The India-Bangladesh relations got a major boost after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared to support the land-boundary agreement with the neighbouring nation.
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Analysis
The India-Bangladesh relations got a major boost after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared to support the land-boundary agreement with the neighbouring nation. The agreement, signed during former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Bangladesh in September 2011, has been waiting for ratification by the Indian parliament. Banerjee’s declaration has brightened the prospect of the ratification now.
Earlier in the week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed his intention of formalising the agreement. Still, some scepticism prevailed as Banerjee was opposing the same and the bill could not be passed in the last parliament due to objection raised by her party, the Trinamool Congress.
The land-boundary between the two nations is 4,096-km long, and runs through five Indian states -- West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. The border is extremely porous and lacks natural boundaries. Most of the disputes between the two countries is a legacy of the colonial past and was done in a most abrupt manner that distorted the natural economic channels of the region. Major disputes include the demarcation of 6.5 km of the boundary, exchange of enclaves (111 Indian enclaves inside Bangladesh territory and 54 Bangladeshi enclaves inside India) and land in adverse-possession. Ratification of the land boundary agreement between India and Bangladesh will resolve all the boundary disputes between the two countries.
Point of irritant
Delay in ratification of the agreement has emerged as a major point of irritant between India and Bangladesh. Bangladesh has been urging India to resolve the agreement for a long time. Slow progress in ratification of the agreement had made the rhetoric against India louder. The feeling had been that they had been cheated of their due because the popular sentiment is that by forwarding security cooperation with India, the country has contributed in normalising the conflict situation in Northeast India.
Resolution of the boundary dispute will improve trade and connectivity with India, which in a way would contribute to the economic progress of the region. Again, in Bangladesh its relationship with India is often judged from the prism of the loss and gains. Once this agreement is ratified, Bangladesh will gain some 17,160 acres compared to India 7110 acres of land perceived to be a major addition.
The declarations by both Modi and Benarjee have greatly changed public perception in Bangladesh regarding India. In spite of substantial progress of the bilateral relationship in past few years, the public perception in Bangladesh was not very favourable to India. The popular perception was that India is not serious about its relationship with Bangladesh. The reason for such a sentiment was largely because of the non-ratification of the agreement.
The ratification of the land boundary agreement by India will help in bringing back the warmth between the two countries. This agreement will prepare a positive ground for the Indian Prime Minister Modi to visit Bangladesh, the country which is crucial for India’s connectivity with South East Asia and for the development of India’s north-eastern states.
(The writer is a Fellow at Observer Research Foundation, Delhi)
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Bhutan: Connectivity with Bangladesh
Mihir Bhonsale
The land-locked Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan has the opportunity of boosting its ties with SAARC neighbour Bangladesh, as never before, with the Heads of State meeting in the first week of December. Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay would be visiting Bangladesh on an invitation from her Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina.
An expected outcome of this visit would be the renewal of the bilateral trade agreement between the two countries for a 10 year period. Bhutan is also likely to discuss her access to Bangla seaports and airports, facilitating foreign trade and boosting her domestic economy.
Economic relations
Cooperation between Bhutan and Bangladesh is today more than three decades old, it began with the signing of the bilateral trade agreement between the two countries in 1980. India had agreed to allow its rail and road network for Bhutan-Bangladesh trade. The port of Chittagong served as a transit for land-locked Bhutan’s foreign trade.
Under the agreement duty free access to Bangladeshi products was granted in Bhutan and Bangladesh in turn imposed a 50 percent of normal duty on Bhutan’s exports. Bangladesh has become the largest export market for Bhutanese goods in terms of hard currency.
Today, Bhutan wants to use Chittagong and Mongla seaports and Chittagong and Dhaka airports of Bangladesh and wants to open five new land customs stations under a new protocol on transit between the two countries. Both countries are eager to renew the transit agreement that lapsed in 2000 after being in operation for two decades.
Bhutan’s trade with Bangladesh stood at over US $ 22 million in 2010-11. Bangladesh exports to Bhutan include items like ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals, melamine, toilet soap, dry food, fruit juice and mineral water. Products like fresh fruits, paper and paper boards, crushed stones, coffee and spices are exported to Bangladesh by Bhutan.
