COUNTRY REVIEWS

South Asia

Afghanistan

• Pak PM Gilani: Pak’s cooperation essential for US victory in Afghanistan; Karzai and Milibad discuss Afghan Summit in London; Holbrooke: US supports reconciliation talks between the Afghan government and its opponents; 10 protesters killed as ISAF and Afghan forces open fire; 13 killed in predator drone attack in Helmand; 16 civilians killed in suicide blast in Uruzgan

Pakistan

• FM Qureshi: More US drone attacks would harm ties; Zardari expresses concern over screening of Pak nationals in US; Petraeus: Drone attacks have increased after Khost attack; Lieberan: Pakistan “a full partner in the war on terrorism”; Pakistan and China to initiate joint efforts to meet regional security challenges; IMF: Pakistan’s external debt would increase by 43 percent in the next 5 years

East Asia

China

• PLA Deputy Chief meets Pak PM Gilani; PLA refutes media reports on aircraft carriers; China tests missile interception technology; PLA sets up ‘online military academy’; PLAN Navy imparting training to selected students in civilian higher education institutions to improve quality of recruits; Chinese MoD announce financial aid to Haiti

West Asia

Iran

• Iran’s police chief warns opposition protesters against use of e-mails; Major powers representatives meet to discuss further sanctions

Iraq

• Suicide bomber kills seven in Anbar province; Iraq’s election commission bans pro-Baath party candidates ahead of March elections

DEFENCE REVIEW

National Defence

• Astra test-fired successfully
• CII-KPMG urges greater reforms in defence sector

International Defence

• China tests interceptor missile

ENERGY SECURITY REVIEW

(Jan 4-17, 2010)

• ONGC to lend $857 million to unit for Myanmar project
• China and Burma agree on oil pipeline project
• Iran, Turkmenistan inaugurate new gas pipeline
• Iran set to reduce February oil prices for Asia on Saudi cuts
• GAIL, ONGC Videsh to have stakes in China-Myammar gas pipeline project
• Japan warns China over disputed oil and gas reserves