#SecurityScan 14: DefExpo 2022, Chinese data theft, UK - China and more
Three tragic incidents – the murder of a Kashmiri Pandit fruit grower in Shopian and the killing of two labourers from Uttar Pradesh, again in Shopian,has added to the atmosphere of fear. Despite repeated reassurances from the government, it is fairly clear that security cannot be provided to all.
NewsBharati 28-Oct-2022 17:57:21 PM
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This article is a summary of important events that have taken place in last one week affecting, India's national security.
INTERNAL SECURITY
The Supreme Court has suspended the ruling of a Bombay High Court judgment discharging G.N. Saibaba and others in an alleged Maoist conspiracy case. The truth is that their conviction by a trial court — with Prof. Saibaba and four others being sentenced to life and another to 10 years under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) — was set aside by the High Court not on merits, but only on technical grounds.
A string of recent targeted killings in Kashmir of non-local residents has struck fear in the hearts of many living and working in the Valley. Three tragic incidents – the murder of a Kashmiri Pandit fruit grower in Shopian and the killing of two labourers from Uttar Pradesh, again in Shopian,has added to the atmosphere of fear. Despite repeated reassurances from the government, it is fairly clear that security cannot be provided to all.
The army neutralizes the killers of innocent people at regular intervals, but eliminating all hybrid terrorists is a very challenging task and soft targets will continue to be attacked by the hybrid terrorists in the near time frame.
Chinese website stealing banking details, how you can stay safe
Diwali is here and with it comes the season of gifting, wishes and messages. To take the best advantage of this festive season, fraudsters have come up with a new way to dupe people via fake Diwali offers and messages.
As per an advisory issued by the Indian government’s cyber security team, a few viral Diwali wishes messages are targeting users to steal personal and banking details. Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) reveals that these Diwali messages have links with a few Chinese websites as the links in the viral messages use .cn domain extensions, while others use extensions such as .xyz and .top.
“Fake messages are in circulation on various social media platforms (WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram etc) that falsely claim a festive offer luring users into gift links and prizes. The threat campaign is mostly targeting women and asks to share the link among peers on WhatsApp/Telegram/Instagram accounts.”
To stay safe from such frauds, you should never share your banking details with anyone, especially online. Before opening any website, you should read the URL carefully and also keep an eye for suspicious extensions.
UNSC Counter-Terror Meet To Focus On Use Of Drones By Terrorists
The UN said that the meeting will focus on the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorism purposes. The meeting is being held outside its headquarters for the first time in seven years.
Change of venue was based on recommendations given by India, as most United Nations meetings are held at United Nations headquarters and were not getting enough publicity from the USA media.
Production of AK-203 rifles to begin in India by year end
The Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited was set up in 2019 to produce the Russian-origin Kalashnikov assault rifles in Korwa Ordnance Factory in Amethi district. "The Korwa Ordnance Factory is ready to start manufacturing Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles by the end of 2022.
Army has Issued RFP For Procurement Of 363 Drones.
India Registered Defence Exports Worth Rs 8,000 Cr In Six Months Of FY 2022-23
The Defence Minister Shree Rajnath Singh said India's defence sector registered exports worth Rs 30,000 crore after 2014 when the Narendra Modi government came to power. He said India was progressing speedily on the path to achieving global standards of design, development and manufacturing at the international level.
Def Expo 2022 Important Chapter In Indigenous Defence Manufacturing In India
The first-ever edition exclusively for Indian companies, Indian subsidiaries of Foreign OEMs (Original Equipment Managers), Division of company registered in India, Exhibitor having Joint Venture with an Indian company will be considered as Indian participants .It was a grand success. Orders were received from many countries including USA.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, held bilateral talks with his counterparts from several African nations including Mauritania, Gambia and the Central African Republic (CAR) at the sidelines of the Defence Expo show.
ENVIRONMENTAL SECURITY-CHOKING NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION(NCR)
The annual air pollution season which is a serious health hazard has begun in the NCR. Participating in the parliamentary standing committee on science and technology, environment, forests and climate change’s first review meeting of air pollution control measures, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said that the area under paddy cultivation in Haryana and Punjab increased this year and the generation of paddy straw is expected to be higher than 2021. Stubble fires will poison the citizens till mid January.
The toxic fumes that remain suspended in the air after stubble is burnt, not only adversely impact the health of millions of people who are left gasping for clean air but also cause incalculable damage to the environment and agricultural fields. The solutions for stopping burning are well known. But required budget is not available.
