COUNTRY REVIEW

South Asia

Afghanistan

• Dozens killed in US air raid in western Farah province; UN’s Kai Eide condemns the raid; Obama and Clinton express deep regrets; Karzai renews his call to halt air strikes; Trilateral Summit focuses on eliminating al Qaeda and its allies

Pakistan

• Zardari to members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee asserts Pakistan’s resolve to fight Taliban; Islamabad launches security operations in Swat, at least 140 Taliban militants killed

Nepal

• Dr. Yadav urges political parties to form a consensus government by May 10; Video-taped speech of Mr. Dahal on PLA cadre strength creates controversy; UNMIN chief Karin Landgren urges all parties concerned to work to rebuild trust

East and SouthEast Asia

Japan

• Putin visiting Tokyo on May 11, to ink nuclear pact among other agreements; Taiwan protests Japanese diplomats comments on its political status; Beijing insists its nuclear policy and strategy were ‘very transparent’

South Korea

• Pyongyang rules out prospects of dialogue with Seoul after its criticism of the country’s human rights record; US and South Korea: Six-Party talks remain ‘heart’ of the effort to ensure North Korea’s nuclear disarmament

SouthEast Asia

• Vietnam places an order for 6 Kilo-class submarines; Taiwan asserts its ‘unquestionable’ sovereignty over islands in South China Sea, in the wake of attempts by Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam to extend the outer limits of their continental shelves

West Asia

Iran

• More than 300 candidates register for the presidential elections; Pak., Afghan, and Iranian Foreign Ministers meet in Kabul

Iraq

• Eleven people killed in bomb blast

MISSILES, SPACE, DEFENCE AND NUCLEAR REVIEW

Missiles and Space

• DRDO successfully test fires the Astra BVR AAM

Defence Issue
National

• India to develop MCA

International

• US DoD announces 2010 budget cuts and savings

Nuclear Issue

• Obama: Stronger nuclear nonproliferation treaty needed

INTERNAL SECURITY REVIEW

Jammu and Kashmir

• Sufi Muhammad: Jehad is not mandatory in Kashmir; Militant ‘doctor’ arrested

Maoist Insurgency

• Eleven persons killed in Maoist attack

North East Development

• Militants raid village in Assam