By Joyeeta Bhattacharjee
China-Bangladesh defence relations got a major boost with the visit of Chinese Defence Minister Chang Wanquan. The Chinese minister met the three service chiefs of Bangladesh’s armed forces, and the two countries pledged to deepen military relations.
The Chinese minister’s visit marks the consistent efforts of the two countries in strengthening the relationship. The minister came as a follow-up to the visit of Bangladesh Army chief to China in December 2015. There has been a regular exchange of visits among the top military leaderships of the two countries. Such visits give an opportunity for both to review the relationship and to discuss new means for cooperation.
During Minister Chang’s visit, the two sides discussed ways to broaden the relationship in areas including personnel-training and cooperation in equipment technology. The two sides emphasised on the greater interaction among the young military officers of the two countries.
Bangladesh-China military ties have grown after the diplomatic relationship was established 41 years ago. The Bangladesh armed forces rely on China for arms and training of its personnel. China is the biggest source of arms for the Bangladesh army.
The government has undertaken a plan to modernise the armed forces. This will increase Bangladesh’s dependence on China as the Army, Navy and Air Force are buying arms, planes and vessels from China. In 2013, Bangladesh had ordered two Ming Class diesel submarines from China.
At the beginning, Bangladesh’s relationship with China was not cordial. China supported Pakistan during the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971. The two countries reconciled with the past. They now regard each other to be trusted allies. The military leaders during the visit referred China as a trust-worthy strategic partner.
The military relationship contributed in shaping stronger political and economic relationship. China is a major economic and developmental partner for Bangladesh. It is the largest trading partner for Bangladesh with trade tilting in its favour. China is also building roads, bridges and ports etc in Bangladesh.
China is popular among the political parties in Bangladesh and every government support the relationship. In a politically divided society like Bangladesh, this is an added advantage as the government does not have to worry about the political implication in furthering the relation. This is incentive for the growth of the military relationship.
Balancing India, the influential neighbour, has been a factor for Bangladesh’s fondness for China. India also monitors the relationship and some security analysts are concerned about Bangladesh’s strengthening military ties with China.
Foreign policy observers in Bangladesh say that the country has benefited from playing India against China and vis-a-vis. They argue that the growing influence of China in South Asia has been a factor for India’s effort for enhancing ties with its neighbours.
Whatever be the cause for Bangladesh to strengthen military ties with China this visit signifies the warmth the two countries share.
The writer is Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi.
By Mihir Bhonsale
Bhutan, known the world over as the Last Shangrila, is witnessing a mass tourism era, according to an article in the national daily, Kuensel, titled, ‘Witnessing the mass tourism era?’ published on June 2. Tourism is the third highest GDP contributor of the country and this sector is a key driver of labour demand.
The article argues that in absence of a policy to regulate regional tourists whose number has swelled in the last few years has had an adverse impact on dollar-paying tourists. The article expresses worrying signs for Bhutan that stares at losing its image of high-end tourist destination.
According to the article, Bhutan’s regional tourists — a reference this to nationals from the countries of India, Bangladesh and Maldives — increased by a whopping 49.21 percent in 2015 compared to that in 2014. Regional tourists comprised of 62.91 percent of the total number of 97,584 of all tourist arrivals to Bhutan, the article said.
At a time when the number of regional tourists visiting Bhutan has seen an exponential rise, international tourist arrivals declined by 28 percent during the same period. This is a cause for worry for Bhutan the article says. In 2014, international tourist arrivals stood at 68,081 but, last year it dropped to 48,800.
Tourism is the third highest contributing sector to the GDP of Bhutan and is a sector employing a sizable number of its work force. Since, doing away with quota for international tourists that were prevalent in the 1980s, Bhutan has followed a policy of ‘High value, low impact tourism’.
International tourists have to pay a fixed tariff of $250 and $200 for peak and lean seasons respectively. Besides, they have to come through local tour operators, and put up in a three-star category hotel and above. They also need to avail the services of professional guides. The high tariff and guided tours offer the necessary buffer between the local population and western tourists, hence limiting exposure to western tourists.
Such requirements asked from international tourists don’t apply to regional tourists, thus becoming a cause of worry for hoteliers and tour operations in Bhutan. Regional tourists are said to enter the country unguided and drive their own vehicles without any restriction. They also carry their own kitchen utensils to cook on their own and about three to five tourists share a room. Regional tourists also attribute the increasing waste at popular tourist sites.
