VIF Information Alerts - 30th November 2018

Imran Khan bowled 'googly', India sent 2 ministers: Pak minister

Published: The Asian Age
30 Nov 2018

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday said Prime Minister Imran Khan bowled a "googly" to ensure Indian government's presence at the groundbreaking ceremony of the landmark Kartarpur Corridor. Qureshi's remarks came a day after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj categorically ruled out the possibility of resumption of bilateral talks with Pakistan unless it stops cross-border terror activities against India.Click here to read.. [2]

After a Hiatus, China Accelerates Cyberspying Efforts to Obtain U.S. Technology

Published: The New York Times
29 Nov 2018

Three years ago, President Barack Obama struck a deal with China that few thought was possible: President Xi Jinping agreed to end his nation’s yearslong practice of breaking into the computer systems of American companies, military contractors and government agencies to obtain designs, technology and corporate secrets, usually on behalf of China’s state-owned firms.Click here to read.. [3]

Maldives categorically rejects reports of Indian military base

Published: The Tribune
30 Nov 2018

The Maldives foreign ministry has categorically denied media reports suggesting that India had offered a billion dollars in assistance for a military base in the archipelago nation. This comes just days after the new Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid, along with two other cabinet ministers, visited India on his first official trip.Click here to read.. [4]

Sri Lanka agrees port deals with China amid political chaos

Published: Hindustan Times
29 Nov 2018

Sri Lanka signed two multi-million dollar contracts with Chinese firms for a port upgrade project on Thursday in the middle of a political hiatus that has raised doubts over the legitimacy of the government and the legality of the deals. An official at the state-run Sri Lanka Ports Authority told Reuters it signed two contracts with Chinese firms worth over $50 million on Thursday after the deals were approved by Rajapaksa’s disputed cabinet last week.Click here to read.. [5]

India, China militaries should work hand in hand, says Chinese defence ministry

Published: The Indian Express
29 Nov 2018

The militaries of China and India should “work hand in hand” for the benefit of people of the two countries, the Chinese defence ministry said Thursday, as the armies of the two countries are all set to resume joint military exercises next month after a gap of a year following the Doklam standoff.

The 7th India and China joint military exercises, ‘Hand in Hand’, focussing on counter-terrorism operations will be held in southwest China’s Chengdu city from December 10 to December 23, Defence Ministry spokesman Col Ren Guoqiang told a media briefing here.Click here to read.. [6]