In the backdrop of the Chinese government's accelerated unwinding of tough Covid-19 rules which had stunted economic growth, Hong Kong is planning to re-open its borders with Beijing from mid-January, said city Chief Executive John Lee on Saturday.&nbsp;While addressing a press meet&nbsp;at the Hong Kong airport after returning from a trip to China, Lee said that the city will "gradually, orderly, and fully" be re-opened so that the border can attain normalcy like it was before the outbreak of coronavirus.

"Our goal is to quickly come to a consensus with the central government, submit our plan to the central government for review and execute on the plan before mid-January," Lee said.&nbsp;

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-announces-further-easing-of-covid-19-curbs-544713">Hong Kong announces further easing of COVID-19 curbs</a>

“Hong Kong authorities will work with the governments of neighbouring Shenzhen city and Guangdong province to manage the flow of people crossing the border,” he added.

The authorities imposed restrictions on travelling across the border in early 2020. The border re-opening was postponed many times because of outbreaks in mainland China or Hong Kong.&nbsp;

China and Hong Kong have been lagging extremely behind other countries in easing curbs related to coronavirus. People living in Hong Kong's Chinese special administrative region had access to mainland China only through the airport of the city or two checkpoints — the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge or Shenzhen Bay.

WATCH| WION Business News | Hong Kong's property vacancies hit record

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-business-news-hong-kongs-property-vacancies-hit-record-529787/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

According to local media, the authorities are preparing for the re-opening of the border which includes the deployment of officers in huge numbers from the custom department of the city and police services, local media reported.

On December 12, the government of Hong Kong said that cross-border truck drivers were permitted by the mainland authorities to collect and deliver goods directly to their designated addresses without using the checkpoints.

Since mid-December, Hong Kong's international passengers have not been subjected to movement controls related to Covid-19 and are not barred from entering certain places.

The city government said that the travellers arriving in Hong Kong can also directly head to Macau or mainland China as long as they fulfil the required criteria. Earlier, the travellers had to wait for three days before travelling to the mainland.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

In the backdrop of the Chinese government's accelerated unwinding of tough Covid-19 rules which had stunted economic growth, Hong Kong is planning to re-open its borders with Beijing from mid-January, said city Chief Executive John Lee on Saturday.

In the backdrop of the Chinese government's accelerated unwinding of tough Covid-19 rules which had stunted economic growth, Hong Kong is planning to re-open its borders with Beijing from mid-January, said city Chief Executive John Lee on Saturday. While addressing a press meet at the Hong Kong airport after returning from a trip to China, Lee said that the city will "gradually, orderly, and fully" be re-opened so that the border can attain normalcy like it was before the outbreak of coronavirus. "Our goal is to quickly come to a consensus with the central government, submit our plan to the central government for review and execute on the plan before mid-January," Lee said. ALSO READ| Hong Kong announces further easing of COVID-19 curbs “Hong Kong authorities will work with the governments of neighbouring Shenzhen city and Guangdong province to manage the flow of people crossing the border,” he added. The authorities imposed restrictions on travelling across the border in early 2020. The border re-opening was postponed many times because of outbreaks in mainland China or Hong Kong. China and Hong Kong have been lagging extremely behind other countries in easing curbs related to coronavirus. People living in Hong Kong's Chinese special administrative region had access to mainland China only through the airport of the city or two checkpoints — the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge or Shenzhen Bay. WATCH| WION Business News | Hong Kong's property vacancies hit record According to local media, the authorities are preparing for the re-opening of the border which includes the deployment of officers in huge numbers from the custom department of the city and police services, local media reported. On December 12, the government of Hong Kong said that cross-border truck drivers were permitted by the mainland authorities to collect and deliver goods directly to their designated addresses without using the checkpoints. Since mid-December, Hong Kong's international passengers have not been subjected to movement controls related to Covid-19 and are not barred from entering certain places. The city government said that the travellers arriving in Hong Kong can also directly head to Macau or mainland China as long as they fulfil the required criteria. Earlier, the travellers had to wait for three days before travelling to the mainland. (With inputs from agencies)

Hong Kong prepares to re-open border with mainland China from mid-January

Authorities in the US state of Arizona have agreed to remove a wall made of shipping containers at the Mexican border. Watch this video to know more.

Arizona agrees to dismantle shipping container wall on Mexican border

A migrant’s camp set up on the Mexican side of the border with the US was dismantled by the Mexico police on Sunday due to security reasons, a local official said. The camps had been set up by around 600 migrants mostly from Venezuela in the city of Ciudad Juarez.

Scuffle between police and migrants near US-Mexico border, camps inhabited over by 600 Venezuelans

There has been a rise in border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan ever since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Now, the Taliban hands over the killer of a Pak officer.

Afghan-Pak border to reopen as Taliban hands over killer of Pak officer

A key border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan in the southwestern region was reopened for trade and pedestrian movements on Monday, after the Taliban handed over the Afghan assailant who killed a Pakistani soldier at the border.

The shooting took place on November 13 at the Chaman border terminal known as the Friendship Gate. It was reported that&nbsp; Bilal crossed over to the Pakistani side and opened fire on border forces there.

The shooting killed a member of the paramilitary Frontier Corps and injured two others.

But the Islamic extremist group rejected assertions that the assailant was one of their border guards, saying that they have launched an investigation to apprehend him.

A top official from the Chaman district administration, Abdul Hameed Zehri, told VoA News that Pakistan restored the cross-border movement after Taliban assured to “severely punish” the assailant.

<h2>Afghan-Pak border to reopen as Taliban hand&nbsp;over killer of Pak officer</h2>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghan-pak-border-to-reopen-as-taliban-hands-over-killer-of-pak-officer-535929/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

There are two main transit routes that serve as a key trade and transit movement for Afghanistan to Pakistan, the Chaman terminal and the northwestern Torkham border.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-taliban-clash-after-afghan-kills-guard-at-border-crossing-closed-for-trade-534366">&nbsp;Pakistan, Taliban clash after Afghan kills guard at border, crossing closed for trade</a>

Between those two, there are several other, smaller, terminals on the nearly 2,600-kilometer border separating the two nations.

After the key trading border was closed following the row, the freight movement between the two countries was severely impacted, with hundreds of trucks stranded on both sides.

The cash-strapped Afghan government has been looking to fill its depleting coffers ever since the West imposed sanctions and cut off aid after Taliban took over.

It has heavily relied on Pakistan to generate much-needed revenues. The Pakistani government had recently removed tariffs and eased visa rules in recent months to facilitate trade activities.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE: 

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

A key border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan in the southwestern region was reopened for trade and pedestrian movements on Monday, after the Taliban handed over the Afghan assailant who killed a Pakistani soldier at the border.

A key border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan in the southwestern region was reopened for trade and pedestrian movements on Monday, after the Taliban handed over the Afghan assailant who killed a Pakistani soldier at the border. The shooting took place on November 13 at the Chaman border terminal known as the Friendship Gate. It was reported that Bilal crossed over to the Pakistani side and opened fire on border forces there. The shooting killed a member of the paramilitary Frontier Corps and injured two others. But the Islamic extremist group rejected assertions that the assailant was one of their border guards, saying that they have launched an investigation to apprehend him. A top official from the Chaman district administration, Abdul Hameed Zehri, told VoA News that Pakistan restored the cross-border movement after Taliban assured to “severely punish” the assailant. Afghan-Pak border to reopen as Taliban hand over killer of Pak officer There are two main transit routes that serve as a key trade and transit movement for Afghanistan to Pakistan, the Chaman terminal and the northwestern Torkham border. Also read | Pakistan, Taliban clash after Afghan kills guard at border, crossing closed for trade Between those two, there are several other, smaller, terminals on the nearly 2,600-kilometer border separating the two nations. After the key trading border was closed following the row, the freight movement between the two countries was severely impacted, with hundreds of trucks stranded on both sides. The cash-strapped Afghan government has been looking to fill its depleting coffers ever since the West imposed sanctions and cut off aid after Taliban took over. It has heavily relied on Pakistan to generate much-needed revenues. The Pakistani government had recently removed tariffs and eased visa rules in recent months to facilitate trade activities. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Afghanistan-Pakistan border reopened after Taliban hand over Pak soldier killer

The Spin Boldak-Chaman port, a major border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan has closed for trade and Transit. This happened after a clash between security force personnel from both sides.

Reports: 8 Pak soldiers, 3 Taliban soldiers killed in clashes

Polish soldiers were seen deploying a razor wire fence on Poland's border with Russian exclave Kaliningrad. The move follows an announcement by the country's Defence Minister.

Why is Poland sealing its border with Russian exclave Kaliningrad?

Lebanon and Israel have signed a historic Maritime border deal. The deal will let both nations exploit oilfields in the Mediterranean. Ghadi Francis tells you more on #TheWestAsiaPost

The West Asia Post | Lebanon and Israel sign maritime border deal

In a rare diplomatic feat in the West Asia, Israel and Lebanon have signed a new maritime border deal. Watch this report for all the details.

Rare diplomatic feat in West Asia: Israel, Lebanon sign maritime border deal

The United States has told Mexico that it will consider granting humanitarian access for migrants of other nationalities as well and this of course is an attempt to try and contain record number of illegal crossings at the US-Mexico border.

US, Mexico sign deal to contain illegal migrants, applicants required to have US-based sponsorship

India and China finally disengaging from a major flash point. There's a breakthrough and it took 16 rounds of talks to get here. Both of the nations have begun disengagement at patrolling point-15 in Gogra-hotsprings area.

