COUNTRY REVIEW

South Asia

Afghanistan

• Indian embassy in Kabul attacked; 17 killed and more than 70 injured; Taliban claims responsibility; Indian and world leaders strongly condemn the attack; India calls for quick adoption of the ‘Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism’; Foreign Secretary Rao: "Effective pressure" on Pakistan required to stablize Afghanistan; President Obama hears Gen. McChrystal’s request for more troops in Afghanistan

Pakistan

• Pak Army headquarters in Rawalpindi attacked, a Brigadier and Lt. Col. among those dead, Taliban claims responsibility; Kerry-Lugar Bill generates criticism in the Army and National Assembly; Zardari and Gilani pledge to fight Taliban and al-Qaeda even as renewed offensive to be launched

Bhutan

• Cases of marijuana abuse on the rise in Bhutan, raw marijuana being exported to Assam also; NDFB using the border with Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh as a ‘liberated zone’; Bangladesh PM calls for joint efforts to tap the tourism potential of Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh

Maldives

• Maldives co-sponsors a resolution at the UN HRC for the release of Suu Kyi; President’s spokesperson says that renewal of ties with Israel does not signify an approval of its action against Palestinians

Sri Lanka

• PM Wickramanayake: Colombo doing its best to rehabilitate displaced people in the North; UNHCR provides a $5 million loan for de-mining activities; Granting of Indian citizenship to Sri Lankan refugees being discussed; Indian Coast Guard arrests 46 Sri Lankan fishermen

East and Southeast Asia

China

• China marks the 60th anniversary of its founding, displays sophisticated new weaponry; PLA official, after meeting Deputy Secretary Steinberg, hopes US would create conducive “conditions for the stable development of military-to-military relations”; New policies for PLA recruitment show positive results; PLA: 20,000-odd national defense patent applications accepted

South East Asia

• Thai govt to go ahead with proposed constitutional amendments; Suu Kyi allowed to meet with diplomats from US, UK, Australia to discuss sanctions; Sarkozy offers all help to Malaysia, including in nuclear technology; Casualty figure in West Sumatra rises to 784

West Asia

• Shashi Tharoor visits UAE and Bahrain; Bahrain reiterates its support for India’s permaNent membership at UNSC; MoS expresses hope that the robust $44 billion bilateral trade with UAE will grow even higher; Tharoor: India ready to work with UAE on nuclear energy

Iran

• Iran set to buy 20 percent pure uranium from abroad; US lawmakers urge Obama to report by January 31 the status of his diplomatic efforts on Iran; Ahmadinejad says Geneva talks were “positive” and a “step forward”

Iraq

• Six people killed in suicide attack in Anbar province; Sunni cleric lost his life in car explosion

DEFENCE AND MISSILES REVIEW

Defence National

• ASSOCHAM and Ernest & Young: Govt. needs to fund 80 per cent of defence R&D in private sector

• Indian, Russia to develop hypersonic version of BrahMos

Defence International

• China to downsize PLA by 7,00,000

• NATO Secretary General urges Russia to provide more support in Afghanistan

Missiles

• Prithvi-II successfully test-fired

• US and Israel to conduct joint missile defence exercise