Afghanistan

Russia Turns To Taliban For Weapons; Reports Claim After Iran & N.Korea, Moscow Eyes US Arms In Afghanistan – The EurAsian Times

With no western support for the upkeep of this weaponry, it may be easier for the Taliban to decide on sending them over to Moscow. According to the Kremlin officials cited by the British media report, Putin wants to supply his soldiers in Ukraine with these Western weapons. The General SVR channel alleges: “Putin is overseeing negotiations with the Taliban to recognize the Taliban government. In return, the Russian leadership is offering a major arms and military equipment swap.” Click here to read…

Afghanistan: Taliban to set new rules on women’s aid work, UN says – BBC News

Taliban ministers have told a senior UN official they plan to draw up new guidelines to allow Afghan women to work in some humanitarian operations. Martin Griffiths told the BBC he had received “encouraging responses” from a wide range of Taliban ministers during talks in Kabul, even if last month’s edict banning Afghan women working for NGOs is not reversed. Click here to read…

AK Doval expected to visit Moscow in February for Afghanistan dialogue – Economic Times

National security advisor AK Doval is expected to visit Moscow next month for a regional dialogue on Afghanistan. Doval will also hold con,.n rights situation. India hosted this dialogue in 2021 followed by Tajikistan in 2022. Last month, India also hosted Central Asian NSAs with a special focus on Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Afghanistan’s Kamal Khan Dam and the Helmand River Treaty – The Diplomat

The opening of the Kamal Khan Dam in March 2021 reignited an old dispute between Iran and Afghanistan over the allocation of water in the Helmand River. The river is considered to be one of Afghanistan’s natural lifelines. It’s the country’s longest and runs into Hamoun Lake, which lies on the border between the two neighbors. Neither the Helmand River Treaty nor customary international law denies Afghanistan the right to construct dams over the Helmand River. Click here to read…

Twenty terrorist groups ‘with foreign objectives’ operating in Afghanistan– The National News

Twenty extremist groups are entrenched in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan with eyes on targets abroad, a security expert has said. In a chilling warning to the international community, Arian Sharifi suggested the landlocked country has become a breeding ground for terrorists looking to establish or re-establish themselves. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s seaports: Securing domestic and regional economic Interests – Hindustan Times

Bangladesh is one of the fastest growing economies globally. Over 90% of the country’s international trade is through the ports of Chattogram and Mongla, which also provide the neighbouring countries an access to the sea for trade and connectivity. This paper seeks to assess the significance of the two seaports in advancing Bangladesh’s domestic trade development, and their role in facilitating maritime commerce in the Bay of Bengal region. Click here to read…

PM Hasina: Govt preparing to hold free, fair election – Dhaka Tribune

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said her government is taking all kinds of preparations to hold the next general election in a free and fair manner. “The next election will be free and fair, and we are taking all kinds of preparations,” she said when the outgoing Swiss ambassador, Nathalie Chuard, called on her at her parliament office. Click here to read…

BNP to stage road marches on 4 days in Dhaka – New Age

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Thursday announced that it would observe a road march programme in the capital on four days to demand the ‘restoration of democracy’ as part of its ongoing anti-government movement. BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the demonstration event in a press conference at the Naya Paltan BNP central office in the capital. Click here to read…

Bhutan

India committed to its unique partnership with Bhutan, says PM Modi – the Print

Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked his Bhutan counterpart Lotay Tshering for his warm wishes on the Republic Day and said India is committed to its unique partnership with the neighbour. “Thank you @PMBhutan Dr. Lotay Tshering for your warm wishes! India is committed to its unique partnership with Bhutan for the progress and prosperity of both our nations,” PM Modi said in a tweet. Click here to read…

Are China and Bhutan talks on resolving border dispute a headache for India? – Wion News

Bhutan may emerge as a fresh reason for disputes between neighbours India and China, the latest geopolitical developments indicate. Media reports have mentioned that Beijing has been infesting settlements of villages across the disputed regions, even though China promised to attempt to settle border disputes with Bhutan. Click here to read…

Bhutan could borrow Nu 7.39B more as non-hydro debt this FY – Kuensel

With the country’s non-hydro debt recording at Nu 73.22 billion(B) as of December last year, the government has an opportunity to borrow an additional Nu 7.39B in fiscal year 2022-23. This is because the Public Debt Policy 2016 prescribes that the non-hydro external debt should not exceed 35 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) during a five-year plan period. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Pakistan Rupee Slumps To Record Low, Crisis-Hit Nation Seeks Bailout – NDTV

Pakistan’s currency fell to a record low of ₹ 255 against the US dollar on Thursday, according to local media reports. The tumble comes after the cash-strapped government relaxed its grip on the exchange rate to win much-needed loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Pakistan’s money exchange companies removed the limit on the dollar-rupee rate from Wednesday, and said they will let the local currency drop slowly in the open market. Click here to read…

No backchannel diplomacy between Pakistan and India: Khar – Dawn

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar said on Thursday that ever since the incumbent government came to power, there has been no backchannel diplomacy going on between Pakistan and India “untold to the rest of the world”. “At this moment, there is no such thing under way,” she said during a Senate session. Click here to read…

IMF mission to visit bankrupt Pakistan to discuss bailout program – Times Now

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission will travel to Pakistan later this month to discuss the ninth review of the nation’s ongoing funding program, which it has stalled, the lender’s resident representative announced on Thursday, as the cash-strapped country’s economy is in disarray. The IMF provided Pakistan with a $6 billion bailout in 2019, which was increased by an additional $1 billion in 2018. Click here to read…

Pakistan poll panel announces April elections in two provinces – AlJazeera

Pakistan’s election commission has set final election dates for two provinces whose assemblies were dissolved earlier this month as part of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s bid to force early national polls. Provincial votes have historically been conducted alongside national elections, but Pakistan’s constitution also says new polls must be held in a province within 90 days of the dissolution of its assembly. Click here to read…

Russia’s Kabulov Meets Pakistan’s Khar, Discusses Afghanistan – Tolo News

Russian special envoy Zamir Kabulov met with Hina Rabbani Khar, Pakistan’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs, and discussed regional issues including Afghan peace and security, a Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson said. Pakistan’s Khar said that Afghanistan due to its location has an important role in achieving its full potential in socio-economic development and regional connectivity and urged the international community to continue extending assistance and support. Click here to read…

Maldives

Maldives welcomed more than 133,000 tourists by Thursday – Raajje

More than 133,000 tourists have been welcomed so far in January. This was revealed by the Ministry of Tourism in its latest daily statistics, publicized on Wednesday. Since the new year began, Maldives welcomed a total of 133,000 visitors by Wednesday, which according to the ministry is an increase of 28.8 percent from the 103,236 arrivals recorded in the same period last year, and a significant increase from the 70,614 arrivals recorded in 2021. Click here to read…

Ali Faiz appointed new High Commissioner of Maldives to Sri Lanka – Raajje

A new Maldivian high commissioner has been appointed to Sri Lanka. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih made the appointment on Wednesday. Appointed as the new High Commissioner of the Republic of Maldives to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is Ali Faiz. His letter of credence was handed to him during a ceremony held at the President’s Office. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Myanmar opium farming booming after coup: UN – Mizzima

Opium poppy production in Myanmar ramped up dramatically following the 2021 military coup, the UN’s drugs office said Thursday, as political and economic turmoil drove farmers to cultivate the crop. The country’s economy has been paralysed following the military power grab in February 2021 and subsequent fighting between the junta and anti-coup rebels. Click here to read…

Myanmar junta plans poll with strict rules for political parties – Aljazeera

Myanmar’s military government took an early step toward holding parliamentary elections, but it did so by imposing strict rules on political parties that may make fair balloting difficult. The country has been under sanctions, including by the US and EU, since the coup in 2021 that toppled the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. Click here to read…

China ‘exploited’ insecurity among tribal communities on India-Myanmar border: research paper – The hindu

China has “exploited” the sense of alienation and insecurity among tribal communities along the India-Myanmar border — who have been protesting against the fencing being undertaken along the border — in order to “cause insurgency and instability” in northeastern India, according to a research paper written by a police officer and submitted at a conference last week. It added that insurgents sourced their arms from China and brought them into India via Myanmar. Click here to read…

Nepal

Nepal plane crash: Singapore to analyse black boxes – Mid-Day

Singapore*s Transport Ministry will analyse black boxes recovered from the crash site of Yeti Airlines flight 691 at the request of the investigation authorities in Nepal, officials said. The flight smashed into a gorge on its final approach to the newly opened Pokhara International Airport on January 15, killing all 72 people on board. It was the country*s worst air crash in 30 years. The Transport Ministry*s (MOT) Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB) will help retrieve and read the data from the plane*s flight recorders, said an MOT spokesperson in a statement on Thursday. Click here to read…

‘NC prefers consensus, not power sharing’ – The Himalayan Times

Nepali Congress Spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat said the party had decided to support the government led by CPN-Maoist Centre Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal to establish national consensus. In his address to a press meet organised by Nepal Press Union, Banke, here today, spokesperson for the major opposition said the party had given vote of confidence to the government at the call of the prime minister and it was committed in its effort to cultivate the ground for national consensus rather than joining the government. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

India’s timely help ensured Sri Lanka’s economic survival during crisis: Sri Lankan envoy Moragoda – The Hindu

India’s support to Sri Lanka during its economic crisis, that External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar underlined during his visit to Colombo last week has opened a new chapter in ties between the neighbours, says Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda. Click here to read…

China’s EXIM bank gives Sri Lanka debt extension – Daily Mirror

China’s Export-Import Bank of China (EXIM) has provided Sri Lanka with a debt extension, China’s foreign ministry said on Thursday, confirming a Reuters report earlier this week. EXIM offered Sri Lanka a two-year moratorium on its debt and said it would support the country’s efforts to secure a $2.9 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund, according to a letter reviewed by Reuters. Regional rivals China and India are the biggest bilateral lenders to Sri Lanka, a country of 22 million people that is facing its worst economic crisis in seven decades. Click here to read…

Sri Lankan industries should prepare for the transition to the digital economy: President – Colombo Page

President Ranil Wickremesinghe pointed out that the industrial education and training opportunities in Sri Lanka should be improved by introducing modern technology required to surpass the new industrial technology and digital economy of the fourth and fifth industrial revolutions. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Taliban Discuss Restoration of Historical Sites with UNESCO – The Khaama Press

Mawlavi Atiqullah Azizi, Deputy Minister of Culture and Information of Afghanistan met with Brendan Cassar, UNESCO Culture Program Officer on Monday to discuss the restoration of historical sites. During the meeting, Mr. Azizi shared his concerns with Brendan about restoring historical sites and ancient reservoirs in some provinces of the country, which are on the verge of collapse. Click here to read…

Uzbekistan to Supply Electricity Amid Energy Crisis in Afghanistan – The Khaama Press

The Ministry of Energy and Water announced that Uzbekistan has assured to resume supplying electricity to Afghanistan after weeks of complete blackout. Authorities at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan have acknowledged that they will resume supplying power to Afghanistan from January 25 onward according to the Ministry of Energy and Water. Reportedly, the power supply stopped on January 14 due to extreme cold, causing problems in the gas supply to thermal power plants (TPPs), which run on this type of fuel and provide 90% of electricity generation in the country. Click here to read…

Guterres Calls on ‘Taliban’ to Reverse Ban on Female Access to Education – Tolo News

On UNESCO’s International Day of Education, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the “Taliban to reverse the outrageous and self-defeating ban on access to secondary and higher education for girls & women in Afghanistan.” Schools for female students in grade 6-12 have remained closed for nearly one and a half years. Last month, the Ministry of Higher Education announced that female students are banned from going to university. Click here to read…

