VIF Information Alerts - 11 July 2019

Iran tried to seize British oil tanker: report
Published: The Hindu

11 Jul 2019

Armed Iranian boats attempted to seize a British tanker in strategic Gulf waters on Wednesday but were driven off by a Royal Navy frigate, CNN reported. The Iranians ordered the British Heritage oil tanker, which was crossing into the Strait of Hormuz area, to change course and stop in Tehran’s nearby waters, CNN said, citing two American officials.Click here to read... [2]

India seeks ISIS-like focus from UNSC on Pak-based terrorists
Published: Hindustan Times

10 Jul 2019

India on Tuesday sought to push the UN Security Council to not stop at proscribing terrorists and terrorist groups such as the Pakistan-based D-Company, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Toiba but follow up by granting them a “similar degree of interest” as it did to “denude” the Islamic State.
Participating in a UNSC discussion on linkages between organized crime and international terrorism, Indian Permanent Representative to the UN Syed Akbaruddin also called for the world body to start collaborating its counter-terrorism efforts with the Financial Action Task Force, saying the Paris-based watchdog has been “playing a significant role in setting global standards for preventing and combating money laundering and terrorist financing”.Click here to read... [3]

Sri Lanka negotiating new military deal with the US: PM
Published: The Economic Times

11 Jul 2019

Sri Lanka is negotiating a fresh military cooperation deal with the United States, its Prime Minister announced in parliament Wednesday, even as the country's president vowed to veto any agreement. Ranil Wickremesinghe said the government was discussing a replacement for the 1995 Status of Forces (SOFA) arrangement that would allow the US military easier access to the strategically placed Indian Ocean island.Click here to read... [4]

Centre bans pro-Khalistan SFJ under anti-terror law
Published: The Economic Times

11 Jul 2019

Moving to crush the potential of ‘fringe’ radical outfit, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), to whip up pro-Khalistan sentiments with its ‘Referendum 2020’ campaign, the Centre on Wednesday declared the group an “unlawful association” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.A senior home ministry official said all the major Sikh bodies consulted ahead of the five-year ban had supported the action and that the Centre had largely relied on the “material” sent by Punjab government to impose the ban.Click here to read... [5]

Amid tiff with China, US State Dept signs off on $2-bn arms sale to Taiwan
Published: Business Standard

09 Jul 2019

The US State Department has approved the potential sale to Taiwan of $2.2 billion in arms, including Abrams tanks and Stinger missiles, the Pentagon said on Monday. The announcement is likely to anger Beijing, which views Taiwan as part of its territory and has previously expressed "serious concerns" about the possible sale. It coincides with other strains in US-China ties, particularly over trade.Click here to read... [6]