The demand for quick resolution of the Teesta issue is becoming louder in Bangladesh. The visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in September this year lost its sheen as it failed to conclude a deal on sharing of water of the Teesta River.
< class="heading1">
Analysis
The demand for quick resolution of the Teesta issue is becoming louder in Bangladesh. The visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in September this year lost its sheen as it failed to conclude a deal on sharing of water of the Teesta River. Signing of the Teesta agreement has become an important factor for the future dynamics of the bilateral relations thanks to the interplay of politics by different political parties in respect of that country’s relations with India. The problem has become sensitive as political parties always competing to corrode each other’s image based on water disputes between India and Bangladesh by instigating public opinion. Signing of Teesta agreement has become a prestige issue for the Awami League government that showed special interest in improving relations with India. Public perception in Bangladesh is that the Teesta deal could only reciprocate the favours that Bangladesh has offered to India, mainly with regard to the security cooperation. Conclusion of Teesta agreement would put India and Bangladesh relations into new trajectory.
Teesta River is one of the 54 common rivers between India and Bangladesh. This river is the lifeline of Sikkim and travels through the entire length of the state before merging in the Brahmaputra in Bangladesh. The crux of the problem is the construction of Gozaldoba Barrage by India in the upstream of the river. Lower riparian Bangladesh accuses India of causing water shortages during the dry season as water is diverted from the barrage. Bangladesh claims such a measure has adversely affected the agriculture of that country since many irrigation projects depend on the Teesta River. Any shortfall of water in the Teesta disrupts irrigation and agriculture is affected.
The Teesta issue has been discussed between the two countries since 1974. Unfortunately, the discussions yielded no result. Some breakthrough was achieved only at the 37th meeting of the Joint River Commission (JRC), a mechanism that was instituted to deal with common rivers between the two countries in 1972, held in March 2010. At this meeting the two countries agreed in principle agreed to sign an interim agreement on the sharing of Teesta. This was possible due to the interest shown by the highest leadership of both the countries. The joint communiqu¨¦ issued during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India in January 2010 specially mentioned that the two sides had agreed to resolve the Teesta issue. This infused a new thrust to the relationship.
Although the deal could not be concluded during Prime Minister Singh’s visit but the window of opportunity is not closed. The reason for optimism is that the leadership of the two countries is committed to the issue. But rather than remaining reticent this discussion should be fast tracked so that the people do not lose patience. Taking lessons from the past it is necessary to bring all the stakeholders into the table. Also, the stakeholders should broaden their horizon and should see the issue from over all perspective of regional and national interest.
Conclusion of the Teesta agreement would not only help India to augment its relationship with Bangladesh but also fetch a partner in voicing its lower riparian concerns in the context of China. The urgency for cooperation also arises due to speculation about China’s plan of diverting the Brahmaputra River which originates in China and flows through India before merging into the Bay of Bengal. Although, China has declined such a plan but knowing Chinese engineering capability such fears can not be ruled out. Hence, it would be wise to set a precedent.
(The author is an Associate Fellow at Observer Research Foundation)
< class="heading1">
Country Reports
Bangladesh
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Bangladesh’s imports grow by 23.18 percent in Q1
Officials said that Bangladesh’s overall import payments grew by 23.18 percent in the first quarter (Q1) of the current fiscal year (FY), mainly due to nearly 102% increase in oil import bill. Letters of credit against imports worth US$8.530 billion were settled during July-September period of FY’12 compared with those valued at $6.924 billion of the corresponding period of last fiscal, according to the central bank statistics. A senior officer of the Bangladesh Bank remarked that the rising trend in petroleum products imports is likely to continue in the coming months to meet the growing demand from the oil-based power plants across the country. The central bank also said that the actual import of other essential items including industrial raw materials, intermediate goods and capital machinery also increased significantly during the period to meet the domestic demand.
However, import of intermediate goods like coal, hard coke, clinker and scrap vessels increased by 84.88 per cent to $704.54 million during the period from $381.08 million of the corresponding period of the previous fiscal.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: businessnews-bd.com, November 10 2011.