Lithium: China’s Afghanistan design – The New Indian

Provinces like Nangarhar, Badakhshan, Nuristan and Kunar were the centres of smuggling syndicates. Gemstones like lapis lazuli, talc powder, copper, iron and coal along with poppy (heroin), were some of the main items that were extracted illegally, smuggled into Pakistan, and then exported to China and other countries under the Pakistani name. Click here to read…

7th ‘Kindness Train’ carrying aid from Turkey arrives in Afghanistan – Pakistan Observer

The seventh “Kindness Train” that departed from Ankara with the coordination of the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) reached Afghanistan’s Herat province on Monday. Sinan Ilhan, Turkey’s consulate general to Herat, welcomed the train with AFAD and Turkish Red Crescent officials. AFAD officials told Anadolu Agency the train carried over 500 tons of humanitarian aid, which would be distributed to families in need in various provinces over the next few days. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Keep economy in mind – Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday directed the deputy commissioners to cut their use of public funds and rein in non-essential projects. She asked them to keep the global economic situation in mind and take measures to increase food production to be ready for a possible food crisis. Click here to read…

Protest Programmes: BNP plans to get back momentum – Daily Star

Fearing that their programmes are losing steam, top BNP leaders are considering new programmes that would bring back the pace to the movement for national election under a non-partisan interim administration. Excitement among the activists peaked ahead of BNP’s December 10 rally in Dhaka, leaders said, adding that their plan now is to revive that momentum through different programmes in February. Click here to read…

Big Powers Battle for Influence in Bangladesh – Diplomat

Bangladesh is emerging as an important site of big power competition. The country has witnessed a flurry of visits from U.S. and Chinese officials in recent weeks. Since it emerged as an independent country in 1971, Bangladesh’s foreign policy has been based on “friendship to all and malice to none.” This strategy has worked well for the country. However, increasingly, the big powers are pressuring Dhaka to take sides in their rivalries. Click here to read…

Bhutan

BKP deregisters with ECB – Kuensel

One of the oldest political party, Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party (BKP) has deregistered as a political party with the Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB). The ECB notified that BKP stands deregistered as a political party and its name has been removed from the register of political parties maintained with the ECB, yesterday. Click here to read…

Steep decline in winter tourist arrivals – Kuensel

DoT officials said that tourism has declined owing to the pandemic which resulted in arrivals being low. “The introduction of the new Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) and other changes in the tourism strategy has contributed to a drop in arrival numbers,” a DoT official shared. The department added that there are other existing issues for the decline. “One factor is Bhutan’s ability to rebound from the Covid-19 pandemic. We only communicated the reopening of Bhutan’s border along with the new tourism strategy only two weeks prior, which was, unfortunately, a late notice,” he said. Click here to read…

Maldives

Maldives welcomes Czechia for adopting gov’t strategy for Gender Equality 2021-2030 Raajje

The government of Maldives has welcomed the Czech Republic for adopting the Government Strategy for Gender Equality 2021-2030. This was done during the 42nd Session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) which commenced at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on Monday. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Opium production booming in Myanmar after the coup: report The Globe and Mail

Economic instability and armed conflict have left farmers in parts of the country “little option” but to start growing the drug, undoing years of work to reduce opium production in Myanmar’s border areas, said Jeremy Douglas, Bangkok-based regional representative for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Click here to read…

A Human Rights Organization Is Filing a Case In Germany Against The Myanmar Army – Globe Echo

A human rights organization and 16 people from Myanmar filed a “criminal complaint” in Germany to demand the punishment of Myanmar army generals for allegations of their involvement in “genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity”, after the seizure of power in 2021, and during a crackdown on the Rohingya Muslims in 2017. Click here to read…

Thai military’s close ties with Myanmar junta compromising ASEAN efforts to resolve crisis – ThaiPBSWorld

Thailand’s lenient stance as well as the close ties between its armed forces and the Myanmar military — also known as Tatmadaw — would undermine the efforts of ASEAN and the international community to ease the ongoing crisis in that country, according to many independent observers. Click here to read…

Nepal

Nepal: Man tries to self-immolate in front of federal parliament building – Free Press Journal

The man was identified as Prem Prasad Acharya. “The 37-year-old has been identified as Prem Prasad Acharya from Illam District. He has been shifted to a hospital in Kirtipur.” Dinesh Raj Mainali, SP of Metropolitan Police Complex Kathmandu told ANI over the phone. Click here to read…

Another earthquake in Nepal, tremors felt in Delhi-NCR – Times of India

Tremors were felt in Delhi-NCR at 2.28pm on Tuesday due to a moderate earthquake of 5.8 magnitude on Richter scale, National Centre for Seismology said. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Pakistan’s nationwide power cuts highlight escalating economic crisis – The Washington Post

Three weeks ago, Pakistani authorities ordered all markets, restaurants and shopping malls to close early, part of an emergency plan to conserve energy as the country of 220 million struggled to make overdue payments on energy imports and stave off a full-fledged economic collapse. But the measures were too little, too late. On Monday morning, the country’s overburdened electrical system collapsed in a rolling wave of blackouts that began in the desert provinces of Baluchistan and Sindh but quickly spread to nearly the entire country, including the densely crowded cities of Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi. Click here to read…

US ‘prevented’ South Asia nuclear war in 2019, claims Pompeo – Dawn

Former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo has revealed that India and Pakistan came close to nuclear war in 2019 following the Balakot airstrike, and that US intervention helped prevent an escalation, the Press Trust of India and AFP reported. In Feb 2019, India launched airstrikes inside Pakistani territory after blaming a militant group for a suicide bombing that killed 41 paramilitary soldiers in Indian-held Kashmir. Pakistan then shot down an Indian warplane, capturing the pilot. Click here to read…

Outages to continue until nuclear plants restored to full capacity – Dawn

Federal Minister for Energy Khurram Dastgir Khan has said the government has ordered an audit to identify weaknesses in transmission system across the country and would soon introduce new technologies and practices to ensure power breakdowns are geographically contained and have ‘blackstart’ facility for quick recovery of the entire national grid. Click here to read…

US Help Won’t Solve Pakistan’s Terrorism Problems – The Diplomat

It could be argued that the United States, Europe, and other countries and international organizations were already helping Pakistan improve governance, infrastructure, economy, and counterterrorism capacities in the newly merged districts (NMD), the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). So long as Pakistan lacks the political will to root out terrorism on its western borderlands, any international efforts would be in vain. Until Pakistan’s policy elite and civil society demonstrate a serious commitment and consensus, foreign investment in governance and policing system alone would fall short of eliminating terrorism and violent extremism in the country. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

President tells UNP to prepare for an election – Daily News

President Ranil Wickremesinghe informed the United National Party (UNP) yesterday (24) to prepare for an election. The President made this announcement when the Management Board of the United National Party met at the President’s Office in Colombo under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. United National Party General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara said the President instructed the United National Party officials to continue the election work. The President has informed all UNP officials to go to Sirikotha party headquarters and engage in election activities. Click here to read…

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to Sri Lanka: Key takeaways – Indian Express

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to Sri Lanka, after his visit to the Maldives, conveyed 1) glad tidings, 2) a much delayed invitation, and 3) two strong messages on India’s expectations of its nearest Indian Ocean neighbour. Taken together, the three provide an understanding of how Delhi views its relations with Colombo. Click here to read…

IMF confirms receipt of India’s financing assurances for Sri Lanka – The Hindu

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has confirmed receiving India’s written financing assurance in support of Sri Lanka’s economic revival, Reuters news agency reported, while Sri Lanka has expressed hope of completing talks on debt restructuring in six months’ time. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Reviewing engagement with Taliban on human rights violation in Afghanistan: US – The Print

The US is reviewing its approach and engagement with the Taliban regime in context of the slew of human rights violations taking place in Afghanistan, a top official in the Biden administration has said, emphasising that Washington is actively evaluating with its allies and partners to take the next appropriate steps towards it. Click here to read…

China inches closer to Afghanistan’s rare Earth reserves with new oil deal – India Today

Chinese Xinjiang Central Asia Petroleum and Gas Co (CAPEIC) signed a deal with Taliban-led Afghanistan in the capital city of Kabul. The acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum for the Taliban, Sheikh Shahabuddin Dilawar, on January 5 announced the deal in which the Chinese company would extract oil from the Amu Darya basin located in the northern part of Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Iran Seeks Commitment to Water Treaty – Tolo News

Iran has once again sought commitment from Afghanistan to the Helmand River Treaty signed between the two sides in 1973. Iran’s newly appointed ambassador to Kabul, Hassan Kazemi Qomi, in a meeting with Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said Afghanistan’s water resources should be managed to prevent waste and protect Iran’s water rights from it. In this meeting, Muttaqi assured the Iranian ambassador that Afghanistan is committed to the Helmand Water Treaty, said a foreign ministry spokesman Zia Ahmad Takal. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

BNP-Jamaat ‘clique’ conspiring ahead of polls: minister – Daily Star

BNP-Jamaat and the far left and right quarters are conspiring as the election inches closer, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque told parliament yesterday. In a scripted answer, the minister said a section of people are trying to create unrest. “Jamaat-BNP… the far left, far right, associated with it… have become active in conspiracy ahead of the election. They do not see the achievements of Awami League.” Click here to read…

Initiatives should be inclusive – Daily Star

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen has opposed any regional or global initiative that is unilateral, exclusive, meant to create confrontation and against any country. “Any sort of initiative either by the US or other countries … they need to be open, inclusive. They should not be unilateral, exclusive or against any country,” said the newly appointed Chinese envoy after a meeting with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen at the ministry yesterday. Click here to read…

How the Bangladesh economy might fare in 2023 – TBS

Critical reforms in the taxation sector, banking sector, capital market, trade policy, and management of the exchange rate are long overdue. Such reforms, along with the faster and cost-effective implementation of some megaprojects and SEZs, are expected to make the economy more resilient. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Parties in search of female candidates – Kuensel

Women had taken part in politics, with some of them at the helm of governance and leading political parties as party president. However, even with studies showing widespread public acceptance of female politicians, women’s political participation remains low still. Click here to read…

Maldives

Maldives backs India for ’28-29 UNSC seat – Tribune India

As India seeks another term for two years at the UN Security Council, the Maldives has said it would support its candidature for a non-permanent seat for the 2028-29 term. “The Government of Maldives has decided to support India’s candidature for a non-permanent seat of the UNSC for the 2028-29 term. The decision was taken following Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar’s visit from January 18 and 19,” said the Maldives’ Foreign Ministry. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Indian Coast Guard evacuates injured Myanmar national from sea – New Indian Express

THE Indian Coast Guard’s (ICG) advanced light helicopter on Monday evacuated an injured Myanmar national from a vessel of Singapore, about 80 nautical mile (148 km) east-northeast of Paradip. Motor tanker GB Venture had developed a mechanical snag and was anchored about 40.5 nautical mile south of Sagar. One crew member Than Htike Lwin sustained blunt abdominal trauma while carrying out maintenance of a hydraulic pipeline. Click here to read…

Myanmar: Japan’s Construction Aid Benefits Junta – HRW

Japan’s Yokogawa Bridge Corp. apparently transferred over US$1 million in 2022 to Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC), which is owned by Myanmar’s abusive military, for a Japanese government development aid project, Human Rights Watch said today. Click here to read…

Myanmar plunges deeper into economic crisis – East Asia Forum

After nearly two years of military rule, Myanmar remains trapped in conflict, facing increasing political instability and a growing humanitarian crisis. While businesses and the labour market had already been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, post-coup instability has done even more damage to Myanmar’s economy. Click here to read…

