PAKISTAN TO BUY TURKEY'S NEW TANK?
The head of Turkish defense procurement agency has announced that the Pakistani military is interested in purchasing Turkey’s “indigenously-designed, third generation” battle tank, the Altay. It can accommodate a crew of four and reach speeds of 43 miles per hour and has “laser-guided missile firing capability.” Five prototypes are currently being tested. Pakistan has not officially confirmed plans to purchase the tanks, but the military is looking to expand its tank force. (The Diplomat January 29, 2016)
PAKISTAN AND MALDIVES TO STRENGTHEN TIES
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met with Maldives Foreign Minister Dunya Mamoun to discuss improving ties between their two countries. Pakistan expressed interest in cooperating on the tourist industry, among others. Prime MInister Sharif also emphasized that Pakistan will help all neighboring countries with counter-terrorism efforts. The Maldives, a Muslim-majority island-nation, has traditionally been a staunch Indian ally but has witnessed a series of political crises and leadership changes in recent years. (Asian Tribune January 28, 2016)
ISIS LINKED TO BANGLADESHI TERRORIST ATTACKS
ISIS has claimed responsibility for ten of the forty-five terrorist attacks that have struck Bangladesh since September 2015. The government, however, denies the possibility of a serious ISIS presence in the country, instead preferring to focus on the other Islamic terrorist organizations attacking the state, such as Jamaat-e-Islami. It claims that reports of ISIS activity are the work of lone wolves or pre-existing terrorist groups. (Breitbart January 28, 2016)
MODI CONSIDERING FIRST INDIAN NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY
In January 2015, the Indian National Security Advisory Board prepared a draft of a national security policy for the Modi government. The draft, written by the then-head of the NSAB, Amb. Shyam Saran, is reportedly being considered by the Modi government. The Indian government has no public national security policy. The document focuses on five areas of security: domestic security, external security, military preparedness, economic security, and ecological security. (Catch NewsJanuary 28, 2016)
INDIAN PM MEETS AFGHAN CHIEF EXEC
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah met in Delhi and signed two agreements allowing Indian and Afghan diplomats to travel visa-free between their two countries. Prime Minister Modi publicly thanked Dr. Abdullah for the aid of Afghanistan’s national security forces have provided in protecting Indian citizens, and Dr. Abdullah thanked India for its efforts in improving infrastructure in Afghanistan.(Indian Ministry of External Affairs February 1, 2016)
BANGLADESH MINISTER SEEKS STRONGER TIES WITH INDIA
In an unusually blunt statement, Bangladeshi Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan expressed the desire for stronger bilateral ties with India in order to protect Bangladesh from “external aggression.” Minister Khan explicitly mentioned Pakistan as a threat that was conspiring against Bangladesh, and said stronger ties with India were necessary to combat that threat. (New Indian Express January 31, 2016)Pakistan to buy Turkey's new tank;
Pakistan and Maldives to strengthen ties;
ISIS linked to Bangladeshi terrorist attacks;
Modi considering first Indian national security policy;
Indian PM meets Afghan chief exec;
Bangladesh Minister seeks stronger ties with India