Nepal: PM Oli’s visit to mend fractured ties with India
Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury
Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli’s six-day official visit to New Delhi has been regarded as an initiative to restore Nepal-India relations that have soured since Nepal adopted a new constitution last year. Oli has consulted former premiers, foreign ministers, diplomats, senior politicians and businessmen before leaving for New Delhi.
New Delhi too has given importance to the visit. Unlike his predecessors, Oli will stay at the Rashtrapati Bhawan and not at a five-star hotel. Beside his trip to New Delhi, Oli, as a head of 46-member delegation, will also visit Uttarakhand and Gujarat. The first foreign trip of Oli as Prime Minister to India indicates that relations between the two nations are getting back on track.
It may be recalled in this context that earlier Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist and Leninist) - CPN-UML Standing Committee member Shanker Pokharel said at a municipal level party activists’ gathering held in Kushma Municipality that the Prime Minister’s forthcoming official state visit to India would be put off if undeclared blockade on transit routes is not fully lifted. According to Pokharel, it would not be appropriate for the head of government to go on a foreign visit by keeping the critical situation on hold.
Rough patch
Bilateral relations with India have gone through a rough patch since September, when New Delhi asked Kathmandu to address the concerns of Madhesis, the residents of the Terai region bordering India, regarding the new statute. It is noteworthy here that Oli’s state visit follows lifting of blockade that caused acute shortage of fuel and essential supplies in landlocked nation. The movement led by the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) and the related blockade of the Raxaul-Birgunj check post, which accounts for up to 70 percent of supplies to land-locked Nepal from India, ended on 5 February.
Follow-up talks
On 16 February, at a Parliamentary meeting, Oli said that his meetings in New Delhi would dwell on taking Nepal-India relations forward for the mutual benefits of both the countries as per the need of the 21st century and removing misunderstandings. “My visit will focus on taking the age-old close relations between Nepal and India forward with a new perspective, and there should not be any misunderstanding between the two countries,” he argued. “This is a visit without agenda. In another sense, it is a visit beyond and above the agenda” he said before leaving the country. Highlighting Nepal’s stands for peace, unity, mutual benefits and dignity, Oli reconfirmed Nepal’s foreign policy of non-alignment and peaceful co-existence in the meeting.
Few days prior to the Prime Minister’s visit, in an interview with media, Deep Kumar Upadhyay, Nepali Ambassador to India, argued that mostly ‘follow-up’ discussions will be held on the issues of various agreements and understandings reached with India in the past to strengthen bilateral ties. Talks are being held at various levels to put the past agreements into effect. The dimension of bilateral relations is hidden in economic prosperity and sustainable development of the Nepali people. Nepalis are still facing hardships with the shortage of petroleum products and medicines.
“It is crystal clear that Nepali people were pushed into hardship though India denied having imposed a blockade. But the existing problem cannot be solved just by talking against India from dawn to dusk. So we have started the process to bring the strained relations back on track”. He further opined that “when people get petrol, diesel and cooking gas easily in the market, they will feel that things are back to normal. Then only will the Nepali people believe that Nepal-India relation has improved”.
Political mechanism
The experts reveal that the fresh demarcation of federal units as demanded by the UDMF remains unresolved, but there is an unofficial agreement on creating a political mechanism to sort out this issue. India welcomed the developments, which in turn led to Oli’s visit.
Prime Minister Oli said at the parliamentary meeting held on 16 February that the proposed political mechanism to sort out differences related to provincial boundaries will be formed prior to his departure to India and the ongoing political deadlock will be resolved once the political mechanism comes in place. Parties had earlier agreed, in principle, to form such a mechanism which will make recommendations on redrawing of provincial boundaries in three months from the date of its formation.
PM Oli argued that differences between the government and the Madhesi parties have been narrowed down and that remaining differences “will be sorted out after the mechanism is formed”. He also talked about the scope for constitution amendment. It is interesting to note that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa in his second visit to India in December had floated a four-point plan aiming to address the demands of the Madhes-based parties and formation of a political mechanism was part of that four-point plan.
(Dr Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury is a Fellow at Observer Research Foundation, Kolkatta)
Sri Lanka: Broad-basing India ties beyond ethnic issue and fishers’ row
N Sathiya Moorthy
Aiming at finding a quick-fix solution to the India-Sri Lanka ‘fishers issue’ ahead of the Assembly polls in southern Tamil Nadu in May, India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj undertook a visit to Colombo in February. However, even though the subject did come under discussion(s), the visit in fact helped the two nations on another front -- to diversify and broad-base bilateral discussions beyond this one – and the near-eternal ‘ethnic issue’ in the island-nation.
