COUNTRY REVIEWS

South Asia

Afghanistan

• PM Brown: London conference marks "the beginning of the transition process" where Afghans will take greater responsibility for security; UN Chief calls for a coherent political strategy; Karzai urged the participants to reach out to “our disenchanted brothers who are not part of Al-Qaeda”; EAM Krishna states that “support, sustenance and sanctuaries for terrorist organizations” from neighbouring countries should end; $500 million pledged for the Peace and Reintegration Trust Fund; UN Security Council de-lists 4 Taliban leaders; Staffan de Mistura appointed as the new UN Envoy; Afghanistan wins $1.6 billion in debt relief

Pakistan

• Zardari: Pakistan willing to hold talks with ‘reconcilable’ Taliban; German Chancellor Merkel urges Pakistan to play a larger in Afghanistan; US Envoy to CD: Pakistan delaying talks; Audit report shows US aid not being properly utilised in FATA; 16 people killed in a suicide bomb attack in Bajaur Agency

Bhutan

• Bhutanese oranges to be exported to Bangladesh through West Bengal; India to deploy women paramilitary forces along international borders to “give impetus to civic action programmes and counter anti-India propaganda”; Bhutanese Advocacy Forum Europe (BAF Europe) established to raise issues of human rights and democracy in Bhutan

Sri Lanka

• Rajapakse wins re-election securing nearly 58 per cent of the votes polled; Fonseka alleges irregularities; India to open a consulate in Jaffna

West Asia

Iran

• Opposition leader Karroubi acknowledges Ahmadinejad as president; Two people hanged for their alleged role during post-election riots; US Senate passes a bill approving new sanctions against Iran

Iraq

• 41 killed in deadly blasts in Baghdad