India, China on verge of reaching agreement to resolve border standoff in eastern Ladakh

India and China may be on the verge of a breakthrough in resolving the over six-month-long tense border standoff in eastern Ladakh with both sides broadly agreeing on a three-step process on disengagement of troops and withdrawal of weaponry from all major friction points in a time-bound manner, authoritative sources said on Wednesday. The broad contours of the proposal include removal of armoured personnel carriers within one day of inking an agreement, withdrawal of troops from specific areas on the north and south banks of the Pangong lake in eastern Ladakh and carrying out verification of the disengagement process by both the sides, they said. The specific proposals for the disengagement and restoration of the status quo ante as existed in April were finalised during the eighth round of high-level military talks between the Indian and Chinese armies in Chushul on November 6 on the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control(LAC). The sources said both the Indian Army and the Chinese People's Liberation Army(PLA) are looking at sealing the pact in the next round of Corps Commander-level talks as the proposals were agreed to by the two sides. The ninth round of military talks are likely to take place in the next few days. Nearly 50,000 Indian Army troops are currently deployed in a high state of combat readiness in various mountainous locations in eastern Ladakh in sub-zero conditions as multiple rounds of talks between the two sides have not yielded concrete outcome to resolve the standoff. China has also deployed an equal number of troops, according to officials. The standoff between the two sides erupted in early May. As a first step, both sides will remove their tanks, artillery guns, armoured vehicles and large equipment from the friction points along the LAC to their rear bases within three days from inking the agreement, the sources said. Under the second step, the PLA will go back to Finger 8 areas from their current position of Finger 4 on the north bank of Pangong lake while the Indian troops would position themselves close to the Dhan Singh Thapa post, the sources said. The mountain spurs in the area are referred to as Fingers. It was broadly agreed to withdraw around 30 percent of the troops every day for three days, they said. In the third step, it was agreed to complete the disengagement process in areas along the southern bank of Pangong lake like Rezang La, Mukhpari and Magar hill. Indian troops occupied a number of strategic heights in the Mukhpari, Rezang La and Magar hill areas around the southern bank of the Pangong lake, after the PLA soldiers attempted to intimidate them in the area on the intervening night of August 29 and 30. "These are all proposals. There is no agreement signed yet," said a high-level source. In the final phase of the disengagement process, both sides will carry out a detailed verification process following which normal patrolling is expected to resume, the sources said. It is learnt that the top military brass deliberated on the proposals for disengagement and de-escalation of tension in eastern Ladakh before the eighth round of Corps Commander talks with the PLA. The disengagement proposal in Finger areas will mean there will be no patrolling between Finger 4 and 8 areas till there is a resolution of the standoff. India used to patrol till Finger 8. Army chief general M M Naravane on Tuesday said he was hopeful that the Indian and Chinese militaries will be able to reach an agreement on disengagement and de-escalation of tension in eastern Ladakh. After the last round of military talks, both sides described the negotiations as candid, in-depth and constructive. They said it was agreed to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and ensure that the frontline troops exercise restraint and avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation. At the seventh round of talks too, both sides had agreed to maintain dialogue and communication through military and diplomatic channels to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution for disengagement "as early as possible". India has all along been maintaining that the onus is on China to carry forward the process of disengagement and de-escalation at the friction points in the mountainous region. Following the sixth round of military talks, the two sides announced a slew of decisions including not to send more troops to the frontline, refrain from unilaterally changing the situation on the ground and avoid taking any actions that may further complicate matters. The sixth round of talks took place days after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi reached a five-point agreement to resolve the row at a meeting in Moscow on September 10 on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO) conclave. The pact included measures like quick disengagement of troops, avoiding action that could escalate tensions, adherence to all agreements and protocols on border management and steps to restore peace along the LAC. Economictimes