Tourism is another area of potential intensifying economic ties between the two countries. With a private sector delegation of Bhutan set to visit Bangladesh with the Prime Minister Tobgay, agro-processing and tourism would remain the main industries for pushing growth in trade between the two countries.
Trade in electricity
Bhutan’s huge green power potential has drawn the attention of energy-deficit Bangladesh. Bangladesh is keen to tap the hydropower potential of Bhutan. The recently sealed SAARC Framework Agreement for Energy Cooperation in Kathmandu has come as a blessing for Bhutan to trade in electricity with Bangladesh.
Bhutan has already had a connection with Bangladesh and the recently concluded SAARC agreement would facilitate regional grids connecting Bangladesh and Bhutan through India. Bhutan’s commitment to energy needs of India would remain but Bangladesh would like to partner with Bhutan to jointly harness potential of 25,000 MW total hydropower capacity of the Himalayan nation.
With hydropower cooperation with Bangladesh, Thimphu would benefit as it would to some extent move away from reliance on India to develop its huge resources and earn revenue by selling power. However, Thimphu needs to expedite commitments with India before entering into new agreements with Bangladesh.
Regional connectivity
Connectivity between the SAARC nations of India, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal through road and rail links has been proposed. In the recently concluded SAARC Summit, the Motor Vehicles agreement and Regional Railways agreements were pushed through. However, it might have not been reached in the summit, but the commitment remains.
India remains a crucial country for giving transit to trade between the Himalayan nations Bhutan and Nepal and Bangladesh. There are several proposed routes connecting through rail and roadways especially connecting border points. But, there is need to expedite such projects.
The ironing out of differences between India and Bangladesh, for example the land-boundary agreement have come as a welcome step over the future of rail and road linkages, promoting better connectivity.
The in operation integrated check-post on the Agartala-Akhaura, one among the seven upgraded border check-posts on the Indo-Bangla border for smoother movement of goods and people could serve as a model for emulation in the region.
However, connectivity projects should not just be kept limited to the SAARC-level. Bilateral and sub-regional rail, road and air links must be expedited. The meeting between the Prime Ministers of Bhutan and Bangladesh is going to have such an effect, it can be hoped.
(The writer is a Research Assistant at the Observer Research Foundation, Kolkata).
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Country Reports
< style="color: #a52a2a; font-size: medium;">Afghanistan
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Pledge for continued support
The international community, during the 2014 London Conference on Afghanistan, pledged to continue providing US$ 16 billion in assistance to Afghanistan for another four years. The summit was attended by representatives from 70 countries and a number of international organisations.
Apart from long-time allies like the US, the UK and Germany, countries like China and Kazakhstan also pledged to provide long-term assistance to Afghanistan.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani assured the international dignitaries that the necessary reforms would be brought about in Afghanistan. However, he and UK Prime Minister David Cameron, in a joint press briefing after the conference, emphasised on the need for peace and security in the country for there to be any long-term development.
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For more information see: "Ghani Talks Reform, Peace as Donors Renew Commitments in London", Tolo News, 5 December 2014
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">SC upholds ruling in’ Kabul Bank scam’
The Supreme Court of Afghanistan upheld the decision of an appeals court with regard to the ’Kabul Bank scandal’. The Supreme Court was asked to review this decision after a number of the individuals indicted by the appeals court had rejected its earlier judgment. It is being reported that all the assets of the defendants will remain frozen until all the stolen money has been recovered.
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For more information see : "Kabul Bank Corruption Case Closed, Supreme Court Upholds Ruling", Tolo News, 4 December 2014
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">’Pakistan will never cooperate’
In his farewell speech, outgoing Interior Minister Umer Daudzai claimed that the efforts of the new Afghan government to seek cooperation from Pakistan were a "waste of time". He further claimed that Pakistan was seeking to set up Taliban offices in Helmand and Kunar provinces so that it could avoid any international pressure against itself for providing a haven to the Afghan insurgents. He urged the Afghan President to adopt new measures for seeking peace in the region.