Nepal

‘Snow-capped mountains turning black’ – The Himalayan Times

Until some years back, the mountainous ridges were seen with snow-capped during the winter season.There used to be a huge inflow of foreign tourists here to take joy of majestic beauty of the Himalayas and play with snow. But, the silver-like glittering mountains are now turning to be black rocks arguably due to the effects of climate change. Consequently, the popular tourism hotspots of Sindhupalchowk – Helambu and Panchpokhari – are losing their identity as the prime tourist destinations. Click here to read…

Banned Practice of Isolating Menstruating Women Still Prevails in Nepal – News18

Menstruation is a monthly occurrence for women. The process is biological and natural, but there’s a lot of taboo and stigma around it. These taboos have often restricted women to take part in various activities at home in India and some other Asian countries too. This has been going on for centuries. One such tradition is Chaupadi. It is a practice in Nepal that restricts women from taking part in any household activities during their periods. They are even not allowed to stay inside their house. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Hours after major outage hits Pakistan, govt says power restoration under way – Dawn

A massive power cut across Pakistan continued after night fell on Monday, affecting most of the country’s 220 million residents, including in the metropolises of Karachi and Lahore. Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir said on Monday night, more than 12 hours after the breakdown occurred, that officials had begun restoring electricity across the country. Click here to read…

Govt wary of IMF-mandated ‘tough decisions’ in an election year – Dawn

The government’s fear of losing popularity before the elections seems to be keeping Pakistan from finalising a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that could stabilise the economy. Official and diplomatic sources told Dawn on Monday that both sides were still discussing the seven demands that the IMF wants Pakistan to accept before it resumes economic assistance to the country. Click here to read…

Pakistan has no money to hold elections? 10 worrisome economic indicators – Mint

Amidst growing concerns of economic turmoil, Pakistan media has quoted Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Spokesperson, Hafiz Hamdullah indicating that if the situation does not improve the upcoming elections will be suspended. Pakistan’s foreign exchange reached a record low of $ 4.56 billion, which can cover only three weeks of imports, according to a Geo News report. Click here to read…

Govt chalks out strategy to tackle Rs1.64tr circular debt in gas sector – Geo News

The government has developed a comprehensive plan to address Rs 1,640 billion circular debt in the gas sector, reported The News. The plan includes securing dividends of Rs 800-850 billion from the two gas utilities, SNGPL and SSGCL, as well as increasing the tariff and adjusting existing slabs to protect lower income consumers from a rise in gas prices. In a bid to break the deadlock with the IMF, the government is working on a plan to remove the circular debt for the energy sector, electricity and gas, which has crossed Rs4.1 trillion figure. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

God won’t change your destiny until you change yourself – Daily Mirror

The leaders of the two ruling parties, the United National Party (UNP) and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) for obvious reasons are arguing that the local government elections which are scheduled to be held on March 9 would not bring solutions to the economic issues that the country is currently faced with. Click here to read…

Is debt cancellation the way forward for Sri Lanka? – Aljazeera

More than 180 prominent economists and development experts from around the world have made a global appeal to Sri Lanka’s financial lenders to forgive its debt, even as other experts are not convinced it is the best way forward for the island nation. According to World Bank estimates, Sri Lanka has an external debt burden of more than $52bn as of December. Of that, nearly 40 percent is owed to private creditors, including financial institutions, while the rest is owed to bilateral creditors where China (52 percent), Japan (19 percent) and India (12 percent) are the largest ones. Click here to read…

Anatomy of sovereign insolvency of Sri Lanka – Daily FT

The purpose of this essay is to highlight the specific blunders by successive Governors of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and members of the Monetary Board since 2006 that has led to the current crisis, and hold them accountable for their actions and/or inactions over a period of 16 years (July 2006-April 2022). Authority and power come with accountability and responsibility. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Afghanistan: Top UN delegation tells Taliban to end confinement, deprivation, abuse of women’s rights – UN News

Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, the Executive Director of UN Women, Sima Bahous, and the Assistant Secretary-General for UN political, peacebuilding and peace operations, Khaled Khiari, spend four days on a fact-finding mission in Afghanistan, to engage with Taliban leaders, and “underscore UN solidarity with the Afghan people”, according to a press release issued to correspondents on Friday. Click here to read…

China to provide modern weaponry to Taliban after terror attack on its nationals in Afghanistan: report – Times Now

China is supplying the Taliban with contemporary weapons in response to the Islamic State Khorasan Province’s (ISKP) recent attack on a hotel in Kabul that primarily housed Chinese nationals. The action is being taken at a time when China’s interests are threatened by Afghanistan’s instability and potential to be a barrier to the Belt and Road Initiative’s success (BRI). Click here to read…

China Supports Inclusive Political Structure in Afghanistan: Qin – Tolo News

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang in a phone call with the acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi expressed China’s support for the Afghan interim government to build a broad and inclusive political structure in the country. Global Times quoted the Chinese FM as saying that China never interferes in Afghanistan’s internal affairs, nor seeks any selfish gains in Afghanistan or the so-called sphere of influence. Click here to read…

Russia accuses US of sponsoring ISIS in Afghanistan– Pakistan Observer

The Russian presidential envoy for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, confirmed that evidence exists of the US attempting to build ties with current Afghan authorities while secretly sponsoring (ISIS). Click here to read…

Bangladesh

RAB arrests two members of extremist outfit at Rohingya camp – New Age

Rapid Action Battalion on Monday said that they had arrested two operatives of extremist outfit Jamaatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya after an ‘exchange of fire’ at Kutupalong Rohingya camp of Ukhia in Cox’s Bazar on early Monday. The RAB, in a text message, said that they had arrested the group’s policy maker and armed wing chief Ranbir and explosive expert Bashar with firearms and explosives. Click here to read…

UN expert lauds Bangladesh’s role in global discourse on safe, orderly migration – Daily Star

UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights on Migrants Felipe Gonzalez Morales yesterday appreciated Bangladesh’s proactive role in the global discourse on safe, orderly and regular migration. The UN special rapporteur, who will be in Bangladesh till January 31, met Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and discussed issues of mutual interest. Click here to read…

Presidential election by February 23 – Daily Star

EC Secretary Jahangir Alam, after a meeting at the EC office, said the election process has already begun. “We will contact the Parliament Secretariat and fix the date of a meeting between the chief election commissioner and the Speaker. The election will be held sometime between January 23 and February 23.” Click here to read…

Bhutan

Govt. to rationalise import and borrow to save foreign currency reserves – Kuensel

Bhutan’s import bill as of September last year shows a estimated daily outflow of INR 233 million (M) and USD 1.35M, equivalent to Nu 105. 23M. The figures could be high if we consider the country’s debt obligations of INR 7 billion (B) and convertible currency debt. Soaring import bills and appreciating USD against the Ngultrum saw the country’s foreign currency reserve decrease. Click here to read…

India and Bhutan foreign secretaries inaugurate projects – Kuensel

The foreign ministry officials, during the inaugural ceremony, said that Digital Drukyul is the project initiated aimed at harnessing the power of ICT to transform Bhutan into an innovative and inclusive society. GoI made assistance of Nu 1066 Million (M). There are four critical projects under the initiative – Government-Initiated Network; Integrated Citizen Services; Digital School, and Enhancement of ICT Sector’s Capacity and Competency. Click here to read…

12th Plan talks fruitful, says PM – Kuensel

India has released almost 86 percent of the Nu 45 billion that it has committed to the 12th Plan, according to the Prime Minister. “Such a speedy and efficient release of funds has not happened in the earlier Plans. We thanked them and conveyed that we are looking forward to the same efficiency,” Lyonchhen said. Lyonchhen said that issues including the pending ones were resolved since the delegation was led by the foreign secretary who is an official with authority. Click here to read…

Maldives

India-Maldives ties, and why New Delhi is concerned about Male’s upcoming presidential elections – Indian Express

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Maldives earlier this week, at a fraught time for the country’s president, Ibrahim Solih. The presidential election in Maldives is to be held on September 9 this year, with a runoff, if necessary, on September 30. Solih has announced he will run for a second term, but his candidature has been opposed within his party by former president and leader of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Mohamed Nasheed, who has thrown his hat in the ring. The two will face off in the party primary on January 28. Click here to read…

China Outmaneuvered In The Maldives As Construction Of India-Funded Airport Begins On Strategic Island – Swarajyamag

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was in the Maldives this week for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Hanimaadhoo international airport project. The $136.6 million development of the Hanimadhoo airport is being executed by Indian company JMC Projects Ltd, financed through a line of credit from India’s Exim Bank. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Myanmar Resistance Targets More Junta Election Offices – The Irrawaddy

Resistance groups have attacked six Myanmar junta offices in Yangon, Sagaing and Magwe regions in two days to disrupt plans for a general election later this year. The junta regime started updating voter lists on January 9, sparking attacks from resistance groups. Click here to read…

Dhaka requests Beijing to discuss border situation with Myanmar – Rising BD

Bangladesh has informed China about the fresh unrest at the Zero Line on the Myanmar border. Dhaka has requested Beijing to discuss the issue with the Myanmar government to resolve it. Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Sunday (January 22) made a courtesy call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen. Click here to read…

Myanmar sees growth in contraband goods seizures in 2022 – Mizzima

Myanmar Vice-Senior General Soe Win said the Myanmar authorities managed to seize more contraband goods over the last year, than the year before, all told a 56 billion kyat value increase. Soe Win made the claims at the Anti-illegal Trade Leading Committee meeting held in Naypyidaw on 18 January. He said at this meeting that there were 2,240 such cases during the one-year period from January to December 2021 and the estimated value of these contraband goods was 8.4 billion kyat. Click here to read…

Myanmar Junta Airstrike Targets Ceasefire Signatory – The Irrawaddy

A Myanmar junta airstrike has targeted the house and office of a Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) commander in Kyainseikgyi Township, Karen State, near the Thai border, according to the armed group. Click here to read…

Nepal

Families of Nepal Plane Crash Likely To Miss Out Millions in Compensation: Report – NDTV

The grieving families of the victims of the Yeti Airlines plane crash are likely to lose out on millions in compensation because the Nepal government has not ratified the crucial air carriers’ liability and insurance draft bill, according to a media report on Friday. On January 15, a Yeti Airlines aircraft crashed into a gorge near the newly-built airport in Pokhara, killing all the 72 passengers on board, including five Indians, in the country’s worst air disaster in 30 years. Click here to read…

China builds new dam in Tibet near Indian border – The Hindu

In a development that is a matter of concern to both India and Nepal, China is constructing a new dam on the Mabja Zangbo river in Tibet, close to the tri-junction, satellite imagery has revealed. The new dam is located around 16 km north of the tri-junction and is opposite the Kalapani area of Uttarakhand, according to sources in the security establishment. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Pakistan, Russia to sign oil supply agreement in March – Dawn

Pakistan and Russia decided on Friday to address all technical issues — insurance, transportation and payment mechanism — to sign an agreement by late March this year for the supply of Russian oil and other petroleum products at discounted rates. “On crude products and future supply of oil products, we have already decided to draft an agreement and to sort out all issues that we have with regard to transportation, insurance, payments and volumes and we have already established the timelines for this agreement” for late March this year, said Russia’s Energy Minister Nikolay Shulginov at a joint news conference with Economic Affairs Minister Ayaz Sadiq. Click here to read…

We want normal ties with Pakistan, says India – The Hindu

India desires “normal neighbourly relation” with Pakistan in an atmosphere that is free of violence, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated on Thursday. Responding to a question on Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s offer of holding “serious” dialogue with India on the Kashmir issue, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India’s position on talks with Pakistan has not changed. Click here to read…

No intentions to carry out military operations inside Afghanistan, clarifies FM Bilawal Bhutto – Daily Pakistan

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday shoots down reports of carrying out surgical strikes in Afghanistan, clarifying that Islamabad has no such intentions of carrying out a military operation in the neighboring country. In his recent interview with a foreign news outlet on the sidelines of the WEF summit in Davos, the Foreign Minister said Pakistan has no such intentions to launch a cross-border military operation in war-torn country, weeks after Kabul strongly responded to the comments of the Interior Minister. Click here to read…

