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Indicia Knowledge Brief
A Daily Assessment on Indian Defence and Internal/Homeland Security
March 24, 2015.
Primary aims of Indicia Daily Brief are two-fold. First, it distills infinite information into a
capsule form, thus saving precious time of its clients. Second, it tries to link micro-events
to larger strategic canvas through its analyses, thus providing support knowledge for
better understanding and decision-making.
Indicia Analysis of the Day
After complaints of delays in securing clearances for land that have
"adversely" affected certain projects, the defence ministry, has put in
place a new time-bound policy for transfer of its land for infrastructure
and utility projects.
In a smart strategy to augment its defence profile, simultaneously altering
its image of largest defence importing country’s profile, the defence
minister’s announcement that India was planning to export defence
materials and training military personnel of at least 38 countries.
After it has come to light that ISI- backed fidayeen attackers have changed
the modus operandi and are focusing on gaps along the International
Border(IB) to sneak into Indian Territory to carry out terror strikes,
Indian government’s idea to make the IB foolproof may be the only
alternative to prevent attacks.
I. National Defence and Security:
Ministry of Defence sets a three-month deadline for processing security,
other clearances for infra and utility projects:
The defence ministry, one of India's biggest landowners, has put in place a new
time-bound policy for transfer of its land for infrastructure and utility projects
after several central departments and state governments complained of delays in
securing clearances for land that have "adversely" affected these projects. The
new procedure, notified by the ministry on March 16, sets a three month
deadline for processing security and other clearances for such projects and a
maximum time-frame of eight months for approving formal transfer of land. The
notification also makes it mandatory for project developers to first secure an 'inprinciple' approval from the central government for all infrastructure and utility
projects involving defence land and bars them from directly approaching local
military authorities for approvals, asking them to route such requests through
the concerned joint secretary in the defence ministry....
Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/ministry-of-defence-sets-a-threemonth-deadline-for-processing-security-other-clearances-for-infra-and-utilityprojects/articleshow/46670158.cms
*
Defence Ministry issues security guidelines to treat Indians
working with foreign firms at par with foreign nationals:
The defence ministry has issued a new set of security guidelines, asking its
officials to treat Indian nationals working with foreign firms at par with
foreigners for security clearance, restrict media interactions to the secretary
level and maintain records of all photocopies taken. The rules were put in place
earlier this month after the government faced embarrassment over a leak of
classified information from various ministries. The guidelines seek to control
access to the ministry and defence establishments, secure communication and
prevent leaks from IT systems, while warning that internal military phone lines
were also not secure. These steps are in addition to the installation of
surveillance cameras and access-control devices. The new system would make it
difficult for Indian executives working at foreign firms to enter the ministry at
South Block or military installations....
Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/defence-ministry-issues-securityguidelines-to-treat-indians-working-with-foreign-firms-at-par-with-foreignnationals/articleshow/46669143.cms
*
India to train defence personnel of 38 countries: Parrikar:
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on March 23 said India was planning to
export defence materials and training military personnel of at least 38 countries.
“At least 38 countries are sending their defence personnel for training in India.
We are encouraging them. We are giving them more slots. We are also
considering supplying some sort of defence materials through export or through
line of credit to the countries so that they can depend on India for their defence,”
Mr. Parrikar told reporters at the sidelines of an international conference in
Bhubaneswar. Mr. Parrikar, however, said he would not be able to reveal names
of the countries which are sending their personnel for training due to security
reasons. Quoting a shloka from Sanskrit scripture, Mr. Parrikar said, “A goat is
sacrificed in the altar and no one dares to kill a lion. We will build our position of
strength.” However, Mr. Parrikar said, India does not want to dominate any other
country but increase its own strength through partnership and friendship.
Replying to a question, the Defence Minister said, “We are organising a naval
exercise in Vishakhapatanam where international fleet will participate... It will be
a spectacular show of basic exercise of infrastructure.” Asked whether China is
also participating in the exercise, Mr. Parrikar said, “We are yet to send
invitation. It’s an open matter. Once the list is prepared, you can know.” On Blue
Navy, Mr. Parrikar said the concept of Blue Navy will come to practice when
India posts 30/40 ships at about 300/400 nautical miles from the coast. Mr.
