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

Islamic Emirate Rejects US Official’s Remarks on Its Commitments: Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate rejected the remarks by US State Department spokesman Ned Price and said that the Islamic Emirate is committed to all its promises.The deputy spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, Bilal Karimi, said there is no evidence to show that Afghan soil will be used against any other count“All territory of the country is controlled by the Islamic Emirate and there is no evidence to show that there is any action from our country towards other countries and their activities,” Karimi said. Click here to read…

TTP Threatens Top Pakistani Leadership Weeks after Ending Ceasefire: The Khaama Press

Pakistani Taliban warned the country’s main ruling parties of “concrete action” for “declaring war” against it, according to sources, months after the group ended ceasefire. A statement released by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), commonly known as the Pakistani Taliban, on Wednesday explicitly named Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Sharif is the president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) which along with Bhutto Zardari’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) are the main coalition partners in the government. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

High Commissioner Pranay Verma calls on Bangladesh I&B Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud – NewsOnAIR

Talking to the media after the meeting, High Commissioner Pranay Verma said that they discussed a wide range of issues including those related to the Information and Broadcasting sector. He said that Information and Broadcasting Ministries of both sides play a very important role through the exchange of media including film and television. Click here to read…

Bangladesh: Hindu activist Rakesh Roy sentenced to 7 years in jail over ‘blasphemy’ case, Roy says he was framed – OpIndia

Rakesh Roy, a Bangladeshi Hindu and the organising secretary of Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu Mohajote, was sentenced to a rigorous seven-year prison term by Sylhet Cyber Tribunal judge Abu Kashem. In addition to serving a prison sentence, a fine of Taka 1 Lakh has also been imposed on him. Click here to read…

Bangladesh reiterates call for Rohingya repatriation – New Age

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the next election would be held as per country’s constitution and there was no problem if foreign observers came to monitor elections. ‘The next election will be held as per the constitution,’ prime minister’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim quoted her as saying while briefing reporters after four MPs of the British All-Party Parliamentary Group called on her at Prime Minister’s Office. Click here to read…

Bhutan

NBR allows imports from Bhutan through Akhaura land port – The Business Standard

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has released a new list of importable products which allows the import of all products from Bhutan (except potatoes and yarn) through Akhaura land port in Brahmanbaria. A few new products have been added to the list published on Wednesday. The newly added products include marble chips, sesame, fly ash and a few other things. Click here to read…

India-Bhutan relationship: A testimony of friendship and camaraderie – The Print

The relationship between India and Bhutan is based on the pillars of trust, goodwill and mutual understanding. The two neighbours have a close civilisational, cultural and economic relationship that dates back centuries. Bhutan considers India as gyagar, meaning the holy land, as Buddhism originated in India, which is the religion followed by the majority of BhutaneseClick here to read…

Maldives

Research conducted on connecting India and Maldives to a single grid – Avas

India’s Power Ministry said in its annual summary published on December 27 that a team from India had visited the Maldives to conduct research under the ‘One World, One Sun, One Grid’ initiative to interconnect India’s power grid with other countries’ power grids. The team researched ways to link India and the Maldives in one grid via the islands of Lakshadweep. Click here to read…

Maldives welcomes 1.67 million tourists in 2022 – Raajje

Maldives Immigration has disclosed that the Maldives welcomed 1.67 million tourist in 2022. According to the statistics publicized by Maldives Immigration, 184،051 tourists were welcomed to the Maldives in December 2022. Looking at the monthly statistics publicized by the Ministry of Tourism, 131,764 tourists were welcomed during January, 149,008 tourist arrivals during February, 150,739 tourists welcomed during March and 145,280 tourists welcomed during April. 125,522 tourists were welcomed during May followed by 110,889 tourists in June and 133,561 tourists welcomed during July. In August, Maldives welcomed 131,862 tourists, followed by 111,986 in September. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Myanmar allocates 170 billion kyat for small and medium enterprises – Mizzima

Military junta’s Deputy Union Minister of Planning and Finance Maung Maung Win said that his government granted allocation of 170 billion kyat for establishing a MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) Development Fund from its supplementary budget for 2022-23 financial year. Click here to read…

Myanmar’s Military Junta Takes Step Toward Controversial Election – The Diplomat

Speaking during a ceremony in Naypyidaw yesterday marking the 75th anniversary of Myanmar’s independence from Great Britain, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing urged the Myanmar people and the wider world to support the election. He described it as an important step toward what the military establishment refers to as “the genuine, discipline-flourishing multiparty democratic system.” Click here to read…

Myanmar junta marks 75th year of independence with show of force in Naypyitaw – Mizzima

Myanmar troops and weaponry paraded through the military-built capital Naypyidaw to mark the country’s Independence Day Wednesday, days after the junta jailed democracy figurehead Aung San Suu Kyi for 33 years. Swathes of the Southeast Asian country have been engulfed by fighting between junta troops and anti-coup rebels since the military seized power almost two years ago. The junta, which recently wrapped up a series of closed-court trials of Aung San Suu Kyi, says it is preparing for fresh elections later this year that the United States has said would be a “sham.” Click here to read…

Nepal

Dahal meets Nepal seeking support for vote of confidence – The Kathmandu Post

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal held a meeting with CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal on Wednesday. During the meeting the prime minister sought the support of the Unified Socialist for the upcoming vote of confidence. The party has 10 members in the 275-member House of Representatives. Earlier, the Unified Socialist, which had decided to unify the party with Dahal’s CPN (Maoist Centre) after the elections, had remained undecided on whether to join the Dahal-led ruling coalition. But Dahal had been insisting that the party come on board. Click here to read…

Nepal villagers again pelt stones on Indian side of Kali river in Uttarakhand – Hindustan Times

Villagers from Nepal have again pelted stones on the Indian side at the Indo-Nepal border in the Dharchula area of Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district, officials said on Wednesday. The incident occurred when labourers on the Indian side were building an embankment on the Indian side of Kali river, which acts as the border between Nepal and India, on Tuesday evening. Click here to read…

Nepal to receive 1.5 million doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine – The Himalayan

Nepal is all set to receive 1.5 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines (for booster dose) from the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI) next month. According to the government, the GAVI has confirmed dispense of such quantity of vaccine to Nepal on February 2. The vaccine will be arriving in the Himalayan Nation in the first week of February. Click here to read…

Sources: China-Nepal to meet on belt and road initiative– Wion News

China is keenly looking at increasing its stakes in South Asia and now Nepal is on its radar. Sources say a high-level Chinese delegation will be visiting Kathmandu next week, and the focus of their visit will be the belt and road initiative. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Pakistan banks on Saudi Arabia to avoid default: The Express Tribune

At a joint press conference with the government’s economic team, Dar showed his commitment to the IMF programme but at the same time stressed that he would not take any steps that would put a burden on the people. At the presser, Dar did not say categorically that the National Security Committee (NSC) clearly backed the IMF programme plan. Click here to read…

PTI’s white paper paints ‘bleak’ economic picture: The Express Tribune

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has painted a bleak picture of the economy as it released a white paper on the economic situation of the country, blaming the PML-N led coalition government of pushing the economy into a tailspin.The white paper, which was unveiled on Tuesday at a ceremony in Lahore, said inflation had increased by 45 per cent during the last eight months under the coalition government.The Consumer Price Index (CPI), the inflation monitor, rose by 24.5% in December compared to the same period of last year, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported on Monday. Click here to read…

PMLN MPAs told to be in Lahore for assembly session: The News

These directions were passed to the party MPAs in a meeting held under the chair of Federal Interior Minister and party’s Punjab president Rana Sanaullah Khan here on Wednesday.The meeting discussed in detail the possibility that the CM of Punjab may try to take a vote of confidence during the assembly session called on January 9, 2023. The meeting also discussed the present numbers game. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka crisis: Parents forced to pick which child can go to school – BBC

Six months ago, Sri Lanka was in the eye of the storm for its worst economic crisis since independence. While calm has largely returned to the island nation, the full impact of mass unemployment and dramatic price rises is now visible among many families. Today Malki’s first day back at school and she wants to be spotless. But her siblings must stay at home – her family can only afford to send her. Click here to read…

