Month: October 2024

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-Top News Economy UK News

Tories must back ECHR exit to survive, says Jenrick

Adding that the idea of reforming the treaty was a “fantasy”, Tories must back ECHR exit to survive, says Jenrick argued the issue was now one of “leave or remain”….reports Asian Lite News

Also speaking at the conference, she did not rule out leaving the treaty, but argued deporting more failed asylum seekers should be the priority.

Tory leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick has told activists the party will “die” unless it advocates leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The former Home Office minister told supporters at the party’s annual conference the convention had made it “impossible to secure our borders”.

Adding that the idea of reforming the treaty was a “fantasy”, he argued the issue was now one of “leave or remain”. But fellow leadership contender Kemi Badenoch warned party members that leaving the ECHR would not address “the root of the problem”, saying that it could lead to Brexit-style “legal wrangling” and opposition in the House of Lords.

Also speaking at the conference, she did not rule out leaving the treaty, but argued deporting more failed asylum seekers should be the priority.

Whether the UK should continue its 71-year membership of the ECHR has emerged as a key dividing line between the four remaining leadership candidates at the party’s annual conference in Birmingham.

Legal challenges filed under the convention grounded flights scheduled under the government’s failed Rwanda deportation scheme, which was later ruled unlawful by the UK’s Supreme Court and has now been scrapped by Labour.

MPs on the right of the party have increasingly blamed the convention for enabling failed asylum seekers to challenge their removal from the UK. Jenrick, who topped the first two leadership ballots of Tory MPs, has put a pledge to leave the convention at the heart of his campaign to succeed Rishi Sunak as Conservative leader – a pledge which has not been echoed by his three rivals.

Former home and foreign secretary James Cleverly wants to revive the Rwanda scheme, but has not backed an exit from ECHR. Speaking at the conference, former security minister Tom Tugendhat said the UK should be “prepared” to leave the treaty, but should first try and “opt out of the bits you can, [and] reform the bits that aren’t working”.

But this idea has been rejected by Jenrick, who told supporters attempts at reform were “as doomed to fail” as David Cameron’s renegotiation of EU membership in the run-up to the 2016 Brexit referendum. He said he was “not in favour of banging on about Europe”, but the issue had become a “running sore” that could remain unresolved for “year after year”.

As well as making it “impossible to secure our borders”, he claimed the treaty had stymied the removal of “dozens of terrorists” and “dangerous foreign criminals”. Echoing the choice at the Brexit vote, he added: “It boils down to this: it’s leave or remain”, adding he wanted to “end this farce once and for all”.

“Frankly, our party doesn’t have a future unless we take a stand and fix this problem. It’s leave or die for our party.” On Tuesday, Jenrick was pressed on his widely-criticised claim that UK special forces are killing rather than capturing terrorists “as a result of the constraints imposed upon our armed forces by the ECHR”.

Asked what evidence he had by BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Jenrick said: “The point I was making was one that our former defence secretary Ben Wallace has made, which is that our human rights apparatus including the ECHR is encroaching on the battlefield.”

Asked for details, Jenrick said it would be inappropriate for an ex-minister “to elaborate on particular cases”.

Speaking at a fringe event on Monday, Badenoch said she agreed that the ECHR could not be reformed. Although she did not rule out the idea of leaving the convention, she said doing so could lead to “the same issue” as trying to get the convention changed, as well as Brexit-style “legal wrangling” and opposition in the House of Lords.

“If we need to leave the ECHR, then yes, let’s do that,” she told party members. “But if we left the ECHR today, I don’t think we’d be deporting anyone any faster,” she said, adding that people whose asylum claims had failed would “find another reason” to challenge their removal.

Arguing that other countries applying the convention managed higher deportation rates, she said there were “many” public officials in border control roles who “don’t want” to remove people from the UK. “They want to look after refugees, they want to look after asylum seekers. I think that’s great, but that’s probably not the right job for them,” she added.

“If you have people who don’t want to carry out the enforcement, it doesn’t matter what your laws are.

ALSO READ: ‘Unacceptable’: Congress slams detention of Wangchuk at Singhu border

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-Top News Arab News UK News

UK forces involved in response to Iran attacks on Israel

Defence Secretary John Healey said British forces had “this evening played their part in attempts to prevent further escalation”, without giving more details…reports Asian Lite News

UK forces were involved in supporting Israel in the conflict in the Middle East after Iran launched a missile attack on the country.

