Vietnam’s foreign minister visits India; Rohingya leaders seek support from Indonesian militants; Bomb blast in Thailand wounded eight soldiers; Moro rebels sign wealth agreement with Philippine government; President Thein Sein visits UK, France
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    • (JULY 8-14)
    Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh visited India from 10-12 July 2013. This was his first visit to India as foreign minister, during which he met his Indian counterpart Salman Khurshid. He comes at a time when strategic partnership between India and Vietnam is clearly on an upward trajectory. 1
    According to reports, two Rohingya leaders travelled to Indonesia recently to meet hard-line groups in the hope of enlisting their support and assistance. The militants were in the market for more fighters, guns, cash and bomb-making instructors. The pair was identified as cleric Abu Arif and militant commander Abu Shafiyah, linked to the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO). 2
    According to reports, eight soldiers were wounded by a roadside bomb in Thailand's southern Pattani province. A group of soldiers were traveling on a truck to a local school to provide security for teachers when a bomb, with an estimated 30 kg weight and hidden inside a gas cylinder, was detonated remotely. Eight soldiers onboard were wounded and rushed to a nearby hospital. 3
    In other developments, the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front have on the wealth sharing annex of the framework agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) after six days of peace talks in Malaysia. The agreement in that regard was signed on 13 July 2013. After a 12-hour session, both parties signed the Annex on wealth sharing past midnight of Sunday, July 14, in Kuala Lumpur. 4
    Myanmar’s President Thein Sein has begun his official trip to UK and France to strengthen bilateral ties in a wide range of areas, including investment and education. Thein Sein made official visits at the invitation of British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Francois Hollande. The President's visit to Britain and France is expected to be a historic milestone in various sectors such as economic, education and social affairs. 5

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