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For more information see : "Daudzai Calls on Ghani to Review Peace Policy", Tolo News, 4 December 2014; "Pakistan will never cooperate with the Afghan peace process: Daudzai", Khaama Press, 4 December 2014
< style="color: #a52a2a; font-size: medium;">Bangladesh
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">600 MW more power from India
Bangladesh is all set to import 100 megawatts of electricity from Indian state of Tripura. Talks in this regard are at its final state. Also fresh negotiation has started to import another 500 megawatts of electricity from India by 2016. Bangladesh is planning to source about 5,000 MW of power from regional suppliers like India, Nepal and Butan over the next few years.
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For more information see : "Bangladesh to source 600MW more power from India", The Financial Express, 1 December 2014
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Graft rising
Corruption rose in Bangladesh with the country sliding two notches to rank the 14th most corrupt country in the world, according to this year’s Corruption Perception Index of Transparency International. The country scored 25 points out of 100, two points less than last year’s, shows the index released globally by the Berlin-based graft watchdog.
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For more information see : "Graft rising", The Daily Star, 4 December 2014
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">PM’s Malaysia visit
Prime minister visited Malaysia this week. Main highlight of the visit was signing of 4 agreements between the two countries. The four agreements are: Protocol Amending the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of 2012 between Malaysia and Bangladesh on the Employment of Workers, MoU between Bangladesh and Malaysia on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism, Agreement between Bangladesh and Malaysia on the Partial Abolition of Visa Requirements and MoU between Bangladesh and Malaysia on Cultural, Arts and Heritage Cooperation. The joint statement issues during the visit said that the agreements would bring the two countries closer in each other’s benefit.
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For more information see : "Dhaka-Kl ink 4 deals", The Daily Star, 4 December 2014
< style="color: #a52a2a; font-size: medium;">Bhutan
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">PM to visit Bangladesh
Prime minister, Tshering Tobgay would visit Bangladesh between 6 and 8 December on an invitation of Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The renewal of the bilateral trade agreement between the two countries for a period of 10 years is an expected outcome of the visit.
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For more information see : "Prime Minister to visit Bangladesh", Kuensel Online, 2 December 2014
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">NC for nationalisation of mining
The National Council has recommended the government to amend or enact laws, terminate licences of defaulters and take administrative action on civil servants and mining companies failing to do the job.
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For more information see : "National Council advises nationalization", Kuensel Online, 4 December 2014; "Public Mining Companies’ board and executives paid too much Kuensel Online, 2 December 2014
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Security tightened
Bhutan has tightened the security on the southern border owing to cases of rioting and murders on the Samste border and Sarpang respectively, leaving people threatened.
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For more information see : "Security in southern border strengthened: Home Minister", Bhutan Broadcasting Service, 3 December 2014
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Govt undecided on airlines
The National Council has asked the government, why it allowed Bhutan Airlines to violate terms and conditions of licensing international flights which was to subsidise domestic flights and on setting an unhealthy precedent. The government has been unable to decide on what to do with the airline.
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For more information see : "Cabinet yet to decide on Bhutan Airlines’ domestic flights", Kuensel Online, 3 December 2014
< style="color: #a52a2a; font-size: medium;">India
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Terror-attack on army camp amidst high voter turnout
Militants armed with sophisticated weaponry attacked an army camp located less than 20 kilometres from the Line of Control in the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The surprise attack in a region which has generally witnessed less than average insurgent support resulted in the death of eight army soldiers, including a Lt Colonel, and three policemen. All six militants were killed in the ensuing battle that began at 3 in the morning.
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For more information see : "Ahead of Modi J&K visit, militants kill 8 Armymen, 3 policemen in Uri encounter", The Indian Express, 6 December 2014; "11 securitymen, 6 militants killed in attack on Uri Army camp", The Economic Times, 5 December 2014
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">14 CRPF men killed in Maoist ambush
A total of 14 men of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the principal security agency engaged in counterinsurgency operations against the Maoist movement in central India, were killed after a patrol was ambushed in the Sukma district of Chhattisgarh. Among the dead were two officers. This is the third prominent attack in the region in recent months. Last week, a helicopter was shot at while attempting to evacuate injured troops. Earlier, 15 policemen were killed in a similar attack in the conflict affected state.