UN assures crisis-hit Sri Lanka with financial, technical support – Siasat

UN Assistant Secretary-General and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Kanni Wignaraja has assured Sri Lanka with UN’s financial and technical support as the South Asian island country attempted to recover from an economic crisis. Click here to read…

Tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka on rise despite economic crisis – THBL

Sri Lanka received over 7,00,000 tourists in 2022 despite the ongoing economic and political situation in the island nation which is recovering from the worst economic crisis in decades. This marks a significant increase from the pandemic hit in 2021. In 2021, the tourist arrivals were under 195,000, according to Sri Lanka’s Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Defense Ministry Rejects Pakistan Official’s Remarks on TTP in Afghanistan: Tolo News

The Ministry of Defense reacted to recent comments by Pakistan’s interior minister about the presence of Tehreek Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the possibility of a raid on them by Pakistan in Afghanistan, saying that the Islamic Emirate is prepared to protect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Ministry of Defense in a statement called the remarks provocative and baseless and said that any issues or problems should be resolved through understanding. Click here to read…

Taliban (IEA) to Prosecute Afghan Media Outlets Operating from Abroad: The Khaama Press

The Taliban courts will soon announce its decision regarding the media outlets whose executives have fled the country and run the outlet from outside the country Afghanistan International reports. Abdu Haq Hemad, director of media assessment at the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s ministry of information and culture has accused the media organizations of spreading propaganda against the ruling regime. “A decision has been made regarding these media outlets. It is expected that the court’s decision will be announced in the near future,” Hemad said. He further stated that “no law allows the executive of media outlets to operate from outside and promote propaganda against the regime.” Click here to read…

Bangladesh

6 youths remanded on charge of being radicalised by al-Qaeda ideology – New Age

A Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court on Monday placed six youths, who have allegedly been radicalized by the ideology of al-Qaeda and were planning to stage armed jihad in the country, on five-day remand each in a case lodged under the Anti-Terrorism Act…According to the CTTC, the arrested in primary interrogation confessed that Abdur Rab was working as the organizer and gathered the group together with the help of social networking sites. They were planning to go to Teknaf to train in extremism. Click here to read…

Bangladesh envoys asked to respond anti-Bangladesh propaganda spontaneously – TBS

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has directed all Bangladesh envoys abroad to respond “spontaneously” against all sorts of anti-Bangladesh propaganda in their respective host countries without waiting for Dhaka’s permission. Click here to read…

Between the hammer and the anvil – Dhaka Tribune

The US and Russian embassies have engaged in a Twitter spat, commenting and counter-commenting on each other’s viewpoints towards Bangladesh, particularly with regard to the topic of non-interference in domestic matters like the upcoming national election and human rights issues. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Residents complain of inflation – Kuensel Online

Despite the recent measures, many residents complain that after the pandemic, goods and services prices have been soaring, forcing them to compromise on their consumption. The enactment of the Tax Act of Bhutan, 2022 last month, sales tax and customs duty of close to 142 goods have been reduced. Taxes were reduced with the aim of easing inflationary pressure in the market. Click here to read…

Maldives

Maldives assumes membership of UN Human Rights Council for 2023-2025

The Maldives has begun its membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term 2023-2025. Maldives won a seat on the Human Rights Council following the elections held on 11 October 2022, in New York. The election saw 17 countries competing for 14 vacant seats. The Maldives competed in the Group of Asia-Pacific States, for one of the 4 vacant seats. Click here to read…

Export container fees decreased by nearly 75 percent

Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has decreased fees taken from containers that are being exported from Maldives. MPL started implementing the change from 01 January, 2023 onwards. The company highlights that the change was brought to help Maldivian businesses who export their goods. MPL notes that with the changes, the fees have been decreased by nearly 75 percent. As such, the fee of MVR 4,419.03 taken from 20 feet containers has been decreased to MVR 1,132.08 and fee of MVR 8,767.51 taken from 40 feet containers has been decreased to MVR 2,264.14. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Acting President: 2023 Will Mark Turning Point for Myanmar’s Revolution – The Irrawaddy

Acting President Duwa Lashi La of Myanmar’s civilian National Unity Government (NUG) said in his new year’s speech that 2023 will mark the turning point in the war against military rule and called for continuous revolution. “When we are fighting against the brutalities of the terrorist military regime, resilience is really important. The regime is waiting for the time when the people and the revolutionary forces are exhausted, so all of us must continue to work hard and speed up the revolution,” Duwa Lashi La said in his state of the union address. Click here to read…

Revolutionary Armies Demand Unified Attacks on Myanmar Junta – The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s powerful ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) have vowed to uproot the country’s military dictatorship, despite junta promises of peace talks and a general election. In his new year’s speech on Sunday, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing promised greater opportunities for ethnic minorities if the armed conflict is resolved. Click here to read…

Thailand temporarily closes a Thai-Myanmar border trade gate – Mizzima

Thailand is reported to have temporarily closed a border trade gate temporarily where Myanmar fishery and aquatic products are being exported and traded. This gate is the Mawtaung-Sinkhun Thai-Myanmar border in Myeik District, Tanintharyi Region. This border trade gate was opened on 1 August 2022. The border trade gate closed for three days in New Year holiday from 30 December to 1 January 2023. Click here to read…

Nepal

China pushes for stronger presence in Nepal, but India can breathe easy – Times Now

China wants a stronger presence in Nepal and one way is by strengthening its embassy in Kathmandu, the capital. Already a strong presence in Nepal, Beijing has asked the government of Nepal for approval to move two additional security officers in its embassy. Both will be Police Liaison Officers — one will be at a counsellor level and the other as secretary. The request is under active consideration by Nepal’s foreign and defence ministries. Click here to read…

Concerns in Nepal as Indian Supreme Court validates Modi’s demonetization move – My Republica

Nepal’s banking system holds demonetized Indian currency (IC) worth over Rs 50 million, which the Indian authorities have refused to take back. The government authorities of Nepal at various levels have requested the Indian authorities time and again to take back the banned Indian currency. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, in his previous stint as the PM, had requested his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi during his state visit to India in 2017 to take back the banned banknotes. Nepal had also requested high-ranking officials of the Reserve Bank of India during their visit to Nepal in January 2017, to consider taking back the Indian currency held by the Nepali banks. But all these requests from the highest political level in Nepal have gone unheard. Click here to read…

PM Dahal to take vote of confidence in parliament on January 10 – My Republica

Prime Minister Dahal needs to secure at least 138 votes in the 275-member parliament to continue his term as the prime minister. Prime Minister Dahal has registered a letter to the Federal Parliament Secretariat to put the proposal of taking a vote of confidence on the agenda of parliament on January 10– a day after the first meeting of the newly-elected House of Representatives (HoR). Click here to read…

Jayanagar-Kurtha trains will keep rolling for now – The Kathmandu Post

The Nepal Railway Company (NRC) that runs the Jayanagar-Kurtha cross-border railway has agreed to a temporary arrangement with India’s Konkan Railways Corporation Limited (KRCL) to continue operating the country’s sole railway service. The railway had come into operation from April 2022 when it was jointly flagged off by then Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was considered a milestone in strengthening cross-border connectivity between Nepal and India. Click here to read…

Pakistan

The curious case of JUI-F’s sudden rise in Balochistan: Dawn

Recently, several politicians and electables have joined the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl), and most of them seemed confident that this is the party that would clinch a majority of seats in the upcoming elections. It is said that electables and senior politicians, who are close to the establishment, do not join a political party until prospects of its victory are assured. Despite having a decade-old presence on Balochistan’s political landscape, JUI-F has traditionally found success in the Pashtun belt of the province. However, this time around, Baloch politicians also seem to be migrating towards the JUI-F. Click here to read…

Inflation rate bounces back ahead of IMF talks: The Express Tribune

The Consumer Price Index (CPI), the inflation monitor, rose by 24.5% in December compared to the same period of last year, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported on Monday. The prices of a majority of consumer goods remained out of the reach of people, and the major surge was in rural areas where income levels were already low. The surge might force the consumers to change their expenditure patterns to spare more money to buy essential foods. Click here to read…

