38 COUNTRIES TO SEND MILITARY PERSONNEL TO INDIA FOR TRAINING
India is set to train military personnel from at least 38 countries, according to Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar. Parrikar indicated that India is “also considering to supply some sort of defence materials through export or through line of credit to the countries so that they can depend on India for their defence.” The names of the countries sending personnel are being withheld due to security reasons. Later in the year, India will hold a naval exercise in Vishakhapatanam where an international fleet will participate. (Economic Times March 23, 2015)
INDIAN, CHINESE OFFICIALS DISCUSS BORDER DISPUTE
Chinese special representative Yang Jiechi and Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met in New Delhi in an effort to advance talks on the two countries' long-standing border dispute. The "Special Representatives" talks, first agreed in 2003, are on their 18th round. Yet the two sides have been negotiating over the disputed border under different framework since the early 1980s, making it closer to the 50th round of talks. No notable breakthroughs were made in the first negotiations under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aside from a general commitment to maintain peace and tranquility at the border. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit China in May. (BBC March 23, 2015)
U.S. AIRSTRIKE KILLS SENIOR PAKISTANI TALIBAN COMMANDER
A U.S. drone strike has killed a senior leader of Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) in the Shabak area of Kurram tribal district. Khawrey Meshud, close to both former Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud and TTP founder Baitullah Mehsud, was killed along with two other militants by a CIA-operated drone. The strike comes as Pakistan presses a ground assault in the northwest tribal regions. (The Hindu March 19, 2015)
HAZARA SEEK TALIBAN PROTECTION
In a reversal after years of persecution, Afghanistan’s Hazara minority is seeking the protection of the Afghan Taliban. During a meeting between Hazara elders and Taliban commanders, the Taliban agreed to provide protection against Islamic State actors in the country. Islamic State radicals, viewed by the Hazara as a greater threat than the Taliban, have expanded their reach into Afghanistan and have staged kidnappings of the predominately Shi’ite minority. The talks come as a surprise as the Taliban persecuted the Hazara during their rule in the 1990s, killing thousands. (Zee News, March 22, 2015)
GHANI NOMINATES 16 MINISTERS TO ROUND OUT CABINET
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has nominated 16 ministers to his cabinet, adding to the eight ministerial positions already filled. Previously, all but those eight nominees were rejected by parliament. Keeping with his promise, Ghani included four women in his slate of nominees. Notably, the position of defense minister is still vacant, worrisome given that the spring fighting season is only weeks away. The nominations come as Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah visit Washington D.C. to discuss peace talks with the Taliban and financial support for Afghanistan. Reconciliation talks with the Taliban are at the closest point in recent years. Ghani is attempting to gain the support of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, China, the UAE, and the U.S. in his efforts to bring the Taliban to the table. Additionally, Ghani wishes to cement U.S. financial support for Afghanistan beyond 2017, when the current U.S. commitment will come to an end. (Zee News March 20, 2015; Zee News March 22, 2015)