INDIA AND THE CHINESE BORDER INCURSION
An incursion by a Chinese patrol 10 kilometers across the disputed Sino-Indian Border – the Line of Actual Control (LAC) -- in Ladakh has put China-India relations on edge. The incursion reportedly occurred on April 15 but was not reported until April 21. Three flag meetings between officers of both countries have failed to dislodge the PLA patrol. India has dispatched the paramilitary Indo-Tibetan Border Police to the area, but has yet to deploy the Indian Army and is currently considering various options. A scheduled trip to China by India’s Foreign Minister May 9 is now in jeopardy. Transgressions across the unmarked LAC are not uncommon – India reports several hundred Chinese transgressions every year – but PLA patrols always return to their base after crossing into the disputed territory claimed by both sides. What makes this incident unique is that the PLA patrol not only crossed the LAC, but set up camp and has remained there for nearly three weeks. The last major intrusion, in Sumdorong Chu in 1987, nearly brought the two sides to war. (Fox News, May 1, 2013)
INDIAN SPY KILLED IN PAKISTANI JAIL
Sarabjit Singh, an Indian national sentenced to death in Pakistan for charges of espionage, died on Thursday from injuries sustained from an attack by fellow inmates last week. Singh was sentenced to death by the Pakistani government in 1991 for his alleged involvement in a string of bombings that killed 14 people. His sudden death has drawn widespread anger in India, with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh calling for justice against the inmates involved in the attack. Sarabjit Singh’s imprisonment has been a point of controversy between the two rivals for decades, with many in India insisting Singh was the victim of mistaken identity. (Al-Jazeera, May 2, 2012)
INDIA, JAPAN, U.S. HOLD TRILATERAL DIALOGUE
The United States, Japan, and India held their 4th annual trilateral dialogue in Washington at which they discussed global issues of mutual interest and greater connectivity in the Indo-Pacific commercial sector. The meeting was attended by Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert Blake. The group will meet again this fall in Tokyo for further deliberations. (Hindustan Times, May 2, 2013)
U.S. TO BOOST TRADE, MILITARY TIES WITH MYANMAR
The United States announced plans last week to improve both economic and military relations with Myanmar, a further sign of deepening ties between the U.S. and the Southeast Asian country which up until very recently was considered a pariah state. In statements made last Friday, acting U.S. Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis stated that Myanmar would have increased access to U.S. markets through the removal of import duties and sanctions on products from Myanmar. In addition to expanding economic ties between the two countries, the U.S. has announced its willingness to strengthen engagement with the country’s armed forces and has met frequently with top Burmese military officials in recent months to discuss reforms and broader cooperation. The Burmese military is still considered by many to be the most powerful political actor in the country. (Miami Herald, April 26, 2013)
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