Defence Secretary John Healey, who will be in Cyprus on Wednesday to visit personnel, said British forces had “this evening played their part in attempts to prevent further escalation”, without giving more details.

UK fighter jets were involved, as they were in April when Iran last attacked Israel with missiles. Responding on Tuesday to Iran’s attack, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK “stands with Israel” and recognises its right to self-defence.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had launched the missiles in retaliation for recent attacks that killed the leaders of the Hezbollah and Hamas militant groups, as well as a senior Iranian commander. Israel said most of the 180 missiles fired were intercepted. Healey thanked British personnel involved for their courage and professionalism.

“The UK stands fully behind Israel’s right to defend its country and its people against threats.” Healey’s visit to Cyprus will see him meet some of the British personnel preparing for the possibility of evacuating British nationals from Lebanon.

Britons in Lebanon have been advised to register their presence with officials on the government’s website and a UK-chartered plane is set to leave Beirut on Wednesday. But some told they had received no confirmation or details about their booking on the government-chartered flight, despite paying for a seat.

British citizen Libby, 25, was about to board a commercial flight from Beirut to Cairo on Wednesday morning, and described the situation in the Lebanese capital as “terrifying”. “You can’t sleep because you can hear the Israeli drones over your head, you wake up in the night because you hear strikes,” she said.

In April British jets shot down a number of drones fired at Israel from Iran. The drones were intercepted by the RAF in Syrian and Iraqi airspace, where it was already operating as part of the Operation Shader mission against the Islamic State group.

The decision to use jets in April was taken by the previous Conservative government and supported at the time and since by Starmer. The Prime Minister used the address from Downing Street to condemn Iran’s attack on Israel, saying he was “deeply concerned that the region is on the brink”.

“We stand with Israel and we recognise her right to self-defence in the face of this aggression,” he said. Calling on Iran to stop its attacks, he added: “Together with its proxies like Hezbollah, Iran has menaced the Middle East for far too long, chaos and destruction brought not just to Israel, but to the people they live amongst in Lebanon and beyond. Make no mistake, Britain stands full square against such violence. We support Israel’s reasonable demand for the security of its people.”

Starmer was on the phone to his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu when the Iranian attacks began. The two men had been speaking for around 15 minutes – about the prospect of missiles being fired by Tehran – when Netanyahu had to abandon the call because he had been told the attacks were under way.

During their call, Starmer also underlined the importance of a ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza. Conservative Party leader Rishi Sunak said: “We stand unequivocally by Israel’s right to defend itself including against Hezbollah in Lebanon.”

In his statement, the prime minister repeated his advice to British nationals to leave Lebanon, warning the situation was becoming “increasingly grave”. He added: “If you have the means to leave, the time is now. Do not wait.”

As of last week, there were thought to be between 4,000 and 6,000 UK nationals, including dependants, in Lebanon. The missile attack came hours after Israel launched a ground invasion in southern Lebanon, in what it has described as “limited, localised and targeted” raids against Hezbollah.

Lebanese officials say more than 1,000 people have been killed following Israeli air strikes over the past two weeks. Hezbollah has responded by firing hundreds of rockets into northern Israel. The previously sporadic cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah escalated on 8 October 2023 – the day after the unprecedented attack on Israel by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip – when Hezbollah fired at Israeli positions, in solidarity with the Palestinians.

ALSO READ: ‘Unacceptable’: Congress slams detention of Wangchuk at Singhu border

Categories
-Top News Economy India News

Make in India: A Decade of Industrial Change

Over the last decade, Make in India has been a catalyst for unprecedented growth in manufacturing, with exports surging across industries such as electronics, steel, renewable energy, electric vehicles, and defence. Going by the current trend, India is on track to achieve $1 trillion in exports by 2028….reports Asian Lite News

On September 25, 2024, India celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Make in India initiative, a visionary program that has had a profound impact on the country’s manufacturing sector and exports. Launched in 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the campaign aimed to transform India into a global manufacturing hub by boosting production across multiple sectors. This effort has reduced India’s dependency on imports and significantly increased its export capacity, elevating India’s role in the global economy.

