International News
Xi Jinping expects to be in command till 2035
Certainly, some critique put him on a par with Deng Xiaoping or even Mao Zedong. Some years ago, Xi Jinping had made a classic statement – “One must build a good cage. If the cage is too loose, or is very good but the door is not closed, and one is free to go in and out, then that is of no use.”
Now, the Communists party in China moves on to a new central task — to achieve the “second centenary goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernisation.
The mega Chinese goal is tied to the 100th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China — which would be 2049 — but Xi has pushed the date for “basically” realizing this goal forward to 2035.
Conveniently, that leaves the door open for Xi to still be in command of the party at the big celebration 13 years from now.
Marxists in once upon a time Red forte Tripura – used to often say the line from a play. The line of the play was of course penned obviously with a pro-Left liberal sentiment:
“Every war or struggle is for power; and power can never do good to anybody”.
The economic policy that Xi has put forward contains a similar sort of contradiction.
The central idea of the “dual circulation” policy is that China should increase its trade surplus with the wider world, while simultaneously becoming more dependent on its domestic economy to drive consumption.
Many economists think that this will be a hard balance to manage. But, in a sense, the strategy should not be seen as an exercise in economics but in politics. It mirrors precisely the idea of being highly connected to the world while closed to it physically.
But compared with real openness, it is one that would leave both sides poorer.
“China remains connected to the outside world largely through the virtual environment, in particular social media and video apps. Yet the vision of the world created within the country is very partial. State media pumps out images of the west still devastated by the virus,” says an article ‘The Guardian’.
China, Xi – And Peace in India’s North East
This is one of the most perilous periods in international history. There’s something big happening everywhere — China, Ukraine, Indo Pacific and of course Britain where Liz Truss had the shortest stint ever in history as Prime Minister.
On the last day of Communists Party Congress in China on Saturday, Oct 22, former President Hu Jintao, was ‘removed’ unceremoniously and by force by so-called ‘unnamed Chinese communist agents’.
Both China and the Chinese communists have many admirers in India and also in the northeast closer home as well.
To them New Delhi ‘could not be trusted’ but Xi Jinping’s polity should be applauded.
China is that country which has seen almost 30 years of 9 and 10 per cent of average growth even till fiscal 2016-17.
This was surely an unprecedented performance by any country at the global stage.
Importantly, during this period, around 50 per cent of global growth came from China and India was by default and otherwise part of the beneficiary list.
The drop in Chinese growth rate had impacted global trade and commerce too. In fact, the global trade shrunk as a result of the negative impact on China’s own growth graph.
At one time even India benefited and the country’s global trade was growing at an average of seven percent a year.
The politics of China and also the other global challenges make a lot of sense even in the neighbourhood.
It would impact now and it impacted regional politics even in the past.
In the context of northeast India, Mon and Tuensang were the battlefields of various ultra groups.
In the eighties, Indian security force reports used to suggest that communist China’s help and logistic support was crucial at least for one camp
Even the church lobby was unhappy.
One such internal security analysis had said that the league of western Christian countries led by the US and the United Kingdom were bemused while the Indian jawans reportedly watched from a distance what they called a snake-mongoose fight.
But enough water has flown in river Dhansiri near Dimapur since then. ‘Christ’ and his principles and values are now a public pledge. ‘Nagaland for Christ’ – as they put it.
However, it is altogether a different chapter that violence and threats pursue at different levels.
According to the annual report of the Ministry of Home Affairs, 2020, incidents of insurgency in six out of eight northeastern states declined by 80 per cent since 2014 and civilian deaths were down by 99 per cent.
The year 2020 also had recorded the lowest insurgency incidents and casualties among civilians and security forces in the last decades. This was the year of the Galwan valley conflict nevertheless.
But around September 2020, in a retort to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement aimed at China that — the era of expansionism is over — the rebels also had issued a joint statement saying, as the entire world has made up its mind against expansionism, the people of West Southeast Asia are also countering the expansionism of India.
One must study these statements based on the availability of Chinese-made arms in the Northeast.
In 2020, when it was realised at the Government of India level that the Naga peace talks had been stalled, as expected the apprehension was Chinese hands.
On September 18, 2020, there was a clear setback to all efforts for reconciliation as the NSCN-IM issued a statement from its headquarters saying a separate Naga flag and constitution “must form a part of the Indo-Naga political solution”.
Given the contest, one source had said even during the UPA regime in 2011-12, Chinese agents including a woman posing as a TV journalist reportedly visited the headquarters of the NSCN-IM near Dimapur and held a three-hour-long meeting with top NSCN-IM leaders.
On September 28, 2022, NSCN-IM issued a statement alleging that the government of India has “hindered” the peace parleys.
It also said, “therefore there is an imperative need for third party intervention” in Naga talks.
Tehran, June 10: Iran’s top security body warned that its armed forces would immediately target Israel’s “secret nuclear facilities” if the Islamic Republic comes under military attack, following claims it has obtained “sensitive Israeli intelligence.”
The Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) issued the statement days after Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib said Iran had acquired a “significant cache” of Israeli documents through intelligence operations, Xinhua news agency reported.
According to the council, months of intelligence gathering had enabled Iran’s armed forces to identify high-value Israeli targets for potential retaliatory strikes, should Israel initiate military action against Iranian interests.
