West Asia News and Discussions

Surya · Post by **Surya** » 25 Dec 2011 10:45

shyamd you have been predicting since Sept about Turkish redlines and intervention plans. Hence my comments

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 25 Dec 2011 11:14

Indian refiners explore replacing Iranian oil-sources

Reuters | Dec 18, 2011, 04.22PM IST
NEW DELHI: Indian companies have begun talks with alternative suppliers to slowly replace Iranian oil, fearing their current mechanism for payments to Tehran for some 350,000 barrels a day (bpd) via Turkey could soon succumb to sanctions, industry sources said.

Plans for fresh US financial sanctions on Tehran have worried its Asian customers who fear they will have no way to pay for crude imports from Iran.

India, which a year ago lost one conduit for payments, is already looking for alternatives as Halkbank, the Turkish bank handling some transfers, refused to open an account for Indian refinery Bharat Petroleum.

Indian refiners are also upset that Iran has asked them to pay about $15 million as interest on delayed payments in the first seven months of 2011 when they could not transfer funds.

India's biggest refiner, Indian Oil Corp., has sought an additional two million barrels of crude from Saudi Arabia for January, a source privy to the development said. IOC buys about 30,000 bpd oil from Iran.

Saudi Arabia has not yet agreed to supply the extra barrels, this source said. Allocations for January have already been done.

India's Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd, the biggest Indian client of Iran with imports of about 150,000 bpd, has sought extra supplies from Saudi Aramco and Kuwait Petroleum, a separate source said.

Saudi has already agreed to supply 20,000 bpd extra barrels to MRPL in 2012.

Another Indian refiner, Hindustan Petroleum, plans to tap the spot market for low sulphur oil to help it meet local pollution regulations, besides seeking more volumes from other suppliers, a company source said.

HPCL earlier this week issued a spot tender after a gap of about 10 months for purchase of sweet crude oil.

A local state pollution control body has asked it to either cut runs at its southern India plant or lift processing of low sulphur oil. HPCL buys about 70,000 bpd oil from Iran.

The latest US proposals allow countries allied to the United States to seek exemptions.

Officials at Indian oil firms say they would approach the country's oil ministry to ask it to request exemptions.

The war against Iran's nuclear program has already begun

Published 08:04 02.12.11
Latest update 08:04 02.12.11

Explosions, deadly computer viruses and other sorts of 'accidents' - someone is targeting Iran's nuclear project: either the Western intelligence agencies, internal opposition groups, or both.
By Yossi Melman Tags: Iran nuclear Iran threat

The war is under way, though no one declared it and no one will confirm it. This is the secret war against Iran's nuclear project. It did not start this week or last month. It has been under way for years, but only faint echoes have reached the public.

In June 2010, the press reported that the computer system operating the uranium enrichment centrifuges at Natanz had been infected with a virus. A deadly worm, known as Stuxnet, had infiltrated the controllers, manufactured by Siemens. Two weeks ago, a huge blast ripped through a Revolutionary Guards military base 40 kilometers west of Tehran. The explosion could be heard as far away as the capital. Dozens of people were killed, including the head of Iran's missile development project, General Hassan Tehrani Moqaddam. This week, there was a powerful explosion in Isfahan, Iran's third-largest city, which has a uranium conversion plant on its outskirts. It is not yet clear what was damaged in the blast.

These incidents involved three key elements of Iran's nuclear program. The first is uranium conversion (which comes after the mineral has been mined ), the second is enrichment, and the third is the delivery means.

Coupled with other incidents, including the assassination of several Iranian nuclear scientists, these events have worried the ayatollahs' regime, causing reactions ranging from embarrassment to anger. The public response usually follows a pattern: first a sweeping denial, then a limp and stuttering admission that "something happened," and finally the claim that it was an "accident." This shows that the regime does not know exactly what to say, and that its voice is not uniform. It also reflects the fierce dispute within the regime's top ranks. The leadership is divided, and the reactions come from a range of ministries, rival organizations and competing media outlets.

The kind of sabotage used in Iran requires sophistication, financial and technological resources, agents and precise intelligence. Someone, for example, had to know that General Moqaddam would be at the base that day to supervise a test, apparently of a new missile engine.

Infecting the computers required access to them: A person with a flash drive had to have plugged it into the system. The prevailing assumption is that foreign intelligence agencies are initiating, managing and executing the secret operations.

The Iranians, and international media outlets, believe these operations are the work of Israel's Mossad and possibly also a Western partner such as the CIA or Britain's MI6.

The Mossad's campaign to assassinate the Black September members behind the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre was code-named "Wrath of God." This week, when asked whether God had carried out the recent operations in Iran, former Mossad head Meir Dagan smilingly said yes. Dagan is known to be an ardent supporter of secret operations, as he told Yedioth Ahronoth explicitly this week. He believes it will be at least two years until Iran can assemble a functioning nuclear weapon. This assessment may be based on past secret operations and on Dagan's faith that future actions can indeed disrupt Iran's progress.

A senior American official went even farther. President Barack Obama's special assistant and coordinator for arms control and weapons of mass destruction, proliferation and terrorism, Gary Samore, said in May 2011, "I'm glad to hear they are having troubles with their centrifuge machines, and the U.S. and its allies are doing everything we can to make it more complicated." Do we need any clearer statement that humans are behind the "hand of God"?

Even if the Mossad or the CIA are not involved in these incidents, the speculation that they are serves Western intelligence bodies by enhancing their image as "omnipotent," and heightening the Iranian leadership's fear. This is known as psychological warfare.

Still, with all due respect for Western intelligence's great efforts - including what is probably unprecedented operational coordination - it is unlikely these operations could have succeeded without inside support, meaning from individuals or groups ready to help sabotage the ayatollahs' regime. It should be remembered that Iran is a mosaic of ethnic minorities, and almost all have reasons for disliking the regime; some have their own underground armed militias.

The theory about inside-help gains traction given that, in addition to the military targets, other sites - including oil facilities, gas pipelines, trains and military bases - were also damaged over the past year. Last year there was a considerable increase, of at least 10 percent, in "breakdowns" and "accidents" at Iran's strategic infrastructure sites. Some were caused by poor maintenance, due in part to the international sanctions, but the volume of these incidents may also indicate the "hand of God" was involved. If this is the case, then it's possible that internal Iranian opposition groups (as opposed to exiles ) are stronger and even better organized than generally thought.

