With 3 conflicts looming in 3 different parts of the world, America's global leadership is being put to the test. To overcome these conflicts, Joe Biden will need allies. But Washington's recent adventurism near Lakshadweep sends mixed signals. WION's Palki Sharma has more.

Gravitas: US needs to reboot alliance politics

In Brazil, there are more young people in ICUs than old. Brazil was banking on a Chinese vaccine to crush the surge. But, a study says the shot is just 50.7% effective. China is now considering mixing 2 different shots. Is that even possible? WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Chinese vaccine 'just 50.7%' effective against Brazilian variant

Is China trying to capture a new island in the South China Sea? Experts say Beijing wants to take control of the Dongsha Islands by July this year. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Is China trying to capture a new Island?

Iran is blaming Israel for the blackout at its Natanz nuclear site. Tehran is calling the cyber attack an act of 'nuclear terrorism'. WION's Palki Sharma tells you how an electrical outage became a headache for US President Joe Biden.

Gravitas: Did Israel's Mossad 'sabotage' Iran's nuclear site?

Is a war inevitable between Russia & Ukraine? The situation has become quite precarious, but both sides deny stoking up tensions. What's the reality on ground? WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: The Russia-Ukraine conflict explained

Northern Ireland has witnessed its worst rioting in years. The Police were targeted with stones and petrol bombs. Children as young as 12 were involved in the clashes. What triggered the rioting?

Gravitas: Police attacked with petrol bombs in Northern Ireland

Social media is our digital paan ki dukaan. People go there for “masala,” news, gossip. Some rue the state of the world. Others pontificate on the way forward. Everyone is an expert on everything. Some are perpetual fixtures, smoking on daily happenings and ruminating. Others make regular visits.&nbsp;

The new topic of discussion is the US election. Unfortunately for some, only Americans get the voting rights.&nbsp;

If tweets from India were votes, Donald Trump would have won hands down. Troll armies from one side have dedicated their energies into projecting Trump as India’s best friend. It doesn’t matter that he called India’s air filthy (because he’s right, but don’t talk about banning Diwali crackers!). It doesn’t matter that he offered to mediate in the Kashmir issue, despite Delhi repeatedly saying 'thanks, but no thanks'.

It doesn’t even matter that he mocked India’s contribution in Afghanistan (“India only built a library”). It doesn’t matter that he’s blocking H1B visas or picking fights over taxes on Harley Davidson.&nbsp;

Like Salman Khan, once we’ve decided we like Trump, we don’t even listen to ourselves. So we campaign for Trump. Call Biden a crook, pore over evidence against Hunter Biden, and slam American media that doesn’t appreciate the greatness Trump ji is trying to usher in.

Election day comes. Americans vote. And count. And keep counting for what feels like forever. Indian social media busies itself with another debate to kill time. This oldest democracy is a joke, learn from us, we say. America is floundering, because they learned counting on Sesame street.&nbsp;

India’s election commission is underrated, but the best in the world. Pronto, the other side jumps in. They’re taking so long because they’re fair. Every vote is being counted. Trump says stop the counting. Biden says count every vote. Indians are still debating who counts better. &nbsp;

Day Two -- Trump cries election fraud. Some American channels pull out of the president’s speech. Such moral rectitude! Can Indian channels ever pull this off?

Most of those asking this question are senior journalists themselves. Others say the US press is party to a political battle.

If you’re on social media you have only two options. Either put all things American on a pedestal. Or trash all. Those doing a little bit of both will be beaten up by both sides.&nbsp;

The fact is that America has the most partisan media in the world. Acting as cheerleaders of any presidential hopeful is not “evolved” journalism. Calling your president “an obese turtle” is not proof of fairness. And cutting out of a presidential speech is, at best, dramatic.

India media takes sides too. Picks and chooses which speech to broadcast and for how long. Journalists in India trash and praise leaders of all descriptions, some more than the other.&nbsp;

Commentary is alright. Denigrating the other side isn’t. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Some have such a volume of opinion that it won’t fit in a tweet or a thread. They need a whole write up to achieve catharsis.&nbsp;

If you’ve made it thus far in this piece, do know that I’m a regular visitor of the aforesaid paan shop, addicted to its wares, and trying to make sense of the madness. It’s a place crawling with Abdullahs of the begaani-shaadi-mein-Abdullah-diwana fame.&nbsp;

Social media is our digital paan ki dukaan. People go there for “masala,” news, gossip. Some rue the state of the world. Others pontificate on the way forward. Everyone is an expert on everything.

