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The rapid spread of COVID-19 in communities across the globe and the resurgence (second wave) suggest the possible role of asymptomatic persons in its transmission, while the uncertainty over long-term immune response has potential implications for the efficacy of vaccines, experts have said.

The role of reduced use of non-pharmaceutical interventions in facilitating a second wave of COVID-19 as community engagement wanes requires further investigation, they said.

If strong supportive evidence becomes available about the possible role of asymptomatic persons in the transmission of coronavirus infection, continued use of masks and the use of other public health measures may be advocated, according to an editorial in the ICMR''s Indian Journal of Medical Research.

The editorial titled ''The enigmatic COVID-19 pandemic'' has been penned by Rajesh Bhatia, former director of Communicable Diseases for WHO''s South-East Asia Regional Office, and Priya Abraham, director of ICMR-National Institute of Virology.

It mentioned that during the early phase of the pandemic, COVID-19 was presumed to be a non-relapsing disease.

"New studies suggest the possibility of repeated virologically confirmed infections. Confirmation of reactivation or reinfection and their epidemiological importance are awaited," it said.

Serosurveillance is generally a sensitive tool to determine the extent of infection and immunity in the general population. Only a few field-based studies have generated serosurveillance data but with inconclusive inferences.

The editorial mentioned a recent seroprevalence study which showed that most of the population of Geneva, Switzerland, remained uninfected during this wave of the pandemic, despite the high prevalence of COVID-19 in the region.

"Such studies raise red flags on continuous susceptibility of the population to COVID-19 and inability of the virus to produce widespread immunity. It may contribute to a ‘second wave’ of cases.

"The role of reduced use of non-pharmaceutical interventions in facilitating a second wave as community engagement wanes, requires further investigation," the experts said.

The uncertainty of long-term immune response has potential implications for the efficacy of vaccines. The real impact of vaccines on this pandemic will become evident only once it has been widely in use for a few months in different populations, they said.

As of now, vaccine is being considered as the ultimate intervention to contain the pandemic. The global race to make it available to the world has been accelerated.

Currently, there are about 165 different candidate vaccines for COVID-19 being developed around the world and several of these are in different phases of clinical trials.

Three vaccine candidates (inactivated, DNA based recombinant and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine consisting of the replication-deficient simian adenovirus vector ChAdOx) are currently in early phases of human trials in India, the editorial said.

"Commercial production of COVID-19 vaccine and possible imports are likely to commence by the end of 2020," it said.

Global procurement and distribution of vaccine to ensure its universal access has been planned by the WHO, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI) and Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.

India has developed a blueprint for efficient deployment of the vaccine, supported by IT-based vaccine tracker.

"Immunizing the entire population, prioritizing high risk segments, assuring quality in logistics and undertaking post-vaccination surveillance for adverse effects and impact on disease burden shall be huge challenges for any health system," it highlighted.

In the absence of specific antiviral drugs or vaccines, non-pharmaceutical interventions undertaken by the communities assumed critical importance in curtailing viral transmission. "Community engagement, especially of poor and illiterate, is always difficult to ensure", it said.

The COVID-19 pandemic has attracted the entire focus and efforts of the health system. Usual health services to communities have become restricted because health facilities are overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients, it said.

People are also apprehensive about visiting health institutions for fear of contracting COVID-19. Important components of health services that have suffered most include health needs of children, women, elderly with noncommunicable diseases and management of other therapies (e.g. cancers, tuberculosis and HIV) and health emergencies.

The pandemic has pushed back progress made under the Millennium Development Goals and is hampering achievement of ambitious UN Sustainable Development Goals.

"It is still not clear as to how the global community will make up for the pandemic-induced setback to its critical operations of major disease elimination programmes such as for tuberculosis," the editorial said.

Implementation of efficient public health actions is possible on the foundations of sound scientific knowledge of the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2.

"Despite extensive research on all aspects of COVID-19 pandemic, the world is still struggling with the origin of the virus, public health implications of the mutations in the viral genome, availability of a diagnostic test with better sensitivity and specificity, understanding the immune response to the virus, its pathobiology and clinical spectrum, and availability of safe and efficacious specific antiviral drugs and a vaccine.

