Trump imposes sanctions on Turkey, says prepared to swiftly destroy its economy

Trump has signed an executive order that empowers his administration to slap sanctions on Turkey.

Protesting Turkey's military offensive in northeast Syria, US President Donald Trump has announced sanctions against Turkish officials, raising of steel tariffs and ending negotiations on a USD 100 billion trade deal.

Trump has signed an executive order that empowers his administration to slap sanctions on Turkey.

The treasury department has already placed Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu and Energy Minister Fatih Donmez on its sanctions list, while Trump in a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi of the US House of Representatives has declared the Turkey issue a national emergency.

On Wednesday, Ankara launched a cross-border assault on Kurdish fighters after the US decided to withdraw troops from Syria, a move criticised by the Republicans, with some terming it a "betrayal" of the Kurds.

"This (executive) order will enable the US to impose powerful additional sanctions on those who may be involved in serious human rights abuses, obstructing a ceasefire, preventing displaced persons from returning home, forcibly repatriating refugees or threatening the peace, security or stability in Syria," Trump said in a statement.

Turkey's military offensive is endangering civilians and threatening peace, security and stability in the region, he said, adding that he has been perfectly clear with his Turkish counterpart that his action is precipitating a humanitarian crisis and setting conditions for possible war crimes.

"I'm fully prepared to swiftly destroy Turkey's economy if Turkish leaders continue down this dangerous and destructive path," the president said.

Statement from President Donald J. Trump Regarding Turkey’s Actions in Northeast Syria pic.twitter.com/ZCQC7nzmME

Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2019

The order gives the state and treasury departments authority to consider and impose sanctions on individuals, entities or associates of the Turkish government involved in actions that endanger civilians or lead to the further deterioration of peace, security and stability in northeast Syria.

The order will authorise a broad range of measures, including financial sanctions, the blocking of property, and barring entry into the US, he said, adding that the US will immediately stop negotiations with Turkey on a USD 100 billion trade deal.

Steel tariffs will be increased back up to 50 per cent, the level prior to the reduction in May, Trump said.

He asserted that his administration will aggressively use economic sanctions to target those who enable, facilitate, and finance heinous acts in Syria.

In addition to the sanctions on the three Turkish ministers, the treasury said people who engage in certain transactions with the persons designated today may themselves be exposed to designation.

Furthermore, any foreign financial institution that knowingly facilitates any significant financial transactions for or on behalf of the persons designated today could be subject to US correspondent or payable through account sanctions, it said.

The treasury department said as a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of these persons, and of any other persons blocked by operation of law, that are in the US, in the possession or control of US persons must be blocked and reported to the treasury.

"Turkey must ensure the safety of civilians, including religious and ethnic minorities, and is now, or may be in the future, responsible for the ongoing detention of ISIS terrorists in the region. "Unfortunately, Turkey does not appear to be mitigating the humanitarian effects of its invasion," he said.

In the letter Pelosi, Trump said he has taken these steps because of recent actions by the Turkish government of undermining the campaign to defeat the ISIS and endangering civilians.

It further threatens to undermine the peace, security and stability in the region, thereby constituting an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the US, he said.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said, "The US is holding the Turkish government accountable for escalating violence by Turkish forces, endangering innocent civilians, and destabilizing the region."

"We are prepared to impose additional sanctions on Government of Turkey officials and entities, as necessary, the treasury said.

In a statement Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned if Turkey's operation continues, it will exacerbate a growing and daunting humanitarian crisis, with potentially disastrous consequences.

"As the president has made clear, Turkey’s actions in northeast Syria severely undermine the D-ISIS (Defeat ISIS) campaign, endanger civilians, and threaten the security of the entire region, he said.

On pulling back of US troops, Trump said a small contingent will remain at the Tanf Garrison in southern Syria to disrupt remnants of the ISIS.

During the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump had promised to bring back US troops from Syria and Afghanistan.

US forces have defeated the ISIS physical caliphate, the troops are coming out will now redeploy and remain in the region to monitor the situation and prevent a repeat of 2014, when the neglected threat of ISIS raged across Syria and Iraq, he said.