OFB to soon offer its indigenous anti-material sniper rifle to Army for trials

The Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) is soon to offer its indigenously developed large-calibre sniper anti-material rifle (AMR) to the Indian Army for trials after having incorporated modifications as per the latter’s requirement. The large calibre AMR, named ‘Vidwanshak’ is a 100 per cent indigenous weapon by OFB, launched during the ‘Atmanirbhar Week’. Sources in the Kolkata based defence manufacturer- OFB, confirmed to The Statesman that some orders were received for the rifle from state police organisations and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). The BSF and the CRPF are the existing users of the weapon. “Vidwanshak is a multi-calibre sniper rifle chambered for two types of calibres- 14.5mm and 20mm. It can be used in anti-material role for destroying enemy bunkers, lightly armoured vehicles, radar systems, communication equipment, parked aircraft, fuel storage facilities etc” explained the source who added, it is a “single shot, bolt-action rifle having a detachable three round magazine and a range of 1800m for 14.5mm calibre ammunition and 1300m for the 20mm calibre. The advantage is, the rifle can quickly be dismantled and carried in two portable man-packs, each weighing 12 to 15 kgs.” The Indian Army earlier imported such 14.5mm/20mm anti-material sniper rifles from the South African company, Denel Land Systems. To boost the Atmanirbhar policy, OFB developed the AMR through its in-house R&D wing of Ordnance Factory (OF), Trichy without any MoU with foreign collaborators and support from external agencies, factory sources confirmed. Due to this indigenisation, foreign exchange to the tune of USD 90 million will be saved, it said. However, the Army reportedly had earlier desisted from procuring the Vidwanshak rifle due to its heavy-weight which affected portability. OFB sources highlighted “the weight of the weapon is comparatively lesser than the South African made AMR which were used by the Army. This weapon also has advanced optical telescoping sights. We have completed modifications on the rifle as per the Army requirement and will offer it for trials soon.” Indian Defence News

Russia's top defence export body offers technology to India for production

Russia's top defence export body Rosoboronexport has expressed its readiness to give India technology for production of defence equipment. Earlier this month the body marked its 20th anniversary and in response to WION question it said, "historically, from the very beginning.....not only supplied military equipment but also provided assistance in organising its production, creating repair and maintenance facilities". The company has worked together with Indian authorities for licensed production of multirole Su-30MKI fighter jets in India, the modernisation and transfer of the Vikramaditya aircraft carrier to the Indian Navy. India and Russia share a close defence partnership, something that has been the pillar of the much-celebrated relationship. Calling the bilateral projects "fully consistent" with the Make in India program, Rosoboronexport pointed out that it has been actively working with major Indian industrial companies – HAL, OFB, Bharat Forge, Bharat Dynamics, etc – and has "always appreciated the highest level of their expertise." The result of the Su-30MKI program was the induction into the Indian Air Force of a new aircraft, which has become the world's first super-maneuverable combat aircraft in serial production. It is also the first exported fighter jet equipped with the phased-array radar. Joint production of Kalashnikov AK203 assault rifles by the specially established Indo Russia Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) rifle manufacturing facility in Korwa, Amethi is the next key focus of both sides. While the project has its usual benefits of 100% localisation program, the project is still to be launched due to the absence of the production contract. But the good news is, both sides have agreed on the technical configuration of the rifle. The AK203 project could become a major boost for the Amethi region, as well as potentially for India's export ambitions. The joint program also could see the possibility of rifles being exported to other countries. wion news

India's Ordnance Factory Board gets order from the US to supply ammo

India's state-run Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) has got an order from the US to supply ammunition. The OFB, one of the country's oldest defence establishments, has received an export order for 5.56X45 mm NATO M193 Ball bullets from the US. "The ammunition will be manufactured at Ordnance Factory Varangaon in Maharashtra and will be supplied in the current fiscal year," OFB Deputy Director General Gagan Chaturvedi told IANS. He also said that the ordnance factories have been exporting ammunition to foreign nations and have been fulfilling the commitments within the given time. India had inherited 18 ordnance factories established by the British at the time of Independence. Currently, the OFB oversees 41 factories, 13 development centres and nine institutes of learning. The government is pushing for the corporatisation of the OFB, citing that it has been an ailing intuition and they want to make it at par with other defence public sector undertakings managed by its own board of directors with broad guidelines from the government. The government has envisioned growth of the OFB post corporatisation, expecting it to raise its turnover to Rs 30,000 crore by 2024-25 annually against existing Rs 12,000 crore, and has set up a high-level panel to work out a roadmap to achieve the same. The corporatisation of OFB will improve its autonomy, accountability and efficiency in Ordnance Supplies, it had stated. (IANS)

