Tag Archives: Pakistan-Russia

Neighborhood News Digest – 23 January 2023

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…

VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: September 30, 2021

Afghanistan
Efforts to Continue Former Govt Are Useless: Samangani: Tolo News

The Ministry of the Information and Culture on Wednesday reacted to a statement by a number of officials of the former government–who claim to be continuing the work of the former government–saying their efforts are meaningless.Click here to read…

ICC Prosecutor Will Not Focus on US Forces in New Probe: Tolo News

The International Criminal Court prosecutor on Monday said he is seeking approval to resume a war crimes investigation of Afghanistan, focusing on the actions of the Taliban and Daesh militia. Click here to read…

China’s humanitarian aid arrives in Kabul: The Khaama Press

The first consignment of humanitarian aids arrived from China to Kabul on Wednesday, September 29, and was submitted to the acting minister of the refugees and repatriates Khalil-ur Rahaman Haqqani. Click here to read…

India, Turkey, Uzbekistan to resume flights to Kabul: The Khaama Press

International Radar has reported one flight from New Delhi, Istanbul, and Tashkent each to land in Kabul International Airport on Thursday, September 30. Click here to read…

20-war in Afghanistan was a strategic failure, 2,500 troops should have been kept: Milley: The Khaama Press

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US General Mark Milley said that their 20-year presence was their strategic failure and his personal opinion was to have 2,500 troops in Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Bangladesh
Rohingya leader Mohibullah shot dead- Daily Star

Unidentified criminals shot Rohingya rights activist and leader Mohibullah dead at his office in Kutupalong camp under Cox’s Bazar’s Ukhia upazila last night. Click here to read…

Mohibullah’s death undermines Rohingyas’ chances of safe return to Myanmar: HRW- Daily Star

Following the shooting to death of Rohingya rights activist and leader Mohibullah last night, Human Rights Watch issued a statement lamenting the loss of a defender of a people. Click here to read…

China lets US siblings return home- Daily Star

An American brother and sister barred from exiting China since 2018 in an apparent bid to pressure their father to return and face criminal allegations have finally left the country, Beijing and Washington confirmed yesterday. Click here to read…

Will Kallyanpur Pond solve Dhaka’s waterlogging problem?- Dhaka Tribune

The project is expected to be sustainable both financially and in terms of maintenanceClick here to read…

Govt mulling mechanization to boost jute production- Dhaka Tribune

The prospect of mechanization is giving new hope to the country’s jute industry, experts have said. Click here to read…

‘GDP growth rate will be restored by end of FY22’- Dhaka Tribune

State Minister Dr Shamsul Alam said that the ‘GDP growth rate will be restored by end of FY22’. Click here to read…

Finance Minister for merging BASIC & Padma Bank- Asian Age

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal has opined that BASIC Bank and Padma Bank should be merged with each other. Click here to read…

Take lessons from PM’s honesty, ideology- Asian Age

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has urges all to take lessons from the honesty and ideology of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, worthy daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Click here to read…

17 new deaths 1,178 cases- Asian Age

Bangladesh reported 17 new fatalities and 1,178 cases in 24 hours till 8am on Wednesday. Click here to read…

PM Hasina opens “Bangladesh House” in USA’s Maryland- The Observer

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is now in Washington DC, inaugurated the newly constructed “Bangladesh House” at Maryland in the USA. Click here to read…

People won’t respond to BNP’s call of movement, says Quader- The Observer

Sheikh Russel Jatiya Shishu-Kishore Parishad arranged the discussion and educational equipment distribution ceremony, marking the 75th birthday of AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Click here to read…

Bangabandhu-Bapu digital exhibition begins at BSA- The Observer

The Bangabandhu-Bapu digital exhibition was opened for public viewing at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on Saturday. Click here to read…

Biman’s Medina, Kuwait, Kathmandu flights resume in October- Independent

Biman Bangladesh Airlines will resume its direct flights from Dhaka to three popular destinations from October. Click here to read…

Bhutan
Police investigating sexual harassment case at the Royal Tutorial Project- Kuensel

Sources said the police investigation has involved message retrieval from phones. “The case might be forwarded to court soon,” a source said. Click here to read…

PM underscores the importance of investing in health- Kuensel

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly virtually from Thimphu on September 25, Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering said the pandemic underlined the importance of investing in public health. Click here to read…

Bhutan begins efforts to become a model ecotourism destination- Kuensel

The Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) launched “Mainstreaming Biodiversity Conservation into the Tourism Sector in Bhutan”, a new project with the beginning of a three-day inception workshop in Trashigang on September 27. Click here to read…

Streamlining donation drives and crowdfunding- DLO-BBS

To ensure that donation drives and crowdfunding are genuine, the department of law and order has now put in place certain requirements. Click here to read…

Bhutan receives three fire-fighting and two utility vehicles from Japan-
To ensure that donation drives and crowdfunding are genuine, the department of law and order has now put in place certain requirements. Click here to read…

Maldives
Italy gives green light to travel to the Maldives – Avas

Italy has removed the Maldives from its list of countries to which travel is restricted. Italians will now be allowed to travel to the Maldives without the need for quarantine either on arrival or return. In addition to Maldives, Italians can travel to Seychelles, Mauritius, Egypt, Dominican Republic and Aruba from outside EU. Click here to read…