India-China border standoff: What comes next | Troops pulled back from a major flashpoint

Nepal's foreign minister met with his Chinese counterpart in Beijing on Wednesday. During the meeting, the duo discussed nine cooperation agreements focusing on cross-border railway and economic technical cooperation. However, contrasting statements were issued by China and Nepal.

Nepal foreign minister wraps up China visit

For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, New Zealand have decided to re-open its borders to visitors as the country tries to live with the virus.

New Zealand has been gradually easing its borders since February for its citizens, with Monday being the first full day of opening borders to all since Covid closed them in March 2020.

The country ended the process of reopening the borders last night with international visitors, students&nbsp;and non-visa waiver countries, such as China and India, now allowed to visit New Zealand.&nbsp;

Notably, it has also let cruise ships and foreign recreational yachts dock at its ports.

The decision to relax its border rules comes as a major relief to the international students who are a significant contributor to New Zealand's economy. Educational experts are hoping that the reopening of the borders will again provide a boost to schools and universities around the country.

During a speech at the China Business Summit in Auckland on Monday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the nation was “open for business” after the final stage of the phased reopening, which began in April, was completed on July 31.

"It's been a staged and cautious process on our part since February as we, alongside the rest of the world continue to manage a very live global pandemic, while keeping our people safe," she was quoted as saying by Reuters.

Meanwhile, New Zealand continues to report Covid cases, with 5,312 new community cases of Covid-19 being reported on Monday alone, according to the Ministry of Health. Whereas 28 Covid-related deaths have been recorded.

There are now 1,502 deaths that have been confirmed as either directly attributed to Covid, or with Covid as a contributing factor, reports NZ Herald.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, New Zealand have decided to re-open its borders to visitors as the country tries to live with the virus. New Zealand has been gradually easing its borders since February for its citizens, with Monday being the first full day of opening borders to all since Covid closed them in March 2020.

For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, New Zealand have decided to re-open its borders to visitors as the country tries to live with the virus. New Zealand has been gradually easing its borders since February for its citizens, with Monday being the first full day of opening borders to all since Covid closed them in March 2020. The country ended the process of reopening the borders last night with international visitors, students and non-visa waiver countries, such as China and India, now allowed to visit New Zealand. Notably, it has also let cruise ships and foreign recreational yachts dock at its ports. The decision to relax its border rules comes as a major relief to the international students who are a significant contributor to New Zealand's economy. Educational experts are hoping that the reopening of the borders will again provide a boost to schools and universities around the country. During a speech at the China Business Summit in Auckland on Monday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the nation was “open for business” after the final stage of the phased reopening, which began in April, was completed on July 31. "It's been a staged and cautious process on our part since February as we, alongside the rest of the world continue to manage a very live global pandemic, while keeping our people safe," she was quoted as saying by Reuters. Meanwhile, New Zealand continues to report Covid cases, with 5,312 new community cases of Covid-19 being reported on Monday alone, according to the Ministry of Health. Whereas 28 Covid-related deaths have been recorded. There are now 1,502 deaths that have been confirmed as either directly attributed to Covid, or with Covid as a contributing factor, reports NZ Herald. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

New Zealand reopens border to all visitors for first time since Covid pandemic  

The Nepal government last September accused China of encroaching into Nepal along the border that the two countries share. Here, we have accessed the details of the present state of the border.

WION Dispatch | China violates Nepal's territory, WION accesses exclusive government report

In pics: Over 400 migrants storm border fence in Spain's Melilla enclave

Japan is in problem because borders have not opened. Japan's business community has now further sought relaxation of border controls.

Japan business community seeks relaxation of Japan's border controls

In an anti-poaching operation, Indian Coast Guard ship Vajra apprehended a Sri Lankan fishing boat with six crew members for fishing in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).&nbsp;

According to the Indian coast guard, during a patrol ICGS Vajra detected a boat 117 nautical miles southeast of India's southern most district Kanyakumari. The coast guard patrolling vessel then closed in on the fishing vessel, which was seen with nets laid in the water.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SriLankan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SriLankan</a> fishing boat with 6 crew held by <a href="https://twitter.com/IndiaCoastGuard?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IndiaCoastGuard</a> for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fishing?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#fishing</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Indian?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Indian</a> Waters SE of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kanyakumari?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kanyakumari</a> 
 
They had switched off ID equipment, despite knowing they wer in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Indian?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Indian</a> EEZ, tried to evade ICG, had 350kg catch 
 
Boat, crew taken to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tuticorin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#tuticorin</a> and FIR registered <a href="https://t.co/b3kaHqbkqb">pic.twitter.com/b3kaHqbkqb</a>
— Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sdhrthmp/status/1504459097017819142?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The Coast guard intercepted the vessel, while it attempted to flee and also conducted a&nbsp;search operation.

It&nbsp;revealed that the vessel has electronic chart displays and the crew were well aware of fishing in Indian waters. The crew members were also understood to have deliberately switched off the onboard automatic identification system. Besides a Tina like that was laid in the water, there was nearly 350kg of catch onboard.&nbsp;

The Lankan vessel 'Dinuka Putha-6' and its crew members were taken to Tuticorin port in southern Tamil Nadu following which an FIR was registered and the boat, the crew were handed over to Marine police. The foreign fishing vessel had violated the Maritime Zones of India Act 1981.&nbsp;

In an anti-poaching operation, Indian Coast Guard ship Vajra apprehended a Sri Lankan fishing boat with six crew members for fishing in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

In an anti-poaching operation, Indian Coast Guard ship Vajra apprehended a Sri Lankan fishing boat with six crew members for fishing in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). According to the Indian coast guard, during a patrol ICGS Vajra detected a boat 117 nautical miles southeast of India's southern most district Kanyakumari. The coast guard patrolling vessel then closed in on the fishing vessel, which was seen with nets laid in the water. #SriLankan fishing boat with 6 crew held by @IndiaCoastGuard for #fishing in #Indian Waters SE of #kanyakumari They had switched off ID equipment, despite knowing they wer in #Indian EEZ, tried to evade ICG, had 350kg catch Boat, crew taken to #tuticorin and FIR registered pic.twitter.com/b3kaHqbkqb — Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) March 17, 2022 × The Coast guard intercepted the vessel, while it attempted to flee and also conducted a search operation. It revealed that the vessel has electronic chart displays and the crew were well aware of fishing in Indian waters. The crew members were also understood to have deliberately switched off the onboard automatic identification system. Besides a Tina like that was laid in the water, there was nearly 350kg of catch onboard. The Lankan vessel 'Dinuka Putha-6' and its crew members were taken to Tuticorin port in southern Tamil Nadu following which an FIR was registered and the boat, the crew were handed over to Marine police. The foreign fishing vessel had violated the Maritime Zones of India Act 1981.

Sri Lankan boat with six crew held for fishing in Indian waters

Vietnam announced on Wednesday that they will be scrapping quarantine and other travel restrictions when it comes to foreign visitors in a move that will see the borders completely reopening after two years.<o:p></o:p>

The Vietnamese government said that the changes will be implemented immediately and the foreign visitors will just have to provide a negative COVID-19 test on arrival. <o:p></o:p>

The Health Ministry also stated that visitors must monitor their own health during the first 10 days of their stay and notify medical professionals in Vietnam if they experience any COVID-19-like symptoms during that time period.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;</o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stealth-omicron-behind-chinas-virus-outbreak-says-expert-462588">'Stealth Omicron' behind China's virus outbreak, says expert</a>

According to the government website, Vietnam also announced the resumption of 15 days’ visa-free travel for citizens from 13 countries: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Britain, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Belarus.<o:p></o:p>

The country closed its border in March 2020 amid growing Coronavirus numbers before reopening to international tourism last November for visitors travelling in strict bubbles. According to an AFP report, the country saw 200,000 cases every day due to the Omicron variant.<o:p></o:p>

Although the number of cases dropped quite a bit due to the closed borders, the country suffered huge losses specially in the tourism industry. However, the health ministry believes that the situation “remains under control” with hospitalisation and death rates both staying low in the recent past.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;</o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-to-reopen-borders-after-nearly-two-years-of-covid-isolation-462820">New Zealand to reopen borders after nearly two years of Covid isolation</a><o:p></o:p>

According to the official data, Vietnam boasts of a high vaccination rate with around 98 per cent of adults receiving both vaccination doses and the country is currently trying to roll out booster shots.

<o:p>Watch |&nbsp;</o:p>Vietnam: No covid-19 curbs on international flights<o:p></o:p>

&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/vietnam-no-covid-19-curbs-on-international-flights-453126/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

(With agency inputs)

Vietnam announced on Wednesday that they will be scrapping quarantine and other travel restrictions when it comes to foreign visitors in a move that will see the borders completely reopening after two years.

