Tag: DOVAL

Categories
-Top News Bangladesh India News

Doval meets Hasina, discuss situation in Dhaka

The security has heightened outside the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi after PM Sheikh Hasina reached India after leaving Dhaka amid the ongoing protests…reports Asian Lite News

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina held discussions with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on the present situation in Bangladesh and her future course of action at the Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad on Monday, according to Sources.

Indian Air Force has put its personnel on alert in every eastern sector in view of the present developments.

Moreover, the Indian Air Force and other security agencies are providing security to her and she is being moved to a safe location, according to the sources.

PM Sheikh Hasina landed at the Hindon Air Base near New Delhi in a C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft on Monday evening.

The security has heightened outside the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi after PM Sheikh Hasina reached India after leaving Dhaka amid the ongoing protests.

Moreover, a senior BSF officer said that they are constantly in touch with Border Guard Bangladesh over the current situation.

“As of now, the situation is normal at the border. Due to the curfew in Bangladesh, there are restrictions on traffic movement at Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) along the India-Bangladesh border,” a senior BSF officer said.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also briefed PM Modi on Monday evening about the current political situation in Bangladesh after Sheikh Hasina reached India.

Meanwhile, Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia appealed to all the people of the country to remain calm.

Zia, who is also the BNP Chairperson urged the people of all levels of the country to remain calm in the ongoing situation.

Acting chairman of the party, Tariq Rahman, also called upon the people of all levels of the country to remain calm.

The anti-discrimination student movement will announce the outline of the national government at 8 pm (local time).

The leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement said in a live program of Channel 24 that the outlines of the national government will be announced at the Sark fountain in Karwan Bazar in Dhaka, Bangladesh newspaper Prothom Alo reported.

Nahid Islam, the coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, called upon the students to ensure that no one gets the opportunity to loot in the situation arising in Bangladesh.

He further appealed to the students who were standing on the streets to stop the looters.

Moreover, Nahid Islam called upon the students to sit on the streets peacefully until the desired goal is achieved.

Protestors in Bangladesh stormed the Prime Minister’s official residence on Monday, shortly after Sheikh Hasina tendered her resignation and left the country accompanied by her sister.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh newspaper Prothom Alo reported that Awami League’s Dhaka district office was set on fire by the agitators. The agitators started the fire at around 4 pm on Monday.

Agitators also set on fire Awami League president Sheikh Hasina’s office at 3/A Dhanmondi in Dhaka. Protesters were seen chanting slogans and celebrating the news of Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. (ANI)

Hasina will not return to politics, says son Joy

Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said his mother would not make a political comeback as she is “deeply disappointed” by the uprising against her leadership despite her efforts for the betterment of Bangladesh, Dhaka Tribune reported.

Joy, who served as an official adviser to the former prime minister until Monday, said in an interview with a British public service broadcaster’s Newshour program that Sheikh Hasina had been contemplating resignation since Sunday and had left the country for her safety following pressure from her family.

“She has turned Bangladesh around. When she took over power it was considered a failing state. It was a poor country. Until today it was considered one of the rising tigers of Asia,” Joy said, defending his mother’s record in office, Dhaka Tribune reported.

While addressing allegations of excessive force against protesters, Joy said that the government’s response had been justified given the violence faced by law enforcement.

“You’ve had policemen beaten to death – 13 just yesterday. So what do you expect the police to do when mobs are beating people to death?” he said.

Bangladesh is facing a fluid political situation with the country’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigning from her post in the wake of mounting protests. The protests, majorly by students demanding an end to a quota system for government jobs, took the shape of anti-government protests.

At least 95 people, including at least 14 police officers, died and hundreds of people were injured in clashes in Dhaka on Sunday, local media outlet Prothom Alo reported.

Bangladesh PM Hasina arrived in India on Monday evening after tendering her resignation in the wake of mounting protests in Dhaka.

It is not clear if the Bangladeshi Prime Minister will stay in Delhi or move to another location. Reports in media outlets in Bangladesh have speculated that Sheikh Hasina may proceed to London.

The Cabinet Committee on Security met on Monday at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence at Lok Kalyan Marg. In the meeting, PM Modi was briefed about the situation in Bangladesh.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman were present in the meeting. Moreover, senior officials were also present.

After landing at the Hindon Air Base, Sheikh Hasina held discussions with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval at the Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad on the present situation in Bangladesh and her future course of action, sources said.

