WORLD CURRENT AFFAIRS INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS 2012

US, India and Afghanistan held its First Trilateral Discussion US, India and Afghanistan held its first ever trilateral meeting on 25 September 2012. The major point of discussion was on the situation in Afghanistan along with the issue of terrorism India Malaysia to achieve a target trade of USD 15 Million India is going to expand bilateral trade with Malaysia to $15 billion by 2013 from $13 billion in 2011-12 as discussed in India- Malaysia CEO Forum China included Liaoning as its first Aircraft Carrier China on 25 September 2012 launched its first aircraft carrier giving a push to its fast expanding navy's blue-water capability beyond its territorial waters Pakistani-origin women appointed as Norwegian Cultural Minister Hadia Tajik, a 29-year-old women of Pakistani origin was appointed as Norwegian Cultural Minister on 24 September 2012 India and Nepal signed MoU for constructing School Building Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and Nepalese authorities signed an MoU on 19 September 2012 for granting the amount to Shri Mahendra Higher Secondary School in Achham district India and Burundi signed 3 Major Agreements and issued a Joint Statement President of the Republic of Burundi visited India from 17 to 19 September 2012. During this visit, India and Burundi signed three agreements Najeeb A Majeed became the new Chief Minister of Sri Lanka's, Eastern Province United Peoples Freedom Alliances former minister and provincial councillor Najeeb A Majeed became the new Chief Minister of the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka, on 18 September 2012 New Nuclear Safety Agency launched in Japan Japan launched a new Nuclear Safety Agency on 18 September 2012 India signed a memorandum of understanding with Egypt India and Egypt on 18 September 2012 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in New Delhi to establish an institutional framework for their ongoing cooperation in the field of election management and administration India Offered Telecom Support to Turkmenistan India has assured Turkmenistan of all cooperation in Information and Communication technology (ICT) for the mutual benefit of both the countries China signed 16 new Agreements with Sri Lanka China signed 16 major agreements with Sri Lanka in Colombo on a range of issues, from visa exemption and marine development to economic and technology cooperation US and Japan agreed to deploy advanced missile defense system The United States and Japan on 17 September 2012, announced an agreement to set up second advanced missile defense radar on Japanese province Pakistan test fired cruise missile, Babur Pakistan successfully test fired nuclear-capable Babur cruise missile on 17 September 2012 with a range of 700 km (435 miles) India topped the chart of registered largest number of under five deaths in 2011 In the Child Mortality Estimates Report 2012 published on 12 September 2012, by United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), Indi a was placed at the top position in the chart of 10 countries that topped on the chart The Islamabad Womens Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the PHDCCI signed MoU The Islamabad Womens Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the PHDCCI on 12 September 2012 signed an MoU. Th e objective of the MoU is to develop policies in trade, investment and tourism between Pakistan and India US Diplomat to Libya killed in Benghazi Attack United state ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens with three other embassy staff were killed on 9 September 2012 after some fundamentalist mobs fumed and protesting over a film mocking Prophet Mohammed, attacked Consulate building in Benghazi city of Libya India and Saudi Arabia held their first talk on defence ties The Joint Committee on defence cooperation from Saudi Arabia and India met for creation of defence ties on 11 September 2012 India, Myanmar and Thailand decided to implement Trilateral Connectivity Project by 2016 India, Myanmar and Thailand on 10 September 2012 reviewed the eagerly awaited trilateral connectivity project and decided to make all efforts to implement this by 2016 Differences grew in between China and Japan over the disputed Diayo Islands Japan on 11 September 2012, announced that it has purchased the three uninhabited islands in the Diayo Islands from its owner family based in Tokyo India extended a credit of $10 Million aid to Palestine in a gesture of support Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced a support of $10 Million to Palestine during a meet with Palestines National Authorit y President Mahmoud Abbas on 11 September 2012 India and Pakistan issued a joint statement at the end of the SM Krishna's Visit External Affairs of India, SM Krishna visited Pakistan from 7 to 9 September 2012 to review progress in the Dialogue process. During his visit, India and Pakistan issued a joint statement US uplifted terrorist designation from Nepali Maoists The title of terrorists assigned to Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) by United States has been uplifted on 6 September 2012 India and Tajikistan went ahead on strategic partnership and signed six agreements India and Tajikistan on 3 September 2012 signed six agreements in the field of sports, health, culture, education, labour, textiles and energy Sixth MekongGanga Cooperation meeting held in New Delhi MekongGanga sixth Cooperation meeting was held in New Delhi on 3-4 September 2012 India established Diplomatic Relations with Niue Minister of State for External Affairs of India E Ahamed and Prime Minister of Niue H. E. Toke Talagi signed a Joint Communiqu on the establishment of Diplomatic Relations between India and Niue, at Cook Islands, on 30 August 2012 India, China discussed Border security and Bilateral Defence ties

