VIF Information Alerts -14th December 2018

India, Russia discuss joint manufacturing projects, including Kamov helicopters and naval frigates

Published: The Economic Times
14 Dec 2018

Defence ministers of India and Russia held intensive talks Thursday on deepening defence ties and joint manufacturing projects, including the Kamov-226 helicopters, naval frigates and projects related to land systems, the Defence Ministry said.

In a meeting of the 18th India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) held here, the two sides also agreed to take forward inter-governmental arrangements for facilitating joint manufacturing of spares for Russian origin equipment in India under the 'Make in India' initiative.Click here to read.. [2]

Nepal bans use of India’s Rs 2,000, Rs 500, Rs 200 notes

Published: The Indian Express
14 Dec 2018

The Nepal government has declared the use of Indian currency notes of Rs 2,000, Rs 500 and Rs 200 denominations illegal in the country. The decision, which will affect middle and low-income Indian tourists, was taken at the last Cabinet meeting, Minister of Information Gokul Baskota announced Thursday.Click here to read.. [3]

‘Dissolution of Lankan Parl unconstitutional’

Published: The Pioneer
14 Dec 2018

Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously ruled that the dissolution of Parliament by Maithripala Sirisena was “illegal”, in a body blow to the embattled President, whose controversial decisions plunged the island nation into an unprecedented political turmoil. A seven-member apex court bench said that the President cannot dissolve Parliament till it completes its 4 1/2 year term, triggering demand for the impeachment of Sirisena as well as ex-strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa.Click here to read.. [4]

UN renews mandate for C.Africa mission

Published: The Sun
14 Dec 2018

The UN Security Council on Thursday renewed its peacekeeping mission to the Central African Republic, after tough talks between the United States, France and Russia. Russia had slammed the French approach as “arrogant” and abstained, together with China, on the final vote, which was carried by the remaining 13 members of the Security Council. The mandate allows for the deployment of 11,650 military personnel and 2,080 police as part of the UN mission, known as MINUSCA, to be extended until Nov 15, 2019.Click here to read.. [5]

EIU forecasts AL's return to power

Published: The Daily Star
13 Dec 2018

The ruling Awami League is expected to return to power with majority of parliamentary seats in the upcoming election partly owing to its well-entrenched system of patronage at local level and also because it has overseen a period of solid economic growth, according to London-based Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU).Click here to read.. [6]