Imran believes establishment still involved in political engineering: The News

PTI leader and Imran Khan’s chief of staff Shibli Faraz when contacted on Monday lamented that the anti-PTI policies of the previous establishment are still continuing. Faraz spelled out the reasons for Imran Khan’s complaint against the present establishment. However, he admitted that their conclusion regarding the establishment’s involvement in political engineering to hurt the PTI is mainly based on circumstantial evidence. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s new austerity measure: No government jobs – Hindustan Times

Sri Lanka began a fresh austerity drive under which there will be no government recruitment. In the island nations new taxes and higher electricity prices were started as the authorities aim to secure an IMF bailout, news agency AFP reported. As one of the preconditions to securing the $2.9 billion bailout from IMF is achieving debt sustainability, Sri Lanka has been bringing new changes after the country defaulted in April as its economy went into crisis. Click here to read…

Former British PM David Cameron meets President – Daily Mirror

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron, who is on a personal visit to Sri Lanka, met President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday, according to a statement from the President’s Media Division (PMD).
“During a friendly discussion, Mr. Cameron extended his best wishes to President Wickremesinghe for the New Year.
President’s Senior Adviser on National Security and President’s Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayake, President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake and Director of International Affairs for the President were also present at this discussion,” the statement said. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka’s ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa applies for US citizenship restoration, says report – Indian Express

The former president and his immediate family are currently in Dubai on holiday. Rajapaksa, 73, had made the appeal for the restoration of his US Citizenship after he failed to seek asylum in any country upon fleeing Sri Lanka during the anti-government protests in 2022. An appeal to restore US citizenship previously held is a costly legal process and time-consuming, the report said. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Defense Ministry Rejects Pakistan Official’s Remarks on TTP in Afghanistan: Tolo News

The Ministry of Defense reacted to recent comments by Pakistan’s interior minister about the presence of Tehreek Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the possibility of a raid on them by Pakistan in Afghanistan, saying that the Islamic Emirate is prepared to protect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Ministry of Defense in a statement called the remarks provocative and baseless and said that any issues or problems should be resolved through understanding. Click here to read…

Taliban (IEA) to Prosecute Afghan Media Outlets Operating from Abroad: The Khaama Press

The Taliban courts will soon announce its decision regarding the media outlets whose executives have fled the country and run the outlet from outside the country Afghanistan International reports. Abdu Haq Hemad, director of media assessment at the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s ministry of information and culture has accused the media organizations of spreading propaganda against the ruling regime. “A decision has been made regarding these media outlets. It is expected that the court’s decision will be announced in the near future,” Hemad said. He further stated that “no law allows the executive of media outlets to operate from outside and promote propaganda against the regime.” Click here to read…

Bangladesh

6 youths remanded on charge of being radicalised by al-Qaeda ideology – New Age

A Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court on Monday placed six youths, who have allegedly been radicalized by the ideology of al-Qaeda and were planning to stage armed jihad in the country, on five-day remand each in a case lodged under the Anti-Terrorism Act…According to the CTTC, the arrested in primary interrogation confessed that Abdur Rab was working as the organizer and gathered the group together with the help of social networking sites. They were planning to go to Teknaf to train in extremism. Click here to read…

Bangladesh envoys asked to respond anti-Bangladesh propaganda spontaneously – TBS

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has directed all Bangladesh envoys abroad to respond “spontaneously” against all sorts of anti-Bangladesh propaganda in their respective host countries without waiting for Dhaka’s permission. Click here to read…

Between the hammer and the anvil – Dhaka Tribune

The US and Russian embassies have engaged in a Twitter spat, commenting and counter-commenting on each other’s viewpoints towards Bangladesh, particularly with regard to the topic of non-interference in domestic matters like the upcoming national election and human rights issues. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Residents complain of inflation – Kuensel Online

Despite the recent measures, many residents complain that after the pandemic, goods and services prices have been soaring, forcing them to compromise on their consumption. The enactment of the Tax Act of Bhutan, 2022 last month, sales tax and customs duty of close to 142 goods have been reduced. Taxes were reduced with the aim of easing inflationary pressure in the market. Click here to read…

Maldives

Maldives assumes membership of UN Human Rights Council for 2023-2025

The Maldives has begun its membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term 2023-2025. Maldives won a seat on the Human Rights Council following the elections held on 11 October 2022, in New York. The election saw 17 countries competing for 14 vacant seats. The Maldives competed in the Group of Asia-Pacific States, for one of the 4 vacant seats. Click here to read…

Export container fees decreased by nearly 75 percent

Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has decreased fees taken from containers that are being exported from Maldives. MPL started implementing the change from 01 January, 2023 onwards. The company highlights that the change was brought to help Maldivian businesses who export their goods. MPL notes that with the changes, the fees have been decreased by nearly 75 percent. As such, the fee of MVR 4,419.03 taken from 20 feet containers has been decreased to MVR 1,132.08 and fee of MVR 8,767.51 taken from 40 feet containers has been decreased to MVR 2,264.14. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Acting President: 2023 Will Mark Turning Point for Myanmar’s Revolution – The Irrawaddy

Acting President Duwa Lashi La of Myanmar’s civilian National Unity Government (NUG) said in his new year’s speech that 2023 will mark the turning point in the war against military rule and called for continuous revolution. “When we are fighting against the brutalities of the terrorist military regime, resilience is really important. The regime is waiting for the time when the people and the revolutionary forces are exhausted, so all of us must continue to work hard and speed up the revolution,” Duwa Lashi La said in his state of the union address. Click here to read…

Revolutionary Armies Demand Unified Attacks on Myanmar Junta – The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s powerful ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) have vowed to uproot the country’s military dictatorship, despite junta promises of peace talks and a general election. In his new year’s speech on Sunday, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing promised greater opportunities for ethnic minorities if the armed conflict is resolved. Click here to read…

Thailand temporarily closes a Thai-Myanmar border trade gate – Mizzima

Thailand is reported to have temporarily closed a border trade gate temporarily where Myanmar fishery and aquatic products are being exported and traded. This gate is the Mawtaung-Sinkhun Thai-Myanmar border in Myeik District, Tanintharyi Region. This border trade gate was opened on 1 August 2022. The border trade gate closed for three days in New Year holiday from 30 December to 1 January 2023. Click here to read…

Nepal

China pushes for stronger presence in Nepal, but India can breathe easy – Times Now

China wants a stronger presence in Nepal and one way is by strengthening its embassy in Kathmandu, the capital. Already a strong presence in Nepal, Beijing has asked the government of Nepal for approval to move two additional security officers in its embassy. Both will be Police Liaison Officers — one will be at a counsellor level and the other as secretary. The request is under active consideration by Nepal’s foreign and defence ministries. Click here to read…

Concerns in Nepal as Indian Supreme Court validates Modi’s demonetization move – My Republica

Nepal’s banking system holds demonetized Indian currency (IC) worth over Rs 50 million, which the Indian authorities have refused to take back. The government authorities of Nepal at various levels have requested the Indian authorities time and again to take back the banned Indian currency. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, in his previous stint as the PM, had requested his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi during his state visit to India in 2017 to take back the banned banknotes. Nepal had also requested high-ranking officials of the Reserve Bank of India during their visit to Nepal in January 2017, to consider taking back the Indian currency held by the Nepali banks. But all these requests from the highest political level in Nepal have gone unheard. Click here to read…

PM Dahal to take vote of confidence in parliament on January 10 – My Republica

Prime Minister Dahal needs to secure at least 138 votes in the 275-member parliament to continue his term as the prime minister. Prime Minister Dahal has registered a letter to the Federal Parliament Secretariat to put the proposal of taking a vote of confidence on the agenda of parliament on January 10– a day after the first meeting of the newly-elected House of Representatives (HoR). Click here to read…