Vietnam announced on Wednesday that they will be scrapping quarantine and other travel restrictions when it comes to foreign visitors in a move that will see the borders completely reopening after two years. The Vietnamese government said that the changes will be implemented immediately and the foreign visitors will just have to provide a negative COVID-19 test on arrival. The Health Ministry also stated that visitors must monitor their own health during the first 10 days of their stay and notify medical professionals in Vietnam if they experience any COVID-19-like symptoms during that time period. Also read | 'Stealth Omicron' behind China's virus outbreak, says expert According to the government website, Vietnam also announced the resumption of 15 days’ visa-free travel for citizens from 13 countries: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Britain, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Belarus. The country closed its border in March 2020 amid growing Coronavirus numbers before reopening to international tourism last November for visitors travelling in strict bubbles. According to an AFP report, the country saw 200,000 cases every day due to the Omicron variant. Although the number of cases dropped quite a bit due to the closed borders, the country suffered huge losses specially in the tourism industry. However, the health ministry believes that the situation “remains under control” with hospitalisation and death rates both staying low in the recent past. Also read | New Zealand to reopen borders after nearly two years of Covid isolation According to the official data, Vietnam boasts of a high vaccination rate with around 98 per cent of adults receiving both vaccination doses and the country is currently trying to roll out booster shots. Watch | Vietnam: No covid-19 curbs on international flights (With agency inputs)

Vietnam scraps COVID-19 quarantine for international travellers

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.&nbsp;

As the situation in Ukraine intensifies and chaos across the border increases, several aid groups and volunteers have claimed that the children are going missing. Cases of human trafficking are also being reported.&nbsp;

Rights groups in neighbouring countries have said that they had seen cases of trafficking, missing children, extortion and exploitation.&nbsp;

Karolina Wierzbińska a coordinator from Homo Faber, a human rights organisation based in Poland said, "This is obviously extremely distressing for a child and can lead to them wandering around the station alone, disoriented and in the worst-case scenario, disappearing altogether. This, unfortunately, is not a hypothetical case – it has happened already."

“We are also already getting reports of cases of human trafficking and women being offered work in Poland only to find the workplace is illegitimate, the employer is mistreating them, refusing to pay their salary on time. There are cases of extortion of personal documents or money.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-conflict-russia-violates-nuclear-safety-principles-in-ukraine-says-us-461477">Also read |&nbsp;In conflict, Russia violates nuclear safety principles in Ukraine, says US &nbsp;</a>

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has forced several people to flee the invasion.

In this difficult time, several people in the Polish communities on the border have looked to help the refugees in a heart-warming way.&nbsp;

These people have filled the area at Przemyśl station, which is the first train stop for refugees, who enter Poland via the Medyka border crossing, with jackets, toys, stuffed animals, strollers, carriers, diapers and even walkers for the elderly.&nbsp;

With this gesture, the refugees are getting greeted with the things of basic needs just at the moment they step off the train onto the platform at the station.

(With inputs from agencies)

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. As the situation in Ukraine intensifies and chaos across the border increases, several aid groups and volunteers have claimed that the children are going missing. Cases of human trafficking are also being reported. Rights groups in neighbouring countries have said that they had seen cases of trafficking, missing children, extortion and exploitation. Karolina Wierzbińska a coordinator from Homo Faber, a human rights organisation based in Poland said, "This is obviously extremely distressing for a child and can lead to them wandering around the station alone, disoriented and in the worst-case scenario, disappearing altogether. This, unfortunately, is not a hypothetical case – it has happened already." “We are also already getting reports of cases of human trafficking and women being offered work in Poland only to find the workplace is illegitimate, the employer is mistreating them, refusing to pay their salary on time. There are cases of extortion of personal documents or money.” Also read | In conflict, Russia violates nuclear safety principles in Ukraine, says US The Russia-Ukraine conflict has forced several people to flee the invasion. In this difficult time, several people in the Polish communities on the border have looked to help the refugees in a heart-warming way. These people have filled the area at Przemyśl station, which is the first train stop for refugees, who enter Poland via the Medyka border crossing, with jackets, toys, stuffed animals, strollers, carriers, diapers and even walkers for the elderly. With this gesture, the refugees are getting greeted with the things of basic needs just at the moment they step off the train onto the platform at the station. (With inputs from agencies)

Amid chaos, Ukrainian children go missing at border, cases of human trafficking also reported

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has forced several people to flee the invasion with ‘practically’ nothing. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In this difficult time, several people in the Polish communities on the border have looked to help the refugees in a heart-warming way. &nbsp;

These people have filled the area at Przemyśl station, which is the first train stop for refugees, who enter Poland via the Medyka border crossing, with jackets, toys, stuffed animals, strollers, carriers, diapers and even walkers for the elderly. &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/laughable-us-denies-russian-accusations-of-biowarfare-labs-in-ukraine-460758" hreflang="en">'Laughable': US denies Russian accusations of biowarfare labs in Ukraine</a>

With this gesture, the refugees are getting greeted with the things of basic needs just at the moment they step off the train onto the platform at the station. &nbsp;&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
This is the Przemysl railway station in Poland where thousands of Ukrainians are arriving from across the border. Polish people are welcoming them with open arms. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UkraineRussiaWar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UkraineRussiaWar</a> <a href="https://t.co/ylAHYOBqzd">pic.twitter.com/ylAHYOBqzd</a>
— Ankita Jain (@Ankita20200) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ankita20200/status/1500396834178867206?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Several of these refugees have entered Poland to safeguard their lives but road ahead may not be an easy task. &nbsp;&nbsp;

This noble initiative by several Polish citizens seems to have been greatly comforting for the refugees. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-condemns-airstrike-at-childrens-hospital-in-ukraine-zelensky-describes-it-as-war-crime-460757">US slams strike at kids' hospital in Ukraine; Zelensky calls it 'war crime'</a>

It will help to alleviate some stress and emotions attached to fleeing the fighting in Ukraine and is definitely going to bring a smile on their faces. &nbsp;

Not just this, several people are also offering rides to refugees to different places across Europe. Volunteers are also helping them in finding a place to stay. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has forced several people to flee the invasion with ‘practically’ nothing. In this difficult time, several people in the Polish communities on the border have looked to help the refugees in a heart-warming way.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has forced several people to flee the invasion with ‘practically’ nothing. In this difficult time, several people in the Polish communities on the border have looked to help the refugees in a heart-warming way. These people have filled the area at Przemyśl station, which is the first train stop for refugees, who enter Poland via the Medyka border crossing, with jackets, toys, stuffed animals, strollers, carriers, diapers and even walkers for the elderly. Also Read | 'Laughable': US denies Russian accusations of biowarfare labs in Ukraine With this gesture, the refugees are getting greeted with the things of basic needs just at the moment they step off the train onto the platform at the station. This is the Przemysl railway station in Poland where thousands of Ukrainians are arriving from across the border. Polish people are welcoming them with open arms. #UkraineRussiaWar pic.twitter.com/ylAHYOBqzd — Ankita Jain (@Ankita20200) March 6, 2022 × Several of these refugees have entered Poland to safeguard their lives but road ahead may not be an easy task. This noble initiative by several Polish citizens seems to have been greatly comforting for the refugees. Also Read: US slams strike at kids' hospital in Ukraine; Zelensky calls it 'war crime' It will help to alleviate some stress and emotions attached to fleeing the fighting in Ukraine and is definitely going to bring a smile on their faces. Not just this, several people are also offering rides to refugees to different places across Europe. Volunteers are also helping them in finding a place to stay. (With inputs from agencies)

In a heart-warming gesture, Polish citizens leave essentials at border for Ukrainian refugees

Moscow&nbsp;said Monday that a&nbsp;shell&nbsp;fired&nbsp;from&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;had destroyed a&nbsp;border&nbsp;facility&nbsp;used by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), amid Western concerns about an escalation in fighting in east&nbsp;Ukraine.

"On February 21, at 9:50 am (0650 GMT), an unidentified projectile fired from Ukraine completely destroyed a border facility used by the FSB border guard service in the Rostov region, around 150 meters from the Russian-Ukrainian border," the security service said in a statement.

The statement added that no one had been injured in the incident and that Russian military engineers had arrived at the scene.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-crisis-explosion-reportedly-hits-donetsk-airport-area-kremlin-says-biden-putin-summit-premature-454999">Ukraine crisis: Explosion reportedly hits Donetsk airport area; Kremlin says Biden-Putin summit 'premature'</a>

Video released by the FSB &nbsp;showed a small, apparently one-room building with its roof and walls caved in and a Russian flag leaning against strewn debris.

Ukraine has been fighting separatists who have had Moscow's backing since 2014 when Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula after historic street protests in Kyiv. More than 14,000 people have already died in the fighting.

Kyiv's Western allies however have warned in recent weeks of a possible sharp escalation in the conflict with Russia massing an estimated force of more than 100,000 troops around Ukraine.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ballistic-cruise-missiles-in-exercises-russia-flexes-muscles-as-us-says-moscow-poised-to-strike-454638">&nbsp;Ballistic, cruise missiles in exercises: Russia flexes muscles as US says Moscow ‘poised to strike’</a>

They have also warned of staged attacks that Moscow and pro-Russian separatists could use as a pretext to launch an assault on Ukraine.

The southern Rostov region, where the FSB said the shelling took place, announced a state of emergency last week over an anticipated influx of civilians from the rebel-controlled territories whose leaders announced evacuation orders.

Moscow said Monday that a shell fired from Ukraine had destroyed a border facility used by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), amid Western concerns about an escalation in fighting in east Ukraine.

