March, 1- 15, 2017
West Asia
Saudi Deputy Prince had a ‘Historic Meet’ with the US President Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump recently met with Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in a historic meet in the White House, especially after the rift following 2015 Iran nuclear deal. A senior advisor said that the Deputy Crown Prince was satisfied with the meeting and “positive position and clarifications he heard after the meeting with President Trump on his views on Islam”. The meeting showed a marked shift in the relations between the two countries on political, military, security and economic fields. US Defence Secretary James Mattis also met with the Deputy Crown Prince and discussed US- Saudi military cooperation in the fight against terrorism. According to a news source, the two also discussed “confronting Iran’s destabilizing regional activities”.
General Haftar’s Operation Dignity Retake Oil Terminals in Libya
According to France-24, General Khalifa Haftar, the head of the Libyan National Army, and his ‘Operation Dignity’ forces, aggravated their fight to retake oil crescent area from the Benghazi Defence Brigades (BDB). The BDB forces handed over the control of oil terminals to the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) after defeated Haftar’s forces from Sidra and Ras Lanuf. During the height of fighting last week, PFG Chief, Edriss Bukhamada, informed the Government of National Accord (GNA) for a no-fly zone at the oil crescent region after Haftar’s forces started conducting sir strikes. However, Haftar’s forces have now managed to retake the oil terminals.
Russia Deployment of Special Forces on the Libya - Egypt Border
A Libyan newspaper reported on 14 March 2017 that Russia has deployed special forces to an airbase in Western Egypt that shares borders with Libya. According to a U.S. official, who spoke on anonymity, said that the US has observed what Egypt – Libya border). According to the Egyptian security source, describing a 22-member Russian special forces unit, but declined to discuss its mission. They added that Russia also used another Egyptian base farther east in Marsa Matrouh in early February. The Russian defense ministry did not immediately provide comment and Egypt denied the presence of any Russian contingent on its soil. Egyptian army spokesman Tamer al-Rifai however said that, “There is no foreign soldier from any foreign country on Egyptian soil. This is a matter of sovereignty.”
Central Asian Republics (Car)
President Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan Visited Turkmenistan
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid an official visit to the neighboring republic of Turkmenistan on 6-7 March 2017. This was Mirzioyoyev’s first visit abroad as the President of Uzbekistan. Moreover, he was also the first high-level guest to visit Turkmenistan, after the re-election of the Turkmen President, Gurbanguli Berdimuhamedov. This signifies mutual desire and interest of both countries to intensify the cooperation. The relationship between the two is characterized by centuries-old cultural ties, friendly neighborhood, and mutual respect and understanding of each other’s strengths.
During visit, President Mirziyoyev and President Berdimuhamedov signed an Agreement on Strategic Cooperation. Major highlights of the visit were signing of the Agreement on Economic Cooperation for 2018-2020, and the Memorandum on Cooperation in Railway Transport. Several other agreements were signed between the ministries of two countries, in the fields of trade, transport, agriculture, cultural and humanitarian cooperation, science, sports and tourism. Agreements of cooperation were signed between the bordering regions of Khwarazm and Bukhara of Uzbekistan, with the Turkmen regions of Dashogur and Lebar respectively.
Transport and connectivity topped the agenda during Mirziyoyev’s visit to Turkmenistan. He, along with President Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan, graced the opening ceremony of the road and railway bridges over river Amu Darya,<./em> joining Turkmenabat and Farab, of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan respectively. These bridges hold geo-strategic significance for entire region, and are important for improving trans-border connectivity. The two leaders also discussed cooperation in the proposed ‘Central Asia-Middle East’ corridor, connecting Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Oman. Both the countries are also active participants in the One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative of China. Apart from road and rail corridors, a gas pipeline also operates between Turkmenistan and China, which transits from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
Presidents of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan also exchanged views on regional security and stability. Both these republics share long porous border with the troubled state of Afghanistan, which is marked by ethno-linguistic ties across border. Both are concerned about spillover effects from bordering Afghanistan and spread of terrorism and violent extremism. The two sides agreed to closely cooperate in fight against international terrorism, trans-border organized crime, and human and drug-trafficking. They also reiterated that the solution of the Afghan problem should be only through peaceful and political means. The two leaders called for international support to the Afghan government and assistance for country’s integration in the regional and international economy.
Central Asian Leaders Attend the ECO Summit in Islamabad
The 2017 Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) was held in Islamabad on 1 March. It was the 13th summit that took place after the lapse of five years.
ECO is the Eurasian inter-governmental organization for political and economic integration. It was founded by Pakistan, Iran and Turkey in 1985 in Tehran. Membership of the organization was expanded in 1992 to include Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The organization, which consists of 10 predominantly Muslim countries, provides a platform for improving trade and investments, transport and communication, cooperation in agriculture, science and technology, and overall economic integration of these countries.