Indian Air Force and security agencies are providing security to her and she is being moved to a safe location, the sources said.

ALSO READ-Hasina Waits in India for UK Asylum

Categories
-Top News India News USA

US, India must remain at tech forefront, says Doval

US NSA Jake Sullivan noted three important buckets for technology partnerships, the first being innovation, the second as production, and the third being deployment…reports Asian Lite News

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval emphasised that India and the US must remain at the forefront of technology in case the two countries need to protect and defend their value systems.

The two countries released on Monday a joint Fact Sheet following the second meeting of the US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) in the national capital, according to an official statement.

The meeting was chaired by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and visiting US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. The iCET was launched by New Delhi and Washington in January 2023.

While addressing the meeting organised by the iCET Industry Roundtable organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), NSA Ajit Doval highlighted the role of industry in technology and the progress of iCET since its inception.

“ICET has achieved more than we could imagine,” he stressed.

“US and India have got to remain at the forefront of technology in case we need to protect and defend our value systems and it is part of a larger strategic interest,” NSA Doval said.

He further highlighted the progress made across the defence innovation roadmap and startups and emphasized the importance of the semiconductor industry, the official statement added.

Meanwhile, US NSA Jake Sullivan noted three important buckets for technology partnerships, the first being innovation, the second as production, and the third being deployment.

US NSA Sullivan highlighted the importance of innovation and emphasized the need for government support for the private sector.

Sullivan underscored that the US bipartisan supports the Indian industry, adding that building the ecosystem and supply chain manufacturing is the key to production.

He further said that the core of the iCET is about the idea of India and the US being able to support each other and encourage greater collaboration in the technology ecosystem, jointly innovate and find solutions to challenges.

The Initiative for Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), launched in January 2023, represents a landmark agreement between the two countries on emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, semiconductors, biotech, and defence innovation.

The iCET is a significant development in the India-US relationship, elevating the two countries’ strategic partnership to new heights.

Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of the CII said that under iCET India and the US are working on sectors such as AI, biotech, critical materials and minerals, semi-conductors and other sectors to help enable deeper engagement between the two countries.

Moreover, representatives from industries, all of whom were leaders in their respective spheres, spoke about their experiences of collaboration with each other and the ways and means by which they planned to take India-US collaboration further through government facilitation by streamlining processes and regulations wherever required, the statement added.

Banerjee further said that the CII will increase the series of industry delegations to the US beginning this month and also requested reciprocal delegations from the US to India.

Following the meeting, both NSAs assured the industry that they welcome industry communications highlighting specific issues and that due diligence will be done to resolve any barriers that hold back deeper and closer India-US ties. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Convert tech monopoly into mass usage: Modi at G7

Categories
-Top News USA

Predator drones, Indo-Pacific dominate Doval, Sullivan talks

The drone deal is part of the broader efforts to strengthen defence ties between the United States and India…reports Asian Lite News

Following the Critical and Emerging Technology initiative talks in New Delhi on Monday, India and the US released a joint fact sheet which highlighted the progress on MQ-9B acquisition, and on other defence cooperation sectors between the two nations.

The key points that were highlighted in the fact sheet were Significant Funding Commitments, NASA-ISRO Collaboration, Defence Space Technology, Telecommunications Advances, Semiconductor Partnership, Quantum and AI Cooperation amongst many.

“Welcoming the discussions on India’s planned acquisition of the MQ-9B platforms, the possible co-production of land warfare systems, and progress on other co-production initiatives outlined in the India-US Roadmap for Defense Industrial Cooperation,” the joint fact-sheet read.

Notably, India’s deal with the US of almost USD 4 billion, paving the way for the acquisition of 31 state-of-the-art MQ-9B Sky Guardian drones, will not only propel India’s defence capabilities but also ensure a 16-fold increase in the number of aircraft, significantly enhancing New Delhi’s maritime security beyond the current lease agreement.

The drone deal is part of the broader efforts to strengthen defence ties between the United States and India.

In June 2023, US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed India’s plans to procure Predator drones made by General Atomics, a mega pact that will allow American Navy ships to undertake major repairs at Indian shipyards. President Biden and PM Modi welcomed India’s plans to procure General Atomics MQ-9B HALE UAVs.

The MQ-9Bs, assembled in India, will enhance the ISR capabilities of India’s armed forces across domains.

