#SecurityScan 53: BEL eyes Rs 20,300 Cr turnover from indigenous products and much more
Infrastructure push along the Northern border is going to determine India"s response to national security challenges .
NewsBharati 14-Aug-2023 18:35:36 PM
Total Views |
This article is a summary of important events that have taken place in last one week affecting, India's national security
External Security
A seven-vehicle convoy carrying 23 Chinese engineers to the Beijing-financed Gwadar Port in Pakistan's southwest came under attack from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) separatists on Sunday.
Four Chinese nationals and 9 Pakistani security forces persons have been killed.
2 BSF personnel, 21 civilians held for involvement in infiltration attempts since 2021: Govt in Lok Sabha
Two Border Security Force (BSF) personnel and 21 civilians involved in infiltration attempts have been apprehended since 2021, Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday. Union Minister of State for Home Nisith Pramanik said that to stop infiltration along the Indo-Pakistan and Indo-Bangladesh borders, the government has adopted a multi-pronged approach which includes round-the-clock surveillance and patrolling on the borders and establishment of observation post, increase in number of the BSF personnel, construction of border fencing and floodlighting.
Pro-Khalistani activists vandalise yet another Hindu temple in Canada, paste hateful posters
Pro-Khalistani activists in Canada targeted yet another temple with hateful posters. Two men hiding their face with cloth up posters on main gate of Hindu temple in Surrey, British Columbia. The posters had messages calling separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s death a murder by India. It also asked Canada to investigate the so-called murder. The Hindu community in Canada is outraged by repeated vandalisation of temples. On January 31, a Hindu temple in Brampton was similarly targeted with anti-India graffiti. In April, a temple in Ontario was targeted while in July, Bharat Mata Mandir in Brampton was vandalised.
Top Hizbul commander among two terrorists killed as Army foils infiltration bid in J-K's Poonch
The body of one of the slain terrorists was retrieved and has been identified on the basis of police records as Hussain -- a resident of Bagyladra village of Poonch who was a self-style Divisional Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen.
India bars makers of military drones from using Chinese parts
But as the nascent Indian industry looks to meet the military's needs, the defence and industry figures said India's security leaders were worried that intelligence-gathering could be compromised by Chinese-made parts in drones' communication functions, cameras, radio transmission and operating software.
CDS, not a super general or super bureaucrat, but a team player
India's restructuring of its armed forces into Theatre Commands appears to be moving forward. It is believed that three commands will be created — an Eastern Command to defend against China; a Western Command to defend against Pakistan, and a Maritime Command to cover the Western and Eastern coasts. However, it may be counterintuitive to have a single Theatre command to cover such a vast area, and the command structure of the Theatre commands needs to be carefully thought out.
Parliament clears inter-services organisations bill
The Parliament passed the Interservices Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill 2023, granting the commander-in-chief and officer-in-command of inter-services organisations disciplinary and administrative powers over personnel from other forces serving in such establishments. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserted that India is prepared to face any form of warfare and is ready to increase defence spending to 5-6% of GDP if necessary.
First batch of Agniveers of the J&K Light Infantry Regiment completes training
Agnipath is a scheme wherein selected candidates will be enrolled as Agniveers for a four-year period. After a 4-year period, Agniveers will go to society as a disciplined, dynamic, and skilled workforce for employment in other sectors. Based on organisational requirements, Agniveers will be offered the opportunity to apply for a permanent cadre. Up to 25 per cent of Agniveers will be selected for enrollment in the Armed Forces as regular cadres.
Dhaksha Unmanned Systems wins order from Army for supply of 200 drones, accessories
Agri solutions provider Coromandel International's subsidiary and drone manufacturer Dhaksha Unmanned Systems on Monday announced it has secured a supply order for 200 medium-altitude logistics drones and accessories from the Indian Army. This order comes on the back of a recent contract for the supply of 400 agri-spraying drones from IFFCO, Dhaksha Unmanned Systems (DUS) said in a statement.
