NEW BENCHMARKS FOR STRATEGIC TIES: FOREIGN SECY ON PM MODI’S FRANCE VISIT

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to France starting today would be both rich in form and substance and would set new benchmarks for strategic partnership between the two countries in the future, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said Wednesday.

Addressing the media ahead of the visit, Kwatra spoke about increasing defence cooperation between the militaries of the two countries in terms of joint exercises as well as cooperation in logistics support and maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region and the Indo-Pacific and research and design in the defence sector.

He said the discussions between Modi and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron would hinge on co-production, co-development of military hardware with a focus on India’s self-reliance goals.

Aside from defence, Kwatra said Modi and Macron will discuss cooperation in key pillars of the strategic partnership, including civil nuclear technology, counter-terrorism, cyber security, space, climate change and integration of supply chains of the two countries as well as explore new areas of cooperation in the space sector.

On his way back from France, Modi will visit Abu Dhabi, where he is slated to hold talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on July 15.

CONGRESS GETS SONIA GANDHI BOOSTER FOR BENGALURU MEET

Having taken a backseat in active politics, Sonia Gandhi’s decision to attend the second joint meeting of the Opposition parties to be held in Bengaluru during July 17-18 seems to be aimed at sending out a signal about the Congress’s seriousness about their unity efforts.

As many as 15 parties had participated in the Opposition’s first joint meet in Patna on June 23, from which the RLD had stayed away. Now, altogether 24 parties are likely to attend the Bengaluru conclave, with eight new attendees – Kerala Congress (M), Kerala Congress (J), IUML, RSP, Forward Bloc, and the Tamil Nadu parties such as VCK, MDMK and KDMK – being invited by Kharge. The idea is to highlight that the Opposition ranks are “swelling”, even as the BJP has also called a meeting of the NDA allies in Delhi on July 18.

Interestingly, there is still uncertainty on whether the AAP will attend the Begaluru meet. The party had declared at the Patna conclave that unless the Congress publicly opposes the Narendra Modi government’s ordinance taking over services from the Delhi government, it would be “very difficult” for it to be a part of any alliance that includes the grand old party.

INDIA OPPOSES EU PARLIAMENT’S DEBATE ON MANIPUR

Having been unable to persuade members of the European Parliament not to hold an urgent debate on the Manipur situation, the government on Wednesday said the matter was “totally internal to India”. Speaking on the debate, which will be held on the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said: “We made efforts to reach out to EU parliamentarians. The matter is totally internal to India.”

The motion “The Manipur matter” has been scheduled for discussion under the “Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the Rule of Law”. The groups of parliamentarians range from the Left, European Socialists and Greens to regionalist parties, Conservatives and centre-right political and Christian groups. The motion also speaks of human rights abuses, and cracking down on dissent, civil society and media.

NOD FOR CHANGES IN JAN VISHWAS BILL TO DECRIMINALISE MINOR OFFENCES

The Union Cabinet today gave its nod to the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2022, that proposes to amend 183 provisions in 42 laws administered by 19 ministries, including those minor ones that invite jail term. The Bill proposes to amend almost 113 imprisonment clauses in various pieces of legislation, governing matters pertaining to the ministries of Finance, Food and Public Distribution, Financial Services, Agriculture, Commerce, Environment, Road Transport and Highways, Posts, Electronics and Information Technology.

The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill was introduced by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in the Lok Sabha on December 22 last year. After that, the Bill was referred to a joint committee of Parliament headed by BJP MP PP Chaudhary. The panel had submitted its report in the Lok Sabha on the proposed legislation in March during the Budget session.

In its report, the panel had suggested that the government should bring the amendments proposed in the law with “retrospective effect for abating pending legal proceedings in respect of offences being decriminalised”. It had also recommended that wherever feasible, removal of imprisonment may be accompanied by levying of penalty instead of a fine to avoid an increase in number of litigations. Besides seeking decriminalisation of minor offences, the Bill, as suggested by the panel, also envisages rationalisation of monetary penalties, depending on the gravity of the offence, to bolster trust-based governance.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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NATO ENTRY ELUSIVE, UKRAINE GETS G7 PLEDGE FOR LONG-HAUL SECURITY

The G7 countries unveiled new security assurances for Ukraine at a Nato summit on Wednesday, designed to bolster the country’s defences against Russia over the long haul while Kyiv strives for membership of the alliance. The prospect of long-term protection from members of the world’s most powerful military bloc comes a day after President Volodymyr Zelensky decried as “absurd” a refusal to offer an invite or timetable for Ukraine’s entry into Nato.

A declaration by the G7 countries launched a framework for bilateral negotiations to provide military and financial support, intelligence sharing and a promise of immediate steps if Russia should attack again. “Our support will last long into the future. It’s a powerful statement of our commitment to Ukraine,” President Biden said alongside Zelensky and leaders of the G7, which is made up of the US, Germany, Japan, France, Canada, Italy and Britain. “We’re going to be there as long as that takes. ”

Meanwhile, UK defence secretary Ben Wallace said on Wednesday that he had warned Ukraine that its allies were “not Amazon”, referring to the giant US retail company. He said Kyiv needed to show gratitude for weapons donations to persuade Western politicians to give more.

