An Army soldier was killed when Pakistan violated the ceasefire by heavily shelling forward areas and posts along the Line of Control with mortar bombs in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district Thursday, officials said.

Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire in Keri belt of Sunderbani sector this morning, they said.

One soldier was killed in Pakistani firing, they added.&nbsp;

Pakistani troops have violated the ceasefire over 110 times along the LoC since January.

An Army soldier was killed when Pakistan violated the ceasefire by heavily shelling forward areas and posts along the Line of Control with mortar bombs in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district Thursday, officials said.

An Army soldier was killed when Pakistan violated the ceasefire by heavily shelling forward areas and posts along the Line of Control with mortar bombs in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district Thursday, officials said. Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire in Keri belt of Sunderbani sector this morning, they said. One soldier was killed in Pakistani firing, they added. Pakistani troops have violated the ceasefire over 110 times along the LoC since January.

J&K: Soldier killed as Pakistan Army violates ceasefire along LoC in Rajouri

Members representing minorities at a provincial legislature in northwest Pakistan Tuesday walked out of the assembly session to protest against anti-Hindu remarks by a lawmaker in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, that has led to the escalation of tensions with India.

Remarks by Sher Azam Wazir, the member of the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, against India and Hindus in Pakistan irritated lawmaker Ravi Kumar.

Kumar said though India is hostile towards Pakistan but not the Hindu community of Pakistan.

Wazir later apologised over his remarks and clarified that he meant to say that India is enemy of Pakistan not the Hindu community of Pakistan.

Speaker Mushtaq Ghani expunged remarks of Sher Azam Wazir from the assembly proceedings.&nbsp;

There are three minority members in the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Tensions escalated between India and Pakistan following the February 14 Pulwama attack that left 40 CRPF personnel dead.&nbsp;

Members representing minorities at a provincial legislature in northwest Pakistan Tuesday walked out of the assembly session to protest against anti-Hindu remarks by a lawmaker in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, that has led to the escalation of tensions with India.

Members representing minorities at a provincial legislature in northwest Pakistan Tuesday walked out of the assembly session to protest against anti-Hindu remarks by a lawmaker in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, that has led to the escalation of tensions with India. Remarks by Sher Azam Wazir, the member of the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, against India and Hindus in Pakistan irritated lawmaker Ravi Kumar. Kumar said though India is hostile towards Pakistan but not the Hindu community of Pakistan. Wazir later apologised over his remarks and clarified that he meant to say that India is enemy of Pakistan not the Hindu community of Pakistan. Speaker Mushtaq Ghani expunged remarks of Sher Azam Wazir from the assembly proceedings. There are three minority members in the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Tensions escalated between India and Pakistan following the February 14 Pulwama attack that left 40 CRPF personnel dead.

Pakistan: Minority members stage walkout after anti-Hindu remarks by Pak lawmaker

US warns Pakistan on terror

The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) has cancelled its annual maritime security dialogue with India. The meet between the India Coast Guard and the PMSA was to happen from March 19 to 21.

Pakistan blamed the cancellation on the prevailing conditions.&nbsp;

The Indian Air Force had launched an air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Pakistan's Balakote on February 26. A day later, Pakistan dropped bombs on Indian territory from its side of the Line of Control. India said the bombs were aimed at Indian military installations but that they missed their targets.&nbsp;

The JeM had claimed responsibility for the February 14 Pulwama terrorist attack which left over 40 CRPF personnel dead.&nbsp;

India and Pakistan held their first maritime dialogue last year after a gap of two years with Indian Coast Guard Director General Rajendra Singh and PMSA chief Rear Admiral Zaka Ur Rehman meeting in Delhi.&nbsp;

Before that, the two sides had met in Islamabad in 2016.

In the 2018 meeting, the release of Indian fisherman had been New Delhi's key focus.&nbsp;

"During the meeting, the Indian side reiterated the need for instituting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for immediate release and repatriation of the fishermen who cross the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) inadvertently as the issue needs to be approached in humanitarian context," the Indian Coast Guard said in a statement. &nbsp;

483 Indian fishermen are currently in Pakistani custody, according to a list exchanged between India and Pakistan on January 1 as part of a 2008 agreement.

On January 17 this year, Indian authorities said the PMSA fired on an Indian fishing boat near Gujarat's Mitha port. One Indian fishermen died, while six were rescued.&nbsp;

The martime dialogue between India and Pakistan is part of a memorandum of understanding signed between India and Pakistan in 2005. The heads of &nbsp;the ICG and the PMSA, like the two countries' DGMOs (Director General of Military Operations) are also connected by a hotline, part of the same 2005 agreement.&nbsp;

The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) has cancelled its annual maritime security dialogue with India. The meet between the India Coast Guard and the PMSA was to happen from March 19 to 21.

The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) has cancelled its annual maritime security dialogue with India. The meet between the India Coast Guard and the PMSA was to happen from March 19 to 21. Pakistan blamed the cancellation on the prevailing conditions. The Indian Air Force had launched an air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Pakistan's Balakote on February 26. A day later, Pakistan dropped bombs on Indian territory from its side of the Line of Control. India said the bombs were aimed at Indian military installations but that they missed their targets. The JeM had claimed responsibility for the February 14 Pulwama terrorist attack which left over 40 CRPF personnel dead. India and Pakistan held their first maritime dialogue last year after a gap of two years with Indian Coast Guard Director General Rajendra Singh and PMSA chief Rear Admiral Zaka Ur Rehman meeting in Delhi. Before that, the two sides had met in Islamabad in 2016. In the 2018 meeting, the release of Indian fisherman had been New Delhi's key focus. "During the meeting, the Indian side reiterated the need for instituting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for immediate release and repatriation of the fishermen who cross the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) inadvertently as the issue needs to be approached in humanitarian context," the Indian Coast Guard said in a statement. 483 Indian fishermen are currently in Pakistani custody, according to a list exchanged between India and Pakistan on January 1 as part of a 2008 agreement. On January 17 this year, Indian authorities said the PMSA fired on an Indian fishing boat near Gujarat's Mitha port. One Indian fishermen died, while six were rescued. The martime dialogue between India and Pakistan is part of a memorandum of understanding signed between India and Pakistan in 2005. The heads of the ICG and the PMSA, like the two countries' DGMOs (Director General of Military Operations) are also connected by a hotline, part of the same 2005 agreement.

Pakistan cancels annual maritime dialogue with India, says prevailing conditions to blame

India sends note verbale to Pak over diplomats facing harassment in Islamabad

Exclusive conversation with Dr Muhammad Faisal, Pakistan MoFA Spokesperson

The J-10 fighter jets of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-china-armed-pakistans-air-force-with-jf-17-thunder-backbone-of-paf-201317">Chinese air force</a> will participate in Pakistan's National Day parade on March 23, state media reported Monday.

The J-10 fighter jets of the People's Liberation Army Air Force's Bayi Aerobatic Team arrived in Pakistan on Saturday in preparation for a flight performance there, Global Times reported.

Contingents from countries including China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey will participate in the parade, with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad being the guest of honour, the report said.

Hu Zhiyong, a research fellow at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of International Relations, told the daily that China sending fighter jets to celebrate Pakistan Day is symbolic of the friendship between the two countries noting that Pakistan is an "all-weather friend" of China.

Recently China announced plans to upgrade the JF-17 fighter jet being jointly produced by both the countries.

In addition to the J-10's flight performance, Chinese analysts expect more Chinese elements at Pakistan Day parade as the country operates a variety of Chinese weapons.&nbsp;

The Pakistan Air Force also operates the ZDK-03 early warning aircraft, which is developed by China and is reportedly capable of aerial detection and sharing real-time battlefield information.

The MBT-2000 main battle tank developed by China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) is designated the Al-Khalid in the Pakistan Army, the report said.

Pakistan also operates the likes of China's HJ-8 anti-tank missile and FM-90 air defence missile, according to China Military Online.

Hu noted that China has contributed to Pakistan's military development, as China has been helping the country with its national defence industry for decades.

China is likely to have more joint development projects and arms sales to Pakistan in the future, the Global Times report said.&nbsp;

The J-10 fighter jets of the Chinese air force will participate in Pakistan's National Day parade on March 23, state media reported Monday. The J-10 fighter jets of the People's Liberation Army Air Force's Bayi Aerobatic Team arrived in Pakistan on Saturday in preparation for a flight performance there, Global Times reported.

The J-10 fighter jets of the Chinese air force will participate in Pakistan's National Day parade on March 23, state media reported Monday. The J-10 fighter jets of the People's Liberation Army Air Force's Bayi Aerobatic Team arrived in Pakistan on Saturday in preparation for a flight performance there, Global Times reported. Contingents from countries including China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey will participate in the parade, with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad being the guest of honour, the report said. Hu Zhiyong, a research fellow at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of International Relations, told the daily that China sending fighter jets to celebrate Pakistan Day is symbolic of the friendship between the two countries noting that Pakistan is an "all-weather friend" of China. Recently China announced plans to upgrade the JF-17 fighter jet being jointly produced by both the countries. In addition to the J-10's flight performance, Chinese analysts expect more Chinese elements at Pakistan Day parade as the country operates a variety of Chinese weapons. The Pakistan Air Force also operates the ZDK-03 early warning aircraft, which is developed by China and is reportedly capable of aerial detection and sharing real-time battlefield information. The MBT-2000 main battle tank developed by China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) is designated the Al-Khalid in the Pakistan Army, the report said. Pakistan also operates the likes of China's HJ-8 anti-tank missile and FM-90 air defence missile, according to China Military Online. Hu noted that China has contributed to Pakistan's military development, as China has been helping the country with its national defence industry for decades. China is likely to have more joint development projects and arms sales to Pakistan in the future, the Global Times report said.