Over the last decade, Make in India has been a catalyst for unprecedented growth in manufacturing, with exports surging across industries such as electronics, steel, renewable energy, electric vehicles, and defence. As India marks this milestone, the initiative’s success is evident in the country’s rising exports, enhanced foreign investment, and improvements in ease of doing business.

Driving Exponential Growth Across Sectors 
Since its inception, Make in India has driven exponential growth across various sectors. The most notable impact has been seen in the electronics industry, specifically mobile manufacturing. In 2014, India had only two mobile manufacturing units, but as of 2024, this number has skyrocketed to over 200. Mobile exports, once a mere ₹1,556 crore, now stand at ₹1.2 lakh crore—a staggering 7,500% increase. India now produces 99% of the mobile phones used domestically, making it the second-largest mobile manufacturer in the world.

Other sectors have witnessed equally impressive growth. For instance, India has become a net exporter of finished steel and has seen its investments in semiconductor manufacturing surpass ₹1.5 lakh crore. The renewable energy sector, too, has flourished, with India emerging as the fourth-largest producer globally, having increased its capacity by 400% over the past decade.



The electric vehicle (EV) market, virtually non-existent in 2014, is now valued at $3 billion. India’s defence exports have also surged from ₹1,000 crore to ₹21,000 crore, reaching over 85 countries. These achievements underline the success of Make in India in transforming the nation into a manufacturing powerhouse.

A key driver behind the success of Make in India has been the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, introduced to attract foreign investment and promote domestic manufacturing. The PLI scheme was originally designed for select industries, such as mobile phones, pharmaceutical ingredients, and medical devices. By offering companies incentives on incremental sales of domestically manufactured goods, the scheme has generated significant investments and job creation.

Over time, the PLI scheme has been expanded to cover 10 additional sectors, including electronics, textiles, and chemicals. The scheme has been instrumental in fostering economies of scale, making domestic manufacturing more competitive and enhancing export capabilities. As a result, India’s total industrial production is expected to increase by over $520 billion during the implementation of the PLI policy.



India’s Manufacturing Exports Reach All-time High
The Make in India initiative has led to a remarkable surge in exports across several sectors, positioning India as a key player in global trade. In FY2022, India’s manufacturing exports reached an all-time high of $418 billion, with the country on track to achieve $1 trillion in exports by 2028.

India’s textile and apparel industry, long a cornerstone of the country’s exports, recorded significant growth during this period. Exports of textiles and apparel reached $44.4 billion in FY2022, representing a year-on-year increase of 41%. Similarly, the chemical industry has seen a surge in exports, driven by increased demand for organic and inorganic chemicals, dyes, and agrochemicals. In FY2022-23, chemical exports reached $8.24 billion.

The pharmaceutical sector, a critical component of India’s export strategy, has also benefited from Make in India. With a focus on producing over-the-counter medicines, generics, APIs, vaccines, and biosimilars, India has become a leading exporter in the global pharmaceutical market. Formulations and biologics constituted 73.31% of pharmaceutical exports in FY2022, further solidifying India’s reputation as a reliable supplier of affordable medicines.

In the steel industry, India has emerged as the second-largest producer of crude steel, with exports of finished steel reaching 13.49 million tonnes in FY2022. This growth has been supported by improvements in infrastructure, industrial parks, and streamlined administrative processes at the state level.

One of the central goals of the Make in India initiative has been to improve India’s ease of doing business. Over the past decade, the country has made significant strides in this area, climbing global rankings and attracting record foreign direct investment (FDI). In the first year of Make in India, FDI inflows stood at $45.15 billion. By FY2021-22, FDI had reached an unprecedented $83.6 billion, with India on track to attract $100 billion in the current fiscal year.



Manufacturing and Export Sectors Poised for Greater Growth
The introduction of the National Single Window System (NSWS) in 2021 has further simplified business processes, reducing bureaucratic red tape and enhancing access to markets. Additionally, the Prime Minister’s Gatishakti program has improved multimodal connectivity to manufacturing zones, reducing logistics costs and improving market access for manufacturers.

While large-scale industries have received considerable attention under Make in India, niche sectors like the toy industry have also flourished. To reduce imports and promote domestic manufacturing, the Indian government increased customs duties on toy imports from 20% to 60%. This move, coupled with initiatives like Toycathon 2021 and the India Toy Fair 2021, has resulted in a 239% increase in toy exports while halving imports. Indian-made toys are now in demand in global markets, further showcasing the success of the initiative.