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For more information see : "Chhattisgarh Maoists attack: PM Modi condemns ’brutal’ and ’inhuman’ attack on CRPF jawans", The Indian Express, 2 December 2014; "Chhattisgarh attack: Tribals didn’t tip off CRPF of Maoist movement after suffering torture", The Times of India, 5 December 2014
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Navy chief raises concerns
Chief of Navy Staff Adm R K Dhowan raised concerns about the evolving threat from sea-borne terrorism. Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, the Navy Chief referenced al-Qaeda’s recent attempt to hijack a Pakistan Navy warship near Karachi and discussed how such events create the need for contingencies during naval interaction in international waters. Terrorists who carried out the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai in 2008 had infiltrated into India through the sea, exposing maritime security threats emanating from non-state actors.
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For more information see : "Navy chief Admiral Robin Dhowan: Ready to tackle threat of jihadis steering Pakistani warships", The Times of India, 4 December 2014; "Chief: Navy would protect India’s maritime interests, no matter where these lie", Business Standard, 6 December 2014
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Fighter deal talks
French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian met with this Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar to discuss the status of the sale of 126 Rafale fighter aircraft worth $15 billion. France bagged the lucrative deal during the previous UPA-II administration, but it has since been delayed over Dassault Aviation’s reported unwillingness to ensure liquidity damages and production timelines.
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For more information see: "French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian meets Manohar Parrikar to push ahead with Rafale fighter jet deal", The Economic Times, 2 December 2014; "France pushes for Rafale deal, but talks still stuck", The Times of India, 2 December 2014
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">PM backs land swap
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his support for land transfer agreement with Bangladesh in order to prevent illegal immigration and strengthen security along the border. Modi made these remarks while visiting the border state of Assam where the issue of border migration is politically salient. There are more than 100 small enclaves that are currently in a stateless condition due to their geographical location. The previous administration of Manmohan Singh has signed a deal to swap such territories in 2011, but it could not be ratified because of opposition from the Bharatiya Janata Party.
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For more information see: "Indian media: Modi ’backs’ Bangladesh land swap", BBC, 1 December 2014; "Will Go Ahead With Land Swap Deal With Bangladesh to Stop Infiltration, Says PM Modi", 1 December 2014
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">RBI holds interest rates
The Reserve Bank of India held interest rates steady as widely expected at a policy review on Tuesday, and said it could ease monetary policy early next year provided inflationary pressures do not reappear and the government controls the fiscal deficit.
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For more information see: RBI leaves rates on hold, says could ease early 2015", Reuters, 2 December 2014; "RBI governor RaghuramRajan holds out hope for rate cut in early 2015", Hindustan Times, 2 December 2014; "RBI’s RaghuramRajan holds ground, leaves repo rates unchanged", The Financial Express, 2 December 2014
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Disinvestment by end
Government’s disinvestment drive got a tremendous start today, with steel major SAIL’s share sale being subscribed more than two times fetching the exchequer Rs 1,715 crore.
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For more information see : SAIL Stake Sale Fetches ? 1,715 Crore; ONGC, Coal India Lined up for Next Round",International Business Times, 6 December 2014; "Disinvestment: SAIL offer for sale over-subscribed, govt gets Rs 1,715 cr",The Financial Express, 6 December 2014
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Government to set up panel for Air India revival
By the end of this month, the government will constitute an expert committee, comprising senior personnel with experience in the aviation industry, to set a road map for the cash-strapped public-sector carrier, Air India.
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For more information see : "Govt to set up expert panel for Air India revival plan", Business Standard, 6 December 2014; "Govt to form panel on Air India’s future", Livemint, 5 December 2014
< style="color: #a52a2a; font-size: medium;">Maldives
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Number-cut on SC Bench?
The Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is divided over a party MP’s proposal for reducing the number of Judges in the Supreme Court from seven to five. The ruling PPM however said it would consider any such proposal, and at the same time also back re-appointment of the existing Bench.
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For more information see : "PPM will support bill to reduce SC judges" ,
Haveeru Online, 2 December 2014; "PPM signals support for reappointing Supreme Court bench",
Minivan News, 2 December 2014; "Nasheed calls proposed changes to Supreme Court bench unconstitutional",
Minivan News, 4 December 2014; "18 amendments recommended to budget projected for 2015",
Minivan News, 3 December, 2014
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">MDP wants Yameen to quit
After a year of lull following his ascendancy to the nation’s high office through the November 2014 polls, the Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party now wants President Abdulla Yameen to quit, for alleged failure to control violent crimes. MDP boss and former President Mohammed Nasheed also joined issue with the Government, asking how free talk can harm foreign tourism, as charged.
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For information more see : "Opposition calls for President Yamin’s resignation",
Haveeru Online, 29 November, 2014; "MDP allege police obstruction of demonstrations",
Minivan News, 29 November 2014; "I don’t understand how people talking can harm tourism: Nasheed",
SunOnline, 28 November 2014
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Power-fault affects water-supply in Male
Owing to a major power break-down, drinking water supply to the whole of Male city, housing close to a third of the nation’s 400,000 residents, was affected. The Government responded by directing the MNDF to supply water-bottles at pre-fixed points, and set up a task force to address the problem.
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For information more see : "Malé water supply cut after fire at MWSC" ,
Minivan News, 4 December 2014; "Security Forces identifies 10 free water distribution points",
SunOnline, 4 December 2014; "Big development to the efforts to resolve water crisis is expected today afternoon- Nazim",
Miadhu, 5 December 2014
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Doval meets Yameen
On a two-nation maiden visit to Sri Lanka and Maldives, India’s post-poll National Security Advisor (NSA), Dr Ajit Doval, met President Yameen and discussed issues of mutual importance and concern. This, even as India offered to help Maldives in oil-exploration and also showed up capacity-building in IT education and teaching as the corner-stone of bilateral ties with Maldives.
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For information more see : "India’s National Security Advisor meets President",
SunOnline, 3 December 2014; "Capacity building shall remain the cornerstone of our bilateral relationship - India",
Miadhu, 5 December 2014; "More than 5553 people have been trained in IT by India" ,
Miadhu, 5 December 2014; "President Yameen sends message of sympathy to the Prime Minister of India",
Miadhu, 3 December 2014; "India to assist Maldives in oil exploration",
Haveeru Online, 29 November 2014; "Singapore’s Changi to assist with INIA development",
Haveeru Online, 29 November 2014
< style="color: #a52a2a; font-size: medium;">Myanmar
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Koh Toh murder suspects charged
The trail of two Burmese nationals suspects in Koh Toh murder will begin on 8 December. They were indicted on 4 December after a two-month long investigation that has been held controversial by many.
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For information more see : "Burmese migrants charged for Koh Tao murders", The Irrawaddy, 4 December 2014; "Koh Tao murders: Burmese pair indicted", Democratic Voice of Burma, 4 December 2014; "Myanmar Migrants to stand trial for Koh Tao murders", Mizzima, 4 December 2014
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Among the most corrupt
Myanmar is listed as the third most corrupt country in Asia-Pacific and 156th out of 175 countries surveyed by Berlin based watchdog Transparency International.
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For information more see : "Burma one of the most corrupt countries in the world: report", Democratic Voice of Burma, 4 December 2014; "No improvement in Myanmar’s levels of corruption says report", Mizzima, 3 December 2014
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Deep water rigs
Half of the 20 offshore oil blocks auctioned to multinational companies are deepwater projects, unlike the four offshore platforms that are in shallow waters.
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For information more see : "Deep water rigs to come to Myanmar",
Myanmar Times, 4 December 2014
< style="color: #a52a2a; font-size: medium;">Nepal
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Finance co in ’trouble’
The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has declared Nepal Finance Limited (NFL) "troubled" after its financial report showed dismal performance. An NRB board meeting on Wednesday decided to take the action against the company as it failed to maintain good governance even after repeated central bank directives.
