COUNTRY REVIEWS

South Asia

Afghanistan

• President Karzai: Immunity for US soldiers in Afghanistan after 2014 to be decided by Loya Jirga; Afghan Intelligence headquarters rocked by suicide attack killing two guards

Pakistan

• Talks between military officials from India and Pakistan ended in a stalemate; Pakistan Supreme Court orders arrest of Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf; Pakistan to release all Afghan Taliban detainees including Mullah Baradar.

Bangladesh

• PM Sheikh Hasina visits Russia; Bangladesh divides its border area into four zones; European Parliament backed a call to encourage tougher safety laws and proper inspections in Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka

• India to set up nine language labs in the nine provinces of Sri Lanka; U.S. designs through USAID a new, US$4.5 million dollar "Increased Responsiveness in the Legal System Program” for Sri Lanka; Agreements signed between Sri Lanka and the UAE; China to grant a consignment of sports gear worth Sri Lankan Rs. 50 million for the children in Northern Sri Lanka; 36 Indian companies participated in the JITF; World Bank projects Sri Lanka's economy to grow at 6.8 percent in 2013.

Maldives

• Maldives elected as vice Chair of IRENA; Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development of Mauritius visits Maldives; Maldives prescribes a temporary ban on import of live animals and meat products from Tamil Nadu

East Asia

China

• China appoints new ambassador to India; India-China agree to work towards strengthening military ties; US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: Diaoyu Islands fall “under the administrative authority of Japan” and thus they were under the purview of US-Japan Security Treaty; China warns United States over Diaoyu Islands stand; Myanmar’s President meets Chinese special envoy in Yangon; Diaoyu Islands patrolled by Chinese surveillance ships; China thanks the Sudanese government for release of Chinese nationals; Chinese leader Jia Qinglin calls for dialogue with Japan on Diaoyu Islands.

Japan
JANUARY 7-13

• Japanese Prime Minister Abe reiterates his resolve to defend Senkaku islands; Japan, US and South Korea to hold regular trilateral security talks from late January 2013; Japanese Foreign Minister Kishida to visit Southeast Asia.

South Korea
JANUARY 7-13

• The US Army Chief of Staff visits South Korea, assures South Korea is capable of reclaiming its wartime operational command from the US in 2015; South Korea to speed up the deployment of long-range missile to deal with North Korean threat.

JANUARY 14-20

• South Korean President-in-waiting Park insists on strengthening South Korea-US security alliance to forge a “21st century comprehensive strategic alliance”.

North Korea
JANUARY 7-13

• Google chairman visits North Korea, assess the country’s internet environment despite Obama government’s reservation; North Korea to donate a museum to Cambodia as a gesture of friendship; North Korea plans to offer mineral resource development right to Chinese companies in exchange of pledges to upgrade its backward infrastructure.

West Asia

Syria

• Syrian opposition meets to choose prime minister-in-exile.

Israel/Palestine

• Joint Israeli-Palestinian campaign ‘donates’ Israeli votes to Palestinians; Arab League calls on Israeli Arabs to vote to stop far-right; Netanyahu not to dismantle settlements if re-elected.

Iran

• Iran agreed for talk with the IAEA regarding its Nuclear Programme

Iraq

• 27 people killed in suicide and bombs attacks in Iraq.

Bahrain

• Police disperse anti-government protest in Manama.

UAE

• UAE signs nuclear cooperation agreement with Argentina.

DEFENCE REVIEW

National

• Army Chief warns Pakistan of strong reaction if provoked; Indian Navy long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft P8-I gives a big boost to its fighting power.

International

• French military sees no respite from budget nightmares after Mali operation; U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta: US-UK aircraft carrier cooperation mutually rewarding.

INTERNAL SECURITY REVIEW

Jammu & Kashmir

• Resignation of more Panchs continues in J&K; Army Chief is not in favour of dilution of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the state; Amid avalanche threats, Police evacuates about 40 families in South Kashmir.

North East India

• National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) ultras arrested; Polls in three North-East states to be monitored by flying squads; Indo-Bangla rail projects to be expedited; Peace talks between National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and Govt. of India to take place in January, 2013 end; With the arrest of a central committee member, Maoist expansion plans in North-East receive major blow; Protection of Manipur State boundaries demanded by CM; International tourism mart organised in Guwahati.

Ministry of Home Affairs

• Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) extended; Jharkhand under President’s Rule.