VIF Information Alerts - 25 October 2019

Fresh India-UK row over Kashmir protest slated for Diwali, pressure mounts on home secy Priti Patel
Published: Hindustan Times

24 Oct 2019

Upset over London continuing to allow anti-India protests and lack of action against those involved in recent violence, India has taken up the issue of another Kashmir protest planned on Sunday, with pressure mounting on home secretary Priti Patel to ban it.
A ‘note verbale’ (diplomatic note) has been sent to the Foreign Office on the issue, raising the level of concern so far expressed strongly by large sections of the Indian community and British MPs with voters of Indian origin in their constituencies.Click here to read... [2]

Pak-sponsored terrorism ignored by world press: Indian journalist testifies before US committee
Published: The Indian Express

23 Oct 2019

An Indian journalist, who testified before a US committee discussing human rights situation in Kashmir, said Pakistan-sponsored terrorism has been completely overlooked by the world press for the past 30 years, evoking a sharp reaction from a US Congresswoman who questioned her objectivity while reporting.
Following the criticism by American lawmaker Ilhan Omar, Aarti Tikoo Singh, who flew in to the US at the Congressional invitation to testify, accused her of being “unfair” and also alleged the Congress hearing was “prejudiced, biased, a setup against India and in favour of Pakistan”.Click here to read... [3]

Portraying terrorists as 'freedom fighters' complicating fight against terror: Chinese Gen
Published: Business Standard

23 Oct 2019

Efforts to forge a global united front against terrorism has become complicated as some countries have "abused" the definition of terrorism by portraying terrorists as "freedom fighters", a senior Chinese General has said.
Addressing the two-day Beijing Xiangshan Forum modelled on Singapore's Shangri-La Dialogue, Major General Wang Jingwu named Turkey, the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia where he said terrorists are expanding their presence, while significantly omitting Pakistan, China's all-weather ally, from the list.Click here to read... [4]

Hong Kong extradition bill officially killed, but more unrest likely
Published: Reuters

23 Oct 2019

Hong Kong’s legislature on Wednesday formally withdrew planned legislation that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, but the move was unlikely to end months of unrest as it met just one of five demands of pro-democracy demonstrators.
The rallying cry of the protesters, who have trashed public buildings in the Chinese-ruled city, set street fires and pelted police with petrol bombs, has been “five demands, not one less”, meaning the withdrawal of the bill makes no difference.Click here to read... [5]

5G security, Syria top the agenda at NATO gathering of defense ministers
Published: Stars and Stripes

23 Oct 2019

NATO will require members to protect civilian telecommunication systems, including fifth-generation services, and ensure they function in wartime, the alliance’s secretary-general said ahead of a two-day meeting of defense ministers in Brussels. All NATO allies will be required “to have reliable telecommunications systems in peacetime, crisis and conflict,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday.
The U.S. has been pressuring allies to take a tougher stance on China and resist deals with Beijing on 5G technology. Washington sees telecommunications giant Huawei, which is a key player in high-speed 5G equipment, as an arm of the Chinese government. The concern is that China could use the network to spy on communication traffic.Click here to read... [6]