Moscow said Monday that a shell fired from Ukraine had destroyed a border facility used by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), amid Western concerns about an escalation in fighting in east Ukraine. "On February 21, at 9:50 am (0650 GMT), an unidentified projectile fired from Ukraine completely destroyed a border facility used by the FSB border guard service in the Rostov region, around 150 meters from the Russian-Ukrainian border," the security service said in a statement. The statement added that no one had been injured in the incident and that Russian military engineers had arrived at the scene. Also read | Ukraine crisis: Explosion reportedly hits Donetsk airport area; Kremlin says Biden-Putin summit 'premature' Video released by the FSB showed a small, apparently one-room building with its roof and walls caved in and a Russian flag leaning against strewn debris. Ukraine has been fighting separatists who have had Moscow's backing since 2014 when Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula after historic street protests in Kyiv. More than 14,000 people have already died in the fighting. Kyiv's Western allies however have warned in recent weeks of a possible sharp escalation in the conflict with Russia massing an estimated force of more than 100,000 troops around Ukraine. Also read | Ballistic, cruise missiles in exercises: Russia flexes muscles as US says Moscow ‘poised to strike’ They have also warned of staged attacks that Moscow and pro-Russian separatists could use as a pretext to launch an assault on Ukraine. The southern Rostov region, where the FSB said the shelling took place, announced a state of emergency last week over an anticipated influx of civilians from the rebel-controlled territories whose leaders announced evacuation orders.

Moscow says shell fired from Ukraine destroys Russian border facility

Ukrainians are hopeful that tension will not escalate further. In Kyiv, residents said the situation is “worrisome” but they are not panicking yet. This comes as Russia has reportedly amassed nearly 150,000 troops along border near Ukraine.

Amid tensions with Russia, how residents in Ukrainian cities are reacting

China has been encroaching into Nepal along the border shared by the two countries, BBC reported citing a leaked Nepalese government report. &nbsp;

This seems to be the first time when there have been official claims from Nepal about Chinese interference in its territory. &nbsp;

In September 2021, the report was formed by a taskforce, which was sent to the district of Humla, in the far west of Nepal after there were claims of China trespassing in the region. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-communist-party-lobby-against-mcc-us-sets-deadline-to-ratify-compact-451090" hreflang="en">Nepal Communist party lobby against MCC, US sets deadline to ratify compact</a>

The team, which consisted of representatives from the police and the government, found that surveillance activities by Chinese security forces restricted religious activities on the Nepalese side of the border in Lalungjong. &nbsp;&nbsp;

China had also been limiting grazing by Nepalese farmers, concluded the report. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Nepalese security forces should be stationed in the area to ensure security, the report said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/in-new-trend-myanmar-families-disown-kin-fighting-military-rule-to-avert-oppression-451113" hreflang="en">In new trend, Myanmar families disown kin fighting military rule to avert oppression</a>

Nepal and China should reactivate a dormant mechanism set up to solve these issues, it suggested. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Chinese embassy in Kathmandu has denied that there is any kind of encroachment. &nbsp;

The report has not yet been published for undisclosed reasons. &nbsp;

In recent years, Nepalese government has improved ties with China. The findings of the report are highly likely to have an effect on this relationship. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

China has been encroaching into Nepal along the border shared by the two countries, BBC reported citing a leaked Nepalese government report. This seems to be the first time when there have been official claims from Nepal about Chinese interference in its territory.

China has been encroaching into Nepal along the border shared by the two countries, BBC reported citing a leaked Nepalese government report. This seems to be the first time when there have been official claims from Nepal about Chinese interference in its territory. In September 2021, the report was formed by a taskforce, which was sent to the district of Humla, in the far west of Nepal after there were claims of China trespassing in the region. Also Read: Nepal Communist party lobby against MCC, US sets deadline to ratify compact The team, which consisted of representatives from the police and the government, found that surveillance activities by Chinese security forces restricted religious activities on the Nepalese side of the border in Lalungjong. China had also been limiting grazing by Nepalese farmers, concluded the report. Nepalese security forces should be stationed in the area to ensure security, the report said. Also Read: In new trend, Myanmar families disown kin fighting military rule to avert oppression Nepal and China should reactivate a dormant mechanism set up to solve these issues, it suggested. Chinese embassy in Kathmandu has denied that there is any kind of encroachment. The report has not yet been published for undisclosed reasons. In recent years, Nepalese government has improved ties with China. The findings of the report are highly likely to have an effect on this relationship. (With inputs from agencies)

China encroaching into Nepal along border, says report

Hundreds protested against migrant pushbacks and border violence in&nbsp;Athens&nbsp;on Sunday, after Turkish allegations that Greece's border policy led 19 migrants to freeze to death last week. &nbsp;

According to Greek police, around 700 people marched from Omonia Square at the centre of&nbsp;Athens&nbsp;to Syntagma Square in front of the Greek parliament.

They carried a life raft resembling the ones allegedly used by Greek authorities to push back asylum seekers from Greek territory, an AFP photographer said. &nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
At a protest against pushbacks &amp; border violence in central Athens ppl hold a replica of a life raft like the ones documented as being used to push back asylum seekers from Greek territory, as well as signs about Turkey not being a safe country for ppl to stay in. <a href="https://t.co/0ZRMzOAnA8">pic.twitter.com/0ZRMzOAnA8</a>
— Katy Fallon (@katymfallon) <a href="https://twitter.com/katymfallon/status/1490303743476355078?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Protesters, who gathered after a call of leftist and anti-racist groups, shouted slogans against "the assassination of migrants at the border" and held banners reading "Stop pushbacks and border violence".&nbsp;

In Syntagma Square they observed a minute of silence for the migrants who lost their lives.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-sending-troops-to-start-war-with-russia-in-europe-says-usa-451046">Also read |&nbsp;'Not sending troops to start war' with Russia in Europe, says USA</a>

Last week, Turkey said it found 19 frozen bodies close to the Greek border, accusing Greece of allowing the migrants to die in the winter cold after stripping them of their clothes and forcing them back across the border.

Human rights groups believe such actions, reported by migrants in different parts of the world, are designed to discourage fleeing people from trying to enter a particular country, and to look for a different route.

Greece's Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi did not dispute the deaths but dismissed Turkey's version of events as "false propaganda".

"These migrants never made it to the border. Any suggestion they did, or indeed were pushed back into Turkey is utter nonsense," Mitarachi said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-country-in-europe-becomes-the-first-to-make-covid-vaccine-compulsory-450756">Also read |&nbsp;This country in Europe becomes the first to make Covid vaccine compulsory</a>

Turkey regularly accuses Greek officials of illegally pushing back migrants into its territory, but&nbsp;Athens&nbsp;denies the claims.

Greece in turn claims Turkey is turning a blind eye to people trying to reach Europe via its border in violation of a 2016 deal between Ankara and the EU.

The agreement, which has been extended, sees the bloc provide billions of euros in aid to Ankara in exchange for Turkey agreeing to host millions of Syrian and other refugees.

Hundreds protested against migrant pushbacks and border violence in Athens on Sunday, after Turkish allegations that Greece's border policy led 19 migrants to freeze to death last week.

Hundreds protested against migrant pushbacks and border violence in Athens on Sunday, after Turkish allegations that Greece's border policy led 19 migrants to freeze to death last week. According to Greek police, around 700 people marched from Omonia Square at the centre of Athens to Syntagma Square in front of the Greek parliament. They carried a life raft resembling the ones allegedly used by Greek authorities to push back asylum seekers from Greek territory, an AFP photographer said. At a protest against pushbacks & border violence in central Athens ppl hold a replica of a life raft like the ones documented as being used to push back asylum seekers from Greek territory, as well as signs about Turkey not being a safe country for ppl to stay in. pic.twitter.com/0ZRMzOAnA8 — Katy Fallon (@katymfallon) February 6, 2022 × Protesters, who gathered after a call of leftist and anti-racist groups, shouted slogans against "the assassination of migrants at the border" and held banners reading "Stop pushbacks and border violence". In Syntagma Square they observed a minute of silence for the migrants who lost their lives. Also read | 'Not sending troops to start war' with Russia in Europe, says USA Last week, Turkey said it found 19 frozen bodies close to the Greek border, accusing Greece of allowing the migrants to die in the winter cold after stripping them of their clothes and forcing them back across the border. Human rights groups believe such actions, reported by migrants in different parts of the world, are designed to discourage fleeing people from trying to enter a particular country, and to look for a different route. Greece's Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi did not dispute the deaths but dismissed Turkey's version of events as "false propaganda". "These migrants never made it to the border. Any suggestion they did, or indeed were pushed back into Turkey is utter nonsense," Mitarachi said. Also read | This country in Europe becomes the first to make Covid vaccine compulsory Turkey regularly accuses Greek officials of illegally pushing back migrants into its territory, but Athens denies the claims. Greece in turn claims Turkey is turning a blind eye to people trying to reach Europe via its border in violation of a 2016 deal between Ankara and the EU. The agreement, which has been extended, sees the bloc provide billions of euros in aid to Ankara in exchange for Turkey agreeing to host millions of Syrian and other refugees.

Athens: Hundreds of people protest against migrant pushbacks and border violence

An Indian man who was separated from his family after a Partition was granted a visa by Pakistan's High Commission.

Sika Khan's brother, Muhammed Siddique, was separated during the Partition of Punjab in 1947, when a portion of Punjab was given to Pakistan.

Sika Khan stayed in India's Punjab, but his brother moved to Pakistan's Punjab, to Faisalabad.&nbsp;

"Today, the Pakistan High Commission issued a visa to Sika Khan to visit his brother, Muhammed Siddique, and other family members in Pakistan. The two brothers, separated in 1947, were recently reunited after 74 years at Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, "Pakistan’s High Commission in India said in a post.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Today, Pakistan High Commission issues visa to Sika Khan to visit his brother, Muhammed Siddique and other family members in Pakistan. The two brothers separated in 1947 were recently reunited after 74 years at Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. <a href="https://t.co/SAmkGmaQKT">pic.twitter.com/SAmkGmaQKT</a>
— Pakistan High Commission India (@PakinIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PakinIndia/status/1487033079398998018?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Sika Khan was a toddler when the subcontinent was Partitioned into India and Pakistan in 1947, and he was separated from his elder brother Muhammed Siddique and other family members.