“This forms part of a broader strategic initiative aimed at countering disinformation by hostile actors and reinforcing Iran’s deterrent capabilities,” the SNSC said.
Tehran’s access to Israeli intelligence would allow it to swiftly target “concealed nuclear sites” in the event of an Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear infrastructure, the council said, adding that the information also supports proportionate retaliation against attacks on Iran’s economic or military assets.
Israel is believed by many to possess nuclear weapons, though it has never officially confirmed or denied this, maintaining a longstanding policy of strategic ambiguity.
International News
‘True spirit of friendship’ between India and Iran hailed after rescue of kidnapped citizens
Tehran, June 4: India on Wednesday thanked the Iranian government for its swift and effective efforts in securing the release of three kidnapped Indian citizens, emphasising that the timely support reflects “true spirit of friendship” that exists between the two nations.
“The three kidnapped Indian citizens have been safely rescued and are now under the care of the Embassy of India, which is facilitating their early repatriation. We sincerely thank the Government of Iran for their swift and effective efforts in securing their release,” the Embassy of India in Iran posted on X.
“Your support reflects the true spirit of friendship between two nations,” it added.
Late Tuesday, the Embassy of Iran in India confirmed that Tehran police had freed the missing individuals, citing a report from Media.
“Three missing Indian citizens freed by Tehran police. Local media in Iran say police have found and released three Indian men who had gone missing in Iran,” the Iranian Embassy stated.
The trio was reportedly rescued following a police operation targetting the hostage-takers in Varamin in south Tehran, Media reported.
According to reports, the three Indian men – all hailing from Punjab and identified as Jaspal Singh, Hushanpreet Singh, and Amritpal Singh – had disappeared shortly after landing in Tehran on May 1.
They were reportedly on their way to Australia after being promised lucrative jobs by a local travel company.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran had issued a statement on May 28, following an approach by the family members of the missing men, who expressed serious concern over their relatives’ sudden disappearance.
The statement read, “Family members of three Indian citizens have informed the Embassy of India that their relatives are missing after having travelled to Iran. The Embassy has strongly taken up this matter with the Iranian authorities and requested that the missing Indians should be urgently traced and their safety should be ensured. We are also keeping the family members regularly updated on the efforts being made by the Embassy.”
Reports also suggested that the families received ransom demands of Rs one crore from unknown individuals, with the threatening calls originating from Pakistani phone numbers.
The details raised serious alarm, prompting swift diplomatic engagement from both sides.
The Iranian Embassy in India, responding to the developments, stated that the case was being closely followed by the Consular Affairs Department of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Embassy also issued a warning to Indian citizens, advising them “not to be deceived by the promises of unauthorised individuals or illegal Indian agencies offering travel to other countries.”
India has also previously issued travel advisories for its nationals travelling to Iran, urging them to exercise caution, remain in contact with the Indian Embassy in Tehran and consulates, and avoid engagement with unverified travel agents or intermediaries.
Riyadh, June 4: Indian Hajj pilgrims are assisted by ‘Team India’ officials as the movement to Mina from Mecca begins, marking the start of the Five-Day Core Hajj Period in Saudi Arabia.
The team, in coordination with Saudi Authorities, is facilitating a smooth journey for all the pilgrims, underscoring India’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of all its citizens.
“Movement of Hajj pilgrims to Mina started today! ‘Team India’ officials are on duty to facilitate the movement of Indian Hajj pilgrims to smoothly avail the transport services to reach their designated camps in Mina,” the Indian Hajj Pilgrims office posted on X on Wednesday.
Indian officials were assisting vulnerable Hajj pilgrims in catching buses to Mina.
Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju extended wishes to the Indian pilgrims performing Hajj and ensuring assistance to them as the journey to Mina begins.
“My heartfelt wishes to all Indian pilgrims performing Hajj this year. Our Hajj Mission, led by officials & teams, is fully prepared in coordination with Saudi authorities. Admin and medical teams will be present in all Mina camps. For any assistance, use the Hajj Suvidha App or toll-free numbers. May your Hajj be smooth, blessed and spiritually fulfilling,” Rijiju posted on X.
Earlier on Monday, India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Suhel Ajaz Khan, addressed the Indian Hajj pilgrims ahead of the core rituals.
He extended his best wishes and assured them of full support, highlighting the presence of administrative and medical deputationists to assist pilgrims throughout the journey.
Meanwhile, India’s Consul General of Jeddah Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri chaired a briefing on arrangements for medical care and assistance in the Mashaer Region (Tent city of Mina and plains of Muzdalifah & Arafat) for Indian Hajj Pilgrims.
The session was attended by the Indian Consul (Hajj), Muhammed Abdul Jaleel, and officials, doctors and nurses from ‘Team India’ deployed in Hajj 2025.
Last week, Indians who embarked on Hajj pilgrimage appreciated the arrangements and quality of facilities offered by the Indian government to ensure a smooth and seamless journey for all in Saudi Arabia.
“Indian pilgrims who went for Hajj 2025 through the Hajj Committee of India are very happy with the management of the Government of India and the facilities being provided there. It is the constant endeavour of the Ministry of Minority Affairs to ensure a comfortable and dignified journey for every Hajj pilgrim,” the Ministry of Minority Affairs posted on X.
Additionally, Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, George Kurian also highlighted the dedicated efforts of the Centre in ensuring a smooth and successful Hajj for pilgrims.
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