Meanwhile, the joint factsheet also mentioned the deepening cooperation between the US Defence Innovation Unit and India’s Innovations for Defense Excellence to accelerate the joint adoption of cutting-edge commercial technologies for military solutions.

“Celebrating the second edition of the India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) Summit which took place in February this year and during which the two sides announced an INDUS-X Investor Summit that will take place in Silicon Valley in September 2024; the awarding of up to USD 1.2 million in seed funding to 10 US and Indian companies under Joint IMPACT 1.0 Challenges; the intent to launch two challenges focused on space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) under IMPACT 2.0; and the launch of an INDUSWERX Testing Consortium steered by industry, academia and non-profit organizations across India and the United States to promote access to testing and certification facilities,” according to the fact sheet.

The National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and his US counterpart Jake Sullivan chaired the second meeting of the India-US initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) in New Delhi.

The two leaders also noted progress in negotiations between GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the co-production of GE F414-INS6 engines to power India’s future fighter fleet.

“Expanding defense industrial partnerships, such as the launch of an AI Multi-Doman Situational Awareness product jointly developed by General Atomics and 114ai to support joint all domain command and control,” the fact sheet stated.

Since the launch of iCET in January 2023, India and the United States have made significant strides toward deepening and expanding strategic cooperation across key technology sectors including space, semiconductors, advanced telecommunications, artificial intelligence, quantum, biotechnology, and clean energy.

During the second iCET meeting, NSA Doval and Sullivan set the vision for the next chapter of our strategic technology partnership.

The two leaders underscored their commitment to orienting cooperation around breakthrough achievements in priority critical and emerging technology areas, by focusing our efforts on co-production, co-development, and research and development (R&D) opportunities for a further boost to India-US ties.

They also welcomed the inaugural meeting of the India-US-ROK Trilateral Technology Dialogue held in Seoul in March, as well as ongoing cooperation with Australia and Japan through the Quad, according to the joint factsheet.

NSA Doval and US NSA Sullivan underscored the vital importance of adapting our technology protection toolkits and resolved to prevent the leakage of sensitive and dual-use technologies to countries of concern.

“They also committed to take concrete action in the coming months to address long-standing barriers to bilateral strategic trade, technology, and industrial cooperation, including in the commercial and civil space sector. They noted continued progress under the Strategic Trade Dialogue, which convened last June in Washington, D.C., as well as through an iCET intersessional review meeting held in New Delhi by our Deputy National Security Advisors in December 2023 to support these measures,” the fact sheet read.

They emphasized the need for continued efforts, particularly under the Strategic Trade Dialogue, to address outstanding barriers to technology collaboration, it added.

In addition to the iCET meeting, NSA Doval and his US counterpart Sullivan convened an industry roundtable that brought together CEOs and thought leaders from both countries as India and the United States mobilize private sector investment and partnerships across strategic technology sectors.

Sullivan calls on PM

Sullivan called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and briefed him on the progress in various areas of bilateral cooperation, particularly under the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET), on Monday.

After the iCET meeting with NSA Ajit Doval, US NSA Jake Sullivan briefed PM Modi on the progress in various areas of bilateral cooperation, particularly under the iCET, such as “semiconductors, Artificial Intelligence, telecom, defence, critical minerals, space, among others,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a release.

PM met US National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan on Monday and stressed India’s commitment to strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

Modi took to X, stating that India is committed to strengthening the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership between the two countries for global good.

“Met US National Security Advisor @JakeSullivan46. India is committed to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership for global good,” he said in a post on X.

Modi further expressed satisfaction at the speed and scale of the growing bilateral partnership in all areas and the convergence of views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

He also recalled his recent positive interaction with US President Biden at the G7 Summit.

“PM reaffirmed commitment to continue to strengthen Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership for the global good and take it to greater heights in the new term,” the release stated.

Earlier in the day, US NSA Sullivan and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval attended the annual meeting of the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) between the two countries. The delegation-level talks were held in the national capital. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Jake Sullivan’s Delhi Visit Aims to Bolster US-India Relations

Categories
-Top News India News Politics

Doval reappointed as NSA, Mishra to stay PM’s principal secy

The appointments committee of the cabinet also re-appointed PK Mishra as the Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi…reports Asian Lite News

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will continue in his present role in the Narendra Modi-led NDA government which was sworn in on June 9.

The Appointment Committee of Cabinet on Wednesday approved the appointment of Ajit Doval as the National Security Advisor with effect from June 10, 2024.

