COUNTRY REVIEW

South Asia

Afghanistan

• NATO allies involved in formulating strategy to ensure peaceful conduct of presidential elections; Poland to increase its troop presence in the country; German Chancellor Merkel and Defence Minister Jung visit Afghanistan

Pakistan

• Violence erupts in Balochistan after Chakwal suicide attack; PM Gilani calls for a “comprehensive and integrated national counter terrorism policy”; Holbrooke: Taliban inside Pakistan directing war in Afghanistan against US forces

Nepal

• Nepalese foreign Minister visits China, ahead of the visit of PM Dahal in May; MoU signed between Nepal and China to promote trade and investment; India to provide aid worth Rs. 90 million for infrastructure projects; Maoists bag three seats in by-polls

Sri Lanka

• Rajapakse declares a ‘temporary halt’ to military operations; Post-conflict reconstruction measures being contemplated; Pro-LTTE TNA-led delegation visiting India from April 16-17

East and SouthEast Asia

Japan

• Japan renews economic sanctions against Pyongyang; PM Aso unveils $150 billion stimulus package; South Korea protests against Japanese history textbooks; Venezuela and Japan create $4 billion investment fund

South Korea

• Seoul to work with Beijing and Tokyo at Six-Party talks on North Korea; South Korea and ASEAN settle on agreement on investment issues; Seoul to contribute $24 billion to regional foreign currency reserve pool

SouthEast Asia

• 14th ASEAN Summit cancelled even as the Thai PM refuses to step down; Indonesia condemns North Korean satellite launch; Malaysia’s Razak: Postponement of ASEAN Summit could deter growth of regional forum

West Asia

iran

• 5+1 powers recognise Tehran’s right to a peaceful nuclear programme but urge it to resume negotiations; Ahmadinejad inaugurates the country’s first nuclear fuel manufacturing plant in Isfahan on ‘National Nuclear Day’

Iraq

• Obama makes first visit to Iraq after assuming office; Suicide bomber kills 12 in Baghdad; Increasing tensions between government in Baghdad and Sunni militias

MISSILES, SPACE AND NUCLEAR REVIEW

Missile and Space

• UNSC condemns North Korea’s missile launch; Pyongyang charges that the resolution is ‘unjust’ and ‘brigandish’

• Ahmadinejad: Iran to launch another satellite soon

Nuclear Issue

• Obama’s call for a nuclear weapons free world: Mixed reactions and skepticism

• Larijani: World powers must accept a nuclear Iran

ENERGY SECURITY REVIEW

• India launches its biggest auction of oil and gas blocks

• Putin: Russia-China pipeline to be completed soon

• China, Myanmar sign gas pipeline agreement

INTERNAL SECURITY REVIEW

Jammu and Kashmir

• PM Dr. Singh: Intrusion a serious threat to poll process; Army not aware of Taliban presence in Kashmir

Maoist Insurgency

• Maoists kill nine soldiers in Chattisgarh; CRPF to raise 10 new battalions to fight terrorism and cyber crime

NorthEast Development

• Eight people killed in Assam blasts