VIF Information Alerts - 12 September 2018

Xi, Putin think big on lifting Russia’s ‘far east’

Published: The Hindu
12 Sep 2018

China and Russia are signalling their intent of working together to link the Russian ‘far east’ with the Asia-Pacific as part of a larger Eurasian integration plan. Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived on Tuesday in Vladivostok — a coastal city in Russia’s resource-rich ‘far east’ — to discuss plans with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for developing the region. Clcik here to read... [2]

China's BRI faces slowdown following US trade measures

Published: The Economic Times
11 Sep 2018

The tough trade measures introduced by the Trump administration could slow down Beijing's ambitions by restricting funds for BRI projects, ET has learnt. Xi, as result could face domestic challenges, that could slow down pace of implementation of BRI. The US counter-balancing to BRI also includes allocation of $113 million to investments in new technology, energy and infrastructure initiatives in the Indo-Pacific region, experts said. Clcik here to read... [3]

For first time, India, Iran, Afghanistan hold trilateral

Published: The Hindu Business Line
11 Sep 2018

India, Iran and Afghanistan held their first tripartite meeting on Tuesday in Kabul during which implementation of the Chabahar port project and a host of other issues including ways to deepen counter-terror cooperation were discussed, officials said. The Indian delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale while the Iranian team was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai chaired the meeting. Clcik here to read... [4]

Afghan Taliban prepare for new peace talks with U.S.

Published: The News
11 Sep 2018

The Taliban are preparing to send a delegation for further talks with U.S. officials about ending the conflict in Afghanistan, two officials involved with the process said on Tuesday, adding that the meeting could address a possible prisoner swap. The two officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Taliban leaders were meeting to discuss the makeup of the three- or four-person delegation and the subjects to be discussed. Clcik here to read... [5]

After skipping joint military exercise, Nepal army chief declines Indian Army's invite to attend BIMSTEC Conclave

Published: First Post
12 Sep 2018

After Nepal decided to skip the first ever BIMSTEC military exercise in India, its newly appointed Army Chief Purna Chandra Thapa has declined an invite by the Indian Army to attend a conclave of army chiefs of the grouping on 16 September, official sources said.

The Indian Army has organised a conclave of army chiefs of the participating countries on 16 September, and barring Nepal, all the countries have accepted the invitation. They said Nepal's Gen. Thapa conveyed to the Indian Army his inability to attend the conclave as he has prior engagements including ceremonial events to attend in his country, the sources said. Clcik here to read... [6]

India, Bangladesh jointly inaugurate work for Agartala-Akhaura rail project

Published: The Indian Express
10 Sep 2018

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Bangladesh premier Sheikh Hasina, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, inaugurated the commencement of works for the Agartala-Akhaura rail project on Monday through video conferencing. Two other projects were also inaugurated which include the power supply to Bangladesh from West Bengal and an inland waterways transport over River Feni. Clcik here to read... [7]

Cabinet nod for Counter-Terrorism Bill to replace PTA'

Published: Daily Mirror
12 Sep 2018

The Cabinet endorsed yesterday the Counter-Terrorism Bill to be enacted by Parliament repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act applied during the wartime in dealing with the activities of the LTTE. However, Higher Education Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe proposed amendments to be incorporated into the Bill during the committee stage of the debate later in Parliament.

In the present draft, only life imprisonment is stipulated for murder. Mr. Rajapakshe reportedly said capital punishment had been envisaged for murder under the Penal Code under normal circumstances, and therefore there could not be any exemption for the same crime to be covered under the new piece of legislation. Clcik here to read... [8]