Social media is our digital paan ki dukaan. People go there for “masala,” news, gossip. Some rue the state of the world. Others pontificate on the way forward. Everyone is an expert on everything. Some are perpetual fixtures, smoking on daily happenings and ruminating. Others make regular visits. The new topic of discussion is the US election. Unfortunately for some, only Americans get the voting rights. If tweets from India were votes, Donald Trump would have won hands down. Troll armies from one side have dedicated their energies into projecting Trump as India’s best friend. It doesn’t matter that he called India’s air filthy (because he’s right, but don’t talk about banning Diwali crackers!). It doesn’t matter that he offered to mediate in the Kashmir issue, despite Delhi repeatedly saying 'thanks, but no thanks'. It doesn’t even matter that he mocked India’s contribution in Afghanistan (“India only built a library”). It doesn’t matter that he’s blocking H1B visas or picking fights over taxes on Harley Davidson. Like Salman Khan, once we’ve decided we like Trump, we don’t even listen to ourselves. So we campaign for Trump. Call Biden a crook, pore over evidence against Hunter Biden, and slam American media that doesn’t appreciate the greatness Trump ji is trying to usher in. Election day comes. Americans vote. And count. And keep counting for what feels like forever. Indian social media busies itself with another debate to kill time. This oldest democracy is a joke, learn from us, we say. America is floundering, because they learned counting on Sesame street. India’s election commission is underrated, but the best in the world. Pronto, the other side jumps in. They’re taking so long because they’re fair. Every vote is being counted. Trump says stop the counting. Biden says count every vote. Indians are still debating who counts better. Day Two -- Trump cries election fraud. Some American channels pull out of the president’s speech. Such moral rectitude! Can Indian channels ever pull this off? Most of those asking this question are senior journalists themselves. Others say the US press is party to a political battle. If you’re on social media you have only two options. Either put all things American on a pedestal. Or trash all. Those doing a little bit of both will be beaten up by both sides. The fact is that America has the most partisan media in the world. Acting as cheerleaders of any presidential hopeful is not “evolved” journalism. Calling your president “an obese turtle” is not proof of fairness. And cutting out of a presidential speech is, at best, dramatic. India media takes sides too. Picks and chooses which speech to broadcast and for how long. Journalists in India trash and praise leaders of all descriptions, some more than the other. Commentary is alright. Denigrating the other side isn’t. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Some have such a volume of opinion that it won’t fit in a tweet or a thread. They need a whole write up to achieve catharsis. If you’ve made it thus far in this piece, do know that I’m a regular visitor of the aforesaid paan shop, addicted to its wares, and trying to make sense of the madness. It’s a place crawling with Abdullahs of the begaani-shaadi-mein-Abdullah-diwana fame.

The US election on Indian social media

We cannot discuss the second wave of the coronavirus, or the impending winter horror without mentioning what's happening around us right now.

There's a growing crowd at the market. People are flocking to movie theatres, restaurants and shopping malls. And are arranging house parties.&nbsp;

Three nights ago, in the Liverpool city centre, these pub goers were partying one last time -- before new restrictions were imposed on the city.

So have they been living in denial? Or are they people suffering from pandemic fatigue?

Will you back the doctors who claim that these party goers do not care about the people dying in the icus?

Or will you consider that these people have had too much? And for too long?

I do not want to vilify these people. But I am not even endorsing violation of social distancing.

We are into the tenth month of 2020. And we have literally spent a whole year keeping ourselves away from people and everything that defined our normal lives -- schools, offices, gyms, coffee shops, travelling, meeting our friends and families.

It wasn't easy. And there seems to be no end in sight.&nbsp;

There is no vaccine. And there is no relief.

For now, there's only a rising death toll and recurring restrictions.

Social distancing can take a toll on us. Because we are social animals.

We all want our old lives back, and because of that some of us are giving in to our desires. We go shopping, but don't want others to -- because then there will be too much crowd.

We take the elevator once in a while, but we cringe the moment the lift arrives with another person in it.

We want to eat out, but we judge other people who are back at the restaurant tables.

I repeat, I am not endorsing their actions; I am not condemning them either.

I only have a message for them -- Sars-CoV2 is unsparing.

And this is as true as the lockdown fatigue.

We have come so far in keeping ourselves safe. Why not push ourselves a little more, and stay at home and stay safe -- just for some more months.

Because you can party, only when you're alive...

(Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)

We cannot discuss the second wave of the coronavirus, or the impending winter horror without mentioning what's happening around us right now. There's a growing crowd at the market.