Jayanagar-Kurtha trains will keep rolling for now – The Kathmandu Post

The Nepal Railway Company (NRC) that runs the Jayanagar-Kurtha cross-border railway has agreed to a temporary arrangement with India’s Konkan Railways Corporation Limited (KRCL) to continue operating the country’s sole railway service. The railway had come into operation from April 2022 when it was jointly flagged off by then Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was considered a milestone in strengthening cross-border connectivity between Nepal and India. Click here to read…

Pakistan

The curious case of JUI-F’s sudden rise in Balochistan: Dawn

Recently, several politicians and electables have joined the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl), and most of them seemed confident that this is the party that would clinch a majority of seats in the upcoming elections. It is said that electables and senior politicians, who are close to the establishment, do not join a political party until prospects of its victory are assured. Despite having a decade-old presence on Balochistan’s political landscape, JUI-F has traditionally found success in the Pashtun belt of the province. However, this time around, Baloch politicians also seem to be migrating towards the JUI-F. Click here to read…

Inflation rate bounces back ahead of IMF talks: The Express Tribune

The Consumer Price Index (CPI), the inflation monitor, rose by 24.5% in December compared to the same period of last year, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported on Monday. The prices of a majority of consumer goods remained out of the reach of people, and the major surge was in rural areas where income levels were already low. The surge might force the consumers to change their expenditure patterns to spare more money to buy essential foods. Click here to read…

Imran believes establishment still involved in political engineering: The News

PTI leader and Imran Khan’s chief of staff Shibli Faraz when contacted on Monday lamented that the anti-PTI policies of the previous establishment are still continuing. Faraz spelled out the reasons for Imran Khan’s complaint against the present establishment. However, he admitted that their conclusion regarding the establishment’s involvement in political engineering to hurt the PTI is mainly based on circumstantial evidence. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s new austerity measure: No government jobs – Hindustan Times

Sri Lanka began a fresh austerity drive under which there will be no government recruitment. In the island nations new taxes and higher electricity prices were started as the authorities aim to secure an IMF bailout, news agency AFP reported. As one of the preconditions to securing the $2.9 billion bailout from IMF is achieving debt sustainability, Sri Lanka has been bringing new changes after the country defaulted in April as its economy went into crisis. Click here to read…

Former British PM David Cameron meets President – Daily Mirror

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron, who is on a personal visit to Sri Lanka, met President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday, according to a statement from the President’s Media Division (PMD).
“During a friendly discussion, Mr. Cameron extended his best wishes to President Wickremesinghe for the New Year.
President’s Senior Adviser on National Security and President’s Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayake, President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake and Director of International Affairs for the President were also present at this discussion,” the statement said. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka’s ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa applies for US citizenship restoration, says report – Indian Express

The former president and his immediate family are currently in Dubai on holiday. Rajapaksa, 73, had made the appeal for the restoration of his US Citizenship after he failed to seek asylum in any country upon fleeing Sri Lanka during the anti-government protests in 2022. An appeal to restore US citizenship previously held is a costly legal process and time-consuming, the report said. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate’s Ban on Women’s Jobs Faces Widespread Reactions: Tolo News

The Ministry of Economy in a statement on Saturday ordered all national and international non-government organizations to suspend their female staff members until the next announcement. The announcement of the Islamic Emirate faced widespread reactions at national and international levels. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a tweet expressed deep concerns about the Islamic Emirate decision’s ban on women’s jobs and said “this decision could be devastating for the Afghan people, women are central to humanitarian operations around the world.” Click here to read…

TTP Threat, Rings Alarm for Pakistan: The Khaama Presss

With the return of the Taliban to Afghanistan in August 2021, the dynamic of TTP operations has changed in Pakistani tribal areas and other major cities to a great extent. Afghan Taliban, TTP’s ideological twin brother’s success in neighboring Afghanistan gave them extra momentum and energy to expand their operations across Pakistan. Since the beginning of the year, the TTP has conducted hundreds of attacks mostly targeting police and army headquarters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region, and Quetta Balochistan in Particular. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Sheikh Hasina re-elected as AL president, Quader as general secretary – Dhaka Tribune

The ruling Awami League announced its new central committee with minor changes at its 22nd National Council on Saturday afternoon. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was re-elected as party president for the 10th time, while Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader was elected general secretary for a hattrick of terms. Click here to read…

AL rank and file confused who’s top joint GS – Daily Star

Among the ruling Awami League rank and file, confusion reigned about who actually tops the list of joint general secretaries. The official website of AL uploaded the names of leaders of the full-fledged committee around 10:30pm on Saturday, putting Hasan as the number one joint general secretary. However, an hour later, the list was pulled down from the website. Only the names of Sheikh Hasina and Obaidul Quader remained there. This created a confusion among the party rank and file. Click here to read…

More exchanges between Bangladesh, China media emphasized – New Age

Bangladesh’s relations with China, one of the major development and trading partners of the country, are growing with each passing day, speakers said at a function. Enhanced contacts and exchange between the media of the two countries are needed as the media can play an important role in strengthening cultural and economic ties, they said. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Growing import a growing concern – Kuensel online

It took less than a month for the unemployed guide to switch his career. Within three months he has become a licensed importer and his trial business of importing instant noodles and coffee, seaweed, and ready-to-eat meals is doing well. The guide is among the many in the import business, also called as “container business,” making quick money – bringing in goods ranging from instant noodles to furniture and furnishings from as far as China, South Korea, and Indonesia. There is money in the import business. However, it is leaving a huge impact on the country. Click here to read…

Former Bhutan king warned India about China: R&AW ex-chief A.S. Dulat -The Hindu

Bhutan’s then king Jigme Singye Wangchuck warned India of pressures from China in 1999, writes former R&AW chief A.S. Dulat in his latest book. Mr. Dulat says the former King’s words were “prophetic” about India-China tensions in Doklam in 2017 and the build-up of infrastructure by China that has followed. He also says that New Delhi’s “muscular policy” on a range of issues, including the situation in Kashmir, and tough foreign policy in the neighbourhood led to “failures”. Click here to read…

Maldives

Maldives former president Yameen gets 11-year jail term – Business Recorder

The Maldives criminal court on Sunday sentenced former president Abdulla Yameen to 11 years in prison and fined him $5 million after finding him guilty of corruption and money laundering charges related to receiving kickbacks from a private company. Yameen has denied any wrongdoing. He lost power in 2018 but has been declared presidential candidate for the Progressive Party of the Maldives for an election due in 2023. Click here to read…

Maldives leader held for threatening attack on Indian Mission – Tribune India

Abbas Adil Riza who, in a tweet, had encouraged an arson attack on the Indian High Commission in Male. The arrest came on a day when his party colleague and former Maldives President Abdulla Yameen was sentenced to 11 years in prison by a court for corruption. The developments come ahead of the presidential elections in Maldives next year. Pro- China Yameen has in the past few days made several anti-India remarks. Click here to read…

Myanmar

China-funded mobile clinic provides healthcare services in Kyaukphyu of Myanmar – Xinhua

The China-funded Kyaukphyu Anargat (Future) Mobile Clinic project in western Myanmar’s Rakhine state entered its final stage in late December, already providing free healthcare service to over 1,500 villagers. U Kyaw Win, 54, from Kyaukphyu Township’s Shauk Chaung Village, is one of the hundreds of villagers who benefited from free healthcare and medicines from the mobile clinic. Click here to read…

New Sittwe port for Indo-Myanmar direct trade will open for Indo-Myanmar trade – Mizzima

The Military Council-appointed Rakhine State government Chief Minister Dr Aung Kyaw Min said in his opening address on the 48th Rakhine State Day that one of the Indo-Myanmar friendship projects, the Sittwe port, would be opened soon for direct trade between India and Myanmar. This Kaladan multi-modal transit transport (KMTT) project would be beneficial not only for Myanmar but also for Rakhine State development, he said. Click here to read…

Myanmar junta says UN resolution aimed at destabilizing country – LaPrensalatina

Myanmar’s military junta has rejected the resolution passed by the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday demanding an immediate end to violence and release of all political prisoners, accusing the global body of trying to “destabilize” the country. Myanmar’s foreign ministry said in a statement late on Friday that the resolution – approved on Wednesday with 12 votes in favor and three abstentions (China, Russia and India) – includes “several intrusive elements on Myanmar’s internal affairs that contravene the principles and purposesof the United Nations.” Click here to read…

