News Behind the News

India-Neighbours

US cautions India on pre-emptive strike against Pakistan

In a message directed at New Delhi, the US has reiterated that an Iraq-like pre-emptive strike against Pakistan cannot be launched. Responding to a statement by External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha last week that Pakistan was a much better case to go for pre-emptive action than the US has in Iraq, US Secretary of State Colin Powell said in an interview with European leaders that Washington was making sure that war does not break out between India and Pakistan. Again in an interview with Pakistan Television, Powell described the situation in South Asia as "very dangerous and difficult" and maintained that there was no need for any military action.

Yashwant Sinha reiterated that "if lack of democracy, possession of weapons of mass destruction and export of terrorism were reasons for a country to make pre-emptive strikes in another country, then Pakistan deserved to be tackled more than any other nation. Sinha, who was speaking in the Rajya Sabha on April 9, said there was no question that anybody was being invited or would be permitted to play a role to resolve its bilateral dispute with Pakistan.

Pak continuing nuclear programme : CIA

According to the latest finding by the US Central Intelligence Agency [CIA], Pakistan continues to acquire nuclear-related equipment and material from various sources, principally western Europe. The CIA said in a report to Congress coverging the first six months of 2002, China is helping it in a big way in its nuclear and missile programme. It said if Pakistan chooses to develop more advanced nuclear weapons, "seeking nuclear-related equipment and materials will remain important".

China, said the CIA, provided "extensive support" in the past to Islamabad's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes, but in May 1996 it pledged not to provide assistance to unsafeguarded nuclear facilities in any State, including Pakistan. "We cannot rule out, however," said the CIA, "the possibility of continued contacts between Chinese and Pakistani entities on Pakistan's nuclear weapons development". Pakistan's ballistic missile programme, said the CIA, continued to benefit from significant Chinese entity assistance during the reporting period. WIth Chinese entity assistance, Pakistan continues to move towards serial production of solid-propellant short Range Ballistic Missiles, such as the Shaheen-I, Abdali and Ghaznavi, the intelligence agency said. During the reporting period, Pakistan flight-tested three ballistic missiles - the Ghauri Medium Range Ballistic Missile, the Hatf III (Ghaznavi) short Range Ballistic Missile and the Hatf II (Abdali) Short Range Ballistic Missile - and prepared to test the Shaheen I Short Range ballistic Missile. Successful development of the two-stage Shaheen-II Medium Range Ballistic Missile, said the CIA, "will require continued assistance from Chinese entities and other potential sources". Pakistan, said the CIA, continues to rely on China and France for its Advanced Conventional Weapons requirements. Islamabad received delivery of 40 upgraded Mirage IIIs Vs from France, and 40 additional F-7PG fighters from China.

Musharraf rejects demand to quit as Army Chief

Pakistan President Musharraf has rejected an Opposition demand to quit as Army Chief, saying it was important for him and the country that he should continue to hold the post. "I would like to make it clear to all that I am not going to make any pledge about leaving the office of the Army Chief," he said. The second round of talks between Pakistan's ruling and opposition parties to reach an agreement on the political future of Musharraf and his controversial constitutional amendments failed. On April 11 Musharraf, however, said: "There would be no objection from my side if the Jamali-led Government wants some changes that may restrict the President's power only to dissolve the Government instead of Parliament.

Taliban threat in Afghanistan again

The manner in which the Taliban executed an international Red Cross worker in Afghanistan suggests that the Taliban is not only determined to remain a force in the country but is also reorganizing and reviving the command structure. Reports from Kandahar say, before executing Red Cross worker Ricardo Munguia, his captors sought instructions from superiors through satellite telephone who ordered "kill him". Later his body was found with 20 wounds. He became the first foreign aid worker to die in Afghanistan since the Taliban's ouster from power 18 months ago.

Pak denies entry of Kabul-bound Indian buses

Pakistan denied permission to the 25-odd Indian designed and fabricated buses to enter its territory through this road border joint chechpost, the only road connection between the two neighbours. This was the third batch of 25 buses built by Ashok Leyland which was to leave this checkpost for Kabul through Pakistan. Earlier, Ashok Leyland on the orders of the Indian Government had sent 50 buses, in two batches through this checkpost, to Afghanistan this year. The buses were a part of the humanitarian aid that India had announced for the war-ravaged nation after the fall of the Taliban Government following the US invasion to avenge the September 11 World Trade Center terrorist strike.

Sri Lankan President visit : Differences with PM on peace process

Peace talks between the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE were the main subject of discussions the visiting Sri Lankan President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, had with Indian leaders. As is well known, she has reservations about the trajectory of peace process and has gone on record as saying that the LTTE was merely using the ceasefire just to rearm itself and recruit new soldiers.

Nepal awaits talks with Maoists

In the political front, no progress has been made in the expected talks between the Nepal Government and Maoists. It has been more than two months since the rebels announced their negotiating team and nearly two weeks since the latter surfaced in Kathmandu, but the government has not reciprocated. Given that King Gyanendra is the real power behind the Cabinet appointed by him last October, it was believed that negotiations would begin after his arrival from a visit to India. But, four days after his return on March 30, the King left once again for western Nepal. There is no sign yet of talks taking place although the Government mediator who brokered the ceasefire has been giving assurances that they could begin any time.

India-World

Iraq war : Fall of Baghdad amid looting and anarchy

The US-led war in Iraq is almost over and President Saddam Hussein who had actually created a fear-psychosis in the Gulf region, has lost to the Americans. After three weeks of war, the US has won amid the scenes of liberation they wanted to see: Paris in August 1945 with an Arab cast. People in jubilation cheering the US troops occupying Baghdad, the statue of the Iraqi President with a noose around its neck and a US flag over its head like an executioner's hood, the crowd below gathering to tug it from its pedestal, and an old man beating a poster of Saddam Hussein with a shoe in deliberate insult. The capital Baghdad has fallen to the US forces after all the fears of the elite Republican Guard forces who had thrown up a ring of defence layers around the capital proved to be misplaced. What emerged from the three weeks of ongoing war is that Saddam and his men were unable to put up any credible resistance to the advancing coalition forces. At one point it did seem that by waging a guerilla war, they will be able to put up a fight. But, this effort was short-lived. There are still pockets of resistance in and around Baghdad and in the north of the country, but going by the level of Iraqi fight put up so far, it is not a matter of much concern for the coalition.

Singapore PM's visit : Economic cooperation accord signed

The three-day visit of Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong to New Delhi has been marked by the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), the centrepiece of which is the establishment of a free-trade area (FTA). Also inked after talks on April 8 was a MoU for bilateral cooperation in extending assistance to Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam as part of an initiative for ASEAN integration. Goh and Prime Minister Vajpayee held elaborate talks during which Goh even offered to facilitate better interaction between India and China.

The CECA was signed by Commerce Minister Arun Jaitley and his Singapore counterpart, George Yeo Comes in the presence of the two Prime Ministers. The agreement is based on the recommendations of a joint study group set up last year which discussed all the aspects of CECA. As per the agreement, the two sides have identified customs, tourism, civil aviation, infrastructure development, information technology, media, creating of a joint fund of investment promotion and a review of the Bilateral Double Taxation Avoidance Treaty as areas of common interest. It also includes a more liberal air services agreement and open skies for charter flights as well as a programme of economic cooperation, including an India-Singapore fund with a target of $1 billion, to address investment opportunities in India, a second India Centre in Singapore and tourism cooperation. Singapore is especially keen on investments in infrastructure development.

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