"These unknowns have made it an enigmatic pandemic till now," the editorial said.&nbsp;

The rapid spread of COVID-19 in communities across the globe and the resurgence (second wave) suggest the possible role of asymptomatic persons in its transmission, while the uncertainty over long-term immune response has potential implications for the efficacy of vaccines, experts have said.

The rapid spread of COVID-19 in communities across the globe and the resurgence (second wave) suggest the possible role of asymptomatic persons in its transmission, while the uncertainty over long-term immune response has potential implications for the efficacy of vaccines, experts have said. The role of reduced use of non-pharmaceutical interventions in facilitating a second wave of COVID-19 as community engagement wanes requires further investigation, they said. If strong supportive evidence becomes available about the possible role of asymptomatic persons in the transmission of coronavirus infection, continued use of masks and the use of other public health measures may be advocated, according to an editorial in the ICMR''s Indian Journal of Medical Research. The editorial titled ''The enigmatic COVID-19 pandemic'' has been penned by Rajesh Bhatia, former director of Communicable Diseases for WHO''s South-East Asia Regional Office, and Priya Abraham, director of ICMR-National Institute of Virology. It mentioned that during the early phase of the pandemic, COVID-19 was presumed to be a non-relapsing disease. "New studies suggest the possibility of repeated virologically confirmed infections. Confirmation of reactivation or reinfection and their epidemiological importance are awaited," it said. Serosurveillance is generally a sensitive tool to determine the extent of infection and immunity in the general population. Only a few field-based studies have generated serosurveillance data but with inconclusive inferences. The editorial mentioned a recent seroprevalence study which showed that most of the population of Geneva, Switzerland, remained uninfected during this wave of the pandemic, despite the high prevalence of COVID-19 in the region. "Such studies raise red flags on continuous susceptibility of the population to COVID-19 and inability of the virus to produce widespread immunity. It may contribute to a ‘second wave’ of cases. "The role of reduced use of non-pharmaceutical interventions in facilitating a second wave as community engagement wanes, requires further investigation," the experts said. The uncertainty of long-term immune response has potential implications for the efficacy of vaccines. The real impact of vaccines on this pandemic will become evident only once it has been widely in use for a few months in different populations, they said. As of now, vaccine is being considered as the ultimate intervention to contain the pandemic. The global race to make it available to the world has been accelerated. Currently, there are about 165 different candidate vaccines for COVID-19 being developed around the world and several of these are in different phases of clinical trials. Three vaccine candidates (inactivated, DNA based recombinant and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine consisting of the replication-deficient simian adenovirus vector ChAdOx) are currently in early phases of human trials in India, the editorial said. "Commercial production of COVID-19 vaccine and possible imports are likely to commence by the end of 2020," it said. Global procurement and distribution of vaccine to ensure its universal access has been planned by the WHO, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI) and Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations. India has developed a blueprint for efficient deployment of the vaccine, supported by IT-based vaccine tracker. "Immunizing the entire population, prioritizing high risk segments, assuring quality in logistics and undertaking post-vaccination surveillance for adverse effects and impact on disease burden shall be huge challenges for any health system," it highlighted. In the absence of specific antiviral drugs or vaccines, non-pharmaceutical interventions undertaken by the communities assumed critical importance in curtailing viral transmission. "Community engagement, especially of poor and illiterate, is always difficult to ensure", it said. The COVID-19 pandemic has attracted the entire focus and efforts of the health system. Usual health services to communities have become restricted because health facilities are overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients, it said. People are also apprehensive about visiting health institutions for fear of contracting COVID-19. Important components of health services that have suffered most include health needs of children, women, elderly with noncommunicable diseases and management of other therapies (e.g. cancers, tuberculosis and HIV) and health emergencies. The pandemic has pushed back progress made under the Millennium Development Goals and is hampering achievement of ambitious UN Sustainable Development Goals. "It is still not clear as to how the global community will make up for the pandemic-induced setback to its critical operations of major disease elimination programmes such as for tuberculosis," the editorial said. Implementation of efficient public health actions is possible on the foundations of sound scientific knowledge of the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2. "Despite extensive research on all aspects of COVID-19 pandemic, the world is still struggling with the origin of the virus, public health implications of the mutations in the viral genome, availability of a diagnostic test with better sensitivity and specificity, understanding the immune response to the virus, its pathobiology and clinical spectrum, and availability of safe and efficacious specific antiviral drugs and a vaccine. "These unknowns have made it an enigmatic pandemic till now," the editorial said.

