COUNTRY REVIEW

South Asia

Pakistan

• Over 300 killed in earthquake in Balochistan; US air strikes kill 32 in North and South Waziristan; PM Gilani: US attacks counterproductive

Bhutan

• Bhutan to initiate new industrial policy; New Delhi to provide assistance of Nu 34 billion for Bhutan in Tenth Five-year plan; Austria to provide Nu 31. 4 million to support good governance policies in Bhutan; Global financial meltdown negatively impact

Bangladesh

• Parties make changes to their constitution to comply with EC regulations; International interlocutors press Dhaka to lift state of emergency; Bangladesh Army Chief meets Zardari

Maldives

• Mohamed Nausheed wins presidential elections; Gayoom’s DRP to play the role of opposition party

East and SouthEast Asia

China

• First summit of ARATS-SEF held in Taipei; 7th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition to be held from Nov 4-9

Myanmar

• Myanmar and China consolidating military relations; KNU outpost seized in joint military operation by rival Karen group backed by government troops

West Asia

Iran

• New Iranian naval base opened in the Persian Gulf; Iran and UAE sign an MoU to set up a joint commission; US military arrests 39 Iranian-sponsored criminals in Iraq; 15th Iran-India Joint Economic Commission meeting held

Iraq

• Iraq expresses dissatisfaction at the US over its commando raid in Syria; US forces transfer security of Wasit province to Iraq; Bush hopeful of a SOFA deal with Iraq

INTERNAL SECURITY REVIEW

Jammu and Kashmir

• National Conference unveils 16-point vision document with major focus on greater autonomy; Hurriyat (G), NC criticize PDP’s Self-Rule formula

NorthEast Insurgency

• Serial blats in Assam kill 75; HuJI suspected, ULFA denies responsibiltiy

ENERGY SECURITY REVIEW

• Reports: Chinese investments to tap Myanmar’s energy resources increasing

• Indonesia awards oil and gas exploration units

• China-bound pipeline may start next year

• China gains new ground in Africa