CHINA LASHES OUT AT NATO CRITICISM, SAYS WILL PROTECT RIGHTS

Beijing lashed back at Nato’s accusation that China challenges the bloc’s interests and security, and opposed any attempt by the military alliance to expand its footprint into the Asia-Pacific region. In a strongly worded communique, Nato said the People’s Republic of China challenged its interests, security and values with its “ambitions and coercive policies”.

The Chinese mission to the European Union said in a statement on Tuesday the China-related content of the communique disregarded basic facts, distorted China’s position and policies, and deliberately discredited China. “We firmly oppose and reject this,” it said. Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said that while China was not a Nato “adversary”, it was challenging the rules-based international order with its “coercive behaviour”.

Japanese PM Fumio Kishida, joining the summit for a second time, reminded Nato to pay heed to East Asia risks. In May, Kishida said Nato was planning a Tokyo office, its first in Asia. The Chinese mission said China opposed Nato’s “eastward movement into the AsiaPacific region” and warned any action threatening Beijing’s rights would be met with a resolute response.

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BENGAL PANCHAYAT POLL RESULTS WILL BE SUBJECT TO OUR FINAL ORDERS: HC

The Calcutta high court on Wednesday said that the panchayat elections in West Bengal and the declaration of results will be subject to its final orders in connection with matters which it is hearing over allegations of electoral malpractices on the day of polling.

The court directed the State Election Commission, the state government and the central government to file affidavits dealing with all the allegations made in three petitions alleging malpractices. "When the court is seized of the matter, it goes without saying that whatever has been done thus far, i.e, the conduct of the elections and the declaration of results, will be subject to the ultimate orders that may be passed in this writ petition," he said. The court directed that the SEC should inform this aspect to all the candidates who have been declared elected.

Alleging large-scale violence and electoral malpractice during the panchayat election on July 8, the petitioners prayed for a direction to the SEC to conduct repolling in around 50,000 booths.

Repolling was done in 696 booths and counting of ballots began on July 11.

Taking a dim view of the SEC, the bench said it is of prima facie view that the response from the commission is not adequate and that even on Wednesday, none of its officers was present in the court to give necessary instructions to its counsel.

At least 39 persons were killed in the run-up to the panchayat elections and during polling. Six more persons died since Tuesday night, including three in alleged police firing. This takes the total toll to 45 since polls were announced on June 8.

THOUSANDS OF TOURISTS STUCK, HIMACHAL CM CALLS IT 'CHALLENGING TASK'

Although the evacuation efforts and road opening work have gained pace, thousands of tourists are still stuck at various places in rain-battered Himachal Pradesh. With over 850 roads still blocked, a large number of tourists have extended their stay in accommodations where they are residing or waiting for the situation to get better.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday called the evacuation of stranded tourists from Chandertal in Lahaul and Spiti a "challenging task".

YAMUNA IN DELHI CROSSES 208-MARK, 45-YR-OLD RECORD

Parts of  Delhi's Ring Road were submerged, and thousands of people abandoned their homes on the Yamuna floodplains as the water level of the river rose to a 45-year high of 208.05 metres Wednesday.

The water level breached the previous high flood level of 207.49 m, which was recorded in 1978.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal blamed the situation on the magnitude of water being released from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana, writing to Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the situation.

Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena however said, “The volume of water being discharged from Haryana has been reduced…I would also like to clarify that Hathni Kund is a barrage, not a dam; water cannot be restricted or held at a barrage…Delhi will start seeing an improvement in the situation tomorrow onwards.”

DMK OPPOSES UCC, SAYS IT UNDERMINES RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, FEDERALISM

The DMK has registered strong opposition against any proposal to implement a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), voicing concerns over constitutional validity and potential disruption of religious harmony.

In a detailed submission to the 22nd Law Commission of India, the DMK argued that the implementation of a UCC would amount to an “unjustifiable encroachment” into Articles 25 and 29 of the Constitution, which guarantee every citizen the right to freedom of religion and the protection of interests of minorities, respectively.

DMK general secretary Duraimurugan reminded the Law Commission of the diversity in religious practices across India, arguing that not only would a one-size-fits-all approach to personal law undermine religious freedom, but also potentially threaten peace and communal harmony.

“Each religion has evolved its unique, distinct custom and tradition over centuries of practice, in keeping with their beliefs and religious texts. To upset them with brute force is nothing short of tyranny and oppression, and must not be committed by the State, which acts as parens patriae (parent to the nation),” the DMK statement reads.

The party also argued that a UCC could encroach upon states’ legislative competence, thereby infringing on principles of cooperative federalism.

COURT CONVICTS 6 PFI MEMBERS IN 2010 PROFESSOR'S HAND CHOPPING CASE

A special NIA court in Kerala on Wednesday convicted six persons, who are allegedly members of the now banned radical Islamic outfit Popular Front of India (PFI), in the sensational hand chopping case of a college professor in Kerala in 2010.

Special NIA court judge Anil K Bhaskar found them guilty of attempted murder, conspiracy and various other offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in the second phase of the trial in the case.