China's J-10 fighter jets to take part in Pakistan's National Day parade

US State Secy Mike Pompeo slams Pakistan on terror

Pakistan and India talks on Kartarpur have been very positive says Dr Mohammad Faisal, spokesperson of Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry.&nbsp;

Dr Faisal admitted that there are some differences with India on the proposed modalities of the corridor between India and Pakistan however he was quick to say that these differences are not too big.

Dr Faisal who led the Pakistani delegation to Attari, India on Thursday, March 14, 2019, to hold talks with Indian side on the modalities of the Kartarpur corridor, exclusively spoke to WION said that, he is ''expecting good things to come out from these talks'' [to be held on the April 2 at Wagah, Pakistan] and that he “hopes to conclude the rounds of meetings between India and Pakistan on the Kartarpur Sahib corridor, as soon as possible.''

In the interview, Dr Faisal remained calm, serious and maintained his line of engagement without indulging in the usual rhetoric and said that Pakistan is keen on facilitating the finalisation of this corridor and that the country has gone out of the way to accommodate the minorities of Pakistan and the people of India.

In response to a question, Dr Faisal refrained from terming the ongoing talks as the resumption of dialogue between the two neighbours ''as the Indian side is cagy'', he however&nbsp;was quick to point out that Pakistan is ready for talks with India on all issues including that of terrorism.

Stressing for the need of dialogue, Dr Faisal said that ''the way to forward is only through dialogue and conversations and understanding issues however any desire of Pakistan to begin the dialogue with India should not be taken as its weakness.''

On the issue of reports of a particular number of pilgrims to be allowed from India into Pakistan through the Kartarpur corridor, Dr Faisal said that he would not exactly divulge into minute details since the negotiations are currently ongoing however once agreed, it would be made public.&nbsp;

He said that Pakistan will give a memorable welcome to Indian guests on April 2 at Wagah. While referring to the joint statement that was issued after the Kartarpur talks at Attari, he termed that as a big success given that ''there had not been a joint statement between India and Pakistan for many years.''

While terming the Kartarpur talks as a step in the right direction between the two neighbouring countries, Dr Faisal said, ''We will have to account for some logistical limitations which we will share with the Indian side when we meet on the April 2.''

Pakistan and India’s technical experts will be meeting on March 19 2019, Tuesday at the zero point at Kartarpur to further chalk out the way forward of the Kartarpur corridor which Pakistan aims at opening before November 2019, this meeting is to be followed by a visit of the Indian delegation at Wagah, Pakistan on April 2, 2019.

Pakistan and India talks on Kartarpur have been very positive says Dr Mohammad Faisal, spokesperson of Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry. Dr Faisal admitted that there are some differences with India on the proposed modalities of the corridor between India and Pakistan however he was quick to say that these differences are not too big.

Pakistan and India talks on Kartarpur have been very positive says Dr Mohammad Faisal, spokesperson of Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry. Dr Faisal admitted that there are some differences with India on the proposed modalities of the corridor between India and Pakistan however he was quick to say that these differences are not too big. Dr Faisal who led the Pakistani delegation to Attari, India on Thursday, March 14, 2019, to hold talks with Indian side on the modalities of the Kartarpur corridor, exclusively spoke to WION said that, he is ''expecting good things to come out from these talks'' [to be held on the April 2 at Wagah, Pakistan] and that he “hopes to conclude the rounds of meetings between India and Pakistan on the Kartarpur Sahib corridor, as soon as possible.'' In the interview, Dr Faisal remained calm, serious and maintained his line of engagement without indulging in the usual rhetoric and said that Pakistan is keen on facilitating the finalisation of this corridor and that the country has gone out of the way to accommodate the minorities of Pakistan and the people of India. In response to a question, Dr Faisal refrained from terming the ongoing talks as the resumption of dialogue between the two neighbours ''as the Indian side is cagy'', he however was quick to point out that Pakistan is ready for talks with India on all issues including that of terrorism. Stressing for the need of dialogue, Dr Faisal said that ''the way to forward is only through dialogue and conversations and understanding issues however any desire of Pakistan to begin the dialogue with India should not be taken as its weakness.'' On the issue of reports of a particular number of pilgrims to be allowed from India into Pakistan through the Kartarpur corridor, Dr Faisal said that he would not exactly divulge into minute details since the negotiations are currently ongoing however once agreed, it would be made public. He said that Pakistan will give a memorable welcome to Indian guests on April 2 at Wagah. While referring to the joint statement that was issued after the Kartarpur talks at Attari, he termed that as a big success given that ''there had not been a joint statement between India and Pakistan for many years.'' While terming the Kartarpur talks as a step in the right direction between the two neighbouring countries, Dr Faisal said, ''We will have to account for some logistical limitations which we will share with the Indian side when we meet on the April 2.'' Pakistan and India’s technical experts will be meeting on March 19 2019, Tuesday at the zero point at Kartarpur to further chalk out the way forward of the Kartarpur corridor which Pakistan aims at opening before November 2019, this meeting is to be followed by a visit of the Indian delegation at Wagah, Pakistan on April 2, 2019.

Pak will accommodate Indians as much as possible in Kartarpur: Foreign Ministry to WION

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shooting-at-several-locations-in-hollands-utrecht-city-counter-terrorism-agency-204108">Shooting at several locations in Holland's Utrecht city: Counter-terrorism agency</a>

Head of Dutch counter-terrorism agency said that shooting was taking place at "several" locations at Utrecht city in Holland, Reuters reported after a gunman opened fire at a tram on Monday morning.

Police quickly moved in to cordon off the area even as a government spokesman said one person was killed in the attack.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/regional-tensions-to-be-discussed-during-talks-with-pakistan-foreign-minister-qureshi-china-204052">Regional tensions to be discussed during talks with Pakistan foreign minister Qureshi: China</a>

China said on Monday that tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pulwama terrorist attack would figure in the first strategic dialogue between foreign minister Wang Yi and his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Tuesday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-summons-australian-foreign-minister-over-senators-remark-204048">Indonesia summons Australian foreign minister over Senator's remark</a>

Indonesia summoned Canberra's ambassador Monday after an Australian senator blamed last week's mosque attacks by a white supremacist in New Zealand on immigration.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-pays-tribute-to-manohar-parrikar-in-goa-204051">PM Modi pays tribute to Manohar Parrikar in Goa</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid tribute to Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar, who died of pancreatic cancer on Sunday.

After arriving in the coastal state, Modi reached the Kala Academy in Panaji where he paid his last respect to the 63-year-old senior leader. He met Parrikar's family members and offered his condolences to them.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/acid-attack-uncivilised-heartless-crime-does-not-deserve-any-clemency-supreme-court-204079">Acid attack 'uncivilised &amp; heartless crime', does not deserve any clemency: Supreme Court</a>

The Supreme Court has said that acid attack is an "uncivilised and heartless crime" which does not deserve any clemency.

The apex court observed this while asking two convicts, who have already undergone five-year jail for throwing acid on a 19-year-old girl in 2004, to pay Rs 1.5 lakh each as additional compensation to the victim.

Shooting at several locations in Holland's Utrecht city: Counter-terrorism agency Head of Dutch counter-terrorism agency said that shooting was taking place at "several" locations at Utrecht city in Holland, Reuters reported after a gunman opened fire at a tram on Monday morning.

Shooting at several locations in Holland's Utrecht city: Counter-terrorism agency Head of Dutch counter-terrorism agency said that shooting was taking place at "several" locations at Utrecht city in Holland, Reuters reported after a gunman opened fire at a tram on Monday morning. Police quickly moved in to cordon off the area even as a government spokesman said one person was killed in the attack. Regional tensions to be discussed during talks with Pakistan foreign minister Qureshi: China China said on Monday that tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pulwama terrorist attack would figure in the first strategic dialogue between foreign minister Wang Yi and his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Tuesday. Indonesia summons Australian foreign minister over Senator's remark Indonesia summoned Canberra's ambassador Monday after an Australian senator blamed last week's mosque attacks by a white supremacist in New Zealand on immigration. PM Modi pays tribute to Manohar Parrikar in Goa Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid tribute to Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar, who died of pancreatic cancer on Sunday. After arriving in the coastal state, Modi reached the Kala Academy in Panaji where he paid his last respect to the 63-year-old senior leader. He met Parrikar's family members and offered his condolences to them. Acid attack 'uncivilised & heartless crime', does not deserve any clemency: Supreme Court The Supreme Court has said that acid attack is an "uncivilised and heartless crime" which does not deserve any clemency. The apex court observed this while asking two convicts, who have already undergone five-year jail for throwing acid on a 19-year-old girl in 2004, to pay Rs 1.5 lakh each as additional compensation to the victim.

