Author: Arif ArifArman

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, the company that created ChatGPT, believes that artificial intelligence technology will reshape society as we know it, adding that he worries that AI chatbots could “eliminate a lot of current jobs”. According to ABC News, he believes it comes with real dangers but can also be “the greatest technology humanity has yet developed” to drastically improve our lives. “We’ve got to be careful here. I think people should be happy that we are a little bit scared of this,” Altman was quoted as saying. When asked why he was “scared” about forming his…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today stressed the need for enhancing regional connectivity for boosting trade and commerce, offering India to use Chattogram and Sylhet ports for mutual benefits. “India can use our Chattogram and Sylhet ports if they want,” she said when Member of the Governing Council of India Foundation Ram Madhav called on her at her official residence Ganabhaban here. PM’s Deputy Press Secretary K M Shakhawat Moon briefed the reporters after the meeting. Sheikh Hasina mentioned that increased connectivity in the regions will help enhance people to people contacts. She conveyed her greetings to the Indian…

ZOOMBNAGLA DESK: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today asked the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) to play an effective role in maintaining peace, security and stability to smoothen Bangladesh’s journey towards a developed and prosperous country by 2026. “We have to forward as developed country. We have time as we will start journey as a developed country by 2026. We’re preparing from now on. So, we have to maintain peace, security and stability in the country,” she said. The premier also asked the law enforcement agencies particularly the RAB to be vigilant as none can stockpile food and make its adulteration on…

INTERNATIONAL DSEK: As Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is set to arrive in India for a two-day trip on Monday, the leader’s visit to the national capital is seen as a great opportunity to review the bilateral ties between the two countries. Since the last Summit meeting held in March 2022 between India and Japan, now is a significant time to engage on a bilateral level as both New Delhi and Tokyo are holding the Presidencies of the G20 and G7, respectively. The partnership between both countries ranges in multiple areas like defence and security, trade and investment, S&T, Education,…

Sujan R Chinoy: Oregon’s Democrat Senator Jeff Merkley introduced a resolution in the US Senate on February 16 reaffirming the state of Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and condemning China’s provocations in South Asia. Tennessee’s Republican Senator Bill Hagerty and Texas’ Republican Senator John Cornyn co-sponsored the resolution. The resolution has been referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Senator Hagerty’s term as US Ambassador to Japan (2017-2019) overlapped with mine (2015-2018). I recall candid one-on-one discussions with him about China’s rise and the emerging challenges in the Indo-Pacific. Senator Hagerty has vast experience of Asia and knows his facts.…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: By Sahil Pandey Armies of 25 African countries will attend the India-Africa Chiefs Conclave in Pune on March 28, a senior Indian Army official said. In the two sessions from the Indian side, the participants, including senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of External Affairs and the Services, as well as ex-Servicemen, will also attend the conclave. “The first session will explore the key pillars of India Africa Defence Partnership. The second session will focus on Indian Defence Industry’s Outreach to Africa. Eminent speakers from Africa will form part of the panel discussion,” the Army…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: US President Joe Biden plans to host Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a state dinner this summer, people familiar with the matter said, reported Bloomberg. The White House aims for the state dinner to take place in June but the timing could slip. However, a spokesman for the National Security Council declined to comment, reported Bloomberg. PM Modi’s formal state visit is a sign of the deepening US-India relationship in various fields including defence, technology, space exploration, trade and investments. Moreover, the Biden administration advances policies and initiatives for a free and open Indo-Pacific to counter what…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which released its ‘Concluding Observations’ in its third periodic review of China in its recent report, underscored a number of issues related to human rights of Tibetan people under the Chinese government which require serious and urgent attention of the international community, Tibet Press reported. These issues include a serious onslaught on Tibetan culture and religion, forced relocation of nomad communities, poor treatment and exploitation of Tibetan culture, and brainwashing and forced assimilation of Tibetan children through Chinese Communist Party run boarding schools, as per the Tibet Press…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Due to security concerns over China, Japan has decided to deploy missile troops on remote islands near China and Taiwan, American broadcaster CNN reported. The country has ordered numerous troops, including missile units to ensure its hold in the region and showcase its defence capabilities. Around 570 men of Japan’s Ground Self-Defence Force will be stationed at the recently built garrison on Ishigaki island in the prefecture of Okinawa, the country’s military confirmed, according to CNN. The troops reportedly arrived on Thursday. Notably, the island of Ishigaki is quite famous amongst scuba divers and is located 200 kilometres…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: India’s development model is winning praise at the 52nd UN Human Rights Council meet in Geneva with NGOs highlighting the Indian education model and urging other UN member states to follow it. Sai Sampath from Eco Fawn, United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) NGO, during his oral intervention, described and narrated the story of Rohini, a Dalit girl studying in Geneva. She has been the beneficiary of Rs 1 crore granted by the government of India. “It is an honour for me to represent the voice of 200 million Dalit people of India at the United Nations.…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The situation between India and China in the western Himalayan region of Ladakh is fragile and dangerous, with military forces deployed very close to each other in some parts, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday. At least 24 soldiers were killed when the two sides clashed in the region in mid-2020, but the situation has been calmed through rounds of diplomatic and military talks. Violence erupted in the eastern sector of the undemarcated border between the two nations in December but did not result in any deaths. “The situation to my mind still remains very fragile because…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: The 103rd birth anniversary of greatest Bangalee of all time Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Children’s Day-2023 was celebrated at Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC on Friday with due respect and festivity. To celebrate the day, the Embassy organized elaborate programs which included hosting of the National Flag, placing a floral wreath at the bust of Bangabandhu, discussion meeting, essay and painting competition for the children, cultural function and screening of two documentaries on Bangabandhu. The day’s programs of the Embassy began in the morning with formally hoisting of the National Flag…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Friday raised India’s growth forecast for FY24 to 5.9% from 5.7% in November. “We are impressed by the reforms India has been taking over the years. Also, steps like trying to open up the economy. We want India to keep the reform state of mind,” said Alvaro Santos Pereira, acting chief economist, OECD.(ECONOMIC TIMES)