It is almost certain that Tehran's patience is about to run out. This was evidenced by the student mob's "conquest" of the British embassy this week. This was not spontaneous rage: It was a warning from a regime that realizes someone has declared war on it without leaving marks or fingerprints.

Sooner or later, the ayatollahs' regime will decide to react and will order its secret intelligence and operational units to retaliate. If and when this happens, Iran will take steps to conceal its involvement in such activities. However, past experience proves that despite the caution and sophistication of the Iranian secret services, they have often failed in obscuring their fingerprints.

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Iranian Intelligence also conducted an operation to kill an Iranian exile in Dubai. Ahmed Rezai.

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Report: Israel Offers to Export Natural Gas to India

Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz has offered to sell Israeli natural gas to India, the Times of India reports. According to the Times, Steinitz visited India last week and made the offer to Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon. The two governments are expected to set up a feasibility study to examine the proposal and when Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna visits Israel in January, talks are expected to progress

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 26 Dec 2011 22:37

RNO Takes Part in "Sea Breeze"

Muscat, Dec 26 (ONA) ---A number of vessels of the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) Fleet will take part in the joint maritime exercise "Sea Breeze" which will be executed by the naval forces of friendly Republic of India in its territorial waters starting from tomorrow "Tuesday" till January 1st.

The participation in this exercise comes within the framework of the training plans pursued by the RNO and within the framework of exchanging expertise with the friendly forces in all that sustain the level of readiness of the RNO Fleet and its personnel in various maritime disciplines in a way that comes in line with the national tasks assigned to it.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 27 Dec 2011 13:37

Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs Heads for India

Muscat, Dec 26 (ONA) --- Sayyid Badr bin Saud bin Harib al-Busaidi, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs and his accompanying military delegation left here today heading for the friendly Republic of India on an official several-day visit.
Sayyid al-Busaidi and his accompanying delegation were seen off by Lt.Gen, Ahmed bin Harith al-Nabhani, Chief of Staff of the Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF), Mohammed bin Nassir al-Rasbi, Undersecretary of the Defence Ministry, a number of SAF senior officers and the ambassador of the Republic of India to the Sultanate.

RNO - IN Exercise will finish on 1 Jan.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 27 Dec 2011 22:06

ShyamD, How is Yemen doing? What is the situation there?

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 27 Dec 2011 22:49

Quite bad. Saleh has secured his interests and will leave to the US for "medical treatment". He knows if he goes to the US no one can touch him there, but any sort of corruption cases would mean US may extradite him.

The Houthi's are active as ever and attacking govt centres, some close to the KSA border - so we could see a conflict once again.
In the East, AQ is as strong as ever despite Awlaki's death and are taking advantage of the govt's weakness.

Country's youth are hooked onto Khat (a chewable plant that is an addictive drug -> leads to social and mental problems). The plant takes up too much water and destroys the land as well. Agriculture is so bad that they have to import a lot.

To summarise - One big mess. The GCC has a lot of work to do.

Agnimitra · Post by **Agnimitra** » 28 Dec 2011 00:42

Re: Yemen, one interesting aspect of the fighting is the Houthi attacks on Salafi schools that Saleh had proliferated. Saleh opened Salafi schools all over North Yemen to create trouble for Shi'as and try to convert them. Now Houthis are removing these Sunni hate-preaching centers everywhere they go (probably substituting them with Shi'a hate-preaching schools?)

Houthi militants storm school in Amran

Houthis have attacked a Sunni Islamist school and other sites in the northern province of Saada, killing and wounding dozens of civilians.
[...]
Houthis plans hold on Yemen's Northern provinces in an attempt to open an arms route to the Red Sea, Yemeni politicians said.

Many observers say that Iran provided weapons to the Houthis in their last major battle with the Yemeni government in 2009 and 2010.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 28 Dec 2011 04:32

ShyamD and Carl, Is any chance of Yemen going down the failed state syndrome like Somalia after Aideed? What are the odds? And consequences?

atma · Post by **atma** » 28 Dec 2011 08:31

http://news.yahoo.com/yemens-leader-cau ... 37144.html

US doing a "Mubarak" to Saleh.

The Obama administration is weighing an unprecedented diplomatic act — whether to bar a friendly president from U.S. soil.

American officials were evaluating on Tuesday an awkward request from Yemeni strongman and longtime U.S. counterterrorism partner Ali Abdullah Saleh. Saleh has said he plans to come to the United States for medical treatment for injuries suffered in a June assassination attempt, and he has asked for a U.S. visa for entry to the country. Fearful of appearing to harbor an autocrat with blood on his hands, the Obama administration was trying to ensure that Saleh visits only for medical care and doesn't plan to stay, U.S. officials said.

Saleh has served as an American ally against al-Qaida and will soon transfer power under a U.S.-backed deal with Yemen's opposition aimed at ending months of instability.

But he also is accused of committing gross human rights violations during a year of internal conflict, and the U.S. is trying not to burn any bridges with Yemeni political groups likely to take part in future governments.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 28 Dec 2011 13:31

Ramana ji, nothing is Impossible. However, the GCC has an interest to actively sort out the issue because all the GCC nations know that instability in yemen can easily spread to the GCC.
GCC will continue to fund the yemeni budgets as it has done in the past & ensure that the govt becomes stronger & eventually integrate into the GCC maybe 10 or 15 years down the line.

Agnimitra · Post by **Agnimitra** » 28 Dec 2011 23:38

shyamd ji, what would the US interest be? would the US work with the GCC to stabilize and integrate Yemen into GCC? Or would Us interest be to prolong the conflict and create more chaos to frustrate Shi'ite forces?

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 29 Dec 2011 00:20

Carl ji. Look at its location. Its close to major oil producing centres and is next to major sea links to europe and the US. Its a terror hub where attacks are being planned against Europe and the US. Problem with the US is that it doesnt want to get trapped like in Iraq and Afghanistan. US also doesnt have the cash to do anything.

US will probably help stabilise Yemen in whatever way it can due to the terror and oil issues. Right now Yemen - Somalia is an important area for anti terror ops. The kSA has constructed an airbase in the south for the US to use against AQAP and Al Q drone ops -this wass after lobbying by Turki and Bandar. Right now the drones are flying from Thumrait.

