VIF Information Alerts - 16 April 2018

India must look towards US, not Russia & China: US Under Secretary Mark Menezes
Published: The Economic Times
16 Apr 2018

As the US steps up the heat on Russia through sanctions and now missile strikes into Syria, the message from Washington to New Delhi is equally clear that countries like India should start looking at the US differently.

Ahead of the key strategic energy partnership dialogue, US Under Secretary of Energy Mark Menezes told The Economic Times that it’s important for countries like India to not let Russia and China gain over the US in these areas. Click here to read.... [2]

US adds India to currency watch list with China
Published: The Economic Times
14 Apr 2018

The US has added India to the currency practices and macroeconomic policies monitoring list, saying New Delhi increased its purchase of foreign exchange over the first three quarters of 2017 which does not appear necessary. India is the sixth addition to the watch list which comprises China, Japan, South Korea, Germany and Switzerland. Click here to read.... [3]

Lifted by India, South Asia Regains Growth Lead, Still Lags on Jobs
Published: The World Bank
15 Apr 2018

South Asia has regained its lead as the fastest growing region in the world, supported by recovery in India. With the right mix of policies and reforms, growth is expected to accelerate to 6.9 percent in 2018 and 7.1 percent next year.

The twice-a-year South Asia Economic Focus (SAEF) finds that the region could even extend its lead over East Asia and the Pacific. Much of the progress, however, is driven by India’s growth rebound and is not consistent across countries. Despite accelerating global growth and trade, exports remain weak. Progress on fiscal consolidation is slow, and deficits are high. Click here to read.... [4]

China launches website to report foreign spies
Published: The Economic Times
16 Apr 2018

China has stepped up its campaign against foreign espionage with a website in Mandarin and English encouraging people to report national security threats such as bids to "overthrow the socialist system". The website, 12339.gov.cn, launched by the Ministry of National Security on Sunday, also urges anyone to report attempts by Chinese nationals or foreigners to bribe state or military officials, instigate armed riots or incite ethnic separatism.Click here to read.... [5]

Meaningful dialogues can resolve Indo-Pak disputes: Pak army chief
Published: The Asian Age
16 Apr 2018

The peaceful resolution of India-Pakistan disputes, including the core issue of Kashmir, can be found through comprehensive and meaningful dialogue, Pakistan's Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa said. General Bajwa's remarks came during his speech at the passing-out parade of cadets at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul on Saturday, according to a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the country's armed forces.Click here to read.... [6]

Russia begins delivery of advanced assault helicopters to Pakistan
Published: The Express Tribune
15 Apr 2018

The Pakistan Army Aviation Corps has begun receiving the Mi-35 assault helicopters it ordered from Russia back in 2015, according to a report in The Diplomat. Citing an earlier article that appeared on Quwa Defense News and Analysis Group, the Tokyo-based online international news magazine reported that a video appeared to have surfaced on the social media which shows a Mi-35 helicopter draped in the colours of the Pakistan Armed Forces flying somewhere in the country.Click here to read.... [7]

Maoists area of influence shrinks; 44 districts removed from affected list: Union Home Secy
Published: The Asian Age
15 Apr 2018

Forty-four districts in the country are no longer under the influence of Maoists or have negligible presence and most of the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is now confined only to 30 worst-hit districts.

Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba said the geographical spread of the LWE violence has shrunk significantly in the last four years due to a multi-pronged strategy involving security and development-related measures. "There is no influence or negligible presence of LWE in 44 districts and most of the Naxal violence is confined now only to 30 worst-affected districts," he said in an interview. Click here to read.... [8]

Syria airstrikes: India closely following case, seeks impartial probe into use of ‘chemical weapons’, says MEA
Published: The Indian Express
14 Apr 2018

Taking serious note of the coordinated airstrikes in Syria by the US, UK and France, the Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday called for an impartial probe into the alleged use of chemical weapons by the Bashar al-Assad-led government on its civilians. “The alleged use of chemical weapons, if true, is deplorable. We call for an impartial and objective investigation by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to establish the facts,” the ministry was quoted by news agency ANI. While urging all parties to show constraint, the ministry said the matter should be settled amicably through dialogue and negotiations. Click here to read.... [9]