News brief: Big stories of the day

United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s envoy to India, Ahmed Albanna on Monday said that his country did not mediate in India-Pakistan tensions that happened in February but did played an important role in reducing tension between the two countries.

In response to a question Albanna said, "We did not mediate. When we talk about mediation, it has to be requested from both parties and then after that. We tried to decrease the tension by that special relationship."

"We have played an important role in reducing tension. On the day of a big escalation, our Crown Prince spoke to PM Modi and PM Imran Khan. Our role was to give word of wisdom and trying to sort out difference in a peaceful manner. UAE played an important role," Albanna added.

PM Modi and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan spoke two times in the last three weeks.

On the issue of cross border terror emanating from Pakistan, the envoy said, "Without mentioning any specific person, name or country UAE has a long-standing in preventing, fighting act of terrorism and those radicalise, radical organisation, so we work with all partners, with many different countries, with all the countries in the region to make our region peaceful that we can live together and coexist".

Albanna also welcomed India's presence at Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Foreign Ministers meet in Abu Dhabi saying New Delhi was invited because of special relationship shared by both the countries.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj represented India during the two-day OIC FMs meet in the country in early March. This is the first time India was invited as the guest of honour at the meet.

On oil import, one of the key commodities India imports from West Asia, Albanna said, UAE and Saudi Arabia covered the shortage of oil for India after Iran Sanction.

India and UAE ties have been on an upward trajectory with number of high levels visits between the two countries in the last few years with PM Modi visiting the country twice.

United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s envoy to India, Ahmed Albanna on Monday said that his country did not mediate in India-Pakistan tensions that happened in February but did played an important role in reducing tension between the two countries.

United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s envoy to India, Ahmed Albanna on Monday said that his country did not mediate in India-Pakistan tensions that happened in February but did played an important role in reducing tension between the two countries. In response to a question Albanna said, "We did not mediate. When we talk about mediation, it has to be requested from both parties and then after that. We tried to decrease the tension by that special relationship." "We have played an important role in reducing tension. On the day of a big escalation, our Crown Prince spoke to PM Modi and PM Imran Khan. Our role was to give word of wisdom and trying to sort out difference in a peaceful manner. UAE played an important role," Albanna added. PM Modi and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan spoke two times in the last three weeks. On the issue of cross border terror emanating from Pakistan, the envoy said, "Without mentioning any specific person, name or country UAE has a long-standing in preventing, fighting act of terrorism and those radicalise, radical organisation, so we work with all partners, with many different countries, with all the countries in the region to make our region peaceful that we can live together and coexist". Albanna also welcomed India's presence at Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Foreign Ministers meet in Abu Dhabi saying New Delhi was invited because of special relationship shared by both the countries. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj represented India during the two-day OIC FMs meet in the country in early March. This is the first time India was invited as the guest of honour at the meet. On oil import, one of the key commodities India imports from West Asia, Albanna said, UAE and Saudi Arabia covered the shortage of oil for India after Iran Sanction. India and UAE ties have been on an upward trajectory with number of high levels visits between the two countries in the last few years with PM Modi visiting the country twice.

We played important role in reducing India-Pak tensions: UAE envoy Ahmed Albanna

Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf has been admitted to a hospital in Dubai after suffering a reaction from a rare disease that has weakened his nervous system, his party has said.

General (retd) Musharraf, 75, who has been living in Dubai since March 2016, is facing the treason case for suspending the Constitution in 2007, a punishable offence for which he was indicted in 2014.

A conviction for high treason carries the death penalty or life imprisonment.

The former army chief left for Dubai for medical treatment and has not returned since, citing security and health reasons.&nbsp;

Musharraf was rushed to the hospital as an emergency on Saturday night after his condition suddenly worsened, All Pakistan Muslim League (APML)&nbsp; 
Secretary-General Mehrene Adam Malik said Sunday.

APML Overseas President Afzaal Siddiqui told DawnNewsTV that Musharraf suffered a reaction from amyloidosis, a rare condition for which the former president has been receiving medical care.

According to the party, the former president has been advised complete bed rest by doctors till his full recovery.&nbsp;

Siddiqui informed about Musharraf's illness in October last year, saying the former president's disease has "weakened his nervous system". At the time, he was being treated for the condition in London.

"Due to amyloidosis, broken protein starts getting deposited in various organs," Siddiqui said. "[As a result] Pervez Musharraf has difficulty in standing and walking."

Amyloidosis is a rare disease that occurs when a substance called amyloid builds up in a person's organs. Amyloid is an abnormal protein that is produced in the bone marrow and can be deposited in any tissue or organ.

Amyloidosis can affect different organs in different people. Amyloidosis frequently affects the heart, kidneys, liver, spleen, nervous system and digestive tract. Severe amyloidosis can lead to life-threatening organ failure.

The APML official had then said that Musharraf's treatment could continue for up to five or six months.

Upon his full recovery, Siddiqui had said, Musharraf intends to return to Pakistan.

Musharraf, who ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008, has been declared a fugitive in the Benazir Bhutto assassination case and the Red Mosque cleric killing case.

Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf has been admitted to a hospital in Dubai after suffering a reaction from a rare disease that has weakened his nervous system, his party has said.

Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf has been admitted to a hospital in Dubai after suffering a reaction from a rare disease that has weakened his nervous system, his party has said. General (retd) Musharraf, 75, who has been living in Dubai since March 2016, is facing the treason case for suspending the Constitution in 2007, a punishable offence for which he was indicted in 2014. A conviction for high treason carries the death penalty or life imprisonment. The former army chief left for Dubai for medical treatment and has not returned since, citing security and health reasons. Musharraf was rushed to the hospital as an emergency on Saturday night after his condition suddenly worsened, All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) Secretary-General Mehrene Adam Malik said Sunday. APML Overseas President Afzaal Siddiqui told DawnNewsTV that Musharraf suffered a reaction from amyloidosis, a rare condition for which the former president has been receiving medical care. According to the party, the former president has been advised complete bed rest by doctors till his full recovery. Siddiqui informed about Musharraf's illness in October last year, saying the former president's disease has "weakened his nervous system". At the time, he was being treated for the condition in London. "Due to amyloidosis, broken protein starts getting deposited in various organs," Siddiqui said. "[As a result] Pervez Musharraf has difficulty in standing and walking." Amyloidosis is a rare disease that occurs when a substance called amyloid builds up in a person's organs. Amyloid is an abnormal protein that is produced in the bone marrow and can be deposited in any tissue or organ. Amyloidosis can affect different organs in different people. Amyloidosis frequently affects the heart, kidneys, liver, spleen, nervous system and digestive tract. Severe amyloidosis can lead to life-threatening organ failure. The APML official had then said that Musharraf's treatment could continue for up to five or six months. Upon his full recovery, Siddiqui had said, Musharraf intends to return to Pakistan. Musharraf, who ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008, has been declared a fugitive in the Benazir Bhutto assassination case and the Red Mosque cleric killing case.

Former Pak President Pervez Musharraf admitted to Dubai hospital after reaction from rare disease: Party

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi is visiting China to participate in strategic dialogue and hold talks with the top Chinese leadership on a range of issues, including the multi-billion CPEC project, to strengthen the bilateral ties, the Foreign Office said Sunday.

The announcement of the four-day visit comes days after China for the fourth time blocked a bid in the United Nations (UN) Security Council on Wednesday to designate chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group Masood Azhar as a "global terrorist" by putting a technical hold on the proposal, a move India termed as disappointing.

The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council was moved by France, the UK and the US on February 27, days after the Pulwama terror attack which killed forty Indian soldiers.

The Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement that "Qureshi is visiting China from March 17 to 20 for the first Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue".

Apart from the talks on other issues, "both sides shall also discuss the regional situation and cooperation at multilateral fora," the Foreign Office said.

They will specifically hold comprehensive discussions on the entire range of bilateral relations including the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), it said.

The Foreign Minister will also address Political Parties Forum on the CPEC and participate in the ruling parties' dialogue between his Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Communist Party of China (CPC) during the visit.

The Foreign Office said that Qureshi will also call on the Chinese leadership.

The Foreign Minister's visit will add momentum to close and broad-based bilateral ties and will reinforce efforts to deepen economic engagement under the CPEC, it said.