As Make in India enters its second decade, the country’s manufacturing and export sectors are poised for even greater growth. With rapid urbanization, increasing disposable incomes, and growing demand for technology, the future looks bright for Indian manufacturers. The transition to 5G, the introduction of artificial intelligence, and the expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) are expected to drive demand for electronics and high-tech goods, offering new opportunities for Indian manufacturers.

Make in India has not only transformed India’s manufacturing landscape but has also positioned the country as a global leader in exports. The initiative’s success can be seen in the exponential growth of various industries, improvements in ease of doing business, and record-breaking FDI inflows. As India continues to innovate and expand its manufacturing capabilities, it is well on its way to becoming a global economic powerhouse.

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Categories
-Top News Asia News Bangladesh

Bangladesh extends bid deadline for offshore oil, gas blocks

The extension  is aimed at providing international companies with a more accommodating timeline to prepare and submit proposals….reports Asian Lite BNews

The Bangladeshi government has extended the deadline to December for submitting bids for dozens of offshore oil and gas blocks.

The extension, announced recently by the state-owned Petrobangla (Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation), is aimed at providing international companies with a more accommodating timeline to prepare and submit proposals for 24 offshore blocks spread across 15 deep and nine shallow waters, Xinhua news agency reported.

Petrobangla in a notice said it extended the bid submission deadline to December 9, 2024 — a three-month extension from the initial deadline of September 9.

The time extension notice posted on the Petrobangla website also mentioned that all other terms and conditions of the bidding notice issued earlier will remain unchanged.

Petrobangla Chairman Zanendra Nath Sarker expressed the hope that more multinational companies will be able to join the bidding for the exploration of oil and gas in the Bay of Bengal following the extension of the deadline for submitting bids.

In a promotional seminar on May 8 this year, Petrobangla told reporters that seven international oil companies purchased bid documents, showing their eagerness to invest in oil and gas exploration in the Bay of Bengal.

Yunus assures upholding bilateral treaties

United Nations, Sep 28 (IANS) Bangladesh leader Muhammad Yunus said that his government will uphold its bilateral treaties and is open to friendly relations with all countries based on mutual respect.

Speaking in Bengali at the high-level session of the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, the de-facto Prime Minister, said, “I wish to assure that our government shall adhere to all international, regional and bilateral instruments that Bangladesh is party to.”

“Bangladesh is open to nurture friendly relations with all countries based on mutual respect, upholding our dignity and pride and shared interests,” he said.

The Nobel Prize-winner and microfinance pioneer holds the title of Chief Adviser of the interim government and functions as the de-facto Prime Minister.

Yunus, who was invited by President Mohammed Shahabuddin to head the interim government after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned from her position as a wave of protests swept Bangladesh, said the Armed Forces backed the “Monsoon Revolution” by “standing firmly with the people”.

“During the recent revolution, our valiant armed forces have once again shown their commitment to peace by standing firmly with the people in fulfilling their aspirations for freedom during a most difficult time in our history,” he added.

Yunus called the protests in July and August the “Monsoon Revolution” that “primarily brought together people who were long left (out) in politics and development”.

“The people aspired for a just, inclusive, and functioning democracy for which our new generations made supreme sacrifice,” he said.

“We believe, the “Monsoon Revolution” that the world witnessed in Bangladesh in the span of few weeks, may inspire many across communities and countries, to stand for freedom and justice,” he added.

He asserted that when he took over, “justice, ethics and morality, almost at every level, reached a low”.

Oligarchs took over businesses and corruption was endemic, he said.

“We are committed to promote and protect the fundamental rights — for people to speak in freedom, to assemble without fear or inhibition, to vote whosoever they choose, to uphold the independence of the judiciary and freedom of press, including in the cyber domain,” Yunus added.

But he did not mention freedom of religion given that the country has seen a paroxysm of violence against Hindus and other minorities.

‘Ongoing projects with India will go on’

As Bangladesh emerges from a period of political instability it looks to continue ongoing commercial activities and other projects with India. Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Mohammed Touhid Hossain says that these projects will remain unaffected.