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For more information see: "NRB declares Nepal Finance ’troubled’", , eKantipur, 5 December 2014; "Nepal Finance Ltd declared ’troubled’", Republica, 5 December 2014
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Work on to end border rows
With the meeting of Survey Officials´ Committee (SOC) of the two countries scheduled for December end to finalize some remaining technicalities, Nepal and India are now all set to begin field work to settle border disputes beginning next month.
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For more information see : : Nepal, India to begin ’field work’ to settle border disputes next month", Republica, 5 December 2014
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Constitutional row still
Top leaders are still wrangling over what to do after Baburam Bhattarai, chairman of the Constitutional Political Dialogue and Consensus Committee (CPDCC) of the Constituent Assembly (CA), forwards the list of disputed issues of constitution-making to the CA´s full House.
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For more information see : "Fight over what happens after disputed issues are sent to CA persists", Republica, 5 December 2014; "Nepal against unity govt idea", eKantipur, 5 December 2014
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Bid to simplify LoC procedure
Nepal and India have agreed to simplify procedures for the $1-billion line of credit (LoC) to be received from Exim Bank India. The two countries had signed a loan agreement during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Nepal visit for the 18th Saarc Summit.
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For more information see : "Nepal, India agree to simplify procedure", eKantipur, 4 December 2014
< style="color: #a52a2a; font-size: medium;">Pakistan
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Imran calls for nation-wide shut down
In an attempt to re-open the dialogue with the government, the Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan claimed that he would "make it impossible" for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to rule the country if his demands were not met. He called for shut downs in Lahore, Faisalabad and Karachi in the coming days and for a nationwide shut down on December 18. However, subsequently Mr Khan called upon the people themselves to decide whether they wanted to observe the nationwide strike.
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For information more see : "Imran threatens nationwide shutdown", Dawn, 1 December 2014; "Tehreek-i-Insaf alters ’plan C’", Dawn, 2 December 2014; "Alleged electoral fraud: No change in ’Plan C’ until inquiry begins, says Imran", The Express Tribune, 4 December 2014; "Revised strategy: PTI changes course over shutdown call", The Express Tribune, 5 December 2014
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">$ 80-b, 50,000 lives lost in terror-war
The Pakistan National Assembly was informed by the Ministry of Interior that the country had incurred losses of $ 80 billion and 50000 lives as a result of the Global War on Terror over the past decade.
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For information more see : "50,000 killed, $80 billion loss incurred in war on terror, NA told", The Express Tribune, 5 December 2014
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">’Recognising Taliban a blunder’
Former Pakistan President and Chief of Army Staff Gen Pervez Musharraf admitted that Pakistan’s decision to recognise the Taliban government in Afghanistan during the 1990s was a mistake as Pakistan was the only country to extend this recognition to the Taliban. At the same time, he also claimed that it was a mistake on the part of the West to not recognise the Taliban government and blamed the US for the creation of al Qaeda. In the meanwhile, PM Sharif, during the London conference on Afghanistan, expressed Pakistan’s solidarity with Afghanistan and called upon the international community to remain committed to the development of the country.
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For more information see : "Recognizing Taliban govt in Afghanistan was blunder: Musharraf", The Times of India, 5 December 2014; "London conference: PM urges world to do more for Afghans", The Express Tribune, 5 December 2014
< style="color: #a52a2a; font-size: medium;">Sri Lanka
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">MoU signed for presidential poll
The otherwise divided multi-party Opposition with supporting groups have signed a series of MoUs with their common candidate Maithripala Sirisena, who is taking on two-term incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the 8 January poll. Two important minority parties, the TNA and the SLMC, are yet to decide on their position on the polls.