Analysis: Why a financially stable Pakistan is in US interest – Dawn

In recent weeks and months, the US has made no secret of the fact that it is closely monitoring developments in Pakistan, both on the security and economic fronts. In the past three months, over a dozen statements have mentioned Pakistan specifically or in passing, and in each case, the tone and tenor reflects a level of concern seldom seen in the past. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

India to Hike Development Assistance To Sri Lanka – Outlook

India on Friday agreed to double its high-impact community development project in Sri Lanka with a new bilateral agreement signed during the much-anticipated visit of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. He was on a two-day visit to the debt-trapped island nation, met top leaders to enhance bilateral ties and finalise a debt restructuring plan to help Colombo carve out a path from its economic crisis. Click here to read…

After India, China gives financing assurances to Sri Lanka for IMF bailout package – The Hindu

China has given debt-ridden Sri Lanka the financing assurances required by the IMF to unlock a $2.9 billion bailout package for the country, days after India strongly backed the island nation’s efforts to secure the loan from the global lender to recover from its worst-ever economic crisis. The Sunday Times newspaper reported that China’s Exim Bank delivered a letter on Saturday granting Sri Lanka a two-year moratorium on repayment and agreeing with the International Monetary Fund’s extended fund facility (EFF). The report was confirmed by Sri Lankan officials who did not want to be named. Click here to read…

Economic Downturn and External Role – Daily News

For generations, our lament has been the absence of policies at national level. As Governments change, so do the policies adapted by the outgoing Government. It is this lacunae that has bitten us in the posterior end resulting in the ongoing economic crisis. As we struggle to navigate through this current challenge, one thing is clear – our economy and foreign relations have become spouses. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

India’s assistance to Afghanistan came at a very critical time: Envoy Farid

Mamundzayjan19v30 – The Times of India

Hailing India’s humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan as the country goes through a critical time, Ambassador of Afghanistan to India, Farid Mamundzay said that India’s aid came at a very critical time, but at the same time, the country needs more help in form of development and humanitarian assistance. “India has supported Afghanistan in a very difficult time. We are grateful for India’s generous contribution by giving us 40,000 metric tonnes of Wheat, by giving us more than 30 metric tonnes of life-saving medicine and half a million COVID vaccines. Click here to read…

Pakistan begs before Afghan Taliban, urges action against TTP bases in Afghanistan – Firstpost

With the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) creating widespread havoc with almost daily attacks against the security forces, Pakistan has been begging the Afghan Taliban to prevent the banned group from using Afghanistan as their safe haven. In recent months, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has stepped up attacks against security forces across Pakistan. While most of the attacks have taken place in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, Punjab – the heartland of Pakistan – has also been targeted. Click here to read…

UN Seeks Afghanistan’s Active Role in Int’l Community: Spokesman – Tolo News

A spokesman for the prime minister’s office said on Thursday that the United Nations Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed, who met with officials in Kabul this week, said they seek Afghanistan’s active role in the international community. Mullah Hassan Akhund’s spokesman, Qari Mohammad Yousuf Ahmadi, said the UN top official assured of the continuation of aid to Afghanistan. Click here to read…

US Launches Private Refugee Sponsorship Prgram – The Khaama Press

The U.S. State Department announced Thursday, 19 January, the creation of a new Welcome Corps program that will allow private sponsorship of refugees to help them resettle in the United States, read the statement. The state department said the program would build on America’s generosity of spirit by creating a durable program for Americans in communities nationwide to privately sponsor refugees from unstable countries, including Afghanistan, Ukraine and Venezuela. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Bangladesh universal health coverage indicators better than Pakistan – The Print

In a recent article in the Dawn, Professor Zafar Mirza of Shifa Tameer-i-Millat University, Islamabad and WHO adviser on Universal health coverage made some shocking revelations regarding the healthcare status in Pakistan. For instance on neonatal mortality rate (NMR), Pakistan ranks second highest in the world, i.e. out of every 1,000 live births, 40 newborns die within 28 days of life. Click here to read…

China prioritises friendship with Bangladesh in South Asia – Bangladesh Live News

The small but significant non-aligned South Asian nation of Bangladesh is caught between China and the United States both of whom want a strategic alliance with the country as they spar over superpower status in the region. The US is worried that its recent tensions with the country could turn into an opportunity for China to come closer to it. It was a mighty diplomatic challenge the other Week when the newly appointed Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang had an airport layover in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, on way to an African tour. Click here to read…

Fakhrul vows to continue BNP’s anti-government movement – Dhaka Tribune

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said that they are determined to make their movement successful by fighting against imprisonment and oppression. He was speaking at a discussion meeting of BNP marking the party’s founder Ziaur Rahman’s birth anniversary in the capital’s Ramna. He also vowed to fulfill their 10-point demand. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Indian apprehensions soar as Bhutan, China talk border – The Week

Besides underlining Indian curiosity, the ongoing January 18-20 visit of India’s foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra in Bhutan, among other things, is also one of apprehension.
Though pre-scheduled, as Kwatra will also co-chair the 4th India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks, the visit will try to look at the implications of the latest Bhutan-China talks. Click here to read…

Govt. can not lift observation period: Finance minister – Kuensel Online

The government cannot lift the observation period for loan accounts once it is under non-performing loans (NPL), Finance Minister Namgay Tshering said during the meeting with the members of the private sector yesterday. As per the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA), the NPL that have become performing through repayments made by the borrowers have to undergo six months observation period with no bank guarantee and letter of credit. Click here to read…

Maldives

India extends $40 million for bolstering sports infrastructure in Maldives: EAM Jaishankar – The Times of India

External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said India has extended a concessional $40 million Line of Credit for developing sporting infrastructure in the Maldives, as part of New Delhi’s efforts to bring Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship projects such as “Fit India” and “Khelo India” into the ambit of the Neighbourhood First Policy. Click here to read…

Maldives polls, India’s concerns – The Indian Express

The presidential election in Maldives is to be held on September 9 this year, with a runoff, if necessary, on September 30. Solih has announced he will run for a second term, but his candidature has been opposed within his party by former president and leader of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Mohamed Nasheed, who has thrown his hat in the ring. The two will face off in the party primary on January 28. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Myanmar’s junta chief meets Thai counterpart at beach resort to discuss military ties – Radio Free Asia

Myanmar’s junta chief met with his Thai counterpart at a Myanmar beach resort on Thursday for talks that will likely focus on military relations and stability issues along their 1,500-mile (2,415-kilometer) border, according to sources in the country. The three-day meeting between Sr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing and a delegation led by Gen. Chalermpol Srisawat, Thailand’s military chief of staff, in Ngapali in Rakhine state’s Thandwe township is the eighth annual gathering for the two nations’ military leaders. Click here to read…

Myanmar bomb did fall in India but no air space violation: MEA – The Tribune

Ten days after a bomb fell on the Indian side during Myanmar air force’s operations against a rebel settlement near the Indian border, the government acknowledged the incident but maintained there was no violation of the air space. The Union Home Ministry has kept silent on the issue despite testimonies by eyewitnesses and an admission by the local police chief that such an incident had taken place. Click here to read…

UNHCR Reports Sharp Spike in Dangerous Rohingya Boat Voyages – The Diplomat

Earlier this week, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) released new statistics about the number of Muslim Rohingya refugees fleeing Myanmar or Bangladesh by sea in search of sanctuary abroad. According to the new data, some 3,545 people undertook perilous sea voyages in 2022, a fivefold increase on 2021, when around 700 people made similar journeys, UNHCR said in a statement Tuesday. Click here to read…

Nepal

Congress on ‘Mission President’ after its futile Speaker bid – The Kathmandu Post

With its eyes on top state posts—President and Speaker—Congress has tried to cosy up to Dahal again in order to create a rift in the ruling coalition. The largest party gave a vote of trust to the prime minister on January 10. In return, Dahal said he would try his best to accommodate Congress’ concerns in the elections for the top posts. Congress’ attempt yielded no result in the Speaker election after UML’s Ghimire won the coveted post on Thursday. But Congress leaders have said they are now focused on presidential elections in what they label ‘Mission President’. Click here to read…

‘China building dam near border with India, Nepal,’ New satellite images – Mint

China is building a new on the Mabja Zangbo river, near north of the trijunction border with India and Nepal, according to the new satellite images a geospatial intelligence researcher, Damien Symon on his official Twitter handle on Thursday. Symon stated that the project will raise concerns regarding China’s future control on water in the entire region. He said that construction is still incomplete at the site. Click here to read…

Why India Should Be Concerned Over Chinese-Built Airport At Nepal’s Pokhara Becoming A White Elephant And A Chinese Outpost – Swarajya

An air crash in its vicinity is not the most auspicious start to a new international airport. The new Chinese-built ‘international’ airport at Nepal’s lake city — Pokhara — will have to live with this blot of a disaster within days of its inauguration. But more than this ‘jinx’ which it will find difficult to shake off, the Pokhara airport may end up being a white elephant and a huge drain on Nepal’s sparse resources, much like Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port. Click here to read…

Pakistan

US wants Pakistan to be ‘economically sustainable’ – The Khaama Press

The United States wants to see Pakistan in an ‘economically sustainable’ position, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said during a press briefing on Wednesday. During the press briefing, Ned Price was asked to share his view about Pakistan’s economy as the country has less than $5 billion left in its foreign exchange reserves. He answered that this is a challenge the US was attuned to, and they know that Pakistan has been working with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and International financial institutions. Click here to read…

Want good ties with Pak but there should be no terror: India – Hindustan Times

India on Thursday responded to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s conditional offer of talks by saying an atmosphere free from terror and violence is a prerequisite for normal neighbourly ties. Asked about Sharif’s comments at a weekly media briefing, external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said talks could be held only in the absence of terrorism and hostility. “We have said that we have always wanted normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan. But there should be a conducive atmosphere in which there is no terror, hostility or violence. That remains our position,” he said. Click here to read…

Pakistan doesn’t see a partner in PM Modi: Pakistan Minister Hina Rabbani Khar – The Hindu

Pakistan Minister Hina Rabbani Khar on January 19 said her country does not see a “partner” in Prime Minister Narendra Modi for working towards peace between the two countries, but it saw a partner in his predecessors Manmohan Singh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Her comments come days after Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sought “serious” and “sincere” talks with his Indian counterpart for the resolution of the “burning” issues, including Kashmir. Click here to read…

Govt ready to meet all IMF demands to revive loan programme – Dawn

Conveying its willingness to accept all the four major conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the government on Thursday requested the lender to send its mission to Pakistan at the earliest, preferably next week, to conclude a long-awaited agreement to revive the loan programme. Another official said that the government had told the IMF that it was ready to implement decisions in line with Geneva discussions, when the Fund visited Pakistan to conclude a staff-level agreement. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Jaishankar conveys India’s commitment to increase investment flows to Sri Lanka to hasten economic recovery – The Economic Times

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday met Sri Lanka’s top leadership and conveyed India’s commitment to increase investment flows to hasten the debt-ridden island nation’s economic recovery. Sri Lanka, which is trying to secure a USD 2.9 billion bridge loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), was negotiating to get financial assurances from its major creditors – China, Japan and India – which is the requisite for Colombo to get the bailout package. Click here to read…

The inevitable geopolitical lens in Sri Lanka – The Hindu

If it’s a conversation on Sri Lanka’s economy, talking points on China and India are inevitable. ‘What about China?, What will India do?’ are questions that invariably come up in casual chats, as well as official meetings and briefings. Watching the escalating China-India contest in Sri Lanka is a preoccupation for Sri Lankan columnists and diplomats stationed in Colombo. With the crisis-plagued island’s imminent debt restructuring programme in focus, the interest in the two big powers’ responses has only grown. Click here to read…