It was thus that Swaraj addressed Sri Lanka’s trade and industry representatives, inaugurated an exhibition on ‘Digital India’ in Colombo, where she also announced India’s offer to set up an IT park in the country, to help attract investments. In the past, then Union Commerce Minister Anand Sharma (under then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh) India had proposed an SEZ for pharmaceutical industry in Sri Lanka, but this is the first time that an External Affairs Minister is donning multiple roles such as this.
In turn, this could help the Indian High Commissioner(s) in Colombo to take up future plans, proposals and projects more directly with the ministries and ministers concerned in Sri Lanka than already – and thus help fast-track them. As is known, most economic ministries in India are under the care of junior ministers, designated as ‘Ministers of State’ (MoS). Swaraj, both as a senior member of the Cabinet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, could throw the weight of her seniority and personality to fast-track bilateral commitments – which has also been among the problems for friendly neighbours like Sri Lanka.
This is not the first time however that India has shown interest in developing an IT Park in Sri Lanka. At the end of ‘Eelam War IV’ then President Mahinda Rajapaksa had invited Infosys promoter N R Narayanamurthy to Colombo, to help promote the IT industry in the country, aimed at job-creation and increased export earnings. It did not go far following the HR-centred protests back home. It was the case with the then Government’s efforts at coordinating with the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai, to re-launch farming operations in the war-torn Northern Province. Ultimately, agencies of the Government of India undertook the task.
‘Innovative solution’
The ethnic issue and the fishers’ row were at the centre of the bilateral discourse(s) during Swaraj’s visit. In separate meetings and at the Joint Commission discussions, President Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and counterpart Mangala Samaraweera thanked India for helping to address the ‘ethnic issue’. They also briefed the visitor on the current course of the UNHRC resolution on ‘accountability probe’ attending on the larger question of ethnic reconciliation, and the road that the proposed Constituent Assembly would take.
On the fishers’ row, Minister Swaraj called for an ‘innovative’ solution. She could not have mooted anything better. The fact also remains that even the ethnic issue required an even more ‘innovative’ solution, if permanent peace, based on power-devolution, has to return to Sri Lanka. India may have ideas, but from experience from the IPKF era and otherwise, it has been cautious enough, not to push specific solutions. Instead, it has since left it to the Sri Lankan stake-holders to find answers to their problems, with the clear commitment of support, wherever required and whenever called for.
It is a different matter that Sri Lanka has not reached a stage where they could take up serious discussions, within the government and with the ‘Opposition’ Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on a political solution to the ethnic issue. The proposed Constituent Assembly is expected to be the forum where these answers are expected to take – and be given – a final shape. India is aware of the opportunities thus available to the Sri Lankan stake-holders and the limitations on itself and the so-called international community in pushing any specific course or proposals.
Re-balancing
The broad-basing of bilateral relations has not stopped with the ethnic issue and the fishers’ row. On the crucial ‘China factor’ the new government in Sri Lanka has ‘rebalanced’ relations in ways to address India’s security-related concerns and apprehensions, without losing China as a development partner. The change-of regime in Sri Lanka was enough in a way to reassure India. That also seems to have been the best part, thus far.
For long, India has not had serious issues with neighbourhood nations taking developmental assistance from China. India’s concerns have mostly been about China hedging them for security-related favours. In Sri Lanka’s case, going beyond normal developmental assistance, the Rajapaksa regime permitted Chinese submarines to use near Indian Ocean waters and also berth in its port, not far away from Indian waters and coast.
The advent of the Sirisena-Ranil government in the country by itself has come as a reassurance for India on the China-related security front. Yet, they have not given up on continuing with China-funded development projects, whether old or new. Though pre-poll the duo-led alliance had talked about cancelling the China-funded Colombo Port City project, started by the Rajapaksa regime, they are continuing with the same, as was only to be expected.
National consensus
It’s indicative of a ‘national consensus’ of some kind over developmental funding from China – and the possible violation of the attendant India-related security concerns by the Rajapaksa regime. Not to be seen as a tit-for-tat initiative, India’s aircraft-carrier, INS Vikramaditya, touched down at Colombo Port only weeks after Swaraj’s visit, on a west-east circumnavigation of Sri Lanka, to participate in the prestigious International Fleet Review at Vishakapatnam.
South Indian States do not have a deep-sea port that can accommodate huge container vessels and large oil tankers. Much of South India’s sea-bound trade is carried out through the Colombo Port. It is also true that over 70 percent of all business at Colombo relates to merchandise relating to India. Hence, it’s on the maritime security and naval presence and participation, India feels concerned about adversarial presence in the shared waters with Sri Lanka.