Speaking to ANI, Touhid said, “Trade has been going on. After a short gap. Immediately after the fall of the government, trade again picked up…going on.”

“The projects that are ongoing and approved agreements definitely go on,” he underlined.

Amid the current slowdown in trade between both nations, the first consignment of renowned ‘Padma Hilsa’ fish from Bangladesh arrived in West Bengal on September 27, weighing around 45-50 tonnes ahead of Durga Puja.

Further, Touhid clarified that everything will go as usual despite the fact that the process of issuance of visas has not achieved normalcy.

“About the people-to-people contact, the Indian visa offices are not opened as yet fully. It is up to them when they will do it. This is the decision of the Indian government when that happened, people have the visas to go to India. Our offices in India are issuing visas to those who are coming for Bangladesh visas. I think even though there is some pause some times, it is pick up,” Touhid added.

Touhid Hossain also added that the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India “will continue normally.”

“I think we have a lot of commonalities as well as a lot of complimentary. I think the bilateral relations interest being… particular relations will continue normally and as I said, both countries recognised that they need the help of the other country,” he said.

Both Bangladesh and India must have “good working relations” with each other, the country’s Hossain, said, describing New Delhi as Dhaka’s “largest neighbour.”

Touhid said that they agreed to maintain working relations but they did not discuss the issue of Sheikh Hasina.

“I think my conversation with Jaishankar was constructive. It seems to me that both India and Bangladesh want to have good working relations with each other. And Jaishankar recognised that. I would put it very simply; we both had free and fair discussions and we both recognised that we must have good working relations with each other,” the Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser said late on Monday.

“The issue of Sheikh Hasina was not discussed with him,” he told ANI.

India and Bangladesh share more than 4,000 km of common land borders and there are also maritime boundaries in the Bay of Bengal that the two countries share with each other.

The Foreign Affairs advisor, however, did not make any comment regarding the media reports that claimed that the US government manufactured a coup to replace Sheikh Hasina, but he said the movement was spontaneous by the younger generations.

The minority groups in Bangladesh alleged Hindus were attacked immediately after the political changes, but the interim government says those were not religious but political in nature.

“Immediately after the departure of Sheikh Hasina, there was a vacuum in administrations and there was also a problem of policing because police had been actually placed against the young generation so when Sheikh Hasina departed, police was not their own duty. At that time tensions and sentiments ran very high so some incidents were there but putting it as anti-Hindu agitation or anti-Hindu action, would be utterly wrong,” Touhid said.

In response to a question whether Durga Puja will be allowed, as protests were seen against it quite recently,

Touhid said, “This is quite strange. There could be a fringe that may not like Durga Puja. Durga Puja has been performed in this country for ages and there have been no instances when Durga Puja was not held.”

“Certainly, the worshippers who want to do so have the opportunity to do so. There should be no doubt about this,” he strongly asserted.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned on August 5 and fled to India in a military aircraft, following mounting protests against the contentious government job quota system that had sparked widespread anti-government demonstrations. (ANI)

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Categories
-Top News Afghanistan Arab News

Tribal clashes: Pak-Afghan Kharlachi border reopens after 9 days

The closure of this key border crossing caused great trouble for the residents as essential items such as food commodities…reports Asian Lite News

The major Afghanistan- Pakistan border crossing at Kharlachi in the Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was opened on Tuesday after being closed for nine days following clashes between tribal communities near the border area, as reported by Geo News.

The closure of this key border crossing caused great trouble for the residents as essential items such as food commodities, medicines, fuel and other necessities had been exhausted thereby creating problems for the local population.

The clashes took place between the tribes in central Kurram and tribes in the Balishkhel areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which intensified as the violence spread to other areas like Pewar, Teri Mangal and Kanj Alizai which are close to major routes connecting Afghanistan to Pakistan.

Elders belonging to the Turi-Bangash tribes had called for immediate action from the authorities to resolve the issue amicably.

Geo News noted that the police authorities said the clashes between rival tribes had stopped and peace was restored in the area. To ensure protection, security forces and police personnel were deployed at key positions. It was observed that after days of deadly clashes, the warring tribes had agreed to a ceasefire earlier as well that lasted for about a month.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor, Faisal Karim Kundi said that at least 60 people had died in the locality of Parachinar and dozens of others were injured as a result of violence erupting again in the region. The governor’s remarks came about a week after the second round of clashes began over the construction of trenches and continued unabated for multiple days.