Xi Orders Faster Work On Rail Line In Tibet, Close To Arunachal

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday instructed officials to expedite the construction of the new USD 47.8 billion railway project connecting the country's southwest Sichuan province to Linzhi in Tibet close to the Indian border in Arunachal Pradesh, saying it would play a key role in safeguarding stability in the border areas. The Sichuan-Tibet Railway will be the second railway line into Tibet after the Qinghai-Tibet Railway project. It will go through the southeast of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, one of the world's most geologically active areas, according to the Chinese official media. The Sichuan-Tibet Railway starts from Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province and travels through Ya'an and enters Tibet via Qamdo, shortening the journey from Chengdu to Lhasa from 48 hours to 13 hours. Linzhi, also known as Nyingchi, is located close to Arunachal Pradesh border. The India-China border dispute covers the 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control, the de-facto border between the two countries. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of south Tibet which is firmly rejected by India. Linzhi also has an airport which is one of the five airports built by China in the Himalayan region. The Ya'an-Linzhi section runs 1,011 km with 26 stations. Trains are expected to run at speeds between 120 and 200 kms per hour. The total cost of the entire Sichuan-Tibet Railway project is around 319.8 billion yuan (USD 47.8 billion), according to a recent report by the state-run Global Times. In a video conference, ahead of the commencement of the construction of the project, Xi identified it as a major measure in facilitating the ruling Communist Party's general plan for governing Tibet in the new era, and stressed the project's important role in safeguarding national unity, promoting ethnic solidarity and consolidating stability in border areas. He made the instruction ahead of the beginning of the construction of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway's Ya'an-Nyingchi section on Sunday, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The Sichuan-Tibet Railway will not only accelerate and enhance the overall economic development of the Tibet region, but will play an important role in safeguarding border stability, the Global Times said. The project would significantly contribute to the economic and social development of the western region, especially in Sichuan province and Tibet Autonomous Region, Xi said. Underlining the complex geological and climatic conditions, as well as fragile ecological environment along the project line, he called for leveraging China's advantage of concentrating resources to get things done to accomplish this historic task, which is arduous but glorious. The construction should be carried out in a scientific, safe and eco-friendly way, Xi said, apparently referring to the fragility of the area as it is one of the world's most active seismic regions. Speaking at the meeting, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang emphasised prioritising the safety, reliability and quality of the project, and called for coordinated efforts in promoting construction, epidemic prevention and people's well-being. The 1,011-km section between Ya'an in Sichuan and NyingChi in Tibet is the third part of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway, which will be carried out by the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. The project's Chengdu-Ya''an section became operational in December 2018, and the construction of the Lhasa-Nyingchi section started in June 2015, the Xinhua report added. NDTV

Sherpa Spotted: CRPF set to induct heavy-armoured French vehicle

The paramilitary CRPF is set to induct heavy-armoured vehicle ‘Renault Sherpa’ for anti-militancy operations in Kashmir. The vehicle is one of the six versions of the Sherpa armoured vehicles manufactured by French company ‘Renault Trucks Defense’. “One Sherpa vehicle has been sent for repair,” Inspector General of Police, CRPF, Kashmir Operation Sector Deepak Ratan told Greater Kashmir. “We are taking a final call soon,” he said. On whether the vehicle had been inducted for operational purpose, Deepak said, “It is an operational matter and can’t be discussed.” The sources in CRPF said the vehicle had been inducted on a trial basis. “It will soon be inducted for operational purpose,” they said. “The vehicle is being tried in different terrains and will be inducted in the CRPF only after it meets the technical requirements,” the source said. The vehicle was spotted in Srinagar on Friday. Earlier, the vehicle was seen in Srinagar on 13 February 2018 during a gunfight between the forces and the militants in Karan Nagar area of the summer capital. In July 2016, after an attack on CRPF in which eight paramilitary personnel were killed, the force was equipped with heavily-armoured Mine Protected Vehicles (MPVs) that were earlier used for anti-Naxal operations. A senior Police officer here said that they had not spotted Sherpa vehicle in any gunfight so far. Official figures maintain that over 408 battalions (a battalion comprising 1000 men) have been deployed in Kashmir for law and order and operation purposes. Srinagar, the capital city has the largest presence of CRPF, followed by Anantnag. Greater Kashmir

