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By Shakoor Rather New Delhi, Feb 6 () The recent locust outbreak along the India-Pakistan border may have been driven by the longer-than-usual monsoon rains across the region, and frequent cyclones in the Indian Ocean, scientists say. In India, the outbreak -- the biggest in 26 years -- began late last year in Gujarat and Rajasthan states, and recently Punjab was also affected. In Pakistan, the government declared national emergency last week to eliminate the attacking swarms of desert locusts, which were destroying crops on a large scale in the country's Punjab province. "The current locust outbreak is the biggest in 25 years in Ethiopia and Somalia, 26 years in India, 70 years in Kenya," Keith Cressman, locust forecasting officer at the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) told . "The outbreak started after heavy amounts of rains over east Africa and the Arabian Peninsula," Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune added. According to the FAO, locusts are the oldest migratory pests in the world. These insects differ from ordinary grasshoppers in their ability to change behaviour, and form swarms that can migrate over large distances. The most devastating of all locust species is the Desert Locust (Schistocerca gregaria), according to FAO. The locusts, which are considered to be among the most dangerous pests known to humanity, reproduce fast -- 20-fold within three months, the FAO experts noted. An adult locust can eat quantity equal to its weight daily, and just a single square kilometer of swarm can contain up to 80 million adults, they said. Koll noted the heavy rains which drove the locust outbreak occurred due to intense storm activity sourced from the Arabian Sea during the last two seasons. "Heavy rain triggers growth of vegetation in arid areas where desert locusts can then grow and breed," he said. Koll explained that recently climate change accentuated the phenomenon called the "Indian Ocean Dipole", with warmer than usual waters to its west, and cooler waters to its east. "On top of that, the rising temperatures due to global warming made the Western Indian Ocean particularly warm," he said. Cressman added that the current locust invasion in India by an unprecedented number of swarms originated in southern Iran from their breeding in spring last year. "Summer breeding along both sides of the Indo-Pakistan border was much higher than normal due to the swarm invasion and the monsoon rains lasting one month longer than normal, allowing up to three generations of breeding," Cressman said. The outbreak originated from two cyclones (May and Oct 2018) that allowed three generations of breeding - from June 2018 to March 2019 -- in the Arabian Peninsula, and caused an 8,000-fold increase in locust numbers, he added. According to Cressman, this was followed by further breeding after unusually heavy rains in Iran and Yemen, and finally another cyclone in the Horn of Africa in early December 2019. "Generally enhanced convection (cloud formation and rains) and cyclone activity follows the warm waters as they derive the energy and moisture from the ocean," Koll explained. As a result, he said, regions surrounding the warm western Indian Ocean -- such as East Africa, Arabian Peninsula and Indian subcontinent received a lot of rains during the last two seasons. "Along with that, the cyclone activity over the west Indian Ocean was also exceptional -- we saw the largest number, and the strongest cyclones this year -- releasing more rains. This might have triggered the locust outbreak," he said. India has not witnessed any full-blown locust cycles after 1962, however, they experts said, large-scale upsurges were observed during 1978 and 1993. Globally, Cressman said, the current generation of swarms formed shortly after last season's crops were harvested, but there has been considerable damage to pastures -- a primary livelihood in the Horn of Africa. "It is not only warm temperatures that favour locusts but also rainfall. The latter is not expected to occur is sufficient quantities until the start of the summer monsoon in Rajasthan which is usually in July, therefore, breeding now is not very likely in India," he said. "Climate models do show that the number and intensity of Indian Ocean Dipole events -- like the one we saw in 2019 -- are going to increase further in the future," Koll added. SAR VIS AKJ SARSAR

Prolonged monsoon in Indo-Pak region drove recent locust outbreak: Scientists

New Delhi, Apr 27 () State-run HIL India is looking for joint venture investments from agro-chemical makers in China, South Korea and Japan after the government asked fertiliser and chemical PSUs to convert the current COVID-19 adversity into an opportunity.Fertiliser and Chemicals Minister D V Sadananda Gowda has advised that "Indian corporates especially PSUs under his ministry should try to convert COVID-19 adversity into an opportunity of attracting investments from abroad.""Following on the advice, HIL, a CPSU under the department, is looking for expanding its business area and has sent proposals to Indian Embassies/Missions in China, Japan and South Korea for inviting interested agro-chemical manufacturers in respective countries for investment in India," an official statement said.HIL is looking for business tie up in areas of contract manufacturing or plan-on-lease arrangement, it said. For smooth running of its Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals has taken initiatives to overcome the hurdles posed by Covid-19 pandemic and has suggested them to strengthen their performance by exploring joint ventures with global enterprises looking for investments. Despite facing a lot of hurdles due to COVID crisis, the ministry said HIL is ensuring supply of essential chemicals such as DDT in health segments, while seeds and pesticides in agriculture segments in various parts of the country.The ministry said that production in HIL units has been affected during the lockdown period. However, the company has shown good sales during the last week ended April 24.HIL sold 37.99 tonnes of agro-chemicals, dispatched 97 tonnes of DDT, executed an export order of 10 tonnes of Mancozeb to Peru, it said.HIL has also drafted an agreement, which has been shared with the Ministry of Agriculture, for supply of Malathion Technical for Locust Control Programme, it added. LUX MKJ