Because of the efforts of a renowned Pakistan-based YouTube channel, Punjabi Lehar, which highlighted their tale, the two brothers were able to communicate with each other via video call in 2019.

Photos of an emotional reunion of the two brothers thanks to the Kartarpur Corridor went viral recently.

Earlier this month, on a visit to the Kartarpur Gurdwara in Pakistan's Punjab province, the same YouTube channel arranged a meeting between the brothers.

Traveling through a special cross-border corridor allows Indian nationals to visit the Sikh shrine without requiring a visa.

On both sides of the border, a video of the two brothers embracing while fighting back tears went viral. 
 
Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/story-of-two-brothers-who-have-managed-to-reunite-after-74-long-years-at-kartarpur-corridor-444300/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

(With inputs from agencies)

An Indian man who was separated from his family after a Partition was granted a visa by Pakistan's High Commission. Sika Khan's brother, Muhammed Siddique, was separated during the Partition of Punjab in 1947, when a portion of Punjab was given to Pakistan.

An Indian man who was separated from his family after a Partition was granted a visa by Pakistan's High Commission. Sika Khan's brother, Muhammed Siddique, was separated during the Partition of Punjab in 1947, when a portion of Punjab was given to Pakistan. Sika Khan stayed in India's Punjab, but his brother moved to Pakistan's Punjab, to Faisalabad. "Today, the Pakistan High Commission issued a visa to Sika Khan to visit his brother, Muhammed Siddique, and other family members in Pakistan. The two brothers, separated in 1947, were recently reunited after 74 years at Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, "Pakistan’s High Commission in India said in a post. Today, Pakistan High Commission issues visa to Sika Khan to visit his brother, Muhammed Siddique and other family members in Pakistan. The two brothers separated in 1947 were recently reunited after 74 years at Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. pic.twitter.com/SAmkGmaQKT — Pakistan High Commission India (@PakinIndia) January 28, 2022 × Sika Khan was a toddler when the subcontinent was Partitioned into India and Pakistan in 1947, and he was separated from his elder brother Muhammed Siddique and other family members. Because of the efforts of a renowned Pakistan-based YouTube channel, Punjabi Lehar, which highlighted their tale, the two brothers were able to communicate with each other via video call in 2019. Photos of an emotional reunion of the two brothers thanks to the Kartarpur Corridor went viral recently. Earlier this month, on a visit to the Kartarpur Gurdwara in Pakistan's Punjab province, the same YouTube channel arranged a meeting between the brothers. Traveling through a special cross-border corridor allows Indian nationals to visit the Sikh shrine without requiring a visa. On both sides of the border, a video of the two brothers embracing while fighting back tears went viral. Watch: (With inputs from agencies)

Indian man gets visa to visit Pakistani brother separated during Partition

On the 30th anniversary of the founding of Ukraine’s armed forces this week, the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, donned a helmet and flak jacket to tour the trenches and announced with great fanfare the delivery of new tanks, armoured vehicles and ships to front-line units engaged in fighting Russian forces and Kremlin-backed separatists.

While the weapons systems may help to maintain parity in the slow-moving war of attrition that has prevailed for years, neither they nor anything else the Ukrainian military can now muster would be sufficient to repel the full-on Russian assault that Ukrainian and Western officials say Moscow appears to be preparing. With nearly 100,000 troops now massed across Ukraine’s eastern, northern and southern borders and more on the way, even the Ukrainian officials responsible for their country’s defence acknowledge that without a significant influx of resources, their forces do not stand much of a chance.

“Unfortunately, Ukraine needs to be objective at this stage,” said Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence service. “There are not sufficient military resources for repelling a full-scale attack by Russia if it begins without the support of Western forces.”

Budanov outlined his nightmare vision of a Russian invasion that would begin with airstrikes and rocket attacks aimed initially at ammunition depots and trench-bound troops. Very quickly, he said, the Ukrainian military would be incapacitated, its leadership unable to coordinate a defence and supply the front. After that, he said, responsibility would fall to front-line commanders to carry on the fight alone.

“They will hold up as long as there are bullets,” Budanov said. “They’ll be able to use what they have in their hands, but believe me without delivery of reserves, there’s not an army in the world that can hold out.”

While Russia could be prepared militarily to launch an invasion of Ukraine as early as January or February, Ukraine and Western intelligence services say there is no indication that Russia President Vladimir Putin has made up his mind whether to do so. In a video call with President Joe Biden on Tuesday, Putin dismissed concerns about the troop buildup on Ukraine’s border, shifting blame to the United States and NATO, which he accused of threatening Russia’s security by supporting Ukraine’s military with arms and training.

“The Russian troops are on their own territory,” an adviser to Putin, Yuri Ushakov, said in a briefing with reporters after the presidents had spoken. “They don’t threaten anyone.”

Still, the amassing of troops and heavy weaponry on the border has forced Ukrainian officials to face some hard truths in recent weeks. The U.S. intelligence community has assessed that Russia has devised plans for an offensive involving 175,000 troops.

Ukraine has only slightly more enlisted soldiers and officers in its entire military, according to the Ministry of Defense. It is outgunned on land, at sea and in the air, with only about 200 aircraft in its air force, including transport vehicles, fewer than the number of fighter planes that Russia has deployed already to the Ukrainian border.

Russia’s forces include battle-ready submarines and frigates in the Black Sea armed with cruise missiles, and land-based units equipped with Iskander-M ballistic missiles, while Ukraine lacks serious missile defence systems. The Russian missiles could wipe out a significant part of the Ukrainian military in less than an hour, said Robert Lee, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and PhD candidate at King’s College in London, who is a Russian military expert.

“If Russia really wants to unleash its conventional capabilities, they could inflict massive damage in a very short period of time,” Lee said. “They can devastate the Ukrainian military in the east really quickly, within the first 30-40 minutes.”

Ukraine’s military is not the pushover it once was. In 2014, elite Russia troops were able to seize the entire Crimean Peninsula in southern Ukraine without firing a shot. When Russian-backed separatists then took over part of eastern Ukraine’s Donbass region, Ukraine had to rely on volunteer brigades of people who took up arms, with little or no military training, to help beat back the insurgency.

But the Ukrainian military clawed its way back, fighting the separatists to a stalemate and putting a stop to the most serious hostilities. It did so with help from Western allies. The United States alone has provided $2.5 billion in military assistance that has included high-tech surveillance and communications equipment and drones. In November, the United States delivered about 88 tons of ammunition, part of a $60 million military aid package pledged by the Biden administration.

On Wednesday, Biden ruled out deploying U.S. forces to Ukraine to deter Russia. But there are more than 150 U.S. military advisers in Ukraine, a combination of U.S. Special Forces and National Guard, currently the Florida National Guard’s 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, according to two U.S. Defense Department officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive troop deployments. About a dozen other NATO countries also have military advisers in Ukraine now, the officials said.

Under the Trump administration, the Ukrainians, for the first time, were given anti-tank Javelin missiles. Ukrainian forces have refrained from firing Javelins on the battlefield, partly from a desire to avoid antagonizing the Kremlin.

The Biden administration has continued to supply them, delivering a new cache of missiles in October. John F. Kirby, a Pentagon spokesperson, said Wednesday that there were no conditions or restrictions placed on the Javelins, except that the Ukrainian forces use them “responsibly” and “in self-defence.”

In an interview with Radio Liberty this month, Gen. Oleksandr Pavlyuk, the commander of the Joint Operation Forces fighting the separatists, said the Javelins had already been deployed to military units in eastern Ukraine. A senior Ukrainian military official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military issues, confirmed that Javelin missiles had been deployed to front-line military units a month ago, but had not yet been fired in battle.

“The Javelins are there, and if our enemies employ tanks they will be used,” the official said.

The Biden administration has remained vague about how else it might come to Ukraine’s defence in case of invasion.

In his video call with Putin on Tuesday, Biden looked his counterpart in the eye and warned the United States would go beyond the economic punishments imposed on Russia after the 2014 seizure of Crimea should Putin decide to order military action, according to an account by Jake Sullivan, the president’s national security adviser. What those penalties might be were left unclear, though few expect the United States to commit significant military assistance beyond what has already been provided.

The lack of firm commitments from Ukraine’s Western backers are a source of consternation for Ukrainian officials.

“They need to decide, either we’re allies as they declare — and in that case allies help one another — or they need to say that this is not exactly the case,” said Budanov, the military intelligence chief. “If the civilized world wants to avoid catastrophe — and this will be a catastrophe for everyone — we need military technical support now, not tomorrow, not the day after tomorrow, not in year. Now.”

Those who understand that such a level of support is unlikely have begun to speak darkly of popular armed resistance against any Russian occupation. Pavlyuk noted that Ukraine had up to half a million people with military experience. If the West does not come to Ukraine’s aid, he said, “we’ll start a partisan war.”

“Eight years have passed and there are very many people with military experience who are prepared with weapons in their hands to fight,” he said.

One senior Ukrainian military official who spoke on condition of anonymity said that if all else failed, the military would simply open its weapons depots and allow the Ukrainian people to take whatever they need to defend themselves and their families.

On the 30th anniversary of the founding of Ukraine’s armed forces this week, the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, donned a helmet and flak jacket to tour the trenches and announced with great fanfare the delivery of new tanks, armoured vehicles and ships to front-line units engaged in fighting Russian forces and Kremlin-backed separatists.

