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China sentences Canadian to 11 years for alleged spying; Clear case of “hostage politics” says Canada
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China sentences Canadian to 11 years for alleged spying; Clear case of “hostage politics” says Canada

A Chinese court has sentenced Canadian entrepreneur Michael Spavor to 11 years in prison for allegedly spying. China's move to charge Spavor is seen as Beijing’s pressure campaign against the Canadian government over the arrest of an executive at tech giant Huawei by Canadian authorities.  Spavor and former Canadian diplomat Kovrig were detained in China in what Canada labeled as “hostage politics” after the Huawei executive, Meng Wanzhou, was arrested at the Vancouver airport in late 2018 at the request of U.S. authorities. Chinese authorities allege that Spavor was a conduit for intelligence and sensitive information provided to Michael Kovrig since 2017. Kovrig also was detained in December 2018 and tried on spying charges, though no word has been given about the verdict. AP...
Geopolitics of Central Asia – The New Great Game
Analysis, Asia, Featured

Geopolitics of Central Asia – The New Great Game

Pakistan is trying to cash in on the US-China rivalry to its advantage like it did in the Cold War.If Pakistan and China can successfully manage the diabolical Taliban, India will be the biggest loser in the New Great Game.In Afghanistan, humanity has been sacrificed at the altar of economic-political gains, a dangerous precedent has been set.The Central Asian nations have grown wary of China’s debt trap, and are apprehensive of the surging Islamist extremism.India is trying to adjust its foreign policy accordingly in Central Asia where there are too many conflicting elements pooling into one cauldron.Instead of getting fussed with the Afghan situation, New Delhi should use it as an opportunity to coax Russia, USA, CARs and Iran to its favour. (This is the 2nd part in the 2-par...
UNSC Underlines Importance of Maritime Safety as Indian PM Narendra Modi describes the oceans as “our shared global commons” and a lifeline of international trade
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UNSC Underlines Importance of Maritime Safety as Indian PM Narendra Modi describes the oceans as “our shared global commons” and a lifeline of international trade

Maritime security is being undermined at an alarming pace by challenges around contested boundaries, the depletion of natural resources and armed attacks — from piracy to terrorism — senior United Nations officials told the Security Council today, as world leaders adopted a presidential statement outlining their concerns over the increasing frequency of such events. In a presidential statement presented by the Prime Minister of India, Council President for August, the 15-member organ noted the problem of transnational organized crimes committed at sea — including illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, smuggling of migrants and illicit trafficking in firearms — as well as the “deplorable” loss of life and adverse impact on international trade stemming from such activities. Agains...
Afghanistan at dangerous turning point, special representative warns Security Council amid calls for ceasefire, aid access: UNSC
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Afghanistan at dangerous turning point, special representative warns Security Council amid calls for ceasefire, aid access: UNSC

Permanent Representative Recommends Joint Session with Human Rights Council, as Military Advance Exacts Record Civilian Casualties Swift action must change the current catastrophic trajectory of violence and humanitarian suffering in Afghanistan, briefers warned the Security Council today, as delegates called for an immediate halt to the recent Taliban offensive that has led to record numbers of civilian casualties and targeted killings. With Afghanistan at a dangerous turning point, a united Security Council must seize the current opportunity to quickly reinvigorate peace talks and prevent the crisis from spilling across national borders, said Deborah Lyons, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA)....
UN scientists warn of “code red for humanity” over worsening global warming
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UN scientists warn of “code red for humanity” over worsening global warming

The United Nations has warned of a “code red for humanity” as the earth is getting so hot that temperatures in about a decade will probably go past a level of warming that the world has sought to prevent. The startling revelations were made in a Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report by a team of scientists which was released on Monday. However, the scientists have allayed fears of absolute worst climate catastrophes. The IPCC report calls climate change clearly human-caused and “an established fact”. It also makes more precise and warmer forecasts for the 21st century than it did last time it was issued in 2013. The 3,000-plus-page report from 234 scientists said warming is already accelerating sea level rise and worsening extremes such as heat waves, droughts, fl...
Afghanistan and Taliban – Entwined Fate but Divergent Destiny
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Afghanistan and Taliban – Entwined Fate but Divergent Destiny