Parrikar said, “The defence ministry has already finalised the OROP (One Rank
One Pension) scheme. However, certain financial and administrative procedures
will be followed. The first positive thing is that it has been prepared properly. It
involves an amount of about Rs. 8,000 crore.” About the proposal from Odisha
government on a Kalinga regiment, he said, “You cannot raise a regiment by
caste or region... I would ensure that defence presence is felt more in Odisha so
that you can get more people trained, get more people in the army and
employment,” he said. 03231605
Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-to-train-defence-personnel-of-38-countries-saysdefence-minister-manohar-parrikar/article7024278.ece
*
VVIP chopper scam: ED writes to MoD seeking details of two
retired officials:
Probing whether two retired Indian Air Force officials - Air Marshal Gautam
Nayyar and Group Captain Shashi Bhushan Sharma had any role to play in the Rs
3,600-crore VVIP chopper deal going in favour of AgustaWestland, the
Enforcement Directorate has approached ministry of defence seeking details of
their posting, work profile, people who visited them and their connection with
the controversial agreement. Top government sources told TOI that ED had
written to MoD last week after it uncovered the money trail between alleged
European middleman Christian Michel to Nayyar and Sharma. The two retired
officers were questioned by ED officials last week in connection with the
evidence suggesting that Michel spent a lot of money on their trips abroad. ED
has also sought from MoD, details of two officers' travel details as per the
records of the ministry. "ED has written to ministry of defence asking if Nayyar
and Sharma were connected with the deal, directly or indirectly, who all visited
them while they were posted in the Air Force and other relevant decisions taken
by them, if any, in connection with the contract," said a government source.
Source added that ED has already found some evidence for its probe under
Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The agency has found some
dubious remittances of Rs 80 lakh from Michel to Nayyar, said sources. ....
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/VVIP-chopper-scam-ED-writes-to-MoD-seeking-detailsof-two-retired-officials/articleshow/46669537.cms
*
GRSE negotiating for building warships for Philippines:
After making India's first warship for export, the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and
Engineers Ltd (GRSE) is negotiating for delivery of two light frigates to the
Philippines, an official said. The GRSE-built offshore patrol vessel (OPV) CGS
Barracuda was commissioned by the National Coast Guard of Mauritius earlier in
the month at Port Louis Harbour during a visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"The success of Barracuda has generated a lot of interest in the GRSE among
foreign countries. Right now we are doing a technical negotiation for two light
frigates for Philippines," GRSE chairman and managing director Rear Admiral
A.K. Verma (retd) said. "The price bids are being finalised. Our competitors are
Europeans and (South) Korean firms, so it's a big challenge for us. But if we get it,
it will be a very big achievement both for the GRSE and the country," said Verma.
Verma was speaking during the launch of a GRSE-built Landing Craft Utility
(LCU) for the Indian Navy. Verma said the defence miniratna PSU was in
competition with six foreign ship yards including Navantia, Spain; STX France;
and Hyundai, Daewoo, and STX from Korea. The GRSE which delivered India's
first indigenously-built stealth Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Corvette, INS
Kamorta, to the Indian Navy is working on 15 more ships. "The INS Kamorta was
the 93rd ship that we built and delivered. No other shipyard in the country has
this recognition. Currently we are working on orders of 15 more ships for the
navy," said Verma.
Source: http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/grse-negotiating-for-building-warships-forphilippines-115032300894_1.html
*
Kolkata:
Indian Navy’s fourth Landing Craft Utility launched at GRSE,
The Indian Navy's fourth Landing Craft Utility (LCU) Mk IV project -- Yard 2095 - was launched at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) in
Kolkata. The launch of the ship, the fourth in a series of eight taken up under the
project, marks another milestone in India's quest for self-reliance in
sophisticated shipbuiding, an official press release said. The launching of Yard
2095, designed and built by GRSE, was done in the presence of Vice Admiral R K
Patnaik, Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff and Mrs Seli Pattanaik. Invocations from
Atharva Veda were recited and Mrs Pattanaik named the ship ‘LCU L54’ and
wished the ship good luck before launch. Speaking on the occasion, Vice Admiral
Pattanaik asserted that Indian Navy has been the torch-bearer in the drive for
indigenous construction of warships and acknowledged the role of GRSE as a
reliable partner in pursuing the national goal of ‘Make in India’. He also extended
warm felicitations to the entire team of the GRSE for their significant
contribution towards meeting the Navy’s growing requirements of state-of-art
warships. Two LCUs were earlier launched on March 12 and September 23 last
year. The third LCU was launched on January 16 this year. These ships will play
significant role in transportation of main battle tanks, armoured vehicles and
troops of the Indian Army during amphibious operations, the release said. The
ships can be deployed for maritime roles like maritime security, beaching and
un-beaching operations, humanitarian relief operations and evacuation from
distant islands, search and rescue operations besides peacekeeping missions, it
added.