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Renewal of MoU in Military Fields Between Sultanate and India

New Delhi, Dec 28 (ONA) --- Sayyid Badr bin Saud bin Harib al-Busaidi, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs met at the HQs' of the Indian Defence Ministry with A.K. Antony, Indian Defence Minister, within the framework of his visit to the friendly Republic of India.

The meeting discussed a number of topics of common concern and fields of the existing military cooperation between the Defence Ministries in the two friendly countries and means of enhancing them.

During the meeting, renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in the military cooperation field between the two friendly countries as this MoU forms a framework for the military cooperation which is being coordinated through a joint military cooperation committee of the Defence Ministries in the two friendly countries.

The meeting was attended by Sheikh Humaid bin Ali al-Ma'ani, Sultanate's ambassador to the Republic of Indian, the Omani Military Attaché and a number of members of the military delegation accompanying Sayyid Badr, while it was attended from the Indian side by a number of senior officials at the Indian Defence Ministry.

Sayyid al-Busaidi also met at the HQs' of the Council of Ministers with Shiv Shankar Menon, the Indian National Security Advisor.

The meeting reviewed a number of matters of the common concern to the two friendly countries and means of enhancing them.

The meeting was attended by Sultanate's ambassador to the Republic of Indian, the Omani Military Attaché, members of the military delegation accompanying Sayyid Badr and a number of senior officials at the office of the Indian National Security Advisor.

On the sidelines of this visit, Sayyid Badr bin Saud bin Harib al-Busaidi, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs and his accompanying delegation visited the Unknown Soldier Memorial as Sayyid al-Busaidi laid a wreath at the memorial.

Very interesting to note that the Omani def min met NSA. and his team also took part in talks with the military delegation. This was not mentioned in any of the Indian articles or releases. This just goes to show sensitive topics were probably discussed. NSA handles the GCC file.

Agnimitra · Post by **Agnimitra** » 29 Dec 2011 02:02

shyamd wrote:US will probably help stabilise Yemen in whatever way it can due to the terror and oil issues. Right now Yemen - Somalia is an important area for anti terror ops. The kSA has constructed an airbase in the south for the US to use against AQAP and Al Q drone ops -this wass after lobbying by Turki and Bandar. Right now the drones are flying from Thumrait.

It will be interesting to see how they manage Yemen. GCC policy over the last ten years has failed and they are militarily weak, so its going to be tough for them to deal with the situation in Yemen through intervention, unless the US makes concrete commitments. Their money could prolong proxy warfare inside the country for years, though.

The US using GCC to intervene and stabilize Yemen is also not without doubt. Look at Somalia -- the US tried to get Ethiopia to intervene, it failed; Uganda, it failed; Kenya, it failed. But meanwhile the conflict has been prolonged for 5 years and now the UK is going to intervene.

Saleh has been using Yemeni population groups against each other for decades, maintaining a careful balance in which he was always able to dominate but had limited control compared to other governments. Now however, this whole thing has collapsed and everyone is fighting with each other and with Saleh, so now even if he steps aside, the country may have descended into faction violence that has gone too far now to turn back. At least the Iranians and other mischief mongers like the Pakis will be hoping so.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 29 Dec 2011 02:37

Carl wrote: It will be interesting to see how they manage Yemen. GCC policy over the last ten years has failed and they are militarily weak, so its going to be tough for them to deal with the situation in Yemen through intervention, unless the US makes concrete commitments. Their money could prolong proxy warfare inside the country for years, though.

GCC is not militarily weak, only perhaps by quantity but not qualitatively. The GCC militarily is strengthened by Paki's and Egyptians as well as Jordan Morocco and other nations with bilateral agreements. The reason why the saudi's didnt fair so well against the Houthi's was because the saudi#s used minimal air support in ops, and often went in man for man.

Together they are as strong as NATO - UAE AF alone is strong enough to take on Iran. The GCC plan envisages a power sharing agreement with some of the tribes, and the strength is actually their ability to talk with the tribal leaders to resolve the issues.

Absolutely agree with the rest of the post.

nachiket · Post by **nachiket** » 29 Dec 2011 03:08

shyamd wrote:
Together they are as strong as NATO -

That is laughable. Especially considering that not one of them has a navy worth speaking of. And none have fought a successful war in recent times. When one of them was invaded in 91, they needed the US to drive the invading country out. It takes more than just fancy toys to make a strong military. They are stronger than Iran no doubt, but that's about the extent of it. Comparing them to NATO is ludicrous.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 29 Dec 2011 04:12

nachiket wrote: That is laughable. Especially considering that not one of them has a navy worth speaking of. And none have fought a successful war in recent times. When one of them was invaded in 91, they needed the US to drive the invading country out. It takes more than just fancy toys to make a strong military. They are stronger than Iran no doubt, but that's about the extent of it. Comparing them to NATO is ludicrous.

Fair comment. I was referring mainly to their military combined with thier alliances.
Boss, their only threat is from Iran and it always has been their main enemy. The Iranian navy is sitting ducks for the GCC Air Force. Look at the combined strength of the UAE AF and KSA AF. Then add on their bilateral commitments from France, Pak, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco etc. GCC military is not just the 6 states. Their alliance strategy was done to reduce their def expenditure and channel it towards development - similar to NATO.
Secondly, no one was prepared for the invasion in 1991, They still had semi normal relations with Saddam before he invaded kuwait. its only after that kick in the back side they decided to get their acts together and spend more on defence. To be also fair, the RSAF took part in many operations but never received the credit that they deserved.

Klaus · Post by **Klaus** » 29 Dec 2011 04:15

Greek Orthodox and Armenian clergy brawl over Church of Nativity cleaning work.

The Church of the Nativity, like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City, is shared by various branches of Christianity, each of which controls and jealously guards a part of the holy site.

Scuffles often erupt between Greek Orthodox and Armenian priests during joint religious or cleaning ceremonies.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 29 Dec 2011 07:58

Nasser's 1953 speech about his encounter with MB leader's demand for hijab for Egyptian women.

Nasser's speech to Egyptian parliament on the hijab

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 29 Dec 2011 13:17

NIA identifies kingpin behind fake currency racket

By KA Antony

KANNUR The National Investigation Agency (NIA) probing the spread of fake currency notes in Kerala and Karnataka has identified K Abubacker, a native of Hosdurg and currently living in Abu Dhabi as the kingpin behind the racket.