INTERNATIONAL DESK: US President Joe Biden has welcomed the International Criminal Court’s issuing of an arrest warrant against his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. The ICC accused President Putin of committing war crimes in Ukraine – something President Biden said the Russian leader had “clearly” done. The claims focus on the unlawful deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia since Moscow’s invasion in 2022. Moscow has denied the allegations and denounced the warrants as “outrageous”. It is highly unlikely that much will come of the move, as the ICC has no powers to arrest suspects without the co-operation of a country’s…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: India will host a senior official-level meeting of G20 culture ministries in Jammu and Kashmir in May, overriding objections by Pakistan which had lobbied member-states like China, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia to prevent the Indian government from hosting any such meeting in the Union territory. Official sources said the meeting will see senior officials of G20 and guest countries discussing Indian presidency priorities like protection and restitution of cultural property, harnessing living heritage of sustainable future, promotion of cultural industries and leveraging of digital technology for protection of culture. India’s permanent representative Ruchira Kamboj told the UN earlier…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: India’s permanent representative to United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, met UN General Assembly President Csaba Korosi and explored plans for strengthening science’s role in diplomacy. Taking to Twitter, UNGA President said, “Great to meet with Belgium, India and South Permanent Representatives, who are committed to science-based decision-making at the UN. Explored breakthroughs & actionable plans for strengthening science’s role in diplomacy.” Earlier, Consulate General hosted an event to promote Araku Valley Specialty Coffee from India. Meanwhile, the W20 delegation of India joined the Permanent Mission of India in New York, Ruchira Kamboj, for a special event on Thursday and…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Nagaland is set to host one of its biggest events, for the G20 Summit 2023, at Kohima on April 5, informed the state’s Chief Secretary J Alam. The Chief Secretary said India’s year-long presidency of G20 from December 2022 was a matter of great honour for the country and Nagaland, like other host states, was also actively participating in G20 events. He said in the G20 calendar, meetings are to take place all around the year in about 33 cities, with the most scheduled to be held in Kohima. “Nagaland will host a business meeting, which will feature…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Nepal ambassador to China, Bishnu Pukar Shrestha who has been in China for eight months, is yet to secure an appointment to present his credentials to the Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to EPardafas. A statement issued by Rashtriya Ekta Abhiyan says that Chinese President Xi Jinping has not yet received a letter from Nepal Ambassador Bishnu Pukar Shrestha. According to the statement, in the backdrop of strong and deep ties between China and Nepal, this delay is a matter of serious concern and deeply disappointing. The statement said, “Nepal has always attached great importance to its relationship…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das said on Friday that the country’s banking system continued to be resilient and stable, and the central bank had been engaging with domestic lenders on all fronts for the last few years to prepare them for any future risks. His remarks came against the backdrop of the collapse of three banks in the US. Das said recent developments in the US banking system had brought to the fore the criticality of banking sector regulations and supervision. “These are areas which have a significant impact on preserving the financial stability of…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has received an international order for the world’s first zero-emission feeder container vessel. The vessel will be powered using Hydrogen Fuel Cells ultimately, with Green Hydrogen. The order has been received from M/s. Samskip Group, a global logistics solution provider for the Design and Construction of Two Zero Emission Feeder Container Vessels with an option for two more vessels. This is an ambitious project under the Norwegian Government’s green funding programme aimed at emission-free transport solutions by adopting sustainable path-breaking future technologies. The total project cost is about Rs 550 crores. These ships can…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Japanese envoy on Friday underscored that there are immense possibilities and potential to expand the relationship and cooperation between India and Japan. “There are many potentials and possibilities to expand the relationship and cooperation between India and Japan, the Consulate General of Japan in Chennai will continue the work for the India-Japan relationship and cooperation,” said the Deputy Consul General, Consulate General of Japan in Chennai, Kenji Miyata. He was speaking at the Indo-Japan International Conference organized by the Center for Public Policy Research in Kochi. The two-day Indo-Japan International Conference organized by the Center for Public Policy…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Over 7,000 women personnel are serving in the Indian Army at present followed by 1,636 in the Indian Air Force and 748 in the Navy, according to details provided by the government in Lok Sabha on Friday. Replying to a question, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt said 7,093 women are in the Army, which included 6,993 in the Army Medical Corps, Army Dental Corps and Military Nursing Service (MNS). Hundred women are serving in other ranks. Bhatt said, currently women are serving in officer’s cadre only in the Indian Air Force (IAF) and their strength as…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Permanent Representative of India to the UN and other International Organisations in Geneva, Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey on Friday highlighted Mahatma Gandhi’s five core concepts i.e. Ahimsa, Satyagraha, Sarvodaya, Swaraj and Trusteeship, pointing out that they are also the core principles of the UN Charter and Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Delivering a Joint Statement on ‘Resonance of Thoughts & Values of Mahatma Gandhi in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ at the Human Rights Council on behalf of India and 89 other States, he said that there is strong resonance in the universal values contained in…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: In line with the overall policy to step up the military outreach to Africa, where China has made major strategic inroads, the Army is all set to conduct an Africa-India field training exercise and a chiefs’ conclave at Pune this month. Senior Army officers on Friday said the 10-day AFINDEX exercise, in which contingents from nine countries (Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Niger, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia) will take part, will kick off on March 21. Eleven other countries, including Congo, Egypt, Nigeria, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Cameroon and Morocco, are sending observers for the exercise, which is being held…