Nepal

Dahal becomes prime minister again, Oli the new kingmaker – The Kathmandu Post

Sher Bahadur Deuba, a veteran of manoeuvring hung parliaments to his advantage, got outfoxed on Sunday afternoon by his bete noire, KP Sharma Oli. Not only did Oli succeed in getting Pushpa Kamal Dahal anointed as the prime minister, a move which weaned Dahal away from the Congress-led alliance, he also now gets to have his own candidate for the head of the state and the Speaker of the House of Representatives along with plum ministries and a majority of the provincial chief ministers. Until Sunday afternoon, a Nepali Congress-led coalition led by Deuba was the favourite to form the next federal government. The Oli masterstroke means that he will now get to pull the strings of power. Click here to read…

Indian Workers Attacked Along Nepal Border In Uttarakhand; Defence Minister Intervenes – Republic World

In Dharchula, a safety wall is being created along the Kali river that flows between India and Nepal. It has been learned that some elements are against the construction of the wall and are furiously throwing stones in order to stop the work at the location. Calling Nepal a friend, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called for negotiations with the neighbouring country saying, “Nepal is our friend, if there is any dispute, we will solve it together.” Also, Indian officials will be taking up the matter with their Nepalese counterparts if such incidents occur in the future. Click here to read…

Modi congratulates Prachanda on being elected Nepal’s PM – Economic Times

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” on Sunday on being elected as the new leader of Nepal and said he looks forward to working with him to further strengthen the friendship between the two countries. Click here to read…

No respite for national economy with more instability in store – The Kathmandu Post

The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has launched a ‘Save the Economy’ campaign in the face of worsening economic indicators. Although the indicators of the external sector have improved due to the strict import control measures, industrialists complain of a sharp decline in demand for goods and services, which has forced them to cut down on the operations of their businesses and factories.https://kathmandupost.com/money/2022/12/26/no-respite-for-national-economy-with-more-instability-in-store” target=”_blank”>Click here to read…

Pakistan

Editorial: Troubles lurking around every corner: Dawn

In the outgoing year, the people came around to an unprecedented price growth amid the country’s consistently deteriorating balance of payments crisis exacerbated by devastating summer floods and ongoing political uncertainty.Next year we could see inflation entrenched further and the economy trek toward a deeper recession as the politically embattled coalition led by the PML-N struggles to revive its sour relationship with the International Monetary Fund for the resumption of its loan programme to overcome its dollar liquidity crisis. Click here to read…

US embassy restricts staff movement in Islamabad: The Express Tribune

A statement issued by the US Embassy in Islamabad said the US government staff prohibited from visiting the private hotel in the federal capital due to possible attack.The US government is aware of information that unidentified individuals are possibly plotting to attack Americans at the private hotel in Islamabad “sometime during the holidays”, the statement added. Click here to read…

Govt again advises Imran to return to NA: The Express Tribune

As PTI chief Imran Khan remains adamant about playing hardball to force early polls, the government has again advised the former prime minister to return to the National Assembly to put forth his demands and lead a “healthy opposition” against the ruling coalition for negotiations. Click here to read…

News analysis: Country needs vision to break through economic trap: The News

As finance minister Ishaq Dar publicly defied the IMF earlier this month and overlooked tough economic conditions across Pakistan, a wider crisis continued with no signs of abating any time soon. The minister is presiding over Pakistan’s fast worsening economic turmoil driven by stagnation, far above target inflation, a balance of payments crisis and widespread uncertainty to name matters proverbially at the tip of the iceberg. And his recent promise of returning the Rupee versus US Dollar exchange rate to below Rs200 to a Dollar is already lost. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Manic weather across the country – Daily Mirror

Heavy rain was experienced yesterday all over the country disrupting civilian life. The worst affected were the central hills that had been hit by floods and earth slips due to the torrential rains experienced from Saturday midnight (24) that continued unabated yesterday. The Police said the central hills had been shrouded with a thick mist and warned the drivers to be cautious of fog that prevented visibility. Click here to read…

President Ranil’s initiative to resolve Tamil national question – Daily Mirror

Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader and Colombo District MP, Mano Ganesan received a telephone call from Ranil Wickremesinghe on 19 July 2022. Recalling the telephone conversation, Mano Ganesan told me “Ranil spoke as if he had already been elected President. He told me of his intention to resolve the Tamil National Question. He also told me of his plans to address the socio -economic issues of the North-Eastern and Up Country Tamils. He also spoke about the economic upliftment of their areas. Ranil seemed very convincing then” Click here to read…

Chinese infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka may have contributed to the country’s crisis: Report – The Print

According to the report, “A port city that dominates Colombo’s seafront was built on a 269-hectare patch of land reclaimed from the sea. It was to become a thriving business and financial hub, but it is virtually deserted.” An international airport commissioned at Sri Lanka’s Mattala city almost a decade ago is called the “emptiest airport in the world.” Both these projects funded by China are seen as “white elephants” that have significantly contributed to Sri Lanka’s debt. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Reactions Continue to Closure of Universities for Women: Tolo News

The closure of universities for women has faced continuous reactions within and outside the country. On Thursday morning, dozens of female students held a protest near the Kabul University in the west of Kabul, calling for women and girls’ access to education and work. The European Union in a statement called the decision another violation of international obligations and said it constitutes an institutionalized and systematic “discrimination against women and girls.” Click here to read…

Ukraine’s Zelensky Urges U.S. Congress for More Military Support: The Khaama Press

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky jetted to Washington, DC, for talks with his American counterpart President Joe Biden and top-ranking American authorities face-to-face for the first time since his country came under Russian invasion in February. President Volodymyr Zelensky told the U.S. Congress that aid to Ukraine was an investment in democracy and “not charity” as he invoked American battles against the Nazis in World War Two to press for more assistance for his country’s war effort. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Shahriar, Sherman talk polls, security of US embassy personnel: Dhaka Tribune

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spoke on the phone with State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Shahriar Alam on Thursday. The two discussed strengthening US-Bangladesh relations, the importance of holding free and fair elections, and the safety and security of US embassy personnel, according to US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price. Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Monday said there is nothing to worry about when it comes to the security of foreign diplomats stationed in Dhaka. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Export prices up by over 7 percent in the third quarter: Kuensel

The export prices of goods rose by 7.29 percent in the third quarter (July to September) this year compared to the figure in the same period last year, according to the National Statistics Bureau’s report released yesterday. This means, if the price of the exported goods was Nu 100 in the third quarter of last year, the exporters had sold it at Nu 107.29 in the same quarter this year. However, an increase in the export prices was outweighed by a higher increase in import prices. The import prices or inflation recorded an increase of 18.54 percent in the quarter. Click here to read…

Maldives

Tariff on fish exports will be eliminated within two months: Nasheed: Avas

Parliament Speaker and President of the main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Mohamed Nasheed, has said the duty imposed on Maldivian fish products exported to the UK will be eliminated within the next two months.