The tribes have been warring due to a land dispute between them which had witnessed armed clashes in August that resulted in 50 casualties and wounded 226 others. This was followed by a two-month ceasefire after intervention from authorities. Police had said that the recent clashes at various places resulted in the closure of the Peshawar-Parachinar road. Due to the closure of roads and markets, people were facing severe difficulties in accessing basic necessities and services, as noted by Geo News.

Kurram Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud had said measures were being taken to reopen routes and establish permanent peace by preventing the clashes with the help of the tribes’ elders and jirga (assembly of tribal leaders).

Meanwhile, separate jirgas of different tribes were convened that discussed ways and means to effect a ceasefire and restore lasting peace in the region.

According to Geo News, tribal leaders Jalal Bangash, Engr Hamid Hussain, Member of the National Assembly and parliamentary leader of the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), Malik Zaman Hussain among others had said that no one would benefit from the ongoing conflict and that a trivial issue between two families escalated into violent clashes due to the negligence of the administration and other responsible authorities. (ANI)

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Categories
-Top News Asia News Politics

PIA stops flights from using Iranian airspace

Pakistan International Airlines (https://twitter.com/Official_PIA)

The PIA issued a direction to all captains and flight operations of the airline in this regard….reports Asian Lite News

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) late on Tuesday announced that it has stopped all its flights from using Iranian airspace following Iran’s missile attack on Israel.

The PIA issued a direction to all captains and flight operations of the airline in this regard.

“The plans of all flights are being restructured to avoid using Iranian airspace,” PIA spokesperson Athar Awan said in a statement.

“Iranian airspace will not be used until the situation becomes clear. The PIA uses two corridors through Iranian airspace, northern corridor is used for flights to Canada and Turkey and southern corridor for flights to UAE, Bahrain, Doha, and Saudi Arabia,” said the spokesperson.

Meanwhile, IDF on Tuesday night released footage of hundreds of Iranian missiles as they rained over the Old City in Jerusalem on Tuesday in a major escalation of the raging conflict in the Middle East.

The IDF is in its statement said that the Iranian regime targets everyone, as the site is a holy site for Muslims, Christians and Jews.

In a post on X, the IDF said, “Watch as Iranian missiles rain over the Old City in Jerusalem, a holy site for Muslims, Christians and Jews. This is the target of the Iranian regime: everyone.”

The IDF further said that it intercepted ‘a large number’ of the 180 ballistic missiles launched from Iran. The Times of Israel reports that Israelis have now been told they can leave shelters after Iranian attack of 180 ballistic missiles

Benny Gantz, head of Israel’s opposition National Unity Party, condemned Iran’s attack.

“Iran crossed the border again. The State of Israel has capabilities that have been developed over the years to strike at Iran and the government has full backing to act with strength and determination. It’s either us or them, and the mission is clear: Whoever attacks – will be attacked, and will be hurt,” he said.

Contrary to the statement of the IDF, Iran’s state-run media channel, Press TV, claimed, “80% of missiles fired at occupied territories hit targets”.

The Iranian mission to the UN said that Iran’s legal, rational, and legitimate response to the terrorist acts of the Zionist regime has been duly carried out.

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Categories
-Top News Asia News China

China unveils regulations on network data security management

S. Korea-Japan-China summit talks

The regulations, which will take effect on January 1, 2025, aim to regulate network data processing activities…reports Asian Lite News

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed a decree of the State Council, unveiling regulations on network data security management.

The regulations, which will take effect on January 1, 2025, aim to regulate network data processing activities, protect the legitimate rights and interests of individuals and organizations, and safeguard national security and public interests.

They put forward general requirements and provisions for network data security, further specify rules concerning personal information protection, and fine-tune mechanisms for the management of important data, Xinhua news agency reported.

The country will improve the rules and regulations on the cross-border security of network data, and clarify the conditions under which network data processors can provide personal information to overseas parties, according to the document.

In addition, the regulations also stipulate the obligations for internet platform service providers, specifying data protection requirements for entities such as third-party service and product providers.

India set for next boom

As rising cloud and AI adoption trigger demand for more data centres, the United States currently leads with 5,388 data centres globally, 10 times more than China and most European countries, data showed on Tuesday, as India gears up for a data centre boom.