The CPEC, which connects Gwadar Port in Balochistan with China's Xinjiang province, is the flagship project of Chinese President Xi Jinping's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi is visiting China to participate in strategic dialogue and hold talks with the top Chinese leadership on a range of issues, including the multi-billion CPEC project, to strengthen the bilateral ties, the Foreign Office said Sunday.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi is visiting China to participate in strategic dialogue and hold talks with the top Chinese leadership on a range of issues, including the multi-billion CPEC project, to strengthen the bilateral ties, the Foreign Office said Sunday. The announcement of the four-day visit comes days after China for the fourth time blocked a bid in the United Nations (UN) Security Council on Wednesday to designate chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group Masood Azhar as a "global terrorist" by putting a technical hold on the proposal, a move India termed as disappointing. The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council was moved by France, the UK and the US on February 27, days after the Pulwama terror attack which killed forty Indian soldiers. The Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement that "Qureshi is visiting China from March 17 to 20 for the first Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue". Apart from the talks on other issues, "both sides shall also discuss the regional situation and cooperation at multilateral fora," the Foreign Office said. They will specifically hold comprehensive discussions on the entire range of bilateral relations including the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), it said. The Foreign Minister will also address Political Parties Forum on the CPEC and participate in the ruling parties' dialogue between his Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Communist Party of China (CPC) during the visit. The Foreign Office said that Qureshi will also call on the Chinese leadership. The Foreign Minister's visit will add momentum to close and broad-based bilateral ties and will reinforce efforts to deepen economic engagement under the CPEC, it said. The CPEC, which connects Gwadar Port in Balochistan with China's Xinjiang province, is the flagship project of Chinese President Xi Jinping's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Pakistan's Qureshi visits China to boost bilateral ties: Foreign Office 

Sindhi, Pashtuns, Kashmiris in Canada's Toronto stage protest against Pakistan

Kartarpur Corridor: Pakistan dismisses proposals made by India

Organisers of an International Women's Day march in Pakistan say they have had death and rape threats on social media over the event, which prompted complaints from some conservative groups.

Nighat Daad told Reuters that the march organisers are looking into filing a complaint with Pakistan's Federal Investigation Authority about the online harassment.

"It has gone too far in terms of death and rape threats to the organisers and also to the marchers," Daad said, adding that one of the threatening accounts had been suspended by Twitter.

The event, which attracted tens of thousands of women on March 8, was only the second of its kind in Pakistan, which A Thomson Reuters Foundation poll found to be the sixth most dangerous country for women in 2018.

A Human Rights Watch report last year estimated that 1,000 "honour killings" -- the practice of relatives murdering girls or women because they think the victim has brought shame or dishonour on the family -- take place in Pakistan each year.

Another march organiser, who asked not to be identified, said the backlash "shows that this collective organisation of women has threatened the patriarchal forces".

Pakistan has experienced a surge in social media usage with more than 40 million Facebook users. The rapid growth has sparked an online debate about misogyny, with some women highlighting daily hate and pornographic messaging.

The days following the march have seen social media attacks on women, while some prominent men have complained about "obscene" signs carried by protesters.

A member of the country's largest religious political party filed a complaint with police, seen by Reuters, in the southern city of Karachi where 7,000 women attended the march, saying the protesters "provoked religious sentiments" and spread vulgarity.

The march organisers also said the media had focused on the backlash more than the original aims of the event.

"The media played a massively negative role in this campaign ... they just looked at what trolls were saying online and picked up (on) a few placards that were provocative to try and sell their content," Daad said.

Organisers of an International Women's Day march in Pakistan say they have had death and rape threats on social media over the event, which prompted complaints from some conservative groups.

Organisers of an International Women's Day march in Pakistan say they have had death and rape threats on social media over the event, which prompted complaints from some conservative groups. Nighat Daad told Reuters that the march organisers are looking into filing a complaint with Pakistan's Federal Investigation Authority about the online harassment. "It has gone too far in terms of death and rape threats to the organisers and also to the marchers," Daad said, adding that one of the threatening accounts had been suspended by Twitter. The event, which attracted tens of thousands of women on March 8, was only the second of its kind in Pakistan, which A Thomson Reuters Foundation poll found to be the sixth most dangerous country for women in 2018. A Human Rights Watch report last year estimated that 1,000 "honour killings" -- the practice of relatives murdering girls or women because they think the victim has brought shame or dishonour on the family -- take place in Pakistan each year. Another march organiser, who asked not to be identified, said the backlash "shows that this collective organisation of women has threatened the patriarchal forces". Pakistan has experienced a surge in social media usage with more than 40 million Facebook users. The rapid growth has sparked an online debate about misogyny, with some women highlighting daily hate and pornographic messaging. The days following the march have seen social media attacks on women, while some prominent men have complained about "obscene" signs carried by protesters. A member of the country's largest religious political party filed a complaint with police, seen by Reuters, in the southern city of Karachi where 7,000 women attended the march, saying the protesters "provoked religious sentiments" and spread vulgarity. The march organisers also said the media had focused on the backlash more than the original aims of the event. "The media played a massively negative role in this campaign ... they just looked at what trolls were saying online and picked up (on) a few placards that were provocative to try and sell their content," Daad said.

Pakistan womens' march organisers highlight online death threats

The US, France and the UK are believed to be in intense "good faith" discussions with China to arrive at a "compromise", including on the language on the UN designation of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/will-show-patience-with-china-as-long-as-it-takes-india-on-blacklisting-masood-azhar-203687">Masood Azhar as a global terrorist</a>, according to people familiar with the matter.

On Wednesday, China blocked for the fourth consecutive time a resolution at the UN Security Council Committee on designating Azhar, head of the JeM terror group, as a global terrorist.

The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council was moved by France, the UK and the US on February 27, days after a suicide bomber of the JeM killed 44 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan.

If the fresh efforts by the US, France and the UK does not end up in the formal designation of Azhar, the three permanent members are planning to soon move a resolution for his listing in the most powerful wing of the UN which would be preceded by an open debate on the issue, according to people familiar with the matter.

India had expressed disappointment over the Chinese stance and the original co-sponsors of the resolution had warned they will consider "other actions" to achieve their goal.

While the internal consultations of the Security Council committee remain private, this time several Council members, frustrated at China's unreasonable stance to protect a terrorist, privately spoke to the media the negative role being played by Beijing.

"If China continues to block this designation, responsible member-states may be forced to pursue other actions at the Security Council. It shouldn't have to come to that," a Security Council diplomat told PTI on Wednesday in an unusual tough warning to Beijing.

In the last 50 hours, it is believed that the original sponsors of the Azhar resolution are having intense "good faith" consultations with China on what many familiar with the matter describe as a "compromise". This probably means Azhar would be designated as a global terrorist by the UN body, but the language of designation would include a language acceptable to China.

China is believed to have suggested "certain changes" in the language of the terrorist designation. The US, Britain and France are believed to be currently looking at the suggestions. It is understood that there is back-and-forth exchange of texts on the matter.&nbsp;

The three countries have indicated that they are willing to accommodate Chinese request for changes in the language as long as it does not change the substance of the resolution and it ends up designating Azhar as a UN global terrorist.

But unlike in the past, the US, France, Britain and other members of the Security Council are not willing to wait for long to conclude their discussion with China.

It is learnt that China has been informed by these countries that they are seriously looking for other options, in particular an open debate followed by a vote on a resolution to designate Azhar as a global terrorist, pretty soon.

Not months, not weeks but days. This is what Beijing has been conveyed.

At the same time, officials of these countries believe that China this time has been much more co-operative than in the past. But in case at any point the three countries get a feeling that China is not doing a good faith negotiation on the "compromise formula" that is being negotiated, they are ready with the other move.

China, after its decision to put a technical hold on the resolution, has invited criticism and its stance has also resulted in an outrage in India.

Beijing would have to calculate the risk of being isolate globally on the issue of fight against terrorism or signing off to a compromised language that would designate Azhar as a global terrorist, since except China, all other UNSC members supported the resolution.

Getting Chinese support to designate Azhar as a global terrorist, at the UN, in any format, would be considered as a terrific accomplishment. The very fact that there has been discussions going on between China and the US, Britain and France, is considered as a positive development.

Those familiar with China's working pattern are still not confident and that's the reason why they are seriously working on other options including an open debate in the Security Council, where Beijing might find it difficult to defend a terrorist in public.&nbsp;

The US, France and the UK are believed to be in intense "good faith" discussions with China to arrive at a "compromise", including on the language on the UN designation of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, according to people familiar with the matter.