The troop withdrawal came after the White House said it would step aside to allow for a Turkish operation President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned could come at any moment.

"The US and our partners have liberated 100 percent of ISIS’s ruthless territorial caliphate. Turkey must not put these gains in jeopardy," Trump said.

The Kurdish administration in northern Syria has announced a deal with Damascus on troop deployment near the border to fend of the Turks.

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China@70: What India can learn from its neighbour

China became a communist republic in 1949, the same year when India adopted its constitution. (Photo: Reuters)

In their current identities, India is three two years older to China though both are ancient civilizations. Despite contrasting forms of government, India and China have many aspects of governance and economic growth in common.

China became a communist republic in 1949, the same year when India adopted its constitution. Both countries began rebuilding in 1950 - China under Mao Zedong and India under Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

At that time, India was the largest economy in Asia notwithstanding almost 200 years of colonial exploitation. China was in the catching up game. Mao Zedong rivalled with Pandit Nehru, who was viewed by the world leaders as a visionary with strong democratic credentials.

Today as China turns 70 - October 1 is the National Day in China - it is way ahead of India in respect of the economy, military power, technological progress and even in pollution control. China has made all-round exponential progress to become a colossal force in the world while India is still considered an emerging power.

It is not an overstatement to say that India needs to learn a few tricks of the trade from China, which was a "poorer" country than India in terms of GDP per capita till as late as 1990. Now, in 2019, the Chinese per capita GDP is 4.6 times of India's.

Making economy work

Mao Zedong, the revolutionary leader who founded communist China, could not put the country on the path of economic progress. In 1978, when Mao Zedong died, China was struggling with the ever-expanding population and uncontrollable poverty.

But after Mao Zedong's death, the new leadership of China began opening its economy inviting foreign investment particularly in coastal areas making export-import easy.

The communist China regime started freeing agriculture from state control - a big-ticket reform in the country. It enforced one-child policy in order to defuse the population bomb and so that the demographic dividend could be utilized.

In contrast, India, whose traditional rule of law provided for the open market - that was chained in by the British colonial rulers to maximize their own industrial progress - under Pandit Nehru adopted a socialist economic model where wealth creation and big private enterprise were not encouraged.

Indian economy grew at around 3.5 per cent rate through the 1960s and 1970s while population grew in excess of 2.5 per cent. The population growth rate was a curious case as India was among the first few nations in the post-World War II phase to roll out population control policy.

However, the family planning centres in India practically functioned as a family expansion facility due to the very low penetration of medical facilities in remote areas and lack of awareness.

Focus on infrastructure

More importantly, China began heavy investment in infrastructure. This was a key policy decision as it provided employment to millions of people improving their economic status and purchasing power, which was the essential ingredient for industrial progress.

China still continues to invest heavily in infrastructure. It is evident in its One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative.

According to one estimate, India's average investment in infrastructure in the first 50 years after Independence was 3 per cent of the GDP when it required an investment of over 6.5 per cent. China, on the other hand, invested nearly 9 per cent of GDP in infrastructure when it could have done with a 6.5 per cent investment.

In the 2019 Economic Survey called for an investment of 7-8 per cent of GDP in infrastructure for robust growth and making India a $5 trillion economy by 2025. The survey found that investment has been 27 per cent lower than the requirement.

Sectoral approach

In the 1970s, both India and China had the economic and demographic problems to sort out. China took to building labour-intensive industries to rope in available cheap labour. Industries like textile, light engineering and electronics received big investments.

China also created special economic zones to push to manufacturing and export-oriented industries. The general rules of business were eased in these zones - marked out in areas with better infrastructure and access to cheap labour for investors.

Indian special economic zones that came up decades later lacked such push and better incentives to attract foreign investors in numbers and size to give China a competition.

Labour was almost equally cheap in India. But India went for heavy industries. The second Five-Year Plan was fully devoted to industrial development with a focus on large industries in practice.