The Islamabad summit was based on the theme, ‘Connectivity for Regional Prosperity’, and focused on the areas of energy, infrastructure, trade and transport. The summit was attended by high-level guests from 9 out of 10 ECO countries. From the Central Asian Republics (CARs), President Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan, President Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan, Prime Minister Jeenbekov of Kyrgyzstan, Deputy Prime Minister Rasoolzoda of Tajikistan, and Deputy Prime Minister Azimov of Uzbekistan participated in the summit. The leaders of the CARs, especially Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan emphasized on improving regional energy and transport corridors.
During the summit, Pakistani side made special mention of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as the outstanding example of regional connectivity, which was the theme of the summit. It was stressed that the CPEC will augment the existing and the planned energy and transport corridors in the ECO region.
Notably, Afghanistan chose not to send any high-ranking official to the summit, and was represented by its ambassador in Islamabad. This move was an extension of Afghanistan’s ongoing stance against Pakistan for providing sanctuaries to terror outfits from Afghanistan. Afghanistan shares border with 6 out of 10 of the ECO states, and is a strategic gateway for the trans-regional connectivity. Its absence from the summit, coupled with its ongoing tussle with Pakistan, became the major issue during the summit.
Africa
President of India Inaugurated the 12th CII-Exim Bank Conclave on India Africa Project Partnership
The 12th Confederation of Indian Industries (CII)-EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Project Partnership was inaugurated by President Pranab Mukherjee on 9rth March in New Delhi. During the conclave the President mentioned that the connection between India and Africa is not new and the bonds between the two have strengthened over the years. The President mentioned that there exist a commitment to build genuine partnerships that create jobs and opportunities for people. Mindful of common history and shared future, there is a will to elevate relationship between India and Africa. For the first time India welcomed representatives of all 54 countries of Africa at the third India-Africa Forum Summit in October 2015. Since then our diplomatic footprint have strengthened and broadened. President Pranab Mukherjee said that ‘Our leadership has visited almost every African country in the last eighteen months’. He stated that he personally paid visit to Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana and Namibia last year and that India and Africa have together made a long and steady journey of progress over the years. The impact of our progress is visible in our cities.
The President mentioned that India has supported development in Africa through Lines of Credit estimated at over US $ 7 billion under the India Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) process. The collaboration extends across a wide spectrum. Fifty thousand scholarships has been extended to African brothers and six thousand Africans have been trained under IAFS-3. By 2050, India and Africa will be home to close to four billion people. Our combined GDP will be over USD thirty five trillion. President called upon the leaderships of India and Africa to work together for the promise of a new tomorrow for the people of India and the people of Africa. He expressed hope that the 12th Edition of the Conclave will open new vistas of co-operation between India and Africa. President Pranab Mukherjee, his majesty King Mswati -III of kingdom of Swaziland and Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, PM of Uganda took part in the event. It was the biggest gathering of African leader and delegates since the big India-Africa summit in 2015.
African Union Celebrated Launch of ‘DotAfrica’ Internet Domain
African Union (AU) launches internet domain to bring Africans together for socio-cultural activities by forging a unique online identity which will bring products, services and information under one umbrella throughout the continent. The ‘DotAfrica generic Top Level Domain’ (gTLD)，an African initiative established by Africans for Africa and the rest of the world is designed to bring the continent together as an internet community by allowing e-commerce, technology and infrastructure to flourish in the continent. The DotAfrica was launched at the African Union's headquarters in Addis Ababa. The event was accompanied by senior AU officials including the outgoing and incoming African Union Commission (AUC) Chairpersons Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Moussa Faki Mahamat respectively.
Nkosazana-Dlamini Zuma，the outgoing Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) mentioned that with DotAfrica Africa has finally got its digital identity. Also, DotAfrica will allow to spread much more information and history of the continent. AU Commissioner Elham Ibrahim also appreciated the launch of DotAfrica (.Africa) saying that it is one of the most important flagship projects of the AUC. According to Elham the implementation of the DotAfrica (.Africa) project has been AU's interest for the past eight years. DotAfrica for the African continent is said to serve as an identity and a vehicle for socio-cultural activities of Africa in the digital era helping the continent to contribute to the global digital economy.
President Pranab Mukherjee Invited King of Swaziland to Promote Indian Investments
The Indian President Pranab Mukherjee invited the King of Swaziland Mswati-III to New Delhi to promote Indian investments in areas of interest of his country. He received King Mswati-III of Swaziland at Rashtrapati Bhavan and hosted a lunch in his honour. The President met the King last in October 2015 in the India-Africa Forum Summit. India and Swaziland traditionally enjoy a friendly and co-operative relationship and India appreciates the support that Swaziland has consistently extended to India in multilateral forums. The President mentioned that India is happy to partner Swaziland in its development through scholarships and capacity-building. India also offers Swaziland a large market, affordable technologies and finance. President Pranab Mukherjee called upon the King to create conditions to attract Indian investments in areas of interest of Swaziland. The President also assured the King that India would be happy to assist Swaziland in achieving its developmental goals. King Mswati on his part mentioned that India's expertise was valuable for the countries of Africa and they are grateful to New Delhi for its willingness to transfer the same