The port-of-call by the Indian carrier now may have put paid to the Rajapaksa regime’s argument that India was always welcome to send its naval vessels but did not find the need, as those from faraway nations required. Yet, there was also truth in the past Sri Lankan belief that India was possibly the only nation of its size that could rush emergency relief, both humanitarian and military, without having to require a military base on the island. This belief was strengthened in particular by the double-quick Indian assistance rushed through those early hours of tsunami, and the immediate withdrawal of Indian Navy and Air Force immediately thereafter.
Rajapaksa’s ‘Mahinda Chintanaya’ election manifestos of 2005 and 2010 provided for promoting Sri Lanka as a maritime and naval hub, mainly as a forex-earner. The development of southern Hambatota Port with bunkering facilities also flowed from such perceptions and planning. It was again a product of a ‘national consensus’ of some kind, though not necessarily put down in words, as such.
Suffice is to point out that PM Ranil too recently referred to developing Sri Lanka as a maritime and naval hub. He did not say – and did not have to say – that it would be done without stirring India’s concerns, or after providing to address India’s concerns. At the very least, Sri Lanka would have ensured that India did not have any concerns from any quarters whatsoever, when it came to the use of Sri Lankan waters and ports, including airports – over which the Rajapaksa regime was reportedly talking about Chinese development of a hangar facility in eastern Trincomallee.
Hurdles, internal
Today, the security or bilateral problems for India-Sri Lanka relations, if any, come not from outside, per se. On bilateral economic front, there is still opposition from the Sri Lankan medical professional bodies on the one hand, and the left-moderate JVP on the other, to the revival of negotiations on the unsigned Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). If there were plans/hopes for the two sides signing Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) during Minister Swaraj’s visit, it did not happen. Further negotiations are likely to be revived in the light of internal apprehensions and based on whatever might have transpired during the ministerial visit(s) through the past year and more.
The main thorn in bilateral relation remains to be the fishers’ issue. From the Indian side, the Tamil Nadu fishers, polity and government have been differently and differentially pressing ‘traditional rights’ in ‘historic waters’, and constantly protesting SLN arrests. Post-war, the Tamil fishers of Sri Lanka’s Northern Province in particular have begun agitating more openly than in the past over their Indian brethren ‘stealing’ their ‘food and livelihood’. They keep constantly comparing their plight, suffered through the three decades of war, with the Indian fishers’ ‘thoughtless greed’ of ‘scooping away’ not only their livelihood but also the ‘breeding grounds’ of fishes.
The official position and posturing, by the provincial and national governments, too have been stronger than under the Rajapaksa regime. In the past, all issues India were handled personally by the Executive President or select aides, without reference to the affected fishers or the larger political class. Now, for the first time in years/decades, Parliament discussed the issue, though no formal resolution of any kind has been adopted, yet. PM Ranil on the one hand, his Fisheries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera and other colleagues on the other have been at it too, both inside Parliament and outside.
Under the previous government, protests against Indian fishers came mostly from then Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne. The powerful Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, would from time to time also flag concerns about ‘national security’ and ‘territorial integrity’ over Indian fishers’ ‘poaching and encroachment’, refusing to acknowledge it as a livelihood problem, if only to justify mid-sea SLN arrests and actions. That was until his brother Mahinda intervened and facilitated bilateral fishers’ talks, as desired by India – but to no avail, till date.
Yet, it’s still unlikely that the Sri Lankan State would even be willing to discuss ‘shared fishing’ of whatever kind until after the Indian counterpart had brought a finality to the ‘Katchchativu issue’. The SC case was initiated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in per personal capacity in the past and pending before the nation’s Supreme Court. Political bête noire and former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has since impleaded himself through a separate petition and case. Despite long pendency, the Supreme Court is yet to schedule regular hearings in the case. Conversely, the fact remains that anti-India forces within Sri Lanka could gloat over any favourable verdict from the Indian court, thus embarrassing the Indian State and polity on the one hand, and conferring greater legitimacy to mid-sea harassment of Indian fishers, too.
Speaking for the affected Tamil fishers of Northern and Eastern Provinces, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has started passing resolutions, urging the national government to help restrain the Indian fishers. Thankfully thus far, the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) and Chief Minister C V Wigneswaran are not known to have expressed any view on the subject, not at least publicly. As is known, both have expressed candid and contradictory views, viz the party leadership, on other matters affecting Tamil ‘rights, lives and livelihood’, starting with war-time accountability issues and power-devolution.