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Time for bold decisions
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called for combined efforts to eliminate poverty and terrorism from South Asia and to ensure growth and development of the region. In her speech at the inaugural session of the 17th SAARC summit at Hithadhoo Convention Center on 10th of November. The theme for this year’s summit was "building Bridges- both in terms of physical connectivity and political dialogue". She also recommended on taking bold decisions to implement various development projects to increase trust, goodwill and confidence of South Asians on SAARC. She also commented on improvement of trade under SAFTA referring to the gloomy picture of intra- SAARC trade. She added intra-regional trade is around 5 percent of Bangladesh’s total trade as against 25-35 percent in nearby regional blocs.
Hasina said non-LDC members should, in the true spirit of regionalism, take the lead to hasten more robust efforts. "A faster, synchronised opening of each other’s markets, reduction in trade and non-tariff barriers, will in the long term benefit all our economies." Stressing the need for better connectivity in the region, she said physical connectivity is crucial not only for intra-SAARC but also for wider regional trade and movement." Bangladesh has been hoping since the last summit to see finalization of the SAARC Regional Railways Agreement, as a first step," Hasina said.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: balgladeshnewspaper4u.com; Bangladesh Daily Newspaper, November 11, 2011.
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Teesta deal to take time
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held talks with her Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh at Shangri-la’s Villingili Resort of Addu in the Maldives on the sidelines of the 17th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit on November 10th. The Teesta water sharing deal with take some more time till the interest of all concerned including Paschimbanga, are addressed. During the discussion on Teesta accord and transit, among other issues Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was told so by her Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh.
Briefing reporters, Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai later said Manmohan conveyed to Sheikh Hasina that India needed some more time to build consensus on the Teesta issue. The Teesta river accord could not be signed during Manmohan Singh’s Dhaka visit in September due to last-minute opposition from Paschimbanga Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Sheikh Hasina expressed hope that the completion of the strip maps of the remaining parts of the common border would be signed soon. The ratification of the Land Boundary Agreement and the Protocol would take place soon to put to rest the issues of exchange of enclaves and adverse possession of lands.
Bangladesh expects that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for movement of Bhutanese and Indian trucks up to 200 yards across the zero line at Burimari-Chengrabanda and Benapole-Petrapole to be operational soon, the premier said.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: The Daily Star, November 11, 2011.
Bhutan
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Selection for elite squad next month
Bhutan Police are hand picking some of its best personnel to form the elite squads that will make up a special reserve force, starting from next month. To start with this Special Police Reserve Force (SPRF) will be comprised of 180 personnel. According to the police chief brigadier Kipchu Namgyel the officers who will lead the division are scheduled to receive their transfer by next month. Police are yet to appoint a head for the SPRF. The SPRF will comprise an elite anti-terrorism, a bomb disposal, and a riot-control squad.
Brigadier Kipchu Namgyel added that the SPRF’s anti terrorism and bomb disposal squads will require highly special training. He further remarked that once the SPRF is established, the next step would be to increase their capacity. The RBP is required to establish the SPRF, according to the Police Act.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: kuenselonline.com, November 11, 2011.
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">CDG is bogged down
According to the Constituency Development Grant (CDG) implementation report for the years 2008-09 and 2009-10, 45% of the CDG grant given to the National Assembly members still remains unutilized. Out of Nu 128.951 million released, Nu 59.049 million remains unused. The report says some of the MPs have not used the fund at all.
So far, only 13 MPs, including the Prime Minister, have used the entire grant amount. MPs say that the CDG rules are too stringent, and they hamper efficient use of the grant. While the MPs cite different difficulties in making an efficient use of the CDG, Opposition Leader Tshering Tobgay said there is possibility that some MPs are purposely delaying the implementation of the grant so as to implement it all at one go a year before the next election.
He added that the grant not being used is mainly because there is an unnecessary bureaucratic layer which involves seeking approval of the MPs. He said the grant should be made available for the communities for use as they see appropriate without the MPs’ involvement. Royal Audit Authority is currently auditing the use of the grant, which will be complete by December this year. The audit report will be presented to the following session of parliament.
Members of the National Assembly started implementing the CDG in 2009 following an executive order from the Finance Ministry finalizing the CDG rules in April of that year. The National Council and the opposition party fiercely opposed the grant. They said it was unconstitutional. But the government pushed it through.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: bhutanobserver.com, November 11, 2011.