India, China discussed Border security and Bilateral Defence ties for expanding defence cooperation, on September 4 2012. The 16th NAM (Non-Aligned Movement) Summit was held in Tehran The 16th NAM (Non-Aligned Movement) summit was held at Tehran, Iran on 30-31 August 2012 USA slapped Sanctions on Laskar-e-Toibas Top Eight Commanders The United States of America slapped sanctions on Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Toiba's top eight commanders, including Mumbai terrorist attack mastermind Sajid Mir India and Iran decided to expand Trade and Economic Cooperation India and Iran decided to expand Trade and Economic Cooperation. The two nations agreed to expand trade and economic cooperation through the Chahbahar port International Atomic Energy Agency set up Special Task Force for Iran International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the international agency for the monitoring of nuclear energy, on 29 August 2012 India, Afghanistan and Iran to set up Joint Working Group to spur Trade Iran, India and Afghanistan discussed options for investment in the Chabahar Port, located in southeast Iran India China agreed to set up Joint Working Group on Trade and Investments India and China agreed to set up a joint working group (JWG) to look into issues related to trade and investments Supreme Court of Pakistan granted Three-week Time to Prime Minister The Supreme Court of Pakistan on 27 August 2012 granted three-week time to the Prime Minister Raja Parvez Ashraf India, Iran and Afghanistan agreed for Transit Co-operation through Chabahar port India, Iran and Afghanistan agreed to work for expanding trade and transit co-operation through Chabahar port in Iran Russia formally became a Member of the World Trade Organisation Russia formally became a member of the World Trade Organisation(WTO) on 22 August 2012 after 18 years of negotiations Myanmar abolished Censorship of the Country's Media Myanmar government on 20 August 2012 abolished censorship of the country's media India to cut Import Duties on 234 Items from Pakistan India on 17 August 2012 cleared the commerce departments proposal to reduce the sensitive list of items under Safta for Paki stan by 30 percent Lakhdar Brahimi appointed New Joint Special Representative of UN and Arab League for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi was appointed the new joint special representative of the UN and the League of Arab States for Syria on 17 August 2012 Ecuador Granted Wikileaks Founder Julian Assange Political Asylum The foreign ministry of Ecuador announced that Ecuador would be granting Wikileaks co-founder Julian Assange a political asylum on 16 August 2012 UN Security Council decided not to extend the UN Observers Mission in Syria The United Nations Security Council decided not to extend the mandate of UN Observers Mission in Syria Joint Statement on the First India-CELAC Troika Foreign Ministers Meeting Held in New Delhi The first meeting of the India-CELAC Troika Foreign Ministers was held on 7 August 2012 in New Delhi Organisation of Islamic Cooperation suspended Syrias Membership Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the 57-member body of Islamic countries, suspended Syria from the organization China signed Economic Agreements with North Korea which includes the Development of SEZs China signed agreements with North Korea to increase the bilateral economic co-operation. The agreements were signed during a visit of senior North Korean official Libya's NTC Handed Power to Newly Appointed National Assembly The ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) handed over power to the newly elected National Assembly on 8 August 2012 in a night ceremony in Tripoli, Libya Pakistans Supreme Court summoned Prime Minister over Corruption Cases against President Pakistans Supreme Court on 8 August 2012 ordered the Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf to appear before judges US imposed Fresh Sanctions on Belligerent Iran US government on 2 August 2012 announced to impose some fresh sanctions on Iran Sudan signed a Deal with South Sudan over Oil Payments Sudan in the first week of August 2012 signed an agreement with South Sudan over oil payments. South Sudan agreed to pay Sudan just over 9 dollars per barrel to transport oil to its ports United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution on Syria The United Nations General Assembly on 3 August 2012 adopted a non-binding resolution on Syria Pakistan Supreme Court annulled New Law Protecting the Prime Minister Supreme Court of