News dated 24 feb below
Sandeep Dikshit
New Delhi, February 23
In a move that could herald forward movement on the border dispute, China has spoken about the need to “speed up to deal with the relevant issues” on the western section of the China-India boundary.
The impression has been that at the last disengagementat PP15in the Gogra-Hotsprings area in September, China had been stalling progress in other stand-off areasin Demchok and Depsang regions.
In a more detailed readout than that of MEA, the Chinese Foreign Office also said the first in-person meeting of an inter-ministerial group since the Galwan Valley clash reviewed the “positive progress” of the previous management and control along the China-India border areas. Though Indian and Chinese troops had clashed in Arunachal in December, the faceoff was presumably not included in the “positive progress” probably because it took place on the eastern section of the China-India boundary.
The MEA had said the two sides reviewed the situation in the Western Sector of India-China border areas and discussed proposals for disengagement in the remaining areas in an open and constructive manner, which would help in restoration of peace and tranquillity along the LAC in Western Sector and create conditions for restoration of normalcy in bilateral relations.
The Chinese side made three points about the 26th Meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on China-India Border Affairs in Beijing. Representatives of government agencies for foreign affairs, national defense and immigration affairs of the two countries attended the meeting.
It said consensus was reached to “actively implement” further stabilisation of the border situation. Second, the two sides agreed to avoid recurrence of the situation on the ground, and work jointly to safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas. Third, the two sides agreed to speed up to deal with the relevant issues on the western section “so as to reach a mutually acceptable solution at an early date.” And, fourth, the two sides agreed to maintain close communication through diplomatic and military channels, and hold the 18th round of Corps Commanders Level Meeting at an early date.
A US Air Force U-2 pilot looks down at the suspected Chinese surveillance balloon as it hovers over the central continental United States on February 3, 2023 before later being shot down by the Air Force off the coast of South Carolina, in this photo released by the US Air Force through the Defense Department on February 22, 2023. Reuters file
Washington, February 23
The Pentagon has released a selfie taken in the cockpit of a U-2 spy plane, as an Air Force pilot flew above the large suspected Chinese surveillance balloon before it was shot down by the US military this month.
The selfie image, taken by the pilot of the U-2 on February 3, shows the shadow of the aircraft on the balloon and a clear image of the balloon’s payload as it crossed across the continental United States.
The balloon, carrying a payload the size of three coach buses, was first spotted by the US military on January 28 and ultimately shot down by a US Air Force fighter jet off the coast of South Carolina on February 4 after crossing the country.
The US defence department did not identify the U-2 pilot in the selfie but the authenticity of the image was confirmed during a Pentagon briefing on Wednesday by Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh.
Addressing a media briefing, Singh said that the search operations to recover sensors and other debris from the balloon which tumbled into the Atlantic Ocean concluded last week.
She said that “the majority of the balloon, including the payload, was recovered.” A senior State Department official said earlier this month that fly-bys “revealed that the high-altitude balloon was capable of conducting signals intelligence collection operations.”
US officials said they decided against shooting the balloon down over the country because of its size, fearing falling debris could hurt civilians or property on the ground.
Gen. Glen VanHerck, commander of US Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), later said the balloon was 200 feet tall with a payload that weighed a couple of thousand pounds.
The US sent up U-2 spy planes to track the balloon’s progress, according to officials.
The Chinese balloon was said to be hovering at 60,000 feet in the air. U-2 spy planes routinely fly at altitudes over 70,000 feet, according to the US Air Force.
The U-2 single-seater reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft were previously flown by the CIA.
US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said at a recent news briefing that the recovered material was now at the FBI laboratory in Quantico.
“It’s quite a bit – it’s a significant amount – including the payload structure, as well as some of the electronics and the optics,” he said.
China has maintained that the balloon was a weather ship blown off course and criticised the use of force to bring it down as an “overreaction” and a violation of international norms.
But the US says the balloon was part of a sprawling Chinese intelligence collection programme on America and its allies.
The downing of the Chinese balloon has escalated the diplomatic and military strain between the world’s two largest economies.
What was meant to be a high-profile visit for Secretary of State Antony Blinken to China earlier this month instead transformed into a standoff, testing President Joe Biden’s resolve at a new moment of reckoning with Beijing, which has increasingly flexed its muscles in the Indo-Pacific and elsewhere.
New Delhi, February 23
In a move that could herald forward movement on the border dispute, China has spoken about the need to “speed up to deal with the relevant issues” on the western section of the China-India boundary.
The impression has been that at the last disengagement at PP15 in the Gogra-Hot Springs area in September, China had been stalling progress in other standoff areas in Demchok and Depsang regions.
Beijing readout on WMCC talks
In a more detailed readout than that of the Ministry of External Affairs, the Chinese Foreign Office also said the first in-person meeting of an inter-ministerial group since the Galwan valley clash reviewed the “positive progress” of the previous management and control along the China-India border areas. Though Indian and Chinese troops had clashed in Arunachal in December, the faceoff was presumably not included in the “positive progress” probably because it took place on the eastern section of the China-India boundary.
The MEA had said the two sides reviewed the situation in the western sector of the India-China border areas and discussed proposals for disengagement in the remaining areas in an open and constructive manner, which would help in the restoration of peace and tranquillity along the LAC and create conditions for restoration of normalcy in bilateral relations.
The Chinese side made four points about the 26th Meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on China-India Border Affairs in Beijing.
It said a consensus was reached to “actively implement” further stabilisation of the border situation. Second, the two sides agreed to avoid recurrence of the situation on the ground, and work jointly to safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border areas. Third, the two sides agreed to speed up to deal with the relevant issues on the western section “so as to reach a mutually acceptable solution at an early date”. And, fourth, the two sides agreed to maintain close communication through diplomatic and military channels, and hold the 18th round of Corps Commanders-level meeting at an early date.