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For information more see : "Opposition parties ink pact without JHU, JVP",
The Island, 1 December 2014, "JHU announces conditional support to Maithripala",
The Island, December 2, 2014; "Hakeem consults EP SLMC councillors TNA-SLMC common stand on Jan. 8 poll likely",
The Island, 3 December 2014; "We welcome TNA",
Ceylon Today, 3 December 2014; "I was warned not to talk of corruption: Maithri",
Daily Mirror Online, 2 December 2014; "Maithri to restore SF’s decorations and rights",
Daily Mirror Online, 3 December 2014; "CID to probe Naveen’s bribe allegation",
Daily Mirror Online, 4 December 2014
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">MR for lesser powers
With the combined Opposition making common cause on the issue of abolishing Executive Presidency even as the latest entrant JHU insists on continuing with the high office but with limited powers, President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s campaign team has announced that he was not averse to the latter.
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For more information see: "UPFA election manifesto to announce constitutional reforms" ,
The Island, December 2, 2014; "Maithri was to be nominated PM by April: Ranasinghe"
, Daily Mirror Online, 3 December 2014; "UNHRC used as cat’s paw to harass SL, President MR - Mahinda",
The Island, 3 December 2014
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">TNA Councillor creates flutter
M K Shivajilingam, ruling Tamil National Alliance (TNA) member in the Northern Provincial Council (NPC), created a flutter in the House after Chairman C V K Sivagnanam postponed to January 2015, voting on the former’s six-month old resolution, calling alleged ’war crimes’, a ’genocide’ under international law and practice. Alongside, the security forces arrested a former LTTE leader, Nediyavan, from eastern Trincomalee, where he had visited from Dubai after long silence.
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For more information see : "NPC member dashes Mace",
Ceylon Today, 5 December 2014; "Wanted LTTEer arrested in Trinco",
Daily Mirror Online, 4 December 2014; "Gold returned to rightful owners",
Daily Mirror Online, 4 December 2014; "LTTE ban: EU to appeal",
Daily Mirror Online, 2 December 2014; "LTTE ban: SL praises EU decision",
Daily Mirror Online, 2 December 2014
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">India for demilitarised IOR
Recalling the Sri Lanka’s UN initiative of the Sixties while delivering the keynote address at the annual ’Galle Dialogue’, India’s National Security Advisor (NSA), Ajit Doval, called for a de-militarised Indian Ocean, and called for regional cooperation instead of solo action to fend against maritime threats.
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For more information see : "India wants regional cooperation to face maritime threats instead of solo action",
The Island, 1 December 2014; "Indian Security Advisor meets MR",
Daily Mirror Online, 2 December 2014; "Indian Security Advisor meets Ranil",
Daily Mirror Online, 2 December 2014; "Two Japanese Naval ships in SL",
Daily Mirror Online, 2 December 2014
< style="font-size: large;">Primary Documentation
< style="font-size: medium;">Afghanistan
Communiqué from the London Conference, Department for International Development, Government of United Kingdon, 4 December 2014
< style="font-size: medium;">Bhutan
Press release of the 30th SAARC Charter Day celebrations in Bhutan, Bhutan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 4 December 2014
< style="font-size: medium;">Myanmar
President Thein Sein’s full length speech delivered on radio, Myanmar Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2 December 2014
< style="font-size: large;">Bibliography
< style="font-size: medium;">Afghanistan
Report
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"International Aid Agencies Call for Temporary Exit From Afghanistan", The New York Times, 1 December 2014
Aryaman Bhatnagar,
"Post-Election Challenges for the New Government in Kabul", Observer Research Foundation, November 2014