Source:
http://netindian.in/news/2015/03/23/00033085/indian-navys-fourth-landing-craft-utilitylaunched-grse-kolkata
*
Defence Ministry nod to pending Brahmaputra embankment: Min
Sonowal:
The Defence Ministry has given permission for construction of the pending
portion of the Brahmaputra embankment in the Army cantonment area,
Sarbananda Sonowal said. The Defence Ministry gave permission on March 5 for
the construction of 700 metres of the Rs 29 crore Asian Development Bank
funded embankment for the protection of Dibrugarh city from the Brahmapura
flowing alongside, Sonowal told. Construction of 1,200 meters of the
embankment was restricted by the Army as the land was in the cantonment area,
said Sonowal. Sonowal, who hails from Dibrugarh and is a Lok Sabha MP from
Assam, said the Defence Ministry has assured him that permission would be
given soon before the onset of the monsoons for the construction of the rest of
the 700 meters. The Minister reviewed the completed extension and
strengthening works of the embankment and expressed his satisfaction with the
progress made so far. He also suggested that the dyke be developed on the lines
of Mumbai's Marine Drive by turning it into a revenue generating spot by
beautification, lighting and planting of trees for the tourists.....
Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/defence-ministry-nod-to-pendingbrahmaputra-embankment-min-sonowal/articleshow/46665054.cms
*
'India, China working on a new border patrolling framework':
India and China are working on a new border patrolling framework; the Chinese
media indicated this on March 23 as national security advisor Ajit Doval met
Chinese state councilor Yang Jiechi. The details of the meeting remained sketchy.
But official Xinhua news agency reported the two sides agreed to take forward
process of negotiations based on consensus achieved following Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and Chinese president Xi Jinping's meeting in September. The
report indicated the two sides were trying to bring in greater flexibility in
negotiations instead of remaining bound by the framework that ex-Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh and former president Hu Jintao had worked out. The
agency said the two countries have agreed to "properly handle and control their
disputes''. It added Doval and Yang, who met in New Delhi for the 18th round of
border talks, engaged in "strategic communication". The two agreed to jointly
safeguard peace in the border regions before the boundary dispute is resolved.
The talks would take into consideration "overall bilateral relations and longterm interests of the two peoples".
Source:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-China-working-on-a-new-border-patrollingframework/articleshow/46670173.cms
*
India, China hold border talks:
India and China on March 23 held the 18th round of talks on the vexed boundary
issue, the first such meeting after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power
last year. Special Representative on the Boundary Question and National Security
Advisor Ajit Doval held talks with his Chinese counterpart and State Councillor
Yang Jiechi. The fresh round of discussion on the issue is taking place nearly six
months after Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit in New Delhi. The high-profile
visit in September was overshadowed by the intrusion of Chinese troops at
Chumar in Ladakh region. It was resolved with simultaneous withdrawal by both
sides after Mr. Xi’s visit. The talks on the boundary issue took place ahead of Mr.
Modi’s first visit to China expected to be before May-end. External Affairs
Minister Sushma Swaraj, who visited China last month to make preparations for
the Prime Minister’s visit, spoke about the need for an “out of the box” solution
on the border issue in order to not leave it for future generations. China says the
border dispute is confined only to 2,000 kms mostly in Arunachal Pradesh
whereas India asserts that the dispute covered the western side of the border
spanning to about 4,000 kms, especially the Aksai Chin area annexed by China in
1962 war.
Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-china-hold-border-talks/article7023966.ece
*
Goa Assembly honours Manohar Parrikar for elevation as
defence minister:
The Goa legislative assembly on March 23 heaped lavish praise on union defence
minister Manohar Parrikar for being elevated to the prestigious position.
