The Evening Wrap: India mum on Russia’s recognition of Ukraine states

India said it is watching the latest developments along Ukraine’s eastern border and Russia’s recognition of separatist states in the Donbas region “with deep concern”, but stopped short of criticising Moscow’s actions, during a debate at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on February 22. Speaking at the start of the emergency session that was called immediately following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s declaration on Monday night, India’s U.N. Permanent Representative called for restraint and diplomatic dialogue. “The immediate priority is de-escalation of tensions taking into account the legitimate security interests of all countries and aimed towards securing long-term peace and stability in the region and beyond,” said Tirumurti, repeating New Delhi’s previous position where it had chosen not to join Western calls for action against Russia. In contrast, the U.K., U.S., European countries, and Kenya called Russia’s decision an attack on Ukrainian sovereignty, and promised sanctions and other actions. Separately, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres also issued a strong statement, saying he was “greatly concerned by Russia’s decision on the status of certain areas of the Donetsk & Luhansk regions of Ukraine”. “We remain fully supportive of the sovereignty, independence & territorial integrity of Ukraine, within internationally recognised borders,” Guterres added. Reaffirming India’s position that the situation must be resolved on the basis of the “Minsk Agreements” of 2014-2015, which had not yet been implemented, Tirumurti said India welcomed talks under the Trilateral Contact Group including Russia, Ukraine and members of the OSCE in Europe, as well as the Normandy Format of talks between Russia and Ukraine along with Germany and France, and said “constructive diplomacy is the need of the hour”. Tirumurti also called the safety of about 20,000 Indians studying and working in Ukraine a “priority” for the government. The government has issued a number of travel advisories asking Indian citizens to leave Ukraine temporarily. Families of Indian diplomats have also been asked to return to India in the light of the situation, and Air India is operating commercial flights to Kiev this week to facilitate their departure. “The safety and security of civilians are essential,” Tirumurti added, calling for “all sides to maintain international peace and security by exercising the utmost restraint and intensifying diplomatic efforts”. Tirumurti also called the safety of about 20,000 Indians studying and working in Ukraine a “priority” for the government. The government has issued a number of travel advisories asking Indian citizens to leave Ukraine temporarily. Families of Indian diplomats have also been asked to return to India in the light of the situation, and Air India is operating commercial flights to Kiev this week to facilitate their departure. “The safety and security of civilians are essential,” Tirumurti added, calling for “all sides to maintain international peace and security by exercising the utmost restraint and intensifying diplomatic efforts”. Imran Khan wants to have TV debate with PM Modi to resolve differences Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Tuesday that he would like to have a TV debate with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to resolve differences between the two neighbouring countries. Khan made the remarks during an interview with Russia’s state-run television network RT on the eve of his maiden two-day visit to Moscow -- the first by a Pakistani premier in over two decades – during which he will hold talks with President Vladimir Putin and exchange views on major regional and international issues. “I would love to debate with Narendra Modi on TV,” Khan said in response to a question. He added that it would be so good for over a billion people of the subcontinent if differences between Pakistan and India could be resolved through a debate. Responding to a question, Khan said when his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf came into power in 2018 he immediately reached out to India and asked the Indian leadership to sit down at the table and resolve the Kashmir issue. He, however, regretted that India did not respond positively to his overtures. India has repeatedly told Pakistan that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Islamabad in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence. India has repeatedly told Pakistan that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Islamabad in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence. Board exams: Supreme Court to hear plea on physical exams for classes 10 and 12 on Feb 23 India has repeatedly told Pakistan that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Islamabad in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence. The Supreme Court will hear on Wednesday a petition against the holding of physical board examinations for classes 10 and 12 in 2022. The case will come up before a Bench led by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar. In an urgent oral mentioning before Justice Khanwilkar’s Bench, advocate Prashant Padmanabhan, for petitioner Anubha Srivastava Sahai, said physical classes were not conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The danger of a spike in cases could not be ignored though the situation had improved. Padmanabhan recalled that the Supreme Court had cancelled the physical examinations last year and directed the authorities to devise an alternative assessment mechanism. The petition has challenged