VIF Information Alerts - 20 Feb 2018

Want to deepen ties with China to get more leverage with India: Nepal PM KP Oli
Published: Deccan Chronicle
20 Feb 2018

Nepal's new Prime Minister KP Oli has said he wants to deepen ties with China to explore more options and get more leverage in his dealings with India "in keeping with the times".

Oli, widely regarded as pro-China, also said he wants to "update" relations with India "in keeping with the times" and favours a review of all special provisions of the Indo-Nepal relations, including the long-established practice of Nepalese soldiers serving India's armed forces. Click here to read... [2]

Pakistan PM reluctant to take stern action against JuD: report
Published: The Hindu
19 Feb 2018

Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi reversed his decision to take stern action against Hafiz Saeed-led Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD)and Falah-i-Insaniyat Foundation (FiF) fearing that any such move could trigger a political crisis, a media report said on Monday.

Pakistan has come under intense pressure to rein in terror groups after United States President Donald Trump accused the country of harbouring terrorists and suspended nearly $2 billion in security assistance to it. Click here to read... [3]

CPEC effect: Pakistan tags China’s Mandarin as official language month after replacing dollar with yuan for bilateral trade
Published: Financial Express
20 Feb 2018

The Pakistan Senate on Monday declared ‘Mandarin’ as one of the official languages of Pakistan. The decision was taken at the senate’s concluding session of the mother languages symposium held in Islamabad. With this move, Pakistan has accepted Mandarin as the fourth official language after English, Urdu and Arabic. As per the Pakistani media, this has been done to further strengthen the relations between Pakistan and China. Making Mandarin an official language is being seen as Pakistan’s attempt to ensure that people connected with the China Pakistan Economic Corridor can communicate easily. Click here to read... [4]

OBOR troubles: How ‘One Belt One Road’ is triggering anti-China moves – from Australia to Europe
Published: Financial Express
19 Feb 2018

China’s ‘One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative has left many influential countries scrambling for ideas to counter Beijing’s apparent colonialism-like ambitions. This fear over OBOR is also triggering an anti-China consensus among several countries wary of Beijing’s designs. The Australian Financial Review (AFR)has reported that Australia is mulling to set up a “joint regional infrastructure scheme” to come up with an “alternative” to China’s OBOR initiative, which is set to further spread Beijing’s influence. Click here to read... [5]

Justin Trudeau in India: Modi govt denies any 'snub'; top 10 developments
Published: Business Standard
20 Feb 2018

Has Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau been snubbed by the Government of India? Prime Minister Narendra Modi isn't shy of hugging world leaders and has, in the past, broken protocols to personally receive a visiting head of state, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, Canadian PM Trudeau has reportedly received a less-than-warm welcome on his visit to India, at least according to some sections of the media. However, the Indian government sources have strongly rejected the speculation. Click here to read... [6]