Uncertainty over long-term immune response has implications for vaccine efficacy: Experts

Coronavirus cases in India have surpassed 33,000. The country has 33,050 COVID-19 cases and 1,074 deaths. Meanwhile, the government has allowed inter-state movement of stranded people.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/coronavirus-spitting-in-public-places-in-kolkata-might-invite-arrest-by-police-295757" hreflang="en">Coronavirus: Spitting in public places in Kolkata might invite arrest by police</a>

The new guidelines which will come into effect from May 4, say that all stranded people can return to their home towns after undergoing strict medical screening, both at the source and destination cities.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/1718-new-coronavirus-cases-66-deaths-in-24-hours-in-india-government-295741" hreflang="en">1,718 new coronavirus cases, 66 deaths in 24 hours in India: Government</a>

States must also organise thermal testing units and quarantine facilities for all those who are stranded, in order to clear asymptomatic cases, before sending them back.

However, the movement of migrants, tourists, and students will be restricted to non-containment zones.

Remember, several migrant workers and students were left stranded after the government announced a nationwide lockdown, last month.

This came as a report said that domestic carrier Air India may partially resume operations next month.

Meanwhile, a worrying trend has been observed in eastern India. Experts fear that the region which has reported fewer coronavirus cases compared to the rest of India may emerge as a hotspot.

A study has found that despite less number of infections, the states of Jharkhand, Bihar and West Bengal have the highest rate of coronavirus spread in India.

Experts say that West Bengal has the fastest doubling time among large states. Doubling time refers to the time taken for the number of cases to double.

They warn that West Bengal which has so far reported over 750 cases is on the way to become the next Maharashtra- which is worst hit by the outbreak in India. So far, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal account for nearly 4 per cent of the total coronavirus cases in India.

Coronavirus cases in India have surpassed 33,000. The country has 33,050 COVID-19 cases and 1,074 deaths. Meanwhile, the government has allowed inter-state movement of stranded people.

Coronavirus cases in India have surpassed 33,000. The country has 33,050 COVID-19 cases and 1,074 deaths. Meanwhile, the government has allowed inter-state movement of stranded people. Also read: Coronavirus: Spitting in public places in Kolkata might invite arrest by police The new guidelines which will come into effect from May 4, say that all stranded people can return to their home towns after undergoing strict medical screening, both at the source and destination cities. Also read: 1,718 new coronavirus cases, 66 deaths in 24 hours in India: Government States must also organise thermal testing units and quarantine facilities for all those who are stranded, in order to clear asymptomatic cases, before sending them back. However, the movement of migrants, tourists, and students will be restricted to non-containment zones. Remember, several migrant workers and students were left stranded after the government announced a nationwide lockdown, last month. This came as a report said that domestic carrier Air India may partially resume operations next month. Meanwhile, a worrying trend has been observed in eastern India. Experts fear that the region which has reported fewer coronavirus cases compared to the rest of India may emerge as a hotspot. A study has found that despite less number of infections, the states of Jharkhand, Bihar and West Bengal have the highest rate of coronavirus spread in India. Experts say that West Bengal has the fastest doubling time among large states. Doubling time refers to the time taken for the number of cases to double. They warn that West Bengal which has so far reported over 750 cases is on the way to become the next Maharashtra- which is worst hit by the outbreak in India. So far, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal account for nearly 4 per cent of the total coronavirus cases in India.

East India may witness surge in cases: Experts

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The anti-satellite missile capability demonstrated by India on Wednesday will be a deterrent in the event of a war where space may be the theatre of action with countries seeking to down enemy satellites, experts explained.

