Not only F-16 fighters, Lockheed ready to make Javelin missiles in India
Published: The Economic Times
12 Apr 2018
With the Indian Air Force beginning the process of buying 110 fighter jets, in a deal that could be worth more than $15 billion, Lockheed Martin has expressed its readiness to shift its F-16 fighter aircraft manufacturing unit to India -- and the US government, according to the manufacturer, will allow it to do that.
That apart, the American global aerospace and defence major is also prepared to transfer the technology of its third generation anti-armour Javelin guided missile system to India for its future manufacture. Click here to read... [2]
China Opens First Overseas Beidou Satellite Navigation Center in Tunisia
Published: Yicai Global
11 Apr 2018
China has established the first overseas center for its BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, the country’s version of the US government’s Global Positioning System, in Tunisia. The center, located in the capital city of Tunis, will become an important mechanism for Beidou-related technology exchanges with the Arab region, Xinhua News Agency reported the China Satellite Navigation Office as saying.
China is currently developing the third-generation of its Beidou system, which will provide positioning accuracy to within half-a-meter, an improvement from five-to-ten meters under the current incarnation. The country aims to complete its array by 2020, providing full global coverage. Click here to read... [3]
China continues its provocations in south, East China seas: CIA director Mike Pompeo
Published: The Indian Express
12 Apr 2018
China continues its provocations in the South and East China Seas and is using a coordinated effort to compete with the US in diplomatic, military and economic terms, CIA Director Mike Pompeo has warned while identifying Russia as a “danger” for America. Pompeo, who is a nominee for the position of the Secretary of State, asserting that the State Department must be at the center of formulating and executing the China policy.Click here to read... [4]
Proposed Chinese military facility in Pacific could challenge Quadrilateral
Published: The Economic Times
11 Apr 2018
China plans to set up its first military base in the Pacific in the small island of Vanuatu, a development that comes amid the joint efforts of India, US, Japan and Australia to check the Xi Jinping regime’s expansionist moves in the Indo-Pacific region.
A space tracking centre is already being built by China in Vanuatu and this centre has the potential to be used for intelligence gathering and other military purposes, people aware of the matter told ET. Click here to read... [5]
Some tension but no ‘deep chill’ in China ties, Australia PM Malcolm Turnbull says
Published: South China Morning Post
12 Apr 2018
Australia’s prime minister has admitted bubbling tension with China over allegations of Beijing meddling in its domestic politics, but denied there was a “deep chill” in relations after reports that ministers were being refused visas.
Bilateral ties suffered late last year when Australia announced wide-ranging reforms to legislation on espionage and foreign interference, singling out China as a focus of concern. Click here to read... [6]
Ahead of CHOGM meet in London, India, Pakistan walk tightrope on Russia
Published: The Indian Express
12 Apr 2018
As the United Kingdom and Russia are engaged in a diplomatic face-off over the Salisbury incident, India and Pakistan are caught in a dilemma on how to negotiate their way through the joint declaration at the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London next week. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in London from April 18, and will attend the summit on April 19-20.
Sources said the UK is keen to include a strongly-worded paragraph on the Salisbury incident. However, India, which has strong strategic ties with Russia, wants the language to be moderated, and would not even want a reference to the incident in the declaration. Click here to read... [7]
Bangladesh scraps quota system in govt jobs amid mounting protests
Published: Business Standard
11 Apr 2018
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said she has decided to scrap the quota system in government services after thousands of students marched across the country in protest against a controversial policy of setting aside jobs for special groups. Click here to read... [8]
Sri Lanka to call for fresh bids for oil exploration in May
Published: Xinhua
11 Apr 2018
Sri Lanka will call for fresh bids for an oil exploration block off the island's northwestern coast in May, where traces of natural gas was discovered in 2011, Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said on Wednesday. Senaratne said that following a proposal by Minister of Petroleum Resources, Arjuna Ranatunga, the cabinet also agreed to enter into agreements with global oil companies for land and offshore exploration work along the Eastern coastal belt. Click here to read... [9]
Links:
[1] https://www.vifindia.org/vifinformationalert/2018/april/12
[2] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/not-only-f-16-fighters-lockheed-ready-to-make-javelin-missiles-in-india/articleshow/63726561.cms
[3] https://www.yicaiglobal.com/news/china-opens-first-overseas-beidou-satellite-navigation-center-tunisia
[4] http://indianexpress.com/article/world/china-continues-its-provocations-in-south-east-china-seas-cia-director-mike-pompeo-5134092/
[5] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/proposed-chinese-military-facility-in-pacific-could-challenge-quadrilateral/articleshow/63717475.cms
[6] http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2141416/australia-pm-malcolm-turnbull-admits-tension-china
[7] http://indianexpress.com/article/india/ahead-of-chogm-meet-in-london-india-pakistan-walk-tightrope-on-russia-5133736/
[8] http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/bangladesh-scraps-quota-system-in-govt-jobs-amid-mounting-protests-118041101120_1.html
[9] http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-04/11/c_137103799.htm
[10] http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?title=VIF Information Alerts - 12 April 2018&desc=&images=&u=https://www.vifindia.org/vifinformationalert/2018/april/12
[11] http://twitter.com/share?text=VIF Information Alerts - 12 April 2018&url=https://www.vifindia.org/vifinformationalert/2018/april/12&via=Azure Power
[12] whatsapp://send?text=https://www.vifindia.org/vifinformationalert/2018/april/12