INDIA INTELLIGENCE REPORT
 

   Editorials - December 2006

  • Tehran Defiant on Sanctions (December 28, 2006)
    For the first time, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad acknowledged its nuclear weapons program when dismissing the UNSC resolution imposing limited sanctions against Tehran as a “piece of torn paper” meant to “scare Iranians.”<More>
  • Increased Foreign M&A Projected (December 27, 2006)
    Investment bankers and analysts project increased merger and acquisitions (M&A) activity in the information technology (IT) space where smaller Indian companies are acquired by larger foreign players but do not rule out a large deals either.<More>
  • Bush Allays Indian Concerns (December 26, 2006)
    US President George Bush called Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to wish him for the season and to also allay fears in India over the civilian cooperation bill and both leaders concluded that these concerns can be addressed in the “1-2-3 Agreement.”<More>
  • Energy Concerns & Alternatives (December 25, 2006)
    As India’s economy grows at a breathtaking 9.1% its hunger for energy to sustain this growth is higher and though per capita energy consumption is relatively low, its energy use is expected to surpass Russia and Japan to be the third largest consumer of energy by 2030.<More>
  • Govt to Divest from Maruti (December 23, 2006)
    After 25 years of partnership with Japanese Suzuki Motors through Maruti Industries, the Government has decided to sell its remnant 10.27% stake for an estimated Rs. 2,700 crore (USD 586 million) to overcome budget deficits.<More>
  • No Shortcuts in Kashmir (December 21, 2006)
    Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf proposed a “four point solution” to resolve the Kashmir dispute that includes Indian troop withdrawal, self-governance for Kashmiris, joint supervision by the three sides, and maintaining current borders in exchange for giving up claim to Kashmir.<More>
  • The Iran Problem for US (December 20, 2006)
    As Tehran civic polls brought in moderate and reformist opponents of hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s to power, US policy makers are increasingly concerned about developments and statements from Iran and especially about their nuclear program.<More>
  • No Sanctions Says NK ( December 19, 2006)
    A defiant Pyongyang declaring itself a nuclear power and threatening to increase its arsenal unless UN sanctions imposed on it since its October 9 nuclear test and remove financial restrictions that prompted the bankrupt nation to break-off the 6 nation dialogue 13 months ago.<More>
  • Manmohan’s Japan Visit (December 18, 2006)
    Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Japan where he invited greater investment from Japan under a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and also requested Tokyo’s support for the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).<More>
  • Hamas Takes Over Gaza Border (December 15, 2006)
    After weeks of politically motivated assassinations and murder of children, Hamas gunmen fought fiercely with Fatah-allied border guards to seize control of the Gaza Strip’s EU-monitored border crossing with Egypt.<More>
  • Taliban Is a Virtual Mini State in Pak (December 14, 2006)
    Finally, Western media has woken up to the dangers of the peace pact between Pakistan and the local Taliban in the North West Frontier Province and the New York Times (NYT) reported about a resurgent Taliban supporting Indian concern for this development.
  • New Money Laundering Law (December 13, 2006)
    India has enacted the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) that would allow government agencies to track funding of terrorist activities and greatly help intelligence agencies monitor the flow of funds often indicative of terrorist strikes.<More>
  • Qualitative Jump in Indo-US Relations (December 12, 2006)
    In a major show of good faith, US policy makers worked into the night to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the amendments to US law that would facilitate Indo-US civilian nuclear cooperation and will be signed into law by US President George Bush.<More>
  • Citizens in Crossfire (December 11, 2006)
    Thousands of civilians took shelter in schools and Buddhist temples after wayward artillery fire wounded dozens and killed and wounded many soldiers, rebels, and civilians and the Sri Lankan Army (SLA) and rebels trading charges on who was responsible.<More>
  • LTTE Wants “Independent” Nation (December 08, 2006)
    The Sri Lankan Government rejected Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Vellupillai Prabakaran’s call for an “independent” Tamil Eelam as there is no other option left for the Tamils and has enacted tougher anti-terror laws.<More>
  • Chávez Wins a Polarized Nation (December 07, 2006)
    In yet another irritant for globalization enthusiasts, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez won the presidential election by a landslide for the 3rd time based on a strong economy and blatant anti-Americanism and global economy he calls “socialist revolution.”<More>
  • Coup in Fiji (December 06, 2006)
    The military commander of Fiji overthrew the elected Government, declared a state of emergency, and installed a new prime minister and police chief claiming to prevent legislation that favored indigenous Fijians over naturalized and native Indians.<More>
  • Jordan King Visit (December 05, 2006)
    King Abdullah II visited India on a three day state visit and both nations used the visit to boost ties by signing four agreements to promote and protect investments, cooperate in agriculture, conduct exchange programs, and increase tourism.<More>

  • Hu’s Visit to India (December 04, 2006)
    India categorized Chinese President Hu Jintao as “an important step forward” to develop “cooperative framework of engagement” but acknowledged “outstanding issues” even as the two nations signed 13 agreements covering a range of cosmetic issues.<More>

  • No Role for Iran in Iraq (December 01, 2006)
    US President George Bush met Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to review the Iraqi situation and assured him of giving him the “the tools,” “capacity to respond,” and that the US was not looking for a “graceful exit” promising to stay “until the job is complete.”<More>

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