India
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Mumbai to host India economic summit
Mumbai will be hosting the World Economic Forum’s (WEF’s) India Economic Summit for the first time in 26 years of the summit’s history.
The WEF, in partnership with the Confederation of India Industry (CII), will hold the event from November 12 to 14. With over 800 participants from 40 countries, comprising industry captains, representatives and political leaders will be participating in the summit which has the theme ’Linking leadership with livelihood.’
Sushant Rao, Senior Director, Head of Asia, WEF, said the summit would focus on linking "inclusive growth agenda" with "equitable growth agenda."
Presenting an ambitious plan for industrial expansion, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said, the State government wanted to facilitate a transition from farming to the services and industrial sectors.
Since the government’s "policy incentives for large projects or mega projects" in 2007, the State has been able to attract investments the tune of Rs.2.50 lakh crore, he said.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: The Hindu, November 11, 2011.
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">26/11 probe: Pakistan Judicial Commission to visit soon
Pakistan on Friday informed India that its Judicial Commission, to interview certain important persons connected with the 26/11 terror attack case probe, would visit here soon.
Pakistani High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik who met Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram conveyed to him that Islamabad would be soon sending the Judicial Commission to carry forward the process of bringing the conspirators of 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai to justice. He added that dates of the proposed visit of the Judicial Commission were yet to be finalised.
The Judicial Commission from Pakistan is to take the statements of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate R.V. Sawant Waghule and Investigating Officer Ramesh Mahale, who have recorded the confessional statement of Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist of the 26/11 attacks, to pursue the case there. It also wants to take the statement of the doctor who carried out the post mortem of the terrorists killed during the attack.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: The Hindu, November 04, 2011.
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">India signs convention on global tax cooperation
India on Friday signed the Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters, developed jointly by the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and opened for signature by the member-states of both organisations on January 25, 1988. All members of the G20 have now become signatories to the Convention. R. Gopalan, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, signed on behalf of the Indian government. The Convention will have to be ratified by the Indian Parliament to become law.
"Tax evasion and illicit flows are a serious problem and over the last two years, in order to check this trend, India has negotiated 19 new double taxation avoidance agreements and 17 new tax information exchange agreements," Mr. Gopalan said.
The G20 Summit in April 2009 called for action "to make it easier for developing countries to secure the benefits of the new cooperative tax environment, including a multilateral approach for the exchange of information." In response, the OECD and the Council of Europe developed a Protocol amending the multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters to bring it in line with the international standard on exchange of information for tax purposes and to open it to all countries.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: The Hindu, November 5, 2011.
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">India- US, Japan trilateral likely this year
A top United States official announced that the first ever India-U.S.-Japan trilateral is likely to be held before the end of 2011. This week the State Department confirmed that it was working with the governments of India and Japan to schedule this "important gathering to discuss regional issues."
U.S. Deputy Secretary William Burns said in a speech here that that India’s "Look East" policy towards a growing comprehensive vision for the East Asia region was becoming an "Act East" policy.
In this context the U.S. and India in 2010 launched a Strategic Dialogue on the Asia-Pacific "to ensure that the world’s two largest democracies pursue strategies that reinforce one another." The new U.S.-India-Japan trilateral consultation on regional issues followed from that discussion, Mr. Burns suggested.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: The Hindu, November 05, 2011.
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Will continue to dominate KPO sector: Report
India will continue to be at the forefront of the development of knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) industry for the foreseeable future, says a report by independent technology analyst firm Ovum.
The potential KPO delivery locations, including China, the Philippines and Sri Lanka, are unlikely to challenge India’s dominant position in the market, but they have enabled many vendors to pursue a multi-shore strategy, it said.
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">India to have largest net users in next five years
India’s Internet community will total 121 million users by end of this year, fuelled by increase in Internet penetration and availability of affordable personal computers (PCs) says a report published by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and IMRB.
As per the findings of the annual I-Cube Report jointly published by IAMAI and IMRB, India’s Internet population is expected to grow from 100 million in September this year to 121 million users by December 2011.
Out of 121 million, 97 million would be active Internet users who access Internet at least once in a month. Of the 121 million users who claimed to have used Internet in the past, there will be 92 million Internet users from the urban parts of the country and 29 million will represent rural users. Of the 97 million active Internet users, 73 million will be from cities and the rest (24 million) from rural villages.
