Monthly Archives: August 2018

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 4

India and Sri Lanka have conducted the 33rd edition of annual International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) meeting between the representatives of navies and coast guards. The meeting was held aboard INS Sumitra on Friday.

At the meeting, maritime security in the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar region, safety of fishermen, measures to curtail trafficking of contraband among other issues were discussed. Ways and means to enhance existing communication network were also discussed at length.

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 4

As part of the West’s efforts to avoid opening a third front in addition to the Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflicts, America’s China policy chief met Beijing’s top border official for talks on the situation in the South China Sea and East China Sea. On Saturday, Australian PM Anthony Albanese arrived for talks with the Chinese leadership that could see Beijing ease some of the restrictions on imports from Canberra.

The US Department of State’s China Coordinator Mark Lambert held “substantive, constructive and candid discussions” on a range of maritime issues with Chinese Foreign Office’s DG for Boundary and Ocean Affairs Hong Liang in Beijing, said a US Government statement. China said the discussions were “in-depth, constructive and candid,” with both sides agreeing to manage the maritime situation to avoid miscalculation and misunderstanding, while also exploring the possibility of cooperation.

Translated, the terminology used by the US and China indicates that neither side budged from its position and countered the points made by the other side. Still, it was an exercise to create a conducive environment before US President Joe Biden meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco.

Of the three powers taking on the US — Russia, Iran and China — the Biden administration has dialled down its rhetoric against Beijing with a series of high-level contacts including the Foreign Ministers. At the first meeting on maritime issues after a long time, the US reiterated the need to resume military-military channels, including between operators, to avoid miscommunication and miscalculation.

Tensions in South China Sea are on the boil after the Chinese navy obstructed a Philippine flotilla supplying provisions to a deliberately-grounded ship near the Second Thomas Shoal and its fighter cake dangerously close to a US spy plane.

Beijing tried to turn the tables on the US by expressing “serious concerns” over its US military presence in the region and frequent reconnaissance missions targeting China.

Lowering the rhetoric

Of the three powers taking on the US — Russia, Iran and China — the Biden administration has dialled down its rhetoric against Beijing with a series of high-level contacts, including the Foreign Ministers

Tribune News Service

Sandeep Dikshit

New Delhi, November 4

Israel continued ignoring calls for a temporary halt on military assault on civilians and Hamas militants alike and even US Secretary of State Antony Blinken left without any assurance from the Netanyahu administration on the issue that could facilitate more aid to Gaza.

“I have instructed our Special Envoy for Middle East Humanitarian Issues David Satterfield to continue these discussions. Ultimately, we believe this (humanitarian pause) can be a critical mechanism for protecting civilians while enabling Israel to achieve its objectives of defeating Hamas,” said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken before leaving Tel Aviv for Jordan. After killing 15 civilians in a UN-run shelter in Gaza, which was preceded by the bombing of a convoy of ambulances, Israeli military warned Palestinians to leave south Gaza “within three hours if they care for their safety and the safety of their loved ones”.

Israel’s unyielding position has started a push-back from Arab states, which have been mute in their criticism of the collective punishment being inflicted on Gaza for Hamas’ October 7 attack that killed 1,400 Israeli soldiers, women and children.

Turkey has recalled its ambassador to Israel for consultations and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres made another plaintive appeal. “Now, for nearly one month, civilians in Gaza, including children and women, have been besieged, denied aid, killed and bombed out of their homes. This must stop,” he said.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said its Foreign Minister had told Blinken on Saturday that the continued bombardment of the Gaza Strip had complicated its efforts to mediate the release of hostages held by Hamas. Jordan said several US-friendly Arab states plan to approach Washington urging it to ensure a ceasefire in Gaza. Earlier, Blinken agreed that Israel has raised appropriate concerns about Hamas’s cornering of fuel and aid. But he also said more should be done to protect Palestinian civilians.

Turkey recalls envoy to Tel Aviv

The Turkish Foreign Affairs Ministry has decided to recall its ambassador from Israel for consultations after Israel’s refusal for a ceasefire and stopping humanitarian aid to Gaza.

West Asia situation very complex: EAM

EAM S Jaishankar described the West Asia situation as “very complex”, and conveyed to his Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen India’s firm commitment to countering terror.