COUNTRY REVIEW

South Asia

Afghanistan

• US forces begin pull out from Pech valley in Afghanistan

Pakistan

• Britain softens its visa policy for Pakistan nationals; Japanese Emperor lauds Pakistan’s anti-terror efforts; India proposes dates for Home secretary level dialogue; Reports: US revives diplomatic and military contacts with Pakistan

Bangladesh

• Russia to install Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant; Bangladesh makes efforts to evacuates its citizens from Libya; Malaysian minister for Science, Technology and Innovation visits Bangladesh; Bangladesh submits its claim over the extended continental shelf to the UN

Sri Lanka

• European Union re-lists LTTE as a terrorist organization; Sri Lankan fishermen released by Indian authorities; Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office meets with External Affairs Minister of Sri Lanka; ICRC closes its office in Jaffna; India to evacuate 1200 Sri Lankans from Libya; 171 Sri Lankans applies for refugee status in Japan; Norwegian companies looking for joint ventures in Sri Lanka

Bhutan

• Three nation hub established at Sherpur; Suspected NDFB militants (anti-talks) ambush Bhutanese policemen; Thinley denies presence of militants on Bhutanese soil

Maldives

• President Mohamed Nasheed visits India and Sri Lanka; Maldives is against the use of violence against pro-democracy campaigners in Libya; New Ambassador of Poland to the Maldives; European Parliament’s delegation visits Maldives; President’s expresses sympathy for quake hit New Zealand; President holds meeting with World Bank Country Director for the Maldives and Sri Lanka; President meets with Interpol President

East Asia

China

[February 14-20, 2011]

• China and France willing to enhance defence cooperation; Indonesian Vice-minister and Polish defence delegation visits China; Beijing Military Area Command tests its readiness in hostile weather; A Chinese peacekeeping contingent sent to Southern Lebanon; Chinese scientists tests new type of submarine engine

[February 21-27, 2011]

• China and Pakistan hold 8th Defence and Security talks; The Kazakh Defence Minister meets with his Chinese counterpart; The Inner Mongolia Military Command improves border infrastructure tremendously; New-type of transport helicopter introduced; The PLA Air Force opens up a new university; The PLA emphasizes on legal works

Japan

• Japan to boost cabinet capability over national security; DPJ’s frustration over Kan grows; Kan alludes to lower house dissolution / snap election aimed at countering DPJ rebels as well as to seek tax mandate; Japan to sell military parts to U.S. forces; Reports: Deadlock in Russia-Japan islands row hard to break; Japan to closely watch North Korea amid reports on finished missile tower

Southeast Asia

• ASEAN holds emergency meeting on Thai-Cambodian border dispute; Indonesia to send 30 observers to Thai- Cambodia border areas; Cambodia, US hold joint maritime exercise; Congress dates announced in Laos; 143 per cent annual increase in Brunei- China trade; 50,000 tonnes Indian corn, soy meal rejected by Vietnam; Detained Malaysian Indians freed

Central Asia & Russia

Central Asia

• CSTO hopes to implement automated border patrol system in Central Asia; Kazakhstan, South Korea to develop “Green Economy” techniques; Drugs Control Official: Drug smuggling in Kyrgyzstan is being taken over by large cartels; Russia to widen anti-Drug operations in Central Asia; Kazakhstan and South Korea agrees to work together to develop “green economy” techniques; Kyrgyzstan’s PM seeks international financial assistance; Formation of shadow government in Kyrgyzstan; Tajikistan to seek Russian help to bring its 21 citizens in Libya to safety; India to help its investors in developing Tajikistan’s tea industry; Visiting Iranian trade delegation urges for the creation of a Turkmen-Iran trade council; Uzbekistan proposes free-trade agreement with Turkmenistan

Russia

• Russian and Armenian Presidents meet in St. Petersburg; Russian Parliament ratifies the military transit deal with the USA; Reports: Russia launches navigation system satellite, India to benefit; Russia backs UNSC sanctions against Libya; Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov re-nominated for elections

West Asia

Iran

• Opposition leader Mehdi Karoubi’s son arrested by Iranian security forces; UN nuclear watchdog worried over new information discovered regarding Iran’s nuclear programme

Iraq

• Top military leader of Al-Qaeda group killed by Iraqi security forces

Oman, Bahrain

• Two anti-government protesters killed in Oman; Bahrain protesters block access to Parliament

USA

• Reports: United States is in consultation with its European allies to impose a no-fly zone over Libya