Ashok Leyland to supply 500 buses to Sri Lanka Govt – Business Standard

The Hinduja Group company on Thursday (19 January 2023) announced that it will supply 500 buses to Sri Lankan Transport Board (SLTB). Sri Lanka Transport Board is the state owned single largest bus transport provider with 110 depots throughout the Sri Lankan island, and operates buses in city routes, hilly & rural routes and also long distance inter-city routes. These buses will help combat the heavily crowded public transport in the island nation, supporting mobility and accessibility in Sri Lanka. Click here to read…

UN human rights office urges Sri Lanka to provide full reparations to victims of 2019 attack – Jurist

Following a decision of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka last week ordering top former authorities, including former president Mathripala Sirisena, to compensate the victims of the Easter Sunday Attack in 2019, spokesperson Jeremy Laurence of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) urged the Sri Lankan government to provide full compensation to all victims, establish an independent investigation to hold responsible persons to account, and release complete findings of previous inquiries into the attack. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Blast Happened Near Foreign Ministry in Kabul: Tolo News

A blast took place in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in downtown Kabul on Wednesday afternoon. At least five civilians were killed and several others were wounded in the blast, a spokesman for the Kabul security department, Khalid Zadran, said. He said the Islamic Emirate condemns such “heinous” attacks and will punish the perpetrators. He said the explosion happened on the street of the Foreign MinistryClick here to read…

Pakistan, Afghanistan Suffering From Militancy and Terrorism: The Khaama Press

Pakistan has experienced a major rise in militancy since the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) broke its peace treaty with the Pakistani government in November. According to Jang Media, the attacks have claimed the lives of 415 military personnel and civilians thus far. Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies (PIPS) has announced that TTP and other terror groups based in border areas between Pakistan and Afghanistan have launched 262 attacks over the past year, causing the death of 419 people and injuring 734 others. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

US wants Bangladesh to join Indo-Pacific Strategy – Dhaka Tribune

The United States wants Bangladesh to be part of the Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS), a White House brainchild aimed at strengthening its long-term position in and commitment to the region. The IPS was established in early 2022 to partner with like-minded countries in the region, facing mounting challenges, particularly from ChinaClick here to read…

Why Chinese Foreign Minister, on first diplomatic trip to Africa, made midnight stop in Bangladesh? – Firstpost

China did not reveal much about the meeting but talking to media, Momen said during the meeting, he raised the widening trade gap with Beijing. As per reports, every year, Bangladesh imports around $13 billion worth of goods from China, while its exports to Beijing remain below $800 million. Over $12 billion deficit is of a major concern for Bangladesh considering the shaky condition of its foreign exchange reserves amid the global economic turmoil sparked by the Ukraine war. Click here to read…

Bangladesh opposition holds rally seeking PM Hasina’s resignation – Aljazeera

Thousands of supporters of Bangladesh’s main opposition party have rallied across Bangladeshi cities to demand Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and the formation of a caretaker government to conduct general elections. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies staged protests in the capital Dhaka and nine other cities on Wednesday, the latest of several demonstrations in recent months amid mounting anger over the rising cost of living. Click here to read…

Bhutan

31 Battalion SSB Gossaigaon conducted ‘Operations alert’ exercise along Indo Bhutan border – The Sentinel

The aim of the exercise is to detect and neutralise the insurgents and their hideouts in the forest area, revamp the security of the SSB Border outpost, monitoring the activities of suspected linkmen & other ground workers working for the militants groups and apprehending them while attempting any illegal activity, detect anti social elements, insurgents, timber smugglers, poachers in the forest area in and around the area of responsibility and to make the sense of security among the border population. Click here to read…

A need for radical policy shift – Kuensel Online

The report is damning—close to 70 percent of job seekers in Bhutan prefer to go abroad to work. This is a survey report from the employment ministry. When emigration rate is high, it indicates that something is seriously wrong with the country’s economic and employment policies. Australia is the choice for most Bhutanese today. What is worrying is that we are not just losing young talents but also a critical talent pool that helps shape our long-term national vision. Click here to read…

Maldives

Maldives: Backsliding on Law Reform, Free Speech – HRW

The Maldives government failed in 2022 to enact critical reforms to the justice system and counter threats to free expression. It did not address longstanding abuses against migrant workers, LGBT people, and other at-risk groups, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2023. The government carried out development projects without full consideration of environmental harm. Click here to read…

Biden applauds Maldives’ efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change – Raajje

The President of the United States of America, Joe Biden has applauded the Maldives’ efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change and build resilience. The US President made the remarks during his meeting with the new Ambassador of the Maldives to the United States of America, Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed, after he presented his Letter of Credence to the President, on 12 December 2022. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Sham election will only prolong Myanmar civil war: Jakarta Post contributor – Strait Times

Jan 4 marked the 75th anniversary of Myanmar’s independence. Under normal circumstances, the occasion, usually referred to as a “diamond jubilee”, would involve great celebration and joy. However, the people of Myanmar are instead dealing with a deadly war. Since illegally seizing power on Feb 1, 2021 to prevent the newly elected parliament from convening, the military junta has escalated its attacks on unarmed civilians and armed resistance forces alike. Click here to read…

Indonesia to establish office of ASEAN special envoy on Myanmar – Vietnam Plus

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said on January 11 that she will head an office that Indonesia – the rotating Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year, is establishing to spearhead how the bloc deals with the crisis in Myanmar. Click here to read…

Myanmar: Abuses Mount Since Military Coup – HRW

Myanmar’s junta has been responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity since the military coup in February 2021, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2023. The security forces have been implicated in mass killings, arbitrary arrests and detention, torture, sexual violence, and attacks on civilians in conflict areas. Amid a post-coup economic crisis, the junta has severely hindered the delivery of humanitarian aid to communities most at risk. Click here to read…

Nepal

Nepal’s opposition-less Parliament – Nepali Times

Deuba’s decision to give Dahal his party’s vote of confidence has diminished NC’s role and responsibility to be a watchdog of government. For his part, Deuba remarked that his party had decided to give Dahal his party’s vote of confidence to protect the Constitution from the coalition itself, referring to Oli’s comments about dissolving Parliament. While another confidence motion cannot be called for two years, any party can exit the coalition at any time. Given the past bad blood between Oli and Dahal, there is every possibility of them falling out again, which Deuba can capitalise on. Click here to read…

Nepal and Bangladesh lobby India for corridor to trade electricity – The Kathmandu Post

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) says it has sought approval from the Indian authorities to export 40-50 MW of electricity to Bangladesh through India’s existing transmission infrastructure, in line with an agreement reached between Nepal and Bangladesh in August. The two countries in August last year had decided to request the southern neighbour to allow export of 40-50MW of electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh in the initial phase by utilising the high-voltage Baharampur-Bheramara cross-border power transmission link. Click here to read…

Nepal, China prepare for high-level visits – The Annapurna Express

Nepal and China have also begun preparations for high-level visits in the next couple of months. A diplomatic source told ApEx that Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is likely to visit China at the end of March to participate in the Boao Form for Asia. The newly appointed Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has already begun diplomatic trips and he is likely to visit South Asian countries soon. The source said the Chinese foreign minister could visit Kathmandu too. A high-level Chinese delegation is also expected to visit Nepal to convey Beijing’s message to the new government. Click here to read…

Thousands rally in Nepal to seek restoration of monarchy – The Pioneer

Thousands of supporters of Nepal’s former royal family held a rally on Wednesday demanding the restoration of monarchy in the Himalayan nation. They gathered around the statue of King Prithvi Narayan Shah, who started the Shah dynasty in the 18th century. The last Shah king — Gyanendra — was forced to step down and the monarchy abolished in 2008, making Nepal a republic. There are still many supporters who seek to bring the monarchy back and rally every year on the birth anniversary of Prithvi Narayan. Click here to read…

Pakistan

China pledges $100m more flood aid: The Express Tribune

China is pledging an additional $100 million to continue supporting Pakistan’s recovery efforts from the devastating 2022 floods, announced Luo Zhaohui, chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA). Click here to read…

After much ado, Elahi proves majority: The Express Tribune

The vote of confidence that commenced after midnight concluded with the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) coalition showing majority in the provincial legislature with the support of 186 lawmakers – the minimum number of votes required to win the trust vote. Earlier, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry had announced that Elahi would take the vote “shortly”, followed by the deputy speaker validating it as well. The proceedings thus resumed and Law Minister Raja Basharat tabled the resolution in the house. Later, the members were invited to the house and the voting commenced. Click here to read…

IMF demands on power sector reforms being worked out: Ishaq Dar: The News

Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar has said the government was taking action for narrowing down the path for the revival of IMF programme, including making efforts to erase the circular debt of energy sector and taking additional taxation measures without further burdening the general masses. However, Dar, in a statement, said the IMF’s demands on account of power sector reforms were being worked out. He said the circular debt of the gas sector went up at an extra speed. Now the government, he said, has worked out a plan to utilise dividends of gas companies to reduce the circular debt of the gas sector. He said the government was working on a comprehensive plan but there would be no burden on the massesClick here to read…

Sri Lanka

CPA Asia Region office to be opened in Sri Lanka – Daily News

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Secretary General, Stephen Twiggs expressed his deep concern over recent violent acts against Members of Parliament including the killing of an MP and offered assistance from the CPA to strengthen democracy and security of Sri Lanka Parliament, its members and staff. Click here to read…

4 Lankans arrested for stealing 4.6mn INR from car – Daily Mirror

The Police recovered more than 4.6 million (₹46.50 lakh) Indian rupees (INR) from the possession of the accused, who speak Tamil. They said that the accused live in temporary shanties in Delhi and other different states and have conducted multiple thefts in the past. Click here to read…

New Political Alliances in the making – Daily News

A petition protesting against the proposed tariff hike, reportedly signed by 6.9 million consumers of electricity, was presented to the PUCSL and accepted by its Chairman Janaka Ratnayake. The different views held by the Government and the PUCSL leaves room for much discussion and debate. With these developments emerging on several fronts, the coming weeks and months will be busy for both the Government and the Opposition, tackling not only economic issues but also the political fallout from the much anticipated Local Government elections, the first national elections since 2020. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Contract for Extraction of Amu Darya Oil Signed with CPEIC: Tolo News

The contract for the extraction of oil from the Amu Darya basin was signed with a Chinese company, the CPEIC, on Thursday. The contract was signed at a ceremony in which senior members of the Islamic Emirate and the Chinese ambassador in Kabul Wang Yi participated. Speaking to the ceremony, the acting minister of mines and petroleum, Shahabuddin Delawar, said the first three years will be exploratory and that in this period more than $540 million will be invested. Click here to read…

Talking to Terrorist, Militant Groups, not an Option: Pakistani Interior Minister: The Khaama Press

Pakistan has witnessed an unprecedented rise in terror activities throughout the country in the recent past, believe to have been planned and operated by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) based in Afghanistan.The common belief is that TTP has an ideological connection with the Afghan Taliban, the group currently ruling Afghanistan. Pakistani Taliban have conducted more than 100 terror attacks across Pakistan after their months-long ceasefire with the Pakistani government ended on November 28. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Hydropower imports from Nepal, Bhutan: Bangladesh for ‘visible’ Indian cooperation – The Daily Star

State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has sought “visible Indian cooperation” for importing hydropower from Nepal and Bhutan.He joined a bilateral meeting on electricity cooperation between Bangladesh and India in New Delhi on Wednesday. Click here to read…

Envoy: Indian companies to help manufacture agro machinery in Bangladesh – Dhaka Tribune