On the 30th anniversary of the founding of Ukraine’s armed forces this week, the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, donned a helmet and flak jacket to tour the trenches and announced with great fanfare the delivery of new tanks, armoured vehicles and ships to front-line units engaged in fighting Russian forces and Kremlin-backed separatists. While the weapons systems may help to maintain parity in the slow-moving war of attrition that has prevailed for years, neither they nor anything else the Ukrainian military can now muster would be sufficient to repel the full-on Russian assault that Ukrainian and Western officials say Moscow appears to be preparing. With nearly 100,000 troops now massed across Ukraine’s eastern, northern and southern borders and more on the way, even the Ukrainian officials responsible for their country’s defence acknowledge that without a significant influx of resources, their forces do not stand much of a chance. “Unfortunately, Ukraine needs to be objective at this stage,” said Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence service. “There are not sufficient military resources for repelling a full-scale attack by Russia if it begins without the support of Western forces.” Budanov outlined his nightmare vision of a Russian invasion that would begin with airstrikes and rocket attacks aimed initially at ammunition depots and trench-bound troops. Very quickly, he said, the Ukrainian military would be incapacitated, its leadership unable to coordinate a defence and supply the front. After that, he said, responsibility would fall to front-line commanders to carry on the fight alone. “They will hold up as long as there are bullets,” Budanov said. “They’ll be able to use what they have in their hands, but believe me without delivery of reserves, there’s not an army in the world that can hold out.” While Russia could be prepared militarily to launch an invasion of Ukraine as early as January or February, Ukraine and Western intelligence services say there is no indication that Russia President Vladimir Putin has made up his mind whether to do so. In a video call with President Joe Biden on Tuesday, Putin dismissed concerns about the troop buildup on Ukraine’s border, shifting blame to the United States and NATO, which he accused of threatening Russia’s security by supporting Ukraine’s military with arms and training. “The Russian troops are on their own territory,” an adviser to Putin, Yuri Ushakov, said in a briefing with reporters after the presidents had spoken. “They don’t threaten anyone.” Still, the amassing of troops and heavy weaponry on the border has forced Ukrainian officials to face some hard truths in recent weeks. The U.S. intelligence community has assessed that Russia has devised plans for an offensive involving 175,000 troops. Ukraine has only slightly more enlisted soldiers and officers in its entire military, according to the Ministry of Defense. It is outgunned on land, at sea and in the air, with only about 200 aircraft in its air force, including transport vehicles, fewer than the number of fighter planes that Russia has deployed already to the Ukrainian border. Russia’s forces include battle-ready submarines and frigates in the Black Sea armed with cruise missiles, and land-based units equipped with Iskander-M ballistic missiles, while Ukraine lacks serious missile defence systems. The Russian missiles could wipe out a significant part of the Ukrainian military in less than an hour, said Robert Lee, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and PhD candidate at King’s College in London, who is a Russian military expert. “If Russia really wants to unleash its conventional capabilities, they could inflict massive damage in a very short period of time,” Lee said. “They can devastate the Ukrainian military in the east really quickly, within the first 30-40 minutes.” Ukraine’s military is not the pushover it once was. In 2014, elite Russia troops were able to seize the entire Crimean Peninsula in southern Ukraine without firing a shot. When Russian-backed separatists then took over part of eastern Ukraine’s Donbass region, Ukraine had to rely on volunteer brigades of people who took up arms, with little or no military training, to help beat back the insurgency. But the Ukrainian military clawed its way back, fighting the separatists to a stalemate and putting a stop to the most serious hostilities. It did so with help from Western allies. The United States alone has provided $2.5 billion in military assistance that has included high-tech surveillance and communications equipment and drones. In November, the United States delivered about 88 tons of ammunition, part of a $60 million military aid package pledged by the Biden administration. On Wednesday, Biden ruled out deploying U.S. forces to Ukraine to deter Russia. But there are more than 150 U.S. military advisers in Ukraine, a combination of U.S. Special Forces and National Guard, currently the Florida National Guard’s 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, according to two U.S. Defense Department officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive troop deployments. About a dozen other NATO countries also have military advisers in Ukraine now, the officials said. Under the Trump administration, the Ukrainians, for the first time, were given anti-tank Javelin missiles. Ukrainian forces have refrained from firing Javelins on the battlefield, partly from a desire to avoid antagonizing the Kremlin. The Biden administration has continued to supply them, delivering a new cache of missiles in October. John F. Kirby, a Pentagon spokesperson, said Wednesday that there were no conditions or restrictions placed on the Javelins, except that the Ukrainian forces use them “responsibly” and “in self-defence.” In an interview with Radio Liberty this month, Gen. Oleksandr Pavlyuk, the commander of the Joint Operation Forces fighting the separatists, said the Javelins had already been deployed to military units in eastern Ukraine. A senior Ukrainian military official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military issues, confirmed that Javelin missiles had been deployed to front-line military units a month ago, but had not yet been fired in battle. “The Javelins are there, and if our enemies employ tanks they will be used,” the official said. The Biden administration has remained vague about how else it might come to Ukraine’s defence in case of invasion. In his video call with Putin on Tuesday, Biden looked his counterpart in the eye and warned the United States would go beyond the economic punishments imposed on Russia after the 2014 seizure of Crimea should Putin decide to order military action, according to an account by Jake Sullivan, the president’s national security adviser. What those penalties might be were left unclear, though few expect the United States to commit significant military assistance beyond what has already been provided. The lack of firm commitments from Ukraine’s Western backers are a source of consternation for Ukrainian officials. “They need to decide, either we’re allies as they declare — and in that case allies help one another — or they need to say that this is not exactly the case,” said Budanov, the military intelligence chief. “If the civilized world wants to avoid catastrophe — and this will be a catastrophe for everyone — we need military technical support now, not tomorrow, not the day after tomorrow, not in year. Now.” Those who understand that such a level of support is unlikely have begun to speak darkly of popular armed resistance against any Russian occupation. Pavlyuk noted that Ukraine had up to half a million people with military experience. If the West does not come to Ukraine’s aid, he said, “we’ll start a partisan war.” “Eight years have passed and there are very many people with military experience who are prepared with weapons in their hands to fight,” he said. One senior Ukrainian military official who spoke on condition of anonymity said that if all else failed, the military would simply open its weapons depots and allow the Ukrainian people to take whatever they need to defend themselves and their families.

Ukraine commanders say a Russian invasion would overwhelm them

US President Joe Biden and Russian counterpart will be holding talks via video call on Tuesday, according to media reports, as tensions escalate between the two nuclear-powered countries over reports of Russia troops build-up near the Ukrainian border.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed plans on Saturday to Russia's state news agency RIA Novosti and said it will take place in the evening. Peskov added that “the presidents will decide themselves” how long the conversation will last.

The leaders will reportedly discuss the implementation of agreements reached during their previous meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, the situations in Afghanistan, Iran, Libya and Syria, as well as the Ukrainian crisis.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-prepares-plan-to-protect-ukraine-putin-slams-drone-deployment-at-border-433950">Biden prepares plan to protect Ukraine; Putin slams drone deployment at border</a>

Putin and Biden are also expected to cover strategic stability issues, and the Russian side will ask for guarantees against the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's eastward expansion, Ushakov said.

The Russian official said that the oil market, climate change, and the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic could also be on the agenda.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/what-will-happen-if-russian-troops-invade-ukraine-431684">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;What will happen if Russian troops invade Ukraine?&nbsp;</a>

The United States, its NATO allies and Ukraine are accusing Moscow of amassing troops near the Ukrainian border, and Kyiv says it fears Russia is planning an attack.

However, Moscow denies plans to invade Ukraine, and accuses Kyiv of building up its own forces to attack territory held by pro-Russian separatists.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/why-russia-tested-s-400-missiles-in-crimea-amid-operation-sea-breeze-in-ukraine-395351">Also Read:&nbsp;Why Russia tested S-400 missiles in Crimea amid operation Sea Breeze in Ukraine</a>

Russia has been pushing for top-level talks with the US for weeks and has floated the idea of seeking legally-binding security guarantees from the West.

Earlier, Ukraine's defence minister declared that Russia was ready for escalation in January raising fears of an invasion while informing that the Putin regime had launched exercises along the border and had started "winter training".

The Biden administration had declared earlier that it had evidence that Russia was set to attack Ukraine despite Kremlin's denial.

(With inputs from agencies)

US President Joe Biden and Russian counterpart will be holding talks via video call on Tuesday, according to media reports, as tensions escalate between the two nuclear-powered countries over reports of Russia troops build-up near the Ukrainian border.

US President Joe Biden and Russian counterpart will be holding talks via video call on Tuesday, according to media reports, as tensions escalate between the two nuclear-powered countries over reports of Russia troops build-up near the Ukrainian border. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed plans on Saturday to Russia's state news agency RIA Novosti and said it will take place in the evening. Peskov added that “the presidents will decide themselves” how long the conversation will last. The leaders will reportedly discuss the implementation of agreements reached during their previous meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, the situations in Afghanistan, Iran, Libya and Syria, as well as the Ukrainian crisis. Also read | Biden prepares plan to protect Ukraine; Putin slams drone deployment at border Putin and Biden are also expected to cover strategic stability issues, and the Russian side will ask for guarantees against the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's eastward expansion, Ushakov said. The Russian official said that the oil market, climate change, and the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic could also be on the agenda. Also Read in Pics: What will happen if Russian troops invade Ukraine? The United States, its NATO allies and Ukraine are accusing Moscow of amassing troops near the Ukrainian border, and Kyiv says it fears Russia is planning an attack. However, Moscow denies plans to invade Ukraine, and accuses Kyiv of building up its own forces to attack territory held by pro-Russian separatists. Also Read: Why Russia tested S-400 missiles in Crimea amid operation Sea Breeze in Ukraine Russia has been pushing for top-level talks with the US for weeks and has floated the idea of seeking legally-binding security guarantees from the West. Earlier, Ukraine's defence minister declared that Russia was ready for escalation in January raising fears of an invasion while informing that the Putin regime had launched exercises along the border and had started "winter training". The Biden administration had declared earlier that it had evidence that Russia was set to attack Ukraine despite Kremlin's denial. (With inputs from agencies)

Biden, Putin all set for video meet on Tuesday amid Ukraine crisis

In the first reaction after India's construction plan along the Lipulekh Pass stirred unrest in Nepal polity, New Delhi's mission in Kathmandu has said that the government of India's position on the India-Nepal boundary is well known.