NIA sources told Oman Tribune that members of the probe team would visit Abu Dhabi for further investigation and seek custody of the accused. The NIA is also probing as to whether the fake currency was brought to the southern states as part of a jihadi operation.

In its first information report filed before the NIA court at Kochi, NIA officials said that Abubacker was the brain behind smuggling a container full of counterfeit currency notes to Kerala. The operation came to light following the seizure of nearly Rs1 million worth currency notes of Rs1,000 denomination from Thaliparamba in Kannur.

Following a tip off, the police had seized the currency from a car on September 18, 2011. The currency notes were padded inside the clothes of three persons travelling in the car. While two of the accused in the case VP Pradeep Kumar and MP Ashish are from Kannur the third, Kamal Ummer alias Kamal Haji is a resident of Hosdurg in Kasargod.

The interrogations that followed revealed that all the three were mere carriers and the brain behind the operation was Abubacker.

Another key player in the racket is MK Shahnavaz of Thrissur, who is currently lodged in the Mysore central jail. He was arrested by the Karnataka police while distributing fake Indian currencies, sources said.

“Those arrested in connection with the fake Indian currency note case confessed that Pradeep had visited Abu Dhabi”.

AjitK · Post by **AjitK** » 29 Dec 2011 19:13

Did Israel Just Launch Another Attack On Sudan?

Officials in Israel are refusing to confirm claims by the Sudanese press that Israeli planes recently attacked weapons convoys crossing the desert in Sudan. The attacks reportedly took place between Dec. 15 and 20. Media in Sudan say Israeli jets pulverized at least two convoys headed toward Egypt. The convoys were reportedly transporting arms destined for the Gaza strip.

Not everyone in Israel is so tight-lipped. A former Israeli Air Force head told the army radio station Galeï Tsahal on Monday that “whoever carried out [the attack] should be congratulated.” He added: “Our information was accurate as were our strikes.”

Sudanese press claims the attacks killed at least five contraband traffickers. The first convoy involved six trucks packed with weapons. The second attack, which occurred Dec. 18 and involved just a single vehicle, may have been a mistake. The first raid took place while Salva Kiir, the president of the newly created Southern Sudan, was on an “historic” 24-hour visit to Jerusalem.

According to Israeli military chroniclers, the navy also plays a central role in trying to cut of Hamas’ supply chains. Since 2010, the Israeli fleet may have participated in as many as 80 clandestine operations related in some way to Sudan. The Sudanese government insists also that in 2009, commandos from Israel’s elite Shayetet 13 naval unit sabotaged an Iranian ship transporting material for Hamas that docked in Port Sudan. Israeli authorities refuse to answer the claims.

Sudan, Kenya and several other African Union nations launched a campaign last April to bring the repeated attacks to the world’s attention. So far the efforts have mostly gone unheard.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 31 Dec 2011 11:13

Turks launch airstrikes on Kurds in border areas.

Prem · Post by **Prem** » 01 Jan 2012 02:12

India's new ambassador to Iraq makes first visit to Kurdistan http://www.pukmedia.com/english/index.p ... Itemid=385

India’s first ambassador to be appointed to Iraq in the last nine years yesterday made his first visit to the Kurdistan Region, to meet President Masoud Barzani and to discuss economic partnership opportunities with the Kurdistan Regional Government.The three-day visit was Ambassador Reddy’s first trip to the Kurdistan Region since assuming his post in Baghdad in August this year. While the Indian embassy has been operating, it was without an ambassador for nine years until Mr Reddy's appointment. This trip was a step toward developing relations between the Republic of India and the Kurdistan Region.Meeting with President Barzani, the Ambassador thanked him and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for the warm welcome given to the Indian community in Kurdistan, and he commended the Region’s leadership for their vision in achieving good progress. He also spoke of his government’s desire for more coordination in investment and the economic sector.“I very much wanted to come and see the situation in this Region firsthand,” he said, adding “We would be very happy to partner with the Kurdistan Region in a variety of areas, and we hope that we can share our expertise with the people of the Region.”President Barzani reaffirmed Kurdistan’s desire to have a mutually beneficial relationship with the people and government of India and said that he will discuss with KRG ministers areas of potential cooperation.
The President also talked about the historic bond that join the Kurdish and Indian people, highlighting the role of India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in publicising the injustice and oppression that was imposed on the Kurdish nation in the 1920s, even before India had gained its own independence. The President added that Prime Minister Nehru’s constant advocacy for Kurdish rights has not been forgotten and said that it is a great foundation on which to build more robust relations today.Both sides also discussed recent developments in Baghdad and the wider region, and they agreed that the President’s call for a national conference in Kurdistan would be a helpful first step toward calming the political crisis that is threatening Iraq’s stability.In a separate meeting with Ambassador Reddy, the Head of the KRG’s Foreign Relations Minister Falah Mustafa discussed Kurdistan’s openness to the international community and highlighted its generous investment law and economic policies, commenting on how they have helped attract considerable foreign direct investment over the past several years.“Kurdistan is open for business, and we strongly believe in supporting the private sector as it plays a vital role in enhancing our economy,” he said. The Minister also expressed his hope that an Indian government and business delegation would come to the Kurdistan Region to participate in a two-day economic forum with Kurdish companies in the near future.Speaking of potential coordination in the sector of higher education, the Ambassador said, “There are many private Indian schools that have gone international, and we hope that we can partner with Kurdistan to support its development, whether it be in education, medicine, vocational training, agriculture or other sectors.” Some Kurdish students are already pursuing higher education in India, and both sides agreed to work together to increase their numbers in the future, particularly through the KRG’s Human Capacity Development Programme.uring his visit the Indian Ambassador toured Erbil and met members of the Indian community in Kurdistan and several other KRG officials, including the Minister of Planning Dr Ali Sindi, the Minister of Health Dr Taher Hawrami and the Governor of Erbil, Mr Nawzad Hadi.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 01 Jan 2012 19:53

^^ Finally!!

Obama signs new Iran sanctions into law

By Stephen Collinson (AFP) – 18 hours ago

HONOLULU, Hawaii — US President Barack Obama Saturday signed into law tough new sanctions targeting Iran's central bank and financial sector, in a move that could intensify a brewing Gulf showdown.