"The message goes strong and loud that if any of our satellites is harmed, we possess the capability of destroying yours (the adversary)," said Ajay Lele, a senior fellow with the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA).

The former Air Force officer and other experts said India has possessed the anti-missile technology for several years but needed the political go-ahead to actually test it in live conditions. They said the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) received the green signal to prepare for the test two years ago, which came to fruition on Wednesday.

In 2012, India conducted simulated tests, establishing the capability but the then Manmohan Singh-led UPA government had not given permission for a live test, likely over concerns that a destroyed satellite would result in debris that would damage satellites of other countries.

Daniel Porras, Space Security Fellow, United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), Geneva, said Wednesday's test destroyed a satellite at an altitude of 300 km.

"It was not a good sign for LEO (low earth orbit)... Which has telecommunication and earth observation satellites and also the International Space Station", which cruises at a height of 400 km, he said.

"The test was done at 300 km, so pretty low, meaning most of the debris will slowly come down. However, lots of objects near that altitude... Not a good sign for all those LEO constellations. Also, if any debris damages other objects, India will be liable under the Liability Convention (if attribution is established)," Porras tweeted.

Former ISRO chairperson G Madhavan Nair, who was also secretary, Department of Space, from 2003 to 2009, said the DRDO had anti-missile technology, including the algorithms required for setting the trajectory to hit the moving target.

"Marrying the two technologies (of ISRO and DRDO) was required which happened over the last few years," Nair told PTI.

He said it would have taken about two years for scientists to perfect the missile launch once the go-ahead for the test was given by the government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced that the test, named Mission Shakti, was not directed against any country and the disused Indian owned satellite was a pre-determined target.

In an address to the nation, Modi also said India has not breached any international law or treaty.

India is only the fourth country to acquire such a specialised and modern capability after the US, Russia and China. There has been no instance of a space war but the countries have demonstrated their capabilities by testing on their own satellites as India did on Wednesday.

The UNIDIR defines ASAT (Anti-Satellite) as "any capabilities aimed at destroying or disabling space assets for any reason, whether military or civilian, offensive or defensive".

Lele of IDSA said India had already developed Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM) technology and along with it came the know-how behind ASAT.

"Testing the Anti-Satellite missile at LEO at 300 kilometres was only to demonstrate capacity. This is also a deterrence mechanism in the event of space war, similar to what India has developed in the nuclear domain," he said.

Lele added that a political decision was required as conducting anti-satellite missiles tests could attract international criticism over issues of adding to debris in space and accusations of militarising space.

In an era where defence forces rely on satellites for different aspects of security, including intelligence gathering, having ASAT missile capability sends a strong signal to adversaries, he said.

Rajeshwari Pillai Rajagopalan, senior fellow and head of the Nuclear and Space Initiative, Observer Researcher Foundation (ORF), said Wednesday's development reflects India's desire to not make the mistake it did in 1974 when it conducted its first nuclear test in Pokhran.

The tests were conducted four years after the Nuclear Proliferation Test (NPT) Treaty came into force in 1970. There is no similar international treaty for space.

"The successful test also acts as a deterrent in event of a space war. The technology was available, so it was high time India tested it. Political will was also needed behind taking the decision," Rajagopalan said, referring to the possibility of an international backlash.

In 2007, China destroyed its FengYun 1C weather satellite with an SC-19 missile, leaving behind space debris consisting of 3,280 pieces of trackable debris, as well as up to 32,000 pieces that are non-trackable.

The following year, during Operation Burnt Frost, the US destroyed its own satellite, USA-193, with an SM-3 interceptor creating 174 pieces of trackable debris, plus non-trackable shards.

Now, the spectre of space war has spilt over from the realm of Hollywood fiction into Indian reality.

The anti-satellite missile capability demonstrated by India on Wednesday will be a deterrent in the event of a war where space may be the theatre of action with countries seeking to down enemy satellites, experts explained.