We cannot discuss the second wave of the coronavirus, or the impending winter horror without mentioning what's happening around us right now. There's a growing crowd at the market. People are flocking to movie theatres, restaurants and shopping malls. And are arranging house parties. Three nights ago, in the Liverpool city centre, these pub goers were partying one last time -- before new restrictions were imposed on the city. So have they been living in denial? Or are they people suffering from pandemic fatigue? Will you back the doctors who claim that these party goers do not care about the people dying in the icus? Or will you consider that these people have had too much? And for too long? I do not want to vilify these people. But I am not even endorsing violation of social distancing. We are into the tenth month of 2020. And we have literally spent a whole year keeping ourselves away from people and everything that defined our normal lives -- schools, offices, gyms, coffee shops, travelling, meeting our friends and families. It wasn't easy. And there seems to be no end in sight. There is no vaccine. And there is no relief. For now, there's only a rising death toll and recurring restrictions. Social distancing can take a toll on us. Because we are social animals. We all want our old lives back, and because of that some of us are giving in to our desires. We go shopping, but don't want others to -- because then there will be too much crowd. We take the elevator once in a while, but we cringe the moment the lift arrives with another person in it. We want to eat out, but we judge other people who are back at the restaurant tables. I repeat, I am not endorsing their actions; I am not condemning them either. I only have a message for them -- Sars-CoV2 is unsparing. And this is as true as the lockdown fatigue. We have come so far in keeping ourselves safe. Why not push ourselves a little more, and stay at home and stay safe -- just for some more months. Because you can party, only when you're alive... (Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)

Stay home, stay safe -- for a few more months

Leon Panetta, former Secretary of Defence and ex-CIA director spoke to WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay as he discussed a range of issues including the circumstances involving the killing of Osama Bin Laden, Pakistan's role in the war on terror and China's military assertiveness including its role in the coronavirus crisis.

WION:&nbsp;Would you say President Donald Trump took a firmer and clearer stand on what his priorities were and who he thought was a sponsor of terror compared to President Obama who tried to always balance the two?

Leon Panetta:&nbsp;When I was the director of the CIA, we conducted an operation to go after bin Laden in Pakistan. It was a very difficult mission and the President made a very tough decision to do that and as the director of the CIA, my primary role was to target terrorism whether it was in Afghanistan or Pakistan or in the Middle East and I had strong support from the President to do that.

At the same time, I think President Trump has been tough with regards&nbsp;to terrorism and&nbsp;ISIS and going after terrorist leaders. He's been willing to do that so I think the US generally has made it very clear that we will not tolerate terrorism that can be a potential risk to our country or to other countries.

WION:&nbsp;After all these years, when you say it out loud in so many words that the Pakistan government of the day was aware and was, in fact, harbouring Osama bin Laden...

Leon Panetta:&nbsp;When we discovered the location of this compound in Pakistan, it was located in a place called Abbottabad. Abbottabad is a centre for their intelligence services and the Pakistani West Point is located there as well. This compound was three times the size of other compounds and had 18-foot walls on one side and 12-foot walls on the other side with barbed wire around it. I find it very difficult to believe that there wasn't somebody in Pakistan who was aware of this compound...

WION:&nbsp;Was the Pakistani establishment then confronted with what you found?

Leon Panetta:&nbsp;Once we found the compound, we had to make a decision whether we would share that information with Pakistan and the President made the decision that because when we shared information with Pakistan about the location of terrorists they were tipped off and suddenly were able to disappear because of that concern and that lack of trust very frankly we decided not to inform the Pakistanis about the location of bin Laden and we did not inform them about the operation that we conducted because we were concerned that if we did that it was likely bin Laden would be advised to move, so because of what we did I think we were able to be successful in the mission to go after bin Laden.

WION:&nbsp;It sounds like a serious trust deficit with a government that America has throughout called an ally in the war on terror. Did the US government inform any other country and was India on the list and what was the reaction from New Delhi?

Leon Panetta:&nbsp;We had made a decision that if we were able to get bin Laden that rather than having him buried in Pakistan or elsewhere where it could become a shrine that we would bury him at sea and we did it in the Indian Ocean.

We advised countries of the fact that we would bury him in the Indian Ocean and India as always was very supportive. I think for my purposes both as director of the CIA and secretary of defence, I found India to be a very close ally in the effort to try to protect the security of both India and the United States

WION:&nbsp;Do you fear that Pakistan still harbours terrorists who pose a threat to the security of both the US and India?

Leon Panetta:&nbsp;I don't think there's any question that Pakistan continues to have relationship with various terrorist groups. We were very concerned when we were fighting in Afghanistan, that there were terrorists who were coming across the border from Pakistan to attack our forces and we continued to complain to Pakistan that they had to take steps to prevent that from happening but they never really did. They also used terrorism as a vehicle to undermine stability not just in Afghanistan but also in India. I think the United States has expressed concern&nbsp;that Pakistan had to do more to deal with terrorism in their country.

