Saturday, June 23, 2018

Fwd: Nepal’s uncertain transition to Federalism+Falling behind on the Digital Silk Road+Male shd repair its ties with Delhi+Driving to Bhutan, The Land of Gross National Happiness


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Sanjeev Nayyar


Chinese Ambass to India speaks of a Trilateral between India, Pak, China. Chinese speak carefully. Timing is imp. After India lost many soldiers due to Pak firing on IB and anger in Indian public due to  unilateral ceasefire in J&K the Chinese and Pakis are expecting India to respond strongly and soon. This trilateral talk is a way of the Chinese telling the Indians Pak is under their security cover.
 
1. Trump's delivers lessons for Japan on North Korea 15.6.18 by Brahma C https://chellaney.net/2018/06/15/trump-delivers-lessons-for-japan-on-north-korea/
The main lesson for Japan is that, instead of relying on Washington, it must directly engage North Korea by leveraging its economic might and soft power and playing to Kim's rebalancing aspiration.
 
The roots of political chaos in Nepal, both in design and on implementation, run deep. To start with, federalism was never an agenda of most national-level political parties. It came about as a political compromise among parties. As a result, breadth and depth was missing in the discourse of federalism. During the course of drafting the constitution, the debate over federalism primarily centred around the number of provinces and their names. No substantive discussion was held over issues like economic viability of provinces and local governments, accountability framework and intergovernmental relationships.
SN – If Nepal wants India can assist in design of a federal state structure.
 
2a. High expectations from Nepal PM visit 19.6.18 http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1107420.shtml
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) on launching a joint feasibility study on Nepal-China free trade agreement and a MOU on investment and production capacity are expected to be signed. . An agreement on oil storage facility is also on the cards. 
 
3. Falling behind on the Digital Silk Road by C Raja Mohan 19.6.18 by C Raja Mohan https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/china-belt-and-road-initiative-narendra-modi-xi-jinping-meet-5222924/
At the turn of the century, India paid little attention to China's internal, cross-border and international infrastructure projects that eventually came under the rubric of BRI. As a result, Delhi is struggling to cope with the strategic consequences for the Subcontinent and the Indian Ocean. Unless Delhi quickly sheds its digital defensiveness, that pattern might well repeat itself with China's newest version of the Silk Road.
 
3. Searching for lasting peace in Kashmir 18.6.18 by Brig Anil Gupta http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/search-for-a-lasting-peace-in-kashmir/
The fact that security forces have not launched any major operation during  the last three weeks and yet the reports of Kashmiri youth joining the militancy continued to pour in has shred to pieces the myth that excesses committed by the security forces were responsible for the youth picking up the gun
Recall the role played by the Church in early seventies to negotiate for peace after two decades of bloody China-backed insurgency in Nagaland and adjoining areas.Though the rebellion began in 1956, it gained momentum after creation of Nagaland state in 1963. The rebels labelled the creation of state as "a puppet of the central government" and intensified their operations. The security forces responded with more vigour and violence. Thus by 1964 the day to day life of the common people in Nagaland became very difficult and uncertain. At this juncture the Baptist churches leader in Nagaland decided not to remain mere spectators but to do something to bring peace in Nagaland. It was the church leaders who first brought both the Naga underground representatives and the Indian Government to the table of dialogue and agreement.
 
4. Building a sound economy is the best way to deal with Pakistan currency problem 18.6.18 http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1107174.shtml
Pakistan's central bank recently devalued the Pakistani rupee for the third time in six months, stoking concerns that the country may have to go to the IMF for a bailout.
 
SN – BJP govt did a good thing by including Nepal as a place of visit for Central Govt employees where expense allowed for Leave Travel Concession. More Indians shall visit Nepal. Govt shd do this for Bhutan too.
 
6. Male shd repair its ties with Delhi 19.6.18 by K Natwar Singh http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/comment/male-should-repair-its-ties-with-delhi/607344.html
 
Warm Regards
sanjeev nayyar




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sent from samsung galaxy note3 neo, so please excuse brevity

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