BEL eyes Rs 20,300 cr turnover with push from indigenous products
State-run Bharat Electronics Limited has set a target of Rs 20,300 crore for financial year 2023-24 as demand for indigenous products is driving growth for the company, its Chairman and Managing Director Bhanu Prakash Srivastava said on Tuesday. In an interview with PTI, he said the order book of the 'Navratna' PSU under the Ministry of Defence stands at around Rs 64,800 crore as on August 1 this year.
Two Pakistani drones recovered near IB in Punjab's Amritsar, Tarn Taran
BSF personnel heard the sound of a drone coming from Pakistan near Rajoke village in Tarn Taran district at around 3:30 am, following which they tried to intercept it. Later during a joint search, the BSF and the police recovered the drone (quadcopter) from a field in Rajoke.
Government significantly enhancing border infrastructure
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India is boosting connectivity with Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. The union minister said India is in talks with Bhutan for a rail link between that country and Assam. Infrastructure push along the Northern border is going to determine India's response to national security challenges .
Countering Chinese Multi Domain War
India pushes Indo-Pacific region to more troubles under façade of being a balancing factor says Global Times
Rather than stirring up troubles in the Indo-Pacific, New Dehli had better focus on itself first,says the newspaper. Take Over the World? Not on This Budget-A cratering economy and demographic headwinds are going to force some hard choices on Xi Jinping
Xi Jinping’s confidence in China’s unstoppable economic rise has driven much of his grand strategy. In the early years of his rule, it led China’s president to undertake an ambitious expansion of Chinese influence abroad, rapid military modernization, and mega-projects such as the trillion-dollar Belt-and-Road Initiative.After Sino-American relations ruptured in the wake of former US president Donald Trump’s trade war, conviction that time was on China’s side likely played a part in Xi’s decision not to compromise, But not any more.
A rusty Philippine warship involved in the South China Sea dispute?
A crumbling World War II-era Philippine navy vessel stranded on a submerged reef in the South China Sea has long been a flashpoint between Manila and Beijing in their territorial dispute over the waters. A rusting hulk named after a Philippine mountain range ended up at the centre of the latest diplomatic spat over the South China Sea.
China has once again asked the Philippines to remove a ship from a reef in the South China Sea, which Manila has used to stake a claim on the Spratly Islands in defiance of China's claims. The ship, BRP Sierra Madre, was deliberately grounded in the late 1990s by the Philippines to check China's advance in the area.
Philippines hits out at criticism of expanded US bases: ‘not any other countries’ business’
Defence Secretary Gilbert Teodoro says no nation has the right to question EDCA sites, which are US-managed military bases in the PhilippinesBeijing previously said Manila was ‘stoking the fire’ of regional tension in the resource-rich South China Sea, by expanding the sites.
How serious is the Russia-China threat to Japan?
In the event of a Sino-Japanese crisis over disputed islands or Taiwan, Russia can have a decisive impact without direct military involvement.The Cabinet of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida approved Japan’s latest defence White Paper on July 28. One notable feature was the description of Russia’s “strategic coordination with China” as an issue of “strong security concern”.This is a strengthening of Tokyo’s language from previous years.
Anger Builds in Towns Deliberately Flooded, in Part, to Save Beijing
A provincial leader set off an outcry by urging cities to serve as a “moat” for the capital, as diverted floodwaters sent scores of residents fleeing.
Chinese urge New Zealand to remain clear-headed on China after release of security strategy
New Zealand on Friday released its new defense and national security strategy, which Chinese experts said echoes the US strategy toward China. They remind the New Zealand government to remain clear-headed and vigilant against some domestic hawkish politicians who push for a tougher China stance to divert the current positive China-New Zealand relations onto a more dangerous path.
China Warns Japan Over ‘Resolve to Fight’ Remarks on Taiwan
China warned Japan against “being led astray again,” after its former Prime Minister Taro Aso said his country, the US and Taiwan must show Beijing their “resolve to fight” to deter any possible invasion.Aso’s “balderdash severely interfered in China’s internal affairs and undermined stability in the Taiwan Strait,” the Chinese embassy in Tokyo said a statement posted on its WeChat account Wednesday.
Taiwanese coastguard ship docks in Japan
While on fishery patrol mission the armed Hsun Hu No 8 stops at Tokyo port ‘for routine maintenance and supply.Port call comes as former Japanese prime minister Taro Aso winds up a three-day visit to Taiwan.
