By TON Research Section

Sri Lanka's geo-strategic location is significant from the fact that it is nearly in the center of Asia and its sea lines between the Far East and the African and Arab worlds. The site gives the island a central position on the maritime trade route between West and East Asia.  Ships passes from Yangon and Calcutta goes from west to the Suez and the Cape and  those sailing from Bombay or the Gulf and eastward to Singapore use Sri Lanka's excellent harbors in Colombo and Trincomalee. The island nation thus occupies a vital place in the critical sea lines of communication. Much of the trade and naval activity in the Indian Ocean can be monitored from here. Trincomalee has the capability to serve as a key naval base and an extra regional naval force could fully dominate the sea routes in the area including those of India and could disrupt Indian shipping easily. Therefore, it plays an important role in its security, as it occupies one of the most exposed and central position of any country in the world.  India wants Sri Lanka, the island nation to be part of India's coastal and naval defense. Sri Lanka views it is a design of India expansionism and direct interference in its internal affairs.

The nature of relations between the two countries Sri Lanka and India on the basis of threat perceptions and suspicions are manifold.  The ethno composition of Sri Lanka and majority of Sri Lankan people whether they are Sinhala, Tamil or Muslim belong to the same ethnic stock as India's population and cultural affinities extend not only to religion like Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam but also to language. The Tamil language is common to Tamil Nadu as well as north Sri Lanka. Though the Sinhalese are the majority community in Sri Lanka in comparison to the Tamils of Sri Lanka but together with the Tamils of Tamil Nadu from India, they suffer from a minority complex. These factors have played a major role in Sri Lanka, determining its course of events in dealing between the two countries. India is purposely forcing its Tamil origin population as tool to create unrest and chaos inside Sri Lanka, due to which Sri Lankan authorities are facing severe law and order issues.

To meet the difficult situation following the riots, Sri Lanka planned to assume a military solution to the problem. Thus a series of steps were taken whereby Sri Lanka approached other countries for political and military help. India was not asked for similar help as its sympathies lay with the Sri Lankan Tamils. These moves of Sri Lanka resulted in facilitating the strategic presence of the forces hostile to India's security interests. As Sri Lanka in itself was not a threat to India but the latter feared that by these measures the island nation would only become a seat for outside influences. The relevance of India's security concern prompted India to involve itself in the Sri Lankan crises first in the capacity as a mediator and later through IPKF.

The divergences also arise owing to the differences of views between both the countries and the manner in which they have tried to accommodate their interests regarding Tamil issue. It is clear that given the size of the two countries, straight threat is received from India to Sri Lanka. The two countries are separated at the closest point by 22 miles. As far as direct threat to India's territorial integrity is concerned, it does not have any threat from Sri Lanka but has the apprehension that any power gaining a foothold in Sri Lanka, might be in a position detrimental to the security of India.

Additionally, Sri Lanka being an island nation dealing with security perceptions brings  the important issue of the place island country in India's naval defense perceptions, which is an important aspect while dealing with the security discernments of India's other immediate neighbors. Such threats have necessarily resulted in a divergence of security approaches and perceptions of both the countries. This is one of the reasons that India's actions were motivated by its desire to not only increase its regional influence but also to preserve its multiethnic provinces intact like Tamil Nadu from any insurgency in the future. The Sri Lankan Tamils attempt of secessionism, if become successful could influence the Indian state of Tamil Nadu which would be the first to demand secession from India. It is in this respect that the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka is the foremost importance to India. Along with this by interference in Sri Lanka it wants to win the hearts of its 50 million Tamil citizens of India who were sympathetic to the Tamils of Sri Lanka.

For Sri Lanka, the concern arises from the existence of a minority complex of the majority Sinhalese community when seen in comparison with the Tamils of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu separated hardly by 22 miles in the Palk Strait. The permanency in this reality will always give rise to doubts and suspicions about its only neighbor, India. It is in-between these limits that the two countries divergences and convergences will have to be express. India is the country which is interfering in Sri Lanka since long. India’s government actions and the growing political power of the military are instead generating new grievances that increase the risk of an eventual return to violence into Sri Lanka.

Previously, after the   riots, refugees started fleeing to Tamil Nadu. The Sri Lankan question became of concern for the people in the Indian state, and it eventually grew into a major political issue in Tamil Nadu. With this, the populist Dravidian political parties saw the potential increase their political hegemony. Close links were built between Indian Tamil political parties and activists (primarily DMK and DK). Moreover, Sri Lankan Tamil militants trained and assisted by both the Tamil Nadu government by the order of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and the state government of India for violent incidents inside Sri Lanka. Not only they had an easy access to weapons but they were also involved in gems and drugs smuggling and other similar contrabands.

