VIF Information Alerts - 10th May 2018

Russia's S-400 Supplies to Turkey Won't Be Affected by US Sanctions – Official
Published: Sputnik
09 May 2018

Turkish Undersecretary for Defense Industries (SMM) Ismail Demir has told Turkey's Anadolu News Agency that Russia would supply its S-400 missile systems to Ankara within the agreed time frame. Commenting on Washington's possible sanctions against Ankara over its planned purchase of the S-400 systems, Demir underscored that the Turkish government is aware of such reports and that the leaders of Turkey and Russia have made a clear decision which will not be affected by the sanctions. Click here to read... [2]

CIA concerned about potential contacts between extremists and Pakistan nuclear scientists, says Gina Haspel
Published: Financial Express
10 May 2018

The CIA continues to be very concerned about the potential connection between extremist groups and Pakistani nuclear scientists and is very closely monitoring this, a top official from the spy agency has told lawmakers. “There was very deep concern about potential contacts, and we continue to monitor this very closely, between extremists and Pakistani nuclear scientists,” Gina Haspel, US President Donald Trump’s nominee for CIA director told the members of the Senate Select Intelligence Committee during her confirmation hearing yesterday. Click here to read... [3]

China's anti-spy campaign: cash rewards and warnings of 'dangerous times'
Published: The Guardian
10 May 2018

Red-headed academics, tourists, English teachers, and NGO workers are some of the suspicious figures that Chinese people should beware of befriending, according to a propaganda campaign launched by Chinese authorities. Posters on the subway in central Beijing alert commuters to some of the danger signs in a campaign to stop people being tricked into spying on their country for a foreign government. Click here to read... [4]

Pakistan asks Iran to resume gas pipeline negotiations
Published: Financial Express
09 May 2018

Pakistan has invited neighbouring Iran to resume the stalled talks over the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline project, Pakistan’s local media reports said on Tuesday. The News quoted a senior official at the Petroleum Division of the Ministry of Power as saying that the Islamabad has extended an invitation to the Tehran to visit Pakistan and conduct negotiations on the Gas Pipeline Project before the Holy month of Ramadan, which sets in during the third week of May. Click here to read... [5]

Sri Lanka tells China unfounded claims made on some projects
Published: The Sunday Leader
10 May 2018

Sri Lanka has told China that unfounded claims are being made on some of the projects funded by China in Sri Lanka, with ulterior motives. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said that there are extremists in all countries and those making unfounded speculations on China funded projects in Sri Lanka may have their own ulterior motives, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo said today. Click here to read... [6]

Nepal says 'no' to China for multi-billion power project
Published: Business Standard
09 May 2018

The Nepal government has said "no" to China to build the Budhi Gandaki hydroelectricity project that was awarded to a Chinese firm by the previous Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'-led dispensation in 2016. The previous government had also asked China to list the project under the its Belt and Road Initiative, of which Nepal is a part.

The decision by the current government on Tuesday came as relief to New Delhi as it fears that investment in Beijing would surpass in Nepal and would lessen India's clout in Kathmandu. Click here to read... [7]

India Bangladesh finalise framework agreement to implement line of credit worth 500 million dollars
Published: UNI
09 May 2018

Nearly a fortnight ahead of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Shantiniketan, India and Bangladesh on Wednesday finalized framework agreement to implement the Line of Credit (LOC) worth 500 million dollars given by New Delhi last year for defence equipment needs of Dhaka. A high-level delegation of Bangladesh, headed by Lt-General Mahafuz Rahaman, Principal Staff Officer of Bangladesh Army, held discussions with Indian delegation, led by Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra. The two sides also inked two other agreements relating to Khulna Naval shipyard in Bangladesh and defence school exchange programme. Click here to read... [8]

Maldives chief justice sentenced to nearly five months in prison
Published: south China Morning Post
09 May 2018

A court in the Maldives has sentenced the country’s chief justice to nearly five months in prison on charges of obstructing government administration and justice. The criminal court sentenced Abdulla Saeed to four months and 24 days for allegedly preventing the Supreme Court from receiving letters from the government. Click here to read... [9]