COUNTRY REVIEW

Iraq

• US: Hezbollah training Iraqis in a camp near Tehran; Truce reached between Baghdad and Sadr militias, supposedly brokered by Iran; Balckwater’s contract renewed for another year

China

• Hu visits Japan; PLA Assistant Chief: Regional governments should join hands to meet common challenges; Su Chi appointed as Secretary General of Kuomintang government

Myanmar

• Over 100,000 killed in Cyclone Nargis; US pledges $3 m in aid

US ELECTION REVIEW

• End of the Democratic nomination nears as Obama registers a decisive win in the North Carolina primary, while Clinton edges past Obama in Indiana; More super delegates pledge to Obama; McCain targets Obama

South Asia

Afghanistan

• Al Qaeda blamed for attempt on life of Karzai; Afghan Intelligence Chief calls for pressure to be put on Pakistan’s tribal areas

Pakistan

• Continued predicament over restoration of judiciary; Parliament to determine the working relationship between the government and President; Senate demands revision of pro-US policy

Nepal

• Prachanda calls on the SPA to respect the mandate of the people; NC not to join the government; Controversy over selection of PR candidates

Bhutan

• Bhutanese refugees resettlement progressing; King Wangchuk calls for moving towards a vibrant democracy

Bangladesh

• EC: Elections to be held in December 2008; AL not to take part in elections if Sheikh Hasina not released; Pak PM: Islamabad keen on developing close relationship with Dhaka

Sri Lanka

• 20,000 security personnel deployed to oversee provincial elections; Colombo calls on international community to curb the activities of LTTE front organisations

Maldives

• Final draft of the new constitution agreed upon

PAKISTAN-OCUPIED KASHMIR REVIEW

• Demand for self rule in Gilgit-Baltistan; Gilgit Baltistan Democratic Alliance (GBDA) criticizes the Karachi Agreement; Leaders from J&K and POK meet in New Delhi

INTERNAL SECURITY REVIEW

Jammu and Kashmir Development

• Five hostages rescued in J&K; BSF foils infiltration attempt

NorthEast Insurgency

• Twelve Dimasa militants killed in Assam; Manipur Government recruits 300 Special Police Officers; Central Government reviews law and order situation in Nagaland

Internal Security:Other Development

• Political activists quit over Maoists Threat; Two persons arrested for posting letter bombs

NUCLEAR REVIEW

India

• UPA-Left committee meeting on nuclear deal inconclusive; Jaswant Singh: Vajpayee does not support Brajesh Mishra on nuclear deal; Abdul Kalam voices support for the nuclear deal; France ready to sign nuclear cooperation agreement with India

Iran

• Iran to present a new package to the international community; US refuses to send envoy to Tehran to help present the deal

North Korea

• Pyongyang hands over 18,000 pages of nuclear documents to the US

Pakistan

• Pakistan successfully tests Hatf-VIII air launched cruise missile; Book: Benazir Bhutto carried nuclear secrets to and from Pyongyang during official visits

ENERGY SECURITY REVIEW

US Blames India And China For The Rise In Oil Price

• The remarks come a week after blaming India for rising food prices

Natural Gas

• Bids for Akkas oil field postponed, lack of security cited as main reason for failing to lure enough bids

Energy Security

• The Consumers First Energy Act introduced in US Congress by Democrats, provisions target big oil companies and members of OPEC