New Delhi, Dec 16: The Supreme Court agreed on Monday to hear a plea seeking the framing of pan-India guidelines to ensure a safe environment for women, children, and transgender persons in society.

A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan issued notices to various ministries and instrumentalities of the Central Government and scheduled the next hearing for January.

Concerns Raised

Senior advocate Mahalakshmi Pawani, representing the petitioner Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association, highlighted the prevalence of unreported cases of sexual abuse, especially in smaller cities. She cited instances such as the RG Kar Medical College Hospital case in Kolkata, where a trainee doctor was raped and murdered, and emphasized the need for stricter measures.

Pawani advocated for stringent punishments like chemical castration, akin to Scandinavian countries, to deter offenders. However, the bench expressed reservations about extreme punitive measures, terming some proposals “barbaric” and “harsh.”

Focus on Social Behaviour

Justice Surya Kant suggested creating awareness around proper conduct in public transport, including buses, metros, and trains. He emphasized the importance of implementing and publicizing “do’s and don’ts” for social behavior in public utility vehicles, citing recent incidents in airlines as examples.

“Awareness about proper social conduct should not only be taught but strictly enforced,” Justice Kant remarked.

Implementation Challenges

The bench pointed out the need to examine gaps in the implementation of existing laws and guidelines. Pawani noted that despite stringent laws and guidelines, their enforcement remains inconsistent.

On the 12th anniversary of the Nirbhaya case, the plea underscored the importance of addressing systemic shortcomings to prevent crimes against women and marginalized groups. The bench directed notices to be issued to the concerned ministries and instrumentalities through the office of the Attorney General.

“We appreciate the efforts to seek relief for the common woman, who faces struggles in day-to-day life,” Justice Surya Kant remarked during the hearing.

The association has sought comprehensive guidelines and reforms to ensure the safety and dignity of vulnerable groups across the country

New Delhi, Dec 16: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval is expected to travel to Beijing in the coming weeks to lead the Indian delegation at the Special Representatives (SR) dialogue on the boundary issue, authoritative sources have confirmed. This dialogue will mark the 23rd round of talks and will be held after nearly five years.

The last SR dialogue took place in New Delhi in December 2019. The decision to revive the mechanism was made during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan on October 23.

Upcoming Talks

NSA Doval is set to attend the 23rd round of SR talks, which may take place later this month or in early January. While the venue is yet to be officially announced, preparations for the dialogue have been underway since the diplomatic talks held on December 5.

In this dialogue, NSA Doval represents India, while the Chinese side is headed by Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Background

The SR dialogue has been on hold for five years due to tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. The military standoff began in May 2020, followed by a deadly clash in Galwan Valley in June that year, straining ties between the two nations.

However, the recent disengagement from friction points in Demchok and Depsang, completed on October 21, has paved the way for renewed dialogue. This development was followed by a meeting between Modi and Xi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, where both leaders agreed to revive various dialogue mechanisms, including the SR talks.

Focus of Discussions

The upcoming talks are expected to address:

• Long-standing boundary disputes.
• Mechanisms to ensure peace and stability along the LAC.
• Ways to prevent future conflicts through strengthened communication channels.

India and China aim to use this dialogue as an opportunity to rebuild trust and address unresolved issues, signaling a cautious but constructive step forward in bilateral relations.

Hyderabad, Dec 14: Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, on Saturday addressed the graduating cadets at the Combined Passing Out Parade (CGP) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) at the Air Force Academy near Hyderabad. He urged the cadets to uphold the ethos, traditions, and honour of the IAF as they embark on their careers.

A Career of Honour and Responsibility

Addressing the cadets, Singh highlighted the challenges and honour associated with their careers. “Whether in the sky or on the ground, your role in operations is vital. Make sure you understand your responsibilities,” he said.

Singh exhorted the newly commissioned officers to embrace their roles as future leaders and commanders. “You are not just air warriors but the future leaders and commanders who will chart the destiny of the Indian Air Force. Let this huge responsibility motivate you,” he added.

Core Values and Professional Excellence

The Air Chief emphasized the importance of adhering to the IAF’s core values—mission, integrity, and excellence. He encouraged the officers to let these values guide them throughout their careers. Singh also underlined the impact of their professional learning, leadership cultivation, and mission execution on the future trajectory of the IAF.

Milestone Achievements

The CGP of the 214th Course marked the successful completion of pre-commissioning training for flight cadets across various IAF branches. The parade also witnessed the commissioning of the first batch of Weapon Systems Branch officers into the IAF.

During the ceremony, the IAF Chief conferred the ‘President’s Commission’ on the graduating trainees. Flight cadets and officers from the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and one officer from a friendly foreign country were also awarded ‘Wings’ and ‘Brevets’ upon completing their training.

A Glimpse into the Future

The event showcased the commitment of the IAF to nurturing capable leaders and ensuring operational excellence. With their training complete, the young officers are poised to contribute significantly to India’s air power and national security.

: India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) held the 15th Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) in New Delhi, discussing the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) and enhancing bilateral cooperation in energy, connectivity, and trade.

Expanding Economic Ties

The meeting was co-chaired by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Highlighting the strength of the India-UAE partnership, Jaishankar described it as a “model relationship” during his opening remarks. “Since the entry into force of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in May 2022, trade has steadily grown and has now reached USD 85 billion,” he said.

The JCM emphasized strengthening strategic ties in defense, emerging technologies, nuclear energy, polar research, critical minerals, and renewable energy.

India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor

Both nations discussed the IMEEC, a transformative initiative for improving maritime connectivity and trade among India, the UAE, and Europe. The IMEEC was formalized during the G20 Summit in September 2023, with participation from India, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the UAE, and the United States.

Technological Collaboration

The meeting also highlighted robust cooperation in the fintech sector and the development of public digital infrastructure. The Virtual Trade Corridor (VTC) and MAITRI interface (Master Application for International Trade and Regulatory Interface) were praised for streamlining trade processes through paperless transactions.

Energy and Renewable Initiatives

Both ministers acknowledged the strong bilateral collaboration in the energy sector, including long-term supply agreements and joint projects in upstream and downstream domains. The discussions also focused on emerging areas such as nuclear energy, critical minerals, and green hydrogen.

Promoting Education and Culture

The functioning of the IIT-Delhi Abu Dhabi campus was commended, with progress on establishing campuses for the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in Dubai reviewed.

Future Prospects

The JCM further underscored the importance of sustained collaboration across sectors, reaffirming India and UAE’s commitment to a robust Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that fosters innovation, trade, and cultural exchange.

The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to deepen the bilateral relationship and leverage new opportunities for mutual growth.