Morning Brief: Kashmir: Rajnath Singh Promises Lasting Solution; Deport Illegal Immigrants, States Told

Good morning, dear reader! Here’s your morning news and views brief for today.

Government Working On Permanent Solution To Kashmir Issue: Rajnath Singh: Addressing India TV’s conclave on anti-terrorism, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday that the government is working towards a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue without compromising on the identity of its people. He said that the door for talks with the separatist Hurriyat Conference were open, but there was no possibility of a dialogue with Pakistan until the neighbouring country stops aiding anti-India terror activities from its soil. In remarks that are likely to bring tempers down in the Kashmir Valley over fears that any attempt at doing away with the special status of the state, Singh said: “Kashmir should maintain its identity”. He said the Kashmir problem was too simple to be solved soon and would take time to find a permanent solution.

Deport Illegal Immigrants, States Told: Emphasising that illegal immigrants like Rohingyas pose grave security concerns and infringe on the rights of Indian citizens, the Union government has written to states, asking them to detect and deport them. Infiltration of (Rohingyas) from Rakhine state of Myanmar into Indian territory, especially in recent years, besides being burden on the limited resources of the country also aggravates security challenges posed to India, the Home Ministry said. Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju had said in Parliament on 9 August that according to available data, more than 14,000 Rohingyas, registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, are presently staying in India.

US Ready To Help India Modernise Its Military: Top American Commander: A top American commander has offered the US help to India to modernise its military. “I believe that the US is ready to help India modernise its military. India has been designated a major defence partner of the US. This is a strategic declaration that’s unique to India and the US. It places India on the same level that we have many of our treaty allies,” commander of the US Pacific Command Admiral Harry Harris said. Over the past decade, the defence trade between the US and India has touched nearly $15 billion and is expected to gallop in the next few years. “This is important, and I believe that together we will be able to improve India’s military capabilities in significant and meaningful ways,” said Harris.

Indian Economic Cycle Entering Strongest Phase, Says Report: India’s economy is on the threshold of entering its strongest growth phase, said a research report. “We believe that India is at the cusp of entering this phase and full blown bull market is yet to play out,” Edelweiss Investment Research said in the note. An economy enters the strongest phase of growth when stocks, bonds and commodities all rally together. Edelweiss Investment Research expects Nifty to touch 11,500 in calender year 2018. Nifty is currently hovering around 9,700 level. The wide-based index had breached 10,000 mark for the first time on 25 July. “We believe that India’s strong consumption story will drive in investment as witnessed from 2003-08 and earlier episodes,” it said.

Himachal Pradesh Landslide Claims 46: A massive landslide hit two Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation buses on the Mandi-Pathankot National Highway 154 on Sunday, leaving 46 people dead and many injured. Amongst the recovered bodies, 43 are from the Chamba-Manali bus and three from the Manali-Katra bus. State Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh visited the landslide spot and announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for next of kin of the deceased. Mandi Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Kadam said a team of National Disaster Response Force recovered 46 bodies from the site. The rescuers also pulled out five people alive from the rubble. They were rushed to the zonal hospital at Mandi with severe injuries.

Top Hizbul Commander Killed In Gunbattle: In a major blow to the Hizbul Mujahideen, a joint team of the Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force and Jammu and Kashmir Police killed Yasin Itoo alias Mehmood Ghaznavi, who had replaced Burhan Wani as its top commander in Kashmir Valley. The gunbattle, at Awneera village in south Kashmir’s Shopian district lasted over 15 hours, also claimed the lives of two soldiers, identified as Sepoy Gawai Sumedh Waman of Akola in Maharashtra and Sepoy Ilayaraja P from Sivagangai in Tamil Nadu. Two associates of Itoo – identified as Umar Majeed and Sheikh Irfan-ul-Haq – were also killed. Kashmir range Inspector General of Police Muneer Khan confirmed the killing of Itoo, who had succeeded Zakir Musa after the latter was expelled by Syed Salahuddin, the supreme commander of the terror outfit, for claiming allegiance to Al Qaeda.

India-Russia Plan Mega War Games: In a first, India and Russia will conduct mega war games in October involving their armies, navies and the air forces to further ramp up military ties. The exercise is taking place at a time when India’s ties with China have nosedived due to the simmering border dispute and its ties with Pakistan have deteriorated over cross-border terrorism and number of other issues. The exercise Indra, which will be held in Russia from 19 to 29 October, will focus on achieving coordination between forces in a tri-services integrated theatre command scenario, military sources said. The armies, navies and air forces of Russia are holding bilateral exercises separately but this is for the first time, both the countries will carry out a tri-services exercise.

Aramco IPO: Saudi Favours New York Over London: New York Stock Exchange has emerged as a front runner for the main foreign listing of Saudi Arabia’s oil giant Aramco, even though some financial and legal advisers have recommended London as a less problematic and risky option. A final decision on the listing in what could be the world's largest initial public offering (IPO) will be taken by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, who oversees the kingdom's economic and energy policies, sources told Reuters. Prince Mohammad may choose to list Aramco on the New York Stock Exchange for “political considerations", given the longstanding relationship between Riyadh and Washington, the sources said. However, they added that financial and commercial factors would also play a role in the choice.

MUST READ OPINIONS AND COLUMNS

Cut The Monetary Policy Committee Some Slack: Rather than criticising the caution of monetary policy committee in cutting repo rates, we should be commending RBI Governor Urjit Patel and the MPC for a journey well begun. By exercising caution in June and going for a 25 bps rate cut in August, RBI’s monetary policy committee has allowed itself the margin to pare or hold repo rates in the near future.

Despite Stains, Democracy Has Thrived In India: In the 70 years of independence, India has seen a change in the national government 16 times through democratic means. In these 70 years of independence, India has encountered dark periods, taken shaky steps, but getting up every time after falling has become second nature to Indians.

India’s Lethargic Approach To National Security: What should be inculcated in India is a better understanding of national security and the components that go into building it. Urgent equipment purchases, which have to be effected in times of war, kill the life cycle required for indigenous production.

Digital Brands Are The Future For Indian Consumers: The key now is to sustainably build a strong brand on social platforms with consistent communication. Digital First brands are going to be the future of brand-building in India. These brands are quick to scale. The success is visible.

SWARAJYA SPECIAL

Why Karnataka’s Proposed Common Zoning Regulations Are More Of A Problem Than A Solution: The proposed Common Zoning Regulations of Karnataka have stifled the constitutional provisions of local self-government along with a flagrant violation of urban planning principles. If implemented, it would have irreparable impact on cities and urban areas in the state.

We hope you enjoyed reading our morning brief. Have a great day ahead!

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