Therefore, it is better advised that India should refrain itself from interfering not only in Sri Lanka but also its other neighbors countries which are fed up from Indian involvements in their territories by one or other, which has  jeopardized  the regional stability of  South Asia and created a war like situation in the area.

TOKYO, 31 July 2021, (TON): The Czech Republic kept it close for most of the first half, but the Americans adopted  defensive intensity in the second half and performed a better team coordination. 

Durant scored 23 points on just 8-of-11 shooting to lead the US to second half 119 - 84 victory over the Czech Republic.

The US  ends group play with a 2-1 record and will advance to the quarterfinals, which begin Tuesday. The opponent and game time will be determined following the end of pool play Sunday.

 KABUL, 31 July 2021, (TON): Afghan security forces and Taliban fighters have been locked in heavy clashes for the last two days after the insurgents entered the capital of the southern province of Helmand, officials said on Friday, as civilians rushed to evacuate the city.

With US-led foreign forces nearing a complete withdrawal of troops, the Taliban have made swift territorial gains over the last two months but have not yet captured any provincial capitals.

A government official told media "since Thursday morning the Taliban have launched attacks from several directions on Lashkargah city.”

The official added that Afghan security forces have thus far held back the Taliban's attempt to take the city with the help of the Afghan air force, but operations were hampered by the presence of civilians in the area.

RIYADH, 31 July 2021, (TON): Kingdom’s attorney general has said that Saudi Arabia’s Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution will not tolerate trafficking in persons and will take legal measures against the perpetrators of such crimes.

Sheikh Saud bin Abdullah Al-Mujib said that the victims of such crimes would receive special attention from the competent care authorities.

His statement was made in response to World Day Against Trafficking on July 30.

Al-Mujib said “the Saudi state, since its inception, has been protecting rights and freedoms from all forms of crime and exploitation, emphasizing the Basic Law of Governance and all the systems in force in the Kingdom and international treaties and charters, and designated an independent system concerned with this crime, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law.”

He said “the Public Prosecution is responsible for filing a criminal case against violators of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law, as well as inspecting and monitoring shelters for victims of trafficking in persons in order to protect them.”

The system stipulates a number of severe penalties for those who carry out any of the criminal descriptions.

The bureau has also allocated an independent department to investigate such crimes and undertake the related procedures to deal with them.

Meanwhile, president of the Saudi Human Rights Commission (HRC), Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad, said that the Kingdom was at the forefront of anti-trafficking efforts.

He said that the Kingdom was deeply committed to the protection and promotion of human rights. It had focused on criminalizing and combating trafficking in persons crimes through a variety of measures and procedures that guaranteed human dignity and protected against all forms of degradation and exploitation.

Al-Awwad said “the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the direction of King Salman and the supervision of the Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman, has made progress in its ranking on TIP (Trafficking In Persons) index reports putting itself on par with developed countries.”

ISLAMABAD, 31 July 2021, (TON): National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Moeed Yusuf and his US counterpart Jake Sullivan discussed the ‘urgent need for a reduction in violence in Afghanistan’ and agreed to ‘sustain the momentum in Pak-US bilateral cooperation’ during a meeting in Washington.

NSA Moeed left for a crucial visit to the United States on July 26 as part of efforts by Pakistan to reset the fragile relationship with Washington. DG ISI Lt General Faiz Hameed is also accompanying the NSA during the official trip.

This was their second meeting after Geneva in May, where Moeed shared Pakistan’s “blueprint” seeking broad-based cooperation with the US.

In a tweet, Moeed said he had a ‘positive follow-up meeting’ with Sullivan and took ‘stock of progress made since our Geneva meeting and discussed bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest’.

Sullivan remarked that during the meeting with his Pakistani counterpart, regional connectivity and security, and other areas of mutual cooperation were discussed along with a need for a ‘negotiated political settlement to the conflict’ in Afghanistan.

Insecurity has been growing in Afghanistan in recent weeks, largely spurred by fighting in its provinces as US-led foreign troops complete their withdrawal and the Taliban launch major offensives, taking districts and border crossings.

ISLAMABAD, 31 July 2021, (TON): Pakistan categorically rejected on Friday the false, untenable and self-serving comments made by the spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on the recently concluded elections in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

According to a press release issued by the Foreign Office, the Indian Charge d’ Affaires was summoned to the foreign ministry to convey Pakistan’s complete rejection of India’s sham protest and to reiterate Pakistan’s clear and consistent position on the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

The press release stated "India cannot hide the fact that it is in illegal occupation of parts of Jammu and Kashmir. To perpetuate its occupation of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK), India has committed horrendous human rights violations against innocent Kashmiris over the past seven decades, and particularly since 5 August 2019."

