AFTER RUSSIA VISIT, JAISHANKAR DIALS UKRANIAN COUNTERPART

Days after returning from Russia, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday spoke to his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba and discussed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict besides talking about enhancing bilateral cooperation.

Calling it “a useful conversation”, Jaishankar posted on X, “Discussed advancing our bilateral cooperation in the year ahead. Exchanged views on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.”

Kuleba posted thus on X: “My first call in 2024 was with S Jaishankar on Ukrainian-Indian relations. I informed my counterpart of Russia’s recent escalation of terror and mass air attacks, which caused civilian suffering and destruction. We discussed further cooperation on the Peace Formula. In this regard, I informed my counterpart of Ukraine’s vision for the Global Peace Summit of leaders.”

Even though Jaishankar’s post doesn’t mention this, Ukraine says they have agreed to hold the first meeting of the India-Ukraine Inter-Governmental Commission since 2018 soon. “The rejuvenation of this primary mechanism of our bilateral ties will allow us to jointly move forward in a comprehensive manner,” Kuleba said.

SC REFUSES TO TRANSFER ADANI PROBE TO CBI, FULLY BACKS SEBI

In a significant win for the Adani group, the Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to transfer the probe into allegations of stock price manipulation by the Indian corporate giant to a special investigation team or the CBI, saying market regulator SEBI was conducting a "comprehensive investigation" and its conduct "inspires confidence".

Holding that the power of the court to enter the regulatory domain of SEBI in framing delegated legislation was limited, the apex court directed the market regulator to complete the two pending investigations expeditiously, preferably within three months.

A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said reliance placed by the petitioners on newspaper articles or reports by third-party organisations like Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) to question a comprehensive investigation by a specialised regulator does not inspire confidence.

The bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, noted that SEBI has completed 22 out of the 24 investigations into allegations levelled against the Adani group.

Reacting to the verdict, billionaire entrepreneur Gautam Adani said truth has prevailed and his group will continue to contribute to India's growth story.

The apex court delivered its verdict on a batch of petitions on the Adani-Hindenburg Research row over allegations of stock price manipulation by the Indian business conglomerate.

The Supreme Court said the SEBI's status report and the details of the 24 investigations do not indicate inaction by the market regulator. "In fact, to the contrary, the course of conduct by SEBI inspires confidence that SEBI is conducting a comprehensive investigation," the bench said.

TMC SAYS BJP USING IT CAA AS A TOOL AHEAD OF LOK SABHA POLLS

Following reports that the rules for the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) will be notified before the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections, the ruling TMC said the law won’t be implemented in West Bengal and accused the BJP of using it as a “tool before the Lok Sabha elections”.

In a video message on Wednesday, senior Trinamool leader and state minister Shashi Panja said, “Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has categorically mentioned that CAA will not be implemented in Bengal. Those who are already citizens of Bengal need not be given citizenship twice. They are recipients and beneficiaries of various developmental schemes in Bengal. BJP is merely using CAA as a tool before elections.” “They have passed the law but are yet to frame the rules. This is nothing but an attempt to fool the masses before the Lok Sabha elections,” she said.

Responding to Panja’s comments, West Bengal BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya  said, “The TMC is neither interested in the development of the country nor in national security. They are only interested in vote bank politics. The TMC is opposing CAA to appease its vote bank politics.”

"IF WE HAD BEEN MORE BHARAT...": S JAISHANKAR ON INDIA-CHINA TIES

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday reflected on India's relationship with China, and while shedding light on historical nuances, he provided a perspective on how a more Bharat-centric approach could have shaped the nation's view of its ties with China differently.

"If we had been more Bharat, we would have had a less rosy view of our relationship with China," said Jaishankar delving into India's historical perspectives on its relationships with China.

In an address at the launch event of his book 'Why Bharat Matters' the minister referred to historical records, citing exchanges of notes and letters between the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and the first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on China. He emphasised the starkly differing views expressed by the two leaders, shedding light on the complexities of India's early stance on its relationship with China.

Jaishankar also highlighted Nehru's correspondence with Chief Ministers on the issue of China's place in the UN Security Council, emphasising that this historical context provided insights into the nuanced dynamics of India's diplomatic relations.

The External Affairs Minister delved into the ideological landscape of that period, noting a strong left-wing influence in China and an ingrained hostility towards the United States, acknowledging that the Americans had played a role in fostering that hostility.

Addressing the issue of distrust towards the United States, Jaishankar referenced Sardar Patel's views on foreign policy, suggesting a need to evaluate American relations based on India's own interests rather than through the lens of America's dealings with China.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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73 KILLED IN TWIN BLASTS AT IRANIAN GENERAL'S GRAVE

As many as 73 people have been killed and 170 injured in twin blasts near the burial site of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani in the Iranian city of Kerman on Wednesday in what officials called a terror attack, according to state media, as per CNN.

The first explosion was 700 metres away from Soleimani's grave, and the second was a kilometre away as pilgrims visited the site.

Soleimani was killed by a US airstrike ordered by former US President Donald Trump at Baghdad International Airport four years ago.