New Delhi: Our position on the India-Nepal boundary is well known, consistent

Nepal is protesting India's road expansion at Lipulekh. This comes after Nepal published a new map, wrongly marking Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani as Nepalese territory.

Nepal is protesting India's road expansion at Lipulekh

In what comes as a "dire warning" to the UK MPs, two former detainees in Australia’s immigration detention centres have urged the parliamentarians to not support the nationality and borders bill, which contains a proposal to grant the UK permissions to send migrants to a third country in order to have their asylum claims processed.

The two former detainees who have issued the warning by signing a letter include Thanush Selvarasa and Elahe Zivardar.

Thanush is a Tamil refugee who was held in Manus Island detention centre for nearly 7 years before. He now works as a campaigner for asylum seekers’ rights. Elahe, who happens to be an Iranian artist and refugee was held in the Nauru detention centre for 6 years.

It is said that if this bill is passed, it will lower down protection for refugees.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/macron-tells-uk-to-get-serious-over-english-channel-migrant-issue-432185">Also read |&nbsp;Macron tells UK to 'get serious' over English Channel migrant issue</a>

These two former refugees have been supported by two other signatories who worked in the detention camps - Dr Nick Martin and Carly Hawkins. Organisations including Amnesty International (UK and Australia), Lancet Migration, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Refugee Council, Human Rights Watch and Doctors of the World have also shown their support for the letter.&nbsp;

UNHCR has denounced the plans and warned that if the bill becomes law it will undermine the 1951 refugee convention. In a statement, the organisation said, "UNHCR calls upon the UK to guarantee the right to seek and enjoy asylum for all persons under its jurisdiction, including those who enter, or seek to enter, irregularly, and not merely those who have already been recognised as refugees outside of the UK and who arrive through resettlement or other legal pathways".

It further said that the attempts to relieve pressure on the UK asylum system are "neither effective nor sustainable" ways to address the system’s current weaknesses.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/migrant-boats-crossing-the-english-channel-could-be-turned-back-by-britain-411926">Also read |&nbsp;Migrant boats crossing the English Channel could be turned back by Britain</a>

The letter states, "As people who were detained indefinitely in Australia’s offshore camps on Nauru and Manus Island, Papua New Guinea, and as professionals who were employed there, we are deeply concerned to learn that the UK government seeks to grant itself the same power to transfer people seeking asylum to offshore detention centres."

It further mentioned how these people are writing with a dire warning. It further goes on to state that the people cannot imagine why the country wants to go ahead with "such a cruel, costly and ultimately futile system.”

(With inputs from agencies)

In what comes as a "dire warning" to the UK MPs, two former detainees in Australia’s immigration detention centres have urged the parliamentarians to not support the nationality and borders bill, which contains a proposal to grant the UK permissions to send migrants to a third country in order to have their asylum claims processed.

In what comes as a "dire warning" to the UK MPs, two former detainees in Australia’s immigration detention centres have urged the parliamentarians to not support the nationality and borders bill, which contains a proposal to grant the UK permissions to send migrants to a third country in order to have their asylum claims processed. The two former detainees who have issued the warning by signing a letter include Thanush Selvarasa and Elahe Zivardar. Thanush is a Tamil refugee who was held in Manus Island detention centre for nearly 7 years before. He now works as a campaigner for asylum seekers’ rights. Elahe, who happens to be an Iranian artist and refugee was held in the Nauru detention centre for 6 years. It is said that if this bill is passed, it will lower down protection for refugees. Also read | Macron tells UK to 'get serious' over English Channel migrant issue These two former refugees have been supported by two other signatories who worked in the detention camps - Dr Nick Martin and Carly Hawkins. Organisations including Amnesty International (UK and Australia), Lancet Migration, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Refugee Council, Human Rights Watch and Doctors of the World have also shown their support for the letter. UNHCR has denounced the plans and warned that if the bill becomes law it will undermine the 1951 refugee convention. In a statement, the organisation said, "UNHCR calls upon the UK to guarantee the right to seek and enjoy asylum for all persons under its jurisdiction, including those who enter, or seek to enter, irregularly, and not merely those who have already been recognised as refugees outside of the UK and who arrive through resettlement or other legal pathways". It further said that the attempts to relieve pressure on the UK asylum system are "neither effective nor sustainable" ways to address the system’s current weaknesses. Also read | Migrant boats crossing the English Channel could be turned back by Britain The letter states, "As people who were detained indefinitely in Australia’s offshore camps on Nauru and Manus Island, Papua New Guinea, and as professionals who were employed there, we are deeply concerned to learn that the UK government seeks to grant itself the same power to transfer people seeking asylum to offshore detention centres." It further mentioned how these people are writing with a dire warning. It further goes on to state that the people cannot imagine why the country wants to go ahead with "such a cruel, costly and ultimately futile system.” (With inputs from agencies)

'Dire warning': Former detainees urge UK MPs to not support 'cruel' nationality and borders bill

Backdrop&nbsp;

Unchallenged Xi Jinping with renewed mandate by CCP, during his conversation with US President Joe Biden has tried to create an impression of bipolar world order in existence even as the rest of the world amidst COVID-19 pandemic continues its rebalancing between unipolar, bipolar and multipolar global order as per their perception. &nbsp;

If Beijing has its way, it will use all instruments of power (ethical and unethical) to be sole superpower at global stage and have China-centric Asia at regional stage, for which sub-ordination of India is considered essential. To achieve that the containment plus encirclement (concirclement) of India is a strategic necessity to be able to coerce it to China-centric alignment, preferably without undertaking contact warfare. &nbsp;

Chanakya wisdom that a neighbour with unsettled border can never be a friend seems to have been realised by New Delhi, which has been consistently involved in talkathon with China for decades hoping to have friendly relations. India needs to work out options in all domains in fragile international environment to undertake China challenge to avoid concirclement, preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity, besides continuing its own march towards becoming a strong pole in global order. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Multidimensional Concirclement of India by China&nbsp;

In absence of any border treaty between independent India and China and non-demarcated LAC, the standoffs will continue. The present one in Eastern Ladakh seems to have run into stalemate, to India’s disadvantage, especially due to shortage of leverages, although India refuses to be coerced to resume business as usual side-lining border or LAC issue and insists on further pull back of PLA from all friction points to lead to de-escalation. China wants to avoid further pull back as it continues building additional infrastructure to upgrade its encroachment into areas, which it was not supposed to occupy as per Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), as permanent settlements. Chinese aim is to label it as settlement of border issue, somewhat in consonance with its 1959/60 claim line in strategically important areas. With occasional intrusions in other areas along LAC, China is trying to increase the economic cost of deployment for India by LOCisation of LAC and stretching out Indian military to seek Sino-centric solution. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The ‘Containment Strategy’ of China includes planned construction of 628 dual use, border defence villages along its own perception of LAC to provide permanency to its claim, enhance its ISR capabilities (some of which have already been made), providing it infrastructure like fibre optic connection, akin to outposts. China can claim that its Land Borders Law passed last month by National People’s Congress is applicable to all countries, but the timing suggests it to be part of containment of India. The law improves coordination between agencies and power to defend increasingly claimed land under garb of national integrity. China’s recent MoU with Bhutan for resolving border issues bilaterally, and allurement of Nepal are also steps towards containment of India. A possible Chinese gain at Doklam through a land swap with Bhutan from other areas can be a serious concern for India due to its proximity to Siliguri Corridor. China has also encroached to make villages in both these countries.&nbsp;

The aggressiveness in &nbsp;‘Encirclement Strategy’ is evident from China delivering – most advanced frigates/warships to Pakistan. Labelled as gift, India must take it as cover plan for deployment of its PLAN combat ships in Pakistan territorial water/Arabian sea, perhaps under Pakistan flag, adding another pearl to its ongoing ‘String of Pearl Strategy’. Gwadar port as part of CPEC, CMEC leading to Bay of Bengal and foothold in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are part of overall encirclement plan of India.&nbsp;

The most worrying part for India is Chinese encroachment in non-contact warfare domain. China’s increasing economic, technological and digital offensive against India and other countries have made them so dependent on China, denting their self-reliance, so that the responses to Chinese unethical encroachment get muted. Chinese strategy of ‘Three Warfare’ namely employing media or public opinion, psychological warfare and legal warfare through display of arsenal, exercises and buying opinions seems to be finding some traction in politically active democracies, election-oriented segments in India to settle their political scores. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Options for India &nbsp;