The anti-satellite missile capability demonstrated by India on Wednesday will be a deterrent in the event of a war where space may be the theatre of action with countries seeking to down enemy satellites, experts explained. "The message goes strong and loud that if any of our satellites is harmed, we possess the capability of destroying yours (the adversary)," said Ajay Lele, a senior fellow with the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA). The former Air Force officer and other experts said India has possessed the anti-missile technology for several years but needed the political go-ahead to actually test it in live conditions. They said the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) received the green signal to prepare for the test two years ago, which came to fruition on Wednesday. In 2012, India conducted simulated tests, establishing the capability but the then Manmohan Singh-led UPA government had not given permission for a live test, likely over concerns that a destroyed satellite would result in debris that would damage satellites of other countries. Daniel Porras, Space Security Fellow, United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), Geneva, said Wednesday's test destroyed a satellite at an altitude of 300 km. "It was not a good sign for LEO (low earth orbit)... Which has telecommunication and earth observation satellites and also the International Space Station", which cruises at a height of 400 km, he said. "The test was done at 300 km, so pretty low, meaning most of the debris will slowly come down. However, lots of objects near that altitude... Not a good sign for all those LEO constellations. Also, if any debris damages other objects, India will be liable under the Liability Convention (if attribution is established)," Porras tweeted. Former ISRO chairperson G Madhavan Nair, who was also secretary, Department of Space, from 2003 to 2009, said the DRDO had anti-missile technology, including the algorithms required for setting the trajectory to hit the moving target. "Marrying the two technologies (of ISRO and DRDO) was required which happened over the last few years," Nair told PTI. He said it would have taken about two years for scientists to perfect the missile launch once the go-ahead for the test was given by the government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced that the test, named Mission Shakti, was not directed against any country and the disused Indian owned satellite was a pre-determined target. In an address to the nation, Modi also said India has not breached any international law or treaty. India is only the fourth country to acquire such a specialised and modern capability after the US, Russia and China. There has been no instance of a space war but the countries have demonstrated their capabilities by testing on their own satellites as India did on Wednesday. The UNIDIR defines ASAT (Anti-Satellite) as "any capabilities aimed at destroying or disabling space assets for any reason, whether military or civilian, offensive or defensive". Lele of IDSA said India had already developed Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM) technology and along with it came the know-how behind ASAT. "Testing the Anti-Satellite missile at LEO at 300 kilometres was only to demonstrate capacity. This is also a deterrence mechanism in the event of space war, similar to what India has developed in the nuclear domain," he said. Lele added that a political decision was required as conducting anti-satellite missiles tests could attract international criticism over issues of adding to debris in space and accusations of militarising space. In an era where defence forces rely on satellites for different aspects of security, including intelligence gathering, having ASAT missile capability sends a strong signal to adversaries, he said. Rajeshwari Pillai Rajagopalan, senior fellow and head of the Nuclear and Space Initiative, Observer Researcher Foundation (ORF), said Wednesday's development reflects India's desire to not make the mistake it did in 1974 when it conducted its first nuclear test in Pokhran. The tests were conducted four years after the Nuclear Proliferation Test (NPT) Treaty came into force in 1970. There is no similar international treaty for space. "The successful test also acts as a deterrent in event of a space war. The technology was available, so it was high time India tested it. Political will was also needed behind taking the decision," Rajagopalan said, referring to the possibility of an international backlash. In 2007, China destroyed its FengYun 1C weather satellite with an SC-19 missile, leaving behind space debris consisting of 3,280 pieces of trackable debris, as well as up to 32,000 pieces that are non-trackable. The following year, during Operation Burnt Frost, the US destroyed its own satellite, USA-193, with an SM-3 interceptor creating 174 pieces of trackable debris, plus non-trackable shards. Now, the spectre of space war has spilt over from the realm of Hollywood fiction into Indian reality.

Anti-Satellite technology will be deterrent in event of space war: Experts 

A technical meet of India and Pakistan officials happened at the proposed zero point of Kartarpur corridor on Tuesday and it was decided that experts would be doing the survey of the site and will discuss the alignment of the corridor.

Along with this, both sides in future would also hold meetings to discuss the coordinates and engineering aspects of the proposed crossing points.&nbsp;

Zero point is the point where the Indian side of the corridor and the Pakistani side of the corridor will be meeting. India had shared the coordinates point with Pakistan earlier this year but the Pakistani side gave alternate points.