Pakistan on 3 August 2012 annulled the new law called Contempt of Court Act 2012(COCA 2012) seeking to protect the Prime Minister from disqualification India and Belgium signed Agreement for the Modernisation of Indian Railways India on 1 August 2012 signed an agreement with Belgium to modernise the Indian Railways and make some of the country's railway stations world class India and Israel signed Collaborative Academic Research Programme Agreement India and Israel signed a MoU on 2 August 2012 for starting a collaborative academic research programme US Senate passed Bill to label Haqqani Network as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation The US Senate on 27 July 2012 unanimously passed a resolution to label the dreaded Haqqani network as a foreign terrorist organisation India signed Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) with Monaco India signed Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) with Monaco on 31 July 2012 in New Delhi. It will allow the two countries to check tax evasion US Imposed Sanctions on Banks Handling Iranian Oil Transactions United States announced fresh sanctions against foreign banks that helps Iran sell its oil on 1 August 2012 India allowed FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) from Pakistan Indian government on 1 August 2012 decided to allow investment from Pakistan with the objective of boosting bilateral economic relations Election Commissions of India and South Korea signed MoU to Strengthen Democracy

The Election Commission of India and South Korean Election Commission on 1 August 2012 signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) to strengthen democracy US and Pakistan inked NATO Supply Agreement After a week long negotiations, Pakistan and US on 31 July 2012 finally signed an agreement on transporting supplies for NATO troops India, China Agreed to step up Defence, Security Dialogue, Achieve USD 100 Billion Trade Target India and China agreed to take the defence and security dialogue to a higher level and work to take steps to ensure that the two countries achieve a USD 100 billion trade target by 2015 on 26 July 2012 India banned US-sanctioned Iranian ships from entering its water India banned US-sanctioned Iranian ships from entering its water India and Bangladesh decided to Fast Track the Implementation of Various Agreements India and Bangladesh on 24 July 2012 decided to fast track the implementation of various agreements reached between them in 2010 and 2011 Romanias President Traian Basescu survived the impeachment People of Romania voted in a referendum on impeaching the President Traian Basescu on 28 July 2012 India, Indonesia Signed Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement India and Indonesia signed an agreement to avoid double taxation and prevent fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income on 27 July 2012 India Called on All Nations to Cooperate and Bring End to Syria Crisis India called on all nations within and outside Syria to fully cooperate with international envoy Kofi Annan to bring an end to the ongoing crisis situation in Syria Hesham Kandil Appointed Egypt's New Prime Minister Egypts President Mohamed Morsi elected fifty year old Hisham Kandil as the countrys Prime Minister China, Russia Vetoed UN Resolution : Situation intensified in Syria Russia and China vetoed on the UN Security Council resolution on Syria on 19 July 2012. For more information, read ahead. China pledged 20 Billion Dollar Loan to Africa over the Next Three Years In a move aimed at strengthening its economic ties with the African continent, China pledged to give 20 billion dollar loan to African countries over the next three years US House of Representative voted to cut the US Aid to Pakistan by 650 Million Dollar The US House of Representative on 19 July 2012 voted unanimously to cut the US aid to Pakistan by 650 million dollar Syrian Defence Minsiter, Dawoud Rajiha Killed in Suicide Bomb attack in Damascus, Syria The National Security Bureau in the Rawda district of Damascus, capital of Syria suffered a heavy blow on 18 July 2012. For more information, read ahead. Maldives Ex-President, Mohamed Nasheed charged for judge's illegal arrest The ousted Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed is charged with illegally ordering the arrest of criminal court Chief Justice, Abdulla Mohamed. For more information, read ahead. US made Visa Application Rules for Indians More Flexible The United States made the visa application rules for Indians more flexible India and Mozambique Signed Agreement on Bilateral Security Cooperation in Maputo, Mozambique India and Mozambique signed an agreement on Bilateral Security Cooperation on 14 July 2012. For further information, read ahead. Hillary Clinton visited Israel as the Final Halt of her Trip to Asia Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, visited Israel on 16 July 2012, where she met Israeli President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma became the First Female Chairperson of African Union Commission African Union Commission (AUC) on 15 July 2012 elected South Africa's home affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as its new chairperson