Morning Digest | U.S. to send Deputy NSA to India ahead of Russian FM’s visit; Defence pacts with India pose no threat, says Sri Lanka, and more

A select list of stories to read before you start your day

Ahead of Lavrov’s arrival, U.S. to send Deputy NSA to India

Just ahead of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to India this week, the Biden administration is sending its chief strategist on sanctions against Russia for the war in Ukraine, Deputy National Security Adviser Daleep Singh. Mr. Singh is due to be in Delhi for meetings on Thursday, while Mr. Lavrov will hold meetings with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and other officials on Friday, after arriving from Beijing where he is attending a conference on Afghanistan.

Sri Lanka’s media clarification reveals two recent defence pacts with India

A media clarification issued by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence has brought to light two recent defence pacts it has signed with India that neither side officially announced. “The recently signed maritime security pacts with the Government of India will not result in hindrance or threat to the national security of Sri Lanka,” said a media statement issued by the Ministry on Tuesday. It referred to the “the receipt of Floating Dock Facility from the Government of India at no cost” and the provision of “Dornier Reconnaissance Aircraft” by India to Sri Lanka “free of charge”.

Parliamentary panel grills Facebook on ‘politically motivated’ algorithm

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Technology on Monday questioned Facebook officials over allegations that the algorithm used for its advertising platform unfairly promotes one political party in the country. The U.S.-headquartered social media giant was also questioned over claims that hate content is rewarded on the platform as well as the company’s lack of Indian language experts for quality check. The committee met on Monday on the subject — ‘Safeguarding citizens’ rights and prevention of misuse of social/online news media platforms, including special emphasis on women security in the digital space’.

Not pleased with India’s votes on Ukraine, but confident we share same values: EU envoy