Monthly Archives: August 2018

Taipei, September 18

China’s military sent 103 warplanes toward Taiwan in a 24-hour period in what the island’s defence ministry called a recent new high.

The planes were detected between 6 am on Sunday and 6 am on Monday, the ministry said. As is customary, they turned back before reaching Taiwan.

Says no median line

• Taiwan’s Defence Ministry said 40 of the planes crossed the symbolic median line between mainland China and the island
• But Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said there is no such thing as a ‘median line’ because Taiwan is part of Chinese territory

Chinese warplanes fly toward the self-governing island on a near-daily basis but typically in smaller numbers. The Taiwan ministry didn’t explain what time period it meant by a “recent” high.

China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, has conducted increasingly large military drills in the air and waters around Taiwan as tensions have grown between the two and with the United States.

Taiwan’s Defence Ministry ministry called the Chinese military action “harassment” that it warned could escalate in the current tense atmosphere. — AP

Sandeep Dikshit

New Delhi, September 18

After over a year, another Chinese ocean research vessel has been cleared by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence to dock at Colombo. The ship will operate for nearly three months in the east Indian Ocean region.

Chinese “research ships”’ usually have dual purposes — while the primary aim is scientific exploration, what raises the hackles of other countries is the geopolitical purposes for which they are also deployed. In case of Shi Yan 6, a Chinese statement said the ship would help “strengthen scientific research cooperation and exchanges with countries along the Maritime Silk Road and further realise the integration of science and education for Belt and Road Initiative”.

The ship, “Shi Yan 6” will arrive at Sri Lanka a year after another research ship Yuan Wang 5 had docked at Hambantota port in August last year.

Following the security concerns raised by India and the US, Sri Lanka did allow its docking but stipulated that it must keep the Automatic Identification System (AIS) switched on within its exclusive economic xone (EEZ) and did not conduct any scientific research. The docking had also led to a war of words between Indian and Chinese diplomats.

Tribune News Service

Dushyant Singh Pundir

Chandigarh, September 18

In a recent development, the expansion of the Indian Air Force (IAF) Heritage Centre under Phase II, officially named as “Indian Air Force Aerospace and Technical Centre”, has hit a maintenance hurdle. Two months after the IAF authorities submitted their proposal for the expansion of the centre at the Government Press Building, Sector 18, its maintenance responsibilities have come into question.

At present, Phase 1 of the centre is being handled by the UT Tourism Department. However, in July year, the IAF had submitted an expansion plan to the UT Administration.

But, the UT Administration has now sent a letter to the IAF authorities, expressing their lack of expertise in artefact maintenance and suggesting that the IAF should take this responsibility.

Chandigarh cites lack of expertise

• Phase 1 of IAF Heritage Centre is being handled by the UT Tourism Department
• In July, the IAF submitted an expansion plan to the UT Administration
• Administration now cites lack of expertise in artefact maintenance and suggests the IAF should take this responsibility

A senior UT officer stated that they had communicated to the IAF authorities that they did not possess the necessary expertise for artefact maintenance, and it should, therefore, be carried out by the IAF. “As of now, we have not received a response from them,” he added.

When the proposal was submitted, IAF officers had stated that once a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was finalised, work would begin within a month and completed within six months.

Under Phase II, the centre will have advanced technology-driven features aimed at inspiring youngsters to join the Air Force. The new wing will be constructed in an adjoining hall covering an area of nearly 13,000 sq ft. It will have a display of technology-based and electronic systems, simulators and aero engines. The project has been cleared by the IAF authorities.

On May 8, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Phase I of the Heritage Centre, which received an encouraging response.

The first phase, set up across a 15,000 sq ft hall, focuses on the history and legends of the IAF. As part of Phase 1, GNAT aircraft were displayed at the light point outside the centre.

The centre at present has eight attractions, including aircraft models, weapon display and a flight simulator. Informative exhibits such as aero engines, aircraft, kiosks, air force artefacts, machines/fixtures and screens filming achievements and personalities have been set up. Additionally, there is a souvenir shop and a theme-based café for visitors to enjoy. The centre houses five vintage aircraft, complete with cockpit exposure.