Derek Mitchell assumed the Charge as the First US Ambassador to Myanmar since 1990 Derek Mitchell on 11 July 2012 assumed the charge as the first US Ambassador to Myanmar in the past 22 year India, Singapore Signed Agreements and MoU in New Delhi on 11 July 2012 India and Singapore signed three key bilateral agreements and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 11 July 2012, New Delhi. United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Laos Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state visited Southeast Asian nation Laos (Lao People's Democratic Republic) on 10 July 2012 ICC sentenced Congolese Warlord Thomas Lubanga to 14-Year Imprisonment Hague based International Criminal Court (ICC) awarded Thomas Lubanga, a Congolese warlord, 14-year imprisonment on 10 July 2012 Tokyo Conference pledged to provide 16 Billion Dollar Aid to Afghanistan The one-day International Conference held in Tokyo to provide Afghanistan a much needed financial assistance concluded on 8 July 2012 UNHRC adopted Resolution to protect the Online Human Rights of Global Citizens United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the human rights wing of UN, on 5 July 2012, adopted a resolution to protect the online human rights of global citizens Myanmars Vice President Tin Aung Myint Oo stepped down Myanmars first Vice President Tin Aung Myint Oo resigned on 4 July 2012 due to health reasons Iran test-fired Medium Range Ballistic Missile Shahab-3 Iran on 3 July 2012, test-fired a medium range ballistic missile Shahab-3. The Shahab-3 has a range of up to 2000 kilometres PRI Leader Enrique Pea Nieto elected the New President of Mexico The Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) leader Enrique Pea Nieto was elected the new President of Mexico on 1 July 2012 CII in Partnership with the Government of India and Afghanistan held Delhi Investment Summit The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in partnership with Government of India and Afghanistan along with Afghan investment and business organizations organized a Delhi Investment Summit on Afghanistan on 28 June, 2012. India-South Korea met for Second Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue in New Delhi India and South Korea met in New Delhi on 28 June 2012 during their second foreign policy and security dialogue. US Supreme Court held US Health Care Law Constitutional The US Supreme Court on 28 June 2012, upheld the US President Barack Obamas most ambitious social legislation the health care law China and Bhutan Met on Sidelines of Rio Plus Twenty Summit, seeking to establish Diplomatic Ties

Bhutan and China decide to bond over diplomatic ties . For more information, read more US Federal Court absolved Union Carbide Corporation in Bhopal Gas Tragedy Case US Federal Court absolved Union Carbide of Bhopal Gas Tragedy case on 27 June 2012 Afghanistan and Norway finalized the Draft of the Strategic Partnership Agreement Afghanistan and Norway on 27 June 2012 finalized the draft of the strategic partnership agreement between the two countries India emerged as the Largest Trading Partner of Dubai in the First Quarter of 2012-13 India emerged as the largest trading partner of Dubai in the first quarter of 2012-13. The latest data of Dubai foreign trade by the Dubai Customs was released in the third week of June 2012 Seventh G20 Summit held in Los Cabos, Mexico Aimed at boosting World Economy Mexico chaired the G 20 on 18,19 June 2012. This was the seventh summit in the line of order. For more details, read more FJP Leader Mohammed Mursi won the Egyptian Presidential Election 2012 Mohammed Mursi, leader of the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), on 24 June 2012 was declared victorious in Egypt's historical presidential election India and Israel inked Pact to Promote Bilateral Relation in the Tourism Sector India and Israel inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand the bilateral relation in the tourism sector on 24 June 2012 India and China set a 100 Billion Dollars Trade Target by 2015 India and China on 21 June 2012 agreed to increase their defence and security dialogue and work to take steps to ensure that the two countries achieve a 100 billion dollars trade target by 2015 Antonis Samara sworn in as the Prime Minister of Greece The New Democracy Party leader Antonis Samara sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Greece on 20 June 2012 Supreme Court of Pakistan debarred Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raja Gilani from Office The Supreme Court of Pakistan on 19 June 2012, debarred Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raja Gilani from his office Fatou Bensouda appointed Chief Prosecutor of International Criminal Court Gambian lawyer Fatou Bensouda was sworn in on 15 June 2012 as the International Criminal Court's new chief prosecutor Many People Killed and Several Injured in a Series of Bomb Explosions in Iraq At least 84 people were killed and score others were left injured in a series of bomb blasts and gunfire attacks throughout Iraq on 13 June 2012 India-Pakistan Siachen Talks were held in Rawalpindi The Defence Secretary level talks between Pakistan and India and on Siachen were held