The US, France and the UK are believed to be in intense "good faith" discussions with China to arrive at a "compromise", including on the language on the UN designation of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, according to people familiar with the matter. On Wednesday, China blocked for the fourth consecutive time a resolution at the UN Security Council Committee on designating Azhar, head of the JeM terror group, as a global terrorist. The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council was moved by France, the UK and the US on February 27, days after a suicide bomber of the JeM killed 44 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan. If the fresh efforts by the US, France and the UK does not end up in the formal designation of Azhar, the three permanent members are planning to soon move a resolution for his listing in the most powerful wing of the UN which would be preceded by an open debate on the issue, according to people familiar with the matter. India had expressed disappointment over the Chinese stance and the original co-sponsors of the resolution had warned they will consider "other actions" to achieve their goal. While the internal consultations of the Security Council committee remain private, this time several Council members, frustrated at China's unreasonable stance to protect a terrorist, privately spoke to the media the negative role being played by Beijing. "If China continues to block this designation, responsible member-states may be forced to pursue other actions at the Security Council. It shouldn't have to come to that," a Security Council diplomat told PTI on Wednesday in an unusual tough warning to Beijing. In the last 50 hours, it is believed that the original sponsors of the Azhar resolution are having intense "good faith" consultations with China on what many familiar with the matter describe as a "compromise". This probably means Azhar would be designated as a global terrorist by the UN body, but the language of designation would include a language acceptable to China. China is believed to have suggested "certain changes" in the language of the terrorist designation. The US, Britain and France are believed to be currently looking at the suggestions. It is understood that there is back-and-forth exchange of texts on the matter. The three countries have indicated that they are willing to accommodate Chinese request for changes in the language as long as it does not change the substance of the resolution and it ends up designating Azhar as a UN global terrorist. But unlike in the past, the US, France, Britain and other members of the Security Council are not willing to wait for long to conclude their discussion with China. It is learnt that China has been informed by these countries that they are seriously looking for other options, in particular an open debate followed by a vote on a resolution to designate Azhar as a global terrorist, pretty soon. Not months, not weeks but days. This is what Beijing has been conveyed. At the same time, officials of these countries believe that China this time has been much more co-operative than in the past. But in case at any point the three countries get a feeling that China is not doing a good faith negotiation on the "compromise formula" that is being negotiated, they are ready with the other move. China, after its decision to put a technical hold on the resolution, has invited criticism and its stance has also resulted in an outrage in India. Beijing would have to calculate the risk of being isolate globally on the issue of fight against terrorism or signing off to a compromised language that would designate Azhar as a global terrorist, since except China, all other UNSC members supported the resolution. Getting Chinese support to designate Azhar as a global terrorist, at the UN, in any format, would be considered as a terrific accomplishment. The very fact that there has been discussions going on between China and the US, Britain and France, is considered as a positive development. Those familiar with China's working pattern are still not confident and that's the reason why they are seriously working on other options including an open debate in the Security Council, where Beijing might find it difficult to defend a terrorist in public.

US, France and UK in intense discussions with China on Azhar listing at United Nations

Just like its false promises on terrorism, Pakistan has been found indulging in a duplicitous game on the much-hyped Kartarpur issue too as it has proposed a number of restrictions on the movement of pilgrims, thus defeating the very purpose of having a dedicated corridor.

Pakistan has said that the number of Indian pilgrims visiting the shrine in that country should be capped at 500 even while India has approved facilities wherein up to 5,000 pilgrims can be handled daily and over 15,000 pilgrims on special occasions, government sources said here on Friday.

Pakistan, after having assured visa-free passage to Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, has now brought in, through the back door, the requirement of issue special permits by them to pilgrim, which defeats the basic purpose of having a dedicated corridor, the sources said, a day after the two countries first delegation-level talks to operationalise the corridor.

The meeting was held at Attari in Gurdaspur district of Punjab yesterday during which issues like finalisation of the draft agreement between the two countries for facilitating smooth and easy access to Corridor Kartarpur Sahib to the visiting Indian pilgrims were discussed.

Against the hype created by the Pakistan government and Pakistan media, its actual offer on the ground turned out to be a damp squib, the sources said.

Pakistan's double-speak on the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor stood exposed in the first meeting on the proposal as there is a considerable difference in what Pakistan authorities, including Prime Minister Imran Khan, had announced on various occasions, and in what they have offered now, the sources said.

The sources likened it to Pakistan’s old reputation of making false promises and tall claims but delivering nothing as has been the case of so-called ‘Naya’ (new) Pakistan which has failed to act against the terror infrastructure and terrorist havens on its soil, despite assurances given to the international community.

Having tried to first create a hype about the Kartarpur Corridor, Pakistan now seeks to impose too many restrictions on the proposed corridor facility, like capping the number of pilgrims to only 500 per day, seeking to restrict the corridor facility to only Indian Sikh `Yatris', not allowing movement, of devotees on foot, restricting the travel into groups of at least 15 persons, issue of special permits despite assurance of visa-free movement, they said.

While the Government of India has made a serious effort to fulfil the long-standing aspiration of the Indian pilgrims and devotees of Shri Guru Nanak Dev abroad, Pakistan has tried to scuttle the move through its highly inadequate and restrictive responses to the Indian requests which were conveyed, in the form of a draft Agreement, to Pakistan few days ago by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, the sources said.

Its approach to Kartarpur Sahib Corridor reflects a thinly-veiled attempt to conceal its narrow, ulterior objectives of pursuing its subversive and divisive agenda against India and encouraging elements inimical to India, they said.

While India has approved a state-of-the-art passenger terminal building, with all modern amenities and capacity to handle over 5,000 pilgrims daily and over 15,000 pilgrims on special occasions, Pakistan has sought to limit it to mere 500 pilgrims per day, the sources said.

India is also shocked to learn that Pakistan has allowed rampant encroachment on the lands belonging to Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, the sources said.

These lands, donated to the Gurdwara by Maharaja Ranjeet Singh and other eminent Sikh devotees over a period of time, have also been acquired by the government of Pakistan.

India has protested against the impropriety of arbitrarily depriving the Gurdwara of its legal possessions, in utter disregard to the sentiments of the devotees of Shri Guru Nanak Dev in India, the sources said.

Strong demand has been made by the Indian side for early restoration of these lands to the Gurdwara, keeping in view the strong sentiments on the issue among devotees in India.

Just like its false promises on terrorism, Pakistan has been found indulging in a duplicitous game on the much-hyped Kartarpur issue too as it has proposed a number of restrictions on the movement of pilgrims, thus defeating the very purpose of having a dedicated corridor.

Just like its false promises on terrorism, Pakistan has been found indulging in a duplicitous game on the much-hyped Kartarpur issue too as it has proposed a number of restrictions on the movement of pilgrims, thus defeating the very purpose of having a dedicated corridor. Pakistan has said that the number of Indian pilgrims visiting the shrine in that country should be capped at 500 even while India has approved facilities wherein up to 5,000 pilgrims can be handled daily and over 15,000 pilgrims on special occasions, government sources said here on Friday. Pakistan, after having assured visa-free passage to Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, has now brought in, through the back door, the requirement of issue special permits by them to pilgrim, which defeats the basic purpose of having a dedicated corridor, the sources said, a day after the two countries first delegation-level talks to operationalise the corridor. The meeting was held at Attari in Gurdaspur district of Punjab yesterday during which issues like finalisation of the draft agreement between the two countries for facilitating smooth and easy access to Corridor Kartarpur Sahib to the visiting Indian pilgrims were discussed. Against the hype created by the Pakistan government and Pakistan media, its actual offer on the ground turned out to be a damp squib, the sources said. Pakistan's double-speak on the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor stood exposed in the first meeting on the proposal as there is a considerable difference in what Pakistan authorities, including Prime Minister Imran Khan, had announced on various occasions, and in what they have offered now, the sources said. The sources likened it to Pakistan’s old reputation of making false promises and tall claims but delivering nothing as has been the case of so-called ‘Naya’ (new) Pakistan which has failed to act against the terror infrastructure and terrorist havens on its soil, despite assurances given to the international community. Having tried to first create a hype about the Kartarpur Corridor, Pakistan now seeks to impose too many restrictions on the proposed corridor facility, like capping the number of pilgrims to only 500 per day, seeking to restrict the corridor facility to only Indian Sikh `Yatris', not allowing movement, of devotees on foot, restricting the travel into groups of at least 15 persons, issue of special permits despite assurance of visa-free movement, they said. While the Government of India has made a serious effort to fulfil the long-standing aspiration of the Indian pilgrims and devotees of Shri Guru Nanak Dev abroad, Pakistan has tried to scuttle the move through its highly inadequate and restrictive responses to the Indian requests which were conveyed, in the form of a draft Agreement, to Pakistan few days ago by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, the sources said. Its approach to Kartarpur Sahib Corridor reflects a thinly-veiled attempt to conceal its narrow, ulterior objectives of pursuing its subversive and divisive agenda against India and encouraging elements inimical to India, they said. While India has approved a state-of-the-art passenger terminal building, with all modern amenities and capacity to handle over 5,000 pilgrims daily and over 15,000 pilgrims on special occasions, Pakistan has sought to limit it to mere 500 pilgrims per day, the sources said. India is also shocked to learn that Pakistan has allowed rampant encroachment on the lands belonging to Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, the sources said. These lands, donated to the Gurdwara by Maharaja Ranjeet Singh and other eminent Sikh devotees over a period of time, have also been acquired by the government of Pakistan. India has protested against the impropriety of arbitrarily depriving the Gurdwara of its legal possessions, in utter disregard to the sentiments of the devotees of Shri Guru Nanak Dev in India, the sources said. Strong demand has been made by the Indian side for early restoration of these lands to the Gurdwara, keeping in view the strong sentiments on the issue among devotees in India.

After hype on Kartarpur, Pakistan wants restrictions on movement of pilgrims

Marvel’s latest offering ‘Captain Marvel’ starring Brie Larson as the female superhero may not see the light of the day in Pakistan as news reports suggest that the film has had a delayed release because it won’t be coming out after all.&nbsp;

Taking to Facebook, Pakistan’s Cinepax Cinemas issued a statement revealing that Disney’s regional office did not give their country the rights to run the film. They did not add anything further.

