Int'l diplomacy
The strategic partnership of China and Russia in a resources-based Great Game is not new, despite expressions of "surprise" by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Joint statements by the two countries clearly show that they embarked on this course a decade ago, and that despite soothing assurances to the contrary, their strategy is aimed squarely at ending US dominance of the world order. -
The monumental Asian Highway network, which will weave through 32 countries and link Asia with Europe, is making progress, with a section in Vietnam the latest to be finished. While many issues such as customs procedures remain to be addressed, the completed system could well become more important than its Silk Road ancestor. -
NEW DELHI: The Hyde-Lantos Bill to “exempt from certain requirements of the (US) Atomic Energy Act of 1954 a proposed nuclear agreement for cooperation with India” has laid out very stringent...
ALMATY (Kazakhstan), June 17: The Asian security summit that brought together the regional leaders China and Russia and 16 other nations ended on Saturday with a call to increase cooperation to fight terrorism, separatism and drug trafficking....
Despite past failures, Washington is recasting its policy by increasingly involving South Asia, especially India, in Central Asian affairs. The US paints a picture of mutual prosperity through an interconnecting web of energy pipelines, as long as these do not advance Russia's or China's interests. This is where the problems begin.
TOKYO, May 25: India and Japan pledged on Thursday to step up military cooperation, as Tokyo tries to move closer to Delhi, which is seeking to modernise its armed forces....
BAKU (Azerbaijan), May 4: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday held in-depth discussions with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad covering the gas pipeline project, Iran’s nuclear issue, situation in the region and bilateral matters....
UNITED NATIONS, May 3: The United States, Britain and France introduced a UN Security Council resolution on Wednesday demanding Iran suspend uranium enrichment that the West suspects are part of a secret nuclear weapons programme....
There can be little doubt after a meeting in the Russian oil city of Tomsk that the German government of Chancellor Angela Merkel will pursue - and deepen - Germany's opening to Russia begun by her predecessor. Other European countries will probably follow. That leaves the US dream of trans-Atlantic leadership out of gas. And it's good news for China. -M K Bhadrakumar (May 2, '06)
President Vladimir Putin's visit to Beijing this week is widely expected to intensify the Russia-China relationship. The countries are united in their strategic desire to limit US influence in Central Asia as well as quelling revolutionary forces in the former Soviet republics. What still keeps them apart - Russia's reluctance to establish a direct energy corridor to China - may even end.
India involved in illicit nuclear activities: US think tank US think tank has questioned India's nuclear non-proliferation record, saying it had uncovered illicit Indian government nuclear procurement from Europe that leaked sensitive atomic technology.
-US submits nuclear proposal to Congress
Pak economic superiority to beat India: Musharraf
President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Thursday said Pakistan would get an edge over India by achieving economic superiority rather than indulging in an arms race.
How Bush Sealed a Nuclear Deal with IndiaA behind-the-scenes look at how the nuclear agreement unfolded between the President and India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.- Why Bush is Courting IndiaNuclear IndiaTHE BUSH administration concluded a deal yesterday on nuclear cooperation with India, stating its willingness to supply India with civilian nuclear technology and thereby effectively accept India's status as a nuclear-weapons power. The deal requires approval from Congress, which will be asked to pass legislation allowing civil nuclear cooperation to go ahead, as well as from other countries that form part of the nuclear suppliers' group. During the arguments to come, critics will probe the details of yesterday's agreement, as indeed they should. But the accord could deliver big gains, particularly when compared with the absence of a deal rather than with some imagined perfect one.
Pointless Trip to Pakistan
President Bush's trip to Islamabad could have been a chance to try to bridge part of the chasm between Muslims and Westerners. Unfortunately, everything sets it up to be just the opposite.
Bush Ushers India Into Nuclear Club Reversing decades of U.S. policy, President Bush ushered India into the world's exclusive nuclear club Thursday with a landmark agreement to share nuclear reactors, fuel and expertise with this energy-starved nation in return for its acceptance of international safeguards.
-Islamabad expects similar concessions
-US, Indian officials burnt midnight oil to strike deal -US-India nuclear accord: details
India's complex love affair with US Two-thirds of Indians see Bush as a friend of India, but 72 percent also say US is a 'bully.'