The FO maintaned that while the people of AJK enjoy the fruits of the free and participatory electoral process, IIOJK bleeds under India’s illegal occupation.

The communique stated "the Jammu and Kashmir dispute between Pakistan and India has been on the agenda of the UN Security Council since 1948. It remains an internationally recognized dispute, as affirmed by the relevant Security Council resolutions."

 JERUSALEM, 31 July 2021, (TON): Israel accused Iran of having carried out an attack off Oman on a tanker managed by an Israeli-owned company and said a harsh response was needed.

In a statement, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said “he had told Britain's foreign secretary of the need for a tough response to the attack in which two crew people, one British and the other Romanian, was killed.”

Lapid said in the statement "Iran is not just an Israeli problem, but an exporter of terrorism, destruction and instability that harms us all. The world must not be silent in the face of Iranian terrorism that also harms freedom of shipping."

The company said “the two crew members were killed when a petroleum products tanker managed by Israeli-owned Zodiac Maritime came under attack on Thursday off Oman's coast.”

London-based Zodiac said on its website that the attack in the Arabian Sea on the Mercer Street, a Liberian-flagged Japanese-owned ship, was still being investigated.

Earlier it had described the incident as suspected piracy but the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which provides maritime security information, says it was not piracy.

Zodiac, which is owned by the wealthy Israeli Ofer family, said "details of the incident are still being established and an investigation into the incident is currently underway. We continue to work closely with the UKMTO and other relevant authorities."

It said “it was not aware of harm to any other personnel than the British and Romanian crew members who were killed.”

KATHMANDU, 31 July 2021, (TON): Minister for Home Affairs Bal Krishna Khand has directed the officials and line agencies to immediately deploy technical teams in the flood-ravaged areas.

At a discussion programme held in the Ministry, Minister Khand asked the officials to study the status by mobilising technical teams in the flood-hit areas of Sindhupalchowk, Manang, Gorkha, Lamjung, and other districts.

The Home Minister also directed the officials to manage helicopters to facilitate the people's mobility in some of the areas affected by the floods and landslides.

Khand has asked the officials to submit the study report about the damages caused by the monsoon flooding and landslides and to ask for a budget from the Ministry of Finance.

WASHINGTON, 31 July 2021, (TON): The U.S. is reportedly planning to issue sanctions targeting Iran’s drone and guided missile programs, with officials citing potential threats to U.S. national security.

The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the planned actions are aimed at disrupting the development of Iran’s weapons program.

A senior U.S. official told media “it’s part of a comprehensive approach so we’re dealing with all aspects of the Iranian threat.”

US planning to target Iran drone, guided missile programs with sanctions: report Getty Images US planning to target Iran drone, guided missile programs with sanctions: report

While the U.S. has previously levied sanctions against some of Iran’s missile programs, the upcoming sanctions would specifically target groups that provide parts used to build drones and missiles and other weapons supply networks.

The officials said that the sanctions would be separate from the Biden administration’s ongoing efforts to pressure Iran to return to compliance with the 2015 nuclear agreement and to engage in talks on negotiating a new deal.

The Treasury Department, which oversees the implementation of U.S. sanctions, declined to comment when contacted by The Hill.

The Journal reported last week that the Biden administration was eyeing new sanctions on Iran’s oil sales to China if talks to revive the Iran nuclear deal fail.

According to U.S. officials “the potential oil sanctions would specifically target the shipping network that includes 1 million barrels of oil a day, a significant revenue source for Iran.”

KATHMANDU, 31 July 2021, (TON): Chinese Ambassador for Nepal, Hou Yanqi, called on Finance Minister Janardan Sharma. During the meeting held at his office in Singha Durbar, the Finance Minister thanked the Government of China for its assistance to Nepal  in the post-earthquake reconstruction drive.

On the occasion, the Minister expressed his hope that Nepal would continue to get support and cooperation from China in the future, too.

He also promised to take initiation to sort out probable problems in the implementation of China-funded projects in Nepal after monitoring and completing the projects on time.

He assured that the government would seriously carry out its role required for the under-construction road, hydropower, and airport projects which have the investment from China.

During the meeting, the Chinese Ambassador congratulated Sharma for his appointment on the post and said China's policy and perception towards Nepal would remain the same no matter who was in the government, the Secretariat of the Finance Minister said in a press note.

“Stating that the people of China and communist parties there and the Nepali people and political parties here had a good relationship” ambassador Hou said.