COUNTRY REVIEW

South Asia

Afghanistan

• 10 soldiers killed in Afghanistan; 2009 is critical year for Afghanistan:UN chief; UN: Security in Afghanistan may worsen in 2009; India suggests integrated approach for peace in Afghanistan;

Pakistan

• ‘Long March’ begins in Lahore; Nawaz Sharif defies house arrest orders; Gilani and Kayani meet to discuss the situation; US, and UK make diplomatic efforts to help broker a compromise

Nepal

• Ethnic unrest ends in Terai after agreement; PLA commanders urge Dahal to speed up the integration process; Nepal-India Water Resources Committee meets in New Delhi

Bangladesh

• Army officers blame Sheikh Hasina for murder of over 70 officers in BDR mutiny; Home Ministry comes out with a report on militant outfits; Malaysia revokes the work visas of thousands of Bangladeshis;

Sri Lanka

• UNICEF: 150,000-200,000 civilians trapped in war zone; Health professionals worried about the growing rates of suicides; EAM Mukherjee: No military solution to the rights of Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka;

Bhutan

• Apprehensions about infiltration of militants from Bangladesh to Bhutan; International Rivers: Building of mega-dams by India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bhutan can have an adverse impact on the Himalayan eco-system

Maldives

• Clinton lauds Maldives decision to recognize Kosovo even as President Nausheed orders an investigation into allegations of bribe behind the decision

East and SouthEast Asia

China

• 11th Panchen Lama: Tibet has made progress since abolition of serfdom; Peoples Daily critical of the idea of “greater Tibet” as proposed by the 14th Dalai Lama; Military exercises between China and Pakistan conclude;

Japan

• Aso: Urgent need to focus on efforts to boost the economy; China and Japan to resume security talks; Aso warns DPRK on rocket launch; Tokyo orders two naval vessels to join anti-piracy patrols off Somalia

SouthEast Asia

• Obama calls for ‘a comprehensive partnership’ between the US and Indonesia; Myanmar’s Foreign Minister to visit Indonesia; Thai government to review martial law provisions; Indonesia and Singapore come to an agreement on the western boundary dispute

West Asia and Central Asia

Iran

• Iran tests new air-to-surface missile; Former Iranian Prime Minister Mousavi announces candidature for presidential election; Rafsanjani Re-elected Assembly of Experts chairman

Iraq

• Suicide attacks on the rise; Prime Minister al-Maliki renews his call for changes to the 2005 constitution to better tackle national problemsv

  Kazakhstan

  • India and Kazakhstan decide to sign a deal on Satpayev oil block

  NUCLEAR, MISSILES AND SPACE REVIEW

  • Reports: Iran draws attention to contradiction between IAEA report and US intelligence regarding fissile material; Iran’s Nuclear Programme and its repercussion to Middle East
  • DRDO Tests PAD Interceptor Missile as well as Brahmos
  • Concerns over North Korean Missile Launch

  ENERGY SECURITY REVIEW

  • Russia and Hungary sign gas pipeline deals
  • Iran’s first nuclear plant to begin generating power by August, 2009

  INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM REVIEW

  • Sharia Law begins in Swat Valley
  • Pentagon: 10 per cent of Guantanamo inmates have returned to terrorism
  • Baloch abductors threaten to kill UNHCR Official
  • Bin Laden calls for holy war to free Iraq
  • RAND: Film Piracy funding terror

  INTERNAL SECURITY REVIEW

  Jammu and Kashmir

  • J&K government rules out giving State subject rights to Pakistani refugees

  North East Development

  • DGP G.M. Srivastav: ULFA investing in Bangladesh tea, textile sectors