HIL looking for JV investments from China, S Korea, Japan amid COVID-19 crisis

<ul><li>India and China have five treaties between them to address border disputes like the current tension along the <keyword id="49399" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Line-of-Actual-Control">Line of Actual Control</keyword> in Ladakh. </li><li>Experts believe that Chinese aggression along the border may only be masking other issues that the country is facing on the home front. </li><li>Spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Anurag Srivastava, clarified said that India is ‘firm’ in its resolve to maintain national security along the border.</li></ul>The standoff between China and India along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has reportedly been intensifying with both sides sending in more troops to defend their respective sides. “We remain firm in our resolve to ensure India’s sovereignty and national security,” said Anurag Srivastava, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs addressing a press conference last night. <div type="javascript" title="Custom" contenttype="Video"><cdata><![CDATA[]]></cdata></div> "Our troops have taken a very responsible approach towards border management and strictly followed the procedures laid out in different bilateral agreements and protocols with China to resolve any issue that may arise in the border areas,” said Srivastava. He outlined five treaties between the two nations that their disposal to address border disputes: <ol><li>1993 agreement of maintenance of peace and tranquility along the LAC</li><li>1996 agreement of confidence-building measures in the military field along the LAC</li><li>2005 protocol on the modalities of confidence-building measures in the military field along the LAC</li><li>2012 agreement on the establishment of a working mechanism for consultation and coordination on India-China border affairs</li><li>2013 border defence cooperation agreement</li></ol>Experts opine that the reason that border issues continue to reemerge between India and China is because the claim line has not been explicitly demarcated. China’s version of the claim line is different from India’s version of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Decoding China’s aggression Even though the above treaties are in place for both sides to negotiate, “It is hoped that miraculously China may change, but for now, unless Xi Jinping mends fences, New Delhi must continue to frame policies assuming the worst about Beijing’s intentions,” said <a href="https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/the-ladakh-lesson-india-must-guard-against-chinese-tech-intrusion-66974/?amp">Gautam Chikermane</a>, the Vice President of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF). “This time around, China’s incursions may be another episodic distraction for its territorial ambitions in Hong Kong and Taiwan,” he added. Retired Lieutenant General HS Panag believes that China is under the impression that India wants Aksai Chin back — and area of eastern Ladakh that was the central issue of the 1962 War. “My assessment is that the PLA has deployed maximum one brigade each in Galwan River valley and along the north bank of Pangong Tso,” he wrote in <a href="https://theprint.in/opinion/china-believes-india-wants-aksai-chin-back-thats-why-it-has-crossed-lac-in-ladakh/430899/">The Print.</a> Other experts like <a href="https://www.orfonline.org/research/the-domestic-motivations-of-beijings-lac-aggression-66928/?amp">Harsh V. Pant</a>, the director of studies and head strategic studies programme at ORF, and Kartik Bommakanti, an associate fellow also with ORF, believe that China may be trying to gain India’s support in the global investigation of the origins of the coronavirus — or may just be rooted in nationalism. “China is picking fights with multiple actors simultaneously amid an ongoing health pandemic precisely because of what it sees as a nationalist imperative,” they said. Media reports claim that the People’s Liberation Army has crossed over to India’s side of LAC and physically secured <a href="https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-all-you-need-to-know-about-india-china-stand-off-in-ladakh/353519">three to four kilometres</a> along the Galwan Valley in addition to the entire area between Finger 5 and Finger 8 along the northern bank of Pangong Tso Lake — which is around <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/india-china-conflict-in-ladakh-the-importance-of-the-pangong-tso-lake-6419377/">eight to ten kilometres</a>. “The two sides have established mechanisms, both at military and diplomatic levels, to resolve situations which may arise in border areas peacefully through dialogue. We continue to remain engaged through these channels,” Srivastava explained. Modi isn’t in a ‘good mood’, says Trump In lieu of US President Trump’s offer to help mediate on the ‘raging’ border issue, Srivastava said, “We’re engaged with the Chinese side to peacefully resolve this issue.” <div type="image" title="US President Donald Trump offers to mediate on border dispute between India and China" msid="76085382" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;US President Donald Trump offers to mediate on border dispute between India and China&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Following which <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/news/trump-feels-that-modi-is-not-in-a-good-mood-over-big-conflict-with-china/articleshow/76084735.cms">Trump told White House reporters</a>, “I can tell you, I did speak to Prime Minister Modi. He is not in a good about what is going with China.” “They have a big conflict India and China. Two countries with 1.4 billion people (each). Two countries with very powerful militaries. India is not happy and probably China is not happy,” he said when asked if he was worried about the border situation between India and China. However, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/news/modi-and-trump-did-not-discuss-india-china-border-issue/articleshow/76084815.cms">government sources</a> told PTI that Modi and Trump have had no recent conversations. The last time they spoke it was about the SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/india-china-border-dispute-beijing-sends-more-troops/articleshow/76060995.cms">China is reportedly adding troops on the Ladakh border⁠ and India is matching up to it</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/donald-trump-offers-to-mediate-india-china-border-dispute/articleshow/76037792.cms">Donald Trump offers to mediate the ‘raging’ border dispute between India and China</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/locust-swarms-are-turning-into-a-diplomatic-issue-between-india-and-pakistan/articleshow/76083482.cms">Locust swarms are turning into a diplomatic issue between India and Pakistan</a>

