18 JANUARY 2016

Ø  The U.S. on Saturday removed a wide range of sanctions against Iran after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that Tehran had met its commitments to roll back its nuclear programme, under an agreement with China, France, Russia, the U.K., the U.S. and Germany on July 14 last year. Minutes after Secretary of State John Kerry, after a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, announced in Vienna that the deal had come into force, a White House official described the development as “historic.” The U.S. has only removed secondary sanctions that restrict the dealings of other countries with Iran. Primary sanctions that bar U.S. citizens and companies from business with Iran will remain. However, the removal of restrictions on its oil, petrochemicals, banking, natural gas and port sectors will hugely benefit Iran and allow it to re-enter the global market. Iran will be able to access the huge amount of cash it has accumulated overseas from restricted oil sales during the sanctions. Most of this money is sitting in China, India, Japan, South Korea and Turkey. Later, an AFP report said Washington had decided to target Iran’s ballistic missile programme with new measures. Five Iranian nationals and some companies based in the UAE and China were added to an American blacklist.

Ø  India is all set to overhaul its security cooperation agreement with China and further liberalise visa norms for the neighbouring country. If the agreement comes through, China will deport Indians accused of terrorist acts and operating in Chinese territory after its agencies conduct an independent probe. To begin with, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2005 between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security, People’s Republic of China, is being revisited to expand its scope, said the official. The MoU was signed for exchange of security-related information to combat terrorism. India has been trying to rope in China to corner Pakistan, which according to Indian officials, is involved in supporting terror-related activities in this country. India and China will exchange information on terrorist activities, terror groups and their linkages and share experience on anti-hijacking, hostage-like situations and coordinate positions on anti-terrorism endeavours at regional and multilateral levels. Indian agencies say that the United Liberation Front of Asom leader, Paresh Baruah, shuttles between China and Myanmar to run his extortion and terror rackets. Even though India included China in the list of countries which have been extended the facility of electronic tourist visa on arrival, the neighbouring country has pressed for lifting restrictions on conference and research visas as well. However, China is yet to respond to India’s demand to offer a similar arrangement for its citizens. Despite opposition from the intelligence agencies against extending e-visa facility for the Chinese, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his maiden visit to the country in May 2015, had announced it. According to Ministry of Home Affairs data, eight Chinese companies were given the green signal to start business operations in India under the Make in India policy.

Ø  Days before Nepal is to implement a series of Constitutional amendments, its main Madhesi leader Rajendra Mahato demanded that India should step into Nepal’s domestic negotiations. Mr. Mahato sought India’s involvement at the end of his fortnight-long stay in Delhi where he underwent treatment to recover from grievous injuries sustained in a police attack in Nepal.