In the first phase, 31 accused had faced trial and of them, the court had in April 2015 convicted 10 for offences under the UAPA as well as the Explosive Substances Act and the IPC and found three others guilty of harbouring the offenders.

The right hand of T J Joseph, professor of Newman College in Thodupuzha in Idukki district, was chopped off allegedly by activists of now outlawed Islamic outfit PFI on July 4, 2010. According to the police that initially probed the case, the accused wanted to kill Joseph for derogatory religious remarks in a question paper he set for BCom semester examination in Newman College.

GOVT WANTS TO PRACTICE, PROMOTE TAX TERRORISM: CONGRESS

On July 7, the government issued a notification bringing GSTN under the ambit of PMLA to facilitate sharing of information between the GSTN, Enforcement Directorate (ED) and other investigative agencies. The changes were made for provisions under Section 66 of PMLA, which provides for disclosure of information.

Questioning the intention behind the move less than a year before Lok Sabha polls, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said: “Is this a way of setting political scores or a way to suppress grassroot funders of opposition parties? Why was such a major change introduced without legislative oversight and sanction? What was the tearing hurry…why could this not be discussed before hurriedly seeking to subject GSTN and sensitive trader information into the hands of the ED…”

“The inclusion could result in small businesses being investigated by the country’s financial crime agency for GST violations, breaking the bone of the economy,” he said.

Calling the move “a way of promoting tax terrorism”, Singhvi said, “A large proportion of marginal traders do not pay GST, mostly out of compulsion. Bringing a large section of businessmen under the lens of ED with direct arresting powers is a way to practice and promote tax terrorism.”

GOVT LOOKING AT EXTRA EARNINGS OF OVER RS 17K-CR FROM 28% GST ON E-GAMING

The online gaming industry is paying tax of only 2 per cent of the estimated turnover at present and by bringing in a uniform GST rate of 28 per cent for online gaming, the government could earn ten times more than Rs 1,700 crore collected in the financial year 2022-23(FY23), Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra said on Wednesday.

But Goa Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho says that the move will be a “negative factor” for the industry, hamper fresh investment and lead to decline in footfall at casinos.

ASHWIN SHINES AS INDIA DOMINATE DAY 1 IN WINDIES

Ravichandran Ashwin picked up five wickets as India dominated the opening day of the first Test against the West Indies in Dominica on Wednesday.

Electing to bat, the West Indies were bowled out for 150, with Ashwin taking 5 for 60.

In reply, with more than an hour available for batting, India cruised to 80 without loss in 23 overs. Debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal was unbeaten on 40 with Rohit Sharma, on 30.

Earlier, making a comeback after his snub in the World Test Championship final, Ashwin, India's premier off-spinner, registered his 33rd five-wicket haul and fourth against the West Indies, as the hosts folded in less than half-an-hour after tea.

WIMBLEDON: ALCARAZ AND RUNE SHOWCASE A DAZZLING FUTURE

At times this Wimbledon fortnight has felt a bit like a grand farewell. Here we have the ghost of Roger, reincarnated as royal box candy, rolled out to make the crowd coo and clutch a hand to its flushed throat one more time. Here we have another instalment in the extended farewell of Andy Murray, an athlete by now almost entirely held together with pins and staples, still gamely hobbling off in pursuit of that vanishing horizon.

The sense of passing greats, heritage exhibits, the stars falling from the skies: all of this is in its own way deeply Wimbledon. But the sun also rises, and Wednesday afternoon there was a thrilling sense of future shock about watching Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) and Holger Rune (Denmark) – 20 years old and born just six days apart, doubles partners at the age of 13, and now the world No 1 and No 6 – produce an opening set on Centre Court not just of startling quality, but of new forms, new shapes, new energies.

This was the first time two men’s singles players younger than 21 have contested a Wimbledon quarter-final. Alcaraz is clearly the more fully formed talent right now, a player with an air of outright historical ascent about him already. There was clear air between the two as Alcaraz eased through the endgame of this 7-6 (3), 6-4, 6-4 victory.

In the other quarterfinal yesterday, 3rd seed Daniil Medvedev (Russia) brought an end to American debutant Christopher Eubanks' (U.S.) remarkable Wimbledon journey in a hard-fought quarter-final match. Medvedev emerged victorious with a 6-4, 1-6, 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-1 scoreline in London on Wednesday.

In Women's Singles, world number two Aryna Sabalenka stormed into the semi-finals of Wimbledon with a convincing 6-2, 6-4 victory over American Madison Keys. An in the othe rmatch, Ons Jabeur (Tunisia) won against Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) in three riveting sets, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-1.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Complaining about a problem without proposing a solution is called whining. - Unknown

OFF TRACK

I recently met a Chinese man and his name was Kanna Swami.

I asked him, "How did you ever get a name like that being a Chinese?"

He said, "Many, many years ago when I first went to USA. I was standing in line at the Political Asylums Immigration Counter.

"The man in front of me was a Sri Lankan Tamil refugee. The white lady at the counter looked at him and asked, 'What is your name?'

He replied, 'Kanna Swami.'

"Then she looked at me and asked, 'What's your name?'

"I said, 'Sem Ting.'"