Bilehfahi Harbour project progressing well: MTCC – Avas

Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has said the construction of Sh. Bilehfahi Harbour is ongoing at a fast pace. Click here to read…

President arrives in the Maldives after concluding visit to New York – Avas

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih arrived in the Maldives Tuesday morning after concluding the trip to New York City, United States, to attend the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Click here to read…

The climate change dilemma facing Maldives, Mauritius and other tourism-dependent small island nations: their livelihoods or their lives? – South China Monitoring post

Come visit the Maldives, its president entreated the world at this year’s United Nations General Assembly, moments before switching to an impassioned plea for help combating climate change. Click here to read…

Myanmar
Myanmar Junta Accused of Targeting Civilians with Landmines – The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s junta is laying landmines in residential areas while it conducts raids on civilian resistance forces in Kayah State. Click here to read…

Myanmar Junta Crony Plays Key Role in Arms Purchases From Ukraine – The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s crony league welcomed new members when current coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing succeeded former dictator Senior General Than Shwe as the military chief in 2011, with relatives and business associates of newly promoted generals joining the elite. Click here to read…

Myanmar’s Currency Hits Record Low as Coup Wreaks Havoc on Economy – The Irrawaddy

Almost eight months after the military coup, Myanmar’s currency depreciated to a record low this week, prompting fears of worsening social and economic instability in the country, which has been devastated by the takeover. Click here to read…

Myanmar on a military-made road to disaster – Asia Times

What began as carnival-like protests against Myanmar’s military takeover on February 1 has since morphed into a vicious nationwide insurgency that has hit areas of the nation that had seen no armed confrontations between rebels and state forces for decades. Click here to read…

Nepal
How Madhesh-based parties are using constitution amendment as a political weapon- Nepal Live Today

Six years after the promulgation, Madhesh-based political parties have continued to oppose the constitution while joining the governments whenever they like. Click here to read…

PM Calls All-Party Meet Today for Smooth House Proceedings- The Rising Nepal

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has called an all-party meeting on Thursday to remove obstructions in the parliamentary session. Click here to read…

Speaker Sapkota likely to read out letter of repeal of the ‘party-split’ ordinance in today’s House session- Republica

Speaker Agni Sapkota is likely to read out a letter of repeal of the ordinance related to the political party. Click here to read…

Beginning of the end of the Gorkha Empire (Part I)- Nepali Times

The Gorkha Empire was on a warpath, and the British East India Company saw it as a threat to its own expansionist ambitions. Click here to read…

No law on oath raises questions over rulers’ adherence to rule of law- TKP

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is working to give full shape to his Cabinet within a few days after a major obstruction to his bid to expand the Council of Ministers ended with the repealment of the ordinance on political parties on Tuesday. Click here to read…

Active caseload drops to 18193 as death toll shifts to 11123- Himalaya

Nepal’s coronavirus caseload reached 794,163 on Wednesday with 892 more people testing positive for the infection in the past 24 hours. Click here to read…

First casualty of the season on Manaslu as Canadian climber dies above 7,000m- Himalaya

Mt Manaslu recorded the season’s first casualty as a Canadian climber died while ascending the mountain, sources said. Click here to read…

Pakistan
Most loans under CPEC at commercial rates: report: Dawn

Shedding light on Beijing’s global development programme, the report said Chinese loans under CPEC constitute 95.2 per cent and 73pc of total commitments in energy and transport sectors, respectively. Click here to read…

Alarm over anti-Pakistan bill moved in US Senate: Dawn

The bill moved in the US Senate seeking to assess Pakistan’s alleged role in Afghanistan before and after the fall of Kabul to Afghan Taliban set alarm bells ringing in the upper house of parliament on Wednesday. Click here to read…

Pakistan denies providing military support to Taliban: The Express Tribune

Reacting to a bill seeking imposition of sanctions on the Afghan Taliban that could also potentially extend to Pakistan in US Senate, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Wednesday said that the country did not provide any military support to the Taliban. Click here to read…

A dollar is now fetching Rs172: The News

The rupee hit an all-time low against the dollar on Wednesday as investors evaluated political and economic risk from upcoming IMF reviews on the bailout package. Click here to read…

FIA to probe road projects of PMLN era: PM Imran Khan: The News

Prime Minister Imran Khan Wednesday said that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has been given the responsibility to investigate the money spent on roads construction during the PMLN era. Click here to read…

Pakistan, Russia to strengthen military ties: Dawn

The agreement was reached during the third round of Russia-Pakistan Joint Military Consultative Committee (JMCC) meetings held here. Click here to read…

Keywords
Afghanistan, Afghan Government in Exile, International Criminal Court, China Aid, Kallyanpul Pond, Bhutan, Bhutan Jute Production, Bangladesh, Bangladesh GDP, COVID-19, Sheikh Hasina, BNP, Royal Tutorial Project, Ecotourism, Fire-Fighting Vehicles, Japan-Bangladesh, Maldives, Maldives in UN, Climate Change, Myanmar, Military Junta, Nepal, Nepal Constitution, Constitution Amendment, Gorkha Empire, CPEC, BRI, Pakistan, Pakistan-Russia