Doval, who became NSA for the first time in May 2014 soon after PM Modi assumed office in his first term, continued in the role in the previous BJP-led NDA government.

A 1968 batch IPS officer, Doval is a renowned counter-terrorism expert and an expert on nuclear issues. Doval has served in Punjab as IB’s operational chief.

“The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri Ajit Doval, lPS (Retired) as National Security Adviser with effect from 10.06.2024. His appointment will be co-terminus with the term of the Prime Minister or until further orders, whichever is earlier. During the term of his office, he will be assigned the rank of Cabinet Minister in the Table of Precedence,” the notice stated.

Narendra Modi took oath as Prime Minister of the country for the third consecutive term.

The appointments committee of the cabinet also re-appointed PK Mishra as the Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Dr PK Mishra, IAS (Retired) as Principal Secretary to Prime Minister with effect from 10.06.2024. His appointment will be co-terminus with the term of the Prime Minister or until further orders whichever is earlier,” the Government of India stated in a letter.

The Cabinet has also approved the appointment of Amit Khare, lAS (Retired) (JH:1985), and Tarun Kapoor, lAS (Retired) (HP:1987) as the following officers as Advisors to Prime Minister Modi.

“The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of the following officers as Advisors to the PM, in the Prime Minister’s Office, in the rank and scale of Secretary to Government of India, for a period of two years with effect from 10.06.2024 or until further orders whichever is earlier, on a contract basis as per usual terms and conditions as are applicable: Amit Khare, lAS (Retired) (JH:1985) and Tarun Kapoor, lAS (Retired) (HP:1987),” it stated. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Doval Reaches Mauritius for 6th Colombo Security Conclave Meeting

Categories
-Top News Europe World News

India an active partner peace efforts in Ukraine: Doval

New Delhi, Mar 29 (ANI): National Security Advisor Ajit Doval delivers the opening remarks at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) level NSA meeting, in New Delhi on Wednesday. (ANI Photo)

The NSA meeting on Ukraine is being organised in the coastal city of Jeddah to discuss Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s plan for peace amid the ongoing conflict with Russia…reports Asian Lite News

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Saturday said India remains an active, willing partner to find a lasting, comprehensive solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

NSA Doval on Saturday arrived in Jeddah to participate in a summit of national security advisers and other officials being hosted by Saudi Arabia to discuss the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The NSA during the meeting said India has regularly engaged both Russia and Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict at the highest levels. He said the country supports the global order based on principles enshrined in UN Charter and international law. “Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity by all states must be upheld without exception,” he said, according to sources.

As per the NSA, all peace efforts involving all stakeholders must be pursued to find a just and enduring solution to the conflict.
He said the whole world and especially Global South is bearing the brunt of the situation. India is providing both humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and economic assistance to its neighbours in Global South.
India’s approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict has been and always will be to promote dialogue and diplomacy. This is the only way forward for peace, the NSA said.

The meeting confronts a two-fold challenge – resolution of the situation and softening the consequences of the conflict. “Efforts must be directed on both fronts simultaneously and much more groundwork is needed to ensure this,” the NSA said, as per sources. Currently, several peace proposals have been put forward. Each has some positive points but none is acceptable to both sides. The key question that needs to be addressed in the meeting is whether a solution that is acceptable to all relevant stakeholders can be found. Doval was on Saturday welcomed at the Jeddah Airport by the Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Suhel Khan and Consul General Mohammed Shahid Alam.

“Shri Ajit Doval, NSA arrived in Jeddah to take part in National Security Advisors’ meeting on Ukraine. He was welcomed at Jeddah Airport by Ambassador Dr Suhel Khan and Consul General Mohd Shahid Alam,” the Indian Embassy in Riyadh said on Twitter. The NSA meeting on Ukraine is being organised in the coastal city of Jeddah to discuss Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s plan for peace amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday confirmed India’s participation in the summit. “India will participate in this event and our participation is in consonance with our long-standing position that dialogue and diplomacy is the way forward,” said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi. “Yes, India has been invited to a meeting being hosted by Saudi Arabia on Ukraine in Jeddah,” Bagchi said while replying to a question at a press briefing of the Ministry of External Affairs.
Russia’s state-run Tass news agency reported Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov as saying: “Russia will keep an eye on this meeting” but would need “to fully understand what goals are being set.”

