COUNTRY REVIEWS

South Asia

Afghanistan

• In another blow to Afghan peace process, a top Afghan peace negotiator Maulvi Arsala Rahmani shot dead in Kabul; Afghan officials fear tough times post withdrawal

Pakistan

• Pakistan Foreign Minister Khar Pakistan refutes US claim of Zawahiri’s presence in Pakistan; US ambassador to Pakistan plans to step down; US panel cuts aids to Pakistan; Siachen talks to be held in June; Pakistan tests a short-range nuclear-capable ballistic missile

Bangladesh

• Dipu Moni Co-chairs the first Bangladesh-India Joint Commission meeting; Bangladesh buys fifty double-decker buses from India; Bangladesh Bank Governor Atiur Rahman receives Indira Gandhi Gold Plaque 2011

Sri Lanka

• Prof. G. L. Peiris attends Non-Aligned Movement Ministerial meeting of the Coordinating Bureau; The Presidential Task Force for a Trilingual Sri Lanka held its preliminary meeting; Sri Lanka- Kuwait sign cooperation protocol; Sri Lanka's Atomic Energy Authority commenced an emergency response programme

Maldives

• Maldivian President visits India; US Ambassador accredited to the Maldives pays a courtesy call on President

East Asia

Southeast Asia

• Singapore foreign minister visits India; Thailand signs Tablet deal with China; Protests against China in the Philippines; China, Thailand conduct joint naval exercise; India likely to withdraw from Vietnam oil block; Malaysian Airlines to start more flight to India

China

• China, Japan and ROK start FTA talks this year; Colombian President visit China; Military Newspaper warns manila; PLA denies level-2 combat capabilities; Hu urges SCO to ensure security for members; Putin to visit China; Wen congratulates Medvedev; Thailand-China start joint military training; Chinese defense Minister visits US Marine base; Chinese navy training vessel visit India; AL chief wants closer China-Arab ties

Japan

• Japan to send its second SDF team to S. Sudan; Japan and South Korea to sign a defence pact soon

South Korea

• South Korea and the US conducts joint air force training exercise

North Korea

• North Korean leaders busy visiting Southeast Asian countries

Central Asia & Russia

Russia

• Russia lifts its embargo on weapons supplies to Libya; Russia insists US to provide guarantees that the Missile Defence Shield will not be used against it; Russia and France agree to develop their bilateral relations; Medvedev proposes more rapid increase of alcohol and tobacco excise taxes; Medvedev creates a commission to investigate the Sukhoi Super-jet crash in Indonesia; Putin submits Medvedev’s candidature for Duma approval as prime minister; EU foreign ministers to discuss relations with Russia; Russia to encourage foreign investment in the disputed Kuril islands; Reports: Russia is testing an Italian tank; Medvedev instructs to propose amendments to laws on rallies and marches; Russia’s gold and forex reserves down to 523 billion dollars for the week April 27-May 4, 2012

West Asia

Iran

• Iran, Iraq sign joint statement on mutual cooperation; Iran mulls regional trade and economic alliance; Brazil acknowledges Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy; India pressed by US to restrict energy ties with Iran; Iran, Oman hold 10th joint military committee meeting; India, Iran to expand strategic cooperation; NAM summit to be held on August 22

Syria

• Syrian minister slams European sanctions; Russia will not change position on Syria – Foreign Minister; Elections held to Syrian People’s Assembly

Turkey

• Turkey “losing hope” on Syria, denies support for military intervention

ISRAEL & PALESTINE

• Netanyahu urges Palestinians to return to negotiations with new unity government; China-Arab forum to boost ties, support Israeli-Palestinian peace process

YEMEN

• Heavy casualties in fighting between al Qaeda and the security forces

Africa

• Ranbaxy introduces anti-Malaria drug in Africa; South Africa seeks Indian Cooperation for ICT skills; Top commander of Lord’s resistance Army captured in Central Africa; Egypt receives $1 billion from Saudi Arabia; Libya warns Italy on illegal immigration into Europe

DEFENCE REVIEW

National

• Indigenous cryogenic engine successfully tested by ISRO

International

• US to resume sales of military supplies to Bahrain; Britain’s defense secretary Philip Hammond: UK defense budget problem fixed

INTERNAL SECURITY REVIEW

Jammu & Kashmir

• Municipal elections may get deferred in Jammu and Kashmir; Special Police Officer (SPO) ‘s son killed in grenade attack; Five militants killed in Uri, North Kashmir; Jammu and Kashmir Government to deploy spotters in Indo-Nepal border

North East India

• Maoists active in lower Assam; Blockade in National Highway (NH) 31 and 52 against demand for Bodoland; Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) calls off bandh; Four Maoists killed in Assam; Banned drugs seized at Imphal airport, Manipur; NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) cadres arrested in Dimapur; NSCN (K) to open truce office in Myanmar; Home Minister visits Arunachal Pradesh

UNITED NATIONS (UN) REVIEW

• UN condemns bomb attacks in Syria; UNSC to take action if situation remains unresolved in Guinea-Bissau; Indian and Pakistani envoys to UN hail economic ties between the countries; India’s growth projected at 7.5%