US offers India advanced fighter aircraft Navy F/A-18 Hornet after take off for a mission. The United States offered to sell India advanced fighter aircraft as the next step in a rapidly expanding military relationship between the two countries.India, US to double trade in three years Asia News Network - Mar 02 India and the United States yetserday (March 2) endorsed the efforts of the US-India trade policy forum to reduce barriers to trade and investment to double bilateral trade in three years.
Bush’s agenda for his visitBy Talat MasoodThe forthcoming visit of President Bush to India and Pakistan is a milestone in the on-going engagement and increasing interest of the United States in this part of the world. Several factors have contributed towards making South Asia an attractive destination for significant US presence.
President Bush’s Challenge in South Asia
President George W. Bush will travel to India and Pakistan in the first part of March. Although the United States, India, and Pakistan agree on several issues—such as the war on terrorism and trade issues generally—the President probably will face some requests that are contrary to both American interests and international arms control measures. Additionally, Pakistan and India each tends to view cooperation between the other country and the U.S. as inimical to its own interests. President Bush will need to balance the interests of the two South Asian rivals deftly while also advancing American interests.
Musharraf's other war
Bush Praises President Musharraf Ahead of Pakistan Visit
US President W George Bush due in Islamabad next week
Bush to push Pakistan on Kashmir camps
Pakistan: Bush Should Urge End to Military Rule
Press Briefing by National Security Advisor Steve Hadley on the President's Trip to India and Pakistan
U.S., India Fail to Reach Nuclear Deal
Pakistan and US to sign investment treaty
Pakistan: It's not your F-16s we need
Disputes, religious bias threaten world peace: Musharraf calls for joint efforts President Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday described unresolved political disputes, such as Palestine and Kashmir, and resurfacing of religious prejudices as the biggest threats to global stability and urged the leading powers to make joint efforts for a peaceful and secure world.
Pak trade on China lips
Borderline hostility The flies on the wall must have been intrigued by the meeting between the Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, and his Pakistani counterpart, General Pervez Musharraf, in Islamabad yesterday.
Musharraf must give up dual office by 2007: Mckinnon
Commonwealth Secretary-General Don Mckinnon said on Monday that Pervez Musharraf must give up either the presidency or control over the armed forces by 2007, when his current presidential term ends.
India pulls 5,000 troops out of held Kashmir
Defence minister says it’s not withdrawal; hints at more cutsNEW DELHI: India has moved out 5,000 troops from held Kashmir following an ebb in militancy, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said on Monday, insisting, however, it was not a withdrawal.
Indian president proposes Asia-Oceania trade bloc President Abdul Kalam proposed the creation of a single free trade bloc encompassing Asia and possibly Oceania, officials said.
Richard Boucher to head South Asia Bureau Richard Boucher, former State Department spokesman whose name has been floated for an year as the replacement for political appointee Christina Rocca, to head the South Asia Bureau, was finally nominated by President Bush last month.
The IAEA and the new world order
The manner in which nations have lined up over Iran and its nuclear program increasingly reflect the larger global power struggle between the dominant West, ie, the US and Europe, and developing nations. Caught in the middle, and opening itself to criticism over poorly sourced accusations against Tehran, is the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency.
Russia's move on energy chessboard
Russia has moved to prop up some Central Asian regimes and boost its clout in the strategically important region. However, the Kremlin's new efforts followed moves by some Central Asian nations to diversify their energy policies and escape from over-reliance on Russia.
-US submits nuclear proposal to Congress
Pak economic superiority to beat India: Musharraf
President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Thursday said Pakistan would get an edge over India by achieving economic superiority rather than indulging in an arms race.
How Bush Sealed a Nuclear Deal with IndiaA behind-the-scenes look at how the nuclear agreement unfolded between the President and India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.- Why Bush is Courting IndiaNuclear IndiaTHE BUSH administration concluded a deal yesterday on nuclear cooperation with India, stating its willingness to supply India with civilian nuclear technology and thereby effectively accept India's status as a nuclear-weapons power. The deal requires approval from Congress, which will be asked to pass legislation allowing civil nuclear cooperation to go ahead, as well as from other countries that form part of the nuclear suppliers' group. During the arguments to come, critics will probe the details of yesterday's agreement, as indeed they should. But the accord could deliver big gains, particularly when compared with the absence of a deal rather than with some imagined perfect one.
