August 9, 2016 Reading Time: 2 minutes
Pakistan’s Air Chief visits Sri Lanka. Image credit - Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka
Reading Time: 2 min read
Pakistan’s Air Chief arrives in Sri Lanka
Pakistan’s Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, is currently in Sri Lanka on a two-day visit. The visiting Air Chief Marshal will hold talks with his counterpart, Air Marshal G. P. Bulathsinghala.
Air Chief Marshal Aman is scheduled to also meet with President Sirisena, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, and military leaders. The High Commission of Pakistan has stated that this visit was a reinforcement of historic ties, and friendly cooperation between the two nations.
Sri Lankan fishermen to attend discussions in India
The Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, Mahinda Amaraweera, has proposed sending a delegation of Sri Lankan fishermen to India, prior to his planned visit to the country.
The aim of the delegation would be to raise awareness among Indian government officials of the damage caused by Indian vessels that engage in bottom trawling in Sri Lankan waters.
US Assistant Secretary Rivkin to visit Sri Lanka
The US Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs, Charles Rivkin, is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka from 11-12 August.
Mr. Rivkin will also meet government and business leaders to discuss opportunities for increasing bilateral trade and investment.
Russia holds trilateral talks with Iran and Azerbaijan
President Vladimir Putin of Russia, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and President Hassan Rouhani of Iran, have met to discuss the development of a transport corridor, as well as other economic projects in the Caspian region.
Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Dmitry Rogozin, noted that Iran and Azerbaijan’s interest in cooperation with Russia stems from common threats to the three countries and from Russia’s ability to manufacture high quality, affordable weapons.
Pakistan hosts SAARC Interior Ministers’ Conference
The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, has called on member states to use SAARC as a platform to harness the human and natural resources of the region. He stated that it is the collective responsibility of SAARC nations to realise its stated goals and objectives.
The Secretary-General of SAARC, Arjun Bahadur Thapa, highlighted the need for cooperation in the fight against narcotics, terrorism, cybercrimes and other transnational crimes.
Joint military drills to be held in Europe
Germany and the Netherlands will participate in joint military operations in October, to test their air and missile defense systems.
German Brigadier General Michael Gschossmann, stated that the joint operations aim to enhance the safety of Poland and the Baltic states, which have been calling for greater defensive protection since Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
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