India encouraged capital-intensive industries that came at a cost of loss of potential employment to millions of job seekers. This, in turn, failed to give a boost to industrial growth or rise in revenue collection for public investment in infrastructure or health and other essential sectors.

Military revamp

India and China fought a war in 1962. China occupied Aksai Chin, an area of over 37,000 sq km of Ladakh. Many believe that India's decision not to use air force was the reason for military debacle.

While China remains a rival to India even on borders, it has revamped its military to overcome the perceived weaknesses India did not exploit in 1962. In the latest series of military reforms, China modernized its forces along the lines of theatre-command. It is considered a more efficient military set up to deal with any security threat.

On the other hand, Indian forces are still organised on the World War II model. Modernisation of weaponry is also long overdue while China has been consistently improving its armoury. China has understood the changing nature of warfare - from conventional to technological that focuses on overwhelming enemies without losing too many soldiers in combat. India can take a leaf from Chinese book to meet the threat it faces from the same rival.

Energy conscious

Energy is the key to the survival and progress of a country and the conventional sources of energy - coal and oil - are limited. There is increased focus among the developed countries to shift to alternate sources of energy. China, too, has made the shift reducing its dependence on coal massively and promoting green energy like solar power. China has emerged as the second-largest solar energy producer.

India may emulate Chinese example to reduce its dependence on coal and oil, most of which it imports. Oil import has been a major oscillating factor determining the health of the Indian economy.

China has aggressively pushed the use of electric vehicles - a step India is following. According to a World Economic Forum report, China has the largest number of electric vehicles and public charging point for such vehicles. Given the state of pollution in Indian cities, a similar thrust to electric vehicles would do wonders for the air in the country.

Water wise

India has about four times more freshwater than China, which is three times its size. But India is facing bigger water problem today than China. Water shortage in Chennai earlier this year made global headlines. Many parts of Bihar faced drinking water shortage this year for the first time. Though, Bihar is the most flood-affected state of the country.

To overcome its water scarcity, China has been successful in teaching its farming community to use less water without compromising on agricultural productivity. India is the biggest puller of groundwater and the volume used by Indians exceeds the combined usage of the next two users - China and the USA.

But Indian water reserves have reached a stage where a Chinese approach is required. China not only encourages less use of water, but it also imposes fines on those - including industries and businesses -- overuse groundwater. Industrial or business units polluting rivers and ponds are also penalised rigorously.

Farmers heavily depend on groundwater for irrigation (more than 60 per cent of the need). One argument forwarded in their defence is that India's land holdings are extremely fragmented leading to overuse of water for irrigation. Average Chinese landholdings are smaller yet farmers use much less water for better agriculture productivity. India may also launch a decentralized awareness campaign to reduce wastage of water in cropping fields.

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Ruling elite destroyed country's image internationally, world trusts India not us: Pakistan interior minister

Pakistan Interior Minister Ijaz Ahmed Shah said: "People do not believe us in the international community." (Photo: Twitter/@MOIofficialPk)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Pakistan Interior Minister Ijaz Ahmed Shah said ruling elite destroyed country's image
• Brigadier Ijaz Ahmed shah said Pakistan has failed to convince international community over Kashmir issue
• "People think we are not a serious nation," Brig Ijaz Ahmed Shah said

Pakistan Interior Minister, Brigadier Ijaz Ahmed Shah, has brought a major embarrassment to Prime Minister Imran Khan and his coterie of ministers with his admission that Islamabad has failed to get support from the international community over its stand on Kashmir issue.

Brig Shah blamed Pakistan "ruling elite", including Imran Khan, for "destroying" the image of the country.

"People do not believe us in the international community. We say they [India] impose curfew and are not giving medicines to people of Jammu and Kashmir. People do not believe us, but they believe them. The ruling elite has destroyed the country. The ruling elite of this country destroyed the name. People think we are not a serious nation," Brig Shah said, during a talk show on Pakistani news channel Hum News on Wednesday.

