Bomb Hoax Crisis: 50 Flights Receive Bomb Threats; Airlines Face Rs 600 Crore Loss in 9 Days

 

 

Within just 24 hours, approximately 80 flights faced bomb threats, severely disrupting airline operations and causing major delays for passengers. Although these threats were ultimately determined to be false, the resulting disruption has led to an estimated Rs 600 crore loss for airlines, as reported by former airline officials.

 

 

 

 

Rising Costs of Threat-Induced Disruptions

 

Over a nine-day period, more than 170 flights received bomb threats, with several international flights even being diverted. On average, a domestic flight disruption costs around Rs 1.5 crore, while the expense rises to Rs 5-5.5 crore for international flights, according to a former airline finance official. Based on this estimate, the overall loss due to these 170 flight disruptions totals around Rs 600 crore. Costs vary based on aircraft size and route duration, with wide-body planes incurring higher operational costs.

 

 

Strengthening Security Measures and Legal Actions

 

Authorities have enhanced the Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) protocols to counter the wave of internet-based threats effectively. The government is also proposing legislative amendments to The Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act (SUASCA), 1982. These changes would allow authorities to arrest and investigate perpetrators of bomb threats without a court order, even when the aircraft is grounded. Additionally, stringent punishments, including placing offenders on the no-fly list, are under consideration.

 

 

Future Steps to Combat Hoaxes

 

As bomb hoax calls continue to destabilize the airline industry, these planned reforms signal the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and smooth operation of air travel in India. With stricter laws and potential penalties on the horizon, authorities aim to create a deterrent against such disruptive activities, protecting both passengers and the airline industry from further financial and operational harm.

COUNTERING INDIAN INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL SECURITY CHALLENGES

 Manipur: 6 jawans injured as Assam Rifles soldier fires at colleagues before killing self

 

 

In Manipur's Chandel district, a soldier shot and injured at least six Assam Rifles personnel before taking his own life. The incident occurred in the Sajik Tampak area, when the Assam Rifles jawan opened fire on his colleagues.

 

 

Indian Navy rescues hijacked Iranian fishing vessel and crew off the east coast of Somalia

 

 

Indian Navy's INS Sumitra swiftly rescued a hijacked Iranian fishing vessel and its 17 crew members off Somalia's coast. This follows recent successful missions, including extinguishing a Gulf of Aden oil tanker fire and thwarting a North Arabian Sea hijacking.

 

 

Rolls-Royce inks seven-year deal with Azad Engineering for military aircraft engine components

 

 

Rolls-Royce has entered a game-changing seven-year partnership with Azad Engineering, based in Hyderabad, to manufacture critical components for its defense aircraft engines. This strategic collaboration propels Azad Engineering into the global supply chain for Rolls-Royce’s advanced aero engines, marking a significant leap for India in defense manufacturing.

 

 

India pivots away from Russian arms, but will retain strong ties

 

 

India, the world's largest arms importer, is seeking to reduce its dependence on Russia for weapons and munitions due to disruptions caused by the war in Ukraine. With Russia supplying 65% of India's weapons purchases over the last two decades, diversifying its weapons base has become a priority. India is turning towards the West, particularly the United States, to strengthen ties and contain China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region. The move reflects India's cautious balancing act to avoid pushing Russia closer to China while advancing its own strategic interests.

 

 

Govt extends ban imposed on terror group SIMI for 5 years

 

 

The government extended the ban on SIMI for five years due to its involvement in terrorism and disturbing peace. Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared SIMI an 'Unlawful Association' for five more years under the UAPA. SIMI has been continuously engaging in subversive activities and re-organizing absconding activists.

 

 

Indian Air Force (IAF) conducts 'Exercise Desert Knight' with France and UAE counterparts

 

 

 

 

 

The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted 'Exercise Desert Knight' with the French Air and Space Force (FASF) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force over the Arabian Sea. The exercise aimed to enhance synergy and interoperability among the three Air Forces, facilitating the exchange of operational knowledge and best practices. The participation of India involved aircraft such as Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Jaguar, AWACS, C-130-J, and Air to Air Refueller.

 

 

Khelo India-Age is no bar: PM congratulates Rohan Bopanna on his historic Australian Open win

 

 

Bopanna made history on Saturday by defeating the Italian duo of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in the finals of the Australian Open 2024. Rohan Bopanna's second grand slam championship comes after he won the mixed doubles at the 2017 French Open with Canadian partner Gabriela Dabrowski .

