VIF Information Alerts - 5 Mar 2018

Amid increasing Chinese assertiveness in the region, India and Vietnam have underlined the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, while calling for peaceful settlement of disputes without threat or use of force. After delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang yesterday, the two countries also resolved to deepen cooperation in the field of defence and security. Click here to read... [4]

Philippines identifies sites in South China Sea for potential joint exploration with China
Published: South China Morning Post
03 Mar 2018

The Philippines on Friday identified two areas in the South China Sea where joint exploration for oil and gas may be undertaken with China, including one in territory that both sides have argued over for years.

The two countries have agreed to set up a special panel to work out how they can jointly explore in part of the hotly contested waters without having to address the issue of sovereignty, something experts say would be extremely complex. Click here to read... [5]

Myanmar puts off border pact with India
Published: The Hindu
04 Mar 2018

Myanmar has indefinitely deferred signing an agreement with India to streamline the free movement of people within 16 km along the border. India is keen to sign the agreement but Myanmar — citing “domestic compulsions” — has asked more time before the agreement is sealed. Click here to read... [6]

Taliban reluctant as US, Afghan leaders agree on peace process
Published: Saudi Gazette
04 Mar 2018

Despite US support, the Afghan government’s surprising new peace offer to the Taliban is immediately running into a wall. The insurgents show no sign of shifting from their demand that talks for a conflict-ending compromise take place with Washington, not Kabul. The impasse is blocking a diplomatic path out of America’s longest-running war and could prove as fateful as fortunes on the battlefield. Click here to read... [7]

India to help build nuclear plant in Bangladesh
Published: The Hindu
03 Mar 2018

India, Bangladesh and Russia have signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the construction of the Rooppur nuclear power plant in Bangladesh.

“Today [Thursday] was a landmark event for both our countries — and the industry as a whole. We are confident that this is the first step towards the formation of a new, forward-looking cooperation agenda in the region,” said Nikolay Spassky, Deputy Director-General for international relations of Rosatom, the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation. Click here to read... [8]

Govt mulling post of national security adviser
Published: The Himalayan
04 Mar 2018

Kathmandu, March 3 - For the first time, the government is doing homework to appoint a single person as national security and foreign affairs adviser ‘as these two areas are interrelated’.

Bishnu Rimal, chief adviser to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, said appointing a national security and foreign affairs adviser was under consideration as part of the ongoing process of strengthening and reforming the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. “The government is doing homework. Things have not been fixed yet,” said Rimal. Click here to read... [9]

Why extradition of five IS operatives from UAE is important for India
Published: Daily
04 Mar 2018

Indian security and intelligence agencies have reasons to celebrate the recent extradition of five suspected Islamic State (IS) operatives, who are under sustained interrogation, from Abu Dhabi.

While identities of four operatives are yet to be ascertained, one of them has been identified as Rehan Abidi from Uttar Pradesh. All five suspects are in their twenties and are well known to each other. Intelligence sources say the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had been monitoring the activities of the five people after it received a tip off from its Indian counterparts. Click here to read... [10]

India map used at reception for Trudeau omitted Jammu and Kashmir
Published: Hindustan Times
01 Mar 2018

The missteps during Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent visit to India are multiplying. According to a columnist in the Ottawa Citizen, among these mistakes was a map of India used at the official dinner reception at the Canadian high commissioner’s residence in New Delhi had deleted the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir. Click here to read... [11]