"Repeal AFSPA "to strengthen efforts to find peaceful political settlement", Nagaland assembly resolves :: Pradeep Rawat new envoy to China

Nagaland assembly adopts resolution ...to demand repeal of #AFSPA "to strengthen the ongoing efforts to find a peaceful political settlement". 

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said -- Withdrawal of AFSPA cannot be a call of the government. It has to depend on the overall situation, law and order situation of the state. Now suppose I withdraw, will that be reciprocated by the militant organisations?

"If they do not withdraw and we do, the Army will not be able to carry out any operation meaning thereby you are inviting chaos. So I think AFSPA withdrawal is linked to the peace and stability of the state," Sarma said.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, former CM TR Zeliang, 10 others spoke in the special session convened to demand withdrawal of AFSPA from Nagaland.

Resolution says among other things: "The House calls for an apology from the appropriate authority along with an authority that justice will be delivered...." .

(my piece in 'Nagaland Page' ...on Dec 20, 2021 issue

nagalandpage.com

Pradeep Rawat new envoy to China

New Delhi: 
Pradeep Kumar Rawat, IFS 1990 batch, who is now Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of the Netherlands has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the People’s Republic of China.

Mr Rawat is expected to take up the assignment shortly, an MEA announcement said.

Rawat’s posting comes at a time when India and China have issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

India-China relationship also has assumed a special significance in the contexts of RIC, BRICS engagements and also aftermath Taliban takeover of reins in Aghanistan.

Rawat was appointed as ambassador to the Netherlands in January 2021.

Rawat is considered a China expert and was once head of the East Asia division in the ministry of external affairs (MEA).

Ends