The measures, meant to punish Iran for its nuclear program, were contained in a mammoth $662 billion defense bill, which Obama signed despite having reservations that it ties his hands on setting foreign policy.

The sanctions are meant to hit Iran's crucial oil sector and require foreign firms to make a choice between doing business with Tehran's financial sector and central bank or the mighty US economy and financial sector.

Foreign central banks which deal with the Iranian central bank on oil transactions could also face restrictions, sparking fears of damage to US ties with key nations such as Russia and China which trade with Iran.

Obama signed the bill in Hawaii where he is on vacation, at a time of rising tension with Tehran, which has threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz -- through which more than a third of the world's tanker-borne oil passes.

The United States has warned it will "not tolerate" such an interruption.

In comments reported Saturday, Tehran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili warned that Iran would "give a resounding and many-pronged response to any threat" made against it.

But Jalili also said Iran was ready to rejoin EU-led talks with major powers on assuaging Western concerns over its nuclear program.

The White House held intense negotiations with Congress on the terms of the law's implementation, given concern that sanctions on Iran's central bank could spark chaos in the global financial system and hike the price of oil.

Obama said in a statement issued as he signed the bill that he was concerned the measure would interfere with his constitutional authority to conduct foreign relations by tying his hands in dealings with foreign governments.

The bill, which passed with wide majorities in Congress, did reserve some wiggle room for Obama, granting him the power to grant 120-day waivers if he judges it to be in the national security interests of the United States.

Earlier this month, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner wrote to Congress to express concern against an earlier, tougher sanctions measure along the same lines saying it could harm the US push with its partners to isolate Iran.

Geithner argued that foreign allies could resent the new US measures and make it less likely they would cooperate and the sanctions would have the "opposite effect" of their intended purpose of isolating Iran.

Senior US officials said Saturday that they would try to implement the new sanctions guidelines in a way that protected the global economy and US foreign policy priorities, in a way which would still inflict pain on Iran.

There are fears that increased sanctions on Iran's central bank could force the global price of oil to suddenly soar, and actually give Tehran a financial windfall on its existing oil sales.

Rising oil prices could also crimp the fragile economic recovery in the United States and inflict pain on American voters in gas stations -- at a time when Obama is running for reelection next year.

The Obama administration argues that it has imposed the toughest-ever sanctions on Iran by the United States and its allies and says the measures are now having a punishing impact on the Iranian economy and petroleum sector.

The West alleges Tehran is seeking to acquire a weapons capability under the guise of its nuclear research program. Iran denies any such ambition and says its work is only for civil energy and medical purposes.

In recent weeks, Iranian officials have insisted the country was ready to face new sanctions against the oil sector and central bank.

The Wall Street Journal reported this month that US and European officials were seeking assurances from major oil producers, such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, that they would increase exports to the West and Asian nations if tighter sanctions on Tehran's energy exports are enforced.

The gloves are off, this is happenening sooner than expected. Looks like India may make the last ditch efforts to save Tehran.

Iran knows the noose is now being tightened and the next step is war:

Iran proposes new round of nuclear talks with 6 world powers as sanctions hit hard

SMK

Q&A: S M Krishna, External Affairs Minister

'Iran's relations with other nations don't govern our ties'
Aditi Phadnis / New Delhi January 1, 2012, 0:09 IST

S M KrishnaExternal Affairs Minister S M Krishna surveys India’s external relations with other partners in an interview with Aditi Phadnis.

A confrontation between Iran and the US is brewing over the Straits of Hormuz through which India gets 50 per cent of its oil. If the supply of oil is disrupted, India could face a serious problem. Are you taking any diplomatic initiatives to prevent such a confrontation?
It is true that we import a large amount of oil and when we import oil, some of these factors will have to be taken into consideration. Necessary overtures are being made with Iran: as we have a long history of bilateral relations with that country which have been quite good and there has been no tension or concerns.

Forty per cent of our oil requirements is met by Iran. This is all the more reason why we would like to keep relations with that country warm and work towards strengthening relations in future.

But our relations with Iran are not dependent on Iran’s relations with a third country. They are independent of other countries’ relations with Iran, whether strained or otherwise. I’m confident that Iran recognises this as well.

So does that mean that the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline to which the US had objected, will now be put back on the active list of economic and diplomatic initiatives taken by India?
There are various other circumstances around the IPI pipeline, but we are proceeding on the basis that things are positive-looking. Concerns there are more economic than political. Hence, it is necessary for all countries engaged in the pipeline project to keep this in mind. Countries will have to care about each other, help each other. There is the question of assured imports which cannot be left to the vagaries of price fluctuations.

We are unable to pay Iran for the oil India buys from it because of problems in banking channels…
We are working out a mechanism through which the oil bill could be paid.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 01 Jan 2012 22:36

A lot has been said about closure of the straits of Hormuz. India has an agreement with Oman to prevent closure. The GCC assessment is that IN alone has the capability to prevent closure by Iranian navy.

Iran is just posturing. Question is now that US is sanctionining Iranian oil. Does the US have the capability to prevent Iran from exporting oil?

So the next phase ofconvincing India China and Russia to stop buying iranian crude oil has begun. Hence the increased number of articles and talks with Indian strategists.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 02 Jan 2012 00:52

As expected. If this turns into full on negotiations, then this is another chess board move against Iran to tie the noose on affiliates and possibly keep its neighbours at bay while iran is dealt with. Today Israel is surrounded by 1 powerful enemy.

Israel, PA in mediated push to resume Mideast peace talks

Jordan, Quartet officials reportedly aiding sides to bring together a preliminary meeting ahead of the January 26 Quartet deadline for the resumption of direct negotiations.
By Barak Ravid Tags: Middle East peace Benjamin Netanyahu Mahmoud Abbas Palestinians

Jordan and the Quartet on the Mideast are working to bring Israel and Palestinian back to the negotiations table, sources indicated on Sunday, ahead of a January 26 Quartet deadline for the resumption of direct negotiations.

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Netanyahu, Abbas, Obama

Officials are ostensibly attempting to convene a meeting this week between top Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's personal emissary Yitzhak Molcho, in which the agenda for future direct talks will be determined.