When asked whether Imran Khan, Benazir Bhutto, Pervez Musharraf and others were a part of the ruling elite, the former spy chief said: "Everyone is responsible. Pakistan should now do a soul searching."

Ijaz's remarks came a day after Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, during a United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session in Geneva, claimed that India has transformed Jammu and Kashmir into the largest "caged prison in this planet" after the abrogation of Article 370 and that the human rights were being "trampled with impunity" there.

India had rejected Shah Mahmood Qureshi's allegations and hit back saying a "fabricated narrative" on Jammu and Kashmir has come from "the epicentre of global terrorism" and from a nation, which conducts cross-border terrorism as a form of 'alternate diplomacy.

Islamabad has been left red-faced after its desperate attempts to internationalise the Kashmir issue fell flat. The country has found itself isolated after being snubbed at the United Nations, as well as by countries like the United States, France, and Russia.

India's decision has been hailed internationally with several countries calling the move as India's internal matter even as Pakistan has been trying to internationalise the issue.

Islamabad has found itself completely isolated despite desperate attempts aimed at internationalising the issue.

Pakistan has approached various world leaders, including Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, French President Emmanuel Macron and the Jordanian King Abdullah II to seek their interventions into the issue, but in vain.

However, Pakistan has been told to engage bilaterally with India to end tensions. India has repeatedly made it clear that talks with Pakistan are only possible after Islamabad stops sponsoring terror.

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Indian, Chinese soldiers face-off near Pangong lake in eastern Ladakh, tensions ease after talks

Two-thirds of the 135 km-long Pangong Tso is controlled by China. (File Photo)

HIGHLIGHTS

• India, China troops engage in heated exchange in eastern Ladakh
• Face-off after Chinese objected to patrol by Indian soldiers in the area
• Issue resolved during delegation-level talks between the two sides

Tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) flared up on Wednesday following a face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh. The standoff that lasted a day, however, ended after delegation-level talks were held.

The Indian and Chinese troops were reportedly engaged in a confrontation near the northern bank of the Pangong lake in Ladakh, two-thirds of which is controlled by China.

Army sources said tensions escalated when Indian troops on patrol were confronted by the soldiers of the People’s Liberation Army of China. This resulted in a scuffle with the two sides sending more soldiers to the area, sources added.

"There was a face-off between the two armies but it got over after the delegation-level talks between two sides. The face-off is over now and it had de-escalated and disengaged fully after delegation-level talks yesterday [Wednesday]," the Indian Army said.

ANI

✔@ANI

Indian Army: There was a face off between soldiers of Indian Army and Chinese Army near the northern bank of the Pangong lake. The face off was over after the delegation level talks between two sides there. De-escalated & disengaged fully after delegation level talks yesterday.

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8:36 AM - Sep 12, 2019

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Incidentally, the confrontation took place in the same area where Indian and Chinese troops had engaged in a bitter scuffle during the Doklam standoff.

The Indian Army has said similar incidents can take place along the LAC in view of its exercise next month.

The Army had on Wednesday announced its plan to hold an exercise in Arunachal Pradesh. The Indian Army had said war games will be organised in Arunachal Pradesh starting October in which the Indian Air Force and the Army will jointly exercise real war scenario inside the Indian territory.

This comes around a month ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on October 10-12 near Chennai. Line of Actual Control (LAC) stability and trade ties are likely to be the focus of discussion when PM Modi meets Xi Jinping.

(With inputs from Manjeet Negi)

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Pakistan minister plays dirty, says India threatened Sri Lankan cricketers

Pakistan minister Chaudhary Fawad Hussain has attacked India over Sri Lankan players opting out of a Pakistan tour.

HIGHLIGHTS

• 10 top Sri Lankan players pulled out of a Pakistan tour over security concerns
• Pakistan minister Chaudhary Fawad has blamed India for this
• The minister claimed that India threatened Lankan players that they'll be ousted from IPL

Aday after 10 top Sri Lankan cricketers pulled out of an upcoming Pakistan tour over security concerns, motormouth Pakistani minister Chaudhary Fawad Hussain has claimed that India had threatened the players, forcing them to take the step.