India and Pakistani engineers and surveyors were also present in the meeting. New Delhi had been seeking this meeting for a long time and had suggested the meet to happen on February 15 but Islamabad had linked the meet with draft agreement.

WION was first to broke the new on February 9 that India had proposed engineers meet on February 15.

The outcomes of Tuesday's site visit would be further discussed at the meeting on April 2 when the second round of talks between Indian and Pakistani officials will take place in Wagha, Pakistan.&nbsp;

The first round was done on March 14 on the Indian side of the Attari-Wagah border.

While India has proposed that the corridor should be open to 5000 Indian citizens every day, Pakistan has said that they can allow only 700 people that too only Indian citizens on designated days with a paid permit.

A technical meet of India and Pakistan officials happened at the proposed zero point of Kartarpur corridor on Tuesday and it was decided that experts would be doing the survey of the site and will discuss the alignment of the corridor.

A technical meet of India and Pakistan officials happened at the proposed zero point of Kartarpur corridor on Tuesday and it was decided that experts would be doing the survey of the site and will discuss the alignment of the corridor. Along with this, both sides in future would also hold meetings to discuss the coordinates and engineering aspects of the proposed crossing points. Zero point is the point where the Indian side of the corridor and the Pakistani side of the corridor will be meeting. India had shared the coordinates point with Pakistan earlier this year but the Pakistani side gave alternate points. India and Pakistani engineers and surveyors were also present in the meeting. New Delhi had been seeking this meeting for a long time and had suggested the meet to happen on February 15 but Islamabad had linked the meet with draft agreement. WION was first to broke the new on February 9 that India had proposed engineers meet on February 15. The outcomes of Tuesday's site visit would be further discussed at the meeting on April 2 when the second round of talks between Indian and Pakistani officials will take place in Wagha, Pakistan. The first round was done on March 14 on the Indian side of the Attari-Wagah border. While India has proposed that the corridor should be open to 5000 Indian citizens every day, Pakistan has said that they can allow only 700 people that too only Indian citizens on designated days with a paid permit.

Kartarpur talks: India, Pakistan officials meet; experts to survey the site

Budget 2019: Experts reaction on Budget 2019

Top American lawmakers and experts have warned that imposition of sanctions on India under a newly-enacted law if it buys the S-400 air defence missile system from Russia could be disastrous for the Indo-US ties. Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which was signed into law in August 2017 and went into effect in January this year, mandates the Trump administration to punish entities engaging in significant transaction with the defence or intelligence sectors of Russia.

At an event on the Capitol Hill, experts and lawmakers warned that any imposition of sanctions on India, which is now a major defence partner, could be disastrous for the bilateral relationship and as such there is an urgent need to prevent that from happening.

“I do think, it (CAATSA) is a serious issue that needs to be dealt. There needs to be a dialogue between the US and India. Our goal is not to sanction India,” Congressman Joe Crowley, House Democratic Caucus Chairman, said at the US-India Friendship event.

“But given the kind of destabilising activities Russia has been doing across the world in particular against democracies, it is important to slap sanctions against Russia,” he said. “But when it comes to those third-party agreements I think there has to be dialogue between the US and India understanding the needs that India has as a nation for self-defence as well that has to be taken into consideration,” Crowley said in response to a question.

India is currently in an advance stage of negotiations with Russia for five S-400 system worth an estimate USD 4.5 billion. The S-400 Triumf long-range air defence missile system has the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km. The S-400 missile system can fire three types of missiles and simultaneously engage 36 targets, thereby creating a layered defence.

Flagging the issue, Nisha Desai Biswal, the former Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia and the current president of the US India Business Council said that CAATSA sanctions is something that members of Congress need to be “really critically aware” of and thinking through as they deal with the intention around the Russia Sanctions legislation.

“It is something that we are all mindful of and looking at very very carefully. But I do think that we need to acknowledge and address the continuing importance for India of its relationship with Russia and how we how we manage the way forward on that issue,” Biswal said.