Lt Gen Raj Sujlana (retd)

A recent report about a festival in Bangus valley of Kupwara (Jammu and Kashmir) transported me back to July 1971, when I joined my unit in this frontier district. The word ‘Bangus’ comes from Sanskrit words van (forest) and gus (grass). The valley is a huge grassy patch surrounded by a dense forest.

I was lucky to have seen this area in a virgin state during a long-range patrol (LRP), an important aspect of our training which honed our skills as independent commanders and enhanced our spirit of adventure. All LRP teams have specific tasks. The one I led was tasked to reconnoitre the terrain to identify likely routes of enemy ingress and interact with the locals. Being a restricted area, no casual visitors were allowed; only the nomadic Bakarwals were permitted to venture here in the summer to access the grazing grounds and go back before the winter set in.

The nine-day LRP was held over extremely difficult mountainous terrain. One of the toughest ascents was to the crest of the massive salient of the Shamshabari Range. The patrol helped greenhorns like me acclimatise to the high altitudes and tone up muscles for mountain warfare. The descent was comparatively easy-going. Once the rocky outcrop on the higher reaches was crossed, there were grassy slopes laden with wild flowers to welcome us. Tracks crisscrossed the slopes, created by the sheep, cattle and horses of the Bakarwals, who arrived here by early June. The Bakarwals’ dwellings, known as Bhaikhs, pockmarked the slopes in small numbers. The hutments were built of wood; each group of Bhaikhs had a name. These hutments were strong enough to weather the winter and give shelter to winter patrol teams. Open enclosures existed for their herds, faithfully guarded by ferocious dogs, who also warned of approaching strangers. It was interesting to meet the elders and learn about their activities. The grazing grounds fattened their cattle and sheep; milk was aplenty. They sold or bartered large quantities of ghee.

The decision to start the Bangus festival and develop 300-odd tourist destinations in J&K does not seem pragmatic from the security and environmental perspectives. Seeing the mess in Himachal Pradesh and other states, I wonder if the ‘paradise on earth’ will soon join this list. Commercialisation and tourism seem to be the overriding priorities, but throwing open Bangus and other areas close to the Line of Control, well known as suitable infiltration points for hostile elements, defies logic. It will ruin the habitat and livelihood of the Bakarwals once these areas are invaded by tourists. An adverse impact on the environment will follow, but most important are the security concerns. Imagine the opportunity for dubious characters to mingle with the tourists! Hope the decision-makers will look into these issues before it is too late.

The Indus Waters Treaty completes 63 years of its existence today. The concerns that were not foreseen in 1960 call for bilateral cooperation beyond the treaty.

Lt Gen PK Grover (retd)

Former Information Commissioner, Punjab

NO aspect of our existence today can be fully comprehended without taking into account the impact of climate change, a universal crisis that is presenting itself as a major and well-acknowledged challenge. It has been justifiably described as an existential threat to humanity. Climate-induced changes are exerting major pressure, especially on natural resources shared across contested political borders. Climate change has implications for water resources through increasing temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns and altering the timing of snowfall and glacier melt, leading to shifts in the seasonality of river flows. The Indus river system is one such affected system revealing a multi-faceted impact on the areas for which it is a lifeline.

The Indus river system, primarily nourished by precipitation and snow/glacier melt in the high-mountain ranges of Tibet-China, North-West India, northeast Afghanistan and north Pakistan, is one of the largest irrigation systems in the world with a drainage area of about 112 million hectares and an irrigated command area of over 26 million hectares. The water flowing through it (estimated to be constituted by around 32 per cent glacier melt, 40 per cent snowmelt and 28 per cent rainwater during peak stream flow) is vital for existing hydropower projects, with massive untapped potential across its headwater tributaries, and for agricultural production in valleys and downstream arable lands. The Indus river waters play a crucial role in the prosperity and growth of national economies and livelihoods of over 300 million inhabitants in Afghanistan, India and Pakistan. However, water, food and energy security in this region is inextricably linked with sustainable water supply in the Indus basin, which is prone to alteration by climate change and the increasing needs of a rapidly growing population, besides socio-economic development and ecosystem services. According to estimates, the Indus basin will lose up to 8.4 per cent of its total water resources by 2050. Experts simultaneously suggest that the rate of recession of glaciers will be hastened further in case of any increase in global temperatures.

