India Roundup: China disengagement, Cyclone Dana, flight bomb threat

India-China to disengage by the end of October

The ongoing military and diplomatic tensions between India and China appear to be easing, with Indian and Chinese troops expected to complete their disengagement in the Depsang and Demchok areas of Ladakh, the eastern part of the disputed Kashmir by the month-end. This disengagement is part of a newly established patrolling agreement aimed at resolving the skirmishes that have plagued the Line of Actual Control since May 2020, including a fatal confrontation in Galwan that claimed the lives of 20 Indian soldiers.

India seeks to bolster German ties amid visit of Chancellor Scholz

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in crucial discussions with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on October 25, 2024, in New Delhi. These talks were centred on enhancing strategic ties in the wake of increasing Chinese influence. Key agreements were signed focusing on several sectors, including defence, information technology, clean energy, skill development, and artificial intelligence. Chancellor Scholz underscored Germany's position as India's primary trading partner within the EU and indicated a willingness to support a free trade agreement, while concurrently increasing skilled work visas for Indian nationals from 20,000 to 90,000.

Cyclone Dana wreaks havoc in India

Cyclone Dana struck the eastern Indian coastline, resulting in destructive winds reaching up to 110 km/h, alongside heavy precipitation and elevated sea levels that led to flooding in coastal districts. In response, over 1.1 million citizens in Odisha and West Bengal were evacuated to storm shelters to ensure their safety, with authorities commending the effectiveness of these evacuation operations despite the cyclone damaging numerous homes and halting operations at major airports in Kolkata. As of the latest reports, no casualties have been recorded, although experts highlight the increasing intensity of storms attributed to climate change, despite advancements in forecasting and emergency response measures.

Indian flights receive bomb threats

Reports emerged of a bomb threat directed at over 25 flights in India on Friday, October 25, triggering a wave of heightened security protocols across the country. The specifics of these threats remain under investigation as authorities mobilise to guarantee passenger safety in light of this alarming incident.

Casualties in disputed Kashmir

In Kashmir, violence has escalated, with a tragic attack leading to the deaths of two Indian soldiers and two civilian porters near Gulmarg due to a rebel ambush. The ambush involved gunfire targeted at an army vehicle, resulting in injuries to three additional soldiers, with military accounts labelling it a brief firefight. This incident follows a recent militant attack near Sonamarg, which resulted in the deaths of seven individuals and underscores the ongoing violence in the region that has persisted since 1989, claiming tens of thousands of lives while remaining a contentious issue between India and Pakistan as both nations stake claim over Kashmir.