the conduct of physical exams by the CBSE, the ICSE and the State boards. Padmanabhan said board examinations had already started in Madhya Pradesh and required urgent intervention. The court asked the lawyer to serve an advance copy of the petition to the CBSE. “We will list the case tomorrow,” Justice Khanwilkar remarked. The CBSE has decided to conduct term two board examinations for class 10 and class 12 from April 26. The petition has also sought the setting up of a committee to finalise the alternative formula for assessment of marks of class 12 students, fix a timeline for declaration of the results and declare the date for admission into various universities. The court asked the lawyer to serve an advance copy of the petition to the CBSE. “We will list the case tomorrow,” Justice Khanwilkar remarked. The CBSE has decided to conduct term two board examinations for class 10 and class 12 from April 26. The petition has also sought the setting up of a committee to finalise the alternative formula for assessment of marks of class 12 students, fix a timeline for declaration of the results and declare the date for admission into various universities. Centre blocks Punjab Politics TV’s digital media resources The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Tuesday said it had blocked apps, website and social media accounts of Punjab Politics TV. The Ministry said the channel had close links with the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), and it attempted to use the online media to disturb public order during the ongoing Punjab Assembly election. The SFJ was proscribed by the government under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in 2019. Members of the organisation have been accused of trying to revive terrorism in Punjab. Its chief, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has also been declared a terrorist. Relying on intelligence inputs that the channel was attempting to use online media to disturb public order during the ongoing polls, the Ministry said it used emergency powers under the Information Technology Rules on February 18 to block the digital media resources of Punjab Politics TV. “The contents of the blocked apps, website, and social media accounts had the potential to incite communal disharmony and separatism; and were found to be detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, and public order,” it said. “It was also observed that the launch of new apps and social media accounts was timed to gain traction during the ongoing elections. The Government of India remains vigilant and committed to secure the overall information environment in India and thwart any actions having the potential to undermine India’s sovereignty and integrity,” it added. Named in several cases being probed by the Punjab Police and the National Investigation Agency, Pannun also has alleged links with key functionaries of other pro-Khalistan banned outfits, including Babbar Khalsa International, Khalistan Tiger Force and International Sikh Youth Federation. Dera chief Ram Rahim gets Z-plus security on his release on furlough Named in several cases being probed by the Punjab Police and the National Investigation Agency, Pannun also has alleged links with key functionaries of other pro-Khalistan banned outfits, including Babbar Khalsa International, Khalistan Tiger Force and International Sikh Youth Federation. Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been given Z-plus security cover during his 21-day release on furlough from a Haryana jail where he has been serving a sentence, officials said on Tuesday. Singh was given the high-category security cover after his release on February 7 due to a high-level threat to his life from “pro-Khalistan” elements, they said. Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been given Z-plus security cover during his 21-day release on furlough from a Haryana jail where he has been serving a sentence, officials said on Tuesday. Singh was given the high-category security cover after his release on February 7 due to a high-level threat to his life from “pro-Khalistan” elements, they said. “In case the prisoner is released on parole, Z-plus security protection or equivalent may be provided as per existing rules, regulations etc as he faces a high-level threat from radical Sikh extremists in India and abroad,” a recent communication from a senior Haryana police official to the Rohtak Range Commissioner said. “There are reliable inputs, regarding the threat to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh from pro-Khalistan activists,” the official communication added. The Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief was released on February 7 after the Haryana government concluded that he does not fall in the category of hardcore prisoners. He is currently in his Gurugram ashram and has been kept under heavy security. The legal opinion on whether Singh would fall in the category of hardcore prisoners was earlier sought at the insistence of jail authorities before he was granted furlough. The 21-day furlough had come just days ahead of the assembly polls in Punjab, where the sect has a large number of followers, particularly in Bathinda, Sangrur, Patiala and Muktsar. On February 7, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had rejected any link between the sect leader’s release from Sunaria jail in Rohtak district and the Punjab elections on February 20. “I think it is a coincidence and has no connection with the polls,” he had said. The sect chief is serving a 20-year jail term for raping two women disciples at his ashram in Sirsa, where the dera is headquartered. He was convicted by a special CBI court in