International tourists have expressed dissatisfaction over the bad conditions of roads that are carrying more vehicles than ever before, thanks to mass tourism. The months of May, October and December that see most number of regional tourists visiting have also led to intrusions of tourist sites by both regional and international tourists.
The impact of this sudden rise of regional tourists has been assessed differently by stakeholders in Bhutan. While tour operators complain that walk-in tourists mean a loss of business to tour operators and allied industries, budget hoteliers do not see a threat in this trend.
Walk-in tourists, especially from India who visit Bhutan to escape the heat of the plains are a major source of revenue for budget hoteliers. Hence, budget hoteliers fear that if regulations similar to those imposed on international tourists are imposed on regional tourists, the latter will dwindle, running them out of business.
However, the budget hoteliers are often accused of cramping five to six people in a single room owing to the demand of regional tourists putting immense pressure on the infrastructure. But, some budget hoteliers feel, that hoteliers who compromise on standards to earn more money are an exception and their tribe lot cannot be judged by such exceptions.
It is high time that Bhutan comes up with a policy for governing regional tourists. Both, direct and indirect methods need to be employed to balance the visits by regional tourists and international tourists. An important step ahead would be to assess the total carrying capacity of tourists. This assessment will prevent from overcrowding.
The Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) is finalising the guidelines for studying the carrying capacity of tourists in Bhutan. The council is also reviewing the tourism policy and will soon submit its report to the National Council which has resolved to ask the TCB to formulate a sustainable tourism policy for sustainable tourism policy for development, management and promotion of the sector.
Bhutan tours are often packaged with tour to India and Nepal by tour operators, hence stakeholders ask how much of share do tour operators in Bhutan get. Stakeholders also feel that the ‘high value, low impact policy’, means high hotel tariffs but, they are still lower as compared to Sikkim.
Hence, stakeholders ask if Bhutan really pursues a ‘high value, low impact policy’ or not. As they point out, the country needs to overcome hurdles to connectivity, improve road infrastructure, without ignoring security, immigration and customs inspections.
The writer is Research Assistant at the Observer Research Foundation, Kolkata.
President Barack Obama has approved giving the USmilitary greater ability to accompany and enable Afghan forces battling a resilient Taliban insurgency, in a move to assist them more proactively on the battlefield, a U.S official has said. Under the new policy, the U.S commander in Afghanistan, Gen John Nicholson, will be able to decide when it is appropriate for American troops to accompany conventional Afghan forces into the field - something they have so far only been doing with Afghan special operations forces, the official said. The expanded powers are only meant to be employed "in those select instances in which their engagement can enable strategic effects on the battlefield," the official said.
For more information, see: Obama approves broader role for US forces in Afghanistan
The Afghan government on 9 April said it has stepped up efforts to provide a budget and outline for security measures for parliamentary and district council elections. The Government also urged lawmakers to take steps to approve the president's legislative decree on electoral reforms in order to pave the way for the elections next fall.
For more information, see: Govt steps up efforts to roll out elections
Indian aid worker Judith D'Souza, 40, from Kolkata, has been kidnapped from Kabul. Ms D'Souza is an employee of the NGO Aga Khan Development Network, which works in rural development, health, education and civil society programmes. Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swarag said that she had spoke to the family and that India would spare no efforts to bring her home.
For more information, see: Indian woman kidnapped in Afghanistan
The Obama administration believes that at least 12 detainees released from the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have launched attacks against U.S. or allied forces in Afghanistan, killing about a half-dozen Americans, according to current and former U.S. officials. The official provided no details, and the Obama administration has since declined to elaborate publicly on his statement because the intelligence behind it is classified.
For more information, see: At least 12 released Guantanamo detainees implicated in attacks on Americans
The week saw a surge in militant activities. Suspected militants attacked minority communities across the country. Alarmed at the rising militant activities government has undertaken massive crackdown on the militants. At least 6 militants were killed in anti-militancy operations.
For more information, see: 9 Huji men jailed for militancy; Second Hindu priest slain; 3 JMB men killed in 'gunfights; 3 more killed in shootouts; No arrest made in Christian murder; Hindu saint killed in ‘militant style
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina informed that her government has no plans to cutting off diplomatic ties with Pakistan. Prime Minister made this comment following a demonstration in Dhaka by various political and social organisations demanding the government to review ties with Pakistan in view of Islamabad's 'repeated interference' over war crimes verdicts.