at the Ministry of Defence, Rawalpindi on 11 12 June 2012 Myanmar President Thein Sein declared Emergency in West Myanmar Myanmar President Thein Sein declared emergency in West Myanmar on 10 June 2012 India allowed Foreign Direct Investment from Pakistan India on 8 June 2012 announced to allow foreign direct investment from Pakistan Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit 2012 concluded in Beijing The Beijing summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) concluded on 7 June 2012 US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta visited India, vowed to strengthen Tie with India US defence secretary Leon Panetta arrived India on a two-day visit on 5 June 2012 US Drone Strike killed Al-Qaida's Second-in-Command Abu Yahya al-Libi A US drone strike in northwest Pakistan killed al-Qaida's second-in-command Abu Yahya al-Libi on 5 June 2012 Pakistan conducted the Test of Nuclear Capable Babur Missile Pakistan successfully test-fired the indigenously developed Hatf-VII (Babur) cruise missile on 5 June 2012 A Boeing MD83 Aircraft crashed in Nigeria, killing all 153 People Aboard A boeing MD83 aircraft crashed in Lagos, the largest Nigerian city on 3 June 2012. All 153 people on board were killed in the worst air disaster of Nigeria in nearly past two decades Aung Saan Suu Kyi visited Thailand in Her First Foreign Visit since 1988 Myanmars pro-democracy leader Aung Saan Suu Kyi carried out her first trip outside the country since 1988 Egyptian Court served Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak with Life Term An Egyptian court awarded former President Hosni Mubarak with life imprisonment on 2 June 2012 UN Human Rights Council approved an Investigation into Houla Killings in Syria The United Nations Human Rights Council on 1 June 2012 approved an investigation into the mass killing of civilians at Houla and condemned Syria for the massacre India and Bahrain inked Tax Information Exchange Agreement India and Bahrain, on 31 May 2012 inked a Tax Information Exchange Agreement to promote economic cooperation and joint investment between the two countries Nepal SC issued Show Cause Notice to Government over Dissolution of Constituent Assembly Nepals Supreme Court issued a show cause notice to the government over the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly and the announcement of fresh elections Pakistan successfully test-fired Nuclear Capable Hatf 9 Missile Pakistan on 29 May 2012 successfully test-fired a short-range Hatf 9 (Nasr) missile. The missile which has a range of 60 kilometers Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav removed Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav on 29 May 2012 removed Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai from his post, but asked him to keep the charge until an alternative arrangement is put into place 5.8 Magnitude Earthquake jolted North-Eastern Italy, 16 People killed A powerful 5.8 magnitude earthquake jolted northeastern Italy, killing at least 16 people and injuring 350 on 30 May 2012 India inked TAPI Gas Sale and Purchase Agreement with Turkmenistan GAIL (India) Limited inked the gas sale and purchase agreement (GSPA) with TurkmenGaz, Turkmenistan's national oil company Suicide Bomber killed more than 90 soldiers and left over 200 injured in Yemen A suicide bomber killed more than 90 soldiers and left over 200 people injured in Yemeni capital Sanaa on 21 May 2012 India surpassed China as the largest Arms Importer in the World Serbian Progressive Party Leader Tomislav Nikolic won the Serbias Presidential Election

The Serbian Progressive Party leader Tomislav Nikolic won the Serbias presidential election on 2 0 May 2012 United States announced the Partial Rollback of Sanctions on Myanmar United States on 17 May 2012 decided to ease the economic sanctions imposed on Myanmar and named the first ambassador to the former pariah state in the past 22 years Reserve Bank of India decided to set up a 2 Billion Dollar Swap Facility for SAARC Nations Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 16 May 2012 decided to set up a 2 billion dollar swap facility for SAARC (South-Asian Association for Regional Co-operation) member-nations Jean-Marc Ayrault took over as the New Prime Minister of France Jean-Marc Ayrault a moderate Socialist took over as the Frances new Prime Minister on 16 May 2012 Tibetan Spiritual Leader, The Dalai Lama, received the 1.7 Million Dollar Templeton Prize The Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, received the 1.7 million dollar Templeton Prize on 14 May 2012 for his help in promoting links between spirituality and science Key Afghan Peace Negotiator Arsalan Rahmani Daulat assassinated in Kabul Arsalan Rahmani Daulat, the Key Afghan peace mediator, was assassinated 13 May 2012 14 People died in a Plane Crash in Jomsom in Nepal An Agni Airplane crashed in Jomsom in western Nepal crashed on 14 May 2012 killing nearly 14 of the 21 people on board Jordans Parliament passed a Law to Encourage a Multiparty Political System in the Country Jordan's parliament on 9 May 2012 passed a law to encourage a multiparty political system in the country. The move is one of the key reform measures announced by Jordanian