Panchkula in August 2017. He was last year also convicted along with four others for hatching a conspiracy to kill Ranjit Singh, a Dera manager, in 2002. In 2019, the Dera chief and three others were also convicted for the murder of a journalist over 16 years ago. He had been held guilty for hatching a criminal conspiracy with his co-accused for these killings. He had been convicted under section 120-B read with section 302 of IPC. Germany takes steps to halt Nord Stream 2 He was last year also convicted along with four others for hatching a conspiracy to kill Ranjit Singh, a Dera manager, in 2002. In 2019, the Dera chief and three others were also convicted for the murder of a journalist over 16 years ago. He had been held guilty for hatching a criminal conspiracy with his co-accused for these killings. He had been convicted under section 120-B read with section 302 of IPC. Germany has taken steps to halt the process of certifying the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Tuesday, as the West started taking punitive measures against Moscow over the Ukraine crisis. Scholz told reporters in Berlin that his government was taking the measure in response to Moscow’s actions in Ukraine. The pipeline bringing natural gas from Russia to Germany has long been criticised by the United States and some European countries who argue that it increases Europe’s reliance on Russian energy supplies. Scholz said that the government had decided to “reassess” the certification of the pipeline, which hasn’t begun operating yet, in light of the latest developments. “That will certainly take time, if I may say so,” he said. Scholz said that the government had decided to “reassess” the certification of the pipeline, which hasn’t begun operating yet, in light of the latest developments. “That will certainly take time, if I may say so,” he said. Covid Watch: Numbers and Developments Scholz said that the government had decided to “reassess” the certification of the pipeline, which hasn’t begun operating yet, in light of the latest developments. “That will certainly take time, if I may say so,” he said. The number of reported coronavirus cases from India stood at 4,28,51,802 at the time of publishing this newsletter, with the death toll at 5,12,398. Evening Wrap will return tomorrow. [logo] The Evening Wrap 22 FEBRUARY 2022 [The Hindu logo] Welcome to the Evening Wrap newsletter, your guide to the day’s biggest stories with concise analysis from The Hindu. [[Arrow]Open in browser]( [[Mail icon]More newsletters]( Deeply concerned over tensions, says India, but no comment on Russia’s recognition of Ukraine states India said it is watching the latest developments along Ukraine’s eastern border and Russia’s recognition of separatist states in the Donbas region “with deep concern”, but stopped short of criticising Moscow’s actions, during a debate at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on February 22. Speaking at the start of the emergency session that was called immediately following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s declaration on Monday night, [India’s U.N. Permanent Representative called for restraint and diplomatic dialogue](. [Ukrainian troops patrol in the town of Novoluhanske, eastern Ukraine, on February 19, 2022. ] “The immediate priority is de-escalation of tensions taking into account the legitimate security interests of all countries and aimed towards securing long-term peace and stability in the region and beyond,” said Tirumurti, repeating New Delhi’s previous position where it had chosen not to join Western calls for action against Russia. In contrast, the U.K., U.S., European countries, and Kenya called Russia’s decision an attack on Ukrainian sovereignty, and promised sanctions and other actions. Separately, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres also issued a strong statement, saying he was “greatly concerned by Russia’s decision on the status of certain areas of the Donetsk & Luhansk regions of Ukraine”. “We remain fully supportive of the sovereignty, independence & territorial integrity of Ukraine, within internationally recognised borders,” Guterres added. Reaffirming India’s position that the situation must be resolved on the basis of the “Minsk Agreements” of 2014-2015, which had not yet been implemented, Tirumurti said India welcomed talks under the Trilateral Contact Group including Russia, Ukraine and members of the OSCE in Europe, as well as the Normandy Format of talks between Russia and Ukraine along with Germany and France, and said “constructive diplomacy is the need of the hour”. Tirumurti also called the safety of about 20,000 Indians studying and working in Ukraine a “priority” for the government. The government has issued a number of travel advisories asking Indian citizens to leave Ukraine temporarily. Families of Indian diplomats have also been asked to return to India in the light of the situation, and Air India is operating commercial flights to Kiev this week to facilitate their departure. “The safety and security of civilians are essential,” Tirumurti added, calling for “all sides to maintain international peace and security by exercising the utmost restraint and intensifying diplomatic efforts”. Tirumurti also called the safety of about 20,000 Indians studying and working in Ukraine a “priority” for the government. The government has issued a number of travel advisories asking Indian citizens to leave Ukraine temporarily. Families of Indian diplomats have also been asked to return to India in the light of the situation, and Air India is operating commercial flights to Kiev this week to facilitate their departure. “The safety and security of civilians