Russia and China pull together to counter US Asia drive

Chinese sailors march pass the Russian destroyer Admiral Vinogradov berthed at a naval base in Qingdao, northeastern China on April 23, 2012 (China Out/AFP Photo)

Source: Russia Today
http://www.rt.com/news/putin-china-military-ties-139/

President Vladimir Putin has said Russia will cement its military alliance with China, including an increase in joint exercises in the Asia-Pacific. The move follows a US pledge to step up its naval presence in Asia in a bid to extend its influence.

"Recently joint navy exercises were held in the Yellow Sea, and they were the first of such exercises. We have agreed with Chairman Hu that we will continue such cooperation," Putin said following a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao in Beijing.

The Russian leader said that security in the Asia-Pacific region was a top priority for both countries and they will work together to further develop ties.

"We favor the formation of an open and equal-minded security and cooperation architecture in the region, based on the principles of international law," Putin said.

Russian and Chinese naval forces recently held six days of military drills in the Yellow Sea. The first drills of their kind, they included anti-submarine exercises and hijacked vessel rescue operations.

Russia deployed four warships from its Pacific fleet for the drills with 16 Chinese ships and two submarines.

The strengthening of Sino-Russian relations also serves to counterbalance US influence in Asia.

US defense minister Leon Panetta announced on Saturday that the US plans to step up its naval presence in the Pacific as part of the so-called “Asia re-balancing” initiative.

Panetta has also announced that the US intends to cement military ties with India.

The American government plans to maneuver 60 per cent of its battleships into the Asia-Pacific region by 2020. It currently has around 50 per cent of its fleet stationed there.

China views an increased US military presence in the Asia-Pacific as a challenge to its own sovereignty and an attempt by America to curtail the country’s rise.

"China is Russia's strategic partner. We enjoy mutually beneficial, mutually trusting, open cooperation in all fields," said Putin

Iran, India to counter 'Taliban threat'

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Ali Fathollahi (R)
meets with India's Foreign Minister S M Krishna



Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=137632§ionid=351020101


Top Iranian and Indian officials have agreed to "counter the threat of Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan" and boost their economic and energy ties.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Ali Fathollahi met with Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao in New Delhi where the two sides discussed a range of issues from cooperation in establishing regional security to expanding bilateral ties.

"Ways to stem the influence of the Taliban in Afghanistan and its backers in Pakistan figured prominently in the discussions," Sify News quoted informed sources as saying on Thursday.

The sources added that Tehran and India agreed "to stay in close touch over Afghanistan to safeguard their interests in the wake of the Taliban reintegration process."

Last month, Iranian and Indian officials also reached consensus on pressing forward with the India-aided Iranian Chabahar port to ease New Delhi's access to both Afghanistan and Central Asia.

"They also decided to firm up a regional approach that will include closer cooperation with Russia in averting a Taliban takeover that some fear may happen after US troops begin to withdraw from that country," the report said.

India sees Iranian cooperation crucial to preventing Taliban militants from gaining control of Afghanistan.

Iran's IRNA news agency also reported on Fathollahi talks with India's Foreign Minister S M Krishnaon on a wide range of bilateral issues, including energy and economic ties.

Japan reveals secret nuclear pact with US

Source: PressTV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=120464§ionid=351020406


Japan has verified the existence of a secret nuclear pact with the United States that allows US forces to bring nuclear weapons into the country.

Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada said on Tuesday that a panel of experts confirmed the existence of the pact after examining thousands of documents over a period of months.

From the 1960s, Japan has allowed the United States to deploy nuclear weapons on the southern island of Okinawa, the panel said.

Japan's previous governments had always denied the existence of such secret agreements.

However, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's government, which came to power six months ago, has adopted less US-friendly policies.

Yet Hatoyama says he believes the nuclear deterrence is necessary to maintain regional security.

In its calls for total nuclear disarmament, Japan has always emphasized its status as the only country to have been attacked with nuclear weapons.