CAATSA sanctions would “damage” US-India relationship, warned Keith Webster, who represented Pentagon in the Defense Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI) in the previous Obama Administration. He is currently president of the defence and aerospace export council US Chamber of Commerce.

Observing that the purpose of this legislation is certainly not to target India, Benjamin Schwartz who leads the US-India Business Council’s Defence and Aerospace programme, said one of the unintended consequences of two words “significant transactions” in that legislation is that it’s exacerbated some of the concerns about the US as a reliable security provider.

The legislation says that if a significant transaction takes place with the Russian defence or intelligence services that country or that entity is subject to potential US sanctions. There is a potential of a waiver to take place at the presidential level, Schwartz said.

“I say this is unintended because the only country or at least the country that would benefit the very most from any type of sanctions from the United States on India would be Russia. So that was clearly not the intention of this legislation. I personally don’t think that the US Congress or the US government would ultimately follow through with that kind of situation because that wasn’t the intention of the legislation.”

But one of the challenges that we faced in promoting US India defence relationship is demonstrating that the US is a reliable partner of India. So all efforts should be “on trying to eliminate any of the ambiguity or the uncertainty that that legislative language may be creating,” Schwartz said.

Experts and lawmakers warned that any imposition of sanctions on India, which is now a major defence partner, could be disastrous for the bilateral relationship and as such there is an urgent need to prevent that from happening.

Top American lawmakers and experts have warned that imposition of sanctions on India under a newly-enacted law if it buys the S-400 air defence missile system from Russia could be disastrous for the Indo-US ties. Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which was signed into law in August 2017 and went into effect in January this year, mandates the Trump administration to punish entities engaging in significant transaction with the defence or intelligence sectors of Russia. At an event on the Capitol Hill, experts and lawmakers warned that any imposition of sanctions on India, which is now a major defence partner, could be disastrous for the bilateral relationship and as such there is an urgent need to prevent that from happening. “I do think, it (CAATSA) is a serious issue that needs to be dealt. There needs to be a dialogue between the US and India. Our goal is not to sanction India,” Congressman Joe Crowley, House Democratic Caucus Chairman, said at the US-India Friendship event. “But given the kind of destabilising activities Russia has been doing across the world in particular against democracies, it is important to slap sanctions against Russia,” he said. “But when it comes to those third-party agreements I think there has to be dialogue between the US and India understanding the needs that India has as a nation for self-defence as well that has to be taken into consideration,” Crowley said in response to a question. India is currently in an advance stage of negotiations with Russia for five S-400 system worth an estimate USD 4.5 billion. The S-400 Triumf long-range air defence missile system has the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km. The S-400 missile system can fire three types of missiles and simultaneously engage 36 targets, thereby creating a layered defence. Flagging the issue, Nisha Desai Biswal, the former Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia and the current president of the US India Business Council said that CAATSA sanctions is something that members of Congress need to be “really critically aware” of and thinking through as they deal with the intention around the Russia Sanctions legislation. “It is something that we are all mindful of and looking at very very carefully. But I do think that we need to acknowledge and address the continuing importance for India of its relationship with Russia and how we how we manage the way forward on that issue,” Biswal said. CAATSA sanctions would “damage” US-India relationship, warned Keith Webster, who represented Pentagon in the Defense Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI) in the previous Obama Administration. He is currently president of the defence and aerospace export council US Chamber of Commerce. Observing that the purpose of this legislation is certainly not to target India, Benjamin Schwartz who leads the US-India Business Council’s Defence and Aerospace programme, said one of the unintended consequences of two words “significant transactions” in that legislation is that it’s exacerbated some of the concerns about the US as a reliable security provider. The legislation says that if a significant transaction takes place with the Russian defence or intelligence services that country or that entity is subject to potential US sanctions. There is a potential of a waiver to take place at the presidential level, Schwartz said. “I say this is unintended because the only country or at least the country that would benefit the very most from any type of sanctions from the United States on India would be Russia. So that was clearly not the intention of this legislation. I personally don’t think that the US Congress or the US government would ultimately follow through with that kind of situation because that wasn’t the intention of the legislation.” But one of the challenges that we faced in promoting US India defence relationship is demonstrating that the US is a reliable partner of India. So all efforts should be “on trying to eliminate any of the ambiguity or the uncertainty that that legislative language may be creating,” Schwartz said.