Opinion pieces
Matthieu Aikins,
"Afghanistan: The Making of a Narco State", The Rolling Stone, 4 December 2014
Daud Qarizadah & Harun Najafizade,
"Afghanistan: Can pomegranates power the economy?", BBC, 3 December 2014
Amrullah Saleh,
"Afghans are ready but is Pakistan willing?", Al Jazeera, 3 December 2014
Shashank Joshi,
"Afghanistan at crucial juncture", Al Jazeera, 3 December 2014
Nasir Shansab,
"Afghanistan Needs a Government - Fast", The Newsweek, 3 December 2014
Christine Roehers,
"Return of the Goodwill? London conference as symbol of a new start", Afghanistan Analysts Network, 1 December 2014
< style="font-size: medium;">Bhutan
Opinion pieces
Kuensel,
"The climate clock is ticking" Kuensel Online, 3 December 2014
< style="font-size: medium;">India
Opinion pieces
Syed Ata Hasnain,
"Battling to facilitate ballot in the valley", The Economic Times, 6 December 2014
Prashant Bhushan,
"A judge’s judge", The Indian Express, 6 December 2014
R K Vij (additional director general of police in Chhattisgarh),
"Old new war", The Indian Express, 6 December 2014
Brahma Chellaney,
"Deconstructing the Modi foreign policy", The Hindu, 4 December 2014
Ashok Mehta,
"Anatomy of a diplomatic handshake", The Hindu, 4 December 2014
C Raja Mohan,
"Dhaka Boundary Settlement: Narendra Modi bites the Bullet", The Indian Express, 1 December 2014
< style="font-size: medium;">Myanmar
Opinion pieces
Roger Milton,
"Indonesia’s new president Jokowi an inspiring example for Myanmar", Myanmar Times, 1 December 2014
Aung Naing Oo,
"Democratic armies: How security reform supports peace", Myanmar Times, 1 December 2014
< style="font-size: medium;">Nepal
Opinion Pieces
Simone Galimberti,
"Not for profit", eKantipur, 5 December 2014
Kanak Mani Dixit,
"Almost there, but", eKantipur, 5 December 2014
Prakash A. Raj,
"Hindu State?", Republica, 4 December 2014
Biswas Baral,
"The SAARC Puzzle", Republica, 2 December 2014
Geja Sharma Wagle,
"Structure and security", eKantipur, 2 December 2014
< style="font-size: medium;">Pakistan
Special Report
"Decoding Pakistan", Seminar Magazine, 1 December 2014
Report
Vikram Sood and Wilson John,
"Six Years After Mumbai: The LeT Threat", Observer Research Foundation, November 2014
Opinion Pieces
Najam Sethi,
"The Teflon Man", The Friday Times, 5 December 2014
Nauman Asghar,
"Feudal Fallacy", The Friday Times, 5 December 2014
Asha’ar Rehman,
"Somewhere near Lahore", Dawn, 5 December 2014
Muhammad Yaqub,
"The good and the bad in the economy", The News, 5 December 2014
< style="font-size: medium;">Sri Lanka
Opinion Pieces
S V Kirubaharan, "Whoever becomes the President, it’s the same for the Tamils!",
Colombo Telegraph, 5 December 2014
S Sivathasan, "For Tamils, trying times at their worst",
Colombo Telegraph, 5 December 2014
Upul Joseph Fernando, "All eyes on Doval-Maithri meet",
Ceylon Today, 4 December 2014
Viswamithra 1984, "It’s the Opposition election to lose",
Daily Mirror Online, 3 December 2014
Dayan Jayatilleka, "MoU With The JHU: Maithripala Must A Be A Deng Hsiao Peng, Not A Mikhail Gorbachev",
Colombo Telegraph, 3 December 2014
Harim Peiris, "Sirisena campaign needs to pick up from Uva",
2 December 2014
Sumanasiri Liyanage, "Will Maithri be forced to commit political hara-kiri?",
The Island, 1 December 2014
Jehan Perera, "Restraining divisiveness of forthcoming polls",
The Island, 1 December 2014
Rajan Philips, "Defections distractions and constitutional red herrings",
The Island, 30 November 2014
N Sathiya Moorthy, "Where from here, Opposition campaign?",
The Sunday Leader, 30 November 2014
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Contributors:
Afghanistan & Pakistan : Aryaman Bhatnagar;
Bangladesh : Dr Joyeeta Bhattacharjee;
Myanmar & Bhutan : Mihir Bhonsale;
Maldives & Sri Lanka: N Sathiya Moorthy;
Nepal: Pratnashree Basu;
India: Kaustav Dhar Chakrabarti, Manmath Goel
The views expressed above belong to the author(s). ORF research and analyses now available on Telegram! Click here to access our curated content — blogs, longforms and interviews.
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