India says there are five treaties to push the Chinese army behind the Line of Actual Control⁠ — while experts tell Modi to remain cautious

Reiterating his offer to mediate on the border dispute between India and China, US President <keyword id="6354484" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Donald-Trump">Donald Trump</keyword> has said that he spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is not in a "good mood" over the "big conflict" between the two countries. Interacting with journalists in the Oval Office of the <keyword id="6356037" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="white-house">White House</keyword> on Thursday, Trump said a "big conflict" was going on between India and China. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="76037792" title="Donald Trump offers to mediate the ‘raging’ border dispute between India and China" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> "They like me in India. I think they like me in India more than the media likes me in this country. And, I like Modi. I like your prime minister a lot. He is a great gentleman," he said. "They have a big conflict ...India and China. Two countries with 1.4 billion people (each). Two countries with very powerful militaries. India is not happy and probably China is not happy," the president said when asked if he was worried about the border situation between India and China. "I can tell you; I did speak to Prime Minister Modi. He is not in a good mood about what is going on with China," Trump said. A day earlier, the president offered to mediate between India and China. Trump on Wednesday said in a tweet that he was "ready, willing and able to mediate" between the two countries. Responding to a question on his tweet, Trump reiterated his offer, saying if called for help, "I would do that (mediate). If they thought it would help" about "mediate or arbitrate, I would do that," he said. India on Wednesday said it was engaged with China to peacefully resolve the border row, in a carefully crafted reaction to Trump's offer to arbitrate between the two Asian giants to settle their decades-old dispute. "We are engaged with the Chinese side to peacefully resolve it," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson <keyword id="916281" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Anurag-Srivastava">Anurag Srivastava</keyword> said, replying to a volley of questions at an online media briefing. "The two sides have established mechanisms both at military and diplomatic levels to resolve situations which may arise in border areas peacefully through dialogue and continue to remain engaged through these channels," he said. While the Chinese Foreign Ministry is yet to react to Trump's tweet which appears to have caught Beijing by surprise, an op-ed in the state-run Global Times said both countries did not need such help from the US president. "The latest dispute can be solved bilaterally by China and India. The two countries should keep alert on the US, which exploits every chance to create waves that jeopardise regional peace and order," it said. Trump's unexpected offer came on a day when China took an apparently conciliatory tone by saying that the situation at the border with India is "overall stable and controllable." In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Wednesday that both China and India have proper mechanisms and communication channels to resolve the issues through dialogue and consultations. Trump previously offered to mediate between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue, a proposal that was rejected by New Delhi. The situation in eastern Ladakh deteriorated after around 250 Chinese and Indian soldiers were engaged in a violent face-off on the evening of May 5 which spilled over to the next day before the two sides agreed to "disengage" following a meeting at the level of local commanders. Over 100 Indian and Chinese soldiers were injured in the violence. The incident in Pangong Tso was followed by a similar incident in North Sikkim on May 9. On May 5, the Indian and the Chinese army personnel clashed with iron rods, sticks, and even resorted to stone-pelting in the Pangong Tso lake area in which soldiers on both sides sustained injuries. In a separate incident, nearly 150 Indian and Chinese military personnel were engaged in a face-off near Naku La Pass in the Sikkim sector on May 9. At least 10 soldiers from both sides sustained injuries. The troops of India and China were engaged in a 73-day stand-off in Doklam tri-junction in 2017 which even triggered fears of a war between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. The India-China border dispute covers the 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet while India contests it. Both sides have been asserting that pending the final resolution of the boundary issue, it is necessary to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/india-china-border-dispute-beijing-sends-more-troops/articleshow/76060995.cms">China is reportedly adding troops on the Ladakh border⁠ and India is matching up to it</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/donald-trump-offers-to-mediate-india-china-border-dispute/articleshow/76037792.cms">Donald Trump offers to mediate the ‘raging’ border dispute between India and China</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/locust-swarms-are-turning-into-a-diplomatic-issue-between-india-and-pakistan/articleshow/76083482.cms">Locust swarms are turning into a diplomatic issue between India and Pakistan</a>

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Prolonged monsoon in Indo-Pak region drove recent locust outbreak: Scientists

PTI

HIL looking for JV investments from China, S Korea, Japan amid COVID-19 crisis

PTI

India says there are five treaties to push the Chinese army behind the Line of Actual Control⁠ — while experts tell Modi to remain cautious

Prabhjote Gill

Trump feels that Modi is not in a 'good mood' over 'big conflict' with China

PTI

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