WION:&nbsp;How does it help Mr. Panetta, when the US government after knowing everything that you have just told us gets Pakistan on board when it tries to negotiate peace in Afghanistan?

Leon Panetta:&nbsp;Well that's a challenge and it always has been, I think. You know we have continued to try to work with Pakistan. When I was the CIA&nbsp;director, I tried to work with their intelligence services. When I was Secretary of Defense, I tried to work with their defence ministry but while there were those that did provide cooperation, the fact was there were many that maintained ties to terrorist networks. As a result, it's sometimes very difficult to trust Pakistan to be supportive of efforts to achieve peace in Afghanistan or in that region.

WION:&nbsp;Does India not have any role in the Afghanistan peace process according to you and what role do you see for India apart from the developmental aid and all the work that the government is doing?

Leon Panetta:&nbsp;It's important that countries in that region support this process and India has been supportive of the peace process and we have always found that India has been a very good partner to the United States in dealing with issues in that region.

WION:&nbsp;You have always advocated deeper defence ties between India and the US but there was a time when New Delhi was reluctant to be seen as a military ally of America. Things have changed now as the two countries call each other strategic allies and they are meeting in a matter of days for the Quad meeting and this is being seen as an alliance to counter China. What role do you see in this new strategic equation?

Leon Panetta:&nbsp;I think it's extremely important. I believe the United States should continue to provide leadership in the world working with our allies. There are a number of areas where we need our allies whether it's in the Middle East dealing with Iran, whether it's in Asia dealing with North Korea, whether it's in Europe dealing with Russia and whether it's with India and the countries there dealing with China.

I think it's critical that countries that believe in democratic principles, that believe in the values of freedom and liberty and the ability to self-govern and the dignity of the individual, that those countries should work together when it comes to security.

I am concerned that there have been events on the China-India border that have occurred recently that raised the spectre of potential conflict and I think we have to make it very clear to China that the US will stand with India if there is any conflict in that region.

WION:&nbsp;How far do you think the US is prepared to go in the event of a conflict with China?

Leon Panetta:&nbsp;I think that the United States owes it to our allies to be able to support them in any potential conflict. Now, how far we go whether we directly involve ourselves, I think that's going to be a question depending on China's actions and their intentions.&nbsp;

So far I believe China understands that a war is not in their interest, it's not in their economic interest, it's not in their country's interest but as we know when there is tension, mistakes are made and conflicts can erupt.

So, I think the United States will determine whether or not this is an aggressive action by China or whether this is an error of some sort by people along the border area to determine just exactly what role it will play in that type of conflict.

WION:&nbsp;Do you think the United States and other global institutions and leaders are doing enough to hold China accountable for what the world has suffered this year?

Leon Panetta:&nbsp;No, I don’t. We are essentially in a Cold War with China and I think that China has taken steps to try to take advantage of opportunities because they view the United States as pulling back from responsibilities in the world whether it's trade or in other areas and they've taken advantage of that and they also continue their military aggressiveness in developing areas and militarising the islands in the South China Sea.

In the approach they've taken towards Hong Kong and Taiwan, they have been particularly aggressive, and we also have had a difficult relationship with regards to trade.

We expressed a tremendous amount of concern with China with regards to the failure to alert the world about COVID-19 and the dangers that all of us are now experiencing as a result.&nbsp;I think it's important to have a dialogue with China, I think it's important to continue to communicate with China's leaders but I think we have to do it from a position of strength.&nbsp;

I would say that to India and I would say that to others that deal with China. The only way you can deal with China is from a position of strength. That means maintaining our military strength and making it very clear that there are lines that China should not cross.

WION:&nbsp;Do you think India is doing that?

Leon Panetta:&nbsp;I think the United States is making those points clear. I think India is making those points clear and I think that China will think twice about any aggression in that part of the world.

Leon Panetta, former Secretary of Defence and ex-CIA director spoke to WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay as he discussed a range of issues including the circumstances involving the killing of Osama Bin Laden, Pakistan's role in the war on terror and China's military assertiveness including its role in the coronavirus crisis.