Lacking political will
After the change of leadership in Sri Lanka, whatever reservations against India on the security front, if it could be called so, also seems to be coming from the Tamil side, not otherwise. Over a year after flagging the issue, CM Wigneswaran has again opposed the expansion work at Palaly airport in the Northern Province. The airport had served mostly as a base for Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) military operations against the LTTE. Indian troops also used the base during the IPKF era. Post-war, the Government had sought to expand the civilian airport facilities at Palaly and the Indian Government had offered to help with the infrastructure work. It’s this that CM Wigneswaran and a section of the Tamil polity/civil society are now opposed to.
On all these issues and more, political will has been lacking in the two countries to protect large bilateral interests at the cost of possible loss of local constituencies’ support. There has also been a consequent diffidence on the part of successive political leaderships in the two nations to initiate internal discussions within the government and dialogue with the stake-holders concerned. The change of elected leadership in the two countries over the past two years does not seem to have made much difference to the end goal, hence the accompanying processes, either. With the result, change of nomenclature, as in the case of CEPA/ETCA, remains a gesture at best. The rest said about other issues, the better.
(The writer is a Senior Fellow at Observer Research Foundation, Chennai)
Country Reports
Afghanistan
45 ISIS insurgents killed
According to Afghanistan’s Ministry of Interior (MoI), 45 Islamic State (IS) fighters have died in Nangarhar’s Achin district between 15 and 16 February. MoI spokesman Seddiq Seddiqi confirmed the deaths to reporters on 17 February. Seddiqi also reported 12 other militant deaths and the seizure of five Kalashnikov rifles and one RPG in the northeastern provinces of Baghlan, Kapisa, Kunduz, and Badakhshan and the southeastern province of Kandahar over the past week.
For more information, see: “45 Daesh Insurgents Killed in Nangarhar Operation”, TOLO News, 17 February 2016
Insurgents killed in hospital-raid
Starting 17 February night and continuing into 18 February morning, Afghan security forces, possibly with NATO advisers, conducted a raid on a hospital that reportedly killed at least three members of the Taliban. The location of the attack was the Day Mirdad district of Wardak province, 100 miles south of Kabul
For more information, see: “Afghanistan: Three killed in raid on Swedish-run clinic”, BBC, 18 February 2016
Taliban kills six
On 13 February, Taliban suicide bombers riding in two stolen Afghan Army Humvees killed six Afghan security force personnel – four policemen and two soldiers – and wounded eight others during a clash at a security checkpoint in the Sangin district in Afghanistan’s Helmand province. The attack came after intense fighting on 12 February, during which the Taliban lost roughly 40 fighters, according to provincial police chief General Abdul Rahman Sarjang.
For more information, see: “Afghan Taliban use captured Humvees in suicide attack”, Reuters, 14 February 2016
Red Cross staff kidnapped
On 18 February, the Red Cross announced it would suspend its operations in Ghazni province in central Afghanistan after five of its staff members were kidnapped by an armed group. According to an emailed statement from the International Committee of the Red Cross in Afghanistan, the group has established contacts in an effort to get the five staff members back, who were abducted while traveling through the province. Kidnappings and murders are frequent occurrences on Ghazni’s provincial roads.
For more information, see: “Red Cross halts operations in Afghan province after staff taken”, Reuters, 18 February 2016
Bangladesh
Manpower deal with Malaysia
Bangladesh and Malaysia this week signed a major manpower agreement. Following this agreement Bangladesh will send 1.5 worker workers to Malaysia in three years. Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Nurul Islam and Malaysian Human Resources Minister Richard Riot Anak Jaem signed the deal in Dhaka.
For more information see: “Govt signs deal to send 15 lakh workers to Malaysia”, The Daily Star, 18 February 2016
‘Responsible State’
Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali observer that Bangladesh has been recognized as responsible state in abroad regarding curbing militancy and terrorism. The Minister further added that the government pursues a policy of zero tolerance to terrorism and militancy.
For more information see: ‘Bangladesh responsible state in curbing militancy’, Dhaka Tribune, 16 February 2016
Land-port with India
In a step towards enhancing connectivity between India and Bangladesh, the two countries have opened a new land port connecting Banglabandha and Phulbari. This new port will be easing movement of people and facilitate trade. This is the 28th land port on the approximately 4,100-kilometre Bangladesh-India border. The Phulbari check post will connect people from Rangpur and Dinajpur districts of Bangladesh; and Jalpaiguri, Cooch Bihar, Darjeeling, Dinajpur districts of Northern West Bengal; and Sikkim and Assam.
For more information see: “India, Bangladesh open a new land port connecting Phulbari, Banglabandha”, Bdnews24.com, 18 February 2016
Bhutan
PM talks with Sushma
Bhutan and India on February 16 held talks on key bilateral and regional issues including India-assisted hydro projects in the Buddhist nation. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay in New Delhi and is understood to have discussed promoting and exploring new areas of cooperation of mutual economic interests.