 

 

Energy Security-Rooftop Solar System In One Crore Houses

 

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the government would launch Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana with the objective of installing the rooftop solar system in one crore houses. The PM is hopeful that the scheme would not only reduce the electricity bill of the lower and middle classes but also make India self-reliant in the energy sector. He has stated that a nationwide campaign should be launched to mobilise residential power consumers to adopt the system in large numbers.

Optimally harnessing solar energy is essential for India, which records 250-300 sunny days in a year. The government had launched the National Portal for Rooftop Solar in July 2022 with the aim of making it easy for residential consumers to apply for installation of the system, but the response has been lukewarm so far. As per an estimate, there are less than 10 lakh households in the country with a rooftop solar setup. According to a report, over 25 crore households across India have the potential to install 637 GW (gigawatts) of solar energy capacity on rooftops. India has installed 11 GW of rooftop solar capacity, of which only 2.7 GW is in the residential sector.The solar push is particularly vital for India’s villages, where the electricity supply remains erratic and last-mile connectivity is a challenge, despite the government’s claims that every village in the country has been electrified and every rural area is getting at least 20 hours of power daily (up from 12 hours in 2015). There is a pressing need to make the grid-connected solar rooftop power system affordable and manageable for residents. This will not only benefit consumers but also help discoms effectively handle peak loads and reduce transmission and distribution losses

 

 

Israel hails 32 years of diplomatic relations with India

 

 

"Today, as we celebrate 32 years of diplomatic relations between #India and #Israel, we are reminded of the timeless words, 'तेरे जैसा यार कहाँ, कहां ऐसा याराना,' Israel embassy posted on X.

 

 

Anti-India Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu may face impeachment

 

 

 

 

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has obtained enough signatures to submit an impeachment motion against President Mohamed Muizzu. The motion was disrupted due to chaos in parliament. The MDP has also threatened to deny approval to the home and defense ministers if disruptions continue.

 

Countering External & Internal Security Challenges

"Because peace is coming in Kashmir valley, our adversaries are encouraging proxy wars": General Manoj Pande

Attributing the rise to adversaries encouraging proxy wars amid efforts to bring peace to the Kashmir Valley, he noted infiltration attempts along the Line of Control (LoC) but highlighted successful thwarting of such attempts. General Pande also mentioned contracts worth Rs 12,000 crore signed with private Indian firms, focusing on projects like light tanks and future-ready combat vehicles.

Indian Army chief says 416 Myanmar soldiers crossed into India in 2 months

India's army chief, General Manoj Pande, revealed that over 400 Myanmar Army personnel entered India through the porous border in the last two months. The incursions coincide with ongoing clashes between rebel forces and the Myanmar junta. Facing a significant challenge, Myanmar's military rulers grapple with coordinated offensives by ethnic minority forces, resulting in the capture of towns and military posts. Despite the incursions, Indian authorities have been promptly repatriating Myanmar troops crossing the border.

Situation on Northern border is stable but sensitive": Chief of Army Staff, General Manoj Pande

The Chief of Army Staff, General Manoj Pande, stated that the security situation on the northern border is stable but sensitive. He emphasized ongoing talks for a resolution and highlighted high operational preparedness. General Pande noted disruptive technologies in strategic competition, affirmed the alignment of security forces for a stable environment, and mentioned positive developments in Northeast India.

Right sizing the Size of the Army-Approach the Exercise with Caution and Pragmatism

Army Chief General Manoj Pande has informed that a comprehensive plan to right-size the Army has been submitted to the Ministry of Defence (MoD). In preparation for Army Day on January 15, he revealed that the goal is to optimize the Army's strength by reducing it by 1 lakh troops by 2027. The proposed roadmap includes the optimization or potential phase-out of British-era units that are now deemed obsolete. General Pande highlighted examples such as the right-sizing of animal transport units, replaced by more advanced technologies like drones and all-terrain vehicles. This move aligns with the ongoing efforts to modernize and decolonize the Indian military, emphasizing a shift towards quality over quantity, as mentioned in the MoD's year-end review for 2023.