According to a Quartet document formulated in September, an agenda-setting meeting between Erekat and Molcho was supposed to take place over two months ago, with the Quartet's January 26 deadline for the resumption of talks edging ever nearer.

Last week, a top Israeli official said that the Palestinian leadership submitted a proposal to renew peace talks with Israel that drops their long-standing demand that Israel ceases all West Bank settlement construction.

The Palestinian proposal was reputedly the result of heavy pressure applied by Quartet members – the United States, the European Union, Russian, and the United Nations – on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to renew talks before the Quartet deadline.

According to officials with knowledge of the proposal, the Palestinian Authority informed the Quartet two weeks ago that it would renege on its demand for a settlement freeze if Israel releases 100 prisoners as a show of good will.

The prisoners in question are reportedly all veteran inmates, incarcerated in Israeli prisons since before the Oslo accords.

The Israeli official indicated that Israel rejects the Palestinian offer for two reasons: 1) That it replaces one precondition with another, and 2) since officials say the Palestinian proposal is too vague and did not make it clear whether the prisoners' release will lead to full talks that would include meetings between Netanyahu and Abbas or to preliminary talks only.

Quartet officials – especially EU – made it clear to the Palestinians that they would bear equal responsibility in the event that the two sides would not resume talks by late January.

One Israeli official indicated that, in the current situation, January 26 has become the "new September" – alluding to the PA's September submitting of their UN statehood bid – adding that everyone was waiting to see what Abbas' next move will be.

"There's real concern in the Quartet that after that date Abbas will return to UN initiatives," the Israeli official said, adding that, at the same time, the Palestinian president will have to decide whether or not to proceed with the formation of a unity cabinet with Hamas.

Egypt has good chances of joining GCC as a member state: official

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 02 Jan 2012 20:38

2012 outlook for Indians in the UAE

Preeti Kannan

Jan 1, 2012
A prisoner transfer agreement signed between India and the UAE is to be ratified soon, after which Indian prisoners can return to their native states to complete their sentences. The deal was signed by Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Minister of Interior, and the Indian home minister P Chidambaram in November. About 1,200 Indians are currently in UAE jails.

In Sharjah, a new crematorium for Hindus and Sikhs will be built on nearly 10 acres of land, which was gifted to the Sharjah Indian Association by Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed, Ruler of Sharjah. Funeral land in the emirate has been a long-standing request of the Indian Hindu community, many of whom prefer to cremate their dead in the UAE rather than pay to fly their bodies home.

The crematorium is being built at a cost of more than Dh9.5 million with funds from the Indian association and community members. It should be ready for use by year's end.

Vikas · Post by **Vikas** » 02 Jan 2012 22:18

shyamd wrote:A lot has been said about closure of the straits of Hormuz. India has an agreement with Oman to prevent closure. The GCC assessment is that IN alone has the capability to prevent closure by Iranian navy.

Iran is just posturing. Question is now that US is sanctionining Iranian oil. Does the US have the capability to prevent Iran from exporting oil?

So the next phase ofconvincing India China and Russia to stop buying iranian crude oil has begun. Hence the increased number of articles and talks with Indian strategists.

Shyamd - Would India face upto Iran if push comes to shove. In worst case scenario, would India send IN to prevent the closure of straits of Hormuz even if it means getting into shooting match with Iranian Navy or India will only condemn it and let USA keep the straits open.
So would it be Oman or Iran for India if it comes to choosing sides.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 03 Jan 2012 00:14

Well, if they block the straits and hence our oil supply line, will we be left with much choice but to intervene?

Iran is India's friend and has been a better partner for af pak and our terror concerns.

However, we also have to look at our legitimate interests in the gulf - oil,trade worth $100bn and to protect Indian citizens.
In the event of war, we will have to protect our oil supply from disruption. We saw in Bahrain how Indians were targetted by the shia community, so we may have to protect the 6 million indian nationals.

In the event of war, the USN will probably do the job, but if we are called upon to lend a helping hand, the leaders will take the decison to break the blockade which may mean firing at Iranian navy. we share an agreement with Oman to secure the straits too.

Anyway, the GCC is pushing us to open a dialogue on arab iranian relations as a last ditch effort as we have good leverage over iran and they want us to use that.
In return GCC tames Pak. It will be interesting to see what the strategists decide. We have cooperation with iran over afpak which is crucial at the moment. So let's see.

My take is that I doubt Delhi will get too involved because need both for obvious reasons.

------------------------
India Lifts Anti-Dumping Duty on Import of Saudi Polypropylene

This is major news and the file had reached King Abdullah and MMS. So resolving the issue now paves the way for the FTA with the GCC.

x post

Anindya wrote:The Wahabi Invasion - Saudi charities pump in huge funds through hawala channels to radicalise the Valley

This is the reason why India rejected the redevelopment of Jama Masjid in Delhi

Pranav · Post by **Pranav** » 03 Jan 2012 10:11

shyamd wrote:The GCC assessment is that IN alone has the capability to prevent closure by Iranian navy.

Difficult to imagine MMS doing anything in response to any closure. India will probably import from ports in Oman or the Red Sea.

Suppiah · Post by **Suppiah** » 03 Jan 2012 10:53

In case anyone failed to notice, all this fireworks going on in Straits of Hormuz has taken pressure/spotlight off Israel for last few weeks...

Even if Iran were to block the channel, they may exempt vessels sailing to friendly ports with oil firstly because they need the money and secondly they cannot antagonise everyone..

Another point that people may have failed to notice..Unkiil is now a net oil/petro products exporter - yes, they do import a lot but that is declining each year, giving much wider policy options to Ombaba and his successor(s). Gas fracking, reduced consumption not just due to weak economy but due to better fuel efficiency is alll contributing to that. Interestingly Europe is also getting closer to reducing reliance on Putin-thug and his gas monopoly. That is why he is increasingly behaving more like loony Kim and less like leader of a superpower.

This could mean two things in the long run - one is Unkil and west can wash their hands off ME, except for the limited agenda of protecting Israel and let these barbarians kill each other as they have been doing for 5000 years only this time the civilised world making billions in arms sales, or take off whatever velvet gloves they wear from time to time and deal with them much more roughly when feathers are ruffled sufficiently.

The smart ones in ME will read the writing on the wall. Nutjob is not one of them. He seems to think he can blackmail them for the next 100 years..by promising higher oil prices. Western recession has nothing to do with oil prices and will be less and less vulnerable to that.

