US MAY SLOW TROOP DRAWDOWN
With the security situation deteriorating, U.S. officials have begun to rethink the military drawdown strategy in Afghanistan. There are currently 10,000 U.S. troops training Afghan security forces and conducting counterterrorism operations within the country. During a news conference with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, newly-appointed U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter indicated that the U.S. would be open to slowing the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. Ghani was also open to the possibility, in a shift from the adversarial stance of former President Hamid Karzai. Meanwhile, Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah stated that peace talks with the Taliban would occur in the “near future.” President Ghani has prioritized brokering a peace deal with the Taliban and has asked neighboring countries to pressure the Taliban to come to table. (New York Times February 21, 2015; Washington Post February 23, 2015)
ISRAELI, INDIAN MINISTERS DISCUSS SECURITY, TRADE
Israeli defense minister Moshe Ya’alon and Indian Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh met in India to discuss homeland security measures and bilateral trade. The two countries are due to cooperate in the areas of cybersecurity, cyber-forensics, and technological development. Four joint working groups on homeland security will meet in March. Referencing the Indian government's “Make in India” campaign, Singh urged Ya’alon to take advantage of new regulations that allow for greater Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India to “share cutting-edge weapons technologies with India." Singh also reiterated India’s interest in a Free Trade Agreement with Israel, especially in the services sector. (Indian Press Information Bureau February 19, 2015)
INDIA TO BUILD SEVEN WARSHIPS, SIX SUBS
Seen as a bid to counter a rising China, India will invest $16 billion over the next few years to modernize its navy. India will spend $8 billion under Project-17A to construct seven advanced frigates, each equipped with stealth features to make them harder to detect. The ships will be constructed in India as part of Prime Minister Modi’s “Make in India” campaign to bolster the domestic defense industry. The government will also purchase six nuclear-powered submarines for an additional $8 billion. India currently has only 13 diesel-powered submarines in operation, as compared with China's 60+ submarines. (Reuters February 18, 2015)
NEW CHINA EMBASSY IN PAKISTAN; MODI VISITS DISPUTED REGION
In a sign of the value it places on its relationship with Pakistan, China opened its largest foreign embassy in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad. According to China’s official statement, the embassy works “as a symbol of the special friendship between China and Pakistan” and will “definitely play its due role in China-Pakistan all-weather friendly relations!” China is projected to invest over $45 billion in infrastructure and energy projects in Pakistan over the next six years. It sees Pakistan as a vital component to its New Silk Road initiative.
Elsewhere, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the disputed region of Arunachal Pradesh. China issued a diplomatic protest over the visit, and still claims some 90,000 square kilometers in Arunachal Pradesh. The Modi government has pledged billions of dollars in infrastructure and energy assistance in an effort to raise development prospects in the long-neglected province. (Asian Correspondent February 17, 2015; Reuters February 20, 2015)
FORMER PRESIDENT ARRESTED IN MALDIVES
Maldivian authorities have detained former president Mohamed Nasheed for his order to arrest Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed while he was president in 2012. Nasheed’s detention of Mohamed resulted in protests and a "soft coup" which forced Nasheed to resign from the presidency. Now an opposition leader, Nasheed will be charged under the country’s anti-terror laws, which can be used for a “wide range of ‘acts against the state’.” The detention of Nasheed has been condemned by his supporters as politically motivated and inched the country toward crisis with opposing demonstrations growing in number. (Al Jazeera February 23, 2015)