ALSO READ-Pakistan sets aside bilateral tensions, joins World Cup in India

Categories
-Top News India News Politics

Doval calls for transparency on shared cross-border water resources

NSA Doval further said that the global security situation is marked by uncertainty and rising tensions. The global economy is still covering the aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic…reports Asian Lite News

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has made a strong pitch for transparency in sharing information on shared cross-border water resources and asserted that the weaponisation and politicisation of water needed to be countered.

Addressing a meeting on National Security Advisers (NSAs) of BRICS nations here on Tuesday, Mr Doval mentioned certain instances of weaponisation of water and called for the need for complete transparency and unhindered information sharing with respect to shared cross-border water resources.

A number of policymakers have voiced concern over numerous dams built by China on major rivers such as the Mekong, Ganges, Yangtze, Indus and Irrawaddy which are economic lifelines of South and Southeast Asian countries.

Doval said water security was a major global issue and its prudent usage and conservation was a shared responsibility. The politicisation of water needs to be countered, he said. China stopped sharing hydrological data regarding rivers flowing into India in 2017 and resumed the process a year later.

Situation along LAC ‘eroded’ strategic trust

Meanwhile, in a stern message to China Doval said the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has eroded the strategic trust between the two nations.

In a meeting with China’s top diplomat Wang Yi, Doval stressed the significance of continuing efforts to thoroughly address the issue and re-establish peace in the border regions. “During the meeting, NSA conveyed that the situation along the LAC in the Western Sector of the India-China boundary since 2020 had eroded strategic trust and the public and political basis of the relationship,” the Ministry of External Affairs stated in an official release.

“NSA emphasised the importance of continuing efforts to fully resolve the situation and restore peace and tranquility in the border areas, so as to remove impediments to normalcy in bilateral relations. The two sides agreed that the India-China bilateral relationship is significant not only for the two countries but also for the region and world,” the release added.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met the Member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Political Bureau and Director of the Office of the CPC Foreign Affairs Commission, Wang Yi, on the sidelines of the BRICS NSAs’ Meeting in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

India and China have time and again faced border disputes dating back to 1962. The most recent clash was in June 2020, when Indian and Chinese troops engaged in a scuffle in the Galwan valley.

Earlier, on July 24, Doval participated in the ‘Friends of BRICS’ meeting in Johannesburg.

According to sources, he said the gravity of cyber risks will increase exponentially with the advent of disruptive technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Big Data and Internet of Things.

Doval also held a working meeting with the Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Nikolai Patrushev and discussed the cooperation between the two countries in the field of security and economy, the Russian embassy in India said in a statement.

He added that terrorism remains one of the key threats to national peace and security.

Asserting that terror organisations in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region continue to operate with impunity, he added that listing terrorists and their proxies under the United Nations counter-terrorism sanctions regime is an area on which BRICS can work together.

Doval said it was important that the decision-making of the UN Security Council sanctions committee is free from politicisation and double standards, adding that the meeting is being held at a time of great churn in the international security environment.

The NSA said further the global security situation is marked by uncertainty and rising tensions. The global economy is still covering the aftereffects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He also appreciated the cooperation extended by South Africa for India’s G20 Presidency, assuring India’s continued support for South Africa’s BRICS chairship this year.

‘Terror key threats to national peace’

Doval said that terrorism remains one of the key threats to national peace and security.

He stressed that terror organizations in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region continue to operate with impunity. He said that listing terrorists and their proxies under the United Nations counter-terrorism sanctions regime is an area on which BRICS can work together. Doval called it important that the decision-making of the UN Security Council sanctions committee is free from politicization and double standards, and said that the meeting is being held at a time of great churn in the international security environment.

NSA Doval further said that the global security situation is marked by uncertainty and rising tensions. The global economy is still covering the aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The global commons of cyber, maritime and space are contested, he said.

NSA Doval stated that non-traditional challenges of food, water, and energy security have been facing stress. The inclusion of these topics by South Africa in the BRICS NSA’s Meeting reflects a clear understanding of the broader dimensions of security.

He said that the opportunities presented by the digital age will also pose challenges and the need to be united to fortify cyber defences, foster international corporations and build a resilient national cyberinfrastructure.

He noted that cyber attacks known no borders and the linkage between cyber criminals and terrorists is an emerging concern. Regional mechanisms should be utilised to advance common goals and address emerging challenges.

