VIF Information Alerts - 29th November 2018

Govt releases GDP back-series data, slashes growth rate during UPA era

Published: Business Standard
29 Nov 2018

After junking the gross domestic product (GDP) numbers released by a government panel, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on Wednesday came out with official back series data that shows economic growth was higher under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government than in the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime.

According to this set of data, India’s GDP grew at an average of 6.7 per cent in nine years of the UPA regime, 2005-06 to 2013-14, in comparison to growth under the current National Democratic Alliance government, which stands at 7.3 per cent. GDP growth for all years prior to 2010-11 has been revised downwards.Click here to read.. [2]

Are IMF funds being used to repay Chinese debt? US demands answers from Pak

Published: Business Standard
29 Nov 2018

The United States is seeking transparency of the Chinese debt on Pakistan, which has reached out to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a multibillion-dollar bailout package, the Trump Administration told lawmakers on Wednesday. "The IMF team just came back from Pakistan. One of the things we're pushing hard for is full transparency of the debt," Under Secretary of Treasury for International Affairs David Malpass told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing.Click here to read.. [3]

Japan to get first aircraft carrier since second world war amid China concerns

Published: The Guardian
29 Nov 2018

Japan is to acquire at least one aircraft carrier for the first time since the second world war, as it attempts to counter Chinese maritime expansion in the Pacific ocean. The government will upgrade its two existing Izumo-class helicopter carriers so they can transport and launch fighter jets, according to media reports. The plans are expected to be included in new defence guidelines due to be released next month.Click here to read.. [4]

Sri Lanka’s top military officer Ravindra Wijegunaratne detained

Published: The Hindu
28 Nov 2018

A magistrate court on Wednesday remanded Sri Lanka’s top-most military officer for allegedly harbouring a key suspect in a case of disappearance of 11 men in the final years of the war. All 11 are believed to have been subsequently murdered. The Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake ordered the detention of Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne until December 5 after he evaded arrest for weeks ignoring warrants.Click here to read.. [5]

Maldives candid on China relations

Published: The Telegraph
28 Nov 2018

India First? Yes, but visiting Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Shahid on Tuesday made it clear that the government would remain engaged with China. He maintained that there is space for both New Delhi and Beijing to work in the atoll nation. “(Former) President Yameen tried to play India against China, and China against India. He thought he could become the puppet master. Our government will not play one country against another. We have a strong India First policy but we will work with all countries also,” Shahid told a media conference organised by the Maldives embassy in New Delhi.Click here to read.. [6]

Khalistani leader Gopal Chawla posts snap with Punjab cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu

Published: The New Indian Express
29 Nov 2018

Amid the raging controversy surrounding Punjab cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu's visit to Pakistan, the cricketer-turned-politician has now landed in a soup after Khalistani leader Gopal Singh Chawla posted a photograph with the Congress leader on social media. Chawla posted the snap on his Facebook page, where he is seen standing next to Sidhu during the latter's visit to Pakistan for the ground-breaking ceremony of the Kartarpur corridor.Click here to read.. [7]