Morning Brief: Pakistan Asked China For Nuclear Second-Strike Capability In Exchange For Gwadar Base: Report; Case Against Rahul Gandhi For Attack On BJP MPs; And More

Dear reader, catch up on the day’s must-read stories with Swarajya's roundup of the morning's headlines.

Pakistan Tried To Arm-Twist China For Second-Strike Nuclear Capability: Report

Pakistan recently attempted to pressure China into providing it with a second-strike nuclear capability during high-level discussions on the future of the Gwadar port, NDTV has reported. Pakistan allegedly made an aggressive demand, suggesting that China could only establish a military base in Gwadar if it helped Pakistan develop second-strike capabilities, similar to India’s. This demand caught Beijing off guard, as Pakistan’s request was seen as highly audacious. China has rejected the proposal and seems to have indefinitely suspended further negotiations, the report says.

A second-strike nuclear capability is the ability to launch a retaliatory nuclear attack after surviving an enemy’s first strike. In the naval context, this is typically achieved through the deployment of submarines equipped with ballistic missiles, called SSBNs. India has developed this capability through its Arihant-class SSBNs, which carry the K-4 and K-15 ballistic missiles. These submarines provide India with a credible second-strike option, ensuring survivability of its nuclear deterrent. Recently, India conducted a successful test of the K-4 missile capable of targeting both China and Pakistan from the Bay of Bengal.

Case Against Rahul Gandhi For 'Grievously Hurting' BJP MPs

Delhi Police has booked Rahul Gandhi under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for allegedly causing grievous hurt, criminal intimidation, and use of force after a scuffle in Parliament. The incident, which occurred during the winter session, saw BJP MPs Pratap Chandra Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput reportedly injured, with the BJP accusing Gandhi of pushing them. The Congress, in turn, filed a complaint alleging that BJP MPs physically manhandled Gandhi and pushed Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, causing injuries. The clash, sparked by accusations over denigrating Dr. B R Ambedkar, led to chaos at the Parliament's Makar Dwar entrance. Both parties submitted petitions to Speaker Om Birla, trading allegations over the altercation.

Other Developments

US Seeks Dismissal Of Tahawwur Rana’s Plea Against Extradition

The US government has urged the Supreme Court to reject Mumbai attack convict Tahawwur Rana's petition to avoid extradition to India. Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, is wanted in India for his alleged role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and his links to terrorist David Coleman Headley. After losing multiple legal battles in lower courts and the US Court of Appeals, Rana filed a petition for a writ of certiorari on November 13 as his final attempt to block extradition.

Currently held in a Los Angeles jail, Rana faces charges for aiding the attacks that killed over 160 people. In a December 16 filing, US Solicitor General Elizabeth B Prelogar argued against his plea, stating he is not entitled to relief from extradition.

RSS Chief Warns Against Raking Up Disputes Over Religious Sites 

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat criticised the growing trend of individuals stirring up "Ram temple-like" disputes at various religious sites, calling it "unacceptable." Speaking in Pune during a lecture series on "Vishwaguru Bharat," Bhagwat emphasized that India should set an example of harmony between different faiths and ideologies. He pointed to recent controversies surrounding the origins of places of worship, such as Shahi Jama Masjid in UP’s Sambhal and Ajmer Sharif in Rajasthan, as examples of unnecessary division.

Bhagwat also expressed that the Ram temple issue was a matter of faith for Hindus and should not be used as a basis for generating new conflicts.

India Set For Another IPO Boom After $19 Billion Record

India has become a global leader in IPOs, surpassing its record for funds raised this year, with over $19 billion raised since January, exceeding the previous record of $17.8 billion set in 2021. The IPO boom was exemplified by Vishal Mega Mart Ltd.'s debut, where its shares surged more than 40 per cent.

Govt Developing Repairability Index For Consumer Durables

The consumer affairs ministry is developing a Repairability Index for consumer durables, similar to the star-rating system used for energy efficiency in electrical appliances, according to Union Minister Pralhad Joshi.

This new index will assess how easily products can be repaired, focusing on the availability of spare parts and essential components in the market. The initiative aims to encourage consumers to repair their products instead of discarding them, helping extend the lifespan of goods. It also addresses the issue of new models being designed to make older ones obsolete, prompting unnecessary replacements. 

From The States

UP: Sambhal MP Ziaur Rahman Barq Faces New Charges

The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) has accused Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal, Ziaur Rahman Barq, of power theft. Barq was earlier booked by Sambhal police for allegedly inciting violence during protests on November 24 over a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. Police claimed Barq’s speeches provoked the mob for political motives, a charge denied by him and his party, which blamed the BJP for the unrest. Barq has filed a petition in the Allahabad High Court seeking to quash the FIR and stay his arrest in the case. The electricity department identified multiple irregularities in the power supply at Sambhal MP Ziaur Rahman Barq's residence.

SC Questions Bengal Govt On Flaws In Teacher Recruitment

The Supreme Court on Thursday questioned the West Bengal government and the SSC over the recruitment scam involving 25,000 teachers and non-teaching staff, highlighting significant flaws in the selection process. During the final hearing, the court pointed out that the Calcutta High Court had canceled the appointments due to the inability to segregate tainted candidates from the untainted.

The court outlined various categories of tainted candidates, including those with manipulated ranks, altered marks, or irregularities in their OMR sheets, as well as those who were not on the merit list but still appointed.

In a lighter moment, CJI Khanna asked, "Dal mein kuch kala hai ya sab kuch kala hai?" while discussing the flaws in the recruitment process, which began with an advertisement in 2016 and culminated in appointments in January 2019. 

Stay tuned for more insights throughout the day.