NSA Doval said all efforts need to be made to ensure equitable and fair access to global commons in line with international laws. Water security is a major global issue and its prudent usage and conservation is a shared responsibility.

He also spoke about instances of weaponisation of water and called for the need for complete transparency and unhindered information sharing with respect to shared cross-border water resources. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Cyber risks will increase with AI, says Doval at BRICS

Categories
-Top News India News

Doval: No religion is under threat in India

NSA also said that among India’s numerous religious groups, Islam occupies a unique and significant position of pride, with India being home to the second-largest Muslim population in the world…reports Asian Lite News

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Tuesday said that all religions are equal in India and no religion is under any threat in the country where cultures and religions that have co-existed in harmony for centuries.

“India continues to play its role as a refuge for heterodox ideas with infinite capacity to absorb dissent. No religion is under any threat,” Doval said during an event at the India Islamic Cultural Centre in the national capital. Muslim World League secretary-general Sheikh Dr Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, who is on a six-day India visit, also addressed the gathering.

“As a proud civilizational state, India believes in promoting tolerance, dialogue and cooperation to deal with the challenges of our time. It was no coincidence that despite having around 200 million Muslims, the involvement of Indian citizens in global terrorism has been incredibly low,” Doval said.

“India, the world’s largest democracy and the mother of democracies, is a land of incredible diversity. It is a melting pot of cultures, religions, and languages that coexist in harmony. As an inclusive democracy, India has successfully managed to provide space for all its citizens, regardless of their religious, ethnic or cultural backgrounds,” Doval added.

NSA also said that among India’s numerous religious groups, Islam occupies a unique and significant position of pride, with India being home to the second-largest Muslim population in the world.

“To give an idea of the scale we are talking about, India’s Muslim population is almost equal to the combined population of over 33 member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC),” Doval added.

“The philosophy of cooperation and dialogue in Islam has over the centuries merged seamlessly with the ancient Hindu civilizational tradition of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – The World is One Family’,” the National Security Advisor said.

“It was only by being open to accommodating various worldviews and ideas, interactions and assimilations of various cultures, beliefs, and practices that India emerged as a sanctuary for persecuted people of all faiths from across the world since times immemorial,” Doval highlighted how India has always accepted people from all religion and ethnicity.

Recalling events from the history Doval said, “India welcomed Arab exiles (in the court of Raja Dahir of Sindh), Jews, Tibetans, Parsis, Shias, Bangladeshis, Afghans and many others with open arms. This enduring tradition of accommodation is a testament to India being a deeply rooted multiethnic, multi-religious, and multilingual society.”

Doval also said that India’s culture has not only enriched art, literature, architecture, cuisine, technology, etc. but more importantly created a syncretic consciousness that permeated through common people. The edifice of modern India is built on the principles of equal rights, equal opportunities and equal responsibilities. This equality is guaranteed by our Constitution and Law.

Speaking of terrorism, Doval said that the challenge of extremism and global terrorism compels India not to lower its guard.

“To preserve the security and stability within our borders and also rise to the security challenges beyond, India has been leading the fight – the fight against individuals and organizations – who are promoting extremism, narcotics and terrorism,” he added.

ALSO READ-NSA Ajit Doval meets UK counterpart

Categories
-Top News India News USA

Doval in Saudi to discuss US rail link plan for West Asia

New Delhi, Mar 29 (ANI): National Security Advisor Ajit Doval delivers the opening remarks at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) level NSA meeting, in New Delhi on Wednesday. (ANI Photo)

National Security Advisor met his counterparts from the US, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates…reports Asian Lite News

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval Sunday met his counterparts from the US, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to discuss an ambitious proposal being pushed by the White House to link West Asian countries through rail — using Indian expertise — and connect the region to South Asia via sea lanes.

Sources in New Delhi said Doval has travelled to Saudi Arabia for Sunday’s meeting. The participants are expected to discuss the broad contours of the massive joint project to build railway, maritime and road connectivity in the larger region, linking the Indian subcontinent in South Asia with West Asia — which the US calls the Middle East.

The development was first reported by US news website Axios. It said this is among the key initiatives the White House wants to push in the Middle East as China’s influence in the region grows. The Middle East is a key part of China’s Belt and Road vision.

Axios reported: “The US, Saudi, Emirati and Indian national security advisers are expected on Sunday to discuss a possible major joint infrastructure project to connect Gulf and Arab countries via a network of railways that would also be connected to India via shipping lanes from ports in the region.”