For more information, see: Not cutting off ties with Pakistan, says PM Hasina
India and Bangladesh agreed to set up six new haats along borders. New border haats will be setup Indian states of Meghalaya and Tripura. The decision followed in the two-day meeting of India-Bangladesh Joint Working Group (JWG) on trade.
For more information, see: 6 more haats along Indo-Bangla border
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecasted Bhutan to be the third fastest growing economy in the world for two consecutive years. The IMF’s World Economic Outlook, projects the country’s real GDP to grow at 8.4 percent this year. This is the third highest projection after Myanmar at 8.6 percent and the Ivory Coast at 8.4 percent.
For more information, see: Bhutan among fastest growing economies: IMF
Majority of parliamentarians voted against the Opposition’s motion to transfer Economic Stimulus Plan Fund to Bhutan Development Bank Limited (BDBL) on June 8. The opposition believed that Business Opportunity Information Centre’s fund, Nu 1.5 billion, transferred to BDBL, should be managed by the corporation and that the Rural Enterprise Development Corporation Limited should not have been established.
For more information, see: NA votes against opposition’s motion
At the invitation of the King, His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf the King of Sweden accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Silvia arrived in the country on June 8. Their Majesties were received by Her Royal Highness Princess Kezang Choden Wangchuck, Her Royal Highness Princess Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck and senior government officials at the Paro International Airport.
For more information, see: King and Queen of Sweden arrive
The Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) has postponed the upcoming local polls by about one and a half months. The ECB had earlier notified that the second phase of the local government (LG) elections would be held in July, dates for which was supposed to be on June 7.
For more information, see: Local govt. elections postponed
In an address to the US Congress – his first one and the fifth one by an Indian Prime Minister – incumbent, Narendra Modi called for deepening US-India security cooperation to tackle global terrorism, based on a policy that “delinks religion from terrorism.” Effusive in his enthusiasm for India’s partnership with the U.S “in every sector of India’s forward march, I see the U.S as an indispensable partner”, Modi, however, diplomatically and emphatically drove home the message that New Delhi could have its own priorities and convictions.
For more information, see: De-link religion from terror, Modi tells US Congress, The Hindu, 8 June 2016
In a public spat over the culling of wild animals caught in conflict, Maneka Gandhi accused Prakash Javadekar of showing a ‘lust for killing animals.’ Ms. Gandhi’s attack follows a spate of clearances from the Environment Ministry, effectively allowing Himachal Pradesh to kill a species of monkey (Rhesus macaque).
For more information, see: Maneka slams Javadekar over culling
Naval ships from India, US and Japan are all set to kick-start the Malabar exercise, set to take place off Okinawa Island in Japan. The exercise scheduled to take place from June 9 to 17 is a bilateral exercise between India and US with Japan as a permanent partner. The exercise is to focus on anti-submarine warfare, maritime interdiction operations and air-defence training, said officials. The Indian fleet participating in the exercise consists of indigenous guided missile stealth frigates INS Satpura and Sahyadri , INS Shakti and INS Kirch, an indigenous guided missile corvette.
For more information, see: Stage set for India-US-Japan naval exercise 'Malabar
Seeking to strengthen military ties, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today met Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang, with whom he reviewed strategic partnership and new initiatives undertaken to further nourish cooperation in the military sector. Parrikar also met Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his counterpart Gen Ngo Xuan Lich and held high level bilateral talks on key military issues including possible sale of supersonic missile Brahmos to the Southeast Asian country and reviewed the entire spectrum of defence cooperation initiatives.
For more information, see: Manohar Parrikar hold talks with Vietnam President, PM, Defence minister
Government will have to infuse Rs 1.2 lakh crore into PSU banks by 2020 to bolster their balancesheets and make good the losses suffered by them, Moody's Investors Service said today. This is way higher than an additional Rs 45,000 crore capital infusion plan envisaged by the government.
For more information see: PSBs need Rs 1.2 lakh cr capital infusion from govt: Moody's
In a halt-and-fast-tracking of pending cases, the court sentenced former Vice-President Ahmed Adeeb and two of his body guards respectively to 15 and 10 years in prison for attempt to assassinate President Abdulla Yameen. In separate cases, the court also sentenced Adheeb to 17 years in prison for possessing illegal weapons, and a criminal judge Nihan and former Prosecutor-General Muthuthaz Mushin, to 10 and 17 years, respectively, for plotting to kidnap Yameen.