A serious push in capacity building and infrastructure build up along towards LAC to take on China challenge in recent past is encouraging. The responses have to be in all domains to include contact and non-contact warfare. India needs a change in mindset from reactive to proactive, with additional offensive capability created to demonstrate capacity to encroach into sensitive areas of China, and inflict punitive cost, as China has assumed freedom to encroach anywhere, at will. The asymmetry in CNP between China and India is often cited as an excuse for muting proactive responses, but similar asymmetry exists between Pakistan and India, which doesn’t hesitate in adopting unethical proactive proxy war against India under nuclear hangover. India also has nuclear triad, hence this excuse needs to be revisited. To express the intent, India could make ‘One China Policy’ conditional to One India Policy as Sushma Swaraj mentioned in past.&nbsp;

India needs to formulate its National Security Strategy (NSS), prioritise its challenges and task required by various agencies to develop capacities avoiding different ministries working with different priorities, in silos. It’s frustrating to see PILs against broadening of strategic roads or railways dragging feet to construct strategic railway lines in Arunachal due to lack of commercial viability. Surely part of NSS in open domain may improve sensitivity of all agencies to national security needs, once specified. India should also pass equivalent of Border Defence Law in some form, like strategic infrastructure along border to have different yardstick for speedy clearance by local, regional and central authorities to avoid incidents like environment ministry obstructing many such constructions in past. &nbsp;

In response to Chinese build-up of villages to incrementally change the ground position, it is recommended that States/UT along LAC should allot concessional land to security forces like regional SCOUTS, ITBP, SSB, and families hailing from that area (on son of soil concept), ready to settle in villages so constructed, along own perception of LAC. This will improve inclusive growth, integration, besides proof of our claims on the border, to ward off ‘Chinese Strategy of Incremental Encroachment’. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In response to economic and digital encroachment, India must increasingly draw out a negative import list of all products imported from China, which have been/can be manufactured in India and increasingly ban their imports, as is being done to improve self-reliance in defence manufacturing. It may sound unpleasant to few profit making importers, but will reduce our dependencies and concerns of economic coercion to great extent in long term. It’s absurd to notice India’s trade surplus with China growing beyond its defence budget during standoff period. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Collective naval posturing with like-minded democracies to create multifront situation for China in Indo-Pacific is essential to check Chinese expansionism challenging global order and threatening global commons with steps like China centric Coast Guard Law and Maritime Traffic Safety Law. There is a need for alternative supply chain, trade and technological eco system, independent of China for which some initial steps taken by Quad countries need to be pursued. An alternate infrastructure architecture in the form of B3W, Blue Dot Network and Friendship Highways are essential to save fragile economies getting into debt trap of China through BRI. Collective response against cyber, space, biological threats and nuclear expansion need to be worked out.&nbsp;

India needs to develop its strategic culture with professional strategists, as diplomacy driven patch ups and talkathon have not worked so far. The overall strategic approach has to be proactive at all levels, in all dimensions of warfare.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) &nbsp;&nbsp;

Backdrop Unchallenged Xi Jinping with renewed mandate by CCP, during his conversation with US President Joe Biden has tried to create an impression of bipolar world order in existence even as the rest of the world amidst COVID-19 pandemic continues its rebalancing between unipolar, bipolar and multipolar global order as per their perception.

Backdrop Unchallenged Xi Jinping with renewed mandate by CCP, during his conversation with US President Joe Biden has tried to create an impression of bipolar world order in existence even as the rest of the world amidst COVID-19 pandemic continues its rebalancing between unipolar, bipolar and multipolar global order as per their perception. If Beijing has its way, it will use all instruments of power (ethical and unethical) to be sole superpower at global stage and have China-centric Asia at regional stage, for which sub-ordination of India is considered essential. To achieve that the containment plus encirclement (concirclement) of India is a strategic necessity to be able to coerce it to China-centric alignment, preferably without undertaking contact warfare. Chanakya wisdom that a neighbour with unsettled border can never be a friend seems to have been realised by New Delhi, which has been consistently involved in talkathon with China for decades hoping to have friendly relations. India needs to work out options in all domains in fragile international environment to undertake China challenge to avoid concirclement, preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity, besides continuing its own march towards becoming a strong pole in global order. Multidimensional Concirclement of India by China In absence of any border treaty between independent India and China and non-demarcated LAC, the standoffs will continue. The present one in Eastern Ladakh seems to have run into stalemate, to India’s disadvantage, especially due to shortage of leverages, although India refuses to be coerced to resume business as usual side-lining border or LAC issue and insists on further pull back of PLA from all friction points to lead to de-escalation. China wants to avoid further pull back as it continues building additional infrastructure to upgrade its encroachment into areas, which it was not supposed to occupy as per Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), as permanent settlements. Chinese aim is to label it as settlement of border issue, somewhat in consonance with its 1959/60 claim line in strategically important areas. With occasional intrusions in other areas along LAC, China is trying to increase the economic cost of deployment for India by LOCisation of LAC and stretching out Indian military to seek Sino-centric solution. The ‘Containment Strategy’ of China includes planned construction of 628 dual use, border defence villages along its own perception of LAC to provide permanency to its claim, enhance its ISR capabilities (some of which have already been made), providing it infrastructure like fibre optic connection, akin to outposts. China can claim that its Land Borders Law passed last month by National People’s Congress is applicable to all countries, but the timing suggests it to be part of containment of India. The law improves coordination between agencies and power to defend increasingly claimed land under garb of national integrity. China’s recent MoU with Bhutan for resolving border issues bilaterally, and allurement of Nepal are also steps towards containment of India. A possible Chinese gain at Doklam through a land swap with Bhutan from other areas can be a serious concern for India due to its proximity to Siliguri Corridor. China has also encroached to make villages in both these countries. The aggressiveness in ‘Encirclement Strategy’ is evident from China delivering – most advanced frigates/warships to Pakistan. Labelled as gift, India must take it as cover plan for deployment of its PLAN combat ships in Pakistan territorial water/Arabian sea, perhaps under Pakistan flag, adding another pearl to its ongoing ‘String of Pearl Strategy’. Gwadar port as part of CPEC, CMEC leading to Bay of Bengal and foothold in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are part of overall encirclement plan of India. The most worrying part for India is Chinese encroachment in non-contact warfare domain. China’s increasing economic, technological and digital offensive against India and other countries have made them so dependent on China, denting their self-reliance, so that the responses to Chinese unethical encroachment get muted. Chinese strategy of ‘Three Warfare’ namely employing media or public opinion, psychological warfare and legal warfare through display of arsenal, exercises and buying opinions seems to be finding some traction in politically active democracies, election-oriented segments in India to settle their political scores. Options for India A serious push in capacity building and infrastructure build up along towards LAC to take on China challenge in recent past is encouraging. The responses have to be in all domains to include contact and non-contact warfare. India needs a change in mindset from reactive to proactive, with additional offensive capability created to demonstrate capacity to encroach into sensitive areas of China, and inflict punitive cost, as China has assumed freedom to encroach anywhere, at will. The asymmetry in CNP between China and India is often cited as an excuse for muting proactive responses, but similar asymmetry exists between Pakistan and India, which doesn’t hesitate in adopting unethical proactive proxy war against India under nuclear hangover. India also has nuclear triad, hence this excuse needs to be revisited. To express the intent, India could make ‘One China Policy’ conditional to One India Policy as Sushma Swaraj mentioned in past. India needs to formulate its National Security Strategy (NSS), prioritise its challenges and task required by various agencies to develop capacities avoiding different ministries working with different priorities, in silos. It’s frustrating to see PILs against broadening of strategic roads or railways dragging feet to construct strategic railway lines in Arunachal due to lack of commercial viability. Surely part of NSS in open domain may improve sensitivity of all agencies to national security needs, once specified. India should also pass equivalent of Border Defence Law in some form, like strategic infrastructure along border to have different yardstick for speedy clearance by local, regional and central authorities to avoid incidents like environment ministry obstructing many such constructions in past. In response to Chinese build-up of villages to incrementally change the ground position, it is recommended that States/UT along LAC should allot concessional land to security forces like regional SCOUTS, ITBP, SSB, and families hailing from that area (on son of soil concept), ready to settle in villages so constructed, along own perception of LAC. This will improve inclusive growth, integration, besides proof of our claims on the border, to ward off ‘Chinese Strategy of Incremental Encroachment’. In response to economic and digital encroachment, India must increasingly draw out a negative import list of all products imported from China, which have been/can be manufactured in India and increasingly ban their imports, as is being done to improve self-reliance in defence manufacturing. It may sound unpleasant to few profit making importers, but will reduce our dependencies and concerns of economic coercion to great extent in long term. It’s absurd to notice India’s trade surplus with China growing beyond its defence budget during standoff period. Collective naval posturing with like-minded democracies to create multifront situation for China in Indo-Pacific is essential to check Chinese expansionism challenging global order and threatening global commons with steps like China centric Coast Guard Law and Maritime Traffic Safety Law. There is a need for alternative supply chain, trade and technological eco system, independent of China for which some initial steps taken by Quad countries need to be pursued. An alternate infrastructure architecture in the form of B3W, Blue Dot Network and Friendship Highways are essential to save fragile economies getting into debt trap of China through BRI. Collective response against cyber, space, biological threats and nuclear expansion need to be worked out. India needs to develop its strategic culture with professional strategists, as diplomacy driven patch ups and talkathon have not worked so far. The overall strategic approach has to be proactive at all levels, in all dimensions of warfare. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Opinion | Multidimensional Concirclement of India by China: How is New Delhi preparing? 

border

Border, News on Border, stories on Border, articles on Border, Border stories at Wion, Border news, Border latest news