As per data presented by Stocklytics.com, the US constitutes 70 per cent more than the next 10 largest data centre markets combined.

Germany at second spot has 520 data centres and the UK is third with 512 such facilities. China is the fourth player in the global data centre landscape with 449 listed data centres.

Canada, France, and Australia follow with 336, 315, and 307 data centres, respectively.

As per Cloudscene data, Japan is the last country on the top 10 list, with 219 operational data centres.

The surge of AI technologies, which require significant computing power and storage, has fuelled the data centre boom, helping the market grow by 52 per cent since 2017 and hit a $416 billion value.

The global data centre market is likely to grow by a CAGR of 8.45 per cent in the following years and become a half-a-trillion-dollar industry by 2027.

As per Statista Market Insights, the US data centre market will generate over $120 billion, or about 30 per cent of total market revenue, in 2024.

India is fast catching up with the global data centre market. The country has the potential to add another 500 MW data centre capacity over next the four years.

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Categories
-Top News China India News

Taiwan calls for ‘pragmatic dialogue’, rejects Xi’s anniversary statement

President Xi Jinping addresses a high-level symposium on the Belt and Road Initiative in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 19, 2021. (Xinhua/Shen Hong/IANS)

Xi Jinping said achieving the “complete reunification of the motherland” is “an irreversible trend, a righteous cause, and the will of the people….reports Asian Lite News

The Mainland Affairs Council of Taiwan (MAC) has rejected Chinese President Xi Jinping’s claims about Taiwan made during the People’s Republic of China’s 75th anniversary celebrations, local media reported.

At a state banquet held on the eve of the anniversary on September 30, Xi claimed that Taiwan is “China’s sacred territory, and the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are connected by blood, and blood is thicker than water”, Taiwan News reported.

Xi He insisted on continued adherence to Beijing’s “one-China principle” and the “1992 Consensus” and firmly opposed “Taiwan independence separatist activities.”

One China principle is a position held by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that there exists only one sovereign state under the name China, with the PRC serving as the sole legitimate government of China, and Taiwan.

The 1992 consensus refers to the outcome of a meeting in 1992 between the representatives of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-led People’s Republic of China (PRC) in mainland China and the Kuomintang (KMT)-led Republic of China (ROC) on Taiwan. They are often credited to creating a diplomatic basis between the two.

Xi Jinping said achieving the “complete reunification of the motherland” is “an irreversible trend, a righteous cause, and the will of the people.” He declared, “No one can stop the wheel of history.”

Taiwan News reported that the MAC called on China’s authorities to “face up to the reality that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are not affiliated with each other, rationally face the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan, and engage in pragmatic dialogue with Taiwan’s democratically elected government.” It also called upon Beijing to build goodwill to foster favourable conditions for the development of cross-strait relations.

MAC Minister Chiu Chui-Cheng told the media, “The Republic of China is a sovereign country. Taiwan has never been part of the People’s Republic of China. The reality and objective fact of the Taiwan Strait is that the two sides are not subordinate to each other.”

Chiu added that China’s the ‘one China’ principle and the ‘1992 Consensus’ are opposed by mainstream public opinion in Taiwan. (ANI)

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Categories
-Top News Defence India News

INS Talwar strengthens naval bonds with Kenya

The visit was marked by professional interactions, collaborative training exercises, and outreach programmes, with a particular focus on fostering interoperability between the Indian Navy and the Kenyan Navy….reports Asian Lite News

In alignment with India’s growing engagement with East Africa, and as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), Indian Naval Ship (INS) Talwar recently concluded its significant port call to Mombasa, Kenya. The visit, which took place from September 22 to September 25, 2024, aimed at reinforcing maritime cooperation between India and Kenya and enhancing regional maritime security.

The visit was marked by professional interactions, collaborative training exercises, and outreach programmes, with a particular focus on fostering interoperability between the Indian Navy and the Kenyan Navy. The culmination of the port visit saw a high-level Joint Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Surveillance and Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) between INS Talwar and Kenyan Naval Ship (KNS) Shujaa, which further bolstered operational readiness and coordination between the two maritime forces.

INS Talwar’s visit to Mombasa represents a strategic engagement between India and Kenya, reinforcing the Indian Navy’s ongoing efforts to support maritime security and collaboration in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). 