For more information, see: “Maldives president’s ex-deputy convicted in plot to kill him with bomb”, Maldives Independent, 9 June 2016; “Adheeb sentenced to ten years in prison for possession of two firearms and explosives”, SunOnline, 5 June 2016; “Magistrate convicted of conspiring to kidnap president”, Maldives Independent, 10 June 2016; “Ex-chief prosecutor found guilty of terrorism for conspiring to kidnap president”, Maldives Independent, 10 June 2016; “17-year prison sentence against Muhuthaz to be appealed”, SunOnline, 10 June 2016; “Adheeb, Ziyath and Haamid to be sentenced tonight in the embezzlement case”, SunOnline, 10 June 2016; “MUO: Secret sentencing cannot be accepted”, SunOnline, 9 June 2016; “United Opposition calls for Nihan’s release”, SunOnline, 11 June 2015; “The Economist accused of defaming Maldives government”, Maldives Independent, 9 June 2016
In its annual report on terrorism, the US State Department has said that young Maldivians are at the risk of becoming radicalised and some have already joined violent groups.
For more information, see: Trial begins for three ‘Jihadis
Singapore has become the latest country in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to grant citizens of fellow member Burma visa-free travel, in a bilateral agreement that is set to take effect on 1 December.
For more information, see: Burma, Singapore to waive visas
Two people were reportedly killed when flash floods hit the village of Myelin in the Sagaing Division town of Pinlebu on June 9. Buildings, including a health centre and a school, were damaged in the flood, according to a government report.
For more information, see: Two killed as flash floods hit Sagaing; Flooding in Sagaing kills two
Another civil society group has joined the mounting campaign against dams planned along the Thanlwin River, also known as the Salween, ahead of an upcoming energy meeting between Thailand and Myanmar.
For more information, see: Thanlwin dams criticised ahead of state counsellor’s Thailand visit
SJVN Arun-3 Power Development Company, the developer of the 900 MW Arun-3 Hydropower Project, has not been able to acquire adequate land for the project as the Ministry of Land Reform and Management (MoLRM) has not lifted the land ceiling set for the company. The developer’s attempt to acquire around 1,000 ropanis of private land has been stymied as the acquisition of more than 75 ropanis requires the Cabinet’s approval.
For more information, see: Arun-3 hydro stymied by ceiling on land acquisition
As the date for renewal of Nepal-India Treaty of Trade comes closer, experts have said that the treaty needs to be amended for enhancing bilateral trade. The bilateral trade treaty is weaker compared to SAFTA in the sense that the former prohibits imposition of duty on agriculture products, while SAFTA states that duty can be imposed on all agriculture products.
For more information, see: Experts for amending various provisions of Nepal-India Treaty of Trade
During high level talks between Pakistani officials and a visiting US delegation in Islamabad, Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to the Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs, told the US that drone-strikes by them on Pakistani territory in the future will be detrimental to the relationship between the two countries. Aziz told the US officials that the 21 May drone-strike in Balochistan, which killed Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour, "was not only a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and breach of the principles of the United Nation’s Charter, but has also vitiated bilateral ties".
For more information, see: Future drone strikes will be detrimental to ties, Aziz tells US delegation
Islamabad has formally asked the US administration and Congress to support its application to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), saying the atomic trading club should adopt a non-discriminatory approach that treats India and Pakistan equally. Pakistan’s ambassador to the US, Jalil Abbas Jilani, said in a letter to the US Senate committee on foreign relations that Islamabad had taken a series of steps that qualify it for joining the NSG, the Dawn newspaper reported on 16 May.
For more information, see: Pakistan seeks US backing for Nuclear Suppliers Group membership
China will invest $8.5 billion to upgrade Pakistan’s rail network and build a gas pipeline with Iran to meet the country’s energy needs. The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), a Pakistan body to authorise major projects, approved USD 10 billion worth two projects on 9 May. China will provide loans equivalent to 85 per cent (USD 8.5 billion) of the cost of each project..