See it here:

<img alt="captain marvel" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d9a9baa9-bc76-41b8-90dc-01e25946bf1f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20%2825%29_2.jpg" />

While some fans cried&nbsp;foul over the news accusing the regional office based in India behind the move due to the&nbsp;continued&nbsp;tensions between the two nations, reports also suggest that it is because of an apparent fee issue.&nbsp;

The film, meanwhile, has already earned<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/brie-larsons-captain-marvel-crosses-500-million-at-the-worldwide-box-office-202994"> $500 million in just 5 days of its release</a> and boasts of the sixth-best worldwide start of all time with $455 million. It is the first female-led superhero that has achieved this feat. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/captain-marvel-review-brie-larson-takes-samuel-l-jackson-and-viewers-back-in-time-201498">Read the review here.</a>

Marvel’s latest offering ‘Captain Marvel’ starring Brie Larson as the female superhero may not see the light of the day in Pakistan as news reports suggest that the film has had a delayed release because it won’t be coming out after all.

Marvel’s latest offering ‘Captain Marvel’ starring Brie Larson as the female superhero may not see the light of the day in Pakistan as news reports suggest that the film has had a delayed release because it won’t be coming out after all. Taking to Facebook, Pakistan’s Cinepax Cinemas issued a statement revealing that Disney’s regional office did not give their country the rights to run the film. They did not add anything further. See it here: While some fans cried foul over the news accusing the regional office based in India behind the move due to the continued tensions between the two nations, reports also suggest that it is because of an apparent fee issue. The film, meanwhile, has already earned $500 million in just 5 days of its release and boasts of the sixth-best worldwide start of all time with $455 million. It is the first female-led superhero that has achieved this feat. Read the review here.

Here's why 'Captain Marvel' will not release in Pakistan

At a time when tensions with Pakistan are heightened, the Defence Ministry is likely to consider a proposal to buy 10 lakh multi-mode hand grenades for the Indian Army under the 'Make in India' project in the military sector.

''A proposal for buying 10 lakh hand grenades from an Indian firm would be considered by the Defence Ministry at a high-level meeting to be chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman this week,'' government sources told ANI.

The more than Rs 500 crore proposal is critical as the government has already taken care of the main personal weapon requirements of the Army soldiers by signing two contracts for modern rifles.

In the first case, a contract worth over Rs 700 crore for around 75,000 Sig Sauer assault rifles from an American firm has been signed while a joint venture has been formed with Russia to manufacture 7.5 lakh modern AK-203 assault rifles.

The project for acquiring new hand grenades is required for the replacement of the existing HE-36 grenades manufactured by the Ordnance Factory Board.&nbsp;

The multi-mode grenades have been developed by the DRDO and a production agency has been selected to manufacture them in large numbers.&nbsp;

Hand grenades are among the few critical weapons that soldiers need in the time of war as they can be used to cause heavy&nbsp; 
damage to enemy positions or bunkers apart from taking out their soldiers.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have been heightened after the Pulwama attack on February 14 in which 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives.

India avenged the attack by striking the Balakot terrorist training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.

At a time when tensions with Pakistan are heightened, the Defence Ministry is likely to consider a proposal to buy 10 lakh multi-mode hand grenades for the Indian Army under the 'Make in India' project in the military sector.

At a time when tensions with Pakistan are heightened, the Defence Ministry is likely to consider a proposal to buy 10 lakh multi-mode hand grenades for the Indian Army under the 'Make in India' project in the military sector. ''A proposal for buying 10 lakh hand grenades from an Indian firm would be considered by the Defence Ministry at a high-level meeting to be chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman this week,'' government sources told ANI. The more than Rs 500 crore proposal is critical as the government has already taken care of the main personal weapon requirements of the Army soldiers by signing two contracts for modern rifles. In the first case, a contract worth over Rs 700 crore for around 75,000 Sig Sauer assault rifles from an American firm has been signed while a joint venture has been formed with Russia to manufacture 7.5 lakh modern AK-203 assault rifles. The project for acquiring new hand grenades is required for the replacement of the existing HE-36 grenades manufactured by the Ordnance Factory Board. The multi-mode grenades have been developed by the DRDO and a production agency has been selected to manufacture them in large numbers. Hand grenades are among the few critical weapons that soldiers need in the time of war as they can be used to cause heavy damage to enemy positions or bunkers apart from taking out their soldiers. Tensions between India and Pakistan have been heightened after the Pulwama attack on February 14 in which 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives. India avenged the attack by striking the Balakot terrorist training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.

Defence Ministry plans to buy 10 lakh hand grenades for combat troops

A powerful explosion ripped through a crowded market in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province on Thursday, killing two persons and injuring seven others.

According to officials, the bomb blast took place in Panjgur district's Chitkan market.

"Two people were killed in the blast on the spot and seven others injured," they said.

The deceased were&nbsp;in a car which caught fire after the blast, the officials said.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Last month, many incidents of violence and terrorism reported from Balochistan.

On February 24, at least one person was killed and 18 others injured in a bomb blast in Dera Murad Jamali.

On February 17, four soldiers were killed in an ambush by terrorists in&nbsp;Goran, some 70 kilometres from Panjgur district.

A powerful explosion ripped through a crowded market in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province on Thursday, killing two persons and injuring seven others. According to officials, the bomb blast took place in Panjgur district's Chitkan market.

A powerful explosion ripped through a crowded market in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province on Thursday, killing two persons and injuring seven others. According to officials, the bomb blast took place in Panjgur district's Chitkan market. "Two people were killed in the blast on the spot and seven others injured," they said. The deceased were in a car which caught fire after the blast, the officials said. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Last month, many incidents of violence and terrorism reported from Balochistan. On February 24, at least one person was killed and 18 others injured in a bomb blast in Dera Murad Jamali. On February 17, four soldiers were killed in an ambush by terrorists in Goran, some 70 kilometres from Panjgur district.

Bomb blast kills two in Pakistan's Balochistan

Will China take a stand on terror?

Pakistan's military is taking a key role in the development of one of the world`s biggest untapped copper and gold deposits, which is currently stalled by a multi-billion dollar legal wrangle with foreign mining firms, multiple sources familiar with the situation said.

The Reko Diq mine has become a test case for Prime Minister Imran Khan's ability to attract serious foreign investment to Pakistan as it struggles to stave off an economic crisis that has forced it to seek an International Monetary Fund bailout.

Ten current and former provincial and federal government officials and mining sources familiar with the project in the Baluchistan region say the military has become the most important voice on the future of Reko Diq, which it sees as a strategic national asset.

The military will not only be in a position to decide which investors develop the deposit, but an army-controlled engineering firm, Frontier Works Organization (FWO), is positioning itself to be a member of any consortium involved, these people said.

"This has been taken over by GHQ," said a senior Baluchistan government official, referring to the Pakistan army`s General Headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.

In a statement in response to Reuters` questions about its role in Reko Diq, the military spokesman`s office said: "(The military) may only participate in government`s plan of development of Reko Diq, as per national requirements."

But it acknowledged that FWO, best known for building roads through Pakistan`s rugged and lawless border regions, has developed "substantial" mining capability in recent years and would be interested in taking a role in the project.

"If an opportunity arises of participating in developing Reko Diq, FWO may work at par with other competitors (or) companies provided the project is financially viable (or) suitable," the statement said. When asked, a spokesman declined to elaborate on the statement.

Pakistan`s Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said civilian authorities in the insurgency-hit southwestern province of Baluchistan were in charge of Reko Diq and, along with Khan, would take a decision, but added that the military "and all other stakeholders are obviously important players".

FWO referred questions to the military spokesman`s office. Khan`s spokesman Iftikhar Durrani said Baluchistan province was in charge of Reko Diq, and referred questions to the provincial government and the military spokesman`s office.

The manoeuvring behind the project shows how the military, which has historically dictated Pakistan`s security and foreign policy, is leveraging its sway over the civilian government at federal and provincial level to carve a growing role in the nation`s business affairs.

The army has ruled the nuclear-armed nation for nearly half its history and is considered to have a major influence over Khan`s recently elected government. A military spokesman declined to comment.

"The military has taken a front seat," said Ayesha Siddiqa, author of the book "Military Inc.", which analyses the army`s business interests and influence in Pakistan.&nbsp;

"They`ve understood that the economy is important for having a strong military," she said. "Control of the economy also gives the military a handle over expanding their business interests."

TALKS

Buried at the foot of an extinct volcano near the frontier with Iran and Afghanistan, the mine`s development has long been delayed by a dispute with previous investors in the project, Canada`s Barrick Gold and Chile`s Antofagasta.

The government is urgently trying to settle the dispute as a World Bank arbitration tribunal, which ruled against Pakistan in 2017, is in the next few months expected to announce how much in damages the country must pay to the foreign firms, who are claiming more than $11 billion.

The dispute relates to the withholding of a mining lease.

Islamabad is also trying to find new partners to invest in the project.

But any new investors will need the blessing of Pakistan`s military, according to government officials and mining sources.&nbsp;

State-run companies from resource-hungry China have long coveted Reko Diq and more recently Saudi Arabia has shown interest, according to Pakistani officials.

&nbsp;Some Western diplomats say the Reko Diq dispute has been a significant foreign investment deterrent, with international businesses unnerved at how Pakistan dealt with the companies that had pledged to invest $3.3 billion to develop the country`s then-biggest mining project.

