Saudi crown prince recognizes Israel’s right to exist, talks up future ties
Published: The Times of Israel
02 Apr 2018
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in an interview published Monday, recognized Israel’s right to exist and extolled the prospect of future diplomatic relations between his kingdom and the Jewish state.
In an extensive interview with The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg, Prince Mohammed laid out his vision for the future of the Middle East, including the possibility of cooperation with Israel. Click here to read... [2]
India bracing for a 'hot' summer on China front after Doklam crisis
Published: The Economic Times
03 Apr 2018
Indian security forces are bracing for a “hot” summer in the Himalayas along the Line of Actual Control with China this year. But unlike the Line of Control with Pakistan, where cross-border firing duels is the norm, it will be a battle of nerves in the shape of troop face-offs and transgressions without actual shots being fired on the China front. Click here to read... [3]
India troops increase border patrols, risking more conflicts: experts
Published: Global Times
01 Apr 2018
India's provocations on the border with China will destroy the foundation of mutual trust and undermine bilateral ties, a Chinese analyst said on Sunday following India's increased deployment of border troops.
India has deployed more troops and significantly increased patrols along the border with China's Tibet Autonomous Region following the Doklam face-off, the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency reported Saturday. Click here to read... [4]
India wary as Maldives, Pak discuss joint EEZ patrolling in Indian Ocean
Published: Business Standard
02 Apr 2018
Ringing alarm bells in India, Maldives and Pakistan have discussed the possibility of joint patrol of the vast exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the strategically-located Indian Ocean state during the visit of the Pakistan army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa.
Bajwa is on a rare visit to the Maldives for a Pakistani chief of army staff – his last two predecessors had not travelled to the archipelago. Click here to read... [5]
Iran and Pakistan plot to become MAJOR allies as they promise a 'BIG CHANGE' is coming
Published: Express
02 Apr 2018
Pakistan and Iran could soon become major strategic allies after representatives from both countries met and agreed a trade deal, it has been reported. Dr Kamal Kharrazi, Iran’s Head of the Strategic Council of Foreign Relations and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, has said the two counties have close religious and cultural bonds and should continue to work together. Talk of improvement in diplomatic ties between the neighbours as well as potential economic deals means the pair could become important strategic allies in the future. Click here to read... [6]
China to open Kimathanka, Olangchungola border points
Published: The Himalayan
01 Apr 2018
Chinese envoy to Nepal Yu Hong today said Chinese border points connecting Province 1 would come into operation pronto. Speaking at a programme organised by Dharan Sub-metropolis to felicitate her, Hong held that China would make China-Nepal trade easy and smooth by opening Sankhuwasabha’s Kimathanka and Taplejung’s Olangchungola border points in Province 1. “Though it is very hard to open border points between Nepal and China, China is positive about opening these border points with Nepal,” Hong added. Click here to read... [7]
India, China at cross purposes in Sri Lanka, both face Lankan anger
Published: Dhaka Tribune
02 Apr 2018
Many in Sri Lanka are voicing dissent – questioning the wisdom of handing over “national assets” of the island nation to China and India in the guise of regional economic development.
Massive infrastructural development projects in South Asia sponsored by China and India – involving billions of dollars – are attracting sharp criticism. China – with its far bigger investments and outreach – has been facing greater political resistance to its transport connectivity and energy sector related projects in Myanmar, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Click here to read... [8]
Bangladesh, Russia agree to keep improving relations
Published: Gulf Times
02 Apr 2018
Bangladeshi and Russian foreign ministers vowed to maintain the “upward trajectory” of relations during bilateral talks in Moscow yesterday, the Bangladesh foreign ministry said. Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali held the talks, second in two years, with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. Click here to read... [9]
Myanmar lures Bangladesh Buddhists to take over Rohingya land: Officials
Published: Channel News Asia
02 Apr 2018
Myanmar authorities have lured dozens of mainly Buddhist Bangladeshi tribal families to cross the border and resettle on land abandoned by fleeing Muslim Rohingya, officials said on Monday (Apr 2).
About 50 families from remote hill and forest areas on the Bangladesh side, attracted by offers of free land and food, have moved to Rakhine state in mainly Buddhist Myanmar - the scene of a brutal army crackdown which prompted hundreds of thousands of Rohingya to flee. Click here to read... [10]
The Taliban Have Gone High-Tech. That Poses a Dilemma for the U.S.
Published: The New York Times
01 Apr 2018
Once described as an ill-equipped band of insurgents, the Taliban are increasingly attacking security forces across Afghanistan using night-vision goggles and lasers that United States military officials said were either stolen from Afghan and international troops or bought on the black market. Click here to read... [11]
Links:
[1] https://www.vifindia.org/vifinformationalert/2018/april/03
[2] https://www.timesofisrael.com/saudi-crown-prince-recognizes-israels-right-to-exist-talks-up-future-ties/
[3] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-bracing-for-a-hot-summer-on-china-front-after-doklam-crisis/articleshow/63591425.cms
[4] http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1096178.shtml
[5] http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/india-wary-as-maldives-pak-discuss-joint-eez-patrolling-in-indian-ocean-118040200418_1.html
[6] https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/940188/iran-pakistan-plot-middle-east-allies-big-change
[7] https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/china-to-open-kimathanka-olangchungola-border-points/
[8] http://www.dhakatribune.com/world/south-asia/2018/04/02/india-china-cross-purposes-sri-lanka-face-lankan-anger/
[9] http://www.gulf-times.com/story/587483/Bangladesh-Russia-agree-to-keep-improving-relation
[10] https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/myanmar-lures-bangladesh-buddhists-to-take-over-rohingya-land-10096624
[11] https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/01/world/asia/taliban-night-vision.html
[12] http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?title=VIF Information Alerts - 03 April 2018&desc=&images=&u=https://www.vifindia.org/vifinformationalert/2018/april/03
[13] http://twitter.com/share?text=VIF Information Alerts - 03 April 2018&url=https://www.vifindia.org/vifinformationalert/2018/april/03&via=Azure Power
[14] whatsapp://send?text=https://www.vifindia.org/vifinformationalert/2018/april/03