15-Dec-2022: RATS SCO Practical Seminar on “SECURING THE CYBER SPACE FRONTIERS” Organized by National Security Council Secretariat of India
National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), Government of India, in association with Data Security Council of India (DSCI) as a Knowledge Partner organized a Two-Day Practical Seminar on “Securing the Cyberspace Frontiers” for delegates from Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States and representatives of EC RATS SCO on 14-15 December 2022 at New Delhi. This Practical Seminar is one of the India’s initiatives started on 2019 under the framework of the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorists Structure (RATS). SCO RATS Member States are the Republic of Kazakhstan, People’s Republic of China, Kyrgyz Republic, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Russian Federation, Republic of Tajikistan, Republic of Uzbekistan and Republic of India.
This Practical Seminar is the 3rd Edition which has been designed with a special focus on examining and deliberating on issues related to Misuse of Internet by Terrorists, Separatists and Extremists (TS&E). The Seminar had various presentations which gave multi-dimensional perspective on countering the misuse of internet by the terrorists and offered a unique look at a range of challenges faced by the SCO Member countries.
During the Seminar, the focus of the discussion was on how the social media is turning into “Toolkit” of terrorists along with its threats and challenges. The participants shared their experience of identifying anonymous users of various Messenger Platforms and Social Media Networks, Dark Web and Regulatory challenges, Cryptocurrency etc. There was an extensive discussion regarding protecting Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) especially from the cyber-attacks like Ransomware which is now becoming a preferred tool for the TSEs.
The delegates were provided ‘Hands-On’ Discussion Exercise experience on understanding the real world scenarios with respect to the misuse of Internet for Terrorists, Separatist and Extremists purposes and the practices in different National jurisdictions to handle the associated challenges.
The SCO RATS Member States showed their keen interest in deepening cooperation amongst each other for countering the Misuse of Internet by Terrorists, Separatist and Extremists and issues related to Cyber Security.
26-Jul-2022: Russia-Ukraine conflict, soaring crude oil prices and tightening of global financial conditions are major reasons for weakening of Indian Rupee against the US Dollar
While the Indian Rupee has weakened against the US Dollar, it has strengthened against other major currencies such as the British pound, the Japanese yen and the Euro during 2022.
The Minister stated that global factors such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, soaring crude oil prices and tightening of global financial conditions are the major reasons for the weakening of the Indian Rupee against the US Dollar.
The Minister further stated that exchange rate is only one of the several different factors such as, demand for domestic and foreign goods, commodity prices, crude oil prices etc., which affect India’s export and import demand. India’s merchandise exports touched a record high of US$ 421.9 billion during 2021-22. India’s exports during each month of the current year have been higher than those of the corresponding months of the previous year.
The overall impact of exchange rate depreciation on domestic prices depends on the extent of pass-through of international commodity prices to the domestic market, the Minister stated.
Giving more details, the Minister stated that the Department of Commerce regularly monitors and sensitizes line Ministries/Departments and other stakeholders from time to time and in various forums on the following broad strategy to address the issue:
- Addressing domestic supply rigidities and looking at domestic production opportunities/enhancement of capacity;
- Timely use of trade remedial options;
- Adoption of mandatory technical standards;
- Enforcing rules of origin;
- Tariff measures/inverted duty correction etc.
Besides, the Minster stated, the Department of Commerce has been carrying out import data monitoring on monthly and annual basis to identify any visible changes and to monitor surges in imports. All concerned Ministries/Departments are apprised of item wise imports surge at 8 HS digit level on a monthly basis such that appropriate action may be initiated where necessary. A Position paper of structure of Imports is also circulated to all concerned Ministries/Departments annually since 2014, the Minister added.
Further, the Minister stated, there is an Importing Monitoring System for providing advance information on imports to Government and stakeholders for
- Steel
- Non-Ferrous Metal
- Coal and
- Chips (Integrated Circuits)
1-Apr-2022: Impact of Russia-Ukraine Conflict on Shipping Sector
Due to conflict between Russia and Ukraine the Shipping companies are facing the following issues:-
- Shipping activities in northern black sea is closed
- Insurance cover has been withdrawn by the P&I.
- Containers bound for Ukraine and Russia are lying at different transshipment ports.
- Payment affected due to blockage of SWIFT in Russia.
- Congestion at neighbouring ports and transshipment ports.
