International and Bilateral Issues

Belgium interested in long-term association with India

After completing a three-day economic mission tour to China in October, Flemish Minister-President Kris Peeters landed in Chennai on Friday as part of a tour that includes New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore
they were interested in having long term relationship with India and Belgium companies, universities, research and development centres and ports were ready to extend their co-operation to Indian counterparts.
As per the MoU, Zeebruggee offered mutual co-operation in maritime transportation and port development. The MoU was enlarged in November 2008 to include development projects. Besides, ChPT had sought advice in setting up wind farm.
Various modernised and greener ports have been built in Belgium and that can be used as models for developing docks in India. Besides, all the important sea ports of Belgium are in the Flanders region.

Narinder Singh re-elected to ILC

The United Nations General Assembly has re-elected Narinder Singh as a member of the International Law Commission (ILC) for a five-year term beginning January 1 next.
Others elected from the Asia-Pacific Group belong to Japan, China, Jordan, Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Qatar, and Thailand.

China signs contract for Indian Ocean mining rights

China on Friday signed a long-expected contract, which has drawn much attention in Indian strategic circles, under which the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association (COMRA) will get exclusive rights to explore 10,000 square-km of seabed in the southwest Indian Ocean in an area off the coast of Africa
Under the deal with the International Seabed Authority (ISA), COMRA can explore polymetallic sulphide ore deposits in the region over the next 15 years.
The deal also requires China to fulfil certain environmental obligations and monitoring.
Directorate of Naval Intelligence had expressed concern that COMRA's access could have strategic implications for India's security.
Analysts in India have also seen the deal as a reflection of India's own failure to be more proactive in better utilising mining exploration rights in the Indian Ocean, thereby giving space for other countries.
According to the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, international seabed areas and their resources are the commonly inherited property of mankind

India tells China its interest in disputed sea ‘purely commercial'

Amid negative vibes on border management and exploration of South China Sea resources in recent weeks, India and China on Friday reiterated their commitment to developing the “best of relations.”
The exploration of oil and gas resources in the South China Sea and border management came up during the 55-minute meeting.
Dr. Singh maintained that Indian exploration of oil and gas in the South China Sea was “purely commercial.”
On border management, both took note of the “tranquillity and peace” and referred to the coming engagement at the level of Defence Secretaries.
Jurisdiction over the territorial waters of the Sea is a bone of contention between China and several south-east Asian nations, including Vietnam.

China has made it loud and clear that the ‘disputes' over the South China Sea should be settled through friendly consultation and negotiation among the sovereign States directly concerned and outside forces should not get involved under any excuse.
Jurisdiction over the territorial waters of the sea is a bone of contention between China and several southeast Asian nations, including Vietnam.
The Indian position has been that the issue needs to be resolved in accordance with the international law and practice. India is stressing on the freedom of navigation and right to passage in these waters, given its importance as a trade route.
This is the common desire of the ASEAN countries and China. We stand ready to work actively with the ASEAN countries to fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, enhance practical cooperation and begin discussions on a code of conduct in the South China Sea.

India, Russia will strive to galvanise bilateral trade

India and Russia will strive to “galvanise” bilateral trade after it missed the $10 billion target set for last year.
The Indo-Russian Intergovernmental Commission (IRIGC) on trade, economic, technological, scientific and cultural cooperation, which met here on Friday, resolved to give thrust to four vectors of bilateral cooperation
The two sides decided to launch a joint public-private investment fund that will invest in both countries. The two governments will also set up a Joint Study Group to prepare a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement with the Customs Union, which unites Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus.
A new Working Group on Modernisation has been added to the nine WGs already existing within the IRIGC. It will deal with integration of technological platforms, not only on a bilateral basis but also in the format of BRICS.
India and Russia will strive to revive the North-South Transport Corridor (NSTC) through Iran that has failed to take off more than 10 years after the three countries signed an agreement to set up the trade route. India and Russia agreed to “enhance connectivity” through the NSTC
India will organise a brain-storming international conference to discuss the NSTC and new trade routes to the former Soviet Union, including through China.

‘Memogate' triggers coup buzz in Pakistan

Ambassador to the U.S. Husain Haqqani allegedly submitting a memo on behalf of President Asif Ali Zardari to the former U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mike Mullen, seeking Washington's help in pre-empting a military takeover after the Abbottabad operation.
Pushed to the wall both inside and outside Parliament by allegations that the government had surrendered its sovereignty to the U.S. by seeking its help, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani urged fellow politicians to show “political maturity'' pointing out Mr. Haqqani had been summoned to explain his actions.
the memo in turn offers to abandon the policies that Pakistan has pursued till date vis-à-vis terrorism, Afghanistan and even India.
the memo promises to “eliminate Section S of the ISI charged with maintaining relations to the Taliban, Haqqani network, etc.''
Besides, it promises to take action against al-Qaeda operatives remaining in Pakistan including chief Ayman Al Zawahiri and Taliban leaders Mullah Omar and Sirajuddin Haqqani or give U.S. military forces a “green light” to conduct necessary operations to capture or kill them on Pakistani soil.
the memo also says the government would develop an acceptable framework of discipline for the nuclear programme.
Though the President's office and the Foreign Office had earlier denied that such a memo had been drafted

Maoists prepare to choose their future

At the furthest end of the Maoist People's Liberation Army third division cantonment in this central Nepal town, make shift tents are put up.
Mr. Sharma is the man in charge of operationalising the seven-point agreement signed by major parties on November 1, which outlines that a maximum of 6500 Maoist combatants would be integrated while the rest can take rehabilitation packages or choose to voluntarily retire with cash packages.
The retired Army general expressed his optimism, and hope, that this will mark the conclusion of the peace process — five years after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed on November 21, 2006 by Maoists and other political parties.
Integration forms ask for physical standards of combatants, and educational levels. Rehabilitation forms offer them training options in spheres ranging from formal and technical education, foreign employment, vocational training, to specializing in agriculture and livestock.
A senior source in the monitoring team said he could sense anxiety, irritation, and general tension among the combatants.
But both members of the monitoring team, and Maoist commanders, said that despite challenges, the process of regrouping will take place.