Nasheed, who is currently abroad, made the announcement via a tweet on Wednesday night.
In his tweet, Nasheed said his close acquaintances in the UK government had assured that the duty on fish imported from the Maldives to the UK would be cut within the next two months at the latest. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Thailand hosts Myanmar junta figures in talks, key ASEAN nations skip: Reuters

Thailand hosted regional talks on Thursday to discuss the crisis in army-run Myanmar including rare international appearances by junta ministers, but several key members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations did not attend despite invitations. Foreign ministers of Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia and Vietnam’s deputy foreign minister joined the talks hosted by Thailand’s foreign minister, according to Thai foreign ministry spokeswoman Kanchana Patarachoke. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Punjab governor de-notifies CM: The Express Tribune

A notification issued by the Governor House after midnight said that Chief Minister Elahi ceased to hold the office immediately while the provincial cabinet stood dissolved. However, it added that Elahi would continue under Article 133 of the Constitution until a new chief minister was elected by the provincial assembly. “I am satisfied that he [Chief Minister Elahi] does not command the confidence of the majority of the members of the Punjab Assembly and, therefore, ceases to hold his office with immediate effect,” the governor said in his order. “In consequence of the above, the provincial cabinet stands dissolved forthwith,” the order added. Click here to read…

Banned TTP is Pakistan’s red line, Bilawal tells Afghan Taliban: The News

Speaking to the media at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington, Bilawal Bhutto said: “We will not ignore if we find out that Taliban are not stopping the TTP.” Expressing his concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the country due to rising TTP attacks from the Afghan soil, Bilawal said if the Taliban carry out operations against the extremists, Pakistan will provide help, if needed. He said that there was no new agreement on cooperation with the US for anti-terrorism. “We urge to release frozen funds for the Afghan people not for the Taliban. They [Taliban] promised with the US and the world to take action against the extremist groups,” said Bilawal. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Finance Minisry to hand over customs confiscated vehicles to police: Daily Mirror

Necessary arrangements have been made to hand over the vehicles confiscated by Sri Lanka Customs (SLC) to be used for raids by the Sri Lanka Police Department, including drug prevention, State Finance Minister Ranjith Siambalapitiya said. He said this while participating in an inspection visit on Monday (20) at the Hambantota port premises to monitor the relevant vehicles currently parked at the port. He mentioned that some vehicles confiscated due to illegal importation have been at the port for about seven years. 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

Blast Rocks Capital of Samangan: Tolo News

A blast occurred in Jahdia seminary during afternoon prayers on Wednesday in Aybak city in Samangan. According to local officials, the blast left 19 people dead and 23 others wounded. “So far, 23 wounded have arrived and, unfortunately, 19 fatalities,” said Sayed Osman Sayedi, deputy head of Samangan province. Click here to read…

High-Level Pakistani Delegation Arrives in Kabul: Tolo News

A senior Pakistani delegation led by Minister of State Hina Rabbani Khar arrived in Kabul on Tuesday morning and met with acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Muttaqi discussed the release of Afghan detainees in Pakistan, the transport of goods and passengers between countries, and trade issues, the statement said. Click here to read…

Pakistan’s Hina Rabbani Stresses Imperative of ‘Practically’ Engaging with Afghan Government: The Khaama Press

According to a statement from the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, November 29, the Pakistani official Hina Rabbani Khar undertook a one-day official visit to Afghanistan where she met with the current Afghan administration’s several authorities. Click here to read…

‘Islamic System is What Every Afghan Wants,’ Says Afghan Deputy PM: The Khaama Press

The political deputy of the Afghan prime minister, according to the state-run Bakhtar News Agency, met with influential figures of Maidan Wardak, Baghlan, Takhar, Kapisa, Parwan, and Panjshir provinces, in the Sapidar Palace in Kabul, the Afghan capital. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

41 eminent citizens call for quick implementation of CHT accord – Dhaka Tribune

A total of 41 eminent citizens has demanded the speedy implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) agreement by removing all obstacles. On December 2, 1997, the Chittagong Hill Tracts and the government of Bangladesh signed this historic agreement in an effort to find a political solution to the Chittagong Hill Tracts issue. It is alleged that a powerful section of the government administration is creating major obstacles in the implementation of the CHT agreement, the statement saidClick here to read…

December 1, 1971: When Indira Gandhi ‘had to’ intervene – Dhaka Tribune

The Bangladesh Liberation War escalated to its peak at the end of November, when Pakistan’s military ruler General Yahya Khan declared a state of emergency on November 23, 1971 in the face of a mobilization of troops by India. Active fighting continued in the border areas of East Pakistan in the last week of November, with some Indian officials seen increasingly open about the fact that Indian troops had gone across the border. But they continued to maintain that the crossings were aimed at quelling Pakistani shelling and were an act of self-defenseClick here to read…

Quader: If BNP resorts to anarchy, it will be handled strictly – Dhaka Tribune

Awami League (AL) general secretary Obaidul Quader on Wednesday said if BNP wants to create anarchy centering its rally in the name of movement, it will be handled with an iron hand. “If BNP adds elements of violence to its movement, the Awami League along with the people will give a befitting reply to it,” he told a press briefing at the Secretariat here. Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, questioned: “Why did the BNP select the December 10 for its rally? Did not BNP know the history of Bangladesh?” Click here to read…

Bhutan

Bhutan is an exemplary country when it comes to gender equality– Kuensel Online

Lyonchhen Dr Lotay Tshering during the National Assembly yesterday said that Bhutan does not have gender inequality. This was in response to MP for Khar-Yurung Tshering Chhoden’s question. Tshering Chhoden asked Lyonchhen what is being done in preparation to achieve the gender goal of 50 percent women leadership representation by 2030. She said that the minutes of the world conference of women in 1995 in Beijing set this goal. She also said that Bhutan has only 16.5 percent women representation in Parliament, 12.6 percent in Local Government, 39.8 percent in civil service, and 18 percent at the executive level. Click here to read…

Maldives

President Solih offers condolences following the passing of Chinese ex-President Jiang Zemin – Raajje

The Maldivian leader has offered condolences following the passing of the former President of China Jiang Zemin. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih extended his condolences in a message to the President of China, Xi Jinping on Wednesday. In his message, President Solih stated that as China mourns the death of their former President Jiang Zemin, he extends sympathies to the people and President of China, on behalf of the government and people of MaldivesClick here to read…

“Maldives committed to address global environmental agenda through development of informed policies” – Raajje

Vice President Faisal Naseem has reiterated the commitment of the Maldivian government to address the global environmental agenda through the development of informed policies on nitrogen management in the archipelago nation. The Vice President made this remark while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the “South Asian Nitrogen Hub” (SANH) meeting in the Maldives. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Defending human rights in post-coup Myanmar – sydney.edu

The military coup in Myanmar in February 2021 plunged the country into crisis. After seizing power from a democratically elected government, the military junta met nationwide protests with brutal force, arresting, torturing and killing its perceived opponents. The violence sparked an armed uprising, while the country’s economy, health and education systems have teetered on collapse. Click here to read…

Myanmar’s exiled National Unity Government cautiously recognises rights of Rohingyas – The Hindu

The laws of Myanmar that prompted one of the largest refugee crises in recent decades involving the Rohingya community of the Rakhine province is deeply unpopular among the democratic anti-junta forces. The Hindu was told recently that the ruling military junta is under growing pressure from the “troops” of the National Unity Government (NUG) which is being “actively engaged” by several countries, including France and the United States. Click here to read…

Myanmar’s Civilian President Warns NUG Ministers not to Raise False Hopes – The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s civilian National Unity Government (NUG) Acting President Duwa Lashi La cautioned ministers and deputies on Tuesday not to raise false hopes among the Myanmar people. “We cannot forget that the citizens of Myanmar, both at home and abroad, are the primary source of support for the revolution and that it is difficult for governments that lack the support of the public to survive long-term,” Duwa Lashi La told the NUG’s cabinet on Tuesday. Click here to read…

Nepal

Congress reaches out to Janamat Party chief Raut to discuss new government – The Kathmandu Post

CK Raut, president of the Janamat Party, held talks with Nepali Congress leader Bimalendra Nidhi on Wednesday and offered to join the new ruling coalition. Nidhi confirmed to the Post about his meeting with Raut. Nidhi later visited Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and briefed him about his meeting with Raut. During their meeting at Baluwatar, Nidhi informed Deuba that Raut has offered to support the ruling coalition in both the federal parliament and provincial assemblies and that the coalition should start talks with the Janamat Party. Click here to read…

Why Nepal election is good news for India – India Narrative

The results of Nepal’s pivotal elections are yet to emerge, but it is likely that that the dice is loaded in favour of the Nepali Congress-led five party alliance. This is good news for India. In fact, if the NC had not emerged as the largest single party to triumph in the polls, it would have further tempted China to unite all the communist parties leading to the emergence of a new government led by the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), backed by a few smaller parties or independentsClick here to read…