Optimizing manpower necessitates force restructuring, rationalization, and reorganization. The envisioned creation of integrated tri service commands is part of a broader strategy to make the defence forces self-reliant and prepared for the future. Achieving the right 'teeth to tail' ratio presents a significant challenge, especially with the current substantial deployment of troops along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh. Indian soldiers remain in a constant state of operational preparedness along the borders with China and Pakistan.

The right-sizing initiative demands a cautious and pragmatic approach to ensure national security is not compromised. A clear distinction between expendable and crucial components must be made. The primary objective should be to establish a more efficient and agile military capable of dealing effectively with potential threats. Pursuing adjustments solely for the sake of cost reduction is ill-advised. Additionally, the long-overdue integration of tri services should be prioritized to enhance the forces' readiness for contemporary and future warfare scenarios.

Food Diplomacy & inclusion of the African Union (AU)

For sure, the G20 summit will see some heavy-duty diplomacy. But diplomacy can’t be done on empty tummies. That’s why President Droupadi Murmu’s special dinner has us all asking, “Khaney mein kya hai? (What’s on the menu?)” As per reports, it’s all vegetarian fare with a special focus on millet-based dishes. Doesn’t take much brain to figure out why this grain. India’s marking 2023 as the International Year of Millets. That millet poha is not just good to eat, it’s a confident India’s message to the world.

The inclusion of the African Union (AU) as a permanent G20 member – an Indian initiative – has big geopolitical ramifications. Africa is potentially the next global growth hub. Plus, it has always been a massive reservoir of natural resources. Morocco has the largest phosphate reserves in the world, DR Congo is endowed with huge deposits of cobalt, and Nigerian gas can power all of Europe. However, hitherto Africa had little say at the global high table. It is this imbalance that the G20 inclusion of AU will look to address.
Of course, this is also a huge win for India. The latter’s Africa outreach has witnessed several crests and troughs over the decades.

But sustained efforts have materialised in recent years with India trying to position itself as a viable alternative development partner to China. In fact, this is even visible on the defence front with India and Africa conducting the first-ever joint army chiefs conclave earlier this year. India is also emerging as a key defence supplier to Africa with Seychelles, Mauritius and Mozambique ranking as the top three Made-in-India arms importers between 2017 and 2022. Add to this, ongoing projects in healthcare, education, and solar power generation in Africa.

The G20 inclusion of AU adds fresh momentum to India-Africa ties that must be capitalised upon. First, the two sides should quickly finalise the dates of the much-delayed fourth India-Africa Forum Summit. Second, India needs to exert greater efforts in Francophone Africa where its presence has been traditionally weaker. And third, initiatives like the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor need greater energy. Speed is of the essence in Africa, as China has shown. After the G20 success, India should get cracking if it wants to reap the African dividend.

 

Countering China In Taiwan

US State Department OKs two possible military sales to Taiwan -Pentagon

The U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale of ammunition and logistics support to Taiwan in two separate deals valued at up to $440 million, the Pentagon said on Thursday.

Taiwan has asked to purchase 30mm ammunition, including high-explosive incendiary-tracer rounds, multi-purpose rounds and training rounds, for an estimated cost of $332.2 million, the Pentagon said.

VERY BRIEFLY

1.Taiwan says 11 Chinese Fighter aircrafts crossed the Taiwan Strait median line.

2. China’s enhanced intelligence-gathering and new military presence in Cuba shows Beijing simply no longer cares what the US thinks. It has long been clear that China and Cuba, among the handful of remaining communist countries, view the U.S. as a common enemy. A fuller picture of their common cause was revealed recently, first by the Journal and then by government disclosure that China is using Cuba for eavesdropping and military training. China has been running extensive spying operations out of Cuba and secretly arming Havana for more than two decades. As far back as 2001, U.S. intelligence was reported to have known the existence of the Chinese eavesdropping operation in Cuba.

3. Hong Kong's pro-democracy online Citizens' Radio station aired its final show on Friday and will cease operations owing to what its founder described as a "dangerous" political situation and the freezing of its bank account by China. A Hong Kong lawyer resisted airbrushing history. Now she is in jail.

Exercising freedom of expression and association — such as by carrying a candle in memory of Tiananmen Square — should not be a crime.

4. As China Reopens Borders, Trafficking of Women and Girls Resumes.

Covid restrictions had mostly halted the smuggling of Vietnamese women for marriage to Chinese men

Before the Covid pandemic, the China-Vietnam border region was a hot spot for human trafficking as many Chinese men sought brides from outside China.