India-Russia Joint Venture Hopes $5 Bn Supersonic Missile Exports By 2025
BrahMos Aerospace is in discussions with Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam for new orders.
EXTERNAL SECURITY
Pakistan has recorded 51% rise in terror attacks in one year after Taliban won power in Afghanistan.
Pakistan drone was shot at Punjab border; 3rd incident in four days.
Focus On Paris FATF Plenary Amid Pak Bid To Exit Grey List
Pakistan has been on the grey list of the FATF since June 2018 for failing to check money laundering, leading to terror financing. Having failed to get off the grey list, it has faced challenges in receiving financial aid from the International Monetary Fund , the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the European Union.
Pakistan has now exited FATF's grey list during global money-laundering watchdog's October 20-21 plenary. Removal from FATF list will improve reputation of Pakistan but is unlikely to have any effect on the present economic situation in the country.
The 44-Day Govt In Britain Reminder To Indian Politicians To Give Up Fiscal Populism
The key takeaway from the chaotic and short-lived premiership of the UK’s Liz Truss also has wide Indian applicability , in a globalised world with vast financial markets, political legitimacy and ability to govern are intertwined with economic and financial credibility. Every government must conclude that there is a price to be paid for reckless fiscal as well as monetary ,policies. Western countries have been merrily borrowing and, until recently, cutting rates for years.
It also serves as a lesson for India where economic populism by state government’s has gained tremendously .If India needs to avoid crises, it needs durable economic growth. That won’t come through fiscal populism. Growth needs an environment of macroeconomic stability. That’s why India’s politicians should shun economic appeasement.
COUNTERING CHINA PAKISTAN HYBRID WAR
Xi Jinping's Taiwan Rhetoric Raises Risk Of War
While Xi set no timetable for Beijing to act , expectations have risen among party hawks and a patriotic public. They want a clearer and more urgent blueprint on Taiwan - particularly after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi challenged Xi directly by visiting Taipei.
Xi hailing China's policy on Hong Kong's autonomy, cautioning Taiwan that the "wheels of history" are turning towards Beijing and highlighting rivalry with the West have implications for India as well, considering the situation across the Line of Control.
China's external ambitions as spelt out by Xi Jinping at the 20th Congress make it clear that India will have to keep a close watch on the Chinese activities.
Forcing China To Ensure Listing Of Terrorists
China’s decision to block two proposals by India and the United States to list Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commanders on the United Nations Security Council’s terror list is part of a well-worn pattern now. Since June, New Delhi has made five such proposals, with China placing a hold on each. China’s response to the requests has been consistently recalcitrant, placing hold upon hold on the proposals made, regardless of the figure it cuts in the global counter-terrorism space.
India should make all out effort showing that China is grossly misusing its power as a permanent member of the Security Council.
UK Seeks To Block Chinese Recruitment Of British Military Pilots
"We are taking decisive steps to stop Chinese recruitment schemes attempting to headhunt serving and former UK Armed Forces pilots to train People's Liberation Army personnel in China," a Ministry of Defence spokesperson said.
Choking Off China’s Access to the Future of AI
The Biden administration announced a new export controls policy on artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor technologies to China. These new controls are given below.
The restrictions block leading U.S. AI computer chip designers, such as Nvidia and AMD, from selling their high-end chips for AI and supercomputing to China. These actions demonstrate an unprecedented degree of U.S. government intervention and also begin a new U.S. policy of actively strangling the Chinese technology industry.
The aim is to Strangle the Chinese AI and supercomputing industries by choking off access to high-end chips, Secondly block China from designing AI chips domestically by choking off its access to U.S.-made chip design software and U.S.-built semiconductor manufacturing equipment, block China from manufacturing advanced chips by choking off access to U.S.-built semiconductor manufacturing equipment, block China from developing its own semiconductor manufacturing equipment by choking off access to U.S.-built components.
The Biden administration is trying to actively degrade China’s technological maturity below its current level. China's options for counter response are limited: industrial espionage, targeted poaching, domestic "reinventing the wheel", or a technological breakthrough that allows it to get around the restrictions.
Technological interdependence with China is a major threat to Indian security. Beijing can leverage technological linkages to steal secrets, spread disinformation, surveillance on all, hold our infrastructure hostage and leap ahead in economic competition, among many threats. We should substantially reduce the flow of technology products, services and inputs to and from China.
The ‘Techade of India’
Today technology has become the nucleus around which the next phase of growth is happening. In what is being hailed as ‘techade of India’, new age technologies such as AI, ML and data analytics are playing a crucial role in strengthening India’s capabilities in every sector. As defence is one of the most crucial aspects, innovative ways are required to strengthen the country’s internal or external security covers. India today is the 3rd largest startup ecosystem in the world, and with government support, policy developments, investments, innovation and large-scale technology adoption, defence tech startups are working to make India resilient against any possible threat.