Leon Panetta, former Secretary of Defence and ex-CIA director spoke to WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay as he discussed a range of issues including the circumstances involving the killing of Osama Bin Laden, Pakistan's role in the war on terror and China's military assertiveness including its role in the coronavirus crisis. WION: Would you say President Donald Trump took a firmer and clearer stand on what his priorities were and who he thought was a sponsor of terror compared to President Obama who tried to always balance the two? Leon Panetta: When I was the director of the CIA, we conducted an operation to go after bin Laden in Pakistan. It was a very difficult mission and the President made a very tough decision to do that and as the director of the CIA, my primary role was to target terrorism whether it was in Afghanistan or Pakistan or in the Middle East and I had strong support from the President to do that. At the same time, I think President Trump has been tough with regards to terrorism and ISIS and going after terrorist leaders. He's been willing to do that so I think the US generally has made it very clear that we will not tolerate terrorism that can be a potential risk to our country or to other countries. WION: After all these years, when you say it out loud in so many words that the Pakistan government of the day was aware and was, in fact, harbouring Osama bin Laden... Leon Panetta: When we discovered the location of this compound in Pakistan, it was located in a place called Abbottabad. Abbottabad is a centre for their intelligence services and the Pakistani West Point is located there as well. This compound was three times the size of other compounds and had 18-foot walls on one side and 12-foot walls on the other side with barbed wire around it. I find it very difficult to believe that there wasn't somebody in Pakistan who was aware of this compound... WION: Was the Pakistani establishment then confronted with what you found? Leon Panetta: Once we found the compound, we had to make a decision whether we would share that information with Pakistan and the President made the decision that because when we shared information with Pakistan about the location of terrorists they were tipped off and suddenly were able to disappear because of that concern and that lack of trust very frankly we decided not to inform the Pakistanis about the location of bin Laden and we did not inform them about the operation that we conducted because we were concerned that if we did that it was likely bin Laden would be advised to move, so because of what we did I think we were able to be successful in the mission to go after bin Laden. WION: It sounds like a serious trust deficit with a government that America has throughout called an ally in the war on terror. Did the US government inform any other country and was India on the list and what was the reaction from New Delhi? Leon Panetta: We had made a decision that if we were able to get bin Laden that rather than having him buried in Pakistan or elsewhere where it could become a shrine that we would bury him at sea and we did it in the Indian Ocean. We advised countries of the fact that we would bury him in the Indian Ocean and India as always was very supportive. I think for my purposes both as director of the CIA and secretary of defence, I found India to be a very close ally in the effort to try to protect the security of both India and the United States WION: Do you fear that Pakistan still harbours terrorists who pose a threat to the security of both the US and India? Leon Panetta: I don't think there's any question that Pakistan continues to have relationship with various terrorist groups. We were very concerned when we were fighting in Afghanistan, that there were terrorists who were coming across the border from Pakistan to attack our forces and we continued to complain to Pakistan that they had to take steps to prevent that from happening but they never really did. They also used terrorism as a vehicle to undermine stability not just in Afghanistan but also in India. I think the United States has expressed concern that Pakistan had to do more to deal with terrorism in their country. WION: How does it help Mr. Panetta, when the US government after knowing everything that you have just told us gets Pakistan on board when it tries to negotiate peace in Afghanistan? Leon Panetta: Well that's a challenge and it always has been, I think. You know we have continued to try to work with Pakistan. When I was the CIA director, I tried to work with their intelligence services. When I was Secretary of Defense, I tried to work with their defence ministry but while there were those that did provide cooperation, the fact was there were many that maintained ties to terrorist networks. As a result, it's sometimes very difficult to trust Pakistan to be supportive of efforts to achieve peace in Afghanistan or in that region. WION: Does India not have any role in the Afghanistan peace process according to you and what role do you see for India apart from the developmental aid and all the work that the government is doing? Leon Panetta: It's important that countries in that region support this process and India has been supportive of the peace process and we have always found that India has been a very good partner to the United States in dealing with issues in that region. WION: You have always advocated deeper defence ties between India and the US but there was a time when New Delhi was reluctant to be seen as a military ally of America. Things have changed now as the two countries call each other strategic allies and they are meeting in a matter of days for the Quad meeting and this is being seen as an alliance to counter China. What role do you see in this new strategic equation? Leon Panetta: I think it's extremely important. I believe the United States should continue to provide leadership in the world working with our allies. There are a number of areas where we need our allies whether it's in the Middle East dealing with Iran, whether it's in Asia dealing with North Korea, whether it's in Europe dealing with Russia and whether it's with India and the countries there dealing with China. I think it's critical that countries that believe in democratic principles, that believe in the values of freedom and liberty and the ability to self-govern and the dignity of the individual, that those countries should work together when it comes to security. I am concerned that there have been events on the China-India border that have occurred recently that raised the spectre of potential conflict and I think we have to make it very clear to China that the US will stand with India if there is any conflict in that region. WION: How far do you think the US is prepared to go in the event of a conflict with China? Leon Panetta: I think that the United States owes it to our allies to be able to support them in any potential conflict. Now, how far we go whether we directly involve ourselves, I think that's going to be a question depending on China's actions and their intentions. So far I believe China understands that a war is not in their interest, it's not in their economic interest, it's not in their country's interest but as we know when there is tension, mistakes are made and conflicts can erupt. So, I think the United States will determine whether or not this is an aggressive action by China or whether this is an error of some sort by people along the border area to determine just exactly what role it will play in that type of conflict. WION: Do you think the United States and other global institutions and leaders are doing enough to hold China accountable for what the world has suffered this year? Leon Panetta: No, I don’t. We are essentially in a Cold War with China and I think that China has taken steps to try to take advantage of opportunities because they view the United States as pulling back from responsibilities in the world whether it's trade or in other areas and they've taken advantage of that and they also continue their military aggressiveness in developing areas and militarising the islands in the South China Sea. In the approach they've taken towards Hong Kong and Taiwan, they have been particularly aggressive, and we also have had a difficult relationship with regards to trade. We expressed a tremendous amount of concern with China with regards to the failure to alert the world about COVID-19 and the dangers that all of us are now experiencing as a result. I think it's important to have a dialogue with China, I think it's important to continue to communicate with China's leaders but I think we have to do it from a position of strength. I would say that to India and I would say that to others that deal with China. The only way you can deal with China is from a position of strength. That means maintaining our military strength and making it very clear that there are lines that China should not cross. WION: Do you think India is doing that? Leon Panetta: I think the United States is making those points clear. I think India is making those points clear and I think that China will think twice about any aggression in that part of the world.