Indian High Commissioner Pranay Kumar Verma yesterday said steps will be taken so that Indian companies can set up factories and produce agricultural machinery in Bangladesh. Click here to read…

Kashi to Dibrugarh via Bangladesh: Everything you need to know about world’s longest river cruise – Times of India

The river cruise from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to Dibrugarh in Assam via Bangladesh, billed as the world’s longest, will be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 13. The luxury cruise with foreign tourists will cover around 3,200 km of 27 river systems including Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly, Brahmaputra and West Coast Canal in India in a span of 50 daysClick here to read…

Bhutan

Concerned but not shocked! – Kuensel Online

In the latest barrier to access to information, public servants could face disciplinary or even criminal sanctions if they share official information, even if the information is non-confidential in nature without authorisation from superiors. This was the new year’s gift from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in the form of its model public service code of conduct launched on December 30. Click here to read…

Maldives

Maldives welcomes Chinese decision to ease travel restrictions

The Government of the Republic of Maldives has welcomed the announcement made by the Government of the People’s Republic of China to end the Covid-19 restrictions for travelers. The Government of China announced that the Covid-19 restrictions for travelers announced in the country will be dissolved starting from 8 January 2023. The Government of China will re-open the country to those with work and study visas, or seeking to visit family, and will no longer implement quarantine measures. However, travelers going to China will require a negative test result within 48 hours of departure. Click here to read…

Myanmar

‘No guarantee’ that 7,012 prisoners released by Myanmar junta are truly free – jurist.org

Myanmar state broadcaster MRTV reported Wednesday that 7,012 prisoners, including political detainees, will be released by the military-controlled government of Myanmar in commemoration of the nation’s independence day. But a JURIST correspondent in Myanmar doubts that the announcement signals a positive trend for the junta. “We can’t expect much improvement because they do that [release prisoners] for show,” she told JURIST Thursday. Click here to read…

Min Aung Hlaing’s Mania for the Presidency Is Alive and Well—and May Soon Bear Fruit – The Irrawaddy

Myanmar military regime chief Min Aung Hlaing’s mania for the presidency is increasingly unchecked and, infuriatingly for the Myanmar people, grows more visible with each passing day. In recent days, they have cringed at the sight of the coup leader dressed in presidential attire handing out decorations to those who have earned his favor, at commemorations of New Year and the country’s 75th Independence Day. Then, he attended a grand military review, putting on airs and posing as the country’s legitimate president. Click here to read…

Myanmar junta sentences teacher to death on murder, terror charges – Myanmar Now

A junta-controlled court sentenced a primary school teacher to death last Friday for his alleged role in the killing of a suspected military informant in Ayeyarwady Region’s Myan Aung Township more than a year ago, according to sources. Kaung Khant Kyaw, 25, was sentenced after being found guilty of murder and terrorism in connection with the shooting death of Win Myint Aung, also known as Gyat Gyi, in the Myan Aung village of Thapyay Kone in October 2021. Click here to read…

Nepal

Controversy in Nepal over China’s BRI project – The Statesman

A controversy has erupted in Nepal over Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) after the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu unilaterally declared that the Pokhara International Airport is a “flagship project of China-Nepal BRI cooperation”. At a time when Nepali and Chinese officials themselves admitted that not a single project under the BRI, the multi-billion dollar flagship project of Chinese President Xi Jinping, has been signed in Nepal under the BRI framework, a recent announcement made by the Chinese side in Kathmandu has courted a huge controversy. Click here to read…

Trust vote: Hectic parleys in Nepal – The Tribune

Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has intensified negotiations with other parties to secure the required majority votes ahead of a vote of confidence in Parliament next week. The Prachanda-led coalition requires at least 138 votes in the 275-member House of Representatives to survive the vote of confidence. Prachanda claims that he has the support of 169 lawmakers. Click here to read…

PM Dahal directs supplies secretary to cut fuel prices – The Kathmandu Post

The prime minister summoned Toya Narayan Gyawali, commerce and supplies secretary, to the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers and directed him to cut fuel prices, citing a price drop in the international market and revised pricelist of the Indian Oil Corporation. PM Dahal instructed the secretary to lower the fuel prices to provide relief to consumers. Click here to read…

Pakistan

PM steps in to break deadlock with IMF: The Express Tribune

In a bid to break the deadlock, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday made a telephonic call to International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and urged her to relax conditions regarding increase in energy prices and imposition of more taxes. Click here to read…

Parvez Elahi distances himself from JIT probe into Imran Khan Attack: The News

Informed sources said that from the constitution of a JIT and all those assisting it, the Chief Minister has not interfered and let the PTI leaders appoint their choice officers as its members. From the very beginning, the Chief Minister did not agree with Imran Khan’s nominations of those who he alleged were behind an attempt on his life. A senior PMLQ source, when approached, sounded upset with the “conspiracy theories” of PTI. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

India to support Sri Lanka uplift dairy sector – Daily News

A meeting took place between Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay and President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday (04).The discussions focussed on raising national milk production and providing necessary technical support to the production of liquid milk in Sri Lanka together with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) of India and Amul Milk Company. Click here to read…

No action from govt. on most pressing concerns of Tamils, says TNA – The Hindu

Citing the “lack of any action” by the government on Tamils’ urgent demands, Sri Lanka’s Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said it would “rethink” its decision to engage in talks with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, unless his government reports “actual progress” at the next scheduled discussion on January 10. Click here to read…

Indian External Affairs Minister to visit Sri Lanka this month – Daily Mirror

Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar is slated to visit Sri Lanka this month for two days for bilateral talks, Daily Mirror learns. However, the final dates of the visit are still being worked out. This is his first visit to Sri Lanka after President Ranil Wickremesinghe took office in July, last year. During the crisis period, Sri Lanka and India had made key engagements and framed a four-point package including a line of credit to import food, medicines and fuel. India has already extended US $ 4 billion finance assistance in terms of loans, deferment of payments and currency swap arrangements. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

UN Official Urges Islamic Emirate to Lift Ban on Female Staff at NGOs: Tolo News

The UN deputy humanitarian coordinator in Afghanistan, Fran Equiza, in a meeting with Acting Minister of Public Health Qalandar Ibad called for “the Taliban ban on women working for NGOs and international NGOs to be lifted in its entirety.” “The ban will impact millions of the most vulnerable Afghans,” the UN official said. Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in a phone call reaffirmed the importance of guaranteeing women’s rights and their full and equal participation in all aspects of life, a statement of the Pakistan Foreign Ministry said.
Click here to read…

Pakistan faces disappointment on bilateral deals with the new regime in Afghanistan: The Khaama Press

Recent events on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border make it clear that Pakistan’s decades old Afghanistan policy has failed. On 11 December 2022, Taliban forces in Afghanistan shelled a town just across the border in Pakistan, killing seven Pakistani civilians. Pakistan retaliated, killing one Taliban fighter and injuring ten Afghans. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the “unprovoked shelling” by Afghan forces. On 15 December, the two sides exchanged artillery fire across the border, killing at least one Pakistani civilian and wounding 15 others. Both countries are today on the verge of war! These developments signal a turn in ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan and signals Pakistan’s loss of control over the Afghan Taliban, which is today a government in power. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

PM Hasina: Metro rail a unique milestone for Dhaka – Dhaka Tribune

After completing the giant Padma Bridge and the Bangabandhu tunnel this year, the government will now inaugurate a part of Bangladesh’s first-ever elevated metro rail on Wednesday as another feather in its cap. The Awami League has taken detailed preparations to make this historic moment memorable with the presence of a vast crowd along the streets from Diabari to Agargaon.Click here to read…

Minister: Delhi has assured Dhaka of smooth supply of essentials – Dhaka Tribune

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Tuesday said that India has assured Bangladesh of uninterrupted supply of essential goods round the year as New Delhi is setting an annual quota of exports to its immediate neighbor. The quota will be set up after reviewing export data of India’s essential commodities to Bangladesh in recent years, he said in a press briefing on his recent India tour at his ministry. He said Bangladesh imports rice, wheat, onion, garlic, ginger, pulse and many other essential items from India. Sometimes India suspends export of those goods, but this time India has assured that the supply will remain uninterrupted, he said. Click here to read…

HCA signed, €609 million in loans approved by France’s AFP for Bangladesh – Dhaka Tribune

In 2022, Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the government of Bangladesh signed a host country agreement for the establishment of AFD activities in Bangladesh, a successful outcome of years of negotiations between the French and Bangladesh governments. This was a crucial step which came after 10 years of operation and over 20 projects financed in the country, said a media release on Tuesday. Click here to read…

Bhutan

NC elections in early 2023 – Kuensel online

The Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) has notified that the National Council (NC) elections for the fourth Parliament will be conducted in early 2023. The tenure of the current National Council members end on May 9, next year. The ECB also said that the familiarisation tour of the political parties and candidates would be allowed only until January 31, 2023. All political parties and candidates who are on their familiarisation tour must comply with this announcement. Click here to read…

Credit growth improves by 9.2 percent – Kuensel Online

With the re-opening of the economy, the total credit growth of financial institutions (FIs) saw an increase by 9.2 percent as of September this year from the same month last year, the Royal Monetary Authority figures show. The total loan disbursement from FIs to customers amounted to Nu 191.96 billion (B) as of September this year. It saw an increase of Nu 16.17B from September last year. Click here to read…

Nu 108.7M forgone from duty-free entitlement tax – Kuensel Online

The government last year forswore Nu 108.7M from the taxes from the duty-free entitlement, according to the Ministry of Finance (MoF). From next year, the duty-free quota privilege will be given only to diplomats governed by the international laws, conventions and covenants ratified by the parliament of Bhutan and International employees governed by the Bilateral and multilateral agreement signed by the government of Bhutan. Click here to read…

Maldives

Rail Vikas Nigam shares jump 5% on bagging Rs 1,545 crore contract in Maldives – Business Today

Shares of Rail Vikas Nigam (RVNL) surged 4.96 per cent in Wednesday’s trade after receiving an appointment letter as project implementation agency for the UTF Harbor project in Maldives. The order for this strategic project was placed by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The project cost stood at Rs 1,544.60 crore and it has to be completed within 24 months. Click here to read…

Team from India studies technical specifications for India-Maldives power transmission grid – Live Mint

The union power ministry on Tuesday said that a technical team from India has visited Maldives to study the technical specifications for interconnection of a power transmission grid between the two countries. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Political turmoil in Afghanistan, Myanmar impacting Indian projects – Business Standard

India-backed projects have suffered setbacks in Afghanistan and faced numerous challenges in Myanmar due to the current political and security situations in these countries, the Ministry of External Affairs has informed a parliamentary panel. Click here to read…

China-aided national theatre renovation project handed over to Myanmar – Xinhua

The China-aided renovation project of the National Theatre of Yangon was officially handed over to the Myanmar government here on Tuesday. The renovation project, which was carried out with the assistance from China, began in August 2019 and was completed in November 2022. The upgrading work has made the theatre a modernized one of higher standards. Speaking at the handover ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Chen Hai said that the National Theatre of Yangon is the largest of its kind in Myanmar, whose construction was completed with the assistance from the Chinese government in 1990. Click here to read…

Nepal

India’s policy hurts power export prospects of Nepal – The Kathmandu Post

In a move that will make hydroelectricity generated by Indian projects cheaper than that produced by Nepal, India’s power ministry starting earlier this month removed the inter-state transmission charges for new Indian hydropower projects. The ministry on December 2 issued the order to waive Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) charges on the transmission of electricity generated by new hydropower projects. The waiver is already available to solar and wind power projects. Click here to read…

President summons parliament session from January 9 – The Kathmandu Post

President Bidya Devi Bhandari has called for the session of the Federal Parliament on January 9. The session has been called at 1:00 pm according to Article 93 (1) of the constitution, informed Office of the President on Tuesday. The meeting of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly is going to be held for the first time after the November 20 polls. There are 12 lawmakers from different political parties while four are independent. Click here to read…

