INDIAN INTEL WARNS ABOUT CHINESE INVESTMENTS
Chinese investments in the technology sectors of several South Asian countries may be posing an intelligence and security risk to India, according to sources within the Indian intelligence community. Chinese efforts to install telecom networks in Nepal and the Maldives could compromise the integrity of communications between India and these countries, they say. Many of the Chinese investment companies, such as Huawei and ZTE, are closely tied to the Peoples Liberation Army. In response, the Indian communication ministry is urging Indian technology companies to make competing offers in the region to slow China’s expanding Chinese regional influence. [Economic Times, 1/23/13]
PAKISTAN, CHINA LAUNCH REGIONAL CONSULTATIONS
Chinese and Pakistani officials have launched a new bilateral consultation mechanism on the “regional situation including Afghanistan,” which met for the first time in Beijing January 21. Foreign Ministry officials from both countries convened to “coordinate positions and deepen cooperation.” Deputy Foreign Minister (and rumored Foreign Minister candidate) Zhang Zhijun addressed the Pakistani delegation and the two sides reiterated their commitment to an “Afghan-led, Afghan-owned” reconciliation process. A second round of talks will take place in Islamabad. (Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 1/23/13)
INDIA, PAKISTAN CLASH OVER UN ROLE AT LOC
Weeks after a deadly clash at the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, India and Pakistan are sparring over Pakistan’s request for an expanded role for UNMOGIP, the UN peacekeeping mission monitoring the LoC. India, which on the Kashmir issue has always preferred bilateral negotiations to international arbitration or third party involvement, dismissed the proposal as “not acceptable.” “These are bilateral issues and they should be settled bilaterally,” said External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid. India’s envoy to the UN even questioned the utility of the UNMOGIP mission altogether. “In times of austerity, we need to address the question, whether the resources being spent on UNMOGIP would not be better utilized elsewhere.” Pakistan also suggested that it had issued a formal request to begin foreign minister-level talks with India, but Indian officials said no formal request had been made and that it was important the two sides “first ensure that the atmospherics return to normal or near-normal.” (Times of India, 1/23/13)
PAK PRESSED TO ACT AGAINST FERTILIZER SMUGGLING
In an effort to decrease IED attacks against coalition forces in Afghanistan, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) has urged Pakistan to crack down on the smuggling of fertilizers used in the production of explosive devices. According to US officials, approximately 80% of all IEDs detonated in Afghanistan use homemade explosives for the main charge, many of which were manufactured using fertilizer from Pakistan. Pakistan has continuously maintained that it is waging a determined campaign against fertilizer smuggling and that it will continue to do so, although the effort has yet to produce tangible results. (The Tribune, 1/22/13)
ANTONY IN MYANMAR TO BOOST DEFENSE COOPERATION
Indian defense minister AK Antony was in Myanmar last seeking to bolster defense cooperation with the new regime in Naypyidaw. Antony follows a trail of top Indian officials to visit India's eastern neighbor at the end of last year. Experts say that India is enthusiastic about re-establishing ties with Burma in the wake of the country’s political opening. Through the 1990s and 2000s, Indo-Burmese ties were strained after the junta turned its back on democracy and China was seen as the principal beneficiary. Delhi now hopes to recover ground lost to Beijing during the past two decades. Among other topics, Antony’s meetings with Burmese officials focused on better border management as well as and potential joint counterinsurgency operations. (Times of India, 1/22/13)