5. China’s Pensions System Is Buckling Under an Aging Population,Beijing has hard choices ahead .

Germany China Relations

The German  strategy makes clear that Germany cannot do without China. Berlin insists that cooperation should and will continue to be sought on global challenges.

The reality on the ground, meanwhile, further complicates Germany’s China equation. Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited Germany last week, highlighting the importance of the relationship. A preparatory visit to Beijing in May by Jens Plötner, Scholz’s national security adviser, was described by all sides as positive and friendly.

Li’s visit came not long after the decision by Scholz to override concerns by the Federal Foreign Office and allow Chinese involvement in the Hamburg port terminal Tollerort. A less discussed, but perhaps more important, development was COSCO’s withdrawal from the Port of Duisburg in October 2022. 

Ukraine war

Ukraine failing to capitalize on Wagner rebellion

Wagner Group’s aborted mutiny or coup made for dramatic headlines but hasn’t yielded any battlefield gains for Ukraine.

U.S. Advised Ukraine Against Covert Attacks in Russia During Mutiny, Officials Say

Washington asked Kyiv not to do anything that would either try to influence the outcome of events or take immediate advantage of the chaos, according to American officials.

India, firm stance against China's Belt and Road Initiative

India, as the host of the virtual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Tuesday, took a firm stance against China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). While fellow SCO members Pakistan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan reaffirmed their support for the Chinese project, India refused to endorse it. The summit's declaration acknowledged the joint implementation of the BRI, including efforts to connect the construction of the Eurasian Economic Union with the initiative. However, India has consistently maintained its opposition to the BRI, particularly the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). India views the progress of the CPEC in that region as a direct infringement on its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

China's double standards become evident in this situation. In May of this year, China boycotted the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting in Srinagar, citing Jammu & Kashmir as a "disputed territory." However, China continues its regular business activities in PoK, which legally belongs to India.

During the SCO summit, India effectively confronted Pakistan and China on the issue of cross-border terrorism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on member states to condemn countries that harbor terrorists and employ terrorism as a policy instrument. While Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif acknowledged the need to combat terrorism and extremism, he cautioned against using the issue as a diplomatic tool. China has consistently supported Pakistan in this regard and has repeatedly blocked proposals by India and the United States at the United Nations to designate Pakistan-based terrorists as international terrorists. India, as the current SCO chair, deserves praise for utilizing this platform to expose the collaboration between Pakistan and China

Chinese nationwide hidden debt reached 66 trillion yuan at the end of 2022-time to prepare for darker times ahead

 

Due to economic weakness, China has been compelled to change its approach. In June, the central bank reduced interest rates, and the State Council, China's cabinet, announced discussions on implementing new measures to support the economy. Potential options include further relaxation of property restrictions, tax incentives for consumers, increased infrastructure investment, and incentives for manufacturers, particularly in the high-tech sector. However, Goldman Sachs analysts in China suggest that property and infrastructure stimulus will likely be cautious and targeted due to factors such as a shrinking population, high debt levels, and President Xi's call to curb property speculation.

The limitations of relying on large infrastructure-led stimulus become evident when observing areas like Zunyi or traveling to the countryside. While the underdeveloped and mountainous province of Guizhou initially required some investment, it is now inundated with costly bridges, tunnels, roads, and airports. Unfortunately, it is struggling to repay the debt incurred from financing these construction projects, leading to pleas for assistance from China to address its severe debt crisis. Zunyi, a city with a population of 6.6 million, has two different airports located about an hour away from downtown. Additionally, there is another airport in the city of Liupanshui, three hours away by car. Despite its construction cost of 1.5 billion yuan ($208 million) in 2014, this airport now sees few commercial flights. During a recent visit on a day without scheduled flights, the terminal was virtually empty, with only a security guard, a few cleaners, and attendants in deserted shops having their lunch. Much of the funding for these projects, as well as others across the country, came from local government financing vehicles—companies created by municipalities to borrow on behalf of cities, towns, and provinces—without reflecting this debt on their balance sheets. This "hidden debt" poses a significant risk to China's local governments and raises concerns among investors who have purchased bonds from these financing vehicles.