Sources in Delhi explained that the Indian side is keen to participate in the project as it fulfils three strategic objectives.

First, Beijing has expanded its sphere of political influence in the West Asian region through what Delhi views as “mission creep” — the breakthrough in ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran had caught India unawares. This has potential implications for India’s interests in West Asia, which provides energy security. Such connectivity will allow for faster movement of the crude and minimise India’s costs in the long term. The connectivity boost will also help India’s eight million citizens who live and work in the Gulf region.

Second, the project will help India build a brand as an infrastructure builder in the railways sector. Boasting a strong rail network at home and buoyed by the success of creating such infrastructure in Sri Lanka, India has the confidence to do it overseas. It wants private companies as well as public sector enterprises to explore the potential economic and infrastructure opportunities in the region. This will also have the effect of countering the Chinese Belt and Road project, which has burdened many countries in the region with infrastructure that has limited utility. The US, which had proposed the Blue Dot network, is one of the elements in the creation of the connectivity project that will be financially sustainable and viable.

Third, the government feels that India’s connectivity to its western neighbours has been limited for long by Pakistan’s blocking of overland transit routes. So, Delhi wants to use shipping routes to reach West Asian ports. These include Chabahar and Bandar-e-Abbas (Iran), Duqm (Oman), Dubai (UAE), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and Kuwait City. Connectivity projects crisscrossing the Gulf and Arab countries, with Indian stakes, open up trading opportunities.

According to the Axios report, the idea for the new initiative came up during talks held over the last 18 months in a forum called I2U2, which includes the US, Israel, the UAE and India. The forum was established in late 2021 to discuss strategic infrastructure projects in West Asia.

With China in mind, Israel raised the idea of connecting the region through railways during the I2U2 meetings over the last year. Part of the idea was to use India’s expertise on such big infrastructure projects, a former Israeli official was quoted as saying by Axios.

The Biden administration in recent months expanded on the idea to include Saudi Arabia’s participation. The initiative would include connecting Arab countries in the Levant and the Gulf via a network of railways that will also connect to India through seaports in the Gulf, sources told the US news outlet.

S NSA Jake Sullivan hinted at this initiative during his speech Thursday at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. “If you remember nothing else from my speech, remember I2U2, because you will be hearing more about it as we go forward,” he said.

Sullivan said the basic plan is to connect South Asia, the Middle East and the US “in ways that advance our economic technology and diplomacy”.

He said a number of projects are already underway, along with “some new exciting steps that we are looking forward to undertaking in the months ahead”.

The US NSA said in his speech that one of the pillars of the Biden administration’s strategy in the Middle East is regional integration.

“A more integrated, interconnected Middle East empowers our allies and partners, advances regional peace and prosperity, and reduces the resource demands on the US in this region over the long term without sacrificing our fundamental interests or our involvement in the region,” he said.

According to the Axios report, Israel is not part of this initiative at the moment, but could be added to it in the future if efforts to normalise relations in the region make progress.

ALSO READ-NSA Doval meets Iranian counterpart in Tehran

Categories
-Top News India News

Doval raises concern over terror financing at SCO

New Delhi, Mar 29 (ANI): National Security Advisor Ajit Doval welcomes the top officials as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) level NSA meeting started, in New Delhi on Wednesday. (ANI Photo)

Doval, in his remarks also called upon the member states to have mutual respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states…reports Asian Lite News

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Wednesday said that terrorism in all of its forms and its financing are amongst the most serious threats to international peace and security.

He made the remarks at the 18th meeting of the Secretaries of Security Council of SCO member states, underlining that any act of terrorism, regardless of its motivation, is unjustifiable. “Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and its financing are amongst the most serious threats to international peace and security. Any act of terrorism, regardless of its motivation, is unjustifiable,” Doval said during his opening remarks at the Shanghai Group Meeting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YynX2xA8yBY&t=6s

Doval, in his remarks also called upon the member states to have mutual respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states.

“The Charter calls upon member states to have mutual respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity of states, non-use of force or threat of its use in international relations, and seeking no unilateral military superiority in areas,” he added.

Speaking further, the NSA thanked the top delegates for accepting his invitation to the meeting and said the participation of officials will not only enrich the discussions but also prepare the ground for a successful summit in a few months’ time.

Regarding connectivity, he said that it remains a key priority for India.