US should not sanction India over defence deal with Russia: American lawmakers

As Bangladesh gears up for the general elections to be held in December this year experts are fearing that hardline forces in the country have started gaining ground in a bid to remove the current moderate Government in Dhaka.

The Khalida Zia-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), in alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami and other Islamic fundamentalist groups, are making attempts to vote out the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League.

Experts believe that the Jamaat-e-Islami has committed war crimes during the 1971 Liberation War and killed three million people in the name of Islam.

Around 500,000 women were reportedly violated by the Pakistan Army and their collaborators Shahriar Kabir, a Dhaka-based journalist and human rights activist, said, "The rise of Islamic militancy, terrorism in the name of Islam that is being perpetrated by the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Hifazat-e-Islam, and backed by the BNP, one of the largest political parties of Bangladesh.&nbsp;

Because of the BNP, the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Hifazat-e-Islam, as well as other fundamentalist and extremist groups, have become so violent and we have seen their violence starting from February 2013.

Experts sitting offshore are also concerned over the growing alliance of the BNP and Islamic fundamentalists as they believe the perpetrators of 1971 are still stronger than pro-liberation forces.

Rohan Gunaratna, an international terrorism expert based in Singapore said, "The Jamaat-e-Islami ideology has formed the seabed, the foundation for the emergence of extremist and terrorist groups in Bangladesh.&nbsp;

If not for the Jamaat-e-Islami, so many people would not have been radicalised and we have seen the emergence of JMB (Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh), HuJI-B, the Harkat-ul-Jihad-al Islami Bangladesh and a number of other groups.

"The rise of Islamic forces in Bangladesh not only affects the common people in the country but also raises concerns for the fragile neighbourhood BNP-Jamaat-led coalition governments in the past had provided shelter, funds and training to secessionist insurgent groups of northeastern India.

A BNP return to power would mean New Delhi facing a difficult government in Dhaka which in the past has permitted terror groups to operate freely from its soil&nbsp;

Bangladesh's general elections to be held in December this year

As Bangladesh gears up for the general elections to be held in December this year experts are fearing that hardline forces in the country have started gaining ground in a bid to remove the current moderate Government in Dhaka. The Khalida Zia-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), in alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami and other Islamic fundamentalist groups, are making attempts to vote out the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League. Experts believe that the Jamaat-e-Islami has committed war crimes during the 1971 Liberation War and killed three million people in the name of Islam. Around 500,000 women were reportedly violated by the Pakistan Army and their collaborators Shahriar Kabir, a Dhaka-based journalist and human rights activist, said, "The rise of Islamic militancy, terrorism in the name of Islam that is being perpetrated by the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Hifazat-e-Islam, and backed by the BNP, one of the largest political parties of Bangladesh. Because of the BNP, the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Hifazat-e-Islam, as well as other fundamentalist and extremist groups, have become so violent and we have seen their violence starting from February 2013. Experts sitting offshore are also concerned over the growing alliance of the BNP and Islamic fundamentalists as they believe the perpetrators of 1971 are still stronger than pro-liberation forces. Rohan Gunaratna, an international terrorism expert based in Singapore said, "The Jamaat-e-Islami ideology has formed the seabed, the foundation for the emergence of extremist and terrorist groups in Bangladesh. If not for the Jamaat-e-Islami, so many people would not have been radicalised and we have seen the emergence of JMB (Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh), HuJI-B, the Harkat-ul-Jihad-al Islami Bangladesh and a number of other groups. "The rise of Islamic forces in Bangladesh not only affects the common people in the country but also raises concerns for the fragile neighbourhood BNP-Jamaat-led coalition governments in the past had provided shelter, funds and training to secessionist insurgent groups of northeastern India. A BNP return to power would mean New Delhi facing a difficult government in Dhaka which in the past has permitted terror groups to operate freely from its soil

As Bangladesh gears up for elections experts fear rise in hardline groups

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