The melting of ice and snow stored in the glaciers and the twice-yearly monsoon winds are the two main sources of freshwater in the Indus basin, both of which are acutely vulnerable to climate change. The Hindukush Karakoram Himalaya glaciers are among the least monitored and least researched among glacier systems. One of the consequences of climate change is a reduced flow in the Indus rivers. If there is a substantial decrease in the flows of any one of the western rivers due to climate change, even during the period of abundant supply (June-September), the reduced supplies to India and Pakistan may lead to misunderstandings.

Thus a deeper look and analysis of the major impact of climate change as experienced by the Indus basin are imperative. These include:

(i) Reduced snowmelt and glacier melt: The Indus basin is heavily reliant on snowmelt and glacier melt for its water supply. However, climate change is causing these sources of water to decline. This is leading to water shortage, which is already being felt in some parts of the basin.

(ii) Increased flooding: Climate change is also causing more extreme weather events, such as floods. These floods can cause widespread damage and displacement.

(iii) Changes in precipitation patterns: Climate change is causing rainfall patterns to change leading to more frequent and erratic rainfall and droughts. Such changes are making it difficult to plan for water management in the basin.

(iv) Increased water pollution: Climate change is also making it more difficult to manage water pollution as warmer temperatures and changing precipitation patterns are leading to the growth of algae blooms and other forms of pollution.

According to experts, the area, because of its geographic diversity, has grown extremely vulnerable to floods due to the impact of faster glacial melting in the north, increase in the frequency of droughts, and higher flood risks and salinity levels in the Indus river delta. The Indus basin has a long history of floods. As per records, floods have hit it at least 10 times since 1905, causing significant economic losses and casualties. This is well borne out by the fact that even in recent decades, Pakistan has experienced a high incidence of deadly floods. The devastating floods of July-August 2022 led to more than one-third of the country being inundated, driving millions from their homes. Since then, Pakistan has been reeling under the after-effects, suffering food shortage as well as outbreaks of waterborne diseases. The extreme weather event threw up an immense $16.3 billion reconstruction bill and raised the question whether Pakistan’s recovery could incorporate more climate resilience, given its significant financial constraints.

India and Pakistan share waters of the Indus basin as per the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). This agreement, facilitated by the World Bank, completes 63 years of its existence today. The newer emerging concerns that were not foreseen in 1960 — in particular, climate change and its impact on water resources — call for bilateral cooperation beyond the treaty. India felt that there was a need to devise a climate-smart response. Accordingly, in January this year, India announced that it wanted to renegotiate the treaty under Article XII (3) of the IWT to take into account a changed environmental and geopolitical situation, rather than work within what it saw as an outdated framework.

Pakistan’s carbon emissions are less than 1 per cent of the global figure, but it’s ranked among the 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change, according to Germanwatch, a think tank. Pakistan, the major beneficiary of the Indus waters, must realise that when communities are well prepared, extreme weather events do not lead to disasters. Pakistan should, therefore, join the negotiation process to work out a new Indus agreement for a comprehensive and integrated form of basin management based on the experience of the past 63 years and future requirements to derive maximum economic benefit.

Divide blurs briefly as Congress lauds Vajpayee | Special session shifts to new building today

Aditi Tandon

New Delhi, September 18

The last working day of old Parliament witnessed a temporary blurring of political divide as Prime Minister Narendra Modi led an emotional tribute to the iconic House, saluting 15 past Prime Ministers, including Jawaharlal Nehru, whose “Tryst with Destiny” speech, he said, “would keep inspiring us”.