Due to lack of trust we decided not to inform Pak about Osama bin Laden's location: Leon Panetta, ex-CIA director to WION

China is facing massive job loss, protests due to coronavirus pandemic and other economic situations. World attention was fixed on Hong Kong protests as China worked new law.

China is facing massive job loss, protests due to coronavirus pandemic and other economic situations. World attention was fixed on Hong Kong protests as China worked new law. But border tension has shifted attention from Hong Kong, Covid-19 and economic issues to India-China border disputes. Xi Jinping creating new problems outside, to distract from his troubles at home. On the intervening night of August 29 and 30 — the PLA carried out what has been described as "provocative military movements". India foiled an attempt by Chinese troops to change the status quo on their disputed border -- the Line of Actual Control (LAC) -- in a fresh flare-up between the two nuclear-armed nations. But China refuted India's statement, claiming its troops "never cross the line of actual control". "On the Night of 29/30 August 2020, PLA troops violated the previous consensus arrived at during military and diplomatic engagements during the ongoing standoff in Eastern Ladakh and carried out provocative military movements to change the status quo," the Indian army said in a statement. China is said to be building more Defence infrastructure along the disputed border with India. One report claims that China has been developing two air Defence positions. This covers the 2017 Doklam standoff area and Naku la in Sikkim. This area was in the news earlier this year. It witnessed clashes between Indian and Chinese soldiers before the Ladakh standoff. So, China is building up its military infrastructure on all potential flashpoints. It is provoking India with fresh incursions. China is provoking and refusing to acknowledge that its troops were killed in Galwan. Reports say more than 30 fresh tombs were added to this and old cemetery of Chinese soldiers in June. Chinese lost anywhere between 35 to 50 soldiers in the clash but China remains silent. The desire to project strength is so strong, that Xi Jinping refuses to even acknowledge, let alone honour the sacrifice of China's soldiers. (With inputs from agencies)

China creates tension at the border to mask domestic troubles

President of the World Uighur Congress, Dolkun Isa, spoke exclusively to WION's Executive editor Palki Sharma on the persecution of Uighurs in China and on the Xi Jinping regime.

WION: How many Uighurs are currently in the concentration camps of Xinjiang because there is no way we can have an independently verifiable figure...

Dolkun Isa: To be honest, it is really difficult to arrive at the number of people in the concentration camps but so far we know upto &nbsp;3 million Uighurs are suffering in the concentration camps.&nbsp;

Watch:

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WION: There is a lot being written about these concentration camps, but no one really knows what happens there. Have you spoken to survivors, what have they told you about what happened with them and their families in these Chinese concentration camps?

Dolkun Isa: Well, according to the camp survivor's testimonies, Uighurs faced torture, humiliation, forced medication, sexual assault and deaths in the camps and also indoctrination. They have also been forced to renounce their national and religious identities. Uighurs have to express their loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party and show loyalty to Xi Jinping.

WION: China has always had an uncomfortable relationship with any religion but the case of Uighurs is extreme, why is China persecuting these people? Is Xi Jinping insecure when it comes to minorities? 
&nbsp; 
Dolkun Isa: Yes, Xi Jinping has not only targeted the Uighurs, he has also targeted the Tibetans, Mongolian people and the people from Hong Kong as well. The world has witnessed what has been happening in Hong Kong.&nbsp;

The Chinese government has never kept its promise and Hong Kong's autonomy is over. Xi Jinping is not just the enemy&nbsp;of the Uighurs, but also of the Mongolian people, Tibetans and all ethnic people in China and the enemy of the Hong Kong people as well. It can also be said that the Chinese Communist Party and Xi Jinping are enemies of global democracy, human rights and sovereignty of some countries.