Pointless Trip to Pakistan
President Bush's trip to Islamabad could have been a chance to try to bridge part of the chasm between Muslims and Westerners. Unfortunately, everything sets it up to be just the opposite.
Bush Ushers India Into Nuclear Club Reversing decades of U.S. policy, President Bush ushered India into the world's exclusive nuclear club Thursday with a landmark agreement to share nuclear reactors, fuel and expertise with this energy-starved nation in return for its acceptance of international safeguards.
-Islamabad expects similar concessions
-US, Indian officials burnt midnight oil to strike deal -US-India nuclear accord: details
India's complex love affair with US Two-thirds of Indians see Bush as a friend of India, but 72 percent also say US is a 'bully.'
US offers India advanced fighter aircraft Navy F/A-18 Hornet after take off for a mission. The United States offered to sell India advanced fighter aircraft as the next step in a rapidly expanding military relationship between the two countries.India, US to double trade in three years Asia News Network - Mar 02 India and the United States yetserday (March 2) endorsed the efforts of the US-India trade policy forum to reduce barriers to trade and investment to double bilateral trade in three years.
Bush’s agenda for his visitBy Talat MasoodThe forthcoming visit of President Bush to India and Pakistan is a milestone in the on-going engagement and increasing interest of the United States in this part of the world. Several factors have contributed towards making South Asia an attractive destination for significant US presence.
President Bush’s Challenge in South Asia
President George W. Bush will travel to India and Pakistan in the first part of March. Although the United States, India, and Pakistan agree on several issues—such as the war on terrorism and trade issues generally—the President probably will face some requests that are contrary to both American interests and international arms control measures. Additionally, Pakistan and India each tends to view cooperation between the other country and the U.S. as inimical to its own interests. President Bush will need to balance the interests of the two South Asian rivals deftly while also advancing American interests.
Musharraf's other war
Bush Praises President Musharraf Ahead of Pakistan Visit
US President W George Bush due in Islamabad next week
Bush to push Pakistan on Kashmir camps
Pakistan: Bush Should Urge End to Military Rule
Press Briefing by National Security Advisor Steve Hadley on the President's Trip to India and Pakistan
U.S., India Fail to Reach Nuclear Deal
Pakistan and US to sign investment treaty
Pakistan: It's not your F-16s we need
Disputes, religious bias threaten world peace: Musharraf calls for joint efforts President Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday described unresolved political disputes, such as Palestine and Kashmir, and resurfacing of religious prejudices as the biggest threats to global stability and urged the leading powers to make joint efforts for a peaceful and secure world.
Pak trade on China lips
Borderline hostility The flies on the wall must have been intrigued by the meeting between the Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, and his Pakistani counterpart, General Pervez Musharraf, in Islamabad yesterday.
Musharraf must give up dual office by 2007: Mckinnon
Commonwealth Secretary-General Don Mckinnon said on Monday that Pervez Musharraf must give up either the presidency or control over the armed forces by 2007, when his current presidential term ends.
India pulls 5,000 troops out of held Kashmir
Defence minister says it’s not withdrawal; hints at more cutsNEW DELHI: India has moved out 5,000 troops from held Kashmir following an ebb in militancy, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said on Monday, insisting, however, it was not a withdrawal.
Indian president proposes Asia-Oceania trade bloc President Abdul Kalam proposed the creation of a single free trade bloc encompassing Asia and possibly Oceania, officials said.
Richard Boucher to head South Asia Bureau Richard Boucher, former State Department spokesman whose name has been floated for an year as the replacement for political appointee Christina Rocca, to head the South Asia Bureau, was finally nominated by President Bush last month.
The IAEA and the new world order
The manner in which nations have lined up over Iran and its nuclear program increasingly reflect the larger global power struggle between the dominant West, ie, the US and Europe, and developing nations. Caught in the middle, and opening itself to criticism over poorly sourced accusations against Tehran, is the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency.
Russia's move on energy chessboard
Russia has moved to prop up some Central Asian regimes and boost its clout in the strategically important region. However, the Kremlin's new efforts followed moves by some Central Asian nations to diversify their energy policies and escape from over-reliance on Russia.
posted by zaicha | Thursday, June 29, 2006
