INDIA NEWS
March 1-15, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 17
WORLD THIS WEEK
WORLD THIS WEEK
Contributed by the National Institute for Advanced Studies, Bengaluru
Compiled by Sourina Bej, Avishka Ashok, Rashmi Ramesh and Approva Sudhakar
Iran: The new US offer to restart a dialogue
What happened? On 17 February, the NATO defence ministers met to address NATO’s missions in Afghanistan and
ALSO IN NEWS China: Foreign Ministry justifies the ban on BBC On 18 February, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that revoking BBC World News’ license was reasonable and lawful considering UK’s ban on CGTN. The Ministry spokesperson addressed the ban on CGTN and called it outrageous and unreasonable. She also accused BBC of producing fake reports and spreading false information against China. Hong Kong: Two pro-democracy legislators plead guilty at trial
What happened? On 18 February, the United States offered to restart talks with Iran on the JCPOA. The Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks with the officials of the European countries that are party to the agreement and stated that the US would return to it formally if Iran treads the path of compliance. The US State Department signalled that Washington was ready to hold “informal talks” with Iran, on the invitation of one of the European countries. On 19 February, in response, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson tweeted that the country stood firm and would agree to compliance only when the US lifts the sanctions imposed on it by the Trump administration. What does it mean? First, an emerging space for diplomacy with Iran. There have been indications of talks and negotiations from the US, E3 and Iran. Both Iran and the US, despite stringent stances, have expressed their willingness to restart talks that are mediated by one of the European countries. The US’s formal call for talks will induce a new lease of life to the nuclear deal and the larger question of US-Iran relations. Second, Biden’s policy choices. While there is a significantly large section demanding a more nuanced approach, there are stronger voices within the US that do not want to soften its stance on Iran. He risks being tagged as a pro-Iran president and angering the US’s strong allies in the region- Israel and the Arab countries. Iran, therefore, is a difficult nut to crack for Joe Biden.
Munich Security Conference: Biden’s commitment, Discussion on withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Russia threat and NATO in 2030 www.indianews.com.au
Iraq, review progress for a fairer burden-sharing, and discuss the NATO 2030 initiative in their two-day virtual conference. The ministers also met with their NATO partners Finland, Sweden, and the European Union to address the shared security challenges. The important outcome from the conference has been US President Joe Biden’s reaffirmation to NATO. On 19 February, Biden told at the online session of the Munich Security Conference: “The United States is fully committed to our NATO alliance, and I welcome your growing investment in the military capabilities that enable our shared defenses.” “An attack on one is an attack on all. That is our unshakeable vow.” This was Biden’s first speech on the international platform after winning the election.
On 16 February, nine activists who were charged with organizing and participating in the biggest prodemocracy protests were brought to stand trial in the Hong Kong High Court. The two individuals who pleaded guilty were former Hong Kong Legislators who were charged for their association with the illegal assembly against the State. The remaining seven, including Jimmy Lai and Martin Lee, a pro-democracy legislator, have pleaded not guilty. A few others who have been accused rallied against the court with banners that read “Peaceful Assembly is Not a Crime; Shame on Political Prosecution.” Myanmar: Protests against the military turn violent
their articles and illegally brought changes to the colonial-era Penal Code Australia: Quad members meet virtually to discuss Myanmar On 18 February, the members of the Quad group, Japan, India, Australia and The US met virtually and discussed issues of maritime security, terrorism, countering disinformation and restoring democracy in Myanmar. The Ministry of External Affairs revealed said, “In the discussion pertaining to recent developments in Myanmar, the upholding of rule of law and the democratic transition was reiterated by India.” The ministers also pledged to meet annually at the ministerial level along with regular meetings at the official levels and promised to work towards and free and open Indo-Pacific. India: Government takes foreign diplomats on Kashmir tour On 17 February, over 20 foreign diplomats visited the disputed Kashmir region for the third time
What does it mean?
The alliance may not simply return to an old-world order while the transition for NATO will be an important marker to watch for in 2021.
Sri Lanka: Imran Khan’s Parliament address cancelled a week before the visit On 16 February, the Sri Lankan government cancelled Imran Khan’s Parliament address in a last-minute move citing COVID-19 constraints. Imran Khan will be visiting the country on 23 February and this will be his first visit to the country after assuming office in 2018. The two countries are looking forward to signing multiple agreements aimed at strengthening economic partnership and improving connectivity between each other. France: Legislature passes antiradicalism bill On 16 February, the lower house of the French Parliament passed the ‘Supporting respect for the principles of the Republic’ bill to strengthen surveillance over mosques, schools and sports clubs. The bill aims to safeguard France from Radical Islamists and promote respect for French values. The passage of the bill has been contested by many who fear that the state is pointing fingers at Islam. United States: NASA Mars Rover lands successfully
On 17 February, the NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said: “This is our first meeting with the new Biden administration and an opportunity to prepare the NATO summit in Brussels later this year.” The meeting charts the course for a probable future relationship between the European leaders and the US within the alliance. Though Biden made a passing reference to NATO budgetary contributions, the issue of sharing burdens and defence spending is not likely to outrightly smoothen a wrinkled relationship. Biden has made it clear for the NATO members that China along with Russia should be on any future agenda for NATO. Thus, one could anticipate a strategic blueprint for NATO in maintaining its relation with China.
collectively study the effectiveness of vaccines on populations.
On 14 February, the military amended law on privacy and security rights, allowing the police to detain its citizens without a warrant and also tap into their communications. On 16 February, a secret closed-door trial against Aung San Suu Kyi began without prior notice to her defence attorney. Suu Kyi has been accused of violating import restrictions and COVID-19 restrictions which may land her in prison for a total of six years. Thousands of people continued to protest creatively against the military by blocking roads with cars, walking slowly, hacking government websites and emptying military-controlled banks. On 20 February, at least two people were killed as the police used live ammunition to disperse the crowd. The Junta has also banned the national and local news channels from using the term “Junta” and “regime in
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since being stripped of its ‘semiautonomous’ status in 2019. The diplomats were taken around the region amid tight security and held meetings with the recently elected village councillors. The people shut their businesses and shops to portray their discontent against the government. India: Prime Minister Modi introduces health diplomacy at a regional workshop On 18 February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a workshop on ‘COVID-10 Management: Experience, Good Practices and Way Forward’ with nine neighbouring nations. At the workshop, he suggested the creation of a special visa scheme that would enable the healthcare workers and professionals to travel quickly within the region during emergencies. He also suggested creating a regional air ambulance for medical emergencies and a platform to
On 18 February, NASA successfully landed its fifth robotic rover on the red planet. The most technologically advanced rover will spend two years on the planet and will explore the surface thoroughly. The rover also consists of a small helicopter which will make history as the first flight on another planet if there are no technical difficulties. The rover is as big as a small car, weighs around one ton, has a robotic arm with a camera, a chemical analyzer and a rock drill. About the authors Rashmi Ramesh is a PhD Scholar, Apoorva Sudhakar is a Research Associate, Avishka Ashok is Research Assistant, in the School of Conflict and Security Studies at NIAS. Sourina Bej is an Independent research scholar. The report has been modified by India News due to space considerations.
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