Barrick Gold and Antofagasta, whose joint venture Tethyan Copper Company (TCC) discovered vast mineral wealth in Reko Diq, say they had invested more than $220 million by the time the Baluchistan government, in 2011, unexpectedly refused to grant them the critical mining lease needed to keep operating.

Pakistan argued its move was legitimate because TCC`s feasibility study was incomplete and the country`s Supreme Court voided the deal in 2013. But in 2017 the World Bank`s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) ruled against Pakistan.

TCC did not respond to requests for comment and Antofagasta and Barrick Gold both declined to comment. Reuters could not determine whether either company would be willing to return to the project.

FOREIGN INVESTORS

The last serious attempt at settling the Reko Diq case was scuppered in 2016 by the military, which vetoed paying hundreds of millions of dollars to TCC, according to a senior Baluchistan official and two former senior officials in Islamabad.

But the military has since changed its stance and is more open to a settlement with TCC, according to a lawmaker close to the military and a source close to Prime Minister Khan. The military was also involved in appointing Pakistan`s current legal team.

In response to a Reuters question about blocking the previous settlement effort, the military said: "Let`s see how the case progresses." It did not elaborate or comment on whether it was playing any role in the latest negotiations.

Some mining experts say a likely solution would be for a new investment consortium to pay the settlement fee on behalf of cash-strapped Pakistan in exchange for future royalty fees or mining rights.&nbsp;

Information Minister Chaudhry said Pakistan was engaged in negotiations with "both" the current investors about a settlement and also potential new investors, with interest coming from the Middle East and Europe. He declined to name the potential investors.

Pakistani Finance Minister Asad Umar said in October that Saudi Arabia has inquired about investing in Reko Diq and another government official confirmed talks were ongoing.

Saudi Arabia did not respond to a Reuters request for comment on Reko Diq. During Crown Prince bin Salman`s visit to Pakistan last month, the kingdom pledged to invest $2 billion in mineral development projects, though the provisional agreements were vague and did not mention any specific projects.

China`s state-owned miner China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC), which operates the Saindak copper and gold mine close to Reko Diq, has been eyeing the bigger deposit for more than a decade, according to mining and MCC officials.

A few years ago Chinese state giant Norinco also made an approach, according to two sources familiar with Norinco`s offer.

MCC and Norinco did not respond to requests for comment.

When a mining company approached former general Abdul Quadir Baloch about Reko Diq around 2016, when he was federal minister for the frontier regions, he took their proposal not only to then-premier Nawaz Sharif, but also to the army chief.

"The military has to give a (security) guarantee to any company coming in to explore or exploit this project, so they are a stakeholder," said Baloch.

The military declined to comment on Baloch`s assertions. Sharif, who has since been jailed on corruption charges, could not be reached for comment.

The army-run FWO does not have the funds or the expertise to develop the Reko Diq project, which boasts 5.9 billion tons of ore. But it could be part of a consortium alongside global miners who have the know-how to mine such a gargantuan deposit.

The military`s role in developing natural resources in Baluchistan also carries risks, however, analysts say.

Indigenous Baloch people view outsiders with suspicion, and their anger about Islamabad exploiting the province`s vast natural resources has been one of the key themes fuelling a separatist insurgency that began around 2004.

Pakistan's military is taking a key role in the development of one of the world`s biggest untapped copper and gold deposits, which is currently stalled by a multi-billion dollar legal wrangle with foreign mining firms, multiple sources familiar with the situation said.

Pakistan's military is taking a key role in the development of one of the world`s biggest untapped copper and gold deposits, which is currently stalled by a multi-billion dollar legal wrangle with foreign mining firms, multiple sources familiar with the situation said. The Reko Diq mine has become a test case for Prime Minister Imran Khan's ability to attract serious foreign investment to Pakistan as it struggles to stave off an economic crisis that has forced it to seek an International Monetary Fund bailout. Ten current and former provincial and federal government officials and mining sources familiar with the project in the Baluchistan region say the military has become the most important voice on the future of Reko Diq, which it sees as a strategic national asset. The military will not only be in a position to decide which investors develop the deposit, but an army-controlled engineering firm, Frontier Works Organization (FWO), is positioning itself to be a member of any consortium involved, these people said. "This has been taken over by GHQ," said a senior Baluchistan government official, referring to the Pakistan army`s General Headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi. In a statement in response to Reuters` questions about its role in Reko Diq, the military spokesman`s office said: "(The military) may only participate in government`s plan of development of Reko Diq, as per national requirements." But it acknowledged that FWO, best known for building roads through Pakistan`s rugged and lawless border regions, has developed "substantial" mining capability in recent years and would be interested in taking a role in the project. "If an opportunity arises of participating in developing Reko Diq, FWO may work at par with other competitors (or) companies provided the project is financially viable (or) suitable," the statement said. When asked, a spokesman declined to elaborate on the statement. Pakistan`s Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said civilian authorities in the insurgency-hit southwestern province of Baluchistan were in charge of Reko Diq and, along with Khan, would take a decision, but added that the military "and all other stakeholders are obviously important players". FWO referred questions to the military spokesman`s office. Khan`s spokesman Iftikhar Durrani said Baluchistan province was in charge of Reko Diq, and referred questions to the provincial government and the military spokesman`s office. The manoeuvring behind the project shows how the military, which has historically dictated Pakistan`s security and foreign policy, is leveraging its sway over the civilian government at federal and provincial level to carve a growing role in the nation`s business affairs. The army has ruled the nuclear-armed nation for nearly half its history and is considered to have a major influence over Khan`s recently elected government. A military spokesman declined to comment. "The military has taken a front seat," said Ayesha Siddiqa, author of the book "Military Inc.", which analyses the army`s business interests and influence in Pakistan. "They`ve understood that the economy is important for having a strong military," she said. "Control of the economy also gives the military a handle over expanding their business interests." TALKS Buried at the foot of an extinct volcano near the frontier with Iran and Afghanistan, the mine`s development has long been delayed by a dispute with previous investors in the project, Canada`s Barrick Gold and Chile`s Antofagasta. The government is urgently trying to settle the dispute as a World Bank arbitration tribunal, which ruled against Pakistan in 2017, is in the next few months expected to announce how much in damages the country must pay to the foreign firms, who are claiming more than $11 billion. The dispute relates to the withholding of a mining lease. Islamabad is also trying to find new partners to invest in the project. But any new investors will need the blessing of Pakistan`s military, according to government officials and mining sources. State-run companies from resource-hungry China have long coveted Reko Diq and more recently Saudi Arabia has shown interest, according to Pakistani officials. Some Western diplomats say the Reko Diq dispute has been a significant foreign investment deterrent, with international businesses unnerved at how Pakistan dealt with the companies that had pledged to invest $3.3 billion to develop the country`s then-biggest mining project. Barrick Gold and Antofagasta, whose joint venture Tethyan Copper Company (TCC) discovered vast mineral wealth in Reko Diq, say they had invested more than $220 million by the time the Baluchistan government, in 2011, unexpectedly refused to grant them the critical mining lease needed to keep operating. Pakistan argued its move was legitimate because TCC`s feasibility study was incomplete and the country`s Supreme Court voided the deal in 2013. But in 2017 the World Bank`s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) ruled against Pakistan. TCC did not respond to requests for comment and Antofagasta and Barrick Gold both declined to comment. Reuters could not determine whether either company would be willing to return to the project. FOREIGN INVESTORS The last serious attempt at settling the Reko Diq case was scuppered in 2016 by the military, which vetoed paying hundreds of millions of dollars to TCC, according to a senior Baluchistan official and two former senior officials in Islamabad. But the military has since changed its stance and is more open to a settlement with TCC, according to a lawmaker close to the military and a source close to Prime Minister Khan. The military was also involved in appointing Pakistan`s current legal team. In response to a Reuters question about blocking the previous settlement effort, the military said: "Let`s see how the case progresses." It did not elaborate or comment on whether it was playing any role in the latest negotiations. Some mining experts say a likely solution would be for a new investment consortium to pay the settlement fee on behalf of cash-strapped Pakistan in exchange for future royalty fees or mining rights. Information Minister Chaudhry said Pakistan was engaged in negotiations with "both" the current investors about a settlement and also potential new investors, with interest coming from the Middle East and Europe. He declined to name the potential investors. Pakistani Finance Minister Asad Umar said in October that Saudi Arabia has inquired about investing in Reko Diq and another government official confirmed talks were ongoing. Saudi Arabia did not respond to a Reuters request for comment on Reko Diq. During Crown Prince bin Salman`s visit to Pakistan last month, the kingdom pledged to invest $2 billion in mineral development projects, though the provisional agreements were vague and did not mention any specific projects. China`s state-owned miner China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC), which operates the Saindak copper and gold mine close to Reko Diq, has been eyeing the bigger deposit for more than a decade, according to mining and MCC officials. A few years ago Chinese state giant Norinco also made an approach, according to two sources familiar with Norinco`s offer. MCC and Norinco did not respond to requests for comment. When a mining company approached former general Abdul Quadir Baloch about Reko Diq around 2016, when he was federal minister for the frontier regions, he took their proposal not only to then-premier Nawaz Sharif, but also to the army chief. "The military has to give a (security) guarantee to any company coming in to explore or exploit this project, so they are a stakeholder," said Baloch. The military declined to comment on Baloch`s assertions. Sharif, who has since been jailed on corruption charges, could not be reached for comment. The army-run FWO does not have the funds or the expertise to develop the Reko Diq project, which boasts 5.9 billion tons of ore. But it could be part of a consortium alongside global miners who have the know-how to mine such a gargantuan deposit. The military`s role in developing natural resources in Baluchistan also carries risks, however, analysts say. Indigenous Baloch people view outsiders with suspicion, and their anger about Islamabad exploiting the province`s vast natural resources has been one of the key themes fuelling a separatist insurgency that began around 2004.