During the harbour phase of the visit, the Commanding Officer of INS Talwar, along with senior naval personnel, paid an official call to Brigadier JS Kiswaa, the Deputy Commander of the Kenya Navy, at Mtongwe Naval Base. The discussions focused on enhancing professional exchanges, joint training programs, and continued naval cooperation between the two nations.

The interactions between the Indian and Kenyan naval teams included demonstrations of various naval procedures and tactics, such as Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations and Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence (NBCD) measures. These drills are crucial for developing coordinated responses to threats and ensuring both nations’ ability to operate seamlessly in joint operations.

Beyond professional exchanges, the port call provided opportunities for both naval contingents to engage in cultural and social bonding. Personnel from both navies participated in yoga sessions and friendly sports fixtures, fostering camaraderie and mutual understanding. As part of their community outreach, the crew of INS Talwar visited a local orphanage in Mombasa, contributing to the goodwill and fostering positive relations between the Indian Navy and the Kenyan community.

This blend of professional and social engagement underscores the holistic approach that both navies have adopted to enhance bilateral ties. The collaborative spirit displayed during the port visit echoes the broader objectives of SAGAR, which emphasizes inclusive growth, regional cooperation, and mutual prosperity.

The maritime exercises are designed to bolster interoperability between the Indian and Kenyan naval forces, equipping both navies with the skills and coordination needed to jointly address maritime security threats, such as piracy, smuggling, and other illegal activities in the Indian Ocean Region. The joint drills also involved navigation and communication exercises, search and rescue operations, and tactical maneuvers that demonstrated the professional competence of both navies.

The crew of KNS Shujaa had earlier visited INS Talwar to familiarize themselves with the exercise program and finalize the operational procedures for the joint exercise.

INS Talwar’s visit and the joint exercises with the Kenyan Navy are part of a broader strategic vision outlined by India’s government. The visit supports the Joint Vision Statement ‘BAHARI,’ released in December 2023, which emphasizes greater collaboration between India and East African nations to safeguard the Indian Ocean Region’s security and economic interests.

India’s Vision of SAGAR places maritime security at the forefront of regional cooperation, underscoring the importance of developing strong naval partnerships with key East African nations like Kenya. Through engagements such as this port call and joint exercise, both India and Kenya can deepen their maritime cooperation, contributing to peace, stability, and growth across the region. The collaborative exercises also play a crucial role in enhancing India’s defense diplomacy, allowing the Indian Navy to engage with its counterparts in East Africa and build lasting partnerships based on trust, mutual respect, and shared goals. (India News Network)

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Maldivian foreign minister meets Indian envoy, reflect on ties

The two also explored potential new avenues to further strengthen the enduring partnership between the two countries….reports Asian Lite News

Abdulla Khaleel, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives met High Commissioner of India to the Maldives, Munu Mahawar and reflected on the close, neighbourly relations between India and Maldives.

The two also explored potential new avenues to further strengthen the enduring partnership between the two countries.

In a post on X, Khaleel said, “It was a pleasure to meet with High Commissioner of India to the Maldives, Munu Mahawar today. As this was my first meeting with the High Commissioner in my new role, we reflected on the close, neighbourly relations between the Maldives and India. Our discussions also focused on ongoing cooperation, as well as exploring potential new avenues to further strengthen the enduring partnership between the two countries.”

Earlier on September 27, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu told ANI that he is planning to visit India as soon as possible. He also praised the “very strong” bilateral relationship between the two countries.

“I am planning to visit (India) as soon as possible…We have a very strong bilateral relationship,” Muizzu told ANI on sidelines of 79th United Nations General Assembly.

Notably, if happens, it will be Muizzu’s second visit to India, after first making the visit in June during the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

It is pertinent to note that earlier almost every Maldivian President used to make his first foreign visit to India, but Muizzu changed the trend by first visiting Turkiye and then China, after coming to office earlier this year.

The Mohamed Muizzu government in the Maldives took a reconciliatory tone after ties between the two nations soured, leading to a diplomatic row.

Since coming to power, Muizzu has taken several steps that have been unconventional from the point of view of India-Maldives ties. He ran his whole presidential campaign on the lines of ‘India Out’. The removal of Indian troops from the country was the main election campaign of Muizzu’s party. (ANI)

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