15 JULY 2016

Ø  The operation, named Operation Sankat Mochan, was the first big evacuation effort a year after Operation Rahat evacuated hundreds of citizens of India and other countries from Yemen in 2015. Operation Rahat was also led by Mr. Singh who took the responsibility of steering Operation Sankat Mochan on the ground.

Ø  Even as the public discourse continues on the alleged use of cluster bombs in the final stages of the civil war in Sri Lanka, a peace activist has pitched strongly for an early ratification of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM). Pointing out that the allegation against Sri Lanka pertains to the use of such bombs against the country’s citizens in an internal armed conflict, Vidya Abhayagunawardena, coordinator, Sri Lanka Campaign to Ban Landmines, argues that it is meaningless to compare Sri Lanka with other non-signatory countries such as the U.S., Russia and China. These countries, considering their economic and military strength, may have their geopolitical interests to serve. Referring to the country’s decision early this year to ratify the Mine Ban Treaty (MBT), Mr. Abhayagunawardena also urges the Sri Lankan government to complete all formalities concerning the MBT for an expeditious implementation of the Treaty.

Ø  The United States is using quiet diplomacy to persuade the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and other Asian nations not to move aggressively to capitalise on an international court ruling that denied China’s claims to the South China Sea, several U.S. administration officials said. Some were sent through U.S. embassies abroad and foreign missions in Washington, while others were conveyed directly to top officials by Defense Secretary Ash Carter, Secretary of State John Kerry and other senior officials, the sources said. The effort to calm the waters following the court ruling on Tuesday suffered a setback when Taiwan dispatched a warship to the area. The U.S. officials said they hoped the U.S. diplomatic initiative would be more successful in Indonesia and in the Philippines. China, for its part, repeated pleas for talks between Beijing and Manila, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi saying the it is time to get things back on the “right track” after the “farce” of the case.