The US House of Representatives, increasingly unhappy with President Clinton's pro-China foreign policy, passed a resolution by a vote of 396-4 calling for the President to build a strategic partnership with India.--Stephen V Cole
December 7; In the Pakistank city of Rawalpindi, a bomb exploded and injured three people. This, and an earlier bombing, are believed to be the work of those who still back the recently deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
December 4; After a deadly cyclone hit Orissa State on 29 Oct, the Army sent troops into three districts (Puri, Bhadrak, and Jajpur) to provide relief services, remove the bodies of the 9,866 killed, rebuild roads and dikes, and keep order. The Orissa State government (run by the opposition Congress Party) asked the Army to leave on 21 Nov, but the Army is campaigning to remain in the badly hit districts as their services are still needed. --Stephen V Cole
December 3; In Bangladesh, troops were called out in Dhaka to put down fighting between thousands of followers of rival Moslem preachers. One man was killed, and many more were injured. Violent religious battles between rival Moslem groups is an increasing problem in Pakistan in Bangladesh. India has much violence between Hindus and Moslems (usually instigated by the Hindus.) December 2; The US and Indian military have resumed the high-level talks and exchanges that were suspended when India conducted a new round of nuclear tests in May 1998. Indian Army Chief of Staff General Ved Prakash Malik is visiting the US, and will attend the Asia-Pacific Commander's Conference in Honolulu on his way home. The US has also resumed high-level diplomatic contacts, sending Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbot to a series of talks with Indian officials in London. They reportedly discussed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and India's new role as a nuclear power. --Stephen V Cole
December 2; The Indian Air Force has lost 16 aircraft in accidents so far this year, and regards this accident rate as unacceptably high. The Indians realize that the problem lies in the inadequate training of their pilots, and plan to buy a new fleet of advanced jet trainers in order to improve pilot training and bring down the accident rate.--Stephen V Cole
November 29; A bomb in a bus moving through the Pakistani city of Hyderabad killed two and injured ten. No one claimed credit, although it is possible supporters of corrupt politicians currently being prosecuted many be responsible.