For more information see: “Sushma Swaraj Holds Talks With Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay”, NDTV, 16 February 2016
Second-phase LG polls in July
Incumbent members of the local governments (LG) wishing to re-contest in the upcoming local government elections will be allowed to complete their term, and perhaps even receive retirement benefits. This has been made possible with the Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) pushing the election dates by a month. The second phase of the election will now be held in July, a month after the completion of their term.
For more information see: “Second phase of LG elections in July”, Kuensel, 19 February 2016
Immigration officials sacked
Following the conviction of 27 immigration officials both by the Phuentsholing dungkhag and Chukha district courts, the home ministry’s human resource (HR) committee has terminated their services without retirement benefits. The termination order was issued on February 4.
For more information see: “27 immigration officials terminated without benefits”, Kuensel, 18 February 2016
India
JNU row: Rahul meets Pranab
Rahul Gandhi met Pranab Mukherjee over the JNU row and the alleged targeting of students in various parts of the country. He highlighted the “lawlessness” in Delhi in the wake of Patiala House court attacks and the way the government has handled the JNU row.
For more information see: “JNU row: Rahul Gandhi meets Pranab Mukherjee” The Hindu, 18 February, 2016; “JNU students ate beef, worshipped Mahishasur: police report” The Hindu, 18 February 2016
Make-in-India
Rs 15-lakh crore investments
India has received investment commitments worth Rs 15.20 lakh core and 1.05 lakh business inquiries during the Make-in-India Week. More than 102 countries and 17 states participated and over 800,000 people visited the mega event held in Mumbai.
For more information see: “Investment commitments worth Rs 15 lakh cr received during Make In India Week” The Hindu, 18 February 2016
Protest on F-16 for Pak
Angered over the U.S. decision to sell more F-16 planes to Pakistan, the Centre summoned U.S. Ambassador Richard Verma on Saturday to the Ministry of External Affairs express its “displeasure”. In a meeting that lasted about 45 minutes Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar told the U.S. Ambassador that not only was India disappointed by the move, but also upset that the decision to sell Pakistan eight F-16 fighter jets in a deal worth $699.04 million meant India”s protests over the past year on the issue had gone unheeded.
For more information see: India calls U.S. envoy, protests F-16 sale to Pakistan, The Hindu, 14 February 2016
Joint patrol with Myanmar
Fourth edition of India-Myanmar Coordinated Patrol (IMCOR) was conducted jointly by ships of both navies along the International Maritime Boundary Line in the Andaman Sea. Indian Navy ships Saryu and Bitra along with Union of Myanmar ships Aung Zeya and FAC 563 participated in the four-day IMCOR that concluded on Tuesday. Naval Component Commander from the Tri-Service HQs in Port Blair Cmde Girish Garg was embarked onboard INS Saryu.
For more information see: India-Myanmar sign SOP on joint patrol, The Hindu, 19 February 2016
Peaceful resolution sought
In the wake of China deploying surface-to-air missiles in the South China Sea, India today said the resource-rich region is "pathways" to prosperity and the dispute must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said maritime security was an important area of concern and that security of sea routes in the Asia-Pacific is essential for India's economy as a majority of its global trade flows across the straits of Malacca and .
For more information see : External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for peaceful resolution of South China Sea dispute , The Economic Times, 18 February 2015
Maldives
MDP boycotts talks
Days after President Abdulla Yameen called for talks aimed at political national reconciliation, reportedly under international pressure, the Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has declared its intention to boycott the negotiations without the release of all political prisoners, particularly jailed party leader and former President, Mohammed Nasheed. In the meantime, the Maldivian Correctional Services (MCS) delayed extending Nasheed’s medical leave as his letter was not accompanied by required documents, but only a medical certificate.
For more information, see: “Maldives opposition boycotts talks after leaders' release denial”, Haveeru Online, 17 February 2016; “Maldives yet to extend Nasheed's medical leave over 'lack of documents'”, Haveeru Online, 18 February 2016; “Maldives' jailed ex-pres' lawyer refutes 'lack of documents' claim after medical leave extension delay”, Haveeru Online, 18 February 2016; “Talks under threat as Maldives pres shoots down politicians' release”, Haveeru Online, 15 February 2016; “Maldives gears up for multi-party talks amid uncertainty”, Haveeru Online, 15 February 2016
AP leader sentenced
In a protracted trial by Maldivian standards, religion-centric Adhaalath Party (AP) lead, Sheikh Imran Abdulla, has been sentenced to 12-year prison term, for ‘inciting violence’ at the joint Opposition rally on May 1 last. In the light of the trial, the US and the UK have raised further concerns about the state of the judiciary and human rights in the country, even as a visiting team of British parliamentarians said that Maldives was being “unfairly portrayed”.
