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The horrors in Bucha- Sad relics of a deadly war
Source: Indian Express
The war in Ukraine has left the world with several grim memories. Cities being destroyed, dead bodies of innocent civilians and soldiers lying unclaimed. However, recent discoveries have been made in Bucha, a suburban town in Kyiv, located about 25 km to the northwest of the capital, with a pre-war estimated population of 36,000. More than 300 bodies were discovered in Bucha when President Zelenskyy visited on 4th April. Some bodies had their hands bound, some flesh burned and shot in the back of the head.
Satellite images from mid-March that are now available show streets strewn with corpses, and many of the bodies seen by journalists in the past couple of days appear to have lain in the open for weeks. Corpses have been found in a shallow mass grave in a church compound. The officials have said five bodies with their hands tied lay in the basement of a children's sanatorium that the occupiers used as a "torture chamber" for civilians. The photos emerging out of Bucha show the Russian army's brutal tactics, clearly indicating their desire to break the morale of the Ukrainian people.
By Rishav Gupta - Batch 21-23
Look for rapprochement between NATO and Russia, says Marine Le Pen
Source: Wion news (https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-send-weapons-to-ukraine-look-for-rapprochement-between-nato-russia-after-war-says-frances-le-pen-470834)
The French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has asked to stop sending weapons to Ukraine, even as Russia is accused of using phosphorous bombs in the war. Le Pen, an outspoken nationalist, also seems to have ties with Russia and is dubbed as an admirer of President Vladimir Putin. She has called for a rapprochement between NATO and Russia when the war ends.
Le Pen has also ensured that she will pull France out of military command of the NATO and reduce support to the European Union if she wins the French elections. She and President Emmanuel Macron will be competing in the presidential elections in France.
Le Pen was asked about the military aid to Ukraine, on which she said she would continue defence and intelligence support. Furthermore, she added, “But I am more reserved about direct arms deliveries. Why? Because the line is thin between aid and becoming a co-belligerent,”. A far-right leader, she also cited concerns about an escalation of this conflict that could bring a whole number of countries into a military commitment.”
Le Pen wants France to take an independent path from the NATO alliance. She also said NATO should seek a ‘strategic rapprochement with Russia when war is over.’
By Deeplaxmi Patil - Batch 20-22
Imran Khan Bowled Out of Prime Ministership of Pakistan
Source: Al Jazeera (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/14/pakistan-military-rejects-khans-theory-us-conspired-to-oust-him)
Imran Khan was criticised by the opposition for surging inflation, a weak currency, and crippling debt. As a result, he encountered a no-confidence motion, something the ex-Pakistani Prime Minister originally prevented by dissolving parliament. According to some commentators, Imran Khan has also lost important military support in recent days, despite Pakistan's army being critical to the country's political power. A no-confidence motion is a floor test to assess if the legislature trusts the executive.
The Pakistan National Assembly comprises 342 members, and a member must have a majority of 172 to be elected. Khan's political party gained 149 seats in the recent general election and established the government with coalition partners' backing. However, he had begun to lose their support, with the most recent being their key ally, MQM – P, which also voted with the opposition, saying the former PM had acted unlawfully. Shehbaz Sharif replaced Imran Khan as Prime Minister on April 11, 2022, following which he accused his predecessor of pocketing gifts offered by visiting dignitaries from Toshakhana and selling them in Dubai. Alternatively, Imran Khan has maintained throughout this controversy that he is the target of a US-led conspiracy because of his failure to align with Washington on matters involving Russia and China.
By Aishwarya Nagar - Batch 20-22
The Sri Lankan Economic Crisis: What is India doing as a responsible neighbour?
Source: ANI
Sri Lanka is in the midst of an unprecedented economic crisis that is slowly transitioning into a political crisis. The island nation is currently in a $51 billion debt default. So far, India has given $1.9 billion to Sri Lanka in the form of loans, credit lines, and currency swaps. In the last three months, India has extended assistance of around $2.5 billion to the island nation, including credit facilities and fuel and food. Since March, over 270,000 metric tonnes of diesel and petrol have been delivered to Sri Lanka. Additionally, 400,000 tonnes of rice have been provided under the recently extended $1 billion credit facility. Ahead of the Sinhala and Tamil new year, India also sent a shipment of 11,000 metric tonnes of rice to help Sri Lankans celebrate one of their biggest festivals. On April 10, India sent vegetables and daily ration items to Colombo. It has also sent shipments of sugar, rice, and wheat.
In February, India gave Sri Lanka a short-term loan of $500 billion to help it purchase petroleum products. India also gave 100 tonnes of nano nitrogen liquid fertilisers as the Sri Lankan government ceased the import of chemical fertilisers. In addition, the Reserve Bank of India has extended a currency swap of $400 million and deferred payments owed by the Central Bank of Sri Lanks under the Asian Clearance Union worth several hundred million dollars.
As the crisis worsens, the country has now started a process to import cooking gas through a credit line arrangement with India.
By Samanya Sharma - Batch 20-22
PM Modi and President Biden exchange views on global issues
Source: https://www.mea.gov.in/newsdetail1.htm?9804/
On 11 April 2022, PM Modi & President Joe Biden met virtually ahead of the 2+2 ministerial dialogues. Global issues, cooperation, and endorsing Defence partnership were highlighted by both the leaders. President Biden appreciated the exchange of dialogues to deliver global good and strengthen India-US relations. PM Modi articulated India’s humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in its tough times. In his address, he asserted the shared values of Democracy on which India-US relations are in its natural form. India-US is celebrating the 75th anniversary of Diplomatic Relations.
Post this meeting, a 2+2 meeting was held between Dr S Jaishankar, MEA, India, Mr Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister, India, and Secretary of State Antony J Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J Austin III. The ministers affirmed their strong commitments to a free and open Indo-Pacific while respecting and protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states.
Appreciating the work India delivered as the chairperson of UNSC for 2021-22, the US reaffirmed to continue its support for India’s permanent membership in UNSC and India’s seat in the nuclear suppliers’ group. To deliver peace and stability in the Asian region, Both the Minters asked the Taliban to adhere to the UNSC resolution and international law and order and respect human rights and forbid engaging in any terror acts.
USA and India both reiterated to strengthen their relations.
By Hitendra Boradey - Batch 20-22