Unlike the mobile phone revolution in the country that spread quickly from urban users to farm workers in India, the Internet has taken longer to catch on. Analysts opine that the absence of a strong infrastructure, right from electricity to an extensive landline network, has been a massive stumbling block to widen Internet access.
The National Telecom Policy-2011 has set a target of achieving 175 million broadband connections by the year 2017 and 600 million by the year 2020 at minimum 2 Mbps download speed and making available higher speeds of at least 100 Mbps on demand.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: cxotoday.com, November 9, 2011.
Maldives
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">17
th SAARC summit begins
The 17
th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit began in Addu city, and was held on November 10-11.
Three Presidents and five Prime Ministers representing the eight member countries will be attending the summit. Others including China, Iran, Japan and USA will have observer status during the summit, with ambassador-level officials representing them.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: Haveeru, November 10, 2011.
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Maldives-India to sign anti-terror pact
Maldives signed a counter terrorism agreement with India after the conclusion of the 17th SAARC summit. Indian Prime Dr. Minister Manmohan Singh visited Male after the summit to address the People’s Majlis and meet with President Mohamed Nasheed.
PM Singh and Maldivian President Nasheed are likely to sign the agreement during their meeting on November 11-12. The agreement comes at a time when incidences of terror related violence on the island nation are growing.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: Miadhu, October 8, 2011.
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">China opens embassy
The People’s Republic of China has established its first embassy in the Maldives, in the capital Male, on November 8, beginning its diplomatic relationship with the island nation.
The opening of the embassy comes a day before the commencement of the SAARC summit to be attended by leaders of the South Asian region, including Indian PM Dr. Manmohan Singh.
Beijing has, in recent years, carried out extensive infrastructure projects in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Bangladesh and is also a key financer to the Maldives.
India has previously voiced concerns over China’s growing involvement in the region.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: Haveeru, November 8, 2011; Minivan News, November 9, 2011.
Myanmar
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Suu Kyi back in Politics
Myanmar’s government has approved changes to a law on political parties, paving the way for democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s opposition party to re-register.
A key amendment endorsed by President Thein Sein removed the condition that all parties must agree to ’preserve’ the country’s 2008 constitution. The wording has now been changed to ’respect and obey", it said, a small difference in nuance but one that would allow Ms Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party to criticise or suggest changes to the constitution.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: straitstimes.com, 6 November 2011.
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Words of appreciation from western Diplomats
Diplomats from the European Union (EU) have hailed the political changes that are under way in Myanmar since the new nominally elected civilian government has replaced the military rule.
’There are important changes going on in this country,’ Ambassador David Lipman, head of the EU delegation to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, told reporters late on Sunday.
At the same time senior US officials have also said that they were optimistic of the nascent reforms taken by the in Myanmar government and pledged to take positive steps, including the expansion of microfinance loans to spur change.
In a first, Myanmar allowed in the US assistant secretary of state handling human rights, Mr Mike Posner, who said he voiced concern about the treatment of ethnic minorities and political prisoners but also saw signs of progress.
’There are some encouraging steps and signs. We need to go forward in a way that recognises what’s been done and what’s being done that is positive, and build on that,’ Mr Posner said, according to a State Department transcript.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: straitstimes.com, 5 and 7 November 2011.
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Issue of Militancy
The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army’s (DKBA) Brigade 5 ,an ethnic armed group reached a ceasefire agreement with a Burmese government delegation on 03 November 2011, said the DKBA Brigade 5 leader, Brig-Gen Saw Lah Pwe.
Fighting had stopped and government troops that previously were deployed on the frontlines had begun to withdraw from areas controlled by DKBA Brigade 5 as a result of this ceasefire agreement. DKBA Brigade 5 will now reopen its headquarters in Sone Seen Myaing, Myawaddy Township.
Meanwhile, other government delegations have separately approached other ethnic armed groups such as the Karen National Union, Shan State Army - South and New Mon State Party for peace talks.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: irrawaddy.org, 3 and 4 November 2011.
Nepal
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Ram Karki is Nepal’s new envoy to India
Nepal has nominated senior Liberal Maoist leader Ram Karki as the country’s new Ambassador to India .Karki, a Politburo member of the ruling UCPN-Maoist, is considered close to Premier Baburam Bhattarai. He will succeed Rukma Shumsher Rana after the Parliamentary Special Hearing Committee (PHSC) formally approves his name.