Please listen to the following Statement by Col SS Rajan, Convenor, Military Veterans Karnataka, delivered at the National Military Memorial, Bangalore, on 18 February 2023
STATEMENT OF COL SS RAJAN, CONVENOR, MILITARY VETERANS KARNATAKA, AT THE NATIONAL MILITARY MEMORIAL,BANGALORE,
ON 18 FEB 2023
Noble Citizens of Bharat,
Jai Hind.
This statement of mine today, 18 Feb 2023, is in continuation of my emotional outburst on 14 Feb 2023, against Shri Rajnath Singh, our Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, for not turning up at the National Military Memorial at Bangalore, for its inauguration by laying a wreath at the Veera Gallu, which you can see behind us, a 66 feet monolithic Granite Stupa, symbolizing the ‘Atma’ of 22,000 Veer Yoddha’s, ie. Brave Soldiers, Sailors & Air Warriors who laid down their lives for the Country; and whose names are etched in black granite slabs at the National Military Memorial, Bangalore.
It is when Shri Rajnath Singh, our Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, having accepted the Invitation of our Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka to come and inaugurate the National Military Memorial at Bangalore by laying a wreath at the Veera Gallu, did not turn up; but also failed, to convey his regrets & apologies for not turning up for the event, that a number of Veer Naaris, ie Widows of Soldiers who had laid down their lives for the Nation literally wept at the base of the black granite slabs where their husband’s names are etched.
It is on seeing the tears of pain & anguish of the Veer Naaris and the indignation amongst the Ex-Servicemen who had gathered at the base of the Veer Gallu; that resulted in my emotional outburst against the Raksha Mantri.
I would like to remind our Hon’ble Raksha Mantri that functions at War or Military Memorials are solemn functions; and one not to be trifled with; and please do not take us Ex-Servicemen and Veer Naaris for granted.
Four days have since passed and it is surprising that there has been no word from the spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence either to convey the reason as to why the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri could not turn up for the inaugural function at the National Military Memorial, Bangalore, on 14 Feb 2023; or to convey his regrets for not having been able to come for the inaugural function of the National Military Memorial, Bangalore.
Shri Rajnath Singh, our Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, having accepted the invitation of the Chief Minister of Karnataka, to inaugurate the National Military Memorial, Bangalore, by laying a wreath at the Veera Gallu; should have come at all cost; and in case he was unable to do so, on account of some pressing commitments, he should have asked the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka to proceed to the National Military Memorial, Bangalore, alongwith his Cabinet colleagues and convey his deepest regrets & apologies to the Veer Naaris & Ex-Servicemen gathered at the National Military Memorial, for the inaugural function; and not stand on the formalities of seeing him off, etc. Had the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri done so, it would have greatly assuaged the hurt feelings of the Veer Naaris & Ex-Servicemen who had gathered at the base of the Veera Gallu; and there would have been no emotional outburst.
I would like to remind our Hon’ble Raksha Mantri that Veer Naaris and Ex-Servicemen ask for nothing; but, only expect to be treated with honour & dignity, which is his duty to do so.
We hope our Hon’ble Prime Minister would speak to the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri an take necessary action.
There appears to be certain vested interests inimical to National interests who wish to queer the pitch and spread a false narrative that Ex-Servicemen are against the Hon’ble Prime Minister. In response, we the Military Veterans Karnataka, emphatically state that we hold our Hon’ble Prime Minister in highest regard & esteem.
Jai Hind.
A great piece of Military History
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First Ashok Chakra awarded in IAF was to Flt Lt Suhas Biswas of Communication Squadron….
On the 3rd of February, 1952, The U. P. Area command of the Indian Army was holding a tactical Exercise in Lucknow. To Witness this Exercise, High ranking Army Officials decided to fly down to the Exercise to observe. The Then GOC-in-C Western Command Lt Gen S. M Shrinagesh (Later COAS) , The Quarter Master General Maj-Gen K. S . Thimayya (later COAS), The Chief of General Staff Maj Gen S. P. P. Thorat (later GOC-inC East), The Military Secretary Maj Gen Sarda Nand, Maj Gen Mohinder Singh Chopra and Brig Ajaib Singh boarded the IAF HQ and Communications Flight De Havilland Devon (HW 516) which was being flown by Flt Lt Suhas Biswas. The Devon reached Lucknow and after the exercises were completed, the Officers returned for the return flight to Delhi. The Devon took off at 1800 Hrs and moments after the aircraft took off, the Crew observed the port engine was spewing smoke and soon a fire broke out. The Devon became difficult to control and as the fire kept creeping towards the main fuselage, Biswas, the pilot put the Devon in a dive in an attempt to reduce altitude and attempt a crash landing before the aircraft fuel reserves caught fire and blew up. As the Devon was put into the dive, The Aircraft shuddered in the airflow and The Engine mounting broke away, resulting in the burning engine seperating from the wing and falling off. Biswas levelled the Aircraft and belly landed sucessfully at a village near the Sandilla Railway Station. All the occupants walked out of the crashed aircraft unhurt with the pilot being the last to leave.
Flt Lt Suhas Biswas was awarded the First Ashoka Chakra to the Indian Air Force for the presence of mind, Skill and cool courage in maintaining the Stricken aircraft and saving the lives of many Senior Army Officers. Which included Two Future Army Chiefs and an Army Commander. The Air Force Chief, Air Marshal Subroto Mukerjee, had had the passenger chairs removed from the wrecked Devon and presented it individually to each of the survivors of the crash with a Brass Plate mentioning the circumstances of the crash.
