COUNTRY REVIEWS

South Asia

Sri Lanka

• Four Indian Naval ships on a goodwill visit to Sri Lanka; The European Commission to provide humanitarian assistance to the displaced people in Sri Lanka; Canada conducts maritime search operation for Tamil smuggling ship; Sri Lanka to establish a task force to curb illegal migration; SL Navy establishes Command Centre in the North Western Coast of Sri lanka; Fitch forecasts Sri Lankan GDP growth to be at 7.2% during 2010-12; British - Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce established

Maldives

• President Nasheed visited India to attend CWG opening ceremony; US delivers first shipment of security assistance package to the Maldives; VP Dr Waheed met South African Ambassador to the Maldives

Myanmar

• Myanmar's military-backed party pledges to practice democracy; Myanmar opposition party NDF says polls step towards democracy; Myanmar’s Supreme Court to hear Suu Kyi latest appeal against her house arrest; Myanmar to free 11,000 inmates ahead of elections

East Asia

China

• The PLA undertakes yet another ambitious military exercise; China and Thailand carry out joint military drill; 2010 marks the 55 years of the establishment of nuclear industry in China; The PLA hosts the second ASEAN Plus Three forum on non-traditional security threats; The UN commends the role played by China’s troops in Kongo; The guidelines to reinforce control and supervision over the quality of weapons and military equipment issued

North & South Korea

• South Korea views North Korean nuclear threat, reaching at an “alarming level" ; EU, South Korea sign free trade pact; S Korea, South Africa sign nuclear power cooperation agreement; South Korea, US reaffirm their strong defense alliance

West Asia

Iran

• Russia cancels deal of the S-300 air defence system to Iran; Islamic Republic condemns World bank for declining loans

USA

• Reports: Republican Party expects to make major gains in races for the governorship of various states; Reports: Democrats may have to curtail their legislative agendas in case of loss in the upcoming elections