South Asia Security Monitor: No. 296

U.S. APOLOGIZES FOR DEATH OF INDIAN FISHERMAN
The U.S. Embassy in Delhi extended condolences to the families of Indian fishermen who were fired upon by a U.S. Naval Ship off the coast of Dubai on account of a miscommunication. The Embassy’s statement was followed by a promise from the U.S. State Department to cooperate with Indian officials and probe the shooting that claimed one life and caused three injuries. The incident occurred on 16 July when the U.S. Naval tanker USNS Rapppahannock, stationed in the Persian Gulf, spotted a small vessel making a rapid approach and attempted to halt the boat in self-defense. Although the Department of Defense claimed that the Rapppahannock issued non-lethal warnings before attacking the boat, the surviving fishermen insist that they received no instructions to turn back before being attacked. The Indian Ambassador to UAE stated that he has requested authorities in the kingdom to carry out an investigation into the matter lieu of the differing accounts over what took place. (BBC July 17 2012; Times of India July 18 2012)

BILL ON HAQQANI NETWORK CLEARS HOUSE
A bill requiring the U.S. State Department to rule within 30 days on whether the Pakistani-based militant group the Haqqani Network is a ‘Foreign Terrorist Organization’ has passed the House of Representatives. A similar bill cleared the Senate late last year, and will now be handed to President Obama for his final approval. The designation would allow the U.S. to deny entry to members of the group, prosecute anyone assisting the group, and freeze any assets associated with the network. The State Department has already sanctioned top Haqqani Network members, although it has yet to formally designate the entire organization a terrorist outfit. Al-Qaeda, the Pakistani Taliban, and, according to widespread reporting, even Pakistani intelligence share close links with the group that is widely seen as one of the most dangerous and extensive security threats in the region. (Times of India July 18 2012; New York Times April 17 2012)

SHIFT IN BHUTAN FOREIGN POLICY WORRIES NEW DELHI
A recently released study by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis has voiced concerns that anti-India sentiment is gaining ground in Bhutan as favorable views of China become more popular. Bhutan has traditionally been a staunch ally of India, while relations with China have remained troubled over border disputes and China’s Tibet policy. Although India has greatly influenced the kingdom’s foreign relations, and the country maintains official ties with no other large nations, the report highlights a change in Bhutan’s foreign policy that could have a “far reaching impact on India’s strategic and political interests.” According to the study, the factors driving such a change include anger over sub-standard infrastructure projects built by Indian contractors, growing economic ties with China, a new willingness to settle the Sino-Bhutan border dispute, and a shifting and increasingly democratic domestic political climate. (Daily News and Analysis July 14 2012)

INDIA CAUGHT IN CHINA-VIETNAM CROSSFIRE
India is becoming ensnared in a diplomatic faceoff between Vietnam and China over the disputed and research-rich waters of the Vietnam coast. This month, in an effort to assert its territorial claims over the South China Sea, China issued a call for bids from international oil companies to explore for oil in waters claimed by Vietnam and currently under contract to Indian energy firm ONGC Videsh Limited. Although ONGC Videsh decided earlier this summer to vacate the bloc due to poor extraction prospects, Vietnam has now renegotiated its contract with the firm to in order to persuade it to stay. India expressed its support for Vietnam‘s position by publically calling for application of international law with regard to resource extraction at the July ASEAN summit in Cambodia. (Indian Express July 17 2012)

UNREST REKINDLED IN THE MALDIVES
Violence flared up once again in the island nation of the Maldives when supporters of former President Mohamed Nasheed, ousted earlier this year in a peaceful coup, clashed with authorities during protests held to demand fresh elections. The political situation in the country has been tense ever since ex-President Nasheed resigned from his post in February, a move he claimed was forced on him by his deputy Mohamed Waheed, who then ascended to the presidency in a virtual coup d’état. President Waheed has rejected those accusations maintaining elections will not be held before July 2013, as per the original timeframe. India, meanwhile, has urged all political parties in the country to preserve peace and not jeopardize the lives of ordinary Maldivians. As a key regional player, India backed the ex-president’s calls for early elections and also sponsored all-party talks, although efforts to resolve the crisis seem gridlocked. (Times of India July 16 2012)