Aukus: US eyes Australia as test site for missiles to counter China
A top Pentagon official says Australia could provide the ground to test US hypersonic and other advanced weapons under Aukus pact.The proposal comes as the US faces challenge to find open spaces to test these weapons.
China-India border conflict holds lessons for Japan, too
Improved relations and economic ties will not constrain Beijing’s territorial ambitions. India has learned that bilateral ties and economic interdependence do not constrain China's territorial ambitions. That is a lesson Japan should heed.
Biden Fears China Is ‘Ticking Time Bomb' Posing Danger to World
China faces challenges from slowing exports, property slump.President Joe Biden expressed concern that China’s economic and demographic problems have turned the world’s second-largest economy into a “ticking time bomb” that threatens the rest of the world.
Biden said at a political fundraiser Thursday that “China is in trouble” because growth has slowed and the number of people in retirement age outnumber those of working age.
A deepening slowdown in the world’s second-biggest economy has now raised fears of deflation, which could be crippling for heavily indebted China.
Biden's reported Vietnam visit 'likely- eyes China'
Washington is likely to use the strengthening of US-Vietnam ties on the economy, trade and national security as a lever to further increase its influence over Southeast Asia with the goal of containing China, which would endanger regional stability and peace, Chinese experts warned, as US President Joe Biden said he plans to travel to Vietnam soon.
‘Blatant economic coercion’: China slams Biden’s order limiting U.S. overseas tech investment
Biden warned in the executive order that certain American investments may contribute to “the development of sensitive technologies and products in countries that develop them to counter United States and allied capabilities.”China says the order “seriously disrupts the security of the global industrial and supply chains.”Beijing stops short of immediately issuing counter measures, but said it “reserves the right” to respond.
Smearing China: Apart from pleasing US, what other benefits can Canada get?By Global Times Chinese Newspaper
Following behind the US to smear and attack China, acting as a vanguard against China, besides making the US happy, what else can Canada gain? Canada should return to a more independent foreign policy instead of following the US. It should abandon its ideological bias and Cold War mentality, stop spreading lies and disinformation against China, and cease misleading the public and damaging the relationship with China. Otherwise, it will surely face the consequences of its actions.
China urges US to drop plans for trade deal with Taiwan
China's Foreign Ministry on Thursday called on the US to revoke the so-called “US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade First Agreement Implementation Act” and stop further negotiations, while blasting the US move as violating the one-China principle
China Embassy Rips ‘Brutal’ Russia Border Incident in Rare Move
Several Chinese citizens denied entry on July 29, embassy says. Embassy demands that Russia provide ‘satisfactory answer’.China’s embassy in Moscow blasted what it called a “brutal” handling by Russian authorities of a denial of entry to the country by several Chinese citizens.“Russia’s brutal and excessive law-enforcement activities in this incident have seriously violated the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese citizens,” the embassy said in a post Friday on WeChat, the popular Chinese social-media outlet.
Securing India's Internal Security
Stirring Disruption through Social Media Groups- Pakistani Involvement in Nuh Unrest
In the midst of the Nuh riots, the Haryana Police have identified a significant role played by online actors from Pakistan. These digital agitators, known for their presence in social media groups operating from across the border, targeted audiences with substantial followings in the Rajasthan and Mewat regions of Haryana. Their intent was to incite the already volatile situation, encouraging mobs to escalate the clashes. Despite the efforts of those affected by the violence to rebuild their lives, these foreign groups inundated the online sphere with messages of celebration, seemingly unconcerned about the potential consequences of the crackdown, which could devastate local families due to the arrests of their young members.
The involvement of Pakistani elements is hardly surprising, given the current influence of social media as a tool for propagating hostility beyond national boundaries. The Nuh incident aimed to spark a dangerous and lethal escalation. Pakistan's intelligence agency, the ISI, has consistently leveraged social media's potential to target adversaries; evidence of this strategy was evident in the 2021 protests by the Islamist Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) against former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who had turned against the military leadership.
