International and Bilateral Issues:

The Afghan Cabinet has approved the deal to allow China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) to develop oil blocks in the Amu Darya Basin, allowing the state-run Chinese
conglomerate to become the first foreign firm to produce oil in Afghanistan.
The deal comes as booming China is looking to expand its resources in wake of a growing domestic demand.

A high profile legal delegation consisting of 42 bar leaders of the Pakistan Bar and headed by Muhammad Lehrasib Khan, vice-chairman, Punjab Bar Council, Pakistan visited the Bar Council of India (BCI) and interacted with council members and discussed issues of mutual interest.
Mr. Khan lauded the role played by the legal profession in India's democracy and called for greater cooperation between the two countries.
He invited a delegation of Indian Bar leaders to Pakistan and said frequent exchange of such visits would build confidence and trust among the people of the two countries.
Ashok K. Parija, chairman of the BCI

After holding talks last week to step up defence cooperation, Thailand and India are aiming to accelerate pacts to ensure that Bangkok does not remain a magnet for fugitives from here.
The two sides also held talks on connecting mega ports being built in Myanmar and Thailand with Indian ports
With several Indian gangsters known to have operated out of Bangkok and other cities of Thailand, the visiting Minister said the two sides were keen on accelerating negotiations on transfer of sentenced persons and an extradition treaty.
At present, the India-Thailand Joint Working Group on Security Cooperation looks into transnational crimes, counter terrorism and criminal justice matters.
Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra who will be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade.
- Ms. Shinawatra would in fact visit India twice, the second time towards the end of next year for the India-Asean commemorative summit.
In the long term, he suggested accelerating the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway besides focussing on connecting Indian ports with two mega port projects — Myanmar's Dawei Port and Pak Bara in Thailand — where Thai companies are investing in a big way.
On the trade front, the Minister pointed out that the Early Harvest Scheme of the proposed Free Trade Agreement had already led to near doubling of bilateral trade, making India Thailand's 17th largest trading partner.