After Rafale Jets, India Quietly Working With France To Acquire Stealth Submarines In A Multi-Billion Dollar Deal

The bilateral ties between India and France have seen a major boost in recent years. Following the landmark Rafale deal, New Delhi is now set to acquire new submarines from the French shipbuilder Naval Group. Citing a source, a Nikkei Asia report said that the French shipbuilder will make an offer in line with the ‘Make in India’ initiative for a proposal to make P75I class submarines for the Indian Navy. Reportedly, a meeting was held in September between the French Defense Minister Florence Parly and her Indian counterpart, Rajnath Singh where the Indo-French defense cooperation was discussed. “One of these is the P75I submarines tender,” said the source cited in the report. According to Harsh V Pant, chief of the Strategic Studies Programme, Observer Research Foundation talking to Nikkei Asia, the deal is expected to be worth a whopping 420 billion rupees ($5.6 billion). The report added that the tender seeks to build six stealth submarines with air-independent propulsion technology that would have a longer submerged range than subs already possessed by the Indian Navy. As reported earlier by EurAsian Times, New Delhi has already picked Larsen & Toubro and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders as two Indian firms. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) invited RFP (request for proposal) from five foreign manufacturers including ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (Germany), Rubin Design Bureau (Russia), Navantia (Spain), Naval Group (France), and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (South Korea). P-75I will become the first project to be launched under the Strategic Partnership (SP) policy initiated by the current government in May 2017 to give a boost to ‘Make in India’. The submarine project or other SP projects won’t be affected by the MoD import arms embargo. Reportedly, the MoD requested information and data regarding the following capabilities of the proposed design of the submarine: :: maximum diving depth without limitation on the number of dives. :: maximum operating range (dived-snort-surface) and mission endurance. :: air-independent propulsion system being offered. :: surface displacement and reserve buoyancy. :: indiscretion rate. :: seawater specific gravity operating range. :: torpedo tubes with the capability to launch long-range, heavyweight, wire-guided torpedoes, missiles, and methods for weapon discharge. :: externally launched torpedo decoy system. :: integrated combat system (details of prospective suppliers to be provided). :: contemporary low noise propulsion and power generation system. :: auxiliary motors with take home capability. :: contemporary IPMS, SMCS, APMS. :: AC system customized for operation in tropical waters characterized by high temperature and high humidity conditions. India is expected to develop an indigenous submarine program (P-76) after the transfer of technology by the French manufacturer. Another such defense deal, after India celebrated the arrival of its first five French Rafale fighters in July another three fighter jets landed on Wednesday at the Ambala airbase, is expected to boost bilateral ties between India and France. New Delhi chose the French Dassault Rafale fighters over American jets. According to a report by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, France moved to India’s third-largest arms supplier from eighth from 2010 to 2014, trailing only after Russia and Israel. The ties between the two have grown leaps and bound, not just in defense cooperation but the leaders of both the countries have shown immense support for each other. Last year, speaking at UNESCO in Paris, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “Today in the 21st century, we talk of INFRA. I would like to say that for me it is IN+FRA, which means the alliance between India and France.” France has also endorsed India for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council. A display of solidarity was seen recently when New Delhi condemned attacks on French President Emmanuel Macron over his statements in support of the publication of controversial Charlie Hebdo cartoons. In an official statement, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said: “We strongly deplore the personal attacks in unacceptable language on President Emmanuel Macron in violation of the most basic standards of international discourse.” The EurAsian Times

China slams US for delisting Xinjiang's East Turkestan Islamic Movement as terrorist outfit