A corollary to that will be ME and its deep seated ills will become India's problem and to some extent, Chinas problem as we will be the biggest importers for years to come.. China will have less cultural and ethnic leverages, but more economical, and India other way around. Our headache also will be the export of Wahabi terrorism to which PRC is much less vulnerable.

It is better for India and PRC to sit together and have a long chat about this over a Tsingtao sometime soon..

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 03 Jan 2012 14:12

Suppiah wrote:one is Unkil and west can wash their hands off ME, except for the limited agenda of protecting Israel and let these barbarians kill each other as they have been doing for 5000 years only this time the civilised world making billions in arms sales, or take off whatever velvet gloves they wear from time to time and deal with them much more roughly when feathers are ruffled sufficiently.

The smart ones in ME will read the writing on the wall. Nutjob is not one of them. He seems to think he can blackmail them for the next 100 years..by promising higher oil prices. Western recession has nothing to do with oil prices and will be less and less vulnerable to that.

America would keep their hold on Middle-East for as long as there is Oil, because through Oil they can control the rest of the world. They are not going to go away. Besides as you said, Middle-East is a big market for American weaponry.

Suppiah wrote:A corollary to that will be ME and its deep seated ills will become India's problem and to some extent, Chinas problem as we will be the biggest importers for years to come.. China will have less cultural and ethnic leverages, but more economical, and India other way around. Our headache also will be the export of Wahabi terrorism to which PRC is much less vulnerable.

It is better for India and PRC to sit together and have a long chat about this over a Tsingtao sometime soon..

I don't think we can really tango with PRC on this.

PRC would in fact want to take USA's predominant place in the Middle-East if it can, get more control over Oil, in exchange for giving Wahhabi Islam all the weaponry it needs to take on India.

With PRC, Saudis will do business. With India they will do both - business and screw us with their Islam. Because we would remain dependent on Saudi Oil, we would not be able to take on Wahhabism by the horns, especially in Pakistan.

The ideal way would be for India to take on USA's mantle in the Gulf, as the Protector of the Royal Families, and in exchange they stop their "charity" in the Indian Subcontinent, and let India digest Pakistan.

So we control both the source and the routes for energy into China.

Suppiah · Post by **Suppiah** » 03 Jan 2012 14:37

RajeshA wrote: America would keep their hold on Middle-East for as long as there is Oil, because through Oil they can control the rest of the world. They are not going to go away. Besides as you said, Middle-East is a big market for American weaponry.
....

I don't think we can really tango with PRC on this.

It is not 'as long as there is oil' it is 'as long as there is dependency on ME oil and oil has strategic value to their economies'. That is what is changing, though slowly, but surely, right in front of us as we watch...the ME despots and fellow travellers like Putin think/thought they have the Western economies by their testimonials, that is going to be old story. One thing I forgot to mention is, even while reliance on oil itself is declining, American reliance on ME oil is declining even faster. Europe is a bit behind the curve, but they are far ahead in terms of relying on fossil altogether...

As for PRC, I doubt if our babus have the Chanakianess built-in to manage Unkil and PRC and outwit them for control over ME. Better to exhaust the possibility of working with PRC before trying other tricks. After all the Chinese want to have nothing to do with beards if there is no money in it. They don't understand each other and have a barely concealed contempt for beards. Once we take care of their economic / strategic interest, they may be happy to let us manage the show..

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 03 Jan 2012 15:34

Suppiah wrote:
RajeshA wrote: America would keep their hold on Middle-East for as long as there is Oil, because through Oil they can control the rest of the world. They are not going to go away. Besides as you said, Middle-East is a big market for American weaponry.
It is not 'as long as there is oil' it is 'as long as there is dependency on ME oil and oil has strategic value to their economies'. That is what is changing, though slowly, but surely, right in front of us as we watch...the ME despots and fellow travellers like Putin think/thought they have the Western economies by their testimonials, that is going to be old story. One thing I forgot to mention is, even while reliance on oil itself is declining, American reliance on ME oil is declining even faster. Europe is a bit behind the curve, but they are far ahead in terms of relying on fossil altogether...

Suppiah ji,

I understood you correctly. What I was saying is that USA is in the game in Middle-East not just because the West was dependent on Oil from the Middle-East, but rather because the rest of the world is also dependent, especially India and China. Control over Middle-East Oil helps America control who gets the Oil and at what price. It stops the development of cartels, which are inimical to the West and West's friends. It gives the West more leverage at what price Russians and Iranians sell their energy. Even if the West's dependence on Oil is decreasing, the rest of the world is still addicted to it.

Suppiah wrote:
RajeshA wrote:I don't think we can really tango with PRC on this.
As for PRC, I doubt if our babus have the Chanakianess built-in to manage Unkil and PRC and outwit them for control over ME. Better to exhaust the possibility of working with PRC before trying other tricks. After all the Chinese want to have nothing to do with beards if there is no money in it. They don't understand each other and have a barely concealed contempt for beards. Once we take care of their economic / strategic interest, they may be happy to let us manage the show..

As India rises and America has to pull back due to resource crunch, America would have to share the "responsibility" for stability in the Indian Ocean with India. India can muscle her way in in an understanding with America. India's stability and military might would become increasingly attractive to the Gulf Royalty.

PRC is a long way from the Gulf. Indian navy is much closer to home for the Gulf Royalty. So PRC presence in Gulf can be contained especially in cooperation with USA.

China may not like beards, but now it is a China-Pakistan combo, which may be willing to offer the Gulf an alternate arrangement. That would be disadvantageous for India.

Suppiah · Post by **Suppiah** » 03 Jan 2012 16:18

The best way to deal with PRC in this respect is to grow ties to E.Asia, particularly Vietnam, Japan, Australia, Indonesia etc, particularly cleverly but very subtly exploiting any economic grievances, particularly those with ethnic dimension, and present the commies with a fait accompli - leave us alone in the west, we may do so in the east.. I think MMS in UPAII, not tied by Beijing puppets and held to ransom, is doing this admirably...

Suppiah · Post by **Suppiah** » 03 Jan 2012 16:23

RajeshA wrote:China may not like beards, but now it is a China-Pakistan combo, which may be willing to offer the Gulf an alternate arrangement. That would be disadvantageous for India.

