VIF Information Alerts - 27 Feb 2018

Increase in deployment of Chinese ships in Indian Ocean Region: Admiral Sunil Lanba
Published: The Times of India
26 Feb 2018

As India prepares to host 16-17 navies for the Milan multi-lateral naval conclave at the Andaman & Nicobar archipelago in early-March, Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba tells Rajat Pandit that his force is closely tracking the increasing Chinese naval presence in Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and is well prepared to counter any threat to national security. Click here to read... [2]

Gov't admits China surveyed Benham Rise without permit
Published: Rappler
26 Feb 2018

MANILA, Philippines – National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) admitted on Monday, February 26, that Chinese survey ships have a record of illegal entry in Benham Rise. This came up during the Senate science and technology committee hearing on exploration of Benham Rise, a 13-million-hectare underwater plateau off the eastern coast of northern Luzon. Click here to read... [3]

Pakistan willing to ‘go an extra mile’
Published: The Nation
27 Feb 2018

Pakistan on Monday told the United States that it was willing to ‘go the extra mile’ to save the alliance with Washington but will not compromise on its integrity.

US Deputy Assistant to the President and National Security Council, Senior Director for South and Central, Asia Lisa Curtis held a meeting with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua in Islamabad. The two discussed the overall Pak-US ties and the Afghanistan issue, officials at the foreign ministry said. Click here to read... [4]

India reaches out, invites Pakistan Minister for WTO talks in Delhi
Published: The Indian Express
26 Feb 2018

In what amounts to a significant diplomatic outreach to Pakistan, India has invited its Commerce Minister, Pervaiz Malik, to participate in the informal WTO ministerial meeting taking place in Delhi on March 19-20. Malik is said to have confirmed his attendance.

The invitation to Malik comes in the wake of the late-December secret back-channel negotiations between the two national security advisors, Ajit Doval and Nasser Janjua, first reported in The Indian Express, and takes place after the global Financial Action Task Force (FATF) threatened to isolate Pakistan over the weekend if it didn’t stop using terrorism as an instrument of state policy. Click here to read... [5]

Pakistan's economic woes go from bad to worse ahead of elections
Published: The Economic Times
26 Feb 2018

Five months before national polls Pakistan’s government is struggling to fix its economy. The South Asian nation of more than 200 million people devalued its currency in December and raised taxes in October to curb rising imports. Despite these moves both Pakistan’s current account and trade deficits are hitting records while foreign exchange reserves continue to fall. Click here to read... [6]

Nepal government willing to amend constitution
Published: ANI
26 Feb 2018

The Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN- UML), which earlier had opposed moves to amend the Constitution, is now willing to make changes in it. According to sources, the CPN-UML has agreed to the amendment proposal prepared on the basis of suggestions given by the Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN), which is led by Upendra Yadav.Click here to read... [7]

Nepal's growing market for Bangladeshi goods
Published: Dhaka Tribune
25 Feb 2018

Nepal, an import dependent neighbour, has emerged as a potential export destination for Bangladeshi products especially pharmaceuticals, consumers goods and electronics items. Stakeholders and exporters think simplification of the export process and reducing tax burdens can boost trade with the Himalayan country. According to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data, exports to Nepal stood at $47.4 million in FY2016-17, up by 165%, from the last fiscal, which was $17.88 million. On the other hand, import from Nepal is nearly $10 million in the same period. Click here to read... [8]

Indian held for IS link in South Africa
Published: The Telegraph
27 Feb 2018

A 27-year-old Indian-origin woman and her partner, both alleged to have links with the Islamic State terror group, have been arrested and charged with abducting a British couple, according to South African special police unit Hawks. The missing Cape Town couple, whose names have been withheld by the authorities, are understood to have been kidnapped while on holiday near the Bivane Dam in Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal, on February 12.

Fatima Patel and Safydeen Aslam Del Vecchio also face charges of robbery and theft after they went on a spending spree using the couples' credit cards, building up a stash of jewellery, camping equipment and electronic devices that were found at a remote location where an IS flag was being flown. Click here to read... [9]

‘Husband wants to sell me to Islamic State’ Gujarat woman tells NIA
Published: The Hindu
26 Feb 2018

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is treading cautiously on a complaint filed by a Gujarat-based woman that her husband forced her to convert to Islam and wanted to sell her off to Islamic State terrorists in Saudi Arabia. The NIA has sent the couple’s mobile phones for forensic analysis to extract ‘mirror images’ of the messages and pictures exchanged between them.

An official said the couple met in Bengaluru and married two years ago. The woman told investigators that she was frustrated as her husband forced her to wear a veil and cover her head whenever they went out. Click here to read... [10]