For more information, see: “Maldivian Opposition leader sentenced; U.S., U.K. raise concerns”, 0, 19 February 2016; “Government defends imprisonment of ‘extremist’ Sheikh Imran”, Maldives Independent, 18 February 2016; “Amnesty International submits Colonel Nazim’s case to UN rights panel”, Maldives Independent, 14 February 2016; “Maldives' media freedom under threat as pres aims to criminalise defamation”, Haveeru Online, 18 February 2016; “Criminal court chief judge transferred to family court”, Maldives Independent, 15 February 2016; “UK MPs say Maldives unfairly portrayed, unwise to encourage sanctions”, Haveeru Online, 18 February 2016; ”Amess: Nasheed was in prison in a comfortable place”, SunOnline, 18 February 2016; “MDP Concerned Over Deliberate Manipulation of Facts by the UK All Party Parliamentary Group Delegation”, Maldivian Democratic Party, 18 February 2016
‘Vikramaditya’ comes calling
In a first of its kind, Indian Navy’s aircraft-carrier, INS Vikramaditya, called in the Maldivian seas, as a symbol of increasing bilateral security cooperation. Vikramaditya was accompanied by two other vessels of the Indian Navy.
For more information, see: “Indian Navy aircraft carrier arrives in Maldives”, SunOnline, 15 February 2016; “Both India and Maldives wants to secure regional peace: Ravneet Singh”, Miadhu, 16 February 2016
Myanmar
Suu Kyi, army chief talk
Aung San Suu Kyi met again with Burma‘s powerful commander-in-chief on February 17, according to a Facebook post by his office, as talks over a protracted political transition drag on and amid reports that the military chief has secured a five-year extension. The Facebook post said, "They discussed the rule of law and the ongoing process to create a lasting peace in a friendly and open way".
For more information see: “Suu Kyi, army chief talk as Myanmar presidency issue looms”, Mizzima, 18 February 2016; “Suu Kyi, army chief hold 3rd post-vote meeting”, DVB, 17 February 2016
NLD blasts U Ye Htut
The National League for Democracy (NLD) reacted strongly to comments by Minister for Information U Ye Htut, seemingly quashing efforts by the NLD to appoint its leader as president. Earlier, U Ye Htut had said the outgoing military-backed government was opposed to any attempt to “suspend” article 59(f) of the constitution which bars the NLD leader from the presidency.
For more information see: “NLD blasts U Ye Htut’s comments on presidency bid”, Myanmar Times, 19 February 2016
Conflict in Shan
The Burmese army has launched assaults on Ta’ang rebel positions in Burma’s northeast in response to parliamentary calls for an intervention to end fighting between rebels that has displaced thousands. Speaking to a session of parliament on February 17, Deputy Minister of Defence Gen Myint Lwin told MPs.
For more information see: “Burma army intervenes in Shan rebel war”, DVB, 17 February 2016; “Speaker demands MPs work to end Shan conflict”, Eleven, 17 February 2016
Nepal
Hopeful visit to India
Prime Minister K P Oli, who is embarking on a six-day official trip to India starting February 19, said that his visit will focus on cementing the misguided relations between Nepal and India and taking it to a new height. PM Oli said that India’s invitation to him for an official visit is indicative of its acceptance to Nepal’s recently promulgated constitution.
For more information, see: “India's invitation for official visit means acceptance of Nepal’s constitution: PM Oli” The Kathmandu Post, 18 February 2016; “PM says won’t sign any deal of long-term significance” Republica, 19 February 2016
Debua, Pandua on a roll
With the Nepali Congress (NC) general convention fast approaching, the key aspirants for the post of party president have intensified their lobbying, offering major positions to some influential leaders in a bid to strengthen their own positions. So much so that two much-talked-about aspirants in the race for future NC president, Sher Bahadur Deuba and Ram Chandra Paudel, on February 18 went to the extent of offering a high post to each other in return for publicly joining one's camp.
For more information, see: “Aspirants for party prez intensify bids to line up support” Republica, 19 February 2016; “Cong general convention: Deuba rolls the dice, but move cuts no ice” The Kathmandu Post, 19 February 2016
‘Happy Democracy’ Day
Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli has extended best wishes to all Nepali sisters and brothers on the occasion of the 66th Democracy Day, the historic day when the people's struggle for democracy got a victory, ending the more than a century long autocratic Rana regime. The Prime Minister showed high respect to all those democratic fighters who fought for the sake of democratic norms and values, ideologies and principles.
