VIF Information Alerts - 22 Feb 2018

Final version of Trans-Pacific trade deal released, rules pushed by U.S. on ice
Published: Reuters
21 Feb 2018

The final version of a landmark deal aimed at cutting trade barriers in some of Asia-Pacific’s fastest-growing economies was released on Wednesday, signalling the pact was a step closer to reality even without its star member the United States.

More than 20 provisions have been suspended or changed in the final text ahead of the deal’s official signing in March, including rules around intellectual property originally included at the behest of Washington. Click here to read... [2]

Trudeau breaking bread with would-be assassin in India?
Published: Toronto Sun
Published: 21 Feb 2018

A gunman found guilty of attempting to assassinate an Indian cabinet minister visiting Canada in 1986 has been invited to attend an official state dinner reception during Justin Trudeau’s India visit.

Jaspal Atwal was convicted of attempted murder in 1987, after shooting moderate Sikh politician Malkiat Singh Sidhu, who at the time was visiting family on Vancouver Island. Click here to read... [3]

Philippines concerned as US intelligence tags Duterte a ‘democracy threat’
Published: The Philippine Star
22 Feb 2018

President Duterte’s war on drugs and his avowed readiness to suspend the Constitution and declare a “revolutionary government” are among the regional threats to democracy identified by the United States intelligence community.

“In the Philippines, President Duterte will continue to wage his signature campaign against drugs, corruption and crime. Duterte has suggested he could suspend the Constitution, declare a ‘revolutionary government’ and impose nationwide martial law,” according to the report “Worldwide Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community” presented by National Intelligence director Daniel Coats last Feb. 13. Click here to read... [4]

Chinese task force has left Indian Ocean: Defense sources
Published: Asia Times
22 Feb 2018

The Times of India on Tuesday quoted local defense sources as confirming that a small force of Chinese Navy ships entered the eastern Indian Ocean through the Sunda Strait near Indonesia around February 10. But the vessels are said to have reversed course and returned to the Java Sea via the Lombok Strait after a few days.

The Indian military sources rebuffed what they called “alarmist” press reports of “China indulging in gunboat diplomacy amid the constitutional crisis in Maldives.” Click here to read... [5]

China's goal was to 'split' India and Bhutan over Doklam, says ex-NSA Shivshankar Menon
Published: The Times of India
21 Feb 2018

China's political goal was to "split" India and Bhutan over the Doklam standoff, former National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon said on Wednesday while appreciating the way the government handled the issue. Menon, who was NSA between 2010 and 2014 in the previous UPA rule, also said there was a need for an integrated approach in managing the country's borders. Click here to read... [6]

Pakistan, China behind illegal immigration in northeast: Army Chief Bipin Rawat
Published: DNA
22 Feb 2018

Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat has said that Pakistan and China are behind illegal immigration in the northeast. He made this statement while addressing North East Region of India Bridging Gaps and Securing Borders Summit in New Delhi on Wednesday.

"Migration from Bangladesh is due to two reasons. One, they are running out of space. Large areas get flooded during the monsoon and they have constricted area to stay. So, people will continue coming into our place,? the Army Chief said.

He added: "The other issue is a planned immigration that is taking place because of our western neighbour (Pakistan). They will always try and ensure that this area is taken over by proxy warfare. This proxy game is being very well played by our western neighbour and supported by our northern neighbour (China). Click here to read... [7]

China strengthening air defenses with eye on India, says state media
Published: CNN China
21 Feb 2018

Border tensions between China and India could again flare-up, say analysts, following a report in Chinese state media detailing the country's build-up of air defense capabilities close to its western frontier.

According to a Global Times report, reposted on the English version of the People's Liberation Army's website Tuesday, China is upgrading air defense in its Western Theater Command -- the strategic area covering security along the country's mountainous far western border -- "in order to confront any threat from India." Click here to read... [8]

India building huge island military base off Africa in MAJOR warning to China
Published: Express
21 Feb 2018

The new facility in Seychelles, north of Madagascar, will include an airbase as well as naval installations. The structure will be located at a key strategic chokepoint between major global shipping lanes, which are used to transport nearly half of the world’s oil supply every day. Click here to read... [9]

NIA to chargesheet former Pakistan diplomat
Published: The Hindu
22 Feb 2018

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is likely to chargesheet former Pakistan diplomat Amir Zubair Siddiqui, Counsellor (Visa) at the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo, in a case of conspiracy to attack vital establishments in India. The chargesheet will be filed at a special court for terror cases at Poonamallee near here on Thursday. Click here to read... [10]

Global cybercrime costs $600 bn annually: study
Published: vnExpress
22 Feb 2018

The annual cost of cybercrime has hit $600 billion worldwide, fueled by growing sophistication of hackers and proliferation of criminal marketplaces and cryptocurrencies, researchers said Wednesday.

A report by the security firm McAfee with the Center for Strategic and International Studies found theft of intellectual property represents about one-fourth of the cost of cybercrime in 2017, and that other attacks such as those involving ransomware are growing at a fast pace. Click here to read... [11]