The Indian government is actively supporting India’s defence industry to identify and manufacture state-of-the-art cost-effective products and technologies that not only caters to its own needs, but also fulfils international requirements.The government has earmarked 25 per cent of defence R&D budget for private industry and start-ups which will pave the way for innovation of new defence technologies in India.
Keeping innovation, R&D, and visions like Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India in focus, the Indian startups in defence tech are doing outstanding work to cater to India’s defence needs. Nowadays, startups are capable of offering technologically advanced and superior made in India solutions to serve the defence, paramilitary forces, aerospace, critical assets and others to safeguard India and bolster the country’s defence exports.
As surveillance is extremely critical in security, it has become possible to solve surveillance-related challenges with hi-tech long-distance imaging systems.
Additionally for aerial surveillance, India has made substantial progress in coming up with UAVs for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance of moving and fixed targets. There are many startups which are dedicated to robotics technology to come up with robots to keep soldiers safe and help in combat. These robots are deployed in combat scenarios and are extremely helpful in reducing loss of human lives and establishing military superiority.
Moreover, startups are leveraging visual computing technology for offering 3D geospatial solutions, GIS, simulation, and visualisation. With the help of these, it becomes easier to visualise and analyse geographical challenges and create simulated environments to prepare for possible threats.
India has already laid the foundation stone of a burgeoning semiconductor ecosystem and many other developments, global partnerships and investments have unlocked huge opportunities for the country’s startups and tech companies. Strategic partnerships with the right foreign companies and the right allies will further strengthen the Indian Defence Industry resolve, and make India Aatmanirbhar. For India which faces threats in many ways, it is the only viable solution to shift to Made in India technology for its defence needs to prepare for challenges on all fronts.
Conclusion
On course to get a third five-year term, Chinese President Xi Jinping has announced that his country’s military modernisation programme would continue at full steam over the next five years. He has set his sights on expeditiously making the PLA, which will celebrate its centenary in 2027, an armed force of world-class standards, even as the long-term goal is to achieve ‘the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation’ by 2049. Xi has declared that the Chinese military will intensify troop training and combat preparedness to ‘fight and win’ wars, along with establishing a strong system of strategic deterrence. He has warned that China will not renounce the use of force to unify Taiwan with the mainland.
Xi’s is belligerent , even though the world’s second largest economy is in the throes of a slowdown, triggered by the draconian zero-Covid policy and the Russia-Ukraine war. The accelerating pace of Beijing’s nuclear expansion should be a major cause for concern for the world. China is expected to have up to 700 deliverable nuclear warheads by 2027, and 1,000 by 2030.
Though India did not find a mention in Xi’s address, the presence of military commander Qi Fabao, who was injured in the 2020 Galwan valley clash, among the delegates and the screening of video clips of the bloody faceoff in the Great Hall of People were clearly aimed at rubbing India the wrong way.
The PLA’s modernisation overdrive makes it incumbent on the Indian armed forces to considerably raise their level of battle preparedness. The challenging task of achieving jointness of the three services under the supervision of the new CDS needs to be completed on priority.
BRIG Hemant Mahajan
Passionate writer on National Security related issues, Brig Hemant Mahajan YSM (Retd) is M Sc, M Phil in Defence Studies. He joined IMA Dehradun in July 1973 and passed out as a Commissioned Officer on 15 June 1975. He was commissioned into 7 MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRY. He has served extensively in Counter Insurgency Operations in Insurgency and Terrorist prone areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab and North East and has taken part in all important operations undertaken by the Army since 1975.
Brig Hemant Mahajan served in Jammu & Kashmir, in the deserts of Rajasthan, in Super High Altitude areas of Kargil and Leh, forward areas of Arunachal Pradesh. He was deployed in Punjab in ‘Operation Avert’. He was also involved in maintaining peace post ‘Operation Bluestar’ days in Punjab in the worst affected district of Gurdaspur, Taran Taran and Amritsar.He served in the areas of Darjeeling, Kurseong, Siliguri and Sikkim. He commanded his battalion 7 MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRY in Operation Rakshak in the most difficult areas of Poonch and Rajouri during the times of highest militancy. His unit was responsible for stopping terrorists from Pakistan into Jammu and Kashmir. His unit was awarded Unit Citation, 18 gallantry awards including YSM (gallantry) for the officer.