WION: The world has finally woken up to the plight of the Uighurs, a lot of countries are speaking up against China but no country seems to be doing a lot beyond talking, nobody is taking any concrete action against China...

Dolkun Isa: Yes, we can say finally that the world has woken up, but it is not good enough. There are still so many countries which still stand with China and support China.

WION: It is something we have highlighted about China, the case of the Muslim world particularly, they haven't said anything about the genocide of Muslims in China. Pakistan's Imran Khan remains quite, Turkey has been sending back Uighurs to China. Why is all this happening according to you?

Dolkun Isa: Yes, unfortunately, most of the Muslim world continues to remain silent and there are different reasons. One of the important reason is economic interest. Some of the Muslim countries have very close economic ties with China and the second reason is because they have a lot of human rights violations internally, so they are colluding with China and supporting each other.

WION: Xi Jinping has been in power for seven years, he has been called the president for life...what are your views about the Chinese leader?

Dolkun Isa: Xi Jinping is the Communist leader, he is also the biggest dictator today and as I have said he is not only the dictator of the Chinese people, Tibetans and Uighurs, he is also a dangerous man for the whole humanity. He is the biggest dictator, and he is the biggest killer because the Chinese Communist party is the world's biggest terrorist organisation. During the cultural revolution, Mao Zedong killed more than 48 million Chinese people...

WION: What about Xi Jinping's strategy? He has been picking fights with neighbours, also there are a lot of external conflicts including issues within the country, also trade wars and floods...

Dolkun Isa: Xi Jinping is a dictator and all dictators have the same strategy because they never accept democracy and human rights.&nbsp;

WION: Sir, you mentioned about democracy, China's cracked down on pro-democratic movement in 1989 but this is 2020 and the world is watching and most people say a Tiananmen Square-like incident cannot be repeated. Do you think Beijing can repeat something like that today?

Dolkun Isa: Well, if the world does not wake up and stops China and there is no international coalition set up against the dictatorial regime, then a Tiananmen-like massacre will happen again in China. It is the 21st century but Xi Jinping has locked up 3 million Uighurs and killed so many people. The Chinese Communist Party has no limitation and no red line.

WION: But there are still some countries that believe in the Chinese lie...

Dolkun Isa: If in this world today, some countries continue to believe in the Chinese lie... the Belt and Road Initiative(BRI) is a project for territorial expansion of the Chinese government. However, some countries continue to believe that the BRI will bring some benefit to them but in our experience this kind of lie by the Chinese government never helps, Hong Kong is a clear example which shows China's real face.

WION: You have been living in Germany for many years now, do you think in your lifetime you will ever be able to go back home to China?

Dolkun Isa: I left my country in 1994. I was a student leader in the demonstrations of 1988, and I was under house arrest in 1994 but I soon left my country since then I have never returned to my country.&nbsp;

I have not seen my parents, brother or sister in 26 years. My mother died in a concentration camp in 2018. In another heartbreaking news my father passed away but I do not know where his cemetery is...at the moment I cannot return but I believe one day I will return home and I believe one day I will freely go back to my country.

WION: Do you think your return will happen under the leadership of Xi Jinping?

Dolkun Isa: During Xi Jinping's time this kind of freedom will not be coming but I strongly believe that such a regime will not be forever. Humanity has witnessed so many dictators - Stalin, Hitler- but all of them have gone. Now only Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party exists. I know millions of Chinese people are suffering today, and that's why I believe this regime won't be around for long.

President of the World Uighur Congress, Dolkun Isa, spoke exclusively to WION's Executive editor Palki Sharma on the persecution of Uighurs in China and on the Xi Jinping regime.