For more information, see: “PM extends Democracy Day greetings” Republica, 19 February 2016
Energy crisis to end
The National Energy Crisis Reduction and Electricity Development Decade plan endorsed by the Cabinet on February 18 aims to add an additional 839 MW of electricity in the next one year during the dry season. The country’s daily power output currently stands at 780MW which drops to 300 MW during the dry season. Likewise, the plan also envisages generating 1,339 MW during the wet season in the second year.
For more information, see: “Power crisis, by govt lights, to end” The Kathmandu Post, 19 February 2016; “Govt declares Energy Crisis Reduction and Development Decade” Republica, 18 February 2016
Pakistan
Indian sentenced
Authorities in Pakistan convicted an Indian national, Hamid Nehal Ansari, for espionage on 16 February. Ansari is reported to have confessed to spying and was jailed for three years by a military court. Details about Ansari's trial are not public and the military refused to comment on the issue.
For more information, see: “Pakistani military court convicts Indian citizen of espionage”, Hindustan Times, 16 February 2016
Sindh okays Hindu marriages
On 15 February, lawmakers in Pakistan’s southeastern Sindh province – home to three million Pakistani Hindus – passed a bill that now allows Hindus to register to marry. The law, according to the head of the Pakistan Hindu Council, Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, does not go far enough to protect Hindu women from forced conversions (to a non-Hindu religion, such as Islam). According to a controversial clause in the law, Hindu marriages can be annulled if any spouse converts. The law applies retroactively to existing marriages.
For more information, see: “Pakistan’s Sindh province allows Hindu marriages to be registered”, BBC, 16 February 2016
Taliban kills nine
On 18 February, in two separate attacks in the Mohmand Agency of Pakistan’s FATA region, Pakistani Taliban militants killed nine Pakistani paramilitary personnel from the Khasadar force. According to local officials, one attack killed two guards at a security checkpoint in the Darwazgai Yaka Ghund area.
For more information, see: “Pakistani Taliban kill nine paramilitary personnel in attacks in northwest”, Reuters, 18 February 2016
Counter-terror exercise
On 15 February, Pakistan confirmed it will participate in a ‘multi-national’ counter-terror exercise in Saudi Arabia. According to Riyadh, the event – deemed the ‘largest, most important military maneuvers’ ever to occur in the region – will host troops from around 20 countries, including Malaysia, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, and others. The Saudi Press News Agency released a statement saying the exercise shows that Saudi Arabia and the participating nations “stand united in confronting all challenges and preserving peace and stability in the region.”
For more information, see: “Pakistan agrees to take part in Saudi-led drill”, The Express Tribune, 16 February 2016
Sri Lanka
PM warns media again
In what has becoming an ongoing attack on the nation’s media, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has crticised them for sabotaging the Government’s development plans at the behest of erstwhile Mahinda Rajapaksa leadership, aimed at job-creation and increasing family incomes. The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA), another target of the PM, and also the self-styled ‘combined Opposition’ identified with the Rajapaksas have criticised him in this regard.
For more information, see: “PM warns GMOA, section of media”, The Island, 18 February 2016; “PM takes on GMOA, Daily Mirror, Derana”, Daily Mirror Online, 18 February 2016; “Don't use licence to insult religions: PM tells electronic media”, Daily Mirror Online, 14 February 2016; “Govt. harassing media now: MR”, Daily Mirror Online, 16 February 2016; “Media freedom under siege: NFF”, Daily Mirror Online, 15 February 2016; “Joint opposition condemns PM's views on media”, Daily Mirror Online, 19 February 2016; “We have a right to express our views: GMOA tells PM”, Daily Mirror Online, 19 February 2016; “Agreement with India may lead to CEPA: Joint Opp.”, Daily Mirror Online, 19 February 2016
MP nomination challenged
Lending certain credibility to the combined Opposition’s criticism of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s United National Party (UNP) nominating recent party-entrant and war-time Army chief, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, as a ‘National List’ MP, Dr P Saravanamuttu, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), has since moved the Supreme Court, challenging the same. Saravanamuttu and other independent petitioners have argued that political parties could nominate only those in their pre-poll National List to the position, and not an ‘outsider’.
