I. COUNTRY REVIEWS

South Asia

Bhutan

• Britain takes 37 Bhutanese refugees from Nepal as part of resettlement programme; Caretaker Prime Minister Madhav Nepal assures Druk National Congress of full support for democratic struggle of Bhutanese citizens; Trade and Transit Agreement to be worked between India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan; India’s National Security Advisor and Foreign Secretary visit Bhutan to strengthen bilateral ties

East Asia

Japan

• Japan apologizes to South Korea for its past colonial rule over Korean Peninsula; North Korea also demands apology; Japan contemplates sending SDF forces to Pakistan for flood relief operations; Japan vows to continue providing aid to Central Asia

Southeast Asia

• Thai-Cambodian border meeting postponed indefinitely as the border dispute between the two states flares up; Thai navy to send two ships for anti-piracy mission in Somalia

West Asia

Iran

• Iranian companies begin second phase of IPI gas pipe-line; Barack Obama plans to meet Iranian President if Iran resumed talk over nuclear programme

Iraq

• 5 Security officials killed in Baghdad

II. DEFENCE REVIEW

National

• ASSOCHAM reiterates its demands for 49 % FDI in Defence; Air Force to receive all six C-130Js in 2011

International

• Delay in F-X programme may limit Japan to buy F-35 off-the-shelf