The ISI has persisted in supporting terrorists to further its foreign policy objectives, particularly in Afghanistan and India. The recent tragedy in Bajaur, claiming the lives of more than 60 individuals, stands as a grim consequence of this approach. Social media's unruliness far surpasses even the notorious figures like Hafiz Saeed and Azhar Masood. It's possible that these very groups could incite animosity within Pakistan's borders as well, if they haven't already. Amidst these malicious activities, Pakistan's outward display of extending an olive branch to India appears disingenuous at best.
Technological Security
Boosting Domestic Manufacturing through Laptop Import Regulations
In a move driven by security concerns and the imperative to bolster domestic production, the Union Government is set to impose constraints on the importation of laptops, tablets, and select computer categories. Despite significant strides in local manufacturing of smartphones and television sets, the IT hardware sector in India has faced hurdles in achieving similar progress. Presently, a considerable 65 percent of laptop and PC units are brought in through imports. The introduction of import restrictions and the implementation of a licensing framework should have been undertaken much earlier. Unfortunately, the prolonged delay has permitted nations like Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Singapore to forge ahead, while China maintains its unrivaled dominance in computer device manufacturing and export.
The recent initiative by India seeks to alleviate its undue reliance on China. The government has assured companies a transition phase during which they can apply for import licenses for laptops and similar devices. A significant challenge will be to amplify domestic manufacturing capacity to meet the escalating domestic demand for laptops and tablets, which play vital roles in education, business, and entertainment sectors. Earlier this year, the Union Cabinet sanctioned a production-linked incentive scheme for IT hardware, allocating a budget of Rs 17,000 crore. To attract substantial investments, India has extended the application deadline for this scheme.
Key concerns for domestic stakeholders revolve around product quality and pricing. The government must diligently incentivize leading global players to establish manufacturing facilities within India, fostering the creation of world-class IT devices. By aligning the "Make in India" initiative with global outreach ("Make for the World"), the nation holds the potential to transform into an export hub in the long term.
Mental Health Issues Among Members Of The Central Armed Police Forces Must Be Tackled
Underlining the need for urgent intervention is the rise in mental health issues among members of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). The Ministry of Home Affairs’ (MHA) update to the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday reveals that the number of psychiatric cases in the paramilitary forces has swelled by an alarming 38 per cent from 3,584 in 2020 to 4,940 last year. This figure assumes significance in the light of the recent fatal firing by an RPF constable at his senior and three passengers on a train in Maharashtra.
Coming from a force whose troops are regularly screened for medical fitness, it betrays a deeper malaise afflicting the personnel: inadequate institutional support for the stressed-out soldiers who serve on tough postings for long periods. An arbitrary transfer policy and denial of leave can disturb them greatly. Jawans working under duress are prone to getting violent when their problems are not resolved, as per a report submitted to the MHA. Trusting them with guns, unfortunately, can cost lives, as the statistics show.
The authorities must take steps to address the jawans’ frustration as it can lead to suicide and fratricide. As many as 658 suicides were reported among CRPF, BSF, CISF, SSB, ITBP and Assam Rifles personnel from 2018 to 2020. In the past five years, 29 personnel were killed by their colleagues, as per the MHA report submitted in the Lok Sabha in April. The growing trend of these employees opting for VRS is another manifestation of the problem. It is a massive loss in terms of lives and productivity and calls for a deep inspection.
Highlighting the urgency for immediate intervention is the surge in mental health concerns within the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). According to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ (MHA) recent update to the Rajya Sabha, there has been a distressing 38 percent rise in psychiatric cases within the paramilitary forces, escalating from 3,584 cases in 2020 to 4,940 cases in the preceding year. This statistic gains even more significance when viewed in the context of the recent tragic incident involving an RPF constable in Maharashtra, who fatally shot his senior officer and three passengers aboard a train.
Ukraine War Effect on India
Turning food into a weapon: how Russia resorted to one of the oldest forms of warfare
With Russia blockading Ukraine’s eastern ports, an alternative route to the west is possible but faces serious problems. Heat, War and Trade Protections Raise Uncertainty for Food PricesExperts are warning of a new normal in which food supplies — and prices — could be rocked more regularly.
--
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.