According to the International Monetary Fund's estimate in February, the nationwide hidden debt reached 66 trillion yuan at the end of 2022, a sharp increase from 40 trillion yuan in 2019. This surge illustrates how local governments resorted to off-book borrowing and spending during the pandemic. Local governments themselves are facing financial pressures as they have become reliant on land sales to property developers to supplement their budgets, but this revenue source is drying up due to the housing market downturn. With the central bank initiating interest rate cuts and cities across the country easing down-payment requirements and lifting restrictions on purchasing multiple properties, the lackluster state of the property market may gradually change. However, due to significant oversupply, it will take time for any property stimulus to translate into actual housing construction, if it happens at all.

In Hangzhou, home prices in some neighborhoods have plummeted nearly 30% since their peak in late 2021, as reported by multiple real estate agents. This sudden decline marks a stark contrast for the prosperous city that hosted the Group of 20 summit in 2016. Wang, the wife of an Alibaba employee, decided to list one of their two apartments in the city for sale in early June following a round of job cuts at the tech giant. Reflecting on the situation, Wang expressed, "For the first time, the layoff news made me rethink whether the mortgages we've undertaken are too high." She preferred to be identified by her surname only since she discussed a personal matter. "It might be time to prepare for darker times ahead," she added, contemplating the potential challenges that lie ahead

सीमाभागातील गावांचा विकास,ऊर्जा सुरक्षा राष्ट्रीय हरित हायड्रोजन मिशन भारतात महिलांसाठी सुरक्षित बनवणे,यांगत्से-जनरल व्ही पी मलिक यांच्याकडून धडे

https://youtu.be/AegJGTylViI 

सीमाभागातील गावांचा विकास,ऊर्जा सुरक्षा राष्ट्रीय हरित हायड्रोजन मिशन भारतात महिलांसाठी सुरक्षित बनवणे,यांगत्से-जनरल व्ही पी मलिक यांच्याकडून धडे

Development of Border Area Villages

The Government of India is paying special attention to the development of border villages, especially from a security perspective. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that borders could be permanently secured only when border villages are populated by patriotic citizens who are concerned for the country. He asked the Border Security Force to effectively use the Vibrant Village Programme (VVP), announced by the Centre in the 2022 Budget, to promote development and communication in border villages. The government has said VVP would cover construction of village infrastructure, housing, tourist centres, road connectivity, provisioning of decentralised renewable energy, direct-to-home access for Doordarshan and educational channels, and support for livelihood generation.

There were also plans to open the villages along the China border in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Ladakh for tourists. The MHA recently informed a Parliamentary Standing Committee that the budget provisions for the programme have been sent to the Expenditure Finance Committee for its approval.

Energy Security National Green Hydrogen mission

The Union Cabinet has cleared a National Green Hydrogen (NGH) mission that aims to facilitate the production of hydrogen from renewable energy. By 2030, the goal is to have at least 5 million metric tonnes of annual green hydrogen production, electrolyser capacity of 60-100 gigawatt and a 125-gigawatt renewable energy capacity for green hydrogen and its associated transmission network.

With an initial outlay of Rs 19,744 crore, the Centre has earmarked Rs 17,490 crore for the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition Programme (SIGHT) programme with Rs 1,466 crore for pilot projects, Rs 400 crore for R&D, and Rs 388 crore for other components of the mission.It is expected that the project will attract investments of Rs 8 lakh crore and create over 6 lakh jobs by 2030.

The benefits envisaged include export opportunities, decarbonisation of sectors like mobility, industries and energy, reducing dependence on imported feedstock and fossil fuels, indigenous manufacturing ability enhancement, job creation, R&D for cutting-edge tech. The mission aims to help in creation of demand, production, export and utilisation of green hydrogen.

Green hydrogen, currently accounts for less than 1% of global hydrogen production and India’s aim is to become a global, industrial hub and exporter of such hydrogen. The Central government’s decision to launch the National Green Hydrogen Mission, with the objective of making India a global hub for green hydrogen, and its derivatives, and take the lead in its production, utilisation and exports, is one of India’s first attempts to be on an early curve of a new revolution.

India must also urgently add research and development to its armoury so that the highest value creation in this nascent energy sub-segment, with its potential for green and clean energy, is created in our country. Hydrogen, with its limitless and extremely low cost supply, can become a powerhouse for India’s next generation transformation, and for the first time in our history, we are not going to be missing the bus but being a pioneer instead.

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