COUNTRY REVIEWS

South Asia

Afghanistan

• PM Dr. Singh states that Kabul attacks “will not bend the will of the people of India”; Holbrooke expresses regret over his remarks on Kabul attack; Karzai assures NSA Menon of steps to protect Indians; Six dead in twin blasts in Kandahar; Afghan government announces restrictions on live coverage of militant attacks; Gen. McChrystal issues new directives to avoid night raids; PM Brown visits British troop bases

Pakistan

• Gilani: Terrorism “deterring international investors”; Mullen advocates a tough approach towards militants; Pakistan denied reimbursements totaling $400 million by US; Pakistan refuses to hand over arrested Taliban leaders to Afghanistan; Taliban commander among 5 killed in Swat

East Asia

China

• Defence spending to increase by 7.5 per cent: China and Pakistan to hold a joint anti-terrorism training exercise: Egypt’s Defence Minister meets PLA Deputy Chief: Vietnamese Deputy Defence Minister visits China: Modernization of coastal defence forces stressed

Japan

• US says Japan has "a very critical role" to play in international efforts to limit Iran's nuclear ambitions; Tokyo says it is “unaware of” whether US warships carried nuclear weapons on Japanese territory; Support for the Hatoyama Cabinet drops to 37 percent; Japan to provide $3 million in emergency aid to Chile; China’s new ambassador takes up duties

Southeast Asia

• Thai Prime Minister: China should not be blamed for the water shortages faced by the countries of the Mekong river basin; India and Burma to conduct ‘coordinated operation’ to deal with illegal border trade; Cambodia successfully tests Russian-made BM-21 rocket launcher

DEFENCE REVIEW

National Defence

• Private sector sidelined in RS. 10,000 cr TCS project

International Defence

• China's 2010 defence budget to grow by 7.5 per cent