are essential,” Tirumurti added, calling for “all sides to maintain international peace and security by exercising the utmost restraint and intensifying diplomatic efforts”. Imran Khan wants to have TV debate with PM Modi to resolve differences  Pakistan Prime Minister [Imran Khan said on Tuesday that he would like to have a TV debate with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi]( to resolve differences between the two neighbouring countries. Khan made the remarks during an interview with Russia’s state-run television network RT on the eve of his maiden two-day visit to Moscow -- the first by a Pakistani premier in over two decades – during which he will hold talks with President Vladimir Putin and exchange views on major regional and international issues. “I would love to debate with Narendra Modi on TV,” Khan said in response to a question. He added that it would be so good for over a billion people of the subcontinent if differences between Pakistan and India could be resolved through a debate. Responding to a question, Khan said when his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf came into power in 2018 he immediately reached out to India and asked the Indian leadership to sit down at the table and resolve the Kashmir issue. He, however, regretted that India did not respond positively to his overtures. India has repeatedly told Pakistan that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Islamabad in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence. India has repeatedly told Pakistan that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Islamabad in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence. Board exams: Supreme Court to hear plea on physical exams for classes 10 and 12 on Feb 23  India has repeatedly told Pakistan that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Islamabad in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence. The [Supreme Court will hear on Wednesday a petition against the holding of physical board examinations]( for classes 10 and 12 in 2022. The case will come up before a Bench led by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar. In an urgent oral mentioning before Justice Khanwilkar’s Bench, advocate Prashant Padmanabhan, for petitioner Anubha Srivastava Sahai, said physical classes were not conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The danger of a spike in cases could not be ignored though the situation had improved. Padmanabhan recalled that the Supreme Court had cancelled the physical examinations last year and directed the authorities to devise an alternative assessment mechanism. The petition has challenged the conduct of physical exams by the CBSE, the ICSE and the State boards. Padmanabhan said board examinations had already started in Madhya Pradesh and required urgent intervention. The court asked the lawyer to serve an advance copy of the petition to the CBSE. “We will list the case tomorrow,” Justice Khanwilkar remarked. The CBSE has decided to conduct term two board examinations for class 10 and class 12 from April 26. The petition has also sought the setting up of a committee to finalise the alternative formula for assessment of marks of class 12 students, fix a timeline for declaration of the results and declare the date for admission into various universities. The court asked the lawyer to serve an advance copy of the petition to the CBSE. “We will list the case tomorrow,” Justice Khanwilkar remarked. The CBSE has decided to conduct term two board examinations for class 10 and class 12 from April 26. The petition has also sought the setting up of a committee to finalise the alternative formula for assessment of marks of class 12 students, fix a timeline for declaration of the results and declare the date for admission into various universities. Centre blocks Punjab Politics TV’s digital media resources  The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Tuesday said it had [blocked apps, website and social media accounts of Punjab Politics TV](. The Ministry said the channel had close links with the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), and it attempted to use the online media to disturb public order during the ongoing Punjab Assembly election. The SFJ was proscribed by the government under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in 2019. Members of the organisation have been accused of trying to revive terrorism in Punjab. Its chief, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has also been declared a terrorist. Relying on intelligence inputs that the channel was attempting to use online media to disturb public order during the ongoing polls, the Ministry said it used emergency powers under the Information Technology Rules on February 18 to block the digital media resources of Punjab Politics TV. “The contents of the blocked apps, website, and social media accounts had the potential to incite communal disharmony and separatism; and were found to be detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, and public order,” it said. “It was also observed that the launch of new apps and social media accounts was timed to gain traction during the ongoing elections. The Government of India remains vigilant and committed to secure the overall information environment in India and thwart any actions having the potential to undermine India’s sovereignty and integrity,” it added. Named in several cases being probed by the Punjab Police and the National Investigation Agency, Pannun also has alleged links with key functionaries of other pro-Khalistan banned outfits, including Babbar Khalsa International, Khalistan Tiger Force and International Sikh Youth Federation. Dera chief Ram Rahim gets Z-plus security on his release on furlough Named in several cases being probed by the Punjab Police and the National Investigation Agency, Pannun also has alleged links with key functionaries of other pro-Khalistan banned outfits, including Babbar Khalsa International, Khalistan Tiger Force and International Sikh Youth Federation. Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet [Ram Rahim Singh has been given Z-plus security cover]( during his 21-day release on furlough from a Haryana jail where he has been serving a sentence, officials said on Tuesday. Singh was given the high-category security cover after his release on February 7 due to a high-level threat to his life from “pro-Khalistan” elements, they said. [Dera Sacha Sauda chief Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. File] Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet [Ram Rahim Singh has been given Z-plus security cover]( during his 21-day release on furlough from a Haryana jail where he has been serving a sentence, officials said on Tuesday. Singh was given the high-category security cover after his release on February 7 due to a high-level threat to his life from “pro-Khalistan” elements, they said. “In case the prisoner is released on parole, Z-plus security protection or equivalent may be provided as per existing rules, regulations etc as he faces a high-level threat from radical Sikh extremists in India and abroad,” a recent communication from a senior Haryana police official to the Rohtak Range Commissioner said. “There are reliable inputs, regarding the threat to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh from pro-Khalistan activists,” the official communication added. The Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief was released on February 7 after the Haryana government concluded that he does not fall in the category of hardcore prisoners. He is currently in his Gurugram ashram and has been kept under heavy security. The legal opinion on whether Singh would fall in the category of hardcore prisoners was earlier sought at the insistence of jail authorities before he was granted furlough. The 21-day furlough had come just days ahead of the assembly polls in Punjab, where the sect has a large number of followers, particularly in Bathinda, Sangrur, Patiala and Muktsar. On February 7, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had rejected any link between the sect leader’s release from Sunaria jail in Rohtak district and the Punjab elections on February 20. “I think it is a coincidence and has no connection with the polls,” he had said. The sect chief is serving a 20-year jail term for raping two women disciples at his ashram in Sirsa, where the dera is headquartered. He was convicted by a special CBI court in Panchkula in August 2017. He was last year also convicted along with four others for hatching a conspiracy to kill Ranjit Singh, a Dera manager, in 2002. In 2019, the Dera chief and three others were also convicted for the murder of a journalist over 16 years ago. He had been held guilty for hatching a criminal conspiracy with his co-accused for these killings. He had been convicted under section 120-B read with section 302 of IPC. Germany takes steps to halt Nord Stream 2 He was last year also convicted along with four others for hatching a conspiracy to kill Ranjit Singh, a Dera manager, in 2002. In 2019, the Dera chief and three others were also convicted for the murder of a journalist over 16 years ago. He had been held guilty for hatching a criminal conspiracy with his co-accused for these killings. He had been convicted under section 120-B read with section 302 of IPC. Germany has taken steps [to halt the process of certifying the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia]( Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Tuesday, as the West started taking punitive measures against Moscow over the Ukraine crisis. Scholz told reporters in Berlin that his government was taking the measure in response to Moscow’s actions in Ukraine. The pipeline bringing natural gas from Russia to Germany has long been criticised by the United States and some European countries who argue that it increases Europe’s reliance on Russian energy supplies. Scholz said that the government had decided to “reassess” the certification of the pipeline, which hasn’t begun operating yet, in light of the latest developments. “That will certainly take time, if I may say so,” he said. Scholz said that the government had decided to “reassess” the certification of the pipeline, which hasn’t begun operating yet, in light of the latest developments. “That will certainly take time, if I may say so,” he said. Covid Watch: Numbers and Developments Scholz said that the government had decided to “reassess” the certification of the pipeline, which hasn’t begun operating yet, in light of the latest developments. “That will certainly take time, if I may say so,” he said. The [number of reported coronavirus cases from India]( stood at 4,28,51,802 at the time of publishing this newsletter, with the death toll at 5,12,398.  Evening Wrap will return tomorrow. Today‘s Top Picks [[View from India | Russia and Ukraine: War or peace?] View from India | Russia and Ukraine: War or peace?]( [[Watch | All about the import ban on drones] Watch | All about the import ban on drones]( [[Homemaker’s solo trip from Kuttanad to Nepal to prove a point] Homemaker’s solo trip from Kuttanad to Nepal to prove a point]( [[Explained | What is an IOC Session] Explained | What is an IOC Session]( Copyright @ 2021, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. 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