PR vote count: UML gets 2.7 million votes, NC following – Khabarhub

As per the details of the Election Commission recorded till Wednesday, the CPN UML is leading the vote count. The party has received 2,720,639 votes out of 10,171,273 valid votes so far. Similarly, the Nepali Congress has obtained 2,585,090 votes followed by the CPN (Maoist Centre) with 1,153,443. Likewise, the Rastriya Swatantra Party has garnered 1,104,245 votes, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party 579,275, the Janata Samajbadi 408,964, the Janamat Party 376,199, the CPN (Unified Socialist) 290,196 and the Nagarik Unmukti Party 268,436. Click here to read…

China’s stakes in the Nepal election – ORF online

The Chinese are closely following the recent Nepalese election. The last few months saw China carrying out back-to-back high-level exchanges with Nepal. In March 2022, days after the Nepalese parliament ratified the much-debated United States (US) Millennium Challenge Corporation(MCC) Compact, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid a state visit to Kathmandu and expounded on China’s “Three Supports” for Nepal in terms of “blazing a development path suited to its national conditions, … in pursuing independent domestic and foreign policies… and in participating in Belt and Road cooperation to a greater extent”. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Govt to review strategy after TTP calls off truce: The Express Tribune

Official sources told The Express Tribune that there would be a “review” of Pakistan’s strategy following the TTP announcement earlier this week and spike in terrorist attacks. In June, the TTP announced an indefinite ceasefire after a series of meetings between the Pakistani representatives and the militant outfit in Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Newly appointed COAS Gen Asim calls on PM: The Express Tribune

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Muneer and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza separately called on President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday. Click here to read…

Islamabad-Moscow talks: Pakistan seeks Russian crude at 30-40pc discount: The News

Pakistan was represented by State Minister for Petroleum Musadik Malik during the talks held in Moscow. Secretary Petroleum Capt (retd) Muhammad Mahmood, Joint Secretary and officials of the Pakistan Embassy in Moscow accompanied the state minister. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

President issues strong statement after COP27 Conference – Daily News

Having participated in the COP27 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt earlier this month, President Ranil Wickremesinghe issued a statement on Tuesday (29) on its outcome. The President was critical of the countries that were historically accountable for the greatest damage and who are capable of meaningful contributions but who have stymied the furtherance of climate action. Following is the statement issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe. “For 27 years, world leaders have been meeting under the COP framework to confront the greatest threat to the future of humanity – climate change. Yet, we are no closer to the implementation of a universal and collaborative plan of climate action as mandated by the COP process. Click here to read…

World Bank assures continuous support to Sri Lanka – Colombo Page

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena held discussions with World Bank Country Director Chiyo Kanda and senior Strategy and Operations officials about the progress of ongoing projects and proposed future projects, Prime Minister’s Office said. The Prime Minister briefed the delegation about the steps taken by the government to overcome economic challenges and said the new reforms would result in early conclusion of monetary arrangements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). World Bank Country Director expressed satisfaction over the short term measures to ease the economic situation and stressed the need for continuous midterm and long-term efforts. She assured continuous support to Sri Lanka. Click here to read…

Four UPFA allies shun Maithripala’s summons – Daily News

Secretaries of four constituent Parties in the UPFA have informed the UPFA Leader and former President Maithripala Sirisena that they would not participate in the executive committee meeting which had been summoned by him yesterday National Congress Leader A.L.M.Athaullah, Eelam People’s Democratic Party Douglus Devananda, Mahajana Eksath Peramuna Secretary Thissa Jayawardena and T.Kalansuriya of the Desha Vimukthi Party have sent letters to the UPFA leader separately. They have informed the former President Maithripala Sirisena that an executive committee meeting of the UPFA can only be convened by its General Secretary Mahinda Amarawera and the Leader of the Alliance does not have any authority to summon such a meeting. Click here to read…

Geopolitical tensions and repaying external debt – Daily Mirror

To India, developments in Sri Lanka are always a great matter of interest. Due to Lanka’s proximity to India, developments in our country are always a matter of great interest to India – regarding its security concerns.
Since the LTTE insurgency, relations between India and Lanka were strained. The development of close relations between China and Sri Lanka during regime of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in Indian eyes, appeared to give China unprecedented access to this country and raised fears in India due to its perennial border disputes with that country.
Resultantly, we see India shedding its post-independence insecurity about the presence of Western powers in its neighbourhood and attempting to balance out what it sees as China’s forays into its (India’s) sphere of influence, with closer relationships with the US – as for example the QUAD grouping a security arrangement between Australia, India, Japan and the US. In the more recent past – especially in the aftermath of our economic meltdown- India has proven to be a saviour to our country. At a time when hunger stalked our nation, India provided us with all manner of help ranging from lines of credit, to food, medicine and many other essentials. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Hina holds political talks with Afghan govt today – Dawn

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar will pay a one-day visit to Afghanistan on Tuesday (today) to hold a political dialogue with the Afghan interim government. Bilateral relations, including cooperation in areas of education, trade and investment, regional connectivity, people-to-people contacts and matters related to regional security will come under discussion, the Foreign Office spokesperson said in a press release on Monday. Click here to read…

Taliban calls on Iranian investors to invest in Afghanistan – Mehr News Agency

Speaking in a meeting with a group of Iranian investors, held at the venue of the ministry on Monday, regarding the way of investment in Afghanistan, he urged Iranian traders and merchants to make investments in Afghanistan in line with strengthening bilateral relations in relevant fields. During the meeting, Azizi pointed out that the Taliban has paved suitable ways for foreign investment in Afghanistan, adding that Afghanistan is home to large mines and this country has created great opportunities and facilitated the investment of foreign companies as well. Click here to read…

The MoD Says it Has Repaired 60 Helicopters, Fixed-Wing Aircraft – Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate’s Ministry of Defense said that maintenance teams of the Afghan air force have so far repaired more than sixty helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft that were rendered unusable by technical issues. According to the Ministry of Defense’s spokesman, among sixty repaired aircraft, three transport aircraft (Two An-32s and one An-26) have also been repaired and are now ready to fly. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

PM Hasina urges to take effective actions to restore rights of Palestinian people – Dhaka Tribune

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged the international community to work together for effective and decisive actions and step up the efforts to restore the legitimate rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people to live in safety, stability, and dignity in a sovereign homeland. She came up with the call on Monday on the occasion of International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The prime minister issued a message marking the day. “On the solemn occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, Bangladesh joins the international community in reaffirming its unwavering support towards the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people of self-determination and establishment of the State of Palestine based on a two-state solution with pre-1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its Capital,” she said in the message. Click here to read…

BNP to announce plans to oust government on December 10 – The Daily Star

BNP will announce a set of programmes during its December 10 rally to ensure that the government steps down, said BNP Standing Committee Member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain yesterday. He made the remarks while addressing a roundtable titled “Strengthening Democracy in Bangladesh and the Role of International Community”, held at Jatiya Press Club. Mosharraf said, “The government will see a mass uprising and united movement. It will be ousted from power soon.” He said BNP has already observed eight successful, peaceful divisional movements to “save the people of Bangladesh and protect the country from Awami League’s misrule”.Click here to read…

Tokyo, Dhaka should enhance security co-op – The Daily Star

Japan is the largest bilateral development partner of Bangladesh. It has provided about $27 billion in grants and loans to Bangladesh since 1971. Japan is currently implementing some of the major infrastructure projects. The two countries are willing to elevate the relations to a strategic level during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Japan. Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Ito Naoki, shared his views with Porimol Palma of The Daily Star. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Space science and Bhutan’s future – Kuensel Online

On Saturday, November 26, the Indian Space Research Organisation launched nine satellites, including an earth observation satellite (EOS-06) in multiple orbits. The mission was hugely successful. For Bhutan, the achievement carried a special significance because the collaboration between the two friendly nations sent ISRO Nano Satellite-2 into the space. Click here to read…