Pakistan military eyes key role developing giant copper and gold mine: Sources

The Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a recent statement, mentioned ‘age-old ties’ and ‘friendship’ that India and China have sustained using the metaphor of life-sustaining streams of water meandering through vast stretches of land in their long journey from source to the sea.&nbsp;

Names of rivers like Ganga and Yangtze do evoke historic civilisational memories of people but it would be naive to imagine that poetic imagery alone can help sustain meaningful, substantial relationships between nations. In the same speech, Wang reiterated that for China friendship with Pakistan remain important and he expressed hope that both India and Pakistan would respect each other's sovereignty and work for a stable peace. 
 
We can’t overlook that even after the terrorist attack in Pulwama and its aftermath nothing seems to have changed as far as China is concerned. 
 
It may be argued that the great rivers in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent all originate in the Tibetan plateau-conceded by India to be an integral part of the Peoples Republic of China albeit autonomous, and hence, China is entwined inextricably with events in neighbourhood downstream. It cant be denied that the most populous country in the world also shares thousands of kilometres long land border with India Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar. 
 
Bilateral disputes regarding border apart, this fact too appears to strengthen China’s claims to be ‘an interested party’ in South Asia’s future. However, to concede this without voicing legitimate apprehensions can only jeopardise our national interests. 
 
At the moment China, like the US, has also offered to help resolve explosive outstanding disputes between India and Pakistan. The wording may be cautious and euphemistic but let there be no doubt it is trying to make bilateral issues trilateral. By no stretch of imagination can China be considered an unbiased ‘honest broker’.&nbsp; 
 
Ever since Donald Trump declared ‘trade war’ against China there has been loose talk about unprecedented opportunities opening up for India to leverage this in its relations with China particularly in the context of its relations with Pakistan. Months have passed and by now it is clear there is no point in chasing this mirage. If we are to successfully resist arm twisting by anyone we have to rely on our own strength and unwavering resolve. Once we concede that any external power is ‘required’ to reduce ‘dangerous tensions’ in South Asian Nuclear Flashpoint, we will lose our autonomy forever. It is only in Pakistan’s interest to ‘invite’ friends getting impatient to gatecrash.

India at the moment should be consolidating its ties with other South Asian neighbours to make the point that it is a predominant regional power.

Much too easily, we have fallen in the trap laid by foreign analysts who have ‘theorised’ that India’s smaller neighbours look at it as a ‘bullying Big Brother’; they don’t trust her. In the past few decades, this analysis has spawned diplomatic strategies and economic aid programmes by the US, China and some European countries to alienate Nepal and Sri Lanka from India. Apprehensions have been systematically fuelled to become anxieties causing serious alienation.&nbsp; 
 
Take a close look, from Bangladesh and Myanmar to the Maldives, India is being encircled to cripple and curb it from operating in its natural sphere of influence. After all the subcontinent and the Ocean are identified as Indian. The legacy of history can't be wished away. The footprint of Indian civilisation-Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic- extends from Central Asia to Farthest reaches of South East Asia. It is this footprint that China is keen to erode and as fast as possible. If it succeeds in this design then it will emerge as the solitary power in Asia. Neither the US nor Russia could then think of balancing it with India.&nbsp; 
 
It is in this context that India needs to assess developments in the region and recast its policies. In Nepal, the rebel leadership has made peace with Kathmandu and the remains splinter group of Maoist guerrillas have signalled a willingness to join mainstream politics. This should remove outstanding irritants in our bilateral relationships with that landlocked neighbour. Rohingya refugees are a common problem shared by Myanmar, Bangladesh and India. One has to be extremely sensitive to its dangerous potential. The violation of human rights and genocide are allegations that are used opportunistically as weapons of mass destructions by Big Powers. Sri Lanka continues to be in the dock for atrocities committed by its armed forces particularly in the last phase of its long drawn civil war but one dare not question the US about its savagery in Iraq and Syria.

Nor are such concerns raised about Israel and Palestine or China and Tibet. Words like ‘People’s Inherent and Inalienable Right to Self Determination’ have lost all meaning due to selective prejudiced use and hypocrisy. India doesn’t have to be defensive at all.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

&nbsp;

The Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a recent statement, mentioned ‘age-old ties’ and ‘friendship’ that India and China have sustained using the metaphor of life-sustaining streams of water meandering through vast stretches of land in their long journey from source to the sea.

The Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a recent statement, mentioned ‘age-old ties’ and ‘friendship’ that India and China have sustained using the metaphor of life-sustaining streams of water meandering through vast stretches of land in their long journey from source to the sea. Names of rivers like Ganga and Yangtze do evoke historic civilisational memories of people but it would be naive to imagine that poetic imagery alone can help sustain meaningful, substantial relationships between nations. In the same speech, Wang reiterated that for China friendship with Pakistan remain important and he expressed hope that both India and Pakistan would respect each other's sovereignty and work for a stable peace. We can’t overlook that even after the terrorist attack in Pulwama and its aftermath nothing seems to have changed as far as China is concerned. It may be argued that the great rivers in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent all originate in the Tibetan plateau-conceded by India to be an integral part of the Peoples Republic of China albeit autonomous, and hence, China is entwined inextricably with events in neighbourhood downstream. It cant be denied that the most populous country in the world also shares thousands of kilometres long land border with India Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar. Bilateral disputes regarding border apart, this fact too appears to strengthen China’s claims to be ‘an interested party’ in South Asia’s future. However, to concede this without voicing legitimate apprehensions can only jeopardise our national interests. At the moment China, like the US, has also offered to help resolve explosive outstanding disputes between India and Pakistan. The wording may be cautious and euphemistic but let there be no doubt it is trying to make bilateral issues trilateral. By no stretch of imagination can China be considered an unbiased ‘honest broker’. Ever since Donald Trump declared ‘trade war’ against China there has been loose talk about unprecedented opportunities opening up for India to leverage this in its relations with China particularly in the context of its relations with Pakistan. Months have passed and by now it is clear there is no point in chasing this mirage. If we are to successfully resist arm twisting by anyone we have to rely on our own strength and unwavering resolve. Once we concede that any external power is ‘required’ to reduce ‘dangerous tensions’ in South Asian Nuclear Flashpoint, we will lose our autonomy forever. It is only in Pakistan’s interest to ‘invite’ friends getting impatient to gatecrash. India at the moment should be consolidating its ties with other South Asian neighbours to make the point that it is a predominant regional power. Much too easily, we have fallen in the trap laid by foreign analysts who have ‘theorised’ that India’s smaller neighbours look at it as a ‘bullying Big Brother’; they don’t trust her. In the past few decades, this analysis has spawned diplomatic strategies and economic aid programmes by the US, China and some European countries to alienate Nepal and Sri Lanka from India. Apprehensions have been systematically fuelled to become anxieties causing serious alienation. Take a close look, from Bangladesh and Myanmar to the Maldives, India is being encircled to cripple and curb it from operating in its natural sphere of influence. After all the subcontinent and the Ocean are identified as Indian. The legacy of history can't be wished away. The footprint of Indian civilisation-Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic- extends from Central Asia to Farthest reaches of South East Asia. It is this footprint that China is keen to erode and as fast as possible. If it succeeds in this design then it will emerge as the solitary power in Asia. Neither the US nor Russia could then think of balancing it with India. It is in this context that India needs to assess developments in the region and recast its policies. In Nepal, the rebel leadership has made peace with Kathmandu and the remains splinter group of Maoist guerrillas have signalled a willingness to join mainstream politics. This should remove outstanding irritants in our bilateral relationships with that landlocked neighbour. Rohingya refugees are a common problem shared by Myanmar, Bangladesh and India. One has to be extremely sensitive to its dangerous potential. The violation of human rights and genocide are allegations that are used opportunistically as weapons of mass destructions by Big Powers. Sri Lanka continues to be in the dock for atrocities committed by its armed forces particularly in the last phase of its long drawn civil war but one dare not question the US about its savagery in Iraq and Syria. Nor are such concerns raised about Israel and Palestine or China and Tibet. Words like ‘People’s Inherent and Inalienable Right to Self Determination’ have lost all meaning due to selective prejudiced use and hypocrisy. India doesn’t have to be defensive at all. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

India needs to recast its neighbourhood policies as China remains cryptic on Masood Azhar

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