateral security cooperation. Under this, China’s contribution to UN peacekeeping, arms control and demining operations are cited. The second is China’s efforts at mediation between various countries and in conflict situations. The Saudi Arabia-Iran rapprochement, China’s positions on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and the Russia-Ukraine and Hamas-Israel conflicts are quoted as its contributions. The third is China’s action and cooperation in non-traditional security areas, such as counterterrorism, cybersecurity, food security and climate change. Under this, many initiatives by China are mentioned, including the GIDS and the Global Initiative on Artificial Intelligence Governance. The last line of action is China facilitating the improvement of international security dialogue and exchange platforms and mechanisms. The China-Horn of Africa Conference, the Middle East Security Forum, discussions under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and CICA and other forums have been cited.

According to Nong Rong, Beijing is likely to focus on expanding international consensus on common security, forging an effective paradigm for international security cooperation, exploring peaceful solutions to hotspot issues and promoting the reform of the global security governance system so as to ensure the steady and long-term progress of the GSI. A GSI forum on the lines of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) forum may be in the offing. The Dragon may encourage partners in the GSI to carry out bilateral and multilateral discussions under multilateral mechanisms like the UN, BRICS and the SCO. China’s efforts in the Hamas-Israel and Russia-Ukraine conflicts are likely to continue. Beijing may also strive to use the GSI as a platform for advancing the reform of the global security governance system.

From the explanations of the GSI, a few things stand out. One, the initiative was highlighted as Xi’s vision by almost all of them. Two, the GSI is part of “building a community with a shared future”, an overarching concept under which all the initiatives that China has announced in quick succession fit in. Three, indivisible security was given importance. Four, China is looking for an alternative security architecture. Five, GSI complements GDI, which in turn subsumes the BRI. Lastly, it appears that China is keen on leveraging the United Nations system to her advantage.

The GSI, like other initiatives announced by China, is prescriptive, with Beijing assuming a superior role. And that fits into her centenary goal of becoming a global power by 2049. It also looks as if China is trying to justify some of its actions through this initiative. There are many dichotomies between what China is proposing in this initiative and what it is practising, for example, its actions along the line of actual control with India and in the South China Sea.

India should closely monitor the progress that China is making on this initiative, as this will have direct security concerns for it. Though China supports a multipolar world officially, indications are that it prefers to be the unipole. Also, it does not seem to be willing to accept a multipolar Asia. Therefore, its efforts towards the GSI will impinge on India’s efforts to become a major power. India needs to think of alternative initiative(s) to ensure its place in the international domain, as it has come up with the idea of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, which seems to be gaining momentum.

Views are personal