- Trade to Russia and CIS countries have been affected and Shipping lines are not accepting goods for Russian ports.
The following steps have been taken to protect the Indian shipping companies from the adverse impact of this crisis:-
- Meetings are taken at regular intervals with all stakeholders to review the situation.
- Shipping lines have been requested to explore alternative routes for Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) / Russian cargo.
- EXIM Traders were informed that M/s ONE Shipping is carrying containers to Vladivostok.
21-Mar-2022: Around 22,500 Indians have returned from Ukraine to India from 1 February - 11 March, 2022
Around 22,500 Indian nationals have returned from Ukraine to India from 1 February - 11 March, 2022. 90 evacuation flights were operated under Operation Ganga including 14 Indian Air Force flights.
The Government had coordinated with the Indian carriers for the operation of evacuation flights. Six private airlines, namely Air Asia, Air India, Air India Express, Go First, Indigo and SpiceJet operated chartered services under Operation Ganga.
The Government has coordinated with six private airlines, namely Air Asia, Air India, Air India Express, Go First, Indigo and SpiceJet for evacuation of Indian nationals from countries adjoining Ukraine viz. Romania, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia under Operation Ganga.
Air India and Air India Express together have operated 23 evacuation flights under Operation Ganga. The air fare for all the flights operated under Operation Ganga has been borne entirely by the Government.
8-Mar-2022: 410 Indians brought back today by special Civilian flights from Ukraine’s neighbouring countries
Under ‘Operation Ganga’ to rescue Indian citizens from Ukraine’s neighbouring countries, 410 Indians have been airlifted today by 2 special civilian flights from Suceava. With this, about 18 thousand Indians have been brought back through the special flights which began on 22nd February, 2022.The number of Indians airlifted by 75 special civilian flights goes up to 15521. IAF had flown 12 missions to bring back 2467 passengers, as part of the Operation Ganga, and carried over 32 tonne relief material.
Among the civilian flights, 4575 passengers have been brought from Bucharest by 21 flights, 1820 from Suceave by 9 flights, 5571 from Budapest by 28 flights, 909 passengers by 5 flights from Kosice, 2404 Indians from Rzeszow by 11 flights, and 242 persons by a flight from Kyiv.
7-Mar-2022: Over 1300 Indians brought back today by special Civilian flights from Ukraine’s neighbouring countries
Under ‘Operation Ganga’ to rescue Indian citizens, 1314 Indians have been airlifted today by 7 special civilian flights from Ukraine’s neighbouring countries. With this, more than 17 thousand 4 hundred Indians have been brought back since the special flights began on 22nd February, 2022.The number of Indians airlifted by 73 special civilian flights goes up to 15206. One C-17 IAF flight, with 201 Indians on board, is expected to arrive in the evening today. IAF had earlier flown 10 sorties to bring back 2056 passengers, as part of the Operation Ganga.
Among the special Civilian flights today, 4 have landed in New Delhi while 2 reached Mumbai. One flight is expected late in the evening. There were 5 flights from Budapest, and one each from Bucharest and Suceava.
Tomorrow, 2 special Civilian flights are expected to operate from Suceva, bringing in more than 400 Indians back home.
6-Mar-2022: Over 2100 Indians brought back today by special flights from Ukraine’s neighbouring countries
Under ‘Operation Ganga’ to rescue Indian citizens, 2135 Indians have been brought back today by 11 special civilian flights from Ukraine’s neighbouring countries. With this, more than 15 thousand 9 hundred Indians have been brought back since the special flights began on 22nd February, 2022.The number of Indians airlifted by 66 special civilian flights goes up to 13852. Till date, the IAF has flown 10 sorties to bring back 2056 passengers, while taking 26 tonnes of relief load to these countries, as part of Op Ganga.
Among the special Civilian flights today, 9 landed in New Delhi while 2 reached Mumbai. There were 6 flights from Budapest, 2 from Bucharest, 2 from Rzeszow, and 1 from Kosice.
Tomorrow, 8 special flights are expected to operate from Budapest (5), Suceva (2) and Bucharest (1), bringing in more than 1500 Indians back home.