For more information, see: Energy, infrastructure projects: Govt expects $76b investment in 6 years
Possibly for the first time, and especially after the Maithiri-Ranil leadership assumed office in January 2015, China has said called for ensuring that UNHRC proposals do not create new conflicts in Sri Lanka. Chinese Ambassador Yi Xianliang also said that China did not choose between regimes, and dealt with the Sri Lankan State.
For more information, see: “Ensure UNHRC proposals won’t create new conflicts: China”, Daily Mirror Online, 7 June 2016; “President to visit China again”, Daily Mirror Online, 4 June 2016; “Two UK envoys arrive in SL”, Daily Mirror Online, 6 June 2016
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is hoping to present the draft of a new Constitution by year-end, it’s said. The Public Representations Committee (PRC) formed to put together ideas for the Parliamentary Committee dealing with contentious issues like the nature of the State, national flag and region, re-merger, police and land powers, in the meantime, has submitted its report, but has not been unanimous in its conclusions.
For more information, see: No unanimous recommendations on contentious issues by constitutional reforms panel
In a significant declaration that could have consequences for the future of President Maithiripala Sirisena’s SLFP and the party’s continuing alliance with the UNP leader in the ruling Government f National Unity (GNU), former Defence Secretary, Gota Rajapaksa, has offered his services in the interest and the nation, and said, he could even be the first in charge. He said so after some SLFP leaders said that the brother of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa could be made the second-in-charge of the party, to end the continuing factionalism.
For more information, see: “I can even be the first in charge: Gota”, Daily Mirror Online, 6 June 2016; “Gotabhaya ready to join campaign to protect country”, The Island, 7 June 2016; “Can't stay with govt. if Gota comes in: CBK”, Daily Mirror Online, 6 June 2016; “Socialist Alliance sees proposal to make Gota SLFP VP as a trap”, The Island, 7 June 2016; “Basil arrested, granted bail”, The Island, 6 June 2016
A major fire in the Kosgama Salawa Army camp triggered a series of blasts in the ammunition dumps, requiring immediate evacuation of civilians living in the neighbourhood. The police and military are separately investigating the cause of the fire, which was put out later.
For more information, see: “Salawa camp fire: Explosions rock Kosgama: Thousands evacuated CID called in Schools closed”, The Island, 5 June 2016; “Gota calls for army chief’s resignation: Kosgama camp fire”, The Island, 7 June 2016; “‘Focus on LTTE took away Colombo’s attention from emerging threats’”, The Hindu, 4 June 2016
Sweden’s King and Queen’s begin 3-day visit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 8 June 2016
Press Release: Hon. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Visit to India, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal, 10 June 2016
Press Release on Rt. Hon’ble Vice President’s Visit to China, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal, 10 June 2016
Press Release issued by the Embassy of Nepal, Seoul (09 June 2016), Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal, 09 June 2016
Press Release issued by the Embassy of Nepal, Seoul, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal, 07 June 2016
Press Release regarding the Fourth BIMSTEC Summit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal, 05 June 2016
Ashraf Haidari, Afghanistan’s Forgotten Humanitarian Crisis, The Diplomat, 9 June 2016
Alicia Shepard, The tragic cost of covering Afghanistan: column, USA Today, 9 June 2016
Ashraf Ali, The Afghan peace process, The News International, 9 June 2016
Nyshka Chandran, Deep political tensions underline Bangladesh violence, CNBC.Com, 9 June 2016
Wade Shepard, Bangladesh's Deep Sea Port Problem, The Diplomat, 7 June 2016
Pema Tashi, The Australian visa process- Myth and truth, Kuensel, 5 June 2016
Addressing a global problem our way, Kuensel, 5 June 2016
Raja Mohan, Strategic symphony, The Indian Express, 10 June 2016
Bibek Debroy, Missing the point, Indian Express, 9 June 2016
Christophe Jaffrelot, Why the BJP rewrites history, Indian Express, 7 June 2016
Xieana Saeed, The cult of Yameen, Maldives Independent, 9 June 2016
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Tipping point, Republica, 08 June 2016
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N. Sathiya Moorthy, La affaire Sampur, The Sunday Leader, 5 June 2016
Afghanistan and Pakistan: Kriti M. Shah
Bangladesh: Dr. Joyeeta Bhattacharjee
Bhutan and Myanmar: Mihir Bhonsale
India: Shubh Soni and Pushan Das
Maldives and Sri Lanka: N. Sathiya Moorthy
Nepal: Dr. Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury and Sreeparna Banerjee
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