COUNTRY REVIEWS

South Asia

Afghanistan

• ISAF forces to train troops to avoid civilian casualties; Second round of security handover begins in Afghanistan

Pakistan

• Probe report of NATO strike in Pakistan due next month; Karzai requests Pakistan not to boycott Bonn Conference; US denies NATO attack as deliberate

Bangladesh

• Foreign affairs and Economic Affairs advisors to the Bangladesh PM visit India; Bangladesh Army Chief visits India; German President Christian Wulff visits Bangladesh; Myanmar shows interest to import potato from Bangladesh

Sri Lanka

• India’s Cabinet approves the reconstruction and repair of 49,000 houses for IDPs in North and East; Meeting held between Pakistan President and Sri Lankan Chief of Defence Staff; Pakistani exporters urges Sri Lanka to withdraw its decision of levying new tax on the import of agricultural products; Japan assures its commitment to Sri Lanka's post-conflict development; USAID: Political tensions between Sri Lanka and the United States would not have any bearing on the aid projects in the country; President reaffirms his support to Palestine; Additional UK funding of £150,000 for the reintegration of ex-combatants; GAZPROM is checking the viability of oil and gas exploration in northern Sri Lanka

Maldives

• Vice President Waheed: Regional collaboration is crucial to deal with climate change within South Asian region; Maldives is the 118th state member of the International Criminal Court; 2012 will be a “Duty Free Year” for Maldives

East Asia

South East Asia

• Hillary Clinton visits Myanmar; Singapore’s new submarine operational; Indonesian army chief visits Singapore; Cambodia denies Thai allegations; Thailand, Laos urged to cancel Xayaburi dam plans

China

• China urges Europe not to politicize its investment; China, Japan hold strategic dialogue; Leaders of China, EU urge better relations; China's aircraft carrier sets sail for 2nd trial; China backs Pakistan's sovereignty

Japan

• Japan ready to export nuclear technology; Washington urges Tokyo to reduce oil imports from Iran; China proposes to resume talks with Japan on resolving sea boundary dispute on East China Sea; Japan proposes to setup an Asian disaster insurance plan

Central Asia & Russia

Central Asia

• US, Kazakhstan sign agreement for cooperation in nuclear security and safeguards; India seeks to acquire uranium mines in Kazakhstan; Kyrgyz coalition government collapses after new president sworn in; Tajik FM meets Afghan and Iran FMs during the Bonn conference; Estonian PM offers maritime transport and shipbuilding support to Ashgabat; Uzbek Senate limits presidential term to five years; Tashkent offers15-year tax exemption to Pakistani entrepreneurs

West Asia

Syria

• Syria accuses Arab League for ignoring realities; Turkey announces economic and financial sanctions against Syria; Visiting Lebanese delegation discuss events in Syria; Syria and UNIDO discuss means of implementing cooperation programmes; Syria and Iraq discuss to enhance trade and investment ties; Syria suspends its membership in UfM; Syrian suspends Free Trade Zone Agreement with Turkey; ALBA countries reject foreign intervention in Syria's internal affairs; Syria and Iran discuss cooperation in housing sector

Jordan

• Jordan urges more support for UNRWA; Jordan and Germany discuss bilateral ties, situation in Middle East; Foreign minister supports Jordan’s GCC bid; Khasawneh’s government wins vote of confidence; Jordan urges increased global efforts to make peace

Israel

• Jordan urges Israel to stop unilateral actions; Israel approves 119 new settler homes; Israel resumes fund transfers to Palestine; UN demands full Israeli withdrawal from occupied Golan; US Defence Secretary urges Israel to negotiate with Palestinians

Palastine

• Palestine sets May 4, 2012 as date for elections; Palestine and Israeli opposition leader held talks in Jordan; Palestine PM opine global and regional politics not ripe for Palestinian statehood

Africa

Egypt

• Islamists triumph in Egypt’s election; Huge turnout for parliamentary elections in Egypt; Political parties appreciate smooth voting process; Concern over Egypt’s fast depleting foreign reserves

Libya

• UN calls for release of Libya’s frozen assets; ICC team probing sexual crimes arrives in Libya; Tunisia calls on Libya over security at border post; UNSMIL mandate extended till March 2012

Nigeria

• Suspected Boko Haram members bomb banks, police stations in Bauchi; World Bank briefs on global migration and remittances

Sudan

• Sudan differs from halting South Sudan oil exports; UNAMID chief presses for peace in Darfur; EAC rejects Sudan’s bid to join the regional bloc as South Sudan’s application is deferred; Sudan army captures Tarogi area in South Kordofan; ICC seeks arrest warrant for Sudan's Defence Minister

South Sudan

• South Sudan warns oil companies over illegal deals with Sudan; South Sudan and UNMISS discuss mechanisms for mandate implementation; South Sudan and Kenya to enhance economic cooperation

South Africa

• Angola and South Africa strengthen cultural cooperation; President speaks of 'greening’ the economy at COP17; Selebi loses appeal against 15-year jail term

Somalia

• Top al-Shabaab leader arrested by KDF; Somali pirates release tanker and 21 of its crew members, seized in April 2011; Ethiopia opens Bur Amino camp for Somali refugees; Intensified fighting took place in Southern Somalia

COTE D’IVOIRE

• ICC charges former leader with crimes against humanity; Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea discuss reconciliation efforts

INTERNAL SECURITY REVIEW

Jammu and Kashmir

• Chief Minister Jammu & Kashmir Omar Abdullah claims AFSPA revocation is in its decisive phase; National Conference block President shot; Police arrests two militants in Srinagar

Northeast India

• United Naga Council lifts the economic blockade in Manipur; IED blast in Imphal leaves one dead; Situation in Manipur remained gloomy; Noted Assamese writer Indira Goswami dead; Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) to be declared a banned organization; A policeman and his daughter shot by Garo National Liberation Army; ULFA claim refuted in the Oil India Limited fire in Tipling, Assam; Centre takes note of mega dam protests

UNITED NATIONS (UN) REVIEW

• India presses for UNSC reforms; India will closely work with BASIC on climate negotiations; UN mission in Libya extended till March 2012; UN Security Council condemns attacks on UK embassy in Iran; India asks Israel to stop building settlements in occupied Palestinian territories; India re-elected to key UN Committee; Arms embargo against DRC rebel groups extended; Council congratulates people’s participation in DRC elections; Council welcomes new political agreement in Yemen