China on Friday sharply criticised the US for delisting Xinjiang's separatist militant outfit East Turkestan Islamic Movement from its list of terrorist organisations, saying it reflected Washington's "double standards" on fighting global terrorism. In a major policy shift on November 5, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo lifted the ban on East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), which was designated as a terrorist organisation by the UN's 1267 counter-terrorism committee in 2002 for its alleged association with al-Qaida, Osama bin Laden and the Taliban. China accuses ETIM, which is entrenched in Uighur Muslim-majority province of Xinjiang province, of being responsible for numerous violent attacks in the province and outside, including one at the Forbidden City in Beijing, killing several people. The US in recent months has stepped up its criticism of China's treatment of about 12 million minority Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang. Since last year, China has been under severe international criticism including from the UN and western countries over allegations that it is holding over a million people, mostly ethnic Uyghurs, in internment camps in Xinjiang, in a bid to wean them away from religious extremism. The resource-rich Xinjiang province is home to Turkic speaking Uighur Muslims. The province is restive for several years over settlements of Han Chinese. China defends the camps, describing the facilities as re-education centres aimed at de-radicalising sections of the Uyghur Muslim population from extremism and separatism. Asked for his reaction on the US move to delist ETIM, which calls itself a separatist outfit, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a media briefing here on Friday that "China deplores and rejects US decision". "The ETIM is a UN Security Council listed terrorist organisation and is recognised as such by the international community," he said. Wang said that the ETIM has long been engaging in violent terrorist activities, causing massive casualties and property loss and posing a grave threat to the security and stability in China, the region and the world. "Fighting ETIM is an international consensus and an important part of the international counter-terrorism fight. The US was a co-sponsor of the listing of the ETIM in the UN in 1267 committee and now it is flip-flopping on its position," he said. "This once again shows those in power at Washington has double standards on counter-terrorism and has ugly two-faced approach to terrorist organisations. Terrorist organisations are terrorist organisations," he said. The US should correct its mistake and do not whitewash terrorist organisations and do not soft-pedal on international counter-terrorism cooperation, Wang added. Last year, China released a rare documentary showing for the first time some of the deadly attacks conducted by the ETIM in Xinjiang, justifying the massive crackdown and detention of thousands of Uyghur Muslims in the restive province amidst mounting international criticism Economictimes.

Indian Army kills Pakistani sniper in targetted firing in J&K using night vision camera

The Indian Army has neutralised a Pakistani Army sniper in the Bhimber sector along the Line of Control. The Army used thermal imaging cameras to locate and target the sniper. India TV has accessed the footage wherein a Pakistani sniper could be seen falling down on the ground after being hit by a bullet. The operation was carried out in October. According to details available, the Pakistani Army has deployed snipers along the LoC to help terrorists infiltrate into the Indian side. But the Indian jawans stationed at the forward locations thwarted the bid. The jawans used the SAKO TRG 42 sniper rifle for the precision strike. The rifle has an effective range of 1200 metre. The night vision camera was also used in action. Pakistan has carried out 3,800 unprovoked ceasefire violations so far in 2020. India has retaliated to Pakistani firing in the same capacity and taken up these violations with Pakistan through diplomatic channels. India TV