China nudges Nepal to expedite BRI projects as Prachanda becomes new PM – Business Standard

A day after Maoist party chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda was appointed as Nepals new prime minister, China on Monday said that it looks forward to working with the new government to push projects under the ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Congratulating Prachanda on his appointment, Mao Ning, the official spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, has said that China wants to pursue projects under the Belt and Road cooperation. Click here to read…

Not Against India, Will Forget Old Disputes, Says Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ – ABP News Online

The newly appointed Prime Minister vowed to strengthen Nepal’s relations with India. “We want good relations with India,” he said. “I am not against India, will forget the old disputes and move forward,” said Prachanda. “According to the mandate given, the government has been formed in the country. The public wanted everyone to work together, and that’s why they formed the government together. Our government will complete its term. Work will be done according to the constitution,” said PM Prachanda while talking to senior news anchor Dibang. Click here to read…

Chinese arrive for rail feasibility study – The Kathmandu Post

A day after Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s assumption of office, a six-member Chinese technical team landed in Kathmandu on Tuesday to carry out a feasibility study of the Nepal-China cross-border railway. Dahal, the CPN (Maoist Centre) chairman, heads a coalition of two biggest leftist parties and others. The China Railway First Survey and Design Institute Group will carry out the feasibility study via a Chinese government grant. Click here to read…

Pakistan

No other option but to implement IMF deal: PM: The Express Tribune

He said the coalition government never wanted to transfer the burden of price hikes. In the past, the PTI government blatantly breached the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Meanwhile, the prime minister said that they had devised a plan to immediately convert all the federal government entities’ buildings to solar power by April next year in order to slash a huge chunk out of the country’s costly fuel import bill hovering around $27 billion. Click here to read…

Road, railway connectivity with CARs discussed: The Express Tribune

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said road and railway connectivity projects between Pakistan and Central Asian states will not only bring the trade communities together, but also usher in a new era of peace and prosperity in the region.The premier said this during a meeting with a high-level delegation from Uzbekistan led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Investment and Foreign Trade Khodjaev Jamshid Abdukhakimovich in Islamabad. Click here to read…

Gold outshines market, gives over 40pc return in 2022: report: The News

Gold was the top-performing asset class in 2022 with a return of more than 40 percent, followed by one-year dollar-denominated Naya Pakistan Certificate (NPC), and the US currency, a local brokerage report stated on Tuesday. The NPC remained on second with a return of up to 36 percent and the holders of the US dollar in cash were listed on third with 28 percent return. Topline Securities presented the report on asset classes that were widely followed by local investors and savers in 2022. “These asset classes provided better returns compared to estimated average consumer price index inflation of 20 percent in outgoing calendar year 2022,” the brokerage said in a client note. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Not the correct time for LG polls: PUNP – Daily News

Patriotic United National Party (PUNP) General Secretary Sugath Hewapathirana stated that it is inappropriate to hold a Local Government election now as the economic situation in the country is not stable yet. He said that it is inappropriate to spend Rs.10 billion for an election at this time. He said that it is not appropriate to spend such a large amount of money to hold an election, leaving aside the sufferings of the entire country, who have been greatly affected by the severe economic downturn that the country has faced. He also said that this will give the people an opportunity to recognize who are the political parties and leaders who are working for their own greedy goals by urging for an election setting aside the hardships faced by the people. Click here to read…

Can Sri Lanka drive itself from bankruptcy to prosperity in 2023? DailyFT

Converting the bankrupt nation to solvency will be a challenging task for Sri Lanka in 2023. If this is not done quickly, the goal of making Sri Lanka a rich country by 2048 will be an elusive one…Click here to read…

Increase in requests for dual citizenship in Sri Lanka – Adaderana

Requests have reportedly been made by 5,401 individuals to the Department of Immigration and Emigration for obtaining dual citizenship in the year 2021. The Department of Immigration and Emigration pointed out that the majority of them are residents of Australia, which is numerically 1,621 individuals. Meanwhile, dual citizenship requests have been made by 885 individuals from the United Kingdom, 795 from the United States, 371 from Canada and several others from countries such as Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, New Zealand, France and Denmark. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Restrictions on Banking System an Obstacle for Investors: ACCI: Tolo News

The business community said that restrictions on the banking system in Afghanistan have challenged investors, leaving them with many problems in their businesses. According to the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI), withdrawals for investors have been restricted to the purchase of food and basic materials required for running their businesses. Withdrawals for decoration of offices, clothes, and other relevant materials are not processed, said ACCI officials. Click here to read…

Pakistan Delegation to Visit Afghanistan This Week: Tolo News

A delegation from Pakistan comprised of religious scholars and tribal elders is visiting Afghanistan this week, local officials in the Chaman area in Pakistan confirmed to TOLOnews. The visit is expected to discuss recent tensions raised between the Islamic Emirate and Pakistani forces along the Durand Line, according to some members of the delegation. “We are going to Afghanistan. Those in Afghanistan are our brothers. The same are the governor and other leaders. We talk to them because the (Spin Boldak-Chaman) crossing is closed often due to clashes,” said Sardar Barat, a member of the delegation.Click here to read…

UN Security Council Holds a Session on Afghanistan: The Khaama Press

The UN Security Council held a session on Afghanistan today emphasizing the way forward through a more pluralistic polity, where all Afghans, especially women and minorities, could see themselves represented. In a briefing to the United Nation’s Security Council earlier today, the Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Roza Otunbayeva said the only war forward for Afghanistan is to form an inclusive government where everyone, particularly women and minorities could seem themselves represented. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Dhaka for increasing capacity of land ports on India-Bangladesh border – Dhaka Tribune

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Tuesday called for increasing the capacities of the land ports on the India-Bangladesh border. “India is a close friend and a major trading partner of Bangladesh. There is a huge demand for Bangladeshi products in the Indian market. Bangladesh is now able to export international quality products at relatively low prices. For this reason, it is necessary to increase the capacities of the land ports on the India-Bangladesh border,” he said. Click here to read…

Dhaka considering pros, cons of Indo-Pacific Economic Framework – Dhaka Tribune

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday said Bangladesh is looking into the “pros and cons” of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) to determine if Bangladesh will benefit from joining it. “Recently, there has been debate about the Quad and Indo-Pacific Economic (Framework). To understand the issue, we have requested BIISS to look into it. I am thankful to them. They have submitted one report on it,” Momen saidClick here to read…

Iranian Deputy FM Ali Bagheri due Thursday – Dhaka Tribune

Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs of Iran Ali Bagheri Kani is scheduled to arrive here on Thursday morning to discuss bilateral and other issues of mutual interest with Bangladesh. In November, the Iranian said Foreign Office Consultation and meeting of Joint Economic Commission should be held at mutually convenient time to further strengthen relations in the field of trade, investment, economy, energy, chemical fertilizer and food security. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Import bill to hit over Nu 100B this year – Kuensel online

If the country imported Nu 30 billion (B) worth of goods in the last three months this year, the import bill would hit over Nu 120B. The total import bill at Nu 93.03B as of September this year already surpassed one-year’s import of Nu 90.23B in 2021. About 70 percent was imported from India. The value of exports, including electricity, stood at Nu 44.9B. Click here to read…

Maldives

India & Maldives hold 6th Joint Staff Talks in New Delhi – News On Air

The 6th Joint Staff Talks between India and the Maldives were held in New Delhi yesterday, December 20. The meeting was conducted in a friendly, warm and extremely cordial atmosphere. Discussions focused on the ongoing and new initiatives under the ambit of the existing bilateral defence cooperation mechanism of all three services and further strengthening the engagements. Click here to read…

Maldives Completes IMF Consultation for 2022 – Mirage News

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with Maldives. Maldives’ economic activity rebounded strongly from the pandemic-induced contraction, supported by the authorities’ decisive policy measures. Real GDP growth recovered sharply to 37 percent in 2021 from the unprecedented contraction of 33.5 percent in 2020, as tourism activities bounced back. Inflation has risen but is contained due to price subsidies. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Two New Potential Game-Changers in Myanmar’s Crisis – The Irrawaddy

The bill recently passed by the US Congress, known broadly as the 2022 Burma Act, which allows the US government to provide technical support and non-military assistance to engage with groups opposing the military junta in Naypyitaw, combined with the arrival of incoming ASEAN chair Indonesia, could be a game-changer for the Myanmar crisis, which is soon to enter its third year. Click here to read…

Trial of Myanmar’s Suu Kyi enters final phase – Thai PBS World

A junta court will hear the final arguments in the 18-month-long trial of Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi next week, a legal source said Tuesday, before reaching its final verdicts against the Nobel laureate. Suu Kyi has been a prisoner since the military toppled her government in February 2021, ending the Southeast Asian nation’s brief period of democracy. Click here to read…

IFC Divests from Yoma Bank After Myanmar Military Links Exposed – The Irrawaddy

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has divested from Yoma Bank after its business with military companies was exposed, according to activist group Justice For Myanmar (JFM). Divestment by the IFC, the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in developing countries, came after JFM revealed Yoma Bank’s dealings with the military and its conglomerates. Click here to read…

Nepal

Gagan Thapa lone challenger to Sher Bahadur Deuba – The Himalayan

Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa, who is from the Shekhar Koirala faction of the party, became the only opponent to NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba in the contest for the parliamentary party leader. The NC will elect its parliamentary party leader tomorrow. Of the seven national political parties, the NC is the only party that will have to hold election to choose its parliamentary party leader. Other parties decided on their PP leader unanimously. Click here to read…

Nepal blacklists 16 Indian pharma cos – The Tribune

Nepal’s drug regulatory authority has blacklisted 16 Indian pharmaceutical companies, including Divya Pharmacy which manufactures yoga guru Ramdev’s Patanjali products, stating that they failed to comply with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) drug-manufacturing standards. In April and July this year, the department sent a team of drug inspectors to India to inspect the manufacturing facilities of pharmaceutical companies that had applied to supply their products to Nepal. Click here to read…

Nepal makes over Rs11 billion selling power to India – The Kathmandu Post

Nepal earned over Rs11 billion by selling excess power to India from early June to this week, the Nepal Electricity Authority said on Monday. The high income suggests electricity has emerged as a major export item. In early November last year, India had for the first time allowed Nepal to sell electricity in the Indian market via a competitive bidding process. But after exporting for a few weeks, Nepal stopped selling power to India in December amid reduction in power generation in the dry season. Exports resumed this year with the start of monsoon in early June. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Punjab on the brink of another constitutional crisis: Dawn

Punjab Assembly Speaker Sibtain Khan on Tuesday termed “illegal, against the provisions of the Constitution and thus stand disposed of” the Punjab governor’s orders directing Chief Minister Parvez Elahi to seek a vote of confidence in a special assembly session to show he still commands a majority. In his two-page ruling, the speaker maintained that the governor’s orders were not in accordance with Article 54(3) and Article 127. “The house is in session since Oct 23, 2022, and under Article 54(3) and 127. No fresh session can be convened unless and until the current one ends,” the order read. Click here to read…

Editorial: An audacious attack: Dawn

WE are witnessing the rapid unravelling of Pakistan’s anti-terrorism policy, and can expect an escalating human and material cost. On Sunday, in their most audacious attack yet since late November when they called off their tenuous ceasefire with the government, 33 TTP militants detained inside the Bannu Counter-Terrorism Department centre managed to overpower their interrogators and take a number of law-enforcement personnel hostage. Click here to read…

