- Relation with African countries
- Rise of Africa is in India’s strategic interest: EAM S Jaishankar
Key Points:
- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that facilitating, contributing and partnering the rise of Africa is in our strategic interest. “If Africa becomes one of the poles of global politics, it is better for us,” he said.
(Economic Times, 18 October 2020) News Link
- Vaccine nationalism: WHO backs India, South Africa’s proposal to ease patent rules
(Hindustan Times, 18 October 2020) News Link
- Relation with Shri Lanka
- Indian and Sri Lankan navies to carry out 3-day military drill beginning Monday
Key points:
- The Indian Navy will deploy anti-submarine warfare corvettes INS Kamorta and INS Kiltan
- The Sri Lanka Navy will be represented by offshore patrol vessel Sayura and training ship Gajabahu
- The navies of India and Sri Lanka will conduct a three-day military exercise off Trincomalee beginning Monday, in a show of growing congruence in their strategic interests and operational convergence in the region, officials said.
- The eighth edition of the annual SLINEX exercise will feature a series of complex drills including surface and anti-air weapon firings and cross deck flying operations with an aim to further fine-tune the “high degree” of inter-operability between the two navies, they said.
- The Indian Navy will deploy anti-submarine warfare corvettes INS Kamorta and INS Kiltan as well as a sizeable number of advanced light helicopters, Chetak helicopter and Dornier maritime patrol aircraft in the exercise, the officials said.
- “SLINEX series of exercise exemplifies the deep engagement between India and Sri Lanka which has strengthened mutual cooperation in the maritime domain,” an Indian Navy spokesperson said.
(Live Mint, 18 October 2020) News Link
- India scrambles to buy winter gear from US amid row with China
Key points:
- India until now sourced high-altitude kits for its defense forces mainly from Europe or China
- The rush to acquire the gear shows the situation will extend into the winter
(Live Mint, 18 October 2020) News Link
- चीन ने भारतीय सीमा के पास दागीं मिसाइलें, रॉकेट की बारिश से थर्राए पहाड़
Key points:
- चीन की सेना पीएलए ने भारतीय लद्दाख के पास में 4700 मीटर की ऊंचाई पर जोरदार युद्धाभ्यास किया है।
- चीन के सरकारी अखबार का दावा है कि इस अभ्यास के दौरान 90 फीसदी नए हथियारों का इस्तेमाल किया गया।
(नवभारतटाइम्स, 18 October 2020) News Link
- India-China prepare for 8th round of military commanders’ talks next week
Key points:
- According to senior officials, India and China are not impatient over a resolution on the friction points but have decided to keep the dialogue channels open at both military commander and diplomatic levels.
(Hindustan Times, 18 October 2020) News Link
- Need to restore peace along LAC: S Jaishankar
Key points:
- India and China were developing cooperation in areas such as trade, tourism and societal activity since the late 1980s because of peace and tranquillity in the border areas and this year’s border standoff has “deeply disturbed” the situation, he said during an online conversation with former ambassador Gautam Bambawale for the Pune International Centre.
(Hindustan Times, 18 October 2020) News Link
- Pakistan violates ceasefire along international border in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua
Key points:
- Pakistani Rangers opened fire at forward posts and villages along the international border (IB) in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir
- firing in the Pansar-Manyari area of Hiranagar sector around 9.45pm on Saturday, The cross-border firing between the two sides continued till 5.10am
(Latest LY, 18 October 2020) News Link
Arise Bharat 