IAF Rafales to soon get ‘Hammer’ air-to-ground precision-guided munitions

India’s newly-inducted Rafale omni-role fighter jets, which already have a deadly weapons package, are now all set to also get “Hammer” air-to-ground precision-guided munitions amid the ongoing military confrontation with China in eastern Ladakh. Defence ministry sources say the first consignment of the Hammer (highly agile modular munition extended range) weapons are likely to arrive in India from France next month. With a strike range of 20 to 70-km, the Hammer munitions are designed to destroy bunkers, hardened shelters and other targets in all terrains, including the mountainous one in Ladakh. “The emergency procurement of the munitions was inked last month with France, which is expediting the deliveries,” said a source. IAF has till now inducted eight of the 36 twin-engine Rafale jets contracted in the Rs 59,000 crore deal inked with France in September 2016. While the first five fighters had touched down at the Ambala airbase on July 29, the next three reached India on Wednesday. Three to four jets will reach India every two to three months, as per the delivery schedule. The 4.5-generation Rafales have a combat range of 780-km to 1,650-km, without mid-air refueling, depending on the nature of their mission. The fighters are already armed with the over 300-km range `Scalp’ air-to-ground cruise missiles and the Meteor air-to-air missiles, which have a strike range of 120 to 150-km, among other weapons. As reported by TOI earlier, the all-weather Hammer munitions are similar to the Israeli-origin “Spice” precision-guided bombs, which were used by Mirage-2000 fighters during the Balakot aerial strikes in February last year. A Rafale jet can carry up to six Hammer weapons to hit as many targets simultaneously. IAF has currently deployed an “adequate number” of frontline Sukhoi-30MKI, Mirage-2000, MiG-29 and other fighters as well as Chinook heavy-lift and Apache attack helicopters in Ladakh as well as other stretches along the 3,488-km Line of Actual Control with China to cater for any contingency.The first five Rafales have also conducted “familiarization sorties” in Ladakh. economictimes

Construction of over 7,700 bunkers completed along LoC, International border in Jammu division

The Jammu and Kashmir government has completed the construction of 7,777 bunkers along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International border (IB) in five districts of Jammu region, officials said on Tuesday. This was conveyed to Divisional Commissioner of Jammu Sanjeev Verma during a meeting with deputy commissioners of border districts held via video-conferencing to review the progress of construction of individual and community bunkers along the border in Jammu division. In December 2017, the Centre sanctioned 14,460 individual and community bunkers for border residents facing Pakistani shelling along the LoC and the IB. "A total of 7,777 bunkers have been completed so far in the (Jammu) division -- 6,839 individual bunkers and 938 community bunkers. The work on 334 other bunkers is on and are at different stages of construction," an official spokesperson said. He said 1,569 bunkers have been completed in Samba, 1,161 in Jammu district, 1,519 in Kathua, 2,603 in Rajouri, and 925 in Poonch. While three districts of Jammu, Samba and Kathua share borders with Pakistan along the IB, Rajouri and Poonch districts, along with a part of Jammu district, share borders with Pakistan along the LoC. The divisional commissioner reviewed the stock position of construction material (steel and cement) and directed the deputy commissioners to closely monitor the construction work. He also directed the executing agencies to expedite the pace of work and adhere to fixed timelines. Verma also asked the deputy commissioners to set weekly and monthly targets for completion of work on bunkers and share completion plans. The meeting had threadbare discussion on various issues and resolved many bottlenecks which are hampering the work progress, the spokesman said. Economictimes

40 percent of Pakistan's frontline fighter jets docked for a variety of reasons

It is Pakistan's frontline fighter, warplanes to take on the Rafale. It is also one of China's principal jets along with the J-20. As it should be, as it is a joint production effort by China and Pakistan. Latest reports from the government sources show that about 40 per cent of JF-17 fighters in two Pakistan Air force bases are grounded for a variety of reasons. And there is no quick fix for the problems as they relate to structural issues. The JF-17's canopy electrical system is malfunctioning. This is also the case in the JF-17B, the dual seater. This is a potential danger as it makes ejection by the pilot in case of it being required either difficult or almost impossible. There are problems with the fuselage, with cracks being detected in the lower fairing skin. This is an area that is most affected by G or gravity-related pressures. There have been cracks in the strake areas, which could be in the fuselage or wings. A strake is a strengthening device and again, this could be because of stress during flying. There are also cases of anchor breakages in the JF-17. This is another sign of structural weakness. The radar and it's attached equipment is heavy and is clearly too heavy for that part of the fighter, sources said. Timesnow