In a tweet on Tuesday, Pakistan minister for Science and Technology, Fawad Hussain said, "Informed sports commentators told me that India threatened SL players that they ll be ousted from IPL if they don't refuse Pak visit, this is really cheap tactic, jingoism from sports to space is something we must condemn, really cheap on the part of Indian sports authorities (sic)".

Ch Fawad Hussain

✔@fawadchaudhry

Informed sports commentators told me that India threatened SL players that they ll be ousted from IPL if they don’t refuse Pak visit, this is really cheap tactic, jingoism from sports to space is something we must condemn, really cheap on the part of Indian sports authorities

5,344

12:44 PM - Sep 10, 2019

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10 Sri Lanka players, including the likes of Lasith Malinga and Angelo Mathews, have pulled out of the upcoming tour of Pakistan, citing security fears.

The decision was taken after a meeting organized by Sri Lanka Cricket with players of the national team on Monday, Sri Lanka Cricket said in a statement.

In 2009, a terrorist attack targeted a Sri Lankan cricket team bus in Lahore, in which several players were left injured. Since then, Pakistan has remained isolated as a destination for international cricket.

Following Sri Lankan players pulling out, an official source in the Pakistan Cricket Board had told news agency PTI that Pakistan would accept whatever team the Sri Lankan board sends.

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WATCH: When Trump said PM Modi speaks excellent English but does not want to

While Trump obviously spoke in English, PM Modi chose to speak at the press meet in Hindi which was translated into English for the audience. (Photo: Reuters)

HIGHLIGHTS

• PM Modi and US President Donald Trump met at G7 Summit, discussed Kashmir.
• PM Modi answered questions posed by reporters in Hindi.
• The duo held hands while the room burst into laughter.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his close friend US President Donald Trump shared a laugh as the duo addressed the media at the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France.

The two leaders held 40-minute discussions in Biarritz, the French town which is hosting the meeting of the world's most industrialised nations.

The two leaders exchanged a warm handshake and spoke to the media. While Trump obviously spoke in English, PM Modi chose to speak at the press meet in Hindi which was translated into English for the audience.

Prime Minister Modi asked reporters to let the leaders talk in privacy

In the middle PM Modi said in Hindi, "Mujhe lagta hai hum dono ko baat karne dijiye, hum dono baat karte rahenge. Jab zarurat padegi hum apko zaroor jaankari pohchaenge [I think you should let the two of us talk, we will keep talking. When the need arises, we will apprise of you what transpired]."

Pat came the reply from Donald Trump, "He actually speaks very good English, he just doesn't want to talk right now!"

Trump's remark sent both leaders into peals of laughter. The audience also burst out laughing.

Amused by what his American friend had said, PM Modi held Trump's hand as you do with any other friend.

On his part, Trump said he and Modi spoke last night about Kashmir and he feels that both India and Pakistan can resolve it.

Their meeting came against the backdrop of the Indian government revoking the special status to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcating the state into two Union Territories on August 5

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Donald Trump backs off on Kashmir, Imran Khan issues nuclear threat

Tensions between India and Pakistan spiked after India abrogated provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution, evoking strong reactions from Pakistan. (Photo: Twitter/Reuters)

HIGHLIGHTS

• PM Modi said India will not bother any other nation with its bilateral issue
• Even US President Donald Trump agreed India and Pakistan will resolve Kashmir dispute bilaterally
• In Pakistan, Imran Khan said he will escalate Kashmir issue to global level

India's diplomatic manoeuvring with the US led to President Donald Trump admitting that Kashmir is a "bilateral" issue between India and Pakistan.

Even ahead of the bilateral meeting between the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Donald Trump, the two leaders discussed the issue of Kashmir over the leadership dinner in the scenic beach city of Biarritz in France on Sunday ahead of the G7 summit-level meeting.

Meanwhile, Pakistani PM Imran Khan addressed his country on the Kashmir situation and said that he will raise the issue at every international forum, including at the UN General Assembly.