The Nepali mission in Delhi has been without a head since the second week of August when Rukma Sumsher Rana was recalled after reports that he was also working as the Managing Director of Dabur Nepal Private Ltd.
Karki has been working for the party’s foreign department. He was nominated ambassador to France in 2009 but his nomination was dropped after then Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal resigned over the controversy surrounding the sacking of the then Army Chief Rookmangud Katwal. Karki is currently in-charge of Maoist party’s Limbuwan State Committee.
Interestingly, Karki’s wife hails from Sikkim and is a senior government official, according to Maoist party sources. Karki created a furore in June this year when he said that the absence of elected representatives and lack of financial transparency in the Maoist party will eventually lead the party to a catastrophic situation.
Speaking at another program in June Karki commented, "Negation or undermining of democracy gives rise to and consolidates bureaucracy in the party." He also talked about critical consciousness of citizens and civic competence. Though an ideologue, his track record suggests that he has rational line of thought.
Indian police arrested Karki in 2001 in Delhi and handed him over to Nepal Police in Nepalgunj. After serving a jail term he was released during the second round of talks between the government and the Maoists that year.
The Cabinet has also appointed Mahesh Kumar Maskey and Dhananjaya Jha the ambassadors to China and the UAE respectively.
While Karki is considered an expert on international relations Nepal’s new ambassador to China Maskey is a medical doctor and a leftist intellectual. Jha, on the other hand, is a career diplomat who is senior joint secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: ekantipur.com, PTI, isikkim.com, myrepublica.com, November 8, 2011.
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Chinese Premier to visit Nepal in December
Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao is likely to visit Nepal in December this year. The visit comes after Nepal’s major political parties reached a seven-point agreement to conclude the five year long peace process earlier this month.
Nepali newspapers reported that Wen will arrive in Nepal in third week of December (likely on December 20) on a three-day official visit. However, high-level preparations are underway for the visit of the Chinese Premier.
Premier Wen will be the highest ranking official to visit from Nepal’s immediate neighbours ¡ª India and China ¡ª since 2001. Earlier, Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji visited Nepal in 2001 and Chinese President Jiang Zemin in 1996.
A Chinese military delegation led by the Lieutenant General (Military Commissioner) of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) came to Kathmandu on Wednesday to prepare for Wen’s visit. The delegation assessed the security situation in Kathmandu and held meetings with senior military officials.
The visit will be observed in India because of China’s increasing interest in South Asia. India has long been influential in Nepal and half of Nepal’s trade is with India. Nepal’s currency is also tied to the Indian rupee. In contrast, China has played a low-key role in Nepal until the emergence of the Maoists.
A visit by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Nepal is also on the card, though the date for the visit is yet to be finalised. Indian Ambassador to Nepal Jayanta Prasad had recently said that a visit of the Prime Minister will be worked out after the ongoing peace process of Nepal concludes in a month.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: ekantipur.com. PTI, November 9, 2011.
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">UN Chief to visit Nepal in March
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon has accepted an invitation to visit Nepal in March next year to attend an international meeting on development of Lumbini.
According to Dr Minendra Rijal, a member of the High Level National Steering Committee (HLNSC) for development of Greater Lumbini, Ban along with UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, will visit Nepal for the international meeting.
Chairman of the government-formed HLNSC and Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Rijal and other HLNSC members are currently in New York to garner international support for the development of Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The delegation met Ban in New York to request UN to play a leading role in the development of Lumbini.
Extending an invitation to the ’multi-stakeholder meeting’ to be held in Lumbini next year, Maoist Chairman Dahal requested the UN secretary-general to play a leading role in support of the initiatives for the development of Greater Lumbini. Dahal told Ban that leaders from various fields -- political, spiritual, and philanthropic -- and the private sector will be invited to the international meeting.
Dahal, in his capacity as the chairman of the HLNSC, has expressed his commitment to developing a new master plan covering three districts -- Kapilvastu, Rupandehi and Nawalparasi.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: nagariknews.com, thehimalayantimes.com, November 10, 2011.