China's People’s Liberation Army as illegally occupied 150 hectares of Nepal

The People’s Liberation Army is alleged to have annexed more than 150 hectares of Nepal. Jeevan Bahadur Shahi, a leader of Nepali Congress Party, has alleged that Chinese troops have targeted five districts since May. Beijing is accused of taking control of around 30 hectares of Nepalese territory in the tiny village of Limi Valley, according to reports.Shahi alleged that Chinese forces also built nine concrete structures, including a military base, less than one mile inside Nepalese territory. He said, “Why should China come over into Nepal when China is already sixty times the size of our small country?” Both Chinese and the Nepalese government have denied the claims. China’s foreign ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin, said claims Beijing had made a military advancement into Nepal were “completely unfounded”. Nepal’s foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Sewa Lamsal claimed “It is not true that China has encroached our land and had constructed buildings there.” In June, a report by the Nepalese Surveying and Mapping Department, also alleged China had attempted to redraw the map and its border with Nepal. The study said Beijing had made a move to manipulate the course of a nearby river in order to claim an additional 33 hectares of land. Shahi warned locals are helpless to do anything due to the economic dependency on neighbouring China. “The local people are very scared, particularly because they previously depended on Chinese traders to buy commodities like rice, bread and salt. They are worried that if they raise their voices on the issue then it will disturb everything for them.” Economictimes

India, United States, Japan and Australia kick off large 'Malabar' naval drills

The annual "Malabar" wargames that India holds with the United States and Japan have been expanded to include Australia this year to cover all members of the Quad, an informal group of the four largest democracies in the Indo-Pacific. China has accused the United States, which has been leading the effort to forge a common front among its allies, of a "Cold War mentality" and ideological prejudice.Five ships of the Indian Navy, including a submarine, were deployed in the exercise along with U.S. Navy's John S McCain missile destroyer, Australia's Ballarat frigate and a Japanese destroyer, the ministry of defence said. There will be no contact between the military personnel of the four nations because of COVID-19 restrictions during the first phase of the drills running till Nov. 6, it said. Later this month, India and the United States will deploy aircraft carriers in the drills, a military source said. "The exercise will showcase the high-levels of synergy and coordination between the friendly navies, which is based on their shared values and commitment to an open, inclusive Indo-Pacific and a rules-based international order," the defence ministry said in its statement. The exercises comes at a time when the host, India, is locked in a military stand-off on the disputed land border with China. Thousands of troops are in close proximity in the western Himalayas, where India says Chinese troops have intruded across its side of the de facto border. Beijing denies any intrusion and says India has been building roads and other infrastructure in the disputed area, causing the crisis. Australia's diplomatic relations with China also worsened this year after Canberra led calls for an international inquiry into the coronavirus pandemic and Beijing imposed trade sanctions on Australian beef and barley. Separately, Japan is embroiled in a dispute with China over ownership of islands in the East China Sea. ET

French politician Marine Le Pen calls for ban on immigration from Pakistan

French leader Marine Le Pen, in light of protests in Pakistan and Bangladesh against the teacher showing Mohammed Prophet cartoons, urged to impose a Pakistani immigration ban. "By attacking Islam, clearly without having any understanding of it, President Macron has attacked & hurt the sentiments of millions of Muslims in Europe & across the world. "Imran Khan had tweeted on October 25. Turkish PM Tayyip Erdogan too had launched an attack on President Emmanuel Macron and said, he needed treatment and “mental checks” over his attitude towards Muslims and Islam. Calling it a threat to the country, the leader of the National Rally Party called for a ban on Pakistani immigration. Le Pen wrote on Twitter wrote, "In view of the new ultra-violent protests today in #Bangladesh, and in #Pakistan, I call for an immediate moratorium on immigration from these countries, in the name of national security. MLP. " Thousands of protestors in Bangladesh even burned effigies of Macron over his remarks on Islamic terror. Protestors in Bangladesh even called for a boycott of French products. During his eulogy at Samuel Paty’s funeral, Macron said the country could never give up its freedoms or its cartoons and will continue to fight for freedom. "Macron is one of the few leaders who worship Satan," said Bangladesh’s senior Islami Andolan leader Ataur Rahman. He also urged the Bangladeshi government to expel France's ambassador. Macron in a response to the attack in Avignon, led by an 18-year-old Chechen refugee, launched a campaign to build a French version of Islam. Le Pen, in the meantime, thanked India for its support against anti-French sentiments. the week