Here is what transpired in the international world on Kashmir:

• At G7 Summit, US President Donald Trump told the media, "We spoke last night about Kashmir, Prime Minister [Modi] really feels he has it under control. They speak with Pakistan and I'm sure that they will be able to do something that will be very good."
• Sitting beside Trump, PM Modi reiterated India's stance on Kashmir and in a subtle but stern way said that India didn't "want to trouble any third country".
• Without directly referring to the Kashmir issue, PM Modi said, "There are many issues with Pakistan are bilateral, We don't bother other countries about these issues. We can find solutions through discussions."
• "India and Pakistan were together before 1947 and I'm confident that we can discuss our problems and solve them together," PM Modi added during the media interaction.
• An hour or so after PM Modi and Trump met, Pakistan PM Imran Khan issued a nuclear threat to India.
• Calling India's decision on Kashmir a "historic blunder", Imran Khan said, "if there is a war, then the world should remember that both India and Pakistan are nuclear powers. And in case of war, no one will win, but the world will be responsible as the effects of war will be felt by everyone."

The address by Pakistan's PM will not go down well in the international community.

In all its international conversations, India has reiterated its position with no opposition from any quarter.

The issue of Kashmir did not come up during talks with UK PM Boris Johnsons said Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale.

On the nuclear threat, Vivek Katju, former secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, said, "It is standard Paksitani tactic. What the Pakistanis have failed to do is translate this engagement into mediation. There is a fundamental distinction between engagement and mediation and the latter is what Pakistan has always failed to achieve."

While Pakistan claimed it succeeded in internationalising the issue of Kashmir, Christine Fair, Strategic Affairs Expert said, "There is never going to be mediation in Kashmir whether Trump says it or not. That is the reality..."

And while the current US administration is transactional in nature and Washington needs Pakistan in the US, it also needs India on the economic and strategic sphere.

Bharat Karnad, a research professor of the Centre for Policy Research said, "Trump is impulsive. Whatever he has said today, he might overturn tomorrow. He is a transactional kind of person and he could go to any length to realise his goals."

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Brazilian President mocks Macron's wife, he says Brazil women must be ashamed of Bolsonaro

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron welcome Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he arrives for a banquet during the G7 summit in Biarritz. (Reuters photo)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Bolsonaro mocked the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron in a Facebook post
• Macron hit back saying Brazilian women must be ashamed of Bolsonaro
• Brazil was angered after Macron posted about the Amazon forest fires

Brazilian women are probably ashamed of President Jair Bolsonaro, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday, hitting back after the Brazilian leader mocked Macron's wife on Facebook.

The leaders have been feuding in recent weeks, with Macron blaming Bolsonaro for fires in the Amazon and accusing him of lying about climate change policy.

Bolsonaro responded on Sunday to a Facebook post that compared the looks of his wife Michelle, 37, with Macron's 66-year-old wife Brigitte.

"Do not humiliate the man hahahah," Bolsonaro wrote, in a comment widely criticised as sexist.

Asked about the incident at a news conference in Biarritz where G7 leaders are gathered for a summit, Macron said the comments were "extremely disrespectful" to his wife.

"It's sad, it's sad first of all for him and for Brazilians," Macron said. "Brazilian women are probably feeling ashamed of their president."

"Since I have a lot of esteem and respect for the people of Brazil, I hope they will very soon have a president who is up to the job," Macron added.

Later on Monday, Bolsonaro denounced Macron's plan for an international alliance to protect the Amazon, saying on Twitter that it would treat Brazil like a colony.

Brazil was angered after Macron, in the run up to the G7 summit, tweeted a photo of the burning Amazon forest, writing: "Our house is burning. Literally." Macron said he had been lied to by Bolsonaro over his commitments to fighting climate change.

In July, Bolsonaro cancelled a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian - getting a haircut instead.

Since taking office in January, Bolsonaro has railed against the enforcement of environmental regulations in Brazil and announced intentions to develop the Amazon region, where deforestation of the world's largest rainforest by loggers, ranchers and speculators has surged this year.

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