King Abdullah II Pakistan Successfully test-fired Hatf III Ghaznavi Missile Pakistan successfully test-fired Hatf III Ghaznavi missile on 10 May 2012 50 People killed in a Superjet 100 Aircraft Crash in Russia All of nearly 50 people on board were killed in a Superjet 100 aircraft crash about 40 miles (64 km) south of Jakarta 40 People died in Bomb Explosion in the Capital City of Syria 40 people killed and scores others left injured in two powerful bomb blasts in Damascus on 10 May 2012 Vladimir Putin sworn in as the President of Russia Vladimir Putin the former Russian Prime Minister and the president of the United Russia Party took the oath as the President of Russia on 7 May 2012 24 people killed and scores injured in the Suicide Blast in Pakistan A teenage suicide bomber blew himself up in Pakistan's northwest tribal area of Bajaur Nepal Cabinet tendered Resignation to form New Government Nepal cabinet tendered its resignation on 3 May 2012. Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai will also resigned by the end of the month Twenty People died in Church Attack in Nigerian City of Kano 20 people died and several others left injured in an attack on a Christian church in Nigeria on 29 April 2012 Aung San Suu Kyi sworn in As the Leader of Opposition in Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi took the oath of office to become an official member of Myanmars parliament on 2 May 2012 India to Export 2.1 million tonnes (mt) of Iron Ore to Steel Mills of Japan & South Korea India on 30 April 2012 decided to export 2.1 million tonnes of iron ore to steel mills of Japan & South Korea under a long-term agreement Union Cabinet of India approved Proposal by Oman to hike the Gas Price The Union Cabinet on 28 April 2012 approved the proposal by Oman to hike the gas price for an Indian fertilizer plant in the Gulf nation Signing of a New Liberal Visa Regime with Pakistan approved by the Indian Cabinet Union Cabinet on 26 April 2012 in a meeting headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh approved the signing of a new liberal visa regime with Pakistan Supreme Court of Pakistan convicted Prime Minister Yusuf Raja Gilani for Contempt of Court The Supreme Court of Pakistan convicted Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raja Gilani for contempt of court for refusing to reopen corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari Pakistan Successfully test-fired Upgraded Version of Shaheen-1 Missile Pakistan, on 25 April 2012, successfully test-fired an upgraded version of Shaheen-1 missile Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Cabinet resigned Following The Failure of Austerity Talks The Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte and his Cabinet resigned on 23 April 2012 after failing to reach agreement European Union suspended Its Sanctions Against Myanmar The European Union suspended its sanctions against Myanmar on 23 April 2012 for a year USAfghanistan inked Strategic Pact setting Guidelines for US Involvement in Afghanistan US and Afghanistan inked a long-awaited strategic pact on 22 April 2012 A Powerful 6.6-Magnitude Earthquake jolted Eastern Indonesia A strong earthquake of 6.6 magnitude hit waters off eastern Indonesia on 21 April 2012 More Than 120 People killed in the Plane Crash in Pakistan A passenger aero plane crash near Islamabad in Pakistan on 20 April 2012, left more than 100 people dead The Fourth BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) Summit was held in New Delhi, India The Fourth BRICS summit was held in New Delhi on 29 March 2012. The theme of the summit was BRICS partnership for Global Stability, Security and Prosperity India and the UAE signed an agreement to amend the Double Taxation Avoidance Treaty India and the UAE on 16 April 2012 signed an agreement in Abu Dhabi to amend the double taxation avoidance treaty, paving the way for greater sharing of tax related information World Trade Organisation (WTO) pegged World Trade Growth at 3.7 per cent for 2012 World Trade Organisation (WTO) on 11 April 2012 pegged world trade growth at 3.7 per cent for 2012 thereby projecting a further slowdown in world trade Taliban attacked Kabul and Three Other Provinces of Afghanistan Taliban militants on 15 April 2012, unleashed a string of attack in the high profile diplomatic pockets, NATO bases and Parliament of Kabul capital city of Afghanistan

Syrian Government announced Ceasefire against Rebels The Syrian government announced ceasefire against rebels on 12 April 2012. There would be no military operations against rebels The Seventh Meeting of the India-Russia Joint Working Group was held in New Delhi The seventh meeting of the India-Russia Joint Working Group was held in New Delhi on 11 April 2012 India and Germany decided to cooperate in the Field of Urban Development India and Germany on 10 April 2012 decided to promote bilateral cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development India and Qatar signed Six agreements including a Pact on Cooperation in Oil and Gas Exploration India and Qatar signed six agreements, including a pact on cooperation in oil and gas exploration. The agreements were signed in New Delhi during the visit of Qatars Emir