IRNA cited the Deputy Governor for Political and Security, saying it's unclear if the 'incident was caused by a gas explosion or a terrorist attack'.

Soleimani was head of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force, an elite unit that handles Iran's overseas operations, and was deemed to be a foreign terrorist organisation by the US.

MOSSAD CHIEF VOWS TO HUNT DOWN HAMAS MEMBERS

The chief of Israel’s Mossad intelligence service vowed Wednesday that the agency would hunt down every Hamas member involved in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, no matter where they are. His pledge came a day after the deputy head of the Palestinian militant group was killed in a suspected Israeli strike in Beirut.

Israel has refused to comment on reports it carried out the killing, but the comments by David Barnea appeared to be the strongest indication yet it was behind the blast. He made a comparison to the aftermath of 1972 Munich Massacre, when Mossad agents tracked down and killed a string of Palestinian militants involved in killing Israeli athletes at that year’s Olympic games.

The implications of the killing for the war remain unclear. Israel has killed several top Hamas leaders over the years, only to see them quickly replaced. The strike in Hezbollah’s southern Beirut stronghold could cause the low-intensity fighting along the Lebanon border to boil over into all-out war.

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KEJRIWAL SKIPS ED SUMMONS, AAP ALLEGES BID TO ARREST

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday skipped the third summons by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Delhi excise policy case and cited Rajya Sabha polls, Republic Day preparations and the probe agency's 'non-disclosure and non-response approach' as reasons for not appearing before it.

In a letter addressed to the ED, the Aam Aadmi Party leader also said that he would be 'happy to answer' any questionnaire sent by it.

Meanwhile, the AAP claimed that the summonses were sent with the intention to arrest him.

Asserting that the ED has refused to even acknowledge the receipt of his detailed submissions made in response to earlier notices to him, Kejriwal said, 'As a premier investigating agency of the country, the 'non-disclosure and non-response approach' adopted by you cannot sustain the test of law, equity or justice.'

'Your obstinacy tantamounts to assuming the role of judge, jury and executioner at the same time which is not acceptable in our country governed by the rule of law,' the chief minister said in his reply to the summons.

CAN’T SUMMON BUREAUCRATS AT DROP OF A HAT: SC TO HCS

The Supreme Court on Wednesday framed a procedure to restrain courts from summoning bureaucrats at the drop of a hat and set aside illogical orders of Allahabad high court such as taking into custody UP’s finance secretary in contempt proceedings and issuing bailable warrants against the chief secretary for not implementing its orders to provide domestic helps to retired chief justices and judges.

The UP government moved the SC challenging the HC’s orders, prompting a bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra to examine the contentious issue keeping in mind the separation of powers between the executive and the judiciary.

The SC said it noticed Allahabad HC frequently summoning bureaucrats and held that orders requiring presence of government officials in the court should be issued in rare circumstances.

VHP, LASHES OUT AT CONG OVER KARSEVAK’S ARREST IN K’TAKA

The VHP on Wednesday said that the arrest of a ‘karsevak’ in Karnataka in a more than two-decade-old case has exposed the real face of the Congress, which is against Ram and anti Hindu.

“The Congress government of Karnataka is conspiring to invoke false cases registered during the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi movement. Cases that are 30-35 years old, in which many of the framed ones have died, and most of the survivors who are between 70 and 80 years of age, are being implicated,” VHP’s joint general secretary, Surendra Jain said.

Srikanth Poojari, a ‘karsevak’, was arrested last week in connection with a case of violence at Hubballi in north Karnataka in December 1992. Police said the arrest was part of a routine process to track down accused persons in long-pending cases.

TAMIL NADU IS THE NEW CHINA FOR SHOES MANUFACTURING

When Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin was handed the black pair of Crocs on 29 November, the first thing he did was to turn them over to look at the words embossed on the soles: Made in India.

“Now we can do this right here in Tamil Nadu!” he exclaimed, according to a businessman present at the meeting.

The simple pair of black Crocs with a red strap — the questionably stylish brand that has fought a hard battle to find its way to fashion fame — is holding out a global promise for Indian industry in the state of Tamil Nadu. With Crocs now being manufactured at a new footwear park in central Tamil Nadu’s Perambalur, India has entered a new market: that of non-leather footwear.

And it’s not just Crocs. Shoes for brands like Nike, Adidas, and Puma will also be manufactured in Tamil Nadu by Taiwanese giants, as the world pivots towards a new China+1 strategy to diversify production and supply chains. Combined with the sustainable potential of non-leather footwear, and Tamil Nadu’s manufacturing bullishness and robust female workforce, the move is a trifecta of sustainability, diversity, and foreign investment.

PAY RS 1 LAKH COMPENSATION TO UP EX-MINISTER: COURT TO SANJAY SINGH

A Lucknow court has issued an order in a defamation case filed by former UP Jal Shakti Minister Mahendra Singh against Aam Aadmi Party MP and the party’s Uttar Pradesh in-charge Sanjay Singh, and ordered the MP to pay Rs 1 lakh compensation to the plaintiff. The case pertains to a defamation suit filed by former Jal Shakti minister Mahendra Singh, who is now an MLC, alleging that Sanjay Singh defamed him through “baseless” allegations levelled against him during a press conference in August, 2021.