Maldives

EU integral to Maldives’ development: Foreign Minister

The European Union (EU) is an integral development partner of the Maldives, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid stated last Wednesday at the commencement of the sixth annual Maldives-EU Policy Dialogue. Minister Shahid said that Maldives and the EU have maintained a solid relationship since diplomatic ties were established in 1993. He acknowledged the EU’s continued assistance to the Maldives, and thanked them for their support over the last 29-years. Click here to read…

“Maldives committed to address global environmental agenda through development of informed policies” – Raajje

Vice President Faisal Naseem has reiterated the commitment of the Maldivian government to address the global environmental agenda through the development of informed policies on nitrogen management in the archipelago nation. The Vice President made this remark while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the “South Asian Nitrogen Hub” (SANH) meeting in the Maldives. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Smuggling from Myanmar, Assam govt’s curbs hit arecanut trade in NE states – Dajji World

Due to large-scale smuggling from Myanmar and Assam government’s restrictions, arecanut farmers in the northeastern states, especially Mizoram and Tripura, are affected a lot and are seeking central intervention. The illicit trade of arecanut, which is also known as betel nut or ‘supari’, is on the rise with the security forces, including the Assam Rifles, often seizing thousands of tonnes of the product, along with drugs, exotic animals and other goods smuggled in from Myanmar. Click here to read…

Journalist held by Myanmar urges Japan to pressure junta – The News

A Japanese journalist released from Myanmar in a prisoner amnesty called on Monday for Tokyo to put more pressure on the junta and accept refugees fleeing the Southeast Asian country. Toru Kubota spent three-and-a-half months in prison after being detained near an anti-government rally in Yangon in July along with two Myanmar citizens. Thousands of people have been jailed during a bloody crackdown on dissent in Myanmar since a military coup in February 2021. Click here to read…

Informal ceasefire with Myanmar military ‘not permanent’ solution, Arakan Army says – Myanmar Now

The Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) agreed to a temporary truce last week following months of hostilities in Rakhine State, according to a representative of the ethnic armed organisation. The informal ceasefire was brokered by Nippon Foundation chair Yohei Sasakawa, AA spokesperson Khaing Thukha said at an online press conference on Monday, adding that it went into effect on November 24. Click here to read…

ASEAN’s Myanmar Headache Changes Hands – The Diplomat

Post-coup Myanmar has become something of a “Brahma’s head” for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Member states poke and prod for a year during their respective chairmanships, hoping for some progress on the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) peace plan, inevitably shrug their shoulders in dismay, and then pass the burden on. Brunei did so in 2021, as did Cambodia this year. Soon it will be the turn of Indonesia in 2023. Major powers have stayed away from the morass, deflecting the headache back onto ASEAN by emphasizing its centrality and responsibility for dealing with the group’s perennial black sheep. Click here to read…

Nepal

Red flags in Delhi over China’s push for role in Nepal, Bangladesh projects – Hindustan Times

China First Highway Engineering was not among the five companies that qualified to bid for the Kathmandu Terai-Madhesh Expressway project and was included at a later stage. A range of activities by China in the neighbourhood, from pushing for a role in a major project to manage Bangladesh’s Teesta river to deploying surveillance ships in regional waters and taking on a crucial road project in Nepal, have raised concerns in New Delhi against the backdrop of the dragging border standoff. Click here to read…

Another big blow to Oli in Nepal elections, Nepali Congress can form government in all 7 states- News Day Express

Former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has suffered another major setback in Nepal. Like the federal government of Nepal, KP Oli’s party is heading towards defeat in the provinces as well. The Nepali Congress-led coalition is inching towards a majority in all 7 provinces. Analysts say that if the Nepali Congress-led coalition forms the government at the center, then the government of the same coalition can be formed in the provinces as well under the package deal. Click here to read…

Re-polling at 10 voting centres in Dolakha on Thursday – The Kathmandu Post

The Election Commission has decided to conduct re-polls at ten voting centres in Dolakha on Thursday. The commission decided to hold re-polls stating that the voting process was not conducted in a free, fair and fearless environment at the polling centres on November 20. Click here to read…

UML leading PR vote count with 2,550,372 votes – Khabarhub

Out of over 9.3 million votes counted so far under the proportional representation, the CPN (UML) is leading with 2,550,372 votes. The Nepali Congress is following with 2,415,834. Similarly, the Rastriya Swatantra Party has got 1,065,612, the CPN (Maoist Center) 1,078,448, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party 547,011 and the Janata Samajwadi Party 336,096. The Janamat Party and the CPN (Unified Socialist) are struggling to cross the threshold with 277,136 and 255,807 votes respectively.-owned power utility is increasing high-voltage power connections to industrial units. Click here to read…

Pakistan

TTP ends ceasefire with government, orders its militants to ‘carry out attacks in entire country’ – Dawn

The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Monday called off the ceasefire agreed with the government in June and ordered its militants to stage attacks across the country, according to a statement from the group. “As military operations are ongoing against mujahideen in different areas […] so it is imperative for you to carry out attacks wherever you can in the entire country,” the statement, which is available with Dawn.com, said while addressing its militantsClick here to read…

BSF shoots down drone along India-Pakistan border in Amritsar – The Tribune

The Border Security Force has shot down a drone that sneaked into the Indian side from Pakistan in Punjab’s Amritsar district, officials said on Tuesday. The BSF personnel fired at the drone on Monday night after they noticed it entering the Indian territory near Chaharpur village, around 40 km north of Amritsar city, they saidClick here to read…

Pakistan, IMF begin online talks on $7 billion loan review – Financial Express

Pakistan reserves stood at $7.8 billion as of Nov. 18, barely enough to cover imports for a month. The Pakistan Stock Exchange fell around 2% on Monday, its first day of trading after the central bank unexpectedly hiked its key policy rate to 16% last week. ARY News reported on Monday that the IMF had asked Pakistan to reduce expenses before talks on the ninth review. Pakistan secured a $6 billion bailout in 2019 that was topped up with another $1 billion earlier this year. The IMF’s board approved the seventh and eight reviews in August, allowing the release of more than $1.1 billion. The ninth review has been pending since September. The IMF told Reuters last week that finalisation of a recovery plan from the floods was essential to support discussions, along with continued financial support from multilateral and bilateral partners. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

India’s Constitution Day celebrations in Sri Lanka – Daily News

India’s ‘Constitution Day’ was observed through a series of events organised by the High Commission of India, Colombo on November 26, 2022. The special day marked the adoption of the Indian Constitution on November 26, 1949. More than 200 schoolchildren from different parts of Sri Lanka enthusiastically participated in the Children’s Art Competition organised on Saturday. Themes of the competition such as ‘Incredible India’ and ‘Fundamental Duties’ were closely linked to India and her Constitution which helped the young and creative students from Sri Lanka develop a closer understanding of their civilizational partner, India. Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay who was the Chief Guest at the Competition, complimented families and teachers of the children for nurturing the talents of the next generation by encouraging them to participate in such competitions. Click here to read…

Senior military officers meet High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda – Daily News

Senior military officers from the Sri Lanka Army, Navy, and Air Force following the 62nd National Defence Course at the National Defence College (NDC) in New Delhi, paid a courtesy call on Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda at the High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi. These senior officers, Brigadier UKDDP Udugama, Commodore MDK Wijewardana and Group Captain WPAH Perera highlighted the significance of the content of the National Defence Course conducted by India’s apex institution for the study and practice of National Security and Strategy during the interaction with the High Commissioner. Defence Adviser-Sri Lanka High Commission, India Cmdr. Rohan Joseph also joined the discussion. Established in 1960, the NDC is dedicated to the intellectual development and strategic enculturation of selected senior officers of the Armed Forces and Civilian Government Services of India and those from foreign countries, for higher leadership positions and responsibilities. Click here to read…

Why Sri Lanka needs an Enhanced Naval Fleet – Daily Star
The global maritime domain and the role of naval power in peacetime have changed significantly in recent decades. With the sea as the area of operations naval forces are an essential instrument for the State not only in war, but in peacetime as well. In comparison to the Army and Air Force, naval forces are useful to the State outside a war context as they provide prosperity to the State through the protection of shipping lanes and civilian vesselsClick here to read…