PAK PM SHARIF VISITS WASHINGTON
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited President Obama at the White House in mid-October. The meeting concluded without any major breakthroughs but Sharif and Obama promised to continue discussing nuclear and security issues and each released statements focused on cooperation in trade, clean energy, and education for girls. Domestically, Sharif is seen as being increasingly sidelined by the military, especially after the appointment of former Lieutenant General Naseer Khan Janjua as the national security advisor. While the Prime Minister Sharif originally favored another candidate for the position, the Chief of the Army had pushed for Janjua’s appointment for months. (US News October 22, 2015; The Times of India October 19, 2015)
INDIA WANTS TO DOUBLE DEFENSE EXPORTS
Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar has announced that India’s defense exports will double in over the next year as India pushes to sell weapons platforms to partners and neighboring countries. The government has been pushing a “Made in India” program to increase domestic production and raise exports. The results thus far have been mixed. In October India witnessed trouble in a test of its new and long-awaited long-range cruise missile, the Nirbhay, which has been in production for a decade. The missile deviated from its projected flight pattern and subsequently nosedived, forcing the military to engage the missile’s self-destruction function. It is the Nirbhay’s third unsuccessful test. This same week Indian company Larsen & Toubro, in conjunction with South Korean company Samsung Techwin, beat out a Russian competitor for a $1 million defense contract to create a 155 mm howitzer gun for the Indian Army. (Defense News October 17, 2015; NDTV October 17, 2015; The Diplomat October 20, 2015)
INDIA EYES S-400 TRIUMF AIR DEFENCE MISSILE SYSTEMS
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi plans to visit Russia in December to discuss the purchase of 10-12 Russian S-400 Triumf air defense missile systems. The S-400, an extremely advanced air defense system, is capable of launching long-range missiles and engaging in counter air attacks with up to 36 targets. India was recently ranked 5th in the world in military strength compared to Pakistan who was in 11th place. (Zee News October 15, 2015)
SRI LANKA ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR RELATIONS WITH CHINA
Sri Lanka has urgedChina provide a reprieve on a portion of the massive debt it owes Beijing, which now equals as much as 95% of its GDP. The majority of the debt was accrued from large-scale infrastructure projects awarded to China by the previous administration. Some 70% of infrastructure projects in the country were built and funded by China, leaving the current administration suspicious of corruption. Since the new administration took power, Sri Lanka has halted a number of infrastructure projects with China and is attempting to address its financial crisis. (Time October 19, 2015)
UN: TALIBAN AT ITS STRONGEST IN AFGHANISTAN SINCE 2001
According to the United Nations, the Taliban is at its strongest since the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. The data ranks the Taliban’s presence in each district with “substantial,” “high,” and “extreme” levels of risk based on the Taliban’s hold on an area and the government presence there. Over half of Afghanistan districts fell into one of these three categories and about half of those were ranked either “high” or “extreme.” The data contradicts the assessment provided to the Senate Armed Services Committee by American commander General John F Campbell, where he stated that Afghan soldiers were maintaining control over capitals and most district centers. (Breitbart October 19, 2015)