Vietnam- China to boost diplomatic exchanges; Bomb blasts rock Thailand; Thai opposition warns of the situation in Southern Thailand; India appreciates reforms in Myanmar; EU begins lifting sanctions imposed on Myanmar
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    • According to reports, during the three-day visit of the Vietnamese foreign minister, Vietnam and China agreed to promote high- level diplomatic exchanges. His visit started on February 12 at the invitation of Chinese foreign minister Yang Jiechi. On the boundary issue they appreciated the developments on the matter. They also agreed to urge the relevant agencies to work on inking an agreement to facilitate free travel of ships at the Bac Luan river and tap its tourism and resource potential. 1

    In another development, according to reports, on February 14, 2012, three bomb blasts rock the Thai capital Bangkok. The bomb blasts were targeted at foreign nationals. The blasts injured five people including one of the bomb suspects, who also got bruised in the incident. Apparently, just a day before the Bangkok blast, similar attacks happened in India and Georgia also. It is widely believed that these attacks are connected in some ways, probably in terms of the agencies involved in the incident. 2

    Meanwhile, according to reports, showing concerns about the ongoing situation in Southern Thailand, the leader of opposition Abhisit Vejjajiva, on 13 February 2012, said that the government should be more consistent in its policy on the turbulent region. He criticized the Shinawatra government for not keeping the promise of providing compensation to the victims. He added that the government appointed committee had agreed to pay up to 7.5 million baht in compensation for the causalities in Southern Thailand during the past eight years. He added that cabinet’s indecision on the resolution has led to confusion and might aggravate the situation by creating discontent. 3

    According to reports, the Indian foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai on 14 February 2012 said that the ongoing reforms in Myanmar have been seen positively. He added that the new path taken by the Thein Sein government would help strengthen ties between the two countries. That, he opined, would also help in increasing the Indian investment in Myanmar. 4

    In other develoepmts, according to reports, the European Union lifted travel sanctions against Myanmar President Thein Sein and other top officials on February 17, 2012. It is widely believed that by April this year, the EU as an organization and its member countries individually, will review their sanctions policy towards Myanmar. That would, of course, depend on the outcome of the by-elections due in April 2012. 5

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