Related News

• Old Parliament, 96, to live on as architectural marvel

Transition to new house

• 3 photo shoots of RS/LS MPs in old Parl
• Commemoration of India’s rich Parl legacy in Central Hall; VP & PM to lead
• Address by veteran MPs Maneka Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Shibu Soren likely
• 90-minute event to culminate with MPs walking over to the new Parl building

In an hour-long speech, the PM lauded the majesty of Indian democracy, which sent “a poor boy like me, working on a railway platform, to Parliament” and sought cross-party solidarity for national good in Amrit Kaal.

Entering with new hope

As we enter new Parliament building, we will go there with new hope and confidence.

Narendra Modi, PM

“Who would not feel like clapping when Pt Nehru is praised?” said the PM with Congress parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi thumping her desk in applause when Modi wound up. Congress’ Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury later reciprocated PM’s gesture by lauding late PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee for Pokhran despite the threat of sanctions. The PM’s remarks today encapsulated the national enthusiasm around the success of the G20 summit and Chandrayaan-3, even as he recalled milestone events that unfolded in Parliament and declared entry to new Parliament would be marked by new hopes and aspirations. The success of G20 summit, Modi said, “was not of any one person or party but of all 140 crore Indians”. Seeking to reach out to the Opposition, the PM noted while MPs threw barbs at one another, “the filial bonds struck in Parliament outlive all bitterness”.

‘Focus on improving nation’s condition’

Asserting that nothing new would be achieved by shifting to new Parliament, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge asked the government to change the way it did politics, accusing it of using ED to scare the Opposition. “I urge treasury to focus on improving country’s conditions,” he said.

Among milestones involving predecessors mentioned by PM Modi were the creation of Bangladesh under Indira Gandhi; the genesis of Green Revolution under Lal Bahadur Shastri; the suspension and restoration of democracy post Emergency; the economic reforms under PV Narasimha Rao; and the cash-for-vote scam under Manmohan Singh. From the best labour law practices piloted by BR Ambedkar to the first industrial policy drafted by then industry minister Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the PM remembered everyone who contributed to strengthening the House — personnel who died defending Parliament in the 2001 attack, parliament staffers and even journalists.

“Our ancestors proved all sceptics of Indian democracy wrong,” he stated.

Amid frequent applause by ruling party MPs, the PM recalled the contributions of all Presidents and PMs from Nehru and Shastri to Chandra Shekhar, Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh and said: “Today is a day to celebrate past PMs.” He also lauded Sardar Patel, Ram Manohar Lohia, LK Advani and all 16 Lok Sabha Speakers right from GV Mavalankar.

In a special mention, he spoke of Bhagat Singh exploding a bomb in this very building in 1929 to “awaken a slumbering empire”.

The historical decisions taken in Parliament that found mention in the PM’s speech were Abrogation of Article 370, GST, One Rank One Pension, and 10% quota for the economically weak.

The PM wrapped up saying the membership of the 17th Lok Sabha would get the good fortune of acting as a link between past and present as the session prepares to shift to new Parliament tomorrow.

Need to uphold values of dissent and debate

MEMBERS of Parliament will move into the new Parliament House today. A fresh beginning is being made. The occasion also calls for an honest assessment. On the first day of the special session, held in the old Parliament House on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled the many bitter-sweet memories of the building. Despite differences and disputes, he said in his speech, it witnessed Parivar Bhaav (a feeling of family). That sense of being part of a national collective, no matter the ideological positions, is fast waning. A breakdown in trust between the government and the Opposition is not unusual, but the persistent bitterness as well as the lack of traditional courtesies certainly are. What should set alarm bells ringing is any undermining of the customs and conventions that have shaped the values of our parliamentary system.

Scripting a new chapter in the conduct of our MPs would rate high on every citizen’s wishlist. The loss of public trust in Parliament’s ability to function normally and be productive should be a matter of concern for every political party. A section of the people developing a distaste for a prized institution is a worrying sign. Acrimonious scenes and trivialisation of issues that demand informed debates serve no purpose. The citizen shouldn’t be let down. The government should work against the possibility of a decline in the respect for the institution which would erode all that the new building sets out to represent. It cannot be seen as cold-shouldering the Opposition as a policy matter.