Pakistan identifies $8.2b flood funding gap: The Express Tribune

The $8.2 billion gap appeared too large to be filled in the Geneva conference amid low response to the UN’s $816 million emergency appeal, high risks of Pakistan’s sovereign default, and possible derailment of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme because of imprudent economic policies. The planning ministry has finalised the resilient, recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction framework, dubbed as 4RF, showing a financing gap of $8.2 billion. The framework has been developed with the help of the Asian Development Bank, European Union, UN Development Programme, and World Bank Group. Click here to read…

‘Pakistan in a fix on Afghan strategy’: The Express Tribune

Background discussions with the people dealing with the matter told The Express Tribune that despite apparent friction in ties with Kabul, Pakistan has no option but to seek engagement with the Afghan Taliban regime. The incidents of the last few weeks have put Pakistan’s relationship with the Afghan Taliban in jeopardy. Islamabad was already upset over Kabul’s failure to tackle the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the border clashes in Chaman further deepened the crisis. Click here to read…

IMF asks for passing on Rs65bn burden to power consumers: The News

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked Pakistan to pass on Rs65 billion to consumers of electricity which has been deferred in the shape of Fuel Price Adjustments (FPA) during the peak of last summer season. Out of the total outstanding amount of Rs65 billion on account of deferment of FPA in the electricity bills in the current fiscal year, the government has agreed with the IMF that Rs 55billion would be passed on to consumers and that would be recovered through bills. The remaining Rs10 billion would be absorbed through allocation of subsidy amount. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Unity between Indian Ocean, Asian and African countries vital to face global problems: President – Daily News

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that in order to face the global problems that may arise in the future, there should be unity between the Indian Ocean as well as Asian and African countries. The President said that since the impact of the Ukraine-Russia war may be felt in the future, the country should also work towards self-sufficiency by establishing food security. Click here to read…

9 Sri Lankans arrested in Tamil Nadu for attempt to revive LTTE: NIA – Hindustan Times

NIA has registered at least four cases since last year to probe conspiracy by several LTTE cadres based in India and Sri Lanka to revive the activities of the banned outfit by indulging in arms smuggling, ferrying of drugs and using hawala for transfer of funds. Click here to read…

China’s promised rice donation delivered – Daily News

The Chinese Embassy in Colombo yesterday said that one million kilograms (10,000 metric tonnes) of rice donation promised by China have all been delivered to Sri Lanka with the last 1,000 MT reaching Colombo on Monday. The Embassy said that the donation of this rice stock will help support nutrition and studies of over one million students in 7,900 schools across the country. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Afghan Traders Abroad Face Hurdles Investing in Afghanistan: Tolo News

Some Afghan traders living abroad said current problems caused by the banking system and international sanctions, as well as the closed girls’ schools, are causing obstacles to investment in Afghanistan. Obaidullah Sadar Khail, head of the Afghan trader council in the UAE, told TOLOnews in a special TV program that the problems in the banking system that began nine months ago have still not been solved. “The banking system is important for the traders and over the past nine months, this problem has not been solved,” he said. Click here to read…

Joint Committee Formed to Address Tensions along Durand Line: Tolo News

Afghan chargé d’affaires in Islamabad Sardar Ahmad Shakib said on Sunday that a joint committee has been formed to address issues between the Islamic Emirate and Pakistan along the Durand Line. The committee will address all borer problems from now on, he said. “Any tension that happens by any side needs to be solved through talks. The committee has been created by both sides to address issues,” Shakib added. Click here to read…

Pakistani Delegation of Ulema to Visit Afghanistan to Discuss Cross-Border Hostility: The Khaama Press

According to Pakistan’s Geo News, which cited Pakistani authorities, the four-member reconciliation delegation of Pakistan will visit the Afghan capital, Kabul, and Kandahar, to put an end to the clashes along the border amid news of the establishment of a joint committee to address the border tensions surface. The Afghan border forces fired indiscriminately and without provocation at the civilian area in Chaman city of Pakistan’s Balochistan, for the second time in five days, using heavy weapons.Shehbaz Sharif, the Pakistani premier, condemned the Afghan Border Forces’ “unprovoked shelling” of civilians in Pakistan’s Chaman district, in response to the first of the twin border clashes in a week and urged the Afghan side to make sure that such occurrences “not repeated again. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Experts: Bangladesh must prepare for hybrid warfare – Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh needs to take protective measures and formulate a doctrine in order to address the growing threat of hybrid warfare amid the country’s technological advancement, said the speakers at a roundtable Sunday morningClick here to read…

Jamaat-e-Islami | Old party, new brand – The Hindu

In the backdrop of the protests led by the main Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), authorities in Dhaka arrested Jamaat-e-Islami’s ameer Shafiqur Rahman and his son Rafat Sadik Saifullah last week. The arrests were interpreted as a move to pre-empt Jamaat, the largest Islamist party in Bangladesh, from infusing critical mass to the protest rally set to be launched by BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Click here to read…

China biggest source of FDI for Bangladesh in FY22 – Dhaka Tribune

China has become the largest foreign direct investment (FDI) source of Bangladesh in terms of the gross flow of $940 million for FY22. It also ranked top in foreign investors with 104 investors at eight export-processing zones (EPZs), said Song Yang, economic and commercial counsellor of Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh on Saturday. Click here to read…

Bhutan

An uplifting moment – Kuensel online

As the year near its end, there is one special day all Bhutanese look forward to. December 17, our National Day is not only the most significant day for Bhutan, but a day where Bhutanese from all walks of life come together as a big family to celebrate with pride and joy. The gathering today at Changlimethang and in all the dzongkhags and beyond is an uplifting moment for all of us. Click here to read…

Tawang clash was a deliberate PLA operation – Sunday Guardian Live

The Chinese attempt to seize a post is not a simple face-off as it is being made in some quarters. The implications of the loss of the Yangtse post would have been very costly for India. It is to the credit of the Indian Army that they thwarted this attempt very professionally. Click here to read…

Recurrent budget cut for financial prudence: FM – Kuensel online

The government cut the recurrent expenditure from the last fiscal year 2021-22 to spend the limited domestic resources judiciously, Finance Minister Namgay Tshering said. About 40 to 50 percent of the budget was cut across all agencies in the fiscal year 2022-23 compared to the pre-pandemic. The finance ministry itself saw a cut in the budget by about 60 percent. Click here to read…

Maldives

Foreign Secretary attends Human Rights Day Event organized by UN

Maldives, HRCM – Raajje

Foreign Secretary Ahmed Latheef has attended an event organized jointly by the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office and the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM). The event, held to mark the Human Rights Day 2022, also commemorated the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) under the theme “Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All.” The event saw Latheef delivering remarks, where he reaffirmed the Maldivian government’s commitment to the values of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Click here to read…

Myanmar

SL Navy rescues 104 distressed Myanmar nationals – Sri Lanka Mirror

Sri Lanka Navy rescued 104 distressed Myanmar nationals aboard a passenger vessel in Sri Lanka’s waters about 3.5 nautical miles north of Veththalakerni early morning yesterday. The distressed vessel is reported to have trespassed into Sri Lanka’s territorial waters following a mechanical failure while it was carrying the passengers from Myanmar to Indonesia. Click here to read…

81 human trafficking cases prevented in Myanmar between 2020 and 2021 – The Star

Myanmar have prevented 81 cases of human trafficking, helping 840 people between 2020 and 2021, said Brigadier General Aung Htay Myint, head of the Transnational Crime Division. He revealed the information during the 5th inter-ministerial meeting of the Coordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative against Trafficking – COMMIT, which took on via video link at the Myanmar Police Force headquarters, state-run newspapers reported. Click here to read…

EU supports WFP’s food insecurity efforts in Myanmar – Mizzima

The European Union (EU) has contributed EUR 6.5 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) towards its humanitarian assistance in Myanmar, where some 15 million people are facing moderate or severe food insecurity, according to a recent press release. Click here to read…

China-Myanmar-Thailand Economic Corridor safe haven for drugs, online scams: Report – The Print

The China-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Economic Corridor along river Moei has become a safe haven for drugs, human trafficking, arms smuggling, and online casino scams, according to a report in Mekong News. The report says that most of the “unholy syndicates” along the tributary of the Salween river from Tachileik to Myawaddy, are controlled by people of Chinese origin but from different nationalities.Click here to read…

Nepal

President Bhandari calls upon parties to recommend PM by December 25 – The Khabarhub

President Bidya Devi Bhandari has called upon the parties to recommend a name for the Prime Minister within 7 days from Sunday. According to a source in the President’s Office, Sheetal Niwas, the President called for the name of the Prime Minister to be recommended as per Article 76 (2) of the Constitution. As per the President’s notice, the political parties have to recommend the name of Prime Minister by 5 pm, December 25. Click here to read…

Maoist Centre to initiate govt formation process after swearing-in ceremony – Khabarhub

The Maoist Centre has decided to participate in the government formation process only after the House of Representatives (HoR) members are sworn in. The Maoist Centre came to the conclusion that it would be wise to initiate the government formation process only after the lawmakers were administered the oath of office. Maoist Centre’s leader Janardan Sharma said the leaders put their views to opt for the government formation process after the lawmakers are sworn in. Click here to read…

Pakistan

PDM mulls over options to avert dissolution of Punjab, KP assemblies: Dawn

The city remained a hub of political activities on Sunday aimed at preventing the dissolution of the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, former president Asif Zardari and ex-premier Chaudhry Shujaat met each other separately to find a way out of the ‘quagmire’ caused by PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s announcement that the two legislatures would be dissolved on Friday. Click here to read…

FM Bilawal arrives in US capital today for talks: Dawn

As Foreign Min¬ister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari arrives in the American capital on Monday, he has a difficult mission: underlining the need for stronger ties with the United States without disturbing its close relationship with China. The foreign minister completed his four-day visit to the UN headquarters in New York on Friday and then went off-the-radar for the weekend, stirring wild speculations in the Pakistani American community. Pakistan’s diplomatic missions in Washington and New York offered no explanation on his weekend engagements. Click here to read…

When under-fire Bajwa speaks…: The News

Sources close to General Bajwa said that the recently retired former Army Chief could not respond in public to what PTI chairman alleges against him because of some codal limitations but it is insisted what Khan mostly says about Bajwa is untrue. Bajwa is now the focused target of Imran Khan who not only sees Bajwa as the sole reason for all his failures in the government but also alleges that the general had removed his government as part of a US conspiracy. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

IMF says China agrees to form global sovereign debt ’roundtable’ – Daily News

Chinese officials have agreed to form a global sovereign debt “roundtable” that would include a wide variety of stakeholders, including private sector creditors, International Monetary Fund chief Kristalina Georgieva said on Thursday. Georgieva told an event hosted by the IMF that she was feeling “a bit more optimistic” about the prospects for dealing with major debt issues facing low- and middle-income countries after high-level meetings with Chinese authorities last week. The IMF chief said last week she had a “fruitful exchange” with her Chinese counterparts on the need to accelerate debt relief for countries like Zambia and Sri Lanka, adding that she saw “space for a platform for more systematic engagement on debt issues, where China can play an active role”. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka to use Indian rupee for international trade, more countries aim to follow – WION

Days after the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) said that it was awaiting the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) approval to designate Indian Rupee (INR) as a foreign currency in Sri Lanka, reports have emerged saying banks from India’s neighbouring island nation have opened special rupee trading accounts, called Vostro accounts. Sri Lanka had requested the RBI to facilitate and promote trade and tourism in the SAARC region. Click here to read…

New Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera – Daily News

President Ranil Wickremesinghe promoted Rear Admiral Priyantha Perera to the rank of Vice Admiral and appointed him as the 25th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy from December 18 with the retirement of former Commander Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne.Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera was accorded a Guard of Honour in accordance with Naval traditions, at the Navy Headquarters yesterday, Vice Admiral Perera a proud product of the Royal College, Colombo joined the Si Lanka Navy in the Executive Branch in 1987 as an Officer Cadet of the fifth intake of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University. Click here to read…