President of the World Uighur Congress, Dolkun Isa, spoke exclusively to WION's Executive editor Palki Sharma on the persecution of Uighurs in China and on the Xi Jinping regime. WION: How many Uighurs are currently in the concentration camps of Xinjiang because there is no way we can have an independently verifiable figure... Dolkun Isa: To be honest, it is really difficult to arrive at the number of people in the concentration camps but so far we know upto 3 million Uighurs are suffering in the concentration camps. Watch: WION: There is a lot being written about these concentration camps, but no one really knows what happens there. Have you spoken to survivors, what have they told you about what happened with them and their families in these Chinese concentration camps? Dolkun Isa: Well, according to the camp survivor's testimonies, Uighurs faced torture, humiliation, forced medication, sexual assault and deaths in the camps and also indoctrination. They have also been forced to renounce their national and religious identities. Uighurs have to express their loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party and show loyalty to Xi Jinping. WION: China has always had an uncomfortable relationship with any religion but the case of Uighurs is extreme, why is China persecuting these people? Is Xi Jinping insecure when it comes to minorities? Dolkun Isa: Yes, Xi Jinping has not only targeted the Uighurs, he has also targeted the Tibetans, Mongolian people and the people from Hong Kong as well. The world has witnessed what has been happening in Hong Kong. The Chinese government has never kept its promise and Hong Kong's autonomy is over. Xi Jinping is not just the enemy of the Uighurs, but also of the Mongolian people, Tibetans and all ethnic people in China and the enemy of the Hong Kong people as well. It can also be said that the Chinese Communist Party and Xi Jinping are enemies of global democracy, human rights and sovereignty of some countries. WION: The world has finally woken up to the plight of the Uighurs, a lot of countries are speaking up against China but no country seems to be doing a lot beyond talking, nobody is taking any concrete action against China... Dolkun Isa: Yes, we can say finally that the world has woken up, but it is not good enough. There are still so many countries which still stand with China and support China. WION: It is something we have highlighted about China, the case of the Muslim world particularly, they haven't said anything about the genocide of Muslims in China. Pakistan's Imran Khan remains quite, Turkey has been sending back Uighurs to China. Why is all this happening according to you? Dolkun Isa: Yes, unfortunately, most of the Muslim world continues to remain silent and there are different reasons. One of the important reason is economic interest. Some of the Muslim countries have very close economic ties with China and the second reason is because they have a lot of human rights violations internally, so they are colluding with China and supporting each other. WION: Xi Jinping has been in power for seven years, he has been called the president for life...what are your views about the Chinese leader? Dolkun Isa: Xi Jinping is the Communist leader, he is also the biggest dictator today and as I have said he is not only the dictator of the Chinese people, Tibetans and Uighurs, he is also a dangerous man for the whole humanity. He is the biggest dictator, and he is the biggest killer because the Chinese Communist party is the world's biggest terrorist organisation. During the cultural revolution, Mao Zedong killed more than 48 million Chinese people... WION: What about Xi Jinping's strategy? He has been picking fights with neighbours, also there are a lot of external conflicts including issues within the country, also trade wars and floods... Dolkun Isa: Xi Jinping is a dictator and all dictators have the same strategy because they never accept democracy and human rights. WION: Sir, you mentioned about democracy, China's cracked down on pro-democratic movement in 1989 but this is 2020 and the world is watching and most people say a Tiananmen Square-like incident cannot be repeated. Do you think Beijing can repeat something like that today? Dolkun Isa: Well, if the world does not wake up and stops China and there is no international coalition set up against the dictatorial regime, then a Tiananmen-like massacre will happen again in China. It is the 21st century but Xi Jinping has locked up 3 million Uighurs and killed so many people. The Chinese Communist Party has no limitation and no red line. WION: But there are still some countries that believe in the Chinese lie... Dolkun Isa: If in this world today, some countries continue to believe in the Chinese lie... the Belt and Road Initiative(BRI) is a project for territorial expansion of the Chinese government. However, some countries continue to believe that the BRI will bring some benefit to them but in our experience this kind of lie by the Chinese government never helps, Hong Kong is a clear example which shows China's real face. WION: You have been living in Germany for many years now, do you think in your lifetime you will ever be able to go back home to China? Dolkun Isa: I left my country in 1994. I was a student leader in the demonstrations of 1988, and I was under house arrest in 1994 but I soon left my country since then I have never returned to my country. I have not seen my parents, brother or sister in 26 years. My mother died in a concentration camp in 2018. In another heartbreaking news my father passed away but I do not know where his cemetery is...at the moment I cannot return but I believe one day I will return home and I believe one day I will freely go back to my country. WION: Do you think your return will happen under the leadership of Xi Jinping? Dolkun Isa: During Xi Jinping's time this kind of freedom will not be coming but I strongly believe that such a regime will not be forever. Humanity has witnessed so many dictators - Stalin, Hitler- but all of them have gone. Now only Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party exists. I know millions of Chinese people are suffering today, and that's why I believe this regime won't be around for long.

We know upto 3 million Uighurs are suffering in concentration camps, says Dolkun Isa, President World Uighur Congress to WION 

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad spoke to Executive Editor Palki Sharma as part of WION's Global Leadership Series. In an exclusive interview, the former Malaysian prime minister spoke on a variety of things including Zakir Naik, China's role in Asia, Pakistan and PM Imran Khan and his relations with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

China making claims in South China Sea but we cannot go to war, says Mahathir Mohamad to WION

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Palki Sharma

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