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">UML comes down heavily on PM
The third-largest party in parliament, CPN-UML, has come down heavily on the government for expanding the cabinet to a jumbo size and termed it against the seven-point agreement recently reached among the major political parties.
The UML has said the Prime Minister’s move would disrupt the environment of mutual trust and understanding among the political parties that has just begun to build up following the seven-point deal.
The Baburam Bhattarai-led government, which earned popularity for introducing austerity measures, will now have to spend approximately 4.5 million rupees every month on salary, allowances, hospitality expenses, quarter and security of the 46-member cabinet -- the second largest in the political history of the country.
The UML also condemned the government decision to recommend the President to pardon Maoist lawmaker Balkrishna Dhungel who has been convicted of murder by the Supreme Court and slapped life term with property attachment. Ironically, the Supreme Court verdict has not been implemented till date. Dhungel continues to roam free and attends parliament meetings regularly despite the life term.
The UML parliamentary party also fiercely criticized the Prime Minister for signing the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) with India and claimed that the deal is against the national interest of Nepal.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: myrepublica.com, nepalnews.com, November 10, 2011.
Pakistan
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Seeking full membership in SCO
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is seeking Pakistan’s full membership in the regional security grouping of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) at the 10th summit. Currently, Pakistan holds the observer status. In a similar manner, Iran has also applied for membership in the SCO.
Other members of the SCO are China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin endorsed the bid for Pakistan’s plea for full membership.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: Dawn, November 7, 2011.
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Chinese invited to invest further
President Asif Ali Zardari in meeting with a Chinese delegation led by the Communist Party of China expressed that enhancing economic and trade links with China was of great importance. He pointed out that in areas such as energy, mining, infrastructure, IT, agriculture, railway, and banking there were many opportunities for mutual collaboration. He welcomed Chinese investors and businessmen to undertake business ventures in Pakistan. He also expressed the need for a currency swap agreement between China and Pakistan on the same lines as the recently signed agreement with Turkey. The Chinese delegation congratulated Pakistan on its election to the UNSC non-permanent seat.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: Dawn, November 8, 2011.
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">List of Banned organisations
New organisations such as Shia Tulaba Action Committee, Markaz Sabeel Organisation and Tanzeem-i-Naujawanan-i-Sunnat of Gilgit-Baltistan have been added to a list prepared by the People’s Aman Committee of Karachi. The list supposedly consist names of the same organisations with different names and thereby mentioned as separate entities. For instance, Jaish-i-Muhammad and Khuddam-ul-Islam are names of the same organisation. The changed name of Lakshar-i-Taiba,that is Jamaatud Dawa is missing in the list. Some of the other organisations mentioned are Al Qaeda, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, Sipah-i-Muhammad Pakistan, Tehrik-i-Nifaz-i-Shariat-i-Muhammadi, Jamiat-ul Ansar, Jamiat-ul-Furqan, Hizb-ut-Tehrir, Khair-un-Naas International Trust, Islamic Students Movement, Lashkar-i-Islam, Haji Namdar Group, Balochistan Liberation Army, Balochistan Republican Army and Balochistan Liberation Front.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: Dawn, November 6, 2011.
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">JF-17 aircraft inducted into PAF
The service entry of the JF-17 aircraft into the air force was announced by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman at the 11thInternational Fighter Conference in the UK.
The aircraft was co-produced by China and the project conducted under the direct supervision of the chiefs of the air staff of Pakistan. Speaking at the event the Air Chief said that the induction of JF-17 Thunder into the combat fleet was a landmark occasion, which further strengthened Pakistan’s strategic ties with China. He added that the JF-17 project had exceeded expectations and had provided cutting edge operational capabilities at an affordable cost. The aircraft offers the best replacement for Pakistan’s ageing air force fleet, which is currently more than 75% of its inventory.
The aircraft also made its mark internationally by participating in air shows at Farnborough UK, Zhuhai China and the Centennial Celebrations of the Turkish Air Force in Turkey.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: APP, November 9, 2011; thenews.com, November 10, 2011.
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">China-Pakistani military drill not targeted at India
The two week joint anti-terror military exercise ’Friendship 2011¡ä between China and Pakistan will begin on November 16.