5-Mar-2022: 3000 Indians airlifted today by special flights from Ukraine’s neighbouring countries
Under ‘Operation Ganga’ to rescue Indian citizens, about 3000 Indians have been airlifted today by 15 special flights from Ukraine’s neighbouring countries. These included 12 special civilian and 3 IAF flights. With this, more than 13 thousand 7 hundred Indians have been brought back since the special flights began on 22ndFebruary, 2022.The number of Indians brought back by 55 special civilian flights goes up to 11728. Till date, the IAF has flown 10 sorties to bring back 2056 passengers, while taking 26 tonnes of relief load to these countries, as part of Op Ganga.
Three C-17 heavy lift transport aircraft of the IAF, which had taken off yesterday from the Hindan air base, landed back at Hindan today morning. These flights evacuated 629 Indian nationals from Romania, Slovakia and Poland. These flights also carried 16.5 tonnes of relief load from India to these countries. All Civilian flights, except one, had landed during morning today, while flight from Kosice to New Delhi is expected to arrive late in the evening. Today’s civilian flights included 5 from Budapest, 4 from Suceva, 1 from Kosice and 2 from Rzeszow.
Tomorrow, 11 special flights are expected to operate from Budapest, Kosice, Rzeszow and Bucharest, bringing in more than 2200 Indians back home.
3-Mar-2022: 200 Students and Indian Nationals from Ukraine arrive in Delhi as part of “Operation Ganga”
Around 200 students and Indian citizens from Ukraine have been evacuated and brought back to India as part of Government of India’s Operation Ganga.
Shri Bhagwanth Khuba, Minister of State for Chemical and Fertilizers received the evacuees, most of them students, at Indira Gandhi International airport. The special Indigo flight landed at Delhi today morning.
Welcoming all the returnees, the Union Minister said the Union Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is committed to ensuring repatriation of all Indians from Ukraine. He assured the students that their friends and colleagues will also be evacuated soon.
Coming back to India and meeting with families, students expressed gratitude towards the Union Government. A young student on the flight remarked, with tears of joy, the safe evacuation from a war strife country is no miracle, and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi made it possible.
Indigo flight had taken off from the Istanbul International Airport, at 10.35 p.m. (IST) on Wednesday and reached New Delhi at 8.31a.m. today.
Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo and SpiceJet have joined the Operation Ganga mission operating multiple flights from Ukraine's neighbouring countries to Delhi and Mumbai.
1-Mar-2022: 7th Evacuation flight carrying 182 Indian Citizens from Ukraine arrives in Mumbai as part of “Operation Ganga”
182 Indian citizens from Ukraine have been brought back to India, by the seventh evacuation flight as part of Government of India’s Operation Ganga. The special Air India Express flight landed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai today morning. Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Shri Narayan Rane received the evacuees, most of them students, at the airport.
The Minister said the government is committed to repatriating all Indians from Ukraine. He assured the students that their friends and colleagues in Ukraine will also be evacuated soon.
Interacting with the media, the Union Minister said that having returned from the war-torn zone, the students were feeling nervous and worried, and that he assured them that they are now safe. He said that all assistance needed for them to reach home will be provided by respective states.
Touching the motherland and meeting with families, students expressed gratitude towards the government. Various state governments set up a helpdesk at Mumbai Airport to facilitate the students.
Air India Express flight had taken off from the Henri Coanda International Airport, Bucharest at 11.10 p.m. (IST) on Monday and reached Mumbai at 7.05 a.m. today morning after a brief stopover in Kuwait for refuelling. This was the 7th flight operated under “Operation Ganga” evacuation mission.
Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo and SpiceJet have joined the Operation Ganga mission operating multiple flights from Ukraine's neighbouring countries to Delhi and Mumbai.
28-Feb-2022: Prime Minister chairs high level meeting to review Operation Ganga
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi chaired a high level meeting, his second today, to review the ongoing efforts under Operation Ganga to bring back Indians stranded in Ukraine. The Prime Minister said that the entire government machinery is working round the clock to ensure that all Indian nationals there are safe and secure.
The Prime Minister pointed that the visit of four senior ministers as his Special Envoys to various nations will energize the evacuation efforts. It is reflective of the priority the Government attaches to this matter.
The Prime Minister noted that the first consignment of relief supplies to Ukraine to deal with the humanitarian situation on Ukraine’s borders would be dispatched tomorrow.
Guided by India’s motto of the world being one family, Prime Minister also stated that India will help people from neighbouring countries and developing countries who are stranded in Ukraine and may seek assistance.