COUNTRY REVIEWS

South Asia

Afghanistan

• Afghanistan expresses grave concern about “Pakistani military’s unilateral construction and physical reinforcement activities” along the border in the eastern Ningarhar province; Deadly attack on Afghan court in Farah kills at least forty six people; Afghan High Peace Council: Pakistan has a crucial role to play in the ‘difficult-to-achieve’ peace with the Taliban militia.

Pakistan

• Anti-terrorism court to reopen Benazir murder case; British lawmakers recommends that Britain should not increase aid to Pakistan unless Islamabad tries to make its wealthy elite pay more taxes

Bangladesh

• Arunachal Pradesh’s Water Resources Development Minister and Bangladesh High Commissioner to India discuss management of Brahmaputra for mutual benefit; US Seventh Fleet Commander visits Bangladesh; Bangladesh-Bhutan sign MoU; Chittagong-based Hefajat-e Islam held a rally demanding punishment of “atheist bloggers”

Sri Lanka

• Proposal for formation of an Indo-Sri Lanka Marine Disputes Authority to find a permanent solution to end the "sufferings" of Indian fishermen; Sri Lankan Opposition leader met Indian President during his visit to India; Foreign Secretary-level bilateral political consultations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka held in Colombo; Sri Lanka suspends sending employees to Cyprus; Spiritual head of the Drupka Order of Tibetan Buddhism presents a bone relic of the Buddha to Sri Lanka

Maldives

• President Waheed visits Kuwait; China provides assistance to Maldives under their “Provisions of goods to addressing climate change” initiative.

Central Asia

Central Asia

• Kazakhstan hikes crude export duties by 50 per cent; Iranian nuclear talks resumed in Kazakhstan; Kyrgyzstan to cut energy (hydel) exports to Kazakhstan; Kyrgyzstan and Iran discuss ways to simplify their visa regime; Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia discuss the prevailing security situation and ways to enhance cooperation; Tajikistan to increase power exports to Afghanistan; Kazakhstan and Ukraine sign a pact to strengthen inter-regional trade

Russia

• Russia and Iraq agree to renew an arms deal worth US$ 4.2 billion; Russia will not support its citizens affected by the Cyprus crisis; Russia says that the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) has no prospects in the future; Russia’s Central Bank expresses concern over the slow economic growth; Russia’s arms exports increases by 12 per cent in 2012; Venezuelan Parliament ratifies an oil deal with Rosneft; Russia sends a warship to participate in Blackseafor drills; Russia to start state tests of new ballistic missile in 2014; Pentagon to buy Russian made helicopters for Afghanistan despite opposition from US lawmakers; Russia’s third Borey class nuclear submarine to start trials in June; Two landing ships of Russia’s Pacific Fleet will enter Tartus in May; Russia’s GDP growth to be less than 3 per cent in 2013; Russia has no plans to deploy a military base in Afghanistan.

West Asia

Jordan

• Syrian refugees in Jordan expected to double this year.

Turkey

• Turkey adopts migration and asylum policy in push to join EU; US urges improved Turkey-Israel ties.

Israel/Palestine

• Palestinian president demands two-state map from Israel; Tensions rise in Gaza as UNRWA shuts down offices.

DEFENCE REVIEW

National

• Agni-II missile successfully test fired; CCEA approves continuation of scheme for special Infrastructure in Left Wing Extremism affected states.

International

• United States to return land to Japan; North Korea pitches up war cries.

INTERNAL SECURITY REVIEW

Jammu & Kashmir

• Hizbul Mujahideen militant Liyaqat Ali Shah to be questioned by National Investigation Agency (NIA); Uttar Pradesh government raises objections to deploying J&K police along its border with Nepal; Online campaign for the return of the mortal remains of Afzal Guru

North East India

• Arunachal Pradesh faces power crisis; Rabha National Liberation Front (RNLF) ultras arrested; Myanmar delegation in Manipur; President to visit North-East states; Diversion of Brahmaputra a common concern for both North-East and Bangladesh; Commission probing encounters in Manipur notes six cases not genuine; Thailand keen on investing in Nagaland.

Ministry of Home Affairs

• Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2013 passed; India Signs Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with Azerbaijan; Union Home Minister to visit Russia.

UNITED NATIONS (UN) REVIEW

• UN General Assembly approves global arms trade treaty, India abstains.