COUNTRY REVIEWS

South Asia

Afghanistan

• Taliban claims obtaining government security plan of Loya Jirga

Pakistan

• India-Pakistan trade ties boost as relations improve; Pakistan summons its envoy to US Ambassador Haqqani to Islamabad to question him over memo row; Pakistan signs agreements with Turkmenistan for cooperation in various sectors

East Asia

Japan

• Japanese PM Noda welcomes growing US involvement in the Asia-Pacific; Japan, South Korea and China discusses the feasibility of a FTA among them; Japan and ASEAN members states emphasize on closer maritime security ties

Central Asia & Russia

Central Asia

• Indian Army Chief General VK Singh visits Central Asia; Turkmenistan and Pakistan hold talks on energy and bilateral trade cooperation; United States backs Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan to lay gas pipeline on Caspian seabed; Turkmen government considers to reform media laws; United States pays Kyrgyzstan for use of Manas air base; EU-styled Eurasian economic union to be set up by 2015

Russia

• Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan create common economic space; Ukraine to raise lease charges for the Russian fleet; Russia expects some positive results in EU visa-free talks in 2012; Russian Defence Ministry signs a new submarine construction deal; North Korea to get up-to US$ 100 million for transit of Russian gas if it becomes a transit country for Russian gas supplies to South Korea; Russia and Japan to think about cooperating over security issues; Russia’s small arms and light weapons producers seek to promote the sale of their weapons to NATO markets; Russia’s Finance Ministry will not raise taxes in the next three years; Foreign Ministers of Russia and the United States discuss urgent international issues as well as bilateral ties; Russia hopes for East Asian Community’s help in establishing an International Financial centre in Moscow; Russia expresses its concern over US plans to expand its presence in Central Asia; Russia and Azerbaijan to extend Gabala radar contract till 2025; Malaysia plans to buy 18 Russian Sukhoi-30 MKM fighter jets; Russian and German Finance Ministers discuss the situation in Syria and also Iran’s nuclear weapons programme

West Asia

Kuwait

• Demonstrators storm Kuwait Parliament; Amir vows action

DEFENCE REVIEW

National Defence

• 1962 war airstrip reopened and upgraded in Arunachal Pradesh; Housing project of Air Force Naval Housing Board for air force, navy personnel inaugurated

International Defence

• Commanding General of U.S. forces in Iraq Gen. Lloyd Austin: No respite in sight for Iraq even after US withdrawal; France will buy the new Airbus A330 MRTT tanker aircraft from 2013

INTERNAL SECURITY REVIEW

Jammu and Kashmir

• Militant escapes and kills a police officer in Kishtwar district; Grenade hurled at National Conference Party worker’s residence in Budgam district; Militant dead in Shopian encounter; Jammu and Kashmir officials to have talks in Delhi; Forest official shot dead in North Kashmir

Northeast India

• Manipur Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh opposes supra-state Naga body; Hagrama links demand for Bodoland Statehood with Telangana demand; ULFA hideout busted with three ultras dead; Four hurt in Manipur blasts; ULFA soon to have a new central body; Two ULFA ultras killed with their own bombs

UNITED NATIONS (UN) REVIEW

• UN Security Council commends Liberia for free and fair elections; Security Council extends term of European Union stabilization force; UNSC condemns violence in Syria and attacks carried out by the Lord’s Resistance Army; Singapore extends its support to India’s quest for permanent membership in Security Council; India abstains from resolution against Iran; UN General Assembly votes in favour of Libya’s membership to Human Rights Council