In an order issued on Tuesday, Lucknow Civil Judge (Senior Division) Kamalkant Gupta said, “The plaintiff’s suit is decreed with costs. The defendant is directed to remove video footage and social media posts wherein he has used defamatory language against the plaintiff. The defendant is further directed to pay a compensation of Rs 1 lakh to the plaintiff within two months.”

As per the order of the court, the AAP MP on August 8, 2021 held a press conference in Lucknow and made “false, fallacious, baseless” allegations and remarks against the former UP minister and the BJP “only to gain cheap publicity and political mileage”. The video feed of the press conference was broadcast on TV channels and later posted on social media platforms. The BJP leader alleged that Sanjay Singh had during the press conference referred to him as “corrupted”, “Natwarlal”, and “paani chor”.

COMPETITION AMONG DELHI, NOIDA AIRPORTS EXPECTED TO BE INTENSE

Among India’s network of airports, a clash has already been foretold between a newbie in Noida and a veteran in neighbouring Delhi. On Wednesday, aviation consultancy firm CAPA India said that the competition between the two airports is expected to be intense and could play out even before the airport in Jewar, Noida, begins operations this year.

“Currently, the VAT (value added tax) on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) for domestic services is 25 per cent at Delhi airport, but it will only be 4 per cent at Noida airport. This will have a bearing on capacity allocation (by airlines) and expansion,” CAPA India’s report mentioned. ATF constitutes roughly 40 per cent of an airline’s costs in India.

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A key development to monitor is whether Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, operated by the GMR Group, will allocate exclusive terminals to Air India and IndiGo. A decision on the matter could be taken in 2024 and its long-term implications on international traffic would have to be assessed, the report added.

The Delhi airport, India’s busiest, handles approximately 1,200 flights per day. The Noida airport, developed and operated by Swiss firm Zurich Airport International, is expected to commence operations with 65 daily flights.

According to the report, between December 2024 and April 2025, two of India’s primary metro cities — Delhi and Mumbai — will have dual airport systems that will change the dynamics of the National Capital Region and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), even beyond aviation.

A crucial distinction is that both airports in MMR will be operated by the Adani Group, whereas in Delhi-NCR (Jewar falls within it) separate entities will run the two airports, resulting in intense competition.

CABIN CREW OF FIREBALL JET GET A LOT OF PRAISE

From the moment a Japan Airlines passenger jet collided with a smaller plane on a runway in Tokyo on Tuesday, it took a 12-member crew 18 minutes to get all 367 travellers off the plane and safely accounted for. Reconstructing the scene based on crew accounts, officials at Japan’s second-biggest airline said crew followed emergency procedures in textbook fashion, starting with the first rule: panic control.

As soon as the Airbus A350 wide-body jet came to a stop, cabin attendants called out to passengers to remain calm as bright-orange flames engulfed large areas of the plane and smoke quickly filled the cabin. The crew quickly sized up the situation with visual checks of the exterior and decided which of the eight emergency exits were safe for use. They then used short, direct commands, as they are trained to do, such as “leave your luggage” and “not this door”, officials said.

Emergency protocol stipulates that crew must have permission from the cockpit to open any emergency exits. The captain stood near the two exits up front and gave the go-ahead for evacuation. But the third safe exit in the rear could not be cleared because the public announcement and intercom systems were no longer functioning. The cabin crew then made the correct decision to open the door anyway, allowing passengers to slide down the evacuation chutes, JAL said.

“The cabin crew should be highly commended for their textbook evacuation,” an Airbus spokesperson said.

NEWLANDS TEST, DAY 1: 23 WICKETS DOWN!

It turned out to be an action-packed day of Test cricket as Mohammed Siraj's sensational six-wicket spell put India in control despite a superb fightback from South Africa with the ball, on Day 1 of the second and final Test in Cape Town on Wednesday.

Mukesh Kumar took 2/25 as South Africa were reduced to 62/3 in their second innings, trailing India by 36 runs.

Earlier, pacer Siraj claimed 6/15 to send South Africa crashing for a lowly 55 in 23.2 overs in the morning session after the hosts had elected to bat first. South Africa bounced back in grand style to send India collapsing to 153 all out in their first innings. India went from 153/4 to 153 all out in just 11 deliveries! Virat Kohli top-scoring with 46.

Lungi Ngidi (3/30) and Kagiso Rabada (3/38) bagged five of those six wickets keeping the lead below 100 as 23 wickets fell on the opening day.

The first two innings lasted 349 balls, the second fewest in 147 years of Test cricket. The only shorter instance was 287 deliveries between Australia and England in 1902.

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Gold world Spot Price USD/aoz 2041 India (Rs. per gm 24k/22k) 6,382 / 5,850, Silver (Rs. Per KG) 80,000

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible -- and achieve it, generation after generation. - Pearl S. Buck

OFF TRACK

A famous singer came to perform in a new town and found the auditorium was less than half filled. But he was undaunted. Looking at the slim audience, he said, “This must be a very wealthy town; I see that each of you paid for two or three seats.