The royals will be sh.t scared of Pakbarians and their pure-green zeal because that is their biggest threat - they are trying to pay them off and telling them to go sh.t elsewhere (mainly in India) but that game is not a long term one, as our Pakbaric animal neighbours are slowly realising.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 03 Jan 2012 19:37

Link: 20th December

shyamd wrote:KSA, Kuwait & Qatar told NSA they are shifting their European investments to India.

Gulf looks east, will invest billions in India

Hindustan Times
New Delhi, January 03, 2012

The West Asian gold pot is tilting towards India. The oil rich kingdoms of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait — wary of the economic crisis in Europe and the slowing growth rate in America — have conveyed their desire to invest in Indian infrastructure projects.

Despite the weakening rupee and falling Indian stock markets, Saudi Arabia and Qatar told New Delhi last month that they want to move some part of their investments from the West.

What’s more, the Kuwait Investment Authority is planning to invest about $10 billion in the Indian economy and has already invested about $1.5 billion in India in the past two years.
Other West Asian countries are also considering big investments in core infrastructure sectors, such as oil, gas, power, roads, fertilisers and tourism.

Government sources said national security adviser Shiv Shankar Menon had been told during his visit to Saudi Arabia and Qatar — before he accompanied Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Russia last month — that those governments planned to park their wealth in Indian mega projects.

And Menon is understood to have carried the message to the highest levels.

Saudi Arabia does not have a sovereign wealth fund — a state-owned investment fund, comprising financial assets and instruments. The Saudi royals, instead, invest privately. For instance, King Abdullah's nephew and Saudi investor Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal purchased a $300-million stake in Twitter last month.

Although the Saudi Arabian investments in India have been only R69 crore between 1999 and 2008, the scenario is changing fast, with bilateral non-oil trade with the UAE touching $43 billion.

The equation between New Delhi and Riyadh has changed with improvement in security ties and the growing Indian economy.

During finance minister Pranab Mukherjee's visit to the Saudi capital, Riyadh, in October 2009, the two countries created a one-billion-dollar special vehicle for joint investments. Rather than using their private surpluses for fuelling uprising in other West Asia states, these countries apparently see India as a safe haven for good investment returns.

Krishna to begin New Year with Israel, Palestine visit

Jayanth Jacob, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, January 01, 2012

New Delhi is beginning its foreign policy initiatives in the New Year on a west Asia note.

External affairs minister SM Krishna is set to meet top leaders of both Israel and Palestine. The Israel-Palestine conflict has political resonance in India.

Krishna's visit to Israel involves high-stakes. It was in 2000 that an Indian external affairs minister — Jaswant Singh — visited Israel.
Krishna’s two-day trip is expected to give a fresh fillip in the areas of security, defence and counter-terrorism. A host of other issues will be discussed. During his visit on January 9 and 10, both sides will also review the progress of the ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement.

Agriculture has also been identified as a major area of cooperation. In the past few years, many high-level exchanges in the field of agriculture have taken place.

Krishna will meet PM Benjamin Netanyahu and will have discussion at length with foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman.

He will also meet the Palestine leadership, including Palestine national authority president Mahmoud Abbas. The meetings in Ramallah are expected to be held after his interactions with the Israeli leadership.

India has been maintaining a delicate balance in its ties with Israel and Palestine that also has domestic implications. While its ties have been growing with Israel, India has also been steadfast in its support for a united state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital "within secure and recognised borders side by side and at peace with Israel."

Addressing the United Nations general assembly last year, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had spoken of welcoming Palestine as an equal member of the UN.

“Indian support for the Palestine cause is well known and is independent of its ties with Israel. We maintain that for peace and security it is necessary that direct talks between Israel and Palestine resume without any further delay," said a senior government official.

Brando · Post by **Brando** » 03 Jan 2012 20:06

Israel has been eager for a Free Trade Agreement with India since nearly 2003. I think 2012 will be the year India and Israel sign a free trade agreement as already many rounds of negotiations have been carried out. This would result in bringing extensive Israeli technology and expertise to India while opening a market of 1.2 billions people to Israel.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 03 Jan 2012 21:17

UAE also signaling major investments

Abu Dhabi’s wealth fund keen to invest in India

TIMSY JAIPURIA
Posted: Tuesday, Jan 03, 2012 at 0201 hrs IST
Tags: Abu Dhabi’s Wealth Fund | ADIA

New Delhi: At a time when the overseas investments in India are on a decline, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority's (ADIA) — one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund worth $700 billion — is now looking for investment opportunities in India.
ADIA’s MD Sheikh Hamed bin Zaved Al Nahvan is set to visit India with a 14-member delegation in two weeks’ times (January 15-21) to explore investment opportunities in India, said a senior government official in the ministry of commerce and industry.

So far, ADIA has been focused in the US and Europ. In India, the ADIA has a 12% stake in Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS).

The meeting is crucial as Sheikh Hamed is not just the ADIA’s MD but is also brother of the UAE president Sheikh Khalifa and of Sheikh Mohamed who is crown prince of Abu Dhabi. He is also a minister and chairman of Etihad Airlines and chairman of Crown Prince Court of Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

“The Indian ambassador has requested the DIPP secretary PK Chaudhery to help ADIA look for suitable investment options in the country. The ADIA head is scheduled to meet senior Cabinet ministers and officials which include finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and the commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma,” the official said.

Interestingly, this visit could help India in solving its foreign direct investment (FDI) worries which has kept the government in a sticky position.

The country has been witnessing a constant decline in the FDI inflows and such investments may boost investor confidence. Already, the country has seen a 0.6% decline in the gross fixed capital formation akin to the third and fourth quarters of the crisis year 2008-09 which is also a big concedding to the worries.

Suppiah · Post by **Suppiah** » 03 Jan 2012 21:20

GOI should try and tie up these investments in long gestation, long term projects so that the incentive to pull out when there is trouble with our western neighbour, for religious solidarity is not there...

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 03 Jan 2012 23:06

They are going towards infrastructure projects, which are typically long term.

I had said a long time ago that these investments are tied to India's security arrangements in the Gulf. Some posters had questioned whether GCC had any plans at all to invest. The evidence is finally showing.

Ultimately this is going towards improving the economy and hence increase tax income for GoI and ttherefore greater budgets for defence amongst others as well as development.