Legislators, cutting across parties, praised Parrikar and some even wished he
would become the Prime Minister of India. Speaking on a congratulatory motion
moved in the Goa Assembly on the opening day of the Budget session, chief
minister Laxmikant Parsekar described Parrikar as a "shining star on the
political firmament." Recalling his long association with Parrikar, the chief
minister praised Parrikar was his capabilities in governance, his personal
integrity and his tireless work ethic. Parsekar said it was Parrikar who was
responsible for the high development in Goa. "80% of the bridges in Goa are
completed because of Parrikar. He also worked for enhancement of
infrastructure in schools, colleges and other sectors," Parsekar said. Former chief
minister Digambar Kamat said Parrikar's elevation as defence minister of India
was a unique honour to all Goans. Kamat urged the BJP state government to seize
the opportunity, use Parrikar's good offices in Delhi to get more funds and
schemes from the centre to Goa. Calangute BJP MLA Michael Lobo praised
Parrikar's leadership skills and said it was to the credit of Parrikar that six
Christian MLAs were in the Goa BJP. Reminding that Parrikar was from his own
village of Parra, Lobo wished that Parrikar will one day become Prime Minister
of India. Sanguem BJP MLA Subhash Phaldesai, who moved the congratulatory
motion, also hoped Parrikar would become Prime Minister of India. Praise for
Parrikar came from most but at least two independents laced their praise with
sarcasm. Fatorda independent MLA Vijai Sardesai reminded that as Goa chief
minister Parrikar had complained about the armed forces' proclivity for land in
Goa. Parrikar should now use his position to correct that image, Sardesai said. ....
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Goa-Assembly-honours-Manohar-Parrikar-for-elevationas-defence-minister/articleshow/46664155.cms
II
Homeland Security
*
Pak Terrorists Now Use IB to Infiltrate:
It has come to light that ISI- backed fidayeen attackers have changed the modus
operandi and are focusing on gaps along the International Border(IB) to sneak
into Indian Territory to carry out terror strikes. A senior official in security
establishment told Express that in the last one year, LeT, Jaish-e-Mohammed and
Hizb-UL-Mujahideen terrorists have made a number of infiltration attempts
along the IB after terror routes along the Line of Control(LoC) were virtually
sealed by Indian forces once they built the outposts right in front of those
patches which were being used to sneak into Indian territory. “Some of the
outposts are in treacherous terrain but the presence of security forces stopped
the infiltrations. Besides, the terrorists have lost contact with Over Ground
Workers (OGW) who earlier worked as a guide for terrorists,” the official said.
The Indian reaction till a year ago was to counter the terrorists’ modus operandi
by quickly filling the gaps in the area that were considered safe route for
Pakistan-based terrorists. The official said it provided the expected results.
However, he cautioned, that the terrorists shifting the infiltration launch pad
towards IB have not been countered effectively despite a dreaded attack in
March 2014, which resulted in a repeat last week. The Ministry of Home Affairs
had in February revealed that there were reports of infiltrations along the IB.
However, it added that there were no definite pattern. “Why can’t we have
similar three-tier security ring along the IB when intelligence reports have
mentioned terrorists camping on launch pads across the border? It is no secret
that intelligence inputs in the last one week had warned of possible terrorists
infiltration in Kathua and Samba region,” the official added. Last week an
intelligence input had warned that four LeT terrorists had gathered at Sehnsa
camp in Kotli district. Another input had pointed out possible infiltration by 18
LeT and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terrorists....
Source:
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Pak-Terrorists-Now-Use-IB-toInfiltrate/2015/03/24/article2727517.ece
*
Stop cross-border infiltration: Mufti to Pak:
A day after he asked Pakistan to rein in terrorists, Chief Minister Mufti
Mohmmad Sayeed on March 23 took up where he left off saying the
neighbouring country should be told to halt cross-border infiltration into Jammu
and Kashmir as it was a prerequisite for peace. “I want to tell everybody, that
Pakistan, Pakistani Prime Minister and Pakistani establishment should be told
that nobody should be allowed to cross into this side from that side. Then only
there will be peace, otherwise not,” he told the Legislative Council in Jammu. Mr.
Sayeed was replying to supplementary queries posed by several members in the
House on a question by PDP member Yashpal Sharma. Complimenting the Army
for installation of the border fencing during the previous PDP rule, Mr. Sayeed
said, “From 2002 to 2010 from Kargil to Kathua there was no firing (on border).
“During our rule, we impressed on Gen N.C. Vij, the then Army Chief, to ensure
fencing on the borders and there was full fencing... They (Pakistan) were not
allowing us to construct the fence,” he said. “That was effective in checking
infiltration. Now they (militants) have found out ways to cut into the fence.
There is some technique wherein you can cut the fence (for infiltration),” he
said....
Source:
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/stop-crossborder-infiltration-mufti-topak/article7024226.ece
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