In a statement quoted by the China Daily, the Information Office of the Ministry of National Defence said "this is the first joint drill of the two armies this year and is not targeted at any third nation. It is aimed at enhancing the capability of the two militaries to handle non-traditional security threats and launch joint anti-terror activities."
< class="text11verdana">
Source: Dawn, November 9, 2011; The Daily Times, November 10, 2011.
Sri Lanka
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Revival of Underperforming Enterprises and Underutilized Assets bill passed
The Sri Lankan parliament has passed the Revival of Underperforming Enterprises and Underutilized Assets bill by a 76 vote majority. According to the bill, passed with certain amendments, the government will take over 36 companies that have been unprofitable.
These companies were earlier privatised by the government in order to turn them into profit making enterprises. However, having fallen prey to a multitude of maladies including corruption, underutilisation of resources and mismanagement, the government has deemed it better to reclaim these institutions in an effort to revive them.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: Daily Mirror, November 9, 2011; Daily News, November 10, 2011.
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Lanka to hold maritime security talks with India, Maldives
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and the Sri Lankan delegation attending the 17th SAARC summit in the Addu, Maldives has held talks with Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, and his visiting delegation over maritime issues.
The bilateral level discussion ended with the agreement that the Joint Working Group on Fisheries should conduct discussions in order to safeguard the Indian Ocean and ensure the safety of fishermen from both countries.
The President also held talks with Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed over issues of piracy, poaching and maritime terrorism.
The three countries are also in talks to hold joint naval exercises in a bid to strengthen regional cooperation and maritime security.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: Daily Mirror, November 10-11, 2011; Daily News, November 11, 2011.
Afghanistan
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Putin assures continued assistance
Russian Prime Minister Mr. Vladimir Putin during the Shanghai conference has vowed his nations continued assistance to Afghanistan in its reconstruction process. He also emphasized the problems of poppy cultivation, drug smuggling and the insurgency. In the press conference Mr. Putin mentioned the need for the Afghan security and counter narcotics departments to step up their efforts in tackling poppy cultivation in the nation.
The Russian Prime Minister has also offered to invest $500 million in an electrification project for both Afghanistan and Pakistan, where by hydropower-rich Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan will export 1,000MW of electricity to power-deficit Afghanistan and Pakistan. Under the Central Asia-South Asia Electricity Trade and Transmission Project, CASA 1000.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: Outlook Afghanistan, November 10, 2011; Khaama, November 8, 2011.
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Militants strike at ISAF base
In a recent attack by the Taliban on an ISAF base in Pakhtai province, 50 Taliban insurgents were reportedly killed. The attack on the base resulted in heavy losses for the Taliban while two buildings that they had occupied were damaged by air strikes. The militants used small arms and rocked propelled grenades to attack the compound. No civilian casualties have been reported.
Attack by Afghan soldier on foreign troops leaves three injured. Gen. Abdul Hamid Wardak commander for the Kandahar 205 Atal Afghan Army commandment said, the incident took place on late Tuesday night in Charmistan area of southern Uruzgan province in a security check post. This latest attack left three Australian soldiers injured when an Afghan soldier opened fire on them, then stole a tank and fled the area. Five other Australian soldiers were wounded in the incident.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: Khaama, November 9, 2011.
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">New party and security cover for Loya Jirga announced
In a news conference former Afghan interior minister, Muhammad Hanif Atmar announced the creation of a new party that would work on social, political and economic issues that the government was thus far unable to work on.
The Loya Jirga which would be held on the 16th of November at the polytechnic institute in Kabul would bring heavy security and a tight cover to proceedings. The Jirga would be attended by 2000 leaders, 25% of them are understood to be women. The latest threat by Taliban to carry out attacks against the Jirga has forced tightening of security in the capital, in order to prevent any threats to the participants. Kabul public has been informed of the increase in security and has been asked to cooperate with the security forces.
< class="text11verdana">
Source: Outlook Afghanistan, November 05, 2011; November 10, 2011
< class="brown12verdana">
Contributors:
Afghanistan: Haripal Brar;
Bangladesh & Bhutan: Shraddha Bhattarai;
India: Satish Misra;
Myanmar: Sripathi Narayan;
Nepal: Akanshya Shah;
Pakistan: Aarya Venugopal & Astik Sinha;
Maldives & Sri Lanka: Preeti John;
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.
PREV