“We stand ready to cooperate on investing in and building connectivity in the region. Expanding connectivity is also important to ensure that such initiatives are constituted,” he said.

Doval also underlined that India’s foreign policy is based on these very principles and reflects “our commitment in every possible manner”. He also highlighted the issue of Chabahar port during the meeting.

“India is committed to fulfilling its obligations in the under the International North-South Transport Corridor and the inclusion of the Port within the framework of INSTC,” Doval stated. India became a member of SCO in June’17, but our relations with SCO countries go back several centuries, he added.

ALSO READ-India to host SCO NSA meet

Categories
-Top News India News

India will never abandon Afghans, says Doval

National Security Advisor also reiterated the call for an inclusive and representative government in Kabul and need for collective efforts to fight terrorism…reports Asian Lite News

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has emphasised that India will never abandon the Afghan people in their time of need and that well-being and humanitarian needs of people of Afghanistan is India’s foremost priority.

Ajit Doval, who participated in the fifth Multilateral Meeting of Secretaries of Security Councils and National Security Advisers on Afghanistan in Moscow on Wednesday, also reiterated the call for an inclusive and representative government in Kabul and need for collective efforts to fight terrorism. Sources said Doval noted that no country should be allowed to use Afghan territory to export terrorism and natural resources of Afghanistan should be utilised first for welfare of its people.

Besides Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan were represented at the meeting.

Various issues related to Afghanistan were discussed, including the security situation and humanitarian challenges facing the country.

According to sources, Doval said that Afghanistan is passing through a difficult phase and noted that India has historical and special relationship with Afghanistan.

Noting that “well being and humanitarian needs of people of Afghanistan is India’s foremost priority”, he said this will continue to guide the government’s approach and “India will never abandon the Afghan people in their time of need”.

Focusing on food security and medical supplies, India has so far delivered 40,000 MT of wheat, 60 tonnes of medicines, 500,000 Covid vaccines, winter clothing and 28 tonnes of disaster relief, the sources said. India’s technical team is overseeing humanitarian assistance programme.

Standing with Aghans, India has granted fresh scholarships to 2260 Afghan students including 300 Afghan girls during the past two years.

Doval noted an inclusive and representative dispensation is in the larger interest of Afghan society, according to sources.

He said that terrorism has become a major threat in the region and dealing with “Daesh and terror outfits like LeT and JeM requires intensified intelligence and security cooperation” between respective states and its agencies.

India reaffirmed the importance of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2593 (2021) that calls for terror outfits including those designated by UNSCR 1267 to be denied sanctuary in the region.

Sources said Doval noted that “no country should be allowed to use Afghan territory to export terrorism and radicalisation”.

The NSA said India is and will remain an important stakeholder in Afghanistan. He said India always stood by people of Afghanistan and will always support collective efforts to help Afghan people build a prosperous and vibrant nation once again.

The Embassy of India in Russia said in a tweet that NSA Doval stressed the well-being and humanitarian needs of Afghans.

“NSA Ajit Doval participated in the 5th Multilateral Security Dialogue on Afghanistan in Moscow. Stressed the well-being and humanitarian needs of Afghans. He said India will never abandon the Afghan people in their time of need,” the Indian embassy said.

“He reiterated the call for an inclusive and representative government in Afghanistan and need for collective efforts to fight terrorism,” it added.

The third round of Multilateral Security Dialogue on Afghanistan was held in New Delhi under the chairmanship of NSA Ajit Doval in November 2021. The fourth meeting was held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan in May 2022.

Taliban ‘desperate’ for resumption of flights to India

With the global community yet to recognise the current regime in Kabul, the Afghan Taliban is reportedly desperate for flights to resume between India and Afghanistan.

The Taliban are optimistic that India will agree to resume direct flights between New Delhi and Kandahar. The Afghan Taliban’s hopes of resumption of flights between India and Afghanistan gained a fresh lease of life after flights resumed between Kandahar and Dubai.

Last week, the Taliban had welcomed India’s budget for the 2023-24 financial year, saying that the announcement of aid by India for Afghanistan would help improve ties and trust between the two nations.

Khaama Press reported that the remarks by the Taliban came after India’s finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed a $25 million development aid package for Afghanistan.

“We appreciate India’s support for Afghanistan’s development. It will help to improve ties and trust between the two nations,” said Taliban leader Suhail Shaheen.

ALSO READ-Sunak to join NSA dialogue between Doval, Barrow