There is buzz about the Women’s Reservation Bill being cleared in the special session. More political space for women is a cherished dream, but mere physical presence would change little. Their voice must resonate. When optics and substance intermingle, the latter must predominate. That would be the real transformation.

Arjun Sharma

Jammu, September 18

Terrorists from Pakistan, trained in jungle warfare and sustaining tactics, have become a headache for the security forces who are finding ways to deal with these new age terrorists in J&K. The recent operations in Kokernag of Anantnag and those in Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi district have brought to light that terrorists being sent to J&K from Line of Control (LoC) are being trained in jungle warfare with ‘hit and run’ tactics.

Ceasefire helped bolster terror infra

• According to Army intelligence, the renewed ceasefire pact two years ago has helped strengthen terror infrastructure on the other side of the LoC.
• Earlier, in the event of ceasefire violations, security men used to destroy terror launch pads, deterring the infiltrators.

The Army intelligence has received specific inputs that multiple terror camps in Pakistan-occupied J&K (PoJK) have been made operational and terrorists are being trained for long haul during encounters. Pertinently, India and Pakistan agreed to a renewed ceasefire along the LoC on February 25, 2021 which intelligence officials now believe might have strengthened the terror infrastructure in PoJK. “Earlier, during ceasefire violations by Pakistan, the Indian Army used to target terror launch pads close to the LoC. This used to be a deterrent for terrorists trying to infiltrate,” said an Army intelligence official.

“Since the 2003 ceasefire agreement was renewed in 2021, the terror infrastructure has again strengthened close to the LoC,” he said.

The new age terrorists have taken battles to forests instead of urban areas where cornering them is comparatively easier. “After infiltrating, terrorists survive in natural caves in forest areas for days, especially in Pir Panjal region. They bring along eatables,” said an Army official based in 16 Corps at Nagrota, Jammu.

It has been reliably learnt that recently a meeting of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists with Pakistan army and ISI officials took place in Islamabad in which plans to revive insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir was discussed.

Samaan Lateef

Srinagar, September 18

Two bodies, including that of a missing soldier, were recovered from the Gadool forest in Kokernag area of Anantnag district, an Army officer said on Monday. Army man Pradeep Kumar had gone missing during an initial gunfight with militants in Hallpora village on Wednesday. The bodies were found at 11:30 am. Kumar was accompanying martyred Major Aashish Dhonchak during the encounter. In the subsequent days, the Army launched an operation to eliminate the militants as well as to trace the missing soldier.

The area was subjected to intensive bombardment with grenades and high-powered shells to clear it from militants besides recovering Kumar’s body. The body is being transported back, the officer said.The operation, which extended into its sixth consecutive day, witnessed persistent efforts from soldiers as they continued to shell the militants’ hideout and conducted extensive searches in the vicinity of the encounter site.

The ill-fated operation was initiated late on Tuesday evening based on intelligence inputs indicating the presence of militants in a concealed forest hideout. However, the militants swiftly detected the presence of the joint team of the Army and the police on Wednesday morning. It led to a barrage of gunfire from the militants’ assault rifles, causing chaos and hindering evacuation efforts.

Tragically, officers found themselves stranded in the line of fire. During the initial exchange of fire, Colonel Manpreet Singh lost his life, while Major Ashish Dhonak and DSP Himayun Muzammil Bhat sustained injuries but later succumbed The Army had said that two soldiers were also injured during the encounter.

Terrorist opens fire on CRPF vehicle

A militant opened fire on a moving bullet-proof CRPF vehicle in Khanyar, Srinagar, on Monday evening. No one was injured. The terrorist fled after opening fire.

(With inputs)

PTI

Srinagar, September 18

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday visited the residence of martyred DSP Himayun Bhat and assured the family members of all assistance. Bhat, along with Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish Dhonchak and two soldiers, was killed by terrorists on Wednesday.

The operation to flush out terrorists holed up in the Gadole forest area of Anantnag continued with security forces using drones to pinpoint the hideouts for carrying out attacks on the militants.