Afghanistan is a beautiful country with natural resources and intertwined history with India right from the era of Mahabharata. Shakuni hailed from Kandahar which is in today’s Afghanistan. A Gurudwara which was desecrated recently is said to have been visited by Guru Gobind Singh. Unfortunately, it’s resources and favourable geographical location has been its curse, right from Anglo-Afghan war to US/USSR incursions. Some of its misfortunes might be blamed on its own tribal conflicts but much has been due to other countries and their selfish interests. Emergence of Taliban In the 1980s, Afghanistan guerrillas called Mujaheddin fought the Soviet occupation for nine years. They were sponsored with weapons and resources by the CIA. This was during the peak of the Cold War where the...
Siddiqui was captured alive by Taliban who verified his Indian identity and then executed him: Report
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Siddiqui was captured alive by Taliban who verified his Indian identity and then executed him: Report

A report in the Washington Examiner says that Indian journalist Danish Siddiqui was not simply killed in a crossfire in Afghanistan but was captured alive by Taliban who then verified his Indian identity and then executed him. The report specifically claims that 'Siddiqui was alive when the Taliban captured him. The Taliban verified Siddiqui’s identity and then executed him, as well as those with him. The commander and the remainder of his team died as they tried to rescue him". The report titled 'Don’t whitewash details of photojournalist Danish Siddiqui’s murder' mentions reports of his death in various international news outlets like the BBC, New York Times, Washington Post, and even the State Department statement which seemingly tone downed the brutal murder of the Indian journ...
China hobnobs with Taliban through Pakistan: Is this the emergence of the new ‘Axis of Evil’?
Analysis, Asia, Featured

China hobnobs with Taliban through Pakistan: Is this the emergence of the new ‘Axis of Evil’?

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi held talks with the Taliban delegation led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Sudden international political developments are happening in South Asia which has bilateral, regional and global ramifications, especially India . Until a few days back Taliban were pariah’s of the world but now are getting recognized and legitimized by few nations for their narrow political interests. World knew when in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Osama Bin Laden was exposed by American Seals and Pakistan sheltering Taliban leaders. Taliban who are in a medieval mindset with imposition of Sharia and Caliphate are a combination of Haqqani Network, LeT, HuM, JuD, Islamic State and Al Qaeda to name a few. They are also supported by Pakistan to capture Afghanistan with ISI and Army in L...
Diversity of Afghanistan must be taken into account in finding that lasting solution: Dr S Jaishankar
Asia, World

Diversity of Afghanistan must be taken into account in finding that lasting solution: Dr S Jaishankar

Afghan National Army soldiers at Camp Joyce base in Kunar Province in August. India's Minister of External Affairs said that the only way to create a lasting solution in Afghanistan is by taking its diversity into account. He also said that as an immediate neighbor with a historical connection, India's views are similar to that of the US in the way India is looking at it, the way it sees the challenges ahead, and what needs to be done. He was answering a question by a reporter on the areas of convergence and divergence on Afghanistan between India and US at the Joint Press Conference. US Secretary of State Blinken said both India and US see Afghanistan in the same light and both are committed to the proposition that there is no military solution to the conflict that afflicts Afgh...
Terrorism is the most serious threat to international peace and security: India at SCO Defence Ministers meet
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Terrorism is the most serious threat to international peace and security: India at SCO Defence Ministers meet

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that Terrorism is the most serious threat to international peace and security. He was speaking at the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting in Dushanbe on 28 July 2021. He also stressed that any act of terror and support to such acts, including cross border terrorism, committed by whomsoever, wherever and for whatever motives, is a crime against humanity. Speaking on the importance India accords to the SCO, he said that India supports and participates in the SCO activities, including in defence cooperation programme, reflecting commitment to work closely within the SCO framework. "This flows from India’s commitment to multilateralism, in which international laws must be respected, legitimate interests of partner countries are recognized and common good ...