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Miscellaneous - 63. page

Water as a Strategic Issue in India

Nihar Kuanr Writes: Steps need to be initiated on war-footing to address the water issue in a holistic manner. Water is a strategic asset for India. The Government, policy-makers, think tank and the public need to be sensitised on this issue. The National security and strategic narrative be framed accordingly.

CAPSULE ON GLOBAL SECURITY

USI conducted a Capsule on Global Security for Leadership Development Programme participants, being trained under the aegis of The Global Education and Leadership Foundation, Gurgaon on 31 July 2017…….

Dreaded NSCN-K chief Khaplang dead

The death of NSCN (K) Chief, SS Khaplang is bound to have an impact on the cadres of NSCN (K), who will find it difficult to get a leader of his stature to lead the movement. Khaplang was successful in forming United Libration Front of Western South East Asia (UNLFW) earlier this decade. UNLFW had claimed to have laid ambush in Manipur on 04 June 2015 killing 20 Indian Army soldiers.

Khaplang had forged an understanding with Paresh Baruah who may now attempt to take on the mantle of leadership though he may not find it easy to keep UNLFW united the way Khaplang did.

With passing away of Khaplang and Isak Swu, Naga insurgency may be entering a new phase in its struggle. With the BJP government at the centre as well as in the states with Naga population, the situation may throw up options for resolution of Nagalim. Following is the contents of an article in the Times of India dated 09 Jun 2017:-

Can’t allow our seas to turn into zones of contention: India

Climate Change realities have prompted nations to look towards mankind’s new frontiers of development. Whilst Space and Cyber space too, qualify as new frontiers, it is Oceans that have an immediate bearing on the climate today. They affect global ecosystem in myriad ways. The emergence of blue economy as a concept that enables sustainable development of oceans is testimony to this fact. Ultimately man has realised his erroneous plunder of continental wealth to his own peril and has taken a measure not to repeat that in oceans.

In a timely initiative sponsored by Fiji and Sweden, the UN general assembly conducted the ocean conference. The minister of state Shri MJ Akbar made a rightful call to avoid making oceans as zones of contention. He also highlighted the need for adherence to UNCLOS and respect of sovereignty, on his address on the World Ocean Day. The conference coincided with that day.

The theme of the conference was ‘our oceans, our future: partnering for the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14’. The Conference aims to be ‘the game changer that will reverse the decline in the health of our ocean for people, planet and prosperity’. Following is the text of an article appeared in Economic Times (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/cant-allow-our-seas-to-turn-into-zones-of-contention-india/articleshow/59065179.cms?utm_source=WAPusers&utm_medium=whatsappshare&utm_campaign=socialsharebutton&from=mdr) dated 09 June 2017:

Induction of Rocket Launchers and Light Howitzers into Indian Artillery: Is Modernisation of The Indian Army Finally on an Ascending Trajectory?

Panjrath Writes: This is with reference to a relatively inconspicuous news brief in the Defence Aviation Post of 12 May 17[i], titled “Home-made Rocket Launchers To Replace Indian Army’s Russian Origin Grad, Smerch: Report” and a much hyped news on the induction of US manufactured Light Howitzers covered by multiple media channels on 18 May 17[ii]. Both these news items are significant on various counts.