For more information, see: “SF’s NL appointment challenged in SC”, The Island, 18 February 2016; “UNP also focusing on a third level leadership: Ranil”, Daily Mirror Online, 19 February 2016; ”LG forum to hold countrywide public meetings”, Daily Mirror Online, 19 February; “CBK: MR is ‘exploiting’ Vijaya’s death anniversary...MR: If he had been alive he would have joined us...Police probing Lasantha’s killing asked to peruse Hansard”, The Island, 17 February 2016
Ex-CJ cleared
With the Bribery Commission withdrawing all three petitions for not-declaration of assets for the years 2010-12, former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake stands acquitted of all charges against her. CJ Bandaranayake, who was impeached by Parliament under the regime of predecessor President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was restored by incumbent-successor, Maithripala Sirisena. In a symbolic gesture, she resigned at the end of the day after taking charge.
For more information, see: “Ex-CJ acquitted from non-declaration of assets”, Daily Mirror, 19 February 2016
Primary Documentation
Myanmar
Press Releases
Joint Statement of the U.S.-ASEAN Special Leaders’ Summit: Sunnylands Declaration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 18 February 2016
Nepal
Press Releases
“Press Release on the Visit of Rt. Hon'ble Prime Minister to India”, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal, 12 February 2016
“Press Release on Rt. Hon. Prime Minister's State Visit to India” Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal, 17 February 2016
“Press Release on Diamond Jubilee Celebration of the Establisnment of Diplomatic Relations between Nepal and Japan” Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal, 17 February 2016
“Press Release on Message of Condolence from Rt. Hon. Prime Minister” Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal, 17 February 2016
Bibliography
Afghanistan
Opinion pieces
“Afghanistan: Taliban Child Solider Recruitment Surges”, Human Rights Watch, 17 February 2016
David Jolly, “Afghanistan’s Crippled Power Grid Exposes Vulnerability of Besieged Capital”, The New York Times, 17 February 2016
Azam Ahmed, “Tasked With Combating Opium, Afghan Officials Profit From It”, The New York Times, 15 February 2016
Bangladesh
Opinion Pieces
Naveed Ahmad, “Is Hasina’s Bangladesh at war with itself or Pakistan-lovers?”, The Express Tribune, 18 February 2016
Bhutan
Editorial
Kuensel, “LG elections need state support”, Kuensel, 18 February 2016
India
Opinion Pieces
Jaimini Bhagwati, “Jump-start investment”, Business Standard, 18 February 2016
Rahul Jacob, “An unending global slump”, Business Standard, 18 February 2016
Christophe Jaffrelot, “Dalits still left out”, Indian Express, 18 February 2016
Raja Mohan, Beyond the News: China’s railway, India’s opportunity, The Indian Express, 17 February 2016
Maldives
Opinion Pieces
N Sathiya Moorthy, “Stalled before take-off, the unsure status of political negotiations in Maldives”, South Asia Monitor, 19 February 2016
Fathmath Shaahunaz and Aminath Shifleen, “India’s largest naval ship – a city in the sea”, Haveeru Online, 18 February 2016
N Sathiya Moorthy, “Yameen ready for talks, international mediators”, www.orfonline.org, 16 February 2016
Myanmar
Opinion Pieces
David Fullbrook, “Keeping it Clean: Renewable Energy a Better Way for Myanmar”, Irrawaddy, 18 February 2016
Nepal
Editorial
The Kathmandu Post, “It’s inclusion, stupid!” The Kathmandu Post. 19 February 2016
Opinion Pieces
Dipendra Adhikari, “Oli’s test”, Republica, 17 February 2016
Pakistan
Opinion Pieces
Taha Kehar, “Hindu marriage, customs and the law”, The Express Tribune, 18 February 2016
Kathy Gannon, “Pakistani women risking all to fight for their rights”, Associated Press, 18 February 2016
Martin Robbins, “Has a rampaging AI algorithm really killed thousands in Pakistan?”, The Guardian, 18 February 2016
John Elliot, “India and Pakistan: At logger heads on top of the world”, Newsweek, 12 February 2016
Sri Lanka
Opinion Pieces
M S M Ayub, “The defeated are not disqualified or unqualified”, Daily Mirror Online, 19 February 2016
Ranga Jayasooriya, “Rajapaksa’s HR bomb ticking, ticking...”, Daily Mirror Online, 15 February 2016
Jehan Perera, “Govt, not the UN is entrusted with national reconciliation”, The Island, 15 February 2016
N Sathiya Moorthy, “’Misinterpretation’ of ‘Sovereignty’”, The Sunday Leader, 14 February 2016
Contributors:
Afghanistan & Pakistan: Kriti M. Shah & Mihir Bhonsale
Bangladesh: Dr Joyeeta Bhattacharjee
Bhutan & Myanmar: Mihir Bhonsale
India: Shubh